These Orlando fun events and local hot spots have inspired my 12 Days of Birthday Celebrations. I think the best cure for the birthday blues is to plan fun celebrations leading up to, during and after your birthday. Celebrate for as long as you want! There is no birthday police around telling you that you can only celebrate your birthday once a year! I hope my plans inspire you to host your own 12 Days of Birthdays when your birthday comes along. In the meantime, join me at these fantastic events and let’s celebrate!
Day 1: Oblivion Tap Room Cider & Cheese Tasting
I’m singing this to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas… “On the first day of birthday celebrations, my Lady Crafter friends gave to me…a taste of cider and cheese”
This event on Thursday April 17,2014 is for ladies that love beer, or in my case a lady that wants to learn about beer. The lovely Lady Crafters group in Orlando have offered to take me under their wing and teach me all about this crafty beverage so I can find one to love. They are easing me into it with a Cider and Cheese tasting at Oblivion Tap Room, the place of their first meeting two years ago. For more info and if you want to join in on the fun, click here. Oblivion Tap Room is located at 5101 E Colonial Drive, Orlando FL
Day 2: AMC Fork & Screen
I’m singing again, you can sing along too. You know you want to… “On the second day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me…Captain America action at Fork & Screen”
I love movies and I love food. AMC has combined the two at Fork & Screen in Downtown Disney, where you don’t have to sacrifice food quality and variety to watch the latest flicks. I’ve been dying to see Captain America The Winter Soldier and here I get to see him in all his glory, while having a nice glass of wine and dinner from a menu that is not your typical movie-fare. My favorites are their Veggie Triple Feature appetizer loaded with veggies and hummus, the Truffle Parmesan Fries, Thai Coconut Chicken Tenders and Bistro Chicken Mac & Cheese. So many good choices! Plus, save room for popcorn because you can’t watch a movie without popcorn, right? Click here to see the menu. AMC Fork & Screen is located at 1500 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista FL
An Action Flick & Dinner at AMC Fork & Screen
Day 3: Go Epicurista Ultimate Progressive Dinner
My singing is getting better (in my mind)… “On the third day of birthday celebrations, my best friends gave to me…a progressive dinner on Park Ave”
There is nothing better than getting your best friends together for a nice dinner to celebrate your birthday. I selected Park Avenue in Winter Park as there are so many great restaurants to choose from. But, what’s a foodie to do when she can’t decide on one place for an epic birthday celebration? Pick four and host a progressive dinner instead! Who says you only have to go to one restaurant per evening? During my “Go Epicurista Ultimate Progressive Dinner”, we will visit a different hot spot for each course to sample the chef’s specialties paired with a wine or cocktail. It’s a great way to sample different cuisines and work off the calories as you walk from one restaurant to the next. Our first stop is The Wine Room on Park Avenue to start the evening with their amazing cheese selection and a wine tasting from the various Enomatic machines. Where we go from there is a secret. My guests don’t know yet so I can’t tell you, but I promise to share all the details on the blog soon. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and share in on the fun! If you need help planning your own progressive culinary feast, let me know and I will come to your rescue. Remember, I love to plan events! The Wine Room is located at 270 Park Ave South, Winter Park FL. Click here for more info.
Amazing Cheeses & Wine Tasting at The Wine Room
Day 4: Easter Brunch
On this, my actual birthday, I will be singing a bit louder… “On the fourth day of birthday celebrations, my best friends gave to me…an Easter Brunch and lots of festivities”
This year, I am blessed my birthday on April 20th also falls on Easter Sunday. It is a day of rebirth and renewal and I think that could not be more awesome or appropriate. There are fabulous Easter brunches to choose from in Orlando. Check out my Top 9 List and make a reservation. My friends are surprising me on this day so I don’t know where we are going. I do love surprises! But whether we are staying at home or eating out, I do know it’s going to be great spending the day with loved ones.
A Foodie Easter Feast at Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Day 5: Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster
Sing with me…“On the fifth day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me… a romantic dinner at Christner’s”
I have wanted to go to this Central Florida institution for years but never found the time. As part of my #MakeSomedayHappen mission we are finally going to Christner’s, previously known as Del Friscos, one of the oldest steakhouses in Orlando. I can’t wait to devour one of their fabulous prime aged steaks. Plus, their wine cellar boasts over 5,500 bottles of wine and I hear they have a new cocktails list featuring inventive “Scotchtails”. The Peach Scotch Smash sounds refreshing with J&B Scotch, Yellow Peach, Cointreau, Lemon and Mint. My BF will probably have his usual Rusty Nail with Johnny Walker Black and Drambuie or he may try one of the many other options on the menu. I know the BF is excited about that! Christner’s is located at 729 Lee Road, Orlando FL. Click here for more info.
A feast of Steak & Lobster at Christner’s
Day 6: Cask & Larder Happy Hour
The celebration continues… “On the sixth day of birthday celebrations, my dear friends gave to me… a happy hour at Cask & Larder”
I can’t wait to sample the adult concoctions that Mike Bass, award-winning bartender extraordinaire, has to offer at Cask & Larder. In honor of Earth Day, on April 22, 2014 I selected a location that takes sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers as seriously as they take their food and drinks. Mike’s “Majority Rules” cocktail has received International attention and he is headed to the United States Bartenders Guild World Class Competition in May. The Happy Hour features include $6 cocktails and wine, $3 house-brewed beer, $1 oysters and $2 ham biscuits. It sounds like a winner to me! For more info click here. Cask & Larder is located at 1234 North Orange Ave, Winter Park FL
Cask & Larder Happy Hour indeed!
Day 7: K Restaurant & The Rusty Spoon “Chef Mash-Up” Dinner
Still singing… “On the seventh day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me…a Mash-Up Dinner with two amazing chefs!”
James Beard Award nominated Chef Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant and Kathleen Blake of The Rusty Spoon are teaming up for one night to bring us their Mash-Up Dinner Event on Wednesday April 23, 2014. This five course dinner will be paired with wines from Stonestreet Winery of Sonoma and Freemark Abbey Winery of Napa. It promises “One Night, Two Chefs, Food & Wine Awesomeness!” If this doesn’t cure the Birthday Blues I don’t know what will! Space is limited so call to make your reservation and join me! For more event info click here. K Restaurant Wine Bar is located at 1710 Edgewater Drive, Orlando FL.
Orlando’s Most Awesome Chefs Kathleen Blake and Kevin Fonzo
Day 8:Tony Roma’s Fire Grill & Lounge
Let’s sing again… “On the eight day of birthday celebrations, my friends gave to me…Fireball Cocktails for free!”
The Tony Roma’s location on Lee Vista has impressed me with their new look, new menu and craft cocktails. This is not the Tony Roma’s I remembered from my college days. It’s much more inviting with a menu of house-made dishes and beverages using local ingredients. On Thursday April 24, 2014, Tony Roma’s and Fireball Whiskey are sponsoring a cocktail hour for the Lady Crafters of Orlando with complimentary Fireball Cocktails, bar snacks and live music. You must join the group to attend but it promises to be a great evening! Click here for event info. Tony Roma’s Fire Grill & Lounge is located at 7015 S Semoran Blvd Orlando FL.
Tony Roma’s cocktails!
Day 9: Everglades Vine & Dine
The singing continues…“On the ninth day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me…A Wine Dinner from Coast to Coast”
The first Vine & Dine Wine Pairing dinner of the 2014 series promises to be an unforgettable culinary journey from coast to coast. I can’t wait to taste what creative treats my friend Chef Fred Vlachos has come up with. He never disappoints. Dinner starts with Stone Crab Claws with a spicy key lime aioli paired with King Estate Pinot Gris from Oregon, one of my favorites, and ends with Red Wine Poached Apples & Pears with a Dark Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse paired with Fonseca Tawny 10 year port. The word I’m thinking of is Yum! Click here to see the full menu and call to make reservations if you want to join me as space is very limited. Rosen Centre Hotel Everglades Restaurant is located at 9840 International Drive, Orlando FL
Everglades Chef Fred Vlachos
Day 10: The Great American Pie Festival
Sing along… “On the tenth day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me…a never-ending pie buffet!”
I’m headed to the Pie capital of the world, the Town of Celebration in Central Florida, on Saturday April 26, 2014 to indulge in what I’ve been promised is a never-ending pie buffet featuring award-winning pies, ice cream, and toppings! Tickets are only $10 for adults ($5 for seniors and children) and that is such a deal! I may even try my hand at making my own pie at the Comstock Creation Station. There are lots of activities, entertainment, and demos throughout the day and it continues on Sunday 4/27. This is the event for pie-lovers like me! Click here for more info. The Great American Pie Festival is taking place at 631 Sycamore Street, Celebration FL
Day 11: Universal Orlando
Let me clear my throat… “On the eleventh day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me…Harry Potter, Butter Beer and Thrilling Rides”
Living in Orlando FL has many benefits. One of them is I get to visit the theme parks without having to buy airfare! Universal Studios Orlando is in the middle of their Mardi Gras Celebrations so I will be headed there for Spicy Jambalaya and Beignets. Islands of Adventure’s Harry Potter is one of my favorite spots to visit. This is the only place you can get authentic butter beer. If you’ve never tried it, you are missing out! I hear that I can get a Birthday Button at Guest Services for special attention throughout the day. Who doesn’t like special attention?
Butter Beer at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is Fantastic! – photo courtesy of Orlando Sentinel
Day 12: Cold Stone Creamery
My voice is getting a bit tired but I’m going to finish strong… “On the twelfth day of birthday celebrations, my true love gave to me… an ice cream creation from Cold Stone Creamery”
If you know me, you know how much I love ice cream. I’m on the Ultimate Ice Cream Hunt after all! I’m ending my 12 Days of Birthday Celebrations with a cherry on top of my favorite creation from Cold Stone Creamery. Should I go with the Birthday Cake Remix, since it is my birthday? Or, how about my all-time favorite, Peanut Butter Cup Perfection? The best part is when you sign up for the “Cold Stone Club” you get a free ice cream creation with the purchase of another. I love freebies on my birthday! This will be the perfect way to end my 12 Days of Birthday Celebrations! For more info on Cold Stone Creamery E-Club click here.
Hundreds of merchants offer deals and freebies on your birthday. There are enough choices on this awesome site for you to create your own 12 days of Birthday Celebrations without spending a lot.
Cold Stone Creamery Peanut Butter Cup Perfection
I hope this list inspires you to get out there and celebrate life! I would love to celebrate my birthday with you so join me at these events. If you are not in Orlando, then I hope you will follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and share the celebrations with me.
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Cheers!
goEpicurista
