Grub + Girl Talk: 6 Places to Dine with Friends

Jul 052016

In between managing a busy work schedule, being a lady boss and trying to resuscitate your New Year’s resolution of working out every day, it’s important to make time for friends and good food. This time of fellowship truly is good for the soul.

Let’s kick off this short list of some of my favorite places to dine around town with your girlfriends this summer. Please comment with your favorite spot and tag us @SporkOrlando and @MajorCreates! Lauren and I might just see you there.

1. The Osprey Tavern | Brunch, Please!

Brunch at Osprey is a necessity. From almost anywhere in the dining room, you can watch Pastry Chef Kristy Carlucci, as she makes magic with flour, sugar and eggs in the restaurant’s open kitchen. Who wouldn’t be interested in their Waffles served with peach preserves, cherry sauce, bourbon chantilly and pecans? Right now, there are Apple Cider Donut Muffins and Strawberry-Rhurbarb Hand Pies on the seasonal menu. I suggest we all go before they’re gone.

2.Taverna Opa Orlando | Summer in Greece

Truth Moment: Opa Orlando is one of my favorite restaurants. Greek Salad, Hummus and house-made Greek Yogurt are all musts. Dress cute and comfy, and be ready to dance the night away. This summer, Chef-Owners Katerina and Vassilis Coumbaros are in Greece exploring their homeland’s newest food trends. Check out their Instagram to watch their journey.

3.Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi | Sashimi Rollin’?

Sashmi rollin’ is definitely an old office joke inspired by “Ridin'” — the 2005 hit by Chamillionaire.

Hope you get it.

I’ll start by saying that Dragonfly is totally worth the drive. Dim lights and good music always set the mood for a night of meaningful conversation. The sushi is amazing, but the robata grill is not to be missed. Specialty white coals, imported from Japan, heat up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond to slow-cook your choice of skewered vegetables and proteins. When you go, please order the Brussels Sprouts served with balsamic, parmesan and bonito flakes.

4.Soco | Down-South Food Downtown

Have you ever wanted to go downtown, but not really downtown? Well, this is the remedy. At Soco, celebrated Chef Greg Richie is serving up Southern dishes sprinkled with Asian influences. When I go, I’m ordering the Boiled Peanut Hummus to start my meal.

Check out the menu for weekly specials, such as Southern-Style Taco Tuesdays and TV Dinner Thursdays.

5.P is For Pie | Slice of Heaven

Oatmeal Cream Pie for the win. Until visiting this Audubon shop owned by an amazing husband-and-wife duo, I swore that there couldn’t be pie in the land that even remotely compared to my mom’s. Be sure to get P is for Pies’s Caramel Crack Pecan Hand Pie and a cup of Stumptown Coffee. Give Stacey the biggest hug for me!

6.Black Rooster Taqueria | Taco ‘Bout It

Owned and operated by Chef John Calloway and his wife, Juliana Calloway, Black Rooster Taqueria opened in 2016 and gave the Mills 50 District just what it needed: a taste of Mexico. In what used to be Tony’s Deli, Black Rooster is offering an authentic experience with freshly-made corn tortillas, and the best guacamole I’ve had in a really long time.

Order a few dishes with friends for a Saturday lunch, and snap some photos for Instagram — the lighting during the day is perfecto.

Snack on,

Chauniqua Major, but we’re friends so call me Major!