pomegranate

This is all so confusing (and disappointing) to me. I thought the Sentinel article some months ago stated that construction was to begin in January. That's also what I saw in a Colonialtown newsletter column written by Patty Sheehan. Admittedly this was some months ago, and perhaps all of the facts and details hadn't come to light yet. I'm just so bummed to hear this. My Colonialtown neighbors and I have been waiting and hoping and watching for signs that the retail businesses would close in preparation for demolition. Now it seems even further down the pike than 55 West. I live in the nearby area too and am really tired of looking at that eyesore.

I drove by Urban Think yesterday and saw a sign out front that mentioned free WiFi. I know it's not a restaurant, but they do have coffee and wine.

When you refer to "going vertical," do you mean starting construction, period? Or do you mean construction of the foundation is complete and the structure is now reaching 1st and 2nd story height? Just curious, thanks!

Irish Investor Snaps Up Lots in Parramore http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-parramo...-home-headlines

Thanks for the tip, Chemmie!

Oh, and one more: I'd like to second Praha about the Fat Boys Barbecue in Kissimmee but closer to Orlando, you can have the second generation of Fat Boys at Keller's Barbecue which I believe is located in Altamonte/Longwood as well as Lake Mary. I once spoke with the guy who runs it and as I recall, he is the grandson of the man who founded Fat Boys many years ago. He's using all the same old family recipes and smoking techniques, some of which were borrowed from Miccosukee Indian traditions in the Everglades. Their baked beans are the best. For those who are transplants or haven't lived here very long, Fat Boys was at one time the dominant chain of barbecue restaurants in Florida. When I grew up in the '60s I'm sure there was one in just about every town. I don't know why they fell to the wayside because the smell of that smoked meat -- which usually wafted a good half mile down wind from the restaurant -- was absolutely hypnotic and mouth watering. It was like a siren call every time you drove past one of those restaurants. Now this is making me want to make the drive to Kissimmee or Lake Mary!

What we desperately need in the downtown area is a decent Indian restaurant. (Why are they mostly in the I-Drive area?? Like only the tourists deserve them?) I am a former food editor/dining critic and I've been to many of the best local restaurants, but when I need a fix of Indian food I swear by a take-out place called the Spice Cafe at Dr. Phillips (off of Sand Lake Road). I think they do a buffet at lunch, too. The prices are reasonable and the chicken masala and naan bread are consistently top notch from my experience on many visits. I made a plea with the owner on one visit and he mentioned that he was interested in opening a second location at Thornton Park Central at some point, should a vacancy arise in an appropriately sized venue. He was interested in opening it more as a high end Indian restaurant. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one. Another rant: Why isn't there an Ethiopian restaurant anywhere in Orlando?? Not even one? At least there wasn't one when I last checked. I would love to be wrong on this. It's not uncommon to find chic, fun, even upscale Ethiopian restaurants in places like NYC and D.C. Ethiopian cuisine is similar to Indian food in its spiciness and ingredients but it's a more hands on experience, similar to finger foods and tapas. I'd like to second the person who mentioned the amazing falafels at Falafel Cafe (at University and Alafaya) but closer to downtown, Tony's Middle Eastern Deli does an OK job next door to the Peacock Room at Mills and Virginia. Thai House on Colonial has a good "cashew pork" dish but a lot of my friends also love Thai Place in the K-mart plaza across from Winter Park Village. The coconut peanut curry is to die for. I'm also a red meat junkie so I was really excited when I heard that recently closed Bacco's (am I getting that name right? The little Italian place a few doors down from Dexter's on Washington?) is going to be the new location for Fillin' Station, a dive bar on south Fern Creek that apparently will go more upscale. They've gotten the "best burgers" award in the Sentinel food awards contest year after year. To the person who wondered where to find great fried rice: there's a little hole in the wall place on the south side of Curry Ford Road, just east of Bumby, that has lovely fried rice -- light, flavorful, packed full of shrimp/pork/assorted goodies and not the least bit greasy. I've been there many times but the name totally escapes me right now. It's the only Chinese place on that stretch of road however. Dirt cheap. You can have lunch for ahout $3. The air conditioning doesn't really work though. I'm not a sweet and sour chicken fan but I had theirs once and the sweet and sour sauce was real, live, fresh sauce made from fruit extracts, not that gloppy atomic cherry red gunk that some restaurants serve. It's conveniently across the street from Charlie's Bakery, which has been around for some 30 or 40 years and draws customers from across Central Florida, similar to the way the Yalaha Bakery is where chefs from across Central Florida get their breads. Just try one of Charlie's simple yellow cupcakes with a cloud of whipped buttercream frosting on top, 70 cents or so, and tell me that's not the best damned cupcake you've ever eaten in your life. In the Vimi district, the best summer rolls with peanut sauce, hands down, are at Hong's on the corner of Colonial and Mills. Yellow Dog Eats in Gotha is the creme de la creme of gourmet delis. I could go on and on but I have a Weight Watchers meeting to attend!

If it isn't approved, let's erect a statue of him along I-4 so everyone can get a good look while they're stuck in traffic... with the caption: "Et tu, Crotty?"

Fingers crossed indeed. We desperately need this, it's long overdue, and our leaders are going to look like buffoons if this opportunity slides out of our grasp once again.

Crotty's response in today's paper. MY WORD Crotty: I am transportation leader By Rich Crotty My Word June 21, 2005 The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board has repeatedly portrayed me as "timid" relative to rail transit in Orange County. Enough already! As a matter of fact, I was the chief rainmaker of innovative rail solutions as a member of the Florida Legislature. I was the prime sponsor of enabling legislation for the Maglev demonstration project (SB 348, 1990). I also sponsored legislation creating the Central Florida Commuter Rail Authority (HB 1656, 1989) to mirror South Florida's Tri-Rail project, and authorizing the state to become a funding partner. One could argue we would not even have come this far without my involvement. More recently, I voted for the supplemental environmental impact study to further evaluate the viability of a commuter rail in our region. The study should be complete in September. With that in mind, I have suggested local leaders exercise "due diligence" as it relates to the commuter-rail project. If making decisions based on facts is timid, so be it. It should be noted that notwithstanding the lack of detail and lack of a funding partnership arrangement, I recognized the need to keep our options open and voted for placing the project in the region's 2025 long-range plan. In other words, although the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board may not believe that I support this project, I have voted for it not once but twice. The problem seems to be that I asked a lot of questions both times. Our citizens deserve no less. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board has strongly implied I may be gun shy because of my upcoming election. Outrageous! Who supported the "Change for Kids" campaign to improve school facilities? Oh, by the way, that vote was held the same day my name appeared on the ballot. And who led the charge for "Mobility 20/20," a comprehensive transportation solution for Orange County? As a result of this year's growth-management legislation, we may be able to further leverage our investment with the state of Florida. Isn't it appropriate for me to explore ways to create a better project through a better partnership? The punch line is: I have shown more leadership for transportation improvements at the local level than arguably any other leader -- ever. People appreciate a leader who "looks before he leaps," and I believe closer evaluation and the creation of a sensible partnership make good "walkin' around sense." Unlike the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, I'm not prepared to "ready, fire, aim." I am, however, prepared to vote for commuter rail -- for the third time -- when it is right for the citizens of Orange County, not just the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board. Rich Crotty is the mayor of Orange County. Copyright

On a related note, from today's editorial section, FYI. EDITORIAL Attention deficit Our position: Crotty hasn't shown enough leadership on unjamming I-Drive traffic. June 20, 2005 Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty often describes the International Drive area as "Orange County's Downtown," home to the mammoth county convention center and a vast array of tourist support services, from discount T-shirt shops to swanky hotels. But when visitors arrive en masse, lured by trade shows at the second-largest convention center in the nation, Mr. Crotty's "downtown" screeches to a halt. Locals won't go anywhere near the place. And conventioneers routinely complain that driving just a few blocks can take up to a half-hour. By any measure, I-Drive is in crisis. And its mayor needs to do more than stand idly by while local businesses ponder the area's transportation future. Six years have passed since a handful of I-Drive merchants shot down a light-rail system that would have ferried folks along the tourist corridor. Since then, the convention center has doubled in size, generating even more traffic. Still, the navel-gazing continues. As mayor of "downtown," Mr. Crotty needs to step in and fill that leadership void. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has a lot at stake, too. The most congested parts of I-Drive are within the city limits, north of Carrier Drive. And he needs to partner with Mr. Crotty. But Mr. Crotty should lead the charge. The county, after all, controls most of the money generated by I-Drive tourists. And county taxpayers have a huge financial stake in the convention center. Sure, some improvements have been made. Just recently, Orange County agreed to spend $1.5 million for synchronized traffic lights in the area. That might help short-term. Long term, it's not the solution. But I-Drive could leverage up to $60 million for transportation improvements in the area. That won't buy another rail system or a Lymmo-type bus system. But there are options, such as a novel circulator system that developer Marc Watson plans for his 2,200-acre project east of the convention center. Why not take a serious look at expanding that system along I-Drive? The status quo obviously won't do. When traffic strands thousands of visitors for hours on end, that affects the convention center's ability to attract business. The entire region's tourism-dependent economy suffers. And ultimately, all taxpayers pay the price. Unfortunately, Mr. Crotty seems particularly loath to rise to the challenge. He's running for re-election next year, and seemingly fears that some voters might not grasp the benefit of addressing transportation problems in the county's most congested corridors. Why not tell the truth? Taxpayers have a multibillion-dollar investment in the convention center. But if visitors go elsewhere, the tax burden increases for all. For too long, I-Drive has suffered from a lack of leadership on transportation issues. Mr. Dyer and, particularly, Mr. Crotty need to regain control of the county's "downtown" destiny. Copyright

Great pictures. It is so exciting to watch this project move along. To think that Solaire could be topped off by New Year's -- I can't wait!