Tasty Chomps' Orlando

• Lunch at DoveCote in Downtown Orlando
• Florida Hospital Gourmet Soiree Chef Showdown 2017
• 2017 Breakfast for Dinner to support Mills 50 at First Watch
• Interview with TooJay’s Chef Dennis Snuszka

Lunch at DoveCote in Downtown Orlando

I recently had lunch at DoveCote, coined as a modern brasserie,  now open on the ground floor of the Bank of America Center at 390 N. Orange Ave.

Led by Chef Clayton Miller, a past winner of a “Best New Chef” award from Food & Wine Magazine, the restaurant draws inspiration from classic French cuisine to refine his take on dishes such as Cote De Boeuf, Steak Frites and Bouillabaisse. DoveCote also features a raw bar serving a curated assortment of oysters, shrimp, mussels, clams and other seasonal seafood selections.

In addition to daily lunch and dinner service, DoveCote offers a coffee and pastry breakfast Monday to Friday beginning at 7 a.m. until supplies last. A craft coffee menu and barista service is available all day.

I recently went to visit with some friends for a lovely lunch there. Inside,  the restaurant is furnished with a rustic French look, kind of like something out of the department store, Anthropologie. The seating was a bit uncomfortable as I recalled being a little bit too close to other diners. It may be a turnoff for those who prefer their lunch conversations private.

We began with an order of the pain maison, the house bread rolls accompanied with black olive butter and roasted garlic.

I ordered the Croque Monsieur, $15, a wonderful French style ham and gruyere cheese sandwich topped with more cheese and mornay sauce. The bread was flavorful and soft, and overall the sandwich was a delight.

My dining companions had the chicken salad croissant sandwich and the shaved roast beef sandwich. Both were well received.

DoveCote is open Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00PM and closed Sunday.

Florida Hospital Gourmet Soiree Chef Showdown 2017

The Florida Hospital Foundation

presents

Rosen Shingle Creek 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819

Sunday, May 21, 2017 5pm – 9pm

Roll up your sleeves and join over 60 of Central Florida’s talented chefs for Florida Hospital’sGourmet Soiree Chef Show on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Rosen Shingle Creek.

At this exciting event, hosted by top culinary professionals, teams will prepare a delicious and healthy meal while competing against other tables for best dish.

Join us for a hands-on dining experience where all proceeds benefit vital programs at Florida Hospital — focusing on children’s health and wellness initiatives that teach good eating habits and healthy life choices.

HOW TO DESCRIBE THIS EVENT:

INTERACTIVE COOKING ? TEAM BUILDING ? COOK WITH YOUR CHEF ? LIKE “IRON CHEF” ? CASUAL EVENING ?

BEST DATE NIGHT EVER ? FUN WAY TO RECOGNIZE AND ENTERTAIN CLIENTS ? HEALTHY ? FARM TO TABLE ?

HIGH ENERGY ? FRIENDLY COMPETITION ? SOUS CHEF ? ENTERTAINING WAY TO LEARN HOW TO COOK ?COOKING FOR A CAUSE

Will you accept this healthy challenge?

For questions and additional event and sponsorship information, please contact Tamara Dempster at Tamara.Dempster@FlHosp.org or (407) 303-9574.

2017 Breakfast for Dinner to support Mills 50 at First Watch

Interview with TooJay’s Chef Dennis Snuszka

Founded in 1981 in Palm Beach, TooJay’s is as a classic New York-style deli.

Its Executive Chef Dennis Snuszka was born & raised in Buffalo, NY who worked as a line cook at a hotel while attending high school.

Eventually, he graduated in 1974 from the Culinary Institute of America with a degree in Culinary arts, going on to work with Landry’s Seafood, RJ Gator’s Grill and Bar, and now Vice President of Food and Beverage at TooJay’s Deli.

Here is a quick interview we had with him via e-mail about his likes and favorite memories.

Favorite first memories of food and my inspiration to cook:

Early influence was at an early age cooking with my grandmother all food from scratch.
Prepared egg noodles, yeast breads, sauerkraut, soups, coffee cakes, pickles, canning fruit, etc.

Best Dishes to Try at TooJay’s:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Medley/Mini Loaded Latkes/Matzo Ball Soup

Reuben

Strawberry Citrus Salad

Chipotle Bacon Burger

Hot Pastrami on Rye

Also,

Chicken Capri
Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda
Banana Dream/Carrot Cake

One Dish to make for myself after work:

Braised Short Ribs, Roasted Vegetables

Favorite Local Restaurants to dine in Orlando:

• MoonFish, Dr. Phillips: Beef Carpaccio, Tuna Sashimi and Swordfish au Poivre
• Fleming’s Steakhouse, Dr. Phillips: Maple Slab Cut Bacon/Prime Dry Aged NY Strip
• Fish Bones, Sand Lake/Republic: New England Clam Chowder/Citrus & Oak Grilled Black Grouper

——-

TooJay’s is also now celebrating National Burger Month with three new mouthwatering burger creations from April 24 through June 4.

The Hamburger originated in the 1600s as “steak tartare” in Hamburg, Germany and evolved to cooked beef patties on a bun that grew popular among U.S. workers at the beginning of the 20th century as they were easy to eat on the go. Stats show that 73% of burger fans worldwide eat at least one burger a month, 22% top their burgers with cheese, and 60% choose french fries as the perfect accompaniment.

• Hangover Burger

In the quest for hangover remedies, hearty burgers often do the trick. Caramelized onions, American cheese, bacon, and remoulade sauce topped with a fried egg make TooJay’s new Hangover Burger the perfect cure for a hangover or for simply beating the boring burger blues! $11.49

• Avocado Burger

Prized for its nutrient value, good flavor and rich texture, avocado has become a popular superfood. Fresh sliced avocado, Swiss cheese, arugula and lemon garlic aioli make TooJay’s new Avocado Burger a discriminating diner’s delight. $11.49 Add bacon for $1.29.

• BBQ Burger

For National Burger Month, nothing says BBQ like the aroma of a burger topped with smokehouse bacon, American cheese, smoky BBQ sauce and a crispy onion ring. $10.99

find the closest toojays to you at: toojays.com

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