Cinco de Mayo is a national drinking holiday in America, which commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French forces of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
But let’s be honest…it’s mostly an opportunity to enjoy adult Mexican beverages. Luckily in the Orlando-area, there are several bars and restaurants that participate in Cinco de Mayo with parties and drink specials.
Here are some of the best options we’ve found for imbibing during Cinco de Mayo weekend:
Want to enjoy a delicious meal while giving back to your local community? Join the “Make Giving A Habit” charity challenge on Saturday, April 7, at all three Central Florida locations of Habit Burger Grill.
Enjoy award-winning Charburgers, signature sandwiches, hand-cut salads, and more all while giving back to the local community!
Prior to arriving at Nine Spices Hotpot, the last time I’d eaten a hotpot meal was when I was 8. Once seated at my table, it became apparent hotpot had evolved quite a bit in the last few decades.
Our table featured an induction burner for each seating…and then I noticed the conveyor belt about eye level behind my head with a never-ending parade of food.
Our server was very patient and explained how their hotpot service worked.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is partnering with leading beverage companies to produce a series of events called the TasteMaker Dinners, and I was recently invited to enjoy an evening filled with great food paired with Johnnie Walker Whisky.
Whisky and steak seems a no-brainer, but the chefs at the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse elevated the meal with some out of the box dishes.
You’ll find Millenia 106 next to The Mall at Millenia, in a storefront facing the intersection of Millenia Blvd and Conroy Rd, but trust me, this is not mall food.
I was invited to check out the revamped menu, which comes courtesy of Chef Bruno Fonseca, who recently took over operations. It’s hard to judge the restaurant from the outside, but you’ll definitely want to venture inside for the delicious food and drink.
Thanksgiving is a holiday of food, family, and fun, but sometimes it’s nice to let someone else take care of the cooking…and the dishes. If this sounds like you, there are plenty of places to celebrate the holiday in Orlando.
If you don’t already have reservations, here are some of our picks for places to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in the Orlando area:
Last month, The Osprey Tavern in Baldwin Park added a lunch menu to their offerings, and invited us to come try it out.
The restaurant was founded by Orlando restaurateurs Jason & Sue Chin, who also own the popular Seito Sushi across the street. From its opening in March 2015, The Osprey Tavern has been a favorite among local foodies.
Thanksgiving is a holiday of food, family, and fun, but sometimes it’s nice to let someone else take care of the food…and the dishes. If this sounds like you, there are plenty of places to celebrate the holiday in Orlando.
If you don’t already have reservations, here are some of our picks for places to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in the Orlando area:
Earlier this month, I attended the grand opening media event for the new Rock & Brews Oviedo. Founded by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, the eatery is the first Florida location for the chain.
The event started with Simmons and Stanley leading the Pledge of Allegiance with several veterans by their side, then a ribbon cutting to officially open the restaurant.
Sure you can cook a huge feast for the Big Game this Sunday, but if wings are on the menu, pick up a to-go order at these fine Orlando locations:
Buffalo Wild Wings – Pick traditional wings, or boneless, then customize with 16 signature sauces and 5 seasonings. With locations all over Orlando, there’s bound to be one near you. Visit buffalowildwings.com for the nearest location.
Duffy’s Sports Grill – Get an order or two of the award-winning Traditional Jumbo Wings, served hand-breaded or “naked” and tossed in your choice of 10 sauces. Earn double points on takeout orders on Feb 1. They also have more than 100 TVs in each location, if you want to catch the game there. $25 will get you a reserved seat at the bar, 2 drinks, and unlimited chips & salsa (first come, first serve for this offer). Visit duffysmvp.com for a location near you.
KISS front men Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have announced they will host the grand opening of their Rock & Brews Oviedo restaurant on January 6, with proceeds going to charity.
The grand opening festivities will consist of a midday luncheon for more than 100 wounded warriors, veterans and active duty military personnel, as well as a public meet & greet event with Simmons & Stanley from 2-4pm.
Tickets to the meet & greet are $200 per person and include two adult beverages per person or unlimited soft drinks, a sampling of Rock & Brews cuisine, and a photo opportunity with Stanley and Simmons. A percentage of proceeds, not less than $10,000, will benefit the Orlando VA Medical Center’s new Fisher House in Lake Nona.
Thanksgiving is a holiday of food, family, and fun, but sometimes it’s nice to let someone else take care of the food…and the dishes. If this sounds like you, there are plenty of places to celebrate the holiday in Orlando.
If you don’t already have reservations, here are some of our picks for places to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in the Orlando area:
American Q – b resort and spa
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a side of rodizio-style southern barbeque at this restaurant, which is a favorite of ours. Among the meat selections: mahogany-glazed turkey drumsticks, cider-brined turkey breast, and chipotle pumpkin chorizo. The meal also includes their famous all-you-can-eat buffet served from the back of a cherry red classic ‘51 Ford F1 pickup truck. The Thanksgiving Flatbed Buffet is available from 12pm-8pm on Thanksgiving and 5pm-10pm Friday-Sunday. Free valet and self parking. Click here for a full menu. For reservations call 407-827-3080. 1905 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, FL. Read our review here.
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B.B. King’s Blues Club – Pointe Orlando
Offering a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin’s and dessert, starting at 5pm. Live music by the B.B. King All-Star Band. For reservations call 407-370-4550. 9101 International Drive, Suite 2230, Orlando, FL.
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Burger 21 – all locations
All locations in Central Florida are offering the Decadent Turducken Burger for those not wanting a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This “burger” features a hand-formed turkey burger stuffed with a blend of rosemary chicken inside of duck patty, topped with melted Brie and homemade cherry, cranberry and red apple chutney.
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Eddie V’s Prime Seafood – Dr. Phillips
Located on Orlando’s restaurant row in Dr. Phillips, this steak and seafood restaurant will be offering their full a la carte menu as well as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of sliced turkey, green beans with bacon, brioche stuffing, glazed acorn squash, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes from 11am to 9pm. There will also be special pricing on Roederer champagnes. Free valet parking. For reservations call 407-355-3011. 7488 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando, FL.
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With locations on the east coast and South Florida, it was only a matter of time before the popular NYC eatery Shake Shack made its way to Central Florida.
Via a post on their Twitter page, they announced that they will be opening a new location in Winter Park in 2014. According to local food blogger Scott Joseph, it will be part of the development on Lake Killarney (at Orlando Ave and Morse Blvd), where Trader Joe’s is eyeing their first Orlando area outlet.
As the name suggests, the menu offers shakes, as well as burgers, hot dogs, and fries. They also serve beer and wine, and they even have a small dog menu for your four-legged friends. The atmosphere is upscale casual.
Shake Shack is eyeing a Summer 2014 opening for Winter Park, but I’ve heard rumors they may also be part of the new Disney Springs, when it opens in 2016 at Walt Disney World. Just rumors at this point, though.
We’ve eaten at quite a few restaurants over the past year, and written about a lot of openings and closings.
Here are some of the stories you may have missed:
The dining options at Pointe Orlando will grow next month, when Marlow’s Tavern opens.
The restaurant is a neighborhood pub-style of eatery, which started in Georgia. Food is described as “classic dishes that are updated to a gourmet level.”
A look at the Atlanta menu shows plenty of seafood dishes, along with burgers, sandwiches and salads. And of course with “tavern” in the name, Marlow’s will offer a wide variety of wines, beers, and cocktails.
Marlow’s Tavern will open at Pointe Orlando on October 9, 2012.