“Fall on the Farm” at Grande Lakes Orlando Resort – Weekends throughout October and November

 Grande Lakes Orlando, the sprawling 500-acre resort, home to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, is hosting “Fall on the Farm” – a new family  friendly fall-themed outdoor event –  every Saturday and Sunday throughout the months of October and November between 10am-3pm.

With so many folks wanting to go outside for some socially distant activities with family and friends, this seems to be a great opportunity – one filled with kid-friendly arts and crafts, corn hole games, mazes, and more.

Throughout the event, guests can enjoy family-friendly, autumn-centric activities including a hayride, pumpkin picking, and pumpkin carving and painting workshops with the resort’s Olympic medalist and two-time World Champion culinary artist and carver, Victor Dagatan. 

There will also be a farmer’s market to purchase a taste of Grande Lakes Orlando including locally produced and homemade items such as honey, Surplus Beer, jams, BBQ sauces and rubs, popcorn and more.

Guests will have the opportunity to learn about falconry from the property’s Master Falconer and the resort’s resident Director of Fly Fishing will also be sharing ‘how-to’s’ about the beloved sport.

Additionally, Grande Lakes Orlando’s diverse dining outlets will be providing visitors with an array of food and beverage offerings including pulled pork and beef sliders, a hot dog stand, warm pretzels, popcorn, bagged chips, candied apple and Dipping Dots.

Families and friends can also schedule a photography session with The Photography Concierge to capture your fall family portrait, packages start at $30.

The “Fall on the Farm” events are all taking place at Whisper Creek Farm, an 18,000 square-foot farm located on-property at Grande Lakes Orlando, open year-round to visitors for tours and culinary programming.

The farm features all the culinary bounty of Central Florida: from the on-site apiary, which produces honey for Grande Lakes Orlando’s restaurants and spa, to the vast assortment of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, to the dozens of chicken, ducks and quail, Whisper Creek Farm is one of the largest farms open to the public in the Orlando-area.

Access to Fall on the Farm is only $35 per person.

Reservations will be required for all guests and space is limited.

Call 407-206-2400 or email guestrelations.orlando@ritzcarlton.com to purchase tickets.

Lombardi’s Seafood in Winter Park Announces New Addition of Two Acclaimed Chefs

Chef Austin Boyd will be in charge of revamping Lombard’s Cafe menu as well as creating a myriad of new items for their Retail Market. Chef Austin’s past executive chef positions include the well known group of restaurants from Jason and Sue Chin: Seito Baldwin Park, Osprey Tavern and Reyes Mezcaleria. Keep an eye out for some new menu items and specials, including a new Nashville hot Catfish sandwich that is currently on the menu as a special. Secondly, they have hired Chef Yoshi Pintar known by many as “Sushiman”, and who has had several stints in some of Orlando’s finest hotels including the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and more. Chef Yoshi actually once sourced fresh seafood from Lombardi’s decades ago for Sushiman.

Opening Soon: New Orlando Restaurant Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe

A new upscale casual dining restaurant and bar featuring craft cocktails is having their soft opening this Friday September 18th in the Lake Ivanhoe District in the location (1414 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804) which once held Mesa 21 and Gargi’s Lakeside.

The restaurant, Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe is brought to us by partners Philippe Villain, Kevin O’ Donnell, and Chef Emmanuel Clement. Menu and details within.

12 Must-Try Dishes at SeaWorld Orlando’s Craft Beer Festival 2020

SeaWorld Orlando's Craft Beer Festival is currently running on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays now until Sept. 30. The festival runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, and from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Over 100 locally crafted brews are available at SeaWorld Orlando’s Craft Beer Festival, along with over 20 food items to pair with your brew of choice. Here  are a few of our favorites! 

Magical Dining at Italian Classic – Rocco’s Italian Grille and Bar in Winter Park

Rocco’s Italian Grille and Bar offers a classic, romantic feel that exudes elegance.  A handsome bar and cocktail lounge offer the perfect place to enjoy the robust selection of Italian and California wines. Outside, a brick courtyard complete with fountain and hanging market lights, offers additional seating and a lovely picturesque setting. Conveniently located in Winter Park for fourteen years, you can expect authentic Italian cuisine and exceptional service.

Currently featuring the Magical Dining menu, you are able to enjoy a delicious three course meal for only $35, offering a fantastic value and a great way to enjoy this upscale-casual Italian trattoria.

Interview with Katie Zagaroli, Owner of The Whiskey on Orlando’s Restaurant Row

This year has been quite an unexpected one, but they are doing their best at The Whiskey to keep to the CDC and local government guidelines for safety during the pandemic including keeping capacity at the restaurant down to 50% and also converting their menus to a QR code which takes people to their online menu. They are hoping more people do take-out to help off set the reduced capacities.

Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month at Hangry Bison with Burgers and Bourbon!

Hangry Bison’s tag line, “Come Hangry. Leave Happy.” was the perfect theme for the night of my momentous first visit to this very popular Winter Park Village eatery.  Opened in 2018, it took less than a year to win the 2019 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Award for Orlando’s Best Burger.  Well earned, indeed!  The two burgers we ordered were each a flavor powerhouse and massive enough to require take home boxes.

September, being Bourbon Heritage Month, is the perfect time to explore their extensive list of bourbons and delectable burgers.