Toscana

I have been to Toscana several times.  Every time was flawless.  I have never been disappointed.  The menu is the perfect size, a little smaller than most places, but with a wide variety of items, all done very well.  I think it is arguably the best restaurant in the Daytona Beach/ Ormond area.  I certainly think it is, but there are several highly recommended restaurants that I haven't tried.   Even if those others are fabulous, Toscana is going to give them a serious competition for that title.  The prices run about $13-$27 for an entree.  That is completely reasonable for what you get.  The plates look almost as good as they taste too.  While it is quiet with subdued lighting inside, children are still made to feel welcome.

TOn one visit I had this amazing mushroom ravioli.  It was a special for mother's day.  I wish it was on the menu all the time, but then, I may not try any others.  It was served with a rich broth, almost a glaze, as a sauce.  I normally want everyone to taste everything when we go out, but it was a big group and I wasn't sharing;).  This was the best, most perfect mushroom ravioli I have ever had!  The portion was the four large pasta pillows you see in the picture, and while I wanted more, it was actually the perfect amount.  The food was rich and filling and if I had eaten more I would most likely feel wretched.  Sorry about the low light in the picture, but I don't want to be that obnoxious person with the flash going off all the time and disturbing the other diners.  Candle and twilight is all I had to work with. But I am getting ahead of my self.  The pasta overshadowed my starter.  Oops.  To begin that meal I had their Carpaccio Di Bresaola.  The 

menu describes it as "thinly sliced, seasoned, dry beef bresaola served with arugula, extra virgin olive oil and shaved parmigiano" What it doesn't say is that the greens are organic. I don't know if that is a new thing, but I remembered from my most recent visit, (not the time I got this) that all the produce seemed to be organic. I loved it and thought it was seasoned perfectly. I had another carpaccio at another "upscale" restaurant that tasted on only garlic and oil. Each bite of Toscana's carpaccio tasted of all the components. It also was dressed well.  The aforementioned carpaccio atrocity was drowning in oil.  I am comparing these two carpaccios because this other restaurant (that I guess i shouldn't name.  It'd be bitchy right?  Oh hell who am I kidding, I am not a restaurant critic, but I play one in real life.  The other carpaccio was from Rose Villa;) is loudly promoting its self as upscale while Toscana quietly achieves it. 

On my most recent visit, we had another outstanding meal.  The family shared the Antipasto Misto for 2.  There was plenty for the four of us.  It had prosciutto and salami, grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini and  squash), roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes over mixed organic greens. It came with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the side.  The grilled vegetables had a nice smokey grill flavor, the meats were tender and flavorful, the cheese was good quality as well.  We all were able to eat heartily off the portion for "2"  It is pricey for a starter ($16) but you get your money's worth. I didn't get a picture, but the table got this wonderful warm fresh baked bread that required us to use the limits of restraint, as we didn't want to fill up!  The butter was wonderful because it was room temperature and spreadable.  It is a personal bête noire of mine when restaurants serve stone cold butter that is difficult to spread.

For my main course, I had the Dentice Con Carciofi. I thought it was a little bit of heaven on a plate. It consisted of a beautifully sauteed fillet of snapper that was topped with sauteed escarole (which I love!), artichokes, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and a pinot grigio sauce.  The fish came with the airy whipped potatoes and perfectly crisp sauteed asparagus, carrots and squash (I think it was squash it was a while ago) It just got better with each bite.  It did cause a bit of a squabble since were all convinced that our dish was the best on the table were as I knew that mine was! I had with it a glass of the house pinot grigio which I also thought quite nice. The dish is causing a dilemma for me though, I want to order it next time but I really should try something new.  I believe that most people choose restaurants based on the dish they normally order.  Lets say I always order the steak at restaurant 'X', well when I feel like steak,  I will want to go to restaurant 'X'.  I don't

think this applies completely for me when it comes to Toscana. I want to eat well, so I want to go there. I think I would be happy with any dish. (I have not and will not order veal, it just is too cruel, but I know I would love it and figure better to not know what I am missing. So not the veal dishes.) I did taste every one's food. We ordered adult meals for both the kids. (including the toddler) I don't know if they even have a kid's menu. Based on the service I have had there, they will accommodate you. I try to have my kid's avoid kid's menus. They are usually full of food that I wouldn't want to eat, so why should my kids? Also, if you feed you kids nothing but chicken, pizza and hot dogs, how are they going to learn to like proper food? Anything they don't eat are my breakfast the next day. My son had the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. It was pasta tossed in a rich tomato and cream sauce. He loves it! We got my daughter the Tortellini Alla Panna. I really liked it. It was uber rich, but I was very pleased to be taking her leftovers home for myself. Alas, reheated it was a pale comparison of it's true self. It was a ricotta filled tortellini tossed in a Parmesan cream and panchetta. My husband got the seafood special of the evening. It was mussels, clams, shrimp, fish and a lobster tail with pasta and tomato broth. And while we were all too full for dessert, my son loves tiramisu and wanted it badly. It wasn't convenient to take home for later so we got one to share. All was delicious and it was a perfect meal, again at Toscana.

 

Toscana ristorante Italiano

621 South Younge Street

Ormond Beach, Fl  32174

(386) 615-0350

http://ormondbeachitalianfood.com/

La Taverna

We stopped here on our way back from vacation.  I have found some great places through Yelp and I had very high hopes for this place.  I am torn in my assessment of the food.  My expectations were very high since it was reviewed all 5 stars.  If I didn't expect great I think I would have been blown away.  One doesn't expect to have great food in a strip mall just off the highway in Spartanburg SC.  Everyone was happy with their meal (myself included) but I did try everything and it wasn't all great.  The bread was wonderful and I had to hold off devouring it so I would have room for our meal.  We got some mozzarella sticks for the kids.  They needed something quick.

Penne

 At the table we had: Lasagna, 2 pizzas, Eggplant Parmigiana, Portobello Chicken and I had the Penne Del Boscaiola.   The menu stated that all was cooked to order and be patient, but all came out pretty quick. (the restaurant was fairly empty as it was an off time to eat) I loved my penne, but it was a tad on the salty side. It was still the best dish on the table in my opinion.  The eggplant was good but a little mushy.  The lasagna was enjoyed by the carnivore who ordered it, but I thought it was a little to heavy on the meat.  The pizza looked good, but I didn't try it until later when we reheated it and it was not good.  I know it was better when fresh, but I have tasted good pizza and it was way better than this.  The worst thing on the table (which was enjoyed by the person who ordered it) was the chicken portobello.  It wasn't horrible but I thought it was a little bland. I also didn't like that the vegetable side was 3 starchy veggies. (carrots, green beans and potatoes)  They were cooked well and tasty but I prefer my veggies to be veggies and not starches.  But that's just me. Perhaps the salt and the emphasis on starch are catering to the local tastes.

Eggplant

So the breakdown.  I would eat there again. I admit to having two prejudices that make it hard to give a fair review so I am trying to compensate for them. 1) I expect in a town of about 40, 000 in South Carolina, the chance of excellent Italian would be slim and 2) if a place got 5 stars across the board on Yelp, its really good.  Hopefully these conflicting preconceptions cancel each other out.

La Taverna
120 Dorman Dr
Spartanburg SC 29301
(864) 576-8660
http://latavernaitaliancuisine.com/



Portobello Chicken

Veggies

Lasagna



Lenny's New York Pizza



garlic knots

Calzone

Lenny's is one of the few places in town to get a truly great pizza.  As you can see from the picture the pieces are HUGE!  I and I do mean huge.  One slice would fill just about anyone. Notice the size of the fork in relation to the slice?  Yeah, it's that big.  And it's only virtue isn't it's size; it is a pretty darn fine slice of pizza.  Lenny's is conveniently located near my favorite beach spot and I will take any excuse to head on in for a bite.  I do have a problem when I go there;  I need to order the garlic knots.  They are amazing!  A single knot could fill you up and the order come with, I think, 8.  I order the and I eat one.  Now I am too full for my pizza but I soldier on and try to eat some of it.  As if I haven't eaten enough fat and calories, I have to drizzle some of the unbelievable garlic, oil and Parmesan on the pizza;).  I try to tell myself I burned a lot of calories at the beach, but I don't think a week of aerobics would work it off but hey, every once in a while right?  My family all enjoy the garlic knots also, so I get help eating them. And I can blame them when the next day my clothes feel a tad snug.  I haven't had the pleasure of trying every ting on the menu; really I haven't been able to get beyond the pizza and the knots.  With the intent of taking a lot home, this trip, I did order an eggplant pinwheel.  It was very good too.  The service there is not traditional.  Depending on who is there, you may get someone who comes out to the table, but usually we get our own menus and sit, someone from the kitchen asks what we want, and we holler it out to them.  I admit I thought it a bit odd at first, but it has come to have it's own charm. 

Clockwise from top: Cheese Sticks, Veggie Slice, Pinwheel

Bottom line, it's good.  It's not fancy but it's good food for a good price and you can roll on in in your bathing suit.

Lenny's New York Pizza Co.
1456 Oceanshore Blvd
Ormond Beach Fl
(386) 441-8811
http://lennysnewyorkpizzaco.com/

River Rocks

Strawberry mojito

Well I saw mixed reviews on yelp but it was the only place I had bookmarked nearby with a full bar.  The need for alcohol for the travel weary group outweighed the need for excellent food.  We pull into the parking lot and it's valet only.  Now I don't mind valet parking, but with a 2 year old in tow, it just easier to collect all my stuff, possibly change a diaper and get everyone moving at a spot rather than while some guys stand there waiting for us to get our butts in gear.  It turns out that there is another parking lot on the other side of the building that isn't valet so we go there.  The restaurant is right on the river and we decide to sit outside.  The smartest thing we could have done!

Coco Shrimp

The first thing we ordered were drinks. I had a strawberry mojito.  It was tasty and strong even if I got teeth full of bits of green mint.  My friend got a margarita tini that was too heavy on fruit and not enough tequila.  Her second drink was much better even if it took her 3 paragraphs of instructions to order. (love ya but you know it's true;)  Hubby had a beer and while you can screw up tap beer, it's hard to do.  We were enjoying the view and the drinks. 

Rock's Crab Cake

Grouper Reuben

River Rock's House Salad

For our meal we ordered a bunch of appetizers for the ladies, my husband ordered the grouper Ruben that was recommended to him. My friend ordered the Rock's Crab Cake and Coco Shrimp.  I got the 'Dock Dip" (a lobster and crab dip) for the table, Jalapeno Toasted Ravioli  and River

Jalapeno Toasted Ravioli

Rocks House Salad for myself. The Reuben looked good but was flavorless and mushy.  The shrimp had way to much breading and were mediocre at best. The crab cake, which we worried would be the worst thing on the table was quite good.  The ravioli were ok but I could see them coming out of a bag in the freezer section. My salad was unusual for your side salad.  In addition to the greens it had shaved fennel, feta, watermelon and candied pecans.  It was very good and my husband loved it and pronounced it the best thing on the table.  I liked my drink way better.  To me the watermelon was flavorless.  At first I thought I had gotten some exceptionally mealy tomatoes.  I then realized it was just bad watermelon.  By opting to sit outside, we had a different menu than the indoor restaurant; it was also a less expensive menu as it turns out.  I haven't tried the inside menu, but I can't imagine that the same kitchen that turned out that over priced, poor quality meal can manage to do the pricier, fancier menu justice.  Our bill was close on to $100 for all of our items and 2 drinks each, but at a place like Chili's it would been half that and most likely better.  You are paying for the view, bottom line.  Our table was even on a lower deck and most of our view was obscured by a row of bar seats.  Unless you want to have a drink with a view and eat mediocre food, I would go somewhere else.

River Rocks
6485 South US1
Rockledge  Fl 32955
(321) 757-7200
http://www.riverrocksrestaurant.com/

Tommy John's Grill

Tommy John's Grill is a recent addition to beach side restaurants.  They had been open less than a week when my friend and I decided to stop in and see what they had to offer.  The staff was not informed on the menu.  It took quite a long time to get our order placed.  I realize that they are new, but I think the staff should be able to answer what comes on a sandwich.  Not a huge mark against them but for some one less patient and forgiving as I am, that could cause a problem.
The menu is short and simple.  It consists of several hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, a few salads and two similar pasta dishes. To accompany the sandwiches (they don't come with) they have some sides like fries, onion rings and wings.  They also offer a few desserts and small beer and wine selection. It is an order at the counter place., and then they bring it out to your table. 

I had the Vegi Sandwich. (pictured left)  The bun was quite good.  It came with grilled eggplant, lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheese.  The menu also said it came with mayo which I had to ask for. It was all fresh and I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was.  And at $3.75 a deal.  You can't get fast food garbage for that price.  And look at that tomato!  It was nice and ripe.  Not at all like the mealy pathetic things you find at other quick eats restaurants.  Sp far, except the complete lack of knowledge on the staff's part, (again less than a week open so I am overlooking it) it is looking great. If the other people in my party enjoyed their food as much as I did, I think that this place will be a real find.

My friend had the Beef Cheddar Croissant.  I tried it. (of course)  The meat was a little dry.  She added mayo to it and it was much better.  It was a hot sandwich with meat like in a Philly cheese steak.  If they had offered horseradish sauce, it would have been great.  It was also a great value at $5.95.  It was a substantial portion, and  like the Vegi sandwich above, less expensive and better quality than any fast food chain.  I am also pretty impressed with the breads that they are serving their sandwiches on.  They can make or break a sandwich and I am glad to see that they weren't overlooked by the owners of the place.

 My son decided to get the Bacon Burger ($5.70) and add cheese (0.69).  This is a 1/3 lb burger, on the great bun.  He loved it.  I tried it and while I thought pretty good.  It certainly put all fast food burgers to shame.  The only meh for me was the cheese fries.  They were frozen fries.  I liked the seasoned salt they put on it, but the cheese was like that nacho cheese in a pump.  Meh.  However, at $2.89 for a regular (pictured) it wasn't bad but the only item that didn't seem a bargain. 

 So to sum up, I think that this place is worth a look.  I can't honestly say that I would make the LONG drive from my house just to eat there, but I would certainly make it one of my regular after beach stops.  If I lived closer, it would be a great place to grab a reasonably priced lunch.  While the menu is limited, they seem to do those things well and they give you a 100% better meal for less than any other fast food place out there.

Tommy John's Grill

1064 Ocean Shore Blvd

Ormond Beach, Fl 32176

(386) 441-5422

Dixie Crossroads

     I have been seeing the signs for this place for years, and as I normally don't drive 45 minutes to lunch, this place was only going to get tried when on the road.  After driving way out of our way home to try Middle Eastern Aromas and finding that it is closed on Sundays, we looked further down the road towards home for another place to eat and decided on Dixie Crossroads.

     The place is HUGE! It also had a walk up window for to go orders and a bus lane.  This place must be really popular and busy.  That is always a good sign.  We were seated quickly and our server was really helpful in navigating the menu.  When we asked about what to order, she said that unfortunately they were out of the rock shrimp they were famous for, but the red (I think they were called red) shrimp were very good and she actually preferred them because they were sweeter.  We were like deer in headlight trying to decide being travel weary, and she was very patient and helpful in getting us something we would like.

Sugary Hush Puppies

     I decided to start with the Krabby patties. I got a combination plate so I could try several things with a salad and veggies.  My husband got the shrimp special, my son got the snow crab clusters and my daughter got the fried clam strips.  We are getting pretty excited now because service was good, the menu looked great and they set these awesome baskets of hush puppies dusted in powdered sugar for us when they came to the table with our drinks.  They were pretty tasty and they kept the kids happy while waiting for the meal. Also they provided us with lots of laughs; like my daughter licking off the powdered sugar and feeding the ABL (already been licked) hush puppies to her dad.

     The krabby patties arrive.  They are basically crab (or krab?) cake poppers.  I liked them.  The tartar sauce with them was really good and while I think I preferred it with the patties, the cocktail sauce was the best I have ever tasted.  I loved that it was really chuck full of horseradish.  Not long after here comes my salad and my husband's soup.  The soup was alright.  It got a lot better with a dash or two of their house hot sauce.  The soup was spicy already but it needed some seasoning.  My salad was nice if a bit ordinary.  The tomatoes were very good quality and the egg and bacon on it was nice.  The vinaigrette was very good, but the greens, while crisp and fresh, very one note.  I think it was romaine and iceberg but I forgot to put in my notes so I could be off. The portions have been ample and I am starting to worry I wouldn't have room for my entree.

Krabby Patties

     My Indian River combo arrives.  My only beef with the service occurs.  While I got everything broiled, I didn't realize that they wouldn't be seasoned.  There were several choices for seasonings, but I wasn't asked if or which one I might want when I ordered.  The dish needed it.  Our server happily and quickly obliged me with a souffle cup of seasoning, but it would have been much better cooked in it.  The combo had the shrimp, scallops and fish (pompano today) all broiled with some butter and clarified butter to dunk in.  Everything was over cooked.  Not to the point of inedibility but enough that the texture really interfered with the flavor.  Same deal with my husband's shrimp which did have seasoning.  My son's crab clusters were perfect.  The fried clams were great too.  The french fries were very good.

     Bottom line:  the product seemed to be fresh and good quality.  The sauces that went with the dishes were amazing, including the two house hot sauces on the table. The sides were mediocre to good depending on which one you got.  The seafood seemed best when fried; only then was it not over cooked.  Not a problem if that is what you prefer, but I don't.  The portions are large for the price. I would eat again there, but only if in the area.  I can't see myself going out of my way for it.




Dixie Crossroads
1475 Garden Street
Titusville FL 32796
Ph: 321-268-5000
http://dixiecrossroads.com/
http://dixiecrossroads.com/menu-2/

La Fiesta

     Well if I followed the very sage advice to not say anything if I can't say something nice at all this post would read something like this: Kabir B is a very nice server.  (I am assuming this from my receipt, while he was very nice, he never told us his name.) 
     I will preface this review by saying I have tried this place once before and had a truly horrible experience.  I don't know if that prejudiced me for this trip or made my expectations so low that they couldn't do anything but better.  Either way, it was not a good enough meal to make me waste a third visit.
     I noticed right away that the wall by our table was splattered with some red type sauce.  I think, the people before us were slobs and I will not hold this against them.  I had asked for a high chair.  After standing there waiting for it, I finally asked again.  I am browsing the menus left on the table by the host and I notice all of them are sticky, and some are down right filthy.  Ok...  The high chair finally puts in an appearance and it is greasy and gross looking.  I am trying to not let my gross o meter get into the red, so I ignore the issues and wait. 
     Our server appears to be the only one working.  Everyone else is walking and/or talking but not to customers.  Our server was nice, friendly and helpful.  (the total opposite from the last time I was here.)  My friend liked her food ok; my son said the kid's taco was "gross" and while my skirt steak was nice and tender, everything else was either ok to not so good.  The wost thing was the meat, the only truly good thing on the plate, was covered in a travesty of a chimichuri sauce that ruined the steak. Oh and while I was asked for a temperature for my steak (to which I said medium rare), it still came out well done.
     Bottom line: I hear they have a good happy hour, but other than that, I see no reason to waste time and money on a place that serves mediocre food, has a staff that appears that 99% of it could care less that you are there, and doesn't even try to appear like a clean place.  My vote is to pass this place up.

La Fiesta
348 N Nova Rd
Ormond Beach Fl 32174
256-4829
www.lafiestaormondbeach.com