Iwas something of an early bird on my first visit to Caravan Uzbek & Turkish Cuisine , a place I’d been wanting to visit for some time, but hadn’t managed to until happenstance had me in the right part of town at the right time. Interestingly, there was a teenager out in the restaurant’s driveway, managing the flow.

It was interesting for a few reasons.

It was barely 6 p.m.

It was a weekday.

And from the looks of things, we were about to be the lot’s only occupants.

Tea. A civilized and lovely pre-meal ritual, doubly-so Turkish-style. (Amy Drew Thompson/Orlando Sentinel)

My companion rolled down the window.

“Are you here for the restaurant?” the young man asked.

We nodded.

“Enjoy,” he said politely, allowing passage.

The space — one big, open room — was gleaming. Tables were fl

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