I have always been vocal about my love of The Strand. It's about as old as my Orlando blogging journey (10 years), and I credit it to being one of the first restaurants that got me excited about what Orlando's food scene could be.

Fast-forward a decade, and The Strand had been quietly working on expanding into the space next door, but not as additional seating for their restaurant in the height of its long overdue popularity, not to mention a Michelin Bib Gourmand, but rather a sister bar called d.b.a.

Upon entering the space on their first week of soft opening, we pulled mightily on the heavy door (pull hard when you go), and I felt like I was walking into The Strand 2.0. The same warm colors fully envelop you in the sage green and sunkissed glow, and your eyes move upward to see the focal point above the bar with a mid-century modern feel. It's beautiful and feels like a seamless transition from the restaurant space. Vintage touches of a retro TV playing Japanese animated fantasy The Cat Returns with Lightnin' Hopkins playing on the record player next to the bar. It's comfortable and cozy and precisely the bar experience I appreciate. 

WHAT I ORDERED:

COCKTAIL 

Naked and (not so) Famous - Jalapeno-infused blanco, yellow chartreuses, Aperol, lime $16

BAR SNACKS 

Duck Flatbread - caramelized onion, green tomato, jam, goat cheese, balsamic $14

Octopus Prego - ciabatta, bell pepper aioli $10

Raw Oysters - grapefruit mignonette $18

Right now, the menu for bar snacks is small, and I assume it will stay that way, but you can get a full stomach if you wish with a much more exciting bar menu than most places. Other items available when I went included marinated mussels, old bay chips with French onion dip, and cacio e pepe deviled eggs. The cocktail menu is also available to order when dining at The Strand, where I tried the Little Bear and Mom’s Cosmo.

In reliable Strand fashion, everything we ate and drank was at the same level of deliciousness we have come to count on from owners Alda and Joe. I'm not interested in trying a new place every week to be disappointed and out $100. I want consistency and satisfaction, which they have always offered me.

I will still hold out hope for my idea of a mini Caesar salad and fry combo to make it to the bar snacks menu one day.

The most asked question when I posted about it is WHERE IS IT? It’s literally right next door to The Strand with its own entrance. The Strand is located at 807 Mills Avenue for address reference. Don’t try to enter through the restaurant, you’ll see the d.b.a door clearly marked.

Dress is casual. You can go comfortable or a little dressed up if you want, either is appropriate.

The bar opens at 5pm open Tuesday - Saturday.

I was invited to come check out the bar during soft opening, but all drinks and food were paid for personally.