Go Gin Chow: May 2012

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Miller's Ale House, Orlando

Restaurant reviews by the food ninja for go gin chow. My perspective on Orlando's very own Miller's Ale House. Great location right off international drive surrounded by other great restaurants and other kinds of entertainment for all of the locals and tourists. Inside the atmosphere is pumped with energy and good spirits. That was after a little bit of a wait. We were seated and pretty much knew what we wanted. We were hungry. I ordered the 12 oz rib-eye medium with a fully loaded baked potato veggie medallion and a Cesar salad. The food came out in a descent time the steak looked and tasted great and the baked potato was ok. The veggies were fresh and delicious and the salad was nice and crisp. Everything was descent and affordable, but the service was lacking. I didn't receive the attention when I wanted to ask for steak sauce, and nobody asked us if the food tasted good or to even refresh our drinks. So I was a little disappointed. I recommend the Ale House, but try to get there early or see if you can make a reservation. It is a great family oriented place with a extensive menu and good food. This is the food ninja, enjoy.

This is Shadow. We have been to the Orlando location quite a few times now. Orlando is by no means a city that never sleeps and this is one of the few places that you can still get great food even after Midnight, it has been an oasis to us at times when getting hungry after a late night movie at Downtown Disney or Universal City Walk (both of which the late night dining options are quite dismal). Food is pretty consistent, good selection for American food, generous portion sizes, reasonable prices. They do have daily specials. Atmosphere is lively, and there is plenty of seating but it can get quite busy especially on a holiday weekend. This time I ordered the Mahi Mahi Piccata. The fish was cooked well, though a little on the bland side. My side of broccoli was tender, yet not too overcooked.    Service was on the inattentive side this visit, which did not make sense, since they had a army of servers working. Maybe they were wiped out from the Memorial Day crowd. Regardless, this will not keep us from coming back. Definitely worth trying. Happy eating.

   Miller's Ale House
                                                             8963 International Dr
                                                            Orlando, FL 32819
                                                            (407) 370-6688

Rib-Eye

Mahi Picata

Lucky's Sports, Oyster & Tiki Bar

Food ninja giving my opinion for go gin chow restaurant reviews on a great place called Lucky's Sports, Oyster and Tiki Bar. Great place to get cold beverages, good service and good food in a party like atmosphere that was also inviting and welcoming. I went there with my brother and two very close friends of mine and my brother's. It was actually our friends' suggestion and a great one at that. Very reasonable prices, very experienced service with a smile and quality oysters. The oysters were shucked with great care and speed. I was delightfully impressed. I could not keep up with eating before the next tasty morsel was delivered to me, keeping my taste buds happy and not depressed having to wait for the next one. I had a great night. I enjoyed their billiards and great atmosphere its a hidden gem off 98 north joined together with a bowling alley, so you not only get great oysters great service and good atmosphere but you can also have a place to keep yourself entertained. Stop on in if your in the area or just passing through. Take from the food ninja you will enjoy.

Greetings everyone. Shadow here for Go Gin Chow. Who would have thought that such a great place would be in little old Lakeland? Atmosphere is fantastic. Everything looks new and up to date. Lots of bright beautiful flat screen TV's all over so you can catch that game, sit down and relax with friends, or play a game of pool. All hail the "Mother Shucker" as the tip jar calls him. Very pleasant gentleman who is quite skilled at his craft. He will shuck you a dozen oysters (here they serve them by the bakers dozen) in no time and flawlessly at that, no sand or shell to be had here and the oyster slide right out into your mouth. You can get the oysters raw or steamed by the dozen or try some of there own house special creations. There's the Spicy Jalapeno Cheese & Bacon - interesting recipe, but quite tasty kind of like a loaded baked potato. Then there's the Stevie's special baked with garlic salt, Parmesan, lemon juice and butter - these were tasty, though a little on the salty side. Finally you can get them battered and fried, crispy on the outside, yet juicy melt-in-your-mouth on the inside - these were very good. If you come Monday through Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm you can get the regular oysters at a discount - one of the best best oyster deals around! Our friends also recommended their chicken wings, but we did not get to try them this visit. So if you are in the neighborhood definitely make your way on over here. You will not regret it. Happy Eating!

                                             Lucky's Sports, Oyster & Tiki Bar
                                             4318 US Highway 98 N
                                             Lakeland, FL 33809
                                            (863) 859-6830

Oyster by the Bakers Dozen

The "Mother Shucker"

Top Four - Stevie Special, Bottom Four - Jalapeno, Cheese & Bacon

Fried Oysters

Pho 88, Orlando

Welcome to go gin chow restaurant reviews by the food ninja. I will be reviewing a nice quaint little place called Pho 88 in Orlando. Location is on very busy street called colonial drive, so it's kind of hard to find parking, but luckily we went on good day. The service was pretty good. We were able to get a seat right away. The first thing I noticed were all the big mirrors, which gave the illusion that made the restaurant look bigger. It was a little bit a distraction, but if you ever needed to check your hair, you don't have to go far. Okay, back to the food, the soup was delicious and so were the spring rolls nice and crunchy and good flavors. The soup was a very nice surprise they kept the broth very authentic and bountiful with the different kinds of meats and noodles and herbs. I can honestly say this soup was the best bowl of noodles I ever had. The server was attentive and polite. The menu had a nice selection of dishes to choose from. The only down falls was that the decor inside was dated and the bathroom needs work and to be maintained better, but other than that the food and service was spot on. So I would highly suggest to stop in if you are in the area and want to grab some authentic Vietnamese food at reasonable prices, this is your place. For I am the food ninja enjoy.

Shadow here. Excellent place for Pho. Hands down the best bowl of Pho I've had in Florida thus far. Love the broth, very fresh and flavorful. I could definitely taste the clove and cinnamon in the broth and it was light and not greasy. The Dac Biet (special) Pho had all the fixings, eye of round, brisket, flank steak, meatballs, tripe and tendon (something not so easy to come by in the places we've been to so far). The cuts of meat were not too fatty. Tripe was tender and not too rubbery. Tendon was sliced flat and thin and was easy to pick up with chopsticks. Egg rolls were decent, crispy and tasty but nothing special. Seating atmosphere was acceptable. Sadly I too regret the bathroom experience. No customer should ever be exposed to an unflushed toilet. Granted this was likely the cause of a very inconsiderate customer, however the establishment should make an effort to check and maintain the bathrooms from time to time to make sure this does not happen. Despite this shortcoming, Shadow still strongly recommends this place. Eat well.

                                                             Pho 88
                                                             730 N Mills Ave
                                                             Orlando, FL 32803

Egg Rolls

Pho Dac Biet

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Pho Quyen, Tampa, Fowler Avenue

Welcome back to restaurant reviews by the food ninja for go-gin-chow. My take on Pho Quyen Tampa. Good location but kind of hidden because it is in this great busy strip mall, but not visible from the main road. You have to look for it. As soon as we came in we were greeted by a man who it seemed that all his job entitled was to seat you and give you your menus. It probably would of been better if he smiled more and made better use of his time than just sit there, but on to the food and other things. The server was nice and prompt. The food came out quick and hot and it was pretty good and affordable. The soup I ordered was a nice treat for my taste buds and bountiful. I can not complain, except the egg rolls were lukewarm, but I like my egg rolls nice and hot. The broth from the soup was delicious and the beef was from the thin slices of beef to the tendon was appealing, but they were not flexible about changing the soup a little such as using a different noodle in my soup that they at their disposal, but the server did apologize. The inside decor needs some work, but the flowers being everywhere helped. The bathrooms are dated and need a fresh coat paint, but overall the restaurant was not that bad I would recommend going there, but don't be expected to be blown away. It's just all right and affordable. For I am food ninja. Please enjoy.

Egg Rolls

Special Pho

Thuy Cafe

This is food ninja giving my restaurant review for go-gin-chow on Thuy Cafe a great little place in St. Petersburg its serves up refreshing cold beverages such as boba tea with tapioca balls, but you don't have to put the tapioca balls in your drink. It still tastes great they have a vast variety of flavors for the boba tea, but they also have a nice little menu that has a good selection of sandwiches. Everything priced reasonably. The inside decor is warm and cozy it's a nice place to go and just relax or to catch up with some reading. Either way you will enjoy because as soon as you walk in you are greeted with a nice smile and good service. For I am the ninja, please enjoy.

Bobba Smoothies: Left - Taro, Right - Lychee

Joe's Crab Shack, Kissimmee

Restaurant reviews by food ninja for go-gin-chow here to give my opinion on Joe's Crab Shack. It's an upbeat place to go to. Great atmosphere. The service was spot on. Our server was great. Good attitude and service with a smile. Me and my brother had three steam pots. They were called the Ragin' Cajun, the Diablo and the Joe's Classic. They were good. If you like a nice spicy taste that will stay with you for a little while even after your done eating, then you should try the Ragin' Cajun. All the other steam pots were also great in their own unique flavors. I was not disappointed. The decor inside was open and exciting in a way. Great family atmosphere the prices were affordable. I give it my seal of approval, for I am food ninja. Enjoy.

Joe's Classic Steam Pot

Diablo Steam Pot

Ha Long Bay

Go gin chow restaurant reviews by the food ninja, here is my take on a place in St. Petersburg Florida on 34th street exit 28 called Ha Long Bay. Good place for dim sum. There they keep it authentic in the way that they serve the dim sum from stainless steel carts that is pushed around by the servers and they bring the carts by your table and explain and show you whats in each little container so you have the privilege to choose what you would like to eat and you have a pretty good selection and what ever you can not find on the carts you can also order from their extensive menu. They give the menu to you when they politely seat you. The decor inside is modern day. It has open lay out, but you feel kind of in your own world when you are seated. The bathrooms very clean and also carry the same modern day decor. Back to the food and the prices and service - the food is hot and delicious and appealing to the eye and taste buds each container of food has its own distinct flavor and all of them very good. You will be happy to know the prices are reasonable, the location is not bad, but parking can be hard because you have to enter the right way into the parking lot in order to park your car right. The other down fall that day was our waitress was rude and pushy like she was trying to rush us out of there. Luckily for her the food was great, but it seemed like the other waitresses were polite and courteous from what I observed. Well maybe she was having a bad day. Anyways our visit was good aside from that so I would recommend this restaurant to anyone going to the St. Pete area. I am food ninja, as I always say enjoy.