Quantum Leap Gives Back With Release Of Panther’s Tale Red Wine
March 11, 2014 | Posted in Wine Tasting | By Lisa Wilk
Quantum Leap Winery is located near downtown Orlando where the Virginia Mills district meets the Ivanhoe Village area. The spacious tasting room is open for enjoying a glass of wine or purchasing a bottle or a few, on Thursday & Friday from 2 pm – 7 pm and on Saturdays from 12 pm – 6 pm.
Large scale art dominates the large space, giving the tasting room a contemporary vibe.
The local winery is releasing a new red blend called Panther’s Tale later this month. The wine was named after the honorary winery cat, Panther, who has a happy home thanks to the Quantum Leap Winery owners and staff. I had a chance to chat with Quantum Leap co-owner, Jill Ramsier, about Panther’s Tale while we tasted the wine. Panther’s Tale is a combination of Merlot and Corvina; both varietals are from the Venito region in north-eastern Italy. The wine is bright and medium-bodied, with cassis and red fruits apparent on first sip.
Panther’s Tale, a red blend of Italian grapes makes its pre-release debut at Quantum Leap’s 3/12/2014 Wine & Chocolate Perfectly Paired class.
The lively wine would pair nicely with Manchego, Ricotta Salata, figs, olives, salami or any nice charcuterie. Like the popular Kaley’s Rescue Red, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Pather’s Tale will be donated to the SPCA of Central Florida. Panther’s Tale is making its debut at the Wednesday, March 12th Wine and Chocolate Perfectly Paired class where it will be paired with a very popular chocolate item from Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park confections from the February Wine and Chocolate Perfectly Paired class.
This is the second time Quantum Leap has offered the Wine and Chocolate class to the public, the first class in February sold out. Karen Peterson’s blog Read Run Write with Kahrenheit walks you through pairings from the February Wine and Chocolate Perfectly Paired class and Marilyn Torres at Forkful has a great post and more lovely pics to tempt you from her January visit to Quantum Leap. The Femme du Frommage also hosts a popular Wine and Cheese Perfectly Paired class series at the winery and at the East End Market.
Along with great wines and fun classes, Quantum Leap Winery hosts numerous special events throughout the year and is available for private events. Check the online calendar for current events and be sure to join the Quantum Leap Winery E-list for more information or to schedule a tour. Cheers!
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Txokos Basque Kitchen At East End Market Warms Up With Preview Dinners. Updated: Grand Opening Tuesday, March 11, 2014!
March 7, 2014 | Posted in Around Town, Brunch, Dining out, Happy Hours, Wine Tasting | By Lisa Wilk
If you are a savvy diner, you are on the email list for area restaurants about to open. E-list members of the much anticipated Txokos Basque Kitchen at the East End Market received a surprise in their email in box this week, invitations to a week long preview. Last month, there was the sold out Spanish Wine Experience and throughout December and January Txokos (Pronounced Chō-kos) held series of intimate “Test Kitchen” dinners. Didn’t know about any or all of these great events? Word to the wise, join the Txokos email list before you miss out on any future happenings.
Join Txokos email list at http://txokoskitchen.com for future news, features and special events.
Chef Henry & Michele Salgado have a loyal area following from their Spanish River Grill Bistro Latino located in New Smyrna Beach. Chef Henry is also a 2012 & 2014 James Beard Award Semifinalist nominee for Spanish River Grill, so when the Txokos preview emails went out the available reservations went quickly. Very quickly.
The wood burning Asador grill dominates the enclosed patio area. Tables fill the space or diners can choose the bar by the grill or the kitchen for ringside seats.
The Txokos menu is dominated by meats and Basque specialties that are showcased on the wood-burning Asador grill. The large grill allows for the cooking surface to be raised and lowered, to control the level of cooking heat. Large oak logs burn at the back of the grill while the smoldering coals are moved to the front allowing steaks, chicken and delicate seafood to be evenly cooked. After my first visit, which was filled with attentive and friendly service, wonderful food and a great atmosphere- I’m very happy to put Txokos Basque Kitchen on my list of places to check back often.
The Txokos menu offers plenty of options for a visit filled with small plates and wine, as well as the option of a full meal followed by a decadent dessert. Neither my friend or myself speak Spanish, but found the menu very approachable with some guidance provided by our helpful server. In addition to small plates, starters, salads, entrees and desserts, there is a comprehensive wine list with Spanish wines available by the glass and by the bottle. Also available from the bar is a nice selection of Spanish beers and creative cocktails.
Basque Olives make a great starter!
I started with a glass of Garnacha (Grenache), a red wine grape that is fruity and full bodied. My friend opted for the Txakolina K5 Bodega, a white wine made from Hondarribi Zuri, the indigenous grape to Basque country. The wine was crisp, with nice body and acidity. Both wines paired beautifully with our starters, the Queso plate and an order of the Basque Olives. The briny olives were a nice portion for two enthusiastic olive eaters or four polite diners.
San Simon & Valdeón cheese drizzled with truffle honey. House-made fig bread, which was wonderful with both cheeses.
The Queso featured San Simon & Valdeón cheeses drizzled with truffle honey and plated with a house-made fig bread (or Pan de Higo). We requested bread and were each served a Panecillo Tetiña, a traditional rustic roll that Chef Henry and Olde Hearth Bread Company have recreated and developed in lieu of shipping the specialty bread in from Spain. There was not a crumb of cheese or drizzle of the delicious truffle honey left between us. The fig bread was a wonderful accompaniment to the cheese, the spreadable fig balancing out the creamy and flavorful cheeses. The cheeses paired nicely with both the red and the white wines, my friend ordered another glass of the K5 to enjoy with dinner and I moved to the Rosado (rosé) offered, a delightfully effervescent wine which had less bubbles than champagne or Cava and was a perfect accompaniment to our fish entree.
Pescado “Xixario”, wood grilled whole fish with garlic chips, dried pepper and charred garden vegetables. Also pictured, side orders of Saffron risotto and Porcini salted fries.
The Pescado “Xixario” on our visit was a whole Snapper; the fish was delicate, of supreme quality and perfectly cooked. The spine was removed, leaving two beautiful fillets. Since we had enjoyed starters, this was a nice option to share with the addition of two sides. As is the nature with Snapper, the pin bones remained after the spine was removed; be sure to enjoy with good friends!
Salted Chocolate Chip mousse with Maldon Sea Salt flakes, a drizzle of Spanish Olive oil and accompanied by espresso pecan shortbread.
We saved room for dessert and I suggest that you do as well. Of the three options we were tempted but the Olive oil cake, but chocolate won out. The Salted Chocolate Chip mousse was spectacular. The Maldon Sea Salt flakes provided a nice contrast to the velvety mousse and the drizzle of Spanish Olive oil was slightly peppery. The small chips of semi sweet chocolate melted in our mouths, impressive with a chilled dessert. My friend and I could both commented that we would have happily eaten several more of the delicious Espresso Pecan shortbread.
I’m happy to share that the official Txokos Basque Kitchen grand opening is this Saturday, March 8, 2014. Updated: Management was disappointed to inform me via email that after their busy preview week, they’ve had to postpone the grand opening until Tuesday, March 11, 2014 for dinner. Reservations for parties of 6 or more can be made by calling (321) 972-8852, parties under 6 guests will be put on wait list to cut down on their waiting time once they arrive.
Look for Happy Hour to start at Txokos in the weeks to come, offered weekdays 4-6pm with half price glasses of wine, beer and select cocktails as well as $1, $2 and $3 Pintxos (or small bit appetizers). Brunch will also be starting in a few weeks, with $2 Bloody Mary’s and $1 mimosa’s) Lastly, lunch will be phased in- making Txokos Basque Kitchen a must visit spot for any time of the week.
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
“Couples for Kids” Progressive Dinner At Pointe Orlando On March 8, 2014
March 5, 2014 | Posted in Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
“Couples for Kids” is a progressive evening throughout some of Pointe Orlando’s most popular venues. The evening raises awareness and also benefits Kauses4Kids, a charity that benefits local underprivileged youth in the Central Florida area.
The evening starts with select appetizers and a Van Gogh Vodka cocktail at Copper Canyon Grill, followed by dinner and a paired Van Gogh cocktail at Marlow’s Tavern Orlando. The party continues, with admission to BB King’s Blues Club for live entertainment and an after dinner Van Gogh cocktail. Tickets are $60 per couple or $40 per individual ticket.
Tickets may be purchased online here. After you register online, please contact Marlow’s Tavern at Pointe Orlando by calling 407-351-3627 to confirm your selected dinner reservation time: 7:30p or 8:30p. For additional event information, please contact Michael Mataluni at Marlow’s Tavern at 407-351-3627.
Pointe Orlando
9101 International Dr.
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-3700
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Review: Noodles and Company Opens First Orlando Location! Special Preview THIS Sunday And Grand Opening on March 3, 2014
February 28, 2014 | Posted in Dining out, Special Events, Special Offers | By Lisa Wilk
Noodles & company is set to open it’s first Orlando location to the public on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 11 am in the Crossroads plaza in Lake Buena Vista off S.R. 535, directly across from Hotel Plaza Blvd. The philosophy of the popular Colorado fast-casual chain is based around several key tenets: use of seasonal ingredients, each dish is prepared to order and completely customizable based on your creativity or dietary requirements and all for about $8.00 a dish (large, with protein added). If you aren’t 100% happy with your dish, let the staff know and you can choose something else at no additional charge.
I was invited to sit down and explore the global cuisine, and I’m happy to report that I enjoyed each dish that I sampled. There are a lot of choices, so I’m looking forward to coming back for lunch or dinner, already. The contemporary space is open and filled with booths and tables that can accommodate a couple or a larger group. Dave Mathews Dreaming Tree wine was displayed, as were several craft beers (New Belgium). Beside two Coke Freestyle machines was a selection of Sriracha, Noodles & Company’s own signature Smolder From Boulder heated spice blend, soy sauce and grinders with sea salt and pepper to season your dish to taste at your table.
Upon arriving, customers place their orders at the counter- any questions about the menu, nutritional information or possible allergens are easily answered and available for review. Calorie conscious? No problem, full disclosure on the menu. Training for that Disney marathon and need to meet your daily food goals? Check out their handy infographic detailing ways to eat healthier or use creative combinations to achieve your goals. Trying to cut down or avoid gluten? Got that covered too- along with serving rice noodles and a gluten-free fusilli pasta, there are several dishes with gluten-free ingredients to choose from. After placing your order, fill your drink and relax. Servers will be by your table to deliver your meal, served on real plates and bowls- not plastic, paper or melamine. The friendly staff will also check in on you, refill drinks and clear with a smile and no expectation of a tip.
Thai Curry soup. 30 ingredients are used to make this spicy, vegetarian-friendly broth.
The Noodles & Company menu is broken down into categories and offers a small and larger portion of each pasta and soup. The cuisine ranges from Italian, Asian, Mediterranean and popular America dishes, while also injecting some Latin flair in several dishes. Fresh vegetables are plentiful in most dishes and the naturally raised pork is hormone & antibiotic free, tender and a great option for a lean protein in many dishes. Marinated steak, chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, organic tofu and oven-roasted meatballs can be added to any dish. The Thai Curry Soup was delicious, offering a nice depth of flavor and finished with a spicy kick from fresh Fresno peppers. Mushrooms, spinach, cabbage, tomato, red onion and rice noodles completed the soup. (Don’t like one of those ingredients- ask them to leave it out!) My husband who hates coconut, loved the yellow coconut curry broth. This same broth is the base for the Thai Hot Pot, a very filling option for an entrée. The menu has a pepper icon by any spicier dish, so take note. With fresh ingredients like Fresno peppers used, the heat can vary depending on the heat of that particular pepper. Let the order-taker know if you have a sensitivity to spice and they can adjust accordingly in the kitchen.
The Tomato Basil Bisque was delicious as well. Rich, creamy with a bit texture from the tomatoes, the bisque was a great starter or enjoyed alongside one of the creamy pasta dishes. As the calorie count was displayed, I happily enjoyed the tasty soup, knowing it was less caloric and fat-filled than Tomato Basil Bisque in a comparable size, served elsewhere.
Wisconsin Cheesesteak, side portions (small) of Tomato Basil Bisque, Wisconsin Mac & Cheese and the Cucumber Tomato Salad.
Sandwiches like the hearty Wisconsin Cheesesteak use flatbreads instead of sandwich rolls, an easy way to keep calories reasonable without sacrificing taste. Included with a sandwich is a side salad or soup. The Cucumber Tomato salad packed a ton of flavor with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions tossed in balsamic dressing.
Japanese Pan Noodles. Caramelized udon noodles, sweet soy sauce, broccoli, carrots, shitake mushrooms, Asian sprouts, black sesame seeds and cilantro.
Top selling dishes include the Japanese Pan Noodles, a large portion of pan-fried udon noodles with vegetables. The menu offers suggestions of a protein to add; the marinated steak ($2.69) was the menu suggestion and a nice choice.
Barbecue Pork Mac. This Featured dish is available for a limited time. Mac & cheese topped with braised pork, barbecue sauce and crunchy onions.
For those seeking rich and indulgent dishes, there are several including one of the current featured dishes- Barbecue Pork Mac. Braised pork is seasoned nicely. While you can keep the individual components somewhat separate in your forkfuls, we liked this dish mixed up to get the creamy cheese sauce mixed with the tangy barbecue sauce along with the tender pork, al dente noodles and crunchy fried onions. We added some Smolder From Boulder seasoning for a nice kick.
Chinese Chicken Chop Salad. Grilled Chicken, sesame-soy tossed mixed greens, Asian sprouts, cabbage, red bell pepper, cucumbers, carrots, crispy wontons and black sesame.
The Chinese Chicken Chop Salad is a big, hearty and flavorful salad without a ton of calories. I’m a fan of this type of salad at various restaurants around Orlando, it was amazing to see this come up under 500 calories.
Thai Hot Pot, Yellow coconut curry broth, fresh cabbage blend, sprouts, Fresno peppers, shiitake mushrooms, a sprinkling of rice noodles, pulled chicken and pork. Finished with a lime wedge and a sprig of cilantro and served with a side of toasted Asian flatbread. Available for a limited time.
The Thai Hot Pot uses the yellow coconut curry broth with the addition of sliced Fresno peppers to kick up the heat. On my visit, this dish was particularly spicy; both my husband and I loved the heat. Like things milder? Just mention it when you are ordering. Also remember that all Noodles & Company menu items are completely customizable, so it is simple to remove anything that isn’t to your liking.
Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine. Whole Grain linguine, broccoli, red bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, garlic, white wine cream & parmesan.
The Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine was delicious- I wish I could buy this whole grain pasta to prepare at home. The white wine, cream and parmesan sauce was light and a nice take on those who enjoy Alfredo. I really enjoyed the acidity and dimension the wine brought to the dish. (Remember, the alcohol is cooked off during the cooking process!)
Gluten Free fusilli made with the ingredients for the Penne Rosa (sans penne) and topped with feta instead of parmesan for a completely Gluten Free option.
The Gluten Free fusilli pasta was a surprise, it is toothsome like traditional pasta- but is made of rice and corn. A great option for those looking to go gluten free or cut back on gluten. If you weren’t told this was gluten free pasta, you most likely would not know. There are several dishes on the menu (Pasta Fresca, Penne Rosa, Pad Thai, Pesto Cavatappi, The Med Salad, Whole Grain Tuscan Linguini) that are made with gluten free ingredients. These make delicious GF dishes when the regular pasta is removed. Those who have a severe gluten allergy should keep in mind, that the kitchen does have gluten present.
Pad Thai- sautéed rice noodles stir fried with scrambled egg, carrots, cabbage. sweet chili. citrus and peanuts, Asian sprouts and cilantro
The Pad Thai had a nice traditional flavor; the menu suggests trying with sautéed shrimp, which was a nice addition ($2.59). The shrimp were prepared well and there was a nice portion in the small size. I added Sriracha for a kick, but it can be ordered spicy.
Classic Spaghetti and meatballs
What is pasta, without the classic spaghetti and meatballs? It’s here! Pasta was cooked perfectly and served with a nice amount of sauce and meatballs.
Pork Adobo Flatbread. Spicy Latin adobo flavors of cumin and fire-roasted tomatoes, naturally raised pork, cheese and Fresno peppers, toasted atop flatbread and finished with fresh lime and cilantro
A nice starter or meal can be made with one of the flatbreads; we tried the Pork Adobo flatbread which was big on flavor and had a spicy kick.
Alfredo MontAmore® Spaghetti noodles tossed with a decadent four-cheese blend, roasted mushrooms, grape tomatoes, spinach and Parmesan chicken. Topped with a sprinkle of MontAmore ® cheese, parsley and fresh cracked pepper.
A new addition and a featured item is the Alfredo MontAmore ®, made with the distinctive Wisconsin MontAmore ® cheese, similar in taste to parmesan- but with a pleasing creaminess. The Alfredo sauce was deliciously rich and creamy, we sampled with the addition of parmesan crusted chicken ($2.59), as the menu suggested. A great addition.
Bangkok Curry. Sweet coconut curry, broccoli, carrots, red bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, a light portion of rice noodles served on cabbage, with black sesame seeds- added organic tofu.
Be sure to join the Lake Buena Vista E Club for COUPONS, special offers, menu updates and more. Those who join the Lake Buena Vista E club should have several nice introductory specials for the next three months to get to know Noodles & Company. Look for a second Noodles & Company Orlando location in Dr. Phillips to open early summer. Members of that E Club will receive updates on the summer grand opening, special events discounts.
Can’t wait until Monday’s grand opening to check out Noodle & Company? I don’t blame you. This Sunday, March 2, 2014 from 11 am- 2pm and again from 5pm-8pm there is a special Noodles & Company Grand Opening preview to benefit the Orlando JCC. The suggested donation at the door is $5 per person, and each guest will receive their choice of food item and non alcoholic drink. 100% of the money collected will go to the Orlando JCC; please RSVP on Facebook and remember that this special event is first come, first serve basis.
Disclosure: I was a guest at Noodles & Company, no other form of compensation was received and the opinions in this post are my own. Cheers!
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade THIS Sunday, March 2nd at 2PM
February 27, 2014 | Posted in Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
35th ANNUAL WINTER PARK ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE, SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014
PARK AVENUE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC NOON to 4 p.m.
for 35th ANNUAL WINTER PARK ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (February 26, 2014) – The City of Winter Park and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee are proud to present the 35th Annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m., in downtown Winter Park. Gather your family and friends and wear some green to enjoy the only St. Patrick’s Day Parade in central Florida.
The parade will begin at the Winter Park Country Club and continue south down Park Avenue to Lyman Avenue. More than 75 units will participate. The celebration will also feature Irish music and step-dancing at the main stage in Central Park with demonstrations by the Tir Na Greine School of Irish Dance and the Watters School of Irish Dance. Irish music will be provided by the Tommy Doyle Band. This is one event you won’t want to miss!
St. Patrick’s Day began as an annual feast day to celebrate St. Patrick, the most commonly recognized patron saint of Ireland. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years and it is currently recognized by people of many other ethnicities. The day is widely celebrated by wearing green clothing and items such as shamrocks. According to Irish tradition, those who do not wear green on St. Patrick’s Day face the risk of being affectionately pinched.
This celebration is made possible by the generous support of event sponsors including the City of Winter Park’s Community Redevelopment Agency, Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and Eatery, the Irish American Cultural Society of Central Florida, and Florida Distributors Company.
For more information regarding the 35th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, please call 407-222-0648.
For information regarding additional City of Winter Park events, please log on to the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org.
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Event Recap: The Downtown Food and Food Fest (2/22 & 2/23/2014)
February 26, 2014 | Posted in Pics, Special Events, Wine Tasting | By Lisa Wilk
The Downtown Wine and Food Fest was bustling this past Saturday and Sunday. The few showers that threatened on Saturday quickly passed and didn’t have a chance to dampen spirits of enthusiastic attendees. I headed into the heart of Downtown Orlando on Sunday, where the weather was welcoming, warm & sunny. The view of Lake Eola was pretty spectacular, too.
Sunny and beautiful at the Downtown Food & Wine Fest, in the heart of downtown Orlando.
This year the popular festival added several new ticket packages available both in pre sale and onsite. The VIP and Ultimate Feast tickets offered premium experiences and separate seating areas. For those wanting to sample several wines before committing to full pour, the Wine Tasters Club pass was a great option for just $15.00. The sampling pass entitled the bearer to five, 2 oz flight pours at any of the wine stations and a nice surprise- $5 off any Corkcicle product at the Corkcicle booth.
Several of my favorite food stops coincided with the Downtown Food and Wine Fest Golden Fork Award winners, which were announced later Sunday afternoon. The 2014 winners are:
Foodie Award (Based on one food item for taste, unique flavor and culinary excellence) The Smiling Bison for the Pretzel Bread Pudding
The new and independent eatery made a splash with the Pretzel Bread Pudding (2 tickets, $4) – described as having peanut butter, strawberries and whipped cream. I saw several passing by and the substantial portion looked like the ultimate, elevated PB & J experience.
The Smiling Bison, now a free standing restaurant, revisits its food cart roots and wins Festival Foodie favorite with Pretzel Bread Pudding.
Best Overall Menu (Based on overall menu creativity, depth of offerings, and quality) Kasa Tapas and Raw Bar
The creative Kasa menu and the Shrimp A La Plancha (3 tickets, $6), which is currently available on the Kasa dinner menu.
Kasa’s Shrimp A La Plancha was delicious, three perfectly grilled jumbo shrimp in a savory coconut sauce that was balanced with richness, acidity and a nice chipotle smokiness.
Best of Show (Based on fun factor, overall energy, and crowd vibe) Siro Urban Italian Kitchen at Orlando World Center Marriott
Siro’s booth offered colorful signage, a mobile garden and wonderful food!
Siro had many tempting options, but the roasted golden beets won me over. A bargain at 1 ticket!
Throughout the Downtown Food & Wine Fest, there was a great selection of food items at every price point and for every diet. Those looking for low carb, meat free, vegetarian or gluten free certainly had plenty of options to choose from this year. It was nice to see so many filling food options available for 1 or 2 tickets, equating to $2.00 or $4.00 per portion.
Marlow’s Tavern, with two locations in Orlando, offered Ahi Tuna Poke (2 tickets, $4), Chicken Gumbo (1 ticket, $2) and Shrimp & Grits (2 tickets, $4).
The Ahi Tuna was a substantial portion of chilled Ahi dressed in Teriyaki sauce with an avocado slice on top of a crisp wonton (2 tickets, $4).
Tommy Bahama’s Saba Steak Slider with Filet Mignon and fresh slaw for 2 tickets, $4.
Ms. Alice Christner welcomed guests and described the 3 ticket ($6) combo- a steal! The plate included enough for two to share with Christner’s signature aged steaks, seared Ahi tuna and famous Osage Spinach. This was a festival goers favorite!
Taverna Opa offered a Gyro or Falafel Slider (1 ticket, $2), Hummus and chips (1 ticket, $2) and a Falafel and dip combo (2 tickets, $4).
Mimosas (3 tickets, $6) were tasty and a refreshing way to enjoy Sunday Funday at the Downtown Food and Wine Fest!
I also loved sampling the Shaved Snow (shaved flavored ice) from Sushi House Orlando (2 tickets, $4), check out this clip of fresh snow being made. This is their Honeydew melon snow, which was very light and refreshing on a warm day.
Festival general admission was discounted to $15.00 if you purchased tickets in advance, through the Downtown Food and Wine Fest website. Festival tickets were available at the gate for the price of $20.00. Food and drink tickets were available for $2 each; all food and drink vendors only accepted tickets as payment. The food and drink tickets could be purchased in advance, at the gate or at the mid promenade ticket booth with cash or credit card. Along with wine stations, there were several beer stations and cocktail stations throughout the restaurant booths.
Bands rotated throughout the main stage which was surrounded with plenty of space to spread out a blanket and the few shady areas under the trees were prime real estate. Attendees were welcome to bring a lawn chair and settle in for the afternoon, the Downtown Food and Wine Fest provided a great weekend of entertainment for all.
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Top 5 Friday
February 21, 2014 | Posted in Cooking, Links, Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
On my radar this week:
Droolius Visits East End Market for James Beard Semi-Finalist Nominations
Orlando Connections finds NOLA fun throughout Mardi Gras Season at Marlows Tavern
Central Florida Top 5- Talks Virgina Drive Brew Pubs
Koko Cooks Makes Delicious Linguini With Clams
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Friday Night- Concertos by Candlelight: Vivaldi and Bach With violinist Lara St. John
Saturday is National Margarita Day- celebrate around town!
Saturday and Sunday: Downtown Food and Wine Fest
Cheers! To National Margarita Day On Saturday, February 22, 2014
February 19, 2014 | Posted in Recipes, Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
A flight of margaritas! Blueberry Pomegranate, Last Mango in Paris, Who’s to Blame and Fins to the Left margaritas
Let’s raise a glass to toast National Margarita Day, which falls on Saturday, February 22nd! Those seeking the recipe and know-how to whip up The Perfect Margarita should first think of Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® Orlando.
Honoring their namesake holiday, Margaritaville® will celebrate by hosting Margaritaville University featuring a complimentary Margarita-making class followed by a National Margarita Day toast. It’s sure to be one heck of a party!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®
Margaritaville® University: 3-4 p.m.
National Margarita Day Toast: 5 p.m.
Complimentary and open to the public!
Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®
Orlando 6000 Universal Blvd #704
Orlando, FL 32819
You can read about my recent visit to Margaritaville where I sample several creative margaritas and enjoy the newly refreshed food menu.
Margaritaville’s Who’s to Blame and Livin’ It Up! Margaritas
After class, allow some time to grab a bite and be sure to save room for The Chocolate Hurricane!
Perfect Margarita by Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville®
Ingredients:
1 oz. Margaritaville Gold Tequila
1 oz. Cointreau Orange Liqueur
½ oz. Citrus Sour
Floater of Gran Gala
Method of Preparation:
1. Add Margaritaville® Gold Tequila, Citrus Sour and Cointreau Orange Liqueur to a shaker with no ice
2. Shake and pour into iced glass
3. Add a float of Gran Gala
4. Garnish with a sugar rim and a lime wheel
Also celebrating National Margarita Day is Cocina 214 in Winter Park, with their annual Margarita Madness recipe contest on Saturday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. The complimentary event will kick off with the top three contestants from the contest whipping up their tasty concoctions for judging. Complimentary samples of the competing margaritas will be offered from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., and will be sold at a discounted price throughout the night.
Cocina 214 Rock Shrimp Tacos, house-made chips and salsa- the perfect accompaniment to Cocina 214’s popular Elderflower Margarita. Try for a fun spin on the classic.
Elderflower Margarita by Cocina 214
Ingredients:
1 oz. Saint Germaine Liqueur
1 oz. El Tesoro tequila
4 Raspberries
½ oz. Agave nectar
½ oz. Grand Marnier
½ oz. of each Orange juice, Pineapple juice, Lime juice and Cranberry juice
Method of Preparation:
1. Muddle raspberries
2. Mix ingredients together with ice and shake
3. Pour into a chilled martini glass and serve up
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Cocina 214
Margarita Madness: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Complimentary and open to the public!
Cocina 214
151 E. Welbourne Ave.
Winter Park, FL
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
The Downtown Food & Wine Festival Is This Weekend! Wine List, Restaurant List & Food Menus!
February 17, 2014 | Posted in Special Events, Wine Tasting | By Lisa Wilk
Looking for all the details for The Downtown Food & Wine Fest? Read on. The 2014 edition is Saturday, February 22nd and Sunday, February 23rd and adds the Everything’s Better with Wine Pre festival wine dinner on Wednesday, Feb 19th at Ruth’s Chris Lake Mary. The special event will be hosted by Scott McKenzie from MIX 105.1 and his wife Fran, attendees will enjoy a five-course paired meal and also included is a Downtown Food & Wine Fest ticket. Click through for details for the Everything’s Better with Wine Dinner including full menu and ticket information.
This weekends two-day Downtown Food & Wine Fest also adds The Ultimate Fest Experience, Wine Tasters Club and VIP Bottle Service at The Liquid Lounge to its line up of offerings. A full list of the wines being poured at The Downtown Food & Wine Fest is available here. The final list of the participating restaurants and their menus are detailed here. See you this weekend, Cheers!
Located in the heart of downtown Orlando at Lake Eola on Robinson Street, the two-day Fest features mouth-watering dishes from 40 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment.
Tickets: Admission is $15 per person, per day with advance online purchase. Admission at the door is $20 per person, per day. Admission for children under age 12 is free.
For all-weekend Fest fans, a new, two-day ticket is available for $20 per person with advance online purchase.
Food and beverage tickets are available at the Fest for $2 each; food and beverage offerings range from one to four tickets.
The Fest is presented and produced by CBS RADIO Orlando, led by Orlando favorites MIX 105.1, 1059 SUNNY FM, and 102 JAMZ in partnership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando at Lake Eola on Robinson Street, the two-day Fest features mouth-watering dishes from 40 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the FRLA Educational Foundation and Children’s Home Society of Florida.
New for 2014
The Ultimate Fest Experience ticket is $100 per person, per day and includes parking, $40 in food and beverage tickets, access to the private Cadillac pavilion with crudités and premium wine selections, a commemorative wine glass, and additional Fest perks and privileges. A limited number of VIP tickets are available with advance online purchase.
Wine Tasters Club
A limited number of Wine Tasters Club passes will be available for purchase for $15 per person at the Fest. Club members will enjoy up to five 2 oz. pours of their choice throughout the Fest and a souvenir lanyard.
VIP Bottle Service at The Liquid Lounge
VIP Bottle Service at The Liquid Lounge hosted by Team Market Group will be the place to remix, relax, and refresh during the Fest on Broadway Street. Featuring beer, wine, and specialty drinks for purchase, guests will meet and mingle with 102 JAMZ Freaken Weekend On-air Mixers in a sleek and swanky atmosphere to enjoy remixes of today’s hottest hit music while relaxing in a South Beach-style setting.
Forty top restaurants are scheduled to present culinary tastings including the return of the 2013 Foodie Award winners as honored by a panel of Orlando elected officials, food writers and reporters, and celebrity chefs.
Foodie Award (based on one food item for taste, unique flavor and culinary excellence)
Dexter’s of Thornton Park – Crown Royal Maple Bacon Skewer
Stay Connected
- Visit www.DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com
- Like Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Facebook
- Follow @DTFoodWineFest on Twitter
- Call the events hotline at 407-919-1048 or eMail DowntownFoodandWineFest@cbsradio.com
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Top 5 Friday – Valentine’s Day Edition
February 14, 2014 | Posted in Cooking, Links, Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
On my radar this week:
TastyChomps visits The Coop. John River’s, upcoming new concept coming to Winter Park soon.
The Fresh Market opens 4th Orlando store in Winter Springs
The Little Kitchen makes Bacon and Chive Souffle
The Primlani Kitchen sips through a Spanish Wine Experience at Txokos Basque Kitchen
CelebrityChef4u attended the Appetite for the Arches preview of the March 1st charity event
Looking for something to do this weekend?
What to do? Orlando Connections has a great Valentine’s Day Guide
And Exploring Orlando takes you through the weekend