Iza Tapas Bar

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Published on Thursday, 23 May 2013 10:38

Written by Scott Joseph

That little space on Washington Street in Thornton Park, the one-time house turned into a cafe, is often overlooked. That seemed to be the case with Aroma, a coffee shop that served some decent Italian food. I hope it won’t be the case with the new occupant, Iza Tapas Bar.

Bookended by WildSide Bar and Grille and Dexter’s and Graffiti Junktion on the other, Iza is a serene oasis amid its more raucous neighbors. And judging from what I tasted on a visit there earlier this month, the food is pretty darned good, too.

I loved the lamb sliders, gamey-flavored ground sheep served in soft, doughy naan bread with a tangy chimichurri and crumbles of feta cheese. 

I also liked the contradictorily named open-faced Cuban sliders. Instead of the pressed Cuban sandwiches you might be more familiar with, these devices took the traditional ingredients -- smoked pork, ham, swiss cheese plus requisite yellow mustard and pickle slice -- and placed them atop a platform of artisan bread. Served unpressed, of course, because without that top slice of bread you can really muck up your sandwich press. All very tasty.

I wasn’t as taken with the mango shrimp ceviche simply because it had all been so chopped up that I couldn’t tell where the mango ended and the shrimp began. Good citrusy flavor? Indeed. But it served better as a dip for the plantain chips that accompanied it. That may have been the intention of the chef, too, but I expect something I can fork up and identify when I order a ceviche.

Despite the tapas classification, the portions were ample, making even the $12 lamb sliders, the highest priced item on the menu, a bargain.

Iza’s inside space still has a homeyness to it, at least in appearance. Most of the indoor seating is at high-top tables. I think I prefer the outdoor area. The terraced patio provides a charming space to sit quietly and sip Iza’s signature sangria and watch the passersby as they stroll. 

Iza Tapas Bar is at 712 E. Washington St., Orlando. It is open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Here is a link to the Iza Tapas Bar website, which oddly enough does not include the business’s phone number. It is 407-999-0199.

Pho Hoang Minh

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Published on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 11:33

Written by Scott Joseph

Oviedo has another Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Hoang Minh, and it has become quite popular since its September opening. So popular, in fact, that it has a hard time dealing with the crowds. At least that was the case when I stopped in for lunch earlier this month.

The small restaurant, located in a strip mall on Alafaya Trail north of UCF, was bustling with a late lunch crowd, and the dining room staff -- which appeared to consist of two young men -- had difficulty serving food, ringing checks, and turning the tables. I stood and waited a fairly long time for one of the vacated tables to be readied. I would have left to go somewhere else, but I had already walked out of another nearby restaurant  because it was so crowded (I’ll tell you about that one another time -- apparently it’s worth revisiting).

Rocco's Italian Grille Celebrates 7th Anniversary with New Menu Items

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Published on Tuesday, 21 May 2013 11:02

Written by Scott Joseph

Rocco's Italian Grille turns seven this summer, and to celebrate, owner and chef Rocco Potami has added a whole bunch of tasty items to the menu. I stopped in recently to give some of them a try. I've always included Rocco's as one of my favorites -- Italian or otherwise -- and after my last visit it remains so.

Notes from Berlin: KaDeWe

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Published on Monday, 20 May 2013 14:48

Written by Scott Joseph

BERLIN - The official name is Kaufhaus des Westens but nearly everyone calls it simply KaDeWe. Indeed, the shortened name is all that shows on the side of the seven-story department store, the second largest in Europe after Harrod’s.

The first five stories of KaDeWe (kah-day-vay) hold the typical fashion and design elements found in any upscale department store, in Europe or the States. But it’s the top two floors that make it unique -- and a must-do destination for any foodies visiting Berlin. Those levels are designated almost entirely to food and wine, with dozens of small service counters, each representing a cuisine or food specialty. If you've been to Harrod's food stalls you'll have an idea of the concept and quality but not the scale. KaDeWe's food floors dwarf Harrod's.