Cole NeSmith
Contributing Writer
Staff Page
January 7, 2010 | Orlando had what was shaping up to be a great restaurant for about three weeks in the middle part of 2010. Blue Smoke Burger was the failed attempt to revive a space that - before - had been an overpriced Italian Restaurant in The Plaza at Orange and Pine in Downtown Orlando. Unfortunately, the owners of the restaurant waited a bit too long and couldn't keep Blue Smoke afloat with what they had left.
Contributing Writer
Staff Page
January 7, 2010 | Orlando had what was shaping up to be a great restaurant for about three weeks in the middle part of 2010. Blue Smoke Burger was the failed attempt to revive a space that - before - had been an overpriced Italian Restaurant in The Plaza at Orange and Pine in Downtown Orlando. Unfortunately, the owners of the restaurant waited a bit too long and couldn't keep Blue Smoke afloat with what they had left.
It was a great idea in a great location, which made me excited to see a new burger restaurant called Pine 22 open in the same location just over a month ago.
Owner, Lori Shew, along with business partners, Monique Bunch and Catherine Bullington refer to themselves as "Conscious Eaters" on their business cards and bring that consciousness to the Pine 22 menu. All of their menu items are 100% natural, hormone free and antibiotic free. And, when possible, local too.
Tonight, as I entered the restaurant, I was greeted by two smiling employees who succinctly explained their system. Guests are given a sheet and a pencil and are invited to build their own burger from 5 patty, 6 bun, 10 cheese, 22 sauce, 19 topping and 9 premium topping choices. If you want to figure out how many combinations that can make, here's the equation :
I chose the Black Bean Burger on an Herb Foccacia bun with Herb Goat Cheese Spread, Tzatziki Sauce, Black Olives, Organic Mixed Greens and Roasted Red Peppers - kind of a Greek Burger. The Black Bean Patty was tasty and not dry, which is rare for a veggie patty. Overall, the flavors were great!
Two of my friends got burgers featuring the 100% Angus Beef Patty, which they both enjoyed as well. Other patty options include Turkey, Chicken Breast and Pulled Pork.
Sides feature Steak-n-Shake like "Pine Fries," Sweet Potato Fries, Fried Pickle Chips and other fried foods.
All this for around $10 too!
Seeing that I could probably go every day for the rest of my life and not eat the exact same thing twice, I'll definitely be visiting Pine 22 again.
I'm hoping that by the next time I visit, they'll have figured out how to keep the smell of Corona Cigar Co from permeating their space. Tonight reminded me of the days of the restaurant "smoking section."
Next time : Angus Burger on a Multigrain Bun with Imported Swiss, Housemade 22 BBQ Sauce, Dill Pickle Chips, Lettuce Blend, Charred Onions and Locally Grown Tomatoes.