I have no strategy why it is referred to as Otto’s High Dive, but the new “neighborhood rum bar” with a Cuban foodstuff menu is eminently likable.
There are no clues as to who Otto is or was at the cafe or on its site (which has important little information apart from its spot and hrs of operation). And the decor is not swimming pool-themed one particular presumes the identify is suggesting a tonier variety of divey bar, oxymoronic as that may be.
And there is nothing at all divey about the area – primarily the price ranges, but we’ll come back to that.
The creating, previously an business room, is compact and functions a lovely underlit alabaster bar and a backbar with Spanish tiles that echo the ones on the ground. The open up-ceilinged home is bisected by a type of chicken-wire grill and every single facet has tables and booths as perfectly as seating at the bar.
Which is in which I sat when I frequented. I was greeted warmly by a person of the bartenders who asked if I chosen my cocktails shaken or stirred, a problem ordinarily posed to top secret brokers. I explained I favored stirred and that my go-to drink was a negroni, but realizing I was in a rum bar I experienced no intention of purchasing everything devoid of rum. He suggested a Bronze Titan, made with overproof Jamaican rum (which has a better ABV than your essential Bacardi), white vermouth, verjus and a grilled pineapple garnish. It was the most negroni-like rum cocktail I could have hoped for.
The menu is as compact as the house and has handful of starters. My very first alternative, pastel de carne, was not offered. (The other pastelitos were sweet types.) So I went with a half dozen of the raw oysters, Raspberry Factors from Prince Edward Island. They were being completely shucked and slid easily from the shell into my mouth. They experienced a attractive briny take note and have been flavorful plenty of without the mignonette or hot sauce. (They had been also served with a lime as a substitute of a lemon, whcih really are not interchangeable I desire a lemon.)
For my entree I chose the ropa vieja, which interprets to outdated garments, which may well be bewildering for the reason that there is another menu product termed aged apparel. (That, evidently, is a vegetarian variation designed with mushrooms.) In its place of the normal flank steak, this ropa vieja was produced with braised small rib meat, which gave it a wonderful fatty mouthfeel. The meat was blended with the regular environmentally friendly olives and the abnormal sliced carrots and was accompanied by a timbale of white rice and a compact dish of black beans, additionally a slice of Cuban bread. There was a ramekin of sauce, but the person who served the dish also introduced what she called Otto Sauce. I really don’t know no matter whether it was designed with freshly squeezed Ottos or not but I favored its spicy garlicky notes.
All of the staff have been gracious and pleasant, just like you’d anticipate in a neighborhood bar.
But you do not anticipate the monthly bill in a neighborhood bar to appear in at just beneath 70 bucks. (Cocktail $14 oysters $18 entree $22 automatic 18 % gratuity.) It was a charming encounter all all around, but additional than a drop-on-for-a-chunk variety of spot.
But meals costs are mad just about everywhere right now possibly items will settle down ultimately. In any scenario, it’s wonderful to have Otto’s Significant (Quality) Dive join the Milk District’s lineup.
Otto’s High Dive is at 2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando (map). It is open up for meal Tuesday through Saturday and lunch Sunday. The phone quantity is 321-231-7902.
