Touted as the world’s first cupcake bakery by Food Network, Sprinkles will open on May 15 in Disney Springs. The location will feature both the traditional bakery offering freshly baked cupcakes and an assortment of ice creams and cookies, as well as the brand’s unique Cupcake ATM that dispenses freshly baked cupcakes and cookies for customers who want a sugar rush on the go!

Sprinkles Cupcakes are handcrafted from the finest ingredients and are available in a variety of flavors including Banana,Carrot, Salty Caramel, Strawberry and Sprinkles’ bestseller, Red Velvet.  The Orlando menu will also feature Sprinkles signature cookies and ice cream, both of which come in a range of flavors such as Butter Pecan, Rocky Road and Cap’n Crunch; and Snickerdoodle, Salted Oatmeal Cornflake and Peanut Butter Pretzel Chip. Sprinkles also keeps an eye towards customers with specific dietary needs, offering vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free cupcake, cookie and sorbet options.

A highly unique aspect to Sprinkles is its exclusive Cupcake ATM, which offers guests tasty treats even when the bakery is closed. The Cupcake ATM is one of the bakery’s most popular offerings, with Sprinkles at Disney Springs becoming the 12th ATM location. The Cupcake ATM can hold up to 400 cupcakes at a time and is constantly restocked throughout the day to ensure freshness.

Sprinkles will be open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight. The Cupcake ATM will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Delivery will also be available within a 100 mile radius via online and phone ordering. See you soon Sprinkles!

Photo Credit: Sprinkles

Last week we attended the second annual Orlando Whiskey Festival at Audi South Orlando….and whether you are a serious whisky connoisseur or you simply enjoy a good whiskey cocktail, this event is one you must consider attending next year. This tasting allowed us the opportunity to sample about 100 whiskey brands (and although we didn’t make it through all 100, we did pretty well!) We know it can be dangerous to drink on an empty stomach so lucky for us this event also featured menu selections from some of Orlando’s most popular restaurant groups including fried catfish tacos from 4 Rivers Smokehouse and sliders and mac ’n cheese from Hard Rock Cafe.

Below are a few favorites from the event:

• Favorite Bourbon: Four Roses Private Barrel
  • Tasting notes: prunes, morello cherries, cocoa and vanilla

• Favorite Rye: Michter’s Single Barrel Rye
  • Tasting notes: sweet aroma, caramel, vanilla and a slight floral undertone

• Favorite Scotch: Glengoyne 21 Year Scotch
  • Tasting notes: soft oak, mild vanilla, stewed fruits, hazelnuts

• Favorite Cocktail: Handcrafted Old Forester Old Fashioned. This iconic drink was most appropriately constructed with the rich and iconic Old Forester Bourbon. Add in bitters, sugar, an orange slice and a bartender who understood the artful craft of the cocktail, and the result was a perfectly balanced and refreshing drink.

The night concluded with a live auction which allowed guests to bid on some rare offerings including Pappy Van Winkle 20 year. All of the proceeds from the event went to benefit The Lovely Project. See you next year whiskey festival!

Photo Credit: Orlando Whiskey Festival

Where can you find a brunch that includes a buffet (with charcuterie and pink doughnuts), chicken and waffles, unlimited mimosas and a lovely view? Disney! The Four Seasons at the Walt Disney World Resort has upped the luxury game at the parks once again. From their serene spa, to adult-only pool and now expansive brunch, this resort is ideal for travelers and day-cations. One step inside the property and you’ll feel like you’re on a mini-vacation.

Plancha, the lakeside Cuban American restaurant at Tranquilo Golf Club at the Four Seasons, now offers Sunday brunch. Their new three-course menu includes multiple buffet stations (including dessert), choice of entrée, plus soft drinks/juices/coffee, bottomless Mimosas and build your own Bloody Marys, for $68 per person. Perfect for a leisurely lunch on a lazy day, these expansive offerings were a joy to experience.

The buffet included assorted salads, fruits, smoked salmon and bagels, artisan meats and cheeses, black bean hummus and vegetables, assorted breakfast pastries and much, much more. Most impressive? Someone live on-site making fresh juice! The charcuterie table was full of tasty goodies as well. We so enjoyed sampling a wide range of tastes and then grazing on entrees all alongside bottomless beverages.

Entrees and a la carte items range from a “very berry” French toast, oatmeal pancakes, and fried chicken and white cheddar waffles. This fried chicken was heavenly and more on the savory side, making it the perfect accompaniment to a Bloody Mary. The French toast was worth every bite as well, not too sweet and lots of gooey bread.

And for the little ones in your party, a children’s buffet is available for $20 per child, including chicken tenders, grilled salmon, mac & cheese, mini burgers or pancakes.

So whether your passing through the theme parks or need a mini getaway, the Four Seasons is high on our list for relaxation and tasty plates. Brunch will be available every Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Plancha offers complimentary valet parking and complimentary self-parking.  For reservations, call 407 313 6161. Click here for full menu details.

And….in case you need another excuse to visit the Four Seasons, here are a few upcoming events!

• New Menu at PB&G: The popular lakeside restaurant featuring rotisserie meats and Southern favorites, has expanded its dining hours and now offers a dinner menu.

• Jockeys & Juleps – It’s Derby Time at PB&G: It’s off to the races for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Four Seasons Resort Orlando invites guests to break out their Derby hats and suit up in seersucker and bold prints for a viewing party at PB&G from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.

• Mother’s Day: Ravello will offer a decadent buffet menu from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with many different offerings including pasta stations, a seafood bar and raw bar, a carving station with prime rib and herb-crusted lamb leg, and much more. There will also be a full dessert buffet station and separate children’s buffet.  Brunch is $110 per adult and $45 per child age 5-12.
  • For dinner service, Capa will feature its regular menu, but will also have a special supplementary menu with specials including a duck confit appetiser and a petite filet, plus a chocolate lava cake dessert with banana ice cream.  Plus, all moms will receive a complimentary glass of cava and a box of macarons for celebrating at Capa.

• “Texsom” Wine Dinner at Capa: This special dinner is intended for those truly passionate about wine. Capa is welcoming five Master Sommeliers on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:30 pm for an interactive wine dinner. The Master Sommeliers will pour 30 award winning wines for an educational and culinary experience.  The exclusive dinner is $130 per person and reservations are required.

The Osprey Tavern, helmed by Executive Chef Joseph Burnett, offers a modern take on traditional tavern-inspired cuisine, while embracing the popular movement toward local and sustainable ingredients. Through its partnership with the James Beard Foundation, The Osprey Tavern will raise funds to provide scholarship support to students who demonstrate potential for a successful career in the culinary industry. Kicking off at 7 p.m. on April 9, Beard in Baldwin, a Friends of James Beard Benefit, aims to highlight Florida’s most talented chefs and restaurants in Baldwin Park.

For $75 per ticket, guests will have the opportunity to delight in an outdoor foodie playground on the lake featuring gourmet fare, fine wines and spirits and live music by The Legendary JC’s. Of the more than 25 confirmed restaurants, Beard-nominated concepts, such as The Rusty Spoon, K Restaurant, Norman’s, and The Ravenous Pig will be in attendance, alongside local favorites including Seito, Highball & Harvest, Hawkers and Tapa Toro.

Elevating the experience is an indoor VIP celebration– $150 per ticket– that offers access to The Osprey Tavern, where guests can enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Burnett’s “chef friends” from around the state and craft cocktails by Osprey Tavern’s beverage director, Harrison Cremata. Top-billed talent to be sampled inside The Osprey Tavern include:

• This year’s two-time James Beard nominated Brad Kilgore of Alter in Miami
• James Beard semifinalist Timon Balloo of SUGARCANE raw bar grill in Miami
• Ferrell Alvarez of Rooster & the Till in Tampa
• Bravo TV’s “Best New Restaurant” semifinalist Cesar Zapata of The Federal Food, Drink & Provisions in Miami
• Pastry Chef Kristy Carlucci will be partnering with Hichem Lahreche of Criollo Chocolatier in Orlando to create a unique dessert experience.

“Blending some of Florida’s best talent and raising funds for future leaders in the culinary industry was the inspiration behind Beard in Baldwin,” says Chef Burnett. “From chefs to local sponsors, each participant enables us to curate an evening that generates well-deserved attention to the Baldwin Park community and greater Orlando.”

For ticket information and a complete list of participating restaurants and sponsors, please visit www.beardinbaldwin.com.