Dining 2024 Places 1-3

 My 2024 bucket list to eat at 26 new places during the year has commenced. Here are three new places I have visited, plus an added discussion of some new food I ate at one of my favorite places.

The first place I went was named Lizette's Cajun Bistro. It is located on Wickham Road in the shopping center that keeps on changing. My co-worker and friend Dustin use to go with me to a Mexican place for lunch called Francisco's. Lizette's is located in the place it used to be before moving down to Sarno Road. There has been a lot of talk about this place, and I am a fan of foods from New Orleans.

The dining area was empty. The counter on the left is in the exact same spot it was for Francisco's.

When I drove up and parked, there were two guys sitting at a table out front of the entrance. As I went in, they followed me. It was the chef and his one server, who I realized immediately as being new when he wasn't sure what gumbo was....not a good sign. The menu was simple and it has some great Cajun choices including Po Boys.

As I said, I ordered the gumbo, and than waited...no one else came in the whole time I was there.

The gumbo arrived and it was a full large bowl with a side corn bread. The sweet tea tasted like it had been sitting in a fridge uncovered and had gathered taste from around New Orleans. It was not good.

The gumbo was actually quite tasty with lots of shrimp and andouille sausage, but I wished there had been more okra, the heart of a great gumbo. But it was edible and had both heat hot and spicy hot. I would like to try some other things on the menu but I was wondering why no one was there. That always makes me nervous. So I give the place a 2.5 (Good to Great) and I am not sure if I will go back.

I did take a shot of the entrance, or in this case, the exit.

I had mentioned that I had visited one of my favorite places, Rising Tide at Port Canaveral. They had a new menu aptly titled Five Finger Discount Food. Each item was priced at $5.

I was drinking an Orange Blossom Pilsner, a favorite of mine and hard to find on tap in Brevard County. It does not hurt to order some good food to go with a good beer...

The first I ordered were the Teriyaki Boneless Wings. They were crispy on the outside and juicy white meat interiors. I really liked the sriracha aioli but thought the ginger was unnecessary.

I then ordered the Raspberry-Habanero Meatballs. They were delicious...

The last thing I ordered was the Coconut Shrimp. They were good size and the sauce was tasty.

Overall, all the appetizers were great. There is still three more to try on the menu.

The second new place I went to was the Metro Diner. I have been meaning to go here for a while, but normally when I drive by it is packed. This time I was driving Nancy home because she had her eyes dilated. I said I would treat her to breakfast.

Nancy wanted to try the fried chicken but did not want the waffles. She wanted to try a biscuit but without the sausage gravy. She did get the turkey sausage and a side of scrambled eggs. Our waitress was very accommodating and was able to complete the order without charging a lot for the ala carte..

I ordered the Eggs Benedict with a side of potatoes. It was great.

The place is spacious with lots of tables, booths and a counter. It was not too crowded but it was around 10:45 AM. The lunch crowd had not come in yet.

Nancy visited the restroom so I looked around and found this photo of Guy from Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives. I found out that the diner is a chain and is currently in 14 states. It started in the Jacksonville area and was on the show in 2010. Guy raved about the meatloaf. I like meatloaf. I guess I am going back. I give the place a 3.0 (Great).

The third place I went was named Ciao's Italian Grille. It is located on the corner of US1 and Eau Gallie Blvd. It had been San Remos, an Italian staple since I moved here in 1979. That owner retired and new people took over. Here is the menu.

When it was San Remo's, they had a small salad bar. The new place has converted it into a server station. They have plenty a booths and tables.

It was dinner time so I ordered the lasagna which came with a salad. I choose the Caesar. It was big but I like the dressing put on by the kitchen. But I can adapt.

It also came out with some bread that had been toasted. The bread was great.

The lasagna was served with an extra portion of sauce on the side which was weird, but I very much liked that as I could divvy it up as I seemed fit. Not sure what was in the lasagna layers but it disappeared from the bowl.

My first trip to Ciao's Italian Grille was Great so I give the place a 3.0. I wonder what their pizzas taste like. I guess I will be back.

Three places done, 23 left to go.