Tasty Chomps: A Local's Culinary Guide | A local's perspective to food and drink – food guides and more

First Look: Sticky Rice Lao Street Food

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Ricky Ly

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Jan 2, 2018

Had a truly delicious lunch today at Sticky Rice Lao Street Food!

Located on the first floor of Bikkuri in Mills 50, the owners of Sticky Rice has transformed the small restaurant into something resembling an outdoor Laotian night market stall with dark ceilings and low, wooden tables.

The menu is very affordable with most dishes ranging from $4 to $5, perfect sizes for sharing over Laotian beers with friends if one chooses. You’d be tempted to order the whole menu. It reminded me of places my uncles would go to enjoy grilled meats and beers (they serve BeerLao here!) late into the night growing up.

Alot of the food had flavors that reminded me of my childhood, though Vietnam is a neighbor of Laos there are some similarities as well as differences in the cuisine. I loved the char on the grilled chicken wings seasoned in fish sauce and sugar, and the crispy pork rice lettuce wrap which had little crunchy bits and pieces of roast pork.

It’s important to note that the sticky rice order is meant to be eaten with other dishes such as the pork sausages or beef jerky rather than alone – making a perfect combo of carbs and meat. They also had a delicious noodle soup that reminded me of Vietnamese banh canh or udon noodle soup called khao piek sen.

khao piek sen noodle soup

Another favorite was the pork tapioca dumplings, sticky chewy white balls of tapioca stuffed with crispy pork and garlic!

pork tapioca dumplings

Save room for dessert like the sweet pandan jelly in coconut milk, mango sticky rice, and coconut gelato on purple sticky rice served inside bamboo. We dunked our sticky rice in the sweet coconut milk for that extra sweetness.

Overall very impressed by the food and the authenticity of flavors at Sticky Rice – definitely will bring my family back here to try.

Go soon and with friends and enjoy Orlando’s first and only Laotian street food restaurant!

They are open 11:30am to 10:00pm daily.

Sticky Rice Lao Street Food
1915 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, Florida
https://www.facebook.com/pg/StickyRiceStreetFood

First Look: Big Kahuna’s Island Style Bowl

Orlando

Ricky Ly

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Jan 2, 2018

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First Look: Big Kahuna’s Island Style Bowl

In a world where the customer is always right, is it no wonder that the chipotle style concept where guests get to customize and choose their own ingredients has become more and more popular?

Located in far flung Oviedo/Winter Springs – at the southwest intersection of Tuscawilla and Red Bug Lake – is Big Kahuna’s Island Style Bowl. It’s a chipotlified version of a poke joint where you can order your various raw fish topped with items such as avocado, fried onion chips, mango, and more all on top of rice and a drizzle of sauce. They slice their fish fresh daily just like they do in the islands and it shows in the taste of the bowl. It’s a small place but the freshness in poke fish is critical for obvious reasons and in this regard Big Kahuna shines.

Make sure to save room for the insane $6 Pineapple Dole Whip Float, it’s essentially a pineapple soft serve paradise served inside a pineapple. Don’t worry they give you straws and spoons so you can dig at it.

Big Kahuna’s Island Style Bowl
1450 Tuskawilla Rd #108 · (407) 543-3700
http://www.bigkahunasbowls.com/

Season’s Eating with Sonny’s BBQ Pitmaster Brandon Manly at Williams Sonoma – Park Avenue

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 22, 2017

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Season’s Eating with Sonny’s BBQ Pitmaster Brandon Manly at Williams Sonoma – Park Avenue

Pitmaster Brandon Manly teaching us how to make some delicious eats for the holidays.

We were invited to check out this free and public event hosted by Sonny’s BBQ last Saturday at Williams Sonoma on Park Avenue in partnership with Peterbrooke Chocolatier. I loved that the event landed on a Saturday afternoon because I frequent the popular Winter Park Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings so I was able to pick up a few things and walk over to the cooking demo afterwords. During our cooking demo we learned how to make Stuffed Pork Loin with Cranberry Agave Glaze, Smoked Turkey, Gruyère Potatoes, and Chocolate Bacon Holiday Bark. Everything was delicious!

Sonny’s BBQ – Winter Park
3390 University Blvd Winter Park, FL 32792
(407) 671-2002
sonnysbbq.com

Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park
300 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 644-3200
http://peterbrookewp.com

Williams Sonoma – Park Avenue
142 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 628-5900
williams-sonoma.com/stores/us/fl/winter-park-park-avenue

Celebrating the season at IKEA’s annual Swedish Julbord buffet

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 21, 2017

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Celebrating the season at IKEA’s annual Swedish Julbord buffet

We were invited to celebrate the season at IKEA’s annual Swedish Julbord smorgasbord – a nationwide event at participating stores. A traditional Julbord is a highlight of Swedish cuisine, consisting of local and family specialties enjoyed with family and friends.

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat buffet featuring traditional Swedish dishes were $16.99 per person / $4.99 for kids 12 and under, or at a discounted rate for IKEA FAMILY members ($12.99 per person / $2.99 for kids 12 and under).

IKEA Food Range and Product Developer, Peter Ho, says, “The Julbord buffet is at the center of the classic Scandinavian holiday celebration, uniting family and friends alike. It is a much anticipated tradition in Sweden that we enjoy sharing with customers all over.”

The cutest Christmas reindeer! An IKEA employee informed me that they were sold out, unfortunately.

Swedish cheeses, crispbread, thin bread, softbread

Gravad lax with mustard sauce

Christmas ham

Swedish potato salad

Hard boiled eggs

Assorted desserts

Daim cakes with and without chocolate, Swedish fish

Coffee, tea, fountain beverages

Pickled herring, Swedish cucumber salad, Red beet salad, Hard boiled eggs, Christmas ham, Gravad lax with mustard sauce

Poached salmon, Jansson’s temptations, sautéed red cabbage and apples, mashed potatoes and gravy

Meatballs with lingonberries, mashed potatoes and gravy, sautéed red cabbage and apples, Jansson’s temptations

Swedish Santa Lucia processional

Swedish Santa

Thank you Swedish Santa for the complimentary tote bags!

(Source credit: IKEA)

IKEA
4092 Eastgate Dr. Orlando, FL 32839
+1 (888) 888-4532
ikea.com/us

First Look: Mai’s Bistro in Mills 50

Ricky Ly

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Dec 18, 2017

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Mai’s Bistro is a new fast casual restaurant that has opened up in Orlando’s Mills 50 District, specializing in Vietnamese street food such as banh mi, Vietnamese sticky rice, and banh cuon rice crepes. They bake their own bread and sweets and make everything in house.

On a recent visit, I loved their banh cuon rice crepes and their variety of both sweet and savory Vietnamese sticky rice (xoi). You could get bbq roast pork, chinese sausage, or shredded chicken for savory sticky rice and jackfruit for sweet sticky rice. They bake their bread from scratch on site and their grilled pork banh mi is one of the best i have had. Their staff was very friendly and hospitable. Will try again soon and update!

Mai’s Bistro in Mills 50
830 E Colonial Dr A, Orlando, FL 32803
Menu: maibistrousa.com
Phone: (407) 730-8538

Pizzeria Roberti in East Orlando

Ricky Ly

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Dec 15, 2017

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Pizzeria Roberti can be found tucked in a small corner on the east side of Orlando, off of Curry Ford and Chicksaw Trail.

Here you will find one of the best pizzas in Orlando – from the crispy, tasty house-fermented crust to the house-made mozzarella cheese, Pizzeria Roberti is the real deal.

Joseph Roberti, owner and chef of Pizzeria Roberti, takes a lot of pride in his work and it shows through the quality of the food here.

Roberti tells us, “Our pizza on the surface is a New York Style Pizza, but underneath it is much more complex than that. In reality it is a combination of Artisan style pizza, Neapolitan style pizza, and traditional New York style pizza.”

“Our dough is made from cultivated yeast produced in house similar to the production of artisan sourdough breads (Artisan characteristic). Our sauce is made from San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy and less than a handful of all fresh ingredients (Neapolitan characteristic). We bake our pies in a traditional bakers pride pizza oven (New York characteristic), but we cook them at a high heat between 550 and 575 degrees Fahrenheit (similar to a Neapolitan characteristic). Our cheese is a combination whole milk and part-skim Grande Mozzarella (New York characteristic).”

Specialty – Breakfast Pizza – topped with egg, chives, ham, bacon, cheese

“Every ingredient of our specialty pies is produced in house. Our specialty slice pies are often garnished to order not unlike a dish coming out of a high end restaurant. And that is just the pizzas. We also have beer, wine, salads (all dressings made in house), subs, appetizers (such as our homemade fresh mozzarella), pastas (all sauces made in house), and vast catering menu. We are off to a great start in developing our concept and look forward to continually evolve as we grow.

“As a kid my father used to take me to a local pizza shop a few days a week and the cooks used to teach me little things here and there. By the age of 8 or 9 I made my first slice pie. Fast forward a bit to 14, I was now living in Orlando, Fl, and about to start high school. I was looking to get started in my cooking career and I got my shot at a neighborhood pizzeria & bar. I started as a prep cook, then learned the hot line, then pizza station, and even serving from time to time.”

Brined and Fried Chicken Wings with Garlic, Parmesan Cheese – Divine

“I liked my job but had ambitions for more, I wanted to pursue a career as a professional chef. As soon as I got my license I took a job on I-drive as a dishwasher in a much bigger and more known restaurant. It was a step backward, but it was also a foot in the door with a successful brand. Fast forward again about 3 years, I worked at few spots around Orlando, most notably the Citrus Club under chef Scott Haegele, and went to culinary school.”

“Upon graduating culinary school I decided to go back to New York to learn how to transition from a cook to a chef. I got my shot, this time with accomplished chef Hung Huynh who took me under his wing, trained me, and gave me the exposure and opportunity to work with many great culinarians.”

“Fast Forward another 4 years, I’m living in Miami, at this point a chef myself running various kitchens. In 2015 I created a company “Motion Hospitality Group” as a hospitality consulting business, with the intention of one day opening a place of my own. Fast Forward to today where Motion Hospitality Group currently owns and operates its first restaurant concept: “Pizzeria Roberti”.”

What are your first childhood food memories?

One of my first memories with food was when I was around 5 or 6, my parents weren’t home and my brother was watching me. He must have fallen asleep or something, and I made an apple omelet. The first thing I have ever cooked by my memory.

What are some of your favorite dishes at Pizzeria Roberti?

My favorite dishes at the pizzeria are the pesto & margherita pizzas, chicken marsala with farfalle pasta, and the pizza dough zeppoles.

What do you like to cook for “comfort food” at home with your family?

My Favorite thing to eat at home is Mom’s Lasagna.

Housemade meatballs – tender, braised, crisp on the outside

The Sauce

“Our pizza sauce consists of a combination of San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy and all fresh ingredients including fresh herbs and garlic. San Marzano tomatoes are known for their natural sweetness and low acidity.”

The Dough

“Our dough is made in house with our specially cultivated yeast, which is fermented on premise. This is an important characteristic of our dough because it creates a more robust flavor and the natural fermentation of our dough, makes it healthier and more digestible.”

Pizzeria Roberti
Address: 2751 S Chickasaw Trail Suite 107, Orlando, FL 32829
https://pizzeriaroberti.com

Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner at Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar

Orlando

Katherine Nguyen

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Dec 14, 2017

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Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner at Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar

One of the world’s tastiest holiday traditions will receive a “Florida-style” twist with the debate of a limited time only “Feast of the Seven Fishes” menu at Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar. This menu is offered from December 24, 2017 to January 6, 2018, including a seven-course seafood and wine Christmas Eve extravaganza to kickoff the celebration.

The December 24 dinner will begin at 6:30pm and is limited to the first 25 guests. We were invited to taste the menu as a sneak peak to provide everyone insight of what is to come!

The Bahamian Conch Fritters are served with a mango sauce. The mango glaze adds a nice sweetness to the conch fritters. Conch fritters are crispy, yet smooth in textures. The flavors are mild without the mango sauce.

The Red Grouper Ceviche is fresh and cooked nicely with a lemony zest.

The Smoked Rainbow Trout Fish Dip is a tad salty, but balanced when eaten with some saltine crackers. The trout has a texture similar to tuna. Be careful as it may have bones.

The reception snacks above are paired well with Col De Salici Extra Dry Prosecco, which is a vintage Prosecco.

The Mayport Shrimp on Grit Cake with Seafood Gumbo Sauce was cooked really well. The grit cake is crispy on the outside, while smooth and creamy on the inside. The shrimp was caught off of Jacksonville, FL.

The Nueske’s Applewood Smoke Bacon-Wrapped Scallop with Butter Beans has an abundance of textures and flavors that blend well when eaten all together. When taken apart, the bacon may be salty so make sure you’re eating it with the scallop and butter beans. The scallop is very delightful and cooked well. The butter beans were very smooth and a type of bean I would like for someone who is not fond of beans.

The savory and salty plates are paired with the Stags Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc. It is very smooth with so many notes of fruit. The fruit notes are prominent in smell before it hits your palate.

The Whole Fried Hog Snapper and Black Sea Bass with Smothered Tomatoes & Okra is paired with Spatz & Hall Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast.

The Fried Hog Snapper is very fresh with a corn flour seasoning. The meat has a slight sweetness to it.
The Black Sea Bass is slightly dry in certain sections, but very tender and moist in other regions because the moistness depends on what area you pull the meat from. Nonetheless, the fish is very fresh! The outside is very crisp and flavorful.

The Lobster Ravioli is very fresh and house made. It is served with a Seafood Bolognese Sauce that brings it all together. The lobster ravioli even tastes great alone without the sauce if you are sensitive to red sauce. It is paired with Stags Leap Wine Cellars Hands of Time Red that is full in flavor.

The oyster of the Gulf Oyster Shooters (featuring Tito’s Vodka) is very fresh. There is a rim of Old Bay around the glass that goes well with the shot. It is absolutely earthy as it is suggested by the menu.

The Famous Carrot Cake is famous for a reason as it is moist and has a chewy texture to it, which is delightful in my opinion.

The Red Velvet Layer Cake is very moist and thick as it coats the palate. The cakes are paired with the Prunotto Moscato D’ Asti. The Prunotto Moscato D’ Asti is very smooth and delightful for a dessert wine as I am not usually fond os sweet wines. This dessert wines is not as sweet as the usual dessert wines that are paired.

For more information, please visit Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar or their “Feast of the Seven Fishes” Facebook Event.

Outback Steakhouse opens at new location in Oviedo

Ricky Ly

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Dec 13, 2017

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Outback Steakhouse opens at new location in Oviedo

Outback Steakhouse, the Tampa-based Australian-themed American casual dining restaurant chain, has recently moved from its original Oviedo spot down the street to a new location just across the way from Sushi Pop. It was previously the location for Bojangles Fried Chicken.

One of their newest dishes is: Big Aussie Bloom

NEW Address: 215 W Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765

Mon-Thu: 11:00 AM-10:00 PM
Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM-11:00 PM
Sun: 11:00 AM-10:00 PM
for more info, visit:
https://www.outback.com/locations/fl/oviedo

Wall St. Plaza Cantina Introduces New Menu

Orlando

Katherine Nguyen

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Dec 13, 2017

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Wall St. Plaza Cantina Introduces New Menu

Wall St. Plaza Cantina brings a new Feliz Hour taco menu with new tacos and deals you can only get on Tuesdays between 2-7pm. We were invited to try each as well as Terremoto’s new tequila.

The tacos can be served on soft white flour, white corn tortilla, or hard yellow corn shells. The white corn tortilla is a tad dry for my fancy, but the hard yellow corn shell was good. Yet, our favorite has to be the soft white flour tortilla.

Taco de Pescado (back left) – white fish grilled “a la plancha” and topped with shredded cabbage and cilantro cream. The grilled fish is tender and has a good kind of unique taste.
$2 Tuesday Taco (back center) – choose ground beef or shredded chicken. In this case, we tried the ground beef. It’s a traditional taco of Wall St. Plaza Cantina on a hard yellow corn shell with shredded iceberg lettuce as well as topped with Monterrey and cheddar cheese. It is simplistic, yet delicious.
Pollo Frito (back right) – fried chicken strips tossed in a house honey chipotle sauce before being topped with shredded cabbage and cilantro crema. This was my favorite taco of the night. Sweet with a slight hot kick to the end. The chicken has a crispy coating from being fried; yet, it does not heat up the cabbage and cilantro crema, which makes me very happy for it not to do because the cabbage and cilantro crema adds a fresh touch to the taco.
Tico Taco (front center) – house braised, shredded pork with onions, cilantro on a white corn tortilla and a signature tico sauce. The shredded pork is slightly dry, but the flavors are nice. The onions add a nice crunchy texture to this dish.

Terremoto was present with their jalapeño lime infused tequila as well as their churro infused tequila. You can have them in a margarita form or shot form. Both are tasty depending on your mood!

For more information, please visit Taco Tuesday.

Yappy Hour at K Restaurant + Wine Bar

Orlando

Katherine Nguyen

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Dec 12, 2017

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On Monday, Dec. 11, K Restaurant launched their first, monthly, Yappy Hour. To inaugurate this series of tail-wagging fun they have partnered with Woof Orlando from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Orlando locals are invited to bring their furry four-legged friends out and enjoy free spent-grain dog treats made from local breweries and enter-to-win two raffles with prizes including gift certificates for a free grooming.

We were able to experience what “Doggie chaperones” can expect when it comes to tongue-in-cheek Yappy Hour dishes from Chef Ryan McLaughlin as well as drink specials as K Restaurant is excited to share that they just received their full liquor license.

Crispy Pig Ears are fried with dates pepper hot sauce and herbs. The pig ears are sliced thinly to make them crispy like a chip. They are lightly salted and delicious with or without the hot sauce. Be careful, the hot sauce is thick and has a major kick to it.

“Pawsta” is fried ravioli with ricotta filling. Served on marinara with pecorino cheese and herbs. The fried version of ravioli is very airy like a puff pastry. Each ingredient subtly blends well together upon the palate.

“Milk Bones” are veal bone marrow bones with charred bread and radishes. The bone marrow is very smooth and works well with the bread and radishes. The charred bread adds a saltiness to each bite. We almost ordered a second round of this dish!

The Cosmo-paw-litan (left) is made with vodka, orange shrubb, lime, and cranberry juice. A simple drink to socialize with. The Snoop Dog (right) was our favorite out of these two. The Snoop Dog is made with gin and pineapple juice; it is like a tropical version of a Screwdriver.

Since we were still slightly hungry after all the samplings, we ordered the Ricotta Gnocchi off the main menu, which changes up from time to time so you can come back to try new items all the time. The Ricotta Gnocchi is made with duck confit, butternut squash, garden greens, brussel sprouts, and sage veloute. Everything is made in-house and as fresh as possible for each order. Our specific plate was a tad more salty than I would prefer, but the dish is still delicious nonetheless.

The Ricotta Gnocchi was paired nicely with a 2014 Carmenere made in Valle Del Maule, Chile. This wine has a smooth and solid flavor with notes of spices, black cherry and blackberries.

For more information, visit the K Restaurant & Wine Bar Event Page.

Second Harvest Food Bank presents: Chef’s Night Featuring Chef Trina Gregory-Propst, Pastry Chef/Owner of SE7EN BITES

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 8, 2017

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Second Harvest Food Bank presents: Chef’s Night Featuring Chef Trina Gregory-Propst, Pastry Chef/Owner of SE7EN BITES

Chef Trina Gregory-Propst is amazing. She was the one who recommended my family’s restaurant, Saigon Noodle and Grill – Bumby to the Food Network producers when they asked her if she knew of any good Vietnamese restaurants in Orlando to be featured on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”. My family had no idea that Triple D was coming to our city (for the first time ever) so we did not expect to be contacted by them, however, when they reached out to us we knew that it was truly a blessing sent from God. We accepted the offer to film an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” and it has changed our lives for the better. We are now recognized worldwide and we have met so many loyal Triple D fans from all across the world. Chef Trina’s restaurant SE7EN BITES was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives” and both of our restaurants are located in the Milk District, so we are actually neighbors. What an honor it is to put our city and district on the Triple D map with Chef Trina. My family cannot thank her enough for what she has done for our small restaraunt business. We are so grateful for her and her awesome wife’s friendship!

Chef’s Night is an evening at the food bank featuring some of Central Florida’s best chefs and cuisine, all to benefit their Darden Foundation Community Kitchen’s Culinary Training Program. The Culinary Training Program 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. When you support Chef’s Night, you are helping to change lives, and help pull your neighbors in need out of poverty.

SE7EN BITES specializes in nostalgic southern comfort food with a modern twist. Chef Trina has loved to bake since her Grammy first introduced her to baking when she was a child. Grammy helped develop Trina’s love for all things sweet. Add in a professional culinary education, talent and passion and the result is a great recipe for local Orlando Goodness. Chef Trina created a 5-course “Brinner” menu, a delicious combination of breakfast served at dinner. Special thanks to SYSCO for donating all of the food to Chef’s Night to make the event a success.

Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar

Deviled eggs with candied bacon (best deviled eggs that I have ever had in my life!)

Pimento Cheese Biscuit bites with sweet red pepper butter (so yummy!)

Appetizer Course – Fried grit cake with tomato jam, Andouille and dressed Arugula

Salad Course – Citrus Pistachio Salad

Main Course – Colonel Marmalade in the Kitchen with a Knife. Biscuit stacked with Pimento Cheese, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, over medium egg, sausage gravy and finished with a dollop of Orange Blossom Marmalade (so delicious!)

Dessert Course – Cinnamon Roll Sundae Grammies, Cinnamon Roll topped with Vanilla Ice Cream Espresso Maple Caramel, Garnished with Milk & Salted Caramel Crumble

Chef Trina with her awesome wife, Va Propst.

The talented Se7en Bites staff

This lovely lady just got hired by Chef Trina to work at her restaurant, SE7EN BITES! Big congratulations!! (P.S. – She looks familiar. I think we went to high school together. So cool!)

Follow @themichaeljavier on instagram – he’s a cool dude, I want his charisma!

If you missed out this year, be sure to join us at the next Chef’s Table at Second Harvest Food Bank! Details will be posted on their website so keep an eye out for it.

(Source credit: Second Harvest Food Bank)

Second Harvest Food Bank
411 Mercy Drive Orlando, FL 32805
(407) 295-1066
feedhopenow.org

Se7en Bites
617 N Primrose Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 203-0727
se7enbites.com

Holiday Specials at BRIO Tuscan Grille

Orlando

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 7, 2017

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(Seasonal!) White Chocolate Berry Bread Pudding: vanilla bean gelato, housemade berry sauce, anglaise ($6.95) On this chilly day, I cannot stop thinking about this warm and beautiful seasonal dessert. It was so rich and decadent, with all the right flavors. My mom and I had to wait a little bit for it because the kitchen wanted to make it hot and fresh right out of the oven for us, hence why the vanilla bean gelato was instantly trickling down from it, but it was worth the wait.

‘Tis the season at BRIO Tuscan Grille! The restaurant is offering many ways to celebrate this season, from new menu items, seasonal dishes and cocktails and special events including:

Sat. Dec. 16 – Breakfast with Santa
Sun. Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve party with complimentary prosecco, party favors, balloon drop and live music.
Call BRIO Tuscan Grille – Winter Park Village at (407) 622-5611 and ask for the manager, Kiki, for more information!

Nationwide:
– Facebook & Instagram Contest: BRIO’s “12 Days to Win!” Facebook and Instagram contest gives fans a chance to win various prizes from Monday, Dec. 4–Friday, Dec. 15. BRIO will post a different question regarding the holidays each day. Those with winning answers will receive incredible BRIO prizes such as: gift cards, brunch for six, a chef’s dinner, a Happy Hour party for 12, and BRIO for a year (a $1,200 value)!

– Bonus Gift Card Offer: From Monday, Nov. 13–Saturday, Dec. 30, BRIO guests will receive a $25 bonus card with every $100 in gift cards purchased. The bonus card is valid Monday, Jan. 1 – Thursday, March 15, 2018. BRIO gift cards can be purchased at a local BRIO restaurant or online at www.BrioItalian.com/giftcards.

(NEW! ) Buffalo Chicken Nachos – Cheddar cheese sauce, creamy horseradish, Gorgonzola, green onions, celery, house-made potato chips ($5)

(NEW!) Crispy Shrimp Brio – Spicy Remoulade, green onions ($6)

(NEW!) Warm Margherita Dip – Four cheese blend, tomato compote, Reggiano, basil, grilled ciabatta ($5)

(Seasonal!) Spicy shrimp bruschetta – Fontina, charred tomato, lobster butter ($12.50)

Bulleit Nog-Chata: Bulleit Rye whiskey, RumChata, simple syrup, crème anglaise, cinnamon, nutmeg, cinnamon sugar rim ($9)

Salted Caramel Martini: RumChata, Kahlua, Absolut Vanilla, caramel swirl, salted rim ($9)

Two-Course Combos: your choice of soup or salad, with choice of entrée:
Soups – Soup of the day, Lobster Bisque (add $1)
Salads – Brio Chopped Salad, Caesar, or Wedge

Surf & Turf: 14-oz. strip steak, black pepper shrimp, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus (the two-course meal is priced at $34.95 with this entrée)

Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Glazed Peppers (light entrée): farro, quinoa, grape tomatoes, asparagus, capers, Marcona almonds, feta, pesto vinaigrette (the two-course meal is priced at $19.95 with this entrée)

Grilled Branzino: roasted red & gold beets, farro, Marcona almonds, marinated kale, lemon vinaigrette, feta (the two-course meal is priced at $26.95 with this entrée)

Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake – Anglaise sauce, vanilla whipped cream ($4.25)

Thank you Mom for being my plus 1 to a few of my foodie events! Be sure to check out BRIO Tuscan Grille – Winter Park Village soon for the holidays!

(Source credit: BRIO Tuscan Grille)

BRIO Tuscan Grille
480 N Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 622-5611
http://brioitalian.com

Rosen Shingle Creek’s 2017 Charity Partners Christmas Tree Decorating

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 6, 2017

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Rosen Shingle Creek’s 2017 Charity Partners Christmas Tree Decorating

Runway to Hope’s Christmas Tree

Rosen Hotels & Resorts is known for being charitable and the holidays are no exception. We were invited to check out 16 local charities gathering at Rosen Shingle Creek to decorate a tree in honor of their charity followed by a cocktail reception. Rosen Shingle Creek is proud to display a very special collection of Christmas Trees decorated by each of their Non-Profit Partner Organizations in the hotel’s festive lobby adding an extra level of good tidings to the hotel’s multi-million dollar holiday decor.

Mark NeJame, co-founder of Runway to Hope

Pork Taco – Marinated Cabbage, Cojita, Cheese, Mexican Crema

Chicken Taco – Marinated Cabbage, Cojita, Cheese, Mexican Crema

Fish Taco – Marinated Cabbage, Cojita, Cheese, Mexican Crema

Penne Pasta with Tomato, Basil, Calamatta Olives, Sun-dried Tomato, Capers and Parmesan Cheese

Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini Shitake Mushrooms, Sweet Peas and Peppers in Pesto Alfredo Sauce

Holiday White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate Fudge

Jack and Lee Rosen JCC

Girl Scouts of America, Citrus Council

The Pixel Fund

Osceola School for the Arts

The Harris Rosen Foundation

A Gift for Teaching

Canine Companions for Independence

Nemours Children’s Hospital

The Orlando Union Rescue Mission

The Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance

Best Buddies International

American Cancer Society

Florida Hospital Transplant Institute

Valencia College Foundation

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando

Compassionate Hands and Hearts

Shepherd’s Hope

We hope you enjoy their trees as much as we enjoyed watching them decorate it! All of these organizations host their annual gala events at Rosen Shingle Creek and all events are unique and available for ticket purchase or donations. Please visit their Holiday Tree Display at Rosen Shingle Creek’s hotel lobby!

(Source Credit: Rosen Hotel & Resort)

Rosen Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
(866) 996-9939
http://rosenshinglecreek.com

Yuki Hana Fusion Sushi’s Chef’s Multi-Course Tasting Event

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 4, 2017

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Yuki Hana Fusion Sushi’s Chef’s Multi-Course Tasting Event

At Yuki Hana they provide guests with a beautiful, modern dining experience and the freshest, most flavorful Japanese dishes around. From innovative sushi featuring fresh fish from the world’s finest markets to flavorful fusion dishes prepared with locally sourced veggies and herbs, every plate on their menu is fun, flavorful, and a new adventure. No matter the occasion, they are always more than happy to welcome you in and treat you to an unforgettable evening of bites and sips. Visit them and experience the finest in Japanese cuisine all under one roof.

Every season Yuki Hana hosts a special dinner showcasing their chef’s creativity and talent. We were invited to their Chef’s Multi-Course Tasting Event and as always, we were impressed with how creative and well thought-out each dish was. Not only did the food look good but it also tasted delicious as well. Each dish that came out was like an exciting surprise, we were all blown out of the water with their innovation, presentation and quality. Yuki Hana Fusion Sushi exceeded our expectations with every dish that they delivered that night. They are like food scientists, they know their stuff, they are creative, and they just keep getting better and better. You can tell that each dish was hand made with hard work, love and intention.

Begin – Butterfly Pea Crystal, Citrus Sake

Appetizer – Amuse-Bouche, Squash Dumpling

1st Course – Cape Cod Oyster, Wasabi Foam, Cocktail Pearl, Lemon Confit

2nd Course – Shima Aji, Wasabi Asparagus, Kombu Chip, Crispy Garlic, Ume Ponzu

3rd Course – Nigiri Tasting
Mussel (mussel puree, garlic chip)

Hamachi Tartare (tobiko, cured egg snow)

Tuna (tare, avocado)

Kohada (charred negi vin)

Break – Frozen White Chocolate Lychee Gusher

4th Course – Seared Shiromi, Cabbage Menage, Bacon Seaweed, Dashi Aioli (My favorite!)

5th Course – Roasted Beef, Oxtail Croquette, Pickled Pumpkin, Sweet Potato Sphere, Roasted Leek, Honey Soy (my second favorite!)

Dessert – Persimmon 5.0, Gelato, Compressed, Gel, Meringue, Soup (it was delicious!)

Special thanks to owner Ping Jiang and her talented staff for their hospitality and amazing food! Be sure to check out Yuki Hana Fusion Sushi soon, you won’t regret it!

Albert DeSue – Executive Chef
Steven Phan – Head Sushi Chef
Edwardo Mena – Sous Chef
Lance Herbas – Sushi Chef
Steven Chang – Sushi Chef

(Cover photo and last photo taken by Quay Hu)

Yuki Hana Fusion Sushi
3635 Aloma Ave Oviedo, Florida 32765
(407) 695-8808
http://sushiyukihana.com

Inaugural Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – now through December 30th

Tiffany Nguyen

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Dec 3, 2017

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Inaugural Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – now through December 30th

Don’t walk, run. Epcot is hosting its inaugural International Festival of Holidays now through December 30th. It is a great event packed with seasonal food and beverage specialties, festive merchandise, and live entertainment only being offered exclusively during the festival.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is a festival like no other, featuring the joyous holiday traditions of their 11 World Showcase nations. Enjoy unique food and beverage offerings at the expanded Holiday Kitchens abound – with a festive global tour as costumed performers bring time-honored traditions to life throughout World Showcase!

We toured the new Festive Center which includes the “Cookie Nook” and other festival goodies. Cookie Nook is the brand new & biggest feature at Odyssey. Cookie Nook has already sold over 10,000 cookies since it opened last week.

Make your own FREE snowflake ornament at the Festive Center (same building as Cookie Nook) and take it home with you or hang it on the mini Christmas tree.

Lunch time! All food items for the festival are distinctly different to celebrate different traditional food from different regions.

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, Germany – Cheese Fondue In a Bread Bowl with Fresh Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes featuring Melissa’s Produce

Yukon Holiday Kitchen, Canada – Seared Salmon with Crown Royal Maple Whiskey Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant

Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup

American Holiday Table – Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce

Feast of Three Kings – Roasted Pork with Smashed Yuca and Pickled Green Bananas

Thank you Epcot for the generous goodie bags!

Rockin’ the festive Disney ears with my celebrity friend and Disney expert, Lou Mongello.

The festival includes merchandise that you cannot find anywhere in the world, exclusive to Disney, and some for only this park – like artisan Reinhard Herzog, who creates personalized glass-blown ornaments at the Holiday Market.

Festival gear and exclusive Annual Passholder t-shirt (middle).

Explore the Festival – We encourage you to enjoy some of the cultural entertainment throughout World Showcase at your leisure including:

Sigrid Meets Julenissen The Christmas Gnome (Norway) – Celebrate the season with laugher, as the unsuspecting storyteller Sigrid encounters Julenissen, a magical, mischievous gnome.

El Mariachi Coco de Santa Cecilia (Mexico) – Inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Coco” and the celebration of Dia de Muertos.

Mostly Kosher (Between Morocco and France) – Capture the joy of Hanukkah and Klezmer music with this unique, high-energy indie band.

Joyful: A Celebration of the Season (Fountain View Stage) – The ‘JOYFUL!’ singers celebrate two holidays of the season— Christmas and Kwanzaa—with spirited, uplifting R&B, Pop and soul-stirring renditions of classic holiday music.

Voices of Liberty (American Adventure Rotunda) – Embrace the spirit of the season with the festive a cappella holiday music of the Dickens Carolers.

Candlelight Processional at America Gardens Theatre – A joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 5-piece orchestra and a glorious massed choir. The celebrity narrator that evening was actress/comedienne Ana Gasteyer from but not limited to: Saturday Night Live and Mean Girls.

NARRATORS

Nov. 24- 26 – Laurie Hernandez – NEW!
Nov. 27-28 – Matt Bomer – NEW!
Nov. 29 – 30 – Ana Gasteyer
Dec. 1-3 – Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak – NEW!
Dec. 6-8 – Jodi Benson
Dec. 9-11 – Kurt Russell – NEW!
Dec. 12-14 – Warwick Davis – NEW!
Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder – NEW!
Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
Dec. 28-30 – Chandra Wilson

Festival of the Holidays version of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. The World Showcase Promenade comes alive nightly with the brilliance and splendor of music, lights, lasers, water fountains and custom pyrotechnics. With the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” at its center, this special musical finale brings the message of peace and goodwill.

I am going to wrap this up like a gift! Be sure to check out the inaugural Epcot International Festival of the Holidays before it ends on December 30th, you don’t want to miss this!

(Source credit: Walt Disney World)

Epcot
200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 939-5277
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/holiday-festival/

Orange County Brewers Bring Crafts to Downtown Orlando

Orlando

Katherine Nguyen

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Dec 2, 2017

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Orange County Brewers Bring Crafts to Downtown Orlando

We may have found our new favorite hang out location. Orange County Brewers open industrial design features exposed brick walls, wood accents, a beautiful Florida-themed mural and customized ceiling design, long tables/group interior seating and outdoor seating via patios in the front and rear of the brewery.

Inside or out, it is pet friendly so bring your furry four-legged puppers!

In addition to regular food and drink service, OCB will offer tours, and Brewmaster Amanda will organize multiple group activities that will involve education for anyone who would like to learn more about beer. OCB beers will also be distributed via City Beverages.

Led by Head Brewer Amanda Roberts, the brightly-colored, 3,400 square-foot facility located on the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street, will brew a variety of different styles of beer, including Ales, Lagers, Pilsner, Stouts, IPAs, Hefeweizen and Porters.

Whether you are a beer lover or not, you’ll end up finding a beer at OCB that you will love with the help of Amanda and her beer-loving family. Order a flight to try a number of beers or go big with a full glass! Also, OCB offer a wide selection of wine if that tickles your fancy.

Orange County Brewers will include a full service craft pizza kitchen with a wood-burning oven called “Orlando Pizza and Wing Co.” serving pizza, wings, salads and sandwiches.

These wings…are brilliant. From the time OCB open, they start to smoke their wings. The skin is wonderfully crispy while the meat is tender and juicy.

Try the wings with some sauces. Our favorite sauces include: Classic Buffalo, Strawberry Jalapeño and Pineapple Habanero. The Classic Buffalo is our #1 choice; keep in mind that not all buffalo sauces are delicious, but this is excellent. The Strawberry Jalapeño is very fresh and we believe it will taste great with salads too. The Pineapple Habanero is unique and delicious with a slight kick at the end.

The Mac & Cheese Pizza is creamy and savory. with a chewy, yet crispy crust. It was the first time I tried a Mac & Cheese Pizza and this was not a let down.

The Tree Hugger Pizza is full of flavors and textures. The goat cheese makes the pizza different from others and it is quite different. This is a healthier choice when choosing a pizza.

Orange County Brewers is located at 131 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.

Hours of Operation

Sunday thru Wednesday 11:30am-12am
Thursday thru Saturday 11:30am-2am

Happy Hour

4pm-7pm

For more information, call 407-914-2831 or visit www.theocbrewers.com and www.facebook.com/orangecountybrewers.

Seasonal Features + Fun Cocktails at Duffy’s Sports Grill

Orlando

Ricky Ly

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Nov 30, 2017

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I’ve been a fan of Duffy’s since I was young, growing up in South Florida where the chain is quite prevalent, well-known for their tasty wings and sports bar atmosphere. They recently opened up a few restaurants here in Orlando and invited us to check out their new seasonal menu. My favorite was the Oktoberfest inspired fried pork schnitzel!

Here’s a quick look at the new Seasonal Features + Fun Cocktails at Duffy’s Sports Grill (Address: 315 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828)

Their Lobster Tacos, Tequila Lime Steak Tacos, Jumbo Lump Crab Macaroni & Cheese and Blazin’ BBQ Cheeseburger are the newest specialty features on their football menu.

Blazin’ BBQ Cheeseburger includes: 1/2 lb. char-grilled Certified Angus Beef® with signature Jack Daniels® Single Barrel BBQ sauce, pepper-jack cheese, hot bacon and hot bacon jam, grilled onion, pepper-crusted bacon and house-made burger sauce on a toasted King’s Hawaiian® roll with choice of one side.

New menu item on the regular menu includes:

New York Reuben, featuring ½ lb. shaved corned beef with sauerkraut and swiss cheese on grilled rye bread.
Homemade Meatloaf- made from scratch daily, while supplies last.
Mussels Marinara

New cocktails include:

Southern Sling, featuring Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Banana Liqueur and Bitters
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select, a special barrel selected just for Duffy’s with subtle notes of caramel and spice with bright fruit notes and sweet aromatics. Served neat or on the rocks

Cocktail Inspirations from Dixie Vodka for the Holidays

Recipes

Ricky Ly

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Nov 27, 2017

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Cocktail Inspirations from Dixie Vodka for the Holidays

These Dixie Vodka cocktail recipes can all be prepared in large batches or in single-serve portions, and are sure to become new holiday favorites that your guests will love and remember.

Dixie Autumn Shandy
*can be made in single-serve portion or in a large batch

1.0 oz. Dixie Black Pepper Vodka
1.5 oz. cranberry juice
0.5 oz. simple syrup
2-4 oz. dry hard cider

Combine first three ingredients in a shaker tin over ice. Hard shake and pour into rocks glass with one large ice cube. Top with cider and serve.

Beauregard’s Buck
*can be made in single-serve portion or in a large batch

1.5 oz. Dixie Southern Vodka
.5 oz. Dixie Mint Vodka
0.5 oz. lemon juice
4 to 6 oz. ginger beer
Squeeze lemons juice into a Collins glass (or Moscow Mule mug) and drop in the spent shell. Add 2 or 3 ice cubs, pour in both vodkas and fill the glass with ginger beer. Stir.

Southern Charm
*can be made in single-serve portion or in a large batch

Fill shaker with ice; add:
2 oz. Dixie Citrus Vodka
3 cucumber slices
2 oz. apple cider
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 mint leaves

Shake; pour in ice-filled glass. Top with tonic. Garnish with cucumber slice.

F&D Cantina opens in Lake Mary’s Colonial TownPark

Tiffany Nguyen

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Nov 23, 2017

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F&D Cantina opens in Lake Mary’s Colonial TownPark

We were invited to check out F&D Cantina – Lake Mary in Colonial TownPark which recently just opened in August. The restaurant is owned by the same owners as F&D Kitchen and Bar.

The Mexican-inspired decor was eclectic and spectacular. I recently celebrated The Day of The Dead for the first time so I do understand the skeletons aesthetics while some others may not – The Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition in remembering deceased ancestors and friends.

The staff was very accommodating. The food came out very timely, they don’t play, which I appreciated and the presentation of the food is unique and well thought out. I tried the bacon wrapped jalapeño, sizzling chicken enchiladas, and the shrimp and chorizo street tacos (that was my favorite!).

Bacon wrapped jalapeño – 4 stuffed jalapeños with Chihuahua cheese and glazed with jalapeño jelly

Sizzling chicken enchiladas – Served with habanero/jalapeños pesto cream sauce topped with cotija cheese, pickled red onion and green onion

Shrimp and chorizo street taco – red peppers, sautéed onions, avocado, and chili de arbol aioli

Be sure to check out F&D Cantina – Lake Mary soon!

F&D Cantina – Lake Mary
1125 Townpark Ave Unit 1071
Lake Mary, FL 32746
(407) 915-7012
fdcantinalakemary.com

Exclusive Thanksgiving Dinner at Bahama Breeze Island Grille

Orlando

Katherine Nguyen

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Nov 22, 2017

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Exclusive Thanksgiving Dinner at Bahama Breeze Island Grille

Join Bahama Breeze Island Grille for Thanksgiving Dinner. It is the first time where select Bahama Breeze locations in the Central Florida area will be open on Thanksgiving for guests to enjoy an exclusive, one-day only Thanksgiving menu 11am to 11pm.

Of course, we were given a preview to give you an insight on what is served. As we waited for our Thanksgiving Dinner, we had a Jumbo Lump Crab Stack to lead up to the entrée. It consisted of premium jumbo lump crabmeat stacked high with chilled shrimp, avocado and fresh mango. Each ingredient was fresh and abundant to share between two.

The Bahama Breeze Thanksgiving Dinner includes sliced jerk turkey and pork with island-inspired sides. These sides were cornbread stuffing, cranberry-pineapple chutney and guest’s choice of mashed potatoes or cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes.

The meats were seasoned well, while others may believe it is a bit over salted. The gravy was delicious and broth-based. The cornbread stuffing is rich and savory with each bite. The garlic mashed potatoes are delicious, but I fancy the cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes (as seen in the corner of this photograph).

When you think you’re done, Bahama Breeze also has a Pumpkin Praline Pie. It is a pumpkin pie with a crunchy praline topping, served with whipped cream and cinnamon as well as a pudding-like consistency of sauce. The sauce is subtle and delicious when combined with the pie. The pie is delightful and a traditional end to a Thanksgiving dinner.

Little do you know, the pie was not the end for us. We ordered The Rum Raid, which is a featured and limited addition to the menu. It is great for parties of at least two people. It is considered to be the “Ultimate island experience” with 8 rum-filled drinks of the Caribbean.

Shipwrecked (blue drink in the back) and One Love (with the green pineapple stirrer in the former photograph) are two of our absolute favorites from The Rum Raid. Drinking these made us feel as if we were laying somewhere on a beautiful beach with absolutely no worries on our minds.

Another featured and limited time cocktail is the Coquito, which is a Puerto Rican holiday favorite. It is rich, creamy and rum-spiked. It is made with Silver Rum, Coco Lopez and sweet milk topped with ground cinnamon. This creamy cocktail is found in a different category of favorites as the texture is different from the cocktails of The Rum Raid.

For more information, please visit Thanksgiving Dinner at Bahama Breeze Island Grille.

PRESS RELEASE: Spindrift Concepts Food Hall team steps back from Maitland City Centre Project

news

Ricky Ly

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Nov 21, 2017

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PRESS RELEASE: Spindrift Concepts Food Hall team steps back from Maitland City Centre Project

Maitland City Centre, the $68 million, mixed-use development, open-air Festival Marketplace facing the park, where “shoppers and diners can stroll among fresh produce, bakery goods, specialty food shops, prepared foods and casual dining.”

The Spindrift Concepts Food Hall, a 4,593-square-foot food hall led by Dovecote Chef Clayton Miller, first announced as a tenant for the City Centre in February 2017, recently released the below statement on pulling back from the project.

PRESS RELEASE:

“When Brian Grandstaff of Millenia Partners envisioned the downtown Maitland City Centre project during the conceptual phase he desired a community driven aspect; a gathering place where families and friends would come together. The concept evolved in 2015 to be a Chef Driven Food Hall with the assistance of brokers/consultants Mary Ashy and Maria Bonomo. Although at the time Food Halls were spreading from coast to coast like wildfire the idea was new to the area.

Once the concept was vetted and the location in Maitland was determined to be an ideal fit based on its demographics and lack of foodie competition, the team then brought in Chef Clayton Miller to start assembling a lineup of the most highly regarded local independent operators. The team spent years assembling the culinary dream team and planning to bring this concept to Central Florida visiting food halls from coast to coast and internationally, including Eataly Dubai, Chicago & NYC, St Roch New Orleans, Krog Street Market Atlanta, Swans Market Oakland, The Conservatory Houston, City Kitchen NYC, and so on).

Recently Maitland has been exploding with new development activity with many new projects hitting the market at the same time. Given the current landscape of upcoming restaurant and retailers, the Spindrift Food Hall team had to reconsider the sustainability of the project due to oversaturation. The team is disappointed to have to step back from the Maitland City Centre project but is not discouraged. They know the Food Hall concept is here to stay and are considering other urban infill projects with critical mass here in Central Florida. They look forward to supporting local talent here in our back yard and providing the gathering place that was originally envisioned. “

Teak Neighborhood Grill opens second location in the Village at Lake Lily – Maitland

Tiffany Nguyen

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Nov 21, 2017

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Teak Neighborhood Grill opens second location in the Village at Lake Lily – Maitland

The most popular and most requested burger, Drunken Monk – Angry Orchard onion jam, roasted cherry tomatoes, smoked bacon, herb mayo, provolone cheese & Teak chips topped with melted white cheddar cheese served on a pretzel bun. It was fresh and savory. Whenever I order burgers I never eat the entire bun but I ate both pretzel buns on the Drunken Monk and I was craving for more.

We were invited to check out the new Teak Neighborhood Grill – Maitland in the Village at Lake Lily and as soon as we arrived we were immediately impressed with how gorgeous the restaurant was, it is a certainly a great addition to the Maitland area. We chose to sit in the outdoor patio which was clean, crisp and overlooks the breathtaking Lake Lily nearby. The quality and presentation of our food was top notch. The service was friendly and attentive and management was knowledgeable and flawless. We highly recommend this new restaurant and we will be coming back to try the other dishes.

We ordered some of their popular menu items such as the Drunken Monk, Garlic Bistro Side Winders, Cedar Plank Scottish Salmon and The Ultimate Cronie for dessert and they did not disappoint. Other popular dishes include: loaded peirogies, veggie burgers, flatbreads, and mussels.

They also have a secret burger menu called the “Underground Menu” which you need a password to obtain. You can get the password (it changes every month) on their facebook page here. Both menus has a combined total of 40 creative and delicious burgers.

Food & drink specials are available from open to close on Teak-uila Tuesdays and every Saturday and Sunday they offer a brunch menu.

The pet-friendly outdoor patio that overlooks Lake Lily.

Garlic Bistro Side Winders – with a side of marinara-based ketchup (Very tasty and addicting! We could have eaten this all day!)

Caesar Salad

Cedar Plank Scottish Salmon – roasted garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, lemon dill Buerre Blanc sauce. (Gluten-free and healthy!)

Scalloped Potatoes

The Ultimate Cronie – French doughnut deep fried then tossed with cinnamon-sugar topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce & powdered sugar. (Cronie burger also available!)

Be sure to check out the new Teak Neighborhood Grill – Maitland at the Village in Lake Lily soon! You will love it!

Teak Neighborhood Grill
901 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
(407) 335-4835
http://teakorlando.com

New menu items added at Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park

Tiffany Nguyen

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Nov 16, 2017

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New menu items added at Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park

SEARED DIVER SCALLOPS – Simply Seasoned & Perfectly Seared, Carrot Puree, Roasted Parsnip, Bacon and Sweet Pea Hash, Roasted Tomato Fondue, Parlied Olive Oil (MY FAVORITE!)

We were invited to the media preview of the new menu items at Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park and we absolutely enjoyed every single thing we ate, and that’s rare at a media preview dinner. As a health conscious food blogger I dread media preview dinners that consist of mostly carbs but Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park did an amazing job hosting a dinner that was on the healthier side and packed with lots of protein and vegetables. The toast appetizers were added last minute, but I still enjoyed tasting them and I don’t think I will ever find toasts as good as the ones at Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park. Each piece was delicious with the perfect ratio of bread to topping. They would be a hit at any party. Their seared diver scallops dish stole the show and were the fan favorite of the night at our table. The scallops were the best scallops that I have ever eaten in my entire life, the dish had the perfect amount of mixed vegetables and bacon, and the carrot puree changed my life. I actually craved MORE of the carrot puree because it was so creamy and delicious. The service was very welcoming and accommodating. I highly recommend checking out Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park for any occasion. We will definitely be returning soon.

MARINATED OLIVES – Cold Pressed Olive Oil, Lemon, Rosemary

OH NUTS! – Cashew, Pecans, Almond, Filbert, Peanut, Candied, Rosemary, Caribbean Spice

ARTICHOKE & ARUGULA – Toasty Rosemary Ciabatta, Whipped Ricotta, Artichoke, Baby Arugula, Balsamic, Lemonette

FIG & BACON – Toasty Rosemary Ciabatta, Whipped Ricotta, Black Mission Figs,
Caramelized Onion, Apple-Wood Smoked Bacon, Balsamic Glaze

ROAST TOMATO – Toasty Rosemary Ciabatta, Whipped Ricotta, Pomodoro Sauce, Parmesan, Parslied Olive Oil

STEAK FRITES – Bavette Steak (The Butchers Favorite), Tiny Green Beans, Steak House Fries, Roasted Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Peppered Gravy

CHICKEN STACK – Prestige Farms Chicken, Roasted Mushrooms, Fingerling Potatoes, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Green Beans, Roasted Chicken Glace, Fines Herbs, Parslied Olive Oil

Prickly Pear Margarita & Carbernet Sauvignon

Be sure to check out Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park soon for their new menu items and pick up a gift card before December 31, 2017 to score a complimentary bottle of Michelle Brut holiday champagne!

Marlow’s Tavern – Winter Park
1008 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 960-3670
http://marlowstavern.com

6th Annual Cows ‘n Cabs benefiting After-School All-Stars & Elevate Orlando

Tiffany Nguyen

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Nov 13, 2017

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6th Annual Cows ‘n Cabs benefiting After-School All-Stars & Elevate Orlando

Three things that I love:
1. 4 Rivers Smokehouse – I used to work for 4 Rivers Smokehouse Catering back in 2015.
2. Winter Park – I went to elementary school, middle school and high school in Winter Park.
3. Supporting charity events – who doesn’t?!

Combine all those three things that I love and what do you get? COWS ‘N CABS.

Central Florida’s annual Cows ‘n Cabs returned for its sixth year on Saturday, November 11 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Hosted by 4 Rivers Smokehouse founder John Rivers and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits’ David Larue, the event benefited the After-School All-Stars and Elevate Orlando. This 21+ up charity event returned to 150 North New York Avenue in Winter Park’s Central Park West Meadow and featured more than 30 of Central Florida’s top restaurants including 4 Rivers Smokehouse, The Ravenous Pig, Hunger Street Tacos, Holler & Dash, and Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen.

This is a must attend event for all food enthusiasts. Cows ‘n Cabs does it right year after year and they are always getting better!

Cow ‘N Cab – Beef Over Creamy Polenta & Cabernet Reduction

The COOP “Fiesty chicken” – Fried Chicken Topped With Lettuce, Pickle, & Fiesty Sauce On A Slider

4 Rivers Smokehouse Sweet Shop – Chocolate Wine Cupcake, Red Velvet Hot Chocolate with House-Made Cream Cheese Marshmallows

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – Dominick, Wine and Spirit Specialist

Soco Restaurant in Thornton Park – Confit of Pork Rilette with Pickled Apples, Mustard, and Pumpernickle Crostini

Tamale Co. – Cochinita Pibil Tamale and Carne Asada Tamale

The Sanctum – Buffalo Chickun Slider and Bleu Cheez Wedge Salad

Luke’s Kitchen and Bar – Luke’s Crab Cake with Celery Lemon Tartar

STK (Disney Springs) – Dry aged Sirloin of Beef with Smoked Poblano Pepper-Pumpkin Seed Puree and Pickled Butternut Squash

Foxtail Coffee – Cold Brew

Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen – Pork Tenderloin “Pastrami” Banh Mi Sandwich, Truffle Aioli and Pickled Vegetable

Drew Estate

Dove Tale

Tapa Toro – Sliced Corned Beef, Braised Red Cabbage, German Potatoes

Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park – Mini French Macarons, Chocolate Covered Bacon, Chocolate Covered Popcorn

Holler & Dash – The Four O Seven

Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen & Bar – House Ceviche and Shrimp with a Grit Cake

Grey Goose

Fantasy Fare Food Truck (Disney Springs) – Achiote-Orange Rubbed Salmon Taco

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Disney Springs) – Smoked Duck Carnitas Bao

The Daily Poutine (Disney Springs) – French Fries, Beef Poutine Gravy, Mushrooms and Cheese Curds

D-Luxe Burger (Disney Springs) – Curried Lamb Burger

F&D Kitchen / F&D Cantina – Guanjillo Chili and Black Bean Quinoa Chili

1921 by Norman Van Aken – Five Spice Crispy Chicken Wings, Fish Sauce Caramel & Thai Herb Salad

Norman’s – Guava-Pasilla Barbecued Pulled Pork Tostada with Black Bean Puree

Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs) – US Wagyu Beef Nigiri, smoked soy, fresh wasabi

Hunger Street Tacos – Fried Avocado Taco, Panko breaded and fried avocado, shredded cabbage, red onion, serrano-lime crema, cilantro, queso cotija

Urbain 40 – Umami-laced Angus Brisket & Short Rib Burger Slider, Caramelized Sweet Onion Compote & Pimento Cheese

The Ravenous Pig – Green Eggs and Ham

The Polite Pig (Disney Springs) – BBQ Cheddar Sausage on Mini-Bun

K Restaurant – Cider Braised Pork Jowl, spiced apple sauce, brussels sprouts salad

Pizza Bruno owner – Bruno Zacchini III

Taverna Opa Orlando – Mini Souvlaki

Hawkers Asian Street Fare – Pork Belly Dumplings and Singapore “Chili” Crab

Sus-Hi Eatstation – Sushi bowl

Amorette’s Pastisserie/ The Ganachery (Disney Springs) – Assortment of Sweet Delights

P is for Pie – Christmas Story Hand Pie with Roast Duck, Caramelized Onions, Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Cranberry Goat Cheese
Salted Honey Bourbon Hand Pie and Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie

Pop Parlour

For more information, please visit www.cowsncabs.com.
(Source credit: Cows ‘n Cabs)

Holler & Dash celebrates one year anniversary + reveals new menu items

Tiffany Nguyen

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Nov 12, 2017

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Holler & Dash celebrates one year anniversary + reveals new menu items

We were invited to Holler & Dash’s one year anniversary event at their only Florida restaurant located in Celebration and we loved it. The food came out impressively fast and it was tasty but the staff, service and ambiance were the biggest highlight. They treat you SO GOOD over at Holler & Dash with their Southern hospitality and they really have a passion for creating great food and memorable experiences.

Their biscuit-inspired menu pays tribute to the South in a fresh new way with chef-driven recipes, fresh ingredients, and layers of flavors like you’ve never tasted before (plus a few you know and love). Now would be a great time to check out Holler & Dash if you are ever in the Celebration area since they have recently added new items to their menu such as: sandwiches, egg plates, salads and toast.

Blueberry & whipped ricotta, mint toast (NEW!)

Avocado Smash, watermelon radish, lemon toast (NEW!)

Pig In The Garden – Smoked bacon, sweet gem lettuce, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, green goddess (NEW!)

Kickback Chicken – Fried chicken, goat cheese, green onion, sweet pepper jelly with a kick with fruit

Chicken. Set. Go. – Fried chicken, pimento cheese, jalapeno, sorghum with tots

Be sure to check out Holler & Dash soon for breakfast or lunch (or breakfast for lunch!)

(Source credit: Holler & Dash)

Holler & Dash
6268 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee FL
http://holleranddash.com
(321) 204-1445

Diner en Blanc Orlando ’17 at Lake Eola

Tiffany Nguyen

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Nov 11, 2017

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Launched nearly 30 years ago in Paris, Le Dîner en Blanc promotes friendship, elegance, gallantry and a sense of community. Now held in over 70 cities in more than 30 countries around the world, this annual secret affair brings an unforgettable evening of beauty and magic for the all dressed in white foodies and cultural enthusiasts.