Eleven – Kissimmee, FL

There is a wonderful rooftop restaurant at the Reunion Resort called Eleven. I got to go there for an event, and I was excited to get to be wined and dined.

This rooftop bar/restaurant has great views. There’s a pool you can lounge in if you want. You can see all of the theme parks in the distance. It’s cool at night because you can see all the fireworks.

We started the event off with some cocktails as we socialize with other guests.

The appetizer table was set up outside so we could enjoy the views. The spread was nice. We had an array of options:

– Caesar salad

– Two different kinds of Hummus

– The Charcuterie Board was beautifully arranged with cured meats and artisan cheeses. There were sauces of jalapeño hatch peppers, and honey.

For dinner, it was served family style at each of the tables. The food just kept coming out. There was something for everyone to enjoy.

The Spinach Artichoke Dip was extremely creamy. It was a blend of Fontina and Manchego cheese. They served colorful tortilla chips on the side.

Meatballs came out and these were lamb meatballs with basil, a peanut crumble and saffron aioli. They had a slight gamey taste, but the saffron aioli helped hide that.

The Flatbed Pizza came out and everyone got excited. It was a Margarita Pizza. The dough had great flavor. There was a lot of melted cheese that normally a margarita pizza does not have. I love this because the cheese is sometimes the best part of the pizza.

There were beautiful Beef Steak Skewers that were on top of the bed of Couscous. The steak was tender and had a great pepper taste.

The Shrimp and Grits were amazing. There was so much on the plate. The grits were creamy and cheesy, the best I’ve ever had. The shrimp was tender, but not the star of the dish.

One of the side dishes was Broccolini. They sautéed this with butter and garlic. It was also cooked with raisins. This added a spectacular sweetness to the broccolini, which can sometimes be bitter.

Salmon was the fish for the night. This was a pan seared perfectly. It was flaky and fresh.

The Mac & Cheese came out last and now I know why. Because I would’ve eaten the entire bowl myself and would not have had room to try any of the other dishes. This mac & cheese was made with Fontina Mornay cheese. It was so creamy. Total comfort food.

It was time for dessert. They set the dessert tables up back outside. We got to enjoy:

– Key Lime Cheesecake. It was both sweet and tangy.

– Layered Cake Cups –  there was chocolate, strawberry and vanilla icing available

This was the best way to experience Eleven. If you were in the area or staying at the Reunion Resort, you must check them out.

www.reunionresort.com/dining/eleven

Enjoy!

T

Bri – Boyne City, MI

The Boyne River Inn has been a beloved place since 1893. Visitors can enjoy a wonderful meal at BRI.

We were greeted as soon as we walked in. The Midwestern hospitality was on full display.

We sat outside overlooking the river. It was a beautiful view. Plus is was a great day to be outside; the temperature was fantastic.

We started with the Stuffed Dates. These were a unique appetizer that are not normally on menus. They baked Medjool dates that were stuffed with goat cheese. Then they were wrapped in bacon and covered with a balsamic glaze.

There was a wonderful blend of sweet, tart, and salty. The date was creamy and sweet. The tartness came from the goat cheese. The bacon added the saltiness, with a little crunch.

They have a giant Woodfire oven inside the restaurant.

Naturally, we had to try the Meat Pizza. This included ham, pepperoni, bacon, and Italian sausage. They gave a generous portion of all the meat. The dough was sweet and had a nice crunch from being cooked in the oven.

The BRI  Burger was a classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and onion. It was cooked to a perfect medium, and the American cheese was melted all over the patty. It was very juicy and the seasoning was great. The burger also came with a side of French fries.

The Fish Sandwich was huge. It was almost too big to be a sandwich. The beer battered, fresh cod was deep-fried until crispy. There was lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce on the bun, but the fish tasted so good on its own that the condiments were not necessary.

A visit to Boyne City would not be complete unless you visited BRI for something to eat.

www.boyneriverinn.com

Enjoy!

T

Caddy’s – Madeira Beach, FL

I have visited Caddy’s many times. It is one of my go-to restaurants in Madeira Beach.

I love the view of the Gulf. The second floor of the restaurant is the best spot.

It was a hot afternoon, so grabbing some frozen drinks was a must. The Frose blended vodka, Moscato, sour mix, peach purée, and pear syrup. This combination was both sweet and sour, almost like a piece of candy.

The Rocky Margarita was a nice take on a classic. It blended Silver tequila, triple sec, sour mix, orange juice, and lime juice. It was a very fresh tasting margarita.

The Calamari was a great appetizer to start with. They were flash fried to crispy. A sweet Thai chili sauce was served on the side for dipping. The calamari were tender, and there was just the right amount of breading.

Another great appetizer is the Kickin’ Watermelon Bites. They chopped up watermelon and mixed it with feta cheese, dust it with chipotle & extra-virgin olive oil. A balsamic glaze was drizzled all over. Some mint and lime juice accented the dish.

This was extremely refreshing, the sweetness of the watermelon and the tartness of the feta cheese complemented each other. It was also a unique blend of textures. This was a great dish for a hot day.

The Ahi Tuna was tremendously fresh. It was so tender. It melted in my mouth. They did a char-crusted sear on the tuna. They drizzled a spicy mayo and teriyaki glaze on top. There was a seaweed salad also served with the tuna.

A dinner at a beachside restaurant would not be complete without some Mahi Tacos. They lightly blackened Mahi and topped it with pico de gallo, lettuce, cheese, and a chipotle sauce. The soft tortilla shells wrapped around the Mahi, made it easy to pick up and enjoy. The Mahi had fantastic seasoning.

If you are looking for a great beach restaurant, then Caddy’s is the perfect place.

www.caddys.com/caddys-madeira-beach/

Enjoy!

T

John’s Roast Pork – Philadelphia, PA

If you’re looking for a classic Philly cheesesteak, you must head over to John’s Roast Pork. They have been serving this Philly staple since 1930.

There are a few options of John’s Ultimate Cheesesteaks:

  • The cheesesteak with cheese is your classic version that has provolone cheese that melts into the bread.
  • The cheesesteak with onions is the classic with the cheese and pork plus they loaded up with onions. They are beautifully mix throughout.

The meat is extremely tender and full of flavor. The simple seasoning that is used on the meat is delicious. It keeps you going back for more. You can’t take just one bite. The sandwiches are large, and you’ll find yourself eating the entire thing.

If you are in Philadelphia, then check them out at www.johnroastpork.com

Enjoy!

T

Flushing Ice Cream Factory – Flushing, NY

When we were visiting New York, we are looking for some ice cream. We found Flushing Ice Cream Factory. If you like tons of choices to choose from this was the spot.

When we got to visit, we tried a few options. Pistachio is one of my favorites. The large pieces of pistachio nuts added a nice crunch throughout the creaminess.

The Matcha was unique flavor. It had a slight earthy and bitter taste but it was toned down from the sweetness of the ice cream. You just keep eating and you don’t know why, but you can’t put it down.

The Coffee had a rich flavor and definitely gave you a jolt of energy.

From my understanding this location in Flushing, New York is now closed, but you can always visit their Chinatown location.

www.chinatownicecreamfactory.com

Enjoy!

T

Betty’s Restaurant – Boyne Falls, MI

If you are in Boyne Falls, you have probably heard of Betty’s Restaurant. They have been serving breakfast to visit visitors for years.

I was excited to get the Corned Beef Hash. I was really hungry for hash so I was happy it was on the menu. They prepared it perfectly, nice and crispy; Just how I like it. It came with two eggs and toast. I was surprised to see cinnamon raisin bread as an option. I love that the cinnamon raisin toast added sweetness to my breakfast. It complemented the saltines of the corned beef hash.

The Farmer’s Omelet was a popular choice at the table. The omelet was filled with ham, onions, potato and cheese. They were extra homestyle potatoes on the side. The omelet was extremely filling. The cheese helped keep everything together.

If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to grab a homemade cinnamon roll or even a fresh made pie. They are perfect to enjoy back home.

www.facebook.com/people/Bettys-Restaurant/100072199898347/?_rdr

Enjoy!

T

Alpine Chocolat Haus – Boyne City, MI

If you have a sweet tooth, then visiting Alpine Chocolat Haus in Boyne City, Michigan is a must.

They offer all kinds of sweets: ice cream, candy apples, fudge, and chocolates.

I wanted ice cream during my visit. They had many flavors to select from.

I picked the Chocolate Brownie Caramel. It was very sweet. It had great creaminess. The pieces of brownie added great texture.

This is the perfect spot for a summertime visit. www.alpine-chocolat-haus.com

Enjoy!

T

Fresco’s – Lakeland, FL

If you want a southern restaurant with a modern twist, check out Fresco’s in Lakeland, Florida.

Grab a seat at the bar and start enjoying some of the great cocktails they have to offer.

The Blackberry Basil Cooler is sweet and refreshing. It blends vodka, basil, blackberry syrup, lemon, and orange bitters.

An Aperol Spritz is a classic cocktail that Fresco’s does well. It includes Aperol, lemon, simple syrup, Prosecco and a splash of soda for bubbles. If you want something that is not overly sweet, this is the cocktail for you.

Their Old-Fashion keeps with tradition, smooth and your choice of bourbon.

Plus the bartender like us so I was able to get a few of those special cocktail cherries just for myself!

If you like whiskey, then make sure to do a Whiskey Flight. You get the sample four options. We got to try:

1. George Dickel 8 year

2. Stranahan’s Colorado single malt

3. Barrell Seagrass Rye

4. Barrell Dovetail

Fresco’s has more than just drinks. They have a great menu offering unique takes on classic dishes. They also have great appetizers that are able to be shared.

The FSKB Loaded Baked Potato Wedges are amazing. The potatoes are covered in pimento cheese, bacon, chives, and sour cream with herbs. The pimento cheese is a unique element. It adds a saltines and a creaminess.

The Deviled Eggs have the southern style creamy filling, but they give it a unique twist with bacon crumbles and candied jalapeños. It’s a nice salty sweet combination.

The Fresco’s Eggrolls are different. They use chicken, bacon, cheese, and salsa inside crispy wonton wrappers. They serve an avocado cream sauce for dipping. It’s a unique take on southwest style eggrolls.

They have a few flatbreads on the menu we ordered the Fig. The sweet dough was covered with an apple fig chutney, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, arugula, and slices of apple. The pizza overall was sweet and the arugula gave it a slight pepper taste.

I loved everything we tried at Fresco’s. Check them out if you’re in the area.

www.frescoslakeland.com

Enjoy!

T

Kennedy’s – Breezy Point, NY

With great views overlooking the beach and water, Kennedy’s is the perfect spot to have lunch with family.

Grab a refreshing cocktail and enjoy some fresh made rolls while you look over the menu.

The Burrata is amazing. It comes with sun-dried tomatoes and truffle pesto. They serve crispy garlic parmesan crostini on the side. The burrata had a delicious creamy soft center. It was perfect to spread on the crostini or even the dinner rolls.

The fried calamari is perfect  to enjoy at a beach side restaurant. They were lightly breaded and served with marinara sauce on the side.

The Little Neck Clams were my favorite dish of the day. They baked clams with a seasoned mix of garlic, parmesan cheese, and Italian oregano. The flavor was exceptional. The clam was tender, and the saltines from the cheese complemented the herby flavor of the oregano.

The wrap special for the day was the Reuben. They added sauerkraut and melted Greer cheese to a large portion of corned beef. The wrapped help make it not as messy to eat the way a sandwich normally can.

My main dish was the Puglian-style Orecchiette that was mixed with sweet sausage, broccoli rabe, tomatoes and parmesan cheese. The flavor was spectacular. The pasta was tender and soaked up the flavor of the sausage as well as the sauce that was drizzled over the pasta. The sausage was sweet and really paired well with the bitterness of the broccoli rabe. I highly recommend this dish.

We saved a little room for dessert. The Keylime Pie was a great share. The tartness from the limes helped balance out all the savory flavors that I enjoyed from the main dish.

If you have an opportunity to visit Breezy Point, New York, make sure you stop by Kennedy’s.

www.kennedysbreezypoint.com

Enjoy!

T

Capo’s – Las Vegas, NV

If you’re looking for a fun mob themed Italian restaurant with an old-school Las Vegas lounge singer, you have to check out Capo’s.

The speakeasy style entrance to the restaurant is fun. You walk up to a red door, expecting someone to open it but then a door behind a phone booth opens up.

When you walk into the restaurant, your eyes will need to adjust because it’s extremely dark.

We were able to get a table up by the stage near the singer.  He had a “Rat Pack” look to him and he sounded just like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He was very entertaining.

The fresh bread came out as soon as we sat down. It was crispy on the outside and soft inside. It tasted wonderful after dipping it in the creamy olive oil.

I ordered a Cosmopolitan because why not I was in Vegas!

The Genovese Calamari was the best appetizer to start with. It came out with pepperoncini peppers that added a nice texture to the calamari.

The other great appetizer to share at the table was Ma’s Meatballs and Peppers. These oversized meatballs were covered in a lightly spiced sugo sauce (sugo means sauce in Italian). The meatballs were moist and seasoned well.

For my dinner, I ordered the Goodfellas Piccata. I got the chicken that was sautéed in lemon, butter, and white wine to make a delicious sauce, along with garlic and capers. The chicken was juicy and soaked in the flavor of the sauce. They served the chicken on top of creamy mashed potatoes. The potatoes captured all of the sauce as well, which made them irresistible. This was one of the best chicken piccatas I’ve had in a while.

The Da Don’s Lasagna is a customer favorite. Fresh made lasagna noodles were layered and stuffed with crushed meatballs, homemade Italian sausage, fresh ricotta cheese, and then topped with mozzarella cheese. They baked it until the cheese got crispy on top and then covered it in a red sugo sauce. The slice they served was a very generous portion. The blend of sausage and meatballs made the lasagna more filling than if it was just cheese.

I had to get a side of their Risotto. It was a mushroom risotto that was extremely creamy. This by itself could have been a meal.

We saved room for dessert, especially because we were going to share. Since we were an Italian restaurant, it was a must to order the Jimmy Two Times Tiramisu Tiramisu.

This homemade dessert was layered ladyfingers that were soaked in espresso and dark rum. Then they layered it with sweet mascarpone that added a creaminess. It had a calming effect against the strong flavor of the espresso. The sprinkle of cocoa powder on top helped add a nice finish to each bite.

If you were looking for a great meal that is off the Vegas strip, check out Capo’s. Make sure you make a reservation because they get busy.

www.caposrestaurant.com

Enjoy!

T