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Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast Full of Surprises

By Christina Thomas Leave a Comment

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration

Full Recap of This Epic Local Chef Collaboration Dinner

“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”

John Ruskin

The same can be said about the four talented local chefs and one mixologist who came together on a cool night in Orlando to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Soco in Thornton Park. Their collective love of good food and drinks was on full display in the floor to ceiling windows looking into the kitchen. The end result was a masterpiece for us to enjoy.

How wonderful it is to witness the spirit of community and hospitality coming together in one delicious experience. Thank you Chef Greg Richie for inviting us to celebrate with you. You proved once again why Soco is on my Must Eat List of Orlando.

All Celebrations Must Start With A Fine Cocktail.

The evening started as all fine evenings should, with craft cocktails. Local mixologist PJ Smerechansky, known as “The Alcohol Alchemist” formerly of The Edison, now at Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom served up a choice of two of his award winning libations.

“Tea Time with Prudence” made with Sipsmith VJOP Gin, Earl Grey Tea, King’s Ginger Liqueur, Honey and Rosemary was not your every day gin drink. The first surprise of the evening is that this gin cocktail packed a punch! Likely as a result of the Sipsmith VJOP overproof gin. “At 57.7% ABV this juniper-forward gin uses double the amount of juniper berries to our London Dry Gin” according to their website.

PJ said he wanted to create a unique cocktail and that he did! The lemon and rosemary garnish took it to the next level with powerful aromatics that enveloped your senses even before you took your first sip. I’m not sure who Prudence is but tea time with her is definitely a hoot!

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Gin Cocktail by PJ Smerechansky
Tea Time With Prudence by PJ Smerechansky

The second cocktail option was the “Bootlegger’s Basil” made with Basil Hayden Bourbon, Fresh Blackberry, Basil, Angostura Bitters and Orange Peel. It’s a riff on an Old Fashioned mixed with a blackberry bramble. A cocktail PJ tells us he has been working on for quite some time. And it shows. Absolutely well balanced and easy to drink with just the right sweet notes and beautiful contrast by the basil. He says his Italian heritage prompted him to use basil in cocktails rather than mint.

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Bourbon Cocktail by PJ Smerechansky
Bootlegger’s Basil by PJ Smerechansky

The First Course: Are These Scallops?

Chef Patrick Tramontana from Antonio’s Maitland took scallops to a whole new level. This was the second surprise of the night. The hickory smoked scallops had such an umami meaty quality, they almost tasted like ham. They were served atop uni, popcorn “Polenta” with fermented kabu, brown butter hollandaise, sage sprouts, radish, crisp parsnip, and parsley oil.

It was a wild combination of flavors and textures that made me question by taste buds. What am I eating here? If I was in a blindfold tasting challenge, I may have failed. But my taste buds weren’t complaining. It was delicious! The dish was paired with 2015 La Crema “Saralee’s Vineyard” Chardonnay from Russian River Valley, California.

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Scallops by Chef Patrick Tramontana
Hickory Smoked Scallop by Chef Patrick Tramontana

The Second Course: Where’s The Pasta?

“Pork and Pumpkin” was presented by Chef Venoy Rogers III of American Kitchen Bar and Grill, the signature restaurant of B Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista. Koji cured Heritage Breed pork was beautifully cooked and tender. Koji, I learned, is a type of fungus used in Japanese cuisine to ferment foods. It gave the pork a “funky” earthy quality which was another surprise to the taste buds. Crusted in Pistachio for a nice crunch.

But the true surprise of this dish came when I tried the “cannelloni”. Where’s the pasta? The Pumpkin “Cannelloni” was made of thinly sliced pumpkin and I wanted more. Topped with Chanterelle Cream and garnished with pickled grapes with homemade peach vinegar. I wished for less sauce and more pumpkin “pasta. Now that’s surprising!

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Pork by Chef Venoy Rogers III

“This dish paired beautifully with 2014 The Immortal Zin “Old Vine” Zinfandel from Lodi, California. It was robust and rich to contrast all the flavors on the plate.

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Pork by Chef Venoy Rogers III

The Third Course Came With A Warning!

The star of the night was Soco Chef Greg Ritchie. Not only because we were celebrating his restaurant’s 5th anniversary but also because this dish was my favorite. It was so beautifully composed and flavorful I could have gladly eaten a second portion. The Bourbon Barrel Staved Venison Loin topped with fermented blueberries gained nuanced smoky vanilla notes from the smoked wood.

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Venison by Chef Greg Richie
Bourbon Barrel Staved Venison Loin by Chef Greg Richie

The dish even came with a warning from our server: “Remove the meat from the wood plank before you cut it!” We instantly laughed. You know someone tried to cut the wood and nearly lost a digit. I must admit when I saw the plate at another table I didn’t realize it was wood and wondered what cut of beef could be cut so perfectly squared. We learned the wood planks came from Soco’s first special blend bourbon barrel. A nice touch on this 5th year anniversary.

At our table, we compared the plate presentation to a Picasso. It was indeed artistic. Beautiful dollops of cornbread, smoky collard greens, beech mushrooms, baby carrots and tiny beet balls, all carefully placed just so to create a bit of drama.

The 2016 J Vineyards Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley, California was a nice complement. Just the right notes of black fruit to balance the smoke.

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Venison by Chef Greg Richie
Bourbon Barrel Staved Venison Loin by Chef Greg Richie

Chocolate is always the answer.

What was the question? When in doubt, chocolate is always the answer. A dinner like this deserves a rich chocolate ending. Chef Stuart Whitfield from The Glass Knife was up to the challenge. The rich Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding with salted caramel, cocoa nib tuile, chocolate whiskey cremeux, brown butter powder and pecan praline was simply dreamy.

The surprise here was that this was not your ordinary slab of thick bread pudding as you may assume just hearing the name. It was unlike any bread pudding I’ve ever had before. Paired with Penfolds “Grandfather” 20 year Tawny Port from Australia. I only wish I had enough room to finish it all. But that’s why God invented to go boxes. I enjoyed the remainder of this treat for breakfast. Don’t judge!

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Chocolate Brioche by Chef Stuart Whitfield.
Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding by Chef Stuart Whitfield

Good Wine is a Must!

All wines sampled during the course of the evening were beautifully paired. That is no easy feat when you consider the intricacy of each of these dishes and the surprising flavor profiles. Good wine is a must in a dinner like this. Great pairings are not always guaranteed. My hat’s off to Chef Greg Richie and his wine vendors!

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. Wines served.

The A Team at Soco 5 Year Anniversary Dinner

Chef Greg Richie was joined by a talented group of local culinarians who all brought their A Game to make the Soco 5 Year Anniversary Dinner a memorable night. Chef Patrick Tramontana, Chef Venoy Rogers III, Chef Stuart Whitfield and Mixologist PJ Smerechansky joined Chef/Partner Greg Richie and it was fun to watch. I have even more reason now to visit them at their respective restaurants.

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. by Chef Greg Richie, Chef Stuart Whitfield, Chef Patrick Tramontana, Chef Venoy Rogers III and Mixologist PJ Smerechansky
Chef Stuart Whitfield, Chef Patrick Tramontana, Chef Venoy Rogers III, joined Chef/Partner Greg Richie in the kitchen

This is a worthy keepsake of the evening. Thank you for being rock stars with the sharpie guys!

Soco 5 Year Anniversary Feast full of surprises. This Orlando neighborhood  restaurant wowed us with local chef collaboration. by Chef Greg Richie, Chef Stuart Whitfield, Chef Patrick Tramontana, Chef Venoy Rogers III and Mixologist PJ Smerechansky
Soco 5 Year Anniversary Dinner Menu autographed by the talented team that put it together

Good Food, Yes! With Good Company, Even Better!

Great food and wine are only best enjoyed in good company. What started out as dinner for two, turned into 3, then 4 then 6! This was the most pleasant surprise of the evening. We were fortunate to be joined by my favorite local food critic and playwright Joseph Hayes of Orlando Magazine.

Orlando Magazine Food critic Joseph Hayes and Christina Thomas of Go Epicurista at Soco 5 Year Anniversary Dinner
Joseph Hayes of Orlando Magazine and Christina Thomas of Go Epicurista

Orlando foodie Jesslyn Hernandez of @OrlandoFoodieGirl just published her first novel “Toxic Moon”and shared spoiler alerts for the second part of the trilogy. It was like listening to a movie plot. So fun!

Jeff Bray and @OrlandoFoodieGirl Jesslyn Hernandez at Soco 5 Year Anniversary Dinner
Jeff Bray and Jesslyn Hernandez of Orlando Foodie Girl

Longtime friends Irina and Richard Pabis of Celebrity Chef 4U were seated at the table next to us. We all enjoyed the cool temps in the patio together with lively conversation. This is what neighborhood restaurants like Soco thrive upon. Good food, good drinks, and good people.

Irina and Richard Pabis, Joseph Hayes, Jesslyn Hernandez, Christina Thomas and Chef Greg Richie at Soco 5 Year Anniversary Dinner
Cheers to good times at Soco!

If you missed this special dinner, follow Soco on social media to learn of their upcoming special events. You can read more about Soco and the 9 Tasty Reasons Why You Should Visit to see what dishes and cocktails are on my Must Eat and Must Drink List.

Congratulations to Chef Greg Richie and the Soco team on your 5 Year Anniversary!

Cheers!

Go Epicurista

Disclosure: I was a hosted media guest for this event for promotional purposes. I am under no obligation to share this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share with you products and experiences I love to inspire you to safely get together with family and friends, celebrate life and go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time!  You can read more about my guidelines in my disclosure policy. Cheers!

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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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🥡 Singapore Mei Fun noodles bring longevity & prosperity⠀
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🥢 Chicken Lo Mein brings longevity & happiness⠀
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🥡 Yi-Yi’s Chicken Dumplings bring wealth & treasure⠀
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🥢 Spring Rolls bring wealth & prosperity⠀
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🥡 Hawker’s Delight brings health & well-being⠀
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🥢 Sugared Donuts with Orange Glaze brings fullness & fortune⠀
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The box also includes: ⠀
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🎉 A confetti popper to represent the fireworks enjoyed on Lunar New Year to ward off evil and bad omens. ⠀
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🎉 A QR code with access to a private video of the traditional Lion Dance performance. ⠀
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🎉 An info-card full of fun facts & details about Lunar New Year and how to celebrate at home. ⠀
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🎉 Hóngbāo, the traditional red envelope, which includes the chance to win a variety of gifts including complimentary Roti Canai and FREE HAWKERS TAKEOUT FOR A YEAR!⠀
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Order at EatHawkers.com for takeout & delivery for the lucky numbers price of $36.88! ⠀
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PS: Be sure to add some Vietnamese Iced Coffee to your order for an extra caffeine boost! I always do! It’s sooo yummy!⠀
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Happy Lunar New Year! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #EatHawkers #LunarNewYear
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy." "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy." - Marcel Proust (hosted)⠀
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What makes you happy? 😄⠀
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Two things make me happy: sweets and friends! 💕 I’m so grateful I found both at @choulalapastries in Winter Park. ⠀
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I finally met @chefstephsteph in person after drooling over her fantastic macarons and pastries for years! I first tried them during my staycation at @wyndhamgrandorl and fell in love. Stephanie is originally from Oregon like me, and it was so fun to meet her at the Park Avenue bakery. She’s dynamic so expect to hear more about her in future posts! ⠀
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These gorgeous Choulala macarons, chou puff pastries, eclairs, and entremets with some bubbles are the perfect way to celebrate any day of the week! ⠀
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💕 If you're looking for ideas for this Galentine's or Valentine's Day, check out my post Top 9 Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s and My Epic Guide for an easy French-themed movie night at home on GoEpicurista.com and pick up a box of assorted treats at Choulala. ⠀
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One eclair, 3 macarons and 3 chou pastries in a cute little box are only $18! It makes a great gift too! ⠀
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Here's what I had so you can get inspired. Flavors change frequently! ⠀
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White Plate: Pina Colada, Black Forest and Amaretto Macaron, S'mores Eclair topped with marshmallows and chocolate drizzle and Bananas Foster, Fruity Pebbles, and Lemon Meringue chou puff pastry⠀
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Paris Plate: Pistachio and PB&J macarons, Lychee Rose and Mango chou puff pastries⠀
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Board: Lavender and Lemon Poppy Seed Macaron, Creme Brulee and Key Lime pie chou puff pastry, Tiramisu entremet. ⠀
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👉🏼 Tag your favorite person in the comments and have a sweet weekend! 💕⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #ChoulalaFinePastries #WinterParkFL #LoveOrlando #ValentinesWeekend
"I love pizza; you can't really go wrong with pizz "I love pizza; you can't really go wrong with pizza." - Nick Jonas ⠀
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Nick is spot on! Yesterday was #NationalPizzaDay but I think every day is a good day for pizza! 🍕⠀
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Tell me are you a 🥩 meat lover, 🥗 veggie head, 🍳 foodie with an egg on top, or🧀 classic cheese when ordering pizza? ⠀
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Let’s talk about a few of my favorite pizzas around Orlando for inspiration:⠀
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🍕Kissimmee:  @caponespizzakissimmee in @PromenadeatSunsetWalk - Al's Carne Grande was a meat lover's dream! Fun date night spot which I featured in an article for @experiencekissimmee ⠀
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🍕 Hunter's Creek: @pienezzapizza Angie’s veggie pizza and Meat Monster because I like veggies and hubby likes all the meats. ⠀
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🍕 Lake Nona: @parkpizzalakenona Pepperoni Picante and Med Veg (do you spot the trend for our pizza nights?) 🤣 ⠀
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🍕 Winter Park:  @sixtyvineswinterpark a classic Margherita with pepperoni never goes out of style! ⠀
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🍕 Park Ave: @pratowp Widowmaker! When you know you know why this one makes every best pizza list! ⠀
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🍕 Disney Springs: @blazepizza Veg Out! (I love the make your own option too!) ⠀
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🍕 SoDo: @official_pizza_bruno the best in town. The one every pizza lover should try at least once in their life! ⠀
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There’s quite a few new pizzas in town that I haven’t had a chance to try but are on my list thanks to @amydroo @orlando.foodie,  @bebefehr @orlandomag and @faiyazkara @orlandoweekly Pizza stories! ⠀
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Do you have a favorite pizza spot? Let me know in the comments, because pizza makes every day better!⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #PizzaDay #LoveOrlando
"Shine bright like a diamond. Find light in the be "Shine bright like a diamond. Find light in the beautiful sea. I choose to be happy." - Rihanna (hosted)⠀
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Congratulations to Fred and the team at @reelfishcoastal in Winter Park on celebrating their 4th Anniversary today! ⠀
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RiRi must have been singing about the awesome "Get Reel Happy Hour" - it's one of the best #HappyHour for foodies in Orlando! If you haven't been,  make plans and go check it out! ⠀
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In celebration of their anniversary today, don your favorite sailor attire and don't miss a special themed "Yacht Rock Happy Hour" from 4 pm - 7 pm with @dj50one50 ⠀
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Their Happy Hour Tuesday - Friday includes awesome food and drink specials (scroll to see fish tacos, oysters & they have non seafood options too like chicken sliders and chicken tacos!!):⠀
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$4 Select Draft Beers, Premium Well Drinks, ⠀
$4 Oyster Shooter, with Vodka or Tequila⠀
$5 Select Wines by the Glass, Sangria & Select Specialty Cocktails including the Seaside Margarita, Sunset Sangria (my favorite)⠀
$6 Half-Dozen Gulf Oysters, Raw or Baked, Two Baja-Style Fish or Shrimp Tacos, Hand-Battered Fried Clam Strips Basket⠀
$7 Two Burger or Chicken Sliders ⠀
$8 Firecracker Shrimp, Half-Pound Peel & Eat Mayport Shrimp ⠀
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Stay for dinner, enjoy this week's Lobster Fest Anniversary Special: All day, Tue 2/9 - Thur 2/11,  1.5 lb Maine Lobster with baked potato, coleslaw & drawn butter for only $39! (Market price is $50) ⠀
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Choose Happy! Go #MakeSomedayHappen⠀
#GoEpicOrlando #ReelFishCoastalKitchen #LoveOrlando
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz (hosted)⠀
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We had the most decadent dinner at A Land Remembered, the fine dining restaurant at @rosenshinglecreek which ended with this indulgent flourless chocolate mousse cake!⠀
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We took advantage to enjoy the great weather we’re having and sat outdoors on the veranda overlooking the beautiful grounds and golf course. It felt like being back home. ⠀
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The flagship resort of beloved local hotel company @rosenhotels had been closed since the pandemic began last March and just reopened this week. Yet the restaurant staff did not skip a beat, providing the same exceptional service and expertly executed dishes they've been known for since they opened in 2006. ⠀
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ALR (A Land Remembered) is one of the hidden gem restaurants in Orlando that locals may forget because it's tucked inside this sprawling resort. If you haven't been, it's time to go! ⠀
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Scroll to see our scrumptious dinner. We started with scallops and the best jumbo lump crab cake in town. Followed by lobster bisque & wedge salad. For entrees, the Surf & Turf with Filet and Lobster and the buttery Sea Bass with Lobster Mac n' Cheese and asparagus on the side. We were stuffed but could not skip the bread pudding with rum raisin ice cream and that decadent cake! ⠀
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If you're looking for a wonderful restaurant for a romantic date night, whether this Valentine's weekend or any time, make reservations. Check stories for a 25% discount coupon especially for GoEpicurista. ⠀
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They are following “Rosen's Total Commitment" extensive safety protocols. Temperature checks, mask required upon entry and we noticed constant cleaning by the staff. ⠀
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💕 Special Valentine's Menu available Thur. 2/11 - Sun. 2/14. Make it a full weekend getaway with special overnight package and spa treatments at The Spa at Shingle Creek with complimentary bubbles and 25% discount.⠀
 ⠀
Read more about Rosen Shingle Creek on GoEpicurista.com - I've written about the 9 reasons foodies love it and named it one of the best Orlando resort for foodies to visit. ⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #RosenShingleCreek
"I have the right to life, liberty and chicken win "I have the right to life, liberty and chicken wings." - Mindy Kaling⠀
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It's Super Bowl Sunday! The biggest chicken wing consuming day of the year! Fun Fact: over 1.25 BILLION wings are consumed on this day alone in the US! ⠀
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As much as I love traditional Buffalo wings, here are a few favorite wings around Orlando with a unique global flair and one classic Buffalo that left my lips on fire, craving more! ⠀
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@ssontheroll in @historicdowntownsanford Korean style crispy wings are packed with flavor! Enjoy in the patio with a cold beer from @celerycitycraft⠀
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@yeomanscaskandlion "Cambridge Wings" are addictive at this British pub in @promenadeatsunsetwalk in Kissimmee! Slow oven baked then seared on the grill, tossed in Buffalo sauce or my favorite, Coconut Curry Sauce. Pair with a crisp cider or Boddington's on tap. ⠀
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@domufl in EastEndMkt wings have become so popular they now have @DomuWings virtual delivery!  Extra Extra Crispy coated in kimchi butter sauce. Addictive like candy! Pair with Sriracha Bloody Mary for brunch!⠀
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@eathawkers Korean twice-fried wings in garlic gochujang, topped with peanuts, cilantro and sesame are the bomb! Also get Hawker's Wings with sweet Thai chili, Hainanese, honey sriracha, spring onion ginger or a five-spice rub. Pair with Sapporo beer.⠀
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@raglanroadpub at @disneysprings "Nom Nom" sweet 'n' spicy wings tossed in a honey, chili flake, soy & ginger sauce. Pair with Guinness of course! ⠀
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@parkpizzalakenona Oak-Fired Chicken Wings Reverse Buffalo (my favorite), Cajun, Sticky Thai, Carolina Reaper, or Mango Habanero. Pair with a house-crafted beer. ⠀
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Yuzu Miso Wings at @japanpavilionmitsukoshiusa Katsura Grill at Epcot, a peaceful hidden gem to grab a bite. ⠀
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1521 Wings at @wyndhamgrandorl Resort were fiery good! The kind you can smell spicy before you take a bite. The kind you take bite after bite. They also have sweet & sticky and bourbon BBQ if you don't want to set your soul on fire. (but in a good way!) ⠀
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Lastly, for plant-based meat-free eaters, @DharmaFineVittles at @marketonsouth Fried Chick'n dippers with agave pepper drizzle fooled me!!⠀
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Which wings will you go for?⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen
"It's never too early for ice cream." - Michael Sc "It's never too early for ice cream." - Michael Scott (hosted)⠀
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Did you know the first Saturday in February is #IceCreamforBreakfastDay?! I think any time and any weather is a good time for ice cream! ⠀
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I had a little fun during a recent visit to @sweetbyholly to pick up some scrumptious cupcakes and couldn't resist getting a soft serve ice cream topped with Nutella and caramel drizzle, and chocolate and caramel pearls. ⠀
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Don't miss getting an ice cream sundae made with "Chill In Peace" Premium Ice Cream from Santa Monica, California.  There are 8 flavors, 8 toppings and 8 drizzles to choose from. Each serving comes with 2 drizzles and 2 toppings!⠀
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I also had some fun with colored backgrounds taking pictures of my ice cream! Scroll to see... which one do you like best? Red, Blue, Black... ⠀
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Happy Saturday Everyone! ⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #SweetByHolly #IceCream #LoveOrlando
"Among the things you can give and still keep are "Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart." - Zig Ziglar⠀
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Kindness. Smiles. Decadent Desserts! Every day is a new opportunity to share! I hope your day is full of joy.⠀
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If you want to do something nice for your favorite person, go get an assortment of cakes and pies at @SisterHoneys in the SoDo District. ⠀
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Here’s a little secret: If you truly want a way to a girl's heart, I promise you cakes and pies are better than flowers! 😉 ⠀
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Today is #WearRedDay in support of the American Heart Association, so I have to place a disclaimer here: "Enjoy all in moderation!" ⠀
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I'm so honored to be able to share the inspiring entrepreneurial stories of strong and bold women I admire. I recently published an article about Sister Honey's owner and chef Evette Rahman on GoEpicurista.com  Check it out. I promise you'll be inspired, and hungry for some of the best cakes and pies in Orlando!⠀
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Happy Friday! ⠀
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#MakeSomedayHappen⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #SisterHoneys #BlackWomenOwnedBusiness #InspiringWomen #LoveOrlando
"Life is very simple. What I give out comes back t "Life is very simple. What I give out comes back to me. Today, I choose to give love." - Louise Hay (hosted) 💕 ⠀
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Give love, share tapas! Whether you're looking for a romantic date night or a fun night out with your besties, you'll want to check out @tapatoroorlando at @iconparkorlando⠀
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We had such a fun night out at one of our favorite Spanish restaurants in Orlando. We sat outdoors and watched the Orlando Eye lit up. Sipped tasty cocktails - Zaragoza Spritz with Aperol, Cava & blackberry brandy and Paloma de Majorca with Avion Tequila & Q Grapefruit soda. ⠀
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We also sampled a few courses from their upcoming Valentine's Day Dinner Suf & Turf menu. The "Pan con Tomate" Tomato-Rubbed Bread with Iberico ham was so tasty paired with Cava Rose. The Surf & Turf with filet, lobster tail, cheesy mashed potatoes and asparagus was divine. ⠀
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👉🏼 Make reservations! The four-course Surf & Turf meal for $85 per couple (plus tax & gratuity) is available Friday 2/12 - Sunday 2/14 and includes:⠀
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💕 Tomato-Rubbed Bread with Iberico Ham⠀
💕 Shrimp Cocktail⠀
💕 Surf & Turf Platter with Filet & Lobster Tail⠀
💕 Chocolate Lava Cake⠀
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Tapa Toro is also offering fun Grazing Boards: a "Smashing Heart", Savory Snack Board, or Sweet Treats Board available for pickup February 12 - 14 at Tapa Toro.⠀
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On Valentine's Day, Sunday 2/14, enjoy brunch from 11am to 3pm with free mimosa with the purchase of any brunch entree. ⠀
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Tapa Toro also has a takeout option if you prefer to dine at home. ⠀
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Share The Love and The Tapas!⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #TapaToroOrlando #IconParkOrlando #LoveOrlando
“Never say never, because limits, like fears, ar “Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” - Michael Jordan (hosted) ⠀
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Just hold on! Illusions are all around us! And while #GroundhogDay tells us we have 6 more weeks of winter, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Orlando. ⠀
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I was invited to check out the new @museumofillusions.orlando at @iconparkorlando on I-Drive and oh my, what a mind-bending experience that was! ⠀
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We had a blast checking out over 50 exhibits that fool the eye and the mind using math, psychology, and science. Of course, taking these fun photos was hilarious. Scroll to see our favorite illusions! ⠀
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It made for perfect date night fun after our dinner next door at @tapatoroorlando and it's a fun experience for the whole family. They call this “Edutainment” 😃⠀
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A variety of COVID-19 safety measures are in place, including mandatory face masks, limited capacity, designated time slots reservations, one-way paths through exhibits, ongoing cleaning by staff, and hand sanitizers and wipes for guests. The experience lasted about an hour but you can be there a bit longer.⠀
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This is the first Florida outpost and 20th location for the rapidly-expanding Museum of Illusions brand that started in Zagreb, Croatia in 2015. Follow them on social media for special promotions and more information.⠀
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“Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.” - Mark Twain⠀
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Go #MakeSomedayHappen⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #museumofillusionsorlando #moiFL15 #loveorlando
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What is Go Epicurista?

Your source for inspiration to take time out of your busy schedule and celebrate great food and wine experiences with friends everywhere you go! Let’s talk about Restaurants, Unique Events and Travel Experiences that belong on your “someday list.”

Don’t put off enjoying life with friends until someday. #MakeSomedayHappen Go Epicurista!

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