Spork Orlando - Page 33 of 72 - Finding Orlando's Tastiest Tables

Braccia: Cross-Cultural Cuisine

Sep 272015

Have you ever tried Brazilian pizza? Me either. Well that is until we visited Braccia Pizzeria & Ristorante, one of Park Avenue’s newest restaurants. We recently tasted all that Braccia has to offer from savory and sweet pizzas to hand-made pastas and other Brazilian-Italian fusion dishes. A relatively small space, but one that’s filled with charm and authenticity. This cross-cultural fusion is certainly one of a kind in town and a spot worth visiting if you’re looking for something different for dinner.

Here’s a wide range of what we sampled and recommend if you’re craving some international flavor.

Beef Carpaccio: Paper thin beef slices with mixed greens, caper sauce with homemade pizza crisps.

Speciality Pizzas – Portuguese, Chicken with Catupiry, Brie with Apricot and Canadian Ham with Mango Chutney: A menu flooded with pizzas served on a flaky crust akin to a delicate cracker. Vastly different than America’s version, this pizza is made with a thin crust, a light pomodoro sauce and toppings with nods to both Brazil and Italy.

Fish en Croite: Fresh Cod in a chestnut crust accompanied by a Sicilian risotto. A mild and flaky fish infused with flavor thanks to it’s chestnut exterior. Paired with the creamy risotto, this dish is sure to make you a fan of Brazilian-Italian cuisine.

Tucked right behind Park Avenue, Braccia Pizzeria & Ristorante is sure to mix up your palate!

A Day Devoted to Coffee

Sep 222015

The national food holidays continue, hooray! Next Tuesday is National Coffee Day, and to celebrate Barnie’s will unveil their anniversary coffee flavor. The shop held a contest this summer, asking their fans to vote to bring back one classic Barnie’s flavor for their 35^th Anniversary. Plus Barnie’s will offer one free cup of coffee per guest all day on National Coffee Day!

And if you’re a Dunkin’ Donuts fan enjoy a free medium hot or iced Dark Roast coffee in all locations. Plus Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding their espresso beverage lineup with the introduction of their new Pumpkin Macchiato. Available hot or iced, Dunkin’ Donuts’ Pumpkin Macchiato is a handcrafted, layered espresso beverage made with steamed milk and pumpkin flavored swirl, then topped with a double shot of freshly-brewed espresso. The Pumpkin Macchiato will be available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants by September 28.

So perk up, there’s free coffee coming your way. Happy National Coffee Day friends!

Photo Credit: Dunkin’ Donuts

Christner’s Cutting Board Series

Sep 222015

Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster will welcome an intimate group of steak and wine enthusiasts to join them on Friday, October 2. For $115 per person, guests will gather in a private dining room for an interactive dinner with wine pairings featuring Monica and Jay Sadie of Sovereign Selection, a Central Florida-based distributor specializing in South African wines. Reservations can be made via e-mail at Christners@rockawaypr.com.

The October wine dinner will feature the following courses:

First Course: Shrimp Sampler paired with 2013 Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc
Second Course: Sesame Seared Tuna paired with 2010 Avontuur Reserve Pinot Noir
Third Course: Dinner Salad with blue cheese dressing paired with 2012 Clos Malverne Reserve Pinotage
Fourth Course: Filet Mignon with fresh asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and chateau potatoes paired with 2011 Boschkloof Cabernet Sauvignon
Fifth Course: Chocolate Cake paired with 2009 Cheval d’Or, Warlord Red Blend

WHERE: Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster

WHEN: Friday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m.

COST: $115 (tax and gratuity included)

Photo Credit: Christner’s

Shipt: Grocery Delivery Service

Sep 162015

Imagine a world where you can grocery shop from your sofa….in your pajamas. Imagine no more because this is now a reality in Orlando. Shipt, a grocery delivery service, is serving up some of the best food in town – your grocery list.

Last week while driving back from vacation I was dreading my weekly grocery trip. The parking, the shopping, the grocery unload on the conveyor belt, the car load, the lugging of food inside and then finding the space for all your ingredients. The grocery store in a word….hassle.

I’m totally describing an insignificant problem, yet Shipt is making my life just a little bit simpler. After placing a quick order through the app, my personal Shipt shopper came to the door and delivered my entire grocery list, including some hard to find spicy pistachios.

And the pricing? For a $15 monthly fee you can have unlimited groceries delivered to you all at the touch of your phone. It’s amazing. So whether your a busy professional or stay-at-home mom, Shipt has set out to make one chore a little bit more manageable. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to order some apples and gummy worms.

Sip, Shop and Stroll on Park Avenue

Sep 142015

Last week we attended Winter Park’s Sip, Shop and Stroll, a wine and food filled evening along Orlando’s most famous street. And if you missed the event last week, #ParkAveSip will return on Thursday, November 10. During each sip event you’ll have the opportunity to visit over 25 different places during your stroll. Participating locations include Alex and Ani, Boca Winter Park, Cocina 214, Lilly Pulitzer, Luma on Park, Park Plaza Gardens, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, The Ancient Olive and so much more!

This periodic event is perfect for date night or an evening with your BFFs. Throughout our stops we collected wine, sushi and a glitter monogrammed water bottle from The Grove. We so enjoyed our two hour stroll along Park Ave – this is one of those must try events. Here’s some highlights from our Winter Park evening.

The Ancient Olive: Multiple stations of wine, cocktails, desserts and BBQ, it was like a mini culinary experience in The Hidden Garden.

Boca + ABO: The only place that served beer, so props to Boca and ABO for doling out some hops alongside shrimp and grits.

The Grove: While sampling a sparking cocktail, we picked up a gold glitter water bottle complete with a monogram made on-site. #winning

Peterbrooke: I FINALLY got to taste the best invention ever known to cookies. The Cookie Shot. Yep, a chocolate chip cookie used for tasting and sipping. Paired with four different coffee cocktails by mü, we enjoyed every sip and bite.

Umi Sushi: Our last stop on the stroll and our first time to visit this sushi restaurant. We enjoyed the sake and samples, so we ended up staying for more. We ordered the Crunchy Hako, a raw and spicy roll with tuna, rice crackers, micro greens and a honey-Tabasco sauce. We demolished this plate in about 60 seconds and will be back for more sushi soon.

Photo Credits: Peterbrooke and The Grove

Taste of Thornton Park

Sep 132015

The 14^th annual Taste of Thornton Park returns next month and will serve as an annual fundraiser event for the Thornton Park Neighborhood Association. Proceeds from Taste of Thornton Park will fund the various community events throughout the neighborhood including the Four Rivers fountain. Wines, cocktails, savory entree samples and sweets are all served throughout the evening.

Participating vendors include Hawkers, Dexter’s, World of Beer and so many more neighborhood favorites. With an expansive line-up it’s easy to see why this event sells out each year. For a complete list of participating vendors click here.

When: Thursday, October 15th, 2015 from 6:30 – 9:30
Where: Intersection of Washington and Hyer around the fountain
Tickets: Tickets are $30.00 for advance purchase and $40.00 at the gate. Click here for online ticket purchase.

Stefano’s Grill with Chef Steff

Sep 132015

Dr. Phillips is know for its “Restaurant Row” and a slew of high-end restaurants, but there’s a different side to this area – one that’s full of local restaurants run by Chefs passionate about their trade. We recently sat down to a complete menu tasting compliments of Orlando My Way and Stefano’s Grill. Known to locals as “Chef Steff,” his culinary excellence was evident in each of the dishes brought before us.

Not only is Chef Steff comfortable in the kitchen, but also in front of the cameras. He has cooked for a wide-range of superstars on such shows as Fox’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period”, ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown”, and The Food Network’s “Food Finds.”

An Italian inspired menu, Stefano’s serves up everything from extra large proteins to breaded vegetables. Infused with care and consideration, Chef Steff’s menu is one that’s worth tasting and experiencing first hand. Here’s a sampling of what you can expect to find at Stefano’s Grill.

Fried Zucchini: Thinly sliced, lightly floured, flash fried and finished with lemon. The light breading compliments the zucchini, this is one vegetable you’ll actually want to taste.

Stuffed Chicken Milanese: Topped with pure jumbo lump crab cake covered in a lemon butter caper sauce. A creamy land-meets sea dish that had everyone going back for seconds.

Pasta Vodka: San Marzano tomatoes and a splash of cream. A bowl of fabulous carbs with a hint of spice and a creamy tomato sauce. One of my favorite entrees of the evening and a must try if you’re in a pasta mood.

Tomahawk: Rumor has it locals receive a special offer on this gargantuan, typically pricey, cut of meat. A rich buttery steak equally impressive in presentation and flavor.

Coconut Cake: Light, airy and pillow soft – this cake was a joy to taste.

We enjoyed a slew of other dishes and desserts – almost too many to count! An overall delightful evening and one that has our taste buds wanting more of this Italian goodness.

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