Shamrock Liquors

Have you ever been in that wonderful predicament of what craft brew to sip on tonight? It happens to the best of us. On the east side of Orlando there’s a great liquor store that houses some of the best craft brews in Central FL. Shamrock Liquors has been servicing its loyal patrons for the past 20 years. Shamrock’s is a one of a kind liquor store, which carries a vast selection that one cannot pass up. The shelves are stocked with the newest seasonals as well as many craft staples. A beer in particular that brings smiles to many beer lovers faces is the Bell’s Hopslam. This hoppy seasonal is well worth trying and only comes around once a year. If you are in the UCF area, this is the primo location for craft brews and the like. As we all wonder what’s new on the market, Shamrock’s Liquor has it all. From its friendly and knowledgeable staff, to the wide variety of crafts and much more, you are sure to find something to please your palette. If you’re really in the mood for a certain brew that’s not on their shelves, no problem, they will work their magic and do their best to order it. From IPA’s to Stouts, Shammy’s, as the locals love to call it, is the craft brew headquarters on the east side of Orlando. Located in a popular plaza filled with restaurants and bars, you can’t miss the green Shamrock sign. Shamrocks rocks for craft brews!

Kale's Trip to Hawaii

Our good buddy Kale, recently returned from what I’ve heard to be and have seen many pics of an amazing trip to Hawaii. While keeping it simple on the beaches he was able to seek out some of Hawaii’s stellar food and drink locations. ~ Cheers

Hawaii

(Honolulu, Waikiki, Oahu)

H.K.’s

(Honolulu)

H.K.’s is exactly what I’m looking for when I travel. It’s inexpensive, busy, and full of locals. From the outside it just looks like your standard, everyday, run of the mill take away joint. It exudes all the usual characteristics, a couple picnic tables, chalkboard menu, plastic forks, etc. But no, oh no my friends. Given a closer look you’ll see that it is so much more. The menu consists of a few American classics and a handful of local favorites. However, I was told to throw all that out the window and just order off their daily specials menu. I promise you, I was not steered in the wrong direction. I suggest going on a Friday to grab the Hawaiian Plate. It comes with a banana leaf wrapped, steamed and stuffed full with a delightfully fatty mound of chunky pork bits, a clear noodle soup and a bowl of fresh poi. In a word… awesome!!! It was the perfect place to start off my trip. True local food eaten, prepared, and enjoyed by locals. I was just lucky enough to stumble upon it and now you are lucky enough to know about it too.

 

Sansei

(Waikiki)

This spot is located in the 3^rd floor of the Marriot right on Waikiki Beach. It’s a hip sushi joint with an impressive late night happy hour. The Happy Hour starts at 10:30 pm sharp and is seated on a first come, first served basis so be sure to get there early. It includes great drink specials, half off all sushi and apps, and a rocking karaoke scene. Definitely a great place to bring a date or go with a big group. Cheap, good eats in a lively and social atmosphere. Highly recommended!!!

Genius Lounge

(Waikiki)

Genius Lounge is a laid back indoor/outdoor sake bar and pupu place. (Pupu is Hawaiian for small bites and appetizers.) It’s located on Lewers street just off the main Waikiki Beach scene. It’s defiantly a “locals only” kind of a spot but I was lucky enough to be traveling with some. It’s small but not tight and has an intimate feel that provides an ideal setting for good drink and conversation. Being that I’m a wine lover I particularly enjoyed my visit. I’m a big fan of wine flights and taking the time to compare different varietals or vineyards side by side. Genius Lounge takes this idea and applies it to sake. They offer a wide variety of Saki flights from the novice level up to connoisseur status. The menu also has one of the most extensive sake selections I’ve ever come across. Defiantly worth checking out if you’re looking for a laid back and chill evening.

Hallo Tree

(Waikiki)

This place is truly an awesome find. It’s nestled right on the corner of a quiet beach and all the seating if covered by a huge hallo tree.  The ambience alone is worth the visit. The food however will have you coming back. I had the salmon benedict, which came with seared salmon, sautéed spinach and leaks, bacon, and a dill hollandaise that has me drooling just thinking about it again. Don’t worry about it. Don’t wait. If you’re on the island of Oahu just get in your car, hop in a taxi, catch a wave if you have to. Just make sure to go to the Hallo Tree and have brunch. You deserve it.

M. Matsumoto Grocery Store

(North Shore)

If you have ever been to Hawaii then you know about shave ice. And that’s not a spelling miscue. It’s not called shaved ice as it is on the main land. It’s pronounced shave ice and don’t get it wrong either or you’ll just look like another howlie. If your gunna get it don’t waste your time getting it any place else. This spot is the original and still where you need to go. Don’t mind the line. That means it’s good!!! What I found most interesting about this place is how they serve it. The traditional way is with vanilla ice cream on bottom, black beans in the middle, and flavored shave ice on top. Such a unique flavor and texture combo left skeptical at first. That is until I tried it. It’s the bee’s knees ladies and gentlemen. As the expression goes don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. This is all that goodness in a nutshell.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

(North Shore)

Most people know about the famous shrimp trucks on the North Shore of Oahu. Well Giovanni’s is the godfather of this popularity. This is a perfect example of how simple street food if prepared correctly can be some of the best eats that you can find. It looks like a beat up, car jacked, graffiti painted hunk of junk pulled to the side of the road. But I kid you not. Hands down, the BEST shrimp I’ve ever eaten!!! It’s prepared simply and artfully with garlic, lemon, and love. I’ll tell ya. Even if you don’t surf and aren’t looking to catch that killer swell you still need to make the North Shore a destination on your trip just because of this place.

Island Manapua Factory

(Manoa)

This place is a true diamond in the rough. Located just a block or two from the University of Hawaii’s Oahu campus it really is tucked away and a little hard to find. In fact, my goggle maps could barely locate it. It’s one of those places you really have to hear about because there definitely won’t be any advertising for it. In the kitchen twisting up yummy authentic dim sum dishes are two very nice and very old Chinese ladies. Their signature item as their name would suggest are their manapuas. These pork stuffed steamed balls of dough will knock your socks off. I actually had to go back and order seconds after I got my paws into these babies. Do yourself a favor and drop by if you’re in the neighborhood. I guarantee your taste buds will thank you for it.

Underground Bluz

I have been frequenting Underground Bluz or UGB as many love to call it for about 5 years now. Located in a popular plaza directly across from UCF since 2002, the fame of UGB has consistently grown. At any time of the day you can stop in for some great quality beers from all over the world. I am a huge advocate for well-crafted beers; they seem to enhance the beer drinking experience. From the many nuances to the high ABV%, they are truly quite intriguing. The bar has always attracted beer connoisseurs of all ages, day and night. If you enjoy funky jazz, blues, and live improvisational music this is the place to be around 10pm on a Friday or Saturday night. In addition to the 120+ beers the staff really makes UGB successful. O and huge shout out to the regulars!!! Although some of the “og’s” have moved on, the bar staff is still incredibly knowledgeable and full of surprises. I recommend UGB for anyone passing through town or beer lovers in town. ~Cheers

 

Here are a couple pics from this past weekends beer tasting. Tastings are held the last Saturday of every month, definitely worth the 20 bucks. Checkout this line up of goodness!

For the first time in my life I tried a warm beer, not room temp, but heated. It is the Quelque Chose by Unibroue. It was very interesting with cherry and clove notes. When heated it was very hard to grasp the fact that this is actually a beer. I would definitely recommend this brew on a cold night.

Sunday Fun Day!!!

In a desperate need for food and dinks from the aftermath of the evening prior, a few friends and I decided to head out to the Black Hammock. Nestled back on Lake Jesup, I have no clue how anyone without a GPS could find this place. To get there you take some random turn off SR 434 in Oviedo then pass strawberry fields and orange groves followed by a snaking road, finally to find the Hammock. The Black Hammock is a fish camp, restaurant, bar, airboat adventure all in one kind of hangout. Of course we made our way to the Lazy Gator Bar where I order a salty dog while the rest of the crew felt like bloody mary’s. Of course there were alligators everywhere, so I had to try the gator bites. There were a few different ways the gator was prepared, but opted for the traditional. The weather was perfect and I finally stared feeling better all ready to watch the Daytona 500. I don’t think the day could have been simpler than this Sunday. ~Cheers

After the Black Hammock, we ventured out to watch the race at this party. It was interesting and fun at the same time. Here are a few pics I snapped from my phone. 

Back In Orlando

It is about 10 degrees cooler than my trip to South Florida, but its nice to be back and get on the grind while Keeping It Simple. What up O-Town!!!

World Of Beer, is UCF’s newest bar additionJ Located on the main drag of the University Blvd, the popular beer bar celebrated it’s grand opening in mid December. It’s very impressive and sometimes overwhelming to see an entire wall of beer coolers divided by many interesting tap handles. They advertise over 500 beers under one roof and daily drink specials. WOB is a great bar to try the newest beers on the market, with the menu changing often with many seasonals. The bar does not actually serve food, but you are allowed to bring in food from the local restaurants located in the plaza. Some restaurants located a little farther away will even bring your order right to your seat; you never have to miss one sip of beer!

This Chimay is my fav!!! Try it let me know what you think.

Jersey Mike's is just one of the restaurants that is located next to WOB. It is also the newest, with their Grand Opening earlier this week, said co-owner Adam Babroski. Jersey Mike's is one of my all time favorite sub shops, not because my name is on the sign, but the menu rocks. I'm so glad they opened a UCF location! Super cool staff and great sandwiches, try it Mike's way.

My trip back home

Recently I went back to my hometown of Fort Lauderdale aka Fort Liquordale for a wedding and to visit my family and friends. It was truly an amazing week, with beautiful weather, great food and good times. As I walked along the beach I couldn’t stop thinking about how very luck I am to be in paradise, compared to most of the country snowed in. I was able to venture out and find some new places I have never been before, which usually turns into great stories. Here are a few new spots I recommend checking out.

Beach Buns

My buddy Rocco was talking about this new hot dog joint that recently opened near his house, so we decided to check it out. It’s in a great location called The Cove, which is across the bridge from Deerfield Beach. Being that the weather couldn’t get any better we walked from his house. I just love the name, Beach Buns. It’s a cool little hot dog place to check out if you are on the way to the beach.

Le Tub

Le Tub is one of the most interesting restaurants I’ve been to recently. It is located in Hollywood right on the intercoastal waterway. They are known for their extremely large sirloin burgers, homemade chili and seafood gumbo. It’s a very rustic place with a tropical ambiance and yes, bathtubs and toilets located through the restaurant. The bartender said it’s a packed house every weekend with the party lasting until 4am. I really enjoyed Le Tub and would recommend patronizing if you get a chance.

 Seafood Gumbo

I never feel more at peace than when I’m sitting on the sand gazing off into an amazing horizon of blue. It’s when the water seems to meet the sky that you realize there is so much more out there. Being caught up in the big city lifestyle most of the time really starts to take its toll on you. If you want to relax and really clear your mind get to the Ocean. Mother nature’s therapy at its best. ~Keep It Simple!