FishBones
Address7005 County Road 46A
CityLake Mary
Phone407-581-3474
Price$$$$
Scott's Review

The Lake Mary FishBones impresses first with its size and splashy décor. It is easy to believe the rumors that put the price tag for the new restaurant somewhere around $6.5 million. There are multiple dining rooms as well as a sushi bar, indoor lounge and outdoor bar with tables that feature personal gas fireplaces. There are numerous display aquariums with exotic marine life plus a live fish tank for your dinner selections. Among the upscale decorations and touches of classiness are numerous glass works by Tampa artist Duncan McClellan. Directly behind the host stand is an immense wood-fired grill, which is something of a trademark in various Talk of the Town restaurants.

The sushi selections are listed as bait, an unfortunate pandering to those who think of raw fish only in derogative terms.

This is a second location for a Sand Lake Road restaurant – sort of. The two really are quite different, and I don’t recommend the Sand Lake Road version. The Lake Mary restaurant is big and splashy, and steaks are treated with the same skillful deftness as seafood. Try any of the fresh fish and sample some of the sushi. One dessert will serve four people.

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Francesco’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
Address400 S. Orlando Ave.
CityMaitland
Phone407-960-5533
Price$$
Scott's Review
The chef owner of the restaurant is Francesco Aiello (I love it -- a name that’s two-thirds vowels!), a native of Palermo, Sicily. He is not new to Central Florida kitchens; he’s been cooking here since 1998, most recently at Terra Mia in Lake Mary.... Read more
Graffiti Junktion
Address700 E. Washington St.
CityOrlando
Phone407-426-9503
Price$
Scott's Review
The original Graffiti Junktion has moved a couple of blocks east to the corner of Summerlin Avenue. Graffiti Junktion, if the name doesn’t already give it away, goes more for a grunge aura, not that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, it seems kind of appropriate. The decor relies heavily on the graffiti part (must have been easy to decorate -- just leave a few cans of spray paint out overnight and when you come back in the morning, voila!). Its subname is an American Burger Bar, so red, white and blue figure into the scheme. I had the burger called the Lone Star, a big thick patty, cooked close to the requested medium-rare, topped with thick rashers of bacon and cheddar cheese and slathered with barbecue sauce. It had crispy lettuce, tomato and pickles on a fresh bun. And it was accompanied by a generous portion of slender, spiced fries. Good burger.
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Graffiti Junktion College Park
Address2401 Edgewater Drive
CityOrlando
Phone407-377-1961
Price$$
Scott's Review
This is a second location for the popular burger monger from Thornton Park. The name should tell you everything you need to know about the decor, although I'll add that it can be very, very loud. Burgers are good, but they also do some terrific bar snacks for watching the games on the many televisions. (Don't expect to hear anything from the tv's speakers.)... Read more
Greek Corner
Address1600 N. Orange Ave.
CityOrlando
Phone407-228-0303
Price$$

It’s Greek, and it’s on the corner; you can’t get more succinct that that. But no corners are cut on the quality. All your Greek favorites are here, served in a small, unassuming space.

I supped on the melitzanosalat, a dip made with roasted eggplant, and followed with a bowl of tangy avgolemeno, the chicken soup thickened with a lemony egg sauce. For my main course I had the moussaka, a big brick of seasoned beef, eggplant and potatoes topped with a fluffy bechamel. Substantial and delicious.

If it’s a warm day – it’s Florida, the odds are in your favor – sit on the patio, across the street from Lake Ivanhoe.

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H Cuisine
Address7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
CityOrlando
Phone407-930-3020
Price$$$$
Scott's Review
It truly is an elegant restaurant, a little bit of Manhattan chic on Restaurant Row. Especial attention has been paid to the lighting, which is moody and low. And banquettes, booths and chairs at freestanding tables are plush and comfortable.... Read more
Hall on the Yard
Address1460 Alden Road
CityOrlando
Phone407-887-4255
Price$$
Scott's Review
Large food hall with a variety of cuisines, all offered with full service.... Read more
Hamilton's Kitchen
Address300 E New England Ave
Alfond Inn
CityWinter Park
Phone407-998-8090
Price$$$
Scott's Review
Hamilton's Kitchen has a new chef, Marc Kusche, and a freshened menu. It's like the reset button has been pushed. And now the experience is more along the lines of what I was hoping for a year ago. Kusche comes to the Alfond Inn by way of the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in Carlsbad, California. His menu makes good use of the bounty from local growers and has a nice mix of seafood and meat, though it seems that the former is the forte. I can't say that anything in particular has been done with the dining room since it opened last year, but it seemed to be different. It didn't have that college dorm dining hall feel — maybe it was that it wasn't as crowded this time, or maybe there have been enough subtle changes in lighting to make a difference. Whatever, it was more comfortable now, even with open kitchen. (It is called Hamilton's Kitchen, after all.) I was happy to make the return visit to HK and I'm even happier to now put it on my list of recommended restaurants.... Read more