Seasons 52

Since this will be my last post, I decided to take it in a different direction. Instead of reviewing a restaurant, I decided I should discuss a restaurant that I have yet to go to.

Seasons 52 has two locations close by: one at the Plaza Venezia on Sand Lake Road and another by the Altamonte Mall on East Altamonte Drive.


Seasons 52 changes its menu every season, (hence the name), and has no menu item over 475 calories.


Here is a quote from the restaurant's site: "Rediscover the authentic tastes of freshly harvested food. Every week of the year as different foods reach their seasonal peak of taste, we seek out the best market-fresh products, such as vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes in summer, crisp apples in autumn, hearty root vegetables in winter and tender green asparagus in spring."

Sounds good, right? I know. That's why I want to go (not to mention the fact that they have over 140 wines to pair with your meal).

Obviously when reviewing restaurants the person normally eats the food, chooses their likes and dislikes and gives you advice on what to eat. Since I-and probably you-have not been to aforementioned restaurant, I thought we could explore the menu together.

Let's begin with the starters, shall we?

I think the Housemade Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with sweet basil chiffonnade in a light garlic tomato broth sounds like the best choice. They also have flatbreads. I'm leaning toward the Ripe Plum Tomato Flatbread with roasted garlic essence, sweet basil and melted Parmesan cheese.

Moving on to the entrees. Now, seeing as I'm a vegetarian and being that this is a vegetarian blog, eating at a place like Seasons 52 where the menu changes often could present a problem. This season there is only one vegetarian entree, but, I'm OK with that because it sounds delicious. And it is...
The Chef’s Market Vegetable Plate with roasted vegetables, grilled tofu and cracked wheat tabbouleh. I think the crack wheat tabbouleh is what sold me.

Normally I don't get dessert, but remember, nothing on the item is over 475 calories so why the hell not. I think I'll go with the German Chocolate Cake.

903 Mills Market

I've passed by Mills Market multiple times, but never had the courage to stop.
I don't know why, it's not like it's a scary place--actually, it looks quite inviting.

Situated right in the middle of the Thorton Park neighborhood on the corner of Gore Street and Mills, the market is a cute little one-stop shop with a surprise--a full menu! Maybe that's why I was so nervous to stop in; I mean, the sign advertises food and beer, but it's not like I needed milk and eggs, so I felt like if I wasn't picking up the necessities, then I didn't have a right to enter.

I soon figured out how wrong I was when my boyfriend moved in just down the street.
Now Mills Market is the place we walk to and waste hours talking and drinking beer. It's really quite nice; all the locals stop by after work and do the same. They bring their dogs and friends and converse for hours at one of the many outside patio tables. It's a super relaxed atmosphere and if you don't stay for at least an hour, the owner might be offended.

I found out some interesting history about the building on the market's website . It was once a house built in 1920 that, over the years, was transformed into a food market, a meat market, and produce market, a dry cleaners, and even a restaurant. Now, it is simply, Mills Market.

But enough about the history, let's talk about the menu. Besides having a bunch of speciality beer, the market also has a great vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) menu. Last Friday I had the Falafel wrap ($6.39) topped with red onion, tons of fresh spinach and an interesting sesame mayo sauce. It was awesome, but what made it so awesome was that it was wrapped in a soft tortilla.

The grilled cheese ($4.29) is of course a classic, but I've yet to try the Lake Emerald vegetarian ($6.39.) It sounds pretty delicious--roasted peppers, pesto mayo, tomato, onion and spring mix on wheat bread.

You can also make your meal a combo for only $1.50 more. The combo comes with a drink and your choice of chips, potato salad, fruit salad Tomazza salad or Cole slaw. I always opt for the Tomazza--it's great and refreshing on a hot day.

So, if you have a whole day to waste I would suggest heading over to Mills Market. Trust me, you won't want to leave.

Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar

Located on the corner of Bumby and Amelia, the Drunken Monkey is taking coffee shops back to their roots by giving a big "f you" to Starbucks.

It's rare that you find a successful coffee shop that isn't Starbucks, but Drunken Monkey has beaten the odds; but I can't say I didn't have my doubts.

I remember stopping by the first week they opened, and to be honest, I was not impressed. There were no "vegan and vegetarian snacks" like the sign promised, and the owner, well, he wasn't much to rave about either. I got my coffee (without a snack, obviously) and was on my way. They have a drive-thru, which I should have used, but I wanted to see what the inside had to offer. That was a mistake.

The coffee was decent, but still, the place left a sour taste in my mouth.

So a few months later I decided to try again. I went recently and my experience was MUCH better. For starters, they had food! I tried one of their vegan paninis which wasn't half bad. The only downside is the food is VERY expensive. I think I spent about $25 on two sandwiches and two drinks.

Also the service I received was much friendlier than the service I had a few months back. The girls who work there are super nice and are always willing to help choose the right drink for you. I also liked the fact that they had like, 4839274982 types of milk (soy, hemp, almond, etc.) while Starbucks only has two. TAKE THAT CORPORATE AMERICA!

Let's not forget the fact that they have game nights, open mic, poetry readings and everything a locally owned coffee shop should have.

Kudos to you Drunken Monkey. Kudos.

Woodlands USA

With locations in Charlotte, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, Woodlands Indian restaurant seems to be doing quite well. The one in Orlando is quite tricky to find, mostly for the fact that they keep changing the location of it. Now located on south OBT, I think they are here to stay.

My suggestion is to go for the lunch buffet (11:30am-3, Tuesday-Friday). All you can eat samosas and curries for like, 8 bucks.

Like Garden Cafe, Woodlands is all vegetarian, so you don't have to worry about accidentally picking an item with meat in it.

Start with the mixed vegetable pakora for the normal menu price of $5.95. Potatoes, cauliflower, onions and chilies mixed with Besan and spices and then deep friend. WHAT? We all know everything is better deep fried.

Next I would suggest a Dosai. I've never had one, but this cheese one looks so delicious. And it's only $8.50.



For the main course, I would suggest a house specialty, because like they say, house knows best. But if you're not quite comfortable with Indian food, Woodlands offers traditional Chinese specialties which I found to be quite odd. Hmmm.

After you've sufficiently stuffed your face with Dosai and all the Nan bread possible, try indulging in an Indian dessert. A Rasmalai perhaps? That's homemade cottage cheese is a speical condensed milk sauce topped with flavored Rose Water and Pistachio nuts. (They have ice cream if you're not up to the challenge.)

All in all Woodlands is a great place to eat if you love traditional Indian food with a vegetarian flare.

Vegan Hot Dog Stand

It's Spring Break and I'm sick so I'm going to do a short post today.

I'm running out of ideas of good vegetarian places to eat in Orlando (as there really aren't that many) but I could never go wrong when talking about the vegan hot dog stand.

Now, the vegan hot dog stand is the most nomadic of all the vegan restaurants in Orlando. You never know where it will be downtown or at what time it will be there. Originally owned and operated by Kelly Shockley of Ethos fame, well, who knows who operated it now--like I said, it's pretty illusive.

Every time I've enjoyed a hot dog from the stand I've been a.) drunk b.) previously at a bar c.) not sure of what I've just ordered.

Which I'm sure is the case for most of the customers, considering the stand gets most of their business from the hours of 12 a.m- 3a.m outside bars and clubs like bbq bar and i-bar on Orange.

The guys who work there are super nice and understand you are drunk and hungry. I usually get a vegan dog on wheat bread with everything on it- including vegan chili. All in all, I think that normally runs me about $4 with a water and man, is it worth the mess.

If you're not in the mood for a dog, I would suggest the vegan nachos. Also a nice drunken treat.

But really, these people know how to run a business. They target the drunk hipsters (who are normally vegan/veg) as they stumble out of the bars drunk and hungry. They really do have all the right strategies, and if that little cart did not exist, I doubt I would step foot in one of those bars for fear of not enjoying a vegan hot dog drunk and after the fact.

Garden Cafe

I'm not really sure why it has taken me until the fourth post to write about Garden Cafe; I guess it slipped my mind, which is odd considering Garden Cafe is one of the first all vegetarian restaurants established in Orlando.

Just think-- traditional Chinese dishes except all vegetarian; and they have every traditional Chinese dish you can think of:

• Sweet and sour ribs? Check.
  
• Pepper steak? Check.
  
• Sweet and Sour Chicken? Check.
  
• Kung Po Squid? Check.

Obviously these are all types of meat, but you wont find a single bone in dem ribs, why you ask? Cause it's all made from soy protein!

Yeah, soy protein. I'm not a huge fan; it sort of tastes like funnel cake batter to me, which isn't exactly what I want my sweet and sour ribs to taste like. But, for people like me (who is considered a sinner among the legion of devote Garden Cafe soy protein lovin' followers) there are plenty of menu options that are more traditional.

My absolute favorite dish of all time is the stuffed bell peppers. It's a simple mix of tofu, carrots and mushrooms packed into green peppers but the combination creates something magical; and it's only $8.50!

But, the great thing about Garden Cafe is its awesome lunch special. From open to 3:00 you can enjoy just about everything on the menu for almost half the price.

If you really want to try a meal made from soy protein (which I would suggest), try General Tso’s chicken. This is a favorite among my friends, so much so that they tend to order it each time we go. You can purchase General Tso's chicken for the normal dinner price of $8.95.

All in all, Garden Cafe is an experience that any vegetarian (or non-vegetarian for that matter) needs to have. The food is great and the atmosphere is as traditional as traditional Chinese can get in America.

Garden Cafe is located at 810 W. Colonial Drive.

Pom Poms teahouse and sandwicheria

So Pom Poms isn't exactly an all vegetarian restaurant, but let's face it, there aren't that many all vegetarian restaurants in Orlando anyway.

Still, Pom Poms is an amazing place to eat (especially on the weekends when it's the busiest) and I'll tell you why:

1. My friends work there.
2. My friends are cool.
3. The Drag Queens of Orlando love it.
4. They have tarot readings on Tuesdays from 6-9
5. The food is delicious.

So lets talk about the food for a moment, shall we?

I found the perfect explanation of the menu on the restaurant's myspace, "East meets West with themed gourmet sandwiches plus a unique blend of authentic side salads and a wide variety of loose leaf teas and a delicious array of sweets to tantalize your taste buds!"

The owner, Pom Moongauklang, loves to mix traditional western dishes with her Thai heritage, creating the perfect balance of East and West.

The tea is also something to rave about. There's normally a tea of the day, but my favorite is the Green Tea Kiwi. Ice cold and about two bucks a cup, it is the perfect hangover cure.

Now, what I eat at Pom Poms--breakfast or lunch--usually depends on what time I wake up. Don't get me wrong, the breakfast is delicious, but I usually don't wake up until about 1 pm so most of my Pom Poms meals have been of the sandwich persuasion.

The Tuscan melt and the Danny G pressed sandwiches are by far my favorite. For $6.95 you can get the Danny, which is Ginger Cranberry Chutney, Apple Slices & Almonds, Brie pilled high on two thick slices of bread.

The Tuscan melt, $6.50, is a delightful combination of Sun Dried Tomatoes, Goat cheese, Mozzarella, Basil, Black Olives & Red Onions. Amazing. I would suggest making your meal into a combo for just two bucks more; this way you can enjoy a cup of Iced Green Tea Kiwi and a side of noodles with peanut sauce--but be forewarned, you're going to need a box.

If you're looking for a place to mingle with the hippest gays in Orlando and munch on some delicious sandwiches all while enjoying local art work while sipping a cup of tea, well then, Pom Poms is your place.