Eat Local Orlando

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Brunch

I often questioned about where a good weekend or Sunday Brunch can be found in the Orlando area. I have a few places I like to go, but I turned to my Twitter followers and asked them their favorites, here are the suggestions I got.

OLV in Sodo has a great brunch with a DJ and indoor and outdoor seating and buffet. http://www.yelp.com/biz/olv-orlando

Stardust Coffee on Corrine Drive serves brunch Here is a menu: link

‏@OrlandoFamStyle

I like going to brunch by @LakeEolaPark so I can hit the market afterwards. Enjoyed @DextersTP @310Lakeside & SonomaDraught

‏@brainybrunette

cafe perks in Sanford on 17-92! My personal greasy spoon:)

‏@lglastorl

The Virgin Olive Market, Houlihan's

‏@halehawk

The Briar Patch in Winter Park also serves a great breakfast any time of day.

‏@rosalindaPRgal

Dexter's is still a favorite, love their chicken and biscuits, and of course their mimosas.

‏@IsaacLarson

Keke's and the Grand Bohemian.

‏@jcopella

White Wolf Cafe.

another place that didn't get mentioned is Fresh Cafe in Winter park. Check out the menu here: Menu

Also Cask & Larder has an amazing brunch. Check out a couple writeups from fellow bloggers:

Foodbidden, Droolius

Please feel free to contact us with other suggestions.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Thanksgiving Day Dining 2012 at Hilton Orlando via The Daily City Link
Tasty Chomps List Link
About.com extensive list Link
Visit Florida Blog List
Visit Orlando Blog Great list
Open Table Link

Friday, October 19, 2012

The Chef's Table at The Edgewater Hotel Winter Garden

Recently I made the journey out to the cute downtown of Winter Garden to try a place I'd heard a lot of great things about The Chef's Table restaurant. I was so happy that all the great things I'd heard about the restaurant were true. It was a wonderful meal and experience in a classic setting.

When you first arrive the place looks like just a bar and normal restaurant but if you've reserved a chef's table experience you'll be escorted to the back past the sign that says "employees only" to a hidden dining room next to the kitchen. Depending on which table you get you'll be to view the chefs in the kitchen preparing your meal.

When I think of a kitchen environment in a restaurant I think of steam, fire and yelling, pots clanging, dishes being broken, this was not at all like that. It was a very calm and quiet experience.

Our server was very knowledgeable about the food and most of the details of the dishes, he had obviously cooked many of the dishes himself previously. He was very kind and friendly and accommodating to our every query and request.

The 3 course meal($55 per person) was wonderful in every aspect and we opted for the additional cheese course($16 combined) which filled us up too much to finish dessert! There is also an optional wine pairing($23 per person).

The Foie Gras appetizer was rich and excellent, on top of a layer of cream and apples with a wonderful caramelized brulee topping, I couldn't get enough.

I also tried the Ahi Tuna Tartare appetizer which was Ceviche-like with mango salsa and spicy mayo served in a martini glass, great flavor as well. There was a superb mixture of flavors in the Tuna dish.

My main course was a mountain of pork, a huge bone in pork chop topped with pork belly and peaches on a bed of white bean Cassoulet.

Duo of Duck - Pan roasted duck breast, whole grain mustard spaetzle, red cabbage aigre doux, crispy duck leg confit, cornbread puree, pickled peach

Berry Mille Feuille - Frozen vanilla berry custard, blackberry vanilla compote

Here is a link to an article about the Chef's Table by Orlando Magazine http://www.orlandomagazine.com/Orlando-Magazine/December-2011/A-Hit-Spin-Off/

Chef's Table at the Edgewater on Urbanspoon

Winter Garden on Dwellable

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Ravenous Pig Tasting Menu

Starting October 16th, Ravenous Pig debuted it's 5-course Tasting Menu! Chef de Cuisine, Joseph Burnett will be utilizing seasonal ingredients & his creativity for this menu. The tasting menu will be completely separate from the a la carte menu & a wine pairing option - chosen by Chad - will be offered as well. The menu includes rabbit & duck liver terrine, miso pumpkin risotto, chestnut dusted skate wing, pork three ways & dessert & a optional cheese course.

The standouts to me were the Grade A Foie Gras and pear balls with pickled mustard seeds, the pork belly with excellent candied mustard greens and corn puree.

Amuse Bouche , sunchoke with creama, trout roe inside a Lake Meadows Farm Eggshell

Foie gras with peach mostarda, hazelnut croquant, port poached pears with pickled mustard seeds, rabbit loin in leek ash, bay leaf ash

Miso Pumpkin Risotto

Chestnut Roasted Flounder

Pork Three Ways pork tenderloin, pork belly, headcheese w/ blood pudding puree

Pork Belly with Corn Puree

Cheese Course Fleur De Marquis Sheep's Milk Cheese with Herbs, quince paste with 18th century oats

Dessert: Apple Terrine with sea salt-caramel ice cream, Rosemary crumble

Cost is $65 for 5 course menu with amuse bouche, you can add a cheese course for $8 and wine pairings with the whole menu for $35 additional.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Sunday Brunch at Cask & Larder

Zucchini bread, PB&J pastries, cinnamon rolls, Beignets from @casklarder brunch

Grits with fingerling potatoes, soft boiled egg, pickled ham hock, Gouda

Fried chicken and waffles from @casklarder brunch, buttermilk ricotta, maple balsamic

English Muffin Canadian Bacon, Foie Gras! Scrambled Egg, Maple-Mustard syrup, mustard greens

Brisket Pastrami with potato pancake & fried egg

Kegs

Brand New Winter Park Restaurant: Fresh Cafe - Organic, Locally Sourced

Today I had the chance to experience a new and exciting Cafe/Restaurant in Winter Park on New England across the street from Dexter's and next to Chez Vincent.

Fresh Cafe just opened earlier this September, their focus is on locally sourced organic healthy food. They cater to all diets, vegetarian and carnivores alike.

I started off with the spreads and bread which featured the following spreads with grilled pita bread: garlic hummus, cucumber Tzatziki sauce and goat cheese/sun-dried tomato spread. My favorites here were the sun-dried tomato spread and the grilled pita bread. The spread was really creamy, smooth and had a great flavor, the grill marks on the pita bread pieces was a really nice touch and added to the taste.

Next up I had the Ms. Saigon Asian inspired salad($8) with grilled chicken added. The chunks of chicken were generous and large and again had a nice set of grill marks on them adding a nice light char to the flavor. The salad itself was medium sized with vegetables on a bed of black rice. The vegetables were julienne Cabbage, Daikon, Cucumbers, Carrots, Scallions, Peanuts, Cilantro, mint, basil sesame-ginger dressing

In addition to unique salads they also have a nice variety of sandwiches and a daily soup special.

Staff and owner were all really friendly and service was good. Prices averaged about $10 for lunch with dinner being a bit higher. They are open for lunch and dinner.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh-Cafe-Catering/221749584617272

Phone: (321) 295-7837

Email: windsor@freshcater.com

Website: http://freshcafe-wp.com

Menus:

Other pics:

Trader Joe's Orlando

new article in the Sentinel, seems likely it will be at 17-92 near Houston's
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-02-26/news/os-trader-joes-winter-park-20130226_1_site-plan-winter-park-village-mayor-kenneth-bradley

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2012/09/28/trader-joes-sniffs-out-orlando-sites.html

According to Orlando Business Journal, Trader Joe's is looking to open 4 -5 stores in the Orlando area and is quietly scoping out locations here but they won't open until more than 2 years down the road.

Here is a related article from The Daily City http://www.thedailycity.com/2012/05/no-trader-joes-to-be-built-in-orlando.html

and the campaign to bring Trader Joe's to Orlando http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Trader-Joes-to-Orlando/111492512207720

From The Palm Beach post "Trader Joe’s has a cultlike following for its mostly private label products that include a mix of gourmet and organic products, as well as basics like milk and eggs, all at low prices. The retailer is also known both for its off-beat interior design, with cedar-covered walls, Hawaiian decor and local artwork highlighting area landmarks."
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/trader-joes-will-open-first-south-florida-outpost-/nSGRh/

and another article about the Trader Joe's store that just opened in Sarasota "Two Buck Chuck!" http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120907/ARTICLE/120909718

UPDATE!!

I've recently heard that Trader Joes will be building their new Winter Park store in the complex next to Houstons/Hillstone on 17/92 currently an office complex that will be torn down. There will also be 3 or so restaurants in the complex.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

A Taste of Happiness Supper Club

Last night I attended a Supper Club event at a private home in Sanford created by A Taste of Happiness. A Taste of Happiness is the brainchild of Chef Juan “Jay” Arjona & Chef Doug Long both who have impressive restaurant resumes which you can read on their website. The event was non-profit and donated all the proceeds to Just Our Soldiers Helpers (JOSH) https://justoursoldiershelpers.org/

Each month A Taste of Happiness has an event and they donate the proceeds to a different charity.

A Taste of Happiness website is here http://itastehappiness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A.Taste.Of.Happiness.2012
Twitter: @TasteOfHappines

If you would like to attend the next event which is scheduled for the end of October please contact A Taste of Happiness on their website.

The food was excellent, a great combination of flavors, hard work and creativity.

A few of the dishes that really stood out to me were: the Stuffed Jalapeno Appetizer that was on a wonderful bed of sour pineapple and coconut cream.

The other standout dish was the compressed watermelon infused with ginger and served with a small slice of Chorizo and a layer of Balsamic vinegar on the bottom. The watermelon paired with in the Chorizo was a superb unexpected combo which I really enjoyed.