Primo named Forbes Recommended Destination

Written By Scott Joseph On March 18, 2024

Primo, the Italian restaurant at JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, has been named a Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Destination, one of only four restaurants listed in the Orlando area. It joins Knife & Spoon, its next-door neighbor and fellow Grande Lakes venue at the Ritz, Capa, the Four Seasons steakhouse, and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian.

Primo, which opened in 2003 as Primo by Melissa Kelly, underwent a complete redesign two years ago and Kelly’s name was dropped. However, the James Beard Award winning chef is still in partnership at the restaurant and will be in town next week for an invitation-only celebration ceremony.

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Easter Dining in Orlando

Written By Scott Joseph On March 14, 2024

Easter is just a couple of weeks away (March 31, a Sunday, I think) so it’s time to start thinking about where you’ll have Easter Brunch.

Check out the list of restaurants that will be open that day with special menus, including favorites like Four Flamingos, illume, Sear + Sea Woodfire Grill and UnReserved Food Bazaar’s Peter Rabbit Easter Brunch (don’t be alarmed, there will be no lapin on the line). See the full list on our Holiday Dining page.

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Dinner Party Redux: Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar

Written By Scott Joseph On March 14, 2024

We had a delightful, intimate Dinner Party at Rocco’s, the wonderful fine dining Italian restaurant in Winter Park. Chef and owner Rocco Potami was the gracious host with his well-trained staff keeping things moving. Tony Matos, representative for Opici Wines & Spirits, curated the pairings.

For our welcome reception, Matos poured the Laluca Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiandene, made with 100 percent glera grapes. Always nice to start things off with a bit of bubbly, especially one as full and fruity as this one.

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Next Dinner Party at Tabla Winter Park

Written By Scott Joseph On March 14, 2024

Our next Scott Joseph’s Dinner Party will be at Tabla in Winter Park Thursday, April 18. We’ll begin with a welcome cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. and then sit for dinner at 7 o’clock. Tickets are $125 per person including tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made at 407-248-9400.

The dinner will be a sneak peek preview of a new chef’s table menu that Tabla will be rolling out following our event. It elevates Indian cuisine to a fine dining experience. The menu features five courses – each with a wine pairing – plus an amuse bouche and palate cleanser. (See the menu below.)

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Trudnak makes a Celestial full circle

Written By Scott Joseph On March 12, 2024

Mike Trudnak, who was the opening executive chef for the Celeste hotel at UCF and its restaurant, Aurora, but then left last spring to become exec chef at Daytona Grande hotel (taking his executive sous chef, sous chef and other kitchen staff with him) has returned to the Celeste. Trudnak said in a post of Facebook that he returned March 1 – and so have six of his original team members.

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