Taste Buds Delighted at Houng Viet

Thanks to my niece for introducing me to a delicious Vietnamese restaurant in Orlando: Houng Viet Vietnamese Cuisine on Colonial Drive in Chinatown.

Every dish our group had was tasty and spicy, and absolutely the flavors I am looking for in Vietnamese Gumbo, pho and other dishes. We started with the egg rolls, which are different than any other restaurant I have been to: ground meat/ pork with such a nice kick of heat that I was not expecting. 

We all loved our entrees and would recommend them on your next visit. Hue Spicy Soup, with tendon, shank, special meat balls and thick rice vermicelli is similar to pho, but probably the spiciest soup we have had. If you like heat, you definitely need to order this dish! The Vietnamese Gumbo, with fermented fish vermicelli, fish, shrimp and pork, had such a depth of flavor. We loved it. 

The Fried Rice here is also tasty, with the addition of peanut, a little cilantro, and a hint of spice. There are so many other dishes we would have liked to order, including the Vietnamese subs. We will definitely be back!

For dessert, the Pineapple Boba Tea was delicious and had a hint of butterscotch or caramel flavor that we really liked. The Strawberry Smoothie was also very yummy.
Where: 5286 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando.

Also check out:

Hawkers sports cheap, tasty Asian food

Why you need to eat at Hemisphere restaurant

Delicious, Authentic Fare at Greek Village

I love the small, independent restaurants that have been around for years - for a reason. Greek Village in Lake Mary is one of those. It has the trifecta of food done right, a beautiful atmosphere and excellent service. The staff is extremely friendly and was very accommodating when I needed a dish made over because of a food sensitivity.

Our food on both visits was very tasty. The chicken in the Chicken Gyro, marinated in wine and Greek spices, was very tender. The Lamb Gyro was also very flavorful and tender. I love the seasoning on the Greek Fries, and will be likely be back just for those. The Lamb Slouvaki was very tasty but the lamb was tough and chewy.

If you love Greek cuisine like I do, I recommend trying this place out.

Find Excellent Mediterranean Fare in Downtown Orlando

Steak Schwarma

Guest blog by Shad Bookout

I had the pleasure of eating at Whitewood Mediterranean Grill in downtown Orlando recently for a business lunch. Even though it was after the lunch rush, the restaurant still had an air of fun about it.

Steak Flatbread

We all loved our dishes. We tried the Steak Schwarma with grape leaves and hummus, the Steak Kabob with Tabouleh and French fries and the Steak Carmelized Onion Feta and Balsamic Drizzle Flatbread. These were all very tasty dishes, that were a great value and large portions for lunch. 

Plus, the service was great. I will definitely visit this restaurant again.

Where: 1 South Orange Ave., #4, Orlando

Peach Valley Cafe: Yummy Breakfast/ Brunch

Apple Fritters with 3 Dipping Sauces

Peach Valley Cafe in Orlando and Lake Mary is the perfect brunch spot. It has such an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch options, that everyone in the group is bound to be happy. I will say this up front, though: while the quality of food is 4 out of 5 stars, the service has been very slow any time I have visited. I have only eaten there during slow times, so I am not sure why it takes 25 minutes to get breakfast food and a sandwich.

On to the food: we opted for some unusual menu items. Instead of the typical Eggs Benedict, I ordered the Vegetable & Egg Croissant Benedict, with grilled tomato, asparagus, red onion and hollandaise sauce. It was much more exciting and delicious than it sounds. The hollandaise sauce was creamy and flavorful, the croissant was moist yet toasty on the outside and the asparagus added a nice crunch and flavor to the dish. Plus, I loved Peach Valley's roasted potatoes: not many restaurants get those right, in my opinion. I love them crispy and flavorful, and these were both.


The Lemonberry Pancakes - which were seasonal and may no longer be there - were moist and delicious. The flavor combination works very well, surprisingly. Next time, I want to try the Pecan Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Those sound divine. We also had the French Dip sandwich, which had a delicious au jus dipping sauce, but the sandwich itself was just okay. 

One mistake I made was not ordering the hot Apple Fritters. I have heard great things about these little bites of goodness, and will definitely pick up a bag on my next visit!

Delicious Asian Fusion Tacos at Tako Cheena

Panko Crusted Cod & Korean Beef Takos

A loyal Flavorful Excursions reader and friend has been urging me to try Tako Cheena since it opened less than a year ago in the Mills District in Orlando. I can see why. This small, unassuming Asian fusion spot (I call it Asian-Mexican, but there are lots of other flavors incorporated into the food) provides something new and different to the Orlando dining scene.

The "takos" are reasonably priced and delicous, and the restaurant draws a young, eclectic crowd. Our favorite tako was the Panko Crusted Cod tako, which is lightly breaded and has just the right amount of crunch with coleslaw and a sweet and sour sauce. The house-made sauce, which is both sweet and spicy, blanaced out the cod perfectly. We also liked the Korean Beef tako, which features delicious marinated beef, house-made Kimchi, cliantro, and roasted sesame seeds. For some reason, the beef itself had a weird texture, so we would recommend the cod tako over the beef.

The entire staff was so friendly and welcoming, especially when I mentioned I had food allergies. This restaurant goes out of their way for guests on special diets, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Since I eat gluten-free, I was able to order my Thai Peanut Chicken tako served over rice (you can also order any of the takos served over cabbage slaw). It was delicous over rice! The secret recipe peanut sauce is to die for. I loved the perfect balance of sweet and spice in that sauce, and it made the dish.

Have you tried Tako Cheena yet? Please post your review below.

Where: 932 Mills Ave., Orlando, Fla.

For the Best Sandwiches & Key West Vibe, Try Yellow Dog Eats

The Holy Crap

Holy crap! That is the name of one of Yellow Dog Eats sandwiches and I can see why. When you take your first bite of The Holy Crap ($10.95), that is exactly what you say! The shaved honey mesquite roasted turkey paired with bacon, goat cheese, avocado, and basil mayo inside hot pressed bread all melds together in your mouth, as your eyes roll back in your head.

Then, you realize that this is not the only sandwich to choose from at the iconic Windermere eatery, located in a colorful, 100-year-old building. There are several other specialty sandwiches, plus dishes such as ribs and salads. We had the Pulled Pork Nachos ($10.95), which are truly unique and flavorful, thanks to the black beans, BBQ sauce, Thai chili sauce, cilantro sour cream and other yummy ingredients.

The Club Elvis

The 1/2 Rack of Ribs with Gold Sauce ($9.95) are extremely yummy. The barbecue sauce is tangy and not overly sweet like some sauces. The ribs are cooked perfectly and are not greasy. On the lighter side, the Smokey Smoked Salmon Salad ($13.95) was unique and delicious. The salmon - a good portion! - was so tender and delicious and was served over field greens, a raisin and nut mix, shredded carrots and dikon sprouts.

Back to the sandwiches. We also tried the Retriever's Roast ($9.95), which features Gouda cheese, an orange cointreau mayo, carmelized onion and a sweet pimento spread. All the flavors meld together perfectly in each savory bite. You also need to try the unique Club Elvis, one of Yellow Dog Eat's several pulled pork sandwiches, topped with bacon, Gouda cheese, and fried onions.

Go to Yellow Dog for the atmosphere as much as for the food. The patio is a fun, relaxing place to eat and you can bring your dogs. Inside, the graffiti on the walls and antique dog statues help give the restaurant that fun, casual feel. I also like the new wine bar! The roosters walking around outside - and nesting in the trees! - help to give this place a Key West vibe.

Note: this is one of those places that is always packed, so try not to go during the busy lunch and dinner hours.

Where: 1236 Hempel Ave., Windermere, Fla.

A New Chance to Try Emeril's Orlando

Chicken Paillards. Photo by Steven Freeman

I distinctly remember a special meal I shared with business acquaintances a few years ago. It was one of the best meals of my life, and it took place at Emeril's Orlando. Not only was the food outstanding, but the service and ambiance of the dimly-lit, high-ceiling restaurant at Universal Orlando CityWalk made the occasion extremely memorable.

I haven't been back since, but obviously not because of the experience I had. I simply have not taken the time and, frankly, I worry about the cost of eating at a fine dining restaurant from one of the greatest chefs of our time, Emeril Lagasse. Now, I have a new reason to eat there! Emeril's Orlando is offering a special 3-course meal for $30 through June, July and August.

I am excited that a different menu is featured for each month. For June, the featured appetizer is Poached Oysters in Herbsaint Cream with Black Pepper Creme Fraiche. Then, you can choose one of two entrees: Poached Salmon with Mango Salasa, Coconut Rice Pilaf and Tortilla Chips or Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cheddar Polenta and Coleslaw. Dessert is a heavenly-looking White Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Strawberry Sauce.

Grilled Peaches. Photo by Steven Freeman

The July 3 for $30 menu also looks amazing. Featuring recipes appetizer from Emeril at the Grill, the appetizer is a Watercress, Avocado and Mango Salad. Entrees include Salmon with Peach-Tamarind Barbecue Sauce and Chicken Paillards with Arugula, Roasted Peppers, Parmesan Cheese and Lemon. I want to try both! And now for one of my favorite desserts: grilled fruit. The dessert option for July is Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone and Local Honey.

I will unveil Emeril's 3 for $30 August menu next month. Meanwhile, get to Emeril's before the June deal is over! 

Where: 6300 University Blvd., #702, Orlando.

Take a Trip to Modern Tokyo at Sushi Pop

Making Peanut Butter & Jelly Sorbet

Sushi Pop restaurant in Oviedo is different than any other sushi restaurant I have been in. First, the decor: it's kind of pop-art-ish and I love the modern furniture and lighting. The hostesses and wait staff are dressed up kind of funky, with bright colors and purses slung across their shoulders. If you don't know the story behind it, it may seem very odd. However, Sushi Pop's executive chef and owner, Chau Trinh, was inspired by the "crazy clothes" that the young people in a certain area of Tokyo, Japan, were wearing when he visited a few years ago. 

After gazing at the surroundings, I wanted to get to the best part: the food. I have heard so much about this place from fellow foodies, in part because of Chef Chau's leaning towards molecular gastronomy. For example, one of the popular desserts at Sushi Pop is its Peanut Butter and Jelly Sorbet. This is a frozen concoction, made table-side using liquid nitrogen and topped with peanut butter powder and marshmallow foam. It is quite a show! In addition to the entertainment, I was blown away by how much this dessert tastes exactly like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Lobster & Almond Roll

Since this place obviously focuses on sushi, we were ready to be critical of each sushi roll. Fortunately, almost everything we ordered was delicious. I would highly recommend the Hot Mess, Gravlax, and Lobster & Almonds rolls. Red Hot's, which features spicy tuna, avocado, jalapenos and Siracha hot sauce, is ddecadent for those who like very spicy foods. The Butterfish roll was not one of the best - it just seemed like an odd fish to put in a roll. Even though this is a sushi place, it's other small plate dinners are delicious. I tried the Florida Snapper over rice and curry sauce. The crispy-skin snapper was moist and had an excellent flavor, as did the sauce. 

Florida Snapper 

Don't forget about appetizers: there are so many delicious hot and cold tastings to choose from. My favorite - so far - is the Sauteed Schichimi Pepper and Garlic Edamame. The pepper and garlic give the traditional soybean dish a nice kick. Overall, I would recommend eating at Sushi Pop, again and again. With its expansive menu, you can try something new and different every time.

Where: 310 West Mitchell Hammock Rd., Suite 900, Oviedo, Fla.

Try Seasons 52's New Fall Menu

Photo by Shad Bookout

I was recently lucky enough to be invited to a media dinner featuring Seasons 52’s new fall menu. I would recommend almost every new dish! Seasons 52 in Altamonte Springs, Fla., has always been one of our favorite places in town to dine. We love their use of fresh food in season and we like how their chefs are able to make low-calorie dishes that taste great. 

The mini-desserts are to die for, and the new fall mini-dessert is no exception. It is – drum roll, please – Pumpkin Pie Mini Indulgence. Layered with gingersnap crust and whipped cream, the mini dessert tastes like a better version of the real thing.

Grilled Quail - Photo by Shad Bookout

Now that I have covered dessert first, let me get on to the new appetizers and entrees. The Grilled Portobello Mushroom & Five Cheese Flatbread with truffle sour cream is so yummy, as is the Artichoke & Goat Cheese Flatbread. Meanwhile, I have never tasted quail with such a unique and delicious preparation. The Manchester Farms All-Natural Grilled Quail is served with bourbon-chili glaze and mashed sweet potatoes. The new Sesame Duck Salad is also one of the best dishes that I have tried at any restaurant lately. The duck on the salad – which also includes apples, toasted pecans, fresh mint, and cranberries – is very moist and has an Asian/ ginger type of flavor.

Two wines that I tasted at the dinner that you should try are: Ramey Chardonnay, Russian River 2008 and Selbach Riesling QBA, Mosel-Germany 2010. 

Hawkers Sports Cheap, Tasty Asian Food

Only open a few months, Hawkers Asian Street Fare is delighting the downtown Orlando restaurant-going crowd with something different. Hawkers, 1103 North Mills Ave., is named after street vendors throughout Asia who “hawk” their hand-made wares. Essentially, you are eating delicious Asian street food in appetizer-sized portions, priced much cheaper than entrees at most restaurants around town. You can order two small plates and unique beers and wines for $3 to $5 for a total bill of $15 to $20 each.

Among our favorite dishes at this fun, casual spot are:  Char Kway Teo (Malaysian stir-fried noodles with shrimp, chicken and scallions), pot stickers, and Hawkers Five Spice Fish Tacos.

However, if you are expecting great service and the best Asian food you have ever had, don’t hold your breath. Hawkers is still working out its serving and communication kinks. I had a bad experience trying to order entrees without certain ingredients I am allergic to. It was impossible for Hawkers to alter recipes or get the order correct.

Still, I believe that Hawkers provides something new to the city, and will be around for a long time.