<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script async defer crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v17.0&appId=1360880647827568&autoLogAppEvents=1" nonce="nOICdQjC"></script>

Bullet Point Buffet: Opening, Closings, Other Stuff

Written By Scott Joseph On August 14, 2019

Mx Taco collage

  • Ryan Manning, chef and owner of MX Taco in the Milk District, is already planning the popular taqueria’s second location. He plans to take over the Waterford Lakes space previously occupied by Le Crave. He’s looking to open by Sept. 16, which is Mexican Independence Day.
  • Oh, Le Crave has closed. It was a French restaurant, apparently
  • Look for a new concept to move into the space on Lake Ivanhoe previously occupied by Mesa 21. Faiyaz Kara of the Orlando Weekly reports that the owners of Local Butcher & Market and the Porch, both on Orange Avenue in Winter Park, will open Russell’s on Ivanhoe. The lakefront park at one time was known as Russell’s Point; I wonder if there’s a connection.
  • Oh, Mesa 21 has closed. Its demise has been foretold for months, and I know lots of local restaurateurs had considered taking over the space before choosing someplace else. Surprising, because it’s arguably one of Orlando’s best restaurant settings, even with the I-4 Construction Without End across the water.

South Steel SJO March AD copy
  • Hubbly Bubbly, the falafel monger, is expected to close its downtown location by the end of the month. Bungalower’s Brendan O’Connor quoted the owner as saying the brand not the right one for that location. Funny, Cafe Annie did pretty good there selling falafel sandwiches for years. I’m sure it didn’t have anything to do with Hubbly Bubbly being a horrible name for a falafel sandwich restaurant.
  • Ace Cafe Orlando has started construction on an outdoor dining, beer garden and music space to be called Backyard at the Ace. Owners are looking at a late summer debut, which is coming up.
  • Oh, Ace Cafe Orlando is still open.
  • Osprey Tavern is hosting a Florida Oyster Revival Monday, Aug. 19, at the Baldwin Park restaurant. Elek Kovacs of Osprey, Huy Tin of Seito Sushi and Wendy Lopez of Reyes Mezcalaria (all part of the same restaurant family group) will render the bivalves. Colin Slemkewicz, of Sublime Oysters, a local oyster farmer and supplier, will offer some insight into the oyster ecosystem. It’s important because before you can shuck ‘em, before you can pluck ‘em, you’ve got to give them the proper aquaculture to grow and reproduce. $60 a person via Florida Oyster Revival.
  • Italian restaurant matriarch Maria DeRenzo Liguori will compete on the Wed. Aug. 14 airing of Guy’s Grocery Games on the Food Network. Liguori’s family has been part of many of the area’s enduring restaurants. (I wrote about the extended family in this article in the Orlando Sentinel from 2004.) Peppino’s mans “little Joe” and is a reference to Liguori’s son, who started Pizzeria Valdiano and now owns Hangry Bison. Check your local listings and watch Maria take on Guy Fieri.

We hope you find our reviews and news articles useful and entertaining. It has always been our goal to assist you in making informed decisions when spending your dining dollars. If we’ve helped you in any way, please consider making a contribution to help us continue our journalism. Thank you.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
<div class="fb-comments" data-href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" data-width="100%" data-numposts="5"></div>
Scott's Newsletter