Palate
TOP FIVE: QUESADELLIAS A quintet of tasty things to try this month PABELLON at Talkin’ Tacos SODO A flour tortilla is stuffed with Chihuahua cheese, birria, scallion, plantains, black beans and cilantro. CHASHU at The Moderne MILLS 50The star of this quesadilla is the braised Japanese pork belly which is outfitted with a blend of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, kewpie... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: ITALIAN A quintet of tasty things to try this month ROASTED MUSHROOM LASAGNA at Mia’s Italian Kitchen INTERNATIONAL DRIVE Roasted Mushroom Lasagna A vegetarian take on a traditional dish, this platter consists of mushrooms roasted in a brick oven, sungold tomatoes, ricotta, sharp provolone, mozzarella, Parmigiano and herbs. COFFEE PAOLO at Mister O1 LAKE MARY A... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: BEEF A quintet of tasty things to try this month DUTCH OVEN BEEF BURGUNDY at Bigfire UNIVERSAL CITYWALK Slow cooked in red wine, this pot of beef is accompanied by mushrooms, bacon, pearl onions and buttered egg noodles. THE TAMPIQUEÑA at Superica WINTER PARK This Mexican-inspired dish features a marinated wood-grilled skirt steak served with two cheese enchiladas and... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: SALAD A quintet of tasty things to try this month SOUTHERN FRIED SALAD at Cowboy Chicken PROMENADE AT SUNSET WALK Paired with Cowboy Chicken’s hand-breaded and seasoned chicken tenders, this salad consists of tomatoes, red onions, avocado, corn, Monterey Jack cheese and cheese crisps. It is drizzled with honey mustard dressing. GRILLED STEAK SALAD at... Read More
Sandwich Supremacy
It’s no secret that our region is full of expert sandwich makers, folks who understand that everything from the quality of the bread to ingredients used inside are of the utmost importance when constructing a memorable handheld. And so now that it’s been a few years since our last expedition to find the best sandwiches in the area, we decided it was a fine time to once again... Read More
Starting Lineup
Some folks subscribe to the philosophy that when it comes to dining out, it’s best not to fill up on appetizers so you can save room for the main course. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that line of thinking, for us, the truth is some of the best dishes you’ll find in the Greater Orlando area just happen to be at the top of the menu. Whether you’re sharing a... Read More
Side Dish
The Yardery, a fast casual outdoor restaurant, recently opened in Sanford. As its name suggests, it is both a yard and an eatery, with many outdoor games for guests of all ages to participate in such as cornhole, table tennis, ladder toss and billiards. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu that includes “backyard food with a twist.” The pet-friendly... Read More
Romantic Rendezvous
CAPA Located at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, this slick 17th floor rooftop steakhouse and bar offers exceptionally crafted cuisine with a distinct Spanish influence. Everything from the ham croquettes to the 32-ounce wagyu steak is expertly prepared, while the signature cocktails and thoughtful wine list also rise to the occasion. RUSSELL’S... Read More
Any Way You Slice It
It’s been several years since we last traversed the area in search of the finest pizza we could find. But what better time than during a pandemic to feast regularly on one of life’s great comfort foods. And while Central Florida often flies under the radar when it comes to high-end pizza, the truth is there are many wonderful options to please your palate whether you like thin... Read More
Side Dish
Cantina Catrina, the authentic Mexican restaurant dedicated to celebrating the traditional Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, will soon be opening in Orlando. This will be the restaurant’s second location in the United States, the other being in Miami. Situated in the Florida Mall, the 220-seat restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor covered-patio dining... Read More
Side Dish
Café-Boutique Piano will open in Winter Park’s Hannibal Square in 2022. The family-run restaurant will feature eclectic European cuisine, live piano music and original art for purchase. While the family has previous restaurant experience from their time living in western Russia, the café 1,200-square-foot will be their first U.S. location. After much anticipation, new local... Read More
Taco Time!
It certainly doesn’t have to be Tuesday for us to enjoy a plateful of tacos. In fact, we’d argue that every night is taco night in the Greater Orlando region. That’s because our area is replete with eateries that serve them in a variety of enticing ways and aimed at every palate. And while such a wonderful array of creative offerings makes it hard to narrow down the best,... Read More
Palate & Side Dish
TOP FIVE: SUSHI A quintet of tasty things to try this month HAWAII X.0 AT KABOOKI SUSHI EAST COLONIAL & SAND LAKE A favorite of frequent diners, this citrusy sushi roll is filled with yellowtail, avocado, tobanjan aioli and crispy shallots and then topped with a savory white fish, lemon confit, sprouted daikon radish seeds and pink salt. B.F.F ROLL AT OOTOYA SUSHI ALTAMONTE... Read More
Tables with a View
Grabbing a seat outdoors at these restaurants makes for an enhanced dining experience. Central Florida’s favorable weather makes outdoor dining a year-round attraction, but the allure of al fresco dining has only grown during the pandemic as area foodies look to support their favorite eateries. Here we spotlight some of Greater Orlando’s top spots for enjoying a meal outdoors.... Read More
Rendezvous for Two
Safe and romantic getaways to escape pandemic fatigue, all within a day’s drive. Are you in desperate need of a date night or long weekend away with your significant other? You’re not alone. Even though the pandemic has people spending more time together, they are not connecting. After a long day of remote work and virtual education, couples are emotionally exhausted, and being... Read More
Best of the Best 2020
92 reasons why there’s no place like Orlando. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and after the past few months, we’d say we’re more fond of the Orlando area than ever before. Now that our favorite places are reopen(ing), it’s the perfect time to dive into our annual Best of the Best, featuring the top spots for food, drinks, shopping, health and beauty services,... Read More
Outdoor Adventures
Get outside this fall and winter with these ideas for safe, family-friendly activities. With the weather turning cool and the coronavirus pandemic still a concern, families are looking for ways to enjoy the fall and winter season safely. Because social distancing is best achieved in the open air, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best places around town to engage in outdoor... Read More
A Seat at the Table
Dining out in the pandemic is certainly different, but most locals are finding it to be a welcome respite. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the hardest hit areas has been the restaurant industry. Already a challenging business, without diners filling seats regularly, it was only right for owners, chefs, servers and more to worry about their futures. Slowly, as restrictions... Read More
The Secret’s Out
Authentic Italian cuisine and a Prohibition-era atmosphere await at Enzo’s Hideaway—that is if you can find it. True to its name, Enzo’s Hideaway is a restaurant and speakeasy tucked into an underground tunnel at Disney Springs. The fine-dining establishment seizes on Florida’s rum-running history with Prohibition-era cocktails and a mix of Roman and Sicilian dishes. Upon... Read More
French-Kissed Dining
Bites & Bubbles achieves its vision as a throwback to the 1960s neighborhood bistro. In 2018, Bites & Bubbles opened in Mills50 in the building previously occupied by the short-lived Brooklyn Coffee Shop. The restaurant, which bills itself as an “American restaurant with a French kiss,” is the creation of Eddie Nickell and Nicholas Olivieri. On the eatery’s website,... Read More
Pure Gold: Golden Forks 2020
From old favorites to newer spots that have made a lasting impression, we present our annual Golden Fork awards for the best restaurants in Greater Orlando. The dining scene in Orlando has seen the opening of a bevy of new restaurants over the past year, many of which have been met with acclaim. To that end, we made a concerted effort this year to welcome some of these newcomers... Read More
