2017 Annual Dinner for 12

The Menu

Eggplant with Sun-dried Tomato and Basil (sundried tomato, walnuts, pine nuts, basil, olive oil)

A Southern Classic- Buttermilk Pie. Served with fresh Strawberry Reduction

A new favorite- Sweet Corn Pudding

Lemon Chicken with Dill. So easy and so delicious!

Slow-cooker country Ham.

Cream of Mushroom with Water Spinach and Crostini

2017 Easter Lunch

Fresh corn in cream cheese, Light fruit salad with fruit, mini marshmallows and coconut, Honey and berry glazed ham, peas and artichokes, honey glazed carrots, cheesy bacon potato casserole

Ellie Lou's BBQ- disappointing at first, but unexpectedly delicious by the end

Firstly, I have to state that I did some research before coming to this restaurant. I try not to because the experience should be more than the hype... but I had heard good things about this place from some friends. All the way in west Orange county close to Gotha and Winter Garden, some light online menu reading was in call. 

So let's get the disappointment out of the way (and then on to the deliciously surprising food). I had a gameplan- order the in-house smoked sausage and two orders of their in-house pickles (garlic and jalapeño). They didn't have either. Matter of fact, the worker said they had discontinued them. I had checked the website the day prior, so I still had that plate of food on my mind. The food ordering is done at the counter and they drop off the food to you when it's ready. My friend saw that I was scrambling for another option so he recommended that I opt for the Texas Cheesesteak ($10.29) instead. Which I did with a side of fried green tomatoes, texas toast (extra), and collard greens (extra). I wanted to try the cheesy grits side but they were out of that as well. I was looking forward to getting past this debacle and onto some serious barbeque.

Sorry guys! Need some time to rethink my order. So many delicious sounding choices...

... so little time

Texas brisket cheesesteak. Ruined me for life. Can't look at another cheesesteak without comparing it to this again. A little more cheese sauce for me would have been better but wow, the meat tasted great

YUM. My last-minute food order didn't disappoint at all. The chopped brisket in this sandwich was amazing. A few pickled jalapeños dotted it here and there and the cheese sauce was not overwhelmingly slathered on. For some cheesesteak lovers, this may not be something you immediately like. But take it from me, with meat this good, you don't want a sauce to smother and blanket the BBQ flavors. This fusion mix-up of southern and a classic northern meal was fantastic. Great mouthfeel as you bite through soft bread, generous brisket, and an appropriate hint of cheese sauce and jalapeño. A definite must-try for anyone who's interested.

The sides were really good as well. Of note, the collard greens were ON POINT! Perfectly tender, not completely mushed up, nicely seasoned, with small bits of thick cut bacon. I have to credit the bacon fat that probably flavored the collards perfectly. The fried green tomatoes were also good. I didn't particularly like the remoulade pairing, and I ate them as it. The tomato disks are smaller sized and thinner cut than other southern establishments that you may visit so keep that in mind when you order them. 

Interior of the establishment. Not the greatest pic, but you get the idea.

Slider Trio ($8.99). With pulled chicken, pork, and turkey. The choice of bread (they are calling it 'Challah') really made the difference. Soft, chewy clouds of southern barbecue goodness.

The other sides that I tasted were the Mac-n-Cheese which was nothing to write about. Pretty standard and it could have benefitted from a Panko breadcrumb topping just to cut through the monotony of the one-note flavor. It lacked that southern depth that true Mac-n-Cheese lovers yearn for with cheesy nuances of texture as well as taste. On the other hand, their 'Settler's Beans' (not pictured) where beyond delicious. Instead of using just baked beans, they also used red kidney beans which really revved up the eyes and the palate. They were sweet, well-seasoned, and yummy. Definitely try this is if you love baked beans with Texas toast. 

IN A NUTSHELL: Good food even though some false advertising between the website and what's really available is currently occurring. The establishment did mention that they are changing up their menu. Beyond that, the food was incredible- and definitely worth the drive if you don't live close-by. A friend of mine mentioned that he would just travel back here for the barbecue. Service was also very good- they stayed on top of replenishing drinks and offering to-go boxes when it became apparent that we were done eating. Serviceware is plastic here so it may not be the best choice for people that want to sit down and be waited on from start to finish. But, if you are going for the food, you'll definitely find something on the menu that you like. I personally love the mash-ups between different cuisines while still retaining classic southern barbecue (they have in-house sauces on tables that you'll like too) ideas.

Red Robin: The 'Olive Garden' of Burgers

I don't make it a habit about blogging about chain restaurants. But something about this place made me take up typing tonight. 

There is a defining characteristic about Red Robin- they have portion control down to a science. A large franchise usually does have scientists and mathematicians employed that not only objectify food quantities, but also flavor. And rightfully so. After all, it's a conglomerate that's in it to make money by carefully balancing between borderline small portion sizes and excess food wastage.

Before I start writing about the food, I must say that the service was very good. Our server was pleasant like sunshine on a wintry day. We even had two different managers come up and check on us. Food service times were not a problem and the ambience was inviting and modern. Everything you would expect from a restaurant that has studied it's market audience and their preferences over and over.

For starters, the Great Northern Poutine Fries were a must ($7). I ordered the Avo-Cob-O salad ($10.99) and my partner ordered the Southern Charm burger ($13.99). On flavor, none of these dishes fell short. The Poutine, a combination of deep fried cheese curd bites and fries covered with mushroom brown gravy, was excellent. The Avo-Cob-O salad? Perfect. Big chunks of bleu cheese paired with succulent, perfectly grilled chicken strips. Even the Southern Charm burger with BBQ sauce on a ciabatta bun was delectable. Every flavor the menu promised, the food delivered. One cannot criticize Red Robin on delivering on what they state.

The only drawback of this restaurant would be that the menu is too tantalizing. Can you imagine that as a drawback? The reason is that they have done such a fantastic job on making your mouth water on every page, that your eyes expect a big fat burger fit for a lumberjack landing in front of you after the order is placed. The truth is, most of the burger patties run at 6oz while their signature burgers patties are at 8oz.... portion sizes. Needless to say, the truth is in the fine print in-between the enticing pictures. But in their defense, their price points are not completely outrageous. They were slightly on the higher end for the portion size one is probably expecting but not by a wide margin. Again, a fine balance between going easy on the wallet vs. not quite starving you out of hefty meal.

Bottomless fries are indeed bottomless. But I wish they showed some generosity with potatoes (you know, one of the most affordable vegetables in the united states) by handing you a big basket of them. Somehow, I feel that they have even accounted for each portion size on that- approximately 8 fries per request. The establishment is a well-oiled machine, but it only makes one compare Red Robin to other restaurants that cater to big-boy portion sizes that southerners are far more accustomed and gravitate to.

I have to go on record by stating that I'm a huge opponent of the Ziosk tabletop ordering and payment system. At a restaurant where you expect the server to take care of your needs, I feel that I'm now coerced into partially doing some work that was the servers before. In a way, Red Robin has also partially done away with this workforce and replaced it with an machine that takes up permanent residence on your table throughout the dining experience. I'm boycotting this Ziosk stupidity. It's one step closer to eliminating an entire job sector in hospitality and I'm not buying in on the 'convenience'. I feel like Red Robin has taken their streamlining/portion-control/cost-basis analysis a bit too far by implementing Ziosk. Forget the numbers! I'm a sit-down restaurant and I have an expectation on a basic level of service that entails!

IN A NUTSHELL: The only simile that comes to mind is Olive Garden. Is it the best Italian food you've ever had? No. Do you leave feeling satisfied and with little to no complaints? Probably yes. Red Robin is kind of like that- a well-manicured franchise that knows how to satisfy you without being the best mind-blowing food you've ever eaten. This place is a smart choice when you have a large group with differing tastes that want to go out together. I can assure you, Red Robin has very likely figured out that it can cater to almost any individual preference across a wide spectrum of palates. Some people will cry foul with slightly overpriced food items for the smaller portion sizes that roll out of their kitchen, but others will feel satisfied in that their experience wasn't hindered by  any major food or service complaints.

Avo-Cob-O Salad. Notice the small portion size (knife gives a measuring reference). Good for an early bird special. Not so much for the hungry big boys in your family.

Dainty but delicious (the steak fries give you a measuring reference for the burger size). There are 8 fries. If the fries are indeed bottomless, go big or go home on your generosity.

Poutine Fries. Just delicious. But again, fried cheese curd bites were a bit small even for an appetizer.

Dandelion Communitea Cafe- Giddyup Bowl Every Monday, Forever.

I'm not a vegan. I love all dairy products, eggs, chicken, and fish. I could not part with them even if I could live without them. That being said, recent studies have consistently shown following a vegan diet is indeed good for your body and your longevity. Perhaps it does make sense to listen to people that make it their life's work to educate the public on healthful choices and habits.

But perhaps I'm sort of like Kim Kardashian. A 'flexitarian', that is (and nothing else might I add). I'm flexible with my diet to incorporate as many servings of fruit and vegetables as I want everyday, but I do indulge in non-vegetarian options when the smell of fried chicken comes calling.

Dandelion is indeed a local staple in the core of the Mills 50 neighborhood. Many office workers come here on their lunch break to sit outside under the lull of a Florida breeze and their scenic, overgrown pesticide-free landscape. I still remember when it first opened. I thought it was where the hippies got together to discuss their leftist, socialist ways and preach fervently about everything from the political to personal. Only after a few years did I venture into their establishment since I felt so out of place among people that I imagined were so far from of my moderate ideology.

I'm glad I went on a Monday. The Giddyup Bowl is but $5 and is by far (and will continue to be), one of the most satisfying vegan soul food you will ever eat. A fresh bed of mixed greens, tricolor quinoa, kidney bean gravy, always-freshly cut tomatoes and scallions, topped with a highly addictive warm vegan 'queso' sauce. The mouthfeel of this dish is so satisfying. You get the coziness of warm, tender beans and queso sauces while the freshness of the vegetables cut right through it with acidic and peppery notes. The quinoa not only adds a different element of carbohydrates in this dish but it also happens to make the meal a complete protein for the diet-conscious. Truly, you do not miss non-vegetarian elements at all in the Giddyup Bowl. It is as wholesome as it is delicious. The perfect vegan introduction to meatlovers, I must say.

We also tried the vegan carrot cake donut and it was so-so. I wouldn't say it was disappointing, but in a world of Krispy Kremes and Dunkin Donuts, one will find objection to the chewiness of dense dough. The donut was not overly sweet or replete with shredded carrots (except as a slight garnish), which may not be for everyone especially when a carrot cake inspires deep, over-the-top flavors of southern decadent sweets here in the South.

Not really pertaining to their food, I have to say I was really taken with this new Sriracha that I found at an empty adjacent table. The level of heat on this Sky Valley Sriracha is so much better than the one with the logo of a Rooster. Think premium gasoline vs. regular. Great blend of different peppers and styles (I'm guessing jalapeños, cayenne, and paprika) and it still was faithful to what Sriracha is all about. In a world where almost everything is drugged with sugar, I prefer even my Sriracha to be not overtly sweet. For people who like heat with their Giddyup, this sauce is a must try.

IN A NUTSHELL: Giddyup galore. A very unassuming establishment that still follows it's hippy vibe, Dandelion is for everyone. If you ever find yourself with the Monday munchies, know that the Giddyup is but a short drive away. You can call ahead to place a large party order or sit and enjoy your meal with a sip of their great seasonal teas. I have to admit, I've been there at least a dozen times by now, but I seem to always order the same thing. If it's that good, why break the habit? 

Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen: Above average with good service

Outpost has been in College Park for over a year and a half now. Somehow, I just managed to get there this week. Why haven't I been to this place sooner? 

The layout of the dining room is small but cozy. There are rustic details throughout the space which teeters on shabby chic and vintage. Either way, it wasn't over the top and the small tchotchkes here and there weren't overt distractions from the feel and vibe of the place.

I ordered the Vanderbilt Salad ($13) and a Moscow Mule ($11) and both were pretty good. The salad was very lightly tossed in dressing so I asked for more and the server was happy to oblige. Kale, spinach, pineapple, BBQ chicken, and avocado... topped with a cilantro vinaigrette. Mm, so good. And the portion size was not on the skimpy side. I took some leftovers to-go.

My only suggestion is that if you visit, try to beat any large parties ahead of you. Due to real estate prices skyrocketing in this neighborhood of Orlando, I can see why the loin's share of the space was designed for the customer- only to have a smaller kitchen pressured to churn out consistent, quality food to parties of 6 or more that need to be fed at the same time. 

The service was very good and a few of the servers came over and apologized for the delay in food while they served the 13-top in the center of the room. I appreciated that and I wanted to validate their efforts as it made my patience for my meal increase as well. 

Outpost has an amazing and creative menu ranging from burgers, salads, real southern-style sides, and imaginative apps. Plus a full bar. It's a charming spot and I do recommend this restaurant when you aren't in a rush to get fed and head out. 

IN A NUTSHELL: Go during the off-peak hours. Good ambiance with good service and a killer Moscow Mule await you. I can see a wide variety of clientele liking this spot- from the gluten-intolerant to the paleo-heads that just want to inhale a burger or two. Outpost says that they make everything from scratch. Though, I suspect there is a canned tomato component to their ketchup, I'll give them credit for aspiring to be a restaurant that prides on personal recipes without premade shortcuts.

Plant society family dinner

Cotillion Southern Cafe- Southern shabby chic with overpriced entrées

Cotillion. How many times do you hear that word these days? Well, if you're in Wildwood, you will. It's on the lips of every white woman between the ages of 50-90. And if you happen to be in this demographic, the Cotillion Cafe may be a good pilgrimage for you. And if you're not, you better be on your best manners because you'll be in the company of them when you get there.

Needless to say, I don't fall in this demographic and I only ended up here because of the 'you so have to try this place' talk that some friends persuade you into. I acquiesced to the word-of-mouth because I am a huge fan of Southern food.

While at the Cotillion, reservations are absolutely a must. Wha', it just wouldn't be fittin' if you didn't. While service was on point for the entire experience, it seemed to me a very noticeable inconvenience to be accommodated during their lunch hour without one. Eventually, they were gracious enough to figure out a table after a few adjustments on their small dining room area. For lunch, we ordered Chicken and Waffles ($13.75), the Junkyard Sandwich ($11.75) and Miz Kathi's signature Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer ($9).

We were lucky to arrive when we did. Apparently the table that was split-off from ours (and literally 1.5 feet away) told us that they had to wait 45 mins for their food due to how busy the kitchen was. The fried green tomatoes were quite good when they arrived- hot and crispy, there were 8-9 discs of them nicely arranged around their in-house remoulade sauce. The batter had a mild seasoning of paprika and other scant dry spices that gave the tomatoes a hint of of crunchy complexity. It wasn't too spicy and neither was the sauce. All in all, their signature dish scored high points not only for authenticity but also for universal appeal.

The main course, however, left so much to desire. Let's start with the chicken and waffles. The waffles were limp and soggy. The tenders were coated in the same exact batter as the fried green tomatoes. More over, I couldn't get over the paltry portion sizes. Yes, it was accompanied with gravy with crumbled sausage in a dainty boat. However, it just couldn't even compare to what other restaurants put out for chicken and waffles- a nice big waffle with meaty, crispy chicken strips. Yes, I ordered 'lunch portion size'. But does that warrant this price tag? Unfortunately not. I'd have paid more for a better, generous product. But then again, I looked around the room and thought, perhaps for the retired ladies, something soft to chew, smaller-portioned but with a posh price point was what this restaurant was catering to. I'll stop while I'm ahead.

The Junkyard dog was alright. Noteworthy? Not really- a standard medley of sautéed peppers, onions, bacon, accompanied by a borderline bland sausage. What was really annoying was the side dish glaring at me from the plate in all its puniness- the green bean casserole. In all my years of blogging, this dish brought about a lot of ire especially when it comes to the reputation of Southern food. Firstly, the portion size was less than 3oz- probably enough to fit inside a small jar of baby food. Secondly, never in my entire life have I seen a green bean casserole soaked with that much butter. Thirdly, and probably the worst offender, the casserole was so bland. I was hoping to taste something beyond the salt and fat. But those two flavors murdered the flavors of the vegetable and anything else that was in that baby jar.  I was trying to justify this entire debacle, but then I caught myself- why am I justifying this when I should honestly be enjoying it?

In a pleasant turn of events, we ordered the Hoochie Momma pie ($6.95). For it's unabashed title, this Chess pie with pecans was devine. Finally, my salvation came during dessert! The portion size was generous, flavors sweeter than a sack of sugar, replete with pecans, and a flaky crust. This dessert was a life saver (and stomach-filler) and I knew then and there that at least the baker at Miz Kathi's Cotillion knows how to do Southern right. The rest of the kitchen can head back to Kansas.

IN A NUTSHELL: This restaurant prides itself on making everything from scratch. Service is good but stressed during busy timeframes. The room layout can feel cramped and there is a lot of tasteful (antique milk glass dishes) and not-so-tasteful décor (ordinary displayed aprons and mittens for $25+ each? Please stop preying upon senile patrons) along the walls including the restrooms. The place screams old lady even though I wish it didn't (especially when you have items on the menu like 'Junkyard', 'Hoochie Momma', and 'Redneck Nachos'). Unfortunately for me, my social security checks haven't kicked in yet so I'll take a rain check on food and probably have the dessert to-go. Food times may be a problem depending on the time of day. Though the salads are generous in their portion sizes and there is attention given to food presentation in dainty serviceware, the rest of the food has a disparaging contrast between their price point, quantity, and quality. Just because it's Southern food with simple ingredients doesn't make it acceptable for the food to be bland or floppy. Side dishes need to be presented differently and substantially. True craftsmanship is only derived when you can make simplicity sing and the Cotillion missed the mark on this for the most part.