Head out to Tin Roof to grab a beer, feast on shrimp and grits and check out some of the best singers and bands in Orlando during their grand opening bash this Saturday.

The “live music joint” located in the new I-Drive 360 and it’s the first of its kind in our city! The grand opening celebration will run from noon until close, featuring live music all day and night.

Taking the stage:

• David Oliver Willis: noon -1:30 p.m.
• Bryan Malpass: – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Hayfire: 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
• David and Whitney: 10 p.m. – Close

Top local and regional bands on the Tin Roof stage, usually from 10 pm – 2 am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with acoustic sets during the week. Tin Roof is not a ticketed venue, but cover charges will apply at certain times. Free cover for Florida residents on Fridays however!

“Our goal is to showcase the best local and regional bands and musicians and provide a setting where everyone in the house has a great seat,” said William Hodges, Tin Roof Regional Manager.

The menu also takes center stage at Tin Roof, for our original menu review click here. Filled with an eclectic mix of “Americana” fare, the apps, entrees and desserts all come with the twist. There’s plenty of variety, but we’d recommend the shrimp and grits!

Headquartered in Nashville, the first Tin Roof opened in 2002 near Nashville’s famous Music Row. It quickly became a favorite for both performers and music fans! Head out for a memorable experience and yummy plates! Tin Roof is located at 8371 International Drive (I-Drive 360).  For more information visit www.tinroofbars.com/Home/Orlando.

Photo Credit: Food by Spork, Band image by Tin Roof

The traveling culinary circus, Outstanding in the Field,  will be on the road for its Winter Tour — a one-month series of warm-weather dinners in Louisiana, Florida and Hawaii. The roving “restaurant without walls” kicks off its winter tour with a visit to New Orleans, followed by four dinners in Florida and a trip to the Hawaiian islands.

In the summer of 1999, Jim Denevan came up with the idea of setting a table on a farm and inviting guests to an open-air meal in celebration of the farmer and the gifts of the land. Since that first event, Outstanding in the Field has staged table-to-farm dinners in all 50 states across the US and nine countries around the world,welcoming more than 80,000 people to its long table set in farm fields and orchards, on beaches and mountaintops, in barns and greenhouses. Hundreds of talented chefs — including dozens of Top Chefs and James Beard award winners and nominees — have cooked in OITF’s pop-up kitchen.

Outstanding’s communal table, carefully composed alongside the ingredients for the evening’s meal, inspires lively conversation at the table and a broader discussion about food, community and the meaning of place. After a tour of the farm, diners take their seats alongside the farmers, cheesemakers, ranchers, foragers, fisherfolk, brewers, winemakers and other local food artisans who have provided ingredients for the feast, coming together in delicious communion to break bread and share stories.

Saturday’s Central Florida  dinner with chef Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant is sold out, but Sunday’s dinner still has a few open seats!

• January 18: Lake Meadow Naturals Farm, Ocoee, FL – Guest chef Kathleen Blake, The Rusty Spoon, Orlando. Dale Volkert’s farm is one of OITF’s favorite winter stops, so we’re doing two dinners this year – the second with up-and-coming chef Kathleen Blake. Details and tickets here!

Cheers to the roving restaurant without walls, thrilled they are stopping in our neighborhood this weekend!

Photo Credit: Outstanding in the Field

If walls could talk in this 15,000 square foot space, it would be filled with conversation of Florida’s 43rd Governor, Jeb Bush, and Florida’s 44th Governor, Charlie Crist. Grammy Award-winning musician Kid Rock is asking his server if he could pick up the tab for a United States Marine and his wife. And basketball legend Larry Bird is sharing play-by-play details of NBA Summer League basketball practices.

For more on this classic steakhouse and an interview with the owner, head to Orlando My Way!

Photo Credits: Christner’s 

Altamonte Springs isn’t exactly known for its culinary scene, sure the city hosts “Red, Hot and Boom” every year and boasts quality suburban living for its residents. Yet, there’s a hidden gem of sorts tucked behind the mall with a lakeside view. Café Murano has over 30 years of experience serving guests and creating delectable recipes. Every menu item is made in-house including bread and pastas, all under the hand of Chef Khai and Chef Scott. Their portions are generous, service is friendly and new dishes are introduced monthly depending on the chef’s choice.

The lively bar scene is filled with locals, regulars and rotating craft beers. If beer isn’t your thing, their wine list is fairly extensive and cocktails are crafted with care. With an affordable made-from-scratch menu, there’s sure to be something for everyone in your party. The atmosphere is lively, but not pretentious, and the dishes are filled with Italian goodness. Recently, we ventured over to Café Murano and enjoyed quite a lovely meal.

Here’s what we tasted and recommend for your next night out:

• Happy Hour: We dined on a Friday and enjoyed half price drinks until 7 p.m. Amazing. Plus enjoy the sounds of live music on Fridays and Saturdays. We happily sipped our half price wine and beer, while unwinding from a long week!

• Chicken Marsala: When dining out for Spork I tend to completely ignore the fact that I’m terribly allergic to gluten and soy. It’s just not practical and, let’s get real, everything tastes better with carbs. When I do venture out for pastas, it’s gotta be worth it! Luckily, this fantastic dish was worth every bite, the chicken is sauteed with shallots, mushrooms and Marsala wine atop fettuccine. The homemade pasta was perfection and I nearly licked my plate!

• Chicken Parmesan: (Actually) hand-breaded, topped with marinara, mozzarella and served over spaghetti. Lots of places claim “hand-breaded,” but here you can taste the difference. From the house-made pasta to the fresh tomato sauce, you’ll be instantly transported to Italy with each bite!

If you’re looking for something different, lively and family friendly venture over to Café Murano. It’s conveniently located within walking distance to a movie theater, so why not make a night of it with your favorite people? Café Murano is located at  309 Cranes Roost Boulevard, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.