Located at 1110 E Colonial Drive in the space formerly occupied by Tien Hung Market, one of the oldest Vietnamese markets in Orlando, Mills Market is set to become one of the most anticipated major additions to the Mills 50 district.

The multi-phase development, unfolding over the next few years, promises to offer locals, visitors and food enthusiasts plenty to look forward to. Led by restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung, the project is now poised to announce its next stage of progress.

The second phase of Mills Market launched this summer with the introduction of UniGirl, a casual Japanese shop dedicated to freshmade onigiri along with the revamp of existing Vietnamese cafe and bakery, Bánh Mì Boy. UniGirl is Orlando’s First Onigiri Shop.

UniGirl’s menu and operation will be spearheaded by ZARU’s Chef Partner William Shen. The shop’s namesake is a playful nod to the word onigiri. In naming the concept, Shen, who is a proud dog parent, found inspiration in his pet Shiba Inu named Uni whom he affectionately refers to as “Uni girl.”

“It’s her world. We’re just living in it,” says Chef William.

UniGirl’s menu will consist mainly of made-to-order onigiri, which are Japanese rice balls formed into a triangular shape, and wrapped in seaweed with savory fillings. Traditional offerings include ume shiso (pickled plum), tuna mayo, and mentaiko (spicy cod roe). Guests can also look forward to original creations, such as the Edamame Goma with shiitake mushroom and sesame, and Uni’s Unigiri, which is filled with Hokkaido sea urchin and marinated salmon roe. The small shop, which will also offer Japanese snacks and beverages, is inspired by the konbini, or convenience store, where onigiri is a popular staple. UniGirl will directly neighbor Bánh Mì Boy, which is here to stay.

Recently featured on season 7 of Netflix’s food travel series, Somebody Feed Phil, Bánh Mì Boy has since gained an influx of new patrons, many traveling from across the world due to the show’s popularity. The cafe and bakery will undergo a brand refresh – with plans to introduce dine-in seating, delivery options, and a brand new menu debuting this summer. In keeping with the idea of old generation meets new, Bánh Mì Boy 2.0 aims to stay true to the shop’s roots and evolve to meet modern tastes all while honoring the culture of Mills 50.

“We want to bring fresh experiences to Orlando, and the city, especially Mills 50, happens to be a place where people are very welcoming to new ideas. We’re hoping to attract locals and visitors alike,” says Johnny.

Bánh Mì Boy’s refreshed menu will feature sandwich classics with a Vietnamese spin – think “pho” French dip, Viet-Cajun oyster po boys, and Saigon beer-battered crispy fish with chili jam. Signature items from the original menu, like the Bánh Mì Boy Classic with homemade pate and cold cuts, and the Crispy Pork Belly Bánh Mì, will remain. Vietnamese coffee and fresh-pressed sugar cane juice along with daily prepared grab-n-go snacks like housemade fried tofu, fresh summer rolls, and bánh giò (Vietnamese steamed savory rice cakes) will also stay on the menu. The sandwich shop will also introduce a Breakfast Bánh Mì, and will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The new Asian barbecue shop, Kai Kai, featuring traditional Cantonese barbecue and housemade dumplings has also found a home at Mills Market.

The menu and operations at Kai Kai are led by husband-and-wife team, Chef Jerry and Jackie Lau, who bring 35 years of experience in Cantonese cuisine from New York City’s Chinatown. The Laus most recently ran a food truck business, and previously had an outpost at iFresh.

Kai Kai’s offerings will feature traditional dim sum, assorted BBQ rice boxes, and classic Cantonese rice and noodle dishes. Menu highlights include freshmade dumplings, turnip cakes, crispy roast duck, honey BBQ pork char siu, Singapore rice noodles, and Chinese sausage fried rice. A variety of grab-and-go Asian drinks will also be available.

“We are excited to bring Chef Jerry’s famous roast duck and crispy pork to Mills Market to complement Bánh Mì Boy and Unigirl. It’s really coming together, and we’ll be announcing more concepts soon,” says Johnny.

Inspired by the Tungs’ travels to Asia where they discovered unique experiences down every alley, Mills Market promises to preserve the original charm of the old market, but with a touch of the new generation. Anchors like Tien Hung Jewelry will continue to operate while the rest of the space undergoes transformation.

Mills Market is still far from completion. Phase 1 saw the opening of ZARU. Phase 2 of the project includes Kai Kai, UniGirl and Bánh Mì Boy. Phase 3 will introduce a hidden Japanese whisky bar while the fourth and final phase will unveil over 10 new micro eateries and shops.

“Future Mills Market concepts will be teased and tested through pop-up events held throughout the year, and there will be a dedicated space in the market serving as an incubator for local chefs to experiment before going to brick and mortar,” explains Johnny.

“Mills Market is an important legacy project for me because of the market’s impact on Mills 50 for the past 30 years. My wife grew up in this market, and my hope is that our kids will do the same. Each new concept that finds its home here will be very curated and interconnected.”

UniGirl and Bánh Mì Boy will be open daily for dine-in, takeout and delivery. Follow @UniGirlFl and @Banhmiboycafe on Instagram for updates! Kai Kai will be open daily for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Follow @kaikai.bbq on Instagram for updates and opening announcements!

SAVE THE DATE – The fan-favorite, annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns for its 15th year this fall on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and this year guests will have more time to enjoy than ever before. Check out our Instagram.com/tastychomps to find out more about our giveaway contest for tickets for two for the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic event on Friday Nov 15!

For the milestone year, the event will add an additional half-hour each evening, giving guests more time to enjoy the sips, flavors and music. Tickets are available now at SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com.

Swan and Dolphin Packages

In celebration of the event’s 15^th year, guests can save 15 percent on a bundle offering tickets for both Friday and Saturday night.

The bundle gives attendees a taste of everything the Food & Wine Classic has to offer, with different menu items featured each night. Additionally, fan favorite stations from years past will make an exclusive return, paying tribute to the event’s early years.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is a street-party celebration hosted by the property located in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort. The outdoor event features food from the hotel’s 23 restaurants and lounges, as well as themed areas including Chinatown, Carnival Corner, For the Love of Florida and more.

The ticketed two-night event also provides guests unlimited wine, beer, and other beverage samplings from around the world, along with various live musical entertainment and an appearance by Celebrity Chef Todd English.

In 2023, the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic raised more than $10,000 for the Orlando military charity, Friends of Fisher House Orlando. The 2024 charity beneficiary will be announced at a later date.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program, with 23 restaurants and lounges, led by a distinguished food and beverage team. The hotel features nearly 30 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections.

More information about the 2024 event, including educational seminars, will be released soon. For the latest information or to purchase tickets, guests can visit SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com, like www.facebook.com/swandolphinfwc, or call 1-888-828-8850.

What:              2024 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

When:             Friday, Nov. 15 & Saturday, Nov.16, 2024, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Where:            Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
at Walt Disney World Resort

Tickets:           SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com

Overnight       Call 1-888-828-8850 with proof of ticket purchase
Packages:      for special room rates

Beginning August 1, 2024, Small Food Group will take over the space previously occupied by Skyebird Juice Bar at East End Market (3201 Corrine Drive), introducing two exciting concepts: Rion’s Ocean Room and Gyukatsu Rose.

Construction and renovations will begin immediately prior to the soft opening of Rion’s Ocean Room in Fall 2024. The grand opening for Gyukatsu Rose is slated for early 2025.

“As discussions about the future of the Skyebird space began, it became clear that we had a unique opportunity to evolve East End Market in a dynamic way,” said Ashley Coggins, Director of Operations for East End Market. “Skyebird was a beloved staple here for 11 years, and while we will miss them, we are excited for this new chapter.”

Chef Sean “Sonny” Nguyen and EDOBOY Chef Tyler Inthavongsa have been engaged in extensive research and recipe development for Rion’s Ocean Room in the East End commissary kitchen. Speculation about Nguyen’s involvement in taking over the Skyebird space has been brewing for weeks.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity East End Market gave DOMU during our humble beginnings in 2016,” said Chef Sonny. “Bringing my passion projects to the market hall under the Small Food Group banner feels incredibly rewarding. Working with John and Kamrin Rife, along with Ashley Coggins, has been a pleasure, and I appreciate their openness to our ideas to advance Orlando’s food scene.”

Coggins adds, “It’s a full circle moment. Sonny is always maintaining his brand’s edge with new and innovative approaches. We’re thrilled to embark on this new concept [with Sonny], blending our experiences with fresh perspectives to give the community something new to enjoy.”

Rion’s Ocean Room, located closer to Gideon’s Bakehouse, will feature a walk-up seafood counter with distinctive blue-green tiles in a striking fish scale pattern. Offering 8-12 varieties of poke, freshly prepared daily, it will evoke the charm of traditional mom-and-pop poke shops in Hawaii.

“We aim to evoke nostalgia for those who are from or have traveled to Hawaii, while offering a taste of the Hawaiian experience to those who haven’t,” said Sonny.

Customers can choose their poke by the 1/4 pound, 1/2 pound, or full pound, with the option to enjoy it over a bed of rice. Guests can enhance their poke experience with delightful extras such as krab salad, uni, and ocean (wakame) salad.

“We are focusing heavily on sourcing sustainably and responsibly raised fish from around the globe, as well as sourcing regionally,” Sonny added.

Gyukatsu Rose will be located on the opposite side, closer to Lineage Coffee Roasting. This sleek bar, adorned with black herringbone tiles, will host 10 guests at a time, offering a unique dining experience centered around Japanese Gyukatsu—a delectable flash-fried breaded beef cutlet served with a hot stone grill.

Each serving will be complemented by traditional accompaniments, including shredded cabbage, koshihikari rice, and dashi soup, along with an assortment of dipping sauces such as house soy sauce, horseradish onion sauce, and fresh wasabi.

“Gyukatsu Rose is being developed alongside Rion’s Ocean Room and will launch once we have operations running smoothly for the poke program,” Sonny clarifies.

Follow @smallfoodgroup @rionsoceanroom @gyukastsurose on Instagram for updates!

About Small Food Group

Small Food Group is the parent company of the DOMU Dynasty restaurant group, which includes three DOMU locations (Audubon Park, Dr. Phillips, Jacksonville), Tori Tori (Mills 50), and Chibi Ramen (Waterford Lakes). EDOBOY, a standing sushi bar in Mills 50 that opened in 2022, is the first official concept under the Small Food Group.

Did you know July is not only the birth month for Greenery Creamery’s birthday but it’s also my birthday month, too? To celebrate starting 7/18 for a limited time check out the Greenery Creamery x Tasty Chomps! POCKY POCKY Float – a vanilla ice cream float with seltzer, strawberry pocky sticks, lychee, and strawberry – something straight out of my own childhood memories growing up!

National Ice Cream Day (July 21st) and GC Week (6th Birthday this year)

It’s every ice cream lover’s favorite time of year! Mark your calendars for National Ice Cream Day, July 21st. The Greenery Creamery will be offering BOGO ice cream scoops from 12pm-4pm at their Downtown Orlando and Sanford locations! Check out their Instagram @thegreenerycreamery to find details on their week long celebration kicking off July 15th.

Highlights
Offer a variety of handmade dairy and vegan ice cream
Featuring a rotating selection of unique, seasonal flavors
Sister concept of Sampaguita Ice Cream.

GC Week Deals – Available every day starting from their LAUNCH DAY until sellout.

7/15 Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwich Faye (@fayespov)

7/16 Launch of Milkshake Happy Hour

7/17 Birthday Cake Sundae Chantal (@letstrythis_orlando)

7/18 Ice Cream Float Ricky Ly (@tastychomps)

7/19 Ice Cream Nachos Andrea (@cheatdayorl)

7/20 Collaboration with Donutste Milkshakes Christina Petsos (@somehowimnotfat) Available one day ONLY until sellout.

7/21 BOGO Ice Cream Scoops Keren Swan / @KhoaNguyen

National ICE CREAM DAY  – Sunday, July 21st
12pm-4pm
Downtown Orlando & Sanford Locations

$16 Ice Cream Flights
4 scoops & 4 toppings
Sunday, July 21st
Available all day at both stores!

One of the most magical times of the year is almost here! Celebrating 19 years, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining presented by Orlando Health returns this fall from Aug. 16 through Sept. 30 with a record-breaking 152 restaurants, including 25 new restaurants and nine recognized by the MICHELIN Guide.

Throughout the six-week run, restaurants will offer three-course, prix-fixe menus for $40 or $60, continuing the tiered menu system introduced in 2023.

Each year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining selects nonprofit organizations that impact the Orlando community as charity beneficiaries, with $1 for each $40 meal and $2 for each $60 meal going to the organization. This year’s beneficiary is The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, focused on helping residents and families recover from hardships while minimizing environmental impact.

Visit Orlando will also award a $3,000 donation to one local nonprofit that offers impactful approaches to creating thriving and sustainable communities in each of Orange County’s six commission districts.

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is the perfect opportunity to dine for a great cause, enjoy a date night or connect with family, friends and colleagues over a delicious meal.

Start browsing menus and booking dinner reservations at the new OrlandoMagicalDining.com website. You can filter by area or even specific neighborhoods, menu tiers, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary preferences.

Please spread the word that Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is back Aug. 16 and share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #MagicalDining.

New and Noteworthy Restaurants for 2024 

• Adega Gaucha — Kissimmee ($40)
• Armando’s — College Park ($40)
• Armando’s — Lake Nona ($40)
• Armando’s — Winter Park ($40)
• Braccia Ristorante ($40)
• Chayote Barrio Kitchen ($60)
• Chef’s Table at The Edgewater ($60)
• Chima Steakhouse ($60)
• Citrus Club ($40)
• Crocante Restaurant + Bar ($40)
• Cru Quarters at The Mayflower ($40)
• F&D Prime Modern Steakhouse ($60)
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill ($40)
• Helena Modern Riviera ($40)
• Nami ($60)
• Norman’s Orlando ($60)
• Pine & Oak Tavern ($40)
• Sophia’s Trattoria ($40)
• Summer House on the Lake ($40)
• Trabucco ($40)
• Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando ($40)
• Twin View Restaurant at Evermore Resort ($60)
• Wine 4 Oysters Bar and Bites — East Orlando ($40)
• Wine 4 Oysters Bar and Bites — West Orlando ($40)
• Yamasan Sushi and Grill ($40)

Nine participating restaurants are featured in the MICHELIN Guide: 

• AVA MediterrAegean ($60 – Recommended)
• BACAN ($60 – Recommended)
• Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen ($60 – Recommended)
• Kabooki Sushi (East Colonial location) ($40 – Recommended)
• Maxine’s on Shine ($40 – Recommended)
• Ravello ($60 – Recommended)
• The Pinery ($40 – Recommended)
• The Ravenous Pig ($40 – Bib Gourmand)
• Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen ($40 – Bib Gourmand)

Dine for a Cause  

Each year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining selects nonprofit organizations that make an impact on the Orlando community as charity beneficiaries, with $1 for each $40 meal and $2 for each $60 meal going toward the organization. This year’s beneficiary is The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, focused on helping residents and families recover from hardships while minimizing environmental impact.

In addition to providing household items for reuse, The Mustard Seed recycles unusable items to create a more sustainable community. Since 2011, their innovative recycling program has deconstructed over 160,000 mattresses, repurposing components and diverting nearly 4 million cubic feet of waste from landfills, significantly reducing environmental impact.

“We are excited to be the beneficiary of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining program,” said Kathy Baldwin, Executive Director, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida. “These funds will help us serve more clients in need of basic furniture for stability. Thank you for supporting a sustainable future for Florida.”

Visit Orlando will also award a $3,000 donation to one local nonprofit that offers impactful approaches to creating thriving and sustainable communities in each of Orange County’s six commission districts.

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining has raised more than $2.5 million for local organizations since 2009. Last year, the program donated $269,272 to charities supporting survivors of abuse in Central Florida, including organizations addressing human trafficking. With the funds raised, The Lifeboat Project hired a case manager, purchased vehicles for transportation services, and began constructing a safe house.

Ivan Del Barco, CEO of WineDos –  Some great wines to try this time of year, would be some that match the hot and strong climate that we’re currently in. Our “special June offer box” represents strong characteristic wines. Here is what we have about those wine on the website:

“June is here and we have selected 4 strong wines to pair with the month: 3 reds and an oak-fermented sparkling Cava! This is a great occasion to try the two most characteristic black grapes from Spain and Chile, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the case of Tempranillo, we have an aged Rioja from centenary vines to compare with a muscular Tempranillo from the hot and powerful denomination of origin Toro.

In the case of the Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the top of the line of a famous winery in the Colchagua Valley of Chile run by the famous French wine family Lurton. The oak-fermented sparkling Cava comes from one of the most celebrated producers in the Penedés, Augusti Torrello Mata, know known as Celler Kripta.”

The link for this is here:
https://winedos.com/wines/special-offer-box-june/

The most exciting thing coming up in the wine world is of course the harvest happening in August/September/October (depending on where you are).

Although, we are currently visiting Argentina wine producing areas, where harvesting has already happened, since it is now their winter months. This is quite interesting considering how different grapes have to adapt to different climates/regions.

Where I go for great wine in Orlando? Apart from the WineDOs website, obviously… I like to bring my friends to The Parkview in Winter Park, a bar/restaurant that is very understanding in their wine selection. They have a cellar and a very big wine shelf.

These wines come from all around the world, with a great understanding of the terroir, viticulture, vineyards, and winemakers that produce the wines.

For those that have never tried WineDOs before- I believe it is our mission to find the most unique and great quality wines in the world. We believe a wine that is unique is a wine that is made while having the terroir, climate, and region in mind while production is occurring. Letting the region, grape, and vine speak for itself is something that can not be found anywhere else. This also does not mean the wine has to be expensive. We have wines of all price ranges on our website.

The wines on our website are all hand selected by our academic director WSET level 4 certified Enrique del Barco. Take a look for yourself at www.winedos.com, where you’ll find videos and documentaries of each wine we provide. In these videos, you’ll find the winemakers/owners of each winery explaining each wine, and the history behind their region and winery. A truly exceptional experience.

This is something that no one else is doing!

For more information, visit winedos.com

Have you heard about the Aardvark – the SoDo District neighborhood convenience store that turned into a true neighborhood Florida gulf coastal-inspired gastropub with some of the finest seafood and burgers in Orlando? Visit our instagram for a special giveaway contest for dinner for two at The Aardvark.

Aardvark Beverage’s story goes back over 30+ years, starting as a local convenience store. In early 2020, new ownership changed to a full service restaurant – a true gastropub.

With the new ownership under Emmie Olivecrona, came new inspiration and a new menu with everything made in-house and sourced locally as much as possible – They source their brioche bread from Douce France Bakery in Winter Garden and fly in their po boy bread from New Orleans twice a week.

The Meatballs at The Aardvark

The Aardvark also offers a selection of sparkling, champagne , white, & red wine with hand selections from around the world. Beer lovers rejoice – there is also a rotating lineup of 22 beers on tap, many regionally sourced, and over 200 different beers offered in bottles or cans to enjoy in the restaurant or to take home.

Emmie Olivecrona tells us that the Aardvark is special because of the nostalgia of the neighborhood convenience store turned into a Coastal Inspired Restaurant with full service dining.

“It’s definitely not what you expect when you walk inside. The amount of fresh seafood we have I think really surprises people when they see our menu. We make all our sauces & pickles in house and have some of the freshest seafood around. We have a rotating selection of seafood for our Fish Monger’s Special & Anchors Aweigh Sandwich.”

“Our Butcher’s Blade Special rotates with different farmhouse meats weekly as well. Most importantly, people would not expect the Wine Selection we have such as Groth, Shafer, Orin Swift, & Louis M. Martini. It is not something you think you would find in an old convenience store in SoDo. We come out with a seasonal menu with the changing of the seasons, well, what “seasons” we have in Florida.”

For those brunch lovers, there is also a fantastic Brunch – Saturday, Sunday & Monday -10 am – 4 pm featuring $15 Unlimited Mimosas per Entree and frozen drinks.

They also have a happy hour menu happening Mondays through Fridays from 2pm-6pm including $5 wines, $5 Hacker-Pschorr, $1 off drafts, and a selection of Lucky $7 bites including The Kraut, Slaw Dawg, Southern Comfort Hot Dogs, Smokestack fries with smoked pork, and House fermented fresno honey crispy brussel sprouts.

The Aardvark
2610 S Ferncreek Ave, Orlando, FL 32806
(407) 894-9999
theaardvarkfl.com

BITE30 HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS DRIVING CENTRAL FLORIDA’S CULINARY SCENE.

During Bite30, participating restaurants offer special prix fixe menus that offer multi-course dinners at a set price of $35. Diners get the opportunity to try multiple dishes on the restaurant’s menu for about the cost of a single entree, and restaurants get to showcase their specialty dishes to the new customers attracted by their Bite30 menu! Restaurant-hop through the City Beautiful, experience delicious food, service and ambiance of the restaurants you really should know about.

310 PARK SOUTH

310 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL, USA

AMERICAN SOCIAL

7335 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

ANTICA PIZZERIA

249 FL-436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, USA

AURORA AT THE CELESTE

4105 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32826, USA

BAR KADA

957 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA

BITES & BUBBLES

1618 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL, USA

BLU ON THE AVENUE

326 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL, USA

BULLA GASTROBAR

110 Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL, USA

CAFÉ-BOUTIQUE PIANO

558 West New England Ave, Winter Park 32789. Ste 135

CRESS RESTAURANT

103 West Indiana Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720, USA

CRU QUARTERS AT THE MAYFLOWER

1776 Mayflower Court, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA

DEBONAIR

183 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

DELANEY’S TAVERN

1315 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL, USA

EOLA LOUNGE

100 South Eola Drive suite 104, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

FIXTION

15 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

FRONTERA COCINA

1604 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA

JACK & HONEY’S

808 East Washington Street, Orlando, Florida, United States

JACK’S PLACE

9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

KING CAJUN CRAWFISH

7637 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL, USA

MARLOW’S TAVERN

6889 Eagle Watch Drive, Orlando, FL 32822, USA

352 Mike Roberto Way, Oviedo, FL 32765, USA

547 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828, USA

MAXINE’S ON SHINE

337 Shine Ave, Orlando, FL, USA

MIA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

Mia’s Italian Kitchen, International Drive, Orlando, FL, USA

NEVEYAH THAI & SUSHI

100 S Eola Dr #105, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

OSPHERE GRILL & BAR

407 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

PEPES CANTINA

794 W Minneola Ave, Clermont, FL 34711, USA

3100 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo, FL 32765, USA

54 S Charles Richard Beall Blvd #3331, DeBary, FL 32713, USA

433 W New England Ave Unit A

PINE & OAK TAVERN

8600 El Prado Ave, Orlando, FL, USA

RUSTEAK RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

101 S Eola Dr suite 103, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

1681 Amazing Way, Ocoee, Florida, USA

SHIN JUNG KOREAN RESTAURANT

1638 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL, USA

SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

6327 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

STADIUM CLUB

8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

SUSHI SAINT

400 Pittman St suite a, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

THE DISTRICT GASTROBAR

534 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805, USA

THE DRAKE KITCHEN + BAR

361 N Rosalind Ave #1, Orlando, FL, USA

THE GARDEN GRILLE & BAR

580 E Main St, Apopka, FL 32703, USA

THE NAUTI LOBSTAH

The Nauti Lobstah – New England Seafood Apopka, South Forest Avenue, Apopka, FL, USA

THE PINERY

295 NE Ivanhoe Blvd suite a, Orlando, FL 32804, USA

THE STUBBORN MULE

100 S Eola Dr, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

THE WHARF

3274 Margaritaville Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

VINES GRILLE & WINE BAR

7533 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

VINIA WINE & KITCHEN

444 West New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL, USA

WINE 4 OYSTERS DR. PHILLIPS

1957 South Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828, USA

7645 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

“A Taste of… presented by Tasty Chomps x The Tap Room at Dubsdread” is a new secret menu for foodies to get a “Taste Of…” a local Orlando restaurant with a special pre-fixe menu (similar to Magical Dining) for dine in for a limited time.

Starting June 20 thru June 30th, 2024 guests can get a 3-course dinner at The Tap Room at Dubsdread for just $60 per person, plus tax and tip.

The Tap Room at Dubsdread may have one of the longest histories in Orlando.  Dating back to when the golf course first opened in 1924, it eventually became a hangout spot for officers during World War II and continued to be popular ever since. Politicians, celebrities, friends and families dine in for lunch, dinner and happy hour on the Verandah overlooking the historic 100-year-old Dubsdread golf course.  The connected ballroom has also served as the perfect venue for meetings, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, debutantes and many more special events throughout the years.

The Taproom at Dubsdread x Tasty Chomps

SECRET MENU

June 20-30th 2024

$60 ++

CHOOSE ONE FROM EACH COURSE

FIRST

– AHI TUNA POKE’ STACK –
Ahi grade tuna, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, arugula, wasabi crema, ponzu

– BEEF CARPACCIO –
Thinly sliced filet, fried capers, truffle oil, asiago, toast points

SECOND

– GROUPER FLORENTINE –
Fresh grouper topped with creamy Florentine sauce
over lemon-spinach risotto

– BEEF SHORTRIB RAGU –
Braised shortrib. house made ragu with rigatoni pasta

– COWBOY PORKCHOP –
Blackened lollipop porkchop, bleu cheese crumbles,
onion straws, balsamic glaze, Yukon mashed potatoes

THIRD

GLASS OF WINE
(your choice with a value up to $14)

BREAD PUDDING

SLICE OF KEY LIME PIE

Tap Room at Dubsdread
549 Par St.
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 650-0100
taproomatdubsdread.com

– AHI TUNA POKE’ STACK –
Ahi grade tuna, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, arugula, wasabi crema, ponzu

– BEEF CARPACCIO –
Thinly sliced filet, fried capers, truffle oil, asiago, toast points

– GROUPER FLORENTINE –
Fresh grouper topped with creamy Florentine sauce
over lemon-spinach risotto

– COWBOY PORKCHOP –
Blackened lollipop porkchop, bleu cheese crumbles,
onion straws, balsamic glaze, Yukon mashed potatoes

– BEEF SHORTRIB RAGU –
Braised shortrib. house made ragu with rigatoni pasta

I was honored this month to be invited to represent our Central Florida community at the White House to celebrate May as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

It was surreal – staring at the vibrant pink roses of the White House Rose Garden while actress Lucy Liu, Vice President Kamala Harris (who is also our nation’s first Vice President of AANHPI descent), and President Joe Biden spoke on the contributions of the AANHPI community to the fabric and story of America while also sharing their visions for America in the months and years to come.

Some special guests I met included:
* Cristeta Pasia Comerford the first Asian American and Filipina American to serve as White House Executive Chef including for both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations since 2005.
* Christine Ha, my idol, of Master Chef (@theblindcook)
* Hudson Yang of Fresh off the Boat (which was set in 1990s Orlando)
* Willi Xu, US Navy JAG and White House Social Aide

My parents left Vietnam as boat refugees in the 1980s to seek a better life for their future children, with nothing but the clothes on their backs and hearts full of dreams. Never in their wildest dreams did they ever imagine that one day their son would be invited to the White House.

Life wasn’t perfect growing up – what is? – but I am reminded that our journey would not have been possible without so many who helped us along the way – the Lutheran Church and other families in America who sponsored them, the teachers who helped our family adjust to life in America and taught me in public school as my parents worked third shift at the assembly lines at the local factory, and later on starting a local Asian market in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Whether it is a little boy or girl here in Orlando or Kissimmee or Gaza or Sudan, every child deserves to dream and play and live in safety.

Hopefully, we can lend our voices and strength to them all again and lead with love and compassion instead of fear and hate. This too is the story of the American dream and real strength of America. We know that when we come together, anything is possible.

Upcoming event at Orlando World Center Marriott!

Travel around of the World of Whiskey with us at the upcoming World of Whiskey – a beverage festival with a twist.

World Center’s Chefs pair up with vendors to create a unique tasting experience. Showcasing the top 30 selling whiskies, scotch and bourbon on the market today.

The event will be June 15, 2024 with tickets ranging from $100 – $150 .

General Admission begins at 6:00pm and the event runs until 9:00pm.

VIP Admission begins at 5:00pm and the event runs until 9:00pm. VIP Admission also includes tastings of allocated bourbons, special access to their private Speakeasy and a customized tasting glass.

Located in the North Tower – Harbor Beach

RSVP by scanning the QR code

• 80+ Multicultural Food Vendors & Trucks
• Various Music Artists
• Dance Performances
• Live DJ & Band
• Food Competition and Contests
• Kids Activities including Waterslide and Inflatables
• Raffles for chance to win BIG prizes

What is the Saigon Night Market like for those who have never been before?

The Saigon Night Market can be described in three words. Culture, Community, and Diversity. Through music, multicultural food, and entertainment, we highlight various Asian cultures, and provide a space in which anybody of any culture can enjoy.

How much does everything cost for attendees?

The festivals are very affordable. Entry is $10 per day, or $15 for both Saturday/Sunday. We provide convenient parking spaces at $20 per car if you are unable to find nearby parking. And vendors price their food very fair! For the experience we deliver, including Live Band, Lion Dance, Dance Performers, and Musical Acts, you can bet that it’ll be an experience worthwhile.

What kind of food will be available? What is unique?

The food options are endless. To name a few, we have Vietnamese, Thai, Lao, Korean, Filipino, and even Latino food vendors. You can spend the whole day and not eat the same food twice! A few unique bites that people may not have had the opportunity to taste would be grilled chicken feet, Balut, Lao sausage, and the savory Filipino desserts.

Tell us about the organizers?

The organizers consist of two Vietnamese friends. One being an entrepreneur, and the other being a music artist. We came together to do a fun project for the community without thinking much of it, but it eventually grew and became known as the Saigon Night Market. Along the way, we’ve met many people that we’ve been blessed to be able to share this journey with as one big family.

What type of vendors are you looking for?

The more diverse the better. Anybody and everybody is welcome to vend. At times, when we see we have too many vendors of a specific culture, we tend to focus on picking up different types of vendors to make sure everyone gets a chance to showcase their foods.

How can vendors / sponsors sign up? 

Vendors and sponsors can reach out via email (saigonnightmarketfl@gmail.com). 

How to buy a ticket?

Tickets are sold at the gate, or available on Eventbrite for pre-purchase. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/endless-summer-music-food-festival-tickets-907987895237