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Orlando favorite K Restaurant #Bite30 Dinner

By Christina Thomas Leave a Comment

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Review: #Bite30 features creative local infused menu from K Restaurant

“If I can only go to one restaurant in Orlando, where should I GO? is a question I get often.

My response is always in the form a question:

“Have you been to K Restaurant in College Park?”

Followed my an emphatic:

“You must GO!”

I have a long list of favorites around town, based on type of cuisine and ambience, from casual to fancy to pseudo-hipster, so to narrow down to only one choice is not easy. I imagine it’s the equivalent of being asked to pick a favorite child. Yet K Restaurant and Wine Bar, one of the first chef-owned and operated restaurants in Orlando, is in my opinion, a quintessential Orlando restaurant that should be on everyone’s #MustEat List when in The City Beautiful.

Chef / Owner Kevin Fonzo shows a true passion for food, the community and the Central Florida culinary scene. For the past 14 years, in his cozy 1930’s bungalow restaurant, he’s been wowing foodies with some of the finest American cuisine with eclectic influences. Often Italian, other times Southern or Caribbean, but always driven by fresh ingredients and an authentic farm or garden to table approach using local farms and food purveyors as well as his own backyard garden for inspiration. This is enough to garner a high recommendation on my part, yet it is what he does so often outside of the restaurant that makes Fonzo and K Restaurant a favorite.

Chef Fonzo has been an active contributor of the Edible Schoolyard program at the Orlando Junior Academy, teaching kids about nutrition, sustainable farming and food preparation. A program, I believe, should be in every school across America if we truly want to eradicate childhood obesity. He was recognized at the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama for his efforts. If that was not enough, he established the Kevin Fonzo Foundation to further promote this mission. He participates in countless charity and community events throughout the year and he promotes Central Florida at James Beard Foundation Events (a past nominee himself for Best Chef-South) to ensure Central Florida makes its mark on the culinary map of America, and the world. I don’t know where he finds the time to do all this other than to say he has a great team working with him at K Restaurant.

I value restaurant chefs and owners that have that kind of commitment and passion, who not only have the culinary talent but also the heart to go beyond the walls of their establishment and into the community. In turn, the community should show their support. The full reservation list at K Restaurant is a sure sign the Orlando community does.

K Restaurant is participating in Bite30 all through the month of June. Orlando Weekly’s 30-day “Restaurant Week” promotion offers both locals and visitors the opportunity to dine at fantastic restaurants around Orlando at a fraction of the cost. For only $30 you get to choose three courses from a set dinner menu. I love seeing that despite K Restaurant’s popularity, it continues to participate in local initiatives like this, often meant to drive traffic during slow times, which at K Restaurant I imagine are rare. The menu of course did not disappoint. I dined with some friends recently and we ordered from the #Bite30 menu as well as their A La Carte Menu. It was their first time at K Restaurant, but I know it won’t be their last.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Here’s a recap of our dinner. Get ready to drool and then pick up the phone, make your reservation and GO soon.

K Restaurant #Bite30 Starters


The K Restaurant #Bite 30 three course menu includes three great choices of starters, which are also featured on the A La Carte menu:

    ^ BBQ Palmetto Creek Farms Pork Belly with watermelon, greens from the Garden, pickled onion and avocado cream ($10). I don’t need to say anything more than “Pork Belly” perfection.

    Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

    BBQ Pork Belly, oh my!

    ^ Palmetto Creek Farms Italian Sausage Meatballs with fresh mozzarella and broccolini ($10)
    These were nice and meaty with a fresh tangy and sweet tomato sauce and the only thing missing was a mound of spaghetti under them.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Italian Sausage Meatballs, Mamma Mia!

Also on the menu is a choice of Cold Water Oysters with Cucumber Mignonette.

A La Carte Menu Small Plates and Salads


K Restaurant offers a wide range of small plates and salads to suit your casual adventurous mood like Pig Ear Tacos or Deviled Eggs to your elegant foodie splurge like Bone Marrow Tar Tar or Chicken Liver Mousse. Southern influences abound with dishes like Creole BBQ Shrimp and Fried Green Tomatoes. The entire menu is an homage to authentic Farm to Table, eating local and the Sunshine Plate movement, showcasing product from local purveyors Lake Meadow Naturals, Palmetto Creek Farms, Tomazin Farms, Frog Song and others as well as his own backyard garden, so expect the menu to change regularly with the season.

^ Deviled Eggs with Lake Meadow Farm Eggs, mustard yolk, bacon and tomato jam ($6)
I only wish my mom had made deviled eggs like this at our family parties. That tomato jam was amazing.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Not my mom’s Deviled Eggs

^ My friend ordered the Fried Green Tomato with crab-roasted corn salad, grain mustard dressing ($13) as her starter course and proclaimed her first visit to K a success simply on the merits of this dish. The contrast of textures with the crunch of perfectly fried tomatoes and the creamy crab salad and the layers of flavor have made this dish a popular staple on the K Restaurant for years.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Fan Favorite Fried Green Tomatoes

^ Roast Beets from Tomazin Farms with whipped Turtle Creek goat cheese, orange, pistachio and cumin ($8). A beautiful representation of local ingredients. The whipped goat cheese was a nice surprise.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Roasted Beets Salad

^ Wedge Salad with Iceberg, Green Goddess Dressing, tomato, blue cheese, onion and bacon ($8). This is what a wedge salad should be, practically a meal. The dressing was bright, tangy and full of flavor. You don’t see this classic 1920’s dressing much but it must be making a resurgence and I loved it.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

The Wedge to rule all Wedges!

K Restaurant #Bite30 Main Course


The #Bite30 three course menu at K Restaurant includes three choices of entrees:

^ Roast Tri-Tip with crispy steak fries, bone marrow butter, Cabernet Sauvignon sauce. The Tri-Tip was perfectly seared and cooked to a nice medium-rare temperature. The Cabernet sauce and bone marrow butter gave it a beautiful richness of flavor but the spotlight on this dish went to those amazing crispy on the outside and soft on the inside steak fries. Sweet Epicurista Heaven! I am not a potato person and these had me stealing from my BF plate more than once. I can only assume they are cooked in some sort of heavenly fat, maybe pork belly or duck or who knows, but seriously, everyone at the table was raving. To do that with potatoes, when the rest of the meal is already at a pretty high rave-worthy level, is pure culinary genius.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Roast Tri-Tip and Oh my those potatoes!

^ Cape Canaveral Royal Red Shrimp with Lobster, Pasta, Roast Frog Song Sweet Corn butter was a hearty dish full of shrimp topped with a gorgeous lobster claw. The corn butter and fresh herbs made what could be an otherwise plain pasta dish, truly spectacular.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Seafood Pasta seriously good!

The third choice on the #Bite30 menu was Roast Lake Meadow Naturals Chicken with local sweet corn, pole bean and bacon succotash.

A La Carte Entrees


Italian and Southern influences abound in the entree category with comfort foods like Italian Sausage Mac n’ Cheese, Ricotta Gnocchi with Pig head ragu, Eggplant Parmesan, Duck Breast with roasted butternut squash, Farro and sundried tomatoes and Pork Chop with Bradley’s Country store grits, sweet corn and roast BBQ sweet onion.

The dish that most caught our eye was Florida Parrotfish with Coconut Lobster chowder, curry, sweet potato, yucca, sweet corn and green tomato chutney ($24). It had a beautiful medley of Caribbean flavors and bright colors that popped off the plate. The fresh Thai basil, mint and cilantro from the garden gave it a fresh burst of flavor. It was not only beautiful to look at but gorgeous to taste.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Parrotfish and a medley of flavors!

K Restaurant #Bite30 Desserts


Pastry Chef Michelle Hulbert is the Goddess of the Sweets! For me, a meal is not complete without dessert. I often plan my dinner around what that final course of heaven will be. At K Restaurant, with Michelle’s daily creations, you are guaranteed to end the meal as perfectly as it started.

    ^ Michelle’s Cheesecake of the Day was a triple berry treat that reminded me of my favorite strawberry cupcake from local Blue Bird Bake Shop. It had a beautifully dense cheesecake topped with a berry buttercream icing that offered the perfect balance of sweetness and decadence.

    Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

    Berry Cheesecake yumminess!

    ^ Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich Whim of the day was a Double Chocolate Chip cookie with Peanut Butter Ice Cream made in house. You can taste the difference. This was a dessert that made me feel like a kid. So good.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

Homemade ice cream and cookies never tasted this good!

A La Carte Desserts


Again, I must emphasize, at K Restaurant you must leave room for dessert.

    ^ Peanut Butter Pie with Peanut Butter Mousse, chocolate wafer crust, and Peanut Butter buttercream ($9) is everything a peanut butter pie should be. Is there any better dessert combination than peanut butter and chocolate? I don’t think so. I can’t say enough about this pie or it’s beautiful presentation.

    Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

    The most sinful Peanut Butter Pie on earth!

    ^ Ricotta Donuts ($9) with Brownie Chocolate chip, and chocolate glaze. It was National Doughnut Day and these were the the perfect way to celebrate. Perfectly crisp outside with warm and moist inside. I only wish there was ice cream to go with them (but then again I wish everything came with ice cream).

    Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

    Ricotta Donuts, seriously a #MustEat

    ^ French Toast Bread Pudding ($9) with pecan streusel, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon creme anglaise. Oh my! Again, something so simple as french toast is taken to a whole new level of greatness.

Orlando K Restaurant Bite30 Dinner Review with www.GoEpicurista.com

French Toast Bread Pudding, enough said.

I would be remiss if I only talked about the food at K Restaurant and didn’t mention the wonderful staff that works there. Our server on this night as well as on many occasions in the past, was Rocky, a larger than life personality that regales you with show tunes while perfectly attending to your needs. He must have come with the building and not been allowed to leave because he is a fixture at K, and that’s a great thing. Hearing about his meeting with the divine Bette Middler had us all in stitches.

The ambiance at K, possibly from the fact that you are dining in the living room and dining room of an old 1930’s house, to the casual demeanor and warm hospitality of the staff, makes you feel at home. The space can be tight, like when you have those holiday meals with way too many people at the table, and you’re all kinda bumping into each other, but it’s ok because you’re family. When Rocky chided me for not finishing my plate and then quickly declared he’s wrapping it up for me, it’s like your mom making sure you’ve had enough to eat. You can also dine in the wrap-around porch and in the chef’s backyard garden which is a bit more open, as long as the Florida weather cooperates, which it did not on this night and yet torrential rains did not keep me away from making the drive to College Park. K Restaurant feels like dining in the comfort of your home, as long as that home comes equipped with an award-winning chef in the kitchen. (My ultimate wish!)

At the end of this meal, we were all thoroughly and pleasantly satiated and already making plans for our return visit. I must try all of Michelle’s desserts!

Are you drooling now? I hope so. GO get your friends together and take advantage of the #Bite30 menu at K Restaurant until June 30th. Your taste buds and your friends will thank you.

If you want more foodie inspiration and fun events to GO celebrate, #Bite30 and Bite Night are on the Top 9 List for Can’t Miss Food & Wine Events in Orlando this June.

Cheers!

GO Epicurista

K Restaurant is located at 1710 Edgewater Drive, in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando, Florida. (407) 872-2332. Reservations are strongly recommended. Follow Chef Kevin Fonzo on Twitter and Instagram.

 Click to add a blog post for K Restaurant on Zomato

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Filed Under: Go Travel & Dine Orlando Tagged With: Bite30, Chef Kevin Fonzo, Eat Local, K Restaurant, Orlando Restaurant, Orlando Weekly, Travel Orlando

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About Christina Thomas

I'm Christina, a hospitality consultant, freelance writer, food & travel enthusiast, brand cheerleader, ice cream fanatic, chocoholic, and eternal optimist on a mission to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. Celebrating life with great food, wine and friends throughout Central Florida and everywhere I GO! I want to inspire you to take time out of your busy schedule to do the same. GO celebrate life today, for someday may never come. Join me and GO Epicurista!

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Meet your Chief Epicurista

I'm Christina, a hospitality consultant, freelance writer, food & travel enthusiast, brand cheerleader, ice cream fanatic, chocoholic, and eternal optimist on a mission to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. Celebrating life with great food, wine and friends throughout Central Florida and everywhere I GO! I want to inspire you to take time out of your busy schedule to do the same. GO celebrate life today, for someday may never come. Join me and GO Epicurista! Find out more...

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Cheers to #NationalCocktailDay at Orlando’s OG D Cheers to #NationalCocktailDay at Orlando’s OG Dedicated Cocktail Bar! @thecourtesy in Winter Park!
The cocktail menu changes frequently but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Let the mixologists recommend a cocktail based on your spirit of choice. 
Here are a few favorites:
🥃 Tourist Season: American Whiskey, Pineapple Rum, Smoked Honey, Vango Tobacco Bitters (A tropical Old Fashioned!)
🍹 Deku Tree: Gin, Aloe, Midori, Lemon, Mint, Angostura, Honey (Refreshing melon gin cocktail!)
🍹 Daydreamer: Vodka, Spiced Cranberry, Lemon, Elderflower Tonic (Holiday in a glass!)
🥃 Rotating Clarified Milk Punch: Ask for the day’s creation!
🍸 Serious Delirium: Tequila, Averna, Chicory, Falernum, Orange Bitters, Foxtail Cold Brew (next-level espresso martini!) - not currently on menu but just ask for their current espresso cocktail
Also, don’t miss the fab @bar.swine bar bites!! Cheers to the weekend and to a great cocktail! What’s your drink of choice?
Go #MakeSomedayHappen
#GoEpicOrlando #TheCourtesyBar #LoveOrlando
Chocolate + Caramel + Choulala = Fabuleux. Absolum Chocolate + Caramel + Choulala = Fabuleux. Absolument Fabuleux! 💕
Stop by @choulalapastries in Winter Park & celebrate #NationalChocolateCaramelDay 
Isn’t this fabulous?
Here’s what we ordered:
🍫 Twix Bar Caramel: vanilla tart shell filled with caramel sauce & caramel pastry cream topped with chocolate glaze & edible gold flake! So decadent!
🍪 NEW: Caramel Turtle Chocolate Chip Cookie made with brown butter cookie dough with caramel bits, pecans & Hershey’s chocolate chips. @chefstephsteph did it again! It’s scrumptious!  C’est si bon! 
🍮 Crème Brûlée Choux Cream Puff: Their most popular signature pâte à chou dough filled with vanilla bean French pastry cream, topped with burnt caramel chantilly cream & gold sprinkles. Epic!
🍫 Dark Chocolate Macaron filled with rich dark chocolate ganache. Yum!
🥂 Pair your Choulala pastries with a glass of bubbles! They offer Prosecco and Sparkling Rose
⏰ Choulala Park Avenue is now open Tuesday - Sunday 
🍾 Happy Hour Tuesday-Friday offering half-priced bubbles, craft beers and floats from 7pm-9pm.
🥐 Don’t miss Dessert Happy Hour every Sunday from 8p-9p, all pastries are 50% off!
Get your besties and go! #MakeSomedayHappen 
Follow @GoEpicurista for more! 
#GoEpicOrlando #BlissfulBite #WinterParkFL
Highlights of 3 Days in Portland, Oregon! As a P Highlights of 3 Days in Portland, Oregon! 
As a Portland girl living in Orlando, here are some favorite Must Eat, See & Do in PDX
✈️ @alaskaair non-stop @flymco MCO to PDX (7:20am - gorgeous sunrise!)
📷 @pdxairport carpet (IYKYK 😉)
🍩 @pipsoriginal - Best Chai Flight & Mini Donuts. Don’t miss Flavor of The Month! (March-Coconut Custard. Yum!)
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🌱 @dailyfuelpdx - best vegan / plant-based Nachos & Bowls I’ve ever had! 
☕️ @hubers.portland.or - Portland’s oldest restaurant since 1879. Cool history & Best Spanish Coffees! The show is 🔥 
🥑 @proudmaryusa - my favorite avocado toast & coffee! 
🛞 @cartopiafoodcarts - OG Eastside PDX food cart pod since 2008! 
🥔 @potato_champion - best fries & poutine! Get the housemade mushroom gravy and don’t skip the sauces on your fries. Curry ketchup is 😘 
🇬🇷 @tahrirsquarepdx - Eat Like An Egyptian!  OG cart! We got the mezze and grilled salmon. So good!
🚗 Rent car from @drivekyte - super easy, great service, deliver & pick up car to your location! My first time using and loved it! DM for discount code. 
What To Do between meals: 
🌁 Drive around & take in the views! lots to see. Unique architecture, gorgeous mountains & all the bridges into downtown are so cool!
🏃🏻‍♀️ Hike Mt. Tabor or Forest Park (largest urban forest!)
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📕 Visit @powellsbooks largest independent bookstore in the country
📍 Next: road trip to @traveldundee wine tasting in Willamette Valley!
Follow @goepicurista & #MakeSomedayHappen
Tagged some of my favorite PDX creators. I always try new spots when I come back to visit family thanks to them! And 💕 Thanks @tastecooksip for being a great travel partner
(Not sponsored) 
#GoEpicPDX #ThisisPortland @travelportland
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☘️ NOM NOM WINGS: Sweet ‘n’ spicy wings in honey, chili flake, soy & ginger sauce
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Braised and pulled beef & lamb with root vegetables in a rich red wine jus with Irish peat smoked mashed potato
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☘️ FLUFFY LEMON CLOUDS: Intense lemon curd tart with fluffy meringue
BRUNCH (SAT & SUN)
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☘️ THE LOST IRISH COFFEE 
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☘️ IRISH ESPRESSO MARTINI: Slane Irish Whiskey, J.F. Hadens espresso liqueur,
Guinness simple syrup, chilled espresso
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Sláinte!
Go #MakeSomedayHappen
#GoEpicOrlando
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• Ore-Dough Ice Cream (signature flavor) can’t beat cookies & cream and cookie dough combined!!! 💕 
• Salted Caramel Oreo (March limited time flavor)😘 
🍪 @gideonsbakehouse - Disney Springs, East End Market
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The new brick & mortar location of Orlando BBQ & Donut fave food truck is officially OPEN in @themilkdistrict at 601 N. Primrose Drive.
🔥 THE SMOKE: Chef Ian’s award-winning BBQ including smoked USDA Prime Brisket, Carolina Pulled Pork, Brown Butter Turkey Breast, Bama/Carolina Pulled Chicken, & more scratch-made side dishes. Don’t miss the awesome sandwiches, corn fritters, brown butter green beans & stuffed mac & cheese!
🍩 THE DONUTS: Better than ever! Try fun new cake donut creations as well as all the favorite classics taken to a whole new level by pastry chef Brett Vezina! 
❤️ 🔥 The Signature Donut with the logo disc on top features blood orange glaze, champagne sabayon & S&D meringue.
🥃 THE BAR: Yes! they have a full bar! How about a Smoked Old Fashioned? Go for Happy Hour weekdays 3pm-6pm
Support Orlando Local & Go #MakeSomedayHappen
#GoEpicOrlando #TheMilkDistrict #SmokeandDonuts #LoveOrlando
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I spent one of the best days ever at Discovery Cove! It was my first visit to this one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive, tropical day resort in Orlando, and it won’t be my last! I’m planning a return soon because they have a fantastic special happening now! (See below)
Admission includes: 
🍽️ Unlimited Buffet Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks
🍹 Unlimited Beer & Wine, (add the Premium Drink Package for $40!)
🤿 Swim & snorkel with rays & tropical fish
🐦 Hand-feed exotic birds
🏊‍♀️ Drift along the Wind-Away River
🏖️ Relax on sandy beaches
😎 Chill in the sand-bottom pool with drink in hand (we did this most of the day!) it was glorious!
🚿 Wetsuits, masks, snorkel, lockers, & showers 
🐬 Swim with dolphins experience (for additional fee)
Stay tuned for more about the delicious new Caribbean menu and cocktails at Hibiscus Hideaway & Blue Bamboo Bar, all-new food and beverage outlets. I was very impressed with their Food & Beverage program. 
Highly recommend this experience for locals and visitors. The entire day felt like a true vacation! 
💥 Limited time offer: Florida residents save 30% on their 2023 visits and out of state guests save 20% on a Signature Dolphin Swim Package. You can visit anytime in 2023 based on availability but must book by 3/12/23. Options for packages with admission to @seaworldorlando @aquaticaorlando & @bushgardenstampa available 
Go #MakeSomedayHappen 
(hosted) @DiscoveryCove 
#GoEpicOrlando #DiscoveryCove #LoveOrlando
Orlando’s OG Coffee Shop is Back! Where are you Orlando’s OG Coffee Shop is Back! Where are you getting your caffeine & brunch fix this weekend?
@barniescoffeeandtea flagship cafe in Park Avenue, Winter Park has now re-opened with a brighter modern look, new breakfast, lunch & brunch menu, and new coffee blends. Go check it out! 
I was invited to a preview and loved doing a coffee tasting of 4 blends with Christian, Barnie’s head coffee roaster. My favorite was the Guatemala Gehsa with citrus, cocoa nibs and orange blossom notes. We also sampled new menu items. Don’t miss the Shakshuka & the Popovers!
Here’s what we sampled:
☕️ Coffee:
✨Barnie’s Cafe Blend
✨Guatemala Gehsa
✨Birthday Cake Batter (notes of vanilla sprinkles)
✨UCF Pegasus Blend (notes of chocolate & caramel!) yum! 
> I couldn’t resist getting a latte even though it was 6pm! 🤣 Barista Renata did a fab vanilla latte! 
🍳 Breakfast:
✨ Signature Popovers
✨French Toast with fresh truit
✨Shakshuka with poached egg
✨Seasonal Quiche
🥪 Lunch:
✨Cuban Sandwich
✨Roasted BeetSalad
Did you know Barnie’s is Orlando’s original coffee shop? It opened right here in Winter Park in 1980!
Go support local! #MakeSomedayHappen 
#GoEpicOrlando #LoveOrlando #barniescoffeeandtea #orlandocoffee
Hey Orlando Foodies, @orlandocitysc and @orlpride Hey Orlando Foodies, @orlandocitysc and @orlpride games at @exploriastadium just got a whole lot tastier!
Five #OrlandoMade local restaurants are now permanent concessions vendors so you can tame your hunger with the best local tacos, hot dogs, BBQ, Chicken & Burgers in Orlando! 
Thank you Exploria Stadium for inviting me to the media preview. Can’t wait to go cheer on our 2022 US Open Champions at the season opener this Saturday!
Here’s a preview of what we sampled: 
🌮 BLACK ROOSTER TAQUERIA - Chicken Tinga Taco on Flour Tortilla, w. lettuce, radish, cotija cheese, cilantro. Love those tacos! It was nice to see owner Juliana Calloway and Chief Tasting Officer Ryder Calloway dancing! 🕺🏻 @blkroostertaco 🙌🏼
📍 The Wall / Section 24
🌭 HARRELL’S HOT DOGS - Orlando City Stadium Dog features a Nathan’s Hot Dog topped with House Red Onion Sauce, Sauerkraut & Sport Peppers and finished with a Spicy Brown Mustard. Nice to meet owners Drew & David Cardaci! @_whats.up.dog_ 🙌🏼
📍 Section 30
🍖 4 RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE - Orlando’s favorite Pulled Pork Sandwich! Didn’t get to see owner John Rivers did you know you can now pick up 4R sauces & spices at Publix?! @4riverssmokehouse 🙌🏼
📍 Section 31
🐓 THE COOP by 4Rivers - Hand-breaded Chicken Tenders with 4R BBQ sauce @thecoop_wp 🙌🏼
📍 Section 9
🍔 TEAK NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL - Drunken Monk Burger with Smoked Bacon, Provolone Cheese, Roasted Cherry Tomotoes, house-made Angry Orchard Onion Jam, on Herb Mayo & Melted White Cheddor on a Pretzel Bun with Teak Chips. Best Burger in Orlando!  It was so nice to meet owner Jon Proechel after all these years of being a fan of their epic burgers! @teakneighborhoodgrill 🙌🏼
📍 Section 18
🍹MANE-GO MARGARITA - In The Wild Margarita with @camarenatequila - super tasty! 
⭐️ FYI - A Rotating Vendor Cart will feature @cholodogs & @sushieatstation among others 
⚽️ Will you be at the season opener this Saturday? 
#VamosOrlando Let’s Go! #ManEveryWall 💜 
Hosted #GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #ThingsToDoinOrlando
Happy #NationalMargaritaDay 🎉 This is “NOT E Happy #NationalMargaritaDay 🎉
This is “NOT EVERYONE’S MARGARITA” -  But it is mine! Made with Vida Mezcal, Cuervo Traditional Plata Tequila, Jalapeño, Creme de Mure, House Sour, & Black Salt. Epic! 
📍 Go get yours at @paddlefishorl in @disneysprings
Cheers! 
#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #DisneySprings
Hey Wine Lovers, I almost missed it’s #NationalD Hey Wine Lovers, I almost missed it’s #NationalDrinkWineDay 🥂
Here’s my 3 Favorite Wine Bars in Orlando: 
🍷 @quantumleapwinery - Orlando’s only sustainable winery & cidery, located in Mills 50 District. Try Kaley’s Rescue Red Blend & don’t miss the @thetastytrio “Wine, Cheese & Chocolate”events. 
🍷 @viniawinekitchen - fantastic boutique wines & Italian / Brazilian shareable plates in a charming intimate setting, located in Winter Park. Be sure to ask owner Fabio for his recommendations! 
🍷 @winebargeorge - Orlando’s only Master Sommelier owned restaurant with over 160 wines by the glass, bottle & ounce, located in Disney Springs. Say hi to somm genius George Miliotes and don’t miss their fab boards & wines from around the globe! 
Go #MakeSomedayHappen 
#GoEpicOrlando #OrlandoWine #loveOrlando
Don’t miss “Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day” Don’t miss “Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day” on Saturday 2/18! 
@kellyshomemadeicecream has created special breakfast-themed ice cream flavors for this annual International Childhood Cancer Awareness event
Order a cup, cone or shake or better yet, get an Ice Cream Flight & try all four! 
🥞 Blueberry Pancake (My favorite!)
🥣 Breakfast Buddies
🥓 Maple Bourbon Bacon
💥 Cinnamon Crunch
🗓️ When: Saturday February 18th, 9am-11am
📍 Where: All Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Scoop Shops and participating Counters 
💰 50% of sales during breakfast will be donated to @gktwvillage 
🍦 “Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day” was created in 2013 in honor of Malia Grace, by her mom and aunt after she lost her battle with cancer in 2010. Malia Grace loved ice cream and her family wanted to commemorate her birthday, 2/18, in a way that would be fitting for her. During her wish trip at Give Kids The World, she had the opportunity to eat ice cream for breakfast and it was a highlight of the family’s experience. 
🌎 Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost. Every wish family is treated to accommodations, transportation, donated theme park tickets, all meals and snacks, nightly entertainment, and more. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 182,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries.
Stop by Kelly’s and pick up these awesome flavors! But, regardless of where you are, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast in honor of Malia, and raise awareness for those who battle childhood cancer. 💛
#GoEpicOrlando #eaticecreamforbreakfastday #kellyshomemadeicecream #kellysicecream #orlandoicecream
Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥️ Add a little fire Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥️ Add a little fire & passion to your life, head to @gideonsbakehouse for their Eternal Flame Cookie & Cake. They are 🔥in the best way!
🍰 Eternal Flame Cake is a 3-Layer Double Frosted Chocolate work of art! Red Cherry Buttercream layers and Chocolate Fudge Buttercream mixed with a bit of that Eternal Flame spice on the outer layer. Not too spicy and absolutely decadent! Pair it with a nice bold red wine!
🍪 Eternal Flame Chocolate Cookie packs a nice kick laced with house-made Ancho, Cayenne, and Cinnamon Spice Mix, infused with a magical essence of cherry and topped with Chocolate Covered Cherries. 
❤️ For a limited time, a special version of the Eternal Flame cookie without the spice mix is available too! (Check Gideon’s IG for details)
📍 Available only in February at Gideon’s in East End Market & Disney Springs
Go celebrate with the best cookies and cakes on the planet!
#MakeSomedayHappen #GoEpicOrlando #GideonsBakehouse #DisneySprings #ValentinesDayTreat
For The Love of Chocolate… stop by @peterbrookew For The Love of Chocolate… stop by @peterbrookewp and pick up the best treats for your sweetie and besties 💕
A few of my favorites: 
🍓 Chocolate Covered Strawberries (require advanced order)
❤️ “Jami Choo’s” Chocolate Shoes
💋 Assorted Truffles (loved the red lips!)
♥️ Chocolate Covered Popcorn! 
💖 Baskets with a variety of treats! (Don’t miss the Chocolate Covered Oreos, Cat Tails & Cookies)
☎️ Call the shop to reserve a basket for quick pick up at (407) 644-3200. They’re open regular hours today & 7AM -11:15PM on Valentine’s Day!
🍓 Thank you to Peterbrooke’s creative Cupid chocolatiers for these gorgeous berries! 
#GoEpicOrlando #PeterbrookeWP #winterparkfl
Bon jour! Bon soir, enchante! 💕 The perfect way Bon jour! Bon soir, enchante! 💕 The perfect way to celebrate Galentine’s Day & Valentine’s Day is with the best French pastries in Orlando! 
Thank you @chefstephsteph for these epic @choulalapastries 💕
Pre-order and pick up at either Choulala Park Avenue and 436 location! You’re going to want to get all of this! 
VALENTINE’S DAY DESSERT BOX!
Chef Steph created an epic gourmet assortment of Valentine’s Day delights perfect to share:
💋 (1) Lychee Rose French Kiss Entremet
♥️ (2) Conversation Heart Vanilla Macarons
💝 (2) Crème Brûlée Choux Cream Puffs!
“I LOVE CHOU” BOX includes:
❤️ Passion Fruit, Raspberry & Crème Brûlée Choux Cream Puffs
♥️ Red Velvet, Lavender & Conversation Heart Macaron
❤️ Strawberry Eclair
I also picked up these gorgeous heart shaped entremets:
💜 Exotique: Passion Fruit & Coconut 
💖 Sweeties: Strawberry & Chocolate Brownie
Go enjoy the sweetest Galentine’s & Valentine’s Day #MakeSomedayHappen 
📍Choulala Park Avenue is open regular hours Saturday & Sunday, closed Mon, but will open special hours on V-Day Tuesday 11a-8p.
📍Choulala 436 open regular hours including 10-5pm V- Day
(Hosted) #GoEpicOrlando #BlissfulBite #ChoulalaPastries #Galentines #ValentinesTreats
It’s #NationalPizzaDay but all I’m thinking ab It’s #NationalPizzaDay but all I’m thinking about is Hot Garlic Knots from @official_pizza_bruno 
Have you tried these?  They are a #MustEat in Orlando!
Look for the lit “Hot Knots Now!” sign! 🔥 And, when you think there isn’t enough garlic... there’s more! 🧄 🍕 
Go get some!
#GoEpicOrlando #OrlandoFoodie #MakeSomedayHappen
💜 Feeling the lavender haze... One of my favori 💜 Feeling the lavender haze... One of my favorite foodie experiences of 2022 was dining at Salt & The Cellar by Michelin Chef Akira Back and spending the night at the new @ettehotel - a gorgeous boutique hotel with impeccable attention to detail! I even got to meet @chefakiraback 
So excited I’m going back tonight to check out their new Lipa Rooftop Bar & Restaurant and have reservations for Afternoon Tea next month! 
Add a visit to ette hotel to your Foodie Bucket List for 2023! 
A few favorites from my last visit:
🍸 Fantastic Zero-Proof Cocktails by @jarldevries: It’s Dry January all year long! Featured first is The Kraken, a gorgeous purple cocktail made with Butterfly Pea Flower Tea & Champagne Vinegar
✨ Toro Tartare: A gorgeous board with fatty tuna and accompaniments
✨ Akira Back Tuna Pizza: his famous dish is a Must Eat! 
✨ Spinach Oshitashi Salad: the most gorgeous salad I’ve ever seen! 
✨ NY Strip with Wasabi Kizami Butter, Chimichurri Sauce, & choice of gourmet salts. Amazing! Loved that Espresso salt
✨ Miso Black Cod, yuzu air, pickled cauliflower 
✨ Togarashi Fries & Kimchi Brussels
✨ Dessert: Yuzu Curd and Chocolate in a Cup
☕️ “Where The Cloud Ends” Zero-Proof espresso martini with Yuzu Tonic, Lemon Cordial, Espresso, 0% Coffee Liquor
💜 The lobby decor with lavender and green touches was dreamy.
🧺 They have a Laundry Museum! 
📕 The Book Room features incredible books. The giant picture book requires gloves to review as it is one of a few in the world! 
The hotel is focused on wellness and offers Wellness Suites completely equipped with a full gym! 
Make plans to dine at @saltandthecellarbyakiraback and stay at @ettehotel and GO #MakeSomedayHappen
(Hosted) #GoEpicOrlando #ettehotel #saltandthecellarbyakiraback #experiencekissimmee #LoveOrlando
Don’t let the casual vibe at @jujubysusuru fool Don’t let the casual vibe at @jujubysusuru fool you. The Kappo Bar Omakase experience with Chef Lewis Lin is out of this world (& Michelin-worthy!)
“irasshaimase / come in!” is what you hear first upon entering this revamped Pizza Hut building off Colonial Drive. Everyone is welcome at Juju, one of Orlando’s newest restaurants and one that belongs on every #OrlandoFoodie bucket list! 
I was invited to experience their Kappo Bar and it checked all the boxes for a truly amazing #MakeSomedayHappen experience.
The retro Japanese izakaya-style restaurant serves up a 10-course menu at the bar and a more casual a la carte menu in the dining room. 
Omakase menu changes regularly but always features the five primary cooking techniques (grilling, steaming, frying, simmering, and raw) using local and imported ingredients, in-house dry-aged fish, and binchotan charcoal-fired dishes. Everything is prepared right in front of you for an immersive experience.
And, Don’t miss the fun cocktails! I loved “That Old Pizza Hut” was like an orange creamsicle with Suntory Toki Whiskey served in a Pizza Hut cup! 
Make reservations and go check this Orlando restaurant off your bucket list.
Thank you Chef Lewis and Mai for your outstanding hospitality. I’ll be coming back soon!
(Hosted) #GoEpicOrlando #LoveOrlando #omakase
Hello 2023! Why start the year on a diet? My new y Hello 2023! Why start the year on a diet? My new year’s resolution is to focus on self-care.  Eating healthy and exercising, sure. But also treating myself to more @gideonsbakehouse cookies, cakes & cold brews. Who’s with me? What will you treat yourself with this year?
You want something. Go Get It. Period!
This was my last purchase of 12/31/22... I wanted to start 2023 on a sweet note!
What if my 2023 resolution is to visit Gideon’s every month for their awesome limited-edition treats? 
I think that’s a resolution I can keep!  January’s Butterscotch flavors sound to die for.
Did you hear? The epic Banana Bread Chocolate Chip cookie is now part of the permanent lineup. While the Coffee Cake is my all-time favorite, this one is in the top 3! And, the original Peanut Butter Cold Brew is a must pairing.
What resolution will you set today? Go #MakeSomedayHappen 🎉 Happy New Year everyone!
#GoEpicOrlando #2023resolutions #GideonsBakehouse #DisneySprings
Happy New Year 2023! 🎉 We had a fun and very ch Happy New Year 2023! 🎉 We had a fun and very chill night at @disneysprings. How about you?
I love Progressive Dining and Disney Springs has plenty of options. We just get a spot at the bar and order a drink and a fun bite. Then move on to the next spot. So easy! No reservations required! 
🦀 1st Stop: @paddlefishorl 
Steak Skewers
Crab Topped Fries 
Larceny Old Fashioned 
Capt Handsome - Cathead Vodka & Raspberry 
Mayan Empress - Santa Teresa Añejo Rum, pineapple
🍰 2nd Stop: @homecominfl 
Espresso Martini 
Carrot Cake 
☘️ 3rd Stop: @raglanroadpub 
Great entertainment! 
@guinnessus 
Great Irish Hooley Cocktail - so refreshing with strawberries & Prosecco 
🍪 Not pictured: we managed a stop at @gideonsbakehouse to pick up treats to start the new year!!! (They had a 2 second brief moment with no line around 11pm! I could not resist! I picked up a Banana Bread Chocolate Chip cookie which is now part of the year-round line up! I also got a slice of Golden Oreo cake and a PB Cold Brew to enjoy today! Starting 2023 off right… and not a diet 😂
We went early, had a great time and got home in time to watch the ball drop!!! 🎉
Wishing you all happiness and lots of delicious treats in 2023! 
#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #DisneySprings
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