Inside Look: The Chef and I – Chef’s Tasting Menu – Thursdays thru Saturdays in Orlando

The Chef and I is one of my favorite new restaurants here in Orlando – and one of the reasons why is their very fun and absolutely delightful Chef’s Tasting Menu experiences. The Chef and I’s husband and wife team Executive Chef Chris Rains and Erica Rains with Chef de Cuisine Michael Morrison really know how to make some very creative and tasty dishes. For some background – Chef Morrison is formerly Head Chef of Loretta Keller’s Famed Coco500 & Executive Chef of Hiro Sone’s Michelin Starred Ame in SF. He serves alongside Sous Chef Travis Chasteen.

The Chef’s Tasting Menu at The Chef and I counter

Grab a seat at the chef’s counter at The Chef and I for a memorable chef’s tasting menu experience, while watching the action live at your seat.

How it works – this meal really puts together The Chef and I – you choose on the menu your “featured” ingredient – say egg, or beef, or chicken – and the chef creates a dish based on that main ingredient and what is in season. Choose one, or two, or three dishes or feel free to go “all in” and pick all the dishes – It’s a fun take on the traditional omakase where everything is left up to the chef – but here it’s up to both The Chef and I.

Available during dinner service — Thursday, Friday, Saturday dinner service till 9pm only

Make future reservations by calling 321-328-5521!

Proudly Sponsored by:
Four Flamingos - A Richard Blaise Florida Kitchen

Tasty Chomps x STK Steakhouse AT DISNEY SPRINGS Orlando – A Taste of… STK Secret Menu –  NOW thru SUNDAY July 31st 2022

JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Hosts Masters of the Craft Competition 2022

The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, which opened here in Orlando in July 2020, recently hosted the Masters of the Craft – an internal competition among the culinary team and bartenders highlighting the immense talent that is on their property. 

Masters of the Craft is actually a National Marriott competition, and this is the first time in three years the Masters of the craft is occurring due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

I had the honor to judge the event recently, alongside Sam Basu- General Manager of the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek and Kelly Pentecost- former Master of the Craft bartender National runner up. I can attest first hand to the great caliber of talent among both the culinary team and the bartenders team at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek.

‘EDOBOY’ Standing Sushi Bar is Opening Soon in Orlando’s Mills 50 District

Orlando’s First Standing Sushi Bar Opening September 2022, Soft Open begins July 28th
 

If you have been to Tokyo, then you may well know about the particular type of sushi bar where people – usually busy businessmen and women about their day – dine on sushi while standing around a square shaped bar. It’s usually affordable and of course delicious, yet casual. 

Edoboy is 8 person standing sushi bar opening soon right here in Orlando where guests order 12 pieces max of nigiri, torched nigiri, and hand rolls a la carte directly with the chefs, who serve the sushi piece by piece. 

Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, owner of Orlando favorites Domu (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022) and Tori Tori (Michelin-Recommended 2022), and Chef Tyler have been creating the Edoboy menu for over a year, while developing ways to modernize the tradition of Japanese standing sushi bars that cater to Orlando’s burgeoning Mills50 food scene.

Proudly Sponsored by:
Tap Room at Dubsdread

Doshi - A new Modern Korean American Restaurant to Open in Winter Park this August

Doshi, featuring a contemporary 35-seat Korean chef-tasting menu, will be opening its doors at 1040 N Orlando Ave STE 104 in the Whole Foods plaza in Winter Park. 

Doshi is the evolution of Doshibox, one of the first restaurants to operate out of Collab Kitchens, a virtual kitchen and concept incubator located in Curry Ford West.

Inspired by the emerging Korean chef-driven restaurant scene in NYC, Jimmy and Johnny Tung aspired to bring this progressive take on Korean cuisine to Orlando through a partnership with long-time friend and Doshibox creator Gene Kim.

"As a second-generation Korean American, my primary connection to Korean culture has always been through the cuisine. The past decade of working with Johnny and the Bento Group has laid the perfect foundation to spearhead my first project, which allows me to explore my heritage further." - Gene Kim

Executive Chef Rikku Ó'Donnchü will join the Doshi team alongside Kim and brothers Ray and Michael Gillette. Rikku will utilize his experiences operating Yuzu (Korean and Japanese fusion) in Cape Town, South Africa, to lead the team on this new concept.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex debuts Gateway Experience and Artemis Mission Manual Scavenger Hunt 

Proudly Sponsored by:
Rocco's Italian Grille

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Returns THIS Aug. 26-Oct. 3 2022 – plus what’s new this year

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns Aug. 26 – Oct. 3 with 102 restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus for $40.

Celebrating its 17th year, the popular annual dining program supports area restaurants and donates one dollar from every meal served to a local nonprofit organization.

This year’s roster brings 16 restaurants new to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, as well as six restaurants recently recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Menus are now live at OrlandoMagicalDining.com, along with the opportunity to book reservations and explore hotel offers as part of Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights. Additional menus and hotel deals will be added in the coming weeks.

BoVine Steakhouse in Winter Park – New Summer Menu plus Interviews with Chef Zachary Mehner and owner Joanne McMahon

Did you know that BoVine Steakhouse on Winter Park’s Park Ave recently announced Zachary Mehner as their new Executive Chef? 

He has created a new menu that just debuted with a modern take on traditional classics – including a massive bone-in Veal Osso Bucco, tender Chilean Sea Bass, and Double Bone Pork Chop are among the new items. 

BoVine Steakhouse is an entity of JM Hospitality Group, founded by Joanne McMahon (who also serves as pastry chef for the restaurant group). 

Over the years, she has brought the community different concepts like The Partridge Tree Gift Shop, 310 Restaurants (310 Park South & 310 Lakeside), Blu on the Avenue, BoVine Steakhouse and The Vintage Vault. Read on  BoVine Steakhouse in Winter Park – New Summer Menu plus Interviews with Chef Zachary Mehner and owner Joanne McMahonBoVine Steakhouse in Winter Park – New Summer Menu plus Interviews with Chef Zachary Mehner and owner Joanne McMahon

Prato in Winter Park – Summer 2022 Seasonal Menu plus Golden Ticket Giveaway

Have you been to Prato Winter Park yet for their summer seasonal menu?

From dishes like Hawaiian Yellow Tail Crudo to Leek Ravioli and Peach and Fennel Salad, these modern Italian inspired plates crafted here at the rustic Prato in Winter Park are a must – and right now there’s even more reason to visit – they are running a Golden Ticket Giveaway promotion all summer long each and every day at both Luke’s and Prato this summer –

Each day, one lucky random winner at Prato & Lukes will receive a $200 Gift Certificate & branded chocolate bar.

At the end of the meal, the restaurant will deliver your Golden Ticket Prize.

Tickets will be awarded at lunch OR dinner each day now through August 31.

Reservations are always suggested but the winner can be a walk in too!

JUJU by Susuru coming to East Colonial this August 2022

Come with us for a sneak peek of the new retro Japanese themed restaurant located in the old Pizza Hut on Maguire and East Colonial – @jujubysusuru, Orlando’s newest Izakaya and Kappo Bar! Founded by chef owner Lewis Lin and featuring chefs Cayo and Albert, this will be a sister restaurant to Susuru in Southwest Orlando.

In contrast to their izakaya dining, the intimate 6 seat Kappo bar will offer a unique tasting experience! Kappo’ comes from the traditional method of Japanese cooking meaning to cut, boil, stew, and fry.

Reservations for the Kappo Bar can be made starting on July 17 for August seatings. The restaurant will open to the general public in August.

Catching up with Hien and Huong, Owners of Z Asian – Vietnamese Kitchen after their MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand Award

Last week, Z Asian- Vietnamese Kitchen was awarded the coveted MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand in the first ever MICHELIN Guide for Florida, one of 7 restaurants in Orlando to be awarded this honor.

There’s issues with the MICHELIN Guide, as with any system that judges restaurants based on criteria partially created over a century ago. But still, it is an honor, and hopefully with more nudging the guide will continue to reform.

I read the Michelin Inspector’s review of the restaurant and something bothered me.

Catching up with Hien and Huong, Owners of Z Asian – Vietnamese Kitchen after their MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand Award