Tasty Chomps' Orlando Food Blog

• Yappy Hour at K Restaurant + Wine Bar
• Second Harvest Food Bank presents: Chef’s Night Featuring Chef Trina Gregory-Propst, Pastry Chef/Owner of SE7EN BITES
• Holiday Specials at BRIO Tuscan Grille
• Rosen Shingle Creek’s 2017 Charity Partners Christmas Tree Decorating

Yappy Hour at K Restaurant + Wine Bar

On Monday, Dec. 11, K Restaurant launched their first, monthly, Yappy Hour. To inaugurate this series of tail-wagging fun they have partnered with Woof Orlando from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Orlando locals are invited to bring their furry four-legged friends out and enjoy free spent-grain dog treats made from local breweries and enter-to-win two raffles with prizes including gift certificates for a free grooming.

We were able to experience what “Doggie chaperones” can expect when it comes to tongue-in-cheek Yappy Hour dishes from Chef Ryan McLaughlin as well as drink specials as K Restaurant is excited to share that they just received their full liquor license.

Crispy Pig Ears are fried with dates pepper hot sauce and herbs. The pig ears are sliced thinly to make them crispy like a chip. They are lightly salted and delicious with or without the hot sauce. Be careful, the hot sauce is thick and has a major kick to it.

“Pawsta” is fried ravioli with ricotta filling. Served on marinara with pecorino cheese and herbs. The fried version of ravioli is very airy like a puff pastry. Each ingredient subtly blends well together upon the palate.

“Milk Bones” are veal bone marrow bones with charred bread and radishes. The bone marrow is very smooth and works well with the bread and radishes. The charred bread adds a saltiness to each bite. We almost ordered a second round of this dish!

The Cosmo-paw-litan (left) is made with vodka, orange shrubb, lime, and cranberry juice. A simple drink to socialize with. The Snoop Dog (right) was our favorite out of these two. The Snoop Dog is made with gin and pineapple juice; it is like a tropical version of a Screwdriver.

Since we were still slightly hungry after all the samplings, we ordered the Ricotta Gnocchi off the main menu, which changes up from time to time so you can come back to try new items all the time. The Ricotta Gnocchi is made with duck confit, butternut squash, garden greens, brussel sprouts, and sage veloute. Everything is made in-house and as fresh as possible for each order. Our specific plate was a tad more salty than I would prefer, but the dish is still delicious nonetheless.

The Ricotta Gnocchi was paired nicely with a 2014 Carmenere made in Valle Del Maule, Chile. This wine has a smooth and solid flavor with notes of spices, black cherry and blackberries.

For more information, visit the K Restaurant & Wine Bar Event Page.

Second Harvest Food Bank presents: Chef’s Night Featuring Chef Trina Gregory-Propst, Pastry Chef/Owner of SE7EN BITES

Chef Trina Gregory-Propst is amazing.  She was the one who recommended my family’s restaurant, Saigon Noodle and Grill – Bumby to the Food Network producers when they asked her if she knew of any good Vietnamese restaurants in Orlando to be featured on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”.  My family had no idea that Triple D was coming to our city (for the first time ever) so we did not expect to be contacted by them, however, when they reached out to us we knew that it was truly a blessing sent from God.  We accepted the offer to film an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” and it has changed our lives for the better.  We are now recognized worldwide and we have met so many loyal Triple D fans from all across the world.  Chef Trina’s restaurant SE7EN BITES was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives” and both of our restaurants are located in the Milk District, so we are actually neighbors.  What an honor it is to put our city and district on the Triple D map with Chef Trina.  My family cannot thank her enough for what she has done for our small restaraunt business.  We are so grateful for her and her awesome wife’s friendship!

Chef’s Night is an evening at the food bank featuring some of Central Florida’s best chefs and cuisine, all to benefit their Darden Foundation Community Kitchen’s Culinary Training Program.  The Culinary Training Program provides qualified, at-risk and economically disadvantaged adults with the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a sustainable career in the food industry.  When you support Chef’s Night, you are helping to change lives, and help pull your neighbors in need out of poverty.

SE7EN BITES specializes in nostalgic southern comfort food with a modern twist.  Chef Trina has loved to bake since her Grammy first introduced her to baking when she was a child.  Grammy helped develop Trina’s love for all things sweet.  Add in a professional culinary education, talent and passion and the result is a great recipe for local Orlando Goodness.  Chef Trina created a 5-course “Brinner” menu, a delicious combination of breakfast served at dinner.  Special thanks to SYSCO for donating all of the food to Chef’s Night to make the event a success.

Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar

Deviled eggs with candied bacon (best deviled eggs that I have ever had in my life!)

Pimento Cheese Biscuit bites with sweet red pepper butter (so yummy!)

Appetizer Course – Fried grit cake with tomato jam, Andouille and dressed Arugula

Salad Course – Citrus Pistachio Salad

Main Course – Colonel Marmalade in the Kitchen with a Knife.  Biscuit stacked with Pimento Cheese, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, over medium egg, sausage gravy and finished with a dollop of Orange Blossom Marmalade (so delicious!)

Dessert Course – Cinnamon Roll Sundae Grammies, Cinnamon Roll topped with Vanilla Ice Cream Espresso Maple Caramel, Garnished with Milk & Salted Caramel Crumble

Chef Trina with her awesome wife, Va Propst.

The talented Se7en Bites staff

This lovely lady just got hired by Chef Trina to work at her restaurant, SE7EN BITES!  Big congratulations!!  (P.S. – She looks familiar.  I think we went to high school together.  So cool!)

Follow @themichaeljavier on instagram – he’s a cool dude, I want his charisma!

If you missed out this year, be sure to join us at the next Chef’s Table at Second Harvest Food Bank!  Details will be posted on their website so keep an eye out for it.

(Source credit: Second Harvest Food Bank)

Second Harvest Food Bank
411 Mercy Drive Orlando, FL 32805
(407) 295-1066
feedhopenow.org

Se7en Bites
617 N Primrose Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 203-0727
se7enbites.com

Holiday Specials at BRIO Tuscan Grille

(Seasonal!) White Chocolate Berry Bread Pudding: vanilla bean gelato, housemade berry sauce, anglaise ($6.95) On this chilly day, I cannot stop thinking about this warm and beautiful seasonal dessert.  It was so rich and decadent, with all the right flavors. My mom and I had to wait a little bit for it because the kitchen wanted to make it hot and fresh right out of the oven for us, hence why the vanilla bean gelato was instantly trickling down from it, but it was worth the wait.

‘Tis the season at BRIO Tuscan Grille! The restaurant is offering many ways to celebrate this season, from new menu items, seasonal dishes and cocktails and special events including:

Sat. Dec. 16 – Breakfast with Santa
Sun. Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve party with complimentary prosecco, party favors, balloon drop and live music.
Call BRIO Tuscan Grille – Winter Park Village at (407) 622-5611 and ask for the manager, Kiki, for more information!

Nationwide:
– Facebook & Instagram Contest: BRIO’s “12 Days to Win!” Facebook and Instagram contest gives fans a chance to win various prizes from Monday, Dec. 4–Friday, Dec. 15. BRIO will post a different question regarding the holidays each day. Those with winning answers will receive incredible BRIO prizes such as: gift cards, brunch for six, a chef’s dinner, a Happy Hour party for 12, and BRIO for a year (a $1,200 value)!

– Bonus Gift Card Offer:  From Monday, Nov. 13–Saturday, Dec. 30, BRIO guests will receive a $25 bonus card with every $100 in gift cards purchased. The bonus card is valid Monday, Jan. 1 – Thursday, March 15, 2018. BRIO gift cards can be purchased at a local BRIO restaurant or online at www.BrioItalian.com/giftcards.

(NEW! ) Buffalo Chicken Nachos – Cheddar cheese sauce, creamy horseradish, Gorgonzola, green onions, celery, house-made potato chips ($5)

(NEW!) Crispy Shrimp Brio – Spicy Remoulade, green onions ($6)

(NEW!) Warm Margherita Dip – Four cheese blend, tomato compote, Reggiano, basil, grilled ciabatta ($5)

(Seasonal!) Spicy shrimp bruschetta – Fontina, charred tomato, lobster butter ($12.50)

Bulleit Nog-Chata: Bulleit Rye whiskey, RumChata, simple syrup, crème anglaise, cinnamon, nutmeg, cinnamon sugar rim ($9)

Salted Caramel Martini: RumChata, Kahlua, Absolut Vanilla, caramel swirl, salted rim ($9)

Two-Course Combos: your choice of soup or salad, with choice of entrée:
Soups – Soup of the day, Lobster Bisque (add $1)
Salads – Brio Chopped Salad, Caesar, or Wedge

Surf & Turf: 14-oz. strip steak, black pepper shrimp, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus (the two-course meal is priced at $34.95 with this entrée)

Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Glazed Peppers (light entrée): farro, quinoa, grape tomatoes, asparagus, capers, Marcona almonds, feta, pesto vinaigrette (the two-course meal is priced at $19.95 with this entrée)

Grilled Branzino: roasted red & gold beets, farro, Marcona almonds, marinated kale, lemon vinaigrette, feta (the two-course meal is priced at $26.95 with this entrée)

Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake – Anglaise sauce, vanilla whipped cream ($4.25)

Thank you Mom for being my plus 1 to a few of my foodie events!  Be sure to check out BRIO Tuscan Grille – Winter Park Village soon for the holidays!

(Source credit: BRIO Tuscan Grille)

BRIO Tuscan Grille
480 N Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 622-5611
http://brioitalian.com

Rosen Shingle Creek’s 2017 Charity Partners Christmas Tree Decorating

Runway to Hope’s Christmas Tree

Rosen Hotels & Resorts is known for being charitable and the holidays are no exception.  We were invited to check out 16 local charities gathering at Rosen Shingle Creek to decorate a tree in honor of their charity followed by a cocktail reception.  Rosen Shingle Creek is proud to display a very special collection of Christmas Trees decorated by each of their Non-Profit Partner Organizations in the hotel’s festive lobby adding an extra level of good tidings to the hotel’s multi-million dollar holiday decor.

Mark NeJame, co-founder of Runway to Hope

Pork Taco – Marinated Cabbage, Cojita, Cheese, Mexican Crema

Chicken Taco – Marinated Cabbage, Cojita, Cheese, Mexican Crema

Fish Taco – Marinated Cabbage, Cojita, Cheese, Mexican Crema

Penne Pasta with Tomato, Basil, Calamatta Olives, Sun-dried Tomato, Capers and Parmesan Cheese

Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini Shitake Mushrooms, Sweet Peas and Peppers in Pesto Alfredo Sauce

Holiday White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate Fudge

Jack and Lee Rosen JCC

Girl Scouts of America, Citrus Council

The Pixel Fund

Osceola School for the Arts

The Harris Rosen Foundation

A Gift for Teaching

Canine Companions for Independence

Nemours Children’s Hospital

The Orlando Union Rescue Mission

The Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance

Best Buddies International

American Cancer Society

Florida Hospital Transplant Institute

Valencia College Foundation

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando

Compassionate Hands and Hearts

Shepherd’s Hope

We hope you enjoy their trees as much as we enjoyed watching them decorate it!  All of these organizations host their annual gala events at Rosen Shingle Creek and all events are unique and available for ticket purchase or donations.  Please visit their Holiday Tree Display at Rosen Shingle Creek’s hotel lobby!

(Source Credit: Rosen Hotel & Resort)

Rosen Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
(866) 996-9939
http://rosenshinglecreek.com

Recent Articles: