Eat Like a Rabbit

Paco's is a small restaurant on Fairbanks Avenue and should almost have a downtown Orlando address instead of a Winter Park address. With its size and mismatched table linens and chairs, it might be hard to imagine how the restaurant could be celebrating 27 years and consistently have a line of hungry patrons waiting in the small entrance. The easiest answer would be really good food and really good service.

I write this post quite a bit annoyed about the waste of my time, my money, and my daily allotted calories. There are very few times when I can't find anything good to say about a company, restaurant, or recipe. However, this is definitely one of those times. In fact, Paul, an even more positive individual than I am, could only comment "Good idea, poor execution." Part of me is frustrated that I must waste my time writing about this chain restaurant with 7 branches in Florida alone. But the rest of me remembers that the purpose of EatLikeaRabbit.net is to help people enjoy vegetarian food.

The powers-that-be in my office must really like this place because this is the third year in a row that our office Christmas party has been hosted here. It also has a good reputation in the city for quality. This is my first year being able to attend the entire Christmas party because of my church choir ironically always seems to sing at Disney on the same day as the party.

We did not take any pictures of this meal because we were with a new group of individuals we had never met before. People who don't participate in Eat Like a Rabbit sometimes become embarrassed when sitting at a table with us while we take pictures of the food we are about to eat.

The neatest thing to me about Panullo's is the history of the building. I am pleased that the restaurant recognizes the importance of the history of Orlando and even points this out on the front page of its website.

Currently, the building is in excellent repair with nice paintings of Italian scenery. The ladies restroom had names of famous designers written in cursive here and there on the walls.

Paul says this is probably the most hippy place in Orlando. But you know what? We keep going there. In fact, it is the most visited restaurant on our list right now. We took my dad a month ago while my mom was out of town, and he loved it.

This restaurant is consistently good. It has a menu rotation for every season and has a nice selection of teas. It was a tad warm this fall day; so only Gerald selected a warm tea. But everything was good. Paul and I absolutely loved our sandwiches. IF I could only make them like that at home! Surely it can't be that hard!

This is often a favorite lunch spot of us in Winter Park, Florida. It is very close to the hospital where Paul works and near shopping areas I may visit on my days off. The selling point of this restaurant is a relaxed atmosphere with outside eating, a selection of sandwiches and salads, and their amazing creation of smoothies--with or without yogurt.

After a long plane ride home from Texas, we called my father to meet us at this restaurant. This visit was far superior to the previous one (not that the last one was horrible).

It seems so long ago now, but in 2005 when I finished my Master's degree, Paul took me along on a trip to Italy and Germany. I believe everyone should visit Italy given the chance, although I think I love Germany more. This trip was peak-season, but we are very happy to travel in February/March/April when it's cooler and when the rates aren't so high. We have done that the last two years. But this was my first trip to Europe, and I will always remember it very fondly.

This is one of those restaurants that appears to be a hole-in-the-wall, but is really a popular and enjoyable place to dine. Paul went there with some coworkers for lunch one day and brought me back a week later for dinner.

It's been many moons since we've been to Cheesecake Factory. One reason is because our waistlines can't take it. Another reason is because we like the restaurant more for a group activity. Also, because there is so much food, we'd prefer to go for lunch, but generally are too busy on the weekends to take time to dress up for the activity. We may have to arrange to go back sooner.

I fear this will be the most negative post I will ever write. I am sorry for this due to Sweet Tomatoes being my grandmother's favorite restaurant when she is in town. I went to lunch with my parents and grandmother one day to take some photos and to write a post about this giant salad bar because it is all Mawmaw talks about when she goes home to Baton Rouge. I will say that unless she or Mom or Dad ever want to go back, I'm keeping my distance.

I've enjoyed Subway sandwiches for a long time.

This is a simple picnic-style Sunday afternoon meal. Most of the time, it's good for large groups. However, if you do not have capacity for cooking a large amount of onion rings and keeping them warm, perhaps you should reconsider the menu. Nevertheless, I enjoyed making this meal because of its unusual situations. Read on.

Paul took me to lunch on Friday to a wonderful restaurant we haven't been to in ages. The set-up is modern and cafe-ish (sometimes with live music or readings) and. . .vegetarian! Vegan items are clearly marked. In Florida, it rarely gets cold enough to enjoy a good cup of HOT tea. Logically, Infusion serves cold meals to offset the heat of the drink. There are many more tea options on the menu than there are food options. The choice of the day was a camomile (non-caffeinated) tea brewed in front of your very eyes for as long as use wish. Three hour-glass timers help you decide the strength of your tea.