Ahh Roosters. I passed by you many times, until a night out with friends brought you to mind. So, a Saturday Night Dinner you were destined to be. We ventured out, my wife and good friend (and blog favorite) Matt, hoping for a meal to satisfy our immense hunger. Now when I say we were hungry, this is an understatement. We were all starving, which in turn should have boded well for the folks down at ole Roosters. Sadly, they failed us and the rest of the FooManJew Nation.
Upon entering the establishment and having a look around at the decor, I was struck with the initial impression that they were trying to overcompensate for something, much like a guy driving a civic with a special tailpipe to make it sound like a Ducati motorcycle. There were items that seemed to attempt to portray the "Global" aspect of their name and menu, but it wound up looking cheesy and overdone. Strike 1.
We then waited approximately 5 minutes before we were greeted and finally seated in one of the many open tables. This was followed by a ten minute wait for someone to come by and ask if we had been helped. We of course said no, prompting a "I will get your waiter right over" reply. Another 7 or 8 minutes passed before a waiter approached to take a drink order. The drinks were promptly delivered 5 minutes later. Strike 2
Then when it came time to order, we had a few questions about the extremely expansive menu. There was food from numerous countries throughout and the choices were exciting. Ranging from Indian food, to Italian food, to Asian varieties. We asked the waiter our questions about recommendations and such and found his answers cocky and condescending. Not good. Well, despite the waiter and his "personality" I settled on the Chicken Piccata, my wife the Soltani (a type of thin steak), and Matt the Pasta Marinara. Then we waited... Matt's food came first, after an approximate 20 minute wait. Then we waited again. 3 times the waiter came by to say the food would be right out, and three times we were left waiting. In total another 20 minutes passed before our food arrived. Remember how hungry we were? well, double it. The food should have tasted amazing under the circumstances.
It wasn't......
The chicken was dry and sauce flavorless... The same goes for the Soltani. Matt, being the patient and well mannered fellow he is, had waited for our food to arrive before digging in. His pasta, which he described as average and nothing special, was also cold. Strike 3.
Once finishing this most unsatisfying meal, the thought of desert crossed our mind, however being that we did not want to sleep there, we decided against waiting any longer. We asked for the check, which was speedily delivered, 10 minutes later. We paid and left, never to return. So should I attempt to visit Roosters, you ask? Well if your options are that and gas station hot dogs, sure why not. But if any other respectable options are available, do yourself a favor and take door number 2, 3, 4, or 1157.
FooManJew Rating: Oye Vay
Monday, April 4, 2011
Lubrano's Pizza - Orlando, FL
Hello my FooJew Crew. I bid you good morning and welcome you back to my world. Today we will touch on a favorite of this critic. Both in food and restaurant. Pizza. Something we all love and sometimes take for granted. For those of us that live in areas where good NY Style pizza is readily available, thank your god, who or whatever he/she/it may be. For those of you like famed writer/director and blogger Shawn Tracey that do not have that luxury, I truly feel for you.
So, what makes for a good pizza you ask? Well, for starters, bread, cheese and tomato sauce, but that can be misleading as shops of true horror like Pizza Hut, Hungry Howie's and Mad Hatters Pizza of Oviedo, FL, use these ingredients as a recipe for failure. Today though, we worry not of the scourge on the beloved name of Pizza and focus on one of its saviors. Lubrano's Pizza, located directly across from the new Amway Arena in downtown Orlando barges into the pizza scene and directs a giant foam middle finger to mediocre pizza that some Floridians have become accustomed to. Owned and operated by local legend Paul Lubrano, the pizza does not disappoint. With its thin crust, quality ingredients, and secret recipe, this pizza lands at the top of this bloggers list of quality pizza. Holding fast to the true New York Style of pizza, you need two hands and a few napkins to enjoy each slice. The outside seating (it is a small location) lends to a already authentic feel, and allows you to enjoy the elements of Florida's weather. So for those of you that like quality, real pizza, and even for those like Domino's, make your way to Lubrano's, they will treat you right and feed you even better.
FooManJew Rating: Lechaim!
So, what makes for a good pizza you ask? Well, for starters, bread, cheese and tomato sauce, but that can be misleading as shops of true horror like Pizza Hut, Hungry Howie's and Mad Hatters Pizza of Oviedo, FL, use these ingredients as a recipe for failure. Today though, we worry not of the scourge on the beloved name of Pizza and focus on one of its saviors. Lubrano's Pizza, located directly across from the new Amway Arena in downtown Orlando barges into the pizza scene and directs a giant foam middle finger to mediocre pizza that some Floridians have become accustomed to. Owned and operated by local legend Paul Lubrano, the pizza does not disappoint. With its thin crust, quality ingredients, and secret recipe, this pizza lands at the top of this bloggers list of quality pizza. Holding fast to the true New York Style of pizza, you need two hands and a few napkins to enjoy each slice. The outside seating (it is a small location) lends to a already authentic feel, and allows you to enjoy the elements of Florida's weather. So for those of you that like quality, real pizza, and even for those like Domino's, make your way to Lubrano's, they will treat you right and feed you even better.
FooManJew Rating: Lechaim!
22 Pine - Orlando, FL
Cheeseburgers... A staple of the American diet, one of the greatest inventions in the realm of food and yet, with all the fast food and chain garbage in our world, many places just can't get them right. Thankfully, 22 Pine says "Kiss my Buns" to all the crappy burgers out there....
OK, so I would officially like to apologize for the "kiss my buns" comment. It was lame, silly and just plain uncalled for. I cannot promise I wont make any further bad jokes, in fact it is probably a guarantee that I will. But nonetheless, I would like to let you know I do not condone my own actions.
OK, so back to the review.
Let me set the scene for you.. Its Saturday night, Wife and another good friend by my side, dinner awaits. But what to eat? "Lets find someplace new that we have never tried before" Matt proclaims. So we did some online research and stumbled upon 22 Pine. A place claiming to have excellent burgers and an eclectic atmosphere. We looked at each other and everyone agreed. Now i must also let you know that Matt is a vegetarian on most days, so I just figured he was hoping for a good ole fashioned disgrace to burgers everywhere, or as you may call them, veggie burgers. Well, when we arrived at downtown Orlando, at the corner of Pine Street and Orange, we entered the building awaiting another good friend and one that will be joining me on my quest, whatever that may be, on this enchanting blog. Anyways, since I have rambled enough, I will finally get to the review.
Atmosphere
A laid back and comfortable, yet modern feel awaits you. The service was great as they are more than willing to offer suggestions and help to those in need. The menu is different from most, so there is somewhat of an adjustment period. Of course that period lasts about 30 seconds.
Food
Now to the important part. The burgers. The menu is expansive in its own right, but only due to the process. 22 Pine offers several different types of burgers, ranging from 100% Angus Beef, to Black Bean burgers and a plethora of toppings, sauces and cheeses for you to build your masterpiece. I went simple, yet different by having a burger donning a Herb Goat Cheese spread and Bacon. A mouthwatering combo that these burger loving eyes have not yet seen. The rest of my crew got a variety of their own, including Matt, who if you remember is a vegetarian most of the time, got an actual Angus beef burger. The reactions from each of us, from start to finish, was the same. Excellent. The burgers were juicy, flavorful and cooked to perfection. The toppings were placed and used in a way for maximum burger coverage. The verdict? An excellent burger, the best this fiend has had in the state of Florida. 22 Pine is highly recommended and will not disappoint. So go my burger loving friends, bypass the so called burgers of McDonald's and Burger King, move on from the mediocre chains like Chili's and Friday and discover the greatness of 22 Pine. You can trust me, because after all, I am the FooManJew.
FooManJew Rating: Lechaim!
OK, so I would officially like to apologize for the "kiss my buns" comment. It was lame, silly and just plain uncalled for. I cannot promise I wont make any further bad jokes, in fact it is probably a guarantee that I will. But nonetheless, I would like to let you know I do not condone my own actions.
OK, so back to the review.
Let me set the scene for you.. Its Saturday night, Wife and another good friend by my side, dinner awaits. But what to eat? "Lets find someplace new that we have never tried before" Matt proclaims. So we did some online research and stumbled upon 22 Pine. A place claiming to have excellent burgers and an eclectic atmosphere. We looked at each other and everyone agreed. Now i must also let you know that Matt is a vegetarian on most days, so I just figured he was hoping for a good ole fashioned disgrace to burgers everywhere, or as you may call them, veggie burgers. Well, when we arrived at downtown Orlando, at the corner of Pine Street and Orange, we entered the building awaiting another good friend and one that will be joining me on my quest, whatever that may be, on this enchanting blog. Anyways, since I have rambled enough, I will finally get to the review.
Atmosphere
A laid back and comfortable, yet modern feel awaits you. The service was great as they are more than willing to offer suggestions and help to those in need. The menu is different from most, so there is somewhat of an adjustment period. Of course that period lasts about 30 seconds.
Food
Now to the important part. The burgers. The menu is expansive in its own right, but only due to the process. 22 Pine offers several different types of burgers, ranging from 100% Angus Beef, to Black Bean burgers and a plethora of toppings, sauces and cheeses for you to build your masterpiece. I went simple, yet different by having a burger donning a Herb Goat Cheese spread and Bacon. A mouthwatering combo that these burger loving eyes have not yet seen. The rest of my crew got a variety of their own, including Matt, who if you remember is a vegetarian most of the time, got an actual Angus beef burger. The reactions from each of us, from start to finish, was the same. Excellent. The burgers were juicy, flavorful and cooked to perfection. The toppings were placed and used in a way for maximum burger coverage. The verdict? An excellent burger, the best this fiend has had in the state of Florida. 22 Pine is highly recommended and will not disappoint. So go my burger loving friends, bypass the so called burgers of McDonald's and Burger King, move on from the mediocre chains like Chili's and Friday and discover the greatness of 22 Pine. You can trust me, because after all, I am the FooManJew.
FooManJew Rating: Lechaim!
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