RAGA

We recently visited RAGA for a birthday dinner. It is located in Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Drive in the former location of Antonio’s. It is on the second floor so once you ride up the elevator you will enter a space with magnificent ambiance, impeccable service, and delectable Indian cuisine.

The décor of Raga has sophistication and class. You can tell that they put a lot of work into it. They also have a semi-open kitchen, which to me is a very nice touch.

Our server was excellent and we had three additional members of the staff (including the Chef) come and speak with us. Let’s just say that the service at RAGA is Top Notch!

And then there is the Food!

We started with the Lemongrass Chicken Kabobs (Indo-Chinese, Skewered Prime Farms’ White Meat Chicken, Lemongrass, Galangal & Garlic $10)

We already knew that we were at a nice place, but when this first dish was delivered and we saw the presentation we knew that we were in for something special. The Chicken was tender and succulent and it was spiced perfectly.

Off to a good start!

We also had Rajkachori (Crispy Puffed Wafers, stuffed with Sprouts, Potato, Yogurt and Chutneys $6) This dish was both interesting and flavorful and we practically licked the bowl clean.

For my entrée I ordered Murgh Kathmandu (A Chicken Breast stuffed with Goat Cheese, Nuts, Fresh Herbs and Spices $18). Once this was delivered to the table I knew that I had made the right choice even before I tasted it. The presentation alone was beautiful. Although I couldn’t exactly pick out the taste of the Cheese or the Nuts in the puree that the Chicken Breast was stuffed with I can honestly say that it was absolutely delicious and I would highly recommend it. The Green Bean and Carrot Bundles (secured with a Leek) were also a nice accompaniment to the dish.

Along with our meals we also ordered a couple of different Clay Oven Baked Breads. Both of our selections were flavored with Onion and were very fresh.

One of the staff members had recognized me as a blogger from one of his previous restaurants, and because of this the Chef actually sent over a couple of complementary desserts. They were delicious and we would have gladly paid for them, however the gesture was very nice and appreciated.

(I write restaurant reviews because I enjoy it, not to get free food, and this did not influence me to write nice things because they were going to receive a stellar review regardless!)

If you are reading this because you are considering dining at RAGA I can honestly say that if you are ready for a top notch dining experience with delicious food then please give it a try. I would recommend checking out their website first so that you can plan what you want to order, however the servers will be happy to answer any questions and help you along the ordering process. You will also find that their prices are pretty reasonable for the outstanding food quality.

RAGA, I wish you success, and I hope to dine with you again in the future.

Romano's Macaroni Grill

I have been going to Romano’s Macaroni Grill for years now. I have always preferred it to some of the other Italian chain restaurants, but it has been a while since I have dined there. I was recently given a gift card to Chili’s, but since there are four restaurants that are all part of the same company it could be used at any of them so we decided to return to Macaroni Grill to see what was new.

The space is huge and the kitchens are out in the open so you can see everything being prepared as you walk in.

In Macaroni Grill tradition the server came and wrote her name upside down in crayon on the butcher paper tabletop and then brought us that delicious Bread with the Olive Oil and Cracked Pepper to dip it in.

 We noticed that they offer a special where you can choose two Italian Tapas for $9. We also noticed that on the new Fall Menu that offered a Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Crostini (which was right up my alley) and on the regular menu they offered Crispy Artichoke Potato Cakes, which were right up my friends’ alley so we decided on those two for our appetizers.

The Crostinis were delicious! The crispy Toasts were piled high with Beets, Goat Cheese, Butternut Squash, Greens and a sweet Balsamic Reduction.

 The Artichoke Potato Cakes were fried to a golden crisp, and even though I didn’t care for the Sauce that accompanied them, there were good on their own.

For my entrée I selected another dish from the new Fall Menu that sounded appetizing to me, Butternut Asiago Tortellaci (Four Cheese stuffed Pasta, Roasted Butternut Squash, Crispy Prosciutto, Truffle Cream, Pumpkin Seeds $16).

For a few additional dollars I added the Bibb and Blue Salad (Bibb Leaves, Blue Cheese, Pancetta, Walnuts, Pickled Red Onions, Buttermilk Dressing). This was a fantastic Salad and I loved all of the flavors in it.

Then as my main dish arrived I knew that I had made the right choice. It was served on a long plate and since I had eaten so much already I knew that I was going to be taking most of this home with me. The Cheese-Filled Pastas were tender and creamy and the Butternut Squash and the Pumpkin Seeds meshed with it beautifully. The crispy Prosciutto made it hearty and gave it a salty flavor. 

My original plan was unsuccessful and I ate the whole dish, it was so good that I just couldn’t stop.

I passed on dessert, but still left feeling a little over-stuffed.

It was a very tasty meal and I’m sure it won’t be too long before I go back for more. Even if they change the seasonal menu it will be OK because they offer so many freshly made, delicious dishes.

The Tap Room at Dubsdread

Dubsdread has been a historic staple in Orlando since 1920 I believe. Located in College Park it has been a popular Golf Course and Banquet Facility, but they also have their restaurant side known as the Tap Room.

You can dine inside in their spacious dining room or sit on the patio and watch the golf carts drive by if the weather is nice.

They offer an array of Appetizers to choose from, but I always like to get the signature Tap Room Bleu Cheese Chips (Homestyle chips topped with Bleu Cheese Crumbles and Balsamic Glaze $8.50). The Chips are fresh, the Balsamic Glaze is sweet and there is so much Bleu Cheese that I find myself having to save some of the Chips to scoop it all up!

I have ordered the College Park Burger (Bacon, Avocado and Jack Cheese $12.50 plus $1 to substitute Shoestring Sweet Potato Fries) and I must say that it is quite good. The Bun is grilled and the Burger is fresh, and the Bacon/Avocado/Jack is definitely a winning combination!

 No frozen patties here.

Another standout dish that I have had from the Tap Room is the Caprese Salad with Blackened Chicken (Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil $12.25). This dish was recommended to me one time and I was delighted with its presentation, freshness, and flavor. For being a virtually carb-free meal not only was it hearty and delicious but it left me extremely satisfied!

I have also had their homemade Soups,

Enormous Flat Breads (big enough for several to share)

and a Baked Brie and Cheese Platter that is to die for.

Try the Tap Room at Dubsdread for a nice afternoon lunch or a romantic dinner, there is something on the menu for everyone. In my experience the service has always been good, the atmosphere is charming and you will be dining at a little piece of Orlando History.

Red's Ranch BBQ Smokehouse - The Rancher

I’ve been driving by Red’s Ranch BBQ Smokehouse (on Kirkman, not too far from Universal) for a few months now waiting for them to open. They finally did and I gave them a try.

As we walked in we were greeted right away by a Cowgirl, then sent to the counter to order our food. As I looked at the board and the counter I noticed that they offer an extremely similar menu to 4 Rivers. (Uncomfortably similar – down to the way you order, the names of the Meats, the side items, and the way everything is plated on butcher paper and a tray)

Every member of the staff was super friendly and since we were already here we decided to give it a shot and see how the food tastes.

My favorite thing to order at 4 Rivers is the Burnt Ends (the extremely well done “Ends” of both the Pulled Pork and Beef Brisket mixed together). So I decided to try their version and order The Rancher (Mouth Watering Burnt-Ends “Pork/Brisket” smothered in our delicious BBQ Sauce - $6.49). For $2.25 you can add two sides so I chose the Cream of Corn and the Fried Pickles.

My tray of food looked good, now if only it would taste halfway decent we would be in business.

I started with the Fried Pickles. Uh Oh! They were really dry. The breading wouldn’t adhere to the Pickles and kept flaking off, and sadly they just didn’t taste good.

Next, the Cream of Corn. Not bad. It had a decent flavor. I can’t complain too much about this side item.

Then the Sandwich! I’d like to start off by saying that I prefer my Meat Well Done, even Burned is usually alright by me. Under most circumstances this sandwich would be right up my alley, however it seemed to me that the Meat had been sitting around in the pan too long. The flavor was good, but it just seemed old.

Then as I looked around I noticed that in this large restaurant there was only one other table with people dining at it, and there was no one at the bar. It was 6pm on a weekday and should be busier. That must be why everything was either dry or tasted old, it had been sitting around for too long because they did not have the volume of people eating it up so that they could make fresh.

4 Rivers does not have this problem because they have heavy traffic and the food doesn’t have a chance to get old.

Maybe they don’t have good advertising? Or people just don’t know about it yet?

I wonder if people just don’t like the fact that nothing about Red’s Ranch is original.

Or in my case I am just wondering why I would go back to this “Poor Man’s 4 Rivers” when I could just go to the real thing where I know the food will be outstanding!

4 Rivers Smokehouse

I’ve been going to 4 Rivers Smokehouse since they first opened. It has been the #1 restaurant in Orlando on Urbanspoon.com for a couple of years now, and this is simply because they are good at what they do.

The original Winter Park location opened in 2009 and was an immediate success. As it became more and more popular the line out the door became longer and longer. Unless you arrived at around 2:30pm you could forget getting a parking place.

Over the next 3 years they expanded and opened locations in both Longwood and Winter Garden. Finally they have realized that they have outgrown their Winter Park store and relocated a few blocks up Fairbanks Ave. to a much larger building that they built from the ground up. This new location has a much larger parking lot and far more seating options and although you may still have a wait at peak times, it is far easier to “Dine In”.

As you wait in the line until it is your turn you will read the menu and most likely change your mind several times before you actually place your order.

Just as you make a final decision you will see what others before you are ordering and you will wonder if you should have what they are having instead.

You will have preconceived ideas of what your side items will be, and then as you see them scooping up a dish of something that wasn’t even on your radar you will crave it and change your mind.

As a seasoned Four Rivers patron I can offer the following advise:

#1 As tempting and nostalgic as they are, don’t get one of the bottled Soft Drinks at the front counter, instead get a Fountain Beverage. They are many choices inside (including Cheerwine!) and this way you can get free refills.

#2 Don’t get a Dessert at the first line. Once you get inside you will see that there is a whole Sweet Shop inside that features all of the ones from the front as well as many others!

#3 Try their Sliders. You get three and can have a different meat on each one. 

I tried doing this and did One Pulled Chicken,

One Pulled Pork

and One Burnt Ends.

 Through this process I realized that Burnt Ends is my Favorite! (All of Four Rivers Meats are good, try them all and decide which is your favorite!)

#4 Don’t be ashamed to just get a tray full of Sides. I do it all of the time!

Their Green Beans are cooked with Meat and are very flavorful!

They have the Best Fried Pickles that I have ever tasted, they use really thick pickles and they are good and salty.

Their Baked Beans are like Candy! I don't usually order them if I am getting Dessert as well.

and their Cornbread Salad is creamy and unusual - give it a try!

and finally...

#5 Don’t worry about ordering too much, you can always take any extra home with you to enjoy later. I can also guarantee that you will eat it all later that night, so you don’t have to worry about it going to waste.

If you have not been and are still wondering if you should try Four Rivers, the answer is YES. BBQ comes in all kinds of varieties, and no matter what your preferences are they will have something that you really like. You cannot be the #1 Restaurant on Urbanspoon.com for this long without being anything less then outstanding!