Bring Your Dog Out to Eat

Jacques

Finally! While Orlando cafés and restaurants have allowed dogs at outdoor cafes and restaurants for years, Seminole County is finally getting in on the act. Seminole County commissioners just enacted a “dog-friendly” ordinance that would allow restaurant-goers to bring their pets along when eating in the outdoor sections of restaurants and cafes in the county.

This seems like a great fit for a county that is known for its beautiful nature and scenery. Now, I need help from you: which are the best restaurants in Seminole County to take advantage of this new option? Winter Park, downtown, and other areas are more well known for their outdoor eateries. I blogged about a few of the top outdoor spots last year http://www.flavorfulexcursions.net/2011/06/orlandos-top-dog-friendly-and-foodie.html, including: White Wolf Café, Spice, RelaxGrill at Lake Eola, and Pisces Rising in Mount Dora.

I know that Lake Mary has fun outdoor dining restaurants too, including Dexters, Liam Fitzpatrick's, Pattiserie Caffe, the new Menchies frozen yogurt, and several other cafes and wine markets. Which are your favorites?

The Love of Food...in Photos

Seared Ahi Tuna Appetizer
Season's 52, Alt. Springs, Fla. 

Isn’t it amazing how a beautiful photo of say, a juicy steak or a three-tired, delicious tiramisu can get your mouth watering for that food? The great food photographers out there can get us to buy a new product or visit a local restaurant just from one perfectly designed photo, down to the steam rising from a plate of Prince Edward Island mussels or the fresh-looking shiny-ness of that plump tomato. They can even make the whipped cream on a dessert look fluffier!

I was thinking about the power of photos the other day as I perused some of the delectable-looking food photos on Google+ and Pinterest. There is something about how the food photos are displayed on these two social media sites that can really get foodies – and everyone else – excited about food, restaurants, and trying new recipes.

Chocolate Key Lime Tart
Fulton's Crab House, Disney Marketplace

Wine & Mini Pumpkin Pie Indulgence
Season's 52, Alt. Springs, Fla.

Included in this post are a few of the top restaurant food photos from Flavorful Excursions’ photographer, Shad Bookout.

The Most Fresh, Local Food - at Audubon Market

Some of the most unique, fresh, and local food in Orlando can be found every Monday night at the Audubon Community Farmers Market near Winter Park. This market is “legit”, as one vendor told me: only local growers, fishermen and producers are invited here. There are number of organic fruit and veggie growers, along with bakers and other food makers.

Wild OceanSeafood Market of Titusville, Fla., brings its fresh catch – everything has been caught within two days of the market off the East Coast of Florida – weekly. Its smoked mullet is so delicious, and I can’t wait to try the over-sized Royal Red and Canaveral White shrimp I bought . I like how you can ask the staff any question about preparing seafood or what a particular fish tastes like, and they can answer it.

Another unique vendor at the market is Atomic Kitten Provisions, which makes cupcakes, cookies, and other baked goods using organic eggs from Ocoee, oranges from Winter Park, and other local ingredients. Happy Rolls provides hand-made vegan and meat egg rolls and dumplings. And Yum Yum Pops produces hand-made popsicles in the most unusual flavors - Key Lime Avocado, Chocolate Banana Sea Salt and Hibiscus Carambola (star fruit) – all using local, organic ingredients.

Where: 1842 E. Winter Park Rd., Orlando, in the Stardust parking lot. 

When: Mondays, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Stories of Food & Fun Are Back!

Sunset Sam's at Gaylord Palms Orlando

I am so happy to be back blogging about food, travel, and fun. I have missed all those who follow and interact with this blog, and would appreciate your feedback. Let me know the type of food, restaurants, hotels, travel, and entertainment that you would like to see covered in the Orlando area and throughout the U.S./ world. 


Let's chat on Facebook, Twitter @FlavorfulExcurs, or Google + (Christine Blank). Keep up with the latest posts at the bottom of this page or subscribe by email. 


Meanwhile, I will continue to regale you with stories of my visits to food trucks, restaurants, hotels, theme parks, and more. I will also let you know about all things foodie and crazy new hotel and restaurant trends and deals.

Grove Park's Sunset Terrace Restaurant Delights

Our honeymoon dinner at the Sunset Terrace at Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., was quite an experience. Normally, the Sunset Terrace – ranked one of the top 20 sunset views in America – serves dinner outside. But because of cold, rainy weather, we ate indoors. 

No matter – our seats by the oversized stone fireplace and Christmas tree provided the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner. We started with tomato basil bisque soup that was very yummy. I had the catch of the day – the N.C. grouper that came in from the coast that day – with lobster risotto. It was cooked to perfection and had wonderful, light flavoring. 

My husband had the surf and turf filet with lobster. His steak was also cooked perfectly – he literally cut it with a regular butter knife. For dessert, we tried the chocolate mousse (even though there were so many delectable desserts to choose from), and we were glad we did! The mousse was light, fluffy, and delicious! I would definitely recommend dining at Sunset Terrace, especially if it is a special occasion. Tell the server when you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special event, and you may get a nice surprise.

Honeymoon: Charleston, S.C., at its Finest

It was cold when we arrived in North Charleston, S.C., the first night on our honeymoon. But the Holiday Inn Charleston Airport & Convention Center was a welcome respite after the long drive from Orlando. If you have a perception of what a Holiday Inn is like, get those old ideas out of your head. This is the new era. 

I noticed the more upscale appearance of the hotel as soon as we walked into the lobby and noticed modern contemporary furniture and lighting. The theme continued into our hotel room, which was a spacious suite with living room, large flat screen TV, upscale bathroom (with Bath & Body Works soap and lotion), and comfy bed. 

It was too late to eat dinner at the hotel, but they had a full-service restaurant and lounge, that I was anxious to try. 

The next morning, we checked out the historic downtown area of Charleston. I definitely recommend visiting this area, mainly to see the historic French homes of the Charleston Quarter. We loved walking around Downtown, which has stores with all the major name brands represented. This area has the feel of New Orleans but is a lot cleaner.

*Note: This is the first in a series of blogs about the hotels, food, and experiences we had during our recent honeymoon to Charleston, Asheville,Gatlinburg, Tenn., and the Smoky Mountains. Stay tuned for more!

Sushi, Paella, & More This Thanksgiving

This year, I am excited about eating seafood paella and sushi on Thanksgiving Day. I realize that does not sound like the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. But wait – I still get turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the standard pilgrim yummy-ness. That’s because I am eating at Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek’sThanksgiving Brunch, which runs from 11:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

This extensive buffet features a Seafood Station, a Dim Sum and Sushi Station, a Make Your Own Pasta Station, a Carving Station, an Omelet and Waffle Station, Amuses, a Dessert Station, and all the Thanksgiving favorites. Among the many gourmet dishes featured are: Foie Gras Profiterole with Port Wine Reduction and Candied Orange Zest, Veal & Root Vegetable Cassoulet, and Haricot Vert with Baked Apple and Cranberries. It will be fun to try foods that I get to have….well, never. I am a dessert girl, so I am excited to see the Crème Brulee Action Station, and try the Kahlua Flan and Cheesecake Shots in several flavors, including Peppermint Schnapps and Hazelnut & Turtle.

Rosen Shingle Creek’s Thanksgiving brunch is somewhat pricey, but friends have told me it is well worth it. Prices are $55.95 for adults and $24.95 for children ages 4 to 12, and kids 3 and younger eat free. Florida residents receive a 25 percent discount. For reservations, call 407-996-3663. This beautiful hotel – complete with a creek and nature trails – is located at 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Fla., 32819.