Orlando Weekly • Orlando City Guide 2019 by Chava Communications

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TA B L E O F C O NT E NT S

LETTER FROM EDITORS

NEIGHBORHOODS 13 Downtown … 15 Parramore … 21 Milk District … 23 Mills 50 … 25 Winter Park … 29 Maitland … 41 Curry Ford/Hourglass …43 Thornton Park … 45 Ivanhoe Village … 47 Sodo … 49 College Park … 53 Audubon Park … 55 UCF … 57 I-Drive … 61

COMMUTER COMMUNITIES 65 Kissimmee … 67 Sanford … 69 Lake Nona … 71

ROAD TRIPS 73 Daytona … 75 Sarasota … 77 Atlantic Beach … 79 Clermont … 81

LISTINGS 83 Attractions … 85 Music & Nightlife … 93 Arts & Culture … 99 Sports & Recreation … 105 Annual Orlando Events … 111

Welcome to the ninth edition of City Guide. It started in 2010 as Annual Manual, and while we still have the same core mission – bringing to the surface things we love in the neighborhoods of Orlando – it’s gone through plenty of changes (as you can see from the vintage covers below). There are very few things you can count on staying the same in Orlando – you can even get a drink at Disney these days! But you can safely bet on a steady cloud of construction and reinvention, hellos and goodbyes. Orlando has been a chameleonic city for decades. This year, from where we sit, it looks like the pace of change has accelerated more than ever. We’re reminded of Robert Hughes’ pivotal arts docu-series The Shock of the New when we ponder the impact of UCF’s downtown campus, the I-4 Ultimate’s onward stretch, the pro sports landscape … hell, having a Taco Bell in the heart of downtown is going to be a jolt, not to mention 7,700 students trying to eat there after the bars close. So we decided this year to focus on the new and the now. Neighborhoods grow at different paces, so we’ve stretched the point on “novelty” in a few places, but here is a current snapshot of the newest attractions, businesses, restaurants, and things to do and see in Orlando’s neighborhoods, along with our listings sections of solid city institutions. Catch them while you can.

CONTRIBUTORS: Monivette Cordeiro, Jenny De Witt, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara, Seth Kubersky, Thaddeus McCollum, Matthew Moyer, Xander Peters, Abby Stassen, Jessica Bryce Young PHOTOGRAPHERS: Daniela Mikheal, Monivette Cordeiro, Rob Bartlett, Jen Cray, Michael Lothrop, Ian Suarez

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Florida Group Publisher Graham Jarrett Editor in Chief Jessica Bryce Young Editorial Staff Writer Xander Peters Calendar and Film Editor Thaddeus McCollum Music Editor Matthew Moyer Digital Content Editor Monivette Cordeiro Contributors Peg Aloi, Rob Bartlett, Jen Cray, Jenny DeWitt, Jason Ferguson, Maisie Haney, Liv Jonse, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara, Seth Kubersky, Bao Le-Huu, Anthony Mauss, Cameron Meier, Richard Reep, Joey Roulette, Lindsey Thompson, Leah Sandler, Steve Schneider, Madeleine Scott, Nicolette Shurba Editorial Interns Sarah Cavacini, Elizabeth Gondar Advertising Director of Sales Jeff Kruse Senior Multimedia Account Execs Dan Winkler, Matt Whiting Multimedia Account Exec Scotty Spar Digital Media Specialists Colin Schotter, Sandra Silva Classified and Legal Rep Jerrica Schwartz Sales Department Administrator Rachel Gold Marketing and Events Senior Marketing and Events Manager Jessica Pawli Events & Promotions Coordinator Kelsey Stidham Marketing and Sales Coordinator Nathaniel Frecks Creative Services Art Director Melissa McHenry Production Manager Daniel Rodriguez Graphic Designer Justin â&#x20AC;&#x153;SKIPâ&#x20AC;? Skipper Business Director of Operations Hollie Mahadeo Business Specialist Allysha Willison Circulation Circulation Manager Collin Modeste Euclid Media Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein Director of Digital Strategy Colin Wolf Regional Digital Director Fran DiCarlo Senior Marketing and Events Director Cassandra Yardeni Digital Operations Coordinator Jaime Monzon Controller Kristy Dotson euclidmediagroup.com National Advertising: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com Orlando Weekly Inc. 16 W. Pine St. Orlando, Florida 32801 orlandoweekly.com Phone 407-377-0400 Fax 407-377-0420 Orlando Weekly is published every week by Euclid Media Group Orlando Distribution Orlando Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Copyright notice: The entire contents of Orlando Weekly are copyright 2019 by Euclid Media Group LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Subscriptions: Six-month domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $150; one-year subscriptions for $240. Periodical Postage Pending at Orlando, FL POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Orlando Weekly, 16 W. Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801.

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Neighborhoods

The core of the city

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DOWNTOWN

THE ROBINSON COCKTAIL ROOM |

PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

ARTISAN’S TABLE | PHOTO BY MELISSA MCHENRY

ext time you visit Downtown Orlando, you’d be well advised to snap a couple of quick photos. Because soon enough these streets are going to be very different. Maybe even unrecognizable. Change is the name of the game in this neighborhood, from the perpetual overhauls of the I-4 Ultimate Project, the revamped and relocated CityArts, the eventual opening of UCF’s Creative Campus just down the road in Parramore, all the way down to the ongoing additions to the Dr. Phillips Center. Hell, even the Taco Bell Cantina that’s slated to open in the old ONO space is emblematic of the state of flux here. There’s something for all tastes freshly open for business downtown. (We’re patiently waiting for the second La Femme du Fromage location, for instance.) Forget about the parking; just make the trip, you’ll be glad you did.

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CFS COFFEE | PHOTO BY MELISSA MCHENRY

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DOWNTOWN

CELINE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Artisan’s Table

255 W. Church St., 407-730-7499, artisanstableorlando.com Not gonna lie, we were a little sad when Artisan’s Table picked up and moved to Church Street this year, but the new space and new look suits them, and their menu is as on-point as ever. And what’s this, four new signature cocktails just added? Save us a Neon Cucumber!

Celine

22 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-801-7005, celineorlando.com Celine boasts vintage furnishings,

a rooftop lounge and a speakeasy with an enviable cocktail menu. But wait, there’s more! Celine now hosts a red-hot schedule of touring hip-hop, EDM, drum & bass and techno heavy-hitters.

CFS Coffee

54 W. Church St., 407-637-2335, cfscoffee.com New downtown hotspot for those who seek caffeinated frontiers beyond Starbucks. This Colombian coffee chain specializes in Colombian beans and roasts with a serious side of baked goods and arepas. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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DOWNTOWN

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

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interior is spacious and uncluttered if you need to plop down for some good ol’ telecommuting. CFS opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays because they know what you need.

Epic Axe Throwing

47 E. Robinson St., 385-429-3386, epicaxethrowing.com Take the most popular part of a Renaissance Faire and relocate it to downtown Orlando. Voila! You have Epic Axe Throwing! And you don’t even have to wear a dorky costume. Choose from a variety of three axes and hurl away at your target. Sessions are hourly and you are encouraged to book ahead; lessons are available.

Pizza Bruno

131 N. Orange Ave., pizzabrunofl.com Though the restaurant outpost within Orange County Brewers has been a bit of a revolving door (Red Claw, we hardly knew ye), we’ve got a funny feeling that the current occupant – Pizza Bruno – will be around for awhile. This satellite location offers up counter service of what makes their Curry Ford THE RAMEN | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

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location a hot spot: Neapolitan pizza, wings, salads and their signature garlic knots.

The Ramen

486 N. Orange Ave., 407-233-4801, facebook.com/theramenorlando Though central downtown offers a bounty of food from around the world, ramen was, worryingly, not an option. Until now. Enter this new resto helmed by former Disney chef Suichi Tanida. The Ramen impresses with luxuriant bowls of delicious noodles, meats, and veggies that will appeal to carnivores and vegetarians alike.

The Robinson Cocktail Room

61 E. Pine St., 407-536-8075, therobinsonroom.com This stylish cocktail lounge opened at the beginning of 2019 above the old Red Mug Diner space. Brought to you by the team behind Celine and Mathers Social Gathering, they serve a small selection of beer and wine and – the main event – a quirkily-named and adventurous roster of cocktails. (“Death by Elocution,” anyone?) Keep an eye out for Coffee at the Robinson to open downstairs.

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PA R R A M O R E

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

STONEWALL BAR | PHOTO BY JEN CRAY

arramore is constantly changing, though that’s not always welcomed by residents. This historic west Orlando neighborhood has recently seen the opening of the Orlando City Soccer Stadium and the massive purple crowds that populate it, as well as an increased event schedule at the rebranded Camping World Stadium. Parramore is also gearing up to welcome the estimated 7,700 students who will be attending the University of Central Florida’s new downtown campus when it opens this August, and the Creative Village businesses that accompany it. Before the gentrification sets in, though, here are some new classics that truly capture Parramore’s vibe.

Stonewall Bar

741 W. Church St., 407-373-0888, stonewallorlando.com Stonewall has been around for a while as an LGBTQ mainstay bar, but it’s recently reinvented itself as a performance venue, with ventures into live music and comedy. Aside from welcoming drag queens and the actors from the hit TV show Pose, Stonewall has also hosted reggaeton icon Nina Sky, local horror-drag troupe Black Haus and local bands like the Spoon Dogs.

Eat N Wash

2313 W. Church St., also 1723 S. Rio Grande Ave., 407-413-5028, facebook.com/eatnwash Lose yourself in perfectly seasoned snow crab, Creole-spiced shrimp or smoked ribs while you get your car washed. Eat N Wash will give you a good detail job and a plate stacked with Cajun-style potatoes, sausage and a whole boiled egg for just $1. Gems like this don’t come around often.

Parramore Farmers Market

832 W. Central Blvd., orlando.gov/ events/parramore-farmers-market The Parramore Farmers Market moved earlier this year from outside the Orlando City Stadium to a friendlier parking lot with a lot more shade owned by the Florida Department of Health. Now a yearround venture, the market will be run by youth from the Parramore Kidz Zone – the same kids who

captured our hearts with their delicious nonprofit startup, Black Bee Honey. Get your pick of fresh fruits and vegetables, and let the food desert be forgotten!

Unidos Restaurant

1325 W. Washington St., 407-426-7625, facebook.com/ unidosrestaurantorlando Replacing the closed Havana’s Café is a Puerto Rican-Dominican fusion restaurant that serves typical Caribbean cuisine buffet style. Unidos even has the authentic tres golpes breakfast to get your day started with fried Dominican salami, fried cheese, fried eggs and a ton of mangú.

Le House Vietnamese Restaurant

595 W. Church St., 407-530-7024, le-house-vietnamese-restaurant. business.site Parramore’s first Vietnamese restaurant puts their own spin on traditional recipes, including noodle bowls, pho, curries and vegetarian dishes.

Zero Degrees

5282 W. Colonial Drive, 407-4874597, zerodegreescompany.com This Asian-Latin fusion joint is more in Pine Hills than Parramore per se, but it’s just too drool-inducing not to include. Find delicious mangonadas, lychee slushies and ube milkshakes along with wild creations like XXTRA Flamin Hot Chilotes and Mac & Cheetos.

ZERO DEGREES | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

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MILK DISTRICT

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

ith all the new additions – the ones already open and the ones poised on the edge that didn’t make it by press time – to one of Orlando’s hippest neighborhoods, the Milk District, chances are we only have a few more months left before we have to stop calling it one of the city’s hidden gems. Besides the new hangouts listed below, we’re looking forward to a new companion bar next to Southern Craft called District Dive, a natural wine and vegan food bar called Curate from Dixie Dharma’s Shaun Noonan, and a little ditty from Greg Peters of Graffiti Junktion called the Milkhouse, moving into the old Beer and Tobacco Outlet with a full liquor bar and light menu. So come out and enjoy while you still can, because the streets will be packed before we know it.

WHIPPOORWILL BEER HOUSE / EASY LUCK COFFEE | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

À La Cart

609 Irvington Ave., 407-776-4693, alacartorlando.com The rumors are true – you can get a whole lobster on your pho here. This food truck park brings together vendors like Poke Kai, Adao Pastel Gourmet, Steak It Easy and SwedeDish, with a place for patrons to sit and a bar fully stocked with beer taps.

Alchemy

600 N. Bumby Ave., 407-650-8022, alchemyorlando.com After more than 20 years in their College Park digs, the ne plus ultra of creative hair has moved into an extensively remodeled mid-mod building in the Milk District, complete with beautiful mural. Get your hairs done with/by the cool kids.

Echo Base Collectibles/Rebel Reprints

À LA CART | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

2422 E. Robinson St., 407-990-4836, echobasecollectibles.com Like a scaled-down version of a hipster’s Toys R Us, Echo Base Collectibles is a shop that sells both vintage and new “toys” for grown-ups. It shares a space with Rebel Reprints, which does archival printing for artists.

MX Taco

207 N. Bumby Ave., 407-730-5241, mxtacorestaurant.com Yes, yet another taco joint in Central Florida. But this one is the real Distrito Federal deal, with a chef that’s got serious cred. That means you’ll taste flavors like sweet potato and mole from Oaxaca, and steak, avocado and pumpkin seed sauce from Yucatán, to name just a few.

The Nook on Robinson

2432 E. Robinson St., facebook.com/ thenookonrobinson The Nook on Robinson is what it says it is – a small, comfy nook. But size isn’t everything, as the old adage reminds us, and the Nook’s terrific mix of all things local, from beer, wine, cider, kombucha and pastries to the bands and community events they book, is truly the cherry on top of an already sweet setup.

Stasio’s Italian Deli and Market

2320 E. Robinson St., 407-277-7755 Serious Italian butcher sandwiches like porchetta and broccoli rabe are served alongside Italian staples like pasta, tinned fish and

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Sanbitter sodas at this new joint – the brainchild of Giovanni Fernandez and Elise Sabatino, the power couple behind the Hourglass District project. Expect to grab and go since there’s limited seating.

Whippoorwill Beer House & Package Store/Easy Luck Coffee & Bodega

2425 E. South St., 321-355-3964, whippoorwillbeerhouse.com, easyluckorlando.com An assortment of craft beers for drinking in-store or taking to-go, plus small bites from Orlando Meats, plus serious third-wave coffee and creative toasts from Easy Luck, equals your new roundthe-clock hangout.

Whisky Lou’s Lounge

121 N. Bumby Ave., 407-896-2593, facebook.com/ whiskeylous Whiskey Lou’s Lounge is by no means a new establishment. However, it is under new ownership as of late last year. Fret not, though, because it’s the same smoke-filled cheers spot it’s always been, with its 50th anniversary this month – the only difference is you can expect to start seeing live bands.

MILLS 50

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

h, Mills 50 – many nights have we stumbled back and forth between St. Matthew’s Tavern and Lil’ Indies. But the neighborhood isn’t just a safe space for Orlando residents who are too hip to function without craft cocktails and third-wave coffee – it’s arguably the center of gay life in Orlando, and it retains its long-term underpinnings as the Asian restaurant epicenter. Keep an eye out for new ventures that hadn’t opened as of press time, like an unnamed-as-yet new bar next door to the Guesthouse from the same team, and Slice by Pizza Bruno, where you’ll be able to cop a more reasonable portion of Bruno Zacchini’s magical pies, rather than wolfing down a whole one (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

GRUMPY’S UNDERGROUND LOUNGE | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

Bites & Bubbles

912 N. Mills Ave., 407-270-5085, bitesbubbles.com A caviar menu, a champagne list and table-side raclette service? Are we in Mills 50 or Paris? Actually, despite the fancy frills, Bites & Bubbles is a down-to-earth bistro dishing out French-inspired fare. Don’t miss the cornmeal-crusted Gulf oysters, perfectly fried and set in their shells with a garlic aioli, if it’s offered. The proprietors offer personable and, well, bubbly service as well.

Conrad’s Shanty

1205 N. Mills Ave., 407-270-6699 So long BART, the former arcade bar. Hello, Conrad’s Shanty – the product of local commercial realtor Colin Morrison, who describes his new drinkin’ hole thus: “There’s no food, just beer and wine. It’s a bar.” Well said. That’s more than enough for anyone.

Lineage Coffee

1011 E. Colonial Drive, 407-2058096, lineageroasting.com OK, it’s been open for just over a year already, but in a

neighborhood with limited coffee options, the second shop from the folks at Lineage Coffee Roasting was more than welcome.

ViVi Bubble Tea

1111 E. Colonial Drive, 407-4125224, vivibubbletea.com The City Beautiful’s tea contenders continue to pile up. But this Taiwanese bubble tea chain is the spot for the folks who are into the widest of flavor selections, from peach pulp to lychee tea to green apple and more.

The LGBT+ Center Orlando

946 N. Mills Ave., 407-228-8272, thecenterorlando.org Fresh off finishing an expansion late last year, the Center debuted its new space in September, which includes a classroom that’ll also be used as a venue for the 2019 Fringe Festival, as well as five community offices and a library and a space for the LGBTQ Museum of Central Florida to call home.

CONRAD’S SHANTY | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

AHF Healthcare Center

1701 N. Mills Ave., 407-204-7000 The AHF Healthcare Center opened in 2017 as a means of helping address the rising number of new HIV diagnoses in Central Florida, as part of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest global AIDS organization.

The Art Gallery at Mills Park

1650 N. Mills Ave., 855-336-3653, thegalleryatmillspark.com Are you familiar with the Gallery at Mills Park, the apartment building on Mills Avenue? Well, this is the art gallery in the lobby of the Gallery at Mills Park on Mills Avenue. Head-spinning name aside, you should give it a whirl, because they book small hyperlocal shows like recent exhibitions by Jacoub Reyes and Harold Garde.

Royaltea

714 N. Mills Ave., royalteaus.com Just admit it, you’re a huge fan of cheese tea – sweet tea topped with a thick foam fashioned from cream cheese, milk and whipped cream. Not a fan of cheese tea?

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You will be. In the meantime, scaredy-cat, check out Royaltea’s delicious boba tea instead.

Grumpy’s Underground Lounge

1018 N. Mills Ave., 407237-9180, facebook.com/ grumpysunderground Just one of the many new venue openings across town, the small hangout almost always offers karaoke and open jam nights. But it’s the DIY music scene that really drives its low-key aesthetic.

Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors

1001 N. Mills Ave., wallysonmills.com Back from the dead – almost. Orlando decided 64 years of heavy pours at Wally’s just wasn’t enough after the establishment closed last year. The new owners say this time around there will be new lighting, the ability to take cards, and a slight reinvigoration with a general “tidying up.” At press time, they were still tidying, but that wallpaper had better still be on the walls.

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W I NT E R PA R K

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

THE GEEK EASY | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

inter Park has a reputation as the hoitiest, toitiest neighborhood this side of Windermere. But that doesn’t mean you can’t visit. The mix of Rollins College students and the well-to-do results in a nice variety of things to do, especially if dining is the main reason you leave your house. There are plenty of new things to check out – and plenty more just on the edge of opening, but not there yet, like an outpost of Texas-based Twisted Root Burger Co. and the long-awaited redo of Park Plaza Gardens, to be reborn as Bovine Steakhouse – but keep an eye on recent changes made by some old faves as well.

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PROPER & WILD | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

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W I NT E R PA R K

THE HEAVY | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

The Geek Easy

114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, 321-972-8207, facebook.com/thegeekeasy Well, this one’s not technically new, but if you haven’t stopped in in a while, you may not know that A Comic Shop – the primogenitor of the nerd culture-themed bar and music venue the Geek Easy – has moved out of the front of the space. This leaves a front room lined with ready-to-play video game consoles to pair with your craft beer. It’s also become a spot to catch hip-hop shows that break out of the nerdcore mold.

Sushi Pop/Chauhaus

115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park, 321-203-2282, sushipoprestaurant.com Chef Chau Trinh’s edible tribute to Japanese pop culture has been giving people a reason to

go to Oviedo for several years, but the new location, just off Winter Park’s Park Avenue, comes with a bonus. ChauHaus, serving Vietnamese staples like pho, bun bo hue and banh mi, uses the space to serve lunch Wednesdays-Sundays.

Winter Park Square

1090 Orlando Ave., Winter Park, nordstromrack.com, sephora.com, wholefoods.com The newest addition to the busy intersection of 17-92 and Lee Road has added a Whole Foods, a Sephora (yaaass) and a Nordstrom Rack to the retail options in Winter Park. Pay attention to the new traffic pattern, though. It can cause headaches if you’re on autopilot.

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W I NT E R PA R K CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

The Heavy

1152 Harmon Ave., Winter Park, theheavywp.com The former warehouse-like space that held Lombardi’s Seafood got turned into a beautifully designed retail space focusing on plants and garden décor. The addition of a proper coffee bar makes it a refreshing hangout, and the event calendar is packed with pop-up dinners, workshops and clothes swaps.

WPRK

91.5-FM, wprk.org The best in basement radio and the voice of Rollins College took a looooong break starting in 2017 after its antenna was damaged by Hurricane Irma. After that, problems with renovations and protected bird species conspired to keep WPRK off the air – though still streaming online – until August 2018. But the community-minded radio station is now back on the air, though no longer in a basement, with an eclectic mix of music, talk, sports and whatever else people come up with.

Proper & Wild

155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-543-8425, properandwildwp.com The creators of the hip and healthy Colonialtown café Sanctum are behind this downtown Winter Park counterpart. Billing itself as Winter Park’s only scratch kitchen serving vegan, vegetarian and organic food – including coffee and juice – the dishes at Proper & Wild go far beyond your microwavable Annie’s burrito, but the prices are more than reasonable.

Swine & Sons

669 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-7601, swineandsons.com The foodie-friendly sandwich shop has been around for a while, but they’ve just recently moved into new digs. After their former space near the affiliated Ravenous Pig became unavailable, Rhys and Alexia Gawlak took their Southern-inspired menu to the Local Butcher & Market, just a few weird Winter Park turns away.

REI

430 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-0731, rei.com The Pacific Northwest co-op

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

opened its doors in Winter Park Village to much fanfare. The remodeled space offers up anything you could want for outdoor adventures, from bicycles to tents to hiking boots to mountain climbing equipment. It’s up to you to provide the mountain, though.

The Center for Health and Wellbeing

2005 Mizell Ave., Winter Park, 407644-2300, wellbeingnetwork.org This new center from the Winter Park Health Foundation is planned to be a state-of-the-art healthy living center for residents of Winter Park, Maitland, Eatonville and nearby. But even if you’re not interested in the services and programs they offer, the campus sounds like it’ll be worth a visit, with a healthy café and a series of gardens.

The Imperial at Washburn Imports

170 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, imperialwinebar.com The latest outpost of the Imperial offers up the exotic decor you’ve come to expect from the furniture importer, along with wine, craft beer and a large

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selection of vermouth. You can also get elevated bar snacks like warm olives, flatbreads, bao and charcuterie.

Kava Cove

2020 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 321-400-9024, kavacove.com This tropical-themed kava bar serves up concoctions made from the kava root, a mild psychoactive agent that’s used as a relaxant. Those who swear by kratom can also pick that up. Entertainment is provided by table games and frequent movie nights.

Black Bean Deli

325 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-0294, blackbeandeli.com It hasn’t happened just yet, but the Orlando Avenue location of Black Bean Deli is setting up shop in the former Winnie’s Oriental Garden space near the intersection of Orange Avenue and 17-92. The Cuban cuisine purveyor should benefit from the extra elbow room, while the old space gets dedicated to catering operations.

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MAITL AND

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

s it just us or is Maitland elbowing other neighborhoods aside this year as one hell of a place to while away an evening or a Sunday Funday? The area is a nonstop cloud of construction, notably the recently completed Maitland City Centre, along with condos aplenty. But there’s room enough for everyone, so grab some dinner at Teak and then catch a flick and a drink at that reliably adventurous landmark, the Enzian Theater, and its on-site Eden Bar. Because everything that’s old is new again.

MIDICI: THE NEAPOLITAN PIZZA COMPANY | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

BAMF Comics & Collectibles

500 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland, 321316-4296, bamfcomicstore.com Friendly neighborhood funnybooks emporium – the only one in Maitland – is playing many roles (secret identities?) within the comics/arts community. Besides a space crammed with a wellcurated selection of comics, gaming supplies and toys, there’s a robust calendar of creator signings, art shows, arts classes, gaming nights and more.

Boot Camp Brunch at Luke’s Kitchen + Bar

640 South Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-674-2400, eatatlukes.com Earn those eggs benny and a mimosa or three with a challenging Saturday workout on the lawn at Luke’s. Call or check their socials for info on class dates and times.

Maitland City Centre

190 Independence Lane, Maitland, 407-599-6600, maitlandcitycentre.com Brand-spanking new residential retail juggernaut looms over the Maitland skyline six stories high

(with convenient parking garage), offering an eclectic array of retail and eating options spread over an entire city block, including Boku Sushi, 407 Gelato and Dixie Belle’s Café.

Midici: The Neapolitan Pizza Company

171 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407790-4527, mymidici.com The popular Californian Neapolitan pizza stronghold opened its first central Orlando location only a couple of months ago and is already impressing with delicious pies courtesy of two handmade wood-burning ovens that blister pizza in a minute and a half flat. Take your pick of table service or counter service.

Teak Neighborhood Grill

901 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407335-4835, teakorlando.com Maitlandeers rejoiced when a second Teak location opened in their backyard, and the spacious new digs don’t disappoint, with a roomy patio, an array of 60 craft beers to choose from, and a loaded menu of burger-y goodness. TEAK NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

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CURRY FORD/HOURGLASS

PEACEFUL PEACOCK

HOURGLASS SOCIAL HOUSE | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

ne of the latest areas to catch the urban revival bug, Curry Ford Road is shaping up to be the new it-spot for local food and drink entrepreneurs. The legendary Pizza Bruno will always have a place in our heart, but here’s a list of some of the newer options to come to the nascent “Hourglass District.”

Claddagh Cottage

2421 Curry Ford Road, 407-895-1555, claddaghcottagepub.com This long-running Irish pub was just getting ready to reopen in a new location when we put out City Guide last year. The new digs still feel mighty authentic, and the savory pies are the best this side of homemade. Stop in every other Wednesday for a pint of Guinness and a seisiún, when local musicians get together to play Irish folk songs.

Peaceful Peacock

2500 Curry Ford Road, 407-317-6805, peaceful peacockorlando.com Catty-cornered to the Claddagh Cottage lies the Peaceful Peacock, a yoga studio offering inclusive classes and instructor training. Keep an eye on their events calendar, though, for guided

meditations, kirtan, book club meetings and puppy yoga.

Leguminati

2401 Curry Ford Road, 407-930-7308, bean-team.com Vegetarians and vegans aren’t left out in the cold on Curry Ford Road – the former vegan food truck opened up shop in Hourglass Social House last year. This means you have a one-stop shop for all of your caffeine and crunchwrap needs. Maybe this isn’t the worst possible timeline after all.

Tamale Co.

2401 Curry Ford Road, 407-930-7308, tamaleco.com Though it wasn’t quite open yet as we went to press, the newest addition to the Hourglass Social House is another stationary outpost of a popular food truck,

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

PHOTO BY KEVIN DO FOR LULULEMON ORLANDO

Tamale Co., which has been slinging delicious varieties of tamales for several years.

Hourglass Brewing

2500 Curry Ford Road, 407-262-0056, hourglassbrewing.com When the push to turn the area into the Hourglass District was announced, beer fans immediately assumed that it had something to do with Longwood’s Hourglass Brewing. The nearby Lake Hourglass was the actual inspiration, but the brewery still took advantage and is reopening its satellite location in late April.

Forever Naan

4205 Curry Ford Road, 407-601-0835, forevernaan.com Finally, you can actually get a curry on Curry Ford Road. Proprietors Pooja Patel and Jasmeet Kaur work from family recipes to make spot-on samosas, curries, butter chicken and more. The decor, referencing several hit Indian films, will please Bollywood fans as well.

F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen

2420 Curry Ford Road, 407-751-5697, fdwood fireditaliankitchen.com F&D opened this past November, bringing wood-fired pizzas, of course, along with pasta, osso buco, chicken parmigiana and other Italian favorites. There are even some vegan options given prominent space on the menu.

Le Ky Patisserie

2401 Curry Ford Road, 407-930-7308, instagram. com/le_ky_patisserie Their web presence is limited, to be generous, but this FrenchVietnamese bakery serves up Instagram-worthy cheesecakes, croissants and other baked goods, along with the occasional banh mi on fresh-baked bread.

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FOREVER NAAN | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

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T H O R NTO N PA R K

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

lmost everything within the tidy confines of Thornton Park looks new and shiny and nice. Unusually for this well-established drinking and dining district, it’s suddenly chock-full of new establishments, from fancy small plate restaurants to indie music venues, helping solidify the neighborhood’s reputation as one of the chicest citywide.

THE VERANDA LIVE | PHOTO BY JEN CRAY

JINYA RAMEN BAR | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

Austin’s Coffee Satellite Café at the Falcon

819 E. Washington St., austinscoffee.com Open Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the longtime Winter Park favorite has made its way over to Thornton to join the Falcon – one of Thornton Park’s premier watering holes – as a permanent pop-up shop. Think of it as a sort of peace treaty for coffee and beer consumers.

Big Time Street Food Co.

805 E. Washington St., 407-801-5464, bigtimestreetfood.com For a late lunch or even later dinner, come here for an evening bite of something loud and brash. While there, be sure to try their delicious Holy Fried Chicken Sandwich – it’s a cluck above the rest.

Burton’s Bar

801 E. Washington St., 407-412-5140 After more than 80 years in business, Burton’s stands proud, though after a brief closure in 2017, the old-school mainstay is cleaner than ever before. So the bar itself isn’t exactly new, but the Pulse-inspired mural featuring famous Orlando figures, such as the late Orlando Weekly patron saint Billy Manes, is a fresh addition.

Eola General

522 E. Amelia St., facebook.com/ eolageneral We are definitely stretching things to include this spiffy redo of the old Handy Pantry in Thornton Park, but we couldn’t let its arrival go unnoticed. The classic neighborhood convenience stop is now a one-stop-shop for picnicking, with sandwiches, wine and beer, cheese and more

– and so conveniently located near Lake Eola Park! Start gearing up for Pride, boys.

Jinya Ramen Bar

8 N. Summerlin Ave., 407-704-1825, jinya-ramenbar.com At this Los Angelesbased chain ramen-ya, expect to get your bowls in a fast and furious fashion. Even better, Jinya’s slick decor and lighting makes everyone look like they’re in a K-Pop video.

Menagerie Eatery & Bar

101 S. Eola Drive, 407-601-5219, menagerieorlando.com The food’s great, with an eclectic mix of small plates and larger-portion “shareables,” from vegan pâté to bone marrow canoes. But the real treat is the hefty cocktail menu and the beer- and wine-tasting flights, paired with their delectable grub.

BIG TIME STREET FOOD CO. PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

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Tre Bambine

407 E. Central Blvd., 407-753-7333, trebambine.com Open in the space next to Lake Eola that previously housed Spice Modern Steakhouse, Jacquelyn Angiulli’s new eatery specializes in bruschetta, panini, flatbreads and other small plates – think of it as the Italian version of tapas.

The Veranda Live

111 N. Summerlin Ave., facebook.com/ theverandalive The Veranda, long known as one of the most picturesque wedding and party venues in town, found new purpose when it began hosting live music, and voilà, the “Veranda Live” became a thing. And it proved to be the real thing during its spring concert series last year.

IVA N H O E V I L L A G E

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

long its Orange Avenue main strip, Ivanhoe still retains architectural vestiges of the past, but look to either side and you’ll see it’s an area experiencing rapid, massive transformation. The Yard at Ivanhoe, a 1.2 millionsquare-foot mixed-use complex of apartments and retail that’s almost halfway done, is looming over Orange Avenue to the east, while the Broadstone Lake House apartments will soon tower nine stories over the lake on the other side of the avenue. These behemoth developments are displacing the old Alden Road warehouse district and the vintage Baldwin-Fairchild neon sign, true. But as considerable as these changes may be (let’s try not to think about the traffic), none of it will change the fact that this is one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods.

THE YARD AT IVANHOE | ARCHITECT’S RENDERING

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.

1300 Alden Road, 407-270-6749, ivanhoeparkbrewing.com A gleaming new independent craft brewery with a comfy tasting room that’s deeply committed to honoring the history of its neighborhood, occupying the last remaining bit of Ivanhoe’s once ramshackle-but-charming warehouse district. Read up on Joyland, the amusement park that once occupied the shores of Lake Ivanhoe, while sipping a Joyland IPA, or feel all eyez on you with a Tupac Shaporter.

Oxford Eyes

1231 N. Orange Ave., 407-286-3350, oxfordeyes.com Ivanhoe’s new indie specs shop offers prescription frames and lenses, contact lenses, sunnies, and even “doggles” for your pooch, all fitted by experienced professionals – just bring in a current prescription. Skip the chains and treat yourself to Oxford’s remarkable one-on-one service (plus maybe a pastry from Backhaus or a cocktail at the Hammered Lamb afterward).

Sette

OXFORD EYES | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

1407 N. Orange Ave., 407-704-7771, setteitalian.com Trina Gregory-Propst and Va Propst, the duo behind the Milk District’s ridiculously popular Se7en Bites, take over Ivanhoe Village’s most troubled restaurant space and whip it into shape with an Italian menu of hearty, rustic dishes. House-made pastas are a given; the fact that they are vegan is a surprise. More comfort

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classics: sausage with blistered grapes, razor clams and roasted corn over farro, and plump meatballs atop creamy polenta. If you’ve ever been to Se7en Bites, you know you’d better save room for dessert.

Miscellaneous Market

1903 N. Orange Ave., 407-965-3250, facebook.com/ miscellaneousmarket Two sisters own this luxurious little boutique, and they’ve filled it with tasteful home decor, sleek purses, old-world journals, vintage vanity heirlooms, and natural skincare and bath brands. Perfect for last-minute gifts that don’t seem like an afterthought.

Loud Gallery

1907 N. Orange Ave., 407-985-3191, loudgallery.com Small, sceney space offers adventurous curation amid the bars and restaurants of Ivanhoe Village. If you’re looking for “the youth” in Ivanhoe, this is where they’ll be.

Yay! Tiny Shop

1211 N. Orange Ave., 407-868-9015, yaytinyshop.com Stacy Coon’s small (really, really small), colorful gift boutique sells cute home goods, cookbooks, craft supplies, notebooks, jewelry, small art pieces, plush toys and travel accessories, among (so many!) other things. Pick up a “Unicorn Puke” scented candle and cackle like a maniac, or be normal and buy a tasteful set of linen cocktail napkins. It’s all here.

SODO

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

n just a few years after becoming an “official” neighborhood, SoDo (short for “south of downtown”) has experienced explosive growth – and it’s still growing. The attack at Pulse Nightclub in 2016 brought the community together, and since then, it’s transformed from a loosely defined district dominated by Orlando Health, quick-service chain restaurants and gas stations into a legit locale.

ROCKPIT BREWING

Boozehounds Dog Bar

5501 S. Orange Ave., 407-595-9152, boozehoundsdogbar.com This summer, you’ll be able to let your pup play freely while you chat with your buds over suds at this new off-leash dog park and bar. The park will also feature big-screen TVs for watching sporting events, and will operate on a membership model, with annual memberships for $149, $20 monthly memberships, or a $10 day pass.

Lucky’s Market

10 W. Illiana St., 407-8261773, rockpitbrewing.com The coal-countryinspired taproom features 20 craft brews on draught, available in 9-, 12- and 16-ounce pours. We particularly like the McCoy’s Irish Red and the Quinnie Ginny Gimlet Gose, aged in St. Augustine Gin barrels.

3171 S. Orange Ave., 407-635-0511, luckysmarket.com Locals are loving the new drink-while-youshop grocer, and what’s even better is that the opening forced the Publix next door to upgrade, too. The DIY poke bar and bulk foods section (with spices!) are major wins, and the dinner-for-two meal kits are weeknight sanitysavers.

Pulse Memorial

Earth Fare

Rockpit Brewing

LUCKY’S MARKET

nightclub site, now maintained by the onePULSE Foundation, has undergone many iterations. The latest installation is a more permanent, photojournalistic look at the event and its aftermath. The memorial features images of the victims and their families, art and quotes from the weeks following, and green space for reflection and paying respects.

1912 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-3888, onepulsefoundation.org In the three years since the tragedy, the

9 W. Gore St., 407-2412853, earthfare.com Following the opening of Lucky’s Market, Earth Fare, located

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on the ground floor of the new Novel apartment complex, has completed SoDo’s grocery store boom. The 24,000-square-foot store features a juice bar, salad bar, pizza station and sandwich counter, plus oodles of organic foodstuffs.

Delaney’s Tavern

1315 S. Orange Ave., 407-849-0801, eatdt.com Opening later this spring in the new Delaney boutique hotel across from Orlando Health, Delaney’s Tavern will feature “New American” small and shareable plates, craft cocktails and a 360-degree bar.

The Donut Experiment

211 E. Michigan St., thedonutexperiment.com The made-to-order donut shop is opening its eighth location later this spring on Michigan Street at Orange Avenue. The old-fashioned cake donuts are fried fresh, then dipped in chocolate, caramel, maple, vanilla or glaze icings, and topped with your choice of sweets and drizzles.

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C O L L E G E PA R K

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

ollege Park is not the neighborhood you think of when you’re thinking “change.” It’s a traditional, settled bungalow district, home to a Publix that still sports its 1950s facade and a clock shop right there on the main drag. Yet there’s a low hum of revolution if you listen closely enough, with a lot of tiny tweaks adding up to a revitalized region. The hum is loudest from the westerly direction of the Packing District, a 200-acre development of houses, businesses and apartments. That prompted the city to donate another 100 adjacent acres that will be developed into a park with trails, a brand-new YMCA and a renovated Orlando Tennis Center with 16 courts. Smaller and more immediate changes include the departure of longtime resident hair salon Alchemy and a joint venture moving soon into the old Hubbly Bubbly building – Foxtail Coffee plus a bagel business from Bruno “Pizza Bruno” Zacchini. HENAO CONTEMPORARY CENTER PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

JEN HACKNEY, GRATITUDE COFFEE | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

Saxon-Clark Furniture, Patio and Design

2421 Edgewater Drive, 407-776-8717, saxon-clark.com Non-chain stores selling non-used furniture are scarcer than hen’s teeth in Orlando, making Saxon-Clark a treasured tradition. In a combo of new and old, the retailer returns to College Park, where they started in 1996. Their 30,000-square-foot showroom in Altamonte Springs remains open, but this more intimate space is the perfect place to consult with their in-house interior designers or just browse for the perfect

rug to really tie the room together.

Digress Wine

1215 Edgewater Drive, 407-426-7510, digresswine.com The passing of the torch from Jay Smith, proprietor of the erstwhile Cavanaugh’s Wines, to new owners Rob Chase and Brian Kerney was as smooth a handoff as you could hope for. Kerney and Chase continue the tradition of educating customers, making excellent recommendations, and stocking lesser-known bottles. As well, the spirit of hospitality lives on, as Digress has become one of College Park’s finest hangouts.

Henao Contemporary Center

5601 Edgewater Drive, 407-272-0317, henaocenter.com Roomy visual arts facility a short trip down Edgewater hosts myriad arts events as well as markets, spoken word, dance and music curated by cutting-edge collectives like Colours of the Culture, SR50 and Ugly Orange.

Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

4301 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-291-8881, grillsseafood.com At the Orlando location of this small Florida

SAXON-CLARK FURNITURE, PATIO AND DESIGN chainlet, Grills offers lakeshore views – you can even drive your boat up and dock at the restaurant – and a beachy menu served on a roomy patio. But it’s not all shrimp baskets and tiki cocktails – Grills has made a commitment to fighting the invasive lionfish scourge by offering top dollar to anglers willing to fish for the bastards. Follow their Facebook to know when their signature “froiled” Asian lionfish is available.

Gratitude Coffee

1307 Edgewater Drive, 407-421-0681, sipgratitude.com Orlando’s most beloved coffee purveyor, Jen Hackney, earned her

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bones sweating it out in her coffee truck, but a year ago she threw the keys in a drawer and moved inside. Her homey shop on Edgewater is a perfect representation of her personality: warmhearted and welcoming.

Tin & Taco

2429 Edgewater Drive, tinandtaco.com College Park gets the third location of this bustling taqueria, where eight bucks scores you your choice of two tacos, or the same ingredients in a burrito, rice bowl, or tossed in a bag of Doritos. (Our fave: the beefy “Tacosaurus.”) The latest avatar of peak taco should open in June.

A U D U B O N PA R K

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

he deceptively sleepy and bucolic district that is Audubon Park is actually a busy hive of activity as a foodie haven and smallbusiness and maker hub, nestled in and around veteran businesses like Park Ave CDs and Stardust Video & Coffee. New businesses are opening apace and existing spots are evolving: Redlight Redlight is expanding brewing operations; the hotly tipped Kadence (No. 1 restaurant in Orlando, according to our restaurant critic, Faiyaz Kara) is expanding hours to include what can only be the most decadent lunch in town; and change is the order of the day at East End Market. This “Great American Main Street” more than lives up to the hype.

EVENING EXCHANGE AT EAST END | PHOTO BY STEVEN MILLER

Bem Bom on Corrine

3101 Corrine Drive, 407-960-5101, facebook.com/bembomoncorrine Long-awaited brick-and-mortar incarnation of the much-loved Portuguese food truck is a must-stop for diners in search of the delicious new and now. The menu is top-notch and the daily specials delve into the rich tapestry of Portuguese cuisine. Do yourself a favor and sit a spell at the bar.

Bird of Paradise

3201 Corrine Drive, 407-790-7758, florida-co.com Formerly known as the Local Roots farm store, and then Florida and Co., the very freshly minted Bird of Paradise is the creative Emily Rankin’s newest iteration of her ever-changing

East End Market space. The bill of fare here is healthy, organic and local food centered around “bright, tropical flavors.”

Evening Exchange at East End

3201 Corrine Drive, 321-236-3316, eastendmkt.com/evex Debuting last month, this third Friday blowout aims to showcase the area’s incredible array of local makers and entrepreneurs with a rotating series of workshops, demonstrations, vendors, and cocktails and food vendors. And it’s free! Get inspired!

Hinckley’s Fancy Meats

3201 Corrine Drive, 786-671-1023, hinckleymeats.com This specialty animal-flesh

BEM BOM ON CORRINE | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

purveyor helmed by superstar butcher (yeah, it’s a thing) Matt Hinckley opened late last year inside East End Market, and it’s a fast favorite of Audubon Park’s foodies. Boasting a mouthwatering array of sausages, bacon, deli meats, charcuterie and made-on-the-spot sandwiches, this is a carnivore’s Valhalla.

Park Ave CDs

2916 Corrine Drive, 407-447-7275, parkavecds.com Loyal customers of Park Ave CDs will soon come face-to-face with the “shock of the new” as store mainstay and manager Shellie Olszewski leaves after three decades. The beaming, blonde-haired Olszewski has been a constant presence at the

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ever-expanding record exporium (dating back to their Fairbanks Avenue digs), and she will be missed.

Retro Modern Home Tour

Annual, Audubon Park Garden District, audubonparkgardens.com Audubon Park’s Retro Modern Home tour is a self-guided tour of mid-century modern architecture found in Audubon Park, Beeman Park, Winter Park and Rose Isle. In 2019, for the first time, the tour was bolstered by the Mid-Century Modern Dinner Party (four courses for 12 guests in a private Rose Isle residence); let’s hope it becomes an annual tradition too.

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UCF

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

eeing arguably the highest turnover rate of residents out of any local neighborhood, UCF is both blessed and cursed with a student population that tends to move in, move up and move on. On the one hand, there are plenty of customers to go around, and more every year. But on the other, the popularity of franchises and chains boxes out a lot of locally owned competition. Here are some new things to look out for that we hope stick around. TACO BELL CANTINA | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

Arcade Monsters

15 Alafaya Woods Blvd., Oviedo, arcademonsters.com Located a few minutes north of UCF, Arcade Monsters is the latest retro gaming spot in Central Florida. Boasting dozens of classic arcade games, pinball tables and consoles, along with beer, wine and snacks, Arcade Monsters operates on a pay-by-the-hour system, so you don’t even need to bring your quarters.

Smartpunk Record Shop

12078 Collegiate Way, 407574-7899, smartpunk.com The UCF area hasn’t had a decent record store since the days of Park Ave CDs Jr. in the UCF Student

NAROODLE NOODLE SHOP PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

Naroodle Noodle Shop

10034 University Blvd., 407853-4828, naroodle.com A ramen shop named after an anime named after a ramen ingredient. How’s that for Naruto-ception? Non-otaku may not get the references, but they will appreciate the wide variety of toppings available for the noodle bowls.

Taco Bell Cantina

12101 University Blvd., 407930-2237, tacobell.com A slightly more upscale version of the fourthmealpioneering fast food chain, Taco Bell Cantina is significant primarily in that it serves alcohol in the form

of beer, wine, sangria and frozen drinks. No one’s died yet, but another location is slated for downtown later this year.

Addition Financial Arena

12777 N. Gemini Blvd., 407-823-3070, cfearena.com Since CFE Federal Credit Union, the institution that owns the naming rights to UCF’s premier indoor venue, is changing its name this year, the arena itself is getting a new name to go with it. Expect to see “Addition Financial” – which, really? – plastered over the scoreboard starting on May 1.

Union (haha, we’re old). But Alex Cooper, Park Ave alumni and founder of the Smartpunk record label, just recently set up shop in a brick-and-mortar out that way. Stop by for both new releases and used treasures.

Domu Chibi Ramen

869 N. Alafaya Trail, 407730-7260, domufl.com It can be tough to get a table at super-popular Audubon Park ramen-ya Domu. But if you’re out in the collegiate hinterlands, you won’t have to wait too long to get a bowl of hot, steaming tonkotsu at this counter-service outpost. Whether or not you find a place to sit is another story.

Taco Bus

11325 University Blvd., 407601-3434, taco-bus.com Tampa’s beloved Taco Bus chain opened an Orlando location earlier this year. Have fun ordering at the school bus-shaped counter, but be prepared to wait a while during peak hours.

Oviedo Brewing Company

1280 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo, 407-542-8248, oviedobrewingco.com One of the newest breweries in the area, Oviedo Brewing Company opened up shop this spring right next to the Oviedo Mall. Beer is brewed onsite, and the kitchen provides fresh snacks.

President of UCF

no relevant data After John Hitt resigned from the top spot at UCF in 2018 when rampant misspending of taxpayer funds came to light, Dale Whittaker, the school’s former provost and executive vice president, took over. But Whittaker hadn’t even lost that new-president smell before he, too, ended up resigning for the exact same reason. Acting president Thad Seymour Jr. has agreed to keep the throne warm until the Board of Trustees can find someone free of scandal. TACO BUS | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

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SPONSORED

breakfast during his international wanderings. “Everywhere we go on vacation, I plan where we eat breakfast and my wife plans everything else. I want to experience different dishes — it’s something I love,” states Kanso. His unique menu is sparked by a lifetime of globetrotting, but recent trips to Italy and France gave him even more ideas for Omelet Bar’s menu. Fresh-baked Beignets, a tasty French pastry, give the menu an international flair, while classic Southern-style Biscuits and Gravy pay homage to hometown favorites. Travel-inspired favorites and local mainstays are both cooked to perfection every time with Omelet Bar’s top-tier ingredients and committed chefs.

DIG INTO YOUR NEXT BREAKFAST AT OMELET BAR

Omelet Bar’s family-friendly ambience, wallet-friendly prices and delicious, fresh dishes make it the perfect stop for your next brunch outing. Check out omeletbar.com for menus, directions and more information.

I - D R IV E

[NEIGHBORHOODS]

ot too long ago, International Drive was little more than a no-man’s-land of second-string attractions and sketchy motels separating the major theme park resorts. But with Universal leading a construction boom along the I-Drive corridor, there’s now new life (night- and otherwise) to be found, from the outlet malls on the north end all the way south past the Convention Center. Just remember, you don’t have to fight through International Drive’s legendary traffic to enjoy its attractions: Seek out parallel streets like Universal Boulevard and Palm Parkway to avoid the worst of the congestion.

SUSURU | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

Orlando Starflyer

8265 International Drive, 407-640-7009, starflyer.com If riding the 400-foot-tall observation wheel at Icon Park didn’t get you high enough, spinning around the neighboring Starflyer swing ride at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour is guaranteed to give you a buzz. At a record-setting 425 feet tall, the Starflyer is the biggest thrill on I-Drive; at least until (or if) the long-delayed Polercoaster ever rises.

Susuru

8548 Palm Parkway, 407-778-4813, susuruorl.com Lewis Lin of College Park’s Jade Sushi & New Asian and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create a “retro-themed izakaya” offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Inspired by Showa-era style, this Japanese gastropub stays open until as late as midnight on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodle and boozy.

Nomadic VR at Pointe Orlando

BAWARCHI BIRYANIS | PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

Bawarchi Biryanis

9101 International Drive, 407-574-4565, blurtheline.com Since Nomadic opened their first virtual reality location – joining Pointe Orlando’s Zero Latency and The VOID at Disney Springs – Orlando has officially been crowned America’s VR capital. Arizona Sunshine, Nomadic’s first game, cleverly combines tactile effects with tactical combat for an impressively immersive zombie-slaying adventure.

6315 International Drive, 321-4005998, bawarchiorlando.com Fragrant spices saturate the air inside this first Orlando location of a nationwide franchise focusing on the seasoned yellow rice that is the staple of Indian weddings and other special occasions. Top your biryani with boneless chicken or goat slow-cooked with ghee, and heed the spiciness warnings, lest you require a cup of chai or three to wash it down.

Fun Spot America

Mango’s Tropical Cafe

5700 Fun Spot Way, 407-363-3867, fun-spot.com It may not boast the high-tech E-tickets of the big theme parks, but Fun Spot’s roller coasters, carnival rides, and go-karts deliver where it where it counts with safe, clean fun. For 2019, the I-Drive park just debuted a kidfriendly splash pad right next to their alligator enclosure (try not to confuse the two).

8126 International Drive, 407-955-5488, mangos.com Want a taste of South Beach nightlife without the long drive down the turnpike? Mango’s Tropical Cafe brings the Miami club scene to the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake, complete with Copa-worthy floor shows and fruity drinks that pack a powerful punch. What’s new? An 880-spot parking garage makes it easier

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to drive there, but you’ll likely need a Lyft home.

Hopdoddys Burger Bar

9101 International Drive, 321-251-4500, hopdoddy.com The Austin-based chain opened its first Florida location at Pointe Orlando, where you’ll find burgers crafted from specialty meats like Angus beef, Kobe beef and tuna, along with a full bar.

Pirates Dinner Adventure

6400 Carrier Drive, 407-206-5102, piratesdinneradventure.com The swashbuckling stars of I-drive’s longest-running stunt show weathered a rough year, with their theater shuttered first by Hurricane Irma and then by fire. But Captain Sebastian the Black and his buccaneers are back to swinging swords (and slinging pirate puns) on their newly rebuilt barge, to the cheers of chicken-chomping audiences. Save some booty by buying tickets through Groupon.

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Commuter Communities

A little furt her out there!

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KISSIMMEE

[ C O M M UT E R C O M M U N IT I E S ]

hat could possibly be new in a city whose main attraction is called “Old Town”? Well, a lot, thank you very much! Kissimmee has seen huge changes in the past year – hundreds of Puerto Rican people fleeing the destruction caused by Hurricane María have resettled in Kowtown, further strengthening the bond with the island. And about Old Town? Two years of renovations and expansion has made the family attraction bigger and better. Despite living in the shadows of Disney and the rest of Orlando’s tourism conglomerate, Kissimmee has emerged as a force of its own but still retains the classical elements we love – cowboys, kitschy gift shops and a whole lotta gators. KISSIMMEE DOMINO CLUB

OLD TOWN

Margaritaville Resort Orlando

8000 Fins Up Circle, 407479-0950, margaritaville resortorlando.com Welcome to the “island state of mind.” Margaritaville, the 300acre Jimmy Buffettthemed resort, opened in January with a 184-room luxury hotel, private cottages and a gigantic water park. Island H2O Live, which opens late this spring, plans to offer exhilarating drop slides, a lazy river, a children’s area and a wave pool. With Margaritaville and the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee is setting itself up as a staycation paradise.

Old Town

5770 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, 407-396-4888, myoldtownusa.com After 30 years of charming visitors, Old Town was due for a facelift. The multi-milliondollar renovation, which celebrated its grand opening April 6, adds 12,000 square feet of retail space to make room for Froggers Grill & Bar, Shoney’s Restaurant and Bobby’s Garage Bar. A brand-spankin’-new 86-foot Ferris wheel was imported from Italy for the Highway 192 attraction, plus there’s a lot more parking space so now you don’t have to fight for a spot.

OLD TOWN

The Center Kissimmee

21 W. Monument Ave., 407-201-2544, thecenterorlando.org/ kissimmee The LGBT+ Center of Orlando expanded to Kissimmee last year by opening a second center for queer and transgender services. Kissimmee’s first LGBTQ support center houses free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, support groups, a cyber center and counseling services.

Kissimmee Domino Club

Matador Tacos & Tapas Bar, 120 Broadway Ave., 407-913-5511, facebook. com/Kissimmee-DominoClub-161600311441110/ A new way to relax: The Kissimmee Domino Club meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. inside Matador for delicious food, good drinks and the chance to darle agua al dominó with local political and business leaders.

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SunRail

sunrail.com SunRail finally made it out to the south part of Central Florida last year with four new stations in Meadow Woods, Poinciana, at the Tupperware company campus and in Kissimmee. The Kissimmee station in historic downtown is already pretty popular, thanks to the paucity of public transportation options.

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SANFORD

[ C O M M UT E R C O M M U N IT I E S ]

anford, Orlando’s more charming neighbor to the north, is always reinventing itself with new restaurants, shops and experiences, but at its eclectic core, it remains the first magical escape off Interstate 4. The latest additions to this town only reaffirm Sanford’s status as a global destination whose cup runneth over with award-winning eateries, craft breweries, concerts, theaters and art galleries.

LUISA’S CELLAR | PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL

Porchfest

sanfordporchfest.org For a second year now, Porchfest has successfully taken over 10 porches in downtown Sanford, with dozens of musical acts at each one. This free festival transforms yards into front-row seats and street passersby into a captive audience.

mash, loaded Dublin chips, Scotch eggs, and Guinness-battered onion rings.

Luisa’s Cellar

113 S. Palmetto Ave., 407-548-6964, theoldjail housesanford.com Sanford’s original county jail has been converted into an eatery where delectable plates like Creole lamb, Lowcountry shrimp and sausage, and Sun Belt cioppino reign supreme.

206 Sanford Ave., 407-915-7309, luisascellar.com Luisa’s Cellar describes itself as a “wine bar with a craft beer problem,” but that’s not even the half of it. Luisa’s hosts live music and multiple events a week, including a “Monthly Moon Gathering” workshop where you can learn to use tarot, oracle and the moon’s energy. Don’t miss the dessert room and coffee shop (Wolfgang’s) the owners have added – the Blonde Bombshell must be tasted at least once.

The Sullivan, A Public House

Deviant Wolfe Brewing

The Old Jailhouse Sanford

116 E. First St., 407-8782530, facebook.com/ thesullivanpublichouse This classic version of the Irish pub is another bar spinoff from Washburn Imports. Aside from featuring the best Irish beers and whiskies, the Sullivan also offers pub bites like bangers and

121 W. First St., 407-878-6239, deviantwolfebrewing.com One of Sanford’s newest breweries, the Deviant taproom overflows with a wide selection of beers, especially sours. There’s also a guest tap cider and plenty of wine on hand.

520 on the Water

520 N. Palmetto Ave., 407-325-1376, venue520onthewater.com After the unfortunate closing of Wolfy’s, the spot has been turned into a wedding venue called 520 on the Water. Let the beauty of the St. Johns River set the scene on your special day.

119 French

119 S. French Ave., 386-747-3200, facebook.com/119french This historic hometurned-bar opened last year and is already a hit. Guzzle down a variety of fine wines, draft and bottled beers, and delicious appetizers as you listen to live music on Saturdays.

Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café

205 E. First St., Sanford, 407-321-2204, willowtreecafe.com Everyone’s favorite German gastropub is opening a new rooftop biergarten on the second floor where more gemütlichkeit can continue to happen. PORCHFEST | PHOTO BY PARK AVE PHOTOGRAPHY

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LAKE NONA

[ C O M M UT E R C O M M U N IT I E S ]

ocated in the southeast corner of the greater Orlando metro area, Lake Nona is a planned “smart” community far enough away from the city core to elicit groans from your downtown-dwelling friends. But that’s all changing now that the community’s entertainment options and other amenities have tipped the scales from “a couple of great restaurants” to “a lot of stuff worth the drive.” Canvas and Chroma still serve fine meals, and public art installations the Beacon, Code Wall and Glass House still please the eye, but this year sees the addition of even more fun with new murals at the Pixon, a water park, a microrestaurant park and coming soon: driverless shuttles. Truly, Lake Nona is a few minutes farther into the future than any other Orlando neighborhood.

Boxi Park

6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., boxiparklakenona.com Picture a food truck park, but instead of food trucks, giant metal cans. Well, sort of. Trendily housed in repurposed shipping containers, Boxi Park is 30,000 familyfriendly square feet of counter-service restaurants and bars, volleyball courts, a fenced-in dog park and a performance stage. In addition to all the ice cream, lobster rolls and margaritas you can handle, enjoy DJs, live bands and sand volleyball matches. Just don’t forget your card (or phone); Boxi Park is strictly cashless.

BOXI PARK | PHOTO BY SCOTT COOK

Nona Adventure Park

14086 Centerline Drive, 407-313-2907, nonaadventurepark.com This water-based sporting center is so technologically advanced it’s almost scary, but put aside your fear and dive in. There’s a 60-foot-high climbing tower, a cable-rigged wakeboarding system, and an inflatable obstacle course. (But hey, four-eyes: Only “sports glasses” are allowed here. This is Lake Nona! Get the Lasik already!)

Park Pizza & Brewing Co.

PIXON MURAL BY LEDANIA

NONA ADVENTURE PARK

6941 Lake Nona Blvd., 407-955-4472, parkpizzalakenona.com A brand-new, not-too-fancy pizza joint – with walls, in case you don’t want to sit outside at Boxi Park. Woodfire-blistered Neapolitan pies (try the Bleu Bird) and house-brewed beers settle just right in a home-away-from-home atmosphere.

Pixon murals by Ledania

7004 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., 321-319-8755, lakenonapixon.com The Pixon Apartments are one of the newer “neighborhoods” of Lake Nona, an 11-story tower with all mod cons like a car share program with Tesla Model 3s, an in-house virtual gaming room and “the Orlando market’s first micro-apartment units.” Just one catch: They aren’t open yet. But in March of this year, Colombian neomuralist Ledania won a contest to create the Pixon’s public art, and if you look hard (hint: Ledania’s Instagram feed), you’ll see the colorful South American-inspired work she’s creating on site.

NONA ADVENTURE PARK

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Road Trips Worth the drive !

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D AY T O N A B E A C H

[ROAD TRIPS]

eyond bikers and spring breakers, this worldfamous beach town features history, character and waves for days. A quick one-hour drive northeast from Orlando, this location on the Atlantic Coast is perfect for a day trip or semi-staycation.

PLAY Daytona Arcade Museum

176 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach, daytonaarcademuseum.com Missing your fill of Galaga, Street Fighter II or Donkey Kong? Unlimited play on all games all day, and a rotating selection of local microbrews. Game over!

Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier

1200 Main St., Daytona Beach, daytonabeach.com/things-to-do Built in 1925, this 600-foot wooden pier is the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach. Walk out at sunset and look back at the lights.

Museum of Arts and Science

352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach, moas.org This place has it all: A giant sloth skeleton (yeah, they’re Florida natives), Napoleon’s bed, hundreds of teddy bears, the best Cuban art collection, and the only place in the country to see an original Coca-Cola bottle. Follow the boardwalk to natural wonder, and don’t skip the planetarium show.

EAT Kale Cafe

DAYTONA BEACH BOARDWALK AND PIER | PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

116 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach, kalecafejuicebar.com Fresh pressed juice bar with creative vegan cuisine. Don’t miss the chalkboards of veg facts lining the long walls.

Tia Cori’s Tacos

Macker Seafood

Starbucks

600 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach Fresh ocean fish and shellfish caught at Matanzas Inlet, near Marineland. It’s SHRIMPTASTIC! No, really. You can order that.

214 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach, tiacoristacos.com Elote, elote, elote, torta, sope, ceviche, elote, elote, elote, taco, elote, flan. 110 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach OK, OK, but hear us out: It’s got a fantastic beach view and free parking. Grab your drink of choice and sit outside on the covered porch to catch the breeze.

Donnie’s Donuts

200 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, donniesdonuts.com Slightly up the road but so worth the extra mile or two. Fresh, hot cake donuts are vehicles for mouthwatering toppings – and they sell out fast.

SHOP Atlantic Sounds Record Shop 138 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

This 37-year-old record store has something for everyone. Come away with an album or cassette that you didn’t know you needed, but have to own – like for instance, the vintage album of cat sounds we may or may not have purchased.

pick up local eggs, produce, seafood, and plants on Saturdays from 7-11 a.m. Then stroll the Sweetheart Trail, part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway that stretches from Maine to Florida.

Moxie Vintage

STAY

114 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach Stop in to meet Daniel and style yourself up from his creative displays of vintage and retro fashion and unique ephemera. No selfies allowed, by the way. Tip: Pick up a vintage woven straw beach bag.

Downtown Farmers Market

105 Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, riverfrontshopsofdaytona.com Set alongside the Halifax River,

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Streamline Hotel

140 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, streamlinehotel.com A 44-room restored yet historically accurate boutique hotel with a saltwater pool and rooftop bar. Don’t miss the vintage stock car racing memorabilia.

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SARASOTA

[ROAD TRIPS]

his Gulf Coast city is just two and a half hours from the City Beautiful and it’s so charming, you may never want to leave. Sink your toes into its powdery sand, and you’ll definitely start making plans to return … or maybe even retire here. Current real estate prices might be a rude shock back to reality, though.

PLAY The Ringling Circus Museum

5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, ringling.org/circus-museum This is a must-see: circus history told through handcrafted miniatures and interactive displays that amaze kids and kidults alike. How many of you can fit in the tiny car?

The Yoga Shack

514 Central Ave., Sarasota, theyogashack.com If your idea of play is actually hard work on a yoga mat, go here for great instruction, small classes and zero pretension. They’re on the MindBody app to make things simpler.

Sarasota Farmers Market 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-225-9256, sarasotafarmers market.org Saturday mornings downtown until 1 p.m., head to the Big Red Bus for locally roasted coffee and start your stroll. Don’t miss: fish tacos, the breakfast burrito guy or the smoked fish dip. Eat that with crackers on the beach later – they’ll pack it on ice for you.

unique brews from everywhere, this is the place – plus there’s an outdoor beer garden, fire pit and live bands (that don’t play covers).

Lido Beach and Park

The Blue Rooster

At the end of Lido Key, the lesser-trafficked area where the Bay meets the Gulf, there’s a playground, picnic area, parking and sandy dunes. Try it instead of the packed public beach or Siesta Key.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, 941-355-5305, sarasotajunglegardens.com Established in 1939, the Jungle Gardens are a true old-Florida roadside attraction. See flamingos, alligators, exotic fruit trees, and “two bearded dragons, a skink and a creamsicle snake.”

EAT Cock & Bull Farmhouse 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota Dog-friendly, 40 taps and 500-plus bottles. It’s a hike, but if you’re looking for local and

WAFFLE STOP |

1525 Fourth St., Sarasota, blueroostersrq.com Get yourself some fresh yardbird served up with a Belgian waffle and whisky maple syrup. The Sunday Gospel Brunch Buffet will feed your soul in so many ways.

Ionie Retreat

PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

C’est La Vie

1553 Main St., Sarasota, cestlaviesarasota.com If it’s French fare you’re after, this spot will transport you back to that summer you spent in Paris. The bread, the pastry, the salade Niçoise … ooh la la.

Social Eatery & Bar

1219 First St., Sarasota, socialonfirst.com Unique indoor/outdoor vibe with craft cocktails to sip slowly. Skip dinner, go for drinks. Make it your last stop of the night.

1241 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, ionie.com Raw vegan food spot and wellness retreat location where you can order house-made raw treats and juices to go or sit on the porch and chill.

Waffle Stop

Perq Coffee Bar

Five-O Donut Co.

1821 Hillview St., Sarasota, perqcoffeebar.us Exceptional coffee served with a sleek, bright, modern groove. The cold brew will kick you into high gear.

660 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota Locals call this old school greasy spoon the Elvis Café – because he ate here once. You’ll know it the second you walk in. Order what he ate and you’ll love every bite. 2241 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, fiveodonutco.com We can’t tell you how good they are because they’ve sold out before we’ve ever gotten to try them. You tell us!

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SHOP Artisan Cheese Co.

550 Central Ave., Sarasota, artisancheesecompany.com Cheese Louise will give you a taste of everything and blow your mind with fresh flavors you may have never considered. Also, find gourmet foodie products you’ve only read about.

Sarasota Architectural Salvage

1093 Central Ave., Sarasota, sarasotasalvage.com That thing you were looking for and couldn’t find? It’s here. Probably sourced from an old hotel. Find everything under the sun: giant letters, medical posters, wood, old windows. Plan to spend at least an hour.

STAY Hotel Ranola

118 Indian Place, Sarasota, hotelranola.com This updated 1926 building hosts nine suites with full kitchens, comfy beds and Art Deco accents. Don’t miss the rooftop deck. Downtown is walkable from here.

ATL ANTIC BE ACH

THE MINI BAR DONUTS + COFFEE | PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

outh of Jacksonville and north of St. Augustine about two and a half hours from Orlando is a little town called Atlantic Beach. Drive until you reach the beach, and you’ll find rows of pastel-colored cottages mixed with a little history and a lot of local life and delicious food.

PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

ATLANTIC BEACH | PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

EAT PLAY

Plantology

Go to the beach. That’s why you came here. Right? It’s the Atlantic. Dark. Mysterious. Occasionally shark-filled. Brave the waves or sun yourself on the shore.

1013 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, plantologycafe.com Beach mama and papa serve up vegan treats, juices and weekend specials that are hearty and wholesome. The thin mint smoothie and golden spiced bowl are our faves.

Beaches Museum

Pie Heaven Bakery Café

Atlantic Beach

381 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, beachesmuseum.org Henry Flagler ruled this state’s history for a time because of his passion for (and domination in the building of) railroads. Find out how Atlantic Beach fared compared to neighbor St. Augustine.

1980 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, pieheavencafe.com These ladies bake up the best pies in the region. The Key lime comes boozy or non-boozy and both are worth having seconds. Tip: If available get a chicken pot pie. They sell out FAST.

Adventure Landing

528 N. First St., Jacksonville Beach, vpizza.com Head to this place for your fill of the other kind of perfect pie: pizza. This is where the locals go for lunch, dinner and late-night snacking.

1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, jacksonville-beach. adventurelanding.com Water park, arcade, alligator pond, roller coasters, minigolf, laser tag, go-karts. All the hyphenated fun things to do for kids and those who want to be kids. HOTEL PALMS

[ROAD TRIPS]

V Pizza

The Mini Bar Donuts + Coffee 1300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, minibardonuts.com So tiny and so cute, you’ll get

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to taste every flavor. Bring the kiddos for a peek into the kitchen, fill ’em up with sugar and let them run around in the courtyard while you relax on a sofa with your coffee. Our pick: the pop-tart donut.

Hawkers

241 N. Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, eathawkers.com If you know, you know. If you don’t, then go. But it gets crowded, so go early or you’ll end up UberEats-ing McDonald’s fries while you wait for your food. Not like we really did that or anything.

STAY Hotel Palms

28 Sherry Drive, Atlantic Beach, thehotelpalms.com This 1940s motor court was reborn as a vintage-modern beach motel where each room is different, but all are equally breezy. The proprietors offer surfboards, bikes, events and other amenities (just ask). Don’t miss resident Show Pigeon Coffee’s fancy coffee-based breakfast drinks on weekends. Do we still say “mocktails” if it’s breakfast?

CLERMONT

[ROAD TRIPS]

ORLANDO CAT CAFÉ | PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

t’s so close and yet feels so far away. Orlando’s citrus history is large and in charge in Clermont – visit the county next door to find a quaint downtown and some OG roadside attractions.

PLAY Orlando Cat Café

532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, orlandocatcafe.com If it’s floofy cuddles you seek, you have to wait for them to come to you – we promise they will. Grab a coffee and spend time in the kitten tent for cuteness overload. Kid-friendly!

Hall of Presidents

123 N. Highway 27, Clermont, thepresidentshalloffame.com This place is an oddball walk through history, home of the largest model of the White House ever made. Its gift shop is full of vintage treasures you have to see to believe.

Citrus Tower

41 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, citrustower.com An original Florida roadside attraction that’s still going strong, 22 stories high with views overlooking the eight-county Central Florida region. Kitchy Florida gift shop included, of course.

revival

2400 S. Highway 27, Clermont, revivalclermont.com can we just all use lower case for everything? funk, soul, ’90s hip-hop. this is the place. come and dance your ass off. drinks optional.

REVolution Off Road

4000 FL-33, Clermont, revolutionoffroad.com An off-roading adventure destination to fulfill your muddiest dreams. Wear a helmet. Practice archery. Wear a helmet. ATVs and off-roading. Wear a helmet.

JACK BENNY’S BBQ | PHOTO BY JENNY DE WITT

EAT

SHOP

Axum Coffee

Midcentury Metropolis

532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, axumcoffee.com Arguably some of the best fresh-roasted coffee in Central Florida. This is a must-visit for java aficionados, and the freshly baked pastries are mouthwateringly good. Bonus: ORLANDO CAT CAFE is just next door. Allergic? No problem. Watch them play through the glass viewing window.

Jack Benny’s BBQ

100 S. Highway 27, Minneola, jacksbarbeque.com One of Lake County’s best-kept secrets. You’ll find 60 years of wood-smoked barbecue experience at this local fave – pulled pork and ribs are the move here. BTW, if you went to UF, these are your people.

Uncle Kenny’s BBQ

157 N. Highway 27, Clermont, unclekennysbbq.com Kansas-City-style barbecue is the perfect counterpart to Jack’s. Try ’em both to know the best of BBQ in the area.

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603 E. Minnehaha Ave., Clermont When you go, you’ll know. Talk to someone who understands history and prices it right.

The Broom Tree

77 W. Montrose St., Clermont You will have to dig, and this is not the place for midcentury modern lookie-loos. But we found a set of mother-ofpearl teacups priced too embarrassingly low to publish.

STAY Lake Louisa cabins

7305 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, floridastateparks.org Twenty beautiful cabins with screened porches overlook Lake Dixie, where canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking and natural beauty will help you relax and recharge. Don’t miss the horseback trail rides and hosted eco-tours.

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Listings Orlandoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential places & events

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AT T R AC T I O NS

[ L I ST I N G S ]

SESAME STREET AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO

Airboat Rides at Midway

rlando attracted over 72 million tourists last year, and if that number soon breaks 100 million, you can bet Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost will be to blame. Better known to the non-Jedi as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the eagerly anticipated 14-acre expansion to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will finally allow fans to sit in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon when it opens in August. Walt Disney World also debuts a Mickey Mouse dark ride and gondola transportation system this year, but Universal is punching back with a new Harry Potter-inspired rollercoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (set to open in June), and two value-priced resort hotels, while SeaWorld – which just debuted a detailed Sesame Street area and parade – has expanded its festival event schedule to every weekend. When you’ve exhausted (or been exhausted by) the blockbuster resorts, be sure to explore Orlando’s more modest, homegrown attractions, reminders of an era before the Mouse ate our city.

28501 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas, 407-568-6790, airboatridesatmidway.com See bald eagles, otters, blue herons and a lot of gators at this popular airboat tour on the St. Johns River.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, 407-644-0190, fl.audubon.org Watch Florida’s raptors get some TLC at this rehab center near Lake Sybelia. Open to the public, the center’s gazebo houses birds currently in rehabilitation and man-made wetlands.

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, 863676-1408, boktowergardens.org On the outskirts of Orlando’s suburbs, Bok Tower Gardens hosts botanical gardens designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Take in the natural wonders of Florida

as you listen to the song coming from the iconic neo-Gothic Singing Tower and its carillon bells.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford, 407-323-4450, centralfloridazoo.org Home to more than 400 animals, the Central Florida Zoo is a relaxing sanctuary for threatened animals like the Madagascar redruffed lemur or the Thai clouded leopard. Feed the giraffes some lettuce or pet a greater onehorned rhino.

Dinosaur World

5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, 813-717-9865, dinosaurworld.com Life-size dinosaur models reign over this attraction seen from Interstate 4. Dig for fossils, mine through artifacts and excavate a 27-foot skeleton under the sand. CONTINUED ON PAGE 87

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Forever Florida

4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud, 407-957-9794, foreverflorida.com This 4,700-acre nature preserve features the best of Florida. Enjoy horseback riding, zip-lining and a trail buggy tour featuring a traditional ranch and other wildlife.

Fort Christmas Historical Park and Museum

1300 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas, 407-254-9312, orangecountyfl.net Find replica Florida Cracker-style cabins and a pioneer schoolhouse at this regional history museum that evokes an 1837 fort during the second Seminole War.

Gatorland

GATORLAND

14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-855-5496, gatorland.com Known as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” this eco-preserve is home to thousands of flesheating reptiles and the trainers brave enough to wrestle them. Get close (but not too close) to see them eat and sleep, or

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[ L I ST I N G S ] zip-line safely above their marsh. Say hi to Larry, an 800-pound resident recently relocated here from the Villages.

ICON Park

8375 International Drive, i-drive360.com Right in the middle of Orlando’s tourist district, Icon Park (formerly Icon Orlando 360) features the Wheel, a 400-foot observation wheel, marine animals at the Sea Life Aquarium, skeletons at the Museum of Osteology, your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax museum and the Orlando Starflyer, the world’s tallest swing ride. In addition to the name change (which happened the very day this guide went to press), there are plans to add two new restaurants plus a food hall called Wheelhouse Market.

Jungle Adventures Nature Park

26205 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas, 407-568-2885, jungleadventures.com A natural habitat filled with rare Florida panthers, black bears, wolves, white-tailed deer, tropical CONTINUED ON PAGE 91

coffeeshopofhorrors

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birds and, as always, a whole lot of gators. The mouth of “Swampy,” a 200-foot man-made gator, serves as the entrance to a “real Florida animal park.”

Legoland

1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, legoland.com/florida What’s not to love about a 150acre attraction whose theme is tiny blocks and mini humans? New in 2019 is The Lego Movie World, featuring a family-friendly flight simulator and a restaurant where every day is“Taco Tuesday.”

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

State Road 405, east of Titusville, 855-433-4210, kennedyspacecenter.com Take a tour of the 363-foot Saturn V that took Americans to the moon and catch the lunar particles that still dust astronaut Alan Shepard’s space suit. Make it worth your while and visit when there’s a live rocket launch scheduled.

Orlando Science Center

777 E. Princeton St., 407-514-2000, osc.org Home to Florida’s largest refractor telescope, the Orlando Science Center has a place for everyone. Children get to explore the recently remodeled KidsTown, which includes a climbing area and pickable “orange grove,” while adults get to connect at Science Night Live with fun exhibits and a little liquor.

Orlando Speed World Dragway

19164 E. Colonial Drive, 407-5685522, raceosw.com/dragway Local drag racing finds a home at Orlando Speed World. Check out street drags and drifting events here every week.

SeaWorld Orlando

7007 Sea World Drive, 407-5455550, seaworld.com/orlando Outdated marine animal shows aren’t the only thing SeaWorld has to offer. A brand-new Sesame Street land, along with thrilling roller coasters and exciting water adventures at Aquatica, make this theme park a must-visit.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER

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[ L I ST I N G S ] Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., universalorlando.com Thank the stars for multi-day passes, because Universal offers way too much to enjoy in one day. From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the Volcano Bay water theme park, there’s never a dull moment here. New for 2019 is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, replacing the retired Dragon Challenge rollercoaster.

Wallaby Ranch

1805 Deen Still Road, Davenport, 863-424-0070, wallaby.com Lose your terrestrial inhibitions by hanging out with the gliders at Wallaby Ranch. The ranch’s aerotow system launches people (and their instructors) into the air for an unforgettable experience.

Walt Disney World Resort

disneyworld.disney.go.com The most magical place on Earth doesn’t really need an explanation, so we’ll just give you the new stuff: The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge themed land will make its debut in August 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and it’s not something you want to miss.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

[ L I ST I N G S ]

SWITCHFOOT AT HOUSE OF BLUES | PHOTO BY IAN SUAREZ

here’s a lot of evolution and expansion underway in the venue scene over the last 12 months, but it’s been more of a long-view grind than big flashy openings. Newer/rebranded spaces like Soundbar, Veranda Live, Celine and Iron Cow are maintaining their steady momentum of live music in an ever more competitive environment. Grumpy’s Underground Lounge popped up out of nowhere next to Uncle Lou’s and is working in tandem with its neighbor to keep a little dirt under the increasingly well-manicured nails of Mills 50. Will’s Pub reconfigured their whole interior arrangement in March, Geek Easy is upping its game exponentially for putting on concerts that look and sound great, and Stonewall in Parramore is doing the same, proving themselves to be crucial pieces of Orlando’s live music puzzle. And while we’re at it, a special shout out to Whiskey Lou’s; after 50 years in the hoochslinging game they’re low-key poised to become a garage-punk hotspot.

Addition Financial Arena

12777 N. Gemini Blvd., 407-823-6006, cfearena.com The former CFE Arena, just rebranded Addition Financial, is more than just a student venue: It seats roughly 10,000 and hosts pop, rock and hiphop, as well as comedy and other events. It’s a welcome connection between UCF and the broader show-going populace of the city.

Amway Center

400 W. Church St., 407-440-7000, amwaycenter.com Elton John, Travis Scott and Fall Out Boy have all

made the Amway a tour stop – not to mention a red-hot selection of young Latin music superstars – and this bigleague arena is also home to the Magic and the Solar Bears, only a few steps from downtown.

The Beacham

46 N. Orange Ave., 407-246-1419, thebeacham.com The downtown concert venue provides a much-needed home for larger-scale shows in the center of the city – think Kurt Vile, Neko Case or Playboi Carti. The open floor provides multiple pathways to edge your way up to the

front, though good luck navigating tightly packed crowds.

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts

1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-9951, bluebambooartcenter.com Triple-threat performance space/art gallery/ recording studio hosts the full sonic spectrum of jazz, classical and world music, as well as theater and literary events.

Celine

22 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-801-7005, celineorlando.com Downtown Orlando nightspot is a great

destination for dancing and now also hosts a red-hot swath of touring hip-hop, EDM, drum & bass and techno heavyhitters.

CityWalk at Universal

6000 Universal Studios Plaza, 407-363-8000, universalorlando.com This no-cover complex of bars and clubs tucked away within the Universal Studios sprawl offers plenty of opportunity for a little more grownuporiented fun outside the province of Harry Potter at Rising Star, the Groove, the Red Coconut Club and more.

The Falcon

819 E. Washington St., 407-423-3060, thefalconbar.com Intimate bar and impromptu venue has been anchoring Thornton Park for a few years now and has increasingly been providing a comfy home for underground shows of the electronic or full-band type; that’s in addition to an already bustling calendar of open mic and comedy nights.

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The Geek Easy

114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, 321-972-8207, mygeekeasy.com What started as a backroom speakeasystyle bar attached to A Comic Shop has grown bigger independently as a state-of-the-art live music hive, a perfect fostering ground for the nerdcore music scene and more.

Gilt Nightclub

740 Bennett Road, 407-504-7699, giltnightclub.com The lushly renovated, 10-bar, dual-dancefloor nightclub Gilt is a significant upgrade from a previous incarnation as the Roxy, so put on your essential attire and check out DJs like Ookay and hip-hop royalty like Young Thug.

Grumpy’s Underground Lounge

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ultimate hole-in-the-wall that is Uncle Lou’s is becoming a DIY hotspot in its own right, while also hosting weekly acoustic jams and karaoke nights.

Hard Rock Live

roomy Winter Park club is loud, heavy, metal and that’s pretty much it. A perfect landing spot for distortion that’s a little too big for the likes of Lou’s. Top-shelf sound and lights, too.

Henao Contemporary Center

6050 Universal Blvd., 407-3515483, hardrock.com/live Venture deep into the heart of Universal’s CityWalk entertainment complex for entertainment that straddles bigtime (Ministry), nostalgic (Buddy Guy) and outside-the-lines (6lack) all at once.

5601 Edgewater Drive, 407-2720317, henaocenter.com Sprawling arts center a short trip down Edgewater has played host to myriad arts events, sure, but they’ve also put on shows by cutting-edge collectives like Colours of the Culture and Ugly Orange.

The Haven Lounge

House of Blues

6700 Aloma Ave., 407-673-2712, thehavenrocks.com The musical menu on offer at this

1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, 407-934-2583, hob.com Shows may start on the early

side, but that’s really the only overt sign that this concert venue is nestled in the Disney Springs adult playground. Expect to see anything from Dropkick Murphys to ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons. The sightlines and sound system are recommended.

Independent Bar

70 N. Orange Ave., 407-839-0457, facebook.com/ independentbarorlando Downtown’s I-Bar is the destination of choice for those who want a little something more indie from their nightclub adventures. Don’t worry, though, the dancefloor is spacious and multiple bars will melt away hesitations to dance on said floors.

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Iron Cow

2438 E. Robinson St., facebook. com/ironcowcafe Milk District space steered by the people behind Sandwich Bar is an expanded space for live music (To Live and Shave in LA, Nels Cline) and deep-cut club nights, further enticing the curious with a full food and drinks menu.

Parliament House

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407425-7571, parliamenthouse.com Veteran gay nightclub and resort hosts a nonstop cavalcade of drag shows, cabaret and even theatrical performances, though arguably the main attraction is the packed dance floor.

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The Plaza Live

425 N. Bumby Ave., 407-228-1220, plazaliveorlando.com This Milk District mainstay is run in partnership with the Orlando Philharmonic, hosting shows by the Phil’s smaller ensembles plus a wide-ranging slate of ’80s icons, guitar legends and comics. And John Waters.

The Social

54 N. Orange Ave., 407-246-1419, thesocial.org Mainstay downtown venue is the very definition of “intimate”; most nights this small room is packed to the gills with the devoted, straining to get as close as possible to their favorite touring artist.

Soundbar

37 W. Pine St., facebook.com/soundbar.orl Rebranded, retooled and under new management, Soundbar (formerly Backbooth) pulls off the deft balancing act of hosting late-night themed dance nights alongside earlier, all-agesfriendly shows with everyone from Nickelus F to Deicide to Cupcakke.

Southern Nights

375 S. Bumby Ave., 407-4125039 facebook.com/ southernnightsorlando Longstanding LGBTQ+ dance shangri-la has been holding it down for years with a strong calendar of drag shows and dance nights. And the crowds keep pouring in.

Stardust Video and Coffee

1842 E. Winter Park Road, 407-623-3393, stardustie.com This Audubon Park eatery/bar also plays host to a wide array of leftfield music events – recently ranging from hardcore punk to synth-pop to indie-folk.

Stonewall Bar

741 W. Church St., 407-373-0888, stonewallorlando.com Two-story Parramore gay nightclub is not only home to the fabulously chilling drag family Black Haus, but also hosts an adventurous slate of live underground sounds (courtesy of former Spacebar booker Tommy Mot and comrades).

Tanqueray’s Bar

100 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-8540, facebook.com/ tanqueraysbar Premier smoky downstairs dive

whose generous booking policy provides an entry point for locals to downtown. The likes of Leisure Chief and Ancient Sun have held unofficial residencies there.

Timucua Arts

2000 S. Summerlin Ave., 407-595-2713, timucua.com A truly unique live music experience. Tucked away in an unassuming South Orlando neighborhood, the big white house (which is in fact a home) offers incredible natural acoustics, a near cathedral-like setting and an adventurous event slate.

Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall

1016 N. Mills Ave., 407-898-0009 For better or for whatever, there is nowhere else like Uncle Lou’s in the City Beautiful. A closequarters, gritty staging area for DIY music both local and national, where (almost) anything goes.

The Veranda Live

111 N. Summerlin Ave., 407-4086804, theverandalive.com New outdoor venue in Thornton Park presents a few intriguing twists on the concertgoing experience: shows are free, and start and end early in a bucolic outdoor setting. So far they’ve hosted acts ranging from Pylon

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Reenactment Project to Slim Jim Phantom.

Wall Street Plaza

27 Wall St., 407-849-1532, wallstplaza.net Seven clubs congregate on one entire block of prime downtown real estate given over to the Wall Street complex, a nightly magnet for anybody ready for some drinking and mingling. Weekends are delightful madness.

Whiskey Lou’s Lounge

121 N. Bumby Ave., 407-896-2593, facebook.com/whiskeylous This Milk District watering hole has been serving ’em strong and cheap for 50 years and is now getting a second wind as a music venue for bands on the grittier side. Expect things to get raucous.

Will’s Pub

1042 N. Mills Ave., willspub.org The Will’s/Lil’ Indies/Dirty Laundry compound is an essential component of both local scene-building and providing a stage to touring acts of all adventurous stripes. The event calendar reads like a genre collage, and that’s a very good thing. And they’ve just done a revamp of the whole bar, so go take a fresh look!

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HAMILTON AT THE DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ike the rest of the city, our arts and culture community is undergoing enormous changes at the last minute. While we mourn the closure of the Venue, Blue Star’s former multiuse performance space, we welcome the imminent opening of Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center, an acoustically engineered performance venue that will serve our dancers and classical musicians in the style they deserve. At the same time, we grieve the loss of the Gallery at Avalon Island’s sophisticated curation, but we have high hopes for a refreshed CityArts initiative in its new home in the same building.

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens

633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-6294, polasek.org The Czech artist’s former residence is now a gallery, surrounded by gorgeous lakeside gardens full of his bronze sculptures.

Art and History Museums – Maitland

231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, 407-539-2181, artandhistory.org The cultural complex includes the Maitland Art Center (a National Historic Landmark), the Germaine Marvel multi-use space, the Victorian-era Waterhouse Residence, the Telephone Museum and the Carpentry Shop Museum.

Arts on Douglas

123 Douglas St., New Smyrna Beach, 386-428-1133, artsondouglas.net The exhibition arm of Atlantic Center for the Arts shows cuttingedge visual works in the heart of this charming beach town.

Atlantic Center for the Arts

1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach, 386-427-6975, atlanticcenterforthearts.org The residency program, which draws internationally renowned visual artists, writers and musicians, also offers public exhibits and performances several times per year.

Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum

656 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-8200, casafeliz.us Winter Park’s landmark farmhouse, designed by noted architect James Gamble Rogers

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in 1932, hosts art, music and talks on historical preservation within its luxurious walls.

Casselberry Art House

127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry, 407-262-7700, casselberry.org A midcentury residence the city converted to an experimental gallery set in the lovely environs of Lake Concord Park.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-5311, morsemuseum.org This museum features an astounding collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including a wing dedicated to recreating the essence of Laurelton Hall, Tiffany’s Long Island estate.

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Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave., 407-246-4279, cityoforlando.net/arts This gallery showcases some of the city of Orlando’s public art collection, as well as nationally touring and locally curated exhibitions.

Well’s Built Museum

511 W. South St., 407-245-7535, wellsbuilt.org Housed in a historic hotel, Well’s Built is a trove of AfricanAmerican artifacts.

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts

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CityArts

39 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-648-7060, facebook.com/cityartsfactory The Downtown Arts District is now centered in the RogersKiene Building, the historic green structure formerly home to the Gallery at Avalon Island. The historic building recalls Orlando’s past; the monthly-changing exhibits within feature local, national and international artists.

Cornell Fine Arts Museum

1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, 407-646-2526, rollins.edu/cfam Tucked away on the campus of Rollins College, this museum continues to acquire cutting edge works of contemporary art to its Alfond Collection, originally donated by a pair of alumni.

Crealdé School of Art

600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park, 407-671-1886, crealde.org The school, set in lakeside bungalows with a sculpture garden, is known for creative classes as well as ever-changing gallery shows.

Downtown Arts Collective

643 Lexington Ave., downtownartscollective.com The new professional photo studio also hosts art shows of all types (not just photography) in its white-box gallery, as well as meetings and workshops for creatives, like a “Guided Meditation for Artists” event.

Faith Arts Village Orlando

221 E. Colonial Drive, 407-222-1231, faithartsvillage.com Housed in an old motel, FAVO provides individual artists studios and hosts a monthly art market.

Flying Horse Editions

UCF Center for Emerging Media, 407-235-3619, flyinghorse.cah.ucf.edu University of Central Florida’s fine art research facility and nonprofit publisher of limited-edition prints, artist books and multiple-edition art objects is moving two blocks north of its old spot at 500 W. Livingston, as UCF Downtown gears up for its August 2019 opening.

Loud Gallery

1907 N. Orange Ave., 407-985-3191, loudgallery.com Small, sceney space offers adventurous curation amid the bars and restaurants of Ivanhoe Village.

Hannibal Square Heritage Center

642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-539-2680, hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org Established in 2007, the gallery presents exhibitions and displays archival photos and historical documents related to the African-American experience in the evolving west Winter Park neighborhood.

Henao Contemporary Center

5601 Edgewater Drive, 407-272-0317, henaocenter.com Roomy visual arts facility in a lesser-known part of town also hosts music, spoken word, dance and other arts events.

The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida

851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, 407-628-0555, holocaustedu.org The tiny gallery within the Jewish Community Center hosts rotating exhibits that challenge the viewer. By 2022, the center will move to expanded quarters in downtown Orlando.

The Mennello Museum of American Art

900 E. Princeton St., 407-2464278, mennellomuseum.com The space is small, but it packs a lot of punch. It’s a showcase for works by folk artist Earl Cunningham and an eclectic mix of traveling exhibitions.

Orange County Regional History Center 65 E. Central Blvd., 407-836-8500, thehistorycenter.org This storehouse of archived wonders fills its exhibition spaces with traveling exhibitions as well as homegrown collections.

Orlando Museum of Art

2416 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-4231, omart.org Nestled into Loch Haven Park, the newly reinvigorated OMA shows work by major artists as well as homegrown talent.

Snap Space and Snap Downtown

1013 E. Colonial Drive and 420 E. Church St., 407-286-2185, snaporlando.com Slick photography-centric galleries – one in Mills 50 in the historic Cameo Theatre and one east of downtown in the 420 East building – host the best art parties in town.

227 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, 407-647-3307, facebook.com/zorafestival2019 This little gallery is devoted to African-American history and culture, and features the often-challenging work of contemporary artists of African descent.

THEATERS & PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS The Abbey

100 S. Eola Drive, 407-704-6103, abbeyorlando.com A small mixed-use room in an ornate setting – with full bar service – hosts cabaret, comedy, community theater and concerts.

Athens Theatre

124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand, 386-736-1500, athensdeland.com DeLand’s restored historic theater hosts a resident community theater group, youth theater and concerts.

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park

1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, 407646-2182, bachfestivalflorida.org BFS presents an annual season of classical music, performed by the 160 volunteer members as well as visiting artists.

Bob Carr Theater

401 W. Livingston St., 844-5132014, drphillipscenter.org Now operated by the Dr. Phillips Center, this old standby still hosts the Orlando Phil, as well as concerts and comedians.

Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park 419 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-920-4034, breakthroughtheatre.com Non-Equity community theater features dance, theater and musical events.

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Central Florida Community Arts

250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd., 407-937-1800, cfcarts.com This very inclusive musical arts organization believes every artist of every age should have a cultural platform to connect and perform.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S. Magnolia Ave., 844-513-2014, drphillipscenter.org Big and beautiful, downtown’s airy glass-and-steel cultural facility offers various multi-use spaces and theaters hosting touring Broadway productions, comics, dance and local theater.

Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407425-7571, parliamenthouse.com The legendary gay resort is home to this small theater, which thrills audiences with drag delights and original comedies, musicals and guest productions.

Garden Theatre

160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, 407-877-4736, gardentheatre.org The lovingly restored historic theater in quaint downtown Winter Garden hosts theater, film and family shows.

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The Improv Orlando

9101 International Drive, 407-4805233, theimprovorlando.com Touring and local stand-ups, magicians and sketch comedy troupes perform while patrons enjoy dinner and drinks.

Mad Cow Theatre

54 W. Church St., 407-297-8788, madcowtheatre.com The established and well-regarded professional Mad Cow Theatre features regular stage productions as well as classes, workshops and socials.

Orlando Ballet

445 S. Magnolia Ave., 844-513-2014, orlandoballet.org Orlando’s professional ballet company has settled gracefully into its new home at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

425 N. Bumby Ave., 407-770-0071, orlandophil.org Wider fare than just classical music keeps the city’s only professional orchestra in action: pops, film scores, opera and distinguished guest artists.

Orlando Repertory Theatre

1001 E. Princeton St., 407-896-7365, orlandorep.com Professional family theater productions have become the domain of Orlando Rep, which

A RT S A N D C U LT U R E also presents shows from its Youth Academy.

Orlando Shakes

Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., 407-447-1700, orlandoshakes.org One of the top Shakespeare companies in the country, the Shakes produces a regular season in addition to PlayFest, which showcases new works.

SAK Comedy Lab

29 S. Orange Ave., 407-648-0001, sak.com Good, clean fun is the hallmark of the troupe that specializes in improvisational comedy shows.

Theater on the Edge

5542 Hansel Ave., 407-309-0106, theaterontheedge.org Repertory theater company makes edgy choices of material and dives deep into the human condition.

Theater West End

ORLANDO BALLET, THE NUTCRACKER

115 W. First St., Sanford, 407-5486285, theaterwestend.com Professional theater in Sanford’s historic downtown stages musicals and repertory plays.

The Winter Park Playhouse

711 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-0145, winterparkplayhouse.org Cabarets, musicals and holiday fare – this little community theater offers a busy theatrical calendar all year round.

ARTS COMPANIES

Some vital arts groups around town that don’t have a fixed address.

Burrow Press

burrowpress.com The local publisher hosts release parties and a reading series, Functionally Literate.

Opera Orlando

operaorlando.org This rigorous but always fun company stages chamber operas and recitals in collaboration with Orlando Philharmonic and other Florida opera groups.

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Phantasmagoria

phantasmagoriaorlando.com A Victorian steampunk circus troupe offering “macabre and delicious Halloween treats and tricks.”

Playwrights’ Round Table

theprt.com The mission of the group is to find and nurture new playwrights and give a home to new stage works.

Voci Dance

facebook.com/vocidance The modern dance company presents theatrical experiences incorporating elaborate set and costume design.

Winter Park Institute

rollins.edu/rollins-winter-parkinstitute Lectures, talks, symposiums and interviews with internationally renowned experts on subjects from deep-sea biology to poetry to global politics.

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ORLANDO APOLLOS | PHOTO COURTESY THE ALLIANCE OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL (RIP?)

f sports and outdoors culture in Orlando or Central Florida was ever lacking, it’s safe to say it’s thriving now. With a number of competitive college sports programs and professional franchises, such as the newly founded Alliance of American Football’s Orlando Apollos*, it seems as though we’ve finally hit a high point for spectator athletics – and of course we also enjoy a surplus of trails, rivers, springs and parks. So go outside, rent a canoe, buy a ticket to a game, cheer for the home team, and help make it last. * (… which, oops, declared they were “suspending operations” on the very day we went to press. We’re hoping they rebound, but by the time you read this, they may have ceased to exist.)

TEAMS Orlando Apollos* Alliance of American Football

Season: February-April (maybe?) Spectrum Stadium, University of Central Florida, 407-823-1000, ucfathletics.com

Orlando City Soccer Club Major League Soccer

Season: March-October Orlando City Stadium, 655 W. Church St., 407-480-4702, orlandocitysc.com

Orlando Magic NBA basketball

Season: October-April Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., 800-745-3000, orlandomagic.com

Orlando Pride Soccer Club National Women’s Soccer League Season: April-October Orlando City Stadium, 655 W. Church St., 407-480-4702, orlandocitysc.com

Orlando Solar Bears East Coast Hockey League

Season: October-April Amway Center, 400, W. Church St., orlandosolarbearshockey.com

UCF Knights NCAA Football

Season: August-January Spectrum Stadium, University of Central Florida, 407-823-1000, ucfathletics.com

PARKS Barnett Park

4801 W. Colonial Drive, orangecountyfl.net The crown jewel of Orange County’s parks department can be overlooked because it can’t be seen from Colonial Drive. But it boasts two disc golf courses, a BMX track, a fitness center, a dog park, golf areas, softball fields and more, making it an essential location for any outdoors enthusiast.

Bill Frederick Park

3401 S. Hiawassee Road, orlando.gov The biggest park in Metrowest covers 183 acres situated around Turkey Lake, one of the most popular fishing lakes in Florida. The park offers canoeing, kayaking, nature trails, volleyball courts and other amenities, and is one of the only city parks where camping is allowed (with a permit, of course).

Blue Jacket Park

2501 General Rees Ave., orlando.gov Blue Jacket Park was once the Orlando Naval Training Center, the home of service personnel known as “Blue Jackets.” Today, its 75 acres have been designated as a historic site that’s popular for hosting baseball, soccer

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and softball, and events like weddings.

Central Park

251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, cityofwinterpark.org You’re smack-dab in the middle of Winter Park’s downtown shopping district and you want to experience a little greenery and nature, so you stroll through the fountains, landscaped plants and oak tree canopy of Central Park’s 11 acres. But leave your pooch at home, because dogs, unfortunately, aren’t allowed.

Dickson Azalea Park

100 Rosearden Drive, orlando.gov Along with neighboring Langford Park, Dickson Azalea provides a shaded oasis just outside of downtown. WPA-era bridges, pavilions and walkways crawl around and over the stream that trickles through the leafy little park.

Greenwood Urban Wetlands

1411 Greenwood St., orlando.gov Surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, with leaves that blend lively shades of orange and yellow during Florida’s shortlived autumn, Greenwood Urban Wetlands’ 19 acres is a sight to be seen any time of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 107

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year. The wetlands also serve as earth’s kidneys, so you’re literally watching nature in action.

A garden oasis with bike paths and a picnic area ripe with natural fauna and wildlife. Take a hike near forested wetlands, and if you’re quiet enough, hear the hawks and wading birds.

Lake Eola Park

Orlando Wetlands Park

512 E. Washington St., orlando.gov The center of downtown Orlando life, Lake Eola Park hosts farmers markets, cultural fairs, entertainment, footraces and much more along with a .9-mile walkway that orbits the signature fountain in the middle of the lake.

Lake Lily Park

701 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland, itsmymaitland.org Popular among dog walkers and birders, this picturesque, pocketsize park is located in the heart of Maitland and is surrounded by some of the city’s gorgeous historical buildings.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N. Forest Ave., leugardens.org These historic gardens nestled in Audubon Park boast a spectacular collection of native and exotic flora, including a rose garden, a butterfly garden and the largest documented camellia collection in Eastern North America.

Mead Botanical Garden

1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park, meadgarden.org

25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, orlando.gov With more than 20 miles of roads and trails threading through mostly undeveloped marshes, Orlando Wetlands Park is the place to go if you’re in the mood to get in touch with nature. Wildlife sightings – including alligators and bears – aren’t uncommon, to say nothing of the prime birdwatching.

DOG PARKS Constitution Green Dog Park

300 S. Summerlin Ave., orlando.gov In 2016, the city of Orlando and the Downtown Development Board purchased Constitution Green to save the enormous oak tree – one of the oldest trees in the City Beautiful – on the previously privately owned land and to help preserve green space near downtown. Now, it’s a stunning fenced-in dog park near Thornton Park and downtown. CONTINUED ON PAGE 109

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Lake Baldwin Park Dog Park

2000 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, cityofwinterpark.org With just over 23 acres of beautiful, shady parkland and its sandy beach for your pup to roll around and get filthy on, Lake Baldwin Park defines what it is to be “dog-friendly.” Polite pups are even allowed to be off their leashes from 8 a.m. until sundown.

Dr. Phillips Dog Park

8249 Buenavista Blvd., orangecountyfl.net It’s an off-leash park, so let this be said first and foremost for those who second-guess their pet’s manners from time to time. Open and tidy, with just a touch of shade to lounge in while your dog is running around, it’s a favorite among locals.

Boozehounds Dog Bar

5501 S. Orange Ave., boozehoundsdogsbar.com Central Florida’s first official “dog bar” is finally a reality, as Boozehounds, an off-leash dog park with a bar (or a bar with an off-leash dog park), is set to open this summer. The new space will operate on a membership basis, with day passes for $10 and annual memberships for $149.

BIKING AND HIKING Cady Way Trail

Entrance is 1/4 mile north of State Route 50 on Herndon Avenue This 6.5-mile paved path, popular with bicyclists and stroller-pushing moms alike, connects Orlando and Winter Park and the Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County. The trail features water fountains,

rest stops and mile markers, as well as a cool 685-foot-long suspension bridge that crosses Semoran Boulevard.

Econ Trail

Dean Road just north of State Road 50 This ever-expanding trail in East Orlando begins at Jay Blanchard Park and extends all the way to Alafaya Trail. It runs alongside the Little Econlockhatchee River, which offers pretty views and plenty of good spots to fish, canoe or just sit in the grass and enjoy a riverside picnic.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, floridastateparks.org You can canoe or kayak here (rentals are available), but this park also has 13 miles of pristine, wooded hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails. This park is very popular, particularly in summer when visitors like to swim in the clear blue spring, and when the parking lot fills, the park entrance closes. So get there early.

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

8300 W. State Road 46, Sanford, floridastateparks.org This section of the park has no amenities, but it does have 18 miles of multi-use trails you can hike or bike.

West Orange Trail

501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden This 22-mile trail stretches through Winter Garden, Apopka and Orlando. It’s open to walkers and bikers, and some parts are open to horses, too. Four trailheads with parking are located at various points.

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ANNUAL ORL ANDO EVENTS

ur City Guide is published annually in April. Events in this list run from April 2019 through March 2020. Set those calendar reminders now! APRIL Florida Film Festival April 12-21, 2019; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; 407-6291088; floridafilmfestival.com Whether you’re a fan of dramas, comedies, documentaries or shorts, the Florida Film Festival has it all. Whiskey Business April 26, 2019; Cheyenne Saloon, 128 W. Church St.; whiskeybusinessorlando. com At this upscale and sophisticated event, guests can sample their way across continents to discover the best scotches, bourbons and whiskeys.

One Magical Weekend May 31-June 3, 2019; multiple locations; onemagicalweekend.com LGBT-friendly organized trips to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando resorts during the day, themed parties every night. JULY Fireworks at the Fountain July 4, 2019; Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Robinson Street; orlando.gov Nothing says patriotism like the “oohs” and “ahhs” elicited by the choreographed firework and light show at Lake Eola each year. Tacos & Tequila July 20, 2019; Cheyenne Saloon, 128 W. Church St.; tacosandtequilaorlando.com Peak-taco deniers get to try dozens of takes on everyone’s favorite Tex-Mex one-handed treat – along with plenty of tequila and cerveza.

MAY Orlando Fringe May 14-27, 2019; Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St.; orlandofringe.org Thespians from all over the world descend on the theater complex at Loch Haven for two weeks of performances.

AUGUST Best of Orlando Aug. 21, 2019; The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave.; orlandoweekly.com Annual party in honor of Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando winners. If you snag a ticket to this exclusive party, congratulations: We like you.

Beer ’Merica May 18, 2019; Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 N. Orange Ave.; orlandoweeklytickets.com Celebrating American Craft Beer Week, this daylong beer festival on the shore of Lake Ivanhoe spotlights more than 100 varieties of American craft brews, along with live music, games and giveaways.

SEPTEMBER Halloween Horror Nights Sept. 6-Nov. 2, 2019; Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Blvd.; halloweenhorrornights.com This year’s Halloween Horror Nights features a Stranger Things house, and that’s probably all you need to know.

MegaCon May 16-19, 2019; Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; megaconorlando.com Central Florida’s largest comic convention brings in big names from the worlds of television, film, comics and more for a huge celebration of pop culture. JUNE Bite30 June 1-30, 2019; multiple locations; bite30.com A monthlong celebration of the best food Central Florida has to offer, with special prix fixe menus at each participating restaurant. Bite Night June 20, 2019; Orchid Garden, 126 W. Church St.; bitenightorlando.com Bite Night transforms the historic Orchid Garden Ballroom into a foodie wonderland featuring samples from dozens of Orlando’s best-loved chefs and restaurants.

Cocktail: The Event Sept. 27, 2019; location TBA; orlandoweekly.com A celebration of Orlando’s cocktail scene, with samples from the city’s best bars and speakeasies along with live entertainment. OCTOBER Come Out With Pride Oct. 12, 2019; Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; comeoutwithpride.com Our favorite downtown parade party celebrates the LGBTQ community. Big Gay Brunch Oct. 12, 2019; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; orlandoweekly.com Before the big gay parade, come eat and drink with Orlando Weekly and check out surprise performances. Orlando Film Festival Oct. 17-24, 2019; Cobb Plaza Cinema Café, 155 S. Orange Ave.; orlandofilmfest.com The Orlando Film Festival has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years,

and now brings hundreds of independent films and filmmakers downtown for a week of screenings, panels and parties. Creative City Project: Immerse Oct. 18-19, 2019; Downtown; creativecityproject.com The Creative City Project offers up a whole weekend of live performing arts scattered throughout public spaces in the heart of downtown Orlando. Spooky Empire October 2019 (dates TBA); Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive; spookyempire.com This convention for horror fans brings celebs, makeup specialists, tattoo artists and more for a ghoulishly fun weekend. Central Florida Veg Fest Oct. 26, 2019; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; cfvegfest.org Chow down on some cruelty-free cooking at this event for vegetarians, vegans and open-minded omnivores. Learn about veg living and get an upclose look at some of the animals spared when you opt for a salad instead of a Baconator. NOVEMBER Fall Fiesta in the Park Nov. 2-3, 2019; Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; 407-855-0606; fiestainthepark.com This biannual block party brings vendors, entertainment, food and more to downtown’s Lake Eola Park. (Also happens the first full weekend of April.) Orlando Greek Fest Nov. 1-3, 2019; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland; 407-331-4687; orlandogreekfest.com Enjoy authentic Greek food, music and dancing, along with a huge indoor market for Greek goods, including imported olives. Orlando Beer Festival Nov. 9, 2019; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; orlandobeerfestival.com Orlando’s only large-scale legitimate craft beer festival that attracts brewers and guests from all over Florida. Florida Blue Florida Classic Nov. 23, 2019; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; floridaclassic.org Annual football game between BethuneCookman University and Florida A&M. DECEMBER Sweet and Savory Dec. 5, 2019; Location TBA; orlandoweekly.com A night of desserts, drinks and delicious dishes, served up by top local and regional artisans.

Christmas in the Park Dec. 5, 2019; Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; morsemuseum.org The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows and the Bach Festival Choir performs a Christmas concert. Grandma Party Bazaar December 2019 (date TBA); Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road; instagram.com/grandma_ party Handmade crafts from local artisans and live music from local bands make this our favorite stop for holiday shopping. JANUARY Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Jan. 1, 2020; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; buffalowildwingscitrusbowl. com The Citrus Bowl plays host to one of the BCS games every New Year’s Day. Central Florida Scottish Highland Games Jan. 18-19, 2020; Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs; flascot.com Annual weekend of caber tossing, axe throwing, sheep-herding, drinking, eating and dancing. Otronicon Jan. 17-20, 2020; Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St.; 407-514-2000; osc.org Showcase of cuttingedge technology from industry leaders, providing a glimpse of the not-toodistant future. Zora! Festival January 2020 (dates TBA), downtown Eatonville, Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, zorafestival.org Eatonville’s most famous writer gets a festival in her honor every year featuring live music, arts and educational activities. FEBRUARY Indie-Folk Fest Feb. 15, 2020; Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton St.; 407246-4278; mennellomuseum.org The Mennello hosts this daylong outdoor concert in the sculpture garden with food and drink vendors every Valentine’s Day weekend. Lunar New Year Dragon Parade February 2020 (date TBA), Mills 50, centralflorida dragonparade.org This Lunar New Year celebration recently returned home from a brief exile to Fashion Square. Orlando Chili Cook-Off February 2020 (date

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TBA); Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; orlandochilicookoff.com This event brings the heat with more than 100 different types of chili to sample, the World Chili Eating Championship competition, live music and more. Florida Strawberry Festival February-March, 2020 (dates TBA); Florida Strawberry Festival, 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City; 813-752-9194; flstrawberryfestival.com One of the biggest agricultural fairs in the state routinely brings in big names for concerts, along with all the rides and festival food you can handle. MARCH Arab Festival Orlando March 2020 (dates TBA); Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; 407-246-4484; aaccflorida.org Try plenty of Middle Eastern food while seeing live performances on the bandshell stage. Central Florida Fair March 2020 (dates TBA); Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive; centralfloridafair.com Showcasing the best in midway rides, live entertainment, livestock and fried foods. Orlando Caribbean Festival March 2020 (dates TBA), Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive; centralfloridafair.com Celebration of Central Florida’s Caribbean connections, with live music, DJs, food, dancing and more. Orlando Holi Festival March 2020 (dates TBA); Bill Frederick Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road; 407-8147501; facebook.com/ indianhorizonoffloridainc Celebrate the Hindi spring festival with plenty of colored powder to throw at each other. Thundering Spirit Pow Wow March 2020 (dates TBA); Renninger’s Antique Center, 20651 State Highway 441, Mount Dora; thunderingspiritfamily.com Annual Native American culture festival with drumming, dancing, crafts and food. Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival March 2020 (dates TBA); Central Park, Winter Park; wpsaf.org Browse through booths from tons of artists and vendors at one of the country’s oldest, largest and most prestigious juried art festivals.

112 | listings | city guide | orlando weekly

114 | listings | city guide | orlando weekly