For the second year, The Capital Grille extended a call-to-arms for artists across the country to design a label for their exclusive Artist Series Wine. Beginning March 21, the wine with the winning label will be available at the restaurant for purchase.

Best of all, The Capital Grille will donate $25 from the sale of each limited-edition bottle to Share Our Strength and its mission to end childhood hunger in America.

The Artist Series Wine Event Returns to The Capital Grille

Exclusive, Limited-Production Wine Offered: Sales to Benefit National Charity

(February 8, 2011, New York, NY) – The Capital Grille – nationally renowned fine-dining restaurant known for its dry aged, hand-carved steaks, fresh seafood and award-winning wine list – is proud to announce the return of their annual Artist Series Wine Event: a unique celebration of the worlds of fine art and winemaking, featuring an exclusive, limited allocation wine adorned with an original piece of artwork as its label.

Beginning March 21, The Capital Grille will offer an exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon during their second annual Artist Series Wine Event. The wine will be available exclusively at all 44 locations of The Capital Grille, and the company will donate $25 from the sale of each limited bottle to Share Our Strength® and its mission to end childhood hunger in America.

The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet was hand-crafted by Thomas Peffer, a world-class winemaker from Atalon Vineyards in Napa Valley, with the help of The Capital Grille’s George Miliotes, one of only 170 Master Sommeliers in the world. The grapes used were from specially selected vineyards in Napa Valley whose high elevation and unique microclimate result in the perfect conditions for creamy, boldly textured flavors. Blended solely for The Capital Grille, fewer than 1,000 cases of this unique wine will be produced.

“We are committed to providing a distinctive, accessible and personal wine experience,” said Miliotes. “We created The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon to give our guests an incomparable opportunity to experience a magnificent vintage with ripe fruit flavors, prominent tannin and the complexity and balance expected of a fine Cabernet.”

To match the work of art inside the bottle, The Capital Grille invited artists, label enthusiasts and wine lovers to create an original label for the wine during a competition held last autumn. The winning painting, Pairings, by Florida-based artist Patricia Timbrook, was chosen for the way the bold colors and fluid lines perfectly complement the robust flavors and subtle undertones of the wine, and will appear on every individually numbered bottle of The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.

“In addition to supporting our national charity, Share Our Strength®, we are proud to recognize and celebrate talented artists like Patricia Timbrook,” said John Martin, President of The Capital Grille. “As always, we look forward to bringing our guests an exceptional and unique wine and dining experience. We’re especially pleased when those experiences help support a worthy cause.”

The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon will complement The Capital Grille’s award-winning wine program, which is routinely recognized by Wine Spectator magazine. Featuring more than 325 Old and New World selections housed in floor-to-ceiling, temperature-controlled wine kiosks, The Capital Grille also offers a Captain’s List of 125 collector wines. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to lease a wine locker, personalized with an inscribed brass nameplate.

Press contact: Heather Dratler, 212.871.3020 ext. 110 or hdratler@jgordonassociates.com

About Share Our Strength®

Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry® Campaign—a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015—Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end hunger, nationally and at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry®. Visit Strength.org to get involved.

About The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille owns and operates 44 locations nationwide. The restaurant is known for its dry aged steaks, award-winning wine list and professional service in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Routinely recognized by Wine Spectator magazine, The Capital Grille recently received the American Culinary Federation’s “Achievement of Excellence Award.” The Capital Grille offers more than 325 New and Old World wine selections, including a Captain’s List of some of the world’s most highly allocated and sought-after wines. The restaurant also offers a variety of elegant private dining spaces for meetings and group events. For additional information, please visit www.TheCapitalGrille.com.

Pinkberry is expanding to two more stores in the Orlando area! see press release below:::

PINKBERRY TO OPEN THIRD ORLANDO LOCATION AT THE MALL AT MILLENIA

Location Caters to Discerning Tastes of
Local Residents and International and Domestic Visitors

For more information, contact:
Mary Deatrick, DPR
(407) 332-5212, mary@deatrickpr.com

ORLANDO (Feb. 15, 2011) –Pinkberry, the number one tart frozen yogurt brand, will bring fashion and good taste together when it opens its third Orlando location at The Mall at Millenia. The store will be located at 4200 Conroy Road at the main mall entrance on the lower level next to Brio Tuscan Grille. The opening is scheduled for early this summer, close to the one-year anniversary of the first Orlando Pinkberry opening at The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips.

“Fashion lovers have great taste, so Pinkberry and The Mall at Millenia are a natural fit,” said Bill Harmening II, Pinkberry area developer for Orlando. “Whether greeting shoppers with the cool taste of tart frozen yogurt or refreshing them as they leave the mall, Pinkberry is proud to offer our international sensation to visitors and locals alike.”

Original Pinkberry
Frozen yogurt for “caviar tastes and Cavalli waistlines,” Pinkberry is made with real nonfat yogurt and nonfat milk that is rBST hormone free. Pinkberry is heralded as the company that launched the current tart frozen yogurt craze when it opened its first store in West Hollywood, Calif. in 2005. The premium taste of Pinkberry soon became a celebrity and trendsetter favorite, with Swirly Goodness spreading to now more than 100 locations worldwide.

The Mall at Millenia store will offer Pinkberry’s six distinctive flavors and thirty premium toppings, including daily fresh cut seasonal fruits, organic fruity bears and shaved Belgian milk chocolate, as well as Pinkberry Smoothies, Fresh Fruit Bowls and Parfaits and Take Home packs. The fresh, tart taste of Pinkberry served by friendly Swirly Artists will be complemented by the store’s clean, contemporary furnishings in hues of orange, blue and green, offering an inviting social environment for the Pinkberry Promise of “20 minutes of fun.”

“We are pleased to add this exciting concept to our retail mix,” said Brenda Lounsberry, Marketing Director, The Mall at Millenia. “This concept is a perfect match for The Mall at Millenia trend-conscious shopper.”

Pinkberry will now have three stores in Orlando, including its original location at The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. at the corner of Dr. Phillips Blvd. and Sandlake Rd. The original store opened Aug. 20, 2010. A second location at Orlando Premium Outlets — International Dr. at 4951 International Drive will open this year on April 1.

Local fans who want up-to-the minute news and discount offers can visit www.pinkberry.com/groupie to become a Pinkberry Groupie. The brand also can be found on Facebook at Orlando Loves Pinkberry and on Twitter at PinkberryFla. For additional information, contact Mary Deatrick at 407-332-5212 or mary@deatrickpr.com.
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Check out this awesome event coming to the Orlando Science Center!

Florida’s Largest All-Chocolate Shopping,
Tasting, Educational and Interactive Event!

March 5 & 6, 2011

Advance Tickets Only Available on
www.FestivalofChocolate.com
Order Online for Exclusive Bonuses

Child & Adult Creative Chocolate Workshops
Demonstrations by Award Winning Pastry Chefs
A One-of-a-Kind Chocolate Museum
Chef and Guest Chocolate Competitions
The Science and Health of Chocolate
Chocolate Classes taught by Chocolate Masters
Chocolate 101 for Mini Chocoholics
Chocolate & Wine Pairings

The Festival of Chocolate is Complimentary with
Purchased Entry into Orlando Science Center*

Featuring the Region’s Best Chocolate &
Confection Companies

Plus …
*OSC Members receive complimentary admission.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhC9ZJfoSDk]

Stonewood Grill and Tavern, the upscale American restaurant establishment founded in Ormond Beach, FL, recently underwent some changes including the recruitment of a new CEO, former Ruth’s Chris Steak House President and Chief Operating Officer Geoffrey D.K. Stiles (Here is an interview from the Orlando Sentinel with CEO Stiles by Sandra Pedicini).

Some of the new changes to Stonewood Grill include:

New Menu
Recently, Stonewood Grill unveiled a new menu based on months of studying guests’ eating habits. The newly streamlined menu includes tried-and-true customer favorites and fresh additions, such as the new ribeye steak and a dessert called Florida Orange Cake.

New Bar Menu
Always trying to evolve in response to feedback, Stonewood Grill and Tavern is preparing to launch a new menu for its bar so bar guests can access lighter fare when gathering after work for drinks.

Wine Enhancements
Another exciting offering at Stonewood Grill is its two-for-one happy hour pricing on wine. Its diverse wine selection includes 27 brands available by the glass and 58 brands available by the bottle.

They have three locations in the Orlando area including Dr Phillips, Heathrow/Lake Mary, and Winter Springs.

For starters, I would recommend an order of the blue cheese chips, homemade potato chips drizzled with blue cheese aioli, lightly baked and served with blue cheese crumbles and topped off with a balsamic reduction. A delicious appetizer that was finished to the last bite. The buffalo shrimp, drizzled with buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles, were also delightful and fresh to taste.

One of the big changes at Stonewood Grill is the addition of the new 12 oz. Oak Grilled Ribeye steak, a tender, flavorful, juicy cut of steak grilled using oak wood chips. It was skillfully done, cooked to perfection. I did wish my spinach and rice pilaf sides had a bit more flavor; though I am sure they are working on that. The herb encrusted grouper, part of the seafood selection at Stonewood Grill,  was thick and meaty with a texture reminiscent of crabmeat, very tasty and luscious.

For dessert, we ordered the signature chocolate bread pudding, made in house at Stonewood grill topped with Haagen Daz ice cream. More like a hybrid of chocolate cake and bread pudding, it was sweet, comforting and moist to the taste.

Overall, my visit to Stonewood Grill was truly a delight thanks to the professional staff and awesome preparations by the chef. I will definitely try to come back especially for the happy hour specials and also to hopefully try their famous burgers one day.

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Here is a first look at the Korean BBQ Taco Box truck sent in from reader Norbert L! As you can see, for only $5.99 you can get a side salad, two pieces of fried roll (made with rice and bulgogi beef), two dumplings, a spicy chicken wing, two pieces of beef rice roll, and a taco stuffed with lettuce, onions, korean spicy pork. Delicious…

more to come soon…

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Orlando finally has a Korean BBQ Taco Truck by the name of Korean BBQ Taco Box, a bright yellow bus filled with delicious korean bbq dishes. It is located in the Citgo gas station area near Primrose and Colonial drive. Check out this awesome report from Big Bad Voodoo Lou on Chowhound.com http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/763144

Here are a few preview pics from some friends, more to come soon:

 
The Amway Center opened its doors last fall in downtown Orlando as the new home of the Orlando Magic and venue for concerts, performances, and more. The Amway Center is a project that is decades in the making, costing around $380 million with state of the art audio visual displays and the most “technological” arena in the NBA. My first time to the Amway Center to watch a Orlando Magic basketball game was awe-inspiring: beautiful architecture, grand seating, wonderful sound, overall a great experience.

In addition to Jernigan’s restaurant, a full service restaurant on the club level of the Amway Center, there are dozens of concession stands throughout the building. These concessions feature foods ranging from the standard hamburgers and hot dogs, to Puerto Rican, Seafood, BBQ, and more. Most of the concessions are staffed by volunteers who work for non-profit organizations in the community who fundraise for their causes through their work at the Amway Center. Levy Restaurants, which started as a deli years ago and expanded to sports arenas nationwide, runs the concessions for the Amway Center, giving great choices for those coming to enjoy the game or a concert.

The items are known to change depending on availability of the products in the season and also by the demands.

One of my favorite items is the Crab cake sandwich available at the Seafood grill on the Club Level. This Crabcake monstrosity is chock full of crab and stuffing goodness, tender and tasty to the bite. Definitely not your every day concessions food items and definitely among the best I’ve tried.

At the O-Town Grill station on the Terrace Level, the Magic Burger is another favorite made with fresh burger beef, bacon strips, cheese and topped with a pretzel bun. I originally thought that this would be a dry, flavorless burger that I had become accustomed to at sports arenas but this burger was juicy and flavorful. A very delicious burger, and the soft pretzel bun is a nice unexpected touch.

Another favorite item is the chicken tequila lime nachos available at the Big Blue Tacos station on the main Terrace level. These are better than the nachos that you get at Ale House or other pubs: their nachos are fresh and crispy and their tequila lime marinated chicken is delectable.

Overall, I was very happy with the concessions food. Typically these foods are not known to be the best, but the above three are a sure fire hit if you are ever at the Amway Center.

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Universities and cheap yet healthy eats seem to go hand in hand. Pita Pit has been nearby UCF for the longest time, and quite successful (especially since its open late 😉 ). I am guessing Extreme Pita, which recently opened last year, is following in their footsteps to whipping out some more healthy pita sandwiches.

I am not a big fan of pitas as I find their texture and taste to be a bit bland, but I know many friends who could eat pitas all day every day…. With that said, I think that Extreme Pita is actually quite decent. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Pita combo and I found their chicken to be quite delicious and tender. The decor inside is very clean and sleak, definitely a franchise. Overall, its not something to go out of the way for but I’d say try them out if you’re in the UCF area, right off of University and a little past Dean towards the school.

From time to time, I get invitations to try different things as a part of this humble food blog TastyChomps.com . This is a hobby of mine and not a career so I always welcome feedback and cool new things to try. Lo and behold, we have Almondina cookies who would like to be reviewed:

Almondina cookies are all-natural, crispy almond cookie has no cholesterol and no added fat, salt, or preservatives and has only 30 calories. They are kind of like biscottis with almonds in them.

These extraordinary gourmet treats are created from musical conductor Yuval Zaliouk’s secret family recipe which has been passed down from generation to generation and was introduced to the market in 1989. It is wonderfully crunchy and does not have to be dipped. It is a delightful accompaniment for coffee, tea, soft cheeses and fine light wines.

Almondina® biscuits in the following flavors:

Original – America’s all natural favorite with almonds and raisins
Chocolate Cherry – We combined the world’s finest dark chocolate with plump cherries to produce an irresistible, decadent treat without guilt.
Choconut – Rich tasting crunchy chocolate, but low in calories
Cinnaroma® – The original biscuit for cinnamon lovers
Gingerspice – Trend setting, with chunks of Australian ginger
AlmonDuo® – Double-nut wonder with almonds and pistachios
Anniversary – Award winning delight with a touch of anise
BranTreats® – Made with oat bran and the finest cinnamon “Cookies For Breakfast”
Sesame – Irresistible, exotic, flavorful
Pumpkin Spice – A seasonal attraction with a delightful touch of fall spices combined with the highest quality almonds and pepitas(pumpkin seeds)

My favorite flavors were the Cinnaroma and the Chocolate Cherry. The pumpkin spice were also a hit and if you are a ginger lover the Gingerspice had a noticeable kick of ginger !

Find out more about Almondina at:
http://www.facebook.com/Almondina.Brand
http://www.twitter.com/almondina

Almondina distribution has expanded and is now readily available in the Orlando area at stores such as Winn Dixie, Publix, Food Lion, Market Basket, Blooms, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, TJ Maxx/Marshalls and many others.

India 4 U was altogether a forgettable experience, not the greatest Indian place ever but also not the worst. Its a relatively new Indian restaurant, housed inside the former Hu-Hot Mongolian grill place right outside of the Florida Mall. Much of the same decor with a few tweaks.

I thought the service was lacking, our server must have still been training as she was a bit slow and unsure of the menu items. The food was great though. I remember it being a bit pricey for the quantity. They also have a buffet here during lunch time. I think in the relatively saturated market of Indian restaurants along the Orange Blossom Trail corridor, India 4 U needs to shape up or else it’ll be gone like Hu Hot before it. I was interested however in seeing their “hakka” or Indo-chinese food listed on the menu, I must try that out the next time I’m in the area.

The interior of India 4 U

Rice! It’s extra… just like a few other places around town…

Eddie Huang of Baohaus NYC is coming home to Orlando for the holidays and will be serving hanger steak baos, Haus Bao, as seen on Ultimate Recipe Showdown on
Food Network as well as Bao Fries at

Cattleman’s Steakhouse
8801 International Drive
December 26th 2010
6pm to 11pm

his blog
http://thepopchef.blogspot.com/

East Buffet in Longwood is a new Asian/Chinese buffet restaurant just north of Orlando off of I-4 and SR 434. I met up with a few old friends here to check it out.

The buffet is $10.99 for dinner and also has a selection of sushi and “hibachi” style noodles which you can put together and give to the chef to cook for you. The place is recently remodeled with brand new decor and actually looks quite decent inside. The food is slightly above par for a all you can eat chinese buffet place, but I take what I can get these days in terms of buffets. I think its named after the famous East Buffet in Flushing in New York City…

your own personal hibachi chef!

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Dunkin’ Donuts to Keep Shoppers Running on “Black Friday” with 49 Cent Turbo Shots of Espresso

Offer is valid at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Florida

WHAT: Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all day, every day stop for coffee and baked goods, will keep shoppers running on “Black Friday” by offering a Turbo Shot of espresso for 49 cents at participating locations.

In addition, participating locations will offer a free small hot coffee or hot chocolate with the purchase of any gift basket, which will be designated by a special sticker.

Some Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will actually be opening earlier than 5:00 a.m. on November 26th to help guests get a great start to the holiday shopping season. Customers are invited to contact their local Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant for their specific holiday hours.

WHEN: Friday, November 26

(Open to close)

WHERE: Participating Florida Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants

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In honor of Black Friday, Morton’s will be offering its Facebook fans a complimentary dessert from the dessert tray with purchase of entree! Only valid on Friday, November 26, 2010, guests mention they are a Morton’s fan on Facebook (no coupon/gift certificate required) and receive their dessert.

To become a fan, visit the Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/Mortons.

Morton’s The Steakhouse restaurant in Orlando is located at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. For reservations, please call 407-248-3485.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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This past weekend at the Seminole Towne Center Mall in Sanford, I had the opportunity to judge a contest for the PERFECT SIDE DISH for Thanksgiving. Here are the results!

Peggy Dunn’s Jalapeno Cornbread
Central Florida Winner
The Perfect Side Dish Recipe Contest

Peggy Dunn of Lake Mary was the Central Florida grand prize winner at the
Perfect Side Dish judging held at Seminole Towne Center on Nov. 20. Peggy’s
fabulous Jalapeno Cornbread wowed the Perfect Side Dish judges: Sonni
Abatta of Fox 35 News, Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com, and Brady Koch of Second
Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. If you’d like to create Peggy’s
winning side dish, here is the recipe!

2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix
½ cup oil
½ cup jalapeno peppers, chopped fine
1 ½ cup grated cheese
1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup chopped pimento
2 cups milk
3 eggs, beaten
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 can cream style corn

Combine all ingredients. Bake in greased 9” x 13” pan at 400 degrees for 45
minutes or until top of cornbread is browned.

Sweet Potato Casserole by Veronica M.

Broccoli Rice Casserole by Ann S.

Jalapeno Cornbread by Peggy D.!

I was invited recently to attend a media night at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar on Sand Lake Road in the new Dellagio plaza premiering their new line up for their prix fixe menu as well as a sneak peak into some new and creative dishes coming to Fleming’s soon.

Fleming’s is a part of the OSI Group Restaurants which includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian, Roy’s, and Bonefish Grill.

The restaurant’s decor is elegant and refined, definitely a good place to go if you are in town for the Orange County Convention and need to go out for a business dinner. The place has private dining for up to 60 and there are plenty of seats in the main dining area (although it does get a bit noisy when there are large parties going on as we noticed on this evening). It did not detract from our experience however and we definitely enjoyed the chef’s creations for us this night.

First up was a light, refreshing lump crab louis wrap salad. I thought the crab was fresh and light, a much healthier appetizer for starters. Then came the roasted mushroom ravioli, made with portobello and shitake mushrooms in a porcini butter suace, a favorite of our table. Our sole, a light fish, came with crab beignets in a lemon butter sauce paired with a chardonnay wine.

The crux of Fleming’s lies within their steaks and of course this evening we had the peppercorn steak, a prime new york strip and also my favorite of the meal, a very high quality and melt in your mouth steak seasoned with peppercorn and a kick.

The following is Fleming’s prix fixe menu:

Fall Prix Fixe Menu includes
3 – Course Meal for $39.95 till January 2011.

Choice of Appetizer

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER
three freshly shucked oysters baked with sambuca-laced creamed spinach,
shaved parmesan cheese and crispy bacon bits

AUTUMN SALAD
crisp spinach and baby lettuce, toasted almonds and grape tomatoes, tossed
with red onion balsamic vinaigrette, served with a blue cheese and bacon crostini

Choice of Entrée

VEAL OSSO BUCCO
veal shank served on creamy risotto with roasted seasonal vegetables
Suggested wine: MASI, Veneto Campofiorin Italy, 2006/2007**

CIOPPINO
sea bass, shrimp, clams and black mussels in a spicy tomato broth, served
with a toasted sourdough crouton
Suggested wine: VON BUHL, Riesling Pfalz Medium-Dry Jazz Germany, 2008**

Dessert

DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
served on crème anglaise with raspberry coulis
Suggested wine: RENWOOD, Zinfandel Amador County Amador Ice, 2008

I also enjoy their happy hour specials which include a very reasonably priced prime burger and drink specials till 6:30pm.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Fleming’s for those who want a upscale place to go on a date or to meet up with some business partners. If you are looking to save, definitely go during happy hours. The staff at Fleming’s was very accomodating and friendly the entire evening.

begin with some delicious bread

Crab lettuce wraps at Fleming’s!

Roasted Mushroom Ravioli!

Sole in lemon butter sauce

Peppercorn steak, prime new york steak

Ossobucco (on the prix fixe menu)

Oyster Rockerfeller

Dessert trio, a sweet ending

Dear Fellow Chompers,

Please vote and show there is more to Orlando than just Olive Garden and PF Chang’s, and thank you!

Click here to Nominate: Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards 2010

Here is a list of last year’s winners:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants/os-cal-the-foodies-restaurant-awards-20100225,0,668719,full.story

It was strange to see so many restaurants picked as critic’s choice that were out in BFE like Tavares, Winter Garden, etc no offense to those who live out that way but its kind of strange..

What are your picks for this year?

check out this fundraiser @thedailycity, Magnifique | A Voci Dance Nighttime Glowing Fairy Fundraiser
November 20, 2010 at 6pm at Mennello Museum of Art (900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803)

http://www.thedailycity.com/2010/11/magnifique-voci-dance-nighttime-glowing.html