Showing posts with label orlando restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orlando restaurant. Show all posts

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Sparrow Wine Bar




Sparrow is a small, cozy restaurant in the North Quarter District, a short distance from downtown Orlando. Serving thoughtful, creative dishes in a relaxed setting. It is part of the Good Salt restaurant group, known for creating approachable and inventive dining experiences. Chef Wendy Lopez leads the kitchen, bringing fresh and seasonal flavors to each plate.



Sparrow offers a welcoming atmosphere with dark lighting and stylish décor that feels a bit like a library where you can enjoy a drink. There are a few tables outside by the sidewalk and bar seating inside, where you might get lucky and grab a spot without a reservation.



The staff are friendly and attentive, making for good service. Their cocktails are creative, especially the Tomato Gimlet, with bright tomato and lime flavors finished by basil, it was refreshing and unique. I also ordered an off-menu drink which was excellent.




Appetizers like the Pan con Tomate with the option to add Boquerones are tasty and creative. The Deconstructed Endive Salad with pecans, cheese and pickled onions offers a strong flavor, which some may love and others find a bit strong.




For entrees, try the Rigatoni Verde with a delicious meaty ragu or the Lumache Alla Vodka, which has vodka sauce, chorizo, and Sobrasada iberica with a little heat from Calabrian chilis. The pasta holds the sauce perfectly, a sign of careful preparation.


Desserts include Basque Cheesecake with Valencia orange and Burnt Vanilla Ice Cream with hot chocolate fudge. They are good but not especially memorable.


Overall, Sparrow is a solid choice for a relaxed night out with well-made food and drinks in a comfortable setting. It's a place worth visiting again.


For more details or reservations, visit their website sparroworlando.com. You can also find them on social media through their website.




Phone: (407) 614-9521

Address: 807 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

https://www.sparroworlando.com/

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Thursday, November 12, 2020

Aurora at the Celeste

Aurora at the Celeste is a new restaurant in town. It's located in the Celeste hotel the first hotel ever built on the UCF campus.

Chef Mike Trudnak is doing a lot of creative things here.

The hotel is in a great location if you're on a business trip or visiting a college student.

Take a look at these dishes:

Quail Eggs with tobiko, truffle aioli, sriracha, very enjoyable unique dish.

Crab Cake - horseradish remoulade, pickled fennel, charred lemon - tangy and delicious.

Heirloom tomato with mozzarella

The Bowl - barley, brussels, squash, smoked paprika, charred lemon

Char-grilled skirt steak with Papaya marinade

Root vegetable pave with black rice

coconut milk rice pudding with glass sugar

Menu:
Overall I would highly recommend this restaurant.