May 242015
 

Sometimes you just need a fun dinner with your favorite person to erase your cares and de-stress. And while there are plenty of options in The City Beautiful for dining, some are more suitable for that weekend date night. So, the next time you’re planning a night out with your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, keep some of these places in mind! And if you’re looking for some extra glam for your date night outfit head to RocksBox to rent some designer jewels! We’re obsessed.

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Okay back to food, here’s our picks for the best date night spots in town!

  • Hillstone: I’ve always enjoyed Hillstone for its food, but also for the notable atmosphere. Step outside and you will find a seating area unmatched by any other local restaurant. The outdoor seating is on the edge of Lake Killarney and is filled with an herb garden and Adirondack chairs perfect for wine and conversation. The sunsets here are unbelievable and you can even reserve the dining dock that overlooks the lake.

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  • Prato: Unhealthy as it is, I’ve always had a pizza obsession. There’s something about the cheesy, baked bread goodness that always makes my belly happy. The pizza at Prato is uniquely different as the pizza oven was handcrafted in Italy under the direction of Prato’s Chef! My personal favorite is the Widowmaker with caciocavallo cheese, romesco sauce, fennel sausage and a farm egg baked into the center. Go for the pizza, stay for the dessert.

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  • Scratch: Looking for something a little more low-key? Head to scratch for a delightful tapas and wine experience. The funky vibe and low lighting is perfect for a delightful evening filled with yummy bites and sips. For more on our experience, click here.

There you have it, a short and sweet list of our go-to date night spots!

 

 

 

Photo Credits: All photos taken by Spork with the exception of Hillstone which was taken by the restaurant.

 

 

May 212015
 

Staying in town this weekend and still looking for plans? Kick off the “summer” at American Q on May 24 with their Memorial Weekend Sunday BBQ! The event will be family-friendly, free and open to the public, with a live Rockabilly performance by the Oak Hill Drifters.  There will also be food and drink concessions featuring some of the restaurant’s best bites!

Click here for more on our dining experience at this fabulous BBQ joint. Happy summer!

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May 132015
 

On Thursday, June 11, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association will host Sip, Shop & Stroll, an evening of wine and hors d’oeuvres in downtown Winter Park. Held seasonally, Sip, Shop & Stroll events allow attendees to experience local shops and restaurants at their leisure and preview the latest fashions, gift ideas and seasonal menu items.

Participating businesses include: Alex and Ani, Bebe’s, Boca Kitchen Bar Market, California Closets, Cocina 214, Cottonways, Hutton, Lilly Pulitzer, Luma on Park, Nelore, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Simmons Jewelers, The Ancient Olive, The Doggie Door, The Grove, The Impeccable Pig, The Spice & Tea Exchange, Timothy’s Gallery, Winter Park Land Company and Writers Block Bookstore.

The Winter Park Sip, Shop & Stroll will be held from 5 – 8 p.m.  Admission is $25 and reservations are recommended.  Each attendee will receive a wine glass and passport at registration.  Reservations can be made by contacting the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at www.winterpark.org.

 

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May 132015
 

I’m so glad hummus is a “thing” now, appetizers and parties are so much better than hummus’ predecessor – ranch dip. I love some Hidden Valley and then, but it does get old after awhile. With endless flavors of hummus, there’s always something new to enjoy with veggies and crackers. So naturally, it’s only fitting to celebrate this fine spread and alas Friday is National Hummus Day. So whether your enjoy the Publix brand or whipping up a batch on your own, here’s to enjoying some glorious smashed up chickpeas.

Feel like making your own hummus this week? Taverna Opa has shared a simple recipe with us! Try it out or visit Pointe Orlando to try their dish firsthand.

Opa’s Hummus Recipe

  • 1 Cup Chickpeas
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Garlic to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Combine all ingredients in mortar and ground to your desired consistency.

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Photo Credit: Taverna Opa

May 112015
 

Back in time for summer, Bonefish Grill is offering Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, Blackened Baja Fish Tacos and their original Fish + Chips for $7 each now through June 2. Menu details below!

  • Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos: three warm tortillas filled with signature Bang Bang Shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes + sour cream.

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  • Baja Fish Tacos: include three blackened fish tacos in warm tortillas, finished with fresh romaine, mango salsa, lime crema + fresh herb pesto.

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  • Fish + Chips: served tempura-style with tartar sauce and french fries.

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Visit BonefishGrill.com to find a location near you!

 

 

Photo Credits: Bonefish Grill

May 102015
 

The average American eats five restaurant meals a week which equates to 260 restaurant meals a year! And there’s a million articles and resources dedicated to helping you eat healthy while dining out – it’s overwhelming and difficult to discern the truth sometimes!

We recently came across Hope Warshaw’s book named Eat Out, Eat Well which outlines how to make every restaurant meal healthy and satisfying. Warshaw offers practical advice for eating out including:

  • Pitfalls of restaurant eating
  • Skills and strategies for healthier restaurant eating
  • How to eat gluten-free restaurant meals
  • Healthier meal samplers for types of restaurants
  • Menu lingo for ethnic cuisines
  • Healthy options for all fare ranging from pizza to fast food and fine dining

Whether you’re eating in a restaurant or ordering takeout, the strategies and practical advice found in Eat Out, Eat Well helps turn restaurant meals from explosive calories to doable within any diet.

It’s no secret that we love dining out, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite dishes to enjoy locally without busting your diet!

Duffy’s Sports Grill:

  • When ordered with a green side salad, each option below is less than 580 calories.
  • Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna: Seasoned, coated with sesame seeds and seared in sesame oil; served with cucumber salad and Soba noodles with Asian dressing.
  • Korean Beef Tenderloin Mini-Tacos: Cilantro-onion relish and a spicy chili garlic sauce.

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Chipotle:

  • Burrito Bowl – Skip the tortilla and guacamole for an (almost) equally tasty bowl! A sofritas bowl with black beans, fajita vegetables, three salsas and lettuce comes in around 360 calories. Talk about a calorie bargain.

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Cocina 214:

  • Don Carlos Tacos – Blackened fish tacos, coastal slaw and citrus dressing. Ask for extra lime for a quick burst of flavor sans calories!

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Yard House:

  • Skinny Margarita – 1800 silver tequila, fresh lime, made with their house citrus agave blend, all for under 200 calories. Best skinny marg we’ve ever tasted! Ask for salt if you want it rimmed, this drink typically comes without the salty goodness.

Hawkers Asian Street Fare:

  • A restaurant full of shareable small plates, there’s plenty of options for a smaller, yet satisfying meal.
  • Lettuce Wraps – Stir-fried shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, carrots, bean curd, garlic and ginger with your choice of protein.
  • Grilled Hawker Skewers – Authentic and delicious, the skewers are cooked over real wood charcoal to give them a true smoky flavor that can’t come from a gas grill.

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Photo Credits: Hawker’s, all other images taken by Spork.

Disclosure: Spork received a complimentary Eat Out, Eat Well book

 

May 092015
 

RA Sushi is keeping things fresh for summer with some new menu items! Located in the heart of Pointe Orlando, this sushi joint serves up Japanese inspired cuisine and a variety of sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi and more.

We recently enjoyed a sampling of their newest menu offerings, here’s what we tasted:

Summer Menu:

  • Red Sea Bream Carpaccio and Red Sea Bream Nigiri

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  • Langostino Salad

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  • Tuna California Roll

Specialty Cocktails and Sake:

  • Peach Basil Sour: combines a flavorful mixture of Bacardi Peach Red, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh basil and lemon sour.

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  • Hot Tropics Margarita: Serving up a blend of sweet and spicy with Tanteo Tropical Tequila and Combier Liqueur d’Orange, shaken with mango purée, lime juice and agave nectar. Served with a chili-salted rim.
  • Pear & Lemon Blossom

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  • Sake: Ty Ku Coconut Nigiri, Sake Flight – Mio Sparkling, Kizakura Pure, Sayuri “Little Lily” Nigori

RA Sushi also offers some can’t miss specials, here are some of their current deals plus a special one for Mom!

Weekly Specials:

  • Maki & Martini Monday – Select Martinis and Maki available for $6
  • 2 for 1 Tuesday – 2 for 1 Viva Las Vegas Rolls
  • 2 for $25 Sunday – Sushi for 2 for $25
  • Plus May 10 treat Mom to an all-day happy hour! All-Day Happy Hour for Mother’s Day

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RA Sushi Bar Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Photo Credits: RA Sushi