Updating this review from about seven years ago. I came to Reel Fish a while ago, and it was a…read moretruly awful experience. The skimpy amount of seafood I got was not good, not cooked well, or served with undercooked potatoes. It shook me. Especially for a Winter Park restaurant. After my five year statute of limitations passed on repeating restaurants, I looked for the perfect opportunity to come back and try again. I found that opportunity recently with a few friends for brunch. Their brunch menu looked amazing, so we made our reservation and came on by. Ambiance is actually really nice. Right off one of the main WP roads, gigantic windows look out upon the street as passersby roam from shop to shop. Inside looks like an ocean-side sea shack, but an upper middle class one. Very nice little ocean-themed chotchkies adorn the walls, very cozy. Service was also great. Very nice server, very prompt food delivery, and they gave complimentary bread with a delightful butter. I always adore free bread. We started off sharing the Seafood Fritters (Four savory puppies, stuffed with lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, grouper, onions, corn, poblano peppers, served with a zesty tartar sauce). If all five of those seafoods really were in there, there must have been only a few molecules each, but there was undoubtedly flavors from most of that list, and they were accentuated with the poblano. Topped with that zesty tartar, and this was an A+ app. I had the Lobster Benedict Royale (Chunks of Maine lobster on fried green tomatoes & house-baked buttermilk biscuits, topped with poached eggs & Hollandaise, sprinkled with paprika & chopped green onions). This was indulgent. Pure luxury. A warm biscuit with a good flakiness, that fried green tomato with the perfect thickness and thin, delicate coating, and those perfectly cooked jumbo chunks of lobster on top, all covered in an unctuous Hollandaise. Exactly as it sounds, as advertised, the perfect seafood brunch item. I also got to try the Shrimp Frittata (Wild-caught Florida shrimp, fresh eggs, spinach, Campari tomatoes, goat cheese, caramelized onions, baked in a cast-iron skillet, with wheat toast, butter & a little mixed green salad). This was a fun dish. Good shrimps, well-cooked eggs, a nice tang from that goat, and of course a nice crunchy toast to help make it even more interesting. I didn't like that random salad on the side. Just get bigger cast irons and make the frittata bigger. Overall, what a redemption. I'm not sure what was wrong back in the day, but this is a five star place now that I will happily return to when it's time.

Pros: Ambiance is so nice. Right in the cross section of…read morewhere the good places of Winter Park are. Huge windows overlooking the cars passing by on the street. Inside is a nice, rustic collection of old timey fishing and marine stuff. Very comfortable. Service was excellent. Very nice people. And they gave us free bread and biscuits that were very, very good. Best part of the meal probably. Food was good, too! We came for brunch, so everything was a brunch/seafood combo, which was so good. Cons: Not a single con. Real good meal. Tips: Ask for more of that delicious bread.

This is the place. You found it. Look. No. Further. The best seafood boil in Orlando is this…read moreamazing family run business. The keyword there is FAMILY. I have a saying: try everything twice, as you never know what may have gone wrong or right, the first time. Consistency is key. This review has been a long time coming, but I can say beyond any doubt Mad Crab Seafood is the place to get your seafood needs sent to heaven! Along with an amazing variety of choices (as long as you get there before they sell out; for good reason!) you can customize things the way you want. A total judgement free zone, they expect you to get messy and provide plenty of ways to clean up. Heat options are there, and the amount of flavor in every bite never fails to amaze. Constantly wanting to please, they adapt their menu and ALWAYS provide premium quality. Family. That's how you will be treated here. Even on my first time visiting, we felt like timeless friends from the start. There is nothing better than eating amazing food while having a smile from ear to ear for the entirety of your stay. I cannot think of any business more deserving of your attention. Once again, thank you Molene & Family for the amazing meals you have provided. I am sorry for being absent for so long, but as always, Keep moving forward!

Great food! Definitely recommend the seafood over the burgers but still yummy! Staff is also very…read morenice

The food was delicious and a good price. Our waitress, Sammy, was the sweetest! She was kind and…read moremade our experience warm, welcoming, and enjoyable. The atmosphere was dim and chill. We had the mushroom soup and artichoke dip for starters, and the rigatoni and filet mignon for main dishes. Mushroom soup was creamy and full of flavor 5/5. Artichoke dip was really good, but very filling/a bit oily 4.5/5. Rigatoni was delicious and you can really taste the wine in the sauce 5/5. Filet mignon was extremely tender and flavorful , and the mashed potatoes that come with it is super creamy as well 5/5. Would def recommend for dinner.

This restaurant was absolutely stunning! Very good for date night or even a quick hangout with a…read morefriend! I didn't get a chance to experience the sit down because they didn't have a table ready for me and my friend, so we sat at the bar which I didn't mind! The service was actually really good because of the gentleman that was helping us. Once the switch shifts the service wasn't as on point but it was still good. The food was amazing aside from the sautéed coconut shrimp that we had it wasn't that good but they were very accommodating and end up switching out the meal for wings which omg best choice ever! It was such a nice vibe! The bar tender also made me a drink which was actually very good. Me and my Bestfriend had a wonderful time . I will definitely be back with my boyfriend for sure because it was so such a nice experience

I was initially overwhelmed because it was my first time there and you order before you sit. They…read morehave a pretty extensive menu, but someone came to greet us and explain the process. The lunch menu has a variety of options from pizza, to pasta, to sandwiches, at a reasonable price. You also get this delicious soft bread and oil to start with. I had a grilled chicken panini with garlic fries and it was delicious. If you like cheese it was a lot on there, just the way I like it. The garlic fries with the dip was really good as well. I was able to eat half and was full. As it was our first time, some staff brought cookies for us to sample. It was a really nice touch and a sweet bonus. They were all really attentive in picking up plates and asking if we needed anything.

My fiancée and I ate at Mandola's tonight and had SUCH a lovely time. (She had actually eaten there…read morethe night before and brought me back some incredible dessert, so I asked to come in the next day!) The vibe is very comfortable, almost a hometown deli feeling. You order at the register and receive a number to bring back to your table, where a runner will bring by focaccia, olive oil, and an herb blend. Our food came out within 10 minutes and was absolutely delightful! Even with my no-goat-cheese modification, my chicken menichino was so tasty and perfectly seasoned. I also tried a glass of their Gavi di Gavi, which was such an excellent complement to my meal. My partner tried the daily special, a beef brass to, and was blown away by the tenderness of the beef and the large portion size. We were too full to get a dessert to share in-house, but we stopped by the dessert counter and received amazing to-go recommendations, which is how we ended up with tiramisu, a lemon ricotta cookie, a snicker doodle, an espresso cookie, and a slice of cake. (We'll be back to try the gelato!) And, on my out, I spotted a family-friendly detail I didn't expect - a changing table in the restroom stocked with diapers of all sizes and wipes! What a wonderful touch. Overall, I enthusiastically recommend this restaurant. Everyone we spoke to was kind and incredibly efficient at their jobs, providing quick, welcoming service and great food recs. The food was delicious and well-portioned. I'll be back to check out the happy hour!

Had coconut shrimp for app and it was really good with there homemade sweet sauce. I ordered the…read morefried scallops with onion rings and potato salad. The scallops breading tasted weird like the flavor was the same as Cracker Barrel's fried okra if ever had. The potato salad was really sweet either they used miracle whip or doused it in sugar. I'll give this place a 6/10. Try it for yourself.

Dear God, this place is so good…read more The staff is incredibly friendly every time we come in, it's clean, well-kept, and easy to find. The food is amazing and their portions are always generous and worth the money. Our go-tos are the friend haddock and the fried chicken strips. Their fries are good, the coleslaw has just the right amount of sweetness, and I love their potato salad. Highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a delicious meal at a reasonable price.

We wanted to get away from the resorts for some fresh seafood. This was a great choice. The grouper…read moresandwich was fresh and flaky. Super light breading. Lemon tarragon aioli had a beautiful herbal note. The buffalo shrimp were more of the same. Fried without being greasy at all. Service was excellent. They were attentive but not annoying. Love it!

Our CT lobster rolls were stuffed with huge fresh pieces of lobster and lightly drizzled with…read morebutter. The roll was grilled and buttered. The fries were well seasoned with Old Bay and tasted great. The key lime pie was also delicious. No complaints here and can't wait to go back and try some other things. Also, service was friendly and food came out quickly.

They offer complementary valet, which is very generous. We placed this reservation for our…read moreanniversary and the waiter was very personable, and asked about how we met. I wish I knew his name, but I loved his service. The wine and the espresso martini were really good. My girlfriend, especially like the espresso martini and its blend of liquor with the tartness. In terms of the food, it was all really wonderful. The chicken and dumplings came with this delicious sauce that I couldn't get enough off. The potato dumplings were alright, but the seasoning and mix of the sauce was perfect for the chicken. The serving size was good as well and there was barely any bone to interrupt eating it. My girlfriend said that the steak was cooked perfectly medium as they asked. The steak sauce paired really well, and they had enough for leftovers, and enjoyed it even more the day after. The Mac & cheese was alright, we just wish there had been more of a crunch to the cheese. However, we both really liked the shape of the pasta as we don't really see those as often. Also not depicted here, but we got the cocktail shrimp. My girlfriend loved this one too, specifically noting how large and cold the shrimps were. The cocktail sauce was delicious and had a nice kick to it, and definitely squeeze the lemon that comes with it on the shrimp. Since it was an anniversary, they surprised us with complimentary dessert that was phenomenal. My girlfriend doesn't really like cheesecake or coconut, but somehow loved the dessert. It's an off menu item but it blends coconut, cheesecake, and a brownie.

Got a seat at the bar on a random Thursday around 6:30. Ordered the boneless ribeye and crispy…read moreBrussel sprouts. Everything was . Ribeye was cooked perfect. Bartenders were great and cool to chat with. Winter Park area is a nice relaxing vibe. Looking forward to going back.

My wife and I loved this place so much we have to come back yesterday after just being here 2 days…read moreprior. The seafood is fresh and cooked to perfection. We love the staff and service. Raw treated us like family. The ambiance is laid back and casual and makes you feel like you're in a Jimmy Buffet song. Great for Happy Hour and Sunday Funday bites

Stumbled across this place on Yelp and man did it not disappoint!…read more The restaurant is small, but mighty! Highly recommended coming for happy hour and grabbing a beer and some grilled oysters. They are FRESH and good both chilled or grilled. They are so good in fact, we reordered three times! The fish is perfectly buttery, battered and lightly fried. The portion is pretty big so you can definitely share. The service is also fantastic. You can tell the employees like working with each other as it operates like a well oiled machine. We had several conversations with other patrons who claimed that this was their go-to spot, which I always take as a great sign. Check them out!

Must try: Calamari appetizer, ribeye, beef Wellington, lobster mac and cheese, potato au gratin,…read moreand mandarin cake. These were absolutely amazing and much too much food for two people. I basically got 3 meals out of my ribeye and lobster mac. The calamari was crispy and tender. The bread was so fluffy and delicious. We had to restrain ourselves from eating multiple loaves of bread before the entrees even hit the table. Lobster Mac was FILLED with lobster. Both side dishes were cheesy and seasoned so well. My boyfriend raved about the beef Wellington, he claims it may be the best Wellington and sauce, he's ever had. Special recognition: topping your protein entree the Oscar Style. Lump crab meat, hollandaise, and asparagus....this was utterly amazing and decadent. Still delicious but not on the same level as the must tries listed above: mandarin collar, dirty martini, caesar salad. Caesar salad was just a plate of greens, nothing noticeably remarkable about the dressing or seasoning. The garlic cheese croutons were fun but there were only 4 croutons. We would probably pass on the salad next time. Both cocktails were well-made! Service was fantastic. From the moment we walked in to the end of our meal. I believe our server's name was Jerry and the back server packed our food with more precision than I've ever seen anywhere else. Sebastian the magician started off the night perfectly. He was entertaining and personable. We came here for our anniversary and it was perfect. The mouthwatering mandarin cake was courtesy of the house. Prices on the menu may look high but for the quality, quantity, and dining experience...it's well worth it. The two of us ordered 1app, 2 sides, 2 entrees, 3 drinks, 1 salad, 1 dessert, and had 2 loaves of bread. It was easily 3 meals' worth of food. Can't wait to come back to Christener's!

Let me start by saying that I really, really was hoping to love it here. I've read many positive…read moreremarks and have friends who dined here in the past who had nothing but good things to say. Additionally, it was recommended heavily on a foodie forum I am a member of on Facebook. With all that being said, it was, to our surprise, a huge disappointment. Prior to going, I read quite a few reviews that mentioned the service was either poor or slow but the food made up for it by being outstanding, so that ultimately is what convinced me to keep my reservation. Not only did the service leave much to be desired, but the food did as well. Upon entering the building, the interior of the restaurant gave off old school, classic steakhouse vibes and instantly reminded me of Golden Steer in Las Vegas (iykyk). Sadly, comparing Christner's to the Golden Steer's vintage charm was my first mistake. Thinking the food might be up to par with theirs was my second. The service was lackluster and nothing to write home about, as was the food. I had notified the restaurant ahead of time that we were celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary and absolutely nothing significant was offered at all to acknowledge our special occasion besides "happy anniversary". But sadly, the food quality was the biggest let down of the evening. The bread was nothing special, the calamari was soggy, my crab cakes were mushy and tasteless, the chateau potatoes very under salted, and my husband's beef Wellington left much to be desired (no golden crust, meat to pastry ratio was off, and it was very rare). The only decent dish we had were the onion rings, but the fact that the sauce it was served with was ketchup, we thought was an odd choice. Needless to say we declined trying anything from the dessert menu as we were worried we would be met with yet another disappointment. While this wasn't the worst dining experience we've ever had, it certainly fell short, didn't live up to expectations and felt severely overpriced for the food quality that you receive. In the middle of our dining experience, we shared a mutual admission that we wished we had chosen somewhere else we had known we loved, like Kres Chophouse or Christini's to celebrate instead. While we appreciate trying new dining experiences, this one simply missed the mark for us and we likely won't be back.

Stopped in late on a Sunday afternoon. Place looked very nice from the outside, had a to wait a bit…read morefor a table but there was a MASSIVE baby shower letting out at the same time I got there so that most likely had something to do with it. The interior kinda has a hipster-rustic vibe but with more comfortable chairs. Prices seemed reasonable. Service seemed a bit overwheled but again, I think the massive event letting out had something to do with that. I got a cheese board, truffled fries, fried chicken caviar, and a deviled affogato for dessert. My date for the creste di gallo and the olive oil citrus cake. Everything was was very good, with the standout being the fries; I know that truffle essence flavor isn't for everyone but it worked really well for me in the fry sauce. My dates pasta was also very good, the pesto sauce was zesty and complimented it well. And I really like the olive oil cake with mascarpone, super light and perfectly sweet. The very minor issues were that the fried chicken was pretty deeply fried and way harder than expected, which I don't mind but may not be your thing. Devil's food cake at the bottom of the affogato was also not as sweet as I would have liked. Overall a really enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend.

This is a classic and ol' reliable place in Winter Park for a nice meal or cocktails. I've been for…read morespecial events, brunch and dinner -- and it's always good. My only gripes -- it can get VERY loud... like, too loud. Especially if you're with your Grandma and trying to have a conversation. Also, it can be a bit pricy and the items add up. Don't order an espresso martini with reposado because it'll cost about $35. The servers are always on point and I feel are knowledgeable about the menu and the drinks. Thankfully, one of them warned me about the espresso martini cost so I dodged that bullet. I love the wine options and there's so many amazing ones to try. Same for the menu, lots of variety and you really can't go wrong.