DaFoodie

Theo’s Kitchen was opened 20 years ago at its original location, and moved somewhat recently to a new location on Curry Ford Road in the Winn-Dixie shopping plaza. My girls and I snuck in last night for a late-dinner visit. Very delicious!

Firstly, this place is gleaming-clean. The beautiful marble tabletops gleamed under the lights, and the tile floor was so immaculate I could have eaten off of it. The big tip-off is usually the garbage area, which was pristine like the rest of the place.

My friend Lisa is great at giving me tips for eateries that I wouldn’t otherwise know about. Yesterday she told me about Brandywine’s Deli, which is located on Park Avenue in Winter Park. Wow. Let me just say this:  IT’S FRESH.

I hadn’t been to Numero Uno Cuban restaurant in about ten years, at which time my youngest (then two years old) unexpectedly catapulted her little body over the back of her high chair and landed headfirst on the tile floor. We headed back, and I am pleased to say that not only did my daughter not have any more acrobatic occurrences, the food was as delicious as I remember it.

In the Publix shopping plaza on 436/Semoran near Howell Branch Road in Casselberry is Bagel King. I’ve eaten there quite a few times over the years, and have very much enjoyed their bagel sandwiches.

A long time ago (17 months, to be exact) in a galaxy far, far away (ok, it was actually Casselberry) lived a kosher restaurant called Amira’s. The family that ran it, the Cohens, had a very loyal following and Amira herself would come out and give you samples of cookies that she made for her own grandchildren. Much to the shock and dismay of Central Florida, Amira’s closed up shop and left a very large, empty spot in our tummies and hearts.

The good news is that the Cohen’s son, Justin, opened the doors to Cohen’s Deli so that we don’t have to miss out the glatt-kosher goodness.

Dear Hot Dog Heaven:

I love you. I love everything about you. In a bizarre world of teenagers trying to push over jiffy marts with plastic bottles of salad dressing, you are the one thing I can rely on to make me feel better.

No matter how bad my day is going, I know that I can go to your place and be greeted by familiar, smiling faces. I’ve been eating at your establishment for five years now, and I see the same wonderful staff who asks about my hot dog-eating compatriots if they’re not with me that day. Yesterday, I walked off without my sweet tea, and one of your employees actually chased me across the road to make sure I got it. Most places don’t care.

After a somewhat depressing visit to my old fave, The Greek Flame Taverna, after their move to Dr. Phillips, I braved up and headed over to the small-yet-delicious Mediterranean Blue on Michigan Avenue south of Downtown.

I’ve been invited to Mediterranean Blue a few times by my girlfriends, but I’ve never actually made it before my visit the other evening. The good news is that it’s fairly close to my house. The bad news (for my wallet) is that it’s fairly close to my house. Ahem.

My friend Chris has become completely addicted to Indian food. He’ll deny it, but his Foursquare checkins completely betray him. When he and his wife came into town, he suggested we hit A Passage to India at their Westwood location for lunch, which is just south of Sea World. After being directed through the majority of 200-yard-long “roads” through the Convention Center (thanks, Google Maps), I finally made it to my destination.

I don’t discriminate between Asian cuisines, which is lucky for my taste buds but not so great for my pocketbook. I’m always on the hunt for excellent-quality sushi that tastes amazing, and I am pleased to report to you that Orlando Sushi House next to the Florida Mall does not disappoint.

A few years ago, I wasn’t a patron of any establishment that billed itself as a “teahouse” or anything really tea-related - not that I don’t like tea. I do enjoy a good high tea whenever I can get it, complete with Devonshire creme and scones but the majority of my tea-drinking has been relegated to the sickly sweet Southern variety. One of my closest friends pushed me to try Pom Pom’s for their “most excellent” sandwiches and another friend had artwork hanging at the Bumby location, so I decided that if Pom Pom’s was going to support my artist friends, I was going to support Pom Pom’s.

My girlfriends and I decided to hit up the Drunken Monkey coffee bar on Bumby Avenue, right across from Colonial Plaza. A mutual friend works here, and we were looking forward to fresh, homemade eats and some good tea.

I’ve never been to Seattle, but I’m thinking that if I need a little dose, Dandelion Communitea Cafe is the place to go. You know, without the rain and gloom.

A host of swanky bars, 45 portable concession stands and Jernigan’s full-service restaurant deliver an astonishing 1:150 ratio of grub options-to-spectators at Orlando’s brand-new Amway Center.

Many of my friends are turned off when I suggest sushi (especially my parents, who are not adventurous eaters … not by a long shot). The good news is that when I say “Bikkuri,” I always know that there’s a good dish for everyone in my party.

Located in a strip mall at the corner of Michigan and South Semoran lies a gem of a restaurant, Pio Pio. If you are looking for good Colombian and Peruvian food, you’ve got the right place.