Yesterday Erica and I went to Pine Twenty2 for lunch. We’ve both been there before, and it’s been a popular lunch choice since it opened a few months ago. It can get pretty crowded during the work-week lunch hours.
Pine Twenty2, located on 22 Pine Street, is great because you can customize your own burger. You choose the meat used, bread, cheese, sauces and toppings. There are so many different options and possible combinations that it’s difficult not to go back. My problem is that I tend to go overboard on toppings, which results in a giant, messy burger. They have also some preselected combinations for those who want to leave the decision-making to the expert.
I’ve had their Angus burgers, which are delicious and juicy, but on Friday I wanted to try something different. I decided to try their black bean burger on a herb foccacia bun with goat cheese, basil pesto, charred onions and avocados. I also got a side of hush puppies.
Erica ordered the Grilled Three Cheese from their premade options. It consisted of fontina, herb goat cheese and gruyere on Texas Toast and came with a side of sweet potato fries.
As usual, both of us were extremely happy with our decisions. The black bean burger was well seasoned with herbs and onions, although I would recommend milder toppings since the taste isn’t as strong as a beef burger. The hush puppies stole the show. They were delicious and slightly sweet with bits of onions cooked in them.
Last night Kevin and I met up with friends at Relax Grill on Lake Eola. Relax is a completely outdoor restaurant right on the lake. We often walk by it when we’re walking around the lake and have wanted to try it for quite some time. The menu is pretty basic consisting of your typical American fare: burgers, sandwiches, fried food. Before 8 p.m. on Fridays is happy hour and you can opt to pay $10 for all you can drink beer or wine. They also have warm pita, hummus and tzatziki at the bar that you can help yourself to.
Although the atmosphere is amazing, especially now before it’s too hot outside in Orlando, the food just fell short. The service wasn’t very good. To get drinks, you walk yourself to the bar and bring it back yourself. I ordered a grouper sandwich, and the fish was dry and stiff as opposed to flaky and moist. It came with a salad, which was the best part of the meal as it consisted of lettuce, onions, feta and other veggies with balsamic vinaigrette. Kevin ordered chicken fingers and fries, and his chicken was also extremely dried out and the breading tasted burnt. I think it was in the fryer too long. The fries were under seasoned and lacked any crunch. Even the free hummus didn’t have much taste. It was very bland.
Relax is great for the atmosphere and if you want to just grab drinks as long as you don’t mind lack of service, but I would opt for a different dining choice in the future.
