Here are four promotions available right now, each at restaurants I hand-selected because the food is superb. I'll be sharing more details about all four Orlando dining deals at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 on Fox 35's "Good Day."
Read moreHummus Alert! Healthy Meals at Animal Kingdom
Panicked, they query me via email, Twitter, and food boards: "I'm coming to Orlando. I'm going to Disney World. Are there any healthful/vegetarian/vegan meals for me?" Yes yes yes, whichever you seek.
Read moreTour Mount Dora Lakes on a Tiny Two-Seater Boat
A company called CatBoat Tours of Mount Dora leads tours around the Harris Chain of Lakes on cute, easy-to-operate little CraigCat boats. This is SO MUCH FUN.
Read moreWin Two Tickets to Fresh from the Field
Win two tickets to Fresh from the Field, an over-the-top alfresco dinner held on a farm.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: Flowersprouts at The Porch
"Flowersprouts" are a tumble of brussels sprouts and cauliflower tossed in a pancetta vinaigrette.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: Pork Hash at Raglan Road
Do you see those little squares, the ones on the right of the plate? They're Irish enchantment, going by the playful name Pork Hash Tagged. And, starting soon, they'll be on the breakfast menu at Raglan Road.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: Grumpy's Homemade Ice Cream
9 a.m is a bit early for an ice cream cone, sure. But strolling around the Clermont farmer's market on Sunday morning, I came across Grumpy's Homemade Ice Cream.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: Lobster Sliders at the Palm Bar
I expect more from a restaurant as high-end as this renowned steakhouse, tucked into the Hard Rock Hotel Universal Orlando. After all, humble independents like Oblivion Taproom and The Crooked Spoon have ridiculously delicious hamburgers.
Read moreGive Pollo Tropical Another Try
I'm the last one to write respectful words about fast food chain restaurants, except maybe Chipotle on a charitable day. But I revisited Pollo Tropical yesterday, sampling new foods within the company's revamped decor. Honestly, I liked what I ate. Give Pollo Tropical another try.
Read moreFlorida Cracker Cuisine--I Dare You!
Along with jams and fruit samples and salsas and such, Farmer John's sells Cracker-cuisine standouts: "swamp dogs," made with alligator meat and topped with chili, and the chili alone--it, too, made with gator flesh.
Read moreOrlando Chefs Tap Mickey D's at Upscale Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House
You kind of feel humbled on their behalf. At Appetite for the Arches, Orlando chefs prepare bite-size foods--elegant hors d'oeuvres--using McDonald's ingredients. It's a playful yet upscale culinary fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House.
Read moreRadishes with Smoked Crème Fraiche: A Tale of Capa, Orlando's New Spanish Steakhouse
Look at this. Just look at this. It's four types of radishes on top of smoked crème fraiche--ya! smoked crème frache!--with a bit of pomegranate laced in. Hint: We're talking about Capa, Orlando's new Spanish steakhouse.
Read moreSteak with a Florida Twist at A Land Remembered
Every upscale steakhouse has a shtick to set it apart from competitors. In Orlando, A Land Remembered embraces Old Florida.
Read moreYet Another Superb Vegetarian Entree at Disney World
At the brand new Italian restaurant Trattoria al Forno, I found yet another superb vegetarian entree at Disney World.
Read moreA Spicy Fruit Plate at the Charlotte Airport
We lunched on quesadillas and Plato de Frutas, which is a red plate with wedges of pineapple, cantaloupe, mango, and watermelon, plus strawberries. On the side was a cup of "chili-lime seasoning."
Read moreZaza-The Only Way to Eat at Orlando Airport
Trapped in Terminal B for two hours, I could buy lunch from national chains or other national chains. Manchu Wok. Ruby Tuesday. Ick. Then I spotted Zaza. Zaza Modern Cuban Diner is a frill-free local place with two restaurants in addition to its modest airport counter.
Read moreHave an Interactive Animal Experience at Giraffe Ranch
I've written extensively about Giraffe Ranch for magazines, and I still can't get enough of this place. It's not a zoo, really. Visits are more interactive than that. Guests take jeep or camel "safaris" to get close to animals. The owners share incredibly rich detail about the animals, their habits, and their environment.
Read moreAuthentic New York Pizza at Corelli
The photo alone tells the story: flat crust, gooey cheese, rich red sauce, browned bubbles along the edge, and specks of green. Better yet, the pie had a subtle lacing of garlic. This, my friends, is pizza.
Read moreA Chinese Lobster Dinner for $14 at Ming's Bistro
Bingo! The lobster dinner comes in any of five preparations: ginger-scallion, plus salt and pepper, or with a house, spicy Thai sweet chili, or black bean sauce.
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