Eddie V's

7488 W Sand Lake Rd.

Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 355-3011
View Website Here

We recently went to Eddie V’s for Magical Dining, and of course it was excellent. It was a great way to taste, sip and savor menu classics at a discounted price.

I was actually impressed by Eddie V’s charismatic vibe that draws you in and holds you close, invites you to be seen, or sit back and just savor. This is definitely a top notch establishment for the Darden Restaurant brand.

They serve up some of the finest seafood and steaks with world class wine and service, along with live jazz in the V lounge. Fish arrive daily from pristine waters around the world including Swordfish from Block Island, Scallops from George Banks, and YellowFin Tuna from the Caribbean. USDA Prime steaks are hand cut and specially aged for more than 28 days to ensure peak flavor.

From making fresh tortillas by hand daily for lobster tacos to including a full half-pound of Jumbo Lump crab meat in their crab cakes, Eddie V’s strives to go above and beyond in every step of preparation, and they did not disappoint on our visit.

I started with the Crab and Corn Chowder that featured generous portions of Lump Crab, Smoked Bacon and Sweet Corn that all blended well together.

Our other starter was the Organic Greens Salad with baby heirloom tomatoes, julienne carrots and apple-cider vinaigrette.

We absolutely had to grab a side of the Truffled Mac and Cheese here as well, and it did not disappoint, some of the better truffle mac and cheese dishes that I have had.

Always sucker for great Sea Bass, hands down, the one served up at Eddie V’s is all time top 3 that we have ever had. Our server told us that it is a big hit and one of the most popular menu items. The Chilean Sea Bass is steamed Hong Kong Style served in a light soy broth that just dissolves in your mouth.

The 22oz USDA Prime Bone In Ribeye was a $20.00 upgrade over the regular Magical Dining Menu, but it was money well spent. This steak was cooked perfectly and it was delicious. This was served with white truffle mashed potatoes also, and they were equally good.

Butterscotch Panna Cotta was a great dessert to finish the evening with salted caramel, walnuts, pralines and biscotti. We also had the Fresh Fruit Sorbet with a homemade cookie.

A most impressive Wine Collection.

Eddie V’s can be found across the country. While each location is unique in its setting, artwork and décor, they all share an unmistakable elegance. Seafood and great Steaks are what they are known for, but the real specialty here is excellence.

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The H Cuisine is Open in Dr. Phillips

7512 Dr Phillips Blvd #80

Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 930-3020
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New to the Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, The H Cuisine offers a diverse Mediterranean menu prepared by chefs with international experience, gained from working at some of the finest restaurants around the world.

Combined, they have traveled to more than 70 countries to learn about different tastes, foods and ingredients, and bring what they have learned from these culinary adventures to Orlando. It is owned by local entrepreneurs, Fuat Hasaglu and Ahmet Ozhamurkar.

An open-fire kitchen concept allows guests to enjoy different styles of fire cooking methods, including charcoal-oven cooked and charcoal-grilled dishes, slowly-cooked barbecue, smoked dishes, sustainable seafood, handmade dried and rested meat, Turkish spicy Sucuk and meze dishes, which will win the hearts of vegetarians. The menu includes seasonal ingredients purchased from local Anatolian producers.

The open kitchen counter allows guests to feel the warmth of the live fire as they watch the chefs preparing exclusive menu items. Guests can also enjoy table-side experiences with the chefs when they order select items from the menu.

A signature experience at The H Cuisine, shared platters for two to four guests, can be reserved and include braised lamb shoulders and 12-hour braised veal shank with root vegetables and wine. 

The bar at The H Cuisine serves a wide range of domestic and imported beverages, including beer, wine, raki and cocktails with premium liquor options available. A perfect location to relax or gather with friends, the bar offers a unique experience after work, during lunch and before and after dinner. Coffee enthusiasts will love another signature menu item at The H – Turkish coffee.

The H Cuisine is the perfect new spot for local and visiting foodies, business, convention and group meetings, and life celebrations.

The restaurant offers both outdoor and indoor seating. Reservations can also be made online through Open Table. The hours of operations are Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m, Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Reservations can be made by calling 407-930-3020.

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American Social is Coming to Orlando

7335 W Sand Lake Rd

Ste 101
Orlando, FL 32819

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American Social Bar & Kitchen (AmSo), the upscale sports lounge and restaurant that originated in South Florida has announced the debut of a fourth location in Orlando, Florida. 

The 9,406 square-foot space, formerly known as Bar Louie, is part of the Rialto plaza located on Orlando’s famed “Restaurant Row.” Positioned in the prestigious Dr. Phillips area just minutes from the bustling I-Drive and Orange County Convention Center, the space will undergo an extensive, $2.7M beautification and build-out with help of United General Contracting, led by John Mijares. 

The new space will debut as the fourth pillar to the successful restaurant series that pays tribute to classic Americana style. The original “AmSo” (as loyal patrons refer) located on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale will celebrate its sixth anniversary this June, and the new flagship location in Downtown Tampa will commemorate its first year this October closely followed by the fourth anniversary of the Downtown Brickell location in Miami. 

American Social Orlando will keep with its good time, entertainment-for-all reputation with more than 300 indoor and outdoor seats, a sweeping patio, four bars and one VIP bar for private parties. Helmed by restaurateurs Rick Mijares and Paul Greenberg, American Social is known for its extensive selection of local and national craft beers, lively happy hours and award-winning menu items.

“The addition of our fourth location in Orlando, one of the most visited cities in the world thanks to year round sunny weather, unique attractions and a high quality of life, is truly special for American Social,” said Rick Mijares. “With our ability to offer both full restaurant and bar service and special events in addition to off-site catering, American Social’s culinary versatility and attention to detail will be unmatched in Central Florida.” 

Family is at the core of American Social. Rick’s mother, Laurie Mijares spearheads the interior design for all AMSO locations while Rick’s father, Tony Mijares, continues his integral role in the restaurant’s financial, legal and corporate growth since its inception in 2011. 

The team’s tireless efforts are not confined within the walls of the three successful locations, but reach far and wide through a new community that rallies around the patriotic concept, which pays tribute to classic Americana.

Rick Mijares and Greenberg anticipate hiring approximately 125 new team members to help execute the restaurant’s brunch, lunch and dinner service on a weekly basis. The new location is conveniently located 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World and downtown Orlando. 

American Social is characterized by its classic American comfort food, a wide selection of craft beers on draft, curated list of cocktails and wines. 

The restaurant’s portfolio of prestigious awards includes 2014, 2015 and 2016 South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s “Best Bite on the Beach,” Zagat award-winning Chicken and Waffles dish, and winner of the OBIES: A Taste of South Florida’s “People’s Choice Award.” 

The restaurant has three locations including 721 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 690 S.W. First Court in Miami, FL; 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. in Tampa, FL; and a fourth coming soon to 7335 West Sand Lake Road in Orlando, FL.

For more information, visit www.americansocialbar.com.

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The Whiskey

7563 W Sand Lake Rd.

Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 930-6517
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The Whiskey has become quite the hot spot since it’s opening in mid 2015. 

Sadly with so many restaurants that have opened in Orlando since that time, It took us a while to make it out there, but fear not, we did go and we did it up big. 

When we first arrived, I thought the spot looked familiar, and that is because this use to be the location for the now defunct Cricketers Pub & Eatery. Cricketer’s was a bit larger than a hole in the wall with a very basic layout. Some of the design themes from the original location are still in tact, which really work fine with what the Whiskey’s design team has imagined.

Once inside, there is one long bar that runs across the left wall with a view of the open kitchen. A small stage is toward the back, with a few rows of wooden tables across the back wall and a hand full of larger communal style tables in the middle. Seating can be limited as this is set up like a tight narrow hallway, with a first come first serve basis and you may be eating or drinking at one of the big long tables. 

The food here is very chef driven, even if they do specialize in burgers. The culinary team is always striving to put out plates that are visually stunning while offering an elevated twist. The Whiskey uses fresh and local ingredients from the eggs and produce, to the grass fed game meats to the hormone & range free chicken and organic produce.

Burgers here, are a big thing. They take pride in their burgers here, and the results and myriad of awards speak for themselves. The burgers are large and packed with flavor and a variety of toppings that are cooked to your liking. Want something different than beef? No problem, as The Whiskey has Bison, Elk, Camel, Wild Boar and Wild caught sockeye as well as a burger topped with a 20 hour smoked beef brisket.

They make some pretty mean salads here too, and have great side options and a variety of starters to choose from as well. The Whiskey Onion Rings and the Parmesan Truffle fries are not to be missed. You can order them seperate or upgrade them as a side item for your burger.

Of course, The Whiskey would not be it’s namesake without that great old time alcoholic beverage known as whiskey. They boast a whopping selection of over 200 kinds of Whiskey, Bourbon, Scotch and Rye.

The official count is something like...85 Whiskeys & Rye, 66 Bourbons, 52 Scotches, 21 Irish Whiskeys and 10 Rare & Limited bottles. They serve it by the shot, and as mixer in a variety of cocktails. Shots go from a couple of bucks all the up to over $32.00 for a shot and over $75.00 for a regular serving. They do serve beer and have a few other spirits available as well.

Fridays and Saturdays are always packed at the Whiskey. Seating is first come first serve, as they do not take reservations, and you can see that this isn’t the biggest restaurant on Restaurant Row.

The Motley Cucumber on the left made with Damrak Gin and an Old Fashioned with Old Forester 100 proof bourbon on the right. The Old Forester was very smooth with full flavor and a spicy note. The Motley Cucumber is great and refreshing if Whiskey is not your thing.

Whiskey Chips are great for the whole table, and they are a crowd pleaser. These house cooked kettle chips are piled high with Gorgonzola cream, crumbled Gorgonzola, chopped bourbon bacon, aged balsamic glaze and scallions.

The Fried Mushrooms were pretty tasty also and were enough to share with our group. They were pretty simple with a crispy beer batter and served with a side of ranch.

Bear Gully Reserve is on the left, and it is made by local distillery, Winter Park Distilling Company. The Black Forest with Rebel Yell Ginger and Godiva Chocolate is on the right.

The Pork Belly Sliders with crispy pork belly, fried green tomatoes, house pimiento cheese and balsamic glaze on sweet Hawaiian rolls were out of this world. I would go back to The Whiskey just for these awesome little creations.

I love a good Bison burger, and they are becoming hard to find in Orlando, but the
Drunk Bison burger at The Whiskey is pretty damn good. This is a grass fed ground bison patty with beer cheddar cheese sauce, bourbon bacon, whiskey onion rings, served on a pretzel roll...and it's amazing. Of course we upgraded to the Parmesan Truffle Fries as well, and they were equally amazing.

The Texas Mule made with Tito’s vodka and The Rocky Mountain Dram made with Tincup Whiskey on the right.

One of the most popular burger choices at The Whiskey is of course, The Whiskey Burger. This comes topped with smoked Gouda cheese, bourbon bacon, whiskey onions and a dill aioli. This burger, as with all burgers served here are big and more than a mouthful.

The Whiskey has some great salad selections on the menu, like this Whiskey Cobb Salad. This is loaded with Grilled chicken, chopped bourbon bacon, tomatoes, Gorgonzola crumbles, sunny egg, house pickled cucumbers and a lemon balsamic vinaigrette. They have a Steak & Bleu salad if you want beef in a salad, a Pickled Beet salad, and a classic Caesar on the menu that can all be served by themselves, or with a choice of protein.

We visited The Whiskey on a Friday night, and it was packed. Like I said earlier, this place on the weekends, especially after dark gets going and the crowds fill up fast, and they do not take reservations. If you end up sitting close to the stage, be prepared to literally shout at your server and leave with a mild case of tinnitus.

Having said that, we still really enjoyed The Whiskey. All of the food was really good, and my Bison Burger was superb. There is a reason they are often in the top of any best burger competitions in Orlando. All of the whiskey cocktails, regular cocktails and shots of the premium stuff were great also. Just be careful, a few whiskey’s, a few cocktails and few burgers will set you back a bit.

The average burger price is around $15.00 and the apps start at around $10.00. Most cocktails start at over $10.00 and shots or tastes of various whiskey’s go from a couple of bucks to over $30.00, and it adds up fast. They do have happy hour specials Monday thru Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm and there is a decent amount of appetizers and a burger for a discounted price. 

The Whiskey is open Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am until 2:00 am.

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Bartaco

7600 Dr Phillips Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 801-8226
View Website Here

Tacos, tacos, and more tacos, it seems to be the craze all over Orlando right now.

We have traditional tacos, street tacos, craft tacos, custom tacos, recently, a once popular higher end restaurant just decided to call the old menu quits and serve up tacos. 

I'm not sure how long the taco craze will last. We all love tacos, but in my opinion, it’s getting out of control in Orlando. The good thing is that for Andy Pforzheimer and Sasa Mahr-Batuz, they got onto the craze before it ever hit mainstream, and they have a brand that I think will outlast the makeshift overnight taco places popping up.

About seven years ago Andy Pforzheimer and Sasa Mahr-Batuz had the idea to emulate casual al fresco dining experiences they experienced in Brazil, a dream deferred but later realized when the partners found a waterfront space in Port Chester, Connecticut, and the rest as they say is history.

Bartaco is inspired by the beach culture of Brazil, Uruguay and Southern California. They focus on an upscale brand of street food with a coastal vibe in a relaxed environment. The duo expected the restaurant to be a sort of gourmet taco truck turned inside out and a late night hang out for the younger crowd, but they quickly found families gathering to the concept as well.

With freshly squeezed juices, specialty cocktails and beer out of a bottle, Bartaco is reminiscent of a stylish beach resort with a great atmosphere made by woven basket light fixtures, and a wrap around bar that is front and center. It’s easy to forget where you are for the moment, and that's a great thing.

Bartaco’s mostly Cali-Mexican menu focuses on tacos with clean flavors and a price point of $2.50 to $3.50, depending on choice of protein. Tacos and sides are ordered a-la-carte similar to the way one would order sushi off a little check box menu that you fill out table side. The list of tacos available is pretty amazing and includes items like chorizo, pork belly, baja fish, falafel, duck, lamb, cauliflower and more.

They also serve rice bowls with curried shrimp, Mexican style tamales and sides including street corn, spicy cucumber salad, plantains, soups, and desserts.

Inside at Bartaco is very spacious. You may not think so from the outside, but with a big wrap around bar, an outdoor seating area, and plenty of booths and tables on the left and right, this place can hold a quite a crowd. We also really appreciate that Bartaco puts foot rests on the ledge of their booths.

On the "Not Tacos" list for starters is a trio of delicious and fresh made in house Roja salsa, Salsa Verde and Guacamole. 

Drinks are also a major focus of the restaurant, which has a stout tequila list of blancos, reposados, anejos and mezcals. A Paloma Fresca is on the left and the Bartaco Margarita on the right. Both are made with fresh squeezed juices and ingredients for a super fresh and tasty cocktail.

I love sweet plantains, but never thought of dipping them in a sauce. The ones here at Bartaco come with a side of a garlic aioli sauce that make them the perfect salty and sweet treat.

The Tuna Poke was pretty good. It's a tad bit on the salty side and maybe a little heavy on the sauce, but getting a bite with the avocado helps out a lot.

I've had some pretty authentic Tamales in my time, even while in Mexico, but I do have to admit the Pork Tamale here was pretty on point. It's surprisingly good.

The Cauliflower Taco and The Sesame Ribeye Tacos with a side of Stewed Black Beans was really good, but man the Cauliflower Taco was spectacular. Lots of crunch with immense flavor.

All tacos at Bartaco can be made with bibb lettuce instead of a tortilla, for a low carb option, but the Tuna Tatako comes on lettuce only. We had this with a side of Spicy Cucumber Salad for a cool Asian style taco experiment. It was very good.

The Reviver with Martin Miller's Gin and an Old Thymer with Four Roses Bourbon on the right.

We really enjoyed all the really cool and unique tacos at Bartaco. They really have something for everyone, even vegetarians. Our order here consisted of a Falafel, Mojo Pork Carnitas, Duck, Crispy Rock Shrimp, and Pork Belly tacos. All of it was superb, especially the pork belly and the falafel.

Of course, nothing finishes off your meal at Bartaco better than these wonderful Churros with a not too sweet chocolate sauce to dip them in.

They have a great outdoor spot as well for additional seating when the weather permits.

We really fell in love with Bartaco, it is one of the best restaurant/dining atmospheres I have been to in quite a while. The food here is exceptional, the cocktails were wonderful and the service was excellent. They have live music on various nights and they also feature new taco ingredients on a monthly basis for different options.

There are 14 locations in the U.S so far with two in Florida. One in Dr. Phillips and the the other in Tampa. The Dr. Phillips location is open from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm except for Friday and Saturday, they are open until 12:00 am.

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Roy's

7760 W Sand Lake Rd.

Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-4844

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Roy’s Restaurant was built upon European techniques, Pacific Rim cuisine and warm, from the heart hospitality that seeks to create a remarkable and unique dining experience.

There are currently four locations in Florida, with locations in Orlando, Bonita Springs, Jacksonville Beach and Tampa, but the first Roy's was opened in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988 by namesake Roy Yamaguchi. Currently there are 20 Roy's restaurants in the continental United States, six in Hawaii, one in Japan and one in Guam.

Culinary pioneer and Roy's founder Roy Yamaguchi was born in Tokyo. It was while visiting his grandparents on Maui that he had his first taste of seafood bought fresh at seaside piers that would shape his future career.

At 19, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York as a master chef and moved to Los Angeles where he served as executive chef at La Serene. After gaining invaluable experience in LA, Roy decided it was time to head closer to his roots. He moved to Hawaii and opened the first Roy's in 1988, and eventually became a James Beard award winner.

Although, aside from six locations in Hawaii, and a location in Guam, Roy did sell the remainder of his locations and sold the brand. The rest of the restaurants that have been sold are doing a great job of upholding the style and techniques that Roy instilled in his original fusion cuisine at his original Roy's in Honolulu in 1988.

The food here blends classic techniques with adventurous Pacific Rim flavors, and outstanding seafood selections with great cocktails and an even better wine selection. Everything from Sushi to fried spring rolls is on the starter menu and a wide variety of seafood selections to braised short ribs of beef can be had for your entree selections.

The bar at Roy’s is a great place to grab some cocktails or sip on some wine while eating anything that you may want to try from the extensive bar bites menu.

The Polynesian Passion features Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Jamaican Rum, Don Q Coconut Rum and Passion Fruit. This drink is very strong, and very good.

While I am not the biggest fan of mussels, these Prince Edward Island Mussels on the bar bites menu at Roy’s are spectacular.

I also really enjoyed the Crispy Wagyu Beef Dumplings on the bar bites menu as well.

Auntie Lei's Aloha Roll with spicy tuna, yellowtail, salmon and avocado was very fresh and delicious. Roy’s has a few different rolls on the menu like the Lobster California Roll, a Surf and Turf Roll with Wagyu beef and a Tempura Crusted Ahi Roll to choose from.

This is a pair of Drunken Mules made with PAU Vodka. PAU is the only vodka made from Hawaiian pineapples. These mules are topped off with Rum soaked pineapples that will quite literally knock you on your behind, if you are not careful.

Our appetizer of Asian Oyster Rockefeller was pretty tasty and a unique spin on a classic dish.

The Lobster Ramen in a lobster miso broth is a great example of Roy’s fusion cuisine and was quite good.

The Braised Short Ribs of Beef were phenomenal. This is one of the best short rib’s I have had in a long time, and it’s one of the best you can get in Orlando. This is braised for 24 hours, then served in the natural braising sauce with Yukon mashed potatoes and broccolini.

I really found the Jade Pesto Sizzling Hawaiian Whitefish to be a pretty uncommon dish with immense flavors. This is made from snapper covered in pesto and served atop a warm scallion Shoyu Ponzu sauce with a side of sticky rice.

The hand carved 8oz. Filet Mignon with truffle onion misoyaki demi glaze was cooked perfectly medium, and the demi glaze was a great touch.

The Hot Chocolate Soufflé was a great dessert that was filled with oozing chocolate inside a flourless chocolate cake with a molten hot center served with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream.

No visit to Roy’s is complete without ordering the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. This is an absolutely decadent and delicious treat that is made with caramelized pineapple baked into a brown sugar pound cake.

Roy Yamaguchi is regarded as an international culinary visionary and the creator of Hawaiian fusion cuisine. As I said earlier, Roy may have sold off the brands, except for Hawaii locations, but the remaining locations are doing a fine job of upholding the vision and creativity that Roy established 1988.

The food here is really good, the cocktails are creative and the wine selection is impressive. They truly have something for everyone, and they even have vegetarian items on the menu as well. Stop by sometime and visit, you will not be disappointed.

Roy’s is open Monday to Thursday from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Friday they are open until 11:00 PM, and Saturday they start at 5:00 PM and close at 11:00 PM. Sunday hours are from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

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