There are all types of concerts and huge parties in and around the
theme parks in Orlando, but I prefer the more intimate and unique events - as well as the gatherings that foodies would appreciate.
Here are some of Flavorful Excursions' top New Year's Eve events in Orlando:
1. Enzian Theater's annual James Bond New Year's Party. Come "dressed to kill" as James Bond or your favorite Bond girl and you could win a fabulous prize. "Diamonds are Forever" starts at 5:30, and the New Year's Eve party with champagne, signature cocktails and a DJ begins at 8.
2. The Orlando Museum of Art is holding its first New Year's Eve party! It features red carpet entry and valet, live music by Soul Funktion, yummy food and drinks and fireworks.
3. Rangetsu Japanese Restaurant and Bar. This year, the restaurant is featuring taiko drummers at 9 p.m. and midnight, along with its delicious sushi and special dishes.
4. Sam Snead's. Enjoy prime rib, Grouper Oscar, and other special New Year's Eve dishes while listening to Mudel & Co.
5. Carmel Kitchen Winter Park. Enjoy a special menu, including cold water lobster tails, and 90+ point rated wine for $10 per glass. This is the atmosphere for a fun but laid-back New Year's Eve!
Where will you be ringing in 2015? Leave your suggestions for us in the comments section below!
One of the reasons that I always recommend Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar in Winter Park and Altamonte Springs to friends is that I can get a good deal on my meal and drinks here. Plus, every time I have visited, I have had excellent service in a relaxing, classy atmosphere.
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| Braised Short Ribs |
I was reminded of the feasibility of dining at the restaurants recently when I ate there on a Sunday and a Monday. On these two evenings, a three-course Prix Fixe menu is available with a few different entrees features. For $14, one can choose from two different apps (including my favorite - Chickpea Fries!), soup or salad, and from four entrees. On the nights I went, the Steak Frites, Moroccan Lemon Chicken, Spinach Gnocchi, and Basil Grilled Salmon were all available. The entrees alone are typically $12-$13 for the small size so the Prix Fixe menu is a great deal!
I have tried all of the dishes except the Spinach Gnocchi, and was very pleased with all of them. The Moroccan Lemon Chicken is accompanied by a light, delicious sauce and the chicken is tender. I would suggest ordering a different side than the roasted vegetables, though, since some of them are not cooked that well. The Basil Grilled Salmon was also cooked perfectly and very flavorful. If you order the Steak Frites, the steak is pretty good - not the highest cut of meat or anything - but the crispy fries are to die for.
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| Moroccan Lemon Chicken |
We also tried the Braised Short Ribs entree and were impressed with how tender the meat was and how delicious the accompanying sauce was. While the Poached Pear is the most popular dessert at Carmel, I wanted to try a new dessert. I would recommend the Pound Cake and Strawberries, which reminds me of a shortcake. While the strawberries were not that great, the cake was simply delicious.
Let me know your favorite dishes at Carmel in the comments section below.
You have heard me rave about Carmel Cafe Winter Park in the past. Now, Carmel Cafe Altamonte Springs is open and the food and atmosphere are just as great as its Winter Park counterpart. Actually, I like the design of the bar area a bit better at the Altamonte location. And service is outstanding at both locations.
When we dined at Carmel Cafe Altamonte with family recently, we were able to taste some new items we hadn't had before. That night, the happy hour special was a house-infused Cherry Bourbon cocktail. I don't normally like bourbon, but this was delicious and refreshing! By the way, Happy Hour - every weekday from 4 to 7 p.m. - is a good time to go to the restaurant. You get to try some of the restaurant's appetizers and drinks for only $4 each.
On this night, we tried some apps and entrees that we had not tried before. The Short Rib Empanadas were so flavorful, and the Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta were cooked perfectly and flavorful as well. I'm so glad I ordered the Moroccan Lemon Chicken, a tender chicken breast with pine nuts, saffron, and olives. Again, the flavor was delicious and different than anything I had tried before.
We also recently visited Carmel Cafe Winter Park and tried some of the new summer entrees and traditional apps on the menu. We started out with the Mezze Platter, a huge sharing plate that was more than enough for a table of five. The platter features Edamame Hummus, Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers, Crispy Fried Feta and Marinated Artichoke Hearts, and other tastings, served with warm pita. If you like hummus and Mediterranean cuisine, this is definitely a dish to order.
We also tried the Pasta Marseilles, which is a light, flavorful bouilliabasse broth with plentiful helpings of shrimp, scallops, mussels, fennel and gnocchi. This is different from any bouilliabasse I have had, and I must say, it was delicious. The fennel paired very nicely with the seafood and broth.
For dessert, we always get the Warm Poached Pear, which is served with caramel sauce and ice cream. It was delicious. Soon, I hope to have room to try the Chocolate Lava Cake and the Pound Cake with Strawberries.
Every visit, I have great food, service, and atmosphere at both Carmel locations. Let me know your experience at Carmel Cafe Altamonte and Carmel Cafe Winter Park in the comments section below.
I have not come across a restaurant since dining at the Bull & Bear in the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, that has the perfect mix of three things that I look for as a diner: delicious food, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere. I have now found that wonderful place to hang out with friends and family in a relaxed atmosphere, without paying ridiculous prices: Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar in Winter Park, Fla.
The atmosphere is created by the lighting and variety of tables, comfy couches and bar seating, which allows for several different spots to sip wine and visit with friends. The serving staff here has been trained well: there are always various servers at your table, whether they are serving food or removing used dinnerware. Service is also heightened by iPads with photos and full descriptions of every menu item, including the nearly 60 wines on the menu.
My husband and I recently dined at the restuarnt during Happy Hour, which runs from 4:00-7:00, Monday - Friday. There are a few special drinks and appetizers on the menu for a flat $4. The house-infused cocktail we tried was Spicy Pineapple, which was the most unique and flavorful margarita I have had. However, I was not blown away by the special cocktails on the new spring menu, including Spring Thyme Martini and Lavendar Lemonade. Unfortunately, the lemonade drink just tastes like lemonade. I may have been expecting a sweeter martini in Spring Thyme, but the cucumber flavor is delicious and refreshing.
However, the food was outstanding. Everything came quickly, was hot, and utilized high quality ingredients. One of the house specialties is Carmel's Chickpea Fries. I have never eaten chickpea fries and really didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor, the corresponding dipping sauces and the fact that the fries are gluten-free. I would love a crispy outside to the fry, but that may not be possible.
Carmel's Lobster Bisque is one of the best I have had in Orlando - particularly for a non-seafood restaurant! The Shrimp Ceviche is another wonderful light and flavorful starter, served with delicious crisps.
We also loved the Mediterranean Sea Bass dish, which features a perfectly cooked sea bass with crispy skin that is paired perfectly with a mixture of tomatoes, olives and capers. I really loved the Angel Hair pasta that was served with the dish as well. The steak and juices in the Steak Frites pairs perfectly with Carmel's crispy, herb-flavored French fries, which I will order every time I am there. I daresay they are the best mid- to upscale-restaurant fries in Orlando.
All the desserts sound amazing, but we only had room for the Poached Pear with Caramel Sauce. The mulling spice flavors in the pear pair perfectly with the caramel and vanilla ice cream. I would definitely recommend this dessert to top off a great meal.
We had a wonderful experience at Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar in Winter Park and we were happy to hear that coming soon is...Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar Altamonte Springs!
Where: 140 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, Fla.
