[ food + drink ]
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The price range generally reflects the average cost of one dinner entree. Bakeries, ice cream shops, etc. reflect relative cost for one person. Search hundreds more reviews at orlandoweekly.com
THE MONROE
The latest offering from Jason and Sue Chin is arguably their prettiest and their most accessible. The Creative Village restaurant presents modern comfort fare courtesy of chef Josh Oakley, who garnered a following after opening the Smiling Bison. Fried chicken, pastrami corn dogs and chicken waffles are all worth ordering, but the must-try dishes are jerk-spiced chicken hearts and duck served with sour cherry-scallion relish spooned over Murasaki sweet potatoes. “The perfect cheesecake” lives up to the hype. Open daily. (reviewed Aug. 4) 448 N. Terry Ave., 407-734-2102, themonroeorlando.com, $$$$
HANGRY DOBO
You’ll feel the love as soon as you enter the restaurant, nestled in the Collegiate Way plaza at the corner of University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail. A warm welcome awaits from behind the cafeteria-style steam table, laden with up to 10 rotating Filipino delicacies (from garlicky chicken adobo to crispy deepfried pork belly) waiting to be served with rice or pancit. A little nervous about trying the pork shoulder stewed with serrano chilies and thickened with pork blood called dinuguan? Just ask for a little taste before committing. Samples are given with pleasure. (reviewed July 28) 12140 Collegiate Way, 407-270-6001, hangrydobo.com, $$
TAJINE XPRESS
The staples served at Tajine Xpress comprise all the heartwarming comfort one would expect from a Moroccan restaurant, from flaky bastille and briwat to the superb tajines, most notably lemon chicken and goat curry. The kebab trio of chicken, shrimp and kefta (ground beef) couldn’t be cooked any better — be sure to enjoy them with eggplant zalouk and fiery harissa. Start and end with a pot of Moroccan mint tea. Closed Mondays. (reviewed July 21) 971 N. Goldenrod Road, 407-233-4179, tajinexpress.com, $$
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AUG. 11-17, 2021 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
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