Tasty Chomps' Orlando

• 9 Gorgeous Dishes from Seito’s 15th Anniversary Omakase Dinner
• Sunday Brunch at Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen
• Shishco Mezze and Grill – Maitland – Turkish and Mediterranean
• Orlando BritWeek 2015 – November 8-14

9 Gorgeous Dishes from Seito’s 15th Anniversary Omakase Dinner

I had a chance to dine with a intimate group of media, Jason, and Sue Chin (the owners of Seito and Osprey Tavern in Baldwin Park) for Seito Baldwin Park’s 15 Year Anniversary.

Honestly, it was one of the best culinary tasting experience I’ve had this year, featuring a 9 course omakase dinner. Omakase means (in a Japanese restaurant) a meal consisting of dishes selected by the chef and literally means “I’ll leave it up to you.”

Here are a few of the dishes from the exceptional 9 course omakase dinner:

9. Baked Glacier Point oyster – sambal froth, nori butter, black tobiko, almond flour.

It was lightly crispy and so buttery soft…delicious.

8. Japanese sea bream – pickled sweet peppers, apple, orange gastrique, lemongrass oil.

There’s something about this white fish that makes the ending notes so clean and palatable. You wouldn’t even need ginger to cleanse your palate for the next course.

7. Pork belly kakuni with braised savoy cabbage, pickled green beans, Japanese mustard.

I could’ve eaten about 9 more of this and gained some kind of cholesterol problem but it will be worth it. This cube of pork belly was so beautifully glazed with a slight hint of Japanese mustard for a hint of tang. It completely melted in your mouth without the unpleasant residue that fat could sometimes leave on your tongue.

6. Whole roasted Branzino – lime leaf, kyurizuke, barrel-aged white soy, nuoc cham, house sriracha.

Probably my favorite way to enjoy branzino. Seito’s was so simply seasoned that the flesh of the fish really shined. This is definitely a dish to share and enjoy with your table.

Stuffed with Kaffir lime leaves to rid of the fishy smell and taste.

Jason was kind enough to help separate the fish for us.

Never let any part go to waste. ( fish cheeks, eyeballs, and crispy fins are some of my favorites)

5. Salmon tataki on a bed of daikon nest, relish, fried garlic, dark tosa soy.

Restaurants usually serve tuna tataki since the meat of tuna stays intact when it’s cooked, but salmon’s flaky nature makes that difficult. Seito was decided to challenge that but cutting the sashimi pieces first then taking their time to sear each edge of the salmon. 

4. Tokyo turnip salad – Okinawa potato puree, caramelized mountain yam, bacon miso dressing.

Jason and his team always manage to impress me with their salads creations. People usually hear the word salad- and think “boring” but that is the complete opposite for this salad. The Okinawa potato was sweet and blended to a perfect puree to harmoniously accompany fresh turnips and yams. 

3. Beef tenderloin – miso marble potatoes, blistered shishito peppers, ginger-scallion pesto, malbec pho jus.

Wonderfully cooked to a tender medium rare.

2. Smoked yellowtail toro – uni foam, holy grail, cherry smoke.

The smoke infused flesh of the fish was really bold, however it did not take away from the freshness of the raw fish. 

1. Kabocha bread pudding – sesame butterscotch, ginger-vanilla creme, pumpkin powder, granola.

I love ending on a sweet note, and this definitely hit the spot without being too sugary. However, I did wanted a side of ice cream to accompany the bread pudding, but that could just be me being basic. 

Everything about Seito’s Sushi new innovations continues to blow me away, from their creative use of the protein to the modern twist on traditional classics.

Unfortunately, not everything from this anniversary dinner course will be available on their regular menu, but it does show the depth and talent that the kitchen and chefs of Seito possess.

I’m really excited to return and enjoy their full Omakase dinner options, I’m sure nothing will be subpar.

Congratulations again to Seito Sushi Baldwin Park on their 15 Year Anniversary!

Sunday Brunch at Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen

I love Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen’s Sunday brunch menu created by Chef Camilo Velasco.

Known mostly for their coffee, the flavors here pop and the menu items are refreshing yet familiar.

The brunch menu, which is available only at their Winter Park flagship location, features dishes like the Israeli inspired Shakshuka, made with saucy tomato ragout topped with poached eggs, thyme, feta, served with buttered toast.

My favorite item from the menu? The simply named – Burrito, with not so simple flavors. This lovely dish is filled with fluffy eggs, spiced chorizo, sweet peppers,  herb roasted potatoes, and cilantro all wrapped up together – Delish.

Burrito. Eggs, chorizo, sweet peppers,
herb roasted potatoes, cilantro. 10

Breakfast Panino. Fried eggs, bacon,
spinach, 2-year cheddar, tomato jam. 9.5

Fried. v Two eggs, heirloom tomato,
buttered toast, herb roasted potatoes. 9.5

Avocado Toast. v Cilantro, lime, lemon
oil, sprouts. 7

Baker’s Basket v Pastry assortment,
Amish butter, house preserves. Featuring
Blue Bird Bake Shop™ and Olde Hearth
baked goods. 7.5

Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen
118 S. Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 407.629.0042

Store Hours
Monday – Thursday
7:00am – 5:00pm

Friday – Saturday
7:00am – 6:00pm

Sunday
7:30am – 6:00pm

Shishco Mezze and Grill – Maitland – Turkish and Mediterranean

I’m a huge fan of Turkish food, particularly the delicious version of gyro / doner kebab / lamb cuts that they make. It’s a little bit different from the typical Greek gyro meat you get around town – less processed, more grilled, and very delicious. The meaning of doner kebab literally means “rotating roast” as the stack of meats is cooked via a rotating spit roasted over a fire.

Shishco Mezze and Grill is located in a strange building in the middle of a parking lot in Maitland. It used to be Fast Eddie’s Famous Burgers, then a smoothie joint, and a hot dog joint, among others. You order up at the window, kind of like at Checkers without a drive-thru. The spot only has a few picnic tables for seating outside, so most folks might want to take it to go.

Mehmet Tanriver and Mehmet Gurkaynak, owner partners of Shishco Mezze and Grill in Maitland started their first restaurant in 2003 in Turkey. Shishco means chubby, mezze means Mediterranean appetizers – put it together you have chubby Turkish appetizers.

The partners moved to Orlando from Adana, a southern part of Turkey near the Mediterranean coast, cooking everything fresh with free range beef and chicken. One loves cooking falafel and zucchini pancakes while the other enjoys cooking chicken wings and kofte – grilled ground beef patties blended with garlic, onion, and spices.

On a recent visit for lunch, I ordered the gyro bowl, a generous bowl with a large lavash flat bread base overflowing with bulgur wheat grain, sliced pickled red onion, chopped tomatoes, and slices of beef and lamb doner / gyro. It was one of the best lunches I’ve had in a long time and would go back again just for this.

Go and try them out as soon as possible!

Shishco Mezze and Grill
118 Lake Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Phone:(407) 661-1336
Menu: shishcomezzegrill.com

Orlando BritWeek 2015 – November 8-14

See Press Release below!

BRITWEEK ORLANDO RETURNS FOR IT’S SECOND YEAR NOVEMBER 8-14, 2015
Calendar of Events released

The British are coming! BritWeek Orlando is celebrating its annual week of collaboration between British and American culture, innovation and politics with exciting, educational and original activities from November 8 to the 14th in Orlando’s best venues. In its second year, the spectrum of interesting and entertaining events will include a never before seen collection of ‘British Invasion’ photographs of the Beatles, new perspectives on gaming, exciting culinary and art competitions and even discussions on globalization issues.

The first day starts at the Orlando Museum of Art with a VIP, red carpet reception featuring the premiere of a curated selection of Beatles photos from the ‘Bob Bonis Archive’ that will be on display at the museum through the end of the year (open to the public Nov 10 to Jan 3). “We are pleased to host the opening reception of BritWeek Orlando and present a select group of photographs from the ‘Bob Bonis Archive,’ featuring images of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones on their first tours of the United States,” said Glen Gentele, director and CEO of the Orlando Museum of Art. “Any music lover in Central Florida — and I include myself in that statement, as well — should not want to miss this special exhibition at the Orlando Museum of Art.”

Bob Bonis was the U.S. Tour Manager for both The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, two of the most influential bands in rock history, and this exhibit is certain to be a draw for music fans, the press and families alike. Additionally, limited-edition fine art prints will be available for purchase accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from the GRAMMY Museum®.

On Monday, it’s all about British Influence on Central Florida Sports – A panel discussion with Orlando City Soccer, Orlando Magic, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Invictus Games – a interesting perspective that might not have occurred to many but is profoundly present.

BritWeek Orlando continues on Tuesday at the Citrus Club with a ticketed luncheon and presentation from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on ‘Our Changing World – The Globalization of Commercial Development.’

In the evening there will be a ‘British Sip, Shop & Stroll’ down Park Avenue with shops decorating their front windows for the week and offering select British food at several restaurants that will be judged by a BritWeek Orlando Food Competition Panel of local food critics. And that means more than just fish & chips!
On Wednesday, BritWeek Orlando will head to the National Entrepreneur Center to join the Central Florida International Trade Office where Her Majesty’s Consul General Dave Prodger will host a discussion about ‘Entrepreneurship is GREAT Britain and UK’s tradition of Innovation’ as it relates to business with our local community.

On Thursday, an exciting and educational panel discussion at the Orlando Science Center on the creation, application and benefits of virtual reality and simulation from leading techno-creative companies such as EA Sports, Appshaker and Bohemia. The event is hosted by the commercial section of the British Consulate known as United Kingdom Trade & Investment and highlights the British-American contribution and collaboration in the augmented reality space.

Throughout the week, Orange & Osceola County Middle and High Schools will be participating in an art competition that encourages students to bring to life their vision of British-American cooperation. BritWeek Orlando wants local children to get involved to allow for lessons in diversity and to cultivate as well as accelerate new perspectives on our future collaborations. Judging for the BritWeek Children’s Art Competition will be held at Merlin’s I-Drive 360 terminal building under the Orlando Eye outside Madame Tussaud’s on Friday at 4pm.

Calendar of Events:
Monday Nov 8 to Monday Nov 30
I-Drive 360 Hours BritWeek Children’s Art Competition – Displayed at I-Drive 360 – artwork by middle/high school students from Orange County Public Schools / Osceola County Public Schools that represents “British-American” collaboration.
Sunday Nov 8
4:00p – 7:00p Red carpet VIP Reception at The Orlando Museum of Art, Opening of the British Invasion Exhibition ‘Bob Bonis Archives’ – Invitation only
Monday Nov 9
4:30p – 6:30p British Influence on Central Florida Sports – A panel discussion with Orlando City Soccer, Orlando Magic, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Invictus Games – open to the public
Tuesday Nov 10
10:00a – 4:00p World Premier – British Invasion Exhibition ‘Bob Bonis Archives’ open to the public through January 3, 2016 – Orlando Museum of Art – standard museum admission
11:30a – 1:00p ‘Our Changing World – The globalization of Commercial Development’ at The Citrus Club – open to the public $35 including lunch
5:00p – 8:00p Park Ave, Winter Park British Sip & Stroll – public event $25 per person
Wednesday Nov 11
12:30p – 2:00p National Entrepreneur Center – ‘Entrepreneurship is GREAT Britain: the UK’s Tradition of Innovation’ Keynote – HM Consul General Dave Prodger – open to the public $10 including lunch
Thursday Nov 12
6:00p – 8:30p UKTI Gaming & Simulation round table & reception – private event at Orlando Science Center
Friday Nov 13
4:00p – 5:30p Judging for BritWeek Children’s art competition at I-Drive 360 – open to the public – no cost
5:30p – 7:00p VIP Happy Hour reception with Merlin International at I-Drive 360 – Invitation only

About BritWeek Orlando
Brit Week Orlando is part of the California based 501C-3 established almost 10 years ago with cofounder Nigel Lithgoe and has a local volunteer committee working to put events together that will spotlight Central Florida and its strong British connection. The week of events are also designed to raise funds to benefit two children’s charities: Dreamflight and Cannonball Kids Cancer. Donations collected and raffles/auctions held during BritWeek Orlando 2015 will help support these charities that are working to end children’s cancer and grant wishes to terminally ill children.

In a statement from event organizers, “BritWeek Orlando is in its second year celebrating the British influence on Central Florida with an ambitious schedule of 10 events over 7 days that spotlight simulation, music, entrepreneurs, sports, real estate, and art. We are incredibly excited to be bringing the never before seen photo exhibition of British Invasion era images of the Beatles and Rolling Stones that will be on display at the Orlando Museum of Art. We are also involving both Orange and Osceola County middle & high school students to have their artwork displayed during the month of November by Merlin Entertainment at I-Drive 360. We hope that the community joins in the fun and comes to some of the exciting events we have planned.”

There will be many opportunities to celebrate fashion, innovation, creativity, and commerce during BritWeek Orlando 2015. So dust off your Union Jack attire and visit www.BritWeek.org/Orlando to plan how you will be spending your BritWeek Orlando 2015.

More information:
www.Britweek.org
407-401-9690
Media Contact: Justine Assal MBE – Britweek Orlando Director

Sponsors:
Minto Communities
Bob Bonis Archives
Orlando Museum of Art
AFEX
Orb International
Merlin Entertainment
I-Drive 360
Madame Tussauds
Sea Life Aquarium
Legoland
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
United Kingdom Trade & Investment
City of Orlando Mayors Office
Orange County Mayors Office
Greater Orlando International Airport Authority
Central Florida International Trade Office
UCF
Full Sail University
Winter Park Photography
Bangz Park Avenue
Formosa Gardens
Florida Leisure
Winter Park Merchants Association

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