Why Tin & Taco Wins at Mexican Food in Central Florida

I absolutely adore Mexican food, and here in Orlando, we have tons of good choices. For me, a Mexican place has to have a hook, something that's so crazy delicious that it draws me back again and again. Light, crispy fresh white corn chips. Handmade tortillas. Smoky Chipotle infused salsa. Savory shredded beef. The basics of Mexican food are simple, so there has to be something extraordinarily to take it over the edge. And Tin & Taco has that something.

Tin and Taco is owned by the people who bring you Gringos Locos, but it's a very different concept. More than any other Orlando taco shop, it reminds me of my favorite Austin-based chain, Torchy's Tacos, because of the inventive flavor combinations and handcrafted sauces that make each taco unique. But for me, the magic element is the way they bake crispy cheese onto the outside of the flour tortillas. I've never seen this done before, and the extra crunch and flavor this imbues to each taco is truly magical.

I'm just a little bit addicted to Tin & Taco and I visit the SoDo location on Michigan at least once a week. There are so many taco choices that it's going to take me a while to eat through the menu, but I'm doing my best!

Here are some of my favorites so far.

Al Pastor: shredded pork, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, fresh pineapple, mango pineapple vinaigrette, cotija cheese

Chicken Bacon Ranch: shredded chicken, white cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, homemade ranch (I ordered it without the pico de gallo)

Brisket Bomb: smoked brisket, craft beer queso, ancho chipotle sauce, cotija cheese (I ordered it without the pico de gallo)

Tacosaurus: Angus ground beef, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, white cheddar, crushed Doritos, southwest sauce, Cotija cheese

Steakout: carne asada, pico de gallo, toasted sesame & wasabi aioli, house pickled onions, Cotija cheese

Off the hook: sushi grade ahi tuna poke style, mixed greens, toasted sesame & wasabi aoili, pico de gallo, sesame seeds

I usually stick to the basics when I order tacos, but at Tin & Taco, I've tiptoed into exciting combinations that fuse Asian with Mexican flavors, and I'm not sorry! They wow me every time. Plus, the people who work there are super-friendly and welcoming. AND they have delicious Stubborn Sodas on draft with crushed ice. Try it out and let me know what you think, I'm sure you'll love Tin & Taco like I do!

Kasa Tapas Downtown Orlando

Kasa Tapas has been open in downtown Orlando for a few years now. The theme is menu comprised of diverse small plates(tapas) with global influences


Menu


We started our meal with a duo of cocktails, one was called "The Gin Joint"




Kasa has a tapas themed menu and recommends 2-3 orders per person. Our first item was the Pork Belly Poutine a Canadian tradition with a gourmet twist. It was rich and filling.



Pork Belly Poutine - Fingerling potatoes, chorizo gravy, Wisconsin Wisconsin​ cheese curds, queso fresco, 63 degree egg

Next up was a sous vide Pompano this was a nice counterpart to the poutine. Edges were crispy, flavor was mild but good.The acidity of the blistered tomatoes balanced the sauce.


Seared Pompano from togarashi-spiced baby bok choy, baby heirloom tomatoes, lemon caper, beurre blanc.

The third dish was Yucca with a gouda cheddar and truffle fondue. Often I find that truffle flavor can overpower a dish but that was not the case with this one. One minor complaint the yucca still had the spine, a center piece that runs down the middle of the yucca root, had to extract that from some of the pieces.







Yucca with dip



Sangria

Our final dish was a special sushi roll creation the Chef made for us. It's not on the menu but they are considering adding it. It was creative and unique. I really enjoyed the sauce as well.


Chef's special creation Sushi - tuna with goat cheese and avocado, panko breaded flounder topped with slivered almonds, green onions and red peppers over avocado chive sauce.

Overall I think Kasa offers some really unique and creative tapas and dishes at a fair price.

Their space is expansive and clean.

We'll be back.

They have a variety of drink specials for happy hour and certain days, check their social media for the latest details.

http://www.kasarestaurant.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kasaorlando/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/kasaorlando

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kasatapas


Hours:

• Mon: Closed
• Tue: 11:30 am - 9 pm
• Wed: 11:30 am - 11 pm
• Thurs: 11 am - 10:30 pm
• Fri: 11:30 am - 11:30 pm
• Sat: 5 pm - 11:30 pm
• Sun: 11 am - 9 pm

Downtown Food & Wine Fest 2015

Downtown Food & Wine Fest is coming up soon. the two-day Fest features mouth-watering dishes from 30 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment.

check out some pics and info from last years event over at Taste, Cook, Sip. http://www.tastecooksip.com/event-recap-the-2014-downtown-food-and-wine-fest/

Date / Time: 
Saturday, February 21, 2015 (noon to 9 p.m.) 
Sunday, February 22, 2015 (noon to 7 p.m.) 

Location:  
Downtown Orlando at Lake Eola along Robinson Street 

Admission:
Admission is $15 per person, per day with advance online purchase.   
Admission at the door is $20 per person, per day.
Admission for children under age 12 is free.    

Food and beverage tickets are available at the Fest for $2 each; food and beverage offerings range from one to four tickets.

The Ultimate Fest Experience ticket is $100 per person, per day and includes VIP parking, general admission, Wine Tasters Club, $20 in food and beverage tickets, access to the private stage side pavilion with premium wine selections, access to private restrooms and a commemorative gift.  A limited number of VIP tickets are available with advance online purchase. 

Entertainment:
Lifehouse Saturday
Loverboy Sunday

buy tickets here:
http://downtownfoodandwinefest.cbslocal.com/2012/01/11/ticket-info/

last years winners:

2014 Foodie Award (based on one food item for taste, unique flavor and culinary excellence)
Smiling Bison - Pretzel Bread Pudding

2014 Best Overall Menu (based on overall menu creativity, depth of offerings, and quality)
Kasa Tapas & Raw Bar

2014 Best of Show (based on fun factor, overall energy, and crowd vibe)
Siro at Orlando World Center Marriott – winner in 2013 and 2014

Participating Restaurants:

• Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe' is proud to serve the freshest expertly prepared German Food in Central Florida. To check out more from their menu visit their website here. 2015 Menu: -Beinen Stich (Bee Sting Cake) -Cajun Wurst -Ocktoberfest...
• Cooper's Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants offers handcrafted wine and modern casual dining.  Each dish is created with our handcrafted wines in mind.  We’ve developed a menu with upscale appetizers, entrées, and desserts for today’s sophisticated..
• Old Hickory Steakhouse Enjoy one of the finest restaurants in Kissimmee. Indulge in fine wines as you savor tender, juicy premium All Natural Black Angus seared-to-perfection or artisanal cheeses from our Maitre d'Fromage. To make a reservation or learn more about Old... 

• Christner's Del Frisco's "Christner’s Del Frisco’s Prime Steak & Lobster is one of Orlando’s oldest steakhouses. A fine dining experience, Carole and David Christner have built a restaurant that provides meticulous service in an intimate and relaxed setting.  All steaks...
• Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Kobe Japanese Steakhouse specializes in Teppanyaki or Hibachi cooking. Guests to Kobe are entertained by a personal chef as he prepares succulent steak, chicken, and seafood dishes according to the ancient Hibachi style of food preparation. Kobe...
• Marlow's Tavern Marlow's Tavern offers American tavern fare with an upscale twist. Featuring a diverse menu with fresh, high-quality, seasonal ingredients, ice cold craft and local beer, and handcrafted cocktails; Marlow’s has the feel of a neighborhood restaurant....
• Copper Canyon Grill There's nothing timid about our chicken... or our meatloaf... or our hand cut hickory grilled sizzling steaks, line caught Ahi tuna or cornbread baked in a skillet and fired up by fresh jalapeno and Serrano peppers. This is full flavored American...
• Jeremiah's Italian Ice Jeremiah's Italian Ice is proud to be a part of the 2015 Downtown Food & Wine Festival! To learn more about Jeremiah's visit their website or Click Here 2015 Menu: -Snack Size Ice -Small Size Ice Flavors: Mango, Cookies & Cream, Scoop...
• Sushi House SUSHI House provides a world class dining experience in a warm, romantic setting. Famous for the freshest sushi, Sushi House also has a great modern and traditional menu, an incredible new Japanese Fusion Sushi, delicious Beef, Chicken, & Shrimp...
• Hard Rock Cafe Hard Rock Cafe is proud to be a part of the Downtown Food & Wine Fest. To check out more about the Hard Rock Cafe:  click here   2015 Menu: -Legendary Cubano Buger -Legendary Mac and Cheese -Legendary Combo ( Burger & Ma...
• Hawkers Prominent on the streets of Asia, Hawkers are street vendors who depend on locally grown ingredients to create dishes sold from mobile carts and stands. The most successful recipes, typically passed from one generation to the next, bring flocks of...
• Primo Restaurant Orlando At The JW Marriott Grande Lakes Primo Restaurant at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes is proud to be a part of the Downtown Food & Wine Fest. 2015 Menu: -Primo Meatball Subs with (build your own toppings) served on a house made bun -Wild Boar and Porcini Pate with Whisper Creek...
• Shari Sushi Lounge Located at 621 East Central Bld in Orlando, Shari Sushi is a great place to enjoy fresh sushi. We invite you to experience a sampling of Shari's delicious creations at the 2015 Downtown Food & Wine Fest! Shari Sushi is proud to be a part of...
• Siro Urban Italian Kitchen Siro Urban Italian Kitchen at the Orlando Marriott World Center celebrates the authenticity of rustic Italian cuisine, shared among friends in a casual, upbeat and inviting setting.  Siro is proud to be a part of the 2015 Downtown Food & Wine...
• Sky Candy Gourmet Cotton Candy Sky Candy specializes in retro, classic, and adventurous varieties of gourmet cotton candy. Using organic Florida sugar we mix in ingredients like toasted coconut and citrus zest to create flavors that are bursting with personality. Only 110 calories...  

• Peach Valley Cafe Experience the Freshness isn’t a marketing slogan. It’s a standard of quality and level of service created by our staff. It applies to every piece of the Peach Valley pie. Our breakfast and lunch offerings are homemade, using the best and freshest...
• Sweet By Holly Gourmet cupcakes baked with love daily! For SWEET News, "Like" Us on Facebook or check out our website! 2015 Menu  - Mini Cupcakes - Classic Cupcakes
• The Smiling Bison The Smiling Bison is proud to be a part of the 2015 Downtown Food & Wine Fest! 2015 Menu  - Roast Beef w/ Spicy Horseradish  Mustard - House Smoked Kielbasa & Grits - Peanut Butter Pretzel Bread Pudding -Chorizo  or Veggie Taco...
• TR Fire Grill With a unique twist to the Tony Roma’s that you knew before, we’ve added a little fuel to the fire and ignited an even bigger flame! This flame is fueled by handcrafted cocktails and a new, chef-inspired menu! Join us at Fire Grill and enjoy comfort...
• The Knife The Knife is much more than a traditional "all-you-can-eat" restaurant. What sets us apart from the rest not is only the quality of our Argentine-style cuts of meat, charcoal-grilled in the traditional way, allowing each customer to unlimited choices...
• WildSide BBQ Bar & Grille From our famous pulled pork sandwiches, to our lip-smacking baby back ribs, we slow smoke our BBQ daily with a dry-rub seasoning and top it off with our famous secret BBQ sauce. We also have an extensive menu that includes our signature salads, fresh...
• Fish On Fire “Fish on Fire” is a gathering place for friends, family and visitors. The atmosphere is akin to the Caribbean. We offer Daily Specials, weekly LIVE MUSIC performances and reel Southern hospitality. Whether you grab a seat on our pet friendly patio or...
• Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen Tibby’s is not just about what you see but how it makes you feel. It’s about expressing personality & character through food, music, art and heritage. It is not the New Orleans you may have visited; it is the New Orleans that locals call...
• The Pub A true British Pub experience complete with brilliant food, drink and genuine hospitality. We are best known for our signature Fish-n-Chips but guests can also nosh on shareable dishes, build their own burgers or savor some classic comfort food. An...
• The Porch 2015 Menu: -Flower Sprouts: Fresh brussel sprouts and cauliflower dusted with seasoned flour, flash fried and tossed with a pancetta vinaigrette -Turkey Speeder: House ground mini turkey burger topped with pepper jack cheese and pico de...
• Morton's Steakhouse Morton's Steakhouse is proud to be a part of the Downtown Food & Wine Fest. To check out more of what Morton's Steakhouse has to offer, visit their website. 2015 Menu: -Mini Sirloin Burger on a Silver Dollar Bun -Ahi Tuna Crisps

Mingo's Restaurant Downtown Orlando

Despite being open since late 2013, I have never been to Mingo's. Since they are participating in Magical Dining month I thought I'd give them a try.

Mingo's is located downtown just a couple blocks south of Lake Eola. It's in the space where Lotus Flower used to be, across from Mucho Tacos.

The space is very clean and nice and the decor is modern, lots of white and some wood, many large windows.

The host, server and bartender were all especially helpful and friendly.

Magical Dining is a month-long promotion done by Visit Orlando where participating restaurants feature three-course, fixed price dinners for $33 per person. One dollar from each meal sold will benefit the Foundation for Foster Children. It runs August 25- September 30, 2014. More info: http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/

The Mingo's Magical Dining menu lets you pick from one of 3-4 appetizers, entrees & desserts.

For the appetizer course they offered the choice of: salad, pork wings with fruit kimchee & smoked plum sauce, Blue Crab cakes with yellow pepper remoulade, orange and hearts of palm.

Blue Crab cakes with yellow pepper remoulade, orange and hearts of palm

Pork Wings with fruit kimchee & smoked plum sauce

For the entrees you could choose from:

Seared Sea Scallops - with spicy shrimp mash, truffle butter

Sea Bass - smoked bacon ratatouille, Chardonnay sauce

Grilled Skirt Steak - chorizo, porcini mushrooms, leeks, yukon potatoes

Bone-In Pork Chop - red wine glaze, green pea risotto, vegetables

Sea Bass - smoked bacon ratatouille, Chardonnay sauce

Grilled Skirt Steak - chorizo, porcini mushrooms, leeks, yukon potatoes

Seared Sea Scallops - with spicy shrimp mash, truffle butter

Dessert selections are: Chocolate cake, cheesecake, pineapple cake

Overall dinner was a great pleasant experience, the server and manager went above and beyond to make sure we had a great dinner and you could tell they genuinely cared.

The food was all very good and visually impressive. The most delicious things were the Pork Wings, the sauce with it was excellent. Also the house made Chorizo was really good, pretty spicy.

On Saturdays they have all you can eat Crab Legs. Here are some pics of their regular menu: