by Ray Keating
Review
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 7, 2021
Over the years, I’ve had great food in establishments that … well, let’s just say … left something to be desired in terms of the setting. You know – tasty, perhaps even unforgettable eats, but served up in dumpy places.
That wasn’t exactly the case one recent evening at Paradiso 37 at Disney Springs. After all, the restaurant is anything but dumpy. It’s quite sleek.
However, my party was seated at a table that seemed to float, as opposed to serving as a stable piece of furniture upon which to enjoy dinner. The waiter appeared unconcerned when it was mentioned. It also seems like a basic issue for the manager to check for such problems and have them fixed before opening for the day, or have staff deal with such items that materialize during the night. Admittedly, the tippy table set a shaky foundation for the meal. For good measure, the atmosphere, while certainly colorful and vibrant, felt more hollow than inviting.
Thankfully, though, these shortcomings were overtaken by the food.
Our group ordered two of the appetizers. The San Juan-Style Beef Empanadas had a nice flavor, and the texture ably combined a crunchy outside with a smooth beef interior. And the dipping sauce had a nice kick, but it didn’t overwhelm.
The second appetizer, the Big Smoke Poutine, was a plate full of flavor, featuring fries, cheese curds, cherry peppers, roasted garlic gravy and beef. Thumbs up on both.
And all in our party were pleased with their entrée selections. The Authentic Nola Shrimp Po’Boy came through with tasty tempora-battered shrimp and a spicy (welcomed by our diner) remoulade sauce on a toasted French baguette.
As for the Honolulu Pulled Pork Sandwich, it was very tender, a sweet mix with the addition of the pineapple. And the coleslaw gave it a bit of texture. The sandwich bun was soft, soaking up the extra sauce. By the way, it’s worth noting that the accompanying, nicely salted fries had a crispy outside, with a soft potato-y inside.
Finally, the Baja Fish Tacos were simply outstanding. There was more battered fish jammed into each of the three tacos on the plate than I’d experienced anywhere else. They were wonderfully overstuffed. And the sauce had a welcome lime-citrus zest. Simple and delicious.
So, I came away from Paradiso 37 with a fondness for its fun food, which crowded out thoughts of being underwhelmed by the setting. After all, it’s really about the food in the end.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
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