Tag Archives: Orlando

September 2, 2011 · 6:06 pm

Diamond in the rough

Happy Friday! Fridays before long weekends make the day even sweeter.

Usually on the Friday before a long weekend, our office will let everyone leave early around 3 p.m., but for the past few early Fridays, I’ve been super busy and stayed until at least 5 anyway. Since I’m busy, I don’t mind and I’m not focused on the time anyway, but today, I managed to leave around 4. I took full advantage of my hour early release and headed to the gym.

Why does just about every office building have a Nature’s Table? I’ve worked in three different office buildings in the greater Orlando area since college, and two of them have had a Nature’s Table, including my current building. Also, there’s another office building Nature’s table about a block from mine.

I see Nature’s Table as having pretty mediocre food and something to be avoided. Plus I bring my lunch 95 percent of the time. If I’m going out to eat, I’m going to make it count and grab something delicious.

However, today I was in a pinch and needed something quick that I could eat back at my desk. I ordered an avocado and cucumber sandwich and was pleasantly surprised.

avocado and cucumber sandwich

It was actually pretty delicious. The sweetness of the wheat bread balanced out all the veggies inside. I love avocado, and this had plenty of big chunks inside in addition to cucumbers for crunch, sprouts, tomatoes and lettuce. Next time I may ask them to throw some onions on there.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my lunch.

bite

It’s time to start the weekend! I can’t wait to spend time with Kevin this weekend since we’ve both been so busy lately. And Parko, of course. He demands attention.

Parko

Do you work near a Nature’s Table? What’s your go-to meal there?

Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a dish?

Any plans for the long weekend?

14 Comments

Filed under Downtown Orlando, Lighter Options, Lunch, Sandwich, Vegetarian

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August 14, 2011 · 4:48 pm

Hot Dog Heaven and sister time

Now that the summer is coming to an end, my sister is heading back up to Normal, Illinois, to start her second year at Illinois State University. I feel like she just got home! Yesterday, we decided to spend the day together to get in some time together before her trip back.

First we met up for lunch at Hot Dog Heaven with my dad and step mom for some Chicago hot dogs and tamales.

hot dog

tamale

I had never been to Hot Dog Heaven before, but my parents go pretty often. It’s a very traditional Chicago style dog, and it was very tasty. They definitely bring in a lunch crowd. Upon walking in, you’re greeted by Chicago memorabilia on the walls and signs advertising their Vienna beef hot dogs. It was great.

After our lunch, my sister and I headed back to their house to bake some cookies. Kathryn has a great sugar cookies recipe, and we had fun baking and decorating them.

beating

cookie sheet

scooping

iced cookies

sprinkling

Kathryn

Kathryn and I

It was a ton of fun baking together, and the cookies came out great. I’ve been snacking on them ever since. After our tasty treats, we laid by the pool for the rest of the afternoon. It was a great day with my sister!

How many siblings do you have? It’s just my sister and I, and we are five years apart. I can’t believe she’s in college! It’s so crazy!

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Filed under American, Orlando, Quick Service

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August 11, 2011 · 7:41 pm

Shari

Last night my friend and former coworker from my previous job, Phillip, and I grabbed dinner and caught up at Shari Sushi in Thornton Park. I had never been there before, but I had always heard good things about the food; however, I was warned that sometimes the wait staff can be a little snooty.

Shari was hopping for a Wednesday night! The space looks like it could have been a night club at one point. We were seated in the upstairs balcony section, which overlooks the rest of the restaurant. Despite what I had heard about the snoot snoot level, out waitress was really sweet and attentive.

It is definitely a hipper and trendier atmosphere and menu than the other sushi places I’ve been to. Just look at their funky water glasses.

water

Yes, I did almost spill it a few times.

Their menu is very unique with nontraditional sushi rolls. I didn’t see any plain California rolls or spicy tuna rolls here. Everything had some sort of twist. Phillip ordered a Rainbow roll and their Chiquita roll, which has bananas on top. I’m definitely going to try this one my next trip. He said the Chiquita roll was awesome and really liked the banana flavor.

Phillip's

I ordered the Mt. Chau roll, which is a California roll with real crab (as opposed to krab) with a seafood medley baked on top. I also ordered the dragon roll, which had shrimp tempura, asparagus and avocado.

Mine

This may look like a lot, and you’re probably right. But, of course, I cleaned my plate. Everything tasted really fresh and went well together.

I really enjoyed the uniqueness of their menu, but it was a little pricier than most sushi places I’ve been to. All of the rolls were at least $10 and some were more than $20 per piece. It’s good, but be prepared to spend a little more. Also, if you’re in the mood for simpler or more traditional rolls, you may want to look elsewhere.

I think it’s a great post-work place, and I had a wonderful time catching up with Phillip.

Are you a fan of sushi? What is your favorite roll or sushi ingredient? My favorite is raw salmon. I could eat it for days!

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Filed under Sushi, Thornton Park

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August 7, 2011 · 3:17 pm

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation

Last night my friend Erica and I attended Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation event at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, which benefits No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger in America. The event featured food from tons of Central Florida chefs and restaurants, a silent auction and entertainment. It was such a fun event and extremely well organized. Erica and I both left with full tummies. It was great to sample such great foods, and I got to try some restaurants I had never been to before.

I also ran into some former coworkers and got to meet Orlando food bloggers Tasty Chomps and Mega Yummo!

Amongst my favorite samplings were the salmon tartare from Café Tu Tu Tango, filet mignon from The Capital Grille, watermelon brulee and bacon from Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, brisket and corn bread from Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, tempura lobster tacos from Orlando World Center Marriott, and bananas foster from Royal Plaza. I also got to try acai vodka, which was very tasty!

Erica and I had a blast eating our way through the convention room and goofing off in the photo booth. Below is a snapshot of some of our eats and adventures from the evening.

Taste1

Taste2

Taste3

Taste4

Taste5

How was your weekend? I can’t believe it’s already Sunday! I’m catching up on laundry, and Kevin is assembling some new furniture we picked up today from Crate and Barrel and Ikea. Busy busy busy…

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Filed under Event

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August 6, 2011 · 10:56 am

The return to Boathouse

The first my time family tried Boathouse of Winter Park, it was relatively new and we didn’t really have any expectations. We were just excited to try a new restaurant, and we were blown away by the food. Our entire experience was amazing.

Last night my family and I returned to Boathouse with the memories of the last visit floating in our minds.

I think you can see where this is going. Maybe our expectations were just too high, but the food fell short of the last meal we had there. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t blow us away like last time.

My dad and Kevin both ordered the braised short ribs, which my sister had ordered last time. My sister’s was so full of flavor and melted in your mouth. Although my dad’s and Kevin’s orders were good, they were drier and didn’t have as much flavor.

short ribs

My sister ordered the wedge salad, which she didn’t have any complaints about.

wedge

I ordered the grouper frommage, which was grouper topped with shrimp and crab meat over lemon risotto.

grouper

The risotto was really delicious.  I would have rather had a big bowl of just that. It was creamy and lemony and wonderful. The grouper however was dried out, and all of the seafood was very salty.

I’m sad that the return trip didn’t live up to the hype, but it just goes to show that you should really give something two tries before judging it as good or bad. I wonder if the first visit was them having a good night or last night just being an off night.

Have you ever liked or disliked a meal or product that later changed your mind?

Luckily tonight I’m off to Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, which comes to Orlando today. It’s a great event to support efforts to end childhood hunger and it brings together chefs from a slew of Central Florida restaurants. Each chef will have two to three dishes and drinks to sample. I’m very excited.

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Filed under American, Winter Park

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