Restaurants you like, don't like

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Florida's restaurant scene is changing constantly, along with the economy. Certainly hard times have shut some restaurants but others are popping up. Let Chris Sherman know what you see and taste around the state, if old favorites get new polish or tarnish or go dark. Share with us and fellow Trend readers and diners the new places stirring the buzz in your corner of the state and your travels here. The taste of Florida evolves daily so grab a fork and help us find the next Golden Spoon.

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Thought you should know about a new restaurant called Crave in Fort Myers, Fl. It opened about a year ago on McGregor Blvd. A small family owned place serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is amazing, the chef/owner is great. Everything they do is made from scratch and you can really taste the difference. I have been for breakfast, lunch and dinner several times over this year and never dissapointed. The menu has such a large variety, something for everyone. Breakfast menu has omelettes, eggs benedicts and blueberry pancakes to die for! Lunch has about 20 different sandwiches and several salads, homemade soups. Dinner has meatloaf, crab cakes, salmon, pot roast, chicken pot pie and much more. Everyday the specials are written on large chaulkboard. Check it out sometime, you will not be dissapointed. Crave Restaurant, 12901 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, 239-466-4663

A NEW RESTAURANT JUST OPENED UP BIN 27 BISTRO THAT HAS AMERICAN,LATIN AMERICAN,EUROPEAN AND ASIAN CUISINE. THE FOOD IS OUTSTANDING, SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER. THEIR WEBSITE IS www.bin27bistro.com THEIR MENU IS LISTED. YOU MUST TRY THE GUAVA DEMI BRAISED "OSSO-BUCCO CUT" BEEF RIB WITH ROASTED GARLIC MASHED BONIATO POTATOES,STEWED VEGETABLES,SWEET PLANTAIN,CITRUS GREMOLATA THIS IS THE BEST DISH I EVER HAD! LAST NIGHT I JUST TRIED THE CITRUS SESAME SEARED YELLOW FIN TUNA WITH MANGO-PEPPER SALSA,BLOOD ORANGE REDUCTION,BABY BOK CHOY,TUXEDO STICKEY RICE CAKE IT WAS SO GOOD I HAD TO MEET THE CHEF JASON CLINE WHO EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT TUXEDO STICKEY RICE CAKE WAS A WHITE RICE CAKE OVER FORBIDDEN RICE TO GIVE IT A TUXEDO EFFECT. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT ALL HIS DISHES ARE FROM ALL THE FINE DINING RESTAURANTS THAT HE HAS WORKED IN TAMPA,ORLANDO,FLORIDA, LOS ANGELES,SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA. I'LL BE BACK TO TRY HIS OTHER DISHES, YOU WON'T BE LET DOWN BECAUSE EVERY DISH I TRIED HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING. BIN 27 BISTRO 2702 WEST KENNEDY BLVD. TAMPA ,FLORIDA 33609
PHONE-813-878-2700 THE DECOR IS A MUST SEE.

Chris,

I would like to recommend Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill which is located in Jacksonville, Florida. This restaurant opened less than two years ago and has built quite a reputation since then. Zaitoon has received a lot of positive publicity from various local publications. Here is an excerpt from their dinner menu which can be found at www.zaitoongrill.com:

Zaitoon’s extensive menu reflects the rich, regional diversity of the Mediterranean and features culinary works of art that are inspired by Spanish, Italian, French, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Zaitoon redefines the Mediterranean dining experience by combining traditional family recipes with contemporary culinary innovation. Zaitoon’s lunch and dinner menus are complemented by an extensive wine list representing vineyards of Spain, Italy, France, Greece and the United States with unique New World and Old World selections intertwined. Zaitoon strives to provide a unique Mediterranean dining atmosphere where all of the things that make life most enjoyable come together through a celebration of delicious food, fine wine, good company, spirited music, and memorable moments. We invite you and your guests to take a “journey” and savor some of the finest foods of the Mediterranean….at ZAITOON!

Zaitoon is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are suggested for weekends. Zaitoon is located in the Intercoastal West/Beaches area. Their address is: 13475 Atlantic Blvd. (behind Fresh Market in the Harbour Village Shopping Center), Jacksonville, Florida 32225. Phone: 904-221-7066

The best kept secret in Gainesville is Taste of Saigon on 39th Ave at Magnolia Place. This wonderful restaurant has delicious pho, fabulous entrees and appetizers, and the best sushi in town. It definitely deserves a golden spoon, and a top 100 in Florida rating. You should check it out-

Darrel & Oliver sold their place a long time ago ... apparently you didn't know.

This is by far the best restaurant that my husband and I have ever eaten at. No wonder it was voted many times in Tampa Bay Magazine for Best Special Occasion Dining. Starting off with complimentary champagne the six courses that followed was incredibly delightful. The service was outstanding and gracious. The restaurant itself has only six table and was very intimate and romantic. I recommend this restaurant very highly. This location is the original one of all the Six Tables and and has been there for over a decade. The husband and wife team that operate the restaurant is very charming and was a pleasure to meet. We will be back on our next anniversary.

The best most authentic Italian cuisine is at Adriatico Trattoria Italiana, located at 2417 Edgewater Drive, College Park, FL! Chef Marco is from the Abruzzo section of Italy and is a master!! Each dish is prepared by him using the freshest and best ingredients in the area! Chef Marco's seafood is second to none! Always fresh, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Authentic flavors of his native hometown shine in every dish!

Check it out - 407-428-0044

Love to have you come in for some authentic Italian cuisine!!
check out our website - www.adriatico-trattoria.com

See you soon!
407-428-0044

It is a hard market for people owning restaurants right now. But there are many people who love the restaurant business.

If that is you and you are looking to own your own restaurant, be conservative. Think about buying an existing restaurant. This way you know you have an existing customer base to build upon. This is very important especially in this economy.

Check out www.floridaRestaurantExchange.com to view over 1,000 Florida restaurants for sale.

There's a new restaurant on Ft. Myers Bch that should be checked out. It's called Bayfront Bistro. The restaurant is located in the new SnookBight Yacht Club and Marina. GREAT atmosphere, GREAT food, GREAT service. an unrivaled view. The menu is resonably priced as well.

If you visit the Beaches of Sounth Walton, there is hidden gem of a restaurant nestled along 30A between CR 393 and Blue Mt. Beach Road, across from Bea's Interiors.

Owner / Chef Walter Sanchez settled in the 30A area 15 years ago and brought his unique style and interpretation on fish, steak, delicacy dishes and desserts that are some of best I have eaten around the world.

I guess since they are small, serving by reservation only 2 turns of 34 people a night, Florida Trend Magazine has not found them, but the locals and food critics have, check out Collenn Sach's dining articles in Creative Loafing and the NW Florida Daily News.

If you are going to be in the Destin area for a day or so, treat yourself to a dinner at Cafe Tango, it's reasonably priced at around $35 TO $40 a serving, has a distinctive wine collection and a wonderful ambiance.

Tell him Lee sent you.

I have been to the Schnitzel Factory many times! It is always delicious, the chef's/owners are German. Definitely know about German "Kueche". The place was welcoming, the servers friendly, the food absolutely mouthwatering. I love all the Schnitzels and the Sauerbraten. I am here to say, that I have never been disappointed with the authentic German food at the Schnitzel Factory! All the food is very much home made and everything is as authentic as can be. I personally know people that come all the way from Tampa to try out the restaurant, they have a marvelous reputation, I can only recommend all people from Ocala to support this great authentic restaurant." You can find Ray and his wife Susanne at 1053 N.E. 14th Street Plaza in Ocala

http://www.theschnitzelfactory.com

Chris, You were so right in choosing Cafe Alma for a Golden Spoon award. The new owners, Chef Scott Vogel and GM Kristine Vogel, have done a remarkable job of revitalizing the menu, bringing in a superb selection of wines and handcrafted beers, and offering some spectacular weekly specials like their "half off wines and tapas Tuesdays". I'm so happy to see them receive the recognition they deserve! We dine their every week. It is simply delicious!

We finally have a GREAT steak house in Tallahassee and frankly, so much more. It is called Carl's on the Parkway. They opened at the end of May in the house that used to be Nino's Restaurant on Apalachee Parkway about 2 miles past Wal-Mart. They have almost 100 kinds of wine and a menu that includes some of the best Prime Rib we ever had along with fresh seafood and items as varied as rack of lamb and quail! Everything we tried was delicious and all the tables around us were singing the praises of their food as well. They have a web site at www.carlsontheparkway.com - and you will want to make a reservation cause they are staying very busy. We were glad we made one when we went.

The only thing you will miss at Mario's Ristorante are the pinetrees and the landscape of Italy. Mario Spina and his wife Nadia have truly created a little bit of Italy in Coconut Creek with their restaurant Mario - Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar.

Both work side-by-side every night to make your dining experience unforgettable. Everything there is great: Great food, Great wines, Great atmosphere and Great entertainment. Although Mario is famous for his unbeatable creations of sea food. You have to try.

One more highlight has to be mentioned though: Mario has installed a camera in his kitchen, which shows live on flat screen tv's in the restaurant how your food is going to be prepared and when it will be ready. Even chanel 7 had to come and see it themselves. The story is on Mario's webpage: www.mario-ristorante.com.

Mario Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar is located in Regency Lakes Village at 6370 N State Road 7.

Call for reservations: 954.420.3100

I never listen to the hype of the restaurants for fear of great disappointment. Some friends said Bill's restaurant is opening soon you have to go. I finally dined at A La Provence this past weekend, and it was not what you expect in Tallahassee. The atmosphere is European and fresh. The food is outstanding. The service is professional. Yes, in Tallahassee. The Bread is homemade, the pasta is all homemade (I am a picky pasta person), and the menu items are fantastic. This restaurant is a winner

Chris, check on of Volusia county's hidden gems in New Smyrna Beach. A Latin Bistro style restaurant in a non descript plaza, they deliver with big flavor and service. They have recently expanded after nine years and it's better than ever. Still quaint enough to be romantic, but later at night it becomes a place to be seen. Check it out. They deserve to be on your list!

food is so so at best and expensive for what you get. the afternoon menu is limited to what you can order and how you can order it.