Have you heard of Unreserved Food Bazaar at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa? It’s a casual, European-style food hall seasonal, international-inspired fare including Italian and Mediterranean classics, along with playful beverages.
Led by chef Peter Kunstek, UnReserved Food Bazaar features dishes like roasted snapper with hibiscus flowers , house made tagliatelle with scallops, and sushi rolls – something for everyone – but expertly prepared.
They roast their fish and meat in the Josper – a custom-made charcoal oven imported from Spain that combines the techniques of grilling & roasting into one.
Just outside, there is the JW garden where the chefs can pick herbs and other items fresh. There is also an outdoor lounge offering an extensive variety of craft beers in their beer garden.
We recently spoke with Chef Peter Kunstek about the menu and what to expect at the Unreserved.
Tasty Chomps interview with Chef Peter Kunstek at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek
Tasty Chomps: How did you first become interested in becoming a Chef?
Chef Peter Kunstek: Honestly I have had a love of food since being young. My Grandmother’s house had a garden that was larger than the house. We used to help her trimming the plants, picking out the weeds, and getting able to enjoy what good/fresh produce tastes like. Also growing up at our house, we rarely ate out fast food, mostly it would be home cooked meals either by mom or dad and I would be in the kitchen mostly helping prep. Then when in middle school I fell in love with the food network. My first job was working as a dishwasher in a small French bakery and working there I realized I wanted to cook for a career.
Favorite Lessons learned over the years in the food industry:
Communication, common sense, and the ability to be humble/understanding of the what every worker in this industry goes through to be in this business every day.
Most Memorable cooking experience:
My Most Memorable cooking experience was the first time my family and relatives came to dine in my restaurant when I became Sous Chef.
It was the first time I was able to show them what culinary meant to me and how their support helped me become who I am today.
Favorite tips for new chefs/cooks/home cooks:
Always try new things even if you in the past never liked, you might be surprised how your pallet can change and what you once couldn’t stand becomes your favorite food.
Try different cuisines in both cooking and tasting. Learning how other cultures cook and the ingredients they use can really open your world in the kitchen and when out dining.
Bonnet Creek Dragon Roll
What are your top 3 favorite items on the menu right now?
· Salt & Pepper St. Louis Style Ribs
· The Farmer Pizza
· Arroz Caldoso
UnReserved at JW MARRIOTT® ORLANDO BONNET CREEK RESORT & SPA
14900 CHELONIA PARKWAY,
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA, 32821
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort hosted this year’s 13th Annual Food & Wine classic event and it was a fantastic evening of walking along the beautiful causeway trying unlimited samples of amazing food and beverage offerings. It was a truly gorgeous evening filled with entertaining, unforgettable, and mouthwatering experiences.
The night featured unlimited food and drink tastings from 25+ food stations featuring culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and more than 150+ beverages amidst a festive backdrop of live entertainment.
Here is an Inside Look at the recent fabulous 2022 Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic:
Shula’s Steakhouse – Roasted Linz Heritage Black Angus Beef Tenderloin, Organic Mushrooms, Pearl Onion, Sauce Foyot
The typical ABC Fine Wine & Spirits store carries more than 10,000 different wines, spirits and beers from popular brands to their exclusive Sourced & Certified Collection of thousands of items found in Florida only at ABC.
This year as we approach the holiday hosting season – from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s – it might be a good idea to take a look at doing some of that shopping at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits!
Here are 7 Things You Might Not Know about ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
1. ABC has a special “Sourced & Certified Collection”
ABC has a special Sourced & Certified Collection – featuring brands only available at ABC stores in Florida that they buy directly from the winery/distillery, cutting out any middlemen – and saving costs for the consumer.
The Sourced and Certified Collection allows ABC to find the best bottles for incredibly low prices. The ABC team literally travels the world looking for new producers to work with, sampling their selection and deciding if it’s something worth bringing back home and offering to their guests. They have wine and spirit committees that meet monthly to taste test new potential products, and all of them must pass a vote to end up on ABC’s shelves.
ABC has been Florida family-owned since founder Jack Holloway opened the very first ABC (then a cocktail lounge and package store) on the corner of North Orange Ave. and Wall St in Orlando, Florida. In 1936.
Jack’s grandsons Charles and Jess have run the company since 1994, and it’s not uncommon to find other families working intergenerationally at ABC. (For example, there is one family where the dad works payroll, the mom does inventory control and the daughter is a warehouse admin. Pretty cool!)
3. ABC has Non-Alcoholic Beverages – Mocktails Anyone?
In addition to an expansive selection of every variety of wine, spirits and beer imaginable, ABC also offers non-alcoholic and low alcohol alternatives for those who are limiting or cutting out alcohol consumption.
4. ABC Has Experts Available – Helpful and Knowledgeable staff
For those looking for more expert advice on pairings for dinner, ABC has some fantastic helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand to help with insight on wines and spirits.
5. ABC’s is Holiday Gifting Central
For those looking for the perfect gift for adults this holiday season, ABC has it all – including:
Gift sets: Around the holidays, ABC stocks gift sets with popular brands that come with accessories like a nice bonus set of rocks glasses or something similar. They’re typically only $1 more than the price of just the bottle, so they’re terrific value finds.
Gift baskets built in-store: Associates are able to build a wine basket for you at ABC. You can either pick and choose what you want in it or grab a pre-made one and go.
E-Gift/Physical Gift Cards: For the procrastinators, gift cards are the easiest gifting option that’s always appreciated! Buy them on abcfws.com and have them sent to your recipient’s email immediately.
6. ABC’s has Try before You Buy
ABC offers wines and spirits to sample on tap, and sometimes cocktail samples for tasting! It’s a great way to discover new favorites or confirm you like something before you check out.
And hey, who doesn’t love free samples, especially when they’re wine or spirits?
7. ABC has Hot Deals and Specials
ABC is always running hot new deals (check them out at abcfws.com/deals), and ABC Access Rewards members get even more perks with $10 off every $100 wine purchase and access to free bottles of wine and spirits via email.
This Holiday Season – Visit ABC Fine Wine & Spirits for all your festive season needs.
Southeast Steel is a family owned and operated appliance business serving Central Florida since 1940. That success is credit to their motto and mission to “give every customer a superior appliance shopping experience at competitive prices through experienced and knowledgeable sales consultants and a wide assortment of appliances from well known manufacturers.”
Today, the appliance warehouse showroom displays over half a football field of brand name appliances, carrying the latest models of the most popular American and European brands and maintains an extensive inventory of the most popular models. Spencer Kimball, who along with his father Stu Kimball, own and run Southeast Steel here in Orlando. Spencer is the third generation in the family to own and run the shop.
For those seeking to upgrade or remodel their (or their loved one’s) kitchens this holiday season, Southeast Steel has started their Black Friday sale early- ending November 30th. Shop from brands you know, and trust and you can earn exclusive rebates up to $800 or more – all with the great service that only the local talented Southeast Steel sales consultants can provide.
Recieve up to $800 rebate* when you purchase qualifying GE products between November 2 – 30, 2022 by consumers from an authorized BrandSource member store. Offer good for personal use retail purchases only. Note* this offer is not available for builders, contract sales, or resellers. Details at Black November at Southeast Steel Appliance Warehouse.
Plan ahead if you want to thicken your Thanksgiving gravy on your new induction cooktop. At Southeast Steel you’ll find ranges in stock in Orlando, and ready for delivery, so save money and skip the big-box stores – visit the pros who have served Central Florida since 1940.
In the market for something more high-end? Southeast Steel also stocks the new Signature Kitchen Suite 48″ Dual-Fuel Pro Range, which combines inductions, sous-vide and gas in one cooktop.
For those looking for smaller appliance gifts to impress, check out Southeast Steel’s WOLF Gourmet offerings for Black Friday, including the Elite Countertop Oven with Convection Red Knob – The Wolf Gourmet elite countertop convection oven bakes, broils, roasts, proofs, toasts, heats bagels and warms food quickly and evenly, thanks to five heating elements, intuitive controls and advanced electronics. The interior is spacious enough to fit most 9 x 13 stoneware dishes or a 5 1/2 pound chicken. It’s basically an air-fryer but with so many more capabilities!
No matter what’s on your holiday menu, Southeast Steel can help you cook it to perfection, make clean-up a breeze and looking ahead give gifts to impress! Visit them soon in downtown Orlando!
Southeast Steel
63 West Amelia St.
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 423-7654
info@southeaststeel.net
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns to celebrate its 13th year on November 11-12, 2022 featuring a wide selection of food, wine, live entertainment, and fireworks under the stars at the world famous resort from 5:30pm – 9:00pm each day.
All-inclusive dining event featuring:
• A festive outdoor setting
• Unlimited food and beverage tastings (with event ticket)
• Over 25+ food stations featuring mouth-watering tastings
• Over 150+ beverage options from around the world
• Themed stations like the Beer Garden, Pig & The Poke, The Bubble Room
• Live musical entertainment
• Meet Celebrity Chef Todd English
Event-only tickets are $165 per person, excluding tax & service fees, and discounted room rates can be reserved at (888) 828-8859.
Premium Events VIP Champagne & Dessert Party (NEW)
Brand new event for 2022, and the first time Food & Wine Classic guests can experience the Swan Reserve and its 15th-floor private event space, The Vue, which offers floor-to-ceiling views of all Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks.
Enjoy a VIP champagne and dessert reception featuring champagnes and sparkling wines
paired with the hotel’s award-winning desserts while watching Disney nighttime fireworks.
Saturday, Nov. 12 from 8:30-10 p.m.
Tickets: $150 per person for unlimited dessert and beverage tastings
The Grand Tasting
A high-end wine pairing tasting, perfect for wine enthusiasts
Takes guests palates on a journey of elite wines and champagnes curated by Master
Sommelier John Blazon and paired with a custom chef’s table menu from the resort’s Executive Chef Dan Herman
Saturday, Nov. 12 from 2-5 p.m.
Tickets: $395 per person; seating is limited
Here is a sneak preview of the 2022 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic menu:
From Rosa Mexicano (NEW):
Classic Guacamole En Molcajete: Warm Tortilla Chips and Roasted Tomato Salsa
Pork Carnitas de Cazuela: Habernero-Pickled Red Onions, Shaved Cabbage, Avocado, Salsa Crudo, Tomatillo Pico de Gallo, Corn Tortilla Chips
Roasted Mushroom Taco Shitake: Cremini, Oyster Blend, Pasilla Chile, Green Apple Slaw, Sliced Avocado, Queso Fresco, Corn Tortilla
Roasted Linz Heritage Black Angus Beef Tenderloin: Roasted Organic Mushrooms, Pearl Onion, Sauce Foyot (from Shula’s Steak House)
Here are a few recent openings and upcoming restaurant openings in Orlando! Big thanks to Joe S. and Gary Lau for their help in compiling this great list!!
New and Recent Restaurant Openings in Orlando
Meng’s Kitchen by chef Asawin AJ Knight Jockkeaw.
inside I-Fresh Market
2415 E Colonial Dr, , Orlando, FL, United States, Florida http://www.mengskitchensorlando.com/
(407) 730-8910
Specializing in Thai and southeast Asian cuisine – like the Hainanese Chicken and Rice – poached chicken served over hainanese style rice pilaf with ginger, garlic & soy dipping sauce, and a side of broth and the Braised Pork Hunglay Curry – marinated pork belly and pork shoulder with toasted garam masala slowly braised with hunglay curry paste, shallots, pickled garlic, fresh mango, tamarind paste and fresh ginger.
Orlando’s news Korean BBQ spot includes $39.99 AYCE KBBQ option which includes the Banchan, nine different meats, and five appetizers – there’s also Korean Poached Egg (Gyeranjjim), Fried Dumplings (Goon Mandu), and Ganjang Bibimbap.
K-BBQ & Bar opened in a 5,351-square-foot space that once was Oblivion Taproom and most recently was Roy’s Grill & Lounge.
BUSINESS HOUR
WED ~ MON
3PM ~ 12AM
CLOSED ON TUESDAY
Paris Baguette
415 South Orlando Avenue, Suite 213
Winter Park, FL 32789 www.parisbaguette.com
The first Paris Baguette in Florida opened recently in Winter Park – the Seoul, South Korea-based Korean-French bakery chain has over 3,500 locations in South Korea. The 2,460-square-foot Winter Park location is a corporate owned store. The second location in Florida, a franchised store, will open in Winter Garden‘s Horizon West community in the coming months.
818 Best Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant
Shoppes at Millenia
4192 Conroy Road, Suite 109
Orlando, FL 32839 www.818bestdimsum.com
Orlando’s newest Dim Sum restaurant opened today in the former King Crab Shack spot in front of The Mall at Millenia. 818 Best Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant is from the same local owner as 818 Heat Hot Pot & BBQ on South Kirkman Road and 818 Hot Pot and Barbecue coming soon to South Apopka Vineland Road. Dim Sum is served everyday from 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM. Rolling carts are available only during lunchtime.
Mangia
Town Center at Timber Springs
425 Avalon Park South Boulevard, Suite 400
Orlando, FL 32828 www.mangia-italian.com
Mangia opened at the end of August in the former Lil’ Anthony’s Pizza spot in Avalon Park. Mangia is owned by the Zuccarone-Russo Family. They immigrated to Orlando from the Bagnoli quarter of Naples, Italy in 2013. Father and son chef duo, Rosario Russo and Gennaro Russo lead the kitchen. Rosario is a member of the esteemed APCI (Association of Professional Italian Chefs), based in Italy.”
Banana Leaf
Stoneybrook Marketplace
2504 South Alafaya Trail, Suite 360
Orlando, FL 32828 www.bananaleafllc.com
Orlando‘s newest Sri Lankan restaurant opened in July. Friendly owner Nilanga Dassanayake was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He moved to Orlando this year from Los Angeles. Chef Nadee was born in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. The restaurant features a wonderful Sri Lankan lunch buffet on the weekends.
The weekend lunch buffet includes 10 items:
•Kaha Bath (Yellow Butter Rice)
•Annasi Curry (Pineapple Curry)
•Uru Mas Curry (Pork Curry)
•Kukul Mas Curry (Chicken Curry)
•Kadala Curry (Chickpea Curry)
•Malu Curry (Fish Curry)
•Amba Maluwa (Mango Curry)
•Polos Curry (Jackfruit Curry)
•Kiri Pani with Kithul Treacle (Curd with Palm Syrup)
•Papadam
The lunch buffet is Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It is $19.99 per person.
The Yiu siblings (George, Diane, and Eddie) have teamed up with Chris Chen and Philip Nguyen to bring this new concept to Orlando featuring dumplings, mapu tofu tots, and fried rice and more. Stay tuned!
Featuring Cantonese and Dim Sum – East Garden opened in May 2022. Co-owners Ivy and her husband John also own Asian Sauce Box in Port Orange.
Wafu – East End Market – Audubon Park Garden District
3201 Corrine Drive, Suite 203
Orlando, FL 32803
Wafu opened June 2022 on the second level of East End Market in the Audubon Park Garden District. They specialize in Japanese taiyaki with sweet or savory fillings, soft serve ice cream, and they have a few shelves with exclusive merchandise for sale.
Sourdough Bread House
Casselberry Exchange
5761 South US Highway 17-92, Suite 1021
Casselberry, FL 32707 www.sourdoughbreadhouse.com
They just moved from Maitland to Casselberry last month. Featuring Turkish breakfast and sourdough breads.
92Chicken
5510 West Colonial Drive, Suite 106
Orlando, FL 32808 www.92chickenfl.com
Virginia-based Korean-style fried chicken chain, 92Chicken has opened their first location in Florida! They are in a soft opening right now. It is owned by South Korean-born Sung Isaac Lee who used to own Kaizen Izakaya in Downtown Orlando.
Coming Soon
Sweet Buns Bakery & Cafe
2021 E. Colonial Drive
A late-night Hong Kong-style diner, is coming to Mills 50, founded by John Zhao, the restaurateur behind YH Seafood Clubhouse in Dr. Phillips and Pho 813 near the Mall at Millenia. This will be the third Sweet Buns in Florida after Tampa and Gainesville, but they will have a full kitchen firing up Hong Kong-style diner fare in addition to the bakery’s sugary buns, breads, cakes and assorted baked goods, according to the Orlando Weekly. The location takes over King Crab Shack at 2021 E. Colonial Drive — formerly Lac Viet.
Jollibee
11891 E. Colonial Drive
Although previously slated to open in east Orlando on October 31, the date has been pushed back to December 2022. The restaurant’s main offerings are Filipino-style fried chicken, pies and spaghetti.
Camille
4962 New Broad Street in Baldwin Park
‘Camille’ by Chef Tung Phan to Open Pop-Up in Domu Lab at East End Market – Orlando is about to get its very first taste of modern French-Vietnamese served Chef’s table-style. Camille, a pop-up, will be opening in Audubon Park this year.
Shoot us any restaurant news and tips by e-mailing us at tastychomps (at) gmail.com !
There is a brand new epic food and wine event coming to Central Florida this December –Waldorf Astoria Orlando & Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek’s inaugural Epicurious: Sip & Savor Event.
Taste your way through the all-new Epicurious Sip & Savor Event, an upscale food and wine experience showcasing 35 tastings across eight culinary kiosks and nine pop-up bars.
Enjoy an exclusive evening filled with lavish libations and delectable dishes inspired by the chefs from the highly acclaimed restaurants and lounges at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
Prepare to invigorate your senses with the unique and bold flavors of their carefully curated samplings.
Event Date & Time: December 9, 2022. From 7pm to 11pm
Event Pricing: $275 per person. Plus Tax and Gratuity
For information, please email BonnetCreekEpicurious@hilton.com or Call (407) 597-3771
Savor your way through the culinary wonders of Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Signia by Hilton. From a carefully curated selection of wines and spirits, to delectable food pairings and artsy treats from our Grand Patisserie, this cocktail event will sure be one of the most delightful culinary experiences you can have.
For information, please email BonnetCreekEpicurious@hilton.com or call 407-597-3771
Limited availability. Tickets required.
Here is a sneak preview of what to expect at Waldorf Astoria Orlando & Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek’s Inaugural Sip & Savor on December 9th, 2022:
BULL & BEAR
Led by Chef Juan Suarez, Bull and Bear features a menu that takes much of its inspiration from an imaginative twist on the legendary meat eatery. Modeled after the trendsetting original Bull & Bear Restaurant in New York City, Bull & Bear Orlando serves hearty portions of traditional fare in a warm, club-like setting. Intricate chandeliers, a coffered ceiling and beveled glass windows create the perfect backdrop for a dining experience highlighted by inspired cuisine and impeccable service. The restaurant will be presenting their famed “Bull and Bear Fried Chicken” at the event. They will also feature a “DUCK HAM” dish with Skordalia, Kalamata au Jus, and Chestnut Spätzle.
BULL & BEAR FRIED CHICKEN – Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Gravy – this alone is worth the price of admission!
LA LUCE
Created by famed Napa Valley chef and restaurateur Donna Scala, this modern Italian country kitchen serves dinner nightly and features thin crust pizzas, homemade pasta, Mediterranean-inspired drinks and a Trattoria-style wine program.
Executive Chef Alberto Navarette Arias of La Luce – making the short rib ravioli
Taking inspiration from the finest in Italian cuisine, La Luce features nuanced dishes that are certain to please the palate. Known for combining Italian tradition with Californian innovation, La Luce comes to life through two culinary dishes presented by Chef Alberto Navarrete Arias, including a Short Rib Ravioli and Bruschetta Bianca.
Traditional Japanese style specialties fused with cutting-edge culinary delights. Indulge in carefully crafted Asian cuisine with unique dishes created by Chef Jesus Pinto. Experience three categories of Japanese Fusion fare, including Steamed Bao Buns, Nori Kurakka “Spicy Nachos” and Kanji Rolls.
• KANJI ROLL – Spicy Salmon, Cucumber, Avocado, Tobiko, Siracha, Micro Cilantro
CHEF FRANCK’S GRAND PATISSERIE
Dazzling dessert recipes with ingredients working brilliantly together, for you to end the night on a sweet note. Experience the lavish taste of Baked Alaska with your choice of toppings or The French Petite Boutique with an assortment of miniature pastries, candies and caramels, all crafted to absolute perfection by Chef Franck.
THE BAKED ALASKA – House-made Vanilla Ice cream layered onto vanilla sponge cake or crispy dried meringue bowl, covered in a dome meringue that is torched or Grand Marnier flambéed until toasted golden. Served with your choice of a berry or tropical chutney, caramelized nuts and fresh berries.
Additional Offerings:
GRAZING BOARD – Begin your epicurean tasting experience with our grazing board. Enjoy an array of sweet and savory items, including fruit, cheese, and antipasti.
VIBE KITCHEN – Immerse yourself in the rich, bold flavors of Peruvian cuisine through the vision of our Executive Sous Chef Dannilo Zapatel Herrera, a native of Peru. Sip and savor the flavors of his upbringing through a Quinoa Caprese, a Causa De Pulpo and a Chicha Morada Pisco Sour
Bull and Bear Smokehouse – Delight in the savory 14-Hour Pecan Smoked Black Angus Brisket as well as the Cedar Plank Lock Duart Salmon Filet prepared by our very own Executive Sous Chef at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Jeremy Gibb.
MAÎTRES CUISINIERS DE FRANCE PAVILION – Relish in authentic French cuisine prepared by our Maître Cuisiniers de France, Chef Bernard Fiemeyer. Enjoy two palate-pleasing dishes from our award-winning chef, including a Cassolette D’escargots and Pâté Pantin, and see first-hand how his passion for French cuisines has earned his spot as one of only 10 chefs in Florida to hold a renowned title.
BUBBLES & BEGINNINGS – Aperol Spritz Station, Champagne Cocktails, Prosecco, Sparkling Rose, Champagne by the glass
RUM COCKTAILS – Mai Tai, Rum Punch, Dark & Stormy
BOURBON TRAIL – Elevate your evening with the finest selections of classic whiskeys sending your palate through an eclectic Bourbon Trail. Savor eminent tastings of Smooth Ambler, Jefferson’s Bourbon, Rabbit Hole, Michter’s, Old Forester and Whistle Pig, an aromatic assortment sure to invigorate your senses.
THE AVA’S OF NAPA – Transport to various Nappa Valley AVA’s – one of the world’s best wine regions – with 25 wine varietals to imbibe.
JAPANESE DELICACY – Sake & Japanese Whiskey
THE 10 CRUS OF BEAUJOLAIS – Discover the robust, luscious flavors of wine that hail from the foothills of the Beaujolais mountains. Taste your way through 10 French varietals that represent each region.
FLORIDA CRAFT BEER – Toast to the sunshine state with several Florida breweries showcased on our Beer Wall. Indulge in four local craft beers on tap and five seasonal cans, including our very own Bonnet Creek Vacay IPA.
Take the Elevator Home
Make your Sip & Savor experience an overnight escape at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Guests can enjoy an exclusive rate of $295 per night for a Standard Room, and $375 for a Deluxe Suite. Rates include luxury accommodation, waived resort fee, and complimentary valet parking.
The edible cookie dough comes in three different flavors: Chip Wreck’d (chocolate chip), Oat of This World (oatmeal raisin) and Peanut Butter Quake (peanut butter).
I tasted these recently during a special event at the kitchen at Second Harvest and they were truly fantastic – Chef Jill Holland and team have really created something special with this new line.
Chef Jill Holland at Second Harvest Food Bank
I hope our readers look into ordering these great gifts for the holiday season for their families, friends, and colleagues in the corporate world. Full disclosure – I serve on the board of directors for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Amy Thompson of Orlando Sentinel showcasing one of the newly baked cookies
One hundred percent of A Spoon Full of Hope’s proceeds directly supports Second Harvest’s no-cost 16-week Culinary Training Program, which provides qualified individuals with the culinary and life skills training to pursue a sustainable career in the food service industry. More than 425 students have graduated since the program started in 2013.
“Second Harvest has a longstanding history of being a change-maker – and we must adapt and innovate if we want to continue tackling the root causes of hunger head-on,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO. “The creation of the Culinary Training Program, followed by the development of a sustainable revenue stream to help fund it, are just two examples of how Second Harvest is more than a traditional food bank.”
An 8 oz. option will be available for purchase at the start of December and the price point will be around $10.
This is the second expansion for A Spoon Full of Hope since launching in October 2018 with a tomato basil soup, four flavors of locally sourced honey and a classic shortbread cookie. Last year, Second Harvest introduced three new shortbread cookie flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Cranberry Pistachio and Chai.
“The success that A Spoon Full of Hope has seen in its first four years would not be possible without our loyal customers,” said Nancy Brumbaugh, Chief Food Service Officer at Second Harvest. “Our team is already building on that success by brainstorming new ideas for continued growth of the brand.”
Purchases of A Spoon Full of Hope products can be made online or by visiting any of the 10 retailers that currently sell items in local stores. Consumers can buy products individually, in bulk or as part of a gift basket by visiting www.ASpoonFullofHope.org.
For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and its Culinary Training Program, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.
About Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFBCF) SHFBCF is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 500 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida. Through the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes enough food for a quarter of a million meals every day to the six-county service area. Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. By investing in job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods, and inspiring our community to get involved, SHFBCF is leaning into the root causes of hunger and transforming lives. With the support of our Central Florida community, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.
Turkey – stuffing – the fixin’s – time with family and friends. Thanksgiving is upon us once again here in Orlando. But – sometimes we want to leave the cooking to others for Thanksgiving, or want to find a place with very good turkey to cook at home. Or perhaps you are visiting Orlando and are looking for a place to celebrate Thanksgiving while vacationing here. Below are some of our featured highlights for Thanksgiving in Orlando this year – take a look and make sure to make reservations ASAP!
A Foodie’s Guide to Thanksgiving in Orlando 2022 – Specials and More
Enjoy a rockin’ Thanksgiving complete with friends, family, turkey and pie. Oh my! Slow roasted turkey breast finished with traditional turkey gravy, roasted fresh vegetables, home-style classic stuffing, creamy sweet potato mash and cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie & Espresso Martini also available.
Hemisphere at Hyatt Regency – Orlando International Airport
Reservations highly recommended, it will be a very busy day
Give thanks at STK! This Thanksgiving, dine at our home or yours with STK Thanksgiving Specials featuring Roasted Free-Range Turkey with all the sides and trimmings. Available for Dine-in or Takeout November 24 – 27.
Dinner for Two $124 ($64 per serving) – Includes Spiced Pumpkin Pie
STK Signature Side $18 each ($31 Lobster Mac & Cheese)
Pick-Up Times for Pre-Orders on Thanksgiving Day: 11:00am | 12:00pm | 1:00pm | 2:00pm | 3:00pm | 4:00pm
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
11am Opening on Thanksgiving Day – Close at 10pm
No HAPPY HOUR on Thanksgiving Day
DJ starting 12pm on Thanksgiving Day
Regular Hours on Friday, 11/25
WELCOME BACK PUMPKIN MENU 2022
Spice up the holidays with our Pumpkin Features at STK all spooky season long, like the Pumpkin Spiced Old Fashioned, NEW Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini, Pumpkin Tortellini & Dungeness Crab, & Pumpkin Pie!
Experience a taste of the America’s this Thanksgiving with a brunch buffet at Michelin-recommended BACÁN. Live music will accompany a wide selection of live Chef stations featuring hand-carved traditional favorites and specialty seafood and indulgent desserts.
When I moved to Florida, one of the first places I checked out and instantly fell in love with was Winter Park. Park Avenue is pretty irresistible with the restaurants and shops, the park with flowers and towering trees providing some shade. It’s impossible not to feel like part of the community with the tables lining the streets, full of people chatting and enjoying a simple coffee or glass of wine or a multi course fine dining experience.
Even better, Winter Park is far more than Park Avenue; down Orlando, Orange, Fairbanks, and side streets in between, local and national chain restaurants, long standing local favorites, and hidden gems abound. Each visit to the Winter Park area brings a new and exciting experience that is ever changing.
I invite you to check out Winter Park, with some of my favorite spots listed below. I am also excited to tell you that I will be at the shiny new and stunning Winter Park Library for an Author Salon and Book Signing on November 5th at 2 pm. My domestic thriller Cause of Death may have come out in May 2021, but this is the first official event for it and I couldn’t be more excited!
I will be speaking about my writing journey at large as well as all about the book. If you are a fan of reading, writing, and books like Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, I encourage you to come. It will be a good time, and then you have the perfect excuse to check out one or more of these Winter Park gems!
Gelato-Go is the very first place I visited in Winter Park. Back during the pandemic, they had a walk up window that was the best. Now I love going inside and chatting with all the friendly faces there, especially Margiori the owner. Be sure to try more than one of her irresistible flavors like sea salt caramel and amarena cherry. They also have pastries and some of the best coffee around.
Farther down Park Avenue, Financier Bistro and Bar a Vin has something for everyone and every occasion. From pastries and coffee to elegant salads and a glass of wine to burgers and steak frites, the food and drink never disappoint. Whatever you do, be sure to try the smashed potatoes – they are the best potatoes I’ve ever had.
Over on Orlando Avenue, The Glass Knife is almost hidden among surrounding buildings. Once you find it, you’ll never forget about the coffee and pastries, especially the pillowy brioche doughnuts. Be sure to check out their ever changing, seasonal cakes and maybe even balance out the sweetness with a savory sandwich on a housemade croissant. One of everything, please!
Finally, on Orange Avenue The Courtesy Bar just opened their Winter Park location after leaving downtown Orlando. Full of dark wood and big windows, it strikes a balance between moody and welcoming. Different seating options allow space for parties big and small. The drink menu features the bar’s take on classic cocktails, and the food comes from the kitchen of nearby Swine and Sons, so it practically goes without saying, it’s a big hit.
Take some time to check out Winter Park, and please join me at the Winter Park Library on November 5th at 2 pm!
Over the weekend The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes hosted their fourth Curated Experiences. Curated Experiences is an annual ticketed weekend where guests can enjoy exceptional culinary experiences from award-winning and globally recognized chefs, unparalleled services, amenities, and entertainment of Grande Lakes Orlando.
Photos from Curated Experiences below:
Mingle with Michelin Of all the chefs out there, only a handful have the honor of holding MICHELIN Stars to their name. Michelin Star chefs work tirelessly to perfect their technique both in the kitchen and on the plates they create.Guests joined alongside various MICHELIN award-winning chefs including; John Tesar, Executive Chef (Knife & Spoon, Orlando FL), Rhys Gawlak, Executive Sous Chef (Primo, Orlando FL), Niven Patel, Executive Chef (Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami, FL), Cindy Hutson, Executive Chef (La Tropical, Coral Gables FL) and others as they indulged in their exquisite creations and relive the moment when Florida’s vast culinary industry was recognized in the 2022 Florida MICHELIN Guide.
Coffee in the Kitchen Guests got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Grande Lakes’ unique breakfast offerings, interacted with ther local coffee curator, Lineage, enjoyed chocolate carving presentations, pastry delicacies, espresso martinis, and met local farmers.
Brunch at Michelin-Recommended Primo, JW Marriott Orlando Primo hosted a brunch experience prepared by talents of the culinary industry. Renowned chefs included Julie Petrakis (The Ravenous Pig, Orlando, FL), Rhys Gawlak (Swine And Sons, Orlando, FL), Cindy Hutson (La Tropical, Coral Gables, FL), Maggie McAndrews (Grande Lakes Orlando Pastry), Jes Tantalo (Redlight Redlight Brewpub), Chef Mayra Tavarez & Christina Griffiths (JW Grande Lakes Primo).
Cabana Life Guests were one of the first to bask in the new cabana lifestyle experience found at Grande Lakes Orlando.They enjoyed fresh coconuts, shucked oysters, a ceviche bar, open fire skewer dishes, a signature cocktail and mixology station, and learned why their spa was awarded #1 by USA Today 10Best with a featured presentation of the Bespoke Facial By Biologique Recherché.
Bravo Top Chef Winner Chef Jeremy Ford – Owner of Michelin Star restaurant Stubborn Seed in Miami, FL.
Gala Dinner: “MICHELIN Under the Stars” with Chef Mitch Leinhard Alongside Other Celebrated Chefs A Curated Experiences staple, the Gala Dinner showcased some of Grande Lakes’ during an elegant plated dinner.
Private Concert With Nashville Songwriters Jim Beavers & Jon Nite Jim Beavers’ songwriting credits include Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer,” Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” and “Am I the Only One,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” and countless other singles by artists including Faith Hill, Easton Corbin, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, and Gary Allan. Jon Nite has had 12 #1 singles and been awarded three CMA Triple Play Awards, ACM Vocal Event of the Year for “We Were Us” and his song “Whatever She’s Got” was named one of the Top 100 songs played this decade. He recently received NSAI’s peer-voted Song of the Year Award for Cole Swindell’s “Break Up In The End.”
After the concert, guests capped off a wonderful weekend with an exceptional fireworks finale lighting up the beautiful night sky over Grande Lake.
Breakfast at Leisure After a full weekend of being luxuriously wined and dined, guests re-energized with favorite southern comfort foods. Grande Lakes is proud of its Florida Heritage, and Highball & Harvest is inspired by the railroad system which enabled the region to become an agricultural powerhouse that remains as important today as it was in the 19th century.
Thank you Grande Lakes Orlando for generously hosting us and for the impeccable service all weekend from all of the team members involved. The resort did a phenomenal job planning all the exciting activities for attendees and making us feel incredibly special throughout our stay. We are looking forward to attending the next Curated Experiences staycation weekend in the near future!
To stay up-to-date on upcoming events at Grande Lakes, visit: grandelakes.com
This is the second location of the brand originally located in New York City at INNSIDE by Meliá New York NoMad.
The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood is located at 225 Celebration Place in Celebration, and is the hotel’s signature restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with happy hour and weekend brunch to follow.
The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood features a menu of coastal cuisine with global influences and seasonally inspired cocktails.
According to their press release, this quirky, unconventional seaside-inspired bistro is a great spot for a lively happy hour with colleagues, an easy-going brunch with friends, or a relaxing dinner after a long day of hitting the Orlando-area theme parks.
More details from us to come – stay tuned!
HOURS
OPEN DAILY
7AM-10PM
BREAKFAST
7AM-11AM
LUNCH
11:30AM-4PM
DINNER
4PM-10PM
HAPPY HOUR
WEEKDAYS 3PM-6PM
The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood Orlando
225 CELEBRATION PLACE
CELEBRATION, FL 34747
AT MELIA ORLANDO CELEBRATION
For more information about The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood Orlando, please visit EatAtTheWilson.com. Follow the restaurant on Instagram at @EatAtTheWilson.
Tabla Indian Restaurant, recently recognized by Eater as one of Orlando’s 28 Best Restaurants, serves up Indian, Indo-Chinese, and Thai food using aromatic spices ground in-house and fresh herbs. Led by owner Nora Jain, the restaurant recently debuted a new 5-course $50 chef’s tasting menu that is available for a limited time. Call ahead to make your reservation asap!
Here is an Inside Look at TABLA’S 5 COURSE- CHEFS MENU
Amuse Bouche
Panipoori shots
Literally Water Bread. Pani translates Water-Sweet & Sour/ spice mint style in fried bread spheres
Appetizer
Vegetarian:
Palak Ke Phool
(Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Flower Wonton)
Non-Vegetarian:
Malai Chicken Tikka
(Tandoor cooked creamy Indian spiced chicken)
Soup
Tomato Soup
(Savory blend of Indian tomato puree, topped with cream, jeera puff)
Or
Asian bisque hot & sour soup
Main entrée
Main entrée served with rice, salad, naan bread
Vegetarian:
Paneer Tikka Masala
(Indian Cheese simmered in tomato coriander sauce with onion & bell peppers)
Non-Vegetarian:
Chicken madras
(Chicken Curry with hint of coconut and curry leaf)
Goat Korma
(Goat cooked in a creamy cardamom sauce) +$5
Malai Curry
(Shrimp or Fish cooked in a creamy onion tomato sauce) +$5
Dessert
Chocolate samosa
Served with chai latte ice cream
Or
Cassata ice cream
$40 Per Person + Tax
TABLA ORLANDO:
5847 GRAND NATIONAL DR.
(407) 248-9400
TABLA WINTER PARK:
216 N. PARK AVE.
(321) 422-0321
Have you heard about this new Cantonese Chinese Dim Sum and Seafood restaurant in Orlando?
It’s called YH Seafood Clubhouse and they recently opened in the Dr Philips / Sand Lake area, serving up some of the best Cantonese Chinese food in town with unique dishes – like black truffle mushroom ha gow dumplings and abalone siu mai – in a gorgeous setting.
Cha Siu Roast Pork
For those who are new to dim sum, basically dim sum is a large range of small Chinese dishes that are traditionally enjoyed in restaurants for brunch – often including dumplings, noodles, and baked buns served with tea. Cantonese cuisine is cuisine developed in the Canton / Guangzhou region in the southeast of China, near Hong Kong.
YH Seafood Clubhouse is brought to Orlando by the people behind Yummy House, the authentic Chinese restaurant originally founded in Tampa. This is one of owner John Zhao’s first new projects for the Orlando area, with upcoming projects including a Korean barbecue themed restaurant and a Hong Kong diner / bakery style in Mills 50 – stay tuned for more.
Something special about their kitchen – they installed specialized ($$$$$) woks for stir frying and have chefs from both Hong Kong and New York City in house to bring some of the latest flavors in Chinese cuisine to life.
You can really taste the flavor and skill and it has become my favorite Cantonese restaurant in Orlando.
Here are 10 Must Try Dishes at YH Seafood Clubhouse:
1. YH Clubhouse style Fried Lobster Mountain
2. Seafood Siu Mai
3. Cantonese Beef Chow Fun Noodles ????
4. Beef Ribeye with Scallions and Pepper
5. Deep Fried Shrimp Ball
6. Black Truffle Shrimp Dumpling
7. Salt and Pepper Calamari
8. Baked BBQ Pork Puff
9. Abalone Siu Mai
10. Baked Egg Tarts
These are just a few suggestions, of course there are many other dishes that would easily make this list and will be updated in the future – but this is a great start – enjoy!
YH Seafood Clubhouse
8081 Turkey Lake Rd #700
Orlando, FL 32819 United States
(407) 440-4979
After a 2 year hiatus, the 8th Annual Edible Orlando Field to Feast Dinner featuring the Walt Disney World chefs returns this November 5 at Long & Scott Farms in Mt. Dora. All proceeds benefit Kids Café Program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
The reception is 2:30-3 p.m., with culinary stations from 3-5:30 p.m.
Disney culinary stars from all around the Kingdom include: Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom Park), Tiffins, (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park), Sanaa (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) Cítricos (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), The Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Flying Fish (Disney’s BoardWalk), Amorette’s Patisserie (Disney Springs), Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Disney’s Riviera Resort), Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Bakery, EPCOT Festivals and Global Catered Events.
Each dish will be paired with wines selected by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, proprietor of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. A raffle, live music by Blender, and farm tours in a hay wagon are part of the fun. Meet the Scott family, fourth-generation farmers, and the only farm still harvesting the famous Zellwood sweet corn.
The dinner is sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort and Edible Orlando magazine.
Cost is $195; tickets available at edibleorlando.com starting Sept. 12 via this link.
Resources from FEMA – for more details, visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian
Resources to Jumpstart Recovery
Florida survivors who live in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties and affected members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service, such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give the FEMA operator the number for that service. More than 83,000 survivors have applied for assistance to help begin their recovery.
Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in some Florida counties. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a webpage dedicated to emergency information for Hurricane Ian survivors. Visit www.floridadisaster.org/info.
If you are one of the 1.6 million Floridians, 76,000 Georgians or 201,000 South Carolinians with flood insurance, contact your insurance agent or carrier to file your claim immediately even if you’re evacuated and suspect flood damage. Be sure to ask them about advance payments. The National Flood Insurance Program has ample adjuster resources available to process claims quickly and fairly. To learn more about how to start your flood insurance claim, visit Floodsmart.gov.
Mental health resources are available. Survivors experiencing emotional distress can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
Florida residents who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida. If you do leave your home, do not leave pets or animals behind.
Florida residents can call the Florida State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557 to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian.
Medically dependent residents of Florida who need electricity to operate medical equipment, transport services to evacuated due to a medical condition or need help getting medication during a disaster can register for assistance at FloridaDisaster.org/SNR.
If you need assistance locating a missing friend or relative call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. You can also complete a form at missing.fl.gov for yourself or with the last known location of your loved one(s). This information will help rescue workers locate you and your loved ones as quickly as possible
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has free reunification assistance for children and families impacted by disasters. If you or someone you know is missing a child related to a disaster or any other incident, please immediately call 911 and then 800-THE-LOST for assistance.
The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and households affected by Hurricane Ian that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida. If you are in one of the designated Florida counties for individual assistance or a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, you now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Floridians who use Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics and need urgent care services should call 877-741-3400. Find a list of open VA centers at Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the Heritage Health Emergency Pharmaceutical Refill Program is activated in Florida, call at 866-265-0124, option 1 with questions. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Veterans needing emergency refill locations can visit va.hhspharmacy.com/locations/index.html.
Visit Hurricane Ian | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for Florida residents affected by the storm. The page is available in Creole, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
How to Help
After a disaster, people come together to help. To make the most of your contributions, it’s important to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly.
Please do not self-deploy. If you want to volunteer as part of the Hurricane Ian recovery, visit Florida’s official volunteer portal at VolunteerFlorida.org to find volunteer opportunities.
Think long term. There will be volunteer opportunities for months, often years, after the disaster. A list of agencies with volunteer opportunities can be found on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.
Cash is the best donation. After a disaster, people always want to help, but it’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster. find national and local charities at www.nvoad.org.
USACE announces start of Blue Roof Program in response to Hurricane Ian
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. The Operation Blue Roof program will begin on Oct. 3 to provide a temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.
Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners. The counties that have been identified are Charlotte and Lee. The initial sign up period is set for 21 days and will end on Oct. 23.
Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at Blueroof.us. Here, you can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using a Right of Entry (ROE) form, which gathers information about your residence. The ROE is a legal document that allows Corps workers to access your property and assess your home’s damage. The ROE also allows contracted crews to work on your roof.
Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps Engineers. It protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm. This program is for primary residences or a permanently occupied rental property with less than 50 percent structural damage. Vacation rental properties are not eligible for this program.
After the blue roof is installed, the structure is declared habitable. Not all roof types qualify for the program. Roofs that are flat or made of metal or clay, slate, or asbestos tile do not qualify. All storm debris must be removed for the roof to qualify.
Residents can also call toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.
Safety Considerations for Residents
Beware of frauds and scams. All FEMA employees carry an official badge. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money or personal information. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 right away if an inspector comes to your house, but you haven’t applied for assistance. This might be a sign of identity theft.
Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and livestock waste, contaminants that can lead to illness, sharp debris or wild or stray animals. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled.
Be safe using generators. Generators can help during a power outage but can present serious health and safety risks. Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows. Visit www.ready.gov/power-outages to learn how to use a generator safely.
Avoid downed power or utility lines. They may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.Do not cut or cover fiber optic cables with debris.
Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas, restoring electricity or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying out of the way and off the roads.If you evacuated do not return home until local officials tell you the area is safe.
Place debris wisely. Never place debris near trees, structures or downed powerlines. This makes removal difficult.
Keep paying attention to local officials. If you evacuated because of Ian, keep in mind that flooding is still happening in many locations. Roads may be blocked and power is still being restored. Only return once local officials say it’s safe and you have access to food and water.
State, Federal Response Actions
In Florida, thousands of Florida National Guard members and National Guard members from other states are activated to help with the response.
Administrator Criswell reiterated FEMA’s support for all Ian survivors as the agency continues responding to other active disasters. As of Sunday, FEMA had nearly 10,000 staff deployed to support open and active presidentially declared disasters. This includes more than 2,400 supporting Ian response efforts, 890 in Missouri, 780 in Puerto Rico and 520 in Kentucky.
More than 670 staff are supporting FEMA’s call centers and FEMA is working on contract support for additional operators to assist. Additionally, federal personnel from the Internal Revenue Service and the Census are supporting FEMA’s call centers. As of Sunday, 400 IRS staff and 250 Census staff were helping or training to help answer survivor calls for assistance and minimize wait times.
More than 850 emergency management personnel from other states have been deployed to Florida through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force. The Surge Capacity Force is composed of nearly 7,500 members from other federal agencies who can help augment FEMA’s disaster staffing.
Power restoration continues across Florida, thousands of personnel working to continue restoration where electricity can be restored. Nearly 70% of peak power outages have been restored and fewer than 800,000 power outages remain.
The state of Florida provided 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power emergency generators to supply water to nearby hospitals. The state is also delivering 1.2 million gallons of water from Lakeland to Fort Myers for hospitals without water.
More than 550 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel are conducting safety inspections, installing generators and assessing power needs.
Generators arrived at the Generator Staging Base in Immokalee, Florida. The Defense Logistics Agency is delivering additional generators to Craig Field, Alabama in anticipation of state requests.
FEMA and its feeding partners are serving tens of thousands of meals per day and are working with state partners to increase that capacity daily. Large scale feeding operations will increase this week.
Points of distribution began distributing food, water and ice in Lee and Charlotte counties.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has two mobile labs in Gainesville and Fort Myers to increase water analysis capacity.
FEMA activated a medical support contract for ambulances and paratransit seats. More 840 missions have been completed.
FEMA’s Incident Management Teams, Mobile Communications Operations Vehicles and Mobile Response Support teams are deployed in Atlanta, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee supporting response efforts.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and South Carolina. HHS Disaster Medical Assistance Teams under the National Disaster Medical System are supporting medical centers in Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota Counties. Other medical support including task force teams, pharmacists and the Kidney Community Emergency Response program for people who need dialysis.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Routine non-criminal immigration enforcement operations will not be conducted at evacuation sites, or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks. Additionally, officers will be vigilant against any effort by criminals to exploit disruptions caused by the storm.
The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
October 7-9, 2022
Curated Experiences is exclusive weekend hosted by The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Guests will take part in exceptional culinary experiences from award-winning and globally recognized chefs along with a through immersion into the unparalleled services, amenities and entertainment of Grande Lakes Orlando.
For a sneak peek at past Curated Experience Weekends, check out:
COMPLETE CURATED
EXPERIENCES WEEKEND
(Resort Guest)
$710 per person
COMPLETE CURATED
EXPERIENCES WEEKEND
(Non-Resort Guest)
$810 per person
MINGLE WITH MICHELIN
$225 per person
GALA DINNER: MICHELIN UNDER THE STARS
$250 per person
Curated Experiences access valid for ages 21+ only.
Overnight guestrooms not included. Package rates are for event access only.
MICHELIN WEEKEND
AN AMAZING CURATED EVENT
Friday, October 7
Mingle with MICHELIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 | 6PM
Of all the chefs out there, only a handful have the honor of holding MICHELIN Stars to their name. Michelin Star chefs work tirelessly to perfect their technique both in the kitchen and on the plates they create.
Join us alongside various MICHELIN award-winning chefs including; John Tesar, Executive Chef (Knife & Spoon, Orlando FL), Rhys Gawlak, Executive Sous Chef (Primo, Orlando FL), Niven Patel, Executive Chef (Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami, FL), Cindy Hutson, Executive Chef (La Tropical, Coral Gables FL) and others as we indulge in their exquisite creations and relive the moment when Florida’s vast culinary industry was recognized in the 2022 Florida MICHELIN Guide.
MICHELIN
WEEKEND
AN AMAZING CURATED EVENT
Saturday, October 8
Brunch with Melissa Kelly & Friends
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Join 2x James Beard Award-winning Chef Melissa Kelly as she hosts the most brilliant female talents of the culinary industry. Reknowned chefs such as Julie Petrakis (The Ravenous Pig, Orlando, FL), Alexia Gawlak (Swine And Sons, Orlando, FL) Cindy Hutson (La Tropical, Coral Gables, FL) Joanna Kaskiw (Grande Lakes Orlando Pastry), Alexa Delgado (Grande Lakes Orlando EvrBar), Amanda Gibbons (Grande Lakes Orlando Primo) will create a brunch experience unlike no other.
Gala Dinner: MICHELIN Under the Stars
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 6:00pm
FEATURING CHEF MITCH LEINHARD
ALONGSIDE OTHER CELEBRATED CHEFS
Mitch has been reaching for the stars in the kitchen ever since he was young. MICHELIN stars to be exact. Over his ensuing career, he went on to hold pivotal roles at an illustrious group of MICHELIN three-starred restaurants: chef de partie at Alinea in Chicago, sous chef at Grace in Chicago, executive sous chef at Saison in San Francisco, and chef de cuisine at Manresa in Los Gatos. Mitch is excited to have taken on the role as co-founder of Suited Hospitality (suitedhospitality.com)
PRIVATE
CONCERT
AN AMAZING CURATED EVENT
Saturday, October 8
NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS JIM BEAVERS & JON NITE | 8pm
JIM BEAVERS
A Texas native, Jim’s songwriting credits include Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer,” Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” and “Am I the Only One,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” and countless other singles by artists including Faith Hill, Easton Corbin, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, and Gary Allan. Beavers’compositions have received multiple CMA, ACM, BMI and NSAI nominations and awards.
JON NITE
Hailing from West Texas, Jon Nite’ has had 12 #1 singles and been awarded three CMA Triple Play Awards, ACM Vocal Event of the Year for “We Were Us” and his song “Whatever She’s Got” was named one of the Top 100 songs played this decade. He recently received NSAI’s peer-voted Song of the Year Award for Cole Swindell’s “Break Up In The End.
FIREWORKS FINALE
Cap off a wonderful weekend with an exceptional fireworks display lighting up the beautiful night sky over Grande Lake.
MINGLE WITH MICHELIN
6:00pm-9:00pm | Friday, October 7
Join us alongside various MICHELIN award-winning chefs including; John Tesar, Executive Chef (Knife & Spoon, Orlando FL), Rhys Gawlak, Executive Sous Chef (Primo, Orlando FL), Niven Patel, Executive Chef (Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami, FL), Cindy Hutson, Executive Chef (La Tropical, Coral Gables FL) and others as we indulge in their exquisite creations and relive the moment when Florida’s vast culinary industry was recognized in the 2022 Florida MICHELIN Guide.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT | 8:00pm – 9:00pm | Friday, October 7
COFFEE IN THE KITCHEN
9:00am-10:30am | Saturday, October 8
Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Grande Lakes’ unique breakfast offerings. Interact with our local coffee curator, Lineage, and learn about the roasting process as you sip on your morning cup. Then peruse the various feature stations where you can learn about and enjoy chocolate carving presentations, pastry delicacies, espresso martinis and more while you meet the local farmers.
BRUNCH WITH CHEF MELISSA KELLY & FRIENDS
11:00am-1:00pm | Saturday, October 8
Join the brilliant minds of some of the culinary industries’ most talented female chefs for a next-level brunch experience. You’ll be hosted in the recently redesigned and MICHELIN Recommended Primo, conceptualized by 2x James Beard Award-winning Chef Melissa Kelly. Allow Chef Kelly herself to kick-off your brunching, and then prepare your taste buds to continue to be delighted by the culinary creations of award winning chefs and promising up-and-coming talent all while celebrating the amazing contributions women have brought to the food and beverage industry.
FALL ON THE FARM
11:00am – 3:00pm | Saturday, October 8
Whisper Creek Farm is a 7,000-square-foot fruit and vegetable garden with an adjoining 11,000-square-foot outdoor event space, barn, apiary and chicken coop. Products produced on the farm are featured in restaurant dishes, beverages, and even spa treatments at the resort. Our Fall on the Farm event offers a hayride, pumpkin picking, and pumpkin carving, painting workshops, fly fishing demonstrations, falconry experiences, and more!
CABANA LIFE
1:00pm-4:00pm | Saturday, October 8
Be one of the first Grande Lakes’ guests to bask in the new cabana lifestyle experience found at Grande Lakes Orlando. Enjoy oysters shucked tableside, a ceviche bar, open fire skewer dishes, a signature event cocktail and mixology station, and more! Learn why our spa was awarded #1 by USA Today 10Best with a featured presentation of the Bespoke Facial By Biologique Recherché. With live music and those hourly surprise delighters, you’ll be relaxing poolside where luxury meets comfort.
GALA DINNER: MICHELIN UNDER THE STARS
FEATURING CHEF MITCH LIENHARD
ALONGSIDE OTHER CELEBRATED CHEFS
6:00pm-9:00pm | Saturday, October 8
A Curated Experiences staple, the Gala Dinner will showcase some of Grande Lakes’ best at this elegant plated dinner. We are delighted to announce our esteemed Guest Chef, Chef Mitch Lienhard, will be leading the evening. Multiple MICHELIN stars seem to follow Chef Lienhard wherever he goes, so this evening is sure to be an unparalleled culinary experience.
PRIVATE CONCERT
Nashville Songwriters Jim Beavers & Jon Nite
8:00pm-9:00pm | Saturday, October 8
Jim Beavers songwriting credits include Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer,” Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” and “Am I the Only One,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” and countless other singles by artists including Faith Hill, Easton Corbin, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, and Gary Allan. Jon Nite has had 12 #1 singles and been awarded three CMA Triple Play Awards, ACM Vocal Event of the Year for “We Were Us” and his song “Whatever She’s Got” was named one of the Top 100 songs played this decade. He recently received NSAI’s peer-voted Song of the Year Award for Cole Swindell’s “Break Up In The End..
FIREWORK FINALE
9:00pm | Saturday, October 8
Cap off a wonderful weekend with an exceptional fireworks display lighting up the beautiful night sky over Grande Lake.
BREAKFAST AT LEISURE
9:00am-11:00am | Sunday, October 9
After a full weekend of being luxuriously wined and dined, re-energize your body with all your favorite southern comfort foods. Grande Lakes is proud of its Florida Heritage, and Highball & Harvest is inspired by the railroad system which enabled the region to become an agricultural powerhouse that remains as important today as it was in the 19th century. Complete your stay with this homage to Florida. If you don’t try the Parker House Rolls, you’ll be missing out.
Located in West Orlando at the intersection of Kirkman Road and West Colonial Drive – in the same plaza as Golden Sparkling Supermarket and old favorite Formosan Garden / Teriyaki House (Taiwanese), Mr. Wang’s Sports BBQ may be an odd name for an establishment that does not show many sports games on their TVs – at least not on our visit.
Grilled meat skewers and beer – think of Mr. Wang’s Sports BBQ as a Chinese pub – with some pretty tasty meat skewers. I met some friends here on a recent weekend evening, and thoroughly enjoyed not just the meat and beer, but also the house made pork and chive dumplings. Smashed cucumbers, beef skewers, and grilled squid were also highlights.
The Menu
The owner must be a fan of the anime, One Piece, or perhaps the owner’s son judging by the plethora of One Piece decor at the restaurant. Service is kind of an after thought here, so make sure you aren’t shy about waving down your server to point at the menu for you want. They are open late usually till at least midnight. Check them out soon!
Hours
Monday
2:00 pm?–?12:00 am
Tuesday
2:00 pm?–?12:00 am
Wednesday
2:00 pm?–?12:00 am
Thursday
2:00 pm?–?12:00 am
Friday
2:00 pm?–?1:00 am
Saturday
2:00 pm?–?1:00 am
Sunday
2:00 pm?–?12:00 am
What – Fundraising Dinner for Afghan Refugee Fund When – Monday, October 17th 6:00 – 8:00 pm Where – Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen,1830 E. Colonial Dr. Ste B, Orlando How – Click here to buy your tickets
All proceeds from the dinner will go to WorldOrlando’s Afghan IVLP Alumni Emergency Relief Fund. This fund was set up to help IVLP alumni, located both within Afghanistan and in third countries, to cover urgent short-term needs such as food, shelter, medical care, and/or relocation expenses.
Hien Nguyen, owner of Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen, was a refugee from Vietnam in the 1970s and has lived in Orlando for over 40 years. Ricky Ly, founder of TastyChomps.com, is the son of Vietnamese refugees and is also a board member of WorldOrlando. “In a way, this is a small act to give back to those in need and seeking refuge from the tragedies of war.”
Since 1963, WorldOrlando, a 501c3 nonprofit, has served as the local implementer of the U.S. Dept. of State’s premier professional exchange program, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
WorldOrlando hosted numerous IVLP participants from Afghanistan over the years whom we’ve stayed in contact with and are committed to supporting during this current humanitarian crisis. Your support addresses the urgent needs of these IVLP alumni and their families, who are at risk due to their previous involvement in U.S.-funded activities.
Marketplace at Avalon Park celebrates its One Year Anniversary Party this Saturday September 17, 2022. I will be there as a judge at 4pm -5pm – come on down! There will be a live band, DJ, All-day specials, face painter, balloon artist, giveaways, foodie contests and great family fun all day long.
We spoke with Marketplace At Avalon Park’s General Manager Derek McCracken about the upcoming event and how everything went so far this past year!
Interview with Marketplace at Avalon Park’s Derek McCracken
Ricky Ly of Tasty Chomps: What are some of the biggest changes that you have gone through over the past year?
Derek McCracken: Over the past year it has been very satisfying to watch the Marketplace evolve from concept to concrete. Watching the facility grow and become not just a place to eat and drink, but to be a true part of the Avalon Park community. We’ve hosted charitable event for folks in the community struggling.
We’ve cultivated a relationship with the first responders in the area and particularly the new fire station, Station 87. We’ve been a part of holidays, back to school, sports programs, etc. It’s provided employment opportunities for many of the families in Avalon. It’s providing a place for folks to gather with each other.
What are some challenges that you have overcome and successes that you remember the most this past year?
Opening a first of its kind food hall in east Orlando was a challenging undertaking. Many of the vendors were new to the food hall concept and even to the restaurant game. It’s been amazing to watch vendors like Pico de Gallo and Brazas start in the Marketplace and quickly grow into new brick and mortar establishments. It’s been inspiring to watch folks cultivate new food concepts from the ground up. It’s been exciting to welcome new vendors into the facility like Spoletos and Dusty Dogz.
What has feedback been like so far from local residents and the greater Orlando community?
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. From the food, to the events, to the Sunday afternoons, the community seems to really enjoy the variety, the atmosphere and having something unique so close to home.
If you could pick one signature dish/product from each tenant at the Marketplace what would that be?
Rosso’s – Cookie Latte
Sip – Ice cream tacos
Cheese to Share – Signature Cheese Board
Spoleto’s – Ravioli Lasagna
KBBQ – Spicy Pork
Nola – Big Easy Grilled Cheesy
Dusty’s – Double Smash Burger and Onion Rings
Lemon Shark – Poke Bowl
Bowigen’s – Avalon Park Amber Ale
Cantina – Flautas with a Spicy Margarita and Weekend Brunch
Avalon General-Wine Slushie
Avalon Kitchen-Meatball Slider
What can people expect at the upcoming 1 year anniversary party?
Folks should expect a fun day with lots of different opportunities to participate in our 1st anniversary. We’ll have live music, special promotions, drink specials, people’s choice voting, and of course great food and good times!
What are some new things coming up for the Marketplace at Avalon Park?
In the upcoming year we are looking at some exciting new things. We are looking forward to welcoming our newest vendor who we should be able to announce soon. We are looking to bring curb-side-to-go online. The vendors are exploring new collaborations and pairings that should be available throughout the next year.
Located six miles from Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona Wave Hotel is a new luxury lifestyle hotel with experiences to charge and recharge the soul.
Lake Nona Wave Hotel recently opened this year in the heart of Lake Nona. We were provided a complimentary one night stay and we absolutely loved our experience at this beautiful and eclectic property.
The hotel includes 234 high-tech guest rooms and 18 suites that are all thoughtfully and artistically designed.
An in-room tablet is provided to give you control of your room. Guests can explore hotel features, amenities, and chat with concierge directly from the device. The Wave Hotel mobile app can be downloaded on your phone prior to your visit to unlock the most out of your stay. The mobile app includes the same features as the in-room tablet and can also be used as the key to your guest room for keyless entry.
The smart glass windows dynamically tints throughout the day to block UV rays and keep your room cool. The 65-inch HD smart television has built-in Chromecast that allows you to stream directly from your personal devices.
A robe is available for use during your stay and can be for purchased for $75. Upon request, housekeeping can deliver a new one at the same cost.
The coffee and tea station.
I truly loved how clean and smart our guest room was. The Lutron keypads located on each side of the bed makes it easy and convenient to control lighting and curtains to your preference so you do not have to get out of bed.
The TOTO Neorest toilet gives you a cool and refreshing experience.
Its functions includes an adjustable bidet spray with three wash modes, warm air drying, heated seats, an automatic lid and deodorizer, and innovative cleaning technologies like eWater+ and Tornado Flush.
The shower is beautiful and spacious. It came stocked with luxurious bath products from Paris, France. All the details in this hotel were well thought out and special – no matter how big or small.
Our room balcony overlooked Florida’s most colorful pool deck and cabanas located on the second floor, next to HAVEN Kitchen and HAVEN Lounge.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-5pm hotel and cabana guests can enjoy poolside beats by local DJs, flavorful dishes and unique cocktails at HAVEN Pool.
HAVEN Kitchen is a sophisticated Mediterranean restaurant that brings a twist to traditional Florida flavors.
From today until Oct 2nd, guests can enjoy a three-course meal for $40 with HAVEN Kitchen’s Magical Dining menu. You can read more about my spectacular HAVEN Kitchen Magical Dining experience on my blog post here.
HAVEN Lounge is a stunning light-filled lounge with live entertainment, innovative small plates, and experiential cocktails. They are open Thursday through Sunday from 7pm-12am.
Located on the first level is BACÁN. BACÁN is an elevated, approachable, and innovative dining experience centered around a dramatic open theater kitchen and influenced by the many flavors of the Americas.
At five-months old, BACÁN was recognized by 2022 MICHELIN Guide as one of the MICHELIN recommended restaurants in Orlando.
BACÁN guests can also dine in the restaurant’s patio overlooking the multimillion-dollar Sculpture Garden that features World-class art sculptures on 50,000 square feet of lush tropical outdoor space. The Sculpture Garden is a must-visit for art lovers of all ages.
A cool perk of staying at Lake Nona Wave hotel is that guests receive unlimited complimentary access to Lake Nona Performance Club. The fitness center is located just footsteps from the hotel.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting throughout the entire property. For something unlike anything else, located in a place like nowhere else, Lake Nona Wave Hotel is the perfect place to getaway. Book your next stay there today!
Have you heard of Amare, the new Mediterranean restaurant at Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, the new sister hotel of Swan and Dolphin resort?
We were invited to dine there and we loved our experience. With a name meaning “to love”, guests will fall for this casual upscale venue inspired by the Mediterranean region cultures and tastes. Amare’s menu highlights fresh local premium ingredients, a variety of seafood, citrus, olive oils, pasta and pitas.
At Amare you can find a Wine Wall featuring Mediterranean-based wines with selections from across the region.
Here is an inside look of the new menu items at Amare:
Fried Calamari – Crispy Calamari served with a Tomato-aleppo Pepper Sugo and toasted Sumac Crema. My favorite appetizer!
Chargrilled Pepper Crostino – Chargrilled Pepper Crostino topped with marinated and grilled Bell Peppers, Parsley, and grated Manchego Cheese
Polpetti – Tomato braised Lamb and Beef Meatballs with crispy Potatoes, Saffron Aioli, and a roasted Pine Nut Crumble
Seabass Al Cartoccio – Comprised of two filets of sustainable Striped Bass steamed in a parchment paper pouch with Thyme, Garlic, wilted Greens, Tomatoes, and Heirloom Potatoes, finished with a rich White Wine Sauce
Romesco Chicken – Fennel Marinated Roasted Chicken Breast, Paprikash Style Braised Thigh, House Made Pappardelle Pasta, Organic Vegetables, Cauliflower Puree, Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Romesco Sauce
Hand Made Manti Dumpling – Bahrat spiced Lamb filled Dumplings from a beloved family recipe, served with Cauliflower, Roasted Eggplant and a Yogurt Sauce
Dessert Flight
Greek Yogurt Cheesecake – edible white chocolate squares, blueberries, crème fraîche Flourless Chocolate Cake – raspberry caviar and ganache Cannoli – with accent of orange, hazelnuts on top, powdered sugar
Old Fashioned Cocktail
Here is an inside look at Walt Disney World Swan Reserve:
Situated in Lake Buena Vista, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve provides guests with a refined yet tranquil oasis near the attractions and theme parks of Walt Disney World.
The hotel provides complimentary transportation to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and other locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. As an added benefit, guests can enjoy full access to all amenities at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, including special Disney perks.
Swan Reserve 3rd floor lobby
Stir bar and lounge
Vintage crank cocktail shaker at Stir lobby bar
Citrus elements around the property pay homage to the resort’s orange grove history, including hanging planters that evoke oranges at Tangerine pool bar, hotel decor, and more.
“Living Wall” located along the pool deck
Guests can workout in their brand-new, state-of-the-art fitness center.
Catch the Disney fireworks from an Epcot View Room. I highly recommended booking this type of room to get the most out of your stay.
After a day in the theme parks, guests can relax in a lavishly appointed hotel room or suite, ideal for families.
Orange colored closet interiors to pay homage to the resort’s orange grove history.
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve in Orlando, FL is truly like nothing else, located in a place like nowhere else. Book your next stay there today!
It’s the most magical time of the year for Orlando foodies!
Taste something magical at the award-winning Rocco’s Italian Grille with a fabulous 3-course prix fixe dinner for just $40 per person (tax and gratuity not included) starting now through October 2nd! View Rocco’s Italian Grille’s Magical Dining menu here.
Plus, through Visit Orlando, $1 from each meal served will benefit The Able Trust which works to help expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Rocco’s Italian Grille is a romantic Italian restaurant located in the beautiful Winter Park, just a 10-minute drive from Downtown Orlando. Rocco’s proudly presents an authentic Italian cuisine prepared by their experienced native chefs.
Their menu is composed of a variety of appetizer, pasta, seafood and meat dishes that recreate old favorites and bring out new flavors. Choose one of their wines from the wine list, where you will find wines ranging from Aglianico to Zinfandel. They offer an ample selection of Italian wines, along with great Californians and others. Sip on an Amarone, Barolo or Caymus, you will find just the right one for your meal.
Here are our recommendations for Rocco’s Italian Grille’s Magical Dining menu:
Vitello Tonnato – roasted veal, chilled and thinly sliced, served with a lightly fragrant tuna and capers sauce
Gamberoni Al Gorgonzola – shrimp flambéed with a vecchia romagna brandy and finished in a gorgonzola cheese reduction
Filetto Al Gorgonzola – beef tenderloin topped with a melted imported gorgonzola sauce, served over roasted potatoes
Pesce Del Giorno, catch of the day – Coho Salmon. Wild salmon from Alaska with pesto, arugula sauce, pumpkin seeds, served with russet potatoes and Julianne vegetables.
Ravioli Dello Chef, daily specials of homemade ravioli – stuffed with a mix of mushrooms, touch of cream, tomato demi on top.
Cannoli – pastry shells made with red wine, ricotta cheese mixed imported dried fruit from sicilia and finished with chocolate morsels
Chocolate Cake – triple layer chocolate cake
Come in and enjoy an evening with proprietor Rocco Potami and his exceptional team. Rocco’s has a full bar and a cozy cocktail lounge, where you will also find live music playing Wed-Sat. Join them for an evening of fine food and friends in their comfortable dining room or the cocktail lounge.
Recently named the sixth best bar in North America and the 28th best bar in the world, Café La Trova is a Miami hotspot created by Julio Cabrera and Chef Michelle Bernstein. It is a Cuban bar with cantineros manning it in the traditional fashion with a focus not only on the cocktails they are creating but on service and atmosphere in general.
The bar takes their show on the road at pop up events and stopped at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes over the Labor Day weekend.
One of the cantineros, Davide, hosted a masterclass Saturday afternoon for bartenders to learn a little about mixology and a lot about the extra effort cantineros take to ensure all their patrons have an exceptional experience.
Being a cantinero is a lot more than simply being a bartender. They place a focus on neatness and cleanliness in their appearance and work. They also pride themselves on being able to have conversations on any topic with patrons without injecting their own personal opinions so as not to offend. And they are always part of the show, including playing an instrument and dancing at the Café. It’s a long training process that requires a great deal of dedication.
In fact, cantineros take their job so seriously they do not take breaks during a shift. If they must even have a drink of water they go to the back of the Café for a few moments and then take thirty minutes assisting other cantineros and getting back into the swing of things before they return fully to service. This is important to ensure a consistent and excellent experience, particularly when those positioned at the service bar prepare up to 1300 drinks per night. That requires a lot of focus and momentum!
Though I do not work in a restaurant or bar, I appreciated learning all that goes into making sure customers have a wonderful time. By the end of the class, I understood it is no easy feat. Though I have not been to Café La Trova, I have a suspicion one of the reasons they have been so highly praised is the attention to detail and exceptional experience. Great cocktails come from all kinds of places, but great experiences can be more difficult to find.
As the sun began to set, the pop up bar, Havana Nights, began. By just after six, every seat was taken, the band started playing, and food and drink were popping up on every table.
On the surface, it might seem like cocktails were the star of the evening, but the food was the real star. The Cuban flatbread, inspired by the classic sandwich, sweet and spicy ribs with a jalapeno and guava glaze, and the choripan, a pressed sandwich featuring chorizo were huge hits. Totally irresistible and packed with flavor, and something none of us had had before.
The picadillo empanadas and ham and cheese croquettes were crispy on the outside and packed with tender filling inside. The best part of these dishes might have been the presentation, a delightful surprise inside of a Cuban cigar box.
It really is a shame these dishes were a one night only thing at the JW Marriott lobby bar because it would be worth returning again and again to order them.
The cocktail menu presented by Café La Trova ranged from the classic daquiri to a rum twist on an old fashioned to the Buenavista, a Bombay Sapphire cocktail with cucumber, mint, elderflower, lime, and simple syrup that was created by Julio and earned him the cover of GQ magazine. The cocktails varied in flavor from refreshing to sweet to spirit forward, and like the food, offered something for everyone.
It was a night to remember with good vibes, flavorful food, and elegant cocktails. If you want to visit Café La Trova, it is located on Calle Ocho in Miami and is open seven days a week. The JW Marriott has dining and cocktail options and frequently hosts events, as does its sister hotel the Ritz Carlton. They are located on Central Florida Parkway.
Have you heard about the new Brazas Chicken in downtown Avalon Park in East Orlando featuring Peruvian style rotisserie chicken , ceviche , chaufa fried rice and more?
Peruvian cuisine is one of my favorites in all the world – blending together rich ancient Latin American traditions with recent immigrants from China and Japan – you can see the influences come together in chau fa (literally fried rice) and ceviche, which features sliced fish in lemon juice and herbs.
Founded by Avalon Park resident and Peruvian native, Franco Del Solar, Brazas Chicken – which has been open in South Orange in Orlando since 2006 – recently opened their newest location in East Orlando in downtown Avalon Park. “I have called Avalon Park home for over a decade and I am proud to continue to expand in this community and bring a little bit of my home culture to my American home,” says Franco. “We love what we do and that’s all that matters. Good food. Good service.”
– Ceviche Limeno – fish in lemon sauce with corn and sweet potato
-Ceviche Mixto
– Jalea de Pescado – deep fried breaded fish
– Papa a la Huancaina – sliced potatoes with creamy cheese sauce
– Pollo a la Brasa – rotisserie chicken marinated in special peruvian sauce
– Pollo Saltado – chicken stir fried with sliced tomatoes and red onions
Experience the wonders of Orlando’s acclaimed culinary scene with Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, celebrating its 17th year from Aug. 26 through Oct. 2, 2022 — 38 delicious days. It’s your chance to enjoy three-course, prix-fixe dinners at many of Orlando’s most popular restaurants, including MICHELIN Guide honorees, for just $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Plus, through Visit Orlando, $1 from each meal served will benefit The Able Trust, which works to help expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Once this year’s program begins, call your family, friends and coworkers, and make plans to enjoy fantastic meals at fantastic prices while supporting a fantastic cause.
And now, you can upgrade dinner and a movie to dinner and an overnight stay with Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights. This popular program features special offers from some of Orlando’s best resorts and hotels — including many that host one or more restaurants participating in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining. Romance packages, weekend escapes, girls’ or guys’ getaways, and stay-and-dine savings are perfect for making your nights out even more magical. But don’t delay: Book your stays now to ensure your preferred dates.
You can also take advantage of open-air seating at select restaurants — there’s no wrong way to enjoy Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining.
Due to the program’s popularity, diners are strongly encouraged to make reservations via OpenTable or directly with your favorite venues as soon as possible to ensure you’ll be able to enjoy Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining at your preferred dates and times. Bon appétit!