Food, Flavors, Life & Passion

Am I just getting old, but it’s amazing what bothers me now a days. Lets start off with my lasted beef at the supermarket. Tropicana, that’s right, Tropicana Orange Juice, or TOJ for short. Whats with the changing of the carton?Everyone looks the same. No doubt, my eyes will need to be looked at sooner than later, but why are you bringing on the sooner.

We had our favorite blend, 50%. Ever since they changed the label, a lot of the local supermarkets failed to carry it. Well after a few years of palate conditioning, my boys are quite particular to this brand, flavor and texture. Cindy and I finally came across our favorite drink and low and behold, guess what the bastards did. They kept the same price, and made the container smaller! Yes, I said smaller. Talk about pissed off. This fiasco started by me purchasing the wrong carton, why, because they all look the frickin same. I brought it home only to be chastised by the family for purchasing the wrong carton, remember, no pulp!

Well now, they really did it. New packaging and a smaller carton all for the same price. Mind you, that this is the only juice we enjoy, yes, we tried others while we waited for the newest reincarnation, but no other juice would pro vale in this household. So there you have it. Lousy new cartons that all look the same, trust me, stand there and look at them all and you tell me if this wasn’t a major marketing blunder. You ticked me off Tropicana, you did it, no one else to blame, and I hope the new labels are working for you because every time I go shopping and someone is standing in front of your product, I cant help but tell them of my displeasure for your product. Oh, not the inside part, just the outside.

By the way, as I’m righting this, I just bought two containers of Crystal Light Ice Tea~ PEACH FLAVOR!! WE HATE PEACH! not the lemon flavor we all enjoy. I was conveniently notified of my mistake, your right, by my boys.

Here we go again.

Took the family out for lunch the other day and decided to try someplace new. I have to admit, we are always on the look out for a good place to eat in the Lake Eola Area. We were going to try Anthony’s Pizza, but our clients suggested the fillin station. I have always heard of them, but we are never in that part of town. So opportunity arised and we ventured in. Amanda, our food server was very nice and was quite accommodating. We told her we were first timers and she quickly referred to us her favorites on the menu.

My clients recommended the fried pickles, which Cindy and I quickly gobbled up. Of course the boys ordered fried mac and cheese . Tater tots are a family favorite, so when you douse them with cheese and real bacon bits, you cant go wrong.

The music is loud, I must be getting old, however, varied with country for the dad, hip -hop for the boys and lots of flat screens. How can you go wrong? College basketball, goofy movies, CNN and local new, a regular buffet of television.

The burgers were excellent. We ordered our favorites with Cindy ordering a patty melt. Where have all the patty melts gone? I ordered my burger with Texas Toast- perfectly toasted, I might add. The boys their usual. But in todays restaurant scene, the usual often becomes the unusual. Hot, flavorful and on time. Simple. No wonder they have been winning best burger since 1998, based on the old Foodie Award on the wall.

A solid bar, restaurant and staff, witnessed by the constant flow of customers on a beautiful Orlando afternoon. Next time, we’ll try alfresco.

The family verdict was that we will be back again. That’s saying alot!

Tell me, where have all the chefs gone? 10 years in Orlando and in 2009 the winner for best over all restaurant is Seasons 52? I mean, no disrespect to Chef Clifford, but this is a chain restaurant. In fact, Seasons 52 won for best Chain! They also won for best wine list and you’re telling me that in all of Central Florida, the best restaurant is Seasons 52. Hey, all of my clients love it, but, please. This is the best Orlando can do? This is the best in ALL of Central Florida?

When I first arrived here by way of Disney, California Grill and Flying Fish restaurants were the talk of the town. By the way, Clifford and George ran the Grill then too. Now 10 years later they are still on top. Once again, no disrespect, but you work for a major corporation, just like when they worked for Disney. You’re telling me that in 10 years, no other chefs have evolved in this area? No other chefs have gone on their own to capture the gold. No other independent chef driven restaurant in Orlando was deserving of the title of Overall Best Restaurant in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel?

Where is the Orlando food scene heading? Help me out here folks. Your saying that after 10 years, no one has stepped up to the plate to rattle the chains of this town. Question, would Clifford and George have been this successful if they had gone independent with this concept? Would Orlando have embraced such a radical concept and would it have endured the economic times?

Chain restaurants have their place in this world. However, independent restaurants fuel local businesses and areas. Independent restaurants create relationships and partnerships with communities because they have to in order to survive. Food and service obviously play a factor and key role In the success of a restaurant; however, you need the community and word of mouth locally in order to weather the storms that often arise.

So I say, get out and support your local independent restaurant. Support your local chef and gourmet stores and farmers markets. If you don’t, no one else will.