Guy’s Award-Winning Burger! Voted “Best Burger in Las Vegas“ by Seven Magazine & Won New York City Food and Wine Festival’s Burger Bash Bacon Mac N’ Cheese Burger – Crispy smoked bacon, six-cheese mac ’n cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, crispy onions, donkey sauce, garlic-buttered brioche bun
We were invited to Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen & Bar in The Villages to check out their revamped menu. Some of the new menu items includes Baja Fish Tacos, Jack Daniels New York Strip Steak, Big Bite Burrito and the Old School Steak Sandwich. Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen & Bar has also made several other improvements. They have lowered everyday menu prices, introduced daily specials and rolled out a new Sunday brunch menu.
“On Sundays We Brunch” will be every Sunday from 10am-3pm with prices ranging from $5.95 to $12.95. The new Sunday brunch menu includes Chicken Fried Bacon, Biscuits & Gravy, the All–American Breakfast Burger, as well as some of Guy Fieri’s signature dishes. Guests also have the option to make their brunch bottomless with unlimited mimosas and bloody marys for only $15. The bottomless option has a two-hour limit.
The restaurant’s owner Greg Pranzo is the same owner as the newly-opened Cinco Tacos & Tequila in Winter Park, FL which just celebrated their ribbon cutting ceremony on National Tequila Day this past Tuesday.
Pastrami Egg Rolls – House made pastrami, Swiss cheese, sweet & sour cabbage, Russian dressing
Trash Can Nachos – Warm corn tortilla chips, pulled pork, bourbon brown sugar, BBQ sauce, SMC (super melty cheese), cheddar, beans, jalapenos, crema, pickled red onion, cilantro, pico de gallo
Roasted Garlic Hummus – Scratch-made chickpea hummus, olive tapemade, fire roasted red peppers, herb grilled flatbread, fresh veggies
Guy’s Big Island Punch – Southern Comfort, Dragonberry Rum, Dark Rum, orange, pineapple, mango, lime, cherry
Tattooed Mojito – Coconut Rum, lime, blueberries, mint, ginger ale
*NEW* Baja Fish Tacos – Crunchy panko-crusted cod, cole slaw, chipotle ranch, pico de gallo on a warm tortilla
*NEW*Jack Daniel’s New York Strip Steak – 12 oz New York strip seared, mash potatoes, side of wonder fries, bacon, sour cream, cheddar, broccolini, mushrooms, scallions, Jack Daniel sauce
Rockin’ the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” shirt that I got from Guy Fieri himself last year during filming at Saigon Noodle & Grill!
(Source: Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen & Bar)
Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen & Bar at Lake Sumter Landing
1045 Old Camp Rd, The Villages, FL 32162
(352) 633-3018 guysvillages.com
We were invited to a media event at Nature’s Table – FIS (the tall building across the street from the RDV Sportsplex) to sample their delicious top-selling smoothies & açaí bowls. As a fitness enthusiast who is currently enrolled in yoga teacher training, smoothies & açaí bowls have become my go-to fuel for something quick, healthy and easy in between yoga classes and lectures. I highly recommend Nature’s Table anyone looking to go a healthier route for breakfast or lunch. Nature’s Table has multiple locations throughout Central Florida so you are likely to be within a few miles away from one.
The Kale & Spinach Smoothie consists of fat free yogurt, 100% fruit juice, kale, spinach, mango and pineapple.
My favorite was the Rain Forest Rhumba Smoothie which consists of fat free yogurt, açaí, raspberries, blueberries.
Nature’s Table uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Lots of their fresh fruits come from Plant City, FL. They do not use any powders.
Mango Mama Smoothie – No sugar added 100% fruit juice, mango, pineapple (low calorie smoothie)
Benefits of a Samabazon Açaí Bowl:
Fiber – helps keep you full, your belly healthy & may aid in maintaining blood sugar.
Fried Chicken & Doughnuts – two pieces of Chef Art’s famous fried chicken served with house-made sugar doughnuts.
“Home is where Chef Art is. No matter how far his travels have taken him – from being Oprah’s personal chef to opening four incredible restaurants across the country – Celebrity Chef Art Smith calls Florida home. Now, Chef Art has returned to share his farm fresh Florida dishes with you.
A two-time James Beard Foundation award winner, was Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for 10 years and cooked for two Florida governors in Tallahassee.
The name Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen is a nod to Chef Art’s return to Walt Disney World after his first cast role in The Magic Kingdom College Program in 1981, now known as the Walt Disney World College Program.” -Homecomin’ Kitchen
“Welcome home!” We were invited to Homecomin’ Kitchen in Disney Springs to check out their new brunch menu that runs every Sunday from 10am – 2pm. The manager Allen and our server Jesus gave us their full attention despite the restaurant being crazy packed along with long line. With 13 servers running on floor and 1 bartender: our fabulous Florida Southern cuisine food came out timely and fresh.
Walk-ins accepted. Reservations are not required but highly recommended.
Momma’s Mac and Cheese
Potato Gratin Mash
Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits With a Side of Hot Honey & Sawmill Gravy
Fried Catfish (from the main menu) – Accompanied by Hushpuppies, Grits & a Side of Remoulade
Florida Grouper (from the main menu) – Fresh Grilled Grouper, Braised Kale, Collard Greens with French Fries
Hummingbird Cake – The famous pineapple-banana cake with cream cheese frosting from Chef Art’s bestselling cookbook “Back To The Table”.Served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Beautifully painted wall.
The tree that was used for this table was struck by lightning so you can see lightning scars on it.
Chef Art Smith’s James Beard Foundation Awards
Be sure to check out Homecomin’ Kitchen soon for their new Sunday brunch!
Homecomin’ Kitchen
1602 East Buena Vista Drive, Orlando, FL 32830
(407) 560-0100 homecominkitchen.com
We were invited to Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi to check out their new Unlimited Izakaya Lunch, available every Sunday from 11am – 2:30pm. Reservations are required – call (407) 370-3359 to reserve your spot.
Adults: $39.00
Children (5-12): $19
Under 5: FREE
All-You-Can-Drink Mimosa, Cucumber Infused Bloody Mary, Saké Sangria: $15 per person
Virgin Sangria
Hand Roll & Nigiri Sushi Station – Your choice of: Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon, White Fish
Steam Bun & Carving Station
White Fish Bun – Japanese tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato
Roasted Garlic Herb Strip Loin – Shiso pesto and Japanese horseradish
Gyoza – Pork dumplings, la-yu soy vinegar
Japanese Slider – Beef burger on fresh baked bun, shies, fried shallots, cabbage, tomato, honey wasabi mayo
First Watch will open their newest location in Waterford Lakes, next to Chuy’s, on Memorial Day, May 28.This location is different than the rest of their Central Florida locations because it is about 1,000 square feet larger and includes its own bar.
Fun facts:
– First Watch is a Florida-based company. They opened their first restaurant in Maitland in 1993.
– They now have 300 locations nationwide.
– They don’t use microwave ovens, heat lamps, or fryers.
The dining area is modern and spacious.
The Waterford Lakes location is the second location with a bar, the first is Jacksonville.
Million Dollar Bloody Mary, Cinnamon Toast Coconut Milk
Pomegranate Sunrise, Morning Glory, Vodka Kale Tonic
Lemon Ricotta Pancake with Scrambled Eggs, Bacon. Side of Seasoned Potatoes and Biscuit.
Smoked Salmon & Roasted Vegetable Frittata with Salad and Ciabatta Toast.
Roast Beef & Havarti Sandwich
Housemade Granola
Kale Tonic (Non-Alcoholic). I need more of this fresh juice in my life!
Be sure to check out the new First Watch – Waterford Lakes soon for delicious breakfast or brunch and amazing service! Shout out to our wonderful server, Myles. He is the best!
(Source credit: First Watch)
First Watch
1448 N. Alafaya Trail Suite 150. Orlando, FL 32828
(941) 907-9800 firstwatch.com
Orlando’s new premier golf-entertainment destination has arrived! Drive Shack – a three-story, indoor/outdoor all-weather golf-entertainment complex pairing the most advanced golf games and technology with good eats, cold drinks, and long drives is now opened in Lake Nona’s vibrant Sports and Performance District. Drive Shack’s flagship location features 90 hitting bays with a 220-yard range, a full-service restaurant and bar, an outdoor lounge, three fully equipped meeting and event rooms for parties up to 1,000, and a complimentary game lounge with classic games like shuffleboard, skee-ball, basketball arcade and Pac-Man.
Orlando is home to the very first Drive Shack. Additional locations are expected to open in Raleigh, N.C., Richmond, Va., West Palm Beach, Fla., Marietta, Ga., and New Orleans, La.
Below are some pictures from our media preview visit. The brunch menu is available from 9am-11am on the weekdays, 9am-2pm on the weekends.
Deep-dish spinach quiche – spinach and Swiss cheese quiche in a rustic buttery crust
Skillet baked cinnamon buns – hot & fresh from the oven drizzled with icing
Loaded morning tots – crispy tater tots, melted cheddar cheese blend, bacon crumbles, and green onions topped with a sunny side up egg
Chocolate chip pancakes – fluffy pancakes sprinkled with chocolate chips, topped with whipped cream and strawberries, and served with maple syrup
Truffled tots
Grilled chicken breast slider – Swiss cheese, tomato, and lemon aioli
Classic all-beef slider – cheddar cheese, DS secret sauce, and a dill pickle
Complimentary game lounge
Outdoor bar
The meats flatbread – Italian-style, all-beef meatballs, chunky pork sausage, pepperoni, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil
Maple bourbon bacon wings – delightfully sticky with a savory, sweet fin
Bavarian pretzel sticks – fresh from the oven sprinkled with crunchy salt, served with tangy honey mustard and rich pimento cheese dips
Gardender’s Cup & Bushwood Clubhouse
The veggies flatbread – red and green peppers, Kalamata olives, caramelized onions, and marinara sauce with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses
Mediterranean dips & veggies – Garlic hummus and tzatziki dips with fresh-baked pita chips, crisp cucumber, bell pepper, and grape tomatoes
Stacked nachos – freshly made tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, black beans, pico de Gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, green onions, salsa, and guacamole
Mahi tacos – three grilled flour tortillas with blackened mahi-mahi, cider slaw, and cilantro lime aioli
Hole in one – cheddar cheeseburger loaded with crisp applewood-smoked bacon, a fried egg, shredded lettuce, and tomato, topped with our housemate bacon-tomato-onion jam and avocado mayo with French fri
Bucket of balls – Italian-style, all-beef meatballs in a zesty marinara sauce, served with toasted garlic bread and grated Parmesan cheese, and topped with fresh torn basil
Rocky road parfait – chocolate pudding layered with toasted marshmallow, chocolate cookie crumbles, and salted peanuts topped with chocolate sauce
Strawberry shortcake parfait – shortcake layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream
Salted butterscotch parfait – salted butterscotch pudding with gingersnap cookie crumbles, layered with whipped cream and caramel sauce
Churros – hot and crispy then dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with a warm chocolate sauce
Be sure to check out the new Drive Shack – Lake Nona soon! It’s so much fun!
Eggs In Purgatory – farm eggs, arrabiata, polenta, and pecorino
We attended a media preview at Pizza Bruno this past Sunday to check out their revamped brunch menu, available every Saturday & Sunday from 11am-3pm and we enjoyed our brunch and experience. The restaurant gets slammed every evening so your best bet is to get there early for lunch during the week or brunch on the weekends when there is no wait time.
Garlic Knots – Too much garlic, pecorino, chili flake, oregano. These are a classic appetizer at Pizza Bruno, I highly recommend them!
Kale Salad – Golden raisins, candied pecans, pizza crumb, Emperors Dressing, pecorino. Most addicting kale sale ever!
Cinnabon Bun, they were so good and a must for every brunch.
Frittata – Roasted tomato, white cheddar, Arugula salad, Ricotta toast with honey and pine nuts
Shrimp & Grits – Rock shrimp, aribiatta, fried egg, Calabrian oil. This dish has a little kick to it.
Dutch Baby in two variations. Wood Fired pancake with amish butter, sea salt, maple syrup. The taste and texture was like a pancake flan.
Foxtail Coffee Co. Cold Brew
Guaincale & Blueberry in two variations. It was sweet and savory. This pizza was popular among our group.
Pizza Amatricana – tomato, chili, red onion, guanciale, and pecorino
The Dude – fresh mozzarella, pecorino, tallegio, lots of black pepper. This is a classic pizza at Pizza Bruno it was popular among our group as well. The Dude was my favorite pizza out of the three.
My togo box of all the pizza variations offered
The talented and down-to-earth owner of Pizza Bruno, Bruno Zacchini III working expo. Thank you for hosting us, you and your staff were amazing!
Be sure to check out brunch at Pizza Bruno soon for their delicious brunch menu and the BEST pizza in Orlando!
Pizza Bruno
3990 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806
(They do not have a phone) pizzabrunofl.com
Our delightful feast was prepared by Chef de Cuisine, Ryan McLaughlin
We were invited to K Restaurant in College Park to preview a few dishes from their new Brunch menu which will launch this Sunday, January 21 from 10AM-2PM and includes carafes of Mimosas & Bloody Marys. We also got to try dishes from their dining menu which changes daily according to the availability of fresh ingredients from locally sourced Central Florida farms and artisans, so be sure to check out their website beforehand for their updated menu. We enjoyed meeting the owner Chad Phelps (pictured above) and his wonderful team. The restaurant is quaint and dreamy, making it the perfect spot for a date or a casual meet-up with good friends trying out great fresh and local food. You must check out K Restaurant in College Park soon if you have not already! It is incredible.
The talented kitchen staff
The amazing serving staff
Pork Belly Benedict
Chicken and Biscuits with Sausage Gravy
Fried green tomatoes
Shrimp and Grits
Basket of Biscuits and cinnamon maple honey butter
The following dishes are from their dining menu of the night:
Chef Trina Gregory-Propst is amazing. She was the one who recommended my family’s restaurant, Saigon Noodle and Grill – Bumby to the Food Network producers when they asked her if she knew of any good Vietnamese restaurants in Orlando to be featured on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”. My family had no idea that Triple D was coming to our city (for the first time ever) so we did not expect to be contacted by them, however, when they reached out to us we knew that it was truly a blessing sent from God. We accepted the offer to film an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” and it has changed our lives for the better. We are now recognized worldwide and we have met so many loyal Triple D fans from all across the world. Chef Trina’s restaurant SE7EN BITES was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives” and both of our restaurants are located in the Milk District, so we are actually neighbors. What an honor it is to put our city and district on the Triple D map with Chef Trina. My family cannot thank her enough for what she has done for our small restaraunt business. We are so grateful for her and her awesome wife’s friendship!
Chef’s Night is an evening at the food bank featuring some of Central Florida’s best chefs and cuisine, all to benefit their Darden Foundation Community Kitchen’s Culinary Training Program. The Culinary Training Program provides qualified, at-risk and economically disadvantaged adults with the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a sustainable career in the food industry. When you support Chef’s Night, you are helping to change lives, and help pull your neighbors in need out of poverty.
SE7EN BITES specializes in nostalgic southern comfort food with a modern twist. Chef Trina has loved to bake since her Grammy first introduced her to baking when she was a child. Grammy helped develop Trina’s love for all things sweet. Add in a professional culinary education, talent and passion and the result is a great recipe for local Orlando Goodness. Chef Trina created a 5-course “Brinner” menu, a delicious combination of breakfast served at dinner. Special thanks to SYSCO for donating all of the food to Chef’s Night to make the event a success.
Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar
Deviled eggs with candied bacon (best deviled eggs that I have ever had in my life!)
Pimento Cheese Biscuit bites with sweet red pepper butter (so yummy!)
Appetizer Course – Fried grit cake with tomato jam, Andouille and dressed Arugula
Salad Course – Citrus Pistachio Salad
Main Course – Colonel Marmalade in the Kitchen with a Knife. Biscuit stacked with Pimento Cheese, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, over medium egg, sausage gravy and finished with a dollop of Orange Blossom Marmalade (so delicious!)
Dessert Course – Cinnamon Roll Sundae Grammies, Cinnamon Roll topped with Vanilla Ice Cream Espresso Maple Caramel, Garnished with Milk & Salted Caramel Crumble
Chef Trina with her awesome wife, Va Propst.
The talented Se7en Bites staff
This lovely lady just got hired by Chef Trina to work at her restaurant, SE7EN BITES! Big congratulations!! (P.S. – She looks familiar. I think we went to high school together. So cool!)
Follow @themichaeljavier on instagram – he’s a cool dude, I want his charisma!
If you missed out this year, be sure to join us at the next Chef’s Table at Second Harvest Food Bank! Details will be posted on their website so keep an eye out for it.
(Source credit: Second Harvest Food Bank)
Second Harvest Food Bank
411 Mercy Drive Orlando, FL 32805
(407) 295-1066 feedhopenow.org
We were invited to Holler & Dash’s one year anniversary event at their only Florida restaurant located in Celebration and we loved it. The food came out impressively fast and it was tasty but the staff, service and ambiance were the biggest highlight. They treat you SO GOOD over at Holler & Dash with their Southern hospitality and they really have a passion for creating great food and memorable experiences.
Their biscuit-inspired menu pays tribute to the South in a fresh new way with chef-driven recipes, fresh ingredients, and layers of flavors like you’ve never tasted before (plus a few you know and love). Now would be a great time to check out Holler & Dash if you are ever in the Celebration area since they have recently added new items to their menu such as: sandwiches, egg plates, salads and toast.
Hotelier, Humanitarian & Hospitality Legend Harris Rosen & I standing in front of his grandparents’ portraits.
Whenever I run into the President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Harris Rosen, I feel like I am spotting a unicorn – it always happens quick and fast, and you have to catch it before it disappears. I was in for a real treat when I attended the media sneak peek of Rosen Plaza’s winter holiday events and Harris Rosen surprised us all with a low-key special guest appearance to welcome us and share a few stories with us about his family, hotels and food.
For those who don’t know, my family respects Mr. Rosen, he is our biggest role model. Mr. Rosen started out with humble beginnings in New York City’s Lower East Side where people did not have a lot of money and he worked very hard to accomplish everything he has now (including hitchhiking to his first business pitch!) and he donates a lot of his earnings back to the community. The first time my family met Mr. Rosen was back on Christmas Day in 2014 at the hotel’s annual Christmas brunch buffet (open to the public) when Mr. Rosen stopped by my family’s table and greeted us and asked us all how we were doing. My mom was the only one who recognized Mr. Rosen at the time since she is an avid reader and had recently read an article about him. My mom quickly put everything together and asked the man at our table if he was Harris Rosen and he replied yes. Shortly after we met him, we witnessed him picking up a small piece of garbage off the ground while there were plenty of his employees around the room that he could have asked to pick it up for him but he choose not to – and it was at that exact moment that we began to realize how humble and hard-working Mr. Rosen is, to be working hard even on Christmas Day, a day most people take off, especially those who can afford to.
My family has made it a tradition every year since our first encounter with Mr. Rosen to dine at one of his hotels on Christmas Day to enjoy their delicious brunch buffets and say hi to him and take pictures with him. My family pictures are included below, with my review to follow. I hope you enjoy the rest of this post!
First time meeting Harris Rosen, 2014
We brought my relatives from Vietnam to Christmas brunch at the Rosen hotel and they are big fans of Harris Rosen as well, 2015.
Christmas Day at Rosen Plaza, 2016
Jack’s Place is named after Harris Rosen’s late father.
Caricature of celebrities drawn by his Jack Rosen when he worked at as a security engineer at the Waldorf Astoria in NY. Jack’s Place displays 175 drawings out of his thousands of celebrity caricatures – they have the largest autographed celebrity caricature collection in the world. Caricature artists come in on Friday and Saturday nights at Jack’s Place to draw restaurant guests.
Sculpture of Jack Rosen
Petite Filet Mignon Toast Garganzola
Manchego Cheese Crisp & Fig Lollipop
“You’re more important than me.” Founder Harris Rosen (left) said to one of his managers, John Nichols (center), before John spoke to the media. That was humbling to witness!
“We cater to any eater – those with celiac disease. We take time to prepare what our guests asks for.” -Harris Rosen
Octoberfest Big Boss Pretzels With Warm Alligator Drool Beer Cheese and Honey Mustard Dipping Sauces
Indian Pumpkin Craving
Edamame Dim Sum
Shrimp & Pork Dim Sum
Deer Ice Sculpture Carved By Chef Ricki
Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp
Crab Claws
Ceviche
Pulled Pork On A Pina Colada Roll with Guava BBQ & Crispy Sriracha Slaw
Grilled Bratwurst Banh Mi With Pickled Cucumber Petite Cucumber Sprout Garnish
Alligator Drool
Blue Harris
I highly recommend visiting the Rosen Plaza for the holidays to enjoy festive decor, yummy eats, frosty sips and the chance to mingle with Mr. Rosen – if you’re lucky enough to run into him as I have been these past few years on Christmas Day as he is making his rounds at all of his hotels.
For more information about future events, check out the links below.
We were invited to the media preview of the Sunday Brunch Buffet at Mesa21 and it was an amazing “brunch with a view” experience consisting of delicious food, beautiful authentic interior and exterior design, extraordinary service, and a breathtaking view of Lake Ivanhoe with the occasional bird sightings. I cannot wait to come back and introduce my friends to this new Sunday brunch experience.
Sunday Brunch from 11am to 3pm
$25 Adults
$20 bottomless mimosas & Bloody Maria’s
or $40 for both
$10 for 6 – 12 years old
Children under 6 years old eat FREE
Salad bar
Carvery Station: Roast beef
Fresh mixed vegetables
Mexican rice
Tortilla strips, shredded mozzarella cheese, and Mexican soup.
Fresh house made crispy corn tortilla chips
Salsa verde
Chips & Pico de Gallo – Corn tortillas served with fresh pico de Gallo, salsa verde, and salsa rancheros.
Mexican Pancakes – Fluffy pancakes & French Toast – Thick sliced brioche bread topped with powdered sugar.
Eggs a la carte – scrambled over medium, over hard, poached.
The Hammered Lamb in the Lake Ivanhoe District, just north of downtown Orlando, is one of those places you’d think would be just a typical divey bar, but actually surprises you with decent, if not very good, bar food. The restaurant has a large outdoor patio area which looks out on Lake Ivanhoe across the street and where you can hear the nearby train go by every so often. Free shots, more like fruit juice with a touch of alcohol, are passed around every time a train goes by.
The brunch at The Hammered Lamb features one of the most epic Bloody Mary bars I’ve seen here in town – with toppings like bacon, mozzarella, olives, and artichoke, along with the various mixers to the flavored Tito vodka of your choice. It’s a meal in itself and well worth the price.
The brunch menu itself is pretty small but the entire menu is available. Classic shrimp and grits are a hit here, as are the baked wings. Overall, a pleasant dining experience for a Sunday morning in Orlando!
The Bloody Mary Bar
Mixers and Hot sauces
Bloody Mary
Baked Chicken Wings – quite delicious
The House Shrimp and Grits with bacon and andouille sausage
The Lamb Gyro
Lamb Gyro
Mary’s Little Omelette – with lamb, sausage, peppers and onions, and mozzarella
The Hammered Lamb
Address: 1235 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804, United States
Phone: +1 407-704-3200
Menu: thehammeredlamb.com
Soco stands for Southern Contemporary, with Southern roots and a contemporary interpretation of American cuisine, and is situated in Thornton Park. It’s also got one of the best Sunday brunches in town.
“It’s a new and adventurous culinary approach to dishes that we have all come to know and love. At Soco we are focused on true Southern hospitality, and we are committed to overall excellence.” said Executive Chef Greg Richie.
“We are local, both in terms of the products we use and the neighborhood where we reside. Soco is committed to enriching Thornton Park and cultivating the culinary renaissance of Downtown Orlando.”
Chef Richie graduated with honors from the acclaimed Johnson and Wales University in Charleston. He worked with Yamaguchi at the original Roy’s Restaurant in Hawaii and was selected to be the first executive chef/partner for Roy’s in Orlando. He was then chosen by Lagasse to take over the kitchen at Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.
Here’s a look at the fabulous Sunday brunch at Soco:
Pharmacy is now opening their doors to guests on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-2pm to introduce their new brunch menu. Diners have their choice of any entrée and cocktail for $25.
Read further below for the Press Release info:
The owners are putting their unique spin on well-known brunch favorites. Guests are greeted with a complimentary assortment of freshly fried chocolate and spiced glazed donuts for the table to enjoy.
The menu offers a range of fresh entrées, cocktails, and sides.
Diners have their choice of any entrée and cocktail for $25.
Entrées range from buttermilk and chive waffles made with farm fresh eggs and salmon cured in-house to mushroom cream mac and cheese alongside smoked brown sugar cured bacon.
A variety of cocktails are also available such as the Bloody Michelada garnished with cheese, olive and prosciutto, or their spin on a traditional mimosa known as the Buck’s Fizz featuring Marcel Martin Cremate Brut, Orange Juice and their in-house grenadine.
Pharmacy isn’t just known for its trendy speakeasy environment, but for their menu filled with local and organic foods.
The restaurant’s chef, who was featured in Food & Wine Magazine’s Top 10 Chefs in the Country along with the owners all bring their talents to the table to create unconventional dishes and cocktails.
While guests can always expect delicious and unique dishes, the menu selection changes seasonally.
Here are 6 Delightful Dishes from Pharmacy’s New Weekend Brunch Menu
1. Buttermilk & Chive Waffles
2. Pulled Pork Hash Eggs Benedict
3. Cinnamon Buns
4. Chocolate and Spice Glazed Donuts
5. Pharmacy Mac & Cheese with Double Corn Grits and Brown Sugar Cured Bacon
I love Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen’s Sunday brunch menu created by Chef Camilo Velasco.
Known mostly for their coffee, the flavors here pop and the menu items are refreshing yet familiar.
The brunch menu, which is available only at their Winter Park flagship location, features dishes like the Israeli inspired Shakshuka, made with saucy tomato ragout topped with poached eggs, thyme, feta, served with buttered toast.
My favorite item from the menu? The simply named – Burrito, with not so simple flavors. This lovely dish is filled with fluffy eggs, spiced chorizo, sweet peppers, herb roasted potatoes, and cilantro all wrapped up together – Delish.
Burrito. Eggs, chorizo, sweet peppers,
herb roasted potatoes, cilantro. 10
Recently visited White Wolf Cafe in Ivanhoe Village. It’s a lovely little restaurant in the “Antique District” on Orlando Avenue, just north of Downtown Orlando.
It was featured on Rachel Ray’s $40 a day show when she came to Orlando for the Food Network.
They are quite popular for their weekend brunch as well as for their dinner right before the different theatre shows go on in the evening time.
The White Wolf is named after their white German Shepherd, Casper.
The decor is quite fun – lots of antique furniture (also for sale!) – kind of transports you to a different time and place – quirky, charming.
I ordered the French toast this morning – topped with blueberries and powdered sugar. I enjoyed the flavor of the French toast, but the outsides were a slightly burnt which gave it a bitter taste. I would definitely return to try other dishes as I enjoyed the atmosphere.
White Wolf Cafe
1829 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
+1 407-895-9911
This tapas restaurant (which also has a branch in Key West) just off of Mills Avenue on Virginia Drive (I think they still call it part of Ivanhoe Village?), has a $39.95 all you can eat weekend brunch that includes all you can drink mimosas and sangria. Saturdays, no reservations needed, but Sundays, reservations are a must.
Items include prime rib, crab legs, leg of lamb, roast chicken, as well as sliced cheese, cured meats, chorizo paella, sweet maple bacon, biscuits and gravy, and more.
Save space for the french toast – a fried croissant take on the dish with lots of powdered sugar. Go hungry.
Brought to life by charismatic owner Rocco Mangel, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar has become one of the most popular restaurants on Sand Lake Road, Orlando’s Restaurant Row, with open air seating, beautiful wood themed decor, a fabulous lake side view, along with great Mexican food.
Here the guacamole is prepared tableside and guests can sample from 225 varieties of tequila.
Now they’re getting into the brunch game with new Mexican style breakfast/brunch dishes like Wet Burrito Con Huevos, Pan Dulce y Compota Manzana, and Huevos Ahoghada con Shortribs.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Rocco’s Tacos Orlando guests can spicy up traditional brunch with the popular Wet Burrito con Huevos, scrambles eggs, rajas, bacon, potatoes, cheese guacamole, pico de gallo and chipotle crema and salsa rojo to pack in the heat or the chilequiles, a delicious sunny side up egg topped with tostada chips fried in salsa verde, Chihuahua and cotija cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
· Fruit & Nut Granola ($9.50) – Strawberries, bananas, apple compote, Greek yogurt
· Wet Burrito con Huevos ($12) – Scrambled eggs, rajas, bacon, potatoes, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, chipotle crema, salsa rojo
· Benedict Azteca ($13) – Poached eggs in masa sopes, pork cochinitas, salsa orjo, spinach, chipotle crema, Mexican potatos
· Huevos en Cazuela (Bistec: $14, Bacon and Chorizo: $12) – Sunny side up eggs on black beans and cheese with a choice of meat in a skillet
· Huevos Rancheros Divociados ($13) – Sunny side up eggs on tostadas, refried bean, salsas rojo and verde, lettuce, Chihuahua cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole
· Huevos Ahoghada con Shortribs ($13) – Poached eggs on shortribs and poblano hash, salsa verde, corn, spinach, manchego
· Chilequiles ($13) – Sunny side up eggs, tostada chips fried with salsa verde, topped with Chihuahua and cotija cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico de galllo
· Pan dulce y Compota Manzana ($13) – Mexican style French toast with bacon, agave, and maple syrup, apple compote, sweet sour cream.
Huevos Ahoghada con Shortribs ($13) – Poached eggs on shortribs and poblano hash, salsa verde, corn, spinach, manchegoPan dulce y Compota Manzana ($13) – Mexican style French toast with bacon, agave, and maple syrup, apple compote, sweet sour cream.
WHEN:
Saturdays and Sundays
11am – 3 pm
LOCATIONS:
7468 W. Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 226-0550
Premium margaritas at Rocco’s Tacos“Ceviche Del Dia” is made Fresh daily with Marinated seafood with lime, onion, tomato, cilantro, avocado and pepper
Txokos (pronounced cho-kos) Basque Kitchen at East End Market in Audubon Park opened earlier this year in March 2014. The much anticipated restaurant is brought to us by James Beard award nominated Chef Henry Salgado of New Smyrna Beach’s Spanish River Grill.
A fifth generation Floridian, Chef Henry Salgado grew up cooking with his Cuban grandmother in his hometown of Tampa. A graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, he worked his way through the kitchens of the south. He along with his wife, Michele, eventually opened Spanish River Grill in 1999, earning a semi-finalist nomination for the 2012 and 2014 James Beard awards.
At Txokos Basque Kitchen, Chef Henry and his team bring the flavors of Northern Spain to the expanding Orlando food scene, utilizing homegrown produce, locally raised provisions and Florida seafood. The menu features authentic Pintxos (small plates), Spanish wines and a wood fired Asador for grilling.
The menu at Txokos Kitchen is seasonally driven by Chef Henry’s access to the East End Market’s vegetable garden, local, sustainable seafood and many talented Florida farmers.
They recently started brunch service on the weekend and so we dropped by with some friends and came away very impressed.
Brunch Menu at Txokos
We love the decor at Txokos, modern yet rustic – comfortable place to go with a group of friends to share pintxos small plates over a meal
You can’t have brunch with out mimosas, bloody marys, and sangriasA gorgeous Wood fired Asador grill is featured at Txokos Basque KitchenFried Shrimp and dirty grits with chicken liver, jamon, and shallot. – $10 – One of my favorites – the shrimp was crunchy, crispy and fresh and the grits had a sultry, savory flavor that went very well together with the crunchy fried shrimp.Calamari Fritto – lightly fried with a house made romesco sauce for dipping -$7Tortilla Espanola – a tapas classic, not the corn tortillas that we are used to – these tortillas are made with layors of potato, onions, and eggs with a tomato aioli – $5Benedict Lomo – pan de gallego, tomato relish, lomo ham, poached local egg, saffron hollandaise, and charred vegetables – $12Benedict Lomo – pan de gallego, tomato relish, lomo ham, poached local egg, saffron hollandaise, and charred vegetables – $12Jamon pintxos – thinly sliced iberico ham, lomo, chorizo, with marcona almonds and alioli – $13Chef Henry Salgado and Peter Lee of Txokos Basque KitchenBaked Spanish Toast – cinnamon baked bread pudding topped with Bordeaux cherries, kalimotxo glazed pork belly, and poached egg – the dish was subtly sweet and savory, kalimotxo is a signature Basque style made by marinating the meat with cola and wine. $14Tacos con Bacalao – Deep Fried salt cod, shredded cabbage, tomato garlic relish, toasted cumin seed vinaigrette – $14 – the salt cod was a bit too salty on this visit and would have benefitted from soaking longer to reduce the salt content in the bacalao.Local celebrity Master Chef season 5 contestant Francis Biondi spotted at Txokos Basque Kitchen on a recent visitJamon Stuffed Trout – Wood Grilled Rainbow Trout stuffed with serrano ham, fresh basil, summer potato salad
Like any other Sunday morning, I was faced with the tedious task of figuring out what to eat for breakfast. After all, no weekend is complete without a memorable Sunday brunch.
I decided to head toward Park Ave with great hope of finding a delicious brunch spot. Unfortunately, the parking situation was not in my favor, so I decided to drive away. A minute later, my eyes glanced over to Ethos Vegan Kitchen. For those of you who have never been here, they serve vegan/vegetarian cuisine – I’ve had their pizza and calzones in the past, which didn’t disappoint at all. However, I was completely unfamiliar with the brunch/breakfast scene at Ethos. The thought of vegan sausage and bacon confused me.
I walked into Ethos and was greeted by a friendly staff. They pointed me to the bar since all the booths were filled. The menu was easy to follow; they were serving up the usual breakfast assortment in a vegan fashion: eggs, french toast, cinnamon buns, bacon, etc
My brunch started with freshly brewed iced tea, or at least that’s what I was told it was. Unfortunately, the tea was bitter – probably due to over-steeping or poor tea quality. I should have trusted my instincts and ordered a mimosa.
Bitter Iced Tea
Before ordering, I asked the server what the vegan sausage was made of. She said, “It’s a mixture of wheat and soy.”
As a struggling vegetarian, I decided to give it a try and ordered the vegan sausage as a side to my french toast, which was served with fresh strawberries, walnuts ($0.99 extra), and agave syrup. When I received my french toast, I was slightly disappointed at first. The portion size was tiny and didn’t seem like it was worth $10. However, I started feeling full after a few bites in. I’m not sure how vegan french toast is made, but Ethos’ take is rich and filling. The powdered sugar and cinnamon accentuated the caramel flavors found in the edges and the sweetness of the strawberries. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a huge fan of the vegan sausage – it was dull in flavor and slightly chalky in texture.
French Toast topped with fresh strawberries, agave syrup, walnuts, and served with vegan sausage.
Overall, I’d give the French Toast an eight out of ten. The french toast itself was absolutely delicious but I’ll have to try a different side next time.
BRIO Tuscan Grille at Winter Park Village in Winter Park is celebrating springtime with its fun-filled Bunny Brunch.
BRIO’s Bunny Brunch offers plenty of delicious items for both adults and children. Dishes on the adult menu include Eggs, Home Fries & Bacon, Sicilian Omelette, Berries & Cream French Toast, and Ham & Biscuit Benedict. Children’s entrees are scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh fruit; and French toast with bacon and fresh fruit. In addition to the Bunny Brunch menu, my guest and I were able to get a taste of the Calamari and Spicy Shrimp & Eggplant appetizers recommended by our friendly server, Sterling.
The new menu options appeal to many different tastes and Executive Chef Eric Carter did a beautiful job with the dishes. BRIO offers flexible options to cater dietary preferences and can substitute entrées with egg whites or turkey sausage. There is also a light gluten free menu with entrées under 550 calories.
To add festivity to the brunch, the Easter Bunny walked around greeting guests at every table for photo opportunities and there was also a face painting station for children.
The restaurant decor is classically polished with white linens and dark marble details. There is a large indoor dining room and outdoor terrace to accommodate any party size, and I opted for outdoor seating to relax in the perfect morning light and weather.
Sicilian Omelette: Cherrywood smoked ham bacon, Fontanini sausage tomato compote, Mozzarella Provolone and Parmesan cheeses. Served with brunch potatoes.Ham & Biscuit Benedict: Two poached cage free eggs, Cherrywood smoked ham, house made biscuit, hollandaise. Served with brunch potatoes.Eggs, Home Fries & Bacon: Scrambled eggs, bacon, brunch potatoes, toast. (Turkey sausage available upon request)Berries & Cream French Toast: Mascarpone cream cheese stuffed French toast, honey, cinnamon, fresh berry compote. With Applewood smoked bacon.Berries & Cream French Toast – my favorite dish!Calamari Fritto MistoSpicy Shrimp & Eggplant: Pan seared shrimp in a black pepper cream sauce over Romano crusted eggplant. Recommended by our server and it was delicious!Executive Chef Eric Carter and Tiffany Nguyen posing with the Easter Bunny
BRIO at Winter Park Village
480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
BRIO offers Call Ahead Seating and Reservations. (407) 622-5611
BRUNCH AT BRIO ~ Available Saturday & Sunday until 3:30pm.
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana is a “polished casual,” affordable restaurant offering classic Italian food amongst the shadows of Roman ruins. The subtitle “Cucina Italiana” means Italian kitchen, in which all cooking is done in full view of the guest, creating the energy of a live theater.
BRAVO’s popular entrees include grilled steaks, chops, and made-to-order pizzas, pastas and house specialties, similar to an authentic ‘ristorante’ in Italy. BRAVO! is part of Columbus-based BRAVO I BRIO Restaurant Group. Founded in 1992, BRAVO I BRIO Restaurant Group currently operates more than 100 restaurants in 33 states including BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, BRIO Tuscan Grille and Bon Vie Bistro.
On April 12, 2014, BRAVO! hosted a fun-filled Bunny Brunch to celebrate springtime. This brunch will be available also during Easter Sunday. I was invited to try it out recently here in town.
Sit down with the Easter Bunny to enjoy dishes on the menu for adults and children.
Children’s entrées are scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh fruit; and French toast with bacon and fresh fruit.
Adults could chose from Sicilian Omelette (Cherrywood smoked ham, bacon, Fontanini sausage, tomato compote, Mozzarella, Provolone and Parmesan cheeses, served with brunch potatoes) to Berries & Cream French Toast (Mascarpone cream cheese stuffed French toast, honey, cinnamon, and berry compote with Applewood smoked bacon). Two other options will be mentioned below.
Once drinks are ordered, house baked muffins are brought out. At our table, we were given poppy seed and blueberry muffins. Both were delicious, but were a tad dry in my opinion.
With the Bunny Brunch, the meal also includes a yogurt & fruit parfait. Each cup was cute and had fresh fruit over yogurt taken right out of the fridge.
The Eggs, Home Fries & Bacon consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, brunch potatoes, and brioche toast – turkey sausage available upon request. The scrambled eggs were requested to be of only egg whites and accommodated; they were delicious with a shake of salt and pepper. The bacon was crispy without being burnt. And the home fries were to die for with its delicious seasoning.
The Ham & Biscuit Benedict had two poached eggs, Cherrywood smoked ham, house made biscuit, and hollandaise, served with brunch potatoes. This was made to please every tastebud as each ingredient added to the dish in general. The poached eggs had a little sweetness to the palate; the ham was smoked and a little spicy, but bearable to those who can’t handle spicy dishes; and the biscuits themselves were fluffy as can be!
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana Orlando – Dellagio is located at 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL 32819, in the Dellagio development adjacent to The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips. The 7,482-square-foot BRAVO! restaurant includes indoor seating for 233, two private dining rooms that can each accommodate up to 30, and an outdoor terrace that seats 122.
BRAVO! offers lunch and dinner, as well as an award-winning children’s menu.
The restaurant is open Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m. For reservations, please call (407) 351-5880.
Easter is Sunday April 20th this year, and with Easter, of course, comes Sunday brunch with the family. Make sure you make your reservations early!
Easter Brunch at the Hyatt Regency Orlando
FiorenzoItalian Steakhouse is offering a special Easter Brunch menu this year – complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny.
For $64 per adult and $32 for children ages 5 to 12, the menu will include hand carved leg of lamb; fluffy omelets made to order; hot and cold smoked salmon; tapas and antipasto display; sparking wine; juice; coffee and tea; and much more.
Enjoy Easter Brunch at Emeril’s Orlando or Emeril’s Tchoup Chop
Restaurants offering special menus, extended hours
Emeril’s Orlando and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop restaurants at Universal Orlando will both be serving unique menu items and cocktail specials onApril 20, Easter Sunday. Emeril’s Orlando will be serving the special menus for brunch only, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Emeril’s Tchoup Chop will serve the special menu alongside its regular dinner menu from 12–9 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
Easter brunch at Emeril’s Orlando:
Emeril’s Orlando is offering specials including a duck confit and mushroom gumbo;baked oyster Rockefeller; a brûlée goat cheese salad with strawberries and beets;Gulf shrimp and corn grits with bacon, mushrooms, herbs and Creole tomato glaze;crab cakes served with poached eggs and a red bean-sweet corn relish and cayenne hollandaise; a boudin-stuffed quail with collard greens and mustard-pear jus; and panéed veal with truffle fettuccini. The special menu will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on April 20. Call (407) 224-2424 for reservations. View the full menu.
Andouille crusted fish of the day with shoestring potatoes, zucchini, squash and Creole meuniere sauce at Emeril’s.
Easter at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop:
Emeril’s Tchoup Chop Easter specials include a Robata Tako with chick peas, sundried tomatoes, cannellini beans, charred ramps, yuzu dill vinaigrette; crab cake benedict with furikake biscuits, Asian guacamole kim chee hollandaise; chicken under a brick with spring peas, new potatoes, pipikaula, artichoke, cipollini onions charred ramp morel vinaigrette; a grilled Australian lamb T-bone with apple habanero “Waldorf” potato salad, mint lemongrass tamari drizzle huckleberry jam; a Lilikoi key lime meringue with huckleberry jam and huckleberry sorbet; and carrot cake trifle in a jar with macadamia nut brittle ice cream. The special menu will be served in addition to the regular dinner menu from 12–9 p.m. Call (407) 503-2467 for reservations. View the full Easter menu.
BRIO Tuscan Grille at Winter Park Village Hops Into Easter with April 12 Bunny Brunch, Featuring the Easter Bunny & Fun Activities
Who/What:
BRIO Tuscan Grille (BRIO) at Winter Park Village in Winter Park is celebrating springtime with its fun-filled Bunny Brunch for the entire family. Kids will spring into exciting Easter activities and a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny himself (don’t forget your camera!)
BRIO’s breakfast will be plentiful with delicious items for both adults and children. Dishes on the adult menu, all priced at $11.95, include Eggs, Home Fries & Bacon (scrambled eggs, bacon, brunch potatoes, and brioche toast – turkey sausage available upon request); Sicilian Omelette (Cherrywood smoked ham, bacon, Fontanini sausage, tomato compote, Mozzarella, Provolone and Parmesan cheeses, served with brunch potatoes); Berries & Cream French Toast (Mascarpone cream cheese stuffed French toast, honey, cinnamon, and berry compote with Applewood smoked bacon); and Ham & Biscuit Benedict (two poached eggs, Cherrywood smoked ham, housemade biscuit, and hollandaise, served with brunch potatoes).
Children’s entrees, both priced at $5.95, are scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh fruit; and French toast with bacon and fresh fruit.
All meals come with choice of coffee, tea, soda or juice; plus a yogurt & fruit parfait and house baked muffins.
Reservations are requested for the Bunny Brunch at (407) 622-5611.
When:
Saturday, April 12, 9–11 a.m.
Where:
BRIO at Winter Park Village
480 N. Orlando Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 622-5611
It’s Brunch with the Easter Bunny! BRAVO! Cucina Italiana Orlando – Dellagio Hops into its April 12 Bunny Brunch, Featuring the Bunny Himself & Fun Activities
Who/What:
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana Orlando – Dellagio in Orlando is celebrating springtime with its fun-filled Bunny Brunch for the entire family. Kids will spring into exciting Easter activities and a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny himself (don’t forget your camera!)
BRAVO!’s breakfast will be plentiful with delicious items for both adults and children. Dishes on the adult menu, all priced at $11.95, include Eggs, Home Fries & Bacon (scrambled eggs, bacon, brunch potatoes, and brioche toast – turkey sausage available upon request); Sicilian Omelette (Cherrywood smoked ham, bacon, Fontanini sausage, tomato compote, Mozzarella, Provolone and Parmesan cheeses, served with brunch potatoes); Berries & Cream French Toast (Mascarpone cream cheese stuffed French toast, honey, cinnamon, and berry compote with Applewood smoked bacon); and Ham & Biscuit Benedict (two poached eggs, Cherrywood smoked ham, housemade biscuit, and hollandaise, served with brunch potatoes).
Children’s entrees, both priced at $5.95, are scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh fruit; and French toast with bacon and fresh fruit.
All meals come with choice of coffee, tea, soda or juice; plus a yogurt & fruit parfait and house baked muffins.
Reservations are requested for the Bunny Brunch at (407) 351-5880.
When:
Saturday, April 12, 9–10:30 a.m.
Where:
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana Orlando – Dellagio
7924 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-5880.
Easter at Ocean Prime
Celebrate Easter with family and friends at Orlando’s modern American supper club. Ocean Prime will open early at 11 a.m. on Easter Sunday, serving executivechef Jeremy Mattson’s special brunch menu in addition to the dinner menu all day. Brunch options include blood orange mimosa, quichewith spinach, swiss, provolone, parmesan, arugula salad and fresh fruit,blueberry French toast with cream cheese, powdered sugar, warm maple syrup and smoked bacon, braised short rib with marble potatoes, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, poached eggs and cabernet jus, crab and eggs with toasted English muffin, jumbo lump crab cakes, poached eggs, hollandaise, fingerling potatoes and fresh fruit and blackened salmon salad with strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, goat cheese, field greens, basil poppyseed dressing and candied walnuts. Reservations can be made online at www.ocean-prime.com.
Easter Day Buffet with Unlimited Champagne Café Osceola
Date: Sunday, April 20, 2014
Time: 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Whether you love traditional favorites, unlimited champagne or dazzling desserts, Rosen Shingle Creek’s Café Osceola is serving more than 44 mouthwatering edibles for everyone to savor. Menu offerings include soups, salad, seafood stations, delicious entrees, carving and pasta stations, desserts and much more!
The buffet is priced at $64.95 for adults; $29.95 for children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and under. Florida residents and hotel guests take 25% off. Price does include tax and gratuity.
Reservations are strongly recommended by calling (407) 996-6338. For more information contact Emily Grether at egrether@rosenshinglecreek.com, or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1410742295843030/.
Easter Day Buffet with Unlimited Champagne at Café Gauguin
Date: Sunday, April 20, 2014
Time: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Easter Bunny is bringing more than just candy this year. Enjoy Café Gauguin’s special Easter Brunch including waffles and omelets made to order, carving stations, fresh seafood, sushi and desserts ranging from chocolate fondue to an assortment of pies, plus unlimited champagne and mimosas.
Our buffet is $41.95 for adults; $16.95 for children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and under. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Valet parking is complimentary.
Reservations are strongly recommended by calling (407) 996-9840. For more information contact Adrienne Lee at alee@rosencentre.com, or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/618763558171061/#.
Easter Day Brunch Buffet at Rosen Plaza’s Grand Ballroom
Date: Sunday, April 20, 2014
Time: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Fill your Easter basket with our spring brunch selections. Choose from more than 39 delectable dishes of soups, salads, fresh seafood, traditional favorites and decadent desserts. Includes a complimentary glass of wine.
The buffet is priced at $36.95 plus tax and gratuity, children under 12 $16.95 plus tax and gratuity; children under 4 free with each paying adult. Valet parking is complimentary.
Reservations are strongly recommended by calling (407) 996-0256. For more information contact Connie McCoy at cmccoy@rosenplaza.com, or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/614345248618502/.
Celebrate Easter Brazilian-Style
Texas de Brazil to Open at 11:00 a.m. with Additional Menu Items!
WHAT: Texas de Brazil will open at 11:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20 and is the perfect choice for an Easter feast, Brazilian-style! Families can enjoy Texas de Brazil’s signature cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and Brazilian sausage carved tableside in true Brazilian Churrascaria fashion.
MENU
ADDITIONS: For Easter only, Texas de Brazil is offering scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, fruit salad, assorted pastries, bacon and sausage, in addition to their regular dinner menu. For the special price of $8/each, diners can also choose between mango, strawberry or passion fruit flavored Spring Mimosas, a delicious cocktail made with their house Champagne, blended with choice of fruit puree and a touch of orange juice.
WHEN: Sunday, April 20, open at 11:00 a.m.
COST: Regular Dinner: $46.99/Light Dinner: $24.99. Texas de Brazil will be serving the regular dinner menu and price all day. Drinks, dessert, alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity are additional.
WHERE: Orlando, FL: 5259 International Drive, 407.355.0355
We recently dropped by Winter Park’s Cask & Larder – run by James Beard Award nominated Chef-Owners James and Julie Petrakis – for a Southern style Sunday brunch.
Joining us for brunch was our dear friend and my high school classmate, Jachima of the divine Tampa food blog Pie’s Palate. She had just finished the Disney Princess Half-Marathon that morning and was looking for something tasty to try in town.
I suggested visiting Cask and Larder for their highly acclaimed brunch – and it turned out to be a rather truly splendid meal, with some of the best dishes I’ve had all year. Do visit for brunch soon as the menu does change often.
We spoke to Cask and Larder’s Chef de Cuisine Rhys Gawlak about the dishes to inquire more insight into the deliciousness:
Smoked Sausage with Maple Bourbon Glaze – $6
Steak and “Huevos Rancheros” – chilaquiles, red beans, fried egg, cancha corn -$18
“For our Steak & Huevos Rancheros, the steak is a hanger cut, also referred to as a pillar steak, which we rub with a coffee rub. The coffee rub is of course the coffee along with orange, cinnamon, clove, garlic, and brown sugar. Next to the steak is the Rancheros part of the dish. Slow cooked red beans highlighted with herbs de provence act as a resting pool for the chilaquilles. For the chilaquilles we make a red chile sauce out of guaillo and pasilla peppers which is spread between layers of white tortilla and cotija cheese then baked. As if there were any more room on the plate for something, two fried eggs are nestled in there between the steak and chilaquilles. The final touch is a sweet and spicy brittle made from Peruvian cancha corn.” – Cask & Larder Chef de Cuisine Rhys Gawlak
Chicken and Waffles – Nashville hot chicken, cornbread waffle, cheddar, sweet relish, chive crème fraiche, smoked honey – $14
“For the Nashville Chicken and Waffles, we took Bell & Evans chicken thighs that we brine, smoke, dredge, fry, and finally toss with a smoky spicy “Nashville Hot Chicken” rub. The rub was developed as an homage to the original “Hot Chicken” from Nashville, TN. If you have not youtubed “Prince’s Hot Chicken“, you should…it’s the real O.G. The waffles are a cornbread recipe that has been tweaked to cook in a waffle iron. There is white cheddar in the waffles as well as garnishing on the plate. On the bottom of the plate is a dill creme fraiche which is to cool you down from the spice. Also to cut the spice a bit and round out the dish, we finish it with a sweet and sour combination of house smoked honey and dill pickle relish.” – Cask & Larder Chef de Cuisine Rhys Gawlak
Cask and Larder, truly the finest brunch in Orlando, done with a distinctly new Southern flair.
“Waltzing Matilda” is Australia’s most widely known bush ballad, a folk song that has been referred to as “the unofficial national anthem of Australia”. The title is Australian slang for traveling by foot with one’s goods (waltzing) with a “Matilda” (bag) slung over one’s back.
Matilda is a romantic term for a swagman’s bundle and I suppose Matilda’s on Park can be called a mixed bag of sorts.
The restaurant took over the spot on the north end of Park Avenue, across from Panera Bread, that has been a bit “cursed” as of late, with quite a few closings in the past few years. Maybe it’s the foot traffic in that area, or maybe it is the restaurant management – either way it’s a tough deck of cards that are dealt.
The decor is rather modern and swanky, though the flat screen TVs flanking the walls give the restaurant a decidedly more pub-like feel. I think that angle shows potential especially given the menu choices of so called “gourmet” mac and cheeses (they have over 7 types here including lobster mac) and burgers. If only the prices reflected those that you would expect at a pub-like establishment. At $14 for Buffalo Mac and Cheese, I would expect more than a small bowl full, maybe a platter of mac and cheese for that price.
On a recent visit for brunch, my friends ordered the typical brunch items from breakfast croissant sandwiches to California eggs benedicts.
As a nod to their “Aussie” theme, one of the burgers on the menu is the Roo burger ($14) made with real kangaroo meat, topped with cheese sauce, onion straws, on a toasted brioche bun. The kangaroo meat tasted slightly gamey, a little greasy for some reason, but savory and was cooked to the right temperature. Overall, not sure if I am a fan, but didn’t hate it – maybe I’ll have to give it another try. The fries that came with the burgers were also quite nice.
On this visit, it seemed oddly quiet for a Sunday morning at the restaurant, with nary another group dining during our time there. Maybe it’s time to do some promoting, as just a few doors down at another restaurant, the crowds were fully flowing. I thought the food at Matilda’s was better than that other place, but maybe it was the concept that throws people off. The theme and menu seem to need some clarity.
The food overall was good, but for some reason it just seemed like something was missing.
Wasabi bloody mary – tomato juice with wasabi, montreal steak seasoned rim
Buffalo Mac and Cheese – pieces of chicken (a rather large piece that looked like fried tofu at first), cheddar, swiss, parmesan, with secret sauce $14
California eggs benedict with avocado, egg, bacon, tomato
Shrimp and crab omelet – cheddar and gruyere cheese, crab, shrimp, with potatoes and wheat toast ($12)
Breakfast croissant sandwich with ham, egg, cheese and side of home fries
