A team of four pastry chefs, led by Patrick Binion, began working on the Caribe Royal gingerbread village back in June. "We started thinking about the concept and decided on a Thomas Kinkade 1950s, 1960s look," Binion explains.
Read moreA New Seasonal Menu at Paris Bistro
With its girly upholstered banquettes and intimate setting, Winter Park's Paris Bistro is a surprising, almost sensual, retreat tucked away from the busy shopping district. Now the restaurant has revamped its menu, keeping the classics, slashing off several entrees, and adding at least half a dozen autumn items. Welcome to thew new seasonal menu at Paris Bistro.
During a visit last night with friends, I was torn between ordering the rack of lamb with brandy and porcini-mushroom sauce, salmon en croute with spinach in a pastry shell, or chicken with lemon-caper sauce. As it turns out, all three were added the week before just for fall. I opted for a fourth choice, a parmesan-crusted chicken breast with Dijon mustard cream sauce, which you see pictured. (That's my friend's, actually. I started wolfing mine down before I remembered to snap a photo.)
This is good food--simple and straightforward, for sure, with fork-tender chicken, a gentle crust, and a velvety, flavorful sauce. I was invited to add on two sides. The "creamy au gratin potatoes" are what I call calorie-worthy. They were just absolutely scrumptious--tender and creamy and cheesy. I had sauteed spinach with mine. The greens were fresh but a tad too salty. It seems from the picture that my friend opted for sauteed green beans.
Owner Tatiana Cerruto tells me that yet more menu items are available until the weather turns yet chillier: scallops in a white wine and roasted garlic sauce, bouillabaisse, and a Grand Marnier souffle among them.
I suggest you copy my dinner group and begin your dinner with a glass of Kir Royale, which is a flute full of champagne and Cassis. It was just sweet enough and vibrantly bubbly.
Eat enthusiastically,
Rona
Introducing an iPhone App for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
The handy add-on will also assist with auxiliary services. Need a recommendation for a nearby restaurant? I wish you'd ask me (Rona does recommend, after all), but the app will guide you to nearby tables--and let you make a reservation.
Read moreArtegon Marketplace - Riches, Curiosities and Rubbish
Dozens of retailers throughout the space sell all kinds of items, from high-end artsy chandeliers to junky Thing 2 T-shirts. Most of the merchandise falls between the two--handmade but not thrilling.
Read moreAmerican Gymkhana - Orlando Indian Food Goes Upscale
The upscale Indian restaurant on Orlando's Restaurant Row is brand new, which means it has kinks not yet untangled.
Read moreSimple Venezuelan Meals at Orlando's Q'Kenan Restaurant
For $9.99, I got a fresh little salad plus steak, griddle-cooked cheese (we practically arm-wrestled over who got to finish it), green plantains, and fried casava.
Read moreGrande Lakes' Eggs-cellent Adventure
The resort's culinary team welcomed 20+ chickens, who will now reside on the Whisper Creek Farm outdoor event venue.
Read moreSteak Frites, American-Style
Hamilton's Kitchen upgrades an already fine classic. Here, the steak is a thick 8-ounce top sirloin "coulotte"--tender and wonderful tasting.
Read moreRed Pasta, Another Prato Masterpiece
The pasta was red, maybe magenta. And the flavor was kind of sweet, though those white shavings of what I believe were cheese grounded the sweetness so it was intriguing, not overbearing.
Read moreWhat a Way to Dine with Disney - Through the Decades
We ate pulled beef shortrib on brioche with caramelized onion relish. We feasted on panko-crusted veal cutlets with wild mushroom gravy. And, bravely, we hesitantly sampled charred Spam and quail egg biscuits with honey aioli.
Read moreIt's as Easy as ABC to Find Heavenly Flan
Today she sells six all-year flavors and two seasonal ones from farmers markets plus a retail shop that's open three days a week--and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
Read moreHere Is a Dessert that You Must Eat
It's potato chip-crusted chocolate cake with peanut brittle and salted caramel. Need I say more?
Read moreSoco Serves Orlando's Best Vegetarian Entree
It's an entree that looks so appealing, and tastes so fine, that meat-shunners will feel as if they're being treated with respect.
Read moreBubble Tea Bonanza at Chewy Boba Company
I’ve been searching for jasmine milk bubble tea since this fab place called something like Q Time closed a few years ago. It was near Orlando’s 1st Oriental Supermarket. Bingo! A small local chain called Chewy Boba Company sells that and way more.
Read moreIce Pops, at Their Peak
The flavor options are really tempting. Avocado lime? Apple cinnamon? I'll need to return to try those.
Read moreLive Like a Food Tourist at the Waldorf Orlando
I got to sample a Global Venture wine-pairing dinner. Here's my favorite part, besides the food: Sixteen guests maximum participate in a Friday or Saturday night meal and they all dine together at one big table. Trust me, those strangers sipping sparkling wine at the beginning will be your chums by the time you polish off that last bite of dessert.
Read moreThe Challah of All Challahs from Ooga Ooga
I haven't even tasted these yet. They are so gorgeous that I am super-excited and had to post their photos right away.
Read moreMy New Favorite Ice Cream Is at Epcot
This is a salted caramel ice cream. Epcot calls it Fleur de Sel or some other fancy take on salt.
Read moreMy Newest Burger Crush - Oblivion Taprooom
Juicy inside, caramelized outside. It must have been cooked over a flame. The Oblivion patties themselves are a half-pound blend of chuck, brisket and short rib.
Read moreTake a Look at this Gorgeous Chile Relleno. Stunning!
Paxia's take is lightly breaded, not battered, and possibly baked, not fried. The filling is mostly shrimp and eggplant and the sauce is from roasted red peppers. There's even a sauce-painting design.
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