Here is the latest Central Florida foodie and dining news to report on, including dining specials, new restaurants, limited menu items, and so much more.
Are you hungry? Let’s dive in…
All Central Florida Hawkers Asian Street Fare locations are rolling out a new dish called the Thanks & Giving Bao, available through Nov. 25. Every order includes two fluffy bao buns packed with roasted duck, sage stuffing, and hoisin cranberry sauce, served with a savory turkey dipping jus.
There are two per order for $9.50, and Hawkers will donate a portion of the Thanks & Giving Bao sales to the Giving Kitchen, a non-profit that provides financial assistance to people that work in the food service industry, during times of need. Great bao for a great cause!
[top photo courtesy Hawkers]
Firehouse Subs is celebrating National Pickle Day on Nov 14 with Pickle Bucket Candles to claim at firehousesubs.com/pickleday starting at noon. These dill-scented 13 oz. candles are inspired by the brand’s iconic five-gallon pickle buckets, which hold about 300 pickles each.
The buckets themselves can be purchased for $3 at any Firehouse Subs location, with proceeds benefiting the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa is hosting another Date Night on November 14. For $39.99, you get:
– 4 Tacos, 3 Sides & 2 Beers or 1 Wine (equal to two glasses) from @pigfloyds
– Tableware for two
– A Converstation Card
– 1 “Rose Gold” scented candle from @thesolocandleco’s
– 4 Mini cupcakes from @sweetbyholly (Red Velvet, Oreo + 2 surprise flavors.)
Call 1833PIGLOVE to preorder.
Bites & Bubbles is hosting a Beaujolais Nouveau Release Party Dinner on Nov. 19. Cost is $99 inclusive for the Beaujolais Nouveau tasting reception and wine paired dinner, plus get a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau to take with you. Menu and reservations at the link.
Tapa Toro and sister restaurant Taverna Opa have extended their Magical Dining Menus until December 30th. Get 3 courses for $35 per person, with $1 from each menu sold benefiting One Heart for Women and Children of Central Florida. Menus and reservations at the links.
White Castle is scheduled to break ground on its first Orlando location this week on Nov. 19. The 4,567 square-foot restaurant, which will be the brand’s largest location in the world, will feature indoor and outdoor seating and two drive-through lanes.
As we reported previously, it will be located near Walt Disney World at the Village at O-Town West, at the intersection of Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Parkway. That intersection will eventually also be home to a new I-4 off-ramp, making it easier to get to.
White Castle is scheduled to open in 2021. As soon as we hear an exact date, we’ll let you know.
Big Fin Seafood Kitchen at Dellagio Town Centre in Dr. Phillips is offering a “Support Locals” $35 prix fixe menu through December 30th. Entrees include an 8oz filet; 4oz Filet medallions paired with a 3oz cold water lobster tail; blackened shrimp and scallops; and a crab-crusted corvina filet. $1 from each menus sold benefits Feed the Need Florida. Menu and reservations at the link.
Gideon’s Bakehouse at East End Market has a limited cookie for November: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut with Homemade Salted Caramel. Available every day throughout the month while daily supplies last, and there is a limit of 2 per person without preorder.
Lineage Coffee opens its new location by UCF on Nov. 14. It has a drive-thru and bakery, and from 8am-4pm, there will be merchandise giveaways and more.
CFS Coffee grand opens today in Dr. Phillips, offering up Columbian coffee and light bites. It joins locations on Kirkman Dr., Lake Nona, Winter Park and downtown Orlando.
Sprouts is opening its newest location at Bayhill Plaza in Dr. Phillips on November 18 at 7am. The first 200 shoppers get a 20% off coupon for their purchase that day.
MX Taco is now offering vegan queso made with roasted bell peppers and guajillo chiles. It can also be used on their nachos to make those vegan.
F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen will open a third location in Winter Park at 1965 Aloma Avenue. The concept focuses on high-quality ingredients and scratch-made dishes, offering woodfired pizza, fresh pasta made by local partner Trevi Pasta, wine, beer, and more.
“We’ve seen F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen become a go-to neighborhood spot in both the Hourglass District and Longwood,” said Charly Robinson, the owner and founder of the F&D family of restaurants. “We’re excited to bring the location to yet another Orlando neighborhood and show people there the food we’re so passionate about.”
The Winter Park location will also offer daily specials, carryout deals and weekend brunch. Robinson said he anticipates the new location will open before the new year.
First Watch has offered a first look at its new flagship location opening soon in Winter Park. Some of the things that will set this location apart from others: it will have indoor and outdoor bars and a cocktail menu (currently available only at the East Orlando location), plus a large outdoor lounge patio (perfect for those who don’t feel comfortable eating indoors yet).
The kitchen will also have two separate cook lines, one solely dedicated to take-out and delivery orders with a separate pick-up entrance.
I look forward to checking it out when it opens Spring 2021.
Speaking of First Watch, they’ve changed up their seasonal menu a bit with the return of Cinnamon Chip Pancakes and the Red Medicine beverage (pomegranate, cranberry, black tea, cinnamon and local honey).
The Glass Knife in Winter Park is dropping a new vegan donut today, Peanut Butter Banana, featuring a vegan brioche topped with peanut butter glaze and a touch of banana jam, drizzled with dark chocolate ganache, and finished with a non-dairy whipped topping and crushed peanuts.
Jack’s Place Restaurant at Rosen Plaza is offering a “Dining with the Stars” $35 prix fixe menu. Main course options include: grilled petite filet mignon accompanied with au gratin potatoes; macadamia breast of chicken with lemon caramelized onions and Italian five grain pilaf; or Vesuvio shrimp pasta flavored with capers, Mediterranean olives, tomatoes and a splash of cream. Reservations can be made by calling 407-997-1787.
I told you a few weeks ago that Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew would be opening soon at Disney Springs, and Walt Disney World has given first look at artist renderings for the finished venue.
Located between Splitsville and AMC Disney 24, the shop will feature a window where passersby can watch the donuts being made, and an outdoor seating area they’re calling the “donut garden.”
I’m told Everglazed will specialize in hand-crafted yeast and cake donuts, with an assortment of cold brew lattes, coffee cocktails, and a few sweet-yet-savory sandwiches.
Still no word on an exact opening date, but construction is still ongoing as of my Disney Springs visit this week.
Cowboys Dips & Chips has opened its third Central Florida location at Airport Lanes in Sanford. It is currently offering a special deal called Cowboy Dips & Chips Plus Sips, which will include two dip sandwiches, two side of chips and two domestic beers or non-alcoholic beverages for $24.
Mooyah is offering limited-time seasonal Pumpkin Pie and White Chocolate Peppermint Shakes on its menu. App users can earn 10 Bonus Points for each thru 12/31.
Shake Shack is also offering seasonal shakes in Christmas Cookie (sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream, crumbled shortbread + holiday sprinkles); Chocolate Spice (holiday-spiced chocolate frozen custard blended with crumbled chocolate cookies, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon); and Candy Cane Marshmallow (peppermint and marshmallow blended with vanilla frozen custard, topped with whipped cream and crumbled candy canes). They’re also made with real sugar only—no high-fructose corn syrup.
Krispy Kreme has caramel glazed original doughnuts on the menu through Nov. 22. Get it plain or topped with salted caramel crunch. Available at all Central Florida location.
SeaWorld Orlando has opened Glacier Bar just outside Wild Arctic, featuring everything from signature drinks to specialty cocktails, including frozen concoctions. It also offers a small food menu of flatbreads, sliders, brisket waffle fries, and an adults-only cookies and “chocolate milk” pairing. All-day Happy Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 50% off drinks and food. Park admission required.
4 Rivers Smokehouse has decided not to renew its lease for its downtown Orlando location at City Hall, due to the pandemic. The restaurant shut its doors when City Hall closed in March, and with so much uncertainty on reopening, owner John Rivers decided to close it permanently. The city will start the process of finding a new vendor for the space once City Hall reopens.
That’s it for this dining news round-up. If you’ve got news, drop it in comments, or hit me up on our contact form.
Happy eating y’all!
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