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$10 OR LESS $10-$15 $15-$25
Price range 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.
$25 OR MORE
EDITED BY JESSICA BRYCE YOUNG
THAI FARM KITCHEN College Park Thai restaurant (by way of Brooklyn) makes an effort to set itself apart from other Siamese neighborhood restos with varying degrees of success. Among the worthiest items: laab with duck confit, drunken noodles with softshell crab and shumai-like minced chicken dumplings. Open daily. (reviewed May 25) 2625 Edgewater Drive, 407-412-5239, thaifarmkitchen.com, $$$
GRILLED CHEEZUS Grilled cheese sandwiches — 17 ooeygooey varieties’ worth, served on Pullman brioche or ciabatta and waffle-grilled — are this sandwich shop’s stock in trade. All are served with a tomato bisque soup dipper. Open daily. (reviewed May 18) 912 N. Mills Ave., 407-412-5006, grilledcheezus.com, $$
AVA MEDITERRAEGEAN Just because the trendy Mediterranean hotspot packs the pretty people in doesn’t mean it lacks substance. The dishes here — from the potato mille-feuille to the bracing dorade tartare to the salt-baked branzino — are incredible. (Doesn’t mean there aren’t misses: flambéed halloumi cheese, chicken skewers.) The truffle risotto and rack of lamb are a winning combination. For an opening cocktail, try the Greek salad Gibson. To end, the mille-feuille tart is all class. Closed Monday and Tuesday. (reviewed May 11) 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-794-9896, avamediterraegean. com, $$$$
IMMERSION AT LONDON HOUSE BY CHEF RIKKU Chef Rikku Ó’Donnchü opens his multisensorial, whimsical and macabre tasting menu concept to the public — at least to those who can afford to indulge in one of the priciest dining experiences in town. And an experience it is, all 15 courses worth. The four-hour meal is an eyeopening, fun and educational trip. (reviewed May 4) 7728 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-7340000, londonhouse.life/immersion, $$$$
FRESH&CO The Manhattan import brings its brand of healthy eats to Dr. Phillips with a bevy of bowls, sammies and smoothies. Open daily. (reviewed April 27) 7728 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-734-0000, freshandco.com, $$
DOLCE Salads, handhelds, rice bowls and all-day breakfast are offered at this intimate South Eola eatery, but it’s the cakes, crepes and confections that lure guests in. Cupcakes by Cupcake Wars Season 6 champion Jillian Hopke are offered, as are a host of crepes and sweets — the waffle cone stuffed with cheesecake being a solid choice. Happy
hour, Monday to Friday from 4-7 p.m., offers great value. Open daily. (reviewed April 20) 500 E. Central Blvd., 407-800-6100, dolcethorntonpark.com, $$
ISAN ZAAP Specializing in the infernal and invigorating fare of northeastern Thailand, Isan Zaap has a bevy of delights for those who like it hot and then some. The som tum tray comprises everything from fermented raw pork sausage to Vietnamese bologna to a mound of funky green papaya salad. It’s an ideal introduction to Isan fare, though don’t overlook zingy nam tok or items from the hush-hush menu (ask for it). Open daily. (reviewed April 13) 4693 Gardens Park Blvd., 407-203-1868, isanzaaporlando.com, $$
OOTOYA SUSHI LOUNGE Thornton Park sushi joint appeases both sushi purists and roll wreckers with a mix of traditional Japanese fare and a slew of makizushi offerings. Can’t-miss menu items include the bluefin tuna trio, black cod slicked in saikyo miso, and blue crab fried rice. Open daily. (reviewed April 6) 621 E. Central Blvd., 407-930-2002, ootoyasushilounge.com, $$$
TWENTY PHO HOUR It’s easy to be enamored by the monochromatic optics inside this 2D noodle bar (touted as America’s first), but it’s the boffo bowls of pho that really hold your gaze. You can go traditional with simple and satisfying pho tai, or bling it up proper with the “Pho King,” a $45 soup with filet mignon, lobster and foie gras. Open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. (reviewed March 30) 11951 International Drive, 407-788-1201, twentypho-hour.com, $$$
14 BIS PIZZERIA The aviation-themed pizzeria has a geekycool interior, but it’s the sugar-crusted pizzas that lure in scores of Brazilian pizza hounds. Toppings range from the unorthodox (sweet corn, catupiry, olives with pits) to the traditional, but you’ll want to use a fork and knife. Smaller toppingfilled sfihas are also a draw and make ideal dessert endings. Closed Monday. (reviewed March 23) 2869 Wilshire Drive, 407-7771414, 14bispizzeria.com, $$
YUMMY TASTE Sichuan restaurant in East Orlando does all the fiery staples of the regional Chinese cuisine well — from la zi ji chicken to sourand-spicy slivered potatoes. Indulging in an infernal bowl of “boiled pots fish” is worth a visit alone. Some vegan options are also offered. Closed Monday. (reviewed March 16) 504 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-866-2199, yummytasteorlando.com, $$$ n
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JUNE 1-7, 2022 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
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