Friday, January 31, 2014

The Strand new restaurant on Mills

The Strand is a new restaurant on Mills in the old Chucks Diner.

from their website:"The Strand was conceived as a small neighborhood restaurant with the purpose of becoming an everyday tradition in the larger fabric of Orlando. We feature the “New Old,” contemporary interpretations of classic culinary fare. Our New American cuisine emphasizes seasonal dishes made from scratch, with daily Chef’s specials inspired by fresh ingredients. Compliment your meal with one of our carefully selected craft beers and wines. Our restaurant highlights the historic, mid-century sensibilities of Orlando’s Mill’s 50 District. With a knowledgeable and friendly staff it is our sincere desire to offer you a memorable dining experience."

Website: http://strandorlando.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strandorlando

807 North Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32803(map)
(407) 920-7744
The inside is very wide with a lot of open space. Has a kind of gray 50's style to it.




The have a nice bar with beer taps. Long booths along the wall with tables and chairs in front of them. In the very front where you come in there is a huge wooden table which is very interesting. Staff was very nice and attentive.




I started with the salad, It was a little disappointing.The lettuce was just unexciting, the pears had a good flavor but were a little firmer then I would have liked, the blue cheese was good.



I also tried the Bocadilla Sandwich which reminded me a little of a Cuban sandwich, it had Prosciutto, Manchego, tomato rub, Aaffron Aioli on baguette. I would have preferred a little more sauce on mine, it was tasty but thin on the meat and a little dry. It came with a side of couscous which seemed an odd pairing to me but it had a good flavor.




my friends had:
Pisto Espagne from The Strand. Warm zucchini-tomato compote over potatoes, egg, manchego, fried prosciutto



 Porkzilla sandwich - Pulled Pork, Papaya Glaze, Coleslaw on a Brioche Bun. He said he would have liked some BBQ sauce with it but there was none to be had.


For dessert I had a wonderful slice of the Olive Oil Cake  which was great and had a light cream sauce and orange slices on it. I'm typically not a big cake fan but this was really good.

 They are open from Lunch 11-3. Possibly dinner and also brunch on weekends. Call them to confirm.


Menus:


  

The Strand on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Sips and Sides: The Social Edition (at Christner's Prime Steak and Lobster)

Christner's Prime Steak and Lobster (729 Lee Road in Orlando, FL) hosted last night's Sips and Sides social gathering, and I enjoyed it very much. The event, which brought together a number of our community's food enthusiasts and bloggers as well as business professionals, was impressively put together and attended by many interesting people, including Rashmi Primlani of The Primlani Kitchen and Julius Mayo of Droolius.com.





The restaurant offered samples of several of its appetizers/sides in addition to select complimentary cocktails. I loved the crab cakes (pictured below, with a spinach dip); if I return for a meal here in the future, I definitely will consider ordering those. The crab meat was delicious and tender. These are among the best crab cakes I've recently tried and I highly recommend them. The spinach dip also was very tasty. Sautéed mushrooms also were offered, but I passed on those as I don't really like mushrooms very much. I'm sure they would have appealed to those who do enjoy them, though, and I did hear from one attendee that they were very good.


The complimentary cocktails contained liquors provided by the Winter Park Distilling Company. I tried one Manhattan (below, left) and two of the Moscow Mule drinks (below, right), which, respectively, featured the distillery's whiskey and vodka. All of them were excellent. The bartender did a great job.



For the latest about the restaurant, look it up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Overall, it was a great event and I'm glad I was able to attend. Everyone with whom I conversed was pleasant and friendly. I hope to go to more events like this in the future.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Eat St. Food Trucks in Orlando


Eat St. The television series about food trucks throughout the US is going to be filming in Orlando next week. Public is welcome

http://eatst.foodnetwork.ca/blog/eat-st-on-location-flavours-of-florida.html


MONDAY, JANUARY 13 - 12 PM
Treehouse Truck
Golf Channel
7580 Golf Channel Dr
Orlando, FL 32819

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 - 12 PM
Bem Bōm
@ Southeast Steel
63 W Amelia St
Orlando, FL 32801

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 - 12 PM
Sushi & Seoul On The Roll
East End Market
3201 Corrine Dr
Orlando, FL 32803

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 - 12 PM
SwedeDISH
Eat More Produce
1111 S Orlando Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 - 12 PM
Cafe Rouge Express
First United Methodist Church of Orlando
142 E Jackson St
Orlando, FL 32801 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 - 12 PM
Curbside Chef
Orlando Weekly
1505 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Wild Hare Kitchen and Garden Emporium



This afternoon, I made a brief visit to Wild Hare Kitchen and Garden Emporium (335 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Longwood, FL) to pick up a few items and take a look around.

The specialty grocery store/market has a wide range of food, plants, seeds, essential oils, soaps, raw honeys, collectibles, crafts, antique/vintage items and glassware for sale. There wasn't anything I desperately needed at home from the store, so I didn't spend much money here. (It definitely will be more of a consideration next time.) However, I couldn't resist buying a pound of heirloom tomatoes ($4) or taking the store up on its "buy one, get one free" offer on sweet peppers, which cost an additional $4. For $8, I picked up a lot of local and organic vegetables (see below), which is a great deal.


The store's owner (I'm assuming), Cheryl, is an extremely friendly and helpful woman who showed me around and made me aware of several of the great deals the store has for its customers. It seems that she used to have a stand at the Casselberry Farmers Market and at which she sold the items now in the store; she no longer participates at the market, but is hoping to get a new one started in Longwood. That may not happen until 2014, so check in with her at the store and/or follow the store's latest news on its Facebook page.
Wild Hare Kitchen & Garden Emporium on Urbanspoon

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Meltz

check out reviews of the new Meltz, grilled cheese restaurant in downtown Orlando

Monday, December 2, 2013

Beer Pairing Dinner at B&B Junction Winter Park with Cigar City

@CigarCityBeer + @BB_Junction beer dinner pairing Tuesday, December 10th, 2013.

Winter Park farm to table Burger Joint B&B Junction is pairing up with Cigar City beers for a beer pairing dinner, Tuesday December 10th at

30 spots available call 407-513-4134.

They are located at 2103 West Fairbanks Ave in Winter Park, FL in the old 4 Rivers space near I-4.

Dinner will include gnocchi, duck confit, bourbon-bacon glazed donuts, mussels, red snapper.

$40 a person you will also get to meet the brewer.



John Rivers book signing in Winter Park

John Rivers of 4 Rivers Smokehouse will be hosting a book signing and interactive cooking demonstration for his new cookbook, The Southern Cowboy, at the Williams-Sonoma in Winter Park.

The cookbook will be available for purchase for $28.99 - cash or credit card is accepted. Recipe cards and tips by John Rivers will be available.

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2013
Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
Location: Williams-Sonoma | Winter Park
142 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Complete List of Active Orlando Food Trucks






Orlando Food Trucks
Truck NameWebsiteTwitterFacebook
(Sam's) Fantastic Hummus Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
5 Gastronomy WebsiteTwitterFacebook
After Party Facebook
All Things Sweet WebsiteFacebook
Allan’s Jerk Shack Facebook
Arepas El Cacao WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Arepas El Gran Saman
Baby TainoTwitterFacebook
Beard Papa’s WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Bem Bom WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Big Wheel Provisions Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Biker George Facebook
C&S Brisket BusWebsiteTwitterFacebook
Cafe Cocoa Mo WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Café Rouge Express WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Caro-Bama BBQWebsiteTwitterFacebook
Casa de Chef Facebook
Charlie's Bakery WebsiteFacebook
Cheesesteak PhactoryWebsiteFacebook
Chillin N Grillin Facebook
Chimi King Chimichurris Facebook
CityEatsTruck Twitter
Claw Daddy
Cluster Funk Twitter
Coffee Urge WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Comida Latina
Country Chuck Wagon
Cowboy Jims Cookies
Crabby Chris
Croutons Catering
Curbie's Sidewalk Café WebsiteFacebook
Curbside Chef WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Darland Bakery WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Dimples Delights WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Dixieland Diner WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Dominican Chimi
El Arepaso de Orlando
El Brazero Taco Truck Facebook
El Cubanito 
El Fogon De Abuela
El Nuevo Tun Tun
El Punto De Tripletas
El Sabor De La Vida Tacos 
El Taco Loco
Fat Daddy's BBQ WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Fire House BBQ WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Fork in the Road WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Frank's Bar BQ Food Truck
Fro2Go Truck Twitter
Gastro-Truck Twitter
Gator Country BBQ Facebook
Gourmet French Fries
Honey Dripper & Co. Twitter
Hook 'Em N Cook 'Em TwitterFacebook
Ice Cream Social
It's All Greek to Me WebsiteTwitterFacebook
James Evens BBQ Truck
Juancho's Grill
K Burgers Twitter
Kalbi Haus (Hau5?) TwitterFacebook
Kona Dog Twitter
Kona Ice
Korean BBQ Taco Box WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Kuko Christian Food Truck
La Empanada Twitter
La Parada Caribena
La Pelotera Food Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
La Tripleta Subs Facebook
Las 4 Estaciones Orlando Facebook
Lechonera Mario (a.k.a. Lechonera Mi Pequeño Piñones)
Live Love Eat on wheels  WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Local Yolk'l WebsiteTwitterFacebook
London Fish & Chippy
Los Magnificos Frituras WebsiteFacebook
Louie’s Bistro Twitter
Magic 4 Ur Palate WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Mamas Fixins Twitter
Mayan GrillWebsiteTwitterFacebook
Melissas Chicken & Waffles Twitter
Mi Casita
Monsta Lobsta Twitter
Mr Softee WebsiteFacebook
Muse Gelato
Mustache Mikes Italian Ice WebsiteFacebook
N.Y. Pizza Wheels Facebook
Niffty Fiffty Diner
Old School Coffee Stop
One Love Kitchen Facebook
Over Rice TwitterFacebook
Pastrami Project
Philly's Best WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Pinones En Orlando 
Posh Nosh Website
Pupuseria Flores WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Pure Mobile Café Twitter
Que Rico Colombian Twitter
Rubios Baja Grill Facebook
Sabai Sabai Mobile Thai WebsiteTwitter
Saigon Sizzle WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Sam's Fantastic Hummus Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Shred-A-Bowls WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Soup to Nuts TwitterFacebook
St. Cloud BBQ Shack
Stay Calm Cupcake WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Sunset Ice Twitter
Sushi & Seoul On The Roll TwitterFacebook
Swat Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
swedeDISH Food Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Sweet City Gelato WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Tastebuds Catering WebsiteTwitterFacebook
The Big Cheese WebsiteFacebook
The Brisket Bus WebsiteTwitterFacebook
The Crepe Company WebsiteTwitterFacebook
The London Fish and Chippy Facebook
The Other TruckWebsiteTwitterFacebook
The Pastrami Project WebsiteTwitterFacebook
The Pelao
The Swat Truck WebsiteFacebook
The Taco Company (The Taco Truck)
The Whip WebsiteTwitterFacebook
TJ's Seafood WebsiteTwitter
Travelling Gourmet Twitter
TreeHouse Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Tubby's Ice Cream
Tuk Tuk WebsiteFacebook
Twisted Cuban WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Uncle Jones BBQ Truck
Up In Smoke BBQ / Rib King Facebook
Voodoo Kitchen WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Waco Taco WebsiteTwitterFacebook
Whompa ChompaWebsiteTwitterFacebook
Yum Yum Cupcake Truck WebsiteTwitterFacebook

Scratch Tapas Winter Park

A new Tapas bar has opened in Winter Park on Fairbanks across from the recently closed Shipyard brewpub. It's called Scratch Tapas and it bills itself as: "A Modern-American Tapas Restaurant, which emphasizes fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. We specialize in craft beer, microbrews, and fine wines both domestic and imported."

Here are some listings from their Fall Menu:

-breads & spreads        5
-olives, charred sweet chiles, roasted garlic bread        7
-sunflower sprouts, pea tendrils, sunchoke puree, garlic chips vinaigrette        8
-artisanal cheese, plum jam, berries & grapes        12
-roasted beets, hazelnuts, orange, rocket, raspberries        9
-pork belly adobo, calamansi, micro cilantro, carrot puree, black rice, scallions 11
-florida shrimp, celeraic polenta, mushrooms, black garlic, micro kale, veal jus       10
-coconut curry steamed mussels, lime, corn, toast      8
- ahi, blood navels, orange foam, cilantro, florida sea salt         11
-chocolate torte      7


They are open 5pm and 2am Tuesday - Saturday, and 5pm till midnight on Sunday.  It'll be nice to have some late night options other than fast food in the area.



https://twitter.com/scratchtapas

http://www.facebook.com/scratchtapas

 Here are some pics they posted on their twitter. Very Impressive!

Menu Board
chocolate torte with torches caramel
shrimp, celeriac polenta mushrooms micro kale black garlic

Beet Salad



pork belly adobo, cilantro, scallions, calamansi, carrot purée
Scratch on Urbanspoon

Friday, November 29, 2013

Ravenous Pig Holiday Roast

 
Ravenous Pig Holiday Roast
 
Join Ravenous Pig on Saturday, December 7th for their Holiday Roast
They will be offering a delicious plate of house-made ham, sweet potato puree, roasted brussel sprouts, caramelized apples and a seasonal dessert.
 
11:30 am - 2:00 pm
 
$17/Per Person
$5 Draught Beers
 
Mark your calendars for their Traditional Roast on Monday, December 30th

Thursday, October 31, 2013

4 Rivers Cookbook

THE SOUTHERN COWBOY COOKBOOK SIGNINGS: NOVEMBER
The Southern Cowboy, the first cookbook written and curated by Chef-Owner John Rivers of 4 Rivers Smokehouse is set to hit shelves on November 1. Featuring more than 80 recipes accompanied by personalized anecdotes, the 217 page cookbook reveals the story of a corporate pharmaceutical executive who turned his passion for smoking and grilling into a “barbecue ministry.” The digital e-book, available online here for viewing.


A signed copy of The Southern Cowboy will be available for $28.99 (plus tax) at cookbook signings beginning November 8 in North Florida and will conclude in Winter Garden on November 23.  Books are available for pre-order and online order here. Each signing will feature a Thanksgiving carving and tasting station with 4 Rivers Smokehouse’s mail-order Smoked Turkey, which is also featured in the Thanksgiving chapter of The Southern Cowboy


The Southern Cowboy Cookbook Signing Schedule:

Friday, November 8, 2013
Jacksonville: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Gainesville: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 9, 2013
Longwood from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Winter Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 23, 2013
Winter Garden from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.




Saturday, October 26, 2013

East End Market

After what seemed like 2 years of construction The East End Market(link) has finally opened. This place is absolutely wonderful. Great collection of local food vendors. The brains behind The East End Market really care about supporting local vendors, goods and the local community.


Floorplan


There are a number of vendors, 10 I believe. Cheese shop, La Femme du Fromage; Seafood & Spanish provisions, La Brexta; Skyebird experimental juice bar; Bakery, Olde Hearth bread company; Produce and local meats, Local Roots; Hot sauce/sandwiches and soups, Houndstooth; Italian desserts and dishes, Fatto en Casa; Coffee bar, Lineage Roasting. There are also a couple other vendors that don't sell food, one sells decorative plants, Porch Therapy and another called Olde design.



Lineage Roasting Pour Over Coffee

Skyebird Experimental Juice Bar
Femme Du Fromage Cheese Styles Menu

Femme Du Fromage

Fatto in Casa

La Brexta Spanish Provisions

La Brexta Spanish Provisions

La Brexta Spanish Chorizo

La Brexta Spanish Provisions

Houndstooth

Local Roots

Olde Hearth Bakery

Out front the market has a massive vegetable garden with lettuce, beans, peppers and much more.

East End Market is a gift to our city and it and the vendors deserve your patronage, go there ASAP and buy lots of food and goods.

In the future the market will be adding a Basque restaurant called Txokos from Chef Henry Salgado of the amazing Spanish River Grill in New Smyrna Beach.

Links to Vendors:
Skyebird:
http://skyebird.com/
http://www.facebook.com/skyebirdorganic
https://twitter.com/SkyebirdOrganic

La Femme du Fromage:
http://www.lafemmedufromage.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lafemmedufromage
https://twitter.com/LaFemDuFromage

Local Roots:
http://www.localrootsdistribution.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Local-Roots-All-Florida-All-Year/144799755597237

Houndstooth Sauce Company:
http://www.houndstoothsauces.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HoundstoothSauceCo
https://twitter.com/HT_Sauce_Co

Lineage Coffee Roasting:
http://lineageroasting.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LineageRoasting
https://twitter.com/lineageroasting

Fatto en Casa
http://fattoincasa.us/

Olde Hearth Bakery:
http://oldehearthbreadcompany.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OldeHearthBread
https://twitter.com/oldehearthbread



The market will also be having regular food events and classes, details here: http://eastendmkt.com/events-classes/

Location: 3201 Corrine Dr. Orlando, FL 32803 across from Blue Bird Bakery.
eastend-map-large

Get Directions
Or, take the Lynx Bus line 313 for Winter Park. The Corrine Drive stop is in front of East End Market. Check the route schedule for times.

Hours are:
Tues-Sat 10a-7p 
 Sun 11a-6p


East End Market on Urbanspoon