Orlando chefs and restaurateurs shut out of James Beard Award nominations yet again

ear after year, Orlando-area chefs and restaurateurs have regularly been named James Beard Award semifinalists, but none have ever made it to the short list of finalists. And this year is no different. Today, the James Beard Foundation announced the nominees for its chef and restaurant categories and the five Orlando culinarians vying for a … Read more

Slapfish Review – Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

Slapfish was on the menu for a Saturday afternoon for my wife and I.  Nestled in the mega shopping district of Waterford Lakes, the location is in a good spot in terms of parking and getting to the location.  The mistake made by ownership was to provide a fish eye view of The Brass Tap next door, to which I continually looked in that direction wishing I had chosen that spot instead.  Right off the bat, as I venture into the establishment at noon on a very busy Saturday in Waterford, My wife and I and just one other couple are the only patrons.  It feels like the place is going to close soon.  

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The ordering procedure is much like Tijuana Flats (which I hate terribly)… You walk up to a counter that is devoid of any crew members and wait for the college age kid to finally make his way to the register to take our order.  Another college type kid looks through from the kitchen with a look that screams, Oh my God, we actually have another customer.  The Sub- Millennial that took our order had an expressionless face and made no comments at all.  I thought for just a moment that I was in a scene from Gattica.  A robot from 70’s sitcom TV has more personality.  I almost apologized for bothering him.

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Michelin Guides coming to Orlando, Miami and Tampa

The vaunted Michelin Guide will add Florida to its list of rated restaurants in 2022, covering Miami, Orlando and Tampa. It will be the guide’s fifth U.S. destination after New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and California. The expansion was spearheaded by Visit Florida, which made the announcement Monday on behalf of its partners Visit Orlando, … Read more

Magical Dining Extended Two Weeks

To support local businesses and ensure two deserving charities receive maximum benefit, Visit Orlando – the area’s official tourism association – is extending Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining. The program will run through Oct. 17 (originally slated to conclude Oct. 3), giving food enthusiasts an additional two weeks to experience some of Orlando’s best cuisine.

“We’re thrilled to offer more time for visitors and locals to take advantage of this incredible program, which has raised over $1.8 million for local charities since 2009,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “The two-week extension opens the opportunity to raise even more money for this year’s charity beneficiaries while continuing to support our local restaurants.”

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