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bastion of collegians attending UCF and Full Sail. Fair warning: The place can get packed pretty quickly, but if you snag a table, take advantage and order the oversized “king pho” bowl with as beefy a broth as you’ll ever slurp. While bao and spring rolls are serviceable, the rice bowl with crispy tofu and the banh mi are surefire options. 7581 University Blvd., Winter Park, 407-636-6069; $
DOVECOTE It’s hard to find a clunker on this downtown brasserie’s menu of approachable French cuisine, whether you’re downing starters like French onion soup (a specialty), tomato-water risotto or Vietnamese seafood stew, or entrees like steak frites, moules frites or vermouth-braised pork cheeks. Partake in their progressive cocktail program, or enjoy one of the many French wines offered by the glass. 390 N. Orange Ave., 407-930-1700; $$$$
PIZZA BRUNO Arguably Orlando’s most popular and buzzed-about pizzeria entices with “neo-Neapolitan” pies: fermented dough and creative flavor combinations fired in a Ferrari-red Pavesi oven (it’s a beaut). Traditionalists can have a field day here, for sure, but the adventurous can employ such ingredients as hot honey, charred peaches, blueberries, maple syrup and the like on their fast-blistered pizzas. Garlic knots with “too much garlic” are practically a must – enjoy them with the ricotta meatballs prior to pie-eating. Online ordering was just added for those who’d rather not eat in. 3990 Curry Ford Road, 407-906-8547; $$
TR FIRE GRILL Upscale American bistro that feels like a chain restaurant but isn’t one (well, not yet – it’s the test space for a concept by Romacorp, the Orlando-based owner of the Tony Roma’s rib chain). Share sangria muddled with local fruits, then order the brilliant oven-baked pizza dip. Entrees can be hit-or-miss, though we loved our “zoodles,” but the Chocolate Mayhem dessert is enough for a group or for one broken heart. 1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-708-3600; $$
THE PARKVIEW While not as sprawling a space as the Wine Room, nor as packed as Luma, the Parkview has the unpretentious, comfortable air that its neighboring Park Avenue haunts don’t. Plus, the menu goes well beyond the tried-and-true charcuterie and cheese plates to create highly edible pairings – roasted bone marrow, braised beet carpaccio and more – to match an intriguing selection of wines. Open daily. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday. 136 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-9103; $$ n
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ORLANDO WEEKLY ● NOV. 23-29, 2016
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orlandoweekly.com