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? 

Ole Times Country Buffet- Surprisingly good food, meh on the ambiance

Walking into this place, I immediately knew I was walking into a relaxed Southern atmosphere. The walls where covered with a shade of yellow wood panels festooned with random memorabilia crap that someone found a space and decided to hammer a nail to hang it. Some call in ole country chic, I call it beyond tacky and quite frankly, a useless distraction.

You have to go through a double-laned cash register channel before you get to the buffet. Sardonically, it reminded me of how pigs are probably queued before they pay they meet their maker. The entrance winds into a narrow hallway that wraps around the parameter of the restaurant and opens up in the middle of the restaurant to- tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and honey for sale (all at pretty reasonable prices).

I could tell by this sales structure that they either a) may have been overwhelmed by large crowds b) may have experienced people that didn't pay on their way out c) needed to figure out a way so that a hostess doesn't have the headache to find you a table or d) all of the above. I think there could have been a smoother, classier way to handle this but it did bring about a burning question- if the food is purportedly good, why relegate customers to this?

It was rush hour and I had to forage for a table before food. I had to mark my territory with an empty plate before heading to the buffet. It was every man for himself. It's funny when you're the paying customer and you have to fend for things. After being initiated into all things Ole Times, I sat down to eat. The food was surprisingly tasty. And that's the only reason why this restaurant made it on to my blog. Everything seemed to have been freshly readied and maintained. There was a cold buffet bar with salads, dressings, and toppings as well as a long warm buffet island with fried chicken, various kinds of prepared beans, fried catfish (on the bone and filleted), smoked sausage, smoked ribs, and bbq pulled chicken among other things.

Let me tell you about the vegetables- they were simply prepared but yet so flavorful. I couldn't help but notice smoked ham hocks bobbing in most of them. Though some many find it revulsing, I actually liked that they didn't shy away from where their flavor profiles were hailing. I enjoyed the collard greens and the stewed cabbage- both of which were not cooked to death but were soft enough for nuanced texture while still imparting their juicy earthiness. The mashed potatoes were perfectly fluffy and salted. All in all, the first plate really rejuvenated the lunch experience. What can I say?When food is good, you stop griping and you start paying attention to what's in front of you.

The fried catfish fillets were so perfectly done. A perfect cornmeal coating gave the right amount of crunch before my teeth sunk into some of the moistest fish meat that I have had in years. Matter of fact as soon as I had it, my mouth screamed for more even though I wasn't particularly hungry. This was the only item that I went back for seconds. Speaking of fried, you probably are wondering by now how the fried chicken was. Yes, I'll admit it- I'm a fried chicken snob. But this restaurant's was quite good. It doesn't take the first place prize of the most amazing crispy skin of my dreams, but the meat was moist and the batter-to-meat ratio was nearly exact to what I always look for. And speaking of chicken the Smoked Chicken and BBQ Pulled Chicken were really good. The smoked chicken had a great rub with a very evident smoke ring that showed the penetration of the flavors into the meat that only happen skillfully. The meat was moist when I broke into it and the skin had a good char that made the palate happy. I loved the BBQ Pulled Chicken rendition- it was sweet with an addictive meat-to-sauce proportion. 

The smoked sausage needed some added dimension. It was too Plain Jane and unlike the fried catfish, I did want this meat to have been elevated somehow with added spices during it's preparation. On the other hand, the ribs were dry but spiced well. The smoke muted and married the ingredients almost too well and I couldn't discern if cumin, paprika, or sugar were the leading ingredients for the rub. I could have preferred some more heat on the ribs but looking around the dinning room, I think the rub mix was neutral enough for everyone to enjoy. Similarly, the Mac-N-Cheese was okay and probably more for the kids who lust for it's cheese sauce than for adults who want a bright cheddar flavor to come through. However, the spaghetti and meat sauce was very tasty and delicious. It had been a while since I had last tried this classic dish so it was a welcomed surprise to see it on their buffet.



What I understood from this experience is that this restaurant understands good southern food. Southern food tastes best with few ingredients but cooked with a higher skill set so the flavors speak for what home cookers cannot pull of. I also enjoyed the service here. The server was friendly and the employees replenishing the buffet line were more than helpful when some standard questions were thrown at them. I even was brazen enough to ask the attendant about the spices that were smothered on the smoked chicken and he offered to bring the chef out to describe his preparation for me. The attendant went on to say that each cook has their own particular vegetable that they like to prepare in a certain way- which means, if you go there, you may not get the exact product that I got. Yes, in a way, that's job security. But in another way, the freedom that the chain gives for the cooks to pour their love into their signature side dishes can only benefit the customer by ensuring a quality product is presented.Ole Times has been in business for over 8 years now. They have several outlets in South Georgia including sister restaurant chains by the names of Mama June's and Smok'n Pig.

Additionally, there are some quirks to this place- they have a separate counter for fried pork skins, a soft-serve machine (if this is by popular demand, tell those people to go somewhere else), and pies for dessert that are pre-sliced into tiny slivers and then served on styrofoam plates (while everything else is not).

IN A NUTSHELL: For less than $9 per person for lunch, I can see why there was a crowd. The food is good. I just wish they would explore different options of corralling the masses while still retaining it's casual dining experience. Regardless, it's worth the awkward pay-up-front-Golden-Corral experience because some of the food was indeed yummy. You don't want to take someone here for a first date- it's way to casual for that. But you do want to take your long time partner when food in the fridge is running low and you need a low cost, but delicious restaurant to go to. Do try the fried catfish, smoked chicken, and BBQ pulled chicken. I realize that with the masses, price is king. But I do want Ole Times Country Buffet to understand that they have a better food product than most in their league- and that deserves a higher platform for in my book.

Boston’s Fish House: Relaxed Atmosphere, bring your Grandma

Standing tall on 16yrs of history, Boston’s Fish Market has been on fringe of Winter Park in a modest strip mall for quite some time. I frequent this mall because of the Aldi in it, but it never occurred to me why there was a constant wave of retirees going back and forth from the parking lot across from the restaurant. Or maybe it was the kidney dialysis center? Or the hopping Jeremiah’s Italian Ice that Boston’s Fish is in between? Whatever the reason I joined the torrent of humans last night.

The weird thing about this place is that you order at the counter FIRST, PAY, and THEN get seated while a server waits on you. Weird. Whatever. Let’s dive in anyway… Boston’s Chowder served over Buttermilk Biscuit $5.25, ¼ lb of Chilled Maine Lobster Salad Sandwich $12.95, Broiled Chicken Breast Fillet with a Ritz Cracker Topping $10.25, and Fried Onion Nuggets and Fettuccini Alfredo as side items.

With the submission of money, I was seated and things rolled out pretty smoothly. In retrospect, I suppose pre-ordering this way keeps the business (especially the kitchen) running smoothly and probably works best for Boston’s. The chowder was thick and gloppy.

The flavor was smooth and starchy. And the biscuit only made things doughier. The small bits of clams were on the lesser-than-generous side but at $5.25 the portion size was decent. However, the bowl that it came in bothered me a bit- it was fire engine red and reminded me that other restaurants use these types of bowls for their salad dressings on buffet counters. No matter how dishwasher-friendly a bowl may be, I think presentation is an important part of the dining experience. I wasn’t expecting fancy, but c’mon…

The Lobster Salad Sandwich was creamy, smooth and packed with lobster chunks. I especially liked the toasted sliced bread folded in half- it gave more attention to the lobster meat that my mouth deserved.

The sandwich worked well in a formulaic way of tastefulology: mayo creaminess + soft meatiness + crispy oily-toastyness = busy mouth.

The Broiled Chicken was quite good.

A light Ritz Cracker topping played well with the chicken. Apparently, this topping is what Boston’s is famous for. Simplicity was the name of the game for this dish and it definitely threw it out of the ballpark.

The sides were… well, sides. Nothing really memorable. The Fettuccini Alfredo was something you’d expect from a Fish House rather than an authentic Italian joint. Using the core of an onion as a fried nugget made for a soft, nuttier taste. But they didn’t end up in my doggy bag.

IN A NUTSHELL: With the rising cost of seafood, this joint still sustains semi-reasonable price points. The portion sizes are not over-the-top, but will satiate you. Service is pleasant and non-intrusive (exhibit A: Diane, our waitress). Presentation of the food would really help this place, but I think their focus is on getting the food out just they want it rather than all the frills and hoops that some other restaurants make you go through.

Linda’s Winter Park Diner: Why, Linda, Why?

Linda’s is located on prime real estate right on Fairbanks, yet its food is so saddening. Bland, cheap and made like a roughage stop, Linda’s diner fails reasoning why a diner in a good location for business would succumb to such low standards.

First off, as a “classic” diner, this place only accepts cash. Don’t even think about swiping your plastic over some pre-Cambrian era cash register. Being promptly seated, I ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes as a side. The meatloaf was standard and satisfactory but definitely not something to write home about. What I did find objection to was the mashed potatoes- clearly this was powdered, reconstituted crap that you get from a box. Why, Linda, why? For the sake of a few dollars, you really had to stoop to this?

On a positive note, the service was good and well received. Several waitresses checked on us and kept topping-off our iced-tea and coffee. It was appreciated.

IN A NUTSHELL- A definite roughage stop. But you can find tastier roughage stops until Linda takes a hint.

Clarkie’s Breakfast/Lunch Diner: This is dive heaven

Clarkie’s is culinary pulp fiction. This place is on a very visible strip of Orange Ave. just about a mile away from downtown. Yet, you’d pass right by it if you didn’t know better. The sign is grungy and advertises orchids for sale. The restaurant looks like a caged hut that has weathered many hurricanes. Upon entering, you notice the small room with really, REALLY tacky furniture. Trust me, it only gets better from here- Clarkie’s is by far the most strangely enticing brunch stop in Orlando.

I asked for coffee and I got it in a cup advertising the Korean Christian diocese of Orlando. I was still gawking at the dollar-shop décor/crap festooned over the shelves when I ordered a Power Breakfast Special- eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy. Though the food spread was typical of any breakfast joint, the gravy was especially notable. It was perfect; not too thick, not too runny- a golden balance between the two extremes packed with flavor. On a separate occasion I asked the server (apparently the only server at Clarkie’s) to surprise me with anything he recommended. A fresh but modest Rueben sandwich appeared and was quickly devoured. The rye bread was on the thinner side than normal but definitely appended it’s aroma to the meat sandwiched within.

The proprietor, Miss Lee, is a character in her own right. Suspicious and cold at first, she quickly warms up and even pulls a seat to have a conversation with return customers. With her strange propensity to repeatedly check the restrooms (I’m guessing for broke/homeless hiding customers), she also happens to possess a secret delicacy for Korean-savvy people. Just ask for some of her homemade Kimchi- a pickled cabbage condiment/ingredient ubiquitous in Korean cuisine. Her Kimchi is semi-spicy with strong vinegar and fermented notes in between crunchy cabbage leaves. I recommend you try it with any entrée- besides, it’s free.
I was happily tingled with Clarkie’s. I must thank my companion for spotting it in the first place. It only goes to show you that ambiance doesn’t necessarily have to translate into pompous extravagance… it can be ugly-beautiful. And just as awesome.

IN A NUTSHELL- An absurd atmosphere with hearty food for a very cheap bite. Say hello to Miss Lee and appreciate her eccentricities as you dine. This place is so local (even within their own neighborhood), so non-trendy, and so far from pretentious. Go to Clarkie’s for a real bite of local dives.