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Make Plans to Visit the Four Seasons {and soon!}

Sep 282016

As if you need an excuse to visit the Four Seasons this fall, but just in case you do, here are a few (fun) events happening soon.

James Beard Preview Dinner on November 3:

Chef Fabrizio Schenardi and Chef Rabii Saber are set to present dinner at the legendary James Beard House! Experience the menu firsthand and send off the chefs at a preview dinner on November 3, 2016.
This invite-only opportunity is extended by the James Beard House to chefs based on numerous criteria, including national reputation and demonstrated culinary excellence. The dynamic duo is headed to the Big Apple to cook at the James Beard House on Saturday, November 12, 2016.

Schenardi and team will present a five-course dinner, including a shaved artichoke salad with wild watercress, ricotta, toasted pistachios and a Moscato vinaigrette; smoked Clear Creek wagyu beef with beef fat aioli, charred leek and garrotxa; Carabinero shrimp with a saffron broth, sunchokes and mint; Ellensburg lamb tenderloin with quince, pumpkin and maple; and an apple rustic tart, with Spanish tetilla cheese and vanilla gelato. Each course will be paired with a different wine. The menu was designed to showcase the diverse restaurant concepts at the resort, representing “a culinary tour of Four Seasons Orlando.” Enjoy flavors from local Florida fare to Cuban and then Spanish to Italian all in one evening.

Attendees will be invited to sign a special “lucky apron” that the chefs can wear when they’re at the James Beard House. The dinner is available for $95 per person (tax and gratuity additional). Call for reservations: 407 313 6161.

Italy, Italy, Italy October 27-29:

This October, Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi, who hails from Torino, Italy, will bring Italian guest chefs in partnership from the Italian Food Style Education (IFSE) Culinary School in Italy to prepare an Italian culinary extravaganza. Ravello will be host to several events highlighting the Piemonte region of Italy.

The three-day event will begin with a welcome tasting of imported Italian extra virgin olive oils with housemade breads, a decadent appetizer buffet, and wine tasting. Day two consists of a five-course Italian feast in Ravello and a dessert party in Capa; and a pop-up Italian Market will be offered Thursday through Sunday, to feature imported olive oils, wines, and housemade Italian pastries and desserts, from Chef Fabrizio’s bomboloni and biscotti to his housemade limocello and gelato. Visitors to the Italian Market can purchase these delicacies to-go, or can purchase and enjoy on property. A special Italian coffee lounge will feature delicious lattes, cappuccinos and more, to be enjoyed on the gorgeous outdoor terrace. Complimentary classes will also be offered to resort guests and to the public.

For more details about this grand celebration of Italy click here!

See you at the Four Seasons.

Photo Credits: Four Seasons

Navigating the Epcot Food & Wine Festival like a Pro

Sep 282016

With 62 days, 30 global marketplaces and 49 new cocktails, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of Walt Disney World’s magical options during their 21^st annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. But, with a little planning and a sprinkle of patience (or more wine), it’s easy to navigate this epic event. From culinary demonstrations to lavish parties and eating and drinking around the world, there’s something for every palate and preference.

Here’s how to master this unparalleled festival like a master:

Timing is Everything: Weekends are usually packed, if you have time during the week you can breeze through the World Showcase with minimal crowds and lines. If Saturday and Sunday are your only option, go early to avoid the mega crowds. Epcot typically opens at 9 or 10 a.m., so if you’re into day-drinking you can beat the influx of tourists earlier in the morning.

Make a Plan: Scope out the marketplaces ahead of time that are a must visit for you. It’s tempting to grab the first plate you see, but with 30 spots you’ll want a plan. If you’re in need of some air conditioning and beer stop by the Craft Beers indoor pavilion for pimento cheese, charcuterie and sips from local Florida breweries.

The Price of Bubbles: Save your cash for the good stuff, Dom Pérignon and Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label are available by the glass at the Desserts & Champagne Marketplace. Both are the perfect complement to virtually any dish at the festival and won’t weigh you down on a hot Florida fall day.

Pace Yourself with a FastPass+: Unless you’re a professional eater, there’s only so much your stomach can handle in a day. Break up your time with a FastPass+ and check out the new Soarin’ or recently re-imagined Test Track. Download the Walt Disney World app and grab your attraction reservation in advance, you’ll relish the caloric break and welcome the air conditioned rides.

Learn from the Masters: For a mere $15 you can hear from renowned chefs and wine experts with culinary demonstrations and wine seminars. From local talent to nationally acclaimed professionals, these seminars occur multiple times a day throughout the festival. There’s something for every interest and palate, plus they’re quite the bargain!

Reservations Recommended: After a day of wine samples and small plates you’ll probably be in the mood for a full and balanced meal. Drive (or Uber) over to the Four Seasons Resort near the Magic Kingdom for a change of scenery and visit their authentic Italian spot, Ravello. Plus, if you visit in September you can enjoy their $33 three-course prix-fixe menu. Their wood-fired pizza and wine by the glass list are exceptional as well.

Cheers to 62 days of culinary magic at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival!

Rosé All Day….Delivered!

Sep 232016

Imagine a world where you can purchase wine in your pajamas for same-day delivery. Dream no more because this is a reality in Orlando! {HOORAY} In addition to Publix, Shipt now partners with ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, so all the wine, beer and liquor you care to purchase can now be delivered to your doorstep. From doughnuts to sushi, there are countless delivery services in Orlando, but only one that can have that bottle of wine at your door ASAP.

Shopping can be chaotic: the parking, the cart loading, the unloading of items to pay, the loading of your car, the lugging food inside and then finding the space for everything. It’s all an utter inconvenience. Shipt’s app is super easy to use – you can browse through countless categories including beer, spirits, 90+ rated wines, wine varietals and more! After placing a quick order through the app, my personal Shipt shopper came to the door and voila, Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc delivered! I then returned to my Gossip Girl Netflix binge and put our wine on ice for dinner.

So whether you’re having a low-key night at home or inviting 20 of your closest friends over for a dinner party, Shipt has set out to make the chore of shopping more manageable. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to order some brie and bubbles. Cheers!

Meson Sandwiches

Sep 192016

One visit to Meson Sandwiches and you’re likely to become a fan. This fast-casual spot renowned for its Caribbean-inspired, pressed sandwiches is rapidly expanding in town with three operating locations and two more in the works. National and local publications alike are discovering (and gushing over) this new breed of sandwiches.

We recently visited Meson in Kissimmee and were treated to a myriad of fluffy, fabulous sandwiches! From all-day breakfast to dinner, the restaurant serves up some tasty (and affordable) grub:

All Pro: Virginia ham, pastrami, sautéed onions and melted Swiss cheese. With all of their sandwiches you can choose from a variety of classic and Caribbean-style breads.

Philly’s: A new take on an old classic – roast beef or turkey, sautéed onions and peppers with melted Swiss cheese.

White House: Timely right? Roast beef or turkey, sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese.

Omelette Sandwich: This item is filled with scrambled eggs, peppers, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, ham, mayonnaise and Swiss or American cheese. A perfect marriage of breakfast and lunch all wedged between one sandwich.

Omelette Trio Sandwich: Layer upon layer, upon layer of scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, mayonnaise and Swiss or American cheese.

Surfer Baked Potato: Vegetarians rejoice, there’s options on the menu especially for you! This potato is loaded down with soy salami, Swiss cheese, melted cheddar cheese, pickles, peppers, onions, mushrooms, cabbage, tomatoes and their special sauce. Plus you can turn any sandwich into a baked potato if you wish.

Coffee: With a tradition of excellence since 1736, Puerto Rico takes their coffee seriously. Meson uses hand-selected 100% Arabica beans that are roasted to bring out their delicate flavors and aromas. Move over Starbucks, even Coffee Review Magazine gave El Meson’s brew a rating of excellence.

Meson was founded in Puerto Rico more than four decades ago and is now conquering taste buds in the mainland. So skip the typical chain restaurant sandwich and make your way to Meson Sandwiches!

Find Meson Sandwiches:

1010 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Florida Mall: 8001 Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Premium Outlets: 8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando

1921 by Chef Norman Van Aken

Sep 132016

Every so often a restaurant comes along that you know is bound to be a Central Florida favorite. These restaurants are a rare breed and so uncommon that you almost want to keep the secret to yourself, because with time, everyone will find out about your hidden gem. And while Mount Dora may be known for its arts scene and Christmas decor that rivals Disney’s, it’s now time to add a new accolade to their list. Chef Norman Van Aken, Florida’s only multiple James Beard Award-wining chef recently opened his newest restaurant. 1921.

Situated in a converted home built in 1921, the opening of Chef Van Aken’s highly anticipated restaurant completes the Mount Dora Modernism Museum complex. Unique to Central Florida, the restaurant features an extensive collection of artwork from Tiffany glass to Murano light fixtures, and there are also select pieces on loan from the Modernism Museum which is located conveniently across the street.

Their menu offerings will change regularly, providing guests the opportunity to experience a wide selection of fresh Florida flavors. 1921’s Wine Director, Scott Geisler, works closely with the culinary team to complement the menu, selecting from the restaurant’s list of global wines varying from eclectic to familiar, recent releases, and storied vintages. Rumor has it they are also working on a wine cellar which will house exceptional vintages and varietals. We’re just hoping for cellar dinners in the future!

We were recently treated to the most fabulous meal and sampled a wide variety of 1921’s menu. 1921 delivers on cuisine that is equal parts creative, fresh and exceptional. Their menu lives up to its chef’s James Beard awards, and in time Chef Van Aken may just see his name alongside a Beard nomination for his latest creation.

When you visit, make sure these dishes end up on your table:

Heirloom Tomatoes: I’d consider myself a tomato connoisseur, most of my life I’ve been obsessed with this vegetable (or fruit….tomato, tomahto right?). Beefsteak, Roma or San Marzano, the heirloom tomato reigns king in my book. This particular dish with watermelon, avocado and crumbled Cotija cheese doesn’t just have tomatoes, it makes them the star.

Plantain Flatbread: A perfectly prepared flatbread base topped with cave aged cheddar and pork jowl bacon. I could have eaten the entire thing by myself, but this was the first of many, many courses. A nice option for dining at the bar alongside one of their cocktails.

Roasted Florida Red Snapper: Straight from the ocean to my plate, and served over a bed of subtle coconut curry with a side of charred pineapple and pumpkin. This dish is a Florida September on a plate – all summer with a touch of fall.

Fried Cornish Hen: There’s a sweet, yet touch of spice flavor found in this dish. Coupled with cola collards made from Mexican Coca-Cola and steaming mac n’ cheese, this fabulous twist on a classic Southern meal is both elegant and rustic.

Devil’s Food Cake: The cake’s layers of chocolate ganache enclosed by a decadent peanut butter frosting makes for the perfect ending. 1921’s confections are equally as impressive as their main event.

Georgia Peaches Shortcake: A delicate, yet incredibly flavorful dessert with peach custard, brown sugar crumble, peach jam and whipped cream.

1921 is so worth the short drive from Orlando – make an afternoon of it and explore all that Mount Dora has to offer. Located at 142 East 4th Avenue, Mount Dora, FL 32751, call 352.385.1921 for reservations.

Delectable Dougnuts…..Delivered!

Sep 102016

There’s nothing quite like the intoxicating smell of a doughnut. The fried, sweet smell that wafts through the air like a fine perfume is an unmistakable and oh-so welcome scent. Breakfast or afternoon snack, the doughnut is having its moment thanks to local bakeries across the country. We’ll soon find simple glazed doughnuts in this history books as these circular treats take on creative flavors and toppings.

We’re lucky enough to have DG Doughnuts in town – a small batch, family owned bakery that’s frying, sugaring and delivering fluffy goodness to Central Florida. That’s right…..delivering! If you’ve been following our adventures lately you know how obsessed we are with anything delivered. From Gideon’s to Farm-Haus and now DG Doughnuts, we’re becoming obsessed with local cuisine that arrives at your doorstep. Delivered by the dozen, this bakery accepts orders via email at DGdoughnuts@gmail.com and then coordinates a convenient delivery time with you.

With a variety of rotating flavors, there’s bound to be something to suit your sweet tooth. Most adorable are the vanilla glazed doughnuts topped with a doughnut hole! How ironic, right? And why eat your Cinnamon Toast Crunch with milk when you can enjoy it in doughnut form with their cereal topped creation? And perhaps my favorite, the peanut butter brownie made complete with a dollop of peanut butter and then topped with a Reese’s.

Why are you still reading Spork? Open your email and get some doughnuts delivered.

PS: Fritters more your thing? Grab one of their five pound fritters, literally I think it weighs that much!

A Magical Dining Must: Ravello

Aug 292016

Summer’s end is near, and Magical Dining month is here! With restaurants around Orlando serving up some of their best dishes at magical prices, it’s the perfect excuse to re-energize your dining routine. Now through October 2 experience a $33 three-course dinner from 90 restaurants around town. Included in this lineup is Ravello at the Four Seasons with a menu that’s equally luxe and affordable.

Modern Italian cuisine is the specialty at Ravello restaurant. From bread made in their wood-burning oven, to regionally influenced Italian specialties, including handmade pasta, you’re sure to enjoy a magical evening at the Four Seasons. We sampled a preview of the menu last week, here’s what we feasted on and thoroughly enjoyed.

Tomato and Mozzarella Focaccia: For an additional $5 make sure you add this gooey, pillow-soft bread to your experience. This savory, yet delicate bread is exceptional and layered with ingredients of flavorful proportions.

First Course (choice of):

Carpaccio: paper thin piedmontese beef with cured mushrooms, pickled radish and watercress. Similar to the dish we raved about at Capa, but with a slightly different composition and flavor profile.

Artichoke Torte: Akin to a quiche, but richer and fuller than your typical brunch fare. My pick for your first course choice!

Caesar Salad: Hearts of romaine with Parmesan and focaccia croutons.

Pasta Course ($9 additional):

If you order nothing else, GET – THE – PASTA. With flour from Napoli, san marzano tomatoes and housemade spaghetti, this dish offers a true taste of Italy.

Second Course (choice 0f):

Braised Short Rib: with local heirloom carrots and soft polenta – my husband’s favorite dish of the night.

Pan Seared Local Redfish: a local fish cooked to perfection surrounded by crushed olive oil potatoes, broccolini and key lime basil.

Pollo: Bell & Evans chicken (same place Victoria & Albert’s sources their chicken) with herb crusted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. A massive portion for such a tiny price!

Dessert (choice of):

Florida Strawberry Crostata: with limoncello crema and mango-passion fruit sorbet.

Hazelnut Budino: Y’ALL. There’s a layer of salted caramel hidden beneath this layer of semi-dark chocolate custard. End your night on this sweet note.

With 90 restaurants to choose from, you have some tough dining decisions ahead of you. Just make sure you put Ravello at the top of your list. This taste of affordable luxury is not to be missed.

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