Bahama Breeze - A Caribbean-Inspired Cusine
Written: Feb 27 '05 (Updated May 12 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Taste, Excellent Service, Variety
Cons: Spicy is not for everyone, long waits
The Bottom Line: A great variety of Caribbean food with an enjoyable atmosphere.
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| xyzwyatt's Full Review: Bahama Breeze |
Bahama Breeze is owned by Darden Restaurants so will be similar to other dinning experiences such as the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or Smokey Bones. Their menu is mostly Caribbean which is somewhat spicy. The atmosphere is suitable for anyone with or without kids. It is a suitable restaurant to come just for a drink, for a nice lunch or supper, or to celebrate an occasion with a group.
We have been to the Bahama Breeze a few times in the past so we were familiar with how busy the restaurant gets at certain hours. We were planning to arrive at 1PM on a Sunday which we knew was one of the busiest times to eat out. We anticipated a long wait so used the phone ahead service before we left our house.
Our jaws dropped when we pulled into the parking lot because it was visibly very busy. There is more parking than seats inside so we did not have any problems finding a parking space.
When we walked inside we were made aware that the wait was 45-60 minutes long. There are a few comfortable waiting areas for socializing in the front as well as a waiting area in the bar. Individuals who were ahead of us were given a light-up vibrating gadget that alerted them when they were ready to be seated. We held our breath while they looked up our call ahead information. We were so pleased that we were immediately directed to our seats.
There were booths and tables with very little room for walking. We had a round table which was large enough for our party of five although our chairs were squished between other tables and the wall. The chairs we sat in were wing-back wicker with a colorful chair pad.
Our waiter was very busy when we arrived so we looked over our menu while we waited. The food is inspired by Caribbean cuisine so most dishes are a little spicy.
The appetizers were fairly expensive and although we started to order Island Onion Rings we changed our mind since we weren’t going straight home and didn’t want leftover food. There were other appetizers that I would have loved to try such as Coconut Prawns or Fire-Roasted Jerk Shrimp but I stand alone with my love for seafood.
We always get a soup at Bahama Breeze because it is always excellent. Today my husband had Pepper Pot Soup which had diced pork and vegetables. I had Bohemian Conch Chowder which had a slight tomato base. The soups are full of flavor and there is plenty of meat and vegetables with each spoonful. The soup arrived at the perfect temperature.
There were so many things that we saw that we wanted on the menu so we will probably be going back soon. The lunch menu is a little smaller than the dinner menu but there is still a nice variety. We ordered a pepperoni, mushroom, and onion pizza which we all split. The crust was thin and it had great flavor. The pizza was so large that it was hanging over the plate. All three of my kids loved it and ate every bite. Since we both ordered a large bowl of soup which was quite filling, my hubby and I split a club sandwich which was stacked with meat and other goodies. There was a bowl of bow tie pasta salad with homemade dressing. There is a menu item for a bowl of soup and half of sandwich if you do not have someone to split with.
Our waiter did an excellent job. He brought us refills on our drinks long before our first drinks were empty. He explained the menu, commented on our choices, and was careful to write down and double check our order. Our kids really loved the attention he gave them. He found out the kid's names, ages, and made encouraging comments about their coloring.
Exactly an hour had passed from the time we were seated until the time we walked out the door. There is usually long waits especially on the weekends.
Most of the dishes including the salads and soups feature meat. There is a variety of seafood, chicken, pork, beef, and pastas on the menu. The full menu can be found on their website at http://www.bahamabreeze.com. We were also very pleased to find many of their recipes listed on their website.
There is a kids menu for those under 12 years of age which offers Chicken Fingers, Cheese Pizza, Bowtie Mac & Cheese, or Grilled Cheese. Meals ran around $4.00 without a drink. Children are welcome in the restaurant and are greeted with crayons and a child’s menu to color.
The atmosphere was very nice; it had large fancy colorful ceiling fans, a hut style roof, and decorated quite nicely. I didn’t hear any music in the background. The temperature of the building was nice and there wasn’t any distracting noises or smells. The deck wasn’t opened when we were there because it was raining however the deck is quite large so individuals can socialize outside on a nice day and enjoy the fresh air.
There is a very well-stocked bar in the middle of the building. It was early on Sunday so there were not a lot of mixed drinks being served. I have tried their mixed drinks in the past and there were very good. Bahama Breeze is known to be a type of restaurant to gather on the porch and drink while socializing by a more mature crowd.
There are three Bahama Breeze locations in Orlando. There is one on International Drive by the Orange County Convention Center which is in the touristy area of town, the Lake Buena Vista location on Vineland road near Disney, and the Altamonte Springs location near the Altamonte Mall. I have eaten at each of them several times and have always had pleasant experiences. Their website has a location locator that can quickly tell you if there is a restaurant in your city. We prefer to eat there at lunch time because it’s considerably less expensive.
We have eaten there many times and have always enjoyed our experience. I feel comfortable recommending this restaurant for anyone who enjoys Caribbean food. The food is always excellent, there's a large selection to choose from, and the service is always top-notch.
Recommended:
Yes
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xyzwyatt
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