Get ready to freshen up for dinner at Swine & Sons! The restaurant is teaming up with Frog Song Organics as an official pickup site for their Community Supported Agriculture, where community members can pick up tasty and seasonal produce.

To kick off the new partnership, Swine & Sons is hosting a three-course dinner priced at $50 (plus tax and gratuity) on Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. Designed to be an educational experience, guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne and be cultured on all things fresh, plus the benefits of a CSA membership by Frog Song Organics owners and farmers, John and Amy. For reservations, call 407.636.7601.

And as a bonus to this dinner announcement, Alexia Gawlak, Chef/Partner at Swine & Sons, recently spoke to us about Frog Song and their budding partnership. Additionally, we spoke with Amy Van Scoik, Frog Song farmer and co-owner to get the scoop on their farm, CSA memberships and more. Happy reading!

Alexia Gawlak, Chef/Partner at Swine & Sons:

Do you always purchase produce for Frog Song Organics? And which dishes feature produce from the farm?

• We almost always feature items from Frog Song on the menu at Cask & Larder, and also occasionally at Swine & Sons. At Cask & Larder we feature Crudite, Tilefish, Tomato Salad and Beans & Greens and at Swine & Sons it’s the Strawberry Shortcake.

What inspired you to become a pick-up location?

•  Our relationship with Frog Song Organics is long running, so this partnership happened pretty organically. We’ve always wanted to offer fresh produce to our customers, but didn’t want to assume the risk of spoilage. This is a win-win partnership. We keep the boxes in the cooler until guests arrive for pick up. Simply ask any Swine team member to grab it for you!

What’s your favorite fruit or vegetable to cook with during the spring?

•  I love Florida strawberries. I think it’s so cool that we live in one of the very few places in the United States where strawberry season starts so early in the spring. We recently pickled a bunch of Frog Song’s green strawberries for the menu at Cask so we’re already putting them to use, even this early in the season!

Amy Van Scoik, Frog Song Co-Owner:

Where is your farm located?

• Our farm is a two-hour drive north from Winter Park.  Our location gives us a “real” winter time and allows us to grow a wide diversity of crops.

What should guests expect to learn from the dinner at Cask & Larder?

• We love what we do, and we hope to share some of our passion for producing food. Guests will learn what crops are being planted now for our spring harvest and how we deal with challenges such as the weather. Guests will also learn about a concept called Community Supported Agriculture, which has been growing in popularity as a way to partner with a farm and support the existence of agriculture in your community.

How many pick-up locations are there in town? Where can readers found out more?

• We currently have pick up locations at Swine & Sons on Wednesdays, and the Winter Park Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. We also have the ability to set up a workplace or school delivery for groups of twelve or more.

What are the benefits to purchasing from your farm?

• I would say that the most consistent feedback from customers is that they choose our products specifically because of flavor and freshness. For our CSA members, there is an experience of getting new varieties that you cannot find in a grocery store and learning what is really in season.

Photo Credits: Frog Song Farms

Check out Foodie Top 100 Restaurants U.S. 2016: South

by Foodie Editor at Mode

Roses are red, violets are blue, don’t wait to make a reservation because the joke will be on you! Not my joke, but a pretty good one nonetheless…bottom line, don’t forget to make that all important Valentine’s Day reservation, February 14 is swiftly approaching.

• Make this Valentine’s Day a sweet one–The Sweet Shop, that is! Pop into any 4 Rivers Smokehouse,  (1600 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park) for sugary treats—try the 6-inch Black Tie Cake ($19.99); double chocolate cake frosted in buttercream, drizzled in chocolate ganache and topped with chocolate-covered strawberries. Craving cake without the commitment? We recommend the Sweetheart Cakeballs ($8.99/dozen); Red Velvet cake dipped in white or milk chocolate and garnished in pink and white.

• This year, Tapa Toro (8411 International Drive #260, Orlando) is spreading the love with celebrations for family and sweethearts. Table for two? They’re serving up a prix fixe ($75.00/couple, available Friday–Sunday) featuring courses of Sopa de Tomate, tomato soup with serrano grilled cheese; Ensalada de Fresas, strawberry, orange, red onion, cucumber and queso fresco; Short Rib & Shrimp-Chorizo Pincho, with carrot puree and asparagus; and Pina a la Parilla, grilled pineapple and lime with toasted cake, pistachio yogurt ice cream and molasses.  Can’t get a sitter? They have you covered! Tapa Toro is offering fun for the whole family on Saturday, February 13 with a kid-friendly prix fixe. Balloon artist, magician, arts & crafts and cookie decorating (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

• It’s love at first bite at Taverna Opa Orlando (9101 International Drive #2240, Orlando), where couples are invited to share a prix fixe of favorites such as House-made Hummus; Saganaki, kasseri cheese flamed tableside with brandy; 22 oz. Porterhouse; 7 oz. Lobster Tail; and Loukoumades,Greek-style beignets topped with Nutella and strawberries ($85.00/couple, available Friday–Sunday).
• Fall in love at Bento Café: Asian Kitchen + Sushi (151 S Orange Ave., Orlando) with the XOXO Roll—spicy tuna, krab delite, jalapeno and tempura flakes, topped with creamy sweet chili and red tobiko, wrapped with soy paper, tilapia and tuna ($9.50).
• This Valentine’s day, do more than just dinner—share a meaningful experience with your special someone! Dragonfly Robata Grill + Sushi (7972 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando) hosting a special couples-only Valentine’s day sushi class from 11:30 – 1:30. At the class:
  • Enjoy unlimited Valentine’s Day Mimosa’s
  • Enjoy complimentary Valentine’s day aperitifs and passed hors d’oeuvres
  • Learn a brief history of sushi
  • Work with tools of the trade—both ancient and new
  • Make the perfect sushi rice, sushi and hand rolls to share with you partner

Happy February 14!