Look out for this excellent weekend brunch going on at American Social Orlando on Sand Lake Road – delicious dishes from the smoked salmon eggs benedict to the country fried pork chop to the fried chicken sandwiches. Thanks to everyone from the Orlando Foodie Forum presented by Tasty Chomps! and NAAAP Orlando – National Association of Asian American Professionals for coming out recently to our meet up!
American Social
7335 W Sand Lake Rd #101, Orlando, FL 32819
Eight events open a window on the culinary past, revealing what Pompeiians ate in 79 AD
In support of this summer’s Orlando Science Center exhibition, Pompeii: The Immortal City, eight Artistic Partners across Orlando were commissioned to imagine the sights, sounds, words and, in one case, the food, of ancient Italy.
Pompeii’s Table: Sublime and Ancient Food That Survived Vesuvius’ Fury, an original series of events celebrating the powerful food legacy of ancient Italy, was conceived by Joseph Reed Hayes—freelance writer, playwright, and Dining Critic for Orlando magazine.
What do we know about the food of Pompeii, what did they eat, how did they eat it, and what can we take from that inspiration and go Ancient Roman wild?
Seventeen of Orlando’s most inventive chefs, culinarians and creative artists have joined the Pompeii’s Table project to answer these questions. Through eight culinary and artistic events they will explore the history and food of Pompeiian kitchens.
Challenging the chefs to work solely with ingredients available at the time, each dining experience is an experiment in creativity: no tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant allowed.
But seafood, goat, quail, game, cheese, fermented fish sauce and a world encyclopedia of spices—very much yes. Plus, the odd cheesecake, jelly donut, fried chicken, and hamburger, all of which appeared on Pompeiian plates.
Hayes pored through copious written records, physical and visual evidence to discover the actual ingredients and recipes of Pompeii to inspire the group to leap from the 1st century to the 21st.
Some of the recipes have traveled well through the centuries to become what we recognize as Italian food; others, such as dishes featuring stuffed dormice, lark’s tongues and haunch of giraffe, less so.
POMPEII’S TABLE COLLABORATORS:
Kathleen Osterhaus Blake, multiple James Beard Award nominee
Stephen Doyle, Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn
Bruno Fonseca, The Foreigner Experience
Joseph Hayes, food writer, playwright and Pompeii’s Table creator
Brent Hernandez, head brewer, Redlight Redlight
Brian Kerney and Rob Chase, Digress Wine
Susan Lilley, Orlando Poet Laureate
Anna McCambridge-Thomas, artist and animator
John O’Leary, pianist
Trina Gregory-Propst, SETTE Italian
Va Propst, SETTE Italian
Fabrizio Schenardi, Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Jes Tantalo, Pompeii’s Table Consulting Chef
Shannon and Janice Talty, Olde Hearth Bread Co.
Bruno Zacchini III, Pizza Bruno
Pompeii’s Table events run from May through July, 2020, but will begin with a preview on March 7 at the Orlando Science Center as part of Science Night Live. Tickets for all Pompeii’s Table events may be purchased at pompeiistable.com or facebook.com/PompeiisTable.
The museum’s exhibition, Pompeii: The Immortal City, is open to the public from June 6, 2020 to September 7, 2020, at Orlando Science Center; advance tickets available at osc.com/pompeii.
POMPEII’S TABLE EVENTS:
March 07, 2020, 8pm; Forgotten Recipes of Pompeii; $16pp
Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St.
The story of food culture in Pompeii. Hayes will take the stage at Science Night Live, to offer an entertaining sneak peek at the Pompeii’s Table series, with visuals, animations and discussions, along with recreations of 1st Century Pompeiian bread, wines from the slopes of Vesuvius via Digress Wines, and samples of olive oil, cheeses and the pungent sauce called garum that accompanied the legions around the empire.
May 14, 2020, 7pm; Imperial Rome Reinvented; $125pp
Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, 10100 Dream Tree Blvd
A sumptuous multi-course meal at Ravello, from Executive Chef and Italian native Fabrizio Schenardi, who will prepare dinner live in front of the guests for a present-day version of an ancient patrician banquet.
May 24, 2020, 7pm; Pompeii’s Words: A Poetic Exploration; $10-20 suggested donation
Timucua Arts Foundation, 2000 S. Summerlin Ave.
An evening at the extraordinary Timucua Arts Foundation features Orlando Poet Laureate Susan Lilley, animator Anna McCambridge-Thomas, pianist John O’Leary and obscure italiano storytelling from Hayes. Of course, there will be some Pompeii-inspired food and wine to share.
June 6, 2020, 11am; Pompeiian Delights: “Ab ovo usque ad mala”; $70pp including beverages and valet
East End Market, 3201 Corrine Dr.
A Pompeiian-inspired brunch (“from eggs to apples”) prepared by multiple James Beard Award nominee Kathleen Blake (Rusty Spoon), and our consulting chef, Jes Tantalo. Ticket price includes a traditional, gluttonous multi-course meal, selected beverage pairings, valet parking, tax and gratuity. Beverage pairings from Digress Wines and reimagined Pompeiian beer from Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour.
June 10, 2020, 7pm; “Antiqua cervisia”: Reviving Ancient Ales; $30pp
Redlight Redlight, 2810 Corrine Dr.
Redlight Redlight head brewer Brent Hernandez instills his dual loves of history and beer into recreating Italian and Etruscan ales for a matchup of brews and Italian-style cheeses from Central Florida cheesemongers The Salty Cow.
June 19, 2020, 7pm; Et Two Brunos: A Collaborative Adventure; $75pp plus $25 wine pairings
Edible Education Experience, 26 E. King St.
A six-course dinner inspired by 1st-century Pompeii with two visionaries of the kitchen: Bruno Fonseca (The Foreigner Experience) and Bruno Zacchini III (Pizza Bruno), and wine pairings from Digress Wines.
July 9, 2020, 7pm; Journey to Pompeii; $95 including wine pairings
SETTE Italian, 1407 N Orange Ave.
A five-course modern interpretation of the heart of Pompeian life in true abundant Se7en Bites/SETTE style, from chefs Va Propst and Trina Gregory-Propst, along with authentic baked creations from Olde Hearth Bread Co. Two seatings.
July 24, 2020, 7pm; Pompeii & The World; $100 including wine pairings and valet
Hamilton’s Kitchen, The Alfond Inn, Winter Park
The final event of the series, a four-course crafted dinner influenced by Pompeii’s world-spanning trade, featuring modern interpretations of Roman staples such as boar, duck and sea bass, from chef Stephen Doyle.
Tickets and more information are available now at pompeiistable.com and facebook.com/PompeiisTable, or write to pompeiistable@gmail.com
About Joseph Hayes
Pompeii’s Table creator, freelance writer, playwright and events producer Joseph Hayes has been writing about the Orlando scene since 1997. As the only independent producer presenting work during this series of artistic partnerships with the Orlando Science Center, Hayes is crafting the Pompeii’s Table events to celebrate Italian cuisine and its unique heritage. He has travelled extensively during the past two decades in the Campania area around Pompeii, researching the foodways and culture of the area. He writes for national and international publications about food, travel and the arts, and has won five Florida Magazine Association “Charlie” Awards for his food writing in Orlando magazine. With 42 productions and readings of his plays from coast to coast and in three countries since 2001, he continues to explore new environments for theater and jazz. He is the Chair of Word Play programming for The Timucua Arts Foundation. www.jrhayes.net
About Pompeii’s Table
Pompeii’s Table is made possible through an arts and cultural partnership with Orlando Science Center and the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Office to support the event, Pompeii: The Immortal City, open to the public from June 6, 2020 to September 7, 2020, at Orlando Science Center. Info and tickets at www.osc.org/pompeii. Special thanks to the Orange County’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Council, and its Blockbuster Committee and Tourism partners.
A kati (or kathi) roll is a popular street-food dish originating from Kolkata, West Bengal, originally consisting of a skewer-roasted kebab wrapped in a paratha bread. Today, mostly any wrap containing a filling enfolded in an Indian flatbread (roti) is called a kati roll.
The Kathi Roll’s origins can actually be traced back to a single restaurant, known as Nizam’s. At the time of the kati roll’s conception, Kolkata was the capital of the British Empire. The story goes that British patrons did not want to eat kebabs with their hands, so someone at Nizam’s decided to roll the meat up in a paratha–a crispy, buttery unleavened flatbread–and then serve it in a paper wrapper.
Owner and Chef Shantanu Sen started as an apprentice cook in Chennai, India, going on to specialize in ice, sugar and fruit carvings and food presentation. After India, he worked for Royal Caribbean and was in charge of Gala buffets.
He then moved to Bermuda to be the executive chef in an Italian restaurant before moving to the US. Once he got here, he worked as an executive chef for multiple corporate accounts such as universities and hospitals and used his skill to create healthy and flavorful meals in DC before making his way to Orlando.
While looking for a kitchen, he and his team happened upon the current location of Kathi Rolls on Curry Ford Road. He then shifted his focus and came up with an Indian Street Food menu for the location.
Tasty Chomps: How did you become interested in cooking?
Chef Sen: From a very young age, I was very interested in cooking and was always in the kitchen with my mother. At 6, I could make a souffle omelet. Some of my first memories around food revolved around my mother, who inspired me to not just help in the kitchen but also learn while I was doing it. At 10, I had the opportunity to make dinner for a visiting celebrity and eventually made my passion my profession.
What do you wish people knew about Indian food?
Most people are confused about what Indian food is all about. The misconception is the concept of curry. Some love it and some don’t. It is anything in a sauce or gravy and curry powder is not used much in Indian cuisine. Spice blends are based on the dishes and each corner of India is unique and has their own flavor.
What is the secret to great Indian cuisine?
Love, passion and authenticity of recipes.
What are the most popular dishes right now at Kathi?
The Kathi Rolls of course and the naan pizzas. The samosas are very popular which are hand made and served with sauces that are made in house. The lychee lassi is the most popular drink on the menu along with our spiced chai.
What are some upcoming plans for the menu at Kathi Rolls?
We have plans for our catering menu and have weekly specials that the chef comes up with to showcase the flavors from the different regions of India. We are in the process of planning a Chai Service as well so stay tuned.
Kathi Rolls
$6.99 – $9.99
A spicy mixture of meats and vegetables marinated in a proprietary blend of hand-ground spices, delicately wrapped in tender and layered parathas, the kathi roll is among the heartiest and most satisfying of Kolkata street foods.
Naan Pizza
$7.99 – $9.99
Crispy naan bread topped with fresh ingredients like vegetables, meats and cheese and baked to perfection. Try this Indian twist on a classic.
Basmati Bowls
$7.99 – $9.99
Customize your bowl by starting with either white or brown rice. Then choose your protein from options like chicken, lamb, paneer (cheese) or vegetables! Finally, top it all off with one of our signature sauces based on your preferred spice level and flavor profile.
Desi Burgers
$5.99 – $7.99
Our burgers are ground in house with species and fresh herbs and made to order. They are placed in between two warm buns and topped with house made tandoori mayo and onion relish. Try our lamb or chicken burger today! We also have veggie burgers made with fresh vegetables and this can also be a Vegan based on the toppings selected.
Lassi
$3.99 – $5.99
A creamy and refreshing yogurt(Dahi)-based drink, blended with water and various fruits. Stop by and try our popular Mango Lassi today!
Samosa
$3.99
A very popular street food item! Samosas are a buttery and flaky fried turnover filled with savoury meats or vegetables and spices.
Kathi Rolls
4205 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806
https://kathirollsorlando.com/
We were invited to Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate for a collaborative dinner between three of the hotel’s restaurants: Zen, David’s Club and Trevi’s, and we were blown away with our experience. It was the most perfect meal of 2020.
The progressive dinner presentation was spearheaded by Resort Executive Chef Ramesh Kaduru.
And hosted by Director of Food And Beverage Michael Hitabidel (far left) and the amazing hospitality team at Omni Orlando Resort.
I was the first to arrive to the media dinner and the ambiance was so serene and beautiful. The calm before the storm. However, once all media personnels got seated and situated, we were in for a surprise. It was unlike any dinner I had experience before and I was captivated the entire time, full of curiosity of what they would bring out next.
O Toro Sushi Platters
Nigri, Sashimi, Maki, Nitro Soy
It was really great, high quality sushi. I could have spent the whole evening eating just the sushi and went home happy.
Szechuan Duck Bao
Duck Confit, Cucumber, Sriracha Bok Choy, Pickled Mushrooms, Hoisin.
An Asian fusion of traditional French duck seasoned with Asian five spice then wrapped in an Asian bao and topped in pickled vegetables.
Heirloom Tomato & Burrata
Prosciutto di Parma, Heirloom Tomatoes, Burrata, Balsamic, Basil.
A light and refreshing antipasto dish. It was excellent.
Lobster & Truffle Agnolotti 
Maine Lobster, Truffle Farce, Yellowfoot Mushrooms, Tarragon.
The sous-vide lobster paired nicely with Trevi’s house-made pasta. It was so delicious!
Prime Tomahawk 
Root Vegetables, Marble Potatoes, Demi.
A tasty, hearty bite!
Mascarpone Mousse with Lemon Pastry Cream.
An exciting panna cotta with a twist of fun flavors.
Lychee Martini with Smoked Bubble
Strawberry Peppercorn Gin & Tonic
Bramble On
Omni Hotels & Resorts’ Flavor Origins book is a helpful guide that will recommend specific cocktails for you depending on your preference.
Guest state their cocktail preference then locate its number with the corresponding cocktail in the book.
Kudos to the team at Omni Orlando Resort for an amazing dinner!
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
1500 Masters Blvd, Championsgate, FL 33896
(407) 390-6664
We attended a media preview of the 2020 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and got to take a first taste of what to expect at this year’s festival. The 90-day event is Central Florida’s biggest and most spectacular harbinger of spring. The popular festival will feature dozens of Disney-crafted topiaries and beds of multi-colored blooms that transform the Epcot landscape into a floral extravaganza.
From March 4 to June 1, new sights, sounds and flavors of spring will envelop Walt Disney World Resort guests during the 27th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Guests will also enjoy edible delights, gardens to play in and an expanded lineup for the Garden Rocks Concert Series. With so much to see and do, your whole family will uncover something new with every single visit!
Honey-Peach Freeze in a Souvenir Spike the Bee Sipper Cup (Novelty Sipper Only Available While Supplies Last, Spork Sold Separately) from The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board™.
Grilled Baby Vegetables with Hummus Cream and Red Pepper Coulis from Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth.
Southern Seafood Boil: Shrimp, Mussels, Crawfish, Potatoes, Corn and Andouille Sausage from Magnolia Terrace.
Grilled Oysters with Cajun Butter from Magnolia Terrace.
House-made Boudin Two Ways with Spicy Mustard from Magnolia Terrace.
Pecan Praline from Magnolia Terrace.
Popsicle Trio: Honeydew, Raspberry-Mint, and Coconut-Lime from Refreshment Port.
2020 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival official event merchandise
For more information, please visit: disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/
(Source: Walt Disney World)
Epcot
200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 939-5277
Conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Orlando’s Thornton Park, Soco Restaurant features Southern contemporary cuisine with a progressive culinary approach under the direction of award-winning Executive Chef/Partner Greg Richie.
They offer guests genuine Southern hospitality in a warm and welcoming environment with impressive culinary dishes at the center of it all.
We were invited to experience their brunch which is available every Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 3pm and we absolutely enjoyed our visit.
During brunch hours, bottomless mimosa is available for $15 with the purchase of an entrée.
I highly recommend checking them out for brunch soon. Amazing service, great food, lively crowd and vibrant ambiance. You cannot go wrong with Soco Restaurant.
1. Soco-Style “Chicken and Dumplings”
Chicken Breast, Lobster Dumplings, Local Mushrooms, Edamame, Soy Butter. An innovative twist on a classic Southern dish. This was my favorite plate out of everything I tried. I could eat this every day!
2. Lobster Eggs Benedict
Buttermilk Biscuits, Benton’s Country Ham, Lobster Hollandaise. Succulent lobster topped over poached eggs and delicious homemade buttermilk biscuits.
3. Chicken -N- French Toast
Maple Sorghum Butter, Almond Granola, Pink Peppercorn Whipped Cream. This is Soco’s most popular brunch item. It was the perfect combination of sweet and savory as well as crispy and soft and it hit all the right notes in my taste buds.
4. “Bacon, Egg and Cheese” Shrimp and Grits
Fried Egg, Tomato Butter. The best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had. It had a kick to it which I really enjoyed.
5. Fresh Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy with Crispy Pork Belly
Smoked Vidalia Onion, Andouille Sausage, Gravy, Two Farm Fresh Eggs. The highlight of this dish was the tender pork belly atop the fresh buttermilk biscuits that is smothered in a comforting house gravy.
6. Avocado Toast
Poached Egg, Bacon, Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, Radish, House Smoked Salmon. A fun and delicious bite!
To view the full brunch menu please visit: socothorntonpark.com/our-menus/
Soco
629 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 849-1800
socothorntonpark.com
EVENT CANCELED
Join The Ritz-Carlton for a St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 14 from 3-5pm.
“We’re hoping that guests get a little taste of Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes all while getting into the festive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day!” says Tina Mullett, Outdoor Operations Manager
Pulled Pork Slider
Apricot Jam, Napa Cabbage Slaw
Paired With:
Shamrocked
Green Spot Irish Whisky, Lemon, Cinnamon Syrup, Espresso Bean Infused Madeira
OR
Guinness Bottle Beer
Mini BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Paired With:
Irish Sour
Jameson, Melon Liqueur, Club Soda
Heirloom Tomato Burrata Parfait
Paired With:
Nutty Irishman
Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico, Lineage Cold Brew
Tamarind Wing
Lime Ranch
Paired With:
Long Ireland Iced Tea
Jameson, Tea, Peach Puree, Simple Syrup, Lemon
The Ritz-Carlton for a St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 14 from 3-5pm.
Tickets are $75 per person (21 and older, valid ID required).
EVENT CANCELLED
From February 1 through April 2, 2020, the Mardi Gras Celebration is back at Universal Studios Orlando, a festive time when guests can stroll around the “New Orleans French Quarter” and hear a live New Orleans style jazz band playing as entertainers and performers, decked out in jester costumes and crawfish costumes call out to passerbies with jokes and quips.
Louisiana’s diverse history brings together flavors from French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and African cultures into a beautiful, rustic spicy stew known as Cajun cuisine. Much of the cuisine is characterized by steaming pots of rice, spicy Andouille sausages, juicy shrimp and seafood, tomatoes, and the holy trinity of green bell peppers, onions, and celery.
Bayou Boil, the add-on experience to the Mardi Gras Celebration that began last year, has returned for 2020, set at Battery Park Pavilion, overlooking the water and with an architecture style reminiscent of New Orlean’s French Quarter, something you might find on Bourbon Street or overlooking Lake Pontchartrain.
As part of the Bayou Boil experience you’ll be able to enjoy an all-you-can-eat Louisiana-style boil featuring crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, and corn-on-the-cob. There’s hint of citrusy lemon in the Cajun spice blend. You can also choose from chicken and andouille sausage jambalaya on request. Servers come by to pour out buckets of the freshly prepared seafood on a platter on your table. It’s a good old fashion southern Cajun boil. It can get a little messy and for the crawfish novice – one word of advice, step one is to twist the head off, then pull to get to the juicy tails.
Come time for the Mardi Gras parade, you’ll have an exclusive viewing area for the parade where you’ll be treated to miniature King Cakes, beignets, sparkling wine and assorted non-alcoholic beverages such as apple cider and coffee – think of it as a dessert reception for the parade.
For $59.99 per adult and $39.99 per child, it is well worth the price, especially if you are familiar with how pricing can go with theme park food and event costs.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT BAYOU BOIL
Gather on select nights in Battery Park in Universal Studios Florida for a delicious Louisiana-style crawfish boil. Not a seafood fan? Then enjoy chicken and andouille sausage jambalaya upon request. You’ll have an exclusive view of the parade while enjoying King Cake, beignets, sparkling wine and assorted non-alcoholic beverages.
The Bayou Boil ticket entitles one (1) guest to all-you-care-to-enjoy select Crawfish Boil meal and beverages at Battery Park; Access to exclusive Cafe La Bamba Parade Viewing Area (standing room only) for Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Parade located within Universal Studios Florida. Desserts, sparkling cider and sparkling wine will only be available during Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Parade.
Available Nights:
Feb. 1, 8, 15, 16, 22, 29
Mar. 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29
Select nights only. Separate theme park admission required.
Times
Bayou Boil at Battery Park opens at 2:45 PM. (Each reservation lasts one hour in length. Reservation times are 15 minutes apart.)
Exclusive Parade Viewing Area outside of Cafe La Bamba (standing room only) opens one hour before parade time.
Parade start time varies by night
ADULT PRICE (AGES 10+)
$59.99
PER ADULT, PLUS TAX
CHILD PRICE (AGES 3-9)
$39.99
PER CHILD, PLUS TAX
Photos by Tiffany Nguyen
Nick Moon, his wife Naomi, and old friend teamed up to create a place where friends and family can experience a seafood boil at an affordable rate. With years of experience sourcing and selling seafood, Nick identified an opportunity to offer quality ingredients at a lower price point, in a fast-casual environment focused on getting the food out in a timely manner.
From the east coast in Melbourne, it is brought to Hunters Creek in Orlando, FL.
There are signature boil baskets, build a bowl and family feast options to choose from before picking a mild or spicy seasoning. Nevertheless, you can start with some oysters on the half shell as a starter on their own or with one of the Lover for 2 baskets. You can taste the ocean in each bite.
This basket is No. 7 – Lobster Tail & Shrimp, which is served with chicken sausage, corn, potatoes, garlic toast, & garlic sauce. Here, it was served with the spicy seasoning, but it didn’t seem spicy at all unless my tastebuds are already trained. You tell me.
Basket No. 9 – King Crab & Shrimp, which is also served with the same items as No. 7 above. However, if you rather have the shrimps peeled for you or substituted for by rock shrimp, it’s an extra cost. It’s probably worth the charge if it makes you comfortable or if you feel like splurging a tad.
When sharing, you can order the Seafood Lover for 2 or Lobster Lover for 2 as mentioned above. Here, you see the Lobster Lover for 2 and it looks FABULOUS! It includes 4 lobster tails, 14 shrimps, 6 scallops (they ran out so I substituted it with some mussels), 6 oysters, double order of corn, chicken sausage, potato, and garlic toast. You can also substitute the shrimp as you please with rock shrimp or peeled shrimp.
On the other hand, you can be a shark and make your own bowl if you don’t want so much seafood. The first step is choosing a base: garlic rice, linguini, grits, or broccoli. Step two is choosing the seafood/protein. Last, you can decide on if you’d like it mild or spicy. Don’t worry, bowls are also served with corn, garlic toast, and garlic sauce so you won’t miss out on those.
Here, you’ll find garlic rice topped with 2 lobster tails and mild seasoning.
While you’re there, enjoy the amazing art and play with it a little. It’s definitely different from when your parents told you to not play with you food when you were younger.
For more information, visit the Melbourne Seafood Station online or in person to see how it is yourself.
We all know Metro Diner as a classic restaurant serving the best comfort food for breakfast and lunch. But, Metro Diner is putting a spin on things with their new Dinner menu featured during Metro Nights.
Their revamped menu for Metro Nights still feature the dishes you crave but with new flavors (and a few new menu items!).
They start out with bring fresh baked “mini” biscuits served with maple butter. These are a great way to start a meal, and they’re not too large to where you’d fill up on bread before your meal.
We couldn’t go to Metro Diner without getting at least one breakfast dish, so we decided on the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Two large pancakes with cinnamon and sugar swirls are served with cream cheese icing, candied pecans, and cinnamon butter. Yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds and I would definitely order these again.
After satisfying our sweet tooth, we chose to try some of their dishes that are available only for dinner. If you want a lighter meal, then the Lemon Dill Salmon is for you. The salmon is seared and seasoned with lemon and dill and served with tomato basil quinoa and green beans.
If you don’t like fish, then try one of Metro Diner’s new dishes: the Metro Sirloin Special (9 oz center cut steak, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies) or Dijon Chicken (sautéed chicken, dijon-lemon glaze, roasted veggie wild rice, green beans).
My personal favorite dinner dish was the Pulled Pork Mac Stack. BBQ pulled pork is piled on macaroni and cheese and cheddar cornbread waffles with maple butter. The best part about this dish was definitely the cornbread waffle. Who knew it would go so well with BBQ Mac n Cheese?
The Bold City Burger is a half-pound Angus burger topped with Provel cheese, bacon, sausage patty, caramelized onions, fried jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli on a Briochie bun. All I can say, is that this is one stacked burger! You can also choose from a wide selection of sides to go with your burger.
I would also recommend getting a plate of thick cut, panic breaded Onion Rings to share for the table.
Don’t forget to check out their expanded beer, wine, and sangria menu as well for some great selections!
Metro Diner: 985 N. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. https://metrodiner.com/
We were invited to the new Rodizio Grill in Pointe Orlando, located next to Maggiano’s Little Italy, to check them out during their VIP preview event and we enjoyed our experience.
Founded in 1995 by Brazil native Ivan Utrera, Rodizio Grill is known as America’s first Brazilian steakhouse. They feature over a dozen rotisserie-grille meats & signature items served right at your table by Rodizio gauchos. They also offer a salad bar, authentic hot side dishes, fresh-pressed juices, homemade Brazilian Limeades, signature cocktails, Brazilian imported wine and beer, and homemade Brazilian desserts.
Here are more photos from their VIP preview event:
A rodízio is a type of Brazilian style steakhouse where waiters bring unlimited grilled and roasted meats to each diner several times throughout the meal, until the diners signal that they have had enough.
Friendly staff, great selection of meats, and classy ambiance. Highly recommended. The whole experience comes at a competitive, affordable price so the whole family can celebrate together.
Rodizio Grill is officially open to the public so be sure to check them out the next time you are in the I-Drive area for a truly unique dining experience!
Rodizio Grill – Orlando
9101 International Dr # 1220, Orlando, FL 32819
rodiziogrill.com
(407) 593-4422
Congrats to Orlando’s very own Rhys and Alexia Gawlak of Swine & Sons for winning $16K on Guy’s Grocery Games on Food Network! The couple battled against two other “husband and wife” teams for the “Valentine’s Day” edition of the show. The judges were very impressed with the technique, precision, and chemistry between Rhys and Alexia.
They did us proud with a “date night” dish of Seared halibut and king crab with carrot pumpkin apple (baby food) puree and their signature Nashville hot chicken sandwich with white bbq sauce (and some orange zest for that Florida touch)! Big congrats!!!
You may remember Sapporo Ramen – the original ramen shop of Orlando – closed with great fan fare – and long lines, late in 2019. This week, Da Sun Ramen opens in the same location in the Chinatown Plaza in West Orlando.
The menu is 99% the same as the old Sapporo ramen menu, including the familiar Tonkotsu, Shio, Shoyu, and Curry Ramen Noodles with a few new additions including Mazeman and Chuka ramen. Most of the staff from Sapporo has also been retained.
I did notice a few doors down a new ramen shop called “Tokyo Ramen” was under renovation in the old Cheng’s Family Taste restaurant. Will this area become Orlando’s new Ramen Street?
“Da Sun” Ramen
5080 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808
Dinner at Kadence is usually a multi-course sushi and sashimi tasting menu showcasing seasonal fish and ingredients from Japan and around the country ranging from $160-175. However, starting in March, the sushi tasting experiences will be on hiatus. Instead, the team at Kadence is offering their limited-time Kappo throwback menu consisting of five+ courses featuring bounties from the land and sea for $55 per person.
Photos by Aldo Ferrari
Kadence
1809 Winter Park Rd, Orlando, FL 32803
http://kadenceorlando.com/
If you’re a big fan of whiskeys and burgers, and looking for a great Happy Hour with great deals, look no further than The Whiskey.
With an expansive whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch list (way too many to count!) and other mixed drinks, their happy hour from 4 to 7 PM Monday thru Friday is a great way to try out different whiskeys and delicious appetizers and burgers.
The happy hour food ranges from $4.25 to $10 with specials on drinks as well!
For drinks, I couldn’t turn down the “Whiskey” Old Fashioned (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, orange bitters, rhubarb bitters, fresh orange, Traverse City Black Cherry, rock candy stir).
But, if you’re wanting something on the sweeter side The Elderberry (vodka, essence of elderflower, strawberries, blackberries, cranberry juice, sparkling wine) is a good choice!
Start off with the Cheese Curds (White Cheddar cheese curds, tempura battered and fried), Jalapeño Bombs (4 whole jalapeños, stuffed with bacon pimento cheese, tempura fried), or my personal favorite, the Bangin’ Shrimp (fried, drizzled with sweet and spicy sriracha aioli). The Bangin’ Shrimp are lightly fried and the aioli is the perfect balance of spicy with a touch of sweetness.
Next, go for the Fried Pickles or Fried Mushrooms. We chose the Fried Mushrooms, and dipped in the side of ranch, they were my favorite part of the meal!
If you’re still hungry, definitely get one of the two burgers (or both if you want!) they offer during Happy Hour. There’s the Small Batch Whiskey Burger (5oz. burger patty, smoked Gouda, bourbon bacon, whiskey caramelized onions, greens, tomato, and dill aioli) we ordered, and the Small Batch Lassahn Burger (5oz. burger patty, cheddar cheese, bourbon bacon, greens and tomato).
With the burger, you can choose the Parmesan Truffle Fries or order the S & S Potatoes (Sweet potato waffle fries, tossed in house spices, drizzled with a honey glaze) which are also on the happy hour menu.
The Whiskey: 7563 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819. www.downatthewhiskey.com
We were invited to Wine Bar George, located in Disney Springs next to Raglan Road, to check out their newest menu item – Saganaki On Fire!
Watch the video below to see how their Sagnaki on Fire is served:
This traditional Greek dish is made with Vlahotiri cheese and Metaxa (a Greek spirit) then set on fire table-side and served with crostini. It was what cheese dreams are made of.
Master Sommelier George Miliotes recommends pairing it with Avancia, Godello from Valdeorras, Spain or any dry white wine from their wine list. Wine Bar George offers a unique wine list that features 140 wines from around the globe, all of which are available by the glass and the ounce.
Saganaki On Fire
Vlahotiri / Metaxa / crostini
We were in the mood for a frozen cocktail so we order the Frozcato to go with our meal and it hit the spot.
FROZCATO made with DOLE WHIP® PINEAPPLE
Moscato / Vodka / Pineapple
We also ordered their Ibérico Pork Pluma served with Yukon potatoes confit. George Miliotes personally delivered this dish to us and told us the meaning behind it. See what makes this cut so special in the video below:
Their Ibérico Pork Pluma was incredibly tasty that my dining companion, a huge foodie, praised this dish and said it was the best thing that he has eaten in a long time. It was outstanding.
Grilled Whole Greek Sea Bass
cannellini bean ragout / asparagus
This stunning grilled whole Greek sea bass was cooked and served perfectly. The fish was tender and the flavors were mesmerizing.
For the surf and turf lovers, Wine Bar George offered this filet mignon with red potato mash, asparagus, and butter poached king crab or winter black truffles as their Valentine’s Day special this year.
Tasty Chomps Q & A with George Mililotes of Wine Bar George:
Tasty Chomps: Tell us about the Saganaki dish – what is special about it to you and your heritage?
George Mililotes: Saganaki is an authentic Greek dish that is a lot of fun! The fun is all about lighting the cheese on fire at the table. The basis of any Saganaki dish though has to be the quality of the cheese. The Vlahotiri cheese we use is all sheep’s milk, and that is the basis for making our Saganaki special.
Tasty Chomps: Can you tell us a little bit more about your Greek heritage and how that has influenced your palate? What are some of your memories around Greek food growing up?
George Mililotes: While there are tons of different dishes that I remember from both my mom and grandmother cooking throughout my youth, the overarching theme was that there was always more than enough of everything on the table. Similar to the Vlahotiri cheese in our Saganaki, the quality of ingredients was always the most important thing at the table. I can even remember as a 7-year-old that we always had a huge tin of extra virgin Greek olive oil in the house and in the 60’s olive oil was an ingredient not many people were familiar with or used at home. So whether it’s real Greek olive oil, real Greek feta, etc. it was always about the quality of the ingredients.
Tasty Chomps: What are some upcoming plans for Wine Bar George in 2020? What are some other new dishes planned for this spring?
George Mililotes: In May we will celebrate our second anniversary and we look forward to continuing to serve exceptional wine and food to our guests. Our wine list which features more than 140 wines (all of which are available by the glass and the ounce) will continue to evolve as we discover more of the world’s best wines. We are constantly innovating in the kitchen and hope to roll out some new items in the coming months. Stay tuned!
We had an amazing first time dining at Wine Bar George and we are already looking forward to coming back soon. Thank you George Miliotes for hosting us and our server Bret for taking such great care of us on such a beautiful and lovely Valentine’s Day afternoon.
Wine Bar George
1610 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
winebargeorge.com
(407) 490-1800
Enjoy some of the best food, drink and entertainment in Central Florida at the 35th annual Taste of Winter Park on Wednesday, March 11.
The popular event, hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, features more than 40 of the area’s top chefs, bakers, caterers and drink purveyors. Thousands come each year to sample signature dishes, cool beverages, decadent desserts and entertainment at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market.
Tickets are $50 for Chamber members, $65 for non-members or anyone buying at the door, and packages of 10 tickets can be purchased for $450.
For the ultimate experience, be a VIP guest. The $100 ticket includes a VIP tent with lounge seating, a private bar featuring Luma’s White Linen cocktail, VIP parking and more.
For tickets and more information, go to https://winterpark.org/taste-of-winter-park.
WHAT: 35th Annual Taste of Winter Park
WHEN: 5 P.M. – 8 P.M. Wednesday, March 11
WHERE: Winter Park Farmers’ Market
What: 12th Annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest
Where: Lake Eola Park | Orlando
When: Saturday, February 22, 2020 & Sunday, February 23, 2020
Time: Saturday 12 PM (noon) to 9 PM & Sunday 12 PM (noon) to 7 PM
DETAILS AND TICKETS:
https://eventsplus.radio.com/orlando/wocl/e/downtown-food-wine-fest-2020
Every year, Downtown Food & Wine Fest hosts 30+ of Orlando’s favorite restaurants for attendees to indulge in their artisanal bites! Sample them all, and decide for yourself, who is the best in the fest!
The tradition continues as Orlando foodies and wine lovers experience unique local cuisine paired with wines from around the globe at the 12th Annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest!
Located in the heart of Downtown Orlando at Lake Eola Park on Robinson Street, the two-day Fest features mouth-watering dishes from 30 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment that includes local and national performers.
On stage, national and local acts perform to your hearts delight. Just beyond the stage, tents galore fill Robinson Street, delighting guests with delicious food, beer, spirits and wine tastings. Sip this. Eat that. Repeat. Master sommeliers and top mixologists open bottles and minds as they showcase new wines to try and cocktails to shake.
Restaurant Spotlights
American Social
1. Is this your first year participating?
Sure is! And we couldn’t be more thrilled!!
2. What are your tentative plans for the dishes to be served at the event?
Tentatively, Bourbon glazed meatballs with grits, Nashville Chicken sliders, Ropa Vieja tacos, Mac n Cheese. All current menu items!
3. What do you want guests to know about your restaurant?
American Social is a high energy restaurant and bar on the famed Restaurant Row in Dr. Philips. Enjoy great happy hour, late night, and weekend brunch specials. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance for any major sporting event at Orlando’s Premier Sports Bar.
4. What makes the Downtown Food and Wine Fest such a great event for guests and restaurants?
Community coming together!
BLACK FIRE BULL STEAKHOUSE
1. Is this your first year participating?
This year will be our 3rd year in this event.
2. What are your tentative plans for the dishes to be served at the event?
We are bringing the heat to the event with our Brazilian style barbecue. One of the options we will be serving is Picanha skewer. Picanha is our traditional beef cut that can’t be missing at a Brazilian barbecue. We will also have another option with our garlic sauce which was very popular with the public on previous years.
3. What do you want guests to know about your restaurant?
We want the guest to taste a small part of what our restaurant has to offer. Even though you get small skewers in the Downtown Food and Wine Fest we have the full Brazilian barbecue experience in our restaurant located in Lake Buena Vista. In our restaurant you will be able to eat as much as you want with 14 different types cuts of meat fresh out of the grilled. Our meats are carved and served table side and we also offer a salad bar with over 30 items. And do not forget about our delicious desserts that are made by our local chef. There is something for everyone.
4. What makes the Downtown Food and Wine Fest such a great event for guests and restaurants?
Downtown Food and Wine Fest is a great event for guests to experience and taste the different cuisines available in the Orlando area in one place with great music and ambience. It’s also a great event for the restaurants as it serves as a marketing tool to promote the restaurants and reach more people who have never tried them and also a great way get involve with the community and get exposure to the locals as well as the visitors. The event is great for family where they can enjoy the day, music, food, and drinks. You don’t want to miss out on this event.
Pom Pom’s Sandwicheria
This is our second time being part of the Downtown Food and Wine Fest, the last one was 10 years ago. We are really excited to do our MAMA LING LINGS THANKSGIVING BOWL, we will be carving up about 300 lb of turkey, in addition to serving our Thanksgiving bowl we are doing our grilled cheese melt which is served with our signature TOMATO, CHEDDAR, and COINTRUEsoup, and our homemade bread pudding. We are looking forward to reconnecting with Orlando’s foodies, and making new friends.
Restaurant list thus far:
Gringos Locos
Izziban Sushi & BBQ
MX Tacos
Pom Poms
Spice Affair
Dixie Dharma
Tin and Taco
Jimmy Hulas
Black Fire Steakhouse
Foxtail Coffee
Jeremiah’s
Little New Orleans Kitchen
Grills Lakeside
American Social
Fire Italian Kitchen
Sweet City Gelato
Le Ky Rotisserie
Tamale Co.
Leguminati (pending)
Claddagh Cottage (pending)
Dandelion Community Café (pending)
NSO
Fork It – Food truck
Drinks
Grab your Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard and get to sampling! The Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard entitles you to five (5) 2 oz wine samples from our various selection of over 50+ wines at the Fest with the 6th pour from Loggerhead Distillery!
Below are the different ticket types for purchase:
Saturday General Admission Ticket – $15
This is a General Admission Ticket for Saturday 2/22/2020.
Sunday General Admission Ticket – $15
This is a General Admission Ticket for Sunday 2/23/2020.
2-Day General Admission Ticket – $25
This is a 2-Day General Admission Ticket for Saturday 2/22/2020 and Sunday 2/23/2020.
You will receive a ticket on Saturday for re-admittance on Sunday.
Wine Taster’s Club Lanyard – $20
The Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard is not an admission ticket in itself. You must purchase your General Admission Ticket in advance and bring it to the Fest, or purchase one on-site. The Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard will be available for pick-up at the Fest.
Saturday Seminole Hard Rock Tampa VIP Experience Package – $115
This ticket is a VIP Experience Package for Saturday 2/22/2020.
There is a limited quantity of this ticket.
Includes:
One (1) General Admission Ticket for Saturday 2/22/2020
One (1) Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard
Twenty dollars ($20) in credit to purchase food and beverage through out the festival
One (1) VIP Parking Pass
Complimentary Downtown Food & Wine Fest Gift
Access to the VIP Tent located next to the main stage
Includes a private wine and beer bar with premium wines
Access to a private bathroom reserved for VIP guests
Sunday Seminole Hard Rock Tampa VIP Experience Package – $115
This ticket is a VIP Experience Package for Saturday 2/22/2020.
There is a limited quantity of this ticket.
Includes:
One (1) General Admission Ticket for Saturday 2/22/2020
One (1) Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard
Twenty dollars ($20) in credit to purchase food and beverage through out the festival
One (1) VIP Parking Pass
Complimentary Downtown Food & Wine Fest Gift
Access to the VIP Tent located next to the main stage
Includes a private wine and beer bar with premium wines
Access to a private bathroom reserved for VIP guests
Two Day Seminole Hard Rock Tampa VIP Experience Package – $200
This ticket is a VIP Experience Package for festival.
There is a limited quantity of this ticket.
Includes:
One (1) General Admission Ticket for Saturday 2/22/2020
One (1) General Admission Ticket for Saturday 2/23/2020
One (1) Loggerhead Distillery Wine Lanyard
Twenty dollars ($20) in credit to purchase food and beverage through out the festival
One (1) VIP Parking Pass
Complimentary Downtown Food & Wine Fest Gift
Access to the VIP Tent located next to the main stage
Includes a private wine and beer bar with premium wines
Access to a private bathroom reserved for VIP guests
Redeem your printed ticket at the Fest for your VIP Experience package.
Music
Downtown Food & Wine Fest has had some of the best national headlining acts grace the stage.
This year headlining is:
Saturday – 2/22
Neon Trees
After four years out of the spotlight, The Neon Trees have reunited and jumped back into the alternative spotlight. Building on their previous hits, ‘Animal’ and ‘Everybody Talks,’ their new album is “not just another chapter; it’s the start of a new era for Neon Trees,” according to singer Tyler Glenn.
Sunday – 2/23
MAGIC!
Based in LA, Magic! is known for their undeniably catchy sound. Their hit reggae pop song “Rude” sold more than ten million singles and has over 1.3 billion views online. Magic! has toured and headlined shows worldwide and their new album ‘Expectations’ is out now.
Festival Currency
Downtown Food & Wine Fest IS GOING TICKETLESS with a new Cashless system!
For the first time ever, our event will NOT be using food and beverage tickets. Instead we are using a digital cashless system, using RFID payment for all transactions on site! Receive your wristband on arrival at the festival, and head straight to the top up station to get going.
Do you want the opportunity to showcase your restaurant to 20,000+ attendees? Become a restaurant partner today! Email Gabrielle.Shulruff@entercom.com for more information!
https://eventsplus.radio.com/orlando/wocl/e/downtown-food-wine-fest-2020
ICEBAR ORLANDO
8967 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Soco in Thornton Park recently celebrated their fifth year of existence and are planning some big things for 2020. Soco – whose name is inspired by the “Southern Contemporary” cuisine they serve here recently expanded their brunch hours, now served on both Saturday & Sunday from 10:30am-3pm.
We chatted briefly with Soco all about the new changes below – more to come –
We have recently expanded our brunch hours to allow guests to get an earlier start on their brunching!
Soco’s brunch is high energy and serves up delicious takes on southern favorites. Soco brunch is the same high quality experience guests have come to expect and anticipate for 5 years now. We are well known for our bottomless mimosas, handcrafted specialty cocktails and Bloody Marys.
Chef Greg felt like chicken and waffles has had enough time to shine, so he serves up Chicken and French Toast instead! Also, our guests can’t get enough of the Lobster Eggs Benedict, Homemade Pop Tarts, and Avocado Toast.
We are looking forward to spring, as we do to each season, for the newly arriving ingredients that we will showcase in our dishes. We’re especially looking forward to some local strawberries, fiddlehead ferns, sweet peas and wild ramps!
If you haven’t been here for dinner or brunch yet, you’re missing out!
Soco in Thornton Park
629 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
Chef Specials
1. Pollo amore: chicken breast rolled and stuffed with fresh cherry preserve, fontal cheese, and smoked ham; breaded and baked. Served in a sherry wine tomato sauce with fresh mushrooms, and a side of penne marinara.
2. Agnello cuore: pan seared rack of lamb topped with goat cheese and pistachio and baked. Served over linguine in a aglio oilo sauce.
3. Lobster ravioli: lobster raviolis sauteed in a champagne cream sauce with jumbo shrimp.
4. Seafood pomodori pelati: a combination of shrimp, scallops, basa fish, and mussels sauteed in a sherry yellow tomato sauce with asparagus. Served over linguine.
Happy Hour 3:00 to 6:00
Address: 7335 W Sand Lake Rd #101, Orlando, FL 32819
Phone Number: (407) 454-9992
Details: Celebrate romance with a fun and unique Valentine‘s Day dinner at American Social! This year, Orlando’s elevated sports bar and restaurant features romantic cocktail specials including the Flower Patch with Sipsmith Gin, agave nectar, rose syrup, fresh lemon juice, sparkling wine and raspberry, topped off with mini flowers as the perfect drink to impress your date, as well as the Cupid’s Crush with Stoli Crushed Pineapple, Liquid Lei Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Orange Juice, and Champagne. Regularly available for $12 and $13 respectively, these specialty cocktails are priced at $8 on Valentine’s Day with a food purchase. Cocktails not your style? Guests can also enjoy bottles of Moet, Chandon Brut, and premium wines for $50 to complete the perfect celebration.
Valentines Menu
$149.00 per couple includes
1 bottle La Giosa Proseco upgrade to Veuve Cliquot for $200.00 per couple
Appetizer
(choice of 1 to share)
Escargot Rockefeller Tarts
Creamed Spinach with bacon and Sweet Vermouth, Panko Parm Crumb Topping
Baked Pistachio Crusted Brie
Raspberry Balsamic Mostarda
Entrée
Sous Vide Twin Stuffed Lobster Tail
Lemon & Chive Risotto, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Champagne Beurre Blanc Foam
And
Peppercorn Crusted Filet Mignon
Mushroom Inception, Root Vegetable confit of Parsnips, Carrots, and Purple Potatoes. Truffle Cream Sauce.
Dessert (to Share)
White Truffle and Dark Chocolate Mousse
Chiffon Cake, White Chocolate Dome, Hot Cranberry Syrup served tableside
Announces Valentine’s Experience Under The Stars Event
Cocktails in the Conservatory, a three-course plated dinner on the Lawn, Live Entertainment and Roses for the ladies will be featured in The Alfond Inn’s Valentine’s Experience Under the Stars event, from 7 to 10 p.m. this Valentine’s Day. Cost $99 per person.
Featured Menu Includes:
First Course
Herb Crusted Sea Scallop, Parsnip Puree, Strawberry Consomme, Balsamic Pearls, Micro Arugula
Second Course
Bacon Crusted Filet of Beef, Creamy Saffron and Herb Risotto with Asparagus Tips and Local Mushrooms, Parmesan Roasted Roma Tomato, Dijon Butter Sauce
Third Course
Chocolate Chiffon Cake Layered with White Chocolate Buttercream, Strawberries, and Godiva Whipped Topping
Vegetarian options available. For reservations, go to www.eventbrite.com. For more information, go to www.thealfondinn.com or call (407) 456-7598. The Alfond Inn is located at 300 E. New England Ave.
Valentine’s Day-only dessert pairing being offered at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant:
The Irish know how to romance a sweet tooth, and Raglan Road offers a special dessert pairing for Valentine’s Day. It’ll be love at first bite when you taste our retro Black Forest Bombe—a delectable concoction of cherry chocolate mousse, kirsch crème brulee, and dark chocolate cake with tart cherry sorbet. Pair it with our special Valentine’s Day-only Bailey’s Red Velvet Iced Shake, and share if you dare. Call 407/938-0300 to book your table.
And a bit of fascinating history about St. Valentine’s Day and the Irish (if you have room):
St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, was executed in Rome and buried there in the 3rd century. Much later, an Irish priest was granted permission to exhume his remains, and now his skeleton lies under Whitefriar Church in Dublin. In 1835 an Irish Carmelite priest, Fr. John Spratt, used his Irish charm to convince then Pope Gregory XVI to dig up St. Valentine’s remains and take them home as a gift to his fellow Irishmen and women. Now, love-seeking Irish turn up at his site every St. Valentine’s looking for help in finding that special one.
Margaritaville Resort Orlando is a romantic island oasis in the middle of Orlando’s world-famous tourist corridor. This year, you and your special someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a perpetual vacation state of mind. Enjoy all of the resort’s island-inspired amenities including dinner at Euphoria, a bottle of champagne with dinner, and couples massage. Right now, save with the Perfect Partner Romance Package – This includes Couples Massage at St. Somewhere Spa and Champagne.
Booking Link: https://www.
Promo Code: Perfect
VALENTINE’S DAY SWEETHEART MENU
Dinner 5 – 10pm | $45 per person
Glass of Champagne Included with Each Meal
Appetizer
(Choose One to Share)
Tuna Crudo
Yuzu Marinated, Volcanic Sea Salt, Avocado and Cilantro Crema
Paella Arancini Bites
Smoked Mussel, Clams, and Shrimp Breaded and Fried, Smoked Paprika Aioli
Entrée
(Choose One)
Cioppino
Sautéed Shrimp, Lobster, Clams, Mussels, Mahi and Grouper, San Marzano Tomato Broth, Grilled Ciabatta with Lemon Garlic Saffron Aioli
Grilled Wagyu Skirt Steak
Olive Oil Mashed Potato, Horseradish Cheesecake, Romesco, Roasted Garlic Demi- Glace, Wilted Tuscan Kale
Dessert
(Choose One to Share)
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Red Velvet Cake
Chocolate Fondue
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED PLEASE CALL 407-479-0950
PRESS “0” FOR GUEST SERVICES
The ‘Month of Love’ is here. For that special someone in your life, here are just a few ways in which The Glass Knife can help you share your heart sweetly.
And don’t forget their extended hours on Friday 2/14: 7AM to 12 midnight.
Strawberry Cheesecake Heart
Light cheesecake mousse filled with tangy lemon curd and house-made strawberry mousse on a strawberry cake base, enveloped in a white chocolate glaçage, finished with a white chocolate feather and dried rose petal. After all, your heart knows the way. Run in that direction. R U N.
Strawberry Champagne Petite Cake
Moist strawberry cake layered and topped with a light, champagne buttercream, finished with piped meringue, pate de fruit heart and lustered sprinkles. Because all they need is love – oh, and one of these individual-sized beauties.
Valentine’s Red Velvet Snack Cake
This cutie, though! Vibrant, cocoa-infused cake layered with delectable marshmallow cream filling, hand-dipped in silky milk chocolate, topped with just a touch of Valentine’s magic. (We hear it’s Cupid’s favorite)
Raspberry Champagne Donut
Heart-shaped brioche donut filled with tangy raspberry jam, topped with a champagne glaze, garnished with gold and a beautiful fresh raspberry ‘kiss’. (Available Thursday, February 13 – Sunday, February 16)
Strawberry Chocolate Cream Puff
Light, choux pastry stuffed with our house-made chocolate brownie, strawberry jam, a rich chocolate crunch and house-made strawberry mousse, finished with a dried berry crisp. It is, after all, Strawberry season here in Florida – and this annual favorite is love at first bite.
Macarons
The perfect way to say “Je t’aime”. This pre-set box of macarons includes some of our most popular flavors: Strawberry Verbena, Champagne, Pistachio, Lemon, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Hazelnut. C’est magnifique!
Featuring a vegan & Gluten Free Beet Romesco Pasta & Lemon Ricotta plus a special dessert – vegan/gf chocolate truffles.
Reservation details: February 14, 15 and 16 From 6:00PM – 9:30PM
Opentable link: https://www.opentable.com/r/the-venetian-chop-house-caribe-royale-reservations-orlando?restref=8061&lang=en-US
cariberoyale.com
8101 World Center Drive | Orlando, FL, 32821
Hall of Fame restauranteur Chris Christini and his staff invite you and your loved one to have a Valentine’s Day you’ll remember for years to come.
Welcome glass of French champagne upon arrival
$125.00 per person
Taxes and Gratuities not included
This pre-fixe menu is the menu for the evening. No a la carte.
Valentines Day menu is at https://www.christinis.
Soco Valentine’s Day Specials! ?
We will have our full regular menu available as well with all your favorite Soco classics! Limited spots left!
Call 407-849-1800 for reservations.
#ValentinesDay
5 course prix-fixe with wine pairings $75 per individual or $150 per couple. Starting at 5pm.
For Valentine’s Day, it can be hard to decide on just one way to celebrate the loved ones in your life. That’s why Seasons 52 is providing five days of offers leading up to Valentine’s Day, including specialty cocktails and desserts, dinner for two and even the opportunity to receive a year of bubbly.
Here are more details on the 5 Days of Valentines at Seasons 52:
Now, with Seasons 52, you can choose how to celebrate your loved ones all week long this Valentine’s Day.
Before Valentine’s Day –
Reserve your table at Firebirds for Valentine’s Day and enjoy a 3-Course Menu perfect for 2 the menu is available through March 1.
Link: https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/promotions/february-features/
After Valentine’s Day-
A special 3-course menu for two is still available at Firebirds through March 1! Don’t miss a chance to try these scratch-made favorites at a special price
Link: https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/promotions/february-features/
Friday, Feb. 14, Saturday Feb. 15, Sunday, February 16 – Dinner
Price: $49.99 per person, includes extended Full Rodizio menu and choice of Cheesecake (to share) or Chocolate Cake
Friday, Feb. 14, Saturday, Feb. 15 & Sunday, Feb. 16 – Brunch
Price: $39.99 per person, includes extended Full Rodizio dinner menu
All couples who dine Feb. 14-16 will receive special gift that includes one complimentary Full Rodizio dinner, with purchase of one, valid for future visit. Make a reservation at Rodizio.com or call 407-593-4422.
Café Tu Tu Tango is offering a tour for two for $59 per couple. Guests start with Avocado & Arugula Salad (GF) with fig vinaigrette, sesame, and watermelon radish. Then, guests can to experience a sampling of several entree dishes, including Lamb Picadillo Empanadas, Sockeye Salmon Taquitos, Butter Chicken Tikka Masala, and Smoked Pork Brochettes. Finish the evening with Passion Fruit Flan with fruit salsa, topped with pomegranate seeds.
Join Canvas on Valentine’s Day for a romantic dinner for $105 (or $150 with wine pairing) per couple. Guests start off with Yellow Fin Tuna Carpaccio including pole beans, quail eggs, heirloom tomatoes, potato crisp, and caviar. Couples then share Beef Tenderloin for Two including wood-oven roasted, confit carnival potatoes, toy box carrots, spring peas, crispy mushrooms, and black truffle. For a sweet ending, enjoy Key Lime Tart with coconut dacquoise, guava, and white chocolate crunch.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Chroma’s specials. Guests have a choice of Red Grouper ($42) or Filet Mignon ($38) including roasted leek, sweet plantain puree with red wine sauce. For a sweet ending, couples can enjoy Raspberry Cheesecake topped with raspberry preserves. Specials available Feb. 14-15.
Join Dexter’s New Standard on Valentine’s Day for a “Red and White” themed three-course meal for $50 per guest. Couples will have the choice between Potato Soup or Beet Salad with roasted beets, whipped goat cheese, orange segments and vinaigrette, topped with toasted pistachios. In between starters and entrée’s couples will receive a Half-Dozen Oysters (choose either raw or chargrilled) to share. Guests then have a choice between two entrées’: Seasonal Fish or Teres Major Steak including smashed red bliss potatoes, grilled asparagus, and demi-glace. To complete the meal, choose either Chocolate Mousse or Strawberry Tart.
Mia’s Italian Kitchen will offer a romantic three-course dinner for $79 for two, including a bottle of featured prosecco, red, or white wine. Guests will receive a Strawberry Salad (GF/V) with arugula, poppy seed vinaigrette, pecans, and whipped goat cheese. Couples can choose between two starters to share including: Lobster Raviolo or Pork Belly Bruschetta. Choice of one entrée per guest including: Shrimp & Mussels Bucatini, Lamb Cacciatore, and Veal Parmigiano. For dessert, couples can enjoy Nutella Bread Pudding (V) with a side of vanilla gelato topped with raspberry-lemon syrup.
Take a cruise to Italy’s Lake District this Valentine’s Day with romantic lagoon-side dining on the patio at Terralina Crafted Italian at Disney Springs. As a dinner special, the Executive Chef Justin Plank will offer a Lobster & Seafood Risotto for $45, and a bottle of Landmark Chardonnay for $55.
The Ravenous Pig will offer a $50++ three-course Chef’s Tasting Menu during lunch or dinner service from Feb. 12-14. Guests can choose from either Tuna Crudo or Root Vegetable Saladto start, either a Petite Filet Mignon or Cioppino for a main, or a Red Velvet Macaron or Chocolate Malt Tart for dessert. The full menu will also be available during all services.
Available only Valentine’s Weekend, Feb. 14-16, Ocean Prime will serve a special feature of Roasted Sea Bass over Alaskan King Crab Gnocchi with Champagne Cream topped with Baby Carrot in a Preserve Lemon Pepper, in addition to its traditional menu. The restaurant was recently named the No. 1 most romantic restaurant in Orlando by USA Today 10Best.
For a more unique experience, couples can dine in one of the restaurant’s private curtained booths. Offered by request at no additional charge, the private booth provides an elevated dining experience where couples can enjoy their meal in an intimate and romantic setting (limited availability – request while making a reservation).
For Reservations, please call (407) 781-4880.
https://www.ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/orlando
Valentine’s Day Special
It takes more than chocolate and flowers to create an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.
Reconnect with a romantic and tranquil getaway as extraordinary as the love you share. The AAA Four Diamond Rosen Shingle Creek’s Valentine’s Day Special promises to deliver luxury in a way like no other Orlando hotel. Romance starts at just $129 plus tax per night and includes:
Set the romantic mood with:
• One night deluxe accommodation
• Option to upgrade to a one bedroom suite for an additional $100.00 per night, plus tax – based on availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms and in public areas
• No resort fee
*Private pool cabanas are available at an additional cost.
Book your reservation at RosenShingleCreek.com or call us at 866-996-6338 and ask your reservations agent for the “Valentine’s Day Special.”
All rate plans are subject to availability and blackout dates are subject to change. Not valid for groups, special events, holidays or conventions.
So Much Love To Love
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Rosen Plaza and get ready to dine, dance, and romance the night away. Rosen Plaza is passionate. About service. About luxury. About ensuring that your Valentine’s Day is unforgettable from the second you check in to the moment you reluctantly check out.
The Valentine’s Package – $239* Per Night
For more information and reservations, please call (407) 996.9702
One-night deluxe accommodations for two
Three-course dinner for two at legendary Jack’s Place (Reservations required.)
Breakfast buffet for two at Café Matisse
Entrance to 3NINE, Thursday through Saturday. (Based on availability. Blackouts apply.)
Complimentary self-parking
*Tax, gratuity and alcohol not included. Offer valid 2/6/20-2/24/20. BASED ON AVAILABILITY. Additional nights $199, plus tax. Visit RosenPlaza.com/Valentines
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Everglades Restaurant
Available Friday, February 14 to Saturday February 15, 2020 | 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Everglades Restaurant
Four-Course Dinner and Wine Pairing: $71.50* per person
For more information and reservations, please call (407) 996.2385
Everglades offers a four-course dinner and wine pairing (3 oz of wine per course is included) for $71.50 per person. The romantic Valentine’s dinner starts with seared cocoa scallops and Burrata mixed greens salad, then choose shrimp with a lemon tomato burre blanc; filet cognac and Morrel sauce; or roast breast of chicken with fontina cheese. Then share chocolate ecstasy or layers of chocolate cake with Godiva mousse for dessert. RosenCentre.com/Valentines
*Does not include tax and service charge. Offer valid 2/14–2/15/20. Based on availability. Not valid with groups or any other discount.
As Leslie Knope would say, grab your closest glorious female warriors, or you know, your best friends, and dance the night away at Taverna Opa’s Galentine’s Day celebration on February 13. Groups of four or more ordering from the family-style menu will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne and cheers to a night of ladies celebrating ladies.
Forget Romance. Let’s Dance All Night! On February 14, Taverna Opa is inviting couples to skip the candle-lit dinner and dance the night away! The restaurant’s 3-course Valentine’s Day menu, priced at $85 per couple, will feature mouthwatering favorites from the land and sea. Guests will enjoy housemade hummus and flaming (literally! ) saganaki as the appetizer, feast on a 22 oz. porterhouse and 7 oz. lobster tail, and indulge in sweet loukoumades. Taverna Opa’s nightly dancing and entertainment will begin at 7 p.m.
Tapa Toro‘s succulent 3-course Valentine‘s Day menu, priced at $85 per couple, will feature an appetizing first course of Pan Con Tomate with Iberian Ham and a shrimp cocktail ; mouthwatering Surf & Turf entree of two 5oz. filet mignons and one 7 oz. lobster tail paired with grilled asparagus and patatas bravas, and to top it all off, a chocolate lava cake with salted caramel ice cream. Tapa Toro’s nightly dancing and entertainment will begin at 7 p.m.
Pan Con Tomate with Iberico
Shrimp Cocktail
Surf & Turf Platter
Two 5 oz Filet Mignon, 7 oz Lobster Tail,
Grilled Asparagus & Patatas Bravas
Chocolate Lava Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream
$85 per couple
plus tax and gratuity
Cold Courses:
Housemade Hummus & Marouli Salad
Hot Course:
Saganaki
Land & Sea Entree:
Two 5oz Filet Mignon, 7oz Lobster tail
Dessert:
Loukoumades
will have the following Valentine’s specials for pre-order:
To place a pre-order call: 844-474-8377.
Also, available daily this month in The Sweetshop:
RAVELLO:
Hours: 5:30pm – 10pm
Menu: Regular a la carte with featured Valentine’s special prix-fixe with wine pairing – specials available a la carte upon request
CAPA:
Lounge Hours: 5pm-11pm
Dining Room Hours: 6pm-10pm
Menu: A la Carte Menu with a featured special menu and special items, dinner for two also available
Reservations Reservations are currently on a waitlist only
LICKETY SPLIT
From Feb. 10th – Feb. 15th, guests/locals can purchase:
– Candy Bags (filled with red chocolate cherries)
– Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
– Heart Shaped Macarons
– Small Heart Box with Truffles
– Heart Chocolate with mallet filled with chocolates and caramels
– Love letter cookies
– Gelato flavors: Cherry Garcia
– Raspberry Tartelette
At The Spa at Four Seasons, on Friday, Feb. 14 ONLY, The Spa embraces Valentine’s Day with the following complimentary inclusions for anyone who is experiencing a Spa treatment:
Specialty heart shaped chocolate truffles
Complimentary service of sparkling wine (21 age +)
Complimentary “I Love” intentional aromatherapy enhancement for Massages – both singles and couples (optional)
Complimentary Luscious Lip treatment enhancement and take home set with any facial treatment
For reservations: 407-313-6161
4 course special menu
1st course: Chef’s Amuse Bouche paired with a 2oz welcome drink
2nd course: Burrata & Beet Pesto or Bruschetta Trio
3rd course: Taleggio and Mustard Pear Ravioli with Clarified Butter, Sage & Vanilla Sauce or Roasted Chateaubriand and Prawn with Citrus butter & Dried Tomato, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
4th Course: Special Soft Truffle Trio paired with 2oz wines
Price per couple: $149 (gratuity and taxes included)
Reservations needed. Call (407) 925 7485 or email contact@viniawinebar.com
On Valentine, starting at 5pm, we’re celebrating cupid in a very unique way!
Not only will you experience a chef inspired three course dinner and a free glass of bubbles for $100 per couple, but you will also have the option to participate in our “LOVELOCK GIVEAWAY SPECIAL”:
If you choose to, please bring a padlock with both your initials and you will receive a 15% DISCOUNT, which will be valid on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with a minimum purchase of two entrees, on your next visit to the Old Jailhouse within the next three months.
To redeem your giveaway, you will be given a red envelope per couple, for you to bring back on your return.
On your behalf, we will securely place your lovelock in our piazza on our “love gate”, a symbol of your love locked away behind bars!
So make sure you reserve your table by calling 407-548-6964
So for Valentine’s Choulala is having their “Ooh La Love Special!” It is February 14th from 6-8pm and will be a dessert sample plate for two along with 2glasses of champagne ( coffee and tea provided if they don’t want champagne). It will be $25. The sample plate will include a special entremet that is a raspberry mousse with dark chocolate crunches and a chocolate sponge cake, lemon meringue cream puffs, vanilla macarons, and chocolate gelato.
5pm until 10pm – with special performances by The Manns, beginning at 6pm. www.maxinesonshine.com https:
Celebration Package at Hilton Orlando:
No matter what occasion you are celebrating – time with your love or an escape with your closest single friends – the celebration package is the perfect complement to your Orlando getaway this February.
Package includes:
eforea Spa Valentine’s Day Promotion:
50-Minute Couple’s Relaxation Massage with Valet Parking, Poolside Beverage, and Resort Amenities for $179.00 ++
Offer Includes:
Must reference code: ROMANCE20
TO BOOK: 407-313-8600
Promotion must be booked and actualize between February 1-29, 2020. Appointment required, 24 hour advance notice required. Guests are responsible for a 20% service charge (off of retail value) at the time of checkout. Beverage credit has a max value of $15 per person. Valid only for option purchased. Merchant’s standard cancellation policy applies (any fees not to exceed voucher price). Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Cannot be combined with any other offers.
Cabernet Sauvignon Month
Love is in the Air for Cabernet Sauvignon at Hilton Orlando. Experience Cabernet tastings before dinner, then sip, swirl and savor the finest wines and exquisite pairings.
Valentine’s Day is coming up, and treat your loved one to a romantic evening at Spencer’s, while enjoying our Cabernet Sauvignon specials. Enjoy wine specials, flights, CoraVin 90*pts Master Selections, and featured pairings.
Featured Food Pairing: Osso Busco $41
Cabernet braised Veal-Bone-in shank, foraged mushrooms, creamy polenta, root vegetables
Let your palate travel to California and Washington while sipping on our Cabernet Sauvignon flight, or our featured pairing.
Featured Food Pairing: Black & Bleu Bison Burger $26
Half pound bison patty, cabernet onions, asher blue cheese, arugula, on brioche bun. Suggested to pair with Columbia Crest, H3 Cabernet Sauvignon
recognized as the #1 Resort in Orlando by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, offers romantic experiences Feb. 12 – 17, 2020.
Stay
The Romance Package begins at $309 per night and includes deluxe guestroom accommodations, complimentary valet parking, late check-out at 2 p.m., daily breakfast buffet for two guests and a welcome gift.
Dine
Valentine’s evening dining includes special menu offerings at LakeHouse and Hemingway’s including:
Lake House
Blue Cheese Crusted Filet and Seared Scallop: Purple Potato Puree, Caulilini, Broccolini, Roasted Radishes, Pomegranate Gastrique; and
Sushi: Citrus Tuna Poke Martini
Tuna, Cucumber, Sweet Tomatoes, Avocado, Oranges, Jalapeno, Tobiko, Sesame Seeds
Hemingway’s
Citrus Sous Vide Lobster: Hibiscus Sauce, Yucca Dumplings, Roasted Golden Beets, White Asparagus
Plus, a sweet ending available at both restaurants
White Chocolate Raspberry Stack: White Chocolate Oat Blondie, Almond Shortbread, White Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Sauce, Fresh Raspberries, Heart Macaroon
Relax
If pampering is what you want, pampering is exactly what you get when you book a massage at the Marilyn Monroe Spa. A full menu of beauty and spa treatments is available by appointment including a couples massage starting at $280 for 50 minutes. Call directly at 321.558.7818.
At Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, guests can enjoy six delightful and varied food and beverage experiences, the Marilyn Monroe Spa, 18 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf and the award-winning Tennis and Racquet Club. Located along the 1,000 feet of white sandy beach of private Lake Windsong, the free-flowing lagoon pool boasts 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated pools, two whirlpools, Water Slide Tower Pavilion, children’s Rock Climbing Stations, interactive Water Jet Splash Zone, walking paths and expansive, wrap-around sundecks.
These features complement the resort’s favorite activities including; s’mores pit, beach volleyball, tether ball, hammocks, watersports and marked jogging, walking and biking trails.
The resort is ideally located next to Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney Springs outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment district and Wide World of Sports. The resort is also central to Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World Orlando and downtown Orlando. Guests are invited to explore the vibrancy of nearby shopping, sporting events, concerts and theme park celebrations, just steps away from the resort.
Additionally, guestrooms have been recently refreshed and offer an innovative mix of comfort and convenience for guests. The makeover features a sophisticated new look, high-tech amenities and comforts of home. Enhancements of the modern and relaxing guestrooms also include new headboards, custom carpet, streamlined cabinetry and work space, a plush desk chair and a pull-out sleeper sofa for spacious, functional living areas and optimal guest comfort.
Each guestroom also features the Hyatt Grand Bed™ covered with luxurious linens, elegant furnishings, original artwork, decorative light fixtures, glass-front refrigerator and turndown service available upon request. Guests will appreciate the personal touches, such as an in-room laptop-sized electronic safe, coffeemaker and complimentary Wi-Fi. Select guestrooms offer breathtaking views of private Lake Windsong, the Lake Buena Vista skyline and nightly fireworks from the nearby theme parks.
Valentine’s Day
The Edison is offering a special Valentine’s menu featuring the Be Mine cocktail and a Chocolate Ganache Tart, as well as many of our classic menu favorites.
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnelbar
This Valentine’s Day, in addition to the regular menu, Enzo’s Hideaway is cooking up a special Stuffed Baked Maine Lobster for 2 and a decadent chocolate torta.
Treat your special someone to a truly indulgent Valentine’s Day dinner at Morimoto Asia, featuring a stunning interior and Chef Morimoto’s famous cuisine.
Maria & Enzo’s Carnevale Dinner
Enjoy a festive Valentine’s Day with friends and loved ones at Maria & Enzo’s, featuring live entertainment and special dishes in celebration of Carnevale.
Offering Four-Course
Valentine’s Dinner at Eleven
WHO: Reunion Resort & Golf Club and their signature restaurant, Eleven
WHAT: There is a lot to love at Reunion Resort this Valentine’s Day. Elevate your love to Eleven,
Reunion Resort’s signature steak house, with a special four-course prix fixe dinner prepared by Chef Sabrina Greene and wine pairings by Joel Vodola, General Manager. Complemented with breathtaking rooftop views, this will be a Valentine’s Day to remember.
The four-course dinner includes:
• First Course – Salmon Tartare with dill vinaigrette, toasted crostini, citrus caper pesto
• Second Course – Fresh Mixed Greens Salad with fried goat cheese, overnight tomatoes, pickled fennel and fried garbanzo topped with house-made raspberry vinaigrette
• Third Course (choice of entree) – Cocoa-Coffee Dusted 6oz. Filet Mignon ($75); Sautéed Pork Tenderloin Medallions ($59); or Pan Seared Grouper ($68)
• Fourth Course – Decadent Rich Chocolate Cake married with Creamy New York Cheesecake and house-made raspberry sauce
Couples looking for a romantic getaway during the month of February can also enjoy the
Month of Love special, which includes 20% off villas, a $100 daily resort credit, champagne and truffles, and a 2 p.m. late check-out (based on availability). Rates
start at just $288.20 ++ for a one-bedroom deluxe villa. For more information, visit
reunionresort.com/month-of-love
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Reunion Resort & Golf Club (7593 Gathering Drive, Kissimmee, Florida 34747)
HOW: Dinner reservations are recommended. Registration is recommended. For more
information, visit reunionresort.com/Eleven or call 407-396-5397.
2020 Valentine’s Day
Amuse
Vodka Cured & Smoked New Zealand Salmon, Lemon Caviar, Heart of Palm
First Course
Apalachicola Oyster Bisque
Butter poached oyster, herb sainte, bowfin caviar, fennel flower
Second Course
Pan Seared Chillean Seabass
B&A Risotto, Black Garlic Puree, Cipolini Soubise, orchid
Third Course
Wagyu Short Rib Wellington
Foie Duxelle, Confit of Shallot, Red wine Redux, Water Cress, Sherry vinaigrette
Fourth Course
Pot De Creme
Passion Fruit Caramel, Clementine, Hazlenut Biscotti
&
Marscapone Cheese Cake
Meyer Lemon Curd, Warm Berry jus, Chantilly
$79.90 per person
ANY SPECIAL REQUESTS OR ALLERGY CONCERNS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CHEF AT THE TIME THE RESERVATION IS MADE.
PLEASE NOTE: MINOR SUBSTITUTIONS MAY BE POSSIBLE IN ADVANCE. WE WILL BE UNABLE TO MAKE SUBSTITUTIONS THE DAY OF THE EVENT UNLESS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE MENUS BASED ON MARKET AVAILABILITY AT TIME OF EVENT.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar’s special additions to the dinner and cocktail menu and the romantic parting gifts to be offered on Friday, February 14. Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot and Executive Chef Jose Gonzalez honor the lover’s holiday with two new appetizers, two new entrees and one new dessert offered in addition to the a la carte menu, served 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Standout dishes include Camarones, yuca filled & plantain crusted jumbo shrimp and green papaya salad, served with roasted garlic “tartar” mojo for $15; Kale Caesar Salad with panela glazed-roasted squash, green and purple kale manchego cheese, Cuban bread croutons and Caesar dressing for $12; Mar y Tierra, butter poached lobster tail, chimichurri marinated New York strip, roasted Latin spiced root vegetables, served with lobster Américaine sauce for $32; Aguacate, organic quinoa and garbanzo bean-filled avocado with pimento vinaigrette, served with “crispy rice chip” and snow pea shoot salad for $21, as well as Flancocho, chocolate cake topped with coconut flan, served with coconut conserva, mixed beery salad, pistachio macaroon and raspberry sauce for $10. Lovebirds can toast to their romance with two specialty cocktails, priced at $12 each. The Guava Champagne Cocktail is made from a combination of Wycliff Champagne, guava purée, organic sugar sprinkle and a dash of bitters and the Caribbean Whiskey Sour with Dewar’s Caribbean Cask, lemon juice, organic sugar, egg whites, topped with Argento Malbec. Diners will receive a sexy parting gift of a branded satin blindfold along with take home chocolate truffles.
DoubleTree Orlando at SeaWorld has a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend lineup, enticing couples with Suiteheart savings for staycation, and a special menu in Laguna Restaurant.
Enticing couples to a romantic getaway with a Suiteheart Savings weekend, suite rates will start at $244 and will include sparkling wine upon arrival, breakfast for two and extended checkout to enjoy a romantic and leisurely staycation. On Valentine’s Day evening, Laguna Restaurant will serve a curated menu with a romantic Lava Love Cake dessert special for two from 5-10 p.m. More details on the Valentine’s Day program and menu are linked here. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (407) 352-1100. For more information on Valentine’s Day at Laguna Restaurant please visit DTResortOrlando.com.
Second Harvest is always a favorite of mine since I discovered this nonprofit organization in 2012. Second Harvest feeds our neighbors in need as well as transform economically challenged lives with their culinary training program. This February 2020, they hosted a Chef’s Night in partnership with Walt Disney World to create a magical four-course meal paired with wine outside of Disney World grounds.
Chef’s Night is an evening at the food bank featuring some of Central Florida’s best chefs and cuisine, all to benefit the Second Harvest Culinary Training Program. This provides qualified, at-risk and economically disadvantaged adults with the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a sustainable career in the food industry.
The first course is Lobster Bisque with crispy parsnip, pink tipped parsley, lemon crème fraiche, and lobster oil. This is the most savory and fresh lobster bisque I’ve had in Florida. I couldn’t put my spoon down.
The lobster bisque was paired with a refreshing Meiomi Rosé from Monterey/Sonoma/Santa Barbara, USA.
The second course is Inner Beauty with beet heart, lingonberry, rose hip, and oxalis. Like what you’re thinking, I did have a hard time figuring out how to eat this. Of course, I took off the napkin but I think the staining already happened form the beets.
Beets are one of my favorite vegetables and I loved how they incorporated it into the meal. With this dish, we had to pick it up and eat by hand. It was worth getting beet dyed onto my fingers.
“Inner Beauty” was paired with such a smooth pinot noir made by MacMurray Estate Vineyards from Russian River Valley, USA.
The main course is Beef Wellington with sweet potato puree, baby squash blossom, mushrooms, and red wine demi. I tried Beef Wellington for the first time with this dish; I must say, I have never had anything as tender as this. The cute vegetables made me think of Alice in Wonderland.
The Beef Wellington was paired with an Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa County, USA.
Before the dessert came out, we were surprised with some rich chocolates from The Ganachery in Disney Springs. They were as delicious and adorable as they look in this photograph.
The dessert course is Strawberries and Cream with Plant City strawberries, Chantilly cream and chocolate-caramel cake. It is as delicious as it looks and was paired with a Rosa Regale Sparkling Red from Piedmont, Italy, but I was too busy eating the chocolates to photograph the wine.
This was a vegan friendly alternative to the dessert offered to guests this night who made it known in advance of their dietary needs.
For future events and more information on Second Harvest, please visit their website.
We were invited to The Boheme at The Grand Bohemian Hotel to get a sneak peek (and taste!) of their special Valentine’s Dinner menu. This year, Executive Chef Laurent Hollaender and his team are preparing a four-course menu for $99 from 5pm – 10pm on February 14th & 15th.
Here are some special dishes and drinks that you can find on their Valentine’s Dinner menu this year:
Beef Carpaccio – Marinated dry aged wagyu, shaved parmesan, arugula, crispy capers, mustard aioli, baguette crostini.
Sea Scallop Crudo – Thinly sliced jumbo sea scallops, Meyer lemon, pink peppercorns, EVOO, yuzu, curly endive, Fleur de Sel.
Black Bass – Sweet pea purée, artichoke bottoms, confit tomatoes, Meyer Lemon Beurre Blac, blood orange reduction.
Love Potion – 14 Day Lychee infused zodiac vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Mint, Lime, and St. George Raspberry Liquor.
Filet Mignon – Bohemian dry rub, aligot potatoes, asparagus tips, roasted heirloom carrots, morel mushroom Sauce.
Bees Knees – Plymouth gin, Black Bee Orange Blossom Honey, and lemon.
Menage a Trois – Black Bee Honey cheesecake, raspberry pistachio macaron, chocolate and passionfruit lava cake
Student entrepreneur, Khristian, from Parramore Kidz Zone and the team at The Grand Bohemian Hotel told us more about the business Black Bee Honey which began selling raw honey at the Parramore Farmers Market to benefit the Parramore neighborhood’s children.
Black Bee Honey, a non-profit business founded and run by youth in Parramore Kidz Zone, recently celebrated two years in business. Executive Chef Laurent Hollaender has begun using the honey in several of the recipes including this delicious cheesecake, which is now the number one selling dessert at The Boheme.
For more information about the Valentine’s Dinner, please visit: kesslercollection.com/boheme-restaurant/
The Boheme at Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando
325 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 581-4700
Hocca can be found at the Florida Mall in Orlando, FL if you’re looking for some Brazilian bites.
I wasn’t sure which drink to try so I tried all three caipirinhas and my favorite was the passion fruit one (orange color). It was a little hard to decide which was my favorite so I’m surprised I picked one.
Be careful, they’re strong. Pro tip, ask for a spoon to eat the fruit. Any of these drinks can be made without alcohol if you or your kids wanted any.
Another delicious Brazilian non-alcoholic drink is limeade! Order it. You won’t regret it because it is so refreshing.
Next, we tried some pastels – codfish, cheese, and beef.
The cheese and beef pastels were my favorite! It’s so convenient to eat too that I’d have some each morning on the way to work. They’ll come with a side of thin fries, which is so unique! I love them. Makes you feel like you’re eating less so be careful!
We were in a sandwich mood today so we picked the 1933 traditional mortadella and Hocca cheese brisket. The brisket one was my favorite because I love brisket, but the other one was also full of flavors. Both were packed with meat so no complaints there.
For dessert, we had the Vulcano, which is a tower of brownies and ice cream. We looked away for too long because my friend’s daughter scarfed it all down! Imagine the energy that produced.
The other dessert we had was an apple pastel, which is similar to an apple and caramel strudel. You can’t go wrong with that either.
For more information, visit Hocca in Orlando, FL.
We were invited to a media event at Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen & Bar in Winter Park to celebrate their 3 year anniversary and we had the most epic time indulging in a seafood feast!
Owner Fred Thimm (pictured below) welcomed us to a seafood galore that included fresh raw bar oysters, chef specialties and fish camp classics.
Reel Fish opened in 2017 with the goal of serving sustainable fish and seafood from local waters and you can certainly tell by the quality and taste in all their authentic dishes they serve only the freshest seafood that you can get in the area.
Fish Camp Classic, wild-caught Mayport shrimp, Gulf oysters, and Red Grouper from Madeira Beach, golden fried and served with Hush Puppies and Coastal Slaw – added French Fries.
Low Country Boil, wild-caught Mayport shrimp, scallops, snow crab, PEI mussels, Andouille, red potatoes, corn on the cob, charred okra served with drawn butter and garlic ciabatta bread.
Local purveyor Colin Slemkewicz of Sublime Oyster Supply provides Reel Fish with some of the best fish and seafood in town.
Colin’s Florida oysters were spectacular and we were pleased to find out that they were caught just the day before! They had the fresh “day at the beach” flavor to them which we all enjoyed and delighted in.
Grilled Spanish Octopus, with Chimichurri sauce and chopped tomato, onion & cucumber salad.
Shrimp & Avocado Toast, smashed avocado, cool poached shrimp, warm poached egg, chopped herbs, shaved radishes, on multigrain toast.
Chef Catch: Golden Tile from Cape Canaveral, on warm sweet potato salad with leek cream sauce.
North Beach Salad, grilled Mayport shrimp atop of arugula and romaine with goat cheese, red onion, cucumber, Campari tomato, fennel, artichoke, green apple, dried cherries, with blood orange vinaigrette.
Fried Chicken & Waffles, all-natural half-chicken, on toasted waffle, with fresh watermelon and Reel maple syrup.
Chef Catch: Pompano from Cortez, grilled with sautéed red peppers & mushrooms, with cilantro lime rice & Old Bay cream sauce.
Oysters of The Day
Oyster Rockefeller, baked with spinach, artichoke, cream and parmesan bread crumbs.
Roasted Oysters, with garlic butter, horseradish and parmesan bread crumbs.
Oysters on the Half Shell, with house made cocktail sauce, cucumber mignonettes.
Smothered Tomatoes and Okra, chopped tomatoes and okra, stewed in chicken broth, red wine vinegar, tabasco.
Green Beans, rendered low & slow in Newske’s bacon, onions, Tabasco, butter.
Collard Greens, cooked low & slow in rendered ham hock, onions, cider vinegar, tabasco.
Congratulations Fred Thimm, Colin Slemkewicz, and the crew at Reel Fish on 3 years of award winning food & hospitality!
Anniversary weekend specials:
Upcoming specials:
Enjoy 50% off bottles of Ruffino Prosecco with the purchase of 1 dozen oyster on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th.
For more information, please visit: www.reelfishcoastal.com
Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen & Bar
1234 N. Orange Ave, Winter Park, FL
(407) 543-FISH (3474)
Chef Norman Van Aken and partners Tom and Kim Wood announce that they are re-opening their flagship restaurant on Sand Lake’s famed Restaurant Row in the iconic Dellagio Town Center. Plans for a unique renovation of the 7,500 square foot space, revealed in first quarter 2020, will show a complete reimagining of the anchor space at the corner of Sand Lake Road and Della. Including a bold new look for 1,750 square feet of outdoor event space.
The grand opening for NORMAN’S is targeted for late summer 2020. NORMAN’S will feature a contemporary menu that will be announced in late Spring but is reported to include some of Chef Van Aken’s signature dishes as well as some of the legendary Chef’s newest inspirations. The company is continuing to employ Yusuf Yildiz as general manager of the new restaurant and Laura Fletcher as private event manager.
In August of 2019 Chef Norman Van Aken, Florida’s sole chef recipient of The James Beard “Who’s Who in America” Award, celebrated the 16th anniversary of the flagship restaurant, NORMAN’S at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. He said this about the decision to move to Dellagio:
“As we enter the next part of our journey – we are activating a space that is almost twice as large as our old space. This is in alignment with our goal of creating more world-class events in Orlando. Restaurant Row’s proximity to the Orange County Convention center allows us to better serve the estimated 1.4 million expected convention-goers in 2020. Dellagio is the perfect fit for our expanding vision of food and service to the community and to travelers.”
NORMAN’S features Chef and decorated Cookbook Author Norman Van Aken and his culinary team. Chef Van Aken’s internationally acclaimed “New World Cuisine” is an exciting, healthful and delicious fusion of Florida with the power of Latin, Caribbean and Asian roots.
“NORMAN’S will be an anchoring presence for Dellagio. We are working closely with the team at Norman’s on the stunning, genre-defining renovation taking place. We are excited about the prestige that this award-winning brand and iconic personality bring to the Dellagio collective footprint and to Restaurant Row.” Joe LeBas, President, Managing Director and Founder, Concorde Group Holdings, LLC
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