- Twisted Root Burger Co., a Texas-based chain, will open its first Florida shop in Winter Park next week. The burgerie is known, apparently, for half-pounders, some of which are made with ostrich, rabbit and camel meat. The exotic meats are only available occasionally. I’m guessing the camel burgers are only served on Wednesdays, but I could be wrong. TRBC is scheduled to open on Tues., Nov. 12, in the Grove at Winter Park, 4270 Aloma Ave.
- A couple of Steak ’n Shakes (Steaks ‘n Shake?) have closed in Central Florida, probably because of their irrational refusal to offer camel burgers. Actually, the parent company is trying to get franchisees to take over the restaurants along with a hundred or so others across the country.
- The 10th annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is finally here, tonight and tomorrow night (Nov. 8 and 9) from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Because it’s supposed to rain tonight, the event has moved indoors to the spacious Hemisphere Ballroom in the Dolphin hotel. If you’re going tomorrow, I’ll see you there rain or shine.
- Don’t forget, Wed., Nov. 13, is the Soco Five Year Anniversary Collaborative Dinner with visiting chefs from American Kitchen, Antonio’s, and Glass Knife, plus cocktail pairings from the Edison. I’ve updated the article about the dinner with the menu. Looks pretty tasty.
- A Taste of Dr. Phillips, an event whose name always makes me a little uncomfortable, is Sun., Nov. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Dellagio Plaza. Tickets are $75.
- Orlando Beer Festival is Nov. 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Orlando Festival Park, 2911 Robinson St. Tix start at $45. Event will be held rain or shine, because Festival Park doesn’t have a ballroom to escape to.
- A new restaurant from the owner of Oudam Thai and Coco Cocina Mexicana is moving into the former Tre Bambine/Spice Modern/Eola Yacht Club space. It’s to be called Osphere. With a name like that I expect there will be a large ATM out front.
- El Vic’s Kitchen is taking over the Tartine’s space on Edgewater Drive in College Park. Global cuisine, its Facebook page says, but mostly the Indian part of the globe.
- Orlando’s Boston Lobster Feast has been named the best all-you-can-eat buffet in Florida by Reader’s Digest. And I believe that is the first time I’ve used Boston Lobster Feast and digest in the same sentence.
- All day Wednesday people kept telling me it wasn’t my day. Everywhere I went someone would say it wasn’t my day. I now know that what they were actually saying was, “It’s Nacho Day.” It seems Nov. 6 is National Nacho Day. I would like to apologize to the rude gesture I gave to all of those who told me so.
