Try Hemingway's For a Great Value in Dec.!

Hemingway's Crab Cakes

I have heard great things about Hemingway's, the beautiful fine dining restaurant at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla., from friends and family for years. I finally had an opportunity to dine there recently with my husband, to try the special "Taste of Hemingway's" menu the eatery is offering through the end of December.

This restaurant a must-do for couples and families for the holiday season! Before dinner, you can get your photo taken by the gorgeous Christmas tree in the resort's lobby. After dinner, you can walk off the meal with a stroll around the grounds, which features beautiful plants, streams, and Buddhist statues. 

Back to the Taste of Hemingway's: this is a fabulous, 3-course menu with choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert for the great value of $39. It is an amazing value because the food, service, and presentation is at such a high level, and is worth so much more.

For apps, you can choose from the Florida Rock Shrimp Chowder, the Key Wester Salad, and the Key Lime Caesar. We had the chowder, which was very delicious (but too much corn for me). If you decide to order off the regular menu, I would suggest the scallops appetizer, which features three perfectly cooked scallops with a wonderful bacon and chimichurri accompaniment. However, I would suggest ordering the barbecue sauce on the side.

Key Lime Tart

Personally, I would rather taste the the high quality scallops themselves, than have their flavor drowned out in a sauce.

Our favorite entree off the Taste of Hemingway's menu was the Hemingway's "Cayo Hueso" Crab Cakes", which contain the most delicious crab of any crab cake I have eaten. They are served with local sweet corn coconut grits and corn salsa. Amazing! The other entrees - Duvall Street Shrimp Scampi, Cuban Criollo Chicken, and Mahi-Mahi - also looked delicious. We ordered the fresh fish, Florida grouper, off the regular menu, which was accompanied by Cape Canaveral shrimp. Both the shrimp and the fish were absolutely cooked to perfection. I loved the crispy sear on the grouper, and the fennel accent paired very well with the flavor of the fish.

For dessert, you can choose from the Key Lime Tart or the Chocolate Banana Fallen Tower. Both are to die for. I loved the Key Lime Tart, because it is difficult to get that tart Key Lime flavor at many restaurants. The house-made graham cracker crust was also delicious, and the baked meringue on top was an interesting twist.

For reservations, visit: http://grandcypress.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/Hemingways.html or call 407-239-3854.

Best Local Ice Cream & Sorbet: LuLu's

Now that I have discovered it, I keep going back to Lu Lu's Ice Cream Shop in Winter Park. The quality of ice cream and sorbet there, along with the variety of flavors and helpful staff, is just outstanding. 

It doesn't hurt that this walk-up ice cream stand is next to Krispy Kreme Winter Park. When the light is on, you can pair a fresh, out-of-the-oven warm doughnut with ice cream. What can be better than that? 

The other day, I tried Lu Lu's Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which had an amazing flavor. I also brought home the Strawberry Basil Sorbet and the Pineapple Sorbet. I was a little wary of the pairing of strawberry and basil, but it was truly delicious. Both flavors were present in the sorbet. The pineapple was outstanding as well. What I am most impressed by is how LuLu's quality Orlando ice cream supplier achieves such a creamy texture to its sorbets. You would swear you were eating ice cream.

Lu Lu's is also known for its delicous milkshakes and banana splits. Don't miss the shop's "Light up Lu Lu" event on November 29, which features fire spinners, Christmas lights, and Lu Lu's new winter flavors.


Where: 1111 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, Fla.

Stellar Food, Drinks & Atmosphere Await at Marlow's Winter Park

You do not expect a restaurant with "tavern" in the name - and with such reasonable prices - to have such outstanding food and professional servers. That is exactly what we experienced while dining at Marlow's Tarvern Winter Park this week.

Grapefruit Ricky

The outside and inside of the restaurant has been transformed into a cozy upscale restaurant/ bar feel; there are virtually no traces of the McDonald's that used to be in this location! We visited Marlow's Tavern to try the restaurant's new winter menu, which includes apps such as Hoisin BBQ Ribs and  Beet, Quinoa & Goat Cheese, along with entrees such as Grilled Salmon and Pomengranate Tuna Salad.

Of course, we had to try the new winter drinks as well. Fire on Ice is a must-try: it features flavors that I want in the fall and around Thanksgiving. Made with Cachacha Gold, Blood Orange Shrub and St. Elizabeth Allspice, the allspice flavor is unique and makes the drink. We also enjoyed one of the traditional drinks on the menu: the Grapefruit Ricky. It's not too sweet and is made with voda, fresh grapefruit and lime, and St. Germaine elderflower.

I was most surprised by the quality of food served at Marlow's, for the excellent prices charged. The apps are reasonably priced, burgers start at $8.50, and all entrees are under $20. The restaurant - as well as its sister restaurant at Pointe Orlando - source the highest quality meat and seafood for its meals, and most of its produce is purchased within 50 miles of the restaurant.

Lump Crab Beignets

We started with the Lump Crab Beignets, which I have to say are one of the best appetizers I have had in quite a while. Inside a crispy, fried ball, you get flavorful bites of crab, and then you dip this warm goodness in a Wasabi Honey Mustard Sauce. I will return to Marlow's just to enjoy this app along with one of the many craft beers on tap.

We tried a couple of the new winter entrees: Crispy Brick Chicken and Pan Seared Trout. The chicken was cooked perfectly and we loved the flavor of the Parmesan and Angel Hair Carbonera with bacon and carmelized onions that was served with the chicken. The trout has a lovely Asian flavor, thanks to the Quinoa Fried Rice and Soy Glaze served with it. What I was most impressed by was that my fish was cooked perfectly: tender on the inside with nice, crispy skin.

Even though we were stuffed, we made room for dessert. The new Warm Chocolate Cake is to die for. The Jack syrup and pecans served with the cake make this a perfect fall treat. The Classic Creme Brulee was also delicious.

Crispy Brick Chicken

We will definitely return to Marlow's Tavern with friends. We want to try out Happy Hour specials, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. daily, and the brunch, which is served every Saturday and Sunday. One of the most popular items for brunch is the Chicken and Waffles, and I also want to try the Crab Cakes Benedict and Marlow's "Over-stuffed" French Toast. You must also check out the full Bloody Mary bar for Sunday Funday. I have never seen so many choices for Bloody Marys!

Where: 1008 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, Fla.

The Top Food and Drinks to Try at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

We started out our unforgettable dining experience at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando in the hotel's lounge, Peacock Alley. We had to try a cocktail there like no other: The Peacock Egg. So, this delightful concoction is a basically a Gin Lavender Lemonade drink, frozen into the shape of an egg. You sip the liquid through a hole in the egg, which is lit from below. You must try this at least once! Another delicious drink in Peacock Alley was the Waldorf Special, an amazing rum and pineapple martini. Peacock Alley also has several small plates and appetizers, and is a great place to hang out with a glass of wine and enjoy the piano music.

Next, we visited Bull & Bear, the hotel's signature steakhouse. Our first apps were Steak Tartar with Ground Mustard and Tarragon and Cheese and Sausage Crackers. Not only was the presentation of these apps delightful, but so was the flavor. The

tartar was probably the best we have tried, and the cracker was so light. The Tuna "Ring Around the Rosey" is a wondrous platter of tuna prepared three different ways: Tuna Tartar, Smoked Tuna and Tuna Confit. The delicious preparations - we liked all three! - were paired with a sorbet of water from the Atlantic Ocean. The sorbet brought all the various sea flavors to life even more.

The starter you must try at Bull & Bear is the Pasta Explosion. The pasta is so light because of a unique phyllo-dough type pasta that is prepared in-house. Inside is a mousse made with the highest quality prosciutto from Spain, paired with Parmigiano Reggiano. The tiny pastas each make for a perfect bite. 

On to entrees: The New York Strip is unlike any strip steak you have seen. It is so thick, you would think it was Filet Mignon. Bull & Bear gets its steak from a butcher in the Midwest who selects only the top five percent of cows. And you can tell it is a top quality piece of meat, with its delicious flavor and simple preparation.

We also had Florida Black Grouper, which is in season. The grouper may have been the most perfectly-cooked piece of fish I have had: not overdone and crispy skin. But the flavors that are paired with the fish is what I will remember most. The light almond milk sauce (prepared dairy-free for me) and walnut oil atop the quinoa accompaniment added a different flavor profile to the fish, which I really loved.

We had to try the hand-cut French Fries, which are cut in house, fried in beef tallow, and paired

with house-made aioli and ketchup. Can I just say the accompaniments are perfect? The French Fries themselves were crispy, but too salty for my taste.

There are so many amazing desserts to choose from at Bull & Bear, including Beignets. Because we were so stuffed, we opted for something lighter: The Lemon. I'm so glad we did. You cannot really understand how unique and flavorful this dessert is until you try it for yourself. Waldorf Astoria chefs basically developed a way for guests to enjoy all parts of the lemon. The candied lemon rind is delicious, as is the lemon curd. The lemon sorbet is probably the lightest sorbet I've had.

Obviously, we were beyond pleased and impressed with this dinner. The atmosphere is incredible, as is the service. A team of servers takes care of your every need. I also appreciated how the chefs prepared special foods for my gluten-free and dairy-free needs. So many people have food allergies, and this is one restaurant that makes a variety of delectable options available for those with special diets.

Unforgettable Culinary Adventures at Waldorf and Hilton's Food & Wine Weekends

Are you looking for an unforgettable dining experience this weekend? I promise that you will find that at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek's Orlando Food & Wine Weekends, which run through November 9.

The two fabulous properties have created unique culinary events that complement the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. However, after dining at the Waldorf's Bull & Bear restaurant, I can tell you that the food that these expertly-trained chefs whip up - and the personalized treatment you receive - will be far beyond the crowded experience of the Food & Wine Festival.

Every weekend, the Waldorf and Hilton Bonnect Creek features the events below and more. Pick and choose which ones you would like to try, and then go back next weekend for something different.

Bar du Chocolat and Champagne Tasting: choose from a buffet of carefully made chocolate treats from Waldorf Astoria Orlando's world-class pastry team, using recipes from all over the world. These chocolate conocotions are paried with an extensive selection of fine champagnes. 

A Taste of Waldorf Astoria: try exclusive tasting menus and wine pairings from master chefs in the Waldorf Astoria brand. 

II Cibo Della Vita: New tasting menus and wine pariings every weekend from the kitchen of La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

Pea Ringu - The Art of Sushi Pairing: the outstanding culinary team at Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge explore perfect pariings for its outstanding sushi dishes, includign beer, sake, and wine.

Royal Tea: Guests can savor to tea, house-made pastries, and tea sandwiches in the wonderful, fun environment that is Peacock Alley. 

For more details on these events, visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/food-wine or www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com/food-wine.

Funny New Indy Movie & Great Food at Enzian

Run, don't walk to the Enzian to see "In a World...." This indy film, written and produced by Lake Bell, had our whole family laughing throughout. That is difficult to do, when you get a group of people together who all have different interests and backgrounds!

Bell also stars in this movie, as a struggling vocal coach who strikes it big in the cutthroat world of movie-trailer voiceovers. The many dysfunctional family moments throughout are great, since she is competing against the voiceover king of the day, which happens to be her father.

I love going to the Enzian, not just for the movies, but for the atmosphere. It is nice to sit back and relax and order real food (not just nachos and hot dogs) and adult beverages. All the meals I have had there have been delicious. There are quite a few different sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and desserts to choose from.

For snacks, I recommend the Truffle Fries and the Popcorn. Yum. Homemade, buttery tasting popcorn. 

Where: 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, Fla.

Enjoy a Long Weekend in Jacksonville

 I don't understand why more Orlandoans don't think of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach for a long weekend getaway! I had a chance to experience the city recently and want to share with you the best places to stay, eat and play.

I think what really made our trip special and relaxing was staying at the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk on the St. John's River. I would highly recommend staying at one of the hotel's expansive suites on the fifth floor. When you walk into your suite, the first thing you see is the amazing view: the immaculate 1.2-mile wooden Riverwalk sports a ferry that takes you to Broadway plays and the symphony. And the backdrop is the beautiful Jacksonville city skyline.

Inside the suite is a massive living room with modern furniture, a kitchen/ bar area, a beautiful bedroom with king-size bed, and the biggest hotel bathroom I have ever been in. Seriously. This bathroom sports a jacuzzi tub, shower, and even a closet. 

Fortunately, you don't have to go far for food and drinks. The Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk sports the Currents Lounge, which has an elegant atmosphere and upscale cocktails to match. The lounge's dinner menu - which features many Cajun dishes - is quite extensive. You can ask the mixologist to create one of his unique concoctions. The night we were there, he crafted a delicious chocolate strawberry margarita! 

For dinner, we tried the special of the day: grouper with rice pilaf and vegetables. The fish was cooked alright, but was quite greasy. The rice and vegetables were good. We also had the Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta. It was seasoned well, but was oversauced. 

Within walking distance of the hotel is the highly-rated BB's Restaurant and a yummy Thai eatery. Stay tuned: next week, I'll tell you about the other great places to eat in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach!