Mar 252015
 

Chicken Salad Chick, one of NRN’s 2015 Breakout Brands, announced today the location of their newest franchise in OrlandoThe restaurant, set to open this summer, will be located in the Plaza at University at 12101 University Blvd, Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32817.

“It will be a pleasure serving the Orlando community the best chicken salad in the South while providing a healthy and refreshing dining alternative.” Owner Adam Reeves said. “We are excited for those who have yet to experience the Chicken Salad Chick concept.  It is a Southern classic!”

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The Chicken Salad Chick concept was established in Auburn, AL in 2008 in the kitchen of founder, Stacy Brown.  Stacy quickly learned that selling a homemade recipe from her kitchen is against the law, and after being shut down by the health department, she decided to solicit the business expertise of her future husband and fellow founder, Kevin Brown. Together, they opened a small takeout restaurant which quickly grew to enormous demand and additional locations.

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Chicken Salad Chick puts an edgy twist on a southern classic, offering customers a “custom-fit” chicken salad experience, with 15 original flavors to choose from, as well as gourmet soups, flavorful side salads and freshly-baked desserts. They were recently named as the top chicken salad in the country to try in the March/April issue of Cooking with Paula Deen, as well as one of QSR’s “Ones to Watch”.

Y’all…..we can’t wait to taste!

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Photo Credits: Chicken Salad Chick

Mar 232015
 

Satisfy your Spring fever with Krispy Kreme’s newest assortment of seasonal treats. Krispy Kreme Chick doughnuts, Egg doughnuts and Chocolate Iced with Spring sprinkles doughnuts are available now through April 5!

Enjoy these cute and tasty treats at Krispy Kreme!

  • Chick Doughnut: A yeast, Kreme™ filled shell dipped in yellow icing, topped with granulated sugar, and hand-decorated like a baby chick.
  • Egg Doughnut: A yeast egg-shaped shell filled with chocolate Kreme™ and hand-decorated with colored icing.
  • Chocolate Iced W/Spring Sprinkles Doughnut: A glazed ring dipped in chocolate and topped with colorful spring sprinkles.

Krispy Kreme Spring Doughnuts

Available at the following Central Florida locations:

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Urbanspoon

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Urbanspoon

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Urbanspoon

Photo Credit: Krispy Kreme

Mar 232015
 

There’s a little place on North Primrose that puts patrons in Thanksgiving-like food comas meal after meal. Of course, nobody’s complaining because once you taste Se7en Bites’ cheddar chive grits or buttermilk biscuit slathered in pimento cheese, you’re sure to become a regular at this quaint breakfast shop.

Locals pile in daily (and especially) on the weekends for a taste of Se7en Bites creations and weekly menu rotations. With offerings ranging from housemade Moon Pies to Breakfast Bread Pudding, you’re sure to find something scrumptious. Specializing in classic Southern fare and an impeccable bakery selection, Se7en Bites is taking over the Orlando brunch scene with authentic Southern flavors and a killer (yet oh so affordable) menu. So, the next time you’re debating where to brunch, look no further than Se7en Bites, and don’t let the long lines scare you, there’s enough room for everyone.

Here’s what we’d recommend for your next brunch date:

  • Southern Buttermilk Garlic Biscuit: with baked egg in ham, pimento cheese, applewood smoked bacon and cheddar chive grits
  • 7th Trimester: buttermilk garlic biscuit, over medium egg, applewood smoked bacon, five cheese mac n’ cheese and topped with a potato chip bacon crumble
  • Quiche of the Day: occasionally served with crumbled feta and sundried tomatoes. Always made with a flaky crust that’s baked to perfection. As an added bonus the quiche is served with the most delicious side salad and balsamic glazed that’s drizzled atop the quiche. Perfection on a plate.
  • Cheddar Chive Grits: a must have side regardless of your dish. These creamy, rich, smooth grits are so full of flavor we guarantee you’ll go back just for this side.
  • Shrimp & Grits: cheddar chive grits, spicy creole shrimp cake, over medium egg and tomato jam all on their fluffy buttermilk garlic biscuit and then topped with an andouille hollandaise

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This weekend get off the couch and get your brunch on at Se7en Bites for the ultimate Southern feast.

 

Se7en Bites Bake Shop on Urbanspoon

Mar 222015
 

Skiing is hard work, staying warm is even more difficult, especially for a Floridian. Recently we had the luxury of taking a spring break – that’s right an entire week of snow, racing down the slopes and absolutely no email allowed. Tucked away and irresistibly charming, Crested Butte, Colorado is where we recently vacationed and dined. Although a tiny community, this mountain town is exploding with fine culinary goodness and endless ski runs. If you ever find yourself in this delightful town, here’s where to eat and how to stay warm with GetOutfitted!

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Camp 4 Coffee

Rarely do coffee shops have food on par with their beverages. Inside this license plate covered shop, you’ll be treated to the most delicious piping hot ham and cheese croissants, incredible burritos and quite simply, the best coffee this planet has to offer. After a long day of skiing, there’s nothing more rewarding than heading to the mountain’s base and treating yourself to a mocha with house-made whipped cream or a warm, gooey sandwich. Your standard for “good” coffee will truly be raised after taking a single sip of Camp 4 Coffee’s creations.

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Soupçon

This quaint eight table restaurant serves up some of the finest French cuisine in North America. Chef Jason is a master at his trade and I’m quite sure he could be a James Beard nominee if he lived in a larger city. His quaint restaurant fills up night after night with locals and tourists alike. With impeccable service and an exquisite menu, you’re sure to enjoy every last bite. The menu changes seasonally, but you’ll find a range of menu offerings from Seared Foie Gras to Colorado Filet Mignon with proscuitto wrapped asparagus and Brined Double Cut Pork Chop. And regardless of what you order or how stuffed you feel, do not skip dessert. Order the espresso soufflé and all your cares will melt away. Soupçon is a must try spot if you ever find yourself in Crested Butte.

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Django’s Restaurant & Wine Bar

Serving up the ultimate après-ski menu, this small-plate-style restaurant is easily the trendiest and most sought after spot in town. After a long day of skiing there’s no better way to feed your appetite than with exceptional small plates, an extensive wine list and crafted cocktails. Inspired by the cuisines of Southern Europe, Django’s is sure to delight everyone in your party. We recommend ordering the charcuterie plate filled with the most amazing chorizo, shaved salami, creamy burrata cheese and house-made lavosh crackers. The Trio of Nibbles with rosemary marcona almonds, parsnip ribbons and Italian country olives, will make you re-examine everything you think you know about parsnips, olives and almonds. Such a tasty platter, we fought over the last crumbs in this trio. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the Catalonian Flatbreads topped with fruitwood-smoked blue cheese, caramelized onions and Medjool dates. The blue cheese is just divine. Don’t miss the trendiest après-ski spot on the mountain!

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GetOutfitted

Lastly, but most importantly, staying warm while galavanting and dining all over the mountain. It’s not an easy task keeping those pesky goosebumps away – especially when you’re a native of the Sunshine State. GetOutfitted is simply put, one of the most brilliant clothing concepts on the web. Unless you ski multiple times a year, it just doesn’t make sense to buy an entire outfit ranging from ski socks to long johns and three jacket layers. Ski clothes are notoriously expensive, but thankfully the people at GetOutfitted have come up with a brilliant and stylish solution to pricy ski outfits.

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The concept? It’s simple, from their site you can order an entire outfit for your ski trip skewing upwards of only $135 for premium outfit for three days.After selecting your outfit you can give complete direction on the style and color of your clothing or simply be surprised by the outfit hand-selected by your stylist. Either way, the outfit shows up at the doorstep of wherever you are staying for your ski vacation. How cool is that? A custom, trendy, warm ski outfit that arrives to your resort….I’m sold! Our friends at GetOutfitted were kind enough to send over an amazing outfit for our ski week. I “raced” around on the slopes in a fabulous black and grey down jacket with an amazing fur collar. Underneath I wore Patagonia apparel and my hands were kept warm with black Burton gloves. I was so blown away by GetOutfitted’s customer service and quality of ski goods – ordering from them is a MUST do for your next ski trip.They also rent skis, poles and more too! Check them out at http://getoutfitted.com/ and race down that slope in style.

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Sigh. We’re dreaming of snow, fluffy jackets and endless dining in Crested Butte. If you haven’t taken a ski vacation lately – we highly recommend adding some slopes to your future vacation plans. Thanks Crested Butte for a week of exploring your mountain and incredible culinary delights!

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Camp 4 Coffee on Urbanspoon

Soupcon Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Django's Restaurant & Wine Bar on Urbanspoon

Mar 212015
 

Amidst world-famous theme parks, dining in Orlando has become a primary attraction. The City Beautiful was ranked number 13 in The New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2015,” and its chefs took home four 2015 James Beard House semifinalist nominations. It’s officially true that #OrlandoDoesntSuck. Contributing to the change in pace is American Gymkhana, a modern Indian concept, who will present the Flavor Farm Series on Friday, April 3, 2015. The new restaurant will host four-time James Beard-nominated Chef Hari Pulapaka of Cress in DeLand, to cook alongside its Executive Chef Aarthi Sampath.

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The evening serves up a unique dynamic, where two chefs celebrate their Indian culture through five courses using Central Florida ingredients juxtaposed with Indian spices.Guests can choose from two pricing options; $110 includes a five-course tasting menu, wine or cocktail pairings, and the mini cocktail hour or $75, which excludes the wine or cocktail pairings.

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Adding to the mix, award-winning mixologists Hemant Pathak and Jenneffer Pulapaka, will create wine and cocktail pairings in American Gymkhana’s cocktail lounge. Pathak, a celebrated mixologist from India, has been recognized across the globe at events, such as the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition and the Diageo World Class Global Competition.

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Tickets for the evening can be purchased online here.

ABOUT AARTHI SAMPATH: Chef Aarthi Sampath is a native of Mumbai, India who journeyed to New York City after five years with the prestigious Taj Group in India. She was afforded an internship at Junoon, the highly acclaimed, four-time Michelin-starred restaurant. Sampath worked under the tutelage of ChefVikas Khanna, who she credits as having influenced her vision to include that “modern element” to her dishes. In 2014, Chef Aarthi accepted the offer to helm the kitchen at American Gymkhana, sister restaurant of Junoon.

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ABOUT CHEF HARI PULAPAKA:  Chef Hari Pulapaka, is a native of Mumbai, India and is the executive chef and co-owner of the highly acclaimed Cress Restaurant in DeLand, Fla. A champion of local and sustainable ingredients, Pulapaka participated in the James Beard House’s first Chefs Bootcamp Policy and Change. He’s also a four-time James Beard semifinalist and a two-time nominee for Food & Wine Magazine’s The People’s Best New Chef.

  • WHEN: Friday April 3, 2015, First seating: 6:30 p.m., Second seating: 8:30 p.m.
  • WHERE: American Gymkhana

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Photo Credits: brunch photos – Spork, all other photos – American Gymkhana

 

American Gymkhana on Urbanspoon

Mar 212015
 

John Rivers, founder and owner of 4 Rivers Smokehouse, The COOP and The Sweet Shop, will visit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to prepare some culinary goodness as part of the Second Harvest Catering for Good program.

Chef’s Night brings local top chefs into Second Harvest’s Community Kitchen to celebrate fabulous food and raise money for Second Harvest. All proceeds help support Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program, which puts individuals from our community to work as culinary professionals. This 14-week program provides hands-on cooking and kitchen training, similar to the curriculum of professional culinary institutions. Students also learn life and employability skills and receive employment assistance. This is an incredible program and one that’s transformational for participants.

Here’s all the details for the next Chef’s Night:

John Rivers Chef’s Night

  • When: Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Where: 411 Mercy Dr., Orlando, FL 32805
  • Four Course Menu, $75
  • Appetizer: Lobster stuffed fried green tomato with bread and butter pickles, watermelon rind relish
  • First Course: Low country shrimp and grits with Florida rock shrimp, stone-ground grits and a spicy tasso reduction
  • Second Course: Smokehouse sideboard – smoked angus brisket, mangalitsa baby back rib and shoulder, skillet cornbread and southern collard greens
  • Third Course: Coffee-rubbed rib-eye steak – cabernet reduction, gruyere mash and maple-glazed brussels
  • Dessert: Double chocolate brioche pudding with bacon-infused creme anglaise. Salted caramel and bourbon-infused vanilla bean ice cream

We’ll be there next week, hope you can join us! Click here for tickets and more details.

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4 Rivers Smokehouse on Urbanspoon

The Coop on Urbanspoon

Mar 202015
 

The Fresh Fish Experts at Bonefish Grill are welcoming spring in a big way by offering a $10 gift valid March 21 through April 6!

While dining, enjoy their new Fire + Ice Pre-Fixe menu featuring three generous courses for a mere $19.90. Bonefish Grill features culinary forward and unique combinations on the three-course menu (from both land and sea) including Cold Water Lobster Tail, Shrimp + Scallop Firepot and Grilled Lamb Chops to name a few. Each dish is served with a choice of fresh salad and perfectly finished with delectable DIY Doughnuts — a Bonefish Grill house specialty of croissant-like doughnut holes, tossed in cinnamon sugar that you can fill with sea salt caramel and chocolate sauce using mini squeezable bottles. Yum.

Grab your $10 before it’s gone! See you at Bonefish!

 

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Photo Credits: Bonefish Grill

 

 

Bonefish Grill on Urbanspoon