I-Drive has received yet another upgrade with the arrival of Tin Roof, a “live music joint.” Headquartered in Nashville, the first Tin Roof opened in 2002 near Nashville’s Music Row.

“We think Orlando is a perfect fit for Tin Roof, for both tourists and locals,” said William Hodges, Tin Roof Regional Manager. “I-Drive 360 visitors can grab some food or listen to some great music before or after they visit some of the other new attractions.”

Tin Roof focuses on booking top local and regional bands from rock to alternative to country. It’s not be a ticketed venue, but cover charges will apply at certain times. Free cover is offered to Florida residents on Fridays though.

Our first visit was delicious, entertaining and we’ll definitely be back for more bites and sounds. The food vastly exceeded our expectations, the presentation and quality were impressive and we’d go back just for their Creamy Shrimp & Grits. Tin Roof will be open for lunch and dinner, here are a few menu highlights and our favorite tastes from last week’s visit.

• Hot Chicken Torta: Buttermilk fried chicken rubbed with cayenne, ranch potato salad and pickles on a Mexican style roll. A unique and tasty take on fried chicken all wedged between a fluffy roll. Pair with a beer and your cares will melt away in this relaxed atmosphere.

• Creamy Shrimp & Grits: Sautéed shrimp, peppers and bacon simmered in a spicy tomato sauce atop stone ground white corn grits and mascarpone. Oh my. We’ve tasted a lot of shrimp and grits in our day, but these were impressive. The grits were perfectly creamy and the shrimp were coated with spiced tomato goodness. Make sure this dish ends up on your table.

• O-Eye Mac & Cheese: Maple smoked white cheddar and breadcrumbs. There’s nothing more satisfying on a cold Florida day than warm, creamy dishes and this wheel shaped pasta is expertly coated in gooey, comforting goodness.

There’s a handful of other things on our list to try next time like their Tuna Tataki and Pimento Crab Dip! Join Tin Roof for its grand opening bash on Saturday, January 24; starting at noon and lasting until close featuring live music and their full menu.

Tin Roof is located at 8371 International Drive (I-Drive 360). For more, visit their website at www.tinroofbars.com/Home/Orlando.

Kale, quinoa and the “crount” are so last year. As we move into a new year, there’s plenty of room for new food trends and ingredients to watch for as rising stars. Up and coming trendy ingredients have a sneaky way of presenting themselves on local menus and in your kitchen. So, we turned to the experts for their trend predictions and flavors you’re sure to see popping up at a restaurant and grocery store near you. Here’s to a happy and tasty new year!

For more on food trends and predictions from Orlando’s chefs head to Orlando My Way!

Photo Credit: All photos from each chef respectively 

Cheddar’s Casual Café, a Texas-based group of restaurants, has repeatedly garnered No. 1 ratings from Zagat, Consumer Reports and Nation’s Restaurant News for food quality, customer experience, value and atmosphere.

In each restaurant, dozens of culinary team members prepare Cheddar’s dishes by hand. The menu offers a range of selections including steaks seasoned with a special blend of herbs, ribs slow-smoked for hours in-house, hand-cut seafood, crisp salads, generous pastas, classic burgers, chicken and more.

True to their Texas roots, the designer-quality interior and exterior features real copper awnings, Austin chalk stone from a Texas quarry, solid cherry and walnut butcher-block table tops. Although new, the restaurant was impeccably clean and warm, from the interiors to the friendly staff, the atmosphere was notable and impressive.

Our food was hot, the margaritas were abundant and the servers were helpful and attentive. Cheddar’s is definitely a nice option if you’re in the area. Here’s what we tasted and sipped throughout the evening.

• Honey Butter Croissants – Oh my. I’d go back just for these treats. Hot from the oven and melt in your hand, these croissants are Instagram worthy.
• Santa Fe Spinach Dip – Blended with sour cream, spices, four cheeses, topped with mozzarella cheese and served with unlimited chips and salsa. We were painfully hungry after a long day, so this appetizer was a nice compliment to our margaritas as started our meal.
• Skinny Margarita – Sauza Gold with Cheddar’s Skinny Agave Sour. Served in a massive glass and boasting a mere 109 calories, this marg is a good bet for your meal. Oh and did I mention it’s only $3.99?
• Sweet Heat Chicken & Shrimp – Chicken breast with grilled shrimp, glazed with sweet chili sauce and served over ginger rice with a salad tossed in tomato herb vinaigrette. I really wanted to order something “bad” but thought I’d give their “Lighter Side” menu a whirl! For a dish under 575, I was impressed by the portion size and flavor. The chicken was tender and I could slice it with a fork, paired with rice and a salad, you’ll forget you ordered a calorie controlled dish.

Cheddar’s is always packed so head out early if you want to avoid the crowds! As my Dad would say, this place definitely passes the “parking lot test,” parking lots and crowds don’t lie when it comes to restaurant popularity. So, what do you think of Cheddar’s? Tell us in the comments below!

Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster, a steakhouse staple in Orlando is refreshing its bar program with a menu featuring new cocktails set to unveil at its inaugural Christner’s Craft Wars. All about the bar, on Saturday, January 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., three of Christner’s resident bartenders will go head-to-head in three rounds of craft cocktail making with the winner dueling it out for charity and bragging rights.

All cocktails will be judged based on originality, taste and the uniqueness of its name; the three rounds of cocktail creations include the Christner’s Classic; the bourbon cocktail and the “secret ingredient” mixed cocktail.

Christner’s bartender’s Jeannie Rudnick, Kyle Laufenberg and Stacy Word will be partnered with three local charities – Central Florida Food and Outreach, Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute and Runway to Hope – and the bartender with the most tips at the end of the three rounds will select the cocktail of his/her choice to be featured as a limited-time-only drink on Christner’s bar menu. Tickets will be given back to all attendees in the way of “tipping tokens.” RSVP via e-mail to Christners@rockawaypr.com.

ABOUT THE BENEFITTING CHARITIES:

• Central Florida Community Food and Outreach Center – To help those in need by providing food, crisis care, opportunities for education and employment, and a hand up to families/individuals/children who are fighting the cycle of poverty – www.communityfoodoutreach.org

• Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute – To improve the lives of people with diabetes, promote a healthy lifestyle, deliver excellence in clinical care and education and conduct research leading to diabetes preventions and a cure –www.floridahospitaldiabetes.com

• Runway to Hope – To provide direct support and aid to Central Florida children and their families impacted by pediatric cancer. Through partnerships with Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Florida Hospital for Children, and Nemour’s Children’s Hospital, Runway to Hope fosters collaborative efforts among corporations, local businesses, and philanthropists to not only raise funds and awareness, but also bring new programs and initiatives to the pediatric cancer community.  – www.runwaytohope.org/

WHERE:  Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster

729 Lee Road | Orlando, FL

WHEN:     Saturday, January 17 at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

COST:       $20 per person of which, $10 of which is donated to charity

Photo Credits: Christner’s