Sixty Vines brings wine country to Winter Park, FL with 60 wines on tap with their Grand Opening on March 17, 2020.

It is a Texas-based restaurant that currently has two locations — one in Dallas and another in Plano, with a Houston location slated to open this summer. This location in Orlando is the first outside of Texas.

Sixty Vines bring brunch, lunch and dinner options as well as tappy hour and specials throughout the week.

Sixty Vines gives you an open kitchen experience where you can watch the chefs do their magic, especially with their amazing pizza oven.

Pizzas with their oven can be made in 6 minutes to bring it out fresh to your table sooner than later for you to enjoy. You can have the chef be creative and make you something special. Yet, their most popular pizza is the Fig & Prosciutto with white sauce, mozzarella, local honey, arugula, and sesame seeds.

This Margherita pizza is made with basil pesto, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, romano, and micro basil.

All of the ingredients used by Sixty Vines are fresh and you can tell. Maybe you’ll even catch the chef and his salt bae impression like we did.

Goat cheese and pickled veggies to enjoy with some small, crisp flatbreads as the delivery system.

What wine restaurant would it be without a charcuterie board? Luckily, we don’t have to answer that question.

With this machine, that charcuterie board is made in a pinch.

There are many vegetarian friendly dishes and/or vegan dishes as well for everyone to enjoy. These are Toasts, which is a vegetarian friendly dish that combines sweet and savory notes. It consists of sea salt ciabatta with avocado & togarashi, brie & candied dates, raclette & tomato bacon jam.

The Meatballs are made with pork & local wagyu, san marzano tomato sauce, and pecorino romano. They’re so tender, moist and flavorful.

I’m not big on sweets, but holy cow would I order desserts at Sixty Vines. Their desserts are so decadent and enjoyable with any type of wine or to enjoy on their own.

Don’t forget to stop by the bar with Beau and his pals as your bartenders. They make such delicious cocktails.

This thyme influenced drink is one of their most popular. They infuse watermelon juice/water into the drink to make it lightly sweet, but more of that idea of summer on your mind.

Something a little more sweet is this peach and tequila drink. Tequila seems to be a girl’s best friend from what my close friends seem to enjoy. You won’t go wrong with this whether or not tequila is your jam.

There are a number of cocktails on the menu for you to explore and enjoy. I recommend trying them all. Maybe not all in the same night. Or do. I won’t judge.

OR you could go with one of the 60 wines on tap, which the menu shows them all categorized by type and they each have their own description too.

For more information, visit Sixty Vines for more information. I hope to see you there opening night of March 17, 2020!

UPDATED: Friday March 20, 2020

– Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-71, directing all restaurants and food establishments within the State of Florida to suspend on-premises food and alcohol consumption for customers. The listed establishments may, however, operate their kitchens for the purpose of providing delivery or take-out services.
– This Executive Order lifts the restriction that prohibits a specially licensed food service establishment from selling package sales of alcohol for delivery, take-out or consumption off-premises for restaurants complying with Executive Order 20-68, through the expiration of the state of emergency declared in Executive Order 20-52. Alcohol sales to go with food that is pick-up or delivered will be permitted and I.D. will be required for orders including alcohol.
– Additionally, the Executive Order requires the closures of gymnasiums and fitness centers within the State of Florida. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) shall utilize its authorities under Florida law to further implement and enforce the provisions of this Executive Order and shall take additional measures as necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

Read the Executive Order here:

https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-71.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3HPNULeJnO-CMst2yDOja5dXsToMynzFM4dZKveZvhCc9lA19sh7MyUi4

Things have been getting real in Central Florida these past few weeks. The Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic has been rapidly spreading across the world including here in Florida. This documentary showcases what life was like in Wuhan, China during the lockdown – and currently the Italian healthcare system is crippled under the strain of so many patients that they are deciding who lives and who dies because there are not enough ventilators – it is serious.

According to the New York Times, a dire scientific report gave warning that, without action by the government and individuals to slow the spread of coronavirus and suppress new cases, 2.2 million people in the United States could die.

As flights are canceled, conventions are canceled, reservations are canceled, schools are closed, etc. in order to flatten the curve on this very real health crisis, there is a concurrent economic crisis unfolding as restaurants and their workers see less hours and money coming into the region.

The situation is fluid, with new updates from the CDC and the Florida state government each day – as of March 16, 2020 the CDC recommends people congregate in groups of no bigger than 10, use social distancing of 6 feet of more, and washing hands.

Ways to Help the Central Florida / Orlando Restaurant Industry

1. Order to Go / Curbside Pick Up / or Delivery

2. Tip more than usual if you can 

3. Buy Gift Cards to help increase current cash flow to local businesses and use them later

   4. Call your local elected officials to support suspending rent, debt, utilities payments and other relief measures

To be honest, this is uncharted territory for many as this can possibly last not just weeks but months.

Below are a few resources as well as updates from local Central Florida / Orlando restaurants – including providing curb side pick up and more delivery options:

Central Florida / Orlando Restaurants Providing Curbside Pick Up / Delivery / Updates – Call Ahead

Se7en Bites

Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria

Proper and Wild / The Sanctum Cafe – Realdamngoodfood.com

The Ravenous Pig

Oh My Gyro

MX Taco

Hook and Reel Cajun Seafood and Bar

Saffron Indian Orlando

The Tap Room at Dubsdread

First Watch

Taglish

Stefano’s Trattoria

Smoke and Donuts

The Meatball Stoppe

Market on South

JJ’s Fusion Grille

Hungry Pants

Hunger Street Tacos

Farm and Haus

Cafe Madrid Deli and Bakery

Bites and Bubbles

Bad As’s Sandwich

Aashirwad Indian

Antonella’s Pizzeria

American Social Orlando

The Old Jailhouse

Cress Restaurant

East End Market

Maxine’s On Shine

Tandoori Bowl

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa

La Femme Du Formage

Vines and Forks by the Wine Barn

The Hammered Lamb

Taverna Opa

Taverna Opa

Tapa Toro

Talk of the Town Restaurants – Charlie’s Steakhouse, Moonfish, Johnnie’s Hideaway, Vito’s Chophouse

Orlando Restaurants with Free Meals for Students/Kids Out of School

Toasted

Git N Messy BBQ

Maple Street Biscuit Company

Chicken Fire

Bad As’s Sandwich

GIVING AND RECEIVING ASSISTANCE

Heart of Florida United Way 211 Information and Referral Crisis Line is connecting with residents to share information about available resources in the community including locations of nearest food pantries, crisis mental health services, and more. The service is provided 24/7, 365 days a year. Translation services are available around the clock. Residents can connect by dialing 2-1-1 from a phone, texting their zip code to 898211 or by chatting online at HFUW.org/Chat

Second Harvest Food Bank
The best way to connect those in need to locations in their local community that are distributing food is through the Second Harvest Food Bank’s online food finder tool on their website. Find it here: feedhopenow.org/findfood

People who want to help and donate food can do this online by starting a virtual food drive. Information can be found here: virtualfooddrive.org. Physical food drives are discouraged at this time to protect the safety of the food chain.

One Blood
Over the past week, because of fear about the coronavirus, blood centers throughout the country and here in Central Florida, are experiencing a significant drop in donations which is limiting the ability for the nation’s blood supply to be adequately replenished. The coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. Blood centers are regulated by the FDA and must follow specific guidelines to ensure safe blood is available for patients at all times. The FDA has also confirmed that there have been no reported or suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus and the virus poses no known risk to patients receiving blood transfusions. To donate blood today, visit oneblood.org/covid19/.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin. The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online at https://floridadisaster.biz/. Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Surveys submitted by small businesses can be used to access the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, made available for COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact the State of Florida Emergency Operations Center business liaisons at ESF18@em.myflorida.com

Florida activates website for free student meals during school closure

On Sunday, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) activated their Summer BreakSpot website, where families can find free meals for children under 18 during the current coronavirus school closures. The meal locations may be found at SummerBreakSpot.FreshFromFlorida.com.

As of March 15, there are 934 active BreakSpot sites statewide in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Miami-Dade, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Manatee, Marion, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, and Seminole.

BARTENDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM from USBG 

https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

If you feel sick

The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida’s COVID-19 website

Although Chicken Fire is not currently doing pop ups, it doesn’t stop Kwame from working with other locals to bring delicious and creative comfort food to Central Florida. His latest collaboration is with The Lunch Rotation for brunch.

Isaac from The Lunch Rotation created some delicious french toast that came with two tenders as a Brunch Box. You can still get the tenders at the heat level of your choice, which mine is mild heat with extra honey for that sweetness pop.

However, you won’t need any extra honey when they give you these tasty french toast and some maple syrup for the Brunch Box.

However, if you didn’t think that was enough then feast your eyes on some of Isaac’s cornbread.

How beautiful are they after they were placed on the grill?

The cornbread is served with maple whipped butter that Pedro from The Lunch Rotation was helping him whip up and serve.

Although they didn’t start taking orders until 11:30am, there was already a long line out the door by 10:30 because these collaborations are always limited on how many orders they can create on top of their usual menu items.

While fans were camping out front, everyone was busy inside working hard to make their magic.

Stub after stub, the orders came in fast. The Chicken Fire and The Lunch Rotation teams  had such smooth systems in action to the point they didn’t sweat the rush.

Oh boy, did they deliver the magic. Looks like the dishes were approved by A Quick Spoonful.

What do you think? Would you try these dishes yourself?

Do you need another look at the Brunch Box?

What about the cornbread?

Get ready for more collaboration announcements by following Chicken Fire on Instagram.

For their next collaboration, they’re with Pig Floyd’s! Check it out.

PRESS RELEASE FROM OCLS

The administration of the Orange County Library System has announced that, to protect the health of our staff and customers, all library-sponsored events and programs scheduled from March 14 through March 30 will be cancelled.

The cancellation includes camps, classes, events, programs, staff-assisted studio sessions, tours, library pop-ups and outreach events. Online classes will continue to be offered.

Early voting at library branches will continue as scheduled, and Census 2020 is still scheduled to set up tables at our locations as planned. Meeting room bookings will be honored, but customers who wish to cancel a meeting due to concerns about the virus can have their meeting room fees refunded by calling 407-835-7323.

Libraries will remain open for normal hours to provide essential library services to customers.

The Orange County Library System has a wide variety of digital offerings for library cardholders, including ebooks and audiobooks, live online classes, streaming TV and movies, music downloads, databases, digital magazines and more. Visit our website at ocls.info for more information on how to access these services, or to sign up for a library card online.

The library’s administration is taking the spread of COVID-19 very seriously and will continue to monitor the situation as it develops. If additional cancellations or closures are necessary, we will announce them on our social media accounts and at ocls.info.

Celebrate St. Patty’s 2020 With Liam Fitzpatrick’s, Graffiti Junktion, Duffy’s And F&D Cantina At The 12^th Annual Lake Mary St. Patrick’s Block Party On Saturday, March 14

Central Florida’s #1 Irish Pub Joins Together with Colonial Town Park Plaza Neighbors For the Biggest, FREE St. Patty’s Block Party in North Orlando Featuring Festive Live Entertainment, Multiple DJs, Drinks and Supporting Orlando City Youth Soccer

Orlando, FL (February 20, 2020) – It’s time again to go green and join the luck of the Irish at Liam Fitzpatrick’s Restaurant and Irish Pub, Graffiti Junktion, Duffy’s Sports Grill and F&D Cantina for the 12^th annual St. Patrick’s Lake Mary Block Party on Saturday, March 14.  North Orlando’s biggest block party is FREE to attend and kicks off at Colonial Town Park plaza at 4pm.  The epic event features festive live entertainment throughout the night from Orlando Firefighters Bagpipes & Drums, three live DJs, drink specials and authentic Irish food and fun.

The Lake Mary St. Patrick’s Block Party also supports Orlando City Youth Soccer, who will be on site collecting donations.  Orlando City Youth Soccer is the preeminent youth club in Lake Mary, whose core values are player development, parental guidance, coaches education and community outreach.

“While we strive to deliver a traditional Irish pub experience 365 days a year, St. Patty’s is, without question, our most highly anticipated main event,” says Liam Fitzpatrick’s General Manager Dominick Coloni.  “We are excited to join back together with our plaza neighbors and Orlando City Youth Soccer, start 2020 off strong and see all of our loyal patrons at the best, the biggest and the most memorable St. Patrick’s party.”

Enjoy the 12^th annual Lake Mary St. Patrick’s Block Party on Saturday, March 14 starting at 4pm at Colonial Town Park located at 951 Market Promenade Avenue, Suite 1115, Lake Mary, FL 32746.  For more information, visit www.facebook.com/liamfitzpatricks.

Club Wyndham, the world’s largest vacation club with more than 100 resorts, has partnered with renowned chefs from around the U.S. to launch a new culinary series – Suite Meals by Club Wyndham™.

The digital culinary series features simple and delicious recipes that families can prepare right in their vacation club suite, crafted by James Beard Award nominee Julie Petrakis, local chef and restaurateur of The Ravenous Pig, Cask & Larder and The Polite Pig, from Orlando, Florida.  

Club Wyndham has also partnered with two other chefs: Chef Gabriel Paredes from Austin, TX and Chef Karl Holl from Portland, OR.

Each recipe features local ingredients and is simple to prepare, using the tools found in the in-suite kitchens or kitchenettes.  Guests will be able to recreate dishes at the resorts located in the chefs’ hometowns, thanks to in-suite recipe cards and demo videos on the resort’s TV channel and website.

We were invited to Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort to meet Chef Julie Petrakis who prepared for us her three signature Suite Meals dishes and they were all simple to make and delicious!

Southern-Style Breakfast Sammy

Florida-Style Shrimp and Grits

Florida Farmer Salad with Honey-Dijon Pork Chops 

Petrakis aimed to provide family-friendly dishes that everyone can enjoy while taking a break from a busy day at the theme parks.

For more information, visit: SuiteMealsbyClubWyndham.com

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
9560 Via Encinas, Orlando, FL
(407) 238-3500
wyndhambonnetcreek.com

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.