The owners of Light On The Sugar, a local bakery known for their instagrammable cream puffs, macarons, cakes and coffee, have officially announced that they will be opening a sister concept, Sugar Dough Bakehouse, this summer. The new concept will specialize in made-from-scratch, Asian-inspired French pastries along with house-brewed coffee and teas, and is expected to open some time after the fourth of July.

With the help of brothers Jimmy and Johnny Tung, Yixi and Wen will be bringing Sugar Dough to Audubon Park. The 1000 square-foot bake shop will be located in the space formerly occupied by Blue Bird Bake Shop at 3122 Corrine Drive next to Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream across from East End Market. Located right next door to Foreigner, a highly-anticipated pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar chef’s tasting concept.

Sugar Dough, founded by husband-and-wife team Yixi Qiu and Wen Pan, is meant to complement their first concept, Light on the Sugar, by offering more fresh-baked breads versus desserts. The concept will offer Japanese milk bread, savory and cream-filled croissants, danishes, cookies, Portuguese egg tarts, and le flan, a French-style custard made from sous vide egg.  The bake shop will also offer cruffins (croissant muffins), and both sweet and savory cruffles, a hybrid between a croissant and a waffle.  Flavors will include sesame, ube s’more, and white chocolate oreo, and creations will rotate seasonally. To wash it all down, Sugar Dough will also offer fresh fruit tea and coffee brewed in-house daily from locally-sourced roasted beans.

“We would make trips to New York just to get these Asian-style breads and pastries. We wanted to bring that experience back home with us to Orlando… open a place that offered delicious baked goods made-from-scratch that same morning. We love to eat and consider ourselves foodies so we’re very excited to be part of the growing local food community,” said co-founder Yixi Qiui.

Both originally from China, Yixi and Wen became high school sweethearts when they first met in St. Augustine in 2006. Both shared a passion for baking, a skill that was self-taught.  The couple moved to Orlando, and worked in the restaurant industry for several years. Wen would often times bring home-made baked goods to share with coworkers.  This hobby eventually evolved into a small business, with Light On The Sugar opening in September of 2019.

Light On The Sugar opened its doors on Aloma Avenue in Winter Park just a few months before the Covid-19 pandemic. The 900-square-foot bakery and coffee shop gained a cult-like following after a viral TikTok video, and the brand’s Instagram account quickly amassed over 10,000 followers. Light On The Sugar became known as an Instagrammer’s dream with it’s unique, highly-photogenic treats, and themed, seasonal creations like their Pokemon character macarons, and festive, matcha-flavored Grinch cream puffs. Although less sweet than their Western counterparts, the concept’s Asian-inspired pastries taste just as good as they look.  Items like the light, airy cream puffs, and delicate crepe cakes are all carefully prepared in-house daily with high quality ingredients.

Despite closing for six weeks during the peak of the pandemic, Light On The Sugar has managed to thrive, and the idea of opening a sister concept came on the heels of its success.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to turn our passion into a living. We couldn’t be more grateful, and are very eager to share our new creations with the Orlando community,” said Yixi.

Sugar Dough will offer delivery through UberEats and Doordash along with catering for special events.

Follow @sugardoughbakehouse on Instagram for updates on opening!

The Krusty Krab is a fictional fast food restaurant in the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It is famous for its signature burger, the Krabby Patty, the formula to which is a closely guarded trade secret.

A recent social media post gained steam recently that said the Krusty Krab Restaurant is coming to Lakeland, Florida:

Photos from “The Krusty Krab” themed restaurant purported to be opening in Florida:

We did some digging into this to find out if and when “The Krusty Krab” will be coming to Florida.

According to the photos, the restaurant is actually named “The Rusty Krab” and does appear to be themed after the Spongebob restaurant.

However, it appears to be a Houston, Texas based pop-up bar experience at the moment (https://www.facebook.com/kefihtx/). Messages to both the original poster and the facebook page were sent to inquire about the opening in Lakeland, Florida, but no response has been given yet. Stay tuned as we will update this post once we hear back.

Here is some information from the Houston based pop up experience:

From their facebook page: “Hey Houston, TX! ? The newest and hottest SpongeBob Popup exhibit has arrived in Houston! ? Bring back all the childhood nostalgia with our recreated version of “The Bottom of Bikini.” ? Experience one of the largest, over-the-top, multi-room, and COVID-Friendly interactive pop-ups to ever hit Houston! Enjoy SpongeBob inspired drinks, food, and photo-op experiences. We also have fun activities throughout the week, including Game Night, Trivia, Scavenger Hunts, Painting with a Twist, and so much more! ALL ages are welcome – so grab your friends and family and come on by! We are kid-friendly until 8:30pm everyday. This pop-up ends August 1st! Tickets are going fast, so get yours before we are SOLD OUT! You can find more info and purchase tickets through the link below ? https://www.therustykrabexperience.com/ ?711 Main St Suite 101 Houston, TX – We will also be having more fun and new themes throughout the year. Follow us on Instagram (@kefihtx) to stay updated on the current attraction! Come see what the HYPE is all about!

Here is a look inside the Houston experience:

Last week on June 22, 2021, Bruce Woodburn was issued a trespass warning by Winter Park police officers at Hillstone restaurant in Winter Park, known for their spectacular sunset lakeside views and grilled artichoke appetizers.

The alleged disturbance that warranted this trespass order and visit from the Winter Park Police Department? Trying to order a salad “to-go” – and thus lighting off what has now become known as “Saladgate” on social media including quite a few memes as well as some humorous signage from other restaurants.

Although Hillstone has offered to-go salads in the past and continue to do takeout for certain items, it appears it is against their policy to have their salad to go right now.

Although Woodburn tried to order the salad at the restaurant to dine in, this request was denied by the restaurant management. The managers eventually called the Winter Park police to issue Mr. Woodburn a tresspass warning.

To watch the videos on facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/bruce.woodburn.5/posts/10159623056910719

Hillstone did not have a comment on the recent incident at this time – we will update this if we hear back from our inquiry.

Photos courtesy of Mr. Woodburn and Hillstone

For Father’s Day, June 20, 2021, guests and locals visiting Four Seasons Resort Orlando can enjoy the full regular menus, plus additional food & beverage specials including the following, below.

Several chefs on their team who are dads (Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi, Capa Chef Gabriel Massip, and Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber) and we spoke to them recently about the meaning of Father’s Day below!

Fabrizio Schenardi – Executive Chef – Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World Resort

-Father’s day is a day to spend with your children, but also a day to remember the fathers who have done an incredible job raising children with many sacrifices and unfortunately get forgotten by society.

-I’m not the type of person who need a gift to be recognized; a simple hug from my son is the best gift!

For his ideal Father’s Day dinner:
-I would like cannelloni with sausage and spinach, bechamel and tomato sauce. Bocche di leone alle fragole, is a small pastry from the area where I’m from in Italy, made with brioches, whipped cream, strawberry.

Fabrizio and son Lorenzo, who is headed to college in the fall!

Gabriel Massip –  Capa Restaurant Chef

Chef Gabe, Wife Khristy, daughter Addie

What does Father’s Day mean to you?

Father’s day means the celebration of every dad and families.

What is on your wish list for a Father’s Day gift this year?

A new drill, the one I have isn’t working anymore!

What would you wish for to eat for your perfect Father’s Day meal?

A good roast beef and mashed potatoes like my mother makes. This represents the family weekends with my entire family back in France, with my cousins.

Rabii Saber, Executive Pastry Chef

What does Father’s Day mean to you?

Father’s Day is a special day for our family where I feel recognized for providing unconditional love, encouragement, protection, and for being simply father to my two little boys.

What is on your wish list for a Father’s Day gift this year?

I am always curious to see the cards they make, that highlight their creativity to show their love and emotions.

What would you wish for to eat for your perfect Father’s Day meal?

We have the ritual of having a dessert every day. It can range from a quick sundae to a more elaborate pie or cake. However, sometimes we just enjoy eating fruits, mangos (their favorite), strawberries or blueberries which we pick when they are in season in Florida. I grew up in Morocco, and the dessert I grew up eating the most and on a daily basis included fruits. Having the opportunity to travel, as well, helped me to discover new and exotic fruits. When I am at the market, what catches my eye the most are fruits when they are ripened, appealing or exotic. I love to help the kids discover new flavors by taking them for a trip through a dish or simply a new fruit. Last year, during the quarantine time, I made the boys many dishes. The ones that stand out and the kids still talk about and ask for constantly are mango granita for dessert, and homemade pizza baked on the grill… this would be a perfect meal to make for this special day.

Rabii Saber and kids: Zidane, 9, and Zain, 6

Father’s Day Special Features

Capa
40 days Dry Aged 30 oz. Prime Tomahawk $160
Oakwood Fire Grilled | Duck Fat Hand Cut Fries | Smoked Onion and Truffle Aioli

Plancha
Tranquilo Steak & Eggs $32
8 oz. Marinated Strip Loin | Sweet Potato Eggs In A Hole Chorizo | Avocado | Onions | Peppers | Scallion

Baileys & Raspberry Stuffed French Toast $20
White Chocolate | Raspberry Syrup

Shrimp & Potato Hash $22
Sunny Side Up Egg | Kielbasa | Tomato | Onion | Scallion Cheddar | Avocado | Cilantro | Yogurt

PB&G
Michelada $14
Half Beer, Half Bloody Mary

Pastrami Sandwich $25 Brisket | Swiss Cheese | Cabbage Slaw Country Rustic Bread | Russian Dressing | Fried Pickles

As Memorial Day (5/31) and National Donut Day (6/4) loom near, we thought what better way to prepare than by highlighting a local favorite that checks off both of these food items. Established in 2016, Smoke & Donuts specializes in oak-smoked bbq and handcrafted donuts, as well as scratch-made sides that pair beautifully with their carefully prepared meats. Those who frequent A la Cart Food Truck park are probably already aware of them, as Smoke and Donuts has taken up residency here, but patrons should know they have a second location in College Park specifically for catering pick up items. Tastychomps was lucky enough to get an inside peak on their catering menu, and we were not disappointed. We conveniently ordered online and picked up our order from their catering kitchen in College Park, which we brought back to A La Cart to enjoy with a fresh brew and the local ambiance. 

For the catering offerings, we elected to try the Party Bundle, a combination selection that serves groups of 4 to 6. This selection included our choice of 3 meats from the S&D pits, 3 scratch sides, and 2 sauces. We also elected to try a few donuts because how could we not?

For our meat selection, we opted for the pulled pork smoked with Garlic and Apple cider jus, the pulled chicken, smoked and tossed with Alabama BBQ and spicy vinegar sauces, and my personal favorite: the beautifully marbled USDA Prime Malabar black pepper bark Brisket. Each meat was tender, flavorful, and masterfully prepared, and served in portions that are healthy enough for even the hungriest eaters.

The meat selection was balanced beautifully with the scratch made sides. These sides included lemon and garlic gremolata smashed potatoes, a street corn rice made with coriander charred poblanos, cotija cheese, grilled corn, and crema lime (think elote flavors in rice), and lastly a Mac & cheese made with white cheddar, Swiss, chihuahua and Oaxaca cheese and locally brewed lager. *chefs kiss*. It should be noted that the street corn rice is not offered at the a la cart location, but rather as a special catering menu item only. 

We ended our Smoke and Donuts experience with a beautiful selection of their expertly crafted donuts. With such a wide variety, it was difficult for us to choose. We went with the Candied Lemonade, the Blueberry CinnaMom, the Maker’s Mark Bourbon and Maple Glazed, and a fan-favorite: the Salty Englishman, a makers mark bourbon and maple glazed donut topped with heath bar and sea salt. To say these were decadent is an understatement.

Smoke & Donuts is always active on social media including their facebook and instagram pages, and their menu is constantly being updated with new and exciting things their bakers and pitmasters are cooking up.

Customers should be aware that they have the catering options of either delivery or pick up, but pick up is from their College Park Location listed below.

Smoke & Donuts

2545 Coolidge Avenue

Orlando, FL 32804(321)-352-7070

For More information, visit http://smokeanddonuts.com

Or visit their facebook page at: http://Http://facebook.com/smokeanddonuts/

Also be sure to check out their instagram: http://Instagram.com/smokeanddonuts

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to celebrate the Orange County Library System has set up a calendar of events exploring Asian Pacific American heritage and culture (https://www.ocls.info/asian-american-and-pacific-islander-heritage-month) as well as a reading challenge list on Beanstack (https://ocls.beanstack.org/reader365)

Below is a list of books for the “Little Foodie” in your home to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month from the Orange County Library – I actually have read quite a few of them with my little ones and they are such a blast to read with them as well as learn about food from different cultures around the world –

Here is the “Little Foodie” Children’s Book Recommendations for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021 presented by the Orange County Library System

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao – By Kat Zhang ; illustrated by Charlene Chua. It’s a struggle when you can’t do things as well as your parents and grandparents. Meet the funny, fierce, and fearless Amy Wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Can she rise to the occasion? Amy loves to make bao with her family. But it takes skill to make the bao taste and look delicious. And her bao keep coming out all wrong. Then she has an idea that may give her a second chance…Will Amy ever make the perfect bao?

Bee-bim bop! . By Linda Sue Park ; illustrated by Ho Baek Lee. Even the littlest kids can help prepare a family meal. Bee-bim bop (“mix-mix rice”) is a traditional Korean dish. In bouncy rhyming text, a hungry child tells of helping her mother make bee-bim bop: shopping, preparing ingredients, setting the table, and sitting down to enjoy a favorite meal. The enthusiasm of the narrator is conveyed in the whimsical illustrations, which bring details from the artist’s childhood in Korea to his depiction of a modern Korean-American family. The book includes Linda Sue’s own bee-bim bop recipe!

Bilal Cooks Daal – By Aisha Saeed ; illustrated by Anoosha Syed. It is hard to be patient when something delicious is cooking. Six-year-old Bilal is excited to help his dad make his favorite food of all-time: daal! The slow-cooked lentil dish from South Asia requires lots of ingredients and a whole lot of waiting. Bilal wants to introduce his friends to daal. They’ve never tried it! As the day goes on, the daal continues to simmer, and more kids join Bilal and his family, waiting to try the tasty dish. And as time passes, Bilal begins to wonder: Will his friends like it as much as he does? This debut picture book by Aisha Saeed, with charming illustrations by Anoosha Syed, uses food as a means of bringing a community together to share in each other’s family traditions.

A Big Mooncake for Little Star – by Grace Lin. A dreamy mother daughter story with a recipe at the end. Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she’s not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can’t resist a nibble? In this stunning picture book that shines as bright as the stars in the sky, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin creates a heartwarming original story that explains phases of the moon.

Every Night is Pizza Night – By J. Kenji López-Alt ; illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero. The James Beard Award Winning Chef’s first children’s book. Best-selling author J. Kenji López-Alt introduces Pipo, a girl on a quest to prove that pizza is the best food in the world. Pipo thinks that pizza is the best. No, Pipo knows that pizza is the best. It is scientific fact. But when she sets out on a neighborhood-spanning quest to prove it, she discovers that “best” might not mean what she thought it meant.

Magic ramen : the story of Momofuku Ando – By Andrea Wang. An uplifting tale of trying to help your community by inventing a convenience food. Inspiration struck when Momofuku Ando spotted the long lines for a simple bowl of ramen following World War II. Magic Ramen tells the true story behind the creation of one of the world’s most popular foods. Every day, Momofuku Ando would retire to his lab–a little shed in his backyard. For years, he’d dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty for the hungry people he’d seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II. Peace follows from a full stomach, he believed.

The Ugly Dumpling – by Stephanie Campisi ; illustrated by Shahar Kober. A twist on the classic tale of feeling like you don’t fit in. It’s not easy being the ugliest dumpling in a dim sum restaurant. Uneaten and ignored, the ugly dumpling is down in the dumps. But when an encouraging cockroach sees the dumpling’s inner beauty, this unlikely duo embarks on an eye-opening adventure, leading the ugly dumpling to discover its true identity and realize that being different is beautiful after all.

Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum – By Natasha Yim ; illustrated by Violet Kim. A storytelling math book. On Luna’s birthday, the whole family goes out for dim sum–but Luna and her brothers can’t agree on how to share their pork buns fairly. How can three people divide up five buns? Should some siblings get more than others? Or should they cut the buns into smaller and smaller pieces so everyone gets the same amount? A playful exploration of division and fractions, featuring Chinese American characters and a cultural note.Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji  – By F. Zia ; art by Ken Min. Overflowing with family, food, and a tall stack of fun, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji is sure to warm the heart and tickle the tummy. A fun way for children to learn about the cultural traditions and foods of India to be enjoyed by the whole family. Aneel’s grandparents have come to stay, all the way from India. Aneel loves the sweet smell of his grandmother’s incense, and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tells the world’s best stories.

Apple pie 4th of July – By Janet S. Wong ; pictures by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. A daughter laments the food her parents plan to sell at their store on the holiday. Shocked that her parents are cooking Chinese food to sell in the family store on an all-American holiday, a feisty Chinese American girl tries to tell her mother and father how things really are. But as the parade passes by and fireworks light the sky, she learns a surprising lesson.

More New AAPI Children’s Book Recommendations from Holiday House (not all food related)

Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Fahmida Azim (Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale now) Ramadan has come to an end, and Amira can’t wait to stay home from school to celebrate Eid. There’s just one hiccup: it’s also school picture day. How can Amira be in two places at once? A last-minute idea on the car ride home might just provide the solution to everything in this delightful story.

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee (Holiday House, for ages 8–12, on sale now) North Korea. December, 1950. Twelve-year-old Sora and her family live under an iron set of rules. But war is coming—and war is the perfect time to escape. The plan is simple: Sora and her family will walk hundreds of miles to the South Korean city of Busan from their tiny mountain village. When an incendiary bombing changes everything, Sora and her little brother Young will have to get to Busan on their own. Can the two survive three hundred miles of warzone in winter? Haunting, timely, and beautiful, this harrowing novel from a searing new talent offers readers a glimpse into a vanished time and a closed nation.

Enemy Child: The Story of Norman Mineta, a Boy Imprisoned in a Japanese American Internment Camp During World War II by Andrea Warren (Margaret Ferguson Books / Holiday House, $22.99, on sale now) Meticulously researched and informed by extensive interviews with Mineta himself, Enemy Child sheds light on a little-known subject of American history. Andrea Warren covers the history of early Asian immigration to the United States and provides historical context on the U.S. government’s decision to imprison Japanese Americans alongside a deeply personal account of the sobering effects of that policy.

My Tree by Hope Lim, Il Sung Na (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale 5/4/2021) A young boy, recently arrived from Korea, finds a glorious plum tree in his new backyard. When the tree falls in a storm, he feels like he’s lost both a friend and a connection to his old home. Before long, a new plum tree is planted, new blossoms bloom, and a new friendship takes root.

‘Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale now) Join the family, or ohana, as they farm taro for poi to prepare for a traditional luau celebration. Acclaimed illustrator and animator Kenard Pak’s light-filled, dramatic illustrations pair exquisitely with Ilima Loomis’ poetic text to celebrate Hawaiian land and culture. The backmatter includes a glossary of Hawaiian terms used, as well as an author’s note.

Sunday Funday in Koreatown by Aram Kim (Holiday House, for ages 3–7, on sale now) The latest addition to Aram Kim’s Yoomi, Friends, and Family books celebrates family, resilience, and Korean culture. In Sunday Funday in Koreatown, Yoomi will learn the importance of being open-minded. The book includes a family recipe for kimbap.

Toasty by Sarah Hwang (Margaret Ferguson Books / Holiday House, $17.99, on sale 5/4/2021) A deliciously funny story about Toasty, a piece of bread who wants to be a dog. Sarah Hwang’s inspiration for Toasty came from her childhood experience as an immigrant and her discovery that you find your best friends when you’re willing to just be yourself.

Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale now) In this autobiographical tale, gathering watercress by the side of the road brings a girl closer to her family’s Chinese heritage. At first, she’s embarrassed. But when her mother shares a story of her family’s time in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged. Together, they make a new memory of watercress.