In the midst of Downtown Disney’s biggest transformation to date, the soon to be Disney Springs is bursting with unique dining spots sure to suit any appetite. With the crowds dying down and the tourists headed home, February is the prime month to visit as a local. And since Downtown Disney can get especially crazy, we recommend checking out these eats soon before the mobs of spring breakers arrive!

• Exposition Park – The permanent home for Disney’s food trucks. Two or more of the Disney food trucks will be at the park most days: Superstar Catering (featuring favorites from Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Namaste Café (Disney’s Animal Kingdom dishes), Fantasy Fare (Magic Kingdom tastes) and World Showcase of Flavors (Epcot Food & Wine Festival). The park is next to Bongos Cuban Cafe and also includes an area for live entertainment, seating for diners and ample shade.

• Fulton’s Crab House – Seafood is flown in from around the globe, but also celebrates Florida’s waters with seasonal catches such as stone crab claws. Choose from the nautical dining room or one of three outdoor decks. Fulton’s is an 11-time winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, with more than 2,000 bottles in their cellar.

• Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop – The chocolatey smell wafting from the rooftop is enough to draw anyone inside. This spot offers everything from scoops to floats, sundaes and malts. You must try their World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae, with house-made fudge. At the very least stop by for the free chocolate square samples!

• Portobello – Grab a seat on the waterfront porch for the best views in this trattoria that serves wood-burning-oven pizzas, antipasti and hearty dishes like ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, gnocchi and penne Bolognese.

• Splitsville Luxury Lanes – Sushi, wine and grilled avocados probably don’t come to mind when you think about bowling. For a sport recognized by ESPN, it sure is a shame that bowling has a reputation for being unglamorous and associated with inedible food. But, at Downtown Disney’s Splitsville, this two story 50,000 square foot space is redefining the modern bowling experience with good eats and an enjoyable atmosphere. Click here for our full culinary review.

Have a magical (and tasty) day at Downtown Disney!

Photo Credits: Disney World, Splitsville photo owned by Spork

Nearly a decade ago I traveled to Italy with my family for what ensued to be a two week culinary tour around the country. From gelato shops tucked away on cobblestone streets to endless carbs and an epic four hour dinner with locals, I quickly became smitten with anything Italian. Fast-forward ten years and I finally experienced a taste of Italy among the chefs and swanky restaurants in Winter Park.

Sure, any restaurant that serves pizza and pasta can claim Italian roots, but when you’re actually from Rome and recently moved to the states, you get all the Italian bragging rights.

The owners at Rome’s Flavours hail from Italy and are serving up the most authentic flavors and atmosphere in town. If you’ve ever traveled to Italy, you know that some of the best restaurants aren’t fancy and flashy. This location is reminiscent of a quaint cafe that you’d stop in for a quick bite and end up staying for hours sipping wine, espresso and getting caught up in conversation. Well, that’s exactly what happened during our recent visit.

We tasted authentic pizza, wine, gelato and more over a lingering lunch. Their pizza is made from scratch including the sauce complete with real crushed tomatoes. We ordered the “#2” per the owner’s recommendation, our slices were cheesy, warm and sauced to perfection. After slowly enjoying our pizza and salad, we couldn’t refuse the gelato. Similar to the pizza, the gelato is made from scratch and delicious. Go for the pistachio for something creamy, but not overly sweet. And be sure to end your meal with an espresso for the ultimate Italian experience.

Ciao! I’m off to plan (well okay, dream) about my next trip to Italy.

The Rotary Club of Winter Park will host its annual chili celebration during the 4th annual Chili for Charity on Wednesday, February 25 at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market. The event will feature chili creations from more than a dozen local restaurants and enables the club’s foundation to continue its effort to support more than 30 local non-profit organizations each year.

Each chili entrant will provide a unique dish and will be evaluated by a panel of judges made up of local elected officials and food experts. Tickets are available for $25 each, $100 for five in advance or $30 at the door. Purchase tickets online at www.chiliforcharity.org and head to their Facebook page for more details.

Chili for Charity participants include:

• B & B Junction
• Hillstone
• Miller’s Orlando Ale House
• 4 Rivers Smokehouse
• The Meat House
• And more!

Image Credits: 4 Rivers and Rotary Club

The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. recently announced plans to open a STK in Disney Springs!. STK Orlando is expected to open in The Landing at Disney Springs in 2015, with the full completion of Disney Springs expected in 2016.

The new STK will be located within the waterfront setting of The Landing at Disney Springs, a completely re-imagined shopping, dining and entertainment complex that will double the number of shops and restaurants currently found at Downtown Disney. The Landing is the first phase of Disney Springs and will be home to unique and memorable dining experiences such as STK, Morimoto Asia and The BOATHOUSE, plus a number of still-to-be-announced innovative restaurants and boutique shops.

STK’s unique ambiance blends the elements of a modern steakhouse with a sleek lounge, including a DJ, emphasizing a social, fun environment. At approximately 14,000 square feet, the Orlando outpost will be one of the largest STK locations. STK Orlando will have two dining floors—including a main level and the only rooftop dining venue in Disney Springs.

“We are thrilled to join the Disney Springs family with the launch of STK Orlando,” said Jonathan Segal, CEO of The ONE Group. “The combination of an innovative menu and high-energy atmosphere has driven the success of STK, and we believe it will be an ideal addition to Disney Springs, and will help further cement its status as a place for friends and family to gather for fine dining and entertainment.”

Photo Credit: STK