Thursday, December 29, 2011

Taste of DeLand

Food and Wine reviews will resume for 2012. Join me for this event:

West Indiana Avenue in beautiful downtown DeLand becomes an outdoor café filled with culinary delights. Sample delicacies from over 25 area restaurants. From pizza to fine dining, there will be something for everyone! Enjoy good food, good fun, entertainment, prizes and more! No pets please.

Limited tickets are available. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets available at the MainStreet DeLand or West Volusia Beacon offices or reserve online now!


Reserve online at:  http://mainstreetdeland.org/calendar.cfm/mode/details/id/14407/recurringId/35240/a-taste-of-deland

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Hot Olives - Winter Park!

If you are an Orlando area local (or a visitor), you must try Hot Olives in Winter Park. I've eaten there several times and they never disappoint. They are very consistent in serving the best and freshest food in Central Florida. Their new location is perfect for their ambiance and they are continuing to work on the patio seating so it rivals their previous location's patio.

There were two of us dining last evening, and we started with a cocktail from their martini list. I had the Pomegranate Martini, which has EG Rosemary and Lavender Vodka, Countreau, Cranberry, White Cranberry, Pomegranate Syrup and Sprite.  It was heavenly!  My dining partner chose the Pear Martini, which has Grey Goose La Poire, Grapefruit Juice, a splash of Peach Schnapps and Sprite. If you haven't guessed yet, this is a fabulous place for happy hour too!

We started our dining experience with an appetizer of "Hot Olives".  These are a must when you visit this restaurant.  It is a mixture of breaded diced black olives infused with Asiago cheese, with a side of Blue cheese dressing layered with sweet chili sauce.  These went so well with our martinis. We continued with a caesar salad and entrees of Chicken Piccata and Key West Grouper.  I tend to be a creature of habit, so I almost always choose the Key West Grouper. It is Atlantic blackened grouper, pan-seared and served over brown rice.  It is topped with sauteed asparagus, Applewood bacon, cherry tomatoes, and Vidalia onions. It is finished with a Feta cheese sauce.  Delish!

Next time you are thinking of a fun and fabulous place to dine, choose Hot Olives! And ask for Jen.  There are two Jen's, so ask for the dark-haired one.  She will assist you with an awesome time at Hot Olives.

You can find Hot Olives on the web at:  www.hotolives.com

They are located at:  601 South New York Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Artist-Inspired Easter Egg Coloring Eggstravaganza


A group of my friends created a social group called "The Pink Pig". Literally, there is a ceramic/porcelain pink pig that is carried to each event and presented to the next person who will host the next event (monthly). This month's "Pink Pig" gathering was an artist-inspired Easter egg coloring contest. Each of the guest were given an opportunity to select the artist of their choice.

The hosts rented a party room at a local restaurant and supplied so many wonderful items to create our artist-inspired eggs. They definitely went all out on the supplies! We each had one dozen eggs to work with. It was a fun time, with great food and lots of fellowship.

After all of the masterpieces were created, we enlisted some assistance from our waiter to judge the final dozen. He did a fabulous job in picking our final twelve. I've included some photos of each of the submissions. I hope you enjoy them. Let them inspire you to do something fun for Easter. Be sure to include your family/friends for a joyous occasion.


Cheers!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Winter Park's Fabulous Dining Experience: Luma on Park!

Showcasing progressive american cuisine, daily menu updates and one of the most extensive wine lists in Central Florida, Luma On Park is the ultimate destination for fine wine and cuisine on Winter Park's famed Park Avenue. Whether looking for a delicate bite, or a multi-course feast, Luma offers unparalleled flavor in engaging surroundings.

Luma's modern design and decor create a sophisticated, yet welcoming atmosphere. Relax in Luma's intimate lounge. Sip specialty drinks at the bar. Then make your way past towering drapery columns into a radiant dining room and open kitchen where Chef Brandon presents a spectacular illumination of original culinary masterpieces.

By updating the menu daily, the chef keeps Luma's fare fresh and exciting to keep guest coming back to taste what's next. The availability of key fresh ingredients and choice cuts of meats dictates what dishes are offered at Luma and when.

Here are some events that are happening at Luma:

1. A Little Something to Brighten Your Summer
Enjoy $25 of at Luma each month in June, July and August. Simply join the mailing list and receive an email each month good for $25 towards your meal. Sign up today at lumaonpark.com

2. New Prix Fixe Menu: Sunday - Tuesday
Indulge in three courses for only $35 per person or $45 per person with wine pairings


You can find Luma online at: www.lumaonpark.com

Luma On Park
290 S Park Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789

Reservations: 407-599-4111

Enjoy!


Friday, March 5, 2010

Visiting Orlando? Or do you live here? Try this place!


Are you planning a visit to Orlando? Check out this dining establishment!

Big Fin Seafood Kitchen!

A classy, casual restaurant with a festive, high-energy atmosphere offering an extensive menu of Global Fresh Seafood, Steaks and Pasta as well as a Sushi & Raw Bar. Big Fin offers the perfect ambiance to host Special Events such as Wedding Receptions, Rehearsal Dinners, Holiday Parties, Cocktail Receptions, Corporate Meetings & Events, Bridal & Baby Showers, Anniversary & Birthday Celebrations or even an Alumni Gathering.

And, if that wasn't enough, their Crawfish Grits are awesome!

Be sure to ask for Craig when you go. He is a fantastic server!

You can find Big Fin Seafood Kitchen on the web at: www.BigFinSeafood.com

8046 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819

Phone: 407-615-8888

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tallahassee Bound? You have to try this place!


Do you have plans to visit Tallahassee, Florida in the near future? Maybe you'll be driving through on your way to visit Mickey and Minnie? Any venture that takes you through Tallahassee should include a stop at Cypress Restaurant for dinner. The orchestrated evening starts immediately as you enter the front door. The inside is decorated well, with a calming effect that is totally conducive to an ultimate dining experience.

We were celebrating a birthday for a very special lady, so we were there to enjoy the evening. I was amused (and impressed) with the layout of their menu. It was divided in sections labeled: LITTLE DISH (appetizers and salads), BOWLS (soups) and BIG DISH (entrees). We ordered a couple of appetizers, specials of the day: Foie Gras and Oysters. For entrees, we ordered Pan-Seared Mangrove Snapper, Sugar Cane Mopped Ribeye, some other fish specials of the day, and the Grilled Lobster Tail Paella. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal, I especially relished the Paella.

Our server, Jonathan, was fantastic! He was quick to answer any questions and was very nice to suggest items to all of us. He steered me in the right direction for sure (Paella). He even made sure that our special birthday lady was given a beautiful birthday dessert. All of this, with flawless presentation! If you have the opportunity to dine at this establishment, please request Jonathan. You'll have a wonderful dining experience.

They are located at:
320 East Tennessee Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 513-1100

You can visit them on the web at: www.cypressrestaurant.com

Cheers,
Gary

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

You did it… No, you did… Maybe he did it… Or her!


Ever want to have a fun dinner party that involves all of your guests? How about hosting your very own Murder Mystery Dinner? You won’t believe the abundance of information on the web to get you started! One hint: Google it…

I’ve been invited (and so excited to attend) to one in the next couple of weeks. It is called “Pasta, Passion and Pistols”. You can find information (free) on the web or you can purchase them in kits. The kits provide character summaries as well as menus, recipes, invitations, etc. The possibilities are endless! So, next time you want an exciting evening that adds humor and suspense, try a Murder Mystery!

Cheers!