New Smyrna Beach isn’t exactly know for its fine dining or world renowned chefs, but between Spanish River Grill, Boston’s Fish House and now Yellow Dog Eats, the culinary scene is definitely improving. During a recent beach trip we ventured over to Yellow Dog Eats in search of sandwiches and hopes of discovering a new favorite.

Led by Fish Morgan, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Yellow Dog Eats was born out of his natural talents and love for bringing people together over a meal. The New Smyrna Beach location isn’t oceanside, but the cozy courtyard and unique decor make up for any longings of a water view. Our meal was tasty and the service was friendly; here’s what we tasted and can’t wait to try next time.

Tasty Picks:

• Classic Yellow Dog Club – Honey mesquite roasted turkey piled high with smoked Gouda cheese, pecan-smoked bacon, crunchy cucumber, crisp leaf lettuce and orange Cointreau mayo, served on thick sliced multigrain bread. A sandwich that exemplifies simplicity done right – the turkey is thinly sliced, piled between pillow soft bread and mixed with their orange Cointreau mayo. I mean really, why make a sandwich at home when you can order this beauty?

• Buffalo Soldier Tender – Smoked chicken, Jack Cheddar and Blue cheese crumbles, fresh shredded lettuce, vine ripened tomato, red onion, crispy cucumber slices, orange Cointreau mayo, jalapeno ranch and homemade buffalo sauce all come together in a southwest chipotle wrap. My hope was that this wrap would be spicy, but alsas the mildness was perfect. The wrap was juicy, tender and crisp in all the right ways. A unique take on a classic chicken wrap, if you want some extra spice ask for one of their housemade hot sauces.

To Try Next Time:

• Baa Baa BLT – Twist on a classic with smoked pancetta, vine ripened tomato, field greens, crispy watercress, pecan smoked bacon, savory goat cheese and orange Cointreau mayo, served on sliced multi grain bread. Spice it up with Sriracha mayo and try with their fig sauce.

• Hokey Pokey Ahi Tacos – Three flour tortillas layered with Hawaiian Pokey style Ahi tuna, Napa Bok Choy, guava cream cheese, scallions, mango cilantro salsa and drizzled with Cusabi buttermilk dressing. Served with tricolor tortilla chips and homemade salsa.

• Smokey’s Smoked Salmon Salad – Fresh salmon, dry rubbed with Yellow Dog’s seasoning blend and smoked to perfection. Served on a bed of field greens, garnished with cucumbers, grape tomatoes, carrots, sun-dried fruit & nut blend, sprouts, roasted red peppers, scallions and sliced red onions.

Yellow Dog Eats has two locations: 147 Canal Street New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 32168 and 1236 Hempel Ave. Gotha, Fla. 34786. For menu details and more info visit http://yellowdogeats.com/.

American Q, Central Florida’s premier modern barbecue concept at B Resort & Spa, located in the Walt Disney World® Resort, is rolling in the new year with three weekday promotions including “Meatless Mondays,” “Prime Rib Tuesdays” and “Swine & Spirits” on Wednesdays.

Meatless Mondays

• Every Monday, American Q “goes green” with enhanced vegetarian offerings. Take advantage of the restaurant’s Flatbed Buffet for $19.95; enjoy signature, vegetarian-style eats like Smoked Tofu Chili, Veggie-Friendly Soup, Baked Potato Bar, Full Salad Bar, Baked Beans, Mac ‘n Cheese and Spinach Gratin, as well as endless table-side carvings of Grilled Cauliflower Steak.

Prime Rib Tuesdays

• During Prime Rib Tuesdays, purchase the Flatbed Buffet and enjoy all-you-can-eat Smoked Prime Rib with Cajun onions, straight from the rodízio, for no additional charge.

Swine & Spirits

• On Wednesdays, purchase the Flatbed Buffet, unwind with a complimentary beverage and savor American Q’s take on the whole roasted pig. Choose from two ways to indulge: purchase the Flatbed Buffet for the regular price, and in addition to the usual tableside carvings, enjoy unlimited servings of their Tangerine and Whiskey-Brined Suckling Pig, along with a complimentary featured spirit that will change weekly.

Here’s to three days of fabulous feasting!

Photo Credit: American Q

The seventh annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest is set forFebruary 21 and February 22; all feasting and drinking will take place overlooking Lake Eola on Robinson Street!

“The Downtown Food & Wine Fest is one of our Downtown’s signature cultural events, showcasing the best of Orlando’s culinary scene. Events like this continue to expand Downtown’s offerings and bring more and more people to our urban core to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and vibrancy of our community,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Admission is $15 per person, per day with advance online purchase.  For all-weekend Fest fans, a two-day ticket is available for $20 per person with advance online purchase. Food and beverage tickets are available at the Fest for $2 each; food and beverage offerings range from one to four tickets.

A limited number of Wine Tasters Club passes will be available for purchase for $15 per person at the Fest. Club members will enjoy up to five 2 oz. pours of their choice throughout the Fest and a souvenir lanyard.

Thirty  top restaurants are scheduled to present culinary tastings including the return of the 2014 Foodie Award winners as honored by a panel of Orlando elected officials, food writers and reporters and celebrity chefs. Here are the winner’s from last year’s festival:

• 2014 Foodie Award: Smiling Bison – Pretzel Bread Pudding
• 2014 Best Overall Menu: Kasa Tapas & Raw Bar
• 2014 Best of Show: Siro at Orlando World Center Marriott

See you there Orlando!

Staying Connected

• www.DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com
• Like Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Facebook
• Follow @DTFoodWineFest on Twitter
• #DTFoodWineFest
• DowntownFoodandWineFest@cbsradio.com

*Note: Spork will receive complimentary tickets to this event. All opinions and reviews belong to Spork. Photo credits – Downtown Food & Wine Fest.

In honor of National Coffee Break Day on January 20, Dunkin’ Donuts is encouraging Orlando residents to take a coffee break and head over to select SunRail stops for FREE treats to start the morning off right.

The Dunkin’ Donuts sampling team will be at three SunRail stops in the Orlando-area on Tuesday, January 20 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to treat commuters to a morning coffee break. Guests can enjoy Dunkin’ Donuts’ 100% hot or iced Colombian Roast coffee, a medium roast with a full-bodied flavor and sweet finish, and the new Chocolate Croissant featuring a flaky croissant dough with chocolaty filling, served warm. There will also be gift card giveaways!

Dunkin’ Donuts’ Colombian coffee is registered by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, which ensures the coffee is produced to the highest standards. Dunkin’ Donuts’ Colombian Packaged Coffee is also the brand’s first packaged coffee with the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal, made with 30% coffee beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

WHERE/WHEN:

• DeBary Station: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Lake Mary Station: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Sand Lake Station: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Photo Credit: Dunkin’ Donuts