The Garlic at New Smyrna beach

This place is great.... perhaps a little pricey for the average dinner but good for an above average evening. Although, it lacks the ambience of a fine dining establishment. It has all the hallmarks of a restaurant that started out smaller and began to add more to its facility which is evident in its labyrinthine layout. The dining tables for a party of two are uncomfortably small and it gave me the distinct feeling that a maximum number of tables were being crammed into a room just to seat the maximum number of guests to get the maximum revenue for the night. This is something I'm not particularly fond of- an adjacent table merely 1 foot away from your own party of 2.

 

However, the food was good and more than vindicating for the restaurant. The pork osso bucco  was particularly delicious and is highly recommend. It even stored well in the fridge as take out for 5 days after to slowly graze on.

 

We didnt order appetizers as the crusty loaves of bread and whole cloves of soft, roasted garlic really started the dinner off to a great note.

 

They have a fully stocked bar and have an excellent wine selection. Again, something that you would love with great food.

 

Service was brisk and pleasant on our small table (still cant get over the feeling of being packed-in like sardines). And overall, the experience was good.

 

Im not sure how to peg this restaurant... its pricey for a casual night but still too informal for a high-end one. And I've been on both sides of the river to know the difference, per say. Menu and prices below with some food pics. Dessert was good but not the best. I'd stick to the main courses if I were you as their menu selections have something deliciously prepared for anyone and everyone (including vegetarians). I'll be back for more another time.

 

 

 

House of Pizza: Good food, hope they make it

I was a little dubious about this place. Reviews from previous customers led me to believe that there may be slow service and slow food turnout. It was relieving to note that even thought these claims may be true, they were justified when I visited House of Pizza.

I ordered 10 buffalo wings ($7.99) in the ‘extreme hot’ flavor, a large calzone ($12.99) with broccoli and mozzarella, and a large-size vegetarian specialty pizza ($16.95)

Freshly sliced peppers, sweet red onions, sliced black olives, fresh mushrooms and cubed plum tomatoes festooned the pizza in generous quantities. None of the ingredients overshadowed the other and although I would’ve preferred a fancier olive rather than the standard from-a-can variety, it was pretty tasty. The crust was neither too doughy nor too thin- something that I particularly liked. I thought that this would probably appeal to the masses by striking that delicate doughy line that almost everyone would find little objection towards. The pizza as a whole was not salty or overly seasoned- another bonus. It let the vegetables do all the talking. All in all, a pretty decent pie.

I was equally enamored with the calzone- especially when it arrived lightly glistening with olive oil, oregano, parmesan, and minced garlic that made for a very tantalizing picture (see blog post). The filling (any two toppings of your choice) again was simple and to-the-point where the ingredients talked the talk, and walked the walk.  A side portion of marinara sauce was good for the crusty crescent corners but otherwise unnecessary.

The only thing that I was not happy with was the hot sauce the wings were covered in. Rather than being supremely spicy (as advertized), it was somewhat spicy. The crushed black pepper used in the dish was SO much that it gave the entire dish a granular texture. I’m not sure if they were aiming for spiciness or pepperyness- but those two words are exactly the same. The side cup of ‘bleu cheese dressing’ was in fact more ranch than anything. The wings were cooked well and otherwise fair. On another note, I’m beginning to believe that many establishments in Orlando should discontinue the usage of ‘extreme’ or ‘hell’ or ‘death-wish’ when their spice levels are nowhere near that.

IN A NUTSHELL: It is important to note that you order at the counter, pay, and then sit down and wait for your food to be delivered. Not exactly smart for the waitress to earn her tips when no service has been given prior when paying for the bill with a credit card. They have a soda fountain accessible to guests so you can help yourself to whatever you want (note,  water and lemonade run from the same beverage line so let it run for a little bit before you grab water). The artwork on the walls indicate that the proprietors have some connection to New York City- yet I won’t go as far as claiming that this is a truly New York-style eatery by any means. The dough is made in-house and each ticket is made to order- therefore, it’s no wonder that it takes a little time to make each item! I like this establishment because it’s non-pretentious and what you see is what you taste. Located across from Gatorland, it’s my hope that this joint grows over time to improve on some shortcomings while retaining its overall food philosophy.

Venezia: Pizza seems to be the way to go

I should’ve wondered why 3 out of 4 tables around us had ordered pizzas instead of the other options on the menu. Even more bewildering is why I didn’t order it when Venezia’s fire-oven is clearly visible from the entrance.

I suppose it was a calculated folly. Instead, I chose the tantalizingly sounding Gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce ($13.50). For appetizers, the standard Caprese ($8.95) was requested and for the finale, a Lemon Cake (torta de la Nonna- $6.95).

The Gnocchi was yummy. Like soft pillows of dough, they glided down the throat with great ease. The sauce, however, beckoned for more cheese.

The Gorgonzola flavor was not adequately prominent- it felt like it was thinned down with more cream than one would desire. My companion noted that if crumbs of Gorgonzola were used as a garnish atop the Gnocchi, it would have greatly improved the dish.

The Caprese was standard.

The adjoining clump of Arugula on the plate actually imparted a great herbaceous bite. With a few dustings of freshly ground black pepper and a touch of balsamic vinegar, the appetizer quickly vanished in my mouth. Mmmmmmmmm. Satisfaction.






‘Lemon Cake’ at Venezia is actually a torte.

The flavor was good, but the dessert was very cold and hard. It felt like it was brought out of the freezer not too long before I laid my eyes on it. When I asked the server about the dessert, she mentioned that the torte wasn’t in-house, but locally bought.

IN A NUTSHELL: Pizza seems to be the name of the game here- they have about 18 varieties. Satiating for two, I think I’ll be ordering this next time… especially for a beautiful summer night on St. Armand’s Circle in Lido Key. The décor inside is tasteful but if you want to munch and people-watch, outdoor seating is the way to go. For service with a smile, ask for Laura.

Maggiano’s Little Italy: The ultimate food and stomach face-off… family style!

Maggiano’s is a great venue for a family style meal in an adult atmosphere. Try to venture past the tourists, get to this South International Drive location, and delve into some serious eating.

A large space with a lounge and private rooms, Maggiano’s always seems to be over-capacity every time I’ve gone there. That’s probably because entire families or corporate businesses are out there munching on the floor. ‘Family-style’ involves three different price options that delineate the variety of appetizers, salads, entrées, and desserts you can have. This evening I opted for the ‘Classic’ ($27.95 adults, $15.95 for aged 5-12). To start off, I chose the Steamed Mussels, Barb’s Spinach and Artichoke al Forno, Maggiano’s Salad, and a Caesar Salad. Four Cheese Ravioli, Braised Beef Cannelloni, Seared Pork Medallions, and Chicken Saltimbocca were ordered for main course while Apple Crostada, and Crème Brûlée were requested as desserts.

If the previous sentences didn’t entail, THIS IS A LOT OF FOOD- WITH UNLIMITED REFILLS! So here was my game plan…. nibble and save my hunger for the main course and the brûlée. Bring it, Maggiano’s!

Great reviews stirred across the table when the Steamed Mussels arrived. They proved to be the star of the starters. In a momentary lapse of judgment, I ordered TWO MORE plates of them. The garlic and herb-infused broth was so tasty. Plus, the crostinis accompanying them made sopping the juice even more addictive. “What have I done?,” I thought… almost feeling as though the premature satiation was a crime!

As I panicked, my plan started to unravel. The delicious Maggiano’s Salad (a mixture of romaine and iceberg lettuce, onions, and tossed in Maggiano’s special dressing of mustard, garlic, and vinegar) looked with puppy-dog eyes towards my mouth. And my stomach enlarged a bit further.
I think if I was wearing a belt, it would be around this time that I would free it open a couple of notches. The main course arrived in one triumphant swoop. Like a boxing match, my stomach was in one corner while four plates lay in the other. It was ON…

First the Four Cheese Ravioli- cheesy but lacked complexity. TKO (total knock-out) - stomach wins and proceeds to plate #2. The Chicken Saltimbocca. Ok, but not flavorful enough. TKO- stomach conquers dry chicken. Moving over to the Seared Pork Medallions. It turned out to be the crowd pleaser. Everyone on the table that bit into it had a two-minute silence right afterwards. Juicy, flavorful, fatty, tender, moist, and seasoned to perfection. In other words, a mini orgasm. And stomach goes down fighting.

My personal favorite, however, was Plate #4- the Braised Beef Cannelloni. It was not the pasta shell that really enticed my tongue, but how well done the beef within was. Superiorly shredded and juicy, it was almost reminiscent of barbeque. With one forkful after another, my stomach was being punched even when it was already down. Winner- Braised Beef.

“Dessert. Really? Oh no… my Brûlée!” I had totally forgotten. They arrived and my stomach was going to retaliate very loudly if even one more spoon landed in my mouth. But I had to try it- the Brûlée. MMMM…Deliciousness. I almost cried like a five-year old because I couldn’t have more.

IN A NUTSHELL: Family style is for parties of 4 or more individuals. Beef lovers can’t go wrong with Braised Beef Cannelloni. Seafood, you say? Mussels will start you off in the right direction. And please, save room for dessert. I know, it’s hard. I tried and failed myself. But above all, have fun with the family. On previous occasions that I’ve gone, service has been a problem (slow, long-time delivering additional food items, etc.) but ask for Heather and you’ll be waited on beautifully. Park at Pointe Orlando’s garage- your parking ticket will be validated by your server. A definite experience for the gang.

Julians Dining Room and Lounge: Delicious food unexplainably let down

Cold and wintry, Jullians was only open in the Zebra Room Lounge this December. With seating capacity of 6 tables, it was directly adjacent to the bar festered with rowdy rednecks with blown-up egos. I was within an earshot of their whiskey-laden machismo-convo for my entire dining experience. And the waiter’s service was NOT helping…

But the menu definitely was. Refined and simple- a sign that Jullian’s has seen many, many moons. It still carried choices of salads, burgers, pastas, and seafood items. The price points for martinis (on the first page) were astounding- $5.95 for anything from a signature Jullian’s martini to a key-lime concoction that was very tempting. But with other plans ahead, I delved right into main course- Chicken Marsala ($16.95), Jullian’s Classic Roast Beef dip ($8.95), and sides of garlic mashed potatoes ($3.50) and (for piquing my curiosity) a Gorgonzola cheese sauce ($3.50). To round things off, a savory-sweet Pumpkin cheesecake ($5.95) was ordered at the end.

My malady started when service became spotty- failure to replenish water (he had just 2 tables to attend), a fork for dessert, or a plastic bag for the carry-out. His saving grace was that he was personable and well-mannered. The food was surprisingly good and showcased the tenure of whoever was cooking it in the kitchen. The Marsala had a great range of earthy flavors that the button mushrooms just catapulted out of the ballpark. The chicken was moist and was cooked to perfection. Another notable feature was the humble looking cheese sauce served in a small side bowl. It was so flavorful and rich that I ended up using it as a versatile garnish on both the entrées. CALLING ALL CHEESE LOVERS! I highly recommend this one. The roast beef dip was nothing extraordinary, unfortunately. It needed something extra to really call it one of the restaurants signature dish. What was a toss-up was how scalding hot the mashed (actually, creamed) potatoes were. I liked them that way- better than served cold, right?

As dessert arrived, I realized that this place really needed to focus on ambiance and service- the food just happens to be half the equation of a dining experience. Exhibit A- Stonewood, a chain restaurant directly adjacent, had a completely packed parking lot. Exhibit B- I can concede that this wasn’t the main restaurant, but Steve even forgot to turn on the front sign light the evening we went.

IN A NUTSHELL: Go for the food. The ambiance and service match the tide of the ocean a block away. Chef, I am sorry that you don’t come out of the kitchen and see how well your food is being received and note how everything else could be improved.