- Wine Quest, the annual tasting event that supports the work of Quest in assisting people with developmental disabilities, is going to be virtual this year. It will feature a live show from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, with a raffle, a live auction and a silent auction, the latter, I suppose, for those who don’t know how to unmute themselves. There will be a wine tasting, too, of course, led by Tim Varan of Tim’s Wine Market. But if you want to taste, you’ll have to buy the wines ahead of time. For information on how to do that and to reserve your free ticket, visit the Virtual Wine Quest site.
- Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster is hosting a virtual Maker’s Mark tasting on Sept. 21 or 24 hosted by the bourbon maker’s distillery diplomat, DeNiro Fisher. The Zoom session begins at 7 p.m. on both dates, but you have drop by the Lee Road steakhouse beforehand to buy a bottle (or two) of Christner’s Private Select ($70 for one or $130 for two). I guess if you buy two bottles you can Zoom in on both evenings. Details here.
- Will 2020 be remembered as the Year of Virtuality?
- Kudos to the city of Orlando for adopting a designated curbside pickup zone program. Businesses, including restaurants, can request to have a parking space out front restricted to 15-minute parking for customers to pick up purchases. Winter Park is also designating spaces for pickup, including on Park Avenue, which has precious few parking spaces to begin with. But as someone who has availed of these pickup spaces, I would like to say thank you to both city governments and congratulations for helping out your businesses.
- Mynt, the fine Indian restaurant in Hannibal Square is offering a free Indian beer with takeout orders of $45 or more through the end of September. And a designated curbside pickup space out front, too.
- Back over on Park Avenue, George’s Cafe, which previously had been lunch only, is now offering breakfast Thursday through Sunday.
- I mentioned last week that the Brass Tap in Mills Park had closed and would reopen as a different concept under the same ownership. Watch for the Twisted Handle Bar & Lounge to open soon. (Don’t confuse it with the Twisted Handlebar.)
- In other Mills 50 news, Kona Poké will bring its Express concept to Quantum Leap Winery by the end of the year.