From market stalls to chichi dining rooms, Beijing restaurants are all about Peking duck. Here's are two delicious examples of the specialty -- one at a high-end restaurant, the other as street food.
Read moreFunny Signs in China
They're not designed to be funny, these signs. But, throughout the Chinese cities I visited, signs of all types were either poorly translated or just not something Americans would post. "Chinglish."
Read moreA Random Food Market in Chengdu, China
Cover your eyes, food-curious readers. We discovered a locals-oriented food market in Chengdu, China. Some of our discoveries are not pretty.
Read moreThe Street Foods of Chengdu, China
Often alluring, otherwise offputting, the street foods of Chengdu, China, are a colorful assortment of snacks.
Read moreI Can't Wait to Tell You about China
I have no Google, YouTube or Facebook and I'm working from a tablet, but I just had to give you a taste of Beijing.
Read moreA First Look at 1921 by Norman Van Aken
1921 by Norman Van Aken is what we might call a New Floridian restaurant. The namesake chef takes the various native and imported flavors available in the Sunshine State and recreates them into creative fare.
Read moreWhere to Eat: Orlando Magical Dining Month 2016
Locals start planning their meals Orlando Magical Dining Month meals weeks in advance, bopping all over Central Florida to dining rooms that are usually beyond their budgets. This year, a record-breaking 96 establishments are participating.
Read moreWin a Disney Marathon Weekend for Two
Win a Disney marathon weekend for two. This is some prize: marathon fun plus transportation, lodging, VIP privileges and event cash to spend. In all, this fly/run/stay/play package is worth more than $3,800. Boondoggle!
Read moreSave $8 on Meals from OrderUp Orlando
Want to order in lunch or dinner from an Orlando restaurant? Get the meal through OrderUp Orlando and you can save $8 by using the code RONA.
Read moreQuick Peek: Orlando's New DoveCote Restaurant
After much ballyhoo due to the all-star cast behind it, Orlando's new DoveCote restaurant made its debut on Wednesday. The grand establishment is a 5,000-square-foot brasserie serving Bank of America employees, and the rest of us, all day long.
Read moreWhat, Tiffins? No Yak Butter in My Coffee?
Mustang coffee at Tiffins. This version is made with the butter we all know, but it's based on a recipe laced with yak butter
This restaurant -- a comfy, relaxed fine-dining establishment sitting within a lush green yet buzzy-busy theme park -- is based on travel around the world.
Read moreWhere to Dine Out for Orlando United on Thursday
Where should you eat to support your neighbors during Thursday's Dine Out for Orlando United fundraiser? Look closely. The restaurants participating can pledge to give pretty much whatever they want, and some are set to donate way more than others.
Read moreFive Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016
What will be the five best new dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016? Here's my list. I sampled a slew of debuting entrees and desserts yesterday at a preview held for Tables in Wonderland members and the media. I was enchanted with these newcomers.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 1
Seared scallop with truffled celery root puree, Brussels sprout and wild mushrooms, from the Wine & Dine Studio marketplace: The sweet scallop will be given a Napa Valley twist, served with a creamy vegetable puree laced with that I suspect may be truffle oil, plus an al dente vegetable and lively bits of mushroom. This dish so good I'd order it in a fine-dining restaurant.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 2
Smoked beef brisket and pimento cheese on griddled garlic toast from the Hops & Barley marketplace: The beef was tender and smokey, but the addition of garlic toast and a shmear of intense pimento cheese put this dish over the top.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 3
Pork tenderloin with cannellini bean ragout and zinfandel reduction from the Wine & Dine Studio marketplace: The pork was fine, but incidental. Get this dish for the beans in the savory wine-laced sauce.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 4
Peanut butter and white chocolate mousse with a caramel drizzle at The Chew Collective marketplace: This dessert is creamy, almost frothy, with a strong peanut butter flavor plus plenty of peanut halves to chew on.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 5
Loaded Greek "nachos" with pita chips, meatless sausage crumbles and vegan tzatziki at the Greece marketplace: I was dreading tasting this once I learned it was vegan, but guess what? It was terrific. I kept eating beyond the two bites I require of myself for this type of review. Using the pita chips as nachos, I scooped up flavored, multitextured portions of a rich and satisfying entree. The sauce is made with "cashew cream." You'd never know it.
As always, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival will involve weeks and weeks of food and beverage events at the Epcot theme park. Small bites and drinks like those above will be sold at themed marketplaces dotting the World Showcase. In addition, guests can sign up for culinary demonstrations, chef-prepared meals, a food-and-wine gala called Party for the Senses, Beverage Boot Camp and way more. In fact, The Chew will host events October 5-7.
Full details will be posted on this link starting July 11 and you'll be able to start booking your cheese seminars, spice-mixing sessions and signature dining experiences on July 21.
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016 is longer than ever this year -- 62 glorious days of culinary hedonism. It will run from September 14 through November.
Eat enthusiastically,
Rona
Plated vs Blue Apron, Part 1
Plated vs Blue Apron -- Which meal subscription service is better? I aim to find out.
Read moreTry an Omakase Dinner at Seito Sushi
I urge you to try the omakase dinner at Seito Sushi in Orlando's Baldwin Park.
With Executive Chef Austin Boyd at the helm, the glitzy restaurant at a far corner of this residential neighborhood serves up not only creative and standard Asian fare, but also multicourse dinners. They're known as "omakase," which in Japanese restaurants means "whim of the chef." In other words, Chef Austin and his team take what's tops in their pantry the day of the meal and have a ton of fun making the most of each item.
I tried a nine-course version as part of a media dinner. A gaggle of us were seated around lovely new wooden chef's table, which Chef Austin carved himself. He hails from a line of woodworkers. If you don't have an eightsome willing to undertake this culinary experience, don't dismay. With 48 hours notice, the chefs will create an omakase dinner at Seito Sushi for even two of you.
The Omakase Dinner at Seito Sushi
Here's what we had, in order. Your menu will be different, as mine will be if I return. That's the fun of omakase.
And, Dessert at the Omakase Dinner at Seito Sushi
So, um, yea. Don't let my lousy photography dismay you. This meal is an occasion in itself, and it certainly makes a better, say, Father's Day gift than some boring old tie. Make it happen. Call 407.898.8801 and set a date.
Eat enthusiastically,
Rona
Groove Like a Rocker at the Hard Rock Hotel
Feel like strumming a guitar while in your hotel room? How about toying around with a DJ mixer? Call the front desk. Hard Rock Hotels encourage guests to let out their inner rockers in the privacy of their guest rooms. With a program called The Sound of Your Stay, employees will zip the tools you'll need to your door.
Read moreIntroducing King Bao Restaurant in Orlando
King Bao restaurant opened in late April, bringing Orlando a selection of sweetish buns stuffed with fillings from the Orient.
Read moreWhere to Eat on Mothers Day in Orlando 2016
Where can you still get a table on Mothers Day in Orlando? Here are restaurants that don't accept reservations, or do but still expect to have plenty of seats available for walk-ins.
Read moreSt Patricks Day in Orlando, in Style
Until someone proves St. Patrick was the saint of green beer, I’ll celebrate St Patricks Day in Orlando in a classy way, thank you. Good food. Maybe good drink. No drunken hordes.
Read moreStart Your Sunday with Brunch at Disney World
If Bloody Marys and eggs Benedict are your idea of a blissful mid-morning meal, try brunch at Disney World's Narcoossee's and California Grill.
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