The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has named Dan Herman executive chef from his previous role as executive sous chef. He replaces Robert Ciborowski, who left to take a position with a resort in South Florida.

This is a second major personnel change in the resort’s culinary department. Food and beverage director Tony Porcellini, who had been with the Swan and Dolphin since it opened, departed in August. Luciano Sperduto is now in that position.

Herman, at left, had previously been the Swan and Dolphin Resort’s executive sous chef. In his new role, he will oversee the two hotels’ 17 restaurants and food outlets as well as banquets and a staff of over 200. Before joining Swan and Dolphin, Herman was chef de cuisine at Arthur’s 27, a fine dining restaurant that was on the top floor of the Buena Vista Palace hotel.

• David Moscoso, owner of New Smyrna Beach’s Third Wave Cafe, is inviting Cress Restaurant’s Hari Pulapaka to work together on a sustainable seafood dinner called Chefs for Fish. Cost for the five-course dinner is $95. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar. Tickets here. Sorry, I don’t have an information on the first two waves.
• The owners of the Hammered Lamb bar on Orange Avenue in the Ivanhoe District plan to break through the wall into the retail space next door and open a 24-hour diner called Jack & Honey’s. We’ll assume the retail space is unoccupied and that permission to expand has been granted by the landlord. Several months away.
• Hey, do you enjoy banging your head against a wall? Are you a fan of feats of futility? Then you may want to nominate a Central Florida restaurant of chef for a 2019 James Beard Foundation Award. Deadline is Dec. 31. Cast your vote to the wind at this link.
• King Bao, the Mills 50 monarchal bunner, has opened a second location at Alafaya Trail and U.S. Highway 50, an area no one has taken to calling Alf 50 as yet.
• Last time I told you about the closing of Kokino in Bayhill Plaza. Looks like Kabooki Sushi will open a second location there. Others were interested in the space, but their names didn’t begin with a K.
• Pita Pit in downtown Orlando has closed. It was one of the first in the area; I reviewed it in November of 2004. I said at the time that it reminded me of the movie The Snake Pit with Olivia de Havilland, probably because it was one of the first in the area to use the assemblage concept. Madness.
• A chain called Pokéworks is coming to downtown Orlando, opening in the Morgan & Morgan building. Personally, I would have called the restaurant For the Poké.

Sponsored

Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi, the very good Japanese restaurant at the Dellagio — and a Foodster Award winner for Best Sushi — is hosting a fun dinner event called Tokyo Soul. It will be offered on two nights, Thursday, Dec. 6, or Friday, Dec. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Actually, you’re meant to choose just one of those nights, not both, but when you consider the cost — $50 per person — you may just opt to go twice.

It’s called Tokyo Soul because the menu features classic Japanese dishes with a southern twist from chef de cuisine Dequane Stobbs. For example, the first course features Kenchin Jiro, a Japanese vegetable soup with braised daikon, served with Family-style Tempura Corn Fritters. Other selections include Beef Ribs braised 36 hours; Tempura Curried Hogfish; and the Chef’s Seasonal Omakase. See below for the complete menu.

Dragonfly, which originated in Gainesville, opened its Orlando restaurant in 2010. For some, its reputation preceded it. For others, me included, it was a refreshing surprise. It’s decor is modern and stylish and the ambience is youthful and vibrant. The food has been first-rate since the beginning and continues to be popular. (A Foodster winner, after all.)

You can reserve your seat for Tokyo Soul at this link with a $10 deposit. The $50 fee does not include tax or gratuity but it does include an adult beverage.

Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi is at 7972 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando. There’s easy parking, by the way, in the lower-level garage just beneath the restaurant.

Here’s the full menu that’s planned for Tokyo Soul: