We have some more information about what food and beverage vendors will be located in the eventually-opening/no-really-it’s-coming-right-along Terminal C at Orlando International Airport.
You knew already that Art Smith will have a new restaurant called Sunshine Diner, and we reported earlier that George Miliotes will have a version of his Disney Springs Wine Bar George. Cask & Larder, already in an airside MCO terminal, will have a double in the new terminal.
Barnie’s Coffee & Tea will have multiple presences, including one before security and one after. Very smart – they can sell people a cup of coffee before they go through the TSA checkpoint and then another one after that cup gets confiscated.
Olde Hearth Bread Co. will have have a grab-and-go cafe with sandwiches and such. You can grab and stay, too, and eat at one of their tables. (You can also have a cup of Barnie’s Coffee there – Olde Hearth will be serving it. Take a look at some of the renderings above (Barnie’s) and below (Olde Hearth).
Also going into the new terminal: Orlando Brewing. I see some beer wars coming between Orlando Brewing and the cask half of Cask & Larder. OB has also found a nonairport place to relocate: 5368 International Drive. That’s down in the location of Hash House A Go Go. Orlando Brewing will vacate its current home on July 4.
In more adult beverage news, restaurants in three more Main Street districts now qualify to apply for special liquor licenses. Florida regulations usually require restaurants to have more than 2500 square feet and seating for at least 150 people in order to apply for a liquor license. (It’s possible to obtain one without meeting those criteria but it’s a complicated and expensive process.) The special dispensation allows businesses with at least 1800 square feet and seating for 80 patrons to apply to serve cocktails. In both instances, over 50 percent of sales must be for food or nonbooze stuff. The three new districts where you may see more cocktail options are SoDo, Curry Ford West and West Lakes. Originally, the Florida legislature, which must approve such exemptions, had voted to allow a special dining district in and around downtown Orlando for the lower qualifying numbers. Last year it was expanded to most of Orlando’s Main Street districts. It’s nice to see them being less uptight about liquor – easing these qualifications will attract more culinary talent to Orlando.
Speaking of Curry Ford West, John Collazo, owner of Bad As’s Sandwich, will open a similarly named and also mispunctuated burger concept in July. Bad As’s Burgers will be in the former Kathi Rolls storefront.
In a related note, Kathi Rolls has closed.
Congratulations to Wendy Lopez on being designated chef/partner at Reyes Mezcalaria. A native of Mexico, Lopez, left, joined Reyes four years ago after a stint at Tapa Toro. Reyes, of course, is owned by Salt Restaurant Group, which also has the Monroe, which recently lost its chef, Josh Oakley. Waiting for word on a replacement chef there.
