Appetite for the Arches Returns March 2 to Rosen Shingle Creek

SAVE THE DATE: Get ready for Appetite for the Arches on March 2nd, 2019 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel as top chefs create memorable dishes using McDonald’s ingredients! Don’t miss this unique event that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida. From unique savory samples to delectable desserts, this event is the perfect opportunity for foodies to experience a unique twist on the chef tasting event.

 Julie and James Petrakis from the Ravenous Pig, Orlando's own #hunkychef Kevin Fonzo, and chefs from Dovecote, LUMA on Park, The Rusty Spoon, 4Rivers Smokehouse, Morimoto Asia, and Talk of the Town Restaurants, among others, make this a rare opportunity to taste Orlando's finest cuisine all in one place, and all for a great cause!

I went to Appetite for the Arches a couple of years ago, and it was incredible. I loved meeting all the chefs and discussing the ways they used basic ingredients to make truly special dishes. Find out more and get your tickets on the Appetite for the Arches Facebook Page. See you there!

Pig Floyds International Barbakoa Restaurant Now Open in Orlando Mills Virginia

Pig Floyd's is a new restaurant coming very soon to the Mills/Virginia area.

According to their website Pig Floyd's is described as:
"Introducing a fresh interpretation of the barbecue experience. Pig Floyd's integrates cultural influences with traditional fire, smoke and pit methods to craft vibrant, delicious fare."

Thomas Ward the owner and founder of Pig Floyd's described the restaurant's concept to me as: "traditional inspired Barbakoa with international influence. Barbakoa is the latin term for barbecue"

Pig Floyd's is in the former location of Friends restaurant and more recently Atilla's Turkish Steak and Salad. The building was completely gutted and rebuilt almost from the ground up which should help clear the air of any failures of past enterprises here. Expected opening date is the September 11th at 4pm.

I've known Thomas for many years from his past endeavors like his deliciously successful food truck here in Orlando and his restaurant in Puerto Rico which I visited a few years ago.

I recently got to have a little sneak peek at the Pig Floyd's menu and the opportunity to taste some menu items. Now that I've seen what they are cooking up there, I'm very excited. Chef Jason Carlucci has lots of unique takes on sandwiches. Some selections include the Matahambre sandwich with brisket and chimichurri, another is the very delicious BBQ banh mi with kimchi cucumbers. They will also have some some great taco creations: butter chicken taco, shrimp & North African sausage tacos.

I also tasted the oak smoked brisket which was very good, smoke flavor came through but was not overpowering.  I can't wait to try the ribs. They will have platters with your choice of Brisket, Pulled Pork, Chicken, St. Louis Ribs or North African Chicken Sausage & some sides.

They will have a nice variety of sauces from the traditional sweet BBQ & hot BBQ to the exotic Dragon Sauce and Indian inspired Tikka Masala sauce.

Vegetarians do not be disheartened, they will be able to make many items with tofu and will have some solid salads & meat free side dishes.

Salads include one with baby kale, roasted peppers and BBQ croutons, another has field greens, spiced walnuts, apples, beets, fennel & goat cheese.

They are going to have a great outdoor seating area and eventually some pig roasts!

More Food pics on this post: http://www.eatlocalorlando.com/2014/09/pig-floyds-more-pics.html

If the food wasn't exciting enough they are also going to have a solid collection of craft beers. Cigar City, Founders, Unibroue, Mendocino, Ommegang among others and also Cider and Wine.

They plan to be open very late night on the weekends so add them as a stop along your bar crawls from Wally's, Wills or Peacock Room.

Pig Floyd's is located between Black Sheep and 7-11 very close to the Southwest corner of Virginia and Mills.

1326 N. Mills Avenue
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 921-1696


https://www.facebook.com/pigfloyds

https://twitter.com/pigfloyds

http://www.pigfloyds.com/

http://instagram.com/pigfloyds

Cafe 906 Now Open in Baldwin Park

Cafe 906 used to be across from Austin's Coffee House in Winter Park, they closed about a year ago. The are now open in Baldwin Park at 4932 New broad street, Orlando, FL 32814 where O'boys was for a while.

They always had good french pastries, quiche and sandwiches. Follow them on their facebook page and check out their blog which has lots of pics of the food they used to serve at their old location.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-906/253770161327543

http://cafe906.blogspot.com/

https://www.google.com/maps/place/4932+New+Broad+St/@28.5686482,-81.326063,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x88e76544e199ad57:0x556c38ac5e502d70