Best Shrimp, Fritters at Dixie Crossroads

I was overjoyed to be able to go back to Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, Fla., for a second visit the other day. I had been craving the restaurant's Royal Red Shrimp, a delicacy caught off the East Coast of Florida that many people are not familiar with, since the last time I dined there. Once you have tried the delicate, flavorful shrimp, all other shrimp just seems second-rate.

Of course, it's the way that Dixie Crossroads prepares the shrimp as well. You can get it prepared several ways, and we like the broiled, scampi-style preparation best so far. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, so it was tender and juicy and paired perfectly with the scampi sauce. The garlic butter sauce is great too!

The other dish I was most looking forward to was the light, fluffy corn fritters topped with powdered sugar that are served complimentary to each table. I am used to dense corn hush puppies, so I really love this recipe that makes fritters light, airy and sweet. It is the perfect bite of fried goodness. I also really liked the soup of the day: a Caribbean tomato-based seafood soup. It was very flavorful and hearty.

There were a couple of things I was disappointed with, though. While the crab cake appetizer was delicious, I don't believe it should be priced at $9.99 for a small cake. The Royal Red Shrimp is pricey too - nearly $15 for a dozen - but I expect that for a delicacy that not many restaurants serve. Another complaint on prices: the restaurant's Signature Cocktails are $12, and I don't see cheaper alternatives on the menu if I don't want a drink that comes in a take-home Dixie Crossroads glass.

I was so looking forward to the Apple Walnut Cobbler, but it was not as good as I remembered. I don't like the soft pastry at the bottom, nor do I like the flavor of the topping. 

Still, I will always love Dixie Crossroads' seafood and fritters, and will be back...again and again. Let me know your favorite dishes on the menu in the Comments section below!

Where: 1475 Garden St., Titusville, Fla.

Excellent Food, Wine & Atmosphere at Carmel

I have not come across a restaurant since dining at the Bull & Bear in the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, that has the perfect mix of three things that I look for as a diner: delicious food, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere. I have now found that wonderful place to hang out with friends and family in a relaxed atmosphere, without paying ridiculous prices: Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar in Winter Park, Fla.

The atmosphere is created by the lighting and variety of tables, comfy couches and bar seating, which allows for several different spots to sip wine and visit with friends. The serving staff here has been trained well: there are always various servers at your table, whether they are serving food or removing used dinnerware. Service is also heightened by iPads with photos and full descriptions of every menu item, including the nearly 60 wines on the menu.

My husband and I recently dined at the restuarnt during Happy Hour, which runs from 4:00-7:00, Monday - Friday. There are a few special drinks and appetizers on the menu for a flat $4. The house-infused cocktail we tried was Spicy Pineapple, which was the most unique and flavorful margarita I have had. However, I was not blown away by the special cocktails on the new spring menu, including Spring Thyme Martini and Lavendar Lemonade. Unfortunately, the lemonade drink just tastes like lemonade. I may have been expecting a sweeter martini in Spring Thyme, but the cucumber flavor is delicious and refreshing.

However, the food was outstanding. Everything came quickly, was hot, and utilized high quality ingredients. One of the house specialties is Carmel's Chickpea Fries. I have never eaten chickpea fries and really didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor, the corresponding dipping sauces and the fact that the fries are gluten-free. I would love a crispy outside to the fry, but that may not be possible.

Carmel's Lobster Bisque is one of the best I have had in Orlando - particularly for a non-seafood restaurant! The Shrimp Ceviche is another wonderful light and flavorful starter, served with delicious crisps.

We also loved the Mediterranean Sea Bass dish, which features a perfectly cooked sea bass with crispy skin that is paired perfectly with a mixture of tomatoes, olives and capers. I really loved the Angel Hair pasta that was served with the dish as well. The steak and juices in the Steak Frites pairs perfectly with Carmel's crispy, herb-flavored French fries, which I will order every time I am there. I daresay they are the best mid- to upscale-restaurant fries in Orlando.

All the desserts sound amazing, but we only had room for the Poached Pear with Caramel Sauce. The mulling spice flavors in the pear pair perfectly with the caramel and vanilla ice cream. I would definitely recommend this dessert to top off a great meal.

We had a wonderful experience at Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar in Winter Park and we were happy to hear that coming soon is...Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar Altamonte Springs!

Where: 140 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, Fla.

Cheesecake Factory Has a Great Menu - and Cheesecake!

Obviously, everyone knows about The Cheesecake Factory's delicious array of 30 different cheesecakes, or whatever the number is. One of my favorites is Adam's Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple - it has everything I want in one dessert: cheesecake, chocolate, peanut butter and caramel. 

Still, I was reminded while dining there recently why I go there. I love the salads, apps, entrees, AND desserts. There is such a broad variety of dishes to order there, so it is hard to make up one's mind However, you cannot go wrong with any of the pastas especially the Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic, and my friends really like the restaurant's chicken dishes. 

Some of the entrees are pricey, so I tend to combine a couple different apps to make a great meal. My favorite app, hands down, is the Avocado Eggrolls. This seems like such a simple dish, but it is done perfectly. A great mixture of warm avocado and tomatoes rests on the inside of a crispy eggroll with a delicious cilantro dipping sauce. I get this every time I go. I also love the appetizer portion of the Belgian Endive and Arugula Salad with candied pecans. This is a simple dish, but is done well.

What is your favorite meal and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory?

Visit Mikado Japanese in Lake Mary

I have finally found a sushi place in Lake Mary, Fla., that I am pretty happy with. I was sad when Fuji closed its Lake Mary location, and have been looking for a replacement. It just so happens that Mikado Japanese Cuisine took over the spot where Fuji used to be.

Mikado offers a huge selection of sushi rolls, hibachi and bento boxes. I have had both hibachi and sushi, and deem them to be "pretty good", or around 4 out of 5 stars. It depends on which rolls you order. Mikado's signature rolls are pricey, but they are more flavorful than many of their standard rolls. Of the signature rolls, the Volcano Roll has been our favorite so far. Nice kick of spice and beautiful presentation. The Drama Queen roll is also very interesting and different, with jalapeno slices adorning the outside. 

You can still get some good standard rolls for half the price, though. My favorite so far is the Voodoo Roll, which has spicy crawfish, tempura flakes and cucumber. I love the spice in this dish. The Spicy Crispy Roll with fried shrimp, avocado and spicy sauce is also delicious.

Mikado has a nice atmosphere, but it is much faster for me to pick up my order to go. Especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. The wait for our meal on one recent Friday night was a half hour! However, if you don't visit in person, you miss some really great happy hour specials. 

Where: 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd., #117, Lake Mary

What to Order at Bahama Breeze

For the most part, I love Bahama Breeze. The restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere and staff, a wide variety of food, and the best Caribbean-style drinks (with late-night happy hour!). However, on our latest trip there, I was reminded of the few things I don't like about it. 

There is usually a long wait. Forget trying to go on the weekends. The parking and wait are horrendous. I thought a Tuesday night would be better, but no, still a 30-minute wait for seating and quite awhile for food. Plus, even though I had a great $10 off coupon, our dinner was still pricey. The quality and atmosphere are great, though, so I am willing to pay that once in awhile.

I do like that Bahama Breeze has added a lot of different small plates and apps, so I can have and share a variety of foods. On this visit, I ordered the Skillet-Simmered Jerk Shrimp appetizer, soaked in a garlic-thyme butter sauce. I love this sauce as well as the heat from the shrimp. Plus, a generous portion of shrimp are provided and - literally - a whole loaf of Cuban bread to dip in the delicious sauce. I also ordered the Truffled Yuca Fries, which were crispy and seasoned very well. I feel like I have had the best Yuca fries off the Twisted Cuban food truck, but these were very good.

Other small plates and entrees that I would recommend include: Seafood Paella, Key West Fish Tacos, Ahi Tuna Stack, and Jumbo Lump Crab Stack. Also, their burgers are very good.

What are your favorite dishes there?

Get Cajun Food & Drinks While They Last

You have heard me rave about Marlow's Tavern before. It is the Winter Park eatery (that has a sister restaurant on International Drive) that not only has great specialty drinks and beer, but also a food menu that goes above and beyond typical bar food.

Take its special Bayou 'n Bourbon menu, which is only available until March 31. Marlow's added some special Cajun dishes to its regular menu that you definitely want to try. Some of the standouts are: "Nawlins-style" po-boy, Bayou Burger, Fiercy Spice Lump Crab Cake, and Roast Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo.

Plus, Marlow's is featuring special New Orleans-style cocktails through the end of the month. One that sounds delicious is the Marlow's Hurricane, borrowed from Pat O'Brien's. The Ramos Gin Fizz, made with Van Gogh dry gin, house-made sour, light cream and orange flower water, also sounds delicous and unique. Don't forget to try Abita Restoration and Abita Amber at Marlow's as well as the Cajun Cosmo, made with Absolut Mango and Peppar, cramberry, triple sec and fresh lime.

If the Crab Beignets appetizer are still on the menu, you must try those. Most everything else - including pastas and seafood dishes - are great. The burgers at Marlow's are good, but not outstanding.

Where: 1008 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, Fla.

Wine, Ice Cream & Sandwiches, Oh My!

I am suprised more Central Floridians haven't heard of Eat More Produce in Winter Park. I used to visit the store that features local produce, wine, Boar's Head sandwiches and much more once in awhile. Now, it is part of my weekly grocery shopping trip.

That is, in part, because I have found such great deals on produce from Florida growers and elsewhere. For example, this week I got an overflowing pint of cherry tomatoes for $1.50, and Florida strawberries were 99 cents per pint. While they were pricier, I was happy to see a variety of lettuces and greens from an Apopka farm that were in great condition. Isn't it best to support the local economy?

Many people also know Eat More Produce for their great Boar's Head sandwiches and salads. There was a long line for the sandwiches when I was there the other day. Plus, the store recently hired a chef to develop new menu items such as soups. I can't wait to see what they come up with. You must check out Eat More Produce's granola, which is made locally. It is the best granola I have ever had.

Do you know what makes shopping for groceries more fun? Wine. Yes, Eat More Produce offers wine samples as you shop on Saturdays. I nearly bought a Blue Moon Pinot Noir the other day. Delicious! Plus, this Thursday evening, the store is offering wines by the glass for $3 while you shop. What a deal!

Another great part of shopping at Eat More Produce is that I get to stop by LuLu's Ice Cream Shop next door to grab a pint of their locally-made ice creams and sorbets. Truly, they make the best ice creams and sorbets I have had. Perhaps it is because they use fresh, local ingredients. Must try flavors include Salted Caramel and Strawberry Basil. They are always offering new flavors and specials, and the ice cream is really a great price. 

You can definitely make a fun afternoon out of visiting these two shops all while supporting local businesses and growers.

Where 1111 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park. Fla.