Orlando's Top Eateries & Food Trucks

Season's 52 Desserts

I was pleased to see that the top restaurants and food trucks voted as "Orlando's Best Bets of 2012", are many of the eateries that I - and readers of my blog - also say are their favorites. In The Orlando Sentinel's latest reader survey, Central Floridians voted Seasons 52 as the "best local chain restaurant" and Big Wheel Provisions as the best "meals on wheels". The runners-up for best local chain restaurant were Tijuana Flats and Chipotle and readers' other favorite food trucks were Yum Yum Cupcake Truck and Korean BBQ Taco Box. 


I agree with these selections and also with the restaurants voted as having the "best brunch"in Orlando: First Watch Daytime Cafe, followed by Dexter's and Villa de Flora-Gaylord Palms. I have always loved First Watch. When you go, be sure to try their Bacado Omelette (made with bacon, avocado, and Monterey Jack cheese) and Dexter's has peach mimoas for Sunday brunch. Need I say more?

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

The "best ethnic cuisine" award went to Hawkers Asian Street Fare, which everyone knows I am a huge fan of. Bosphorous Restaurant (Turkish cuisine) in Winter Park and Sea Thai off of Colonial Drive were runners up.
I also like some of the unusual awards, such as "best hangover restaurant", which went to Banans Diner off of Mills Ave., followed by Dexter's and Tijuana Flats. The "best date night place" went to Treasure Tavern, followed by Ravenous Pig and Seasons 52. I agree with the choices of Ravenous Pig and Seasons 52, but would also add Fishbones in Lake Mary, The Winter Park Fish Co., and Mitchell's Fish Market in Winter Park. Mitchell's is a great place to grab infused cocktails and apps before seeing a movie in Winter Park Village.


I lke how Fiddler's Green Irish Pub & Eatery in Winter Park (with its great atmosphere, food, and drinks) made it on the "best pint bar" list, which was won by World of Beer on Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. What do you think of the restaurants and food trucks voted as the best in Orlando? Which ones would you add to or delete from this list?

Try Gourmet Eats at Taste of Winter Park

Of all the spring food and wine festivals in Central Florida, I enjoy the Taste of Winter Park the most. It is a smaller gathering - held at the site of the Winter Park Farmers Market - than the Downtown Food & Wine Fest. Plus, it features unlimited food and wine samples from some of Orlando's best restaurants! 


Among the restaurants and shops sampling their wares this year are: 4 Rivers Smokehouse, The Bistro on Park, Luma on Park, Mellow Mushroom, Winter Park FIsh Co., Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen, and Peterbrooke Chocolatier. At this event, the food is original and delicious and I appreciate how upscale eateries such as Shula's Steakhouse and The Ravenous Pig prepare fancy plate presentations.


The price - $45 for those who are not members of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce - is well worth it for the delectable food and wine offered, and wonderful atmosphere. The Taste of Winter Park will be held next Wednesday, April 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. 


Where: 200 West New England Ave., Winter Park.

Fungi Fries & Vegan Cupcakes Top Eats at Sanford Food Truck Bazaar

The weather for the monthly Food Truck Bazaar near Lake Monroe in Sanford last Saturday was just perfect, as was the setting. My hubby and I were able to choose from gourmet and fried food from 20 different food trucks, then sit down to eat at a number of benches and porch swings along the beautiful lake. We also could have brought our beach chairs - as many others did - stayed for the evening, and listened to music. 

While it was tempting to try food from every truck - including Monsta Lobsta, 5 Gastronomy and Saigon Sizzle - we selected items from a few new ones and an old favorite. Yum Yum Cupcakes is a favorite of ours, so of course we got dessert first! The Chocolate on Chocolate Action is a chocolate-lovers dream and I loved the unique frosting on the Peterbrooke-Inspired Salted Caramel cupcake. I was also very impressed with Yum Yum's Lady Bird vegan, gluten-free cupcake. Based on a Southern hummingbird cake recipe, the cupcake is moist with a strong hint of banana and pecans and the vegan cream cheese frosting tastes like the real thing!

Fork in the Road's
Fungi Fries

For dinner, I tried Cafe Rouge's Chicken Wrap with Mango Salsa and Saffron Rice. The wrap had a nice kick of heat, all the ingredients were fresh, and the flavors worked well together. I also had the best crispy Yucca Fries from Twisted Cuban. The husband had perhaps the best french fries he has ever had: Fork in the Road's Fungi Fries. You would think the fries would simply be topped with mushrooms. No. The chefs at Fork in the Road mixed up a perfect mixture of portabella mushrooms, mushroom gravy and mozzarella cheese to top off crispy potato fries.

Missed the Sanford Food Truck Bazaar? Check out the next TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar outside City Hall in Casselberry, 95 Triplet Lake Dr., on April 13. And, the next Sanford Food Truck Bazaar will be on May 5 at Palmetto Ave. and Seminole Blvd. (behind the courthouse).

Huge Sanford Food Truck Bazaar This Weekend

The Yum Yum Cupcake Truck will feature its new "Nannerpants" cupcake at the monthly Food Truck Bazaar in downtown Sanford, Fla., this Saturday, April 7, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Nannerpants is the popular truck's version of the classic banana cream pie, sporting a graham cracker crust, freshly sliced bananas and banana cream pie filling.


Another truck that will be displaying its gourmet wares is the Big Wheel Mobile Food Truck. Its menu for Saturday includes Austin Style Fried Pickles, Slow Roasted Angus Short Rib on Buttermilk Biscuit, Moroccan-style Seared Florida Octopus, and Cornmeal- Fried Apalachicola Oyster Deviled Eggs.


The Bazaar always features about 20 different food trucks and a great environment: people bring their lawn chairs and enjoy great food, great company, and views of Lake Monroe. You can even take a stroll afterwards to the art and antique shops nearby. What a great way to support the businesses in downtown Sanford, which have been hurting as a result of the Trayvon Martin case!


Where: Palmetto Ave. and Seminole Blvd., behind the courthouse, Sanford.

De-Lish New Spring Menu at Season's 52

Columbia River Steelhead Trout

Season's 52 has always been one of my favorite places to eat in the Orlando area. I appreciate the use of high quality, fresh, local ingredients and dishes that are prepared simply. And the service is impeccable: the wait staff really knows what they are talking about and goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable.


When dining there recently, I was excited to see the variety of appetizers, entrees, wines, and cocktails that are featured on Season's new spring menu. Some of the most unique and delicious dishes are the Artichoke & Goat Cheese Flatbread, which includes leaf spinach, balsamic onion and roasted peppers, and Spicy Snow Peas & Shiitake Mushrooms with roasted almonds.


I had the Columbia River Steelhead Trout, which is in season and has a pink flesh. It was cooked perfectly - so tender! - and was finished with a lemongrass sauce. I loved the unique accompaniment of vegetables that includes edamame and snow peas. However, I thought the lemongrass sauce would add more flavor to the dish than it did. 

Artichoke & Goat Cheese Flatbread

The same goes for the Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon: it was not as flavorful as it could be. However, the sauce accompanying the meat was quite flavorful and the Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and asparagus were perfect. We also tried the new Tiger Shrimp Penne Pasta with spring asparagus and oyster mushrooms in a light lemon-basil sauce. The dish had a sweet flavor and was not heavy, like pasta dishes often are.

We also loved the new Strawberry Basil Fusion cocktail and new wines such as the Aveleda Vinho Verde from Portugal and the Lioco Indica Rose, Mendocino.

Support Sanford's Soulful, Classic Eateries

Ever since the revitalization of downtown Sanford a few years ago, the area has made a name for itself with its kitschy art shops, antique and clothing stores, and its increasingly sophisticated food offerings. Now, that reputation is in jeopardy as some locals avoid downtown Sanford because of tension and demonstrations surrounding the Trayvon Martin case.

Instead of focusing on that, we are going to highlight some of the yummiest food coming out of the city. Here are the top places to eat and drink, according to my excursions and recommendations from friends and fellow food bloggers:

Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe

1. Across the board, everyone recommends Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe. The restaurant not only offers the most authentic German food in town, but the most fun pub atmosphere that I have experienced. When several tables of people are passing around a boot filled with beer and chanting, "Ziggy, zaggy, ziggy, zaggy, oy, oy, oy" with the polka band, you know you are having a great time. Try the Cheesy Potato Pancakes and Spaetzle.


2. Magnolia Square Market is also popular with readers of this blog. It is a traditional deli and store that focuses on German delicacies, and offers beer, wine, organic produce, and gluten-free foods. The market is an extension of Hollerbach's restaurant, and I cannot wait to try it.


3. I am thoroughly impressed by Cafe Rouge's selection of house roasted meats, natural locally-baked breads, and European desserts. Entrees to try  include Traditional English Shepherd's Pie and Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Cream Sherry Sauce. They also have Jalapeno Poppers in their wide selection of appetizers!


4. Sanford Wine Company offers live music during the week, along with several beer and wine tasting events. Its specialty brews include Honey Amber Rose from Florida and Hazed & Infused Dry Hopped Ale from Boulder, Colo.


5. My friends like Sergios Restaurant & Sports Bar because of its delicious and well-priced Italian buffet. They also do a great job with their atmosphere, including live music.


There are many other great places to eat and drink in downtown Sanford that I may have missed. Comment below and tell me about your favorites.

Where to Eat & Drink This Weekend: Top Chefs and David Cook at Downtown Fest

The organizers of Orlando's Downtown Food & Wine Fest on March 31 and April 1 have outdone themselves this year with entertainment and celebrity chefs that will accompany the delicious food provided by great local restaurants.


American Idol alum David Cook - perhaps the most well known of the performers - will take the stage Saturday night. Also playing Saturday is Live Hart and John Smith & Tropical Steel. On Sunday, CeCe Teneal, Little River Band, and My Generation take the stage.


Celebrity chefs, who will host live cooking demonstrations and meet with fans, include: Lindsay Autry, a finalist in Top Chef's Season 9; Erika Davis from Top Chef Just Desserts Season 1, and Extreme Chef Amadeus of The Food Network.

Erika Davis

Now on to the food! 40 of Central Florida's top restaurants will be serving up their treats. Featured restaurants include Primo, Del Frisco's, Dexter's of Thorton Park, Ember, Shari Sushi, Funky Monkey Wine Co., and Bananas Diner. Many top wines will be presented - you can view the full list on the Food & Wine Fest web site.


The cost is only $15 to per person per day, then food tickets are $2 each. Admission for children under 12 years old is free. Where: Lake Eola, downtown Orlando.