Sparrow Wine Bar

Sparrow is a small, cozy restaurant in the North Quarter District, a short distance from downtown Orlando. Serving thoughtful, creative dishes in a relaxed setting. It is part of the Good Salt restaurant group, known for creating approachable and inventive dining experiences. Chef Wendy Lopez leads the kitchen, bringing fresh and seasonal flavors to each plate.

Sparrow offers a welcoming atmosphere with dark lighting and stylish décor that feels a bit like a library where you can enjoy a drink. There are a few tables outside by the sidewalk and bar seating inside, where you might get lucky and grab a spot without a reservation.

The staff are friendly and attentive, making for good service. Their cocktails are creative, especially the Tomato Gimlet, with bright tomato and lime flavors finished by basil, it was refreshing and unique. I also ordered an off-menu drink which was excellent.

Appetizers like the Pan con Tomate with the option to add Boquerones are tasty and creative. The Deconstructed Endive Salad with pecans, cheese and pickled onions offers a strong flavor, which some may love and others find a bit strong.

For entrees, try the Rigatoni Verde with a delicious meaty ragu or the Lumache Alla Vodka, which has vodka sauce, chorizo, and Sobrasada iberica with a little heat from Calabrian chilis. The pasta holds the sauce perfectly, a sign of careful preparation.

Desserts include Basque Cheesecake with Valencia orange and Burnt Vanilla Ice Cream with hot chocolate fudge. They are good but not especially memorable.

Overall, Sparrow is a solid choice for a relaxed night out with well-made food and drinks in a comfortable setting. It's a place worth visiting again.

For more details or reservations, visit their website sparroworlando.com. You can also find them on social media through their website.

Phone: (407) 614-9521

Address: 807 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

https://www.sparroworlando.com/

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Death in the Afternoon

Death in the Afternoon is a bar and restaurant based around the theme of Absinthe.

Many of the cocktails have Absinthe as an ingredient.

We came primarily for the food.

This place is located on Mills Ave between King Cajun and Taki Cheena in a former thrift store.

Service and atmosphere were excellent and the seating was comfortable.

I would recommend reservations especially on Friday and Saturday. I think you could do a walk in on slower days.

Dishes we tried were:

Boursin Cheese with fennel and toasted bread - rich and tasty, could have used a few more pieces of bread

Escargot in garlic herb butter - this was a special, not typically on the menu, served with toasted baguette, tomato jam, and a small salad. The combination of the tomato jam and the Escargot was an unexpected delight.

Jamon Puff Pastries - I liked these but I think the honey might be a bit much for some.

Gnocchi with rock shrimp - the menu described this as being served with mussels not rock shrimp, but apparently that's changing. That was good news to me. I love gnocchi but not mussels. Really enjoyed this.

Chorizo Burger - It was a good size burger that had Manchego cheese and peach jam. The burger was accompanied by larger size cut of fries.

We also had the pork belly which was served with a pepper sauce and grilled onion.

Everyone in our group really enjoyed our cocktails each in their own unique glasses.

We will definitely be back and keeping an eye on their social media for special dishes.

Reservations: https://tables.toasttab.com/restaurants/5c889355-4704-4320-a5d8-c9004bd1a8e1/findTime

https://www.instagram.com/death.in.the.afternoon_

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wpFuLqw1aogVaG1C6

930 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Sun 5pm-12am

Mon 5pm-10pm

Tues-Thur 5pm-12am

Fri-Sat 5pm-1am

Norman's Orlando

After years of anticipation, Norman's Orlando has finally opened on Sandlake.

We had dinner there this evening and it was an elegant and delicious experience. 

Norman's 3.0 is located in the Dellagio Plaza on Sandlake Road. 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.normans.com/

They have a bar, patio and the main dining room. The decor is stylish and the service is formal. Our server was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable.

We started with some bread rolls, served with butter and salt and pepper. I wasn't really sure what the intention was with the salt and pepper so I just sprinkled it on the butter after I spread it. These rolls had a unique texture. 

We started with a seafood appetizer Shrimp Ceviche with the salsa of life and cucumbers, this was tangy.

Next up was my favorite of the meal...

Brazilian styled Shrimp & Mussel chowder $20 - made with saffron, orange, star anise in coconut milk. This was very tangy and so delicious I could have easily ate another full bowl. This seems to be chef Norman's twist on Moqueca

For my entree I had the scallop dish.

Seared Diver Harvested Sea Scallops over fermented black bean sauce. Served with tortellini filled with a very creamy cheese.

As you can see the scallops were seared perfectly. The sauce with black beans which was a unique choice. 

The tortellini was filled with boniato and queso fresco. I had never heard of boniato, but apparently it's a relative of the yam and it's popular in South Florida where chef Norman has a lot of history. Boniato

My dining companion opted for the fish entree. Pan-cooked fillet of Key West Yellowtail Snapper - served with Swiss chard and garlicky mashed potatoes and citrus butter.  $39

We finished with a decadent dessert. 

Dedo de Chocolate (chocolate finger) - Chipotle chocolate mousse salted butter caramel, macadamia bark, chocolate sorbet - $13

This was quite rich and delicious.

Overall dinner was excellent and we will definitely be returning. 

Here is the menu from the night we went, they will possibly change the menu on a regular basis so don't expect to see all the exact same items. Since my visit they have added an adobo pork dish. What will you choose?

Dessert Menu 

Additionally they have a separate menu at the bar.

Bar Menu

Patio

Wine Cellar

Norman's Orlando

(321) 754-1025

Reservations strongly suggested

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uYnA4XVS3VvJ2PY19

Additionally I would suggest reading chef Norman's autobiography. I'm really enjoying it.

No Experience Necessary: The Culinary Odyssey of Chef Norman Van Aken

This is also worth a listen.

Getting the Band Back Together with Norman Van Aken of Orlando, Florida’s Norman’s Restaurant (An Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation)

Black Rooster Taqueria Now Open at 2nd Location

 Black Rooster Taqueria a long time staple of great Mexican food on Mills Ave., has now opened their 2nd location on Curry Ford Road aka the Hourglass District

The original location has always been a bit cozy. The new location has a great outdoor area and lots of space and tables inside and a huge kitchen.

 

 

Below are some of the taco selections:

Veggie Taco

Asada Taco

Fish Taco, one of my favs

Smoked Brisket Taco

Black Rooster has always had excellent guacamole and the tradition continues here.

The tacos are very creative, unique and have their own twists. Chef John Collazo has done a great job with the menu.

There are plenty of other great options I didn't even mention so go try them for yourself.

I highly recommend either location, definitely go support them in their new spot.

3097 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806

Hours: Daily 5–10PM, closed Sunday & Mondays
Phone: 407-278-0508 

https://www.blackroostertaqueria.com/locations-curry-ford/

Same Great menu: