Looky here, how pretty. This is what to expect of the foods at the United Way Chef's Gala 2015.
Read moreMarch into March with Four Orlando Dining Deals
Here are four promotions available right now, each at restaurants I hand-selected because the food is superb. I'll be sharing more details about all four Orlando dining deals at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 on Fox 35's "Good Day."
Read moreHummus Alert! Healthy Meals at Animal Kingdom
Panicked, they query me via email, Twitter, and food boards: "I'm coming to Orlando. I'm going to Disney World. Are there any healthful/vegetarian/vegan meals for me?" Yes yes yes, whichever you seek.
Read moreTour Mount Dora Lakes on a Tiny Two-Seater Boat
A company called CatBoat Tours of Mount Dora leads tours around the Harris Chain of Lakes on cute, easy-to-operate little CraigCat boats. This is SO MUCH FUN.
Read moreWin Two Tickets to Fresh from the Field
Win two tickets to Fresh from the Field, an over-the-top alfresco dinner held on a farm.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: Pork Hash at Raglan Road
Do you see those little squares, the ones on the right of the plate? They're Irish enchantment, going by the playful name Pork Hash Tagged. And, starting soon, they'll be on the breakfast menu at Raglan Road.
Read moreOrlando Chefs Tap Mickey D's at Upscale Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House
You kind of feel humbled on their behalf. At Appetite for the Arches, Orlando chefs prepare bite-size foods--elegant hors d'oeuvres--using McDonald's ingredients. It's a playful yet upscale culinary fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House.
Read moreRadishes with Smoked Crème Fraiche: A Tale of Capa, Orlando's New Spanish Steakhouse
Look at this. Just look at this. It's four types of radishes on top of smoked crème fraiche--ya! smoked crème frache!--with a bit of pomegranate laced in. Hint: We're talking about Capa, Orlando's new Spanish steakhouse.
Read moreSteak with a Florida Twist at A Land Remembered
Every upscale steakhouse has a shtick to set it apart from competitors. In Orlando, A Land Remembered embraces Old Florida.
Read moreYet Another Superb Vegetarian Entree at Disney World
At the brand new Italian restaurant Trattoria al Forno, I found yet another superb vegetarian entree at Disney World.
Read moreA Spicy Fruit Plate at the Charlotte Airport
We lunched on quesadillas and Plato de Frutas, which is a red plate with wedges of pineapple, cantaloupe, mango, and watermelon, plus strawberries. On the side was a cup of "chili-lime seasoning."
Read moreHave an Interactive Animal Experience at Giraffe Ranch
I've written extensively about Giraffe Ranch for magazines, and I still can't get enough of this place. It's not a zoo, really. Visits are more interactive than that. Guests take jeep or camel "safaris" to get close to animals. The owners share incredibly rich detail about the animals, their habits, and their environment.
Read moreA Spud-tastic Meal at Ellie Lou's
The menu is extensive, including pulled chicken, smoked sausage, and the intriguing Turducken Burger, described as "turkey, duck & chicken dressed with cornbread stuffing, cranberry relish & sweet potato fries." Several beers are available.
Read moreDig Into British Pub Fare at Leaky Cauldron
I was outright dreading these beverages. I liked them, though. They're all mentioned in the Harry Potter books and available nowhere else on property--or in the world, probably. My favorite was the Tongue Tying Lemon Squash.
Read moreSee the Sweet Gingerbread Village at Caribe Royale
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 moreIntroducing 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 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.
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