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
Year in Review 2021
“I’ve been very blessed to play some of the most iconic venues in the world and be on those stages. But the gratitude I have for Orlando for the quality of training and what I was able to do here, I couldn’t be prouder to be from the city.” Michael James Scott, Broadway star and Orlando native “I’ve had times where I’ve sat on a beach or gone horse riding... 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
A Beloved Neighbor
Rollins College recently unveiled a new sculpture in honor of adored alumnus Fred McFeely Rogers, better known as Mister Rogers. As creator and host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Rogers connected with viewers of all ages, sharing messages of kindness, empathy and acceptance. The critically acclaimed program ran from 1968-2001. Rogers’ connection to Rollins College dates... 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
Deck the Halls
Although the pandemic is still lingering over our heads, local holiday celebrations from area communities to the theme parks are in full swing. While everyone is eager to spread some cheer, please check with event organizers directly for specific information on their COVID-19 protocols. NOW THROUGH DEC. 18 Christmas, My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash Get into the holiday spirit... 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
Explore the Arts
A preview of the shows, exhibits and more coming to Greater Orlando this fall. PERFORMING ARTS & LIVE MUSIC Central Florida Community Arts CFCArts.com | (407) 937-1800 Sept. 2-3 Ragtime: A Summer Broadway Benefit Concert Set in New York at the turn of the 20th century, this story follows the stories of three diverse families chasing their own version of the American... Read More
Sand-sational Sarasota
Only a two-hour drive south from Orlando, Sarasota is known for its pristine white sand beaches, superb dining, unique shopping, not to mention, its endless cultural and recreational amenities. Home of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the official state museum of art, it’s no wonder that Sarasota is often referred to as Florida’s Cultural Coast. It’s nearly 40 miles... 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
2021 Year in Review
Orlando Family Magazine Year in Review Quotes “I’ve been very blessed to play some of the most iconic venues in the world and be on those stages. But the gratitude I have for Orlando for the quality of training and what I was able to do here, I couldn’t be prouder to be from the city.” Michael James Scott, Broadway star and Orlando native “I’ve had times where... 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
Experience St. Pete-Clearwater
White sand and sunshine await you on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Neighbor to the bustling city of Tampa, the St.Petersburg-Clearwater area presents a more relaxed atmosphere with sandy white beaches and glistening ocean views. But these lazy beach towns are much more than just sand and sun. Known as Sunshine City, St. Pete has a bevy of family-friendly arts and culture institutions... Read More
Around the Neighborhood
A look at what’s new around the area and what local leaders of some of Greater Orlando’s most favored communities say is needed to move forward from the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge for Central Florida’s cities and localities. For one thing, public officials must balance the health and safety of residents with the need to keep the local economy... Read More
Visitors Welcome
Orlando’s tourism industry looks to bounce back from the pandemic. For just about everyone who walks through the gates at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom—whether 5 years old or 50, a first-time visitor or an annual pass holder—there is something special about turning the corner on Main Street U.S.A. and approaching Cinderella’s Castle. For more than two months, however,... Read More
Thrills & Chills
A FastPass for all the newest attractions at Orlando’s theme parks. Year after year, Walt Disney World Resorts and Universal Orlando keep us on our toes, revealing slices of info about new attractions and immersive experiences that we can look forward to soon having in our own backyard. And some exciting things are happening with the biggest announcement being that Universal plans... 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
