Written By Scott Joseph On February 6, 2020
Perennial favorite and previous winner of multiple Foodster Awards Tap Room at Dubsdread has been voted Best Burger for 2020 in our Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants.
Kiwi’s Pub & Grill of Altamonte Springs came in second and third place went to Hangry Bison, which was the top winner in 2019. Only two votes separated second and third place.
Written By Scott Joseph On December 31, 2019
Old Jailhouse in Sanford has been voted by readers of Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide as Best Restaurant Overall in our 2019 Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants. Old Jailhouse also received this year’s Best New Restaurant Foodster.
Coming in second was Bull & Bear, the elegant chophouse at Orlando’s Waldorf Astoria, and Soco in Thornton Park was third.
“Amazing atmosphere and experience along with superb food,” wrote Pablo Juan Cabrera after placing his vote for Old Jailhouse. “Would highly recommend to anyone!”
Margie Chusmir wrote: “Incredible reuse of a historic building. Great attention to detail in both food and decor. Superb service!” Gregory Spalding added, “The atmosphere and decor are great.” And Holly Scheuerle Berger singled out “fabulous Chef Bram, who creates the most delicious food and unique menu items.”
Bull & Bear, which was the winner of the 2018 Best Restaurant Overall Foodster, is “a dining experience you will never forget,” according to Eleanor Elle Davis. Chef Richard Brown oversees the menu of the luxury hotel’s signature restaurant.
“Hands down Soco is the best!” wrote Kevin Waldrip. And Jonathan Skinner said, “Greg Richie Deserves every bit of this!!!”
All three restaurants were reviewed or revisited during 2019. Click the links to read about Old Jailhouse, Bull & Bear and Soco.
Written By Scott Joseph On December 30, 2019
The Old Jailhouse, the Sanford restaurant that brought the talents of chef Bram Fowler back to the dining public, has been voted Best New Restaurant in our 2019 Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants.
Fewer than 10 votes separated the second and third place winners, with Toledo, the Spanish restaurant on the top floor of the newly opened Gran Destino Tower, besting Terralina Crafted Italian restaurant at Disney Springs.
Written By Scott Joseph On December 2, 2019
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company is the overwhelming winner of our Best Brewpub/Microbrewery Foodster Award for Independent Restaurants. Winter Garden’s Crooked Can Brewing Company was voted second most popular and relative newcomer Sideward Brewing Co. took third place.
“Ivanhoe has my vote!” wrote Erica Konyak. “All the beers are good, and I love that their head brewer is female.” (That would be Amanda Mailey.)
“Love it love it,” wrote Kevin QKev about his vote for Ivanhoe Park. And Rosalinda Torres declared, “Ivanhoe beer is magic in a brew.”
Crooked Can is the anchor of Plant Street Market and its brews are often seen on restaurant and bar beer lists throughout the area.
Sideward Brewing is one of the newer additions to Orlando’s Milk District. It’s small but it’s making an impact. And watch for a collaboration with cross-street restaurant MX Taco and Tin & Taco. The two taquerias will soon start selling a beer brewed especially for them by Sidewards.
Congratulations to the winners and all the finalists.
Written By Scott Joseph On September 26, 2019
Tamarind, the Indian restaurant with locations in Winter Park and near UCF, has been voted Best Indian in our Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants by readers of Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide.
Saffron Indian Cuisine on Sand Lake Road was second and Kohinoor, Altamonte Springs, was third.
When I reviewed the original Tamarind in Winter Park, in 2012, I noted that “it’s a charming restaurant with a tasteful decor and a thoughtful layout, and, not incidentally, delicious food.” The second location, on East Colonial Drive, opened in 2015.
Saffron Indian Cuisine, which opened in 2011, is from the same owner as Mynt in Winter Park. I reviewed it here.
Kohinoor is the oldest of all the finalists. I first reviewed it in 1995 for the Orlando Sentinel and it was my Critic’s Pick for the Foodie Awards on more than one occasion. Of course, back then we didn’t have as many Indian restaurants as we do today. Still, it may be time to go back and revisit.
Written By Scott Joseph On August 29, 2019
Lonnie’s Fusion Cuisine of Lake Mary was voted Best Seafood restaurant by the readers of Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide in our Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants. Cress of DeLand was second and Todd English’s bluezoo at the Swan and Dolphin Resort was third.
Sheila Campbell Parsons wrote: “Lonnie’s is a fabulous restaurant. The food is not only fresh but amazing. Chef Lonnie cooks the fish to perfection and the flavors are incredible.” And Crystal Hobby Homer added, “I know that I’m going to have a wonderful meal with a pleasant dining experience when I go there.”
About Cress, which just recently returned to operating as a restaurant with regular hours, Judy Buček wrote: “Cress Seafood is off the chain. Always perfectly cooked with amazing levels of flavour and wonderful presentation. Exquisite fine dining.”
Voting was robust for this category. It’s nice to see so many people passionate about good seafood, and it’s even nicer to see so many restaurants stepping up to serve it.
Written By Scott Joseph On July 26, 2019
The readers of Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide have voted Lac Viet Bistro the Best Vietnamese in our Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants. Second place went to Viet-Nomz and Pho Vinh was third.
Lac Viet opened in 2005 in the Mills 50 district (before it was known as the Mills 50 district). Longtime area residents will remember that Lac Viet took over the space that for many years had been home to La Normandie.
Written By Scott Joseph On June 19, 2019
The readers of Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide have voted Kabooki Sushi first place in the 2019 Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants — Best Sushi.
Seito Sushi came in second place and Kadence was third.
“Kabooki has delicious, fresh sushi,” wrote Stephanie Wood regarding her vote. “The menu is an innovate take on sushi and the daily special offerings are unique. Excellent service with knowledgeable servers. We love dining at Kabooki!”
Michele Butler wrote: “Kadence, hands down! Best, most authentic, creative sushi experience I’ve ever had. Nothing even compares.” (Watch for a review of Kadence soon.) Kadence was a winner of the 2018 Best Overall Foodster Award.
Kabooki, which opened about six years ago to near universal acclaim, recently opened a second location in Bay Hill Plaza at 7705 Turkey Lake Road. The original location remains at 3122 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando.
Seito Sushi also has a location on Turkey Lake Road, at 8031, as well as one in Baldwin Park at 4898 New Broad Street.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who voted.
Written By Scott Joseph On April 29, 2019
Vinzo’s, an Italian grill and pizzeria in Casselberry, has been voted Best Pizza in our 2019 Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants. Pizzeria Valdiano came in second and Jerry’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Longwood was third. Only four votes separated second and third place.
In placing her vote, Theresa M. Albarello said, “Vinzo’s is the closest pizza to what I was used to on Long Island, NY. Nicely presented and just enough of everything on it, including well done crust.”
In voting for Pizzeria Valdiano, which has two locations, Gina Loveterrell wrote, “#PizzeriaValdiano has the greatest guys there. Friendly, great food among great customer service EVERY visit!”
“Valdiano’s is close to NY,” said Mary-Ellen Riordan Galaida.
Perry Tolos said, “Besides being a Longwood staple for decades, Jerry’s pizza hits the spot every time with perfectly cooked crust, the most flavorful sauce, and the freshest toppings. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out; if you have been before, you already know it’s time to go back!”
This was one of the most hotly contested categories to date. SJO readers are clearly passionate about their pizzas. And the fact that we had so many worthy finalists is testament to the ever improving pizzeria scene in Central Florida.
Written By Scott Joseph On April 3, 2019
The readers of Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide have voted Le Coq au Vin Best French in our Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants.
Cafe de France, one of Park Avenue’s oldest restaurants, was second and Chez Vincent third.
“Everything about Le Coq au Vin is superb,” wrote Sun Reyes.
Le Coq occupies an A-frame building — said to have once been the model home for a vacation home building — on South Orange Avenue. It was opened in 1976 by Louis and Magdalena Perrotte. In November of 2008, the Perrottes took Reimund and Sally Pitz on as partners. Louis said at the time that it was with an eye toward retirement. Indeed, less than half a year later, the Perrottes stepped aside and the Pitzes took over. Le Coq au Vin’s website still characterizes the relationship between the two couples as a partnership.
Cafe de France is no poulet de printemps, either. The little bistro opened in July of 1982 and has been owned by German and Dominique Gutierrez since 1986.
Vincent Gagliano is the man behind Chez Vincent, the Hannibal Square restaurant he opened in 1997 with his wife, Teri. Prior to opening the restaurant, which now includes the popular bar and lounge Hannibal’s next door, Gagliano was the chef at Cafe de France.
That all three Foodster finalists have been around so many years is a testament to their quality.
Congratulations to all, and thanks to all who voted. Watch for another Foodster category to be announced soon.
