Eddie Huang of Baohaus NYC is coming home to Orlando for the holidays and will be serving hanger steak baos, Haus Bao, as seen on Ultimate Recipe Showdown on
Food Network as well as Bao Fries at
Cattleman’s Steakhouse
8801 International Drive
December 26th 2010
6pm to 11pm
his blog
http://thepopchef.blogspot.com/
I visited Golden Lotus many times before but was recently asked by Asia Trend to visit Golden Lotus again for a article in their upcoming issue. Here is a rough draft:
Golden Lotus: Authentic Chinese Restaurant in Central Florida
Chinese cuisine has been an integral thread of the American cultural tapestry since the gold rush days in California, with Chinese rail road laborers setting up shop and making “chop suey” dishes out of everything they could find. This all changed when in 1972 President Richard Nixon visited China for the first time bringing new attention and interest for all things Chinese, especially for authentic Chinese food.
Golden Lotus restaurant owner Jackson Lo started his career around this time many decades ago beginning in Hong Kong. He is now a builder of Chinese restaurants throughout the Central Florida area and also owner of the famed Szechuan restaurant near Walt Disney World. Golden Lotus is the restaurant he created to bring authentic Chinese food to Central Florida.
Golden Lotus restaurant is hidden in a plaza on the southeast corner of Sand Lake Road and John Young Parkway, only a few miles away from the Florida Mall. The wait staff here is attentive and kind, having been at the service of Golden Lotus for many years, a loyalty that is not found in many other restaurants.
Golden Lotus specializes in Cantonese and Szechuan dishes, serving dim sum until 4pm daily. They have helpful menus with pictures of dim sum, items on them to aid those of us who may be confused what a fried taro dumpling or shrimp rice paste looks like. Their dim sum is among the best in Central Florida, with fresh ingredients and skillful preparation.
Egg tarts
The egg tarts here are flaky and bite-sized sweet delights, a perfect dessert to go with hot tea, a drink cultivated for thousands of years by the Chinese for their healthy qualities. The shrimp dumpling (ha gow) and pork dumpling (siu mai) are both plump and savory, freshly steamed from the kitchen.
A specialty at Golden Lotus is their beef chow fun noodles, hand made right on the premises from scratch, giving the noodles its unique texture and taste not found in any other restaurant in Orlando.
Another specialty is the tea-smoked duck which takes hours to make. The duck is first salted and spiced inside, then hung over night. The duck is then dry smoked with Chinese tea leaves using wood chips over hours to absorb the flavors into the duck.
Their Szechuan wontons are a spicy treat, with just the right amount of kick. They also serve noodle soup bowls starting at $6.95, a great meal for a great price. I’ve had their beef noodle soup on a previous occasion and can attest to their heartwarming flavors and beefy aroma.
Golden Lotus is a restaurant full of tasty surprises and authentic dishes made with care. Visit them soon for a fantastic Chinese meal for an affordable price.
East Buffet in Longwood is a new Asian/Chinese buffet restaurant just north of Orlando off of I-4 and SR 434. I met up with a few old friends here to check it out.
The buffet is $10.99 for dinner and also has a selection of sushi and “hibachi” style noodles which you can put together and give to the chef to cook for you. The place is recently remodeled with brand new decor and actually looks quite decent inside. The food is slightly above par for a all you can eat chinese buffet place, but I take what I can get these days in terms of buffets. I think its named after the famous East Buffet in Flushing in New York City…
your own personal hibachi chef!
.
Dunkin’ Donuts to Keep Shoppers Running on “Black Friday” with 49 Cent Turbo Shots of Espresso
Offer is valid at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Florida
WHAT: Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all day, every day stop for coffee and baked goods, will keep shoppers running on “Black Friday” by offering a Turbo Shot of espresso for 49 cents at participating locations.
In addition, participating locations will offer a free small hot coffee or hot chocolate with the purchase of any gift basket, which will be designated by a special sticker.
Some Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will actually be opening earlier than 5:00 a.m. on November 26th to help guests get a great start to the holiday shopping season. Customers are invited to contact their local Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant for their specific holiday hours.
WHEN: Friday, November 26
(Open to close)
WHERE: Participating Florida Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants
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In honor of Black Friday, Morton’s will be offering its Facebook fans a complimentary dessert from the dessert tray with purchase of entree! Only valid on Friday, November 26, 2010, guests mention they are a Morton’s fan on Facebook (no coupon/gift certificate required) and receive their dessert.
To become a fan, visit the Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/Mortons.
Morton’s The Steakhouse restaurant in Orlando is located at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. For reservations, please call 407-248-3485.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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This past weekend at the Seminole Towne Center Mall in Sanford, I had the opportunity to judge a contest for the PERFECT SIDE DISH for Thanksgiving. Here are the results!
Peggy Dunn’s Jalapeno Cornbread
Central Florida Winner
The Perfect Side Dish Recipe Contest
Peggy Dunn of Lake Mary was the Central Florida grand prize winner at the
Perfect Side Dish judging held at Seminole Towne Center on Nov. 20. Peggy’s
fabulous Jalapeno Cornbread wowed the Perfect Side Dish judges: Sonni
Abatta of Fox 35 News, Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com, and Brady Koch of Second
Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. If you’d like to create Peggy’s
winning side dish, here is the recipe!
2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix
½ cup oil
½ cup jalapeno peppers, chopped fine
1 ½ cup grated cheese
1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup chopped pimento
2 cups milk
3 eggs, beaten
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 can cream style corn
Combine all ingredients. Bake in greased 9” x 13” pan at 400 degrees for 45
minutes or until top of cornbread is browned.
Sweet Potato Casserole by Veronica M.
Broccoli Rice Casserole by Ann S.
Jalapeno Cornbread by Peggy D.!
I was invited recently to attend a media night at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar on Sand Lake Road in the new Dellagio plaza premiering their new line up for their prix fixe menu as well as a sneak peak into some new and creative dishes coming to Fleming’s soon.
Fleming’s is a part of the OSI Group Restaurants which includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian, Roy’s, and Bonefish Grill.
The restaurant’s decor is elegant and refined, definitely a good place to go if you are in town for the Orange County Convention and need to go out for a business dinner. The place has private dining for up to 60 and there are plenty of seats in the main dining area (although it does get a bit noisy when there are large parties going on as we noticed on this evening). It did not detract from our experience however and we definitely enjoyed the chef’s creations for us this night.
First up was a light, refreshing lump crab louis wrap salad. I thought the crab was fresh and light, a much healthier appetizer for starters. Then came the roasted mushroom ravioli, made with portobello and shitake mushrooms in a porcini butter suace, a favorite of our table. Our sole, a light fish, came with crab beignets in a lemon butter sauce paired with a chardonnay wine.
The crux of Fleming’s lies within their steaks and of course this evening we had the peppercorn steak, a prime new york strip and also my favorite of the meal, a very high quality and melt in your mouth steak seasoned with peppercorn and a kick.
The following is Fleming’s prix fixe menu:
Fall Prix Fixe Menu includes
3 – Course Meal for $39.95 till January 2011.
Choice of Appetizer
OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER
three freshly shucked oysters baked with sambuca-laced creamed spinach,
shaved parmesan cheese and crispy bacon bits
AUTUMN SALAD
crisp spinach and baby lettuce, toasted almonds and grape tomatoes, tossed
with red onion balsamic vinaigrette, served with a blue cheese and bacon crostini
Choice of Entrée
VEAL OSSO BUCCO
veal shank served on creamy risotto with roasted seasonal vegetables
Suggested wine: MASI, Veneto Campofiorin Italy, 2006/2007**
CIOPPINO
sea bass, shrimp, clams and black mussels in a spicy tomato broth, served
with a toasted sourdough crouton
Suggested wine: VON BUHL, Riesling Pfalz Medium-Dry Jazz Germany, 2008**
Dessert
DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
served on crème anglaise with raspberry coulis
Suggested wine: RENWOOD, Zinfandel Amador County Amador Ice, 2008
I also enjoy their happy hour specials which include a very reasonably priced prime burger and drink specials till 6:30pm.
Overall, I would definitely recommend Fleming’s for those who want a upscale place to go on a date or to meet up with some business partners. If you are looking to save, definitely go during happy hours. The staff at Fleming’s was very accomodating and friendly the entire evening.
Crab lettuce wraps at Fleming’s!
Roasted Mushroom Ravioli!
Sole in lemon butter sauce
Peppercorn steak, prime new york steak
Ossobucco (on the prix fixe menu)
Oyster Rockerfeller
Dessert trio, a sweet ending
Italian Beefstro sits in on busy Colonial Drive just a few blocks west from the I-4 exit in a small building with a little fountain in front. Inside, you get in line to order your food at the counter. The people who work here are all very nice and hospitable, which is greatly appreciated.
Italian Beefstro’s pride themselves on serving Italian Beef sandwiches, a specialty from the windy city of Chicago.
The Italian Beef sandwich ($4.95) has slices of juicy roast beef and sauteed green peppers in a hoagie roll. For 0.30 cents extra, they add hot giardiniera (pickled veggies) and the Italian beef sandwich is dunked in the flavor filled juice that runs off the beef (i call it beefy juices). Its a dripping, juicy, delightful mess of a Italian roast beef sandwich.
Italian Beefstro’s also serves up Classic Vienna Beef Chicago hot dogs ($3.89) topped with tomato, pickles, sport peppers, celery salt, and relish.
Maybe it was the old Orlando feel or just something about the counters and the roast beef, but for some reason I was reminded fondly of Beefy King’s down the street while eating at Italian Beefstro. Maybe its their love for roast beef. Overall, I thought the sandwiches were pretty good and worth a try, especially for all those displaced Chicago residents 😉
Inside Italian Beefstro, not much to look at, but its all about the food!
The Italian Beef sandwich, dipped in beefy juice
Chicago dog!
Teriyaki House is a paradox. It neither serves teriyaki nor is it a “new york style” Chinese fast food place as it appears from the outside/inside. It does serve the “americanized” Chinese food we are familiar with (general tso’s chicken and its fried, sweet, battered ilk that we Americans just so love), but the essence of Teriyaki House lies within its traditional Taiwanese dishes.
A true mom and pop shop (run entirely by an elderly couple), Teriyaki House lies on the southwest corner of Kirkman Road and Colonial Dr (SR 50), just north of the SR 408 exit for Kirkman. Inside, Teriyaki House is a hole in the wall type joint, with four tables and about 16 seats, various Christian relics adorn the walls and a small TV plays the latest Taiwanese gameshows and news. The clientele is mostly Chinese ( a good sign).
There are two menus here: an “American” menu in English with the above-described items, and a “Taiwanese” menu, entirely in Chinese. Their “Taiwanese” menu posed a problem for even our most Chinese-literate friend on this visit to the shop. But luckily enough, I could figure out a few of the items from a group of photos of dishes that they had on the wall. I pointed to them and the lady nodded and smiled, not sure if she really understood what I wanted…
The food takes a while to finish as there are only the two of them at this place, which is understandable. It was fun not really knowing what to expect to come out from their kitchen.
Our drinks were the sweet iced black tea and iced lemon tea, Taiwanese staples, and extra sweet and refreshing. The first dish came and it was fried tofu stuffed with garlic and topped with lettuce and a sweet/salty sauce. The tofu was crispy, fresh, and delicious to eat. It tasted just like what my grandma would have made at home.
Our first item was the appetizer sampler platter of mushroom, Taiwanese sausage, hard boiled egg, collard mustard greens, and tofu topped with green onions, parsley, and bean sprouts, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
There are also these lunch combos that come with rice, stir fried green beans, chinese sausage, hard boiled egg, and a entree of your choice. My companions and I decided to get the Taiwanese style stewed beef and the fatty pork dish which was literally fat layered with pork and soft and buttery to the touch.
Apparently, you can also ask the chef to cook to order any number of Taiwanese dishes not on the menu. I saw one lady come in with a bitter melon from the 1st Oriental Supermarket down the street and asked the chef to cook it to order.
Overall, I was very satisfied with my dishes at Teriyaki House, a diamond in the rough. They all tasted home made and incredibly fresh. Check it out!
Mike, co-owner of http://www.impressink.com custom apparel t shirts, enjoys the hard boiled soy sauce egg
Sampler platter
Fried Tofu!
a plate of fresh Chinese veggies
Home made Taiwanese style sausage
Lunch combo
Taiwanese style stewed beef
Fatty pork!
Dear Fellow Chompers,
Please vote and show there is more to Orlando than just Olive Garden and PF Chang’s, and thank you!
Click here to Nominate: Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards 2010
Here is a list of last year’s winners:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants/os-cal-the-foodies-restaurant-awards-20100225,0,668719,full.story
It was strange to see so many restaurants picked as critic’s choice that were out in BFE like Tavares, Winter Garden, etc no offense to those who live out that way but its kind of strange..
What are your picks for this year?
check out this fundraiser @thedailycity, Magnifique | A Voci Dance Nighttime Glowing Fairy Fundraiser
November 20, 2010 at 6pm at Mennello Museum of Art (900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803)
http://www.thedailycity.com/2010/11/magnifique-voci-dance-nighttime-glowing.html
What is a torta? In my opinion, it’s basically like a Mexican burger, taco fillings inside a bun.
Mosey on down to south Orange Blossom Trail if you dare, (it’s in a shady bit of town but don’t mind the locale, its all about the food!), and check out Tortas El Rey. The King of Tortas Sandwiches.
Housed in an old Checker’s, Tortas El Rey is a Mexican fast food place just north of the Florida Mall here in sunny Orlando, FL. You can walk up to the check in or order at the drive thru and eat outside in one of their shaded tables. Best of all its open 24 hours.
I ordered the beef (carne asada 4.80) torta and a pork taco.
The beef torta was stuffed with beef, lettuce, tomatos, and a mayo sauce. The buns were okay, though I wish the torta was more flavorful and more fresh.
The taco was amazingly cheap for around 50 cents a taco, but of course it was not as meaty.
Overall, if you don’t mind the slightly dirty feeling of eating along OBT, Tortas El Rey is not too shabby. This place is definitely for the adventurous ones out there, though the food itself is not all that “exotic” (though they do have lengua – beef tongue tacos).
I continue my search for amazing Mexican food in Orlando…
POLLO TROPICAL SWEETENS THE POT FOR
‘THE PERFECT SIDE DISH’ HOLIDAY RECIPE CONTEST
Recipe contest sets the stage for statewide canned food drive, ‘What Can You Do?’ at Simon Malls on behalf of the Florida Association of Food Banks
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Nov. 2, 2010) – “The Perfect Side Dish” holiday recipe contest just got more delicious with contest prizes from Pollo Tropical as a preview to “What Can You Do?,” a statewide food drive Nov. 20-Dec. 14 at Simon Malls in Florida in collaboration with the Florida Association of Food Banks. At-home and professional chefs are invited to submit their favorite holiday side dish recipes using canned ingredients by Wed., Nov. 10 for the chance to win a $100 American Express® Simon Giftcard®, plus a $100 gift certificate from Pollo Tropical.
Food lovers are invited to submit their favorite holiday side dish recipe that includes canned ingredients. The ever-so-popular green bean casserole or sweet potato pie are good examples of recipes with canned food items. A panel of judges will review the recipes and select the perfect side dish chefs to compete. As a special incentive, the first 50 individuals to submit a recipe will receive a coupon for a free meal from Pollo Tropical.
Finalists will be asked to prepare their dish, which will be judged on taste, creativity and ease of preparation during a special competition held on Sat., Nov. 20, 2010 at four Simon mall locations including Paddock Mall (Ocala/North Florida), Coral Square Mall (Coral Springs/South Florida), Seminole Towne Center (Orlando/Central Florida) and Edison Mall (Fort Myers/Southwest Florida).
Five finalists per region will each receive a $25 American Express® Simon Giftcard® and a $50 gift certificate from Pollo Tropical. The winning chef per region will receive a $100 American Express® Simon Giftcard®, a $100 gift certificate from Pollo Tropical and the bragging rights for this premier recipe contest.
Recipes for “The Perfect Side Dish” can be provided via email at recipes@bitnergoodman.com. Recipe submission forms can be found at participating Simon Mall Guest Service desks or can be downloaded online at www.bitnergoodman.com/perfectsidedish.htm. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 10, 2010. For detailed contest rules and additional information, call 1-800-998-6753 or visit www.bitnergoodman.com/perfectsidedish.htm.
Participating malls include Boynton Beach Mall, Coconut Point, Coral Square, Dadeland Mall, DeSoto Square, Edison Mall, Florida Mall, Gulf View Square, Indian River Mall, Lake Square, Melbourne Square, Miami International Mall, Paddock Mall, Port Charlotte Town Center, Seminole Towne Center, The Falls, The Shops at Sunset Place, Town Center at Boca Raton, Treasure Coast Square and Tyrone Square.
Check out the latest edition of Brink Magazine for November, there’s an article featuring our humble food blog there! at
Blue Bird Bake Shop is a new cupcake shop opened here in Orlando in the lovely Audubon Park Garden district.
Specializing in cupcakes, Blue Bird Bake Shop has created more than thirty flavors. From Red Velvet to Sweet Cakes, Ch-chocolate to Peanut Butter & Jelly, rotating on a daily basis. They also offer brownies, cookies, scones, muffins and other bakery fare. Cupcakes are $2.75 each or $30 for a dozen.
They had some pretty interesting flavors and were quite delicious, although a few of the ones I had were a bit on the dry side. No matter though as a cup of milk helped wash them down 😀
My favorite was the Neapolitan cupcake, but here is a list of the ones I had that day
Downside Up
Vanilla cake – Chocolate buttercream icing sprinkled with vanilla jimmies.
Neapolitan
Layered chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla cake – Strawberry buttercream icing.
Upside Down
Chocolate cake – Vanilla buttercream icing sprinkled with chocolate jimmies.
Tuxedo
Chocolate cake – Cream cheese icing topped with mini chocolate chips.
You can follow them on facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/bluebirdbakeshop
they sometimes announce specials on there like Halloween or holiday flavors and sales!
It’s Monday night. In a parking lot outside of Stardust, a crowd has gathered. Booths line the edges of the lot selling jewelry, farm fresh eggs, plants, breads, and even the fortune written in the wrinkles of your palm hand. A musician strums his guitar on the make-shift stage while the audience looks on, enjoying their freshly made meals and the night air in the Audubon Park community, deep in the heart of Orlando.
The Audubon Park neighborhood is home to Stardust Video and Coffee, Blue Bird Bake Shop, and a few other great shops on the corner of Corrine Drive and E Winter Park Rd just north of the Orlando Fashion Square Mall.
Every Monday night from 6pm-10pm, Audubon Park Community Market is held in the parking lot of Stardust Coffee, where one can find “Ourlando community’s source for the best selection of truly local food, from produce and other farm goods to prepared foods, grocery items and meals.”
At the Audubon Park Community Market, truly a “night market” in Orlando, you can find food that is locally grown, raised, caught or made right here in Florida emphasizing freshness and sustainable practices. Whether its cage free eggs sold through Chef Tony Adams and Big Wheel Provisions, or artisan bread from Olde Hearth Breads, to ocean caught fish from Wild Ocean Seafood (from the same people who brought us Dixie Crossroads), local is the key ingredient to all of these vendors.
On this visit, I saw some old friends, like Mark Baratelli of TheDailyCity.com giving away pants of dispair from the Apathetics in exchange for signing up for his email list serv, and bought charmoula, a African marinade and dip, from Big Wheel Provisions (apparently one of the top 11 things you must eat in Orlando according to Orlando Weekly). I also bought some fresh home made gnocchi and black olive bread from Olde Hearth Bread Company.
This weekly gathering of friends, local food, local art, live music and more takes place in the Stardust parking lot at 1842 E Winter Park Rd. Every Monday, from 6pm to 10pm, creating a place where people can come together.
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12327087&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0
Audobon Park Community Market from Big Wheel Provisions on Vimeo.
FRESH
Wild Ocean Seafood
Mark Baratelli from TheDailyCity.com
Olde Hearth Bread Company
Black olive bread from Old Hearth!
Pretty interesting campaign, I like the civic engagement aspect of it. Everyone should take a “Steak” in America’s future! VOTE!
Bagel King, Casselberry
My favorite lox and bagel is from Russ and Daughters in NYC , and it had been months since I’d been back. This led me to crave some authentic lox and bagel and my search here in Orlando brought me to Bagel King!
Located off of SR 436 in Casselberry, Bagel King can boast to be one of the few authentic bagel shops in Orlando modeled after New York style bagel shops. They serve sandwiches and a whole bunch of other great items too, but on this visit I had their “fresh fish fantasy” with nova lox which includes your choice of bagel and lettuce, tomato, sweet bermuda onion & capers, fresh sliced.
I also tried out their potato knish, though it wasn’t a favorite.
I would try to come back to Bagel King to see their other offerings, we definitely need more places like it here in Orlando!
CHIPOTLE AND JAMIE OLIVER EXPOSE THE HORRORS OF PROCESSED FOOD THIS HALLOWEEN
I think Backyard Burger has got to be one of the most underrated burgers of all time. It seems 5 Guys Burgers gets all the love these days ( I think they are a bit too greasy).
Backyard Burger sure isn’t much to look at, the decor is like a fast food joint dressed up like your auntie’s house (you know, the one that was featured on Hoarders). I know its near UCF and everything around here gets throwed up on after 2 AM anyway. Maybe because it started originally as a drive thru only and added dine in later on.
The most important thing after all about this place is the food: The Burgers are bangin’. I think they are the only burgers I have tried around here that actually taste like they came right off the grill from my backyard. Delicious.
So that got me thinking, what’s your favorite burger joint in Orlando?
You can find Backyard Burger at 11556 University Blvd, Orlando just down the street from UCF.
| If you sign up for their email list serv at backyardburgers.com, you can get a free burger coupon 😀 |
1/3 lb angus burger at Backyard burger
A Central Florida icon for over half a century, Dixie Crossroads located in Titusville, Florida is probably known best for elevating the once difficult and unwieldy rock shrimp to become a delicacy all over the world.
The story begins over 27 years ago on January 1, 1983 when Dixie Crossroads opened with 35 seats by the Thompson family with Laura Lee. With this, the Rock Shrimp King was born and today Dixie Crossroads has grown to a family restaurant with over 419 seats, grown upon the original Dixie Crossroads.
A distinction about the seafood at Dixie Crossroads
The shrimp at Dixie Crossroads is wild caught and not farm raised, a distinction that can be clearly tasted in the flavor and the freshness of the shrimp. They feature shrimp from Key West up the Atlantic to the Northwest. The Thompsons are also a part of the Wild Ocean Seafood company which is featured at the Audobon Park Community Market on Monday nights and College Park Community Market at Infusion Tea on Thursday nights which features premium, fresh-caught domestic shrimp and seafood.
Traditionally, rock shrimp were not seen favorable to eat because of their hard shell. Dixie Crossroads fixed this problem by creating a cutting tool that allowed them to more easily cut through the shell to serve the shrimp. Over the years the harvesting of rock shrimp eventually led to rapid depletion of the rock shrimp along the Atlantic, prompting the Thompson family, Dixie Crossroads and other local fishermen to lead a conservation effort to control the rock shrimp population and stopping the rock shrimp from going to extinction.
On this day, we were able to sample the various shrimp available from Dixie Crossroads including the Rock Shrimp which had the texture of lobster and flavor of shrimp. Bacon wrapped shrimp was another favorite from the sampler as well as all the other very fresh wild caught shrimp on the sampler.
Something that most people are not aware is that Dixie Crossroads also serves steak in addition to seafood. Usually when restaurants try to branch out into other cuisines, they usually don’t do as good of a job at it as their original more well known items but I found the prime rib at Dixie Crossroads was a cut above the average prime ribs.
Overall, I would definitely recommend a trip out to Dixie Crossroads in Titusville for a day if you’re headed to the beach or just want some really fresh wild caught seafood. It only took us about 25 minutes to get out there on 528 and I-95, pretty much the same amount of time it takes to get to Disney from Orlando. 🙂
Find more information here:
Dixie Crossroads
1475 Garden St
Titusville, FL 32796-3389
(321) 268-5000
http://www.dixiecrossroads.com/
Disclosure: This preview was sponsored by Dixie Crossroads, though I try to remain as neutral and unbiased as possible during my reflections. Thank you to Dawna and Harrison from Dixie Crossroads for making this trip possible and for introducing us to an awesome place.
I visited The Capital Grille once before during their wine tasting event and was graciously invited back to try a new twist on their fall flavors and give my thoughts.
Levash bread is a favorite
This fall, the Capital Grille began offering a “Flavors of the Pacific Northwest” menu from September 20 to October 31st (hurry and get there before it runs out!). Each restaurant has a different special dish that rotates around from this menu. Here in Orlando during my visit to the Capital Grille, the Seared Halibut with Harvest Vegetables was on the menu.
I ordered the Seared Halibut on my visit and was delighted by its taste. The fish was seared to perfection, not too dry and not too soft, very lightly seasoned going well with the Conundrum, a 2008 California white wine suggested by our very attentive and considerate waitress for the evening.
The Seared Halibut
Other items that go well with the main dish include the Lobster Mac and Cheese, a dish filled with decadent cheeses and chunks of lobster meat (A favorite), and the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella, a slightly salty appetizer. The roasted tomatoes and lemon gusto that came with the seared halibut was a fine addition to the fish as well.
Lobster Mac n Cheese Goodness
Overall, I would definitely go to The Capital Grille especially if you are on a business trip to Orlando staying near the Convention Center or out on a special date or want to escape for a moment, but do remember to bring the company card.
The Capital Grille Orlando is located at 9101 International Drive. Reservations can be made by calling (407) 370-4392 or by visiting TheCapitalGrille.com. In addition to its main dining room, The Capital Grille features private dining rooms for up to 36 guests, as well as the Chef’s Table, with a front line view of the open kitchen, accommodating up to 10 guests.
Disclosure: This preview event was sponsored by The Capital Grille, though I try to remain as neutral and unbiased as possible during my reflections.
For those of you vacationing in Orlando or feel like having a festive buffet during Thanksgiving this year, check out the Rosen Hotel’s line up for this Thanksgiving!
2010 Buffets
Rosen Plaza, Rosen Centre and Rosen Shingle Creek
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Holiday Buffet
Buffet Hours: 11:00 am – 5 pm
Price: Adults $31.95 plus tax and gratuity; children ages 5 – 12 $15.95 plus tax and gratuity; children 4 and under – one free child with each paying adult; Bring in this listing for $3 off each adult
Reservations: 407-996- 0256
http://www.rosenplaza.com
Rosen Centre/Cafe Gauguin
9840 International Drive
Champagne Brunch Buffet
Buffet Hours: 11 am – 5 pm
Price: Adults $39.95 plus tax and gratuity, children ages 4 – 12 $16.95 plus tax and gratuity
Reservations: 407-996-9840 ext. 3593
http://www.rosencentre.com
Rosen Shingle Creek/Café Osceola
9939 Universal Blvd.
Holiday Day Buffet
Buffet Hours: 11:30 am to 7:00 pm
Price: Adults $55.95 plus tax and gratuity, children ages 4 – 12 $24.95 plus tax and gratuity; 25% Florida resident’s discount (show id)
Reservations: 407.996.FOOD (3663)
For parties of 10 or more, please call 407.996.9770.
http://www.rosenshinglecreek.com
Rosen Shingle Creek/A Land Remembered
9939 Universal Blvd.
Hours 5:30pm – 10:00pm
Reservations call: 407.996.FOOD (3663)
A la carte menu – Florida Residents receive 25% off
————–
Macy’s Culinary Council chef and Top Chef Master Rick Bayless will be appearing at Macy’s at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando on Sunday, October 17 for a free cooking demonstration. Rick will offer tips for serving up his trademark Latin cuisine by preparing dishes like Achiote Shrimp and Bacon Tomato Guacamole for customers to sample. Following his demonstration, Rick will be available to sign copies of his newest cookbook, Fiesta at Rick’s, available for purchase at Macy’s the day of the event.
WHEN:
Sunday, October 17th, 2010
2:00 PM
WHERE:
Macy’s at The Mall at Millenia
Home Department, 2nd Floor
4298 Millenia Blvd
Orlando, Florida 32839
RSVP:
Customer RSVPs are recommended but not required. Reserve your seat by calling 1.800.329.8667. This event is free.
*This post was sponsored by beeverywhere.tv
Padrino’s Cuban Bistro – All you can Eat Cuban Pig Roast!
Don Mario and his wife just drove up from South Florida, where the original Padrinos restaurant is based, to oversee the Cuban Pig Roast event and carve up the lechon roast pig. I met with Don Mario Padrino, a tall man with a kind smile and a booming voice, and spoke with him about the history of his family’s restaurant.
The restaurant started in South Florida in the late 1970s where the recently immigrated Padrino family set up a small shop after escaping the rise of Castro in Cuba. The restaurant started out with Momma Padrino’s authentic Cuban dishes. “The concept was Momma’s homestyle Cuban recipes and cooking with a modern and appealing presentation” recalled Mario.
Soon enough, the traditions passed onto their son Mario, who took over the restaurant and has been running it ever since.
On this Saturday afternoon, the all you can eat menu consisted of yucca, white rice, black beans, a rice and beans mix, oven roasted pork, pork rinds aka chicharrones, and the pig roast from La Caja China.
La Caja China is literally the “Chinese box”, whose origins are still a mystery to most Cubans today. Origin stories range from soldiers bringing the box home from the Vietnam War to the large Chinese immigrant community that thrived in Cuba during the late 1800s. Don Mario said that “we used to make our pig roasts the traditional way with cinder blocks, but with la caja china, the coals are placed on top so its much easier to roast.” The pig is injected with a mojo marinade the night before and the roast began at 5:30am.
The pork from the rib area is the juiciest and most succulent part, but also one of the fattiest parts.
Sigh, it is true that the best things in life are often bad for you…
The Next Cuban Pig Roast is:
Saturday October 9, 2010
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
All you can eat carving station which includes white rice, moros, black beans, sweet plantains, yucca and one drink (soda or beer).
$14.99 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Oven roasted pork
Yucca!
Rice and beans
Disclosure: I was invited by Padrino’s to this event and although this meal was provided complimentary, I do my best to try to remain as unbiased as possible in my observations.
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