SJO Dining Deal: $40 of Food & Drink at Prickly Pear for $20

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Published on Thursday, 17 November 2011 10:59

Written by Scott Joseph

Prickly Pear is the new restaurant from the people who brought you Funky Monkey and Bananas Diner, and this is one that is unique to the area. It features the cuisine of the American Southwest, which should not be confused with Tex-Mex. You might see some similarities -- after all, Tex is part of the American Southwest, too. But you'll also see influences of New Mexico and Arizona, and you'll find vibrant seasonings and spices in many of the dishes. The food is not necessarily hot, in fact little of it is, but the addition of chili pepper, say, to a spice rub can give a dish a certain piquancy. Here's a link if you missed my review of Prickly Pear.

But why don't you go see for yourself? The guys at FMI have authorized me to offer an SJO Dining Deal at Prickly Pear: $40 of food and drink for just $20. Click here for details.

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Rocco's Italian Grille

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Published on Wednesday, 22 June 2011 09:04

Written by Scott Joseph

 

I stopped in at Rocco’s the other evening and sampled some of the items owner Rocco Potami is featuring on his summer menu. Every time I have dinner there, I leave with the reinforced feeling that this is one of the best Italian restaurants in Central Florida -- and one that is under appreciated.

And I think it’s under appreciated only because it falls outside the casual diner’s radar when they’re considering their dining options. After yet another terrific meal, I convinced Rocco to let me offer a special SJO Dining Deal: $40 of food and drink for $20. Use this as an opportunity to try Rocco’s for the first time or to return if it’s been a while since you’ve last visited.

One of the items you must have is Rocco’s bolognese. You think you know bolognese? You probably know Americanized versions of the meat sauce. Rocco’s is the classic Italian preparation, and once you taste the real deal, you’ll wonder how you’ve lived this long without it. (Well, maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic, but it’s really good.)

Also try veal alla Rocco, a scallopine topped with roasted peppers, prosciutto and fontina cheese with

a demi-glace tinged with a bit of white wine. For a lighter dish, perfect for summer supping, have the swordfish with artichoke and a bit of a lemony/buttery taste, served with a contorno of sauteed spinach.

If you’ve been to Rocco’s before, you already know that service is first-rate -- these aren’t a bunch of college kids just working a side job, they’re professionals whose job is to make the evening as enjoyable as possible. And Rocco himself is usually on hand to greet you and give you insight into his authentic Italian cuisine. So use this opportunity to try Rocco’s for yourself, or return if it’s been awhile. You’ll see why it’s won so many accolades over the years.

Click here to go to the SJO Dining Deal.

Rocco’s is at 400 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park (there’s plenty of parking in the back). It’s open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday. Note that the SJO Dining Deal certificate is valid for the dinner a la carte menu only. Here’s a link to Rocco’s website. The phone number is 407-644-7770.

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City Fire American Oven & Bar

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Published on Thursday, 02 June 2011 07:23

Written by Scott Joseph

City Fire, the newest restaurant to take up residence in the Dellagio Town Center off Sand Lake Road’s Restaurant Row, is bound to do well just on the nostalgia factor alone. It is a project of Manny Garcia, whose Pebbles and Harvey’s Bistro restaurants were local favorites for many years. And Garcia has brought in his old creative team, including executive chef Tony Pace, chef Todd Bagget, and front-of-the-house managers Gina and Mike Buell (Garcia’s daughter and son-in-law) and Benj Ray. Just mentioning the Pebbles link evokes memories among longtime locals of such dishes as thumbits, nutty cheesy salad and chicken Vesuvio.

Now two SJO Dining Deals (click the links):

$30 of food and drink at City Fire for $15 at lunch

$40 of food and drink at City Fire for $20 at dinner

Those dishes are on the City Fire menu, as well, but with a twist. City Fire occupies a space that was previously an Urban Flats, and when he was developing the menu, Pace decided that he would use the stone oven that came with the restaurant almost exclusively. So instead of a chicken Vesuvio that used to be served over boiled noodles, City Fire offers a baked lasagna version. And I like it better than the old way -- the hints of rosemary and lemon in the garlic sauce are a little more subtle, and the lasagna noodles offer more heft. Other items, such as the braised short ribs and roasted pork shank, are naturals for the oven treatment, and are done quite nicely.

SJO Dining Deal: Heidelberg German Restaurant

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Published on Friday, 20 May 2011 12:28

Written by Scott Joseph

This week's SJO Dining Deal is for anyone who loves good German and Austrian food: $40 of food and drink at Heidelberg German Restaurant in Cocoa Beach for $20. If you didn't see my recent review of Heidelberg, click that link.

If you want to go directly to the SJO Dining Deal, that's the link for you.