fries: double-fried crispy perfection. 118 Lake Ave., Maitland. $. Hot Dogs. TRATTORIA TOSCANA Park Avenue trattoria may not be truly Tuscan, but they do offer good, straightforward Italian fare. Very fresh salmon carpaccio is as much a must as a glass of chianti. For mains, consider a thin-crust pizza or an ultimately rewarding dish of gnocchi alla Sorrentina. Service is impeccable. 521 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-644-0009. $$. Italian. WAZZABI SUSHI From a bland side street, this oasis of taste beckons with unique decor and ambience. The menu follows suit, with exceptional sushi, teppanyaki and steak. (The cherry blossom filet is a tender delight.) Each choice of seating and dishes will yield a different experience – but all should end with tempura cheesecake. 1408 Gay Road, Winter Park, 407647-8744. $$$. Japanese/Sushi. WHOLE FOODS MARKET This natural-foods supermarket offers a different food-gathering experience altogether. There’s an impressive takeout deli with a garden of a salad bar, plus a smoothie counter with an array of liquid energizers, including espresso shots. Savor the goods at a shaded outdoor table. 1989 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, 407-673-8788. $. Vegetarian/ Vegan, Market. WINNIE’S ORIENTAL GARDEN A cut above most Asian restaurants in the area, Winnie’s is contemporary in appearance, with a similarly stylish and eclectic menu. Appetizers range from sushi to crispy calamari with soy vinaigrette, and entrees originate from all over the Pacific Rim. 1346 Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-6292111. $$. Chinese. WINTER PARK FISH CO. The seafood with a conscience served here will get you hooked. Of particular note: wild coho served with crisp green beans and pearl couscous. Alaskan ling cod makes for gratifying fish and chips, and
fresh-out-of-the-fryer hush puppies are sublime all by themselves. Expect long waits. 761 Orange Ave. , Winter Park, 407-622-6112. $$. Deli/Sandwiches, Seafood. YAE SUSHI This older, more established restaurant doesn’t raise the sushi bar very high. But Yae has lots and lots of rolls, more than you might find in any two other places combined. Some are exotic – those named for sports teams include the “Gator” roll, with tempura gator tail – but there are enough that even the sushi-wary will find something to like. 2050 State Road 436, Winter Park, 407-677-1088. $$. Japanese/Sushi.
BAYRIDGE SUSHI A long way from its
NORTH ALI BABA An oasis of tantalizing flavors. Ali Baba’s Persian entrees include a variety of shish kebabs along with more familiar Greek and Middle Eastern dishes. A buffet is offered at both lunch and dinner, with an especially exotic array on Sundays. 1155 W. State Road 434, Longwood, 407-331-8680. $. Greek, Middle Eastern, Persian. ANNIE PIE’S BAKERY Humongous, comainducing cakes and cheesecakes that are not just delicious, but also marvels of construction – the peanut butter explosion cake, layers of fudge brownie, peanut-butter mousse and chocolate cake, weighs in at more than 12 pounds. Closed weekends; cakes available for home delivery. 150 National Place, Suite 140, Longwood, 407831-7288. $$. Sweets, Market, Bakery. APPLETON’S CAFE Biscuits to bacon, this Lake Mary greasy spoon is down-home to the core. Breakfast is the big draw with crispy country-fried steak and thick, spicy sausage gravy offering bona fide Southern comfort. The coffee, like the kitschy decor, isn’t for the faint of heart 3575 Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary, 407323-7663. $. American, Breakfast, Diner. ATHENA CAFE At breakfast and lunch, a wealth of Greek cuisine is served up by the
Simplicity never in legendary form. tasted so good.
12269 University Boulevard 407-658-2396 EatDrinkAndBeLazy.com
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HUGE PIZZA AND CHEAP GREAT BEER.
Said family, who emigrated here years ago with all their favorite recipes. The setting is simple, but the culinary skill shows. 1140 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, 407-830-0707. $. American, Greek. AUBERGINE BISTRO Taking its name from the French word for eggplant, this intimate and welcoming restaurant offers a small but ambitious Continental menu. Refreshingly inventive desserts, such as white-chocolate sun-driedcranberry bread pudding, change daily. 1455 Semoran Blvd., Casselberry, 407-678-3300. $$$. Café/Bistro, Continental.
ex-home in Brooklyn and a long way from downtown Orlando, but a pleasing place for exquisite-quality sushi, with a slightly expensive but convenient single-piece “a la carte” menu to sample the art of the chef. 1000 W. SR 434, Longwood, 407-331-0000. $$. Japanese/Sushi. BISTRO 1501 A pretty room in an awayfrom-downtown hotel is home to a chef capable of wonders. The food here is worthy of a stand-alone restaurant. The kitchen turns out the freshest fish in interesting ways, and makes a mean soup from scratch. Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Lake Mary, 407-995-1100. $$$. American, Seafood, Steak. CYPRIANA RESTAURANT An excellent choice for hearty Greek cuisine at reasonable prices in a cheerful, bustling setting. Appetizers include charbroiled octopus with olive oil, garlic and lemon; and kotopita, phyllo pastry layered with chicken, herbs, mushrooms and peppers. Hearty entrees include souvlaki, gyros and rotisserie chicken. 505 Semoran Blvd., Casselberry, 407-834-8088. $. Greek. DA VINCI 112 West Georgia Ave., Deland 386873-2943. Café/Bistro. DEXTER’S OF LAKE MARY The third restaurant in the Dexter’s family has a bit more of a manufactured feel in its Lake Mary shopping plaza location. Still, even without the cool vibe of its other locations, the sophisticated menu is full of the familiar Dexter’s flair for giving comfort-food ingredients an exciting twist in an ambience that’s just right for friends, food and conversation. 950 Market Promenade Ave., Lake Mary, 407-805-3090. $$$. Bar/Pub, American, Café/Bistro, Wine. DOM’S PIZZA This place has a recipe that works on all the usuals, as well as specialties like the “Drew Garabo,” a Philly cheese-steakand-onion pie. Hot and cold subs, calzones and