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The price range generally reflects the average cost of one dinner entree. Bakeries, ice cream shops, etc. reflect relative cost for one person. Search hundreds more reviews at orlandoweekly.com
FIRST WATCH
First Watch has a fresh new look, vibe and approach to daytime dining. Grease and deep fryers have been replaced by a healthier approach to cooking, be it the un-fried chickichanga or the less fatty biscuits and turkey sausage gravy. Other items we’d get again: ricotta pancakes served with lemon curd; the “elevated” egg sandwich; and the roast beef with horseradish-havarti sandwich, a lunchtime (or early dinner) favorite. There’s a separate kitchen and entrance area for takeout orders. Fresh juice tonics and boozy bevs are also offered. Open daily until 2:30 p.m. (reviewed June 2) 140 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-287-9034, firstwatch.com, $$
BOMBAY STREET KITCHEN
Specializing in Indian street fare from all over the subcontinent, this spiffy South OBT eatery wows with its proficiency of various regional specialties as well as its efficiency in delivering them. From kale chaat to pani puri (served on a miniature street cart) to Hakka noodles and Himalayan soup, Bombay Street Kitchen is streetwise. Open daily for lunch and dinner. (reviewed May 26) 6215 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-240-5151, bombaykitchenorlando.com, $$
PERLA’S PIZZA
Taglish Collective’s Michael Collantes fires up a slew of nonconformist pizzas from a humble little space connected to the Thirsty Topher beer bar in Ivanhoe Village. Of note: the “It’s Bananas” pizza with pepperoni, Calabrese peppers and bananas, and the “Mr. Fun Guy” with seasonal roasted mushrooms, kale and premium white truffle oil on a lemonricotta and pistachio pesto base. Open daily. (reviewed May 19) 603 Virginia Drive, perlaspizza.com, $$
THE HAMPTON SOCIAL
The kitchen inside this bright and airy nautically themed restaurant in Pointe Orlando nails everything from grilled octopus to lobster rolls to doublewrapped shrimp tacos. The smoked eggplant with a vibrant medley of roasted veg and grated feta served atop slices of
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watermelon radish is meatless, but holds its own. Airy doughnuts served with hot honey, chocolate sauce and vanilla-bean ice cream are the way to end. A popular brunch is served Saturday and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (reviewed May 12) 9101 International Drive, 689-800-6760, thehamptonsocial.com, $$$
SUSHI KICHI
Tourist-area Japanese joint may well serve the finest sushi rice in the city. So it’s a good thing they specialize in donburi — rice bowls of myriad varieties ranging from spicy tuna to katsu to barbecue eel. The chicken karaage bursts with flavor, while the udon noodles in pristine dashi broth and silken agedashi tofu showcase the deft technique of owners Takanao and Yasue Nakashima. Closed Mondays. (reviewed May 5) 5368 Central Florida Parkway, 407778-1953, sushikichi.com, $$$
KOSHER GRILL
The strictly kosher restaurant grills up some mighty fine Israeli and Middle Eastern fare, be it their falafel — some of the best you’ll find in Orlando — or unique plates like makluba (a rice dish) or arayes, pitas filled with succulent kefta kebab and cut into quarters. Desserts are dairy-free. Closed Saturdays. (reviewed April 28) 5615 International Drive, 407-392-2292, koshergrillorlando.com, $$
SHANGHAI LANE
It’s all about the soup dumplings at this Shanghainese joint, though the pan-fried pork buns, also filled with a porky broth, offer a more substantial bite. Other notable dishes: sliced boiled chicken served with a soy-scallion-ginger dipping sauce, and pork-and-cabbage noodle soup highlighted by pickled greens. Closed Tuesdays. (reviewed April 21) 5034 W. Colonial Drive, 407-985-3684, $
CHEBA HUT TOASTED SUBS
Weed-themed sub shop more than satisfies the munchies with 25 different variations offered on crispy-crusted baguettes. Other “munchies” include Doritos nachos, pretzel nuggets and garlic cheese bread. “Goo balls” and cereal bars make for sticky icky endings. Sweetwater Brewing’s 420 Strain of beers are also offered. Open daily. (reviewed April 14) 12100 E. Colonial Drive, 407-250-4120, chebahut.com, $
AURORA AT THE CELESTE
Inside the tastefully space-themed restaurant at the Celeste Hotel are some equally starry dishes fashioned by executive chef Mike Trudnak. Chili-glazed duck wings, a perfectly browned crab cake crowned with curls of pickled fennel and a supremely tender chargrilled skirt steak. A multilayered root vegetable pavé is anything but an afterthought veg dish. The “Supernova” is a superstar ending. Open daily. (reviewed April 7) 4105 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-207-4700, thecelestehotel.com/ restaurant, $$$ n
