Cheddar’s Casual Café recently opened their doors to a second Orlando location near UCF. Texas-based Cheddar’s has repeatedly garnered No. 1 ratings from Zagat, Consumer Reports and Nation’s Restaurant News for food quality, customer experience, value and atmosphere. Hello scratch kitchen.

Spork is getting a taste of Cheddar’s, we’ll be sure to share our menu picks and more soon. In the meantime here’s a bit about one of Orlando’s newest restaurants.

“More than 90 percent of the food we serve at Cheddar’s is handmade from scratch, using fresh ingredients that arrive daily to a kitchen twice the size of the average restaurant kitchen, with up to three times the average number of cooks,” said Cheddar’s Vice President of Culinary Robert Pesch.

In each restaurant, dozens of culinary team members prepare Cheddar’s dishes by hand using the company’s exclusive recipes. The menu offers a wide variety of delicious selections including steaks seasoned with a special blend of herbs, ribs slow-smoked for four 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, cedar millwork and a granite bar top.

Cheddar’s is dedicated to bring people back to the table to reconnect over a meal. Now through December 7 guests are invited to share a holiday meal memory about someone they’re missing this season! Three winners will receive a reunion prize package with a $1,000 Visa gift card and a $250 Cheddar’s gift card. Click here to share your story.

For more on Cheddar’s visit www.Cheddars.com or www.facebook.com/CheddarsCasualCafe. More to come on our favorite dishes and must order entrées!

Photo Credits: Cheddar’s

Most Indian food is well, intimidating if you’re not familiar with the flavors and what to order. With so many regional variations, Indian cuisine is often influenced by different cultures, vegetation and time periods. American Gymkhana’s modern approach is sure to liven up your palate and introduce you to some new flavors.

Their menu highlights both traditional and contemporary dishes that combine imported Indian and locally-sourced ingredients. American Gymkhana’s Chef, Aarthi Sampath, began cooking in her family’s home in India at age 11. Throughout her career she has worked with some of the best chefs in the industry worldwide. Sampath uses imported spices sourced from Indian markets complemented by Florida’s local ingredients to create a balance of traditional and modern cuisine that expresses her heritage and diverse background.

Equally as impressive as the menu and sourced ingredients are the cocktails. American Gymkhana’s mixologist, Hemant Pathak, has traveled the world infusing inspirations from his travels into his cocktail creations. He’s world renowned and you can taste his experience and expertise with every sip. American Gymkhana’s chic cocktail lounge offers contemporary cocktails that mix traditional Indian herbs, spices and house made bitters with an extensive selection of imported artisanal spirits.

Here’s what we ordered and thoroughly enjoyed!

• Hendrick’s Smash – A surprisingly refreshing smash with Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain, fresh cucumber juice, lemon and mint leaves. A cocktail so smooth you’ll forget it’s layered with gin! Perfectly flavored and not bitter, the flavors are reminiscent of a luxurious spa water flavored with cucumbers. My husband was constantly swatting me away as I kept stealing sips of his drink, we’d go back even if just for this drink in the bar!

• Sparkling Saffron – A sophisticated sparkling wine cocktail with the aromatics of saffron. I know, saffron in a drink? Sounds crazy, but the saffron added depth and variety to the drink, as it should since the saffron syrup takes 24 hours to craft before its ready for consumption!

• Zaffrani Lobster – Tandoori lobster tail with spiced herb butter, marinated for 12 hours. Incredible. The end. No, but really the succulent lobster melted on my fork, no knife required! Order the lobster and your taste buds will rejoice.

• Pistachio Chicken – Roasted pistachio cream sauce with green cardamom and also roasted for 12 hours. Buttery, tender and served family style. Pair with their Zeresch Berry Pulao Rice and you’ll never look at chicken the same. Similar to the Zaffrani Lobster, the chicken was so tender you could slice it with your fork.

• Royal Kulfi – A grand finale of sweet basil seeds, rose petals anglais and a spiced crumble. A semi-savory dessert comparable to creamy gelato meets luscious cheesecake. A fabulous end to our meal and we cleared this plate quickly!

American Gymkhana, we will be back for more! Thanks for sharing your goodness with Spork.

PS: Still need Thanksgiving dinner plans? Check out American Gymkhana’s exclusive menu available now through Sunday, November 30.

Starter:

• Thanksgiving Chaat – Sweet potato crisp, dried mango, spiced sweet potato, lime yogurt foam, cranberry mint chutney, $9.

Entrees:

• Masala Stuffed Poussin – Minced chicken, spiced collard greens, cranberry chutney, purple potato hash, $20.
• Tawa Butternut Squash (Vegetarian) – Caramelized pistachios, cashew gravy, $16.

Dessert:

• Pumpkin Samosa – Cream cheese green chili ice cream, maple clove drizzle, $9.

Cocktail:

• American Harvest Sour – Pairs perfectly with their holiday menu specials, $13.

Photo Credits: Interiors and Hendrick’s Smash images from AG, all others owned by Spork.

Thanksgiving is a day devoted to gluttony, family bonding and thankfulness. But in the midst of turkey frying and pumpkin pie baking, cocktails are often overlooked. Whether you’re dining out or staying in this holiday, here are some savory cocktails and a few recipes to celebrate turkey day. Still looking for a place to dine next week? Click here for a complete list of Orlando locations serving up Thanksgiving feasts.

American Q, Holiday Toddy: An adult eggnog with cold pressed coffee, Zaya Gran Reserva Rum, smoked eggnog foam, shaved chocolate and fresh ground nutmeg. Otherwise known as holiday cheer served in liquid form.

Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille, Bid Time Bloody Mary: A luxurious bloody mary served waterside with house infused Tito’s Vodka, candied black pepper bacon, cocktail shrimp and rimmed with a blend of blackening seasoning and merlot salt.

Make your own version at home:

• 2 oz of house infused Tito’s Vodka
• 1 strip of candied black pepper bacon
• 1 cocktail shrimp
• Blackening seasoning and merlot salt mixture
• Bloody Mary mix ice cubes

Prep: Rim glass with blackening seasoning and merlot salt mixture. Add Tito’s Vodka and Bloody Mary mix ice cubes. Garnish drink with candied bacon, olives and cocktail shrimp.

Cocina 214, Caliente Casamigos Rocks Margarita: A spicy margarita with tastes of cranberry. Casamigos Blanco, serrano peppers, OJ, fresh lime juice and cranberry juice.

Ingredients for your own version:

• 1.5 Oz Casamigos Blanco Tequila
• 2 Slices Serrano Chili
• 0.5 oz Orange juice
• 0.75 oz Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz Cranberry Juice
• 0.75 oz Sweet & Sour Mix

Prep: Muddle serrano chilies and shake into a cocktail mixer. Add remaining ingredients. Strain into a glass and serve on the rocks.

Photo Credits: American Q, Outriggers, Cocina 214

Grits, fried chicken and okra were once reserved solely for “the deep south”, but recently Southern foods and flavors have spread nationwide with Orlando as no exception. Southern food typically comes with a stigma of being unhealthy and greasy, but a recent surge of modern Southern dishes in Orlando might change your mind about these flavors. We’ve scoured citywide for the best Southern tastes, from Winter Park to Sand Lake, it’s hard to avoid this tasty trend!

Head to Orlando My Way for our top Southern picks!

Photo Credit: Soco Thornton Park Restaurant