Don't Miss Crane's Roost Christmas Lights...and Pizza

One of the must-visits this holiday season is Cranes Roost Park's Christmas light display. It is probably the best non-residential display in town. Kids and adults love walking the mile around the lake to see the oversized animal displays and lit arches. My favorite part, though, is the massive Christmas tree near the "dancing fountain".

Before we went to see the great lights the other night, we ate at the nearby Tuscan Pizza (formerly Red Brick Pizza) near Marshall's, so we could easily walk to the lights. Tuscan Pizza is a very family-friendly place that has pretty good food (not excellent, but pretty good). There are flat-screen TVs and remote controls at each table, which I don't like, but I guess it helps keeps kids occupied. You order your pizza, salads or sandwiches at the counter, and they are made-to-order in front of you.

We tried the Mushroom, Hamburger and Mozarella pizza which was fairly good. Not the best we've ever had, but some good flavors. We were suprised that the Chinese Chicken Salad was so good, with fresh ingredients including mandarin oranges. Our favorite part was the dessert, with several gelatos and sorbets to choose from, at a reasonable price. The pistachio gelato is a must-try, as is the strawberry sorbet.

While I wouldn't make a special trip to Tuscan Pizza, it is definitely a fun, convenient place to dine when visiting the magnificent Christmas lights at Crane's Roost.

Chocolate, Fudge, & Gelato, Oh My!

Designer Chocolate Shoes

When I stopped by Peterbrooke Chocolatier in Winter Park, Fla., to collect my prize the other day (a bag of Milk Chocolate-covered Popcorn), I was anxious to try everything new the sweet shop has to offer. First off, Peterbrooke's chocolate-covered popcorn is delicious, and why wouldn't it be? Anything covered in the rich, velvety chocolate made in-house has to be good! 

Yes, I said anything. Chocolate-covered bacon is one of the shop's best sellers, so I had to try that. I have never tried such a thing, so why not? The dark chocolate version is pretty good: I like the combination of salty and sweet. The bacon leaves a weird after-taste, though. Even though I am a bacon lover, I was not as into it, as I thought I would be. You definitely have to try it, though. Plus, Peterbrooke covers lots of other yummy things in chocolate, including strawberries, potato chips, and pretzels, and you can request other chocolate-covered stuff for them to make especially for you.

Co-owner Kevin Wray
scooping gelato

Even though Peterbrooke specializes in chocolates and delicious fudge (you must try the Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge!), gelato is a big hit with its customers. Peterbrooke carries 16 to 20 different flavors on a daily basis, and I had to try all the new fall flavors. My favorite is Pumpkin Cheesecake, but you should definitely try Spiced Caramel Apple, Autumn Crunch, and Bourbon Caramel Gingersnap. The flavors are all so good and authentic, and I doubt you will find these unique flavors anywhere else.

Peterbrooke has such a wide selection of chocolates - including turtles, bark, and 72% dark chocolate bars - that is it really hard to choose which ones to buy. I would recommend the popcorn, first and foremost, but also the chocolate-covered oreos and all the sugar-free chocolate items. The sugar-free lines taste exactly like the regular ones!

I am also excited about the custom chocolates that Peterbrooke can make for Halloween, birthdays, weddings, and other special events. They even have shoes made out of chocolate. What is your favorite thing to eat at Peterbrooke? 

Where: 300 S. Park Ave., Winter Park. Fla.