Written by Scott Joseph Monday, 08 February 2010 15:46
Levy Restaurants' Walt Disney World eateries -- Fulton's Crab House, Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Portobello -- will offer three-day cooking camps each weekend in March for kids on Spring Break who want to learn some kitchen skills.
On Fridays, the chefs at Fulton's will teach participants how to make cookie sundaes. Saturdays at Portobello they'll make their own pizzas. And Sundays at Wolfgang Puck they'll learn how to roll their own. Sushi -- they'll roll their own sushi.
Classes are $29.95 for all three days or $12 for individual classes. Kids receive a chef's hat, apron, recipes and pictures to take back home. They'll also get a 20 percent off coupon to stay for lunch or return for dinner -- parents will receive that same offer.
Classes are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekend day. For reservations and information call 407-828-8996. The three Levy Restaurants are at Downtown Disney.
Written by Scott Joseph Monday, 08 February 2010 15:23
The first time I reviewed Passage To India was in 1990 when it had just moved into its storefront space on International Drive, near Kirkman Road. I liked it quite a bit, and the owner liked my review so much that he had it blown up and placed it in the front window, where it remained for many, many years.
The last time I visited was a couple of years ago. I politely requested that the owner remove my review from the window. Everything about the place had deteriorated, from the quality of the food to the service to the weary worn decor. It had become the kind of restaurant I fear visitors to Orlando will visit and associate with our city.
Written by Scott Joseph Sunday, 07 February 2010 13:49
Highland Manor, the creative Southern restaurant that reinvigorated the local upscale dining scene last year, has changed hands and the dining room is currently closed. Reached in New York where he is opening another restaurant, former chef and co-owner of the Apopka restaurant said that he and another partner had sold their interests to a third partner, Richard Wilhelm. Wilhelm was not immediately available for comment.
A woman who answered the phone at Highland Manor said the dining room would reopen to the public Valentine's Weekend and would thereafter be open Thursdays through Sundays. The restaurant has been holding private catering events on the property while closed to the public.
Mooney said, "We were going in the right direction, and the city dealt with us really well. But the numbers just weren't there. We couldn't see it turning around in the next 24 months."
Mooney is planning to open a restaurant called Bell, Book and Candle at Greenwich Avenue and W. 10th Street in New York in early April.
Written by Scott Joseph Sunday, 07 February 2010 09:27
culinary excellence, announced this evening that Chef James Kent will represent the United States at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or International Culinary Competition, to be held in Lyon, France on January 25-26, 2011. His commis (assistant) in the competition will be Tom Allan. Established in 1987 by Chef Paul Bocuse, the Bocuse d'Or is the preeminent international culinary competition in which teams of one chef and one commis from 24 countries compete for top honors and international acclaim. Currently, Chef Kent serves as Sous Chef at Eleven Madison Park in New York City and his commis is a Sous Chef at Eleven Madison Park as well.
Written by Scott Joseph Thursday, 04 February 2010 16:30
Norman Van Aken, owner of Norman’s at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando, will be among the chefs judging the 2010 Bocuse d’Or USA competition this weekend at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. The winner of the competition will represent the United States at next year’s Bocuse d’Or in Lyons, France. Van Aken’s fellow judges include Grant Achatz, Paul Bartolotta, Traci Des Jardins, Paul Liebrandt, Walter Manzke, David Myers, Daniel Patterson, Georges Perrier, Alain Sailhac, André Soltner, Susan Spicer, Laurent Tourondel, Alan Wong and Eric Ziebold.Often referred to as the Olympics for the culinary world, Bocuse d’Or is the biennial competition that challenges chefs from around the world to outcook each other. Bocuse d’Or was founded by Paul Bocuse, one of the owners of Les Chefs de France at Epcot.
Following the weekend event, Van Aken will return to Central Florida for a special Bocuse d’Or fundraising dinner at his restaurant on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The menu will honor Bocuse (who turns 84 the following day) with such dishes as black truffle soup elysee en croute, French toast with foie gras, and Painted Hills roasted beef tenderloin. The five-course dinner is open to the public and costs $150 per person, all inclusive, with wine pairings. The dinner begins with a Champagne reception at 7 p.m. For reservations call 407-393-4333. Click here to see the entire menu.
Norman’s is the only Florida restaurant invited to participate in the nationwide event. Other restaurants include Stir in Boston, Alinea in Chicago, Corton in New York City, and RN74, Jardiniere, La Folie, and Coi in San Francisco.
Written by Scott Joseph Wednesday, 03 February 2010 13:24
Park Plaza Gardens will remain stuck in the past, at least through February. Well, most of February. The January promotion that brought back the original 1980 menu, along with the original prices, proved to be so popular that management has decided to continue the offer through February. The one exception will be Valentine's Day weekend -- for that you'll have to shell out 2010 bucks.
The menu features some incredible bargains, the likes of which have not been seen since, well, 1980. And even then, to have been a bargain in 1980 they would have to have been 1950 prices, if you know what I mean. For example, you can have coquilles St. Jacques for $3.95 and veal cordon bleu for $12.95. I had both recently and they were terrific.
Added for February is the roster of original desserts, including cherries jubilee, baked Alaska and crepes Suzette. Click here to see the special menu.
Written by Scott Joseph Wednesday, 03 February 2010 13:11
Click to continue reading review of Harmoni Market Longwood...
Written by Scott Joseph Tuesday, 02 February 2010 10:09
With Valentine's Day falling on a Sunday this year, many Central Florida restaurants will be offering dinner-for-lovers specials all weekend long. And, some restaurants, such as Rocco's Italian Grille, that are usually closed on Sundays will be open for folks purists who want to celebrate on the traditional February 14.
Of course, Saturday is the traditional Date Night USA, so a couple could make an evening out of it and not have to worry about work the next day. Then again, with Presidents Day on Monday the 15th, maybe you have the day off?
Whatever. I'm compiling a list of restaurants that are offering Valentine's specials. Click here to go to the V-Day section. And check back often because I'll be adding more restaurants as the menus start rolling in.
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