280 South State Road 434
Suite 1053
Altamonte Springs, FL
This restaurant is not open yet but I saw the sign tonight on the way home. It's located in the old Hooters spot in Altamonte Springs below Planet Fitness.
Can't wait for it to open I hoping it call fill the void left by the closing of Las Charro earlier this year.
I'll let you know when it opens.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Adia's Latin Food
1325 Sligh Blvd Orlando, Fl. 32806
407-540-0777
I saw a TV show recently about two guys searching rural barns and warehouses for rare collectibles and mis-valued antiques. I get that same sense of a treasure hunt when I take a turn off the main road and see a corner shop dressed with little more than the promise of a good meal. Adia’s, located behind the Arnie and Winnie Palmer hospitals next to the Amtrak station, is that type of place. As I drove by all I saw were the words LATIN FOOD in big yellow letters on the little storefront window. I was hooked and I wanted to know more.
I petitioned my coworkers to go with me for lunch but my only taker would be my Cuban friend, Senior Rubio. Due to its proximity to Amtrak, Orlando Regional and the Palmers, all parking is coin operated. Lacking coin, we circled Adia’s hoping to discover another kind of treasure - an unregulated parking space. Three laps and a little luck found us a spot in the back. The sign only said we would be towed. It did not say WHO could park there. I assumed it was for patrons just like us, so we chanced it.
We walked in to find a woman working the small kitchen behind the counter. She was attentive as she took our order and promptly returned with our drinks: water for me and a Kola Champaign soda for my friend. Lunch specials included baked chicken, stewed chicken or roast pork with white rice and red or black beans and maduros. My subject matter expert chose the pork with red beans and I opted for stewed chicken, red beans and a relleno de papa. No waiting here and the portions were good. The red beans were soft and full of flavor. The roast pork was tender but it lacked any of that crispy seasoned edge. The fried beef and potato ball held the hot sauce nicely and the sweet plantains were fun but the prize here turned out to be the stewed chicken.
Presented in a large glass goblet, this typically unremarkable dish brought some personality to the table. I spooned out the chicken, potatoes, carrots, olives and corn and balanced it all over the rice. Adding some broth I paused before parsing through the wonderful flavors and mixed textures. Notably, I enjoyed the satisfaction of that meal the rest of the afternoon.
Dine – A good lunch for a great price under $6
Drink – You have to try the Good O Kola Champagne soda.
Drive – The parking out back is not for patrons like us. Bring coin!
Diana – All business with a smile before you go.
407-540-0777
I saw a TV show recently about two guys searching rural barns and warehouses for rare collectibles and mis-valued antiques. I get that same sense of a treasure hunt when I take a turn off the main road and see a corner shop dressed with little more than the promise of a good meal. Adia’s, located behind the Arnie and Winnie Palmer hospitals next to the Amtrak station, is that type of place. As I drove by all I saw were the words LATIN FOOD in big yellow letters on the little storefront window. I was hooked and I wanted to know more.
I petitioned my coworkers to go with me for lunch but my only taker would be my Cuban friend, Senior Rubio. Due to its proximity to Amtrak, Orlando Regional and the Palmers, all parking is coin operated. Lacking coin, we circled Adia’s hoping to discover another kind of treasure - an unregulated parking space. Three laps and a little luck found us a spot in the back. The sign only said we would be towed. It did not say WHO could park there. I assumed it was for patrons just like us, so we chanced it.
We walked in to find a woman working the small kitchen behind the counter. She was attentive as she took our order and promptly returned with our drinks: water for me and a Kola Champaign soda for my friend. Lunch specials included baked chicken, stewed chicken or roast pork with white rice and red or black beans and maduros. My subject matter expert chose the pork with red beans and I opted for stewed chicken, red beans and a relleno de papa. No waiting here and the portions were good. The red beans were soft and full of flavor. The roast pork was tender but it lacked any of that crispy seasoned edge. The fried beef and potato ball held the hot sauce nicely and the sweet plantains were fun but the prize here turned out to be the stewed chicken.
Presented in a large glass goblet, this typically unremarkable dish brought some personality to the table. I spooned out the chicken, potatoes, carrots, olives and corn and balanced it all over the rice. Adding some broth I paused before parsing through the wonderful flavors and mixed textures. Notably, I enjoyed the satisfaction of that meal the rest of the afternoon.Dine – A good lunch for a great price under $6
Drink – You have to try the Good O Kola Champagne soda.
Drive – The parking out back is not for patrons like us. Bring coin!
Diana – All business with a smile before you go.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Four Rivers Smokehouse - DT
Four Rivers Smokehouse
2103 W. Fairbanks Ave.
407.474.8377
John Rivers has blessed our community for the past five years catering fund raisers for various charities. Now his Texas smoked family recipe has developed into a full time concept located on the corner of Fairbanks and Formosa just one block east of I-4. I watched for weeks as the small brake shop was transformed and it soon became clear we were in for some new barbecue. Just walking into The Four Rivers Smokehouse is a treat. The smell alone was enough to get me hooked. I had the misfortune of walking in a few days before they officially opened and was kindly turned away. But I made up for it by going back three times this week. In a word, WOW!
I actually heard other patrons say it as they tried the signature slow smoked brisket, Texas sausage or the generous pile of pulled pork. I found that Mr. Rivers (not to be confused with long time Orlando entrepreneur Chef Johnny Rivers) cares about the details and if you’ve read my reviews before you’d know that I find big joy in small things. Like the side dishes. You don’t just get corn, you get roasted corn. Another side is called cornbread salad, but they forget to mention the bacon pieces and tangy red bell pepper. The mac and cheese, well it’s just mac and cheese but it’s really good mac and cheese. And the baked beans are everything I imagined baked beans should be. Meaty and sweet with a hearty spice, this is how baked beans should taste.
I just couldn’t pass on anything to make room for desert but the carrot cake and banana pudding are calling my name. I look forward to my next opportunity to try the smoked chicken salad, cheese grits, bacon wrapped cheesy jalapenos or St. Louis style ribs. I would like the line (there is always a line) to go a little faster however, you can always call it in ahead of time or you could just take in the smokehouse aroma while you wait. I really enjoy the outside seating during the fall. I may be getting it to go when the summer heat returns. Now that I’m a regular, I would dare say that thanks to John and his family recipes, I would not be surprised if Winter Park becomes “known” for its barbecue.
Stackers – Sandwich and two sides less than $10
Staff – Genuine and kind.
Seating – Outside with some of Winter Park’s finest.
Smell – Consider it an appetizer.
2103 W. Fairbanks Ave.
407.474.8377
John Rivers has blessed our community for the past five years catering fund raisers for various charities. Now his Texas smoked family recipe has developed into a full time concept located on the corner of Fairbanks and Formosa just one block east of I-4. I watched for weeks as the small brake shop was transformed and it soon became clear we were in for some new barbecue. Just walking into The Four Rivers Smokehouse is a treat. The smell alone was enough to get me hooked. I had the misfortune of walking in a few days before they officially opened and was kindly turned away. But I made up for it by going back three times this week. In a word, WOW!
I actually heard other patrons say it as they tried the signature slow smoked brisket, Texas sausage or the generous pile of pulled pork. I found that Mr. Rivers (not to be confused with long time Orlando entrepreneur Chef Johnny Rivers) cares about the details and if you’ve read my reviews before you’d know that I find big joy in small things. Like the side dishes. You don’t just get corn, you get roasted corn. Another side is called cornbread salad, but they forget to mention the bacon pieces and tangy red bell pepper. The mac and cheese, well it’s just mac and cheese but it’s really good mac and cheese. And the baked beans are everything I imagined baked beans should be. Meaty and sweet with a hearty spice, this is how baked beans should taste.
I just couldn’t pass on anything to make room for desert but the carrot cake and banana pudding are calling my name. I look forward to my next opportunity to try the smoked chicken salad, cheese grits, bacon wrapped cheesy jalapenos or St. Louis style ribs. I would like the line (there is always a line) to go a little faster however, you can always call it in ahead of time or you could just take in the smokehouse aroma while you wait. I really enjoy the outside seating during the fall. I may be getting it to go when the summer heat returns. Now that I’m a regular, I would dare say that thanks to John and his family recipes, I would not be surprised if Winter Park becomes “known” for its barbecue.
Stackers – Sandwich and two sides less than $10
Staff – Genuine and kind.
Seating – Outside with some of Winter Park’s finest.
Smell – Consider it an appetizer.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill
884 W State Road 436
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
(407) 682-2577
7/18/2009
Had an OK meal today. Mared by bad service. There were a group of 7 of us. We had the pull the tables together our selves. We also had to get our silverware from an empty table nearby. Our meals did not come out together. Some as much as 5 minutes late. They even brought another dish out that they thought we had ordered after everyone was almost finished. Someone said oh I guess that is my bow-tie pasta.
Our waiter just disappeared for long stretches of time. The restaurant was not busy. We arrived at 1:20 PM. Several dishes were dropped in he kitchen maybe that's why our service was so slow. Someone had pizza it was disgusting the dough was not done and it had too much sauce.
I have said this to myself before but this time I mean it I will not be returning!
884 W State Road 436
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
(407) 682-2577
7/18/2009
Had an OK meal today. Mared by bad service. There were a group of 7 of us. We had the pull the tables together our selves. We also had to get our silverware from an empty table nearby. Our meals did not come out together. Some as much as 5 minutes late. They even brought another dish out that they thought we had ordered after everyone was almost finished. Someone said oh I guess that is my bow-tie pasta.
Our waiter just disappeared for long stretches of time. The restaurant was not busy. We arrived at 1:20 PM. Several dishes were dropped in he kitchen maybe that's why our service was so slow. Someone had pizza it was disgusting the dough was not done and it had too much sauce.
I have said this to myself before but this time I mean it I will not be returning!
Monday, April 13, 2009
A sad day at Paco's
It was a somber meal at Paco’s today. The notice on the door read the Marj had lost her battle with cancer on 4/11/2009. I have many fond memories of Marj and Paco’s. In fact, I choose to go to Paco’s today to celebrate my 20 years at Florida Hospital. I thought that I should go some place for lunch that held many memories for Florida Hospital and the many friends that I’ve gone to lunch with over the years.
I can remember the lunches with Fred G my first director at Florida Hospital. Then there were the meals with Dave R and Bill Z where we argued the merits or doing something this way or that way. There have been periods where I have not gone to Paco’s as often as I’d like, mainly because of the parking here at the hospital. But I always return for the friendly atmosphere and good food. At Paco’s you are always made to feel at home.
I can remember one meal I had at Paco’s where my order had been somehow misplaced Marj came over and said “I’m so sorry but we can’t find your order” I gladly gave it to to her. While I was eating my meal Marj came back over and told me this was on the house, “you can just leave when you are finished”.
While I was just a customer Marj made me feel at home, on most days she came over and said hi and chatted for awhile. She will truly be missed.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Taco Maker - dj
The Taco Maker
2212 Aloma Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32792
"Finally Here Fresh Made Food!!!"
www.tacomaker.com
A friend suggested that we go to Taco Time on Aloma Ave, in the old KFC building.
It was a Taco Bell wantabe that has not quite made it yet. I had the Special number 1 - two tacos beef or chicken, soft drink, and of all things fries. I substituted chips and salsa. The menu item number 1 was about $5.00.
I had the chicken tacos they weren't bad, but nothing special. Another person in our party did not want their second beef taco so I had it. It tasted more like a taco but still was not special.
We were for some reason expecting a more authentic Mexican meal.
2212 Aloma Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32792
"Finally Here Fresh Made Food!!!"
www.tacomaker.com
A friend suggested that we go to Taco Time on Aloma Ave, in the old KFC building.
It was a Taco Bell wantabe that has not quite made it yet. I had the Special number 1 - two tacos beef or chicken, soft drink, and of all things fries. I substituted chips and salsa. The menu item number 1 was about $5.00.
I had the chicken tacos they weren't bad, but nothing special. Another person in our party did not want their second beef taco so I had it. It tasted more like a taco but still was not special.
We were for some reason expecting a more authentic Mexican meal.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
La Luna
La Luna
151 Center Lane
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 995-3280
La Luna's Moto "Experience Gourmet World Cuisine in a casual & Relaxing Enviroment" is a fitting one. The menu choices range from Mexican to Thai to Japanese to Italian.
I choose the "Enchiladas filled with shredded chicken topped with jack cheese and baked to a bubbly perfection." This came with a side of beans and rice.
The meal started with Eric the owener/chief coming out and taking our order. At the door were photo books he had made of the surrounding area. Including photos of the fish he has caught and released. Some several times as proven by the photos.
Chips and homemade salsa were provided while we waited for our dishes. The salsa was nice.
Our dishes arrived shortly. They were presented nicely. The beans were cooked just right as was the rice. The three enchiladas looked wonderful. I had chosen the mole sauce. Which was a deep brown with a nutty taste. Very good.
I have visited La Luna several times over the last 7 years while visiting Big Sky it is always the culinary highlight of any visit
151 Center Lane
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 995-3280
La Luna's Moto "Experience Gourmet World Cuisine in a casual & Relaxing Enviroment" is a fitting one. The menu choices range from Mexican to Thai to Japanese to Italian.
I choose the "Enchiladas filled with shredded chicken topped with jack cheese and baked to a bubbly perfection." This came with a side of beans and rice.
The meal started with Eric the owener/chief coming out and taking our order. At the door were photo books he had made of the surrounding area. Including photos of the fish he has caught and released. Some several times as proven by the photos.
Chips and homemade salsa were provided while we waited for our dishes. The salsa was nice.
Our dishes arrived shortly. They were presented nicely. The beans were cooked just right as was the rice. The three enchiladas looked wonderful. I had chosen the mole sauce. Which was a deep brown with a nutty taste. Very good.
I have visited La Luna several times over the last 7 years while visiting Big Sky it is always the culinary highlight of any visit
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