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The Best Boba / Bubble Tea Shops in Orlando “BoBa-Town” – Summer 2021 Edition

Best of Orlando BoBa-Town –  Summer 2021 edition

Bubble or “boba” tea is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. It most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls, but it can be made with other toppings as well. Over the past few years, there seems to have been an explosion of bubble tea shops that have opened in Orlando.

Lemonheart.com made a pretty sweet map of Boba shops in Orlando here: https://www.lemonhearted.com/blog/orlando-boba-map 

bobamap.jpg

Here is our list of

The Best Boba / Bubble Tea Shops in Orlando “BoBa-Town” – Summer 2021 Edition:

Royal Tea
714 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 – Phone: (407) 513-2657
royalteaus.com

Moge Tee
636 N Mills ave Unit#A · (407) 237-0197
7583 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 720-3645
https://mogeteeusa.com/

Boba Queen Cafe
5600 W Colonial Dr #104, Orlando, FL 32808 – Phone: (407) 930-0277
https://www.facebook.com/bobaqueenfl/

Krave Tea
839 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789 – (407) 951-8869
https://www.facebook.com/krave.tea/

Chewy Boba Company
1212 E Colonial Dr · (407) 897-1377
8098 S Orange Blossom Trl · (407) 850-2622
https://www.chewyboba.com/

Gong Cha
2100 E Colonial Dr Unit D, Orlando, FL 32803 – Phone: (407) 219-4551
https://www.gongchausa.com/

Ms Tea’s Bento
10376 E Colonial Dr Suite 126, Orlando, FL 32817 – Phone: (407) 203-4496
https://msteasbento.business.site/

Love at First Sip
12750 W Colonial Dr, Winter Garden, FL 34787 – Phone: (407) 900-7702
https://www.facebook.com/Love-At-First-Sip-102935811355939/

Quickly Boba
3214 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803 – Phone: (407) 270-4570
www.quicklybobasnowtogo.com

Le Ky Patisserie
2411 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806 – Phone: (407) 413-5453
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Bakery/Le-ky-Patisserie-336370903683469/

Spring Tea
8457 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819 – Phone: (407) 413-5335
https://www.instagram.com/orlando.springtea/?hl=en

Kung Fu Tea
12098 Collegiate Way, Orlando, FL 32817 – Phone: (407) 751-4002
kfteausa.com

Shaka Shaka Tea House
3934 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822 – +14076015967
4038 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park, FL 32792 – +13212032244
https://www.shakashakateahouse.com/order-online

Matcha House Tea and Creamery
811 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Dessert-Shop/Matcha-House-Tea-Creamery-106420967773870/

Dang Boba and Musubi House
11772 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32817 – Phone: (407) 930-2233
https://www.facebook.com/DangBobaAndMusubiHouse/

First Look: Blended Bistro & Boba – Lake Mary

Blended Bistro & Boba is family-owned and operated Asian restaurant with two locations in Orlando.  Young entrepreneur Lam Dinh, 27, and his wife run both restaurants while Lam also works full-time as an electrical engineer.

We were invited to visit their new Lake Mary store, located in Colonial Town Park, and we enjoyed our experience.

Blended Bistro & Boba offers a variety of poke, Asian cuisine, boba, and desserts so there is something for everyone’s palate.

As soon as you step into their cafe, you will immediately feel like you have walked into their home.  They are passionate about what they do and it shines through every dish & cup.

The restaurant is clean and beautifully decorated with a white marble & gold theme.

Here are our favorite menu offerings at Blended Bistro & Boba:

1. Crispy Noodles

Stir Fried Egg Noodles With Broccoli, Carrots, Water Chestnuts, Baby Corn, and Celery.

2. Bao Flights

Fried Chicken, Sweet & Spicy BBQ Jackfruit, Volcano (Shrimp & Crab Salad).

3. Blended Poke

Base: Rice, Spring Mix
Protein: Tuna, Salmon
Toppings: Avocado, Seaweed, Crab Salad, Cucumber, Ginger

4. Shaking Steak

Premium Sirloin Steak, Onions, Scallions, Potatoes, Cook And Their Special Steak Sauce, Served With Steam Rice, Tomatoes, Cucumber.

5. Boba Teas

Add a topping:

Choose from: Mango Jelly, Strawberry Jelly, Lychee Popping, Strawberry Popping, Passion Popping, Lychee Jelly, Rainbow Jelly, Mango Popping, Agar Boba, Coffee Jelly.

Blended Marble Boba

Black Sugar Latte With Honey Boba.

Pink Paradise

Lemon Tea with Butterfly Tea.

Be sure to follow them on Instagram or Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news!

For more information, visit: blendedbistroboba.com

Blended Bistro & Boba – Lake Mary
940 Colonial Grand Ln.
Lake Mary, FL 32746
(407) 878-5956

Blended Bistro & Boba – Orlando
2306 Edgewater Dr.
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 868-9836

Trespassed for Salad to go? Saladgate 2021 at Hillstone Winter Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos courtesy of Mr. Woodburn and Hillstone

Inside Look: Loading…Gastrobrunch at Hunter Arms Hotel in Historic Downtown St. Cloud, Florida

Loading…Gastrobrunch at Hunter Arms Hotel is a hidden gem that opened last year in historic downtown St. Cloud by friends James Brady, Matt Rody, and Jahnae Allen.

The restaurant is just a short drive away from Orlando, south of Lake Nona and east of Kissimmee.

Loading…Gastrobrunch’s mission is to prepare fresh, creative, and delicious Southern style dishes with a “Spaniflora” (Spanish and Florida style) flair that pair well with any of their handcrafted beverages and cocktails.

Although the name says gastrobrunch, they also offer a newly expanded dinner menu Monday through Saturday from 5pm – 10pm.

We were invited to try their new dinner menu and we enjoyed our experience.  The food was delicious and the service was friendly and welcoming.

TACOS DE CAMARON

Sautéed shrimp tacos with coleslaw, morning glory pico de gallo and sriracha crema.

SALMON PAELLA

Brown rice, onion, garlic, lemon juice, red peppers, morning glory tomatoes, shrimp, scallops, chorizo, fine herbs.

ROASTED CORN RISOTTO WITH SCALLOPS

Large scallops, roasted corn risotto, roasted corn puree, shaved parmesan cheese, fine herbs.

Our favorite dish was the tacos de camaron.  The shrimp was succulent and the tacos were incredibly tasty.

WINNIE THE BREW

Cold brew sweetened with pure honey & vanilla, topped with cold foam creamer & homemade peanut brittle.

Be sure to check out Loading…Gastrobrunch at Hunter Arms Hotel the next time you are in the St. Cloud for tasty eats and creative handcrafted beverages!

Loading…Gastrobrunch at The Hunter Arms Hotel
1023 New York Ave. St Cloud, FL 34769
(407) 593-0233
loadinggastrobrunch.com

9 of Our Favorite Local LGBTQ+ Owned Restaurants in Orlando

June is Pride Month, and we are celebrating by highlighting some of our favorite LGBTQ+ owned foodie spots in Orlando. Diversity and inclusion are an essential part of this city’s thriving community. Simply put, Orlando wouldn’t be the same without its many minority-owned small businesses and restaurants.

Here are 9 of our favorite local LGBTQ+ owned restaurants in Orlando.

9 of Our Favorite Local LGBTQ+ Owned Restaurants in Orlando

1. Se7en Bites

Trina Gregory-Propst is the owner of Se7en Bites, a bakery and eatery located right in the heart of Orlando’s Milk District. This restaurant features a unique menu of southern comfort food, breakfast and brunch favorites, coffee and homemade sweet treats.

“While we celebrate diversity and acceptance year round at Se7en Bites, it does not escape me that this is not everyone’s experience,” said Gregory-Propst. “Our staff, our chosen family, means the world to us as well as our diverse and colorful community of regulars because no one is a stranger once you feed them with food made with love. We celebrate WITH Pride now and continually til there is equality for ALL people living in our community.”

Photo by Se7en Bites

2. The Glass Knife

Steve Brown and his partner Lance own The Glass Knife, a Winter Park staple known for its delectable desserts, pastries, coffee and impressive brunch served every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Now through July 4, with the purchase of a Pride Petite Cake (pictured below), The Glass Knife is donating a portion of all proceeds to The Center Orlando & Kissimmee, a nonprofit working to support and empower the LGBTQ+ community.

Photo by The Glass Knife

3. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ can be found at Disney Springs, serving up a variety of tasty comfort food. Pride Month has many meanings for Florida native Chef Art Smith, owner of Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen & Southern Shine Bar, but inclusiveness is paramount.

“Being part of a team at the Walt Disney World Resort that welcomes guests of all genders, ethnicities and beliefs is part of the magic of the kitchen table,” said Chef Art, who has earned two James Beard Foundation Awards. “We learn so much from each other over a meal. And perhaps most important, the more we think we are different – the more in fact we are alike. We are all brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and cousins. We raise children and we care for our families and friends. Pride Month is important for awareness in big and small ways, but we carry the message throughout the year with kindness, open minds and generous spirits.”

Photo by Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

4. Garp & Fuss

Owned by Chef Liz Zucco and General Manager Nikki Nielsen, Garp & Fuss can be found nestled within The Hidden Garden on Park Ave. in Winter Park. This restaurant offers a creative menu featuring a variety of American fare and unique cocktail creations.

Photo by Garp & Fuss

5. Bites & Bubbles

Bites & Bubbles is an Orlando eatery owned by Nick Olivieri and his partner Eddie Nickell. this spot offers light bites, generous entrees and an extensive selection of bubbles and adult beverages. Bites & Bubbles just introduced its all-new Mills50 location, which features a spacious rooftop bar and dining area.

“We have been fortunate to work for mom and pop businesses and even Fortune 500 companies that have embraced us for who we are and always made us feel part of the family,” said Co-Owner Nick Olivieri. “When we opened our own restaurant 15 years ago, we vowed to always have a work environment that is inclusive of everyone.”

“It has been a long road and there is still plenty of road ahead of us to forge, and with Pride Month we keep marching forward. Because of others before us, Eddie and I are able to own and operate our restaurant living as who we are, and our staff and guests get to be in an environment that celebrates them for who they are. Because of us and Pride Month and so many others, we ensure that the LGBTQ+ community growing up will never again experience the hate and vitriol that so many of us endured. We look forward to a society that is One. One community. One love.”

Photo by Bites & Bubbles

6. Hungry Pants

Stop by Hungry Pants for a generous variety of healthy menu items, most of which are plant-based and/or gluten-free to ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Owned by husbands Joey Conicella and Alex Marin, Hungry Pants serves up clean eats in a “fast-fine service” environment that is welcoming to all.

Photo by Hungry Pants

7. The Hammered Lamb

The Hammered Lamb is a bar and restaurant located in Ivanhoe Village, owned by Jason Lambert. This foodie spot is perfect for anybody looking for a night full of drinks and delicious bites. The Brunch & Bloody Mary Bar is available every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo by @orlandobrunchbabe on Instagram

8. Island Time

Island Time is a Caribbean/Southern-fusion restaurant located in Thornton Park near Lake Eola. Devon Tillman is the owner of this vibrant and welcoming foodie spot. Be sure to check out the Drag Brunch at Island Time, available on select Saturdays and Sundays.

Photo by Island Time

9. Hamburger Mary’s

Last but certainly not least is Hamburger Mary’s Orlando, known for its live entertainment and high-energy performances from local drag queens. Stop by Hamburger Mary’s for one its weekly events including Broadway Brunch, Twisted Bingo, Dining with the Divas Variety Show, Marys and Mimosas Brunch Affair and Leigh Shannon’s Cabaret Dinner Show.

Photo by Hamburger Mary’s Orlando

Orlando continues to serve as a mecca of diversity and love, and we are thrilled to watch this city continue to expand its culinary space. Happy Pride!

Father’s Day with the Chefs at Four Seasons Resort Orlando

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

Portrait photo of Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi

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

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

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

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

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


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

Gabriel Massip –  Capa Restaurant Chef


Chef Gabe, Wife Khristy, daughter Addie

What does Father’s Day mean to you?

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

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

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

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

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

Portrait photo of Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber adjusting chocolate garnish

Rabii Saber, Executive Pastry Chef

What does Father’s Day mean to you?

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

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

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

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

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


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

 

Father’s Day Special Features

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

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

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

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

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

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

Father’s Day 2021 Specials in Orlando

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Celebrate Dad Around Orlando this Father’s Day 

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and now is the time to plan how you will treat dad on his special day. Attractions and restaurants around Orlando are offering discounted meals, specialty drinks and other exciting offers for making pops’ day the best one yet!

Tabla Indian Cuisine (All locations)

TAPA TORO

8441 International Dr #260, Orlando, FL 32819

Father’s Day Brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Full a la carte menu available as well as brunch entrees and all-you-can-eat paella brunch specials and bottomless mimosas or sangria and flamenco dancing entertainment

Special Father’s Day Surf & Turf Paella available a la carte for$74 (not including tax or gratuity)

 12” Skillet serves 2-3 people

Father’s Day Dinner 4-10pm

Full menu available

Flamenco dancing entertainment begins at 7 p.m.

Special prix-fixe menu available for $56 per person(not including tax or gratuity)

  • Appetizer: Beef Empanadas
  • Entre?e: 40-Day Dry-Aged New York Strip served with seasonal sides
  • Dinner: Mini Churro Sunday Funday
  • Includes a free beer for Dad!

Father’s Day To-Go

    • Pre-order up to one week in advance for pickup at Tapa Toro via ChowNow or order via phone on 
  • Father’s Day Family Meal 
  • Full menu plus special Father’s Day meal four for only $99 (not including tax or gratuity)

Iberian Caesar Salad, Beef Empanadas, and Ribeye Paella

TAVERNA OPA ORLANDO

9101 International Drive Suite Number: 2240 2nd Level of Pointe Orlando Orlando, Florida 32819

Order one of our family style menus for 4 or more people, and Dad eats for free!

Open 12- 10 p.m. 

Full menu available

Belly dancing entertainment begins at 7 pm

Celebrating at home? Schedule an order for pickup up to one week in advance via ChowNow! https://direct.chownow.com/order/24279/locations/35739

Encore Resort at Reunion 

This private resort community offers an elevated and luxurious yet affordable vacation rental experience, with guest-oriented services and outstanding amenities. The resort is home to Finns Restaurant, the perfect gathering place for family dining. 

  • $18 Prime Rib Dinner, available after 4 p.m., at Finns Restaurant
  • A Complimentary Drink for Dad

Promenade at Sunset Walk 

This beautiful outdoor entertainment district is home to casual eateries, fine dining, entertainment options, special events and retail shops. 

River Street Sweets 

From world famous pralines and saltwater taffy to homemade ice cream and more, this sweet shop’s made-from-scratch morsels are known worldwide.

o    Buy one pound of Pralines and/or Loggerheads and get ½ pound FREE!

o    Buy one candy apple and get one FREE!

  • Rock & Brews 

Delicious classic comfort food and a large selection of tasty craft beers are always offered at this eatery that will have you constantly coming back for more.

o    When dining in, fathers receive a FREE commemorative glass while supplies last.

  • Yeoman’s Cask & Lion 

Travel across the pond with this British-themed pub and restaurant, complete with classic British favorites like bangers and mash, Shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.

o    $10 Bounceback for all dads –  $10 off to be used for a later visit! 

  • Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza

Grab a traditional or specialty slice, all made-to-order in an 800-degree coal fired oven, or grab some house-made pasta or a tasty sandwich. 

o    $10 Bounceback for all dads – $10 off to be used for a later visit! 

  • GameTime

Eat and play in style at this 24,000 square foot entertainment venue, inclusive of a mega-arcade, full-service restaurant and a sports bar. 

o    From June 18-20: BBQ Rib Plate for $9.99 and a Peanut Butter Skrewball Whiskey “New” Fashioned (a twist on the classic Old Fashioned) for $6.99

Buca di Beppo 

With multiple locations around Central Florida, this family-style eatery offers delectable food in an authentic Italian atmosphere. 

  • Dining rooms are open and ready to welcome back fathers and their families in-person, to celebrate Father’s Day or any other occasion! Special meal deals to-go are also offered daily. This Father’s Day Sunday, the featured entree to-go is meaty and cheesy Lasagna for 3 ($33) or 5 ($50), served with fresh bread and choice of caesar or mixed green salad

Bite 30 by Orlando Weekly

Father’s Day Brunch at Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen at JW Marriott at Grande Lakes – Sunday June 20 2021 from 10am-2pm

https://www.grandelakes.com/ResourceFiles/pdf/wcftk-fathers-day-brunch.pdf

Del Frisco’s 3-Course Prime Time Dinner Menu for Father‘s Day

Charley’s Steakhouse – Impress Dad with the most unique and highest quality grade of domestic Wagyu beef available. This Father’s Day Weekend, join us at Charley’s Steak House or FishBones in Lake Mary for our 9+ Score American Wagyu 18oz Boneless New York Strip and a Gary’s Cherry Wood Smoked Old Fashioned for $150*. Limited reservations are available, book your table today.

DoveCote Sunday Brunch – 10:30am – 2:00pm

First Watch Debuts New Limited Time Summer 2021 Seasonal Menu featuring Mexican Street Corn Hash, Barbacoa Breakfast Tacos and More

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I am a huge fan of what is going on lately at First Watch with their limited time, seasonal menu – especially with the re-freshed emphasis on Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors.

I fell in love a few seasons ago with their carnitas burrito, a massive and delicious burrito stuffed full of tender pork carnitas, scrambled cage-free eggs, fresh seasoned potatoes, black beans, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and fresh avocado – it was enough to sustain me through the whole day, maybe the whole weekend. Though this dish has rotated off the menu, there’s hints of these wonderful flavors still in the new Summer menu at First Watch.

“There’s nothing like cutting into that first fresh watermelon of the summer, spending time outside with people you love and enjoying the sunshine,” said Chef Shane Schaibly, vice president of culinary strategy for First Watch. “This season, we’re bringing in things like fresh watermelon juice, summer sweet corn and fresh pineapple – some classic, high-quality ingredients that are in peak season right now. This menu really evokes a sense of nostalgia for me, and I hope our customers enjoy that too!”

First Watch’s summer menu selections are now available through August 15 and include:

– Elote Mexican Street Corn Hash – Two cage-free eggs any style atop fresh seasoned potatoes, house-roasted summer sweet corn and chorizo. Topped with fresh sliced avocado, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, chipotle crema and scallions. Served with fresh lime and warm wheat- corn blend tortillas.

– Barbacoa Breakfast Tacos – Three wheat-corn tortillas with seasoned braised beef Barbacoa, scrambled cage-free eggs, scallions, melted Cheddar and Monterey Jack, chive cream, Cotija cheese, pico de gallo and fresh avocado with a side of black beans.

– Bananas Foster French Toast – Flaky hand-braided Challah bread dipped in our house-made custard and topped with fresh bananas, pecans, caramel sauce and powdered cinnamon sugar.

From the Juice Bar:

– Watermelon Wake-Up – Watermelon, pineapple, lime and mint.

First Watch’s new seasonal menu items are available to order alongside its robust menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch favorites at most locations nationwide for pickup, delivery and dine-in service. To place an order or join a digital waitlist, guests can visit FirstWatch.com or download the First Watch App available for Apple iOS and Android.

First Watch is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. For more information about First Watch, its seasonal menu offerings or to find the nearest location, visit firstwatch.com.

*Not available in the Tampa Bay Area

Smokey Bone’s Virtual Brand The Burger Experience Revamps Menu

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Smokey Bones’ delivery-only burger brand, The Burger Experience, has revamped its menu with new burgers and a secret umami XTC sauce. The curated menu features five quality burgers and new crinkle cut fries, all at $6.

The five burgers include a Classic, Classic with Cheese, a Bacon Cheeseburger, Mushroom Swiss Burger, and a Green Chile Burger – all served on a grilled brioche bun. Bringing an extra zip to the burgers is the restaurant’s XTC sauce, a combination that includes umami notes of mustard, soy, and hoisin sauce for a savory and complementary taste that harkens back to the days of the original burger joints. The simplified menu allows The Burger Experience to quickly prepare the meal and get it to the curb or out the door for delivery.

“The pandemic has changed the way customers interact with restaurants with guests now increasingly relying on curbside, carryout, delivery, and third-party delivery apps,” said CEO James O’Reilly. “We believe many of these changes are going to be permanent and now is the time for us to innovate and invest. We have the operational and culinary capability to do just that, while focusing on one of American’s most beloved menu items – burgers.”

The Burger Experience operates inside Smokey Bones’ 61 locations across 16 states. Guests can order curbside pick-up or delivery via The Burger Experience website: www.burgerxorder.com, or through Uber Eats and Door Dash.

At a time when food delivery is thriving, the Fla.-based restaurant group revamped its popular burger brand after research found the off-premise burger segment was crowded with high-priced, chef-driven concepts or mainstream fast food options with few, or no options in the middle for a quality burger at a reasonable price.

“We wanted to do something different by offering a really delicious menu of burgers starting at $6 that are designed for off-premise customers only,” said O’Reilly. “The Burger Experience offers the kind of delicious burger you could easily order every week for your lunch, or order in large numbers for a group with drinks and crinkle fries. The brand is fun, relaxed and very focused on one simple thing: great burgers you can enjoy anytime and anywhere.”

The Burger Experience joins The Wing Experience, Smokey Bones’ other delivery-only brand. The Wing Experience menu offers 50 wing flavors and the same crinkle cut fries. Both The Burger Experience and The Wing Experience’s specialized menus allow the brands to focus on making the best burgers and wings in America at competitive prices.

Tasty Chomps Q and A – The Burger Experience

Tasty Chomps: How did the concept come about and what year did it begin?

The Burger Experience was first created in the Fall of 2019 in partnership with UberEats and was offered in about a dozen locations. It was expanded to all 61 locations in the Spring of 2020 along with The Wing Experience. After both virtual brands were expanded, both were also re-concepted. The Wing Experience was re-concepted for chicken wing flavor – seekers, with the tagline ‘Jumbo Wings Fifty Flavors’. The response to the reconcepting of The Wing Experience was so positive that The Burger Experience was reconcepted to ‘Chef Driven Delivery Burgers starting at $6’. Everything in the reconcept was changed, from the bun, toppings, patties, and the introduction of the new ‘XTC Experience’ burger sauce. The Burger Experience now offers five incredible delivery burgers starting at $6 and early market response has been very strong.

– What are some of the most popular burgers right now on the menu?

The Burger Experience offers 5 prebuilt delivery burgers:

1) Classic with XTC Experience ,

2) Classic with Cheese & XTC Experience ,

3) Bacon Cheeseburger with garlic mayo and carmelized grilled onions,

4) Mushroom Swiss Burger with horshradish mayo, sauteed sliced mushrooms and swiss cheese, and

5) Green Chile Burger with hatch green chiles and pepperjack cheese.

The Burger Experience also offers a create your own option .

With only 5 pre-built burgers, all are popular!

– What are some new things coming to Burger Experience?

The Burger Experience will soon be offering new sides and an incredible new veggie burger

Question and Answers with Smokey Bones’ CEO James O’Reilly

– Tell us about your background / history in the food industry

James entered the food industry from marketing giant Procter & Gamble in 1997 on the KFC brand in Canada as its Director of Marketing. James spent thirteen years at YUM Brands working on KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, across Canada, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, and Latin America. He went on to become the US Chief Marketing Officer for KFC , Einstein Bros Bagels, and Sonic Drive In. James was appointed President and CEO of Long John Silver’s in 2014, and became President and CEO of Smokey Bones in 2019.

– What are some important lessons learned in 2020 as you navigated through the pandemic?

The most important lesson of navigating 2020 was to remain a values-centered organization. As the crisis severely impacted the company and its employees, Smokey Bones leadership engaged its front line employees directly and frequently on live video communicating business updates, focusing on values, and answering tough questions. Smokey Bones restaurant leaders responded in legendary fashion, propelling the company to a steady recovery from the pandemic which is still underway. Through this experience Smokey Bones galvanized its values system in its ‘Humanifesto’ and five core values: 1) Be Yourself, 2) Be Resilient, 3) Be Creative, Act with Integrity, and 5) Drive for Results

– What are your upcoming plans in the coming months for both Smokey Bones and Burger Experience / Wing Experience as the economy begins recovering and more people become vaccinated?

Smokey Bones and its virtual brands have aggressive growth plans including traditional and ghost kitchen development, menu innovation, and new marketing approaches.

– What do you want guests to know about both Smokey Bones when they come to dine?

Smokey Bones are the ‘Masters of Meat’ because of its depth of meat choices and preparation methods. Only Smokey Bones can offer house-smoked award winning bbq, fire grilled steaks, burgers, and seafood, baby back and St Louis ribs, and its world famous smoked wings available in fifteen flavors. For a limited time Smokey Bones is offering a ‘Global Rib Feast’ featuring five global rib flavors (Japanese Teriyaki, Chinese BBQ, Korean BBQ, Mango Tandoori, and Caribbean Jerk). Smokey Bones is ‘Meat Heaven’ for meat lovers.

– What is the most surprising thing about Burger Experience that you discovered ?

The most surprising thing about The Burger Experience is how fast its sales have improved since reconcepting it from traditional $15 casual dining burgers to chef driven delivery burgers starting at $6. Smokey Bones broke the mold in its reconcepting efforts on its virtual brand and are experience a very strong consumer response.

– How will you continue to innovate as food trends and popular culture evolve?

Culinary efforts are led by Chef Peter Farrand, and amazing chef with decades of culinary experience. Chef Peter is an expert in culinary trends, and continues to evolve the menus on Smokey Bones and its virtual brands.

Inside Look: St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest 2021

In 2021, craft breweries continue to grow in popularity throughout the state of Florida, and St. Augustine is no exception. This year, the 2nd annual St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest took place on May 8, 2021. This day-long festival celebrates local breweries by offering guests unlimited samples from the 20+ vendors. Local food trucks, musicians and family-friendly activities were also available during the event.

Some of the many sponsors of St. Augustin Craft Brewers Fest 2021 included the St. Augustin Distillery, the Sebastian Hotel, The Kookaburra coffee and ICEMULE Coolers.

We were invited to experience the festival by Florida’s Historic Coast. Here’s an inside look at St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest 2021.

Inside Look: St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest 2021

St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest 2021 was held at Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth historical attraction and archaeological park in St. Augustine, Florida. The spacious location is fully outdoors with an indoor VIP section available at an additional cost.

Ancient City Brewing — St. Augustine

Ancient City Brewing offers a Downtown Taproom in historic downtown St. Augustine and a Brewhouse located right off State Road 12. Each month, Ancient City Brewing also partners with a different local charity to give back to. You can also find some of their craft brews at over 500 different restaurants and bars across North Florida.

We sampled Ponce’s Pale Ale (pictured below). This craft beer was light and ideal for a warm and sunny Florida afternoon.

Rockpit Brewing — Orlando

You can find Rockpit Brewing in Orlando’s SoDo district. This local brewery is dog-friendly, family-friendly and releases new beer options every week. Rockpit prides itself on its extensive community of team members and customers.

At Rockpit, we were impressed by the Geschmack Yourself (Sour — Berliner Weisse) with our choice of mango syrup. Syrup option range from raspberry to peach, mango and more, allowing customers to customize and enjoy new beer experience every time.

Dog Rose Brewing Co. — St. Augustine

Another St. Augustine-based brewery, Dog Rose Brewing Co. is located in the historic St. Augustin neighborhood of Lincolnville. Whether you prefer ales, lagers, sours or IPA’s, Dog Rose Brewing Co. has a handcrafted brew perfect for you.

Our favorite beer from Dog Rose was the Lions Head Honey Sour, which featured delightful flavors of citrus and honey.

Moonrise Brewing Co. — Palm Coast

Moonrise Brewing Co. is a local brewery located just south of St. Augustine in Palm Coast, Florida. Moonrise offers fresh brewed craft beer as well as fresh, never frozen bar bites curated and prepared by the in-house chef.

Lemonstreet Brewing Company — Jacksonville

We also stopped by Lemonstreet Brewing Company at the brewers fest. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, Lemonstreet is a local neighborhood brewery focused on community, their Hispanic heritage and great flavor from locally sourced ingredients.

Funkadelic Food Truck

A St. Augustine favorite, Funkadelic Food Truck offers a delicious assortment of tasty eats from their Pork Belly Sticky Rice Bowl to the Lump Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwich. You can typically find Funkadelic Food at Marina Munch, a local St. Augustine food truck attraction located right on the water off of US-1.

We ordered the O.G. Grilled Cheese, which is made with avocado, provolone, pepper jelly and applewood smoked bacon, served on two tasty slices of asiago cheddar bread. It’s easily customizable for vegetarians by opting out of bacon like we did.

Another food truck available at the festival was El Agave Azul, which offered tasty Mexican street food and drinks. Some of their most popular dishes include the Tacos, Tostadas, Mexican Street Corn and Churros.

Live Music

Live entertainment sets the tone for the St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest, creating a relaxing and upbeat atmosphere. Bands present at the 2021 fest included Lonesome Bert & the Skinny Lizards, rickoLus, Not Quite Dead and Dewey Via.

St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest offers tasty food, craft beverages and fun for the entire family. To learn more about the annual festival, visit StABrewersFest.com. For more information about St. Augustin and Florida’s Historic Coast, visit FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

Inside Look: Happy Hour at Fogo de Chão on International Dr.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse is the leading Brazilian steakhouse specializing in fire-roasting high-quality meats since 1979 utilizing the centuries-old Southern Brazilian cooking technique of churrasco.  They are known for their all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside and extensive salad bar but did you know they also have an amazing weekday happy hour menu?

We were invited to experience Fogo de Chão’s happy hour and we enjoyed their Brazilian bites, tasty cocktails, top notch service, and the energetic ambiance of the restaurant.

Fogo de Chão’s happy hour menu is available all day, with happy hour bites offered Monday through Friday from 4:30-6:30pm in the bar area.  They also offer ½ price Brazilian Wine as well.

$8 BRAZILIAN INSPIRED COCKTAILS

Fogo Caipirinha

Fogo Silver Cachaça, limes, cane sugar.

Caramelized Pineapple Old Fashioned

Our wonderful bartender Jackie whipping up some tasty concoctions for us.

Bulleit Rye Whiskey, muddled caramelized pineapple, orange, Luxardo cherry.

Pineapple Mint Lemonade (non-alcoholic)

$4 BRAZILIAN BITES

Available Monday – Friday from 4:30-6:30pm in the bar area only.

Braised Beef Rib Sliders

Xingu beer braised, caramelized onions, smoked provolone, brioche bun. (2)

Warm Hearts of Palm and Spinach Dip

Steamed spinach, hearts of palm, crispy toasts.

Brazilian Empanadas

Flaky pastry, seasoned Picanha, onions, chimichurri aioli.

$8 PICANHA BURGER

Fresh ground in-house, smoked provolone, bibb lettuce, tomato, onion, chimichurri aioli, brioche bun.  Served with crispy parmesan polenta fries.

Be sure to check out Fogo de Chão on International Drive, located across from ICON Park,  if you are looking for an affordable happy hour with fantastic food, tasty cocktails and good vibes.

To view Fogo de Chão’s happy hour menu, click here.

Fogo de Chão
8282 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-0711
fogo.com

First Look: Tasty Chomps x Orlando Foodie Forum – A Taste of… Tornatore’s Ristorante Secret Menu – June 10th thru 20th

“A Taste of… presented by Tasty Chomps x Orlando Foodie Forum” is a new secret menu for foodies to get a “Taste Of…” a local Orlando restaurant with a special pre-fixe menu (similar to Magical Dining) for dine in or take out for a limited time.

When Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine gave the locally owned and operated Tornatore’s Ristorante on Edgewater Drive a makeover on the Food Network’s ambush episode of Restaurant: Impossible, Chef Irvine helped owner Denny Tornatore develop a new menu filled with delicious signature dishes and stressed the importance of making everything served from scratch and they have done exactly that, which has attributed to their success today.

Tornatore’s Ristorante specializes in handmade pastas, pizzas, rich and savory sauces, hearty, delicious meatballs, daily-made fresh doughs, and tantalizing desserts.

Whether you are coming to enjoy one of Tornatore’s authentic Italian pasta dishes, stopping in to pick-up some pizza, or picking up groceries and dessert at their new Italian market, you will always be greeted with a smile by their friendly staff.  The Tornatore’s Ristorante family mission is to prepare delicious food that will make great tasting memories for you and your family. You can taste the freshness of Italy in each and every bite.

Starting June 10th – 20th, 2021, guest can get a 3-course dinner at Tornatore’s Ristorante for just $35.  Price does not include tax or gratuity.

Choose one appetizer, entrée, and dessert from the menu below:

Amazing bread service courtesy of Tornatore’s Pizzeria.

APPETIZERS

Squash Blossoms

Stuffed with lemon peppadew ricotta, tempura battered and lightly fried then drizzled with house made cayenne honey.

Arancini

Photo credit: Maria Mancia
Photo credit: Maria Mancia

Stuffed with house-made sausage, risotto, onions, peppers, and provolone fried and served over spicy marinara.

ENTRÉES

Pork Belly Carbonara

Photo credit: Maria Mancia

House-made spaghetti with English peas, shallots and egg yolk in a parmesan cream sauce topped with house-made pork belly.

Photo credit: Maria Mancia

Agnolotti

House-made meat filled agnolotti with mushrooms in marinara sauce topped with mozzarella and baked.

DESSERTS

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Photo credit: Maria Mancia

Carrot Cake

Photo credit: Maria Mancia
Photo credit: Maria Mancia

Tornatore’s Ristorante is located in College Park, directly across from Bishop Moore High School.

To make a reservation, call Tornatore’s Ristorante and mention the “Tasty Chomps Taste of Tornatore’s Ristorante Secret Menu” from June 10th – June 20th, 2021.

Tornatore’s Ristorante
3818 Edgewater Drive Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 292-2248
tornatoresitalian.com

Inside Look: Smoke & Donuts Catering and Food Truck

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

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

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

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

Street Corn Rice
Mac & Cheese

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

Background: Maker’s Mark Bourbon & Maple Glaze, Candied Lemonade. Foreground: Blueberry CinnaMom, the Salty Englishman

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

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

Smoke & Donuts

2545 Coolidge Avenue

Orlando, FL 32804(321)-352-7070

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

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

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

 

 

“Little Foodie” Children’s Book Recommendations for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orange County Library System debuts “Tales & Tails” Adult Summer Reading Program and Summer Reading Program 2021 – May 30 to August 1, 2021

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This is a sponsored post from the Orange County Library System

Adult Summer Reading Program 2021

May 30 to August 1, 2021

Learn, grow, and connect this summer with the library! Our Adult Summer Reading Program is completely virtual this year! Get connected with our virtual offerings including virtual eventsonline classesblog posts, and YouTube videos. Explore our online databases to learn a new language, enhance career skills, discover new books, and more!Adult Summer Reading 2021

OCLS cardholders, 18 and older, can participate in our Adult Summer Reading Program online by registering through the website or mobile application, Beanstack. Use Beanstack to track books read, write book reviews, and participate in virtual challenges to earn digital badges with a chance to win prizes*.

To sign up for an OCLS card, please visit www.ocls.info/using-library/get-or-replace-your-card or visit any of our Orange County Library locations to register for a library card in person.

*An Orange County Library regular, property owner or fee card in good standing is required to be eligible to win prizes. Reciprocal borrowers, OCLS staff and their families, including board members, are ineligible.

For every badge a participant earns in Beanstack, a digital ticket will be awarded. Each ticket can be redeemed towards entry into a prize drawing, chosen by the participant, in the “Drawings” section of the Beanstack challenge.  The more tickets earned, the more chances there are to win a prize! Each participant may only win one prize. The Adult Summer Reading program and prize drawings will close on Sunday, August 1st. Winners of each drawing will be notified by August 9, 2021.

for more info, visit: www.ocls.info/srp

Summer Reading Program
Web banner of children smiling and illustrated alligators and flamingos reading
Get ready to go wild during the Orange County Library System’s annual Summer Reading Program. Join us for Tales & Tails – an exploration of amazing Florida wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’re bringing you all our programs, classes and events completely online. Everyone can enjoy all the library has to offer from the comfort of home!

Here’s what to do:

  • Find great books to read on our Summer Reading Booklists.
  • Read at least 20 minutes every day.
  • Sign up for Beanstack and log your minutes online, or use the paper reading tracker.
  • Pick up a take-home activity kit at your library branch or complete fun challenges in Beanstack.
  • Register for upcoming programs and events.

You’ll need a library card to register for virtual events and to be eligible to win prizes. Sign up for your card today and make sure you don’t miss a moment of the fun!

Reading together as a family helps prevent summer learning loss and encourages strong communication & bonding. Check out our 6 Tips for Successful Family Reading.

Visit Orlando Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021

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While Orlando attracts visitors from around the world, the local community is a vibrant mix of global citizens, including Asian Pacific American communities. In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Visit Orlando has gathered information on Asian-owned restaurants and special events for visitors and locals to enjoy this month and throughout the year, which will be continually updated on VisitOrlando.com/AAPI.

Visit Orlando also asked me to do a quick “Tour a Tasty Trio of Asian-American Restaurants in Orlando” that can be found here (and featuring Dochi, Kabooki, and Hawkers): https://www.visitorlando.com/blog/post/asian-american-restaurants-orlando/

Here is more from Visit Orlando:

“Orlando is a better place to live, work and visit because of the many contributions of our Asian Pacific American community,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “While May is the month designated to celebrate our Asian Pacific American friends, neighbors and colleagues, it is important to recognize this community year-round and the benefits they bring to our destination.”

“Orlando offers visitors and locals so many options to explore and celebrate the Asian Pacific American community through food,” said Ricky Ly, founder of local food blog TastyChomps.com. “From a hot bowl of pho (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) to steamed shrimp dumplings at one of the local Chinese dim sum restaurants, visitors will find dishes made from recipes passed through many generations and unique takes from younger generations now leading the family business.”

Dochi in Orlando’s Mills 50 – specializing in Japanese mochi donuts

DINING

Orlando is an expanding enclave of authentic Asian food markets and restaurants. Just northeast of downtown, Mills 50 is home to the largest Vietnamese American community in Florida, with an expanding roster of authentic Asian restaurants, shops and markets. While people of Vietnamese descent make up the largest portion of Orlando’s Asian Pacific American population, many other cultures and countries are represented, including sizable Chinese, Asian-Indian, Filipino and Korean communities, plus smaller groups representing Thailand, Laos, Japan, Indonesia and Pakistan, among others. From James Beard nominated chefs to traditional cuisine and creative twists on classic dishes, visitors will find Asian influence throughout the entire destination.

  • Chi-Kin Korean Fried offers a twist on Korean Fried Chicken with each piece double fried and tossed in a signature sauce. Other menu items include bulgogi waffle fries, bim-bim bowls and signature sandwiches.
  • Dochi Doughnuts specializes in Japanese mochi doughnuts, a blend between the sweet and chewy Japanese rice dessert and the classic American fried doughnut.
  • Domu serves up house-made ramen, seasonal cocktails and creative takes on small plates, including the city’s most well-known Korean chicken wings.
  • Hawkers Asian Street Fare offers an eclectic Asian menu, along with beer and wine, with recipes from across Asia served up in a unique, sharing-encouraged gastropub environment.
  • Kabooki Sushi features pan-Asian cuisine and Japanese dishes from James Beard nominated chef Henry Moso. This modern eatery even offers a six-course meal customized by the chef called omakase.
  • Mamak Asian Street Food incorporates influences from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. The menu is an homage to traditional Southeast Asian street food and has become a one-stop-shop for street-style eats unique to each country.
  • Seito Sushi is an award-winning upscale restaurant featuring a contemporary Asian menu, from sushi to new and inventive Japanese cuisine.
  • Tori Tori Pub echoes traditional Japanese pubs from atmosphere to menu, where visitors can find classic cocktails with a Japanese twist and unique bar bites like pork belly gyozas and grilled flying Japanese squid.

For more restaurants to explore, go to Visit Orlando’s blog.

Special Events and Exhibits: 

  • At Disney Springs West Side, a new art installation piece inspired by “Raya and the Last Dragon” has been created by a Malaysian Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Designer.  Meanwhile, The Art of Disney, located at Disney Springs Marketplace, features a spotlight series with a focus on Asian Pacific American filmmakers, artists, authors and screenwriters who have worked at the Walt Disney Animation studios.
  • Orange Country’s 9th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration (May 21) will feature Mayor Jerry Deming’s welcome and proclamation along with cultural performances, art contests and awards, viewable on Orange TV.
  • Asian Cultural Festival Virtual Celebration 2021 (May 22) will be hosted by the Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida. This virtual celebration will showcase a variety of Asian American cultures and serves as a fundraiser for the Asian Student Achievers’ Scholastic Awards.

About Visit Orlando  

Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States and Theme Park Capital of the World®. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, Visit Orlando represents member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.

Heirloom Family Meal Delivery by Puff N’ Stuff Catering

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Since 1980, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering has been the premier catering and full-service event planning company in Central Florida.

When 2020 forced the world to slow down, the folks at Puff N’ Stuff Catering saw a renewed interest in family time, and wondered, “what if we crafted fresh meals for busy families to provide the convenience of take-out or delivery, and the wholesomeness of making it yourself?”

Heirloom was created and designed to encourage and support the value of family meals – the service provides a family meal, without the time-consuming prep and clean up, delivered straight to your door.

Here is how to order Heirloom:

  1. CHOOSE – Select items from their weekly fresh-made individual or family sized meals and platters. Add items to complement from our pairings and market. You can even order Heirloom for multiple weeks at once!
  2. DELIVER – Free weekly delivery on a select day, based on your zipcode, or any day delivery for a fee. If you’re not home to receive you can leave a cooler out for us.
  3. HEAT & EAT – Follow simple reheating instructions for your oven or microwave to enjoy a quality mealtime. Relax and start planning your next week’s order!

Selections vary but some options include Eggplant Florentine Rollatini, Mirin Marinated Skirt Steak, Herbed Orzo with Chicken or Tofu, Slow Roasted Mojo Pork, and more. They even have kid friendly meals like chicken tenders and mac and cheese.

This meal delivery was truly delightful and is perfect for hosting a small gathering andor something between doing it all yourself and full-service catering. Seriously I was a huge fan of everything we got, especially the baked Bolognese pasta!

Baked Bolognese Pasta
Crab Dip

ENCHILADAS WITH CALABASITAS –  choice of chicken or portobello, fire-roasted tomato sauce, jack & cheddar cheeses, cilantro sour cream with roasted squash, corn, peppers, cilantro

QUINOA BOWL – quinoa pilaf, walnuts, radishes, carrots, watercress, dijon vinaigrette

SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE: 

https://orderheirloom.com/discount/FOODIEFORUM25

This link will discount your order by $25 or you can also just type FOODIEFORUM25 at checkout. One use per customer, no expiration, no exclusions.

Interview with Puff N Stuff Catering about Heirloom

Tasty Chomps: Tell us about the history of Puff N Stuff – what are some special moments/accolades from its founding that most people don’t know about?

Puff N Stuff: In 1971, Susie Dietel and her two best friends, Yuklan Laing and Gwyneth Pogson, decided to open a bakery. This marked the beginning of “Puff ‘n Stuff” in Trinidad & Tobago. Later, Susie and her husband, Glenn, fulfilled their dream of moving to the United States with their young family.

Since 1980, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering has built an unsurpassed reputation for service and quality in Central Florida and Florida’s West Coast since 2010. From the smallest intimate dinner parties to corporate functions, grand banquets, barbecues, celebrations, weddings, disaster relief, and venue management, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering provides all of your catering needs with elegance, imagination, and style. With a team of trained and seasoned bartenders, we are equipped to provide full-service bars at any event.

We offer plated meals, interactive chef bars, traditional and hybrid buffets, packaged meals, and butler-passed services. Our extensive experience in both large and small-scale events is not limited to our home-based venues. We have the expertise to handle every detail of the event, from site coordination to rentals, to securing service staff.

How did Puff N Stuff pivot when the pandemic hit and lockdowns began?

Home meals have always been part of our DNA but wasn’t a big focus as events always took center stage. The foundation was in place, we simply needed to take a step back and develop a plan to efficiently prepare and deliver direct to our customer’s homes at an affordable price. We knew our meal delivery options would compete with nationwide meal kit services, prepared grocery store meals, and local delivery, so we focused on differentiating ourselves with truly fresh, seasonal meals delivered weekly to our customer’s homes offering regional delivery service at no additional cost.

This evolved into a new brand, Heirloom by Puff ’n Stuff based on the fundamental idea of getting families back together around the dinner table. These heat and serve fresh meals are prepared in our Orlando and Tampa kitchens then delivered to customer homes regionally, void of delivery fees or minimums. We feature seasonal menus that rotate weekly in family sizes and individual portions. Heirloom’s no-prep offerings launched with everything available through our new web app. Each week, a more interactive meal will feature items like assemble-it-yourself ramen, fajita kits, etc. Our team is excited to see Heirloom grow into a significant part of our business that keeps us closer to our customers and hopefully remove meal prep fatigue and enable families to reconnect.

What are the plans for the future for the company and through Heirloom?

Our initial focus with the Heirloom brand is to focus on perfecting the home meal delivery program. Eventually, we plan to launch a workplace version delivering hot meals, salads, sandwiches, and snacks to offices throughout Central Florida. We also plan for an on-demand service featuring the same meals through the likes of DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.

What should guests know about Heirloom when ordering?

Our menus change weekly and with the seasons. Everything is prepared fresh without the use of preservatives. We want there to be a little something for everyone, so regardless of the size of your family or whether you like to eat super healthy or prefer something a bit more decadent there should always be something that appeals to you. We hope to become a weekly staple in our communities.

If someone is planning a big family event, what are some recommendations you might have for them?

To always enlist the help of others! For some, that might mean spreading the planning and work out to multiple members of the family but if you’re able to bring in professional help that can definitely make the process so much easier. It’s always best if you can also be a guest at your own party instead of taking on all the responsibility of shopping, prep, cooking, and then clean up. Heirloom provides appetizer and dinner solutions for small gatherings and Puff ‘n Stuff Catering is always available for a more turn key solutions with professional waiters, chefs, and bartenders with supporting rental equipment.

What are the most popular items right now at Heirloom?

Everyone is ALWAYS asking for our chef’s Italian style meatloaf- which we call Polpettone of Beef and serve with Mediterranean Broccoli. Our collaboration with FitLiving Eats has also been extremely popular, Carly Paige, the chef behind those menu items has some great methods for making nutrient-dense food that is also super comforting and delicious. And the delicious cookie dough is always a hit – nothing beats freshly baked cookies right out of the oven!

 How was the menu developed?

The menu is a collection of recipes that have been passed down through generations, whether that be through the Dietel’s, Puff ‘n Stuff favorites, or other caterers and businesses in the communities we serve. Of course, we take into account upcoming holidays but seasonality and items that reheat well at home with broad family appeal is our primary focus. We hope to be THE solution for busy families.

CONTACT HEIRLOOM

Phone: (407) 398-6689

Email: info@orderheirloom.com

For Full Service Events: Visit Puff ‘n Stuff Catering

New Japanese influenced Rooftop Bar and Restaurant to open May 27th at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek near Disney Springs

Orlando’s hottest new rooftop restaurant, illume, is opening at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, on Thursday May 27th. We got an exclusive sneak peek at illume – this place is full breathtaking views, an Asian-inspired menu , and handcrafted Japanese sake and aged whiskey cocktails. Perfect for viewing the nightly nearby Disney fireworks. The restaurant will be led by chef Myra Buerkle.

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek general manager Sam Basu tells us,  “With a chic ambiance, inventive menu and the best views of the Disney fireworks in all of Orlando, illume brings an exciting new dining concept to the city’s food scene, and will quickly become the go-to spot for date nights, evenings out on the town and celebratory events for locals and JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek guests alike.”

And director of F&B Daniel Schmidt: “We’re excited for illume guests to experience Chef Myra Buerkle’s innovative takes on Asian-style tapas and sushi. The rooftop lounge’s creative food offerings, paired with its dynamic wine, whiskey and sake program and 360-degree views, will make every experience at illume one to remember.”

General Details

  • Grand opening: May 27, 2021
  • 5,200 square feet exterior with 4,600 square foot interior
  • Seats/capacity: 150
  • Phone number: 407-919-6376
  • Address: 14900 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando, FL

Located on the 9th floor at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Design

  • Unrivaled views of the nightly Disney fireworks and surrounding Bonnet Creek Preserve.
  • Designed by Street Sense, every aspect of illume was designed to amplify the space’s panoramic views, from glass walls on the terrace to an indoor/outdoor seating area. The rooftop will also incorporate a sushi bar where guests can watch signature menu items come to life, plus modern design elements like a wraparound central bar to highlight the 360° views and in-wall fireplaces to further enhance the ambiance.
  • The ambience is relaxed luxury, boasting an atmosphere that feels like a special night out in a comfortable environment.
  • illume’s interiors include Seminole American Indian artifacts on the walls to honor the area’s vibrant past.

Food & Beverage

  • Modern Asian-inspired food menu features a one-of-a-kind combination of local and seasonal ingredients.
  • illume’s selection of handcrafted cocktails focus on Japanese sake and aged whiskey.

About JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

  • The full-service, five-star JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa opened in July 2020 and has everything guests need for a luxurious Orlando getaway, from 516 plush guestrooms to fun-filled amenities. Situated conveniently right outside the gates of Disney World, the resort boasts a 10,000 square foot spa with treatments unique to the resort; an outdoor pool with swanky cabanas; seven onsite restaurants and bars, including the chic steak and seafood restaurant Sear + Sea and the new illume rooftop bar; a rooftop miniature golf course and rock-climbing wall; and a complimentary shuttle service to the theme parks.

Remembering Chef Francisco “Chico” Mendonca of Bem Bom Cuisine

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Chef Francisco “Chico” Mendonça of Bem Bom Cuisine passed away after a brief battle with cancer this past Saturday May 15 at the age of 57.

Chef Mendonça and his wife Dee founded Bem Bom Food Truck in 2012, featuring some of the best Portuguese food in Orlando.

In 2018, the family opened their brick and mortar location on Corrine Drive in the Audubon Park neighborhood, whipping out some of the best Mexican & Portuguese cuisine in town with dishes like the Prego de Frango Piri-Piri, piri-piri marinated chicken sandwich and whole oven roasted octopus in olive oil.

Chef Chico, who was born in the Azores Islands of Portugal, was masterful in his craft and always happy to share with guests his love for food, drink, and his home in the Azores. His kind spirit will be sorely missed in Central Florida.

Our Interview with Chef Chico in 2019: https://tastychomps.com/2019/12/inside-look-bem-bom-on-corrine-with-chef-chico-mendonca.html

Remembrances of Chef Chico in Local Media

Orlando Sentinel – Bem Bom chef Chico Mendonça leaves behind legacy of culinary passion

Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide – Chico Mendonça, Bem Bom food truck founder, dies at 57

Carlos Eats – Rest in Peace to Bem Bom Food’s Chef Chico Mendonça

If you’re like to donate to Chef Chico’s family GoFundMe – you can here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/chef-chico-mendonca-final-trip-home-to-the-azores

A Food Lover’s Guide to St. Pete/Clearwater for Summer 2021 – Our Itinerary for Sunny St. Pete/Clearwater

We were invited to visit St. Pete/Clearwater to get a taste of what makes this dreamy
Florida destination a slice of paradise.  From soft, white sands and jewel-colored waters under the sun, to beautiful parks, mind-opening museums, and an amazing local culinary scene, St. Pete/Clearwater, just a quick trip from Orlando, has it all!

Here is Our Itinerary for Sunny St. Pete/Clearwater: A Food Lover’s Guide to St. Pete/Clearwater

Sunday

Dinner at RumFish, an inspiring aquatic experience at RumFish Beach Resort.  Guest can eat, drink, shop and even swim with the fishes in the massive aquarium.

The restaurant’s main attraction is a 33,500 gallon aquarium built on Animal Planet’s hit show “Tanked” by the crew from Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM).

When in St. Pete/Clearwater, RumFish is a must try.

Tuna Poke – wakame salad, miso dressing, cucumber.

14oz. Choice Angus Ribeye – premium hand cut steak, yukon whipped potatoes, herb gremolata, roquefort butter, classic béarnaise, cognac cracked pepper sauce.

Molten Chocolate Lava – decadent chocolate cake, salted caramel ice cream.

Self-guided tank tour at RumFish Grill.

RumFish Grill at RumFish Beach Resort is a fully immersive experience that will stimulate all your senses.  Highly recommended!

After dinner we enjoyed a lovely sunset stroll at the TradeWinds Island Resorts, located on the sugar white sands of Florida’s St. Pete Beach, rated the #1 beach in the U.S. and #5 beach in the world by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. TradeWinds Island Resorts offers guest access to two resorts in one – the Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort.

TradeWinds Island Resorts invites visitors to “just let go” with limitless beachfront recreation on their 25-acre beachfront playground, a spectacular children’s program, sumptuous dining and an array of family programs, activities, and amenities included but not limited to: beach cabanas, fitness centers, tennis courts, paddleboats. TradeWinds Island Resorts also comes loaded with more water sports than any other place in Florida.

At Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort you can do everything … or do nothing at all.  With each resort having its own unique vibe, you’ll find that letting go may take on a different meaning just “200 flip flop steps away”.

Photo by Krystle Nguyen

After the beach we checked in The Karol Hotel, which just opened in 2019.  The Karol Hotel is a sophisticated boutique hotel located in Clearwater, Florida.  This upscale hotel is in a landscaped business park directly across from Carillon Park Nature Preserve and only two miles away from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.

Photo by Krystle Nguyen

The Karol Hotel epitomizes a new era in the age of travel, blending the timeless surroundings of Feather Sound with a new hotel experience that celebrates the happenstance of life.  With its stylish lobby restaurant, a lively rooftop bar overlooking the waters of Tampa Bay, a resort style pool and fitness center, and expansive event space, this boutique hotel is a true gem.

Our beautiful chic room had a flat-screen TV, minibar, coffeemaker and Wi-Fi, as well as sitting areas.

Guest can explore the sights of St. Pete-Clearwater and Tampa and and embark on a Florida adventure within minutes from the boutique hotel.

Monday

Courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater – our essential kits, beach towels, sarong, and famous “World Tour” shirt designed by local artist Chad Mize whose mission is to inspire and uplift.  His vibrant and humors pieces radiate happiness, capturing the optimistic soul of St. Pete.

Dinner at Teak, a restaurant named after a fine tropical hardwood, is the marquee eatery in the elegant building at the end of the St. Pete Pier, the Southeast’s largest waterfront playground, which opened in July 2020 following a decade-long development.

Located on the fourth floor of the Pier Point structure, Teak offers elevated casual dining imbued with a Florida flair, lovely views of Tampa Bay and the ever-growing St. Pete skyline.

Tuna Tartare – raw ahi tuna, cashews, tostones, guacamole, creme fraiche, radish.

Scallops – teak spiced seared scallops, bacon jam, succotash of edamame, corn, pimentos, red onion.

Elit Spritz – Stoli Elite, passionfruit puree, lemon juice, club soda, orange.

It was an amazing dining experience that you must try when in St.Pete/Clearwater!

Directly above Teak on the rooftop, just a couple steps up, guest can kick back with drinks at Pier Teaki, a modern take on the classic tiki bar.

This new hot spot has the same local ownership as the nearby Birchwood, one of Beach Drive’s favorites and home to The Canopy, St. Pete’s premier rooftop lounge.

If you’d like a more intimate experience you can rent a tiki hut.  We enjoyed ours!

Photo by Krystle Nguyen

Jungle Bird – Pilar Blonde Rum, Pineapple Juice, Galliano L’ aperitivo.

Photo by Krystle Nguyen

Teaki Mug Souvenirs

Photo by Krystle Nguyen

Miami Vice – Swirled Daiquiri & Pina Colada.

Stop by Pier Teaki for delicious drinks and stunning views at the top of the St. Pete Pier, it is something you definitely do not want to miss!

Tuesday

Lunch at Bodega on Central.

The quest for Tampa Bay’s best Cuban sandwich MUST include a stop at Bodega in downtown St. Pete.  This Latin food walk-up is a local favorite on Central Ave and doesn’t disappoint!  Yahoo Food even recognized Bodega on their list of “The 20 Best Cubano Sandwiches in America.”

Inspired by the islands of Latin America and with love for the freshest ingredients, Chef George creates food people love.

Renowned for the Cuban sandwich, a relaxed ambience, and the fresh juice bar, the restaurant is a local favorite on both sides of Tampa Bay.  With vegetarian, and vegan options, there‘s something for everyone at Bodega.

We ordered the two most popular dishes along with fresh made juices and everything so delicious, it did not disappoint at all!

Cuban Sandwich – lechon, ham, swiss, pickles, mayo, mojo, cuban bread.

Lechon Plato – lechon, grilled onions, rice, beans, maduros.

Juices
Kaylie Sunshine –
Pineapple, Orange, Carrot, Lime, Turmeric, Ginger.
Pina Feliz – Pineapple, Green Apple, lemon, Spinach, Coconut Water.

Visit to The Dalí Museum, located in the heart of picturesque downtown St. Pete.

Photo by Krystle Nguyen

The Dalí Museum, is home to an unparalleled collection of over 2,400 Salvador Dalí works, including 96 oil paintings, with an additional 200 watercolors and drawings, as well as more than 2,100 prints, photographs, posters, textiles, sculptures and objects d’art.

Download The Dalí Museum app to view Dalí’s paintings in AR (Augmented Reality) and bring headphones to experience the audio tours of their permanent collection, special exhibits and building.

The Dalí is recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with a three-star rating; has
been deemed “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime” by AOL Travel News; and named one of the ten most interesting museums in the world by Architectural Digest.

After looking at Dalí’s masterful paintings with our phones to watch it in AR, we visited the Van Gogh Alive Experience and were blown away with the exhibit.

The museum did a great job at being interactive and entertaining.

To conclude our trip, we had dinner at IL Ritorno, located down the road from the Dalí Museum.

IL Ritorno creates modern Italian dishes for the discerning palate, introducing new and interesting flavor combinations that add elegance to a traditionally rustic cuisine.

IL Ritorno is a local staple in St. Pete.  

Housemade Rosemary Foccacia Bread

Short Rib Mezzaluna – truffle fonduta, concentrated tomatoes, piave, garlic chives.

Maine Lobster Gargenelli – squid ink, fennel, lobster butter, tarragon dust, bottarga.

Thank you Hayworth PR, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, TradeWinds Island Resorts, RumFish, The Karol Hotel, Teak, Pier Teaki, The Dali Museum, Bodega, and IL Ritorno for generously hosting us for a couple days of fun in the sun, fabulous food, and exhilarating activities!

Be sure to check out these spots the next time you are in St. Pete/Clearwater!

Foodie’s Guide to St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival 2021

The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival is an annual celebration of all things culinary. The 4-day fest features a variety of unique events showcasing celebrity chefs, award-winning winemakers, local artisans and so much more.

Guests are welcome to pick and choose events to attend individually, and are not required to attend every event during the festival. This year the festival took place from May 6 to May 9, 2021, highlighting chefs and vendors from all over the coastal southeast region. Everything took place in the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida at the World Golf Hall of Fame and the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort. Next year, the festival will run from May 5 to May 8, 2022.

We were invited to attend the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival 2021 by Florida’s Historic Coast, representing St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach and The Beaches. Here’s an inside look at some the events you can attend, from master epicurean classes to a jazz brunch and much more.

Foodie’s Guide to St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival 2021

Day 1

Check into Hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton, St. Augustine San Sebastian

If you’re looking for a hotel in the area, the brand-new Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Augustine location is an excellent choice. It’s within walking distance to the San Sebastian Winery, a St. Augustine must, and it’s located right on the water. Complimentary breakfast is included with your stay, and the hotel also offers a pool area to cool off after a long day in the Florida heat.

The suites are spacious, complete with a king bed, couch seating area, kitchenette and water-front views.

The kitchenette includes a full-size refrigerator, sink, microwave, dishwasher, plenty of storage, dinnerware and silverware.

Our suite had a relaxing view overlooking the water.

This Homewood Suites by Hilton is brand-new, having only been open now for a few months. The prime location paired with the amenities offered make it a great lodging choice for your next trip to St. Augustine.

World Golf Hall of Fame Winemaker’s Dinner

Priced at $200 per person, St. Augustine Food + Wine weekend kicked off with the World Gold Hall of Fame Winemaker’s Dinner. This semi-formal banquet featured a six-course dinner prepared fresh by award-winning chefs and winemakers. The event also included a live auction fundraiser for the World Golf Hall of Fame and Jan Stephenson’s Crossroads Foundation.

Day 2

Epicurean Master Classes

The next events available to attend during Food + Wine weekend were the “off-site” Epicurean Master Classes. Multiple classes were offered, ranging in price from $50 to $75 per person. Some focused on the art of mixology while others covered traditional cooking from different regions of the world.

Smoke on the Walk

Smoke on the Walk was a BBQ extravaganza featuring some of the most celebrated grill masters and Pitmasters in the region. The event offered unlimited samples of wine, beer and spirits as well as tasty BBQ eats and live music from the band Remedy Tree. Smoke on the Walk was priced at $89 per person and located at the Walk of Champions, World Golf Hall of Fame.

Day 3

Rise & Shine Breakfast

Start your day off right with the Rise & Shine Breakfast, held at the St. Johns County Convention Center. This casual morning event offered light breakfast bites like egg sandwiches, muffins, fresh fruit, pastries, yogurt and more. It also included unlimited mimosas, with the options of orange and cranberry juice. Don’t worry, coffee was also available if you needed some time to rise before you shine. This event took place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and cost $45 per person.

In addition to mimosas and coffee, breakfast guests could enjoy a variety of fresh juices.

St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival Main Event

Easily the most popular event of the weekend, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival Main Event took place at the Walk of Champions, World Golf Hall of Fame from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dozens of vendors from across the coastal southeast and beyond attended, offering a variety of food, wine, craft beer, entertainment and goodies from local small business. We recommend arriving right at the start of the event to give yourself enough time to experience as many vendors as possible.

Upon entering, guests were greeted with the sight of rows and rows of vendors and exhibitors positioned around the lake.

Woodchuck Hard Cider is a Vermont-based cider brand, offering innovative flavors from “Mimosa” to “Pearsecco” ciders. If you’re a fan of ciders on the sweet side, Woodchuck is just the brand for you.

Our personal favorite was the “Dark & Dry 802” flavor, which featured tasty notes of caramel and apple.

Another vendor we stopped by was Veterans United Craft Brewery. This veteran-founded and veteran-run brand of craft beers got its start in Jacksonville, Florida. Ron Gamble, a former Naval Flight Officer and his wife Sheryl created the microbrewery together with the purpose of making a positive impact on the community, and bringing people together through brews.

Most of the company’s staff and volunteers are also United States veterans.

Of those we tried, our two favorite flavors were the “Buzzin’ Bee” (a honey rye wheat ale pictured below) and the “Raging Blonde” (a golden/blonde ale appropriately named).

Chef Matt Brown was also in attendance at the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival Main Event, with Leña, An Asado Experience. Leña is a catering live-fire grill cooking experience, available for parties, venues and special events throughout Northeast Florida.

Carrera Wine Cellar, based in St. Augustine, was just one of many more local vendors offering drinks, food and merchandise throughout the festival.

Hall of Fame – VIP Lounge

At an additional cost, enjoy the Main Event from the comfort of the Hall of Fame VIP Lounge. $150 granted you exclusive access to the VIP area, where guests had the opportunity to sip on unlimited wine and cocktail samples, as well as food from multiple vendors. This lounge area also offered covered seating under a tent in addition to live music to set the tone.

Unlimited samples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Prosecco were available in the VIP Lounge, all of which were served in an inscribed wine glass exclusive to VIP Lounge guests. Pro tip: this also provided the perk of more generous pours outside the VIP tent from participating vendors.

Hand-crafted cocktails were also available at no additional charge. We enjoyed a grapefruit and hibiscus Gin beverage that was both light and refreshing.

Some popular vendors had additional booths inside the VIP Lounge, allowing guests to bypass otherwise lengthy festival lines. The Pretzel Lady is a St. Augustine staple, serving up deliciously hand-rolled pretzels with the perfect balance of butter and salt.

GreenWise Market was a sponsor of the festival, and VIP guests went home with boxes of sweat treats and DIY charcuterie board made from fresh GreenWise ingredients.

Day 4

The Jazz Brunch

The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival ended with its final event: The Jazz Brunch. This classy brunch ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it featured an omelette bar, meat carving station and champagne bar as well as tasty brunch dishes like french toast, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, shrimp cocktail, scrambled eggs, muffins, pastries, cheesecake desserts and much more.

During our trip, The Jazz Brunch also happened to take place on Mother’s Day. In celebration of all the wonderful moms in attendance, all women at the event were greeted with a lovely red rose prior to entry.

The french toast was wonderfully sweet, with subtle hints of chocolate and orange.

The omelette bar offered toppings such as cheese, ham, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, onions and more.

The strawberry cheesecake was fantastic. Topped with fresh strawberry slices, it was sweet, light and full of delightful flavor.

The meat carving station was a crowd favorite, rarely going without a line during the entirety of the brunch.

Local musician Sam Pacetti provided lovely tunes and vocals throughout the Sunday morning brunch.

In additional to roses, everybody went home with a souvenir stemless wine glass courtesy of GreenWise Market.

Whether you’re a fan of food and wine, local artisans, master classes, small businesses, live entertainment or all of the above, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival has you covered. To learn more about the festival, visit StAugustineFoodandWineFestival.com. For more information about St. Augustine and its surrounding beaches, visit FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

 

First Look: Tasty Chomps x Orlando Foodie Forum – A Taste of… Tap Room at Dubsdread Secret Menu – May 13th thru May 23rd

“A Taste of… presented by Tasty Chomps x Orlando Foodie Forum” is a new secret menu for foodies to get a “Taste Of…” a local Orlando restaurant with a special pre-fixe menu (similar to Magical Dining) for dine in or take out for a limited time.

Conveniently located on Par Street just off Edgewater Drive, The Tap Room at Dubsdread is the gathering spot for all.  Although Tap Room is located on the 97-year-old Dubsdread golf course, the restaurant is open to the public.

Guest can enjoy award-winning food served in an award-winning setting as they relax in a beautiful and unique woodsy historic 1924 building nestled among the high trees with hanging moss that overlook the historic Orlando golf course.  The restaurant just celebrated its 20-year milestone on Monday, May 9th.

“We have been such a staple for so long within the community of College Park. They have come to love our Tap Room classics and we love that about our guests. We felt this was a great opportunity for our chefs to express their creativity and show some of our regulars a different side of the Tap Room.” – Tap Room’s Executive Chef Stewart Barney

Starting May 13th – May 23rd, 2021, guest can get a 3-course dinner at Tap Room at Dubsdread for just $39.  Price does not include tax or gratuity.

Choose one appetizer, entrée, and dessert from the menu below:

Really good bread service courtesy of The Tap Room.

APPETIZERS

Lamb Skewers

Seasoned, grilled lamb served over hummus with fried chickpeas and peaches drizzled with a roasted garlic, rosemary infused olive oil.

Avocado Scotchies

2 soft boiled eggs, wrapped in avocado, breaded and fried crispy, on top of a smoked corn relish and andouille sausage.

ENTRÉES

Clam Cavatelli

Littleneck clams, fresh hand made cavatelli pasta in a white wine butter sauce, with broccoli rabe, saffron, and fresno peppers.

Smoked Short Ribs

Cherrywood smoked boneless short ribs, braised southern collard greens with bacon, fried cheesy polenta with a fire roasted tomatillo chutney.

DESSERTS

Carrot Cake

Key Lime Pie

Brownie Sundae

OR

DRINK

Any cocktail, beer or wine (up to $12)

Delicious food and friendly service in a relaxing and beautiful outdoor setting that is deeply rooted in Orlando history.  Thank you Tap Room for having us!

To make a reservation, call The Tap Room at Dubsdread and mention the “Tasty Chomps Taste of Tap Room at Dubsdread Secret Menu” from May 13th – May 23rd, 2021.

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

Remembering Chef Chuck Cobb – Orlando Restaurants Benefit for Chuck’s Family – Wednesday May 12th

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Chef Charles “Chuck” Cobb of Git’ N Messy BBQ suddenly lost his life at the age of 34 due to a motorcycle accident on April 29th. He leaves behind his 4 children and wife.

He will be remembered for his kindness and big heart as well as his passion for cooking barbecue.

Several restaurant owners and chefs around Central Florida have come together for a benefit for his wife and four children.

In Memory of Chef Chuck Cobb, join local Orlando Restaurants for their BBQ specials on this one day only event this coming Wednesday, May 12th.

Each participating restaurant will feature one dish/drink.

The proceeds from this dish will go directly to Chuck’s wife and four children.

Restaurants (so far) include:

  • Hunger Street Tacos
  • MX Taco
  • Swine & Sons
  • Taglish
  • Perla’s Pizza
  • Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria
  • Smoke & Donuts
  • Neon Beach
  • Kai – Asian Street Fare
  • Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
  • Tornatore’s Ristorante and Italian Market
  • Tapa Toro
  • Taverna Opa Orlando
  • Red-Eye’s Git N Messy Smokehouse & Tavern

Chef William, Chuck’s Pitmaster will carry on Chuck’s work at Git N Messy.

For those who wish to donate to help his family via Gofundme, the link is here.

First Look: Mother’s Day Menu at Rocco’s Italian Grille in Winter Park

Rocco’s Italian Grille is a charming, romantic and intimate Italian restaurant located inside a vintage 1940’s building in Winter Park, located next to The Glass Knife.  The neighborhood has changed some since the opening of Rocco’s fourteen years ago but one thing has remained the same – the consistency of Rocco’s award-winning authentic Italian cuisine prepared by their experienced native chefs.

Proprietor Rocco Potami was born and raised in Italy and he has always been passionate about cooking.  His restaurant offers recreated recipes of his homeland which he has spent years researching, developing, and perfecting.  Mr. Potami has almost 40 years of experience cooking in Central Florida and it is evident when you indulge in his extraordinary dishes.

We were invited to Rocco’s to preview their Mother’s Day menu and we enjoyed our experience. From the appetizers, to our entrées and dessert, everything was incredibly delicious.  The service was first class as well.

The Mother’s Day menu at Rocco’s is composed of a variety of seafood and meat dishes that recreate old favorites and brings out new flavors.  Rocco’s uses only the freshest meats, imported pastas, and sauces made from scratch to serve a broad selection of dishes from each of Italy’s regions.

Here is the Mother’s Day menu at Rocco’s Italian Grille:

Fresh bread with garlic and rosemary olive oil.  A really great starter courtesy of Rocco’s.

Vitello Tonnato Italian Delicacy

Veal loin roasted then chilled, sliced thin and finished with a delicate tuna caper sauce.

Arancini

A Sicilian specialty – risotto ball with saffrons stuffed with truffle mushrooms over a white truffle cream.

Chilean Sea Bass

Chilean sea bass pan seared in a prosecco (wine) capers and delicate lemon sauce.

Pescatore

Risotto Pescatore that comes from the Naples region – a combination of lobster, shrimp, scallops, calamari, mussels, and clams in a light white wine tomato.

Veal Chop Parmigiana with Tortellini Alfredo

Veal chop fried and topped with lemon tomato sauce and fortina cheese served with tortellini in Alfredo cream sauce.

Dessert

Pistachio, cheese, and mascarpone cake.

Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar is now accepting reservations now for Mother’s Day.  Make Mother’s Day the best one ever by surprising Mom with a classic Italian meal that is expertly prepared and locally-sourced.  She will love you more than she already does for it!

Reserve your table by visiting roccositaliangrille.com or by calling (407) 644-7770 for assistance from Chef/Owner Rocco Potami for availability.

Rocco’s Italian Grille
400 Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

World’s Largest Free-Standing White Castle is Now Open in Orlando

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White Castle , home of The Original Slider and America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, opened its Orlando Castlewith ribbon cutting at 8 a.m. this past Monday May 3rd, 2021.

It was a wild day full of car lines stretching back literal miles and waits as long as 4 hours with some people lining up the night before at 8pm.

The Orlando Castle – the largest free-standing White Castle in the world – marks the beloved brand’s return to Florida since operating four restaurants in Miami in the 1960s.


Located in southwest Orlando at Unicorp’s $1 billion The Village at O-Town West mixed-use development, White Castle has been long-anticipated by “Cravers” throughout the Central Florida region and beyond. This newest Castle has hired 140 team members and managers.

The family-owned business, founded in 1921, has been satisfying cravings for 100 years. VIPs joining the grand opening festivities included White Castle President and CEO Lisa Ingram – a fourth-generation family member – along with other third- and fourth-generation family members and company leaders, White Castle Hall of Famers, local elected officials, development partners, invited guests, and notably, craving fans hungry for a taste of their beloved White Castle.

Orlando resident and food lover Michael Yee waited 3 hrs and 45 minutes on Monday and told us, “I was in ae of how big the restaurant is with the amount of people working there. Even with all the customers, media. VIP, and others at the grand opening, everything went pretty smoothly. You just can’t beat the taste of a fresh made slider.”

Mr. Yee got a Day 1 t-shirt giveaway and proceeded to order 1 of each slider from the menu.


To ensure a tasty, fun and memorable experience for all during its Orlando Castle grand opening and every day, White Castle has implemented health and safety measures consistent with Orange County’s COVID-19 guidelines, including mask requirements for all team members and guests, social distancing, ongoing cleaning, and hand sanitizers and wipes.

The Orlando Castle is open for take-out, dine-in and drive-through service today until 1 a.m. Starting Tuesday, the Orlando Castle begins regular operating hours, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days per week. At some point in the future, White Castle will operate 24 hours per day. Guests can “crave on” with a maximum order of 60 sliders per visit. White Castle expects to increase that maximum order as well as launch online ordering in the months ahead.

 Photos Courtesy of Michael Yee

Where to Get Prime Rib in Orlando

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Maybe you feel like celebrating recently with everything going on – a taste of the holidays for Florida’s spring/summer. A standing rib roast, also known as prime rib, is a cut of beef from the primal rib, one of the nine primal cuts of beef, often slow roasted “standing” on the rib bones so that the meat does not touch the pan.

Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe

Photo courtesy of Rob D.

Prime Rib Tuesday! Enjoy a delicious, perfectly prepared piece tonight, with a baked potato & salad for only $31.95! – RussellsOrlando.com

Tornatore’s Italian Ristorante

Tuesday’s at Tornatores means the best prime rib deal in town – they have been doing prime rib Tuesday for 9 years now and have it down to a science. Only $24! Do your mouth a favor! https://tornatoresitalianrestaurant.com/

Available on Fridays and Sundays – their herb encrusted prime rib comes in both Queen and King cuts with a choice of house or Caesar salad, or sub in a wedge for $4 more. taproomatdubsdread.com

Santiago’s Bodega

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This tapas restaurant (which also has a branch in Key West) just off of Mills Avenue on Virginia Drive (I think they still call it part of Ivanhoe Village?), has a $39.95 all you can eat weekend brunch that includes all you can drink mimosas and sangria which includes prime rib, crab legs, leg of lamb, roast chicken, as well as sliced cheese, cured meats, chorizo paella, sweet maple bacon, biscuits and gravy, and more.
https://santiagosbodega.com/

BoVine Steakhouse

On Wednesdays and Thursdays as both14-ounce Queen ($28) and 20-ounce King ($36) with a dijon herb crust and shaved horseradish – BoVine Steakhouse in Winter Park

Storybook Dining with Snow White at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Dinner is a prix fixe menu, including shared starters, a choice of individual plated entrees, and ‘sweet spells’ to top off the meal – including a choice of Royal Prime Rib Roast  with Horseradish-Mashed Potato, Carrots, Popover, Jus  ($60).