Charlie Crab (West Palm Beach, FL) July 2009

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Lobster Shanty (July 2009) Cocoa Beach, FL

Lobster Shanty
2200 South Orlando Ave
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
(321) 783-1350
http://www.cocoabeachlobstershanty.com/

I went here on Tuesday with one of my coworkers. We went for the early bird specials which are from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

I looked at the menu and decided to get the crabcake and fried shrimp dinner. It came with either soup or salad bar or soup and salad....greedy me paid $1.50 extra so I could have both. The clam chowder here was pretty good..every bite had tasty clams. The salad bar is all you can eat and it's stocked with the typical iceberg, mixed greens and spinach. There is also pasta salad, several meats and fruits on this salad bar. The meal comes with a side dishe and I opted for the rice. I should have selected the sweet potato since that is what other people were eating. The rice was ok but I've had better. The waitress brings us some corn fritters...I really didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised to receive a hushpuppy like ball of corn meal with real corn kernels inside lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Ok, my coworker and I ate all of the fritters and we even asked for more....too bad we didn't get anymore! We didn't need them anyway!

My fried shrimp was typical. The tartar sauce was pretty good and I judge a lot of seafood restaurants based off of their tartar sauce! The crab cake was a small fried one but it was very good.

I'd definitely come back to this place again for dinner. Price was under $20 so mark this one as reasonable and a good value!

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion (July 2009) Orlando, FL

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion
7760 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-4844

Ok, this by far might have been one of the best damn restaurants I have ever been to. I know I don't normally comment on chains but this is a chain without the chain feeling...you know what I mean. I am typing this report from the Orlando airport and it's 6AM so forgive me for whatever errors are here! Last night I was contemplating where to eat...Black Angus? Bojangles Fried Chicken (hey, I have to get it where I can get it good) or some other local restaurants. I remembered before I left California that I wanted to try Roy's. I had passed by this restaurant a few years ago and I was thinking...wow...let me check this place out.

Well, I perused their website and noticed that they have a Summer Prix Fixed Menu...Aunt Kenna loves Prix Fixed menus...no suprises when the bill arrives. I decided to take a stab and drive to the restaurant. I remember I probably needed reservations. I called and they told me I could eat at Chef's area or I could wait for a table for over an hour. Umm, when I am hungry, waiting is not an option. I told the hostess when I arrive I will make my decision. I arrived about 30 minutes later. They have free valet parking...what a concept! I really didn't need valet so I parked my own rental. I went inside and noticed the dark lighting and a lot of noise....chatter of people talking and the chefs creating art in the kitchen. I was quickly seated at the Chef's area. This area is really counter seating around the kitchen...imagine being belly up at a sushi restaurant. It was kinda like that but better because so much action was taking place from the grilling of fine steaks and seafood to the frying of chicken tenders for the kids to the making of fresh sushi right in from of your face to the sounds of salads being tossed in various sauces.

My waiter comes over and asked me for my drink order. I remembered on their website that they have Lychee Caipirinha. This year is the year of Brazil (my statement) and I opted for that drink. I am used to having caipirinhas in smaller glasses. Well, I received a huge glass as if this was lemonade....I couldn't drink it all but it was certainly very refreshing.....on to the food...the real reason you read these reviews...

The Prix Fixed menu was appetizer, entree and dessert. I opted for the crispy shrimp lumpia, Kobe beef meatloaf and the Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle which is one of the signature desserts here.

The waiter brought me some meat wontons compliments of the chef...I like that..special touch from the chef! The lumpia was quick fried and stuffed with clear noodles, mushrooms and other veggies plus a shrimp with the tail at the top of the eggroll skin. This dish was served with sweet and sour mango sauce which I couldn't get enough of..it was great. The second dish was the Kobe meatloaf. I have to admit..I know why Kobe beef costs so much. One bite and you will be hooked. This meatloaf was more than savory. Two ample sized pieces with mushroom gravy probably cooked in sherry and other seasonings. The meat was served with broccoli and scalloped potatoes...not like your mom's. Check my photo for more details!

The finale was the dessert..now I have had similar creations on cruise ships but this baby was flawless. A flourless chocolate delight oozing with hot molten chocolate accompanied with fresh raspberry sauce and yes....vanilla ice cream.

I ate everything that was presented to me and I even tried to lick the plate...yes I did.

The meal with one drink, tax and tip was $56 and I am going to tell you that it was certainly WORTH IT.

I might have to name this gem ROTM....we'll see..still early but it's high on the list.

I don't have any service awards on my blog but this restaurant HANDS DOWN has the best service. The waiters are warm and generous and the managers are just great. Normally I eat alone and the service is kinda blah but the staff even the chefs checked on me to make sure I was enjoying my meal...again, hands down..best service ever.

Trevor's Blue Toucan Caribbean (Cape Canaveral, FL) July 2009

Trevor Blue Toucan Caribbean Restaurant
8501 Astronaut Blvd.
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
321-784-5300
http://www.trevorsbluetoucan.com/

Ok...as usual, I am running around trying to figure out where am I going to have dinner this evening. I remembered passing by a Caribbean restaurant yesterday. As luck would have it, some how my rental turned into the parking lot and ended up in front of this restaurant. I get out of the car and enter the facillity to be immediately greeted by Tudor and a lady I imagine is his wife. Tudor escorts me to my table, hands me a menu and he tells me about some of the items they have to offer. I peruse the menu and saw the familiar jerk chicken...you know...Jerk Chicken!!!! I am a lover of seafood and I was torn between a seafood dish and jerk chicken. I asked Tudor what should I do and he recommends the jerk chicken which I gladly obliged. The chicken comes with soup or salad plus two side dishes. I opted for the salad and for my sides I selected cabbage plus rice and beans.

The salad arrived loaded with crisp greens, fresh tomatoes, sliced onions and yellow bellpeppers. A caddy of dressings was also available for my enjoyment. I quickly ate my salad in high anticipation of my chicken.........

A few moments later Tudor comes around the corner with a plate of luscious smelling chicken, rice and beans and cabbage. I took a quick bite and pulled out my camera to take a pic...well, my flash alerted Tudor!!!! Haha!! I'm no food critic..just a lover of food I explain. I continue to eat. I was trying to be proper and use my fork but at some point in the meal, I just had to put the fork down and pick it up with my hands!! That's the way chicken is done! The chicken was served with three side sauces of mango salsa, jerk sauce and a special sauce called "fireball". I am always leery of any sauce with the name fire in it. The fireball was quite savory...just don't use a lot..perhaps a few drops will do the trip. The cabbage here is quite delicious...I almost asked for a side to go but hey, I can't always be greedy now can I?????

I kept on eating and the chef Trevor comes over. He's from Montego Bay and everybody knows I love Jamaica! I think I am really from there but no one will admit it...mom....dad??? Trevor explains to me that he makes all of the food there including the sauces. This is a rarity in restaurants these days since everything out there is processed..not here...you can't get this kind of chicken in a freezer bag..no way my friend.

I finished up my dinner and Tudor asked about dessert. I really didn't need it but hey, I haven't met a cake I didn't like. I walked over to the dessert case and picked out coconut cake. They also have other desserts such as mango cheesecake, Caribbean marble cake, carrot cake and other desserts.

I know this is a bit early as this is the first of the month but I might have to name this ROTM....you know...Restaurant of the Month. Service was great and the chef was very pleasant. Do make it your business not to pass up this gem the next time you are in the Cape area.