Ana's Kitchen: Little Restaurant, Big Flavor

Word of mouth is a special, special thing.

There is a very small restaurant hidden behind Wet n’ Wild, located far from the more popular Tourist Country sites. This place is in a small plaza with throwaway stores and stereotypically-named restaurants. Ana’s Kitchen is in a tough location to make good money---and then being open strictly in the afternoon adds to the difficulty of maintaining itself.

But the word of mouth has allowed for this place to thrive. I was told of this place by a Brazilian co-worker, who doesn’t even officially live in Orlando (Has a one-year program). When I personally arrived, it was chock full of Brazilians and South Americans---tourists and locals. The place is just a few tables deep, the kitchen within sight, and barely enough room for decoration. Nice Brazilian artwork scatters the place, but you really don’t have space to enhance the vibe and atmosphere. Ana’s Kitchen is very friendly though from staff to management.

Being a small place with obvious limited budget, they pull off daily lunch specials to replace some of the main menu items that aren’t always available. Although I really wanted steak, due to limitations I instead ordered their chicken parmesan with rice, fried yucca, and French fries. I know, cool diet. Throw in some mango juice and I will call it a nice South American lunch. Although chicken parmesan doesn’t sound too Brazilian, keep in mind Sao Paulo is one of the top places for Italian food in the world. They love their pizza there.

The rice, fries, and yucca arrive first, which I found rather odd. The rice was decent, nothing too fattening (like Hispanic rice) or plain (like sushi rice). The fried yucca didn’t have much of the infamous Hispanic flair, but its yucca so you can’t really go wrong. You get a nice healthy portion, and each bite is just as crunchy and flavorful as the last one. Yucca is honestly everything the potato wishes it could be---if you haven’t discovered the magic of yucca (cassava in English) then you must change this today. Although the sides were good, I was still pondering why they arrived so much earlier than my –

---Holy crap. This is not chicken. This is a monstrosity. Not only is it a ginormous hunk of chicken lathered in fresh marinara and topped with a mountain of cheese, but it is a darn good chicken that is hugged by Italian goodness. When the plate arrives you can hardly see evidence of the meat—you have to start consuming it before you are convinced its chicken parm. Now, a plate of this size would usually mean that the dish is around $20-$25, but in Ana’s Kitchen it is a steal by costing just north of $12---and remember it comes with all those sides that had been delivered earlier.

Among the best chicken parms I’ve ever consumed, this behemoth is packed with intense flavor from top to bottom—from the smooth marinara to the fresh melted cheese to the chicken itself which was baked perfectly. Despite the size it was very easy to eat because the texture was being generous. But then combine with the rice and yucca and you have easily a full meal—it feels like the appetizer, sides, and main entrée was wrapped up in a nice $12 package. Hands-down one of the best lunch deals you’ll find in all of central Florida. If all the meals are this size then we are looking at one of the best restaurants in terms of value in the entire state.

Of course, I had to try their dessert. Chocolate flan was the dessert of choice, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. One of most egregious things you can do to moist desserts like flan or tres leches is not engulf the treat in extra syrup, sugar, or sauce. This flan was sitting on a sea of pure sugary mayhem, which contributed to why it was a nice sweet kick to offset all the salty and savory lunch I just consumed. It was nowhere near as big as the chicken parmesan but it was plenty to satisfy.

Bottom Line: Ana’s Kitchen is an awesome choice for lunch, especially if you’ve seen better days financially. Spotting a $20, you can engage yourself in a very full lunch that might hold you over past dinner, as the lunch items are big and the sides contribute to the great value you’ll find within these skinny walls. The menu is definitely smaller, but with the lunch specials and the good variety within that lonely page you won’t be moaning too much at the limited options. Everything I had here was fresh, delicious, and great in quantity. If you are looking for a calmer Brazilian restaurant that doesn’t have the typical buffet mannerisms, then Ana’s Kitchen is your spot.Word of mouth is the main reason why a secluded restaurant open only 5 hours can still remain a success story. And with this article, I am merely continuing the hype train.


Final Verdict: Recommend


Ana’s Kitchen
7500 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Chimiking: (Temporarily) I'm Home..

My opinion towards my country’s food has been documented several times. There are foods over in the Dominican Republic that can never be duplicated here in the United States, no matter how hard you try. This is not an insult to America, this is just the truth. The fruit there is fresher, the water is better, the yucca is nineteen layers above anything cassava/potatoish here in Florida, and even the street foods have a special flavor.

One of our most infamous creations is the chimichurri, which is actually street burgers. What makes the chimichurri over in the Dominican Republic so fascinating is that you never actually know when was the last time that grill was cleaned, you don’t know what else has been cooking in the same vicinity, and you never quite know what that special sauce is (even though nine times out of ten its mayo/ketchup). None of this is healthy, but I assure you that there are few things in life sweeter than a good Dominican burger. So when we have a food truck that has excelled and survived throughout Orlando mainly because of Dominican burgers, I of course had to find this place.

ChimiKing the food truck actually became such a hit that the owners decided to also open up a permanent restaurant in the edge of Whisper Lakes, one of the neighborhoods between Orlando and Kissimmee. Good luck figuring out what exactly is their chimichurri contents, as not even their website points out details of the burger---and yes there is a secret sauce attached. The restaurant itself is a small building that houses a small menu and a section where there is already-made food that you can order to go. I didn’t care about anything else, I just wanted the chimuchurri. Because I am a weakling for these things (and because I still can’t figure out how to make a successful one at home) I complimented the burger with a morir sonando (milk/orange juice hybrid straight from heaven).

The chimichurri arrives in all its glory: it’s a thick burger that is surrounded by shredded lettuce, plenty of sauce and wrapped in thick toasted bun that is far meatier and heavier than the average burger bun. The entire creation was a sheer delight, as the burger packed plenty of heat and flavor, and was supported immensely by the creamy sauce that was lathering on top with the lettuce. With the buns being well-toasted, it kept the temperature of the beautiful burger nice and high all the way to the last bite. Simplicity is key here: burger, good sauce, good bread, and a veggie alternative to touch the rest of your taste buds.

While I deemed it impossible, this burger does a great job transporting you to the sketchy corners of the Dominican Republic where secretly some of the best cooks concoct their evil creations. Also helping the trip down Dominican memory lane was the equally superb morir sonando, which was just the right amount of sweetness to counter the heat, salt, and savory punch of the chimichurri. I didn’t have anything else. I didn’t need anything else. Coming back here would just result in me ordering the same thing—similar to my relationship with Hollywood’s Le Tub: I am only here for the burger.

Bottom Line: If the food truck’s chimichurri is just as good as the restaurant version, then it is definitely worth making the trip at 3 a.m. to this area to nab one of these late night delights. The chimichurris here are fantastic and worth every penny and every mile. Similar to a magician keeping their tricks secret to preserve the magic, I’d rather not know what that secret sauce is, I just want to relive the experience and hear the bachata playing as I consume one of these delights. If you are looking for a great late night burger, look no further. Look for the ChimiKing truck. Get the chimichurri. Thank me later.



Final Verdict: Recommend


ChimiKing
2108 Whisper Lakes Blvd, 
Orlando, FL 32837

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto: Great Bar Wrapped in Disney Whirlwind of Adventureland Mayhem

The most diverse universe in the Walt Disney Parks spectrum has got to be the Jungle Cruise universe. This Originally-From-Disneyland attraction has connections with the ill-fated Adventurer’s Club, Tiki Room Serenade, Adventureland in general, Polynesian Village Resort, Typhoon Lagoon, Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar in California, and now the newest member of the Jungle Cruise family: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Never underestimate the power of the Disney fandom by the way. This place has yet to receive an official website, has yet to have an official release date, and is still on soft open mode. Nonetheless, it was a two-hour wait to get in. The power of kungaloosh compels you. Had to wait outside and inside the resort for my turn.

The Jungle Cruise universe for those not as embedded into the culture involves great exaggeration, quirky personalities, inside jokes, dozens of references within the attractions themselves, and a tropical theme that ranges from South America to Hawaii to wrap it all together. The Adventurer’s Club back in the Pleasure Island days was basically the adult version of the Jungle Cruise in terms of style of entertainment. It was a mix of Disney magic and absurd humor that improved the more times you visited. It didn’t have the rough reputation of the clubs surrounding it, but the guilty by association clause pretty much led to its controversial closing. We still have Facebook groups dedicated to attempting to bring back the intimate yet outrageous attraction (Honestly, the Polynesian Resort and Animal Kingdom park has the space and theming available for this to happen). There was a huge hole in Disney World when Adventurer’s Club left. Now I am not saying that Grog Grotto will fill this hole, but I am saying that this place is a delightfully tasty sample of the good ol’ days in Pleasure Island.

I will not reveal the surprises that lurk inside this extremely small bar. Yes, there is an outdoor version of this bar that sells the same food and drinks (complete with view of the fireworks and live music) ---but that tiny room is where you want to be. The chaos and cool island ambiance brews heavily in this tiny setting. Just saying, there will be volcanos, sea creatures, and crazy thunderstorms involved. The cast and bartending crew are on top of their game delivering the jaded tropical vibe as there’s always a joke to be said, always a random celebration to be announced, and always a fun short activity to be involved in. The details all over the walls are staggering, and the amount of references to other Disney attractions past and present may surprise you. Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and even 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (the décor of the bar mostly consists of 20,000 Leagues theming) are among the easter eggs you can find here.

Let’s also not forget their drink menu. Most of their drinks come with a collectible souvenir cup, but you can order most of them without a take-home souvenir. Rum is the dominant alcohol in this place, but you will find tequila and other favorites scattered throughout the main menu. And of course, there is a small food menu to keep the tab going and the good times continuing.

My night consisted of the castaway crush, the pan fried dumplings, and the hippopotomai-tai. The castaway crunch is a clever cocktail, as it’s the gift that keeps on giving thanks to the abundance of crushed ice that will slowly melt away and ooze into the alcohol and pineapple/lime mix you have yet to finish. To add to that, it leaves you desiring more. Disney you clever devil. This drink was potent, a bit sharper than my usual favorite drinks, but it all works nonetheless. And how can I be mad at a drink that comes with a crazy straw?

The dumplings were stuffed with light portions of arugula, shrimp, and pork. This little appetizer is quite flavorful and hits the right notes, but definitely won’t fill you up. Seeking a dinner here won’t be the wisest choice unless you plan on ordering 3-4 things to share with others. And trust me, one night here won’t be fully realized until you bring friends along. The more the merrier definitely, wholeheartedly applies to this place.

Here is where the night sparkled. The hippopotomai-tai is a phenomenal piece of alcoholic work. This drink is like zesty fruit juice with a major kick of alcoholic spice. The rum isn’t plentiful but strong, the juice is heavy but never watering down the drink, and of course who can go wrong with nectar and fresh lime to send things into overdrive? It’s refreshing, inhibiting, and tasty all at the same time. Let’s just say the lights became more vibrant after finishing this gem.....

What will keep you coming is not just the diverse menu where nearly every drink sounds good---even the notoriously spicy ones. This place is an experience pure and simple. Grog Grotto doesn’t open until 4:00 and this will definitely be an issue down the road after word spreads and the Polynesian becomes arguably the most popular of the Magic Kingdom resorts if it doesn’t hold that title already (Ohanas is still among the best dining experiences in all of Disney World). I don’t want to spoil too much about what occurs once you get past the doors and survive the waiting, but trust me you won’t get these types of events from just any bar.

Bottom Line: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is exactly what would happen if Disney executives lifted the alcohol restriction and opened a bar next to the Jungle Cruise in Disneyland/Magic Kingdom. It is Jungle Cruise for the adult Disney fanatics: crazy drinks, Disney park references left and right, wild and diverse cast of people serving you, and an out-of-this-worldly experience that can only be found within the corners of the happiest place on Earth. Like the best Disney attraction, it has all the fun deep details and revisiting quality that keeps Disney on top of the theme park world. A lot of fun is packed in to this very small place that can’t house north of 50 guests. Yes, the price tag will be high, as will your wait time. But stick around, because Grog Grotto is a gem of a bar and certifies the Polynesian as the top resort in all of Central Florida.



Final Verdict: Strongly Recommend



Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Fl