Erik’s at Eola

So, if you have a lot of time to kill, then the relax café is the place for you. The food is not very good, but the service is excellent. I enjoyed talking with my quirky server, who offered up dieting advice and offered to join our table.
It took 45 minutes to get a chicken pita, which was dry and way to spicy.
My advice, go there to order appetizers and drinks.

Now known as Relax. This café has great food and outdoor seating area overlooking Lake Eola. The menu is simple yet very tasty. I love to walk around Lake Eola and stop in for food and drinks. Pet friendly.

Living right near Erik’s is a treat. I try to make it down there at least once a week for lunch, which turns into sitting around and enjoying the atmosphere long after lunch time. The food is simple, but well prepared and very tasty. The hummus is spot on, and the burgers and steak wraps are my usual choice for lunch, but never have I been disappointed with anything. Service can be hit or miss lately, as he seems short staffed, but he does his best even when he’s the only one there and is busy. Also, an area of note: He doesn’t seem to be accepting credit cards at the moment (or perhaps any longer). I guess the machine broke and hes been cash only for a few weeks now. Just a head’s up, it almost caught me out the other day.
There is free Wi-​Fi and a few power strips and electrical outlets if you look around, or just ask. It’s easy to bring a book or a laptop and end up sitting there taking a long lunch. It’s a great spot for people watching as well, the joggers and socialites wandering around the lake make for good company.
Just a quick update, it’s no longer «Erik’s.» Now, it’s called Relax Grill. I believe it’s still owned and operated by the same guy and they are renovating the patio and the kitchen, but it seems like they are only open for beer and wine at the moment (as of 1÷19÷2009).

Just wanted to share some new info I received after visiting Erik’s again. First, if you are worried about parking, the 5^th/​3^rd lot behind the restaurant is fair game after 6pm.
Also, if you are getting married, and have a relatively small reception party planned, Erik’s would be happy to accommodate you. They will actually shut the restaurant down to outside patrons, and serve your party only. A great spot to bask in post-​marital bliss!

Great place for outdoor dining. I can not rave enough about how good the chicken kabobs are. Rita and Sam took most excellent care of us, made us feel totally at home. do yourself a favor and enjoy Erik’s and Lake Eola and the great outdoors.

I went to Erik’s on Eola for the first time this Friday, and it was *awesome*.
It was bought by a new owner in October, and he has given Erik’s new life and delicious food — as well as a very decent wine list. The new owner’s name is Sam, and he took us on a tour of Middle Eastern yumminess Friday night. Started off with the best hummus I’ve had since I left California, and chicken wings with blue cheese dressing that put my husband in a very happy mood (he loves his wings). Later in the evening, I was still hungry, so my friend, who is a regular, asked Sam to «make us whatever you’re in the mood for,» which she said usually yields excellent results. This time was no exception! He came out with this amazing pita bread pizza with eggplant as a topping. This was new to me, but absolutely fantastically delicious. Another plate was covered with soft soft and totally yummy mozzarella, which had sweet dried tomatoes and a sweet vinegar sauce liberally drizzled.
In the meantime, the $ 25/​person concert was rocking a hundred feet from us (being at the restaurant, we paid no cover,) and the music was gorgeous, and the wine flowing. This is the first place I’ve found in Orlando where I would henceforth trust the house wine. Sam knows what he’s serving, and it’s good stuff!
For the coup de grace — and I am *positive* this is not on the menu — after the restaurant had closed, Sam brought our table the most delicious apple dumplings I had ever had in my life.
Gorgeous location — right on the lake — but it’s outside, so I would have to say I don’t recommend going when it’s raining. I think the cooler weather right now is perfect to sit outside, actually, and the lights I hear Sam strung up on the tree at great potential danger to life and limb are very sparkly and pretty at night.
Awesome!