Orlando Magazine July 2019

50 MOST POWERFUL

Weed Wealth & a Big Heart Attorney John Morgan Tells All! (Well, Almost)

+ 49 Other

A-Listers You Should Know

1

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What To Eat Jaleo At Disney Springs Is A Spanish Delight PAGE 76

Sibling Rivalry Why Does This Sound Familiar?

PAGE 104

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ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM

PLUS Plastic Surgeons Annual Guide PAGE 63

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CONTENTS FE ATU RES

He's one of the most recognizable faces around, but attorney John Morgan has never topped our power list—until now. Read about his successful drive to legalize medical marijuana in Florida, while growing his law firm by leaps and bounds.

And check out profiles of dozens of others who are making a difference in our community.

ON THE COVER 50 MOST POWERFUL

Weed Wealth & a Big Heart Attorney John Morgan Tells All! (Well, Almost)

+ 49 Other

A-Listers You Should Know

John Morgan and son Matt at the offices of Morgan & Morgan in downtown Orlando.

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What To Eat Jaleo At Disney Springs Is A Spanish Delight PAGE 76

Sibling Rivalry Why Does This Sound Familiar?

Attorney, businessman, philanthropist John Morgan Photo By Roberto Gonzalez

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS • Plastic Surgeons | 63

Profiles of Orlando-area plastic surgeons.

PAGE 104

PLUS Plastic Surgeons Annual Guide PAGE 63

4 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COMING UP AUGUST

SPOTLIGHT ON

PLASTIC SURGEONS This special advertising section highlights the accomplishments of plastic surgeons, who tell about their commitment to helping people look their best.

• Best of ORL

SEPTEMBER • Pet Guide • Arts & Entertainment Season Preview • Premier Veterinarians

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29

5O MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

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CONTENTS DEPARTM ENTS

UP FRONT

DINE

14 | THE MIX

76 | REVIEW

A look back at some of our 50 Most Powerful People issues, plus a summer fun giveaway.

16 | FROM THE EDITOR Issues that need a show of strength.

78 | REVIEW

PULSE 20 | THE FIND Fashion and accessories from decades past are the highlight at Retromended Vintage in the Mills 50 District.

78

22 | BODY & SOUL You don't have to spend a lot to get a lot with these skin and hair care products recommended by local beauty experts.

24 | GETAWAY Take to the road to discover the quaint towns and unspoiled beauty along the northern coast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

Bem Bom has grown from food truck status to a permanent fixture on Corrine Drive, featuring Portuguese and Mexican dishes.

80 | RECOMMENDED EATING Restaurants to put on your must-try list.

SCENE 92 | ON THE TOWN What’s happening in the area this month in theater, film, music, art and more.

100 | RSVP BBQ on the Boulevard, and Embrace the Moment Gala.

ETC.

26 | STORY OF A… Surf Instructor.

100

Chef José Andrés' newest venture, Jaleo at Disney Springs, is a contemporary tribute to tapas and Spanish cooking.

104 | EXTRA PULP Laura Anders Lee finds that her two boys are still competive, but also finding their way to developing a brotherly bond.

20

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SURF INSTRUCTOR, CHEF: ROBERTO GONZALEZ; EVENT: EMILY JOURDAN; BOX PURSE: STEVEN DIAZ

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Volume 73, Number 9

www.orlandomagazine.com

Daryl Tol

407-423-0618 EDITOR Barry Glenn 407-318-7250

President and CEO of AdventHealth

Recognized as one of Orlando Magazine’s

50

“

July 2019

MANAGING EDITOR Hancel Deaton hancel.deaton@orlandomagazine.com

MOST POWERFUL

ART DIRECTOR Anna Ware anna.ware@orlandomagazine.com

PEOPLE IN ORLANDO”

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Denis Vargas denis.vargas@orlandomagazine.com PHOTO EDITOR Roberto Gonzalez

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DINING CRITIC Joseph Hayes

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6/10/19 10:27 AM

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CIRCULATION Catherine Walters catherine.walters@morris.com

CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS Tara Bradley Connell, Cheri Henderson, Laura Anders Lee, Jim Leusner, Michael McLeod, Brooke Morton, Rita Sotolongo, Dan Tracy PHOTOGRAPHY Steven Diaz, Emily Jourdan

JIM HELSINGER

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF ORLANDO SHAKES

ILLUSTRATION David Vallejo

HONORING ONE OF ORLANDO MAGAZINE’S

MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

“THINGS WON ARE DONE; JOY’S SOUL LIES IN THE DOING.” -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

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HEALTH HUB

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT PEDIATRICIAN? These days, most parents choose pediatricians before their babies are even born. Choosing a qualified, compassionate physician for your child is one of your most important jobs as a parent, but there are steps you can take to find the pediatrician that fits your life and feel confident about your decision.

Ask Around

Your friends, family and coworkers are great sources of information. If they’re taking their kids to someone they like, find out exactly why – beyond the general “she’s great!” – they appreciate their doctors’ style and methods.

If you’ve just moved to the area, ask your child’s teacher or school administrators. They know everybody. If you’re pregnant and trying to get a head start, ask your OB/GYN for a few recommendations.

Have a Chat

When you schedule a meet-and-greet with a pediatrician, ask about their background and training and get a general feeling for how the practice operates. What hospital does the doctor use? Does the practice have extended or weekend hours? Are there other physicians or advanced practitioners in the group who can see your child should their doctor be out? Pre-natal visits with pediatricians are often free of charge.

“Choosing a qualified, compassionate physician for your child is one of your most important jobs as a parent.”

- Michelle Norden, MD

Look at the Bigger Picture

Nobody wants to think about their child having a serious health issue arise that requires specialist referral or hospital treatment. Having a doctor who is part of a trusted, highly rated network of care – one that includes specialty physicians and surgeons that can seamlessly access your child’s full medical history and information – will ease your mind when those unplanned situations occur.

19-AHMG-03416

Pediatric Care in Your Neighborhood

We offer a world-class network of pediatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants close to home for babies, children and adolescents. Plus, our team is backed by the state-of-the-art facilities at AdventHealth for Children. We’re always here to keep your little ones feeling their best. All of our physicians are part of the AdventHealth Care Network.

Michelle Norden, MD, is an award-winning, boardcertified pediatrician who provides compassionate care for patients newborn to age 18 in College Park and Orlando. Her clinical interests include acute illness treatment, diagnostics and test interpretation, preventive medicine and well-child exams.

To schedule an appointment, visit YourCentralFloridaDoctor.com/Pediatrics, or call 407-988-2226.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We want to hear from you. Send your letters to the attention of Barry Glenn, Editor, Orlando magazine, 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32803 or email barry.glenn@ orlandomagazine.com. Letters must be signed and include a phone number in the event we need to contact you. (Your phone number will not be published.)

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LEGENDARY CATERING. CELEBRATED SERVICE.

At Rosen Shingle Creek, our unmatched culinary expertise is evident at every occasion and with each dish. Whether you’re hosting an event in one of our ballrooms or either of our two AAA Four Diamond restaurants, our award-winning chefs deliver an experience your guests will savor.

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THE MIX CON N EC T WITH US

COVER STORY

Celebrating

30 Years in the Industry

This is our 16th annual 50 Most Powerful issue, and the first No. 1 ranking for attorney John Morgan. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer holds the record for the No. 1 spot—a whopping seven times. Next is the former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty with three top rankings. In most cases the top person has been portrayed on the cover, although in two issues, we chose a more illustrative approach. The No. 1s for each year: 2004 Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty 2005 Rich Crotty 2006 UCF President John Hitt 2007 John Hitt 2008 Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer 2009 Rich Crotty 2010 Buddy Dyer 2011 Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs

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LETTER FROM TH E EDITOR

Powerful Forces

W

elcome to the 2019 edition of our annual 50 Most Powerful issue. As always, it’s been a fascinating and sometimes rather painful process narrowing our picks down to 50 (actually it’s 53, counting three couples on the list). But the big news is there’s a new No. 1 in town: attorney John Morgan.

So who gets on the list? Among many factors, we consider those who influence our lives through the civic duties they carry out, the businesses or institutions they oversee, and the money they give to bring projects to fruition. Then there are those who have the power to inspire, whether through helping those less fortunate, fighting for social justice, or providing leadership in the world of arts and entertainment. Many are familiar faces while others are first-timers who are making a difference. Others fall off the list, sometimes because of controversy but more often because we’re making room for new entries. Those are tough calls.

This year, we asked each individual on the list to tell us what they felt was the greatest need in our community. The responses included creating a “Central Park’’ for downtown Orlando; boosting state funding for the arts; more mass transit options; ramping up the wars on opioid abuse as well as homelessness; more home-grown arts experiences; more training programs for underemployed residents; improving water quality; and diversifying the local economy.

But the most frequent answer by far: affordable housing. Little wonder: A recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition ranked the Orlando metro area as the worst place in the country for low-income households to find places to live. That translates into only 13 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 households desperately needing them.

As you’ll see in the profiles of the 50 Most, the housing crisis is on the minds of both Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. There have been some bright spots, such as construction of the Village on Mercy, a multifamily housing community that is bringing 166 affordable apartments to Orlando’s Mercy Drive neighborhood.

Dyer and the city also have pledged nearly $30 million the past five years to build or refurbish existing housing. LIFT Orlando continues to build affordable housing units in the shadow of Camping World Stadium.

And Demings has appointed a 39-member panel to come up with some solutions to the crisis.

It is a daunting task. More power to them all.

Also in this issue, check out Joseph Hayes’ reviews of three outstanding dining spots: Jaleo, the new Spanish restaurant by Chef José Andrés at Disney Springs; Bem Bom on Corrine, the Portuguese eatery that won Best New Restaurant in our reader dining poll; and Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, which offers some fantastic sandwiches. In Extra Pulp, columnist Laura Anders Lee explores how sibling rivalry creates stronger bonds. And in The Find, Tara Bradley Connell discovers Retromended, a vintage clothing gem in the Mills 50 District.

BARRY GLENN

BARRY.GLENN@ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM

FOR MORSELS OF THE LOCAL DINING SCENE, CHECK OUT JOSEPH HAYES' DINING BLOG SAVOR ORLANDO AT ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM/SAVORORLANDO 16 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

OMAG ONLINE

Our team of dedicated care professionals is here for you through every step, stumble, stitch, tear and triumph. Because when we believe in the power of the human spirit, there’s nothing we can’t overcome together.

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PULSE TH E FI N D • B O DY & SO U L • G E TAWAY • S TO RY O F A …

HANCEL DEATON

PAGE 24

SCENIC JOY RIDE

One of Michigan’s most popular tourist draws is Mackinac Island, where the only way to get around is by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. The island is one of many memorable stops during a Michigan road trip.

PULSE THE FIND

Treasure Trove Many of the pre-owned fashions at Retromended Vintage reveal unique, personal stories. BY TARA BRADLEY CONNELL

T

THE VINTAGE CLOTHING shopping experience

2

1

1 1980s Positive Attitude double-breasted jacket, $34 2 Dolores green woven hat with black band, $25 3 Amethyst pendant necklace by Pandski Labs, $45 4 Sacha London abstract metallic leather heels, $25 5 Green and white crystal bracelet, $22 6 1960s Walborg beaded bag, $75 7 Leopard print acrylic loop earrings, $16 8 1960s Apollo of New York knit sleeveless top, $37 20 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | PULSE

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STEVEN DIAZ

gets an upgrade at Retromended, located in the heart of the Mills 50 District. Like works of art, each clothing item and accessory is organized and carefully checked for signs of wear—with some garments dating as far back as pre-1950.

Owner/curator Brandy Tezak’s love for vintage treasures began long before she opened her store in 2012. “I thrifted with my grandmother as a kid for crazy dresses to wear playing dress up,” she says. “When my grandmother passed away, going to estate sales made me feel close to her. Finding cool vintage items that could be worked into my current wardrobe became my passion.”

By the time Tezak (pictured top right) graduated from Rollins College, she had signed the lease on her first storefront. Today, she searches estate sales and works with her trusted vendors to find quality vintage items for the shop’s collection. But more importantly for Tezak, it’s all about the story. One of her recent finds was a Japanese silk kimono from 1925.

“The owner’s grandmother bought this beautiful kimono in Japan while she was on her honeymoon. She even gave me a photo of the couple. When I sell the dress, I’ll be able to pass along the photo with it,” says Tezak.

And while each piece is unique, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all. To ensure the perfect fit, alterations are available from Sew & Gather.

“As long as there is extra fabric within the seam, or if you’re open to getting creative and adding fabric, the sky is the limit,” Tezak says.

She adds that many of her clients get playful by mixing vintage and modern pieces. “Our client is curious and willing to take chances through her style,” she says. “She doesn’t need to look like everyone else. ” Meanwhile, Tezak is always happily waiting for the next treasure—or personality—to walk through her door. 930 N. Mills Ave., Orlando.

407-674-8190. retromended.com

PULSE BODY & SOUL

Beauty Bargains These products prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to look your best.

H

BY CHERI HENDERSON HIGH-END SKIN AND hair care products tempt us with the promise of

clear, youthful skin, fewer wrinkles, and healthier, shinier hair. After all, our skin and hair do take a beating in the perpetual Florida sun.

But our wallets don’t have to. We consulted with two local beauty experts: Carolyn Hall, medical aesthetician and owner of Orchid Spa & Wellness in Orlando, and Simone Rosas, hair and makeup artist and owner of Makeover Station in Winter Park. Here, they share their top picks for affordable, easy-to-find skin and hair care products that hold their own against pricier competitors.

One caveat: Don’t scrimp on hair care if you color, or especially if you lighten, your hair. Rosas recommends instead that you “splurge on professional hair products sold at your salon” and go for less expensive skin care products.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl. It “brightens and hydrates” while leaving skin feeling silky, Rosas says. $23.99. Target, target.com

WRINKLE CREAM

L’Oréal Detox & Brighten Pure-Clay Mask. If dry skin is a concern, this mask is “not as drying as other clay masks I’ve used in the past,” Hall says. $12.99. Walgreens, walgreens.com

L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum.“It’s lightweight and packed with enough Vitamin C to see sufficient improvement in the skin,” Hall says. $23.99. Target, target.com

SKIN CLEANSER

NIGHT CREAM

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Rosas says it’s a “soap-free formula that cleanses without irritation,” suited to all skin types. $9.79. Walgreens, walgreens.com

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream. “It’s a great fragrance-free moisturizer with retinol, green tea and Vitamin E,” raves Rosas. $15.49.

Walgreens, walgreens.com

ASTRINGENT

t

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. “As a skincare professional, I cannot stress how important moisturizers

22 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | PULSE

COM t AZINE OR AG LA OM ND ND O LA

For morgeo to , productAs NDO ORL E.COM MAGAZIN

t ORLA N D COM OM AG AZ I

MOISTURIZER

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. This is “a great alternative for treating fine lines and wrinkles,” Hall says. “It’s the perfect amount of retinol for the user to see a change in her skin.” $23.99. Walgreens, walgreens.com

INE AZ AG M

Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater.

“This one does the same as any expensive brand,” Hall says. $5.97.

Walmart, walmart.com

STEVEN DIAZ

FACE MASK

EYE CREAM

MAGAZINE.C OM NDO LA t OR O R

Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrasource Conditioning Balm. It’s effective at controlling frizz “and really traps moisture in hair,” Hall says. $30.

Target, target.com

are. Finding the right one for your skin type can be frustrating also, but this formulation does the job,” Hall says. $22.99. Walgreens, walgreens.com

RLANDOMAGA ZIN t O E.C O M

Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo. Hall says this “has to be the ideal shampoo for dry and over-processed hair. The aloe vera is gentle on the hair, leaving it smooth, soft and shiny.” $20. Target, target.com

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PULSE GETAWAY

Summer Break A trip to the northern coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is the perfect antidote to Florida’s heat and humidity. BY HANCEL DEATON

L

LONGING FOR COOLER climes and the opportunity for adventure? Consider a Michigan road trip. Highway 31 between Traverse City and Mackinaw City (the jumping off point for Mackinac Island) traces the coastlines of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, with lots of scenic stops along the way.

Most major airlines fly from Orlando International—via Detroit or Chicago—to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, the start of your road trip. Pick up your rental car and head north on US-31 to Mackinaw City (a twoand-a-half-hour drive). Arrive in time to catch the ferry to Mackinac Island, which is serviced

by Shepler’s and Star Line. Both offer day and overnight parking; cars and other motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island. The 15-minute trip across the Straits of Mackinac is exhilarating, as the ferry passes the five-milelong suspension bridge that connects Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas.

MACKINAC ISLAND The first thing you’ll notice on Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) are people walking, pedaling bicycles, and riding in carriages drawn by horses clip-clopping down the street.

It’s a slower pace and reminiscent of a bygone time. The second thing you’ll notice—smell, actually—is the sweet aroma of fudge. Candy makers such as Ryba’s Fudge Shop have been producing the sugary treat here for 60 years.

Renting a bicycle offers a leisurely way to take in the island. Head out on the eight-mile route that hugs the coastline, and be sure to stop at Arch Rock, a natural limestone bridge standing almost 150 feet above the water. There are more than 200 vertical steps to the top, but it’s worth it for the panoramic views of the bluegreen waters of the Straits and Lake Huron.

There are also plenty of scenic walking trails.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP RELAX & ENJOY Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island offers everything you need to embrace Great Lakes living, from kayaking and horseback riding to kite flying and croquet on the Great Lawn. Or simply take a tour of the resort’s beautiful gardens. missionpoint.com

You can delve into the island’s military history at Fort Mackinac, built by the British in 1780 on a bluff overlooking the water. The outpost has stood through various battles, including the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Today, guides dressed in period costumes lead visitors on tours of the grounds where you can experience historical reenactments as well as a cannon blast.

departs from Elements Gallery. A century ago, self-taught designer/builder Earl Young created more than 25 homes using mostly found materials, including enormous boulders. His unique creations—with their thatched roofs and sloping lines—look like fantastical hobbit houses or mushrooms. After the tour, check out the massive stone fireplace—another Earl Young design—at Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant.

PETOSKEY AND CHARLEVOIX Back on the mainland, US-31 leads south into the picturesque town of Petoskey, situated on Little Traverse Bay. This area is ideal for outdoor adventure with its wooded hillsides, crystal lakes and a 38-mile inland waterway.

Adventure of a low-key sort will take you to Petoskey State Park Beach or Magnus Park in search of Petoskey stones. These fossilized coral polyps date back millions of years and continue to wash up in the shallows. Just wade ankle-deep into the clear, chilly water and look for the distinctive sunburst shapes on rounded rocks. You’re likely to take home one of Michigan’s state stones as a souvenir.

Petoskey’s downtown streets are lined with art galleries, boutiques and gourmet food shops. At the center of Pennsylvania Park is a bronze statue of novelist Ernest Hemingway as a young man. Hemingway spent many summers at his family’s cottage on nearby Walloon Lake. Local historian Christopher Struble offers historical tours on Hemingway, as well as “ghost walks” of local haunted sites, including several hotels where the past can be quite present.

Less than 20 miles southwest on US-31 is Charlevoix, a charming lakefront town with baskets of colorful flowers hanging from every lamppost. See the city’s artsy, slightly quirky side on a Mushroom House Tour, which

TRAVERSE CITY Any sunny summer day in Traverse City will have you making plans to move here.

Clinch Park, facing Grand Traverse Bay along Grandview Avenue, is busy with folks enjoying the warmth—swimming, sailing or just relaxing in Adirondack chairs by the beach. A few blocks inland, Kayak, Bike & Brew takes visitors on an urban pedal and paddle, with everyone enjoying refreshments at some of the city’s microbreweries. Another casual gathering spot for food and drink is The Little Fleet, a permanent collection of food trucks open every day throughout the summer.

Thirty miles northwest of Traverse City is Fishtown, the historic fishing village of Leland.

Settled by the Europeans in the mid-1800s, this community—with its wooden, weather-beaten shacks and overhanging docks—is still a vibrant working waterfront full of shops and restaurants. Note: Family-owned Carlson’s Fishery is famous for its delectable smoked whitefish pâté.

Out of Leland, head southwest on the M-22 highway toward Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which comprises more than 70,000 acres of lush forests, unspoiled beaches and unique hilly terrain. Rising 450 feet above the sparkling turquoise waters of Lake Michigan, these steep, golden sand mountains are an imposing site, providing breathtaking vistas of Michigan’s natural beauty.

The summer/fall season runs May through October. Many businesses close

by October 31 for winter. For more information, go to puremichigan.com

GHOST STORIES Originally built in 1910, Petoskey’s Terrace Inn is a state historic landmark. It also has a haunted history. Guests and staff have been known to see, hear or feel the presence of spirits (said to be harmless) on the second and third floors. theterraceinn.com

24 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | PULSE

LAVENDER FIELDS Southeast of Charlevoix, you’ll find Lavender Hill Farm, featuring rolling hills planted with 23 varieties of the fragrant herb. Take a tour of the farm and stop by the gift shop, which sells lavender lotions, sachets, candles—even honey. lavenderhillfarm.com

WINE COUNTRY One of 40 wineries near Traverse City, Mari Vineyards grows as many as 20 grape varietals and is known for its distinctive red wines. Tour the wine caves, which were designed to align with the summer solstice, and stay for a tasting. marivineyards.com

HANCEL DEATON

(Clockwise from top left) Fishtown, with its historic fish shanties dating back to the 1850s, celebrates Michigan’s maritime heritage; horse-drawn carriages are a main mode of transportation on Mackinac Island; Fort Mackinac provides idyllic views of the southern tip of Mackinac Island, Lake Huron and the Straits; riders on Mackinac Island’s bike path will find hundreds of stone cairns along the rocky shore; kayakers get a different view of Traverse City while paddling through its urban canals; step back in time at Petoskey’s quaint Terrace Inn; locals enjoy a cloudless day in Traverse City.

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PULSE STORY OF A…

Surf Instructor Former competitive surfer Molli Miller now gets her biggest thrill from teaching the next generation how to catch and ride the waves. BY BROOKE MORTON Teen dream. Miller first connected with a surfboard shortly after her parents divorced when she was 15. “I saw a house on the beach and convinced my mom to rent there.” So they moved from Jacksonville to Atlantic Beach. “I saw all these people surfing and knew I was supposed to do it. One day I got out there with a board and just kept going. I’m totally self taught.”

Pro deal. Miller stayed with it, eventually tackling competitions. That led to a Billabong sponsorship. In 2003, Miller, then 19, won a spot on an MTV reality show called “Surf Girls,” which took a group of young women across the globe to locations like Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa and Australia in search of epic waves. “I didn’t love the spotlight, but it was an awesome learning experience.”

Unforgettable ride. Miller still remembers the hardest day of filming. The group was in Samoa on a boat taking them out to a reef break with 12-foot waves. “More than half the girls stayed on the boat. I was shaking. I remember thinking that thousands of girls had tried out for the show and would be willing to catch these waves. Miller jumped in and paddled out. “Then somebody yelled, ‘Go Molli—this wave!’ I remember something taking over. A courage I didn’t have five seconds before was suddenly there. I dropped in for what felt like an eternity. It was the biggest wave I had ever surfed.” Miller heard the rush of the whitewater powering behind her. Then the wave ended. “Tears just started falling down my face. Never had I felt so ecstatic and connected to the power of the ocean.”

The question everyone wants to know. “Yes, I’ve seen sharks, but I’ve never had a negative experience with a shark. I have been stung by countless jelly fish—and Portuguese man-of-war are the worst!” She’s also seen dolphins riding the waves and manta rays jumping up and flopping back into the water.

Then and now. Having traveled the world winning numerous surfing contests, Miller has since retired from competitive surfing. Today, she runs her eponymous surf school out of Orlando—typically teaching along the Cape Canaveral coast.

Everyone can surf. So far Miller hasn’t found a child or an adult she can’t teach. “The key to surfing is adaptability. Every wave is different. It takes balance, coordination and responsiveness, so we focus on those skills.” That said, “Kids are easier to teach than adults. They don’t have the fear adults have. Sometimes kids start off scared,” but when they see that Miller is having fun, “it rubs off on them. Next thing you know they are laughing and catching waves.”

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ROBERTO GONZALEZ

Home grown. It’s easy to overlook Florida as a surf destination.

It doesn’t receive nearly the hype that California and Hawaii do.

Yet the Sunshine State has raised many a surfer, including Cocoa Beach’s Kelly Slater. “Florida is a great breeding ground for good surfers. What makes surfers from Florida so good is that if you can surf small waves, you can surf big, powerful waves much better. You’re used to working harder and generating your own power to stay up on the board.”

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We are grateful for the partnership of Talk of the Town Restaurant Group in furthering the mission of Kids Beating Cancer of providing access to life-saving treatments and removing barriers placed on children and families battling cancer. Your generous support of $155,968.95 in 2019 to improve patient care, strengthen our programs and innovate through research will ensure that our patients will receive the best treatments.

We are proud to celebrate the success of Talk of the Town Restaurant Group and the impact of your support of Kids Beating Cancer.

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50

MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN ORLANDO Our annual list has a familiar face at the top: John Morgan, a key player in the worlds of law, politics, business and philanthropy. Although Morgan has been on the list for years, this is the first time he has been No. 1. Our compilation features many others making a difference— whether in politics, education, tourism, business or the arts—plus individuals who are important voices on homelessness, LGBTQ issues and much more.

Profiles by Jim Leusner, Barry Glenn, Michael McLeod, Dan Tracy & Cheri Henderson Principal Photography by Roberto Gonzalez

Politics & Government

PHOTO CREDIT

50 MOST POWERFUL

1

John Morgan ATTORNEY, BUSINESSMAN, PHILANTHROPIST

By Jim Leusner

PHOTO CREDIT

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hen John Morgan was a sophomore at the University of Florida in 1976, his younger brother, Tim, was paralyzed while making a rescue dive as a lifeguard at Walt Disney World. When the elder Morgan enrolled in law school four years later, his brother’s battle led him to one legal specialty: personal injury.

For 31 years, John Morgan has fought and advertised his way to the top of the legal world nationwide from his headquarters in downtown Orlando. Powered by his “For the People” brand and a steady barrage of television, internet and radio commercials, he has aggressively attacked big companies while standing up for the little guy. Bad doctors, careless pharmaceutical firms and stingy insurance companies are his enemies.

He fights with a 3,000-worker army, including 488 lawyers in 60 offices from Miami to Boston to Los Angeles.

Along the way, Morgan has amassed a fortune—some estimate $500 million or more—and has become an adviser and fundraiser for Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and candidate Hillary Clinton. He’s also been a contributor and friend to Florida Republican governors like Charlie Crist and top Tallahassee GOP legislators.

Morgan has remained focused on helping Tim, who is paralyzed from the chest down, uses a wheelchair and has fought cancer. Morgan says his brother was part of the inspiration to push for medical marijuana legalization for use with serious conditions and to curtail addictive opioid use.

In 2013, Morgan launched the ballot initiative to amend the Florida Constitution to allow marijuana for medical purposes. The next year, it fell just short of approval, opposed by major Republican donors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and state sheriffs. Morgan and his United for Care campaign tightened up Amendment 2’s language, and it won passage in 2016 with a resounding 71 percent of the vote. But a dispute with the state over whether the amendment language actually allowed marijuana smoking tied the issue up in court. Finally in January, in a move brokered by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican, new Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped the state’s JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 31

50 MOST POWERFUL Politics & Government

opposition and persuaded the GOP-controlled Legislature to repeal a law that had banned smokable medical marijuana.

Those seismic events—bankrolled with nearly $15 million of Morgan’s own money—showed his relentless fight in the face of political adversity. And that successful crusade, in addition to his philanthropic and business ventures and prominent political connections, have earned Morgan the top spot on Orlando magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People list for 2019.

“What I set out to do, I’ve done—to have medical marijuana approved in all forms for people who are sick in Florida,” Morgan says. “People come up to me and thank me and cry. It’s one of the greatest things I’ve done with my money in my life.”

On a recent visit with the magazine to the Surterra Wellness medical marijuana dispensary near downtown Orlando, Morgan was greeted like a rock star and thanked by patients.

“I think it was great,” said a 69-year-old man suffering from chronic arthritis and back pain. “It was beneficial to everyone. Someone finally put their money where their mouth is.”

Even Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who has topped our list five of the six previous years, marvels at Morgan’s skill in making medical marijuana a reality.

“John knows how to maneuver and get a deal done,” a smiling Dyer says.

John Bryan Morgan, 63, is a friendly, charming, curious man, fascinated by business and its vast possi32 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

bilities to serve consumers and make money. His office is a shrine to his family, his business and politicians he’s befriended, captured in photos around his desk. He has a penchant for blue suits, cigars and bourbon, and he is careful to back up what he says. Morgan’s law firm website lists dozens of multimillion-dollar verdicts as proof of success. And he loves a good fight, requiring each of his lawyers to try at least three cases a year.

Morgan was born in Kentucky to a poor Catholic family that moved to Central Florida in 1971, when he was in 9th grade. At Winter Park High School, he worked on the side selling plants and doing magic tricks at Disney. Because both his parents were alcoholics, Morgan at times was a surrogate parent to his three younger brothers and a sister. His father, Ramon, was a traveling charity fundraiser and often was between jobs, putting stress on the family. While he was dying of cancer in the early 1990s, Ramon used marijuana to control anxiety and increase his appetite.

In college, the entrepreneurial Morgan hawked truckloads of plants from Apopka to students at the beginning of semesters at several Southern schools. He graduated in 1978 and took off 18 months to sell Yellow Pages ads statewide.

“I was the best Yellow Pages salesman in the history of AT&T,” he boasts, referring to the company then known as Southern Bell. “The year I worked there, I made $65,000 and was 21 years old.”

He also gained insights into advertising and salesmanship.

Morgan graduated from law school in May 1982 and married fellow student Ultima Degnan the same month. He joined an Orlando law firm, then started his own firm and changed partners twice. Morgan would become one of the

COURTESY OF JOHN AND ULTIMA MORGAN

first lawyers to advertise in phone books and television commercials, although he recalls The Florida Bar wasn’t happy about it.

“They were pissed about anything with advertising,” Morgan says. “It’s been a fight. The Bar had a committee on advertising and recommended against it. But I gave a speech and argued about the First Amendment and free speech. It was one of the best speeches in my life.”

From 1988 to 2005, Morgan Colling & Gilbert operated until he bought out his partners and renamed the firm Morgan & Morgan, with Ultima as his partner. In recent years, his three attorney sons—Matt, Mike and Dan—have all joined the firm. Daughter Katie owns a structured-settlement firm. Last year, Morgan & Morgan received more than 2 million phone calls, signing up 500 new cases daily. It also collected and banked $1.5 billion in settlements and verdicts, and spent $130 million nationwide on advertising, Morgan says.

His early MC&G television ads featured a somewhat timid, monotone, baby-faced, dark-haired attorney. He warned about the “national crisis” of nursing home abuse, listed six offices around Central Florida and ended with his signature “For the People.”

Over the years, Morgan has lectured viewers about talking to a lawyer before an insurance company when there’s a car accident and emphasized that the same bad doctors are responsible for most medical malpractice. His 30-year-anniversary commercial last year recounted the “billions and billions and billions” recovered for tens of thousands of clients. (His website states over $5 billion collected.)

“There were just two of us in the beginning,” a graying Morgan says in a 2018 ad. “And now there are thousands … The journey for justice has been our life’s work. Protecting the powerless was our mission in the beginning and remains at our core today.”

While building his law firm of the future, Morgan satisfies his entrepreneurial urges with various side ventures and partnerships. They include a chain of WonderWorks indoor amusement attractions, crime museums, racehorses, a sports management firm, Marriott hotels,

real estate projects, a bank and two investment funds.

Today, three dozen Florida corporations list Morgan as a principal, including ClassAction.com; Abogados.com (the Spanish word for attorney is abogado); and Litify, a software management system for law firms. Morgan and venture partners just sold 25 percent of Litify to a global investment fund for $50 million.

And now there is Coral Reefer, the Jimmy Buffett-branded medical marijuana that supplies Surterra Wellness dispensaries around the state. Morgan, a longtime friend of Buffett, is a partner in that venture and busy courting investors. He’s a partner in a new 240-acre Oregon hemp farm to produce cannabidiol (CBD) oil, as well as in WeedMaps, an app used to locate dispensaries.

Morgan predicts recreational marijuana will be passed in Florida within the next few years, like several other states.

And he stands to profit handsomely from the industry— and from the amendment he got approved. Morgan also says he will soon help launch a $200 million hedge fund to invest in marijuana-related projects.

“I believe it is THE 21st century business,” Morgan proclaims. “And I believe that its benefits are miraculous and I think there are more to be discovered.”

One goal has now become within reach. “I want to be a billionaire. And for the first time, I think I have a shot.”

Mel Sembler, a St. Petersburg developer, longtime top GOP fundraiser and former U.S. ambassador to Italy, fought Morgan’s medical marijuana initiative in 2014 and 2016. He and his wife, Betty, marijuana opponents since the 1970s, formed the Drug Free America Foundation 25 years ago. He calls Morgan “misinformed” on marijuana.

Sembler says he’s not surprised that Morgan is investing in marijuana-related businesses. “I think it was a bunch of b.s. about helping his brother,” he says. “… Something told me very early on that he [Morgan] was getting into the commercial side of that.”

Morgan’s next crusade is well under way: a proposed 2020 state constitutional amendment to raise the hourly minimum wage to $10 in 2021 and to $15 by 2026. The law firm has contributed nearly $1.5 million to the effort.

“I’m halfway through the signature process,” he says. “I finish what I start.”

Opposite page: John Morgan with his attorney sons Matt, Dan and Mike. Above: With wife Ultima and candidate Joe Biden during a fundraiser at the Morgans' home; and with brother Tim, who was paralyzed in a lifeguard accident in 1976.

JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 33

50 MOST POWERFUL

Morgan says Republicans also should embrace his proposal because it will reduce government subsidies to the poor for welfare, food stamps and child care—and give dignity to workers.

“Right now, you have a [welfare] system where it pays not to work,” Morgan says. “Think about all the government assistance that goes away with a fair wage.”

Earlier this year after being called out by Orlando Weekly, Morgan raised the law firm’s minimum hourly wage to $15 —and raised other hourly salaries higher—moves he says will cost him millions.

Ask Morgan anything about business, family or his wife’s cooking and he’s happy to chat. He’s particularly eager to talk about politics.

For years, he’s held political fundraisers and dinners at his home for candidates such as the Clintons, Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. After abandoning a possible run for governor in late 2017, Morgan announced his disgust with the left-turning Democratic Party and promised to become an independent.

“I’m a liberal but definitely not a socialist,” he says. “I’m a capitalist.”

Then, longtime friend and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden came calling. Morgan and his wife, a Republican, promptly held a fundraiser for 400 people at their home in May, raising $1.7 million. Morgan says although he plans to remain an independent, he is supporting Biden “because he is ready day one, has immense character and cares about people. I am ready for some sanity and security.”

There are two areas that will get you vague answers from Morgan—his net worth and charitable giving. Of course, since Morgan & Morgan is a one-of-a-kindfirm, it’s difficult to value—just like some of his newer investments.

Citing the Bible, Morgan says charity should not be bragged about. His giving dates back to 1986, when he founded Boys Town Central Florida. With Ultima serving 34 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

as his philanthropy chief, the couple and law firm have donated to many charities locally and overseas. A handful of gifts have become public: $1 million to the UF law school; $1 million to the homeless aid nonprofit Community Resource Network; $2 million to help build the Second Harvest Food Bank’s central warehouse; and $1 million toward a new Harbor House domestic violence shelter. And when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico in 2017, Morgan lent his private jet to shuttle doctors and medical equipment to the island.

In a 2015 interview with Orlando magazine, Morgan said he wanted the “last quarter [of his life] to be way more philanthropic than successful.” But it looks like success may overshadow that for a while.

Meanwhile, he lives in a 12,300-square-foot home in Heathrow Woods and a beachfront place in Ponce Inlet.

Sometimes he’s out of the office for weeks vacationing at his New Hampshire lakefront summer home or winter Hawaiian condo. He’s building what he terms “the MacDaddy of homes”—a 5,200-square-foot, oceanfront residence in Lahaina, Maui. There, he says, “I can work on my computer and watch the whales.”

Son Matt says he can’t imagine his father fully detaching from the law firm. “This is his baby,” the younger Morgan says. “He’s making sure every attorney is as tenacious as he is. There will never be a day where he doesn’t know everything about the office.”

Perhaps Morgan’s greatest success is the close-knit family he has built around him. It’s also another reason why he likes going to the office.

“Where else can you go to work and see your family?”

KIDS: COURTESY OF JOHN AND ULTIMA MORGAN

Politics & Government

John Morgan talks to an employee of Surterra Wellness medical marijuana dispensary south of downtown. Morgan is a partner in Coral Reefer, the Jimmy Buffett-branded marijuana that supplies Surterra locations around the state. Below, the attorney enjoys vacation time at a ski resort with two of his grandchildren.

2 Buddy Dyer Orlando Mayor

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roclaiming he still loves his job, Dyer earlier this year announced he’ll run for a record fifth term in November, hoping to extend his unprecedented 16-year run. The Democratic mayor has helped bring big projects to town: SunRail, downtown's UCF-Valencia Campus and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. With SunRail expanding south to Poinciana, the UCF campus and Creative Village opening later this year and the arts center’s Steinmetz Hall slated to debut next year, Dyer will see his city vision further enhanced. He predicts the campus and 7,700 students will be “the biggest thing to ever happen to downtown.” But he knows there’s more to be done: a $60 million upgrade to Camping World Stadium to make it more competitive with nationwide sports venues; a desperate need for affordable housing; and discussion of a rail link to Orlando International Airport. “I feel like my first decade as mayor, I was kind of a change agent,” Dyer says. “Now, with all of the change around, I’m a stabilizing force… Things going on at UCF, the airport, a new county mayor and a new county commission, a new governor.”

From 2011 to 2018, Dyer sometimes clashed on projects with Republican Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. But with the recent election of County Mayor Jerry Demings, a Democrat and a retired Orlando police chief, Dyer hopes to have a more willing partner. In May, Demings pitched a countywide penny sales tax for a 2020 vote to fund transportation projects, which Dyer has favored for years. But perhaps the most pressing issue—cited by many of the magazine’s 50 Most Powerful—is affordable housing. In the past five years, Dyer and the city have launched numerous projects and pledged nearly $30 million to create or preserve housing options. They include building or refurbishing nearly 1,250 multifamily units and 115 new residences or duplexes for residents seeking homeownership. Dyer also announced earlier this year a city infrastructure partnership for 5G wireless

communications to more quickly approve permits to install poles and next-generation equipment for cellular carriers, which is being duplicated in other cities. He has received several more honors this year, including the 2018 Florida Association of Museums Outstanding Public Official Award; the 2018 Boy Scouts of America–Central Florida Council’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award; and Green Builder Magazine’s Best Municipal Program Award.

JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 35

Demings Orange County Mayor

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emings’ career has been filled with historic African-American firsts. He became the first black Orlando police chief in 1998; first black Orange County public safety director in 2002; and first black Orange County sheriff in 2008. In December, he added another title to his ground-breaking public service record: Orange County’s first black mayor. A Democrat, he broke a 20-year Republican stranglehold on the job, winning an impressive 62 percent of the vote. Demings is working with an all-female county commission, 8,000 employees and a $4.4 billion budget. He hit the ground running, attending 200-plus community meetings in his first 100 days in office. In May, he proposed a 2020 penny sales tax referendum to fund transportation projects such as SunRail, Lynx and roads. Demings also has pledged to pay full-time county employees a $15-an-hour living wage by late 2021; earmarked $20 million more for children’s services; resurrected the public safety director position to oversee corrections and fire services; and hired the first Hispanic corrections chief, and first Hispanic female to oversee county health services. He has allocated $8 million in tourist taxes for cultural programs and approved another $42 million for the Holocaust Memorial Education and Resource Center; Orlando Philharmonic Live Project; the Orange County Regional History Center; and Orlando Science Center. He also appointed a 39-member task force to tackle affordable housing issues. Earlier this year, Demings was named to the Hall of Fame of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, an organization important in his youth.

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4

Stephanie Murphy

U.S. Representative, District 7

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hen Murphy was a Pentagon analyst from 2004 to 2008, political affiliation didn’t matter, only the mission. The Democratic congresswoman for northern Orange and Seminole counties has taken that thinking to Capitol Hill, working with Republican counterparts, as well as winning a second term last November. “For me, bipartisanship is not a dirty word, and in fact, I believe I am most effective because I am bipartisan,” says Murphy, the first Vietnamese-American woman elected to Congress. She is co-chair of the House Blue Dog Coalition, 27 Democrats focused on fiscal responsibility and defense. She recently was named to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and has been demanding the FBI disclose which two Florida counties were hacked by Russians during the 2016 elections. In February, Murphy announced $1 million in federal reimbursement to

Valencia College for students resettled from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands following 2017 hurricanes. Last year, she helped win $5 million for Orlando Sanford International Airport renovations and $1 million for UCF’s post-traumatic stress disorder treatment program. She and fellow Orlando-area Reps. Darren Soto and Val Demings secured $23 million in affordable housing funds and $16 million for SunRail’s extension south.

MURPHY: COURTESY OF STEPHANIE MURPHY

50 MOST POWERFUL Politics & Government

3 Jerry

5 6 Mayanne Downs Orlando City Attorney President, GrayRobinson

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unning one of the state’s biggest law firms, handling some of her own cases and serving as Orlando’s city attorney, Downs has kept very busy for the past three years. That will change Sept. 1 when the first woman to serve as president and managing director for a large Southeastern law firm steps down and will be replaced by close friend Dean Cannon, a former Florida House speaker and a GrayRobinson attorney. Downs will become the firm’s No. 2 manager as executive vice president, general counsel and statewide litigation chair. During her reign, the firm merged with Cannon’s Tallahassee lobbying group, Capitol Insight, opened offices in Washington, D.C., and represented outgoing Gov. Rick Scott in litigation against South Florida election supervisors, charging a lack of vote-counting transparency in his U.S. Senate race.

In April, the Orlando Business Journal selected Downs as one of 2019’s CEOs of the Year. Downs is Mayor Buddy Dyer’s top attorney and adviser on litigation and contractual matters. She also serves on the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates judges, and was a member of Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s Inaugural Host Committee.

Kelly Cohen

Managing Partner Southern Strategy Group

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nother year, another campaign, another round of business outreach. Just another typical year for this strategist, lobbyist and Democratic fundraiser. Cohen was a member of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ transition team; one of the finance chairs for Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s Inauguration Committee; and adviser to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s re-election campaign.

She serves on the board of directors for the Orlando Economic Partnership; Starter Studio, which has helped raise $11 million for 500 tech startups; and Creative City, an art/performance event which attracted 50,000 people last year.

Cohen assisted Orlando City Soccer in landing the MLS All-Star Game and also is a member of the 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee. She was selected last fall by Florida Trend as among the state’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders. Cohen says Orlando must continue to diversify its economy, encourage companies to grow locally and help tackle affordable housing and transportation issues. She says national politics will be center stage locally over the next year, especially in the decisive I-4 corridor, and Orange County “will be ground zero for the 2020 presidential race.”

7 Val Demings U.S. Representative, District 10

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fter 27 years climbing the ranks at the Orlando Police Department, retired Chief Val Demings is now patrolling the House of Representatives. The no-nonsense Demings, wife of former Orange County sheriff and now-Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, won re-election to a second term last fall. She serves on the powerful House Judiciary Committee; the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and the Homeland Security Committee. Those assignments place her in the middle of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report review and issues like congressional efforts to hold the Trump administration accountable; sensitive intelligence gathered about Russian election interference; and the safety of visitors traveling to Central Florida.

Demings also was selected as co-chair of recruitment nationwide for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. She had anti-terrorism funding for Orlando restored and doubled to $3.25 million for 2019; worked to increase security officer funding at Orlando International Airport; and fought to stop use of homeland security funds to arm teachers, which she calls “reckless and dangerous.”

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10 Darren Soto U.S. Representative, District 9

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arning a reputation as a moderate Democrat as a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers caucus, Soto won re-election to a second term in Congress last fall. With his district covering Osceola and parts of Orange and Polk counties, he has been a big proponent for aid to Puerto Rico hurricane victims on the island and those relocated to Central Florida—and in March filed a bill to make Puerto Rico the 51st state. In early June, Soto announced that Ban Assault Weapons NOW, a bipartisan group he supports that was founded after the Parkland shootings, gathered over 100,000 signatures toward placing a constitutional amendment on Florida’s 2020 ballot. Soto and fellow Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings are requesting that the Pulse nightclub be designated a national memorial site. Another of the congressman’s bills won House and Senate approval for pandemic preparedness and to extend $100 million in related grants through 2023, including for mosquito control and airborne illnesses in Florida. In June, the bill was headed to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

8 John Mina Orange County Sheriff

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fter serving 28 years at the Orlando Police Department —the last five as chief—Mina ran for sheriff and won with 46 percent of the vote in a three-way race. The Republican-turned-independent won in Democratic-leaning Orange County and assumed office in December. He took over the 2,500-member sheriff’s department from Jerry Demings, who ran and won last fall’s Orange County Mayor’s race. Mina inherited a relatively healthy agency, fine-tuning it to respond more quickly to violent crime and completing the staffing of 116 county schools with school resource officers several months early. And in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, Mina has equipped all deputies with active shooter gear, including rifle-round-resistant body armor and ballistic helmets. His top goals: reducing gun violence and opioid abuse and hiring deputies to keep up with growth. Other community needs he cites: affordable housing and mental health treatment and resources. Over the past year, he was given the LGBT Ally Award from the Florida Diversity Council; a Leadership Award from the Sons of the American Revolution; and was recognized for contributions toward the Puerto Rico recovery after Hurricane Maria.

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Orlando Rolón Orlando Police Chief

olón was sworn in last October as the city’s acting top cop and formally became Orlando’s 39th police chief and first Latino to hold the job in December. He spent 25 years working his way up the ranks in nine of the agency’s 11 divisions. Mayor Buddy Dyer tapped the former head of the patrol services and administrative divisions, crisis negotiator, agency public information officer, and city hall liaison after Chief John Mina retired to run for Orange County sheriff. The bilingual ex-Marine Corps Reserve member and Puerto Rico native, who moved to Orlando as a teen, also led the agency’s contingent that provided surplus police equipment

to the island in 2017 following hurricane devastation. Rolón has been reorganizing the police department to better respond to violence with a real-time crime center. He also pledged to help address community mental health issues and improve post-traumatic stress awareness with police officers.

With his longtime media relations expertise used with the Hispanic press and victim families during the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting—and with the county’s Hispanic population at about 31 percent—Rolón plans more community outreach and says diverse workforce recruiting and retention will be a major priority. He called his promotion a “celebration for all Latinos.”

12 Carlos Guillermo Smith

State Representative House District 49

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11 David Simmons State Senator, District 9

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n Orlando civil lawyer and Republican state senator since 2010, Simmons was tapped

by Senate President Bill Galvano—and elected by colleagues—as the president pro tempore of the Florida Senate for 2018 through 2020. He also is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the chamber’s Rules; General Appropriations; Education; and Community Affairs committees. Orlando Democratic Mayor Buddy Dyer says Simmons is a “go-to guy” to help fight bad Senate bills, such as the one filed to remove local mayors from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority board. Simmons was among local legislators opposing retaliatory budget cuts to the University of Central Florida following its building finance scandal over the past several months. Simmons cites water—both quality and quantity—as a major concern today and in the future for residents and business. He was a key player in passing a landmark 2016 comprehensive water quality and preservation law.

mith is a triple minority in the Florida House of Representatives.

He’s Latino, an openly gay LGBTQ advocate and a progressive Democrat—a tough combination in a Republican-controlled chamber. But Smith uses his voice to get the message out to the majority and the public to hear. That helped him win a second term last year in his east Orange County district with 64 percent of the vote. He also was an early, vocal and visible supporter of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost to Republican Ron DeSantis. With his key post on the House Appropriations Committee, Smith helped increase arts and culture matching funds from less than $3 million last year to $21 million in the proposed 2020 budget for 600 nonprofit groups. Smith also restored $500,000 for the Pulse Memorial and

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Museum; fought arming Florida teachers; highlighted lack of funding for Central Florida’s affordable housing crisis; and was a vehement opponent of Trump-style anti-immigrant legislation. The special projects manager for Equality Florida, Smith was honored for leadership over the past year by the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida; Florida Cultural Alliance; and Florida Alliance for Arts Education.

Anna Eskamani State Representative, House District 47

n November, first-time candidate Eskamani flipped House District 47 from Republican to Democrat, becoming the first Iranian-American elected to public office in Florida. The daughter of immigrants raised in Orlando, she promoted her American Dream story, and record as a University of Central Florida student and progressive community activist. Eskamani was featured on the cover of Time magazine with other female activist “avengers” nationwide, did interviews with MTV and media in Iran, and amassed an army of Millennial supporters, winning 57 percent of the vote. In Tallahassee, she fought a Republican-controlled chamber which did not hear any of her bills, but Eskamani helped win $21 million for arts and culture funding; $500,000 for the Pulse Memorial and Museum; and $80,000 for the Lifeboat Project, a human trafficking prevention group. A former Planned Parenthood executive and now a state strategic adviser for NEO Philan-

thropy, she advocated for women’s rights and safe abortions; gay rights; a minimum wage increase; public school funding; and keeping guns from domestic abusers. She also became the first freshman legislator presented the “Defender of Home Rule” award by the Florida League of Cities.

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50 MOST POWERFUL

Education

2 Thad Seymour Jr. Interim President University of Central Florida

1 Barbara Jenkins Orange County School Superintendent

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enkins has been at the helm of Orange County schools for just over seven years; in that time the district has grown into the nation’s eighth largest, with 212,000 students at 196 schools. Those numbers swelled in 2018 after the influx of students from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria, and Jenkins received an award this year from the esteemed Broad Center for the way students “were welcomed with compassion into her district’s classrooms.’’

Jenkins also is in line to become president of the Council of Great City Schools, a

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coalition of the nation's largest urban public school systems. The superintendent has lots of new faces to work with: five of the eight school board members are newly elected, including chair Teresa Jacobs, the former Orange County mayor.

All of the members are women, a first for the county. Something that might make everyone breathe easier: Voters last year approved a new property tax for schools by a whopping 84 percent. It will raise more than $600 million through 2023 to pay for everything from teacher raises to athletic and arts programs.

SEYMOUR: COURTESY OF UCF

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hen UCF President Dale Whittaker resigned following a building finance scandal earlier this year, the school’s Board of Trustees selected a stabilizing force as an interim replacement: Thad Seymour Jr. In March, the Florida Board of Governors approved him keeping that role until a new president is selected next year. Seymour joined UCF in 2015 as vice president for partnerships and chief innovation officer and last year helped develop a five-year educational partnership with Microsoft. UCF has 68,000 students, making it one of the country’s largest universities. In February, it opened the Lockheed Martin Cyber Innovation Lab with a $1.5 million gift and 20-year deal to develop needed cybersecurity talent. As vice provost for UCF Downtown, Seymour worked with university and Valencia College officials to design the new campus, which opens for 7,700 students in August. Seymour is the son of former Rollins College President Thaddeus Seymour, who served from 1978 to 1990. The younger Seymour, who holds a doctorate, previously worked as a senior vice president for Tavistock, helping to plan and develop Medical City in Lake Nona.

3 Sandy Shugart President, Valencia College

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alencia College continues to flourish under Shugart, who has been president since 2000, and now has an enrollment of 74,000 students at nine campuses and centers in Orange and Osceola counties; about 30 percent of the enrollments are online. Coming this fall in conjunction with UCF: a new downtown campus, which will be the only Valencia location to offer housing for students. Over the years, Shugart and the college have won numerous awards for innovation, and Valencia several years ago won the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence because of its high graduation and transfer rates, as well as for strong job placement rates of its workforce training programs.

Shugart’s goal through those programs is 5,000 successful job placements per year for underemployed residents, delivering families “from economic vulnerability to genuine sustainability.’’ In the community, Shugart continues to serve as board chairman of Orlando Health.

4

Teresa Jacobs

Orange County School Board Chair

SHUGART: COURTESY OF VALENCIA COLLEGE

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fter eight years as Orange County mayor —and eight years before that as county commissioner—Republican Jacobs handily won a four-way race for school board chair last fall. She says one of her biggest accomplishments in her final year as mayor was the county’s allotment of $10 million to help build the National Pulse Museum and Memorial. As school board chair, she says she would like to start gay-straight alliance clubs in middle and high schools that don’t have them already. Jacobs, who in 2013 created a commission to develop services for young people with mental health issues in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings, says she’ll continue to champion such programs. She says she is committed to creating "a strong partnership of trust’’ with both the superintendent and the school board. Including Jacobs, five of the eight members are new to the board.

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50 MOST POWERFUL

Business

2

Daryl Tol

President & CEO AdventHealth, Central Florida Division

1 Rasesh Thakkkar Senior Managing Director, Tavistock Group

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mart technology and development keep Lake Nona and the Medical City one of the nation’s hottest and fastest-growing master-planned communities. And Rasesh Thakkar, front man for Tavistock’s billionaire owner, Joe Lewis, is the person running the show. Thakkar has led successful efforts to bring Amazon’s high-tech fulfillment center, KPMG’s National Training Campus, Johnson & Johnson's Human Performance Institute and the BBA Aviation-Signature Flight Center Support headquarters to town. The UCF Lake Nona Medical Center, a teaching hospital, broke ground last year. Two hotels are also in the

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works, and Tavistock has announced that autonomous shuttles are coming to town this summer. Besides Lake Nona, Thakkar oversees the company’s 24,000-acre Sunbridge development under way in Orange and Osceola counties and the redevelopment of its Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina in Fort Lauderdale. Also, Orlando Museum of Art has been in talks with Tavistock about possible relocation to Lake Nona.

In February, Thakkar helped lead the seventh annual Lake Nona Impact Forum, which brought together 300 business, government, academic and industry leaders to focus on innovative health and wellness solutions.

TOL: COURTESY OF ADVENTHEALTH

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ol oversees 16 hospitals in six counties, with the flagship campus being AdventHealth Orlando, formerly Florida Hospital. It and all the facilities owned by Adventist Health System, as well as the parent company itself, were rebranded with the AdventHealth name in January. The hospital company also operates more than 30 CentraCare urgent-care centers and has a network of hundreds of physicians. Tol and his operation emphasize service to both consumers and the community, something certainly in line with Seventh-day Adventists’ belief in whole-person health—healing the body, mind and spirit. And so AdventHealth is active in efforts to ease homelessness and the area’s housing crisis, continuing to devote hefty amounts of money and resources to both issues (it donated $6 million a few years ago toward the efforts to help the local homeless). On the medical side, the Orlando hospital has been recognized for its heart and liver transplant programs, and U.S. News & World Report has recognized its neonatal program as one of the best in the country. Tol says his team is committed to lowering the cost of health care and improving access “for the insured, uninsured and underinsured.” To that end, AdventHealth provided nearly $200 million last year in charity care to help those who fall into those last two groups.

4 David Siegel President & CEO, Westgate Resorts

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usiness has remained strong for Siegel and his Westgate Resorts, the largest privately held timeshare company in the world, headquartered in Orlando. With 14,000 villas and hotel rooms at 27 destinations from Miami Beach to New York City to Las Vegas, Siegel’s business racked up a billion dollars in revenue. The Orlando Business Journal calls Siegel a billionaire and “the richest man in Orlando.” His Westgate Resorts Foundation awarded $1.2 million to nonprofits over the past year, aligning with its mission of “Strong Families, Strong Workforce.“ In May, with Gov. Ron DeSantis on hand, the company hosted 1,500 active duty, veteran and Gold Star

3 David Strong

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President & CEO, Orlando Health

ive years ago, Darden was in turmoil, having unloaded struggling Red Lobster and facing slumping sales, unhappy investors and competitive challenges from fast-casual restaurants.

Enter Gene Lee, who has led the remarkable resurgence for Central Florida’s only Fortune 500 company. Today, Darden boasts more than 1,700 restaurants and 185,000 employees. Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse are the best-known brands, with The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Yard House, Eddie V’s and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen also making a big mark on the dining scene both nationwide and locally. And these are happy times for investors: The company’s stock price has tripled since 2014, up 33 percent in the past year alone. Darden’s charitable efforts include a recent $2 million grant to Feeding America, as well as donations of unused food from every one of its restaurants to those in need.

The company also has given more than $5 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida over the years, most recently

LEE: COURTESY OF DARDEN RESTAURANTS

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rlando Health continues in growth mode under Strong, who took over the system of hospitals and its network of physician offices and outpatient care centers four years ago. Under construction are the 103-bed Horizon West Hospital in Winter Garden and a 50-bed hospital in Lake Mary. In the past year, Orlando Health opened four freestanding emergency room/medical pavilion complexes in Orange, Lake and Osceola counties; broke ground on two others, in Lake Nona and Lake Mary; and opened two urgent care centers in Oviedo and Ocoee. Another milestone: The Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies became the first hospital in the state to perform in-utero surgery to repair spina bifida, and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children was named a Best Children's Hospital in five specialties by U.S. News & World Report. Orlando Health also became the first sponsor of the National Pulse Memorial & Museum, giving $1 million toward project construction and establishment of an endowed health-care related scholarship.

families at its first resort, Westgate Vacation Villas & Town Center in Kissimmee, for a free weekend vacation stay. Since the 2015 overdose death of his daughter, Victoria, at age 18, Siegel has been committed to drug education, changing laws and distributing overdose-reversing nasal sprays to emergency responders.

Last year, he and wife Jackie published Victoria’s Voice, a book detailing their daughter’s diary and struggle with drugs.

In Las Vegas, they were honored with a 2019 Recovery Award from the Foundation for Recovery.

Gene Lee

President & CEO Darden Restaurants

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funding expansion of the organization’s Eatonville branch, which is named for Darden’s first CEO, Joe R. Lee. JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 43

50 MOST POWERFUL Business

7

Tim Giuliani

President & CEO Orlando Economic Partnership

6 Chuck Whittall President, Unicorp National Developments

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he Orlando native continues to make a huge imprint on local development. Whittall is perhaps best known for building the high-flying Wheel and StarFlyer attractions on I-Drive, as well as bringing Trader Joe’s to Central Florida. But there are plenty of projects yet to come, including the $1 billion O-Town West just off I-4 near SeaWorld that will boast 1,600 apartments as well as a retail boardwalk of shops and restaurants overlooking a $4 million

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lagoon featuring a “dancing water show.’’

Construction is set to begin this fall. Most intriguing, though, will be watching what Whittall does with the languishing Orlando Fashion Square property. The developer is negotiating to buy the land that the mall sits upon, with plans to demolish it and build a development that will include a hotel, apartments, restaurants and a bowling alley. In June, Whittall won Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Florida in the category of real estate.

GIULIANI: COURTESY OF ORLANDO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

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iuliani is in his third year as head of the public-private partnership, whose goal is to spread the word that the Orlando area is a great place to do business, while advocating for economic development, public policy and transportation solutions that will draw high-wage companies. Under the OEP’s umbrella are groups ranging from the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce to the Orlando Film Commission to Leadership Orlando, which helps business people connect with their peers. The partnership takes in seven Central Florida counties, and the board members are a who’s who of movers and shakers (including many on our 50 Most Powerful list). Giuliani succeeded in getting AOL co-founder Steve Case and his caravan of investors to make a stop in Orlando during a recent tour, with the aim of raising awareness of Orlando’s tech and entrepreneurial community. The OEP also appointed a high-level group of leaders to focus on transportation planning, infrastructure and technology for the long term.

The partnership just released a report looking ahead to 2030 with various forecasts, including this eye-popper: Orlando will add 1,500 people to the region every week for the next 11 years.

That will translate to a population of 5.2 million people, as opposed to the 2.1 million we have today.

10 JoAnn Newman President & CEO Orlando Science Center

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ewman took the helm of OSC in 2009 with a mission: to make the center more accessible to everyone in the community and to promote STEM education. Attendance has grown 65 percent under her leadership, partly through her Science for All initiative that offers $3 admission to those on public assistance programs; in the last fiscal year, 40,000 people were accommodated. “In the past year, we have broken down cultural, logistical and economic barriers for Central Floridians to make Orlando Science Center a more welcoming and inclusive place,” Newman says.

The center is also home to the area’s first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) preschool and there are STEM enrichment camps year-round. With more than 670,000 visitors a year, the center has become Central Florida’s most attended cultural institution. New to OSC are a flight lab that uses virtual reality to put participants in the cockpit of a jet, and a maker space that gives hands-on access to laser cutters and 3D printers. Coming up: A conservation exhibit called LIFE, now in development thanks to an infusion of $10 million in tourist development tax funding.

8 Craig Ustler President, Ustler Development Inc.

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fter years of talk, the longawaited $1.5 billion Creative Village will open for business in August, anchored by the Downtown UCF-Valencia College Campus project.

Creative Village and two privately funded apartment and dorm buildings are being built under Ustler’s watch and will help serve 7,700 students.

“We still have a lot of work to do at Creative Village and this is at least a 10-to-15-year project,” says the developer, restaurant owner and investor.

Central Park at Creative Village opens next year and other office, residential and mixed-use projects are on the drawing board, as part of a 68-acre master plan to revitalize impoverished areas west of Interstate 4, create jobs and offer opportunities to local residents. Ustler has developed apartments and condos with restaurants and retail below them around Orlando, including in Thornton Park and on the northern edge of downtown, all as part of the “New Urbanism.”

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Harold Mills Investor; CEO, VMD Ventures

ver 15 years, Mills helped grow Orlando-based ZeroChaos, a global staffing and development business with $3 billion in revenue, making it one of Central Florida’s largest privately owned firms and one of the state’s largest minority-owned companies, before he stepped down in 2016. A year ago, Mills resigned as the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's chairman of its Jacksonville branch to become state campaign chairman for Florida gubernatorial hopeful Chris King —and later signed on to Andrew Gillum's

campaign for governor. And then last fall, Mills was tapped by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings as co-chairman of his transition team. A longtime business and community volunteer, Mills serves as a board member for Lift Orlando and the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. Mills also has specialized in helping entrepreneurs make private equity investments in tech-related firms. He sees the biggest community need as coordinating innovative, next-generation approaches to the housing crisis.

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50 MOST POWERFUL

Entertainment, Sports & the Arts

1 Kathy

Ramsberger President & CEO Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

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2

Danny White

UCF Athletic Director

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hite and the UCF Knights sports programs are on a roll, big time.

The football team, which finished an undefeated 13-0 in 2017-18, made its controversial claim to the national title and garnered national exposure. Last year, UCF went 12-1 after a heartbreaking 40-32 Fiesta Bowl loss to LSU in January, while missing injured starting quarterback McKenzie Milton. The men’s basketball team earned its first NCAA Tournament win in program history and was a missed tip-in away from upsetting powerhouse Duke at the buzzer, losing 77-76 in the second round of March Madness. Other UCF squads won American Athletic Conference titles in men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, women’s tennis and women’s rowing. The women’s basketball team also rolled up a record 26 wins in its runner-up title bid. White was named Under Armor A.D. of the Year by the National Associ-

ation of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

He also was named to the Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 again in 2018 and was a finalist for its Athletic Director of the Year. With new season ticket revenue significantly rising for football and basketball, cash donor gifts increasing and school athletes’ grade point averages above 3.0 for the 23rd straight semester, White and UCF look to be poised for more success—and their goal of competing for championships in all sports.

RAMSBERGER: COURTESY OF DR. PHILLIPS CENTER

amsberger is a perennial figure on our most powerful list.

But this year also finds the CEO on the verge of completing the brickand-mortar phase of Dr. Phillips Center so that she can then give her undivided attention to the performances and educational outreach programs the center has become known for. As foreshadowed by a topping-out ceremony in March, the long-delayed, $237.5 million final phase of the center will be completed in 2020. Steinmetz Hall, a state-of-the-art 1,700-seat acoustic theater that can be converted for banquets and other uses, and a more intimate performing space called the Green Room will be added to the 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater and the 300-seat Pugh Theater. It’s been a long wait for all of us, and longer still for Ramsberger, whose alpha-and-omega role in spearheading the center goes back nearly two decades—from overseeing the development of its original feasibility study and conceiving its mission to fundraising and lobbying on its behalf, creating its organizational structure and strategic plan, then moving on to the construction and managerial stage. Through it all, she’s maintained a hard-charging presence and a dogged pursuit of the enterprise's purpose, as expressed in its motto: “Arts for Every Life.” Operating revenue is up 48 percent since the center opened in 2014. During that time it has hosted more than 1,600 performances attended by nearly 2 million guests, as well as drawing 450,000 young people with shows, programs, camps, classes and more.

4 Steve Hogan CEO, Florida Citrus Sports

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3 Alex Martins CEO, Orlando Magic

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fter years of languishing on the bottom rungs of the NBA, the hometown team pulled off a dazzling magic act: making the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons and winning 17 more games than the year before. The hiring of Steve Clifford as head coach made the difference, so Martins can take credit for that brilliant move via team president Jeff Weltman.

Moreover, the Magic lasted five playoff games before falling to the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors. In the community, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation last year distributed $1.2 million to 16 nonprofit groups in Central Florida. Still in the works is a $200 million-plus entertainment complex across from Amway Center that will feature a hotel, office building, residential tower, restaurants and bars. Despite numerous updates, construction is yet to begin.

Outside of his Magic duties, Martins serves on the UCF Board of Trustees.

fter another successful year at the helm of nonprofit Florida Citrus Sports, Hogan keeps building for the future. The Cure Bowl, Camping World Bowl and Citrus Bowl college football games, as well as a third straight NFL Pro Bowl kept sports fans frequenting Orlando. Coming up: The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes meet at Camping World Stadium on Aug. 24 for the College Football 150th Anniversary special kickoff celebration. Last fall, Hogan won $60 million in tourist development taxes to upgrade restrooms, seating and parking at the stadium.

He says the refinements are necessary to stay competitive for top bowl games, concerts and a 2026 World Cup soccer bid. Hogan serves on the board of LIFT Orlando, which continues its new affordable housing construction strategy in the nearby West Lakes communities. It broke ground on a housing project for seniors, Pendana Phase II, and a state-of-the-art early learning center.

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Joshua Vickery

Founder & CEO Central Florida Community Arts

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he multitalented Vickery—he’s a vocalist, actor, teacher, producer, musical director, arts administrator and conductor—saw continued success with his community-centric performing arts group, which he launched in 2010.

Last year, 2,177 of CFCA’s actors, dancers, instrumentalists and singers performed in 114 productions to a combined audience of more than 32,000. Its volunteers also performed at 103 community events and have donated more than 4,000 hours of service. One of CFCA’s most intriguing programs: the Musical Minds Choir, in which seniors with memory loss, their caregivers and volunteers gather for the purpose of awakening memories and connecting through music. Vickery, who has pushed to restore state cuts in arts funding, says he wants to continue giving artists “a place to belong and succeed. We also want

to see Central Florida continue to make the arts affordable and accessible to all as part of the quality of life."

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50 MOST POWERFUL Entertainment, Sports & the Arts

6 Patrick &

Holly Kahn Owners, Snap! Space & Snap! Downtown

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ound for pound and square inch for square inch, Patrick and Holly Kahn’s nonprofit Snap! Space gallery is one of Orlando’s savviest, most engaging cultural initiatives. Five years ago, the couple, who moved to Orlando from Los Angeles, turned what was once a 1940s-era movie theater near Colonial Drive and Mills Avenue into a fashionable and impeccably curated showcase for national and international art photography. They added a downtown gallery on East Church Street in 2016. The couple often bring masters of the form to town, such as the hauntingly enigmatic, South African-based photographer Roger Ballen, in connection with exhibitions.

This year’s shows included the works of Chuck Stewart, a jazz devotee who captured candid images of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis, and the quirky but telling ‘60s celebrity portraits of Duane Michals. The Kahns also launched Central Florida’s first art project featuring augmented reality last year. Their gallery openings have become a social-calendar highlight in the trendy Mills 50 district, where, not too long ago, one guest could be heard commenting to another: “I didn’t know there were this many beautiful people in Orlando.” Two of them own the gallery.

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7

Jim Helsinger

Artistic Director, Orlando Shakes

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elsinger’s expertise at operating behind the scenes isn’t restricted to the casting, directing, playwrighting, producing and fundraising required of him as artistic director of Orlando Shakes.

He also oversees the comings and goings of kings, queens and knights as chess coach at Blankner Elementary School, which took first place in Orange County this past school year in K-2, K-4 and 5-8 categories. He orchestrated the “Angel Wings” demonstration, when volunteers in wings fashioned from sheets and PVC pipes took to the streets to protest the appearance of a hate group on the heels of the Pulse nightclub attack. And he’s earned the respect of fellow professional Shakespeare devotees, who presented him with the Shakespeare Theatre Association’s Sidney Berger Award for outstanding talent and dedication to the works of The Bard. In his 24 years of steering the Shakes, he has generated a consistent level of professionalism that reg-

ularly results in palpably inspired theatrical productions—the company’s rousing 2018 rendition of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights comes to mind—despite recent dramatic cuts in state funding for the arts.

8

Steve Goldman

Creator, National Young Composers Challenge

BELTS: COURTESY OF MARISA PENA

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oldman is an unusual combination, as arts supporters go: one part philanthropist, one part inventor. Fourteen years ago, the lifelong music lover and retired Winter Park computer-hardware entrepreneur created and funded an initiative on behalf of budding young composers: an annual “star search” competition to give talented students, ages 13 to 18, a chance to be recognized and hear their work played by a professional orchestra. The program, now called the National Young Composers Challenge, has evolved into a nationwide magnet for young musical talent.

Every year, a panel of music professors judge roughly 100 submitted scores from across the country, selecting six winners who travel to Orlando to have their compositions discussed, performed and recorded by the Orlando Philharmonic.

The spring event, which is held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, is co-sponsored by the University of Central Florida, to which Goldman recently endowed $1.5 million to establish a chair for a professor of composition, in hopes that the Challenge will continue to encourage generations of young composers in perpetuity.

9 Christopher Belt Executive Director, Timucua Arts Foundation

Beatriz Ramirez-Belt Managing Director, Opera Orlando

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his power couple, newcomers to our list, lend their talents to the community as both musicians and arts administrators. For the past decade, Christopher Belt (guitarist) and Beatriz Ramirez-Belt (oboist) have championed the presentation of contemporary classical music, first through the Accidental Music Festival, then by creating the Alterity Chamber Orchestra, which they founded along with fellow musician Natalie Grata. Alterity focuses on the works of living

composers; its concert last February at The Abbey drew a standing-room-only crowd.

Meanwhile, Christopher oversees appearances by national and international artists at Benoit Glazer’s 200-seat Timucua White House, which presented 85 events in 2018, most of them free. And Beatriz manages a $1 million annual budget for Opera Orlando, which in three years has grown from three to six productions at local venues, including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

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50 MOST POWERFUL

Tourism & Transportation

1 Harris Rosen President & COO Rosen Hotels & Resorts

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George Kalogridis

President, Walt Disney World Resort

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nder Kalogridis’ watch, The Force is about to awaken in a big way, with the Aug. 29 opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. The $1 billion attraction will allow guests to make their Jedi dreams come true aboard the Millennium Falcon ship or on the planet Batuu. Already-healthy attendance is sure to skyrocket with that ambitious expansion; a runaway railway ride with a Mickey-Minnie theme set to open next year; and enhancements to Epcot. There's also a Star Wars-themed hotel being built and, lest we forget, Disney Springs continues to be a big draw for both locals and visitors, with its dazzling array of celebrity chef-owned restaurants. Since Kalogridis assumed command in 2013, Disney World

has grown to employ 75,000 cast members, the largest single-site workforce in the nation. Kalogridis also oversaw implementation of the Disney Aspire program at the local park, in which 100 percent of hourly employees’ tuition is paid for by the company up front. UCF, his alma mater, was added to the network of schools in May.

KALOGRIDIS: COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

n November, Rosen’s 26-year-old son, Adam, died after a battle with brain cancer. The longtime hotelier and philanthropist and his Harris Rosen Foundation donated $10 million— and $2 million from a family friend—to the University of Florida and UF Health’s brain research program. He then formed the Adam Michael Rosen Foundation, a nonprofit to help children and families dealing with cancer. Rosen has a long history of community giving and perhaps is best known for providing college scholarships to his employees and young people in his adopted Tangelo Park and Parramore neighborhoods. In June, he celebrated 45 years in business with his eight, debt-free hotels, 6,700 rooms and over $360 million in annual revenue. He is managing a multiyear restoration of the Rosen YMCA Aquatic Center, and he is leading and funding—with other partners—expansion of the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Rosen also provides financial support to the Jack and Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center in southwest Orlando, and has given enormous assistance to residents of Haiti after natural disasters.

In October, the Orlando Business Journal presented Rosen with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award as part of its firstever Diversity in Business Awards.

inspiration is everywhere Thank you to al l 5 0 fe ature d—i ncl udi ng our board me mbe rs—for maki ng a di ffe re nce.

– YO U R F R I E N D S AT D R . P H I L L I P S C E N T E R

Orlando Health recognizes our CEO, David Strong, and all the honorees in Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People for your role in serving and shaping our community.

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50 MOST POWERFUL Tourism & Transportation

4

Laura Kelley

Executive Director, Central Florida Expressway Authority

3 Tom Williams Chairman & CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts

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n the morning of June 13, the day that the $300 million Hagrid roller coaster ride debuted at Universal Orlando, the wait was 10 hours. That had decreased to only five hours (!) by 2 p.m.

The reception for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the latest addition to Harry Potter’s world at the theme park, says a lot about Universal’s popularity. Williams oversees operations here as well as at Universal’s theme parks worldwide. That includes a new park being built in Beijing, China,

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with a projected opening date of 2021.

Back in O-Town, Universal has three theme parks, seven hotels—the latest being the bargain-priced Endless Summer Resort—and the CityWalk entertainment complex. The company remains tight-lipped about what it’s building on land near the intersection of Kirkman and Sand Lake roads, but word is it will be called Fantastic Worlds. Williams has been with Universal for 32 years and led the team that developed the original Orlando park, which opened in 1990.

WILLIAMS: COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

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elley’s four-year tenure running the local road agency has been productive—and, most notably, low key, given that the four executive directors who preceded her either quit or were fired following controversy or political shenanigans. Kelley oversees a 118-mile toll-road system and a nearly $2 billion, five-year work plan that encompasses Orange, Lake, Seminole and Osceola counties. Over the past year, the agency launched an Orlando International Airport pilot program allowing rental car customers to borrow a visitor toll pass and avoid paying heavy administrative toll fees. It also joined the 17-state E-ZPass Program, the world’s largest, most successful interoperable toll collection system. Kelley serves on several civic panels ranging from the Orlando Economic Partnership Executive Board and University of Florida Transportation Institute External Advisory Board, to the Central Florida Planning Council and Wekiva River Basin Commission. In 2018, she was honored by i4 Business with the Women’s Inspired Leadership-Spirit of Progress Award.

CONGRATULATING MR. HARRIS ROSEN ON HIS INSPIRING CONTRIBUTIONS. As we celebrate Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ 45th anniversary, we also celebrate our extraordinary leader and guiding light, who continually inspires us all with his selfless philanthropic efforts in our beloved community.

Harris Rosen, congratulations and may God bless you!

RosenHotels.com

50 MOST POWERFUL Tourism & Transportation

6

5 Phil Brown

President & CEO, Visit Orlando

V

CEO, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

W

ith four new members appointed to the seven-member Orlando International Airport board by the governor earlier this year, Brown helps provide some needed continuity. The nine-year GOAA veteran oversees daily operations at the nation’s 10th busiest airport, which handles 48 million passengers annually and employs 25,000 workers. Brown has been managing the $4.2 billion main terminal facelift and new south terminal construction, slated for late 2021 completion, which will add 19 gates, many for international flights. For the second 54 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

George Aguel

year in a row, OIA was ranked first in the J.D. Power 2018 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, as voted by passengers. It also was named the Large Airport of the Year in the 2018 CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence, a top award in global aviation. Last year, OIA became the first American airport to commit to using passenger facial recognition with the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Biometric Entry and Exit Program, for departing and arriving passengers.

Brown also serves on the U.S. Travel Association's board of directors, a powerful tourism and business group.

isit Orlando is marking its 35th anniversary, and Aguel has been at the helm for six of those years, with his team marketing Central Florida around the globe. The tourism agency recently announced that Orlando became the first and only U.S. destination to draw 75 million annual visitors (the number has steadily risen—in 2014 it stood at 62 million). Ninety percent are from the United States, but the area saw a jump in international visitors last year, particularly from Latin America. Orlando is also the nation’s top convention draw, and with new theme park rides opening and the Orange County Convention Center planning yet another expansion, it’s a pretty good bet there will be good news for years to come.

50 MOST POWERFUL

Philanthropy & Community Voices

2 Joel Hunter Faith Community Organizer Founder & Chairman Community Resource Network

1 Jim Pugh

I

Board Chairman, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

T

he chief patron and chairman of the Dr. Phillips Center is getting ready for the debut of the final phase of his $600 million baby next year. Pugh and his wife, Alexis, donated millions to the project and solicited other donors for millions more to build the Dr. Phillips Center, which opened in November 2014. The final piece, Steinmetz Hall, is set for completion in 2020, and will be used for ballet, opera and orchestra performances. For his leadership, the Orlando Economic Partnership honored Pugh with its James B. Greene Award, which recognizes community figures who have made significant contributions

56 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

to the region. Pugh is chairman and CEO of Epoch Residential, one of the nation’s largest apartment builders, based in Winter Park. In addition to his arts work, he is a longtime board member of the Holocaust Memorial Center, which is planning to move from Maitland to a site in downtown Orlando. He and his wife also donated $1 million to help relocate and renovate the $30 million project site and helped recruit other benefactors.

Pugh served on newly elected Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ transition team, and he is a prominent fundraiser for and contributor to Democratic Party candidates.

n the two years since Hunter founded the nonprofit Community Resource Network, more than 250 civic groups and faith organizations have joined and 600 volunteers have been trained to better help homeless and needy families. The longtime pastor at Northland Church, who left his post in 2017, also served as a spiritual adviser to President Barack Obama and was board chairman of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness from 2016 to 2018. “Poverty and homelessness is not simply due to a lack of resources. It is ultimately due to lack of relationships,” he says. Hunter served on Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ transition team and is a member of the program and education committee for the onePULSE Foundation. In addition, he is the top liaison for Central Florida faith communities on Project Opioid; a member of Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma’s statewide task Force on the opioid crisis; and chairman of the Faith Alliance Against Human Trafficking. He also founded Simple.Help, a free movement providing residents with easy steps to make a difference in their communities.

Congratulations from the Unicorp family!

Chuck Whittall

President and CEO of Unicorp National Developments, Inc.

One of Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People For the 5th Year

JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 57

Founding Executive Director One Orlando Alliance

W

3 Ted Maines Interior Designer, Activist

Jeffrey Miller Attorney, Activist

T

he longtime downtown power couple continue to make a mark in numerous political, social and philanthropic areas. Miller has been a key player in lining up funding for construction of the new Holocaust Museum for Hope and Humanity, to be built on the old Chamber of Commerce site. A recent infusion of $10 million from the tourist development tax put the campaign at about 60 percent of its goal.

Miller also is a member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission.

Meanwhile, Maines chairs the Paws for Peace initiative that raises money for the Harbor House domestic violence shelter and is a longtime member of the Orange County Library Services board. In the past year, the couple have held campaign fundraisers in their home for Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida Secretary of Agriculture Nikki Fried, and U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy.

They are major donors to Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign, as well as arts groups like Orlando Ballet and the Orlando Museum of Art. 58 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

hen One Orlando Alliance officials abruptly withdrew an offer to their choice of executive director because of the candidate's social media bullying, they had to find a replacement.

It turned out that person was right under their noses. Jennifer Foster, co-founder of the nonprofit formed days after the 2016 Pulse shooting, was the volunteer chairman of the board for the coalition of 30 LGBTQ and support groups until she was made permanent director in October. Her assignment: taking on homelessness, health care and inequality issues affecting the LGBTQ population, while helping break down barriers with government, business and other civic groups.

Her selection was not surprising, since Foster is seen as a natural leader who co-founded the Human Rights Campaign community in Orlando and served on the board of the OneOrlando Fund, which disbursed $31 million to Pulse victims and their families.

5

And when the high-profile Revolution’s Rise of the Rest venture capital bus tour came to town in April, Foster was a featured speaker on diversity. “She’s made it to that level,” says Mayor Buddy Dyer. “She’s the voice to the business community for the gay community.”

Dave Krepcho

President & CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank Of Central Florida

M

ost businesses work to increase demand for their products and services. Krepcho has worked to distribute food more widely throughout a six-county area while also striving to improve citizens’ economic outlook and, therefore, decrease demand. In his 15 years at Second Harvest, food distribution has grown 500 percent; last year alone, the organization provided 58 million meals through a network of 550 partners to sites such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers and day care centers. At the same time, Krepcho is working to “continue to expand our success in shortening the line of people that need food through our job training and placement programs.” The organization’s Culinary Training Program has placed all 250 graduates, who are either low-income

or homeless, in jobs. All proceeds from the recent launch of its three-product food line, "A Spoonful of Hope,” benefit the training program. Second Harvest has 100 full-time staff members supported by 172,000 hours annually from volunteers.

KREPCHO: COURTESY OF SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Philanthropy & Community Voices

50 MOST POWERFUL

4 Jennifer Foster

CHARGE UN IVER SIT Y

OF

CENTRAL

FLORIDA

ON Congratulations to the UCF Knights who are making a positive impact on our community.

Christopher Belt ’08 ’11MA Anna Eskamani ’12 ’15MNM ’15MPA Jim Helsinger, Visiting Assistant Professor Steve Hogan ’91 Barbara Jenkins ’83 ’86MEd ’96EdD George Kalogridis ’76 Holly Kahn ’93 Alex Martins ’01MBA, Trustee Beatriz Ramirez ’12 Harris Rosen, Hotelier and Philanthropist Thad Seymour Jr., Interim President Carlos Guillermo Smith ’03 Rasesh Thakkar ’84 Danny White, Athletics Director

ucf.edu

50 MOST POWERFUL Philanthropy & Community Voices

8 Eddie Selover PechaKucha Organizer

P

echaKucha means “chatter” in Japanese. It means quite a bit more than that to Selover. For the past nine years, he has been the volunteer Orlando organizer of that nonprofit event, in which speakers from all walks of life use 20 projected images as narrative stepping stones, spending 20 seconds explaining each image—no more, no less—to tell a story.

Selover, who has a background in highend corporate communications and glossy Fortune 500 branding, fell in love with how PechaKucha, with its grassroots authenticity, evokes the other end of the storytelling spectrum via “hundreds of fascinating people in this city that you might never hear from otherwise.” Three or four times a year, he takes time out from his other jobs as a life coach and vice president of a financial services and retirement plan startup to organize one of the events, featuring eight to 10 speakers at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Pugh Theater. You can find his own revealing TED talk, “How Pecha Kucha Changed My Life,” on YouTube.

6 Desmond Meade President, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

I

n November, Meade’s dream to make life better for ex-felons like himself came true. As head of the nonprofit Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, based in Orlando, he led the fight for Amendment 4, which won 65 percent of the vote, restoring voting rights for up to 1.4 million felons. In January he proudly obtained his voter card with No Party Affiliation and plans to vote in this fall’s elections. Time magazine named the onetime homeless Miami crack cocaine addict one of its 100 Most Influential People of 2019, and the Orlando Sentinel named him Central Floridian of the Year in March. “My main focus right now is how to make voting and civil engagement exciting again,” he says of the newly registered voters. With passage of a state law in May ordering felons to first pay outstanding fines and restitution in their cases, about 500,000 of them may be prevented from voting for now. Meade plans to raise money to help them pay those debts, or to ask that fines and judgments be converted to community service. In the meantime, the stepfather of five plans to ask Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet to restore his rights so he can put his 2014 law degree to work as an attorney.

60 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

7

F

Carol Wick CEO, Sharity Inc.

or 10 years, Wick was the local high-profile face of the battle against domestic violence as head of Harbor House, before joining an Atlanta-based corporate consulting firm in 2016 and moving behind the scenes.

There, she provided strategy and fundraising assistance to nonprofits and schools, and groups related to animal rights, human trafficking, the homeless, domestic violence and women’s empowerment.

Over the past year, she helped Puerto Rico approve the use of solar-charged batteries for power at community centers, clinics

and refugee centers following hurricane devastation on the island; raise money for client schools in Florida, Greece and Africa; and secure three transitional homes for local human trafficking victims. Wick serves on the White House Women’s Faith Initiative, which is studying everything from criminal justice reform to immigration to women’s equality issues. Last month, the licensed family therapist and certified pet therapy dog owner left her employer and formed Sharity Inc., a consulting firm matching nonprofits with various experts to solve problems.

50 MOST POWERFUL

15 to Watch Other people making news or working behind the scenes

Martha Are – As executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, Are is known as a tireless behind-the-scenes advocate who delves into the nuts and bolts of efforts for the homeless.

Flavio Augusto da Silva – The majority owner

of the underachieving Orlando City Soccer Club has said he might sell a chunk of the MLS team by 2022 and shift his focus to philanthropy.

Jan Edwards – The Republican businesswoman

and head of a nonprofit that combats child sex trafficking is challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy in 2020.

Alauna Friskics – With Friskics as executive director, the 28th annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival saw its highest attendance ever, drawing more than 75,000 people over two weeks to Loch Haven Park.

Mike Griffin – As vice president of advocacy and

public policy for AdventHealth, Griffin has emerged as a force for compassion, leading hospital efforts to combat homelessness, among other initiatives.

Frank Kruppenbacher – The former airport

authority chair (and 50 Most Powerful alum, 2012-2018) resigned as counsel for Florida Virtual School last August. An audit later alleged that he helped steer contracts and asked school employees to do work for his outside businesses. Kruppenbacher says he's the victim of a "smear campaign." Can one of the area's most well-connected political operatives make a comeback?

Jonathan and Krista Ledden – The couple

helped put Orlando Ballet on more stable footing, as well as being big donors to various arts groups. Jonathan, a private equity investor, is ballet board chairman. Krista, formerly with Twyla Tharp Dance Company, also is on the board.

Marcos Marchena – A 50 Most Powerful regular

for several years, Marchena has maintained a low profile since resigning from the UCF Board of Trustees amid investiga-

tions into misspent construction money that drove university President Dale Whittaker from his post. He remains general counsel for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Brendan O’Connor – The editor of the community-focused news website Bungalower delivers need-toknow info like openings, closings and transit updates. He’s also been an advocate for children's art projects.

Orange County Commissioners – Three women (Maribel Gomez Cordero, Christine Moore, Mayra Uribe) won posts on the board last year, joining the female trio of commissioners already there (Emily Bonilla, Victoria Siplin, Betsy VanderLey). Will a new leader emerge in County Mayor Jerry Demings’ first term?

Belvin Perry – Best known for presiding over the Casey Anthony trial, the former Orange-Osceola chief judge is considering a run for the state attorney’s post being vacated by Aramis Ayala. Perry, a former prosecutor, is currently an attorney in John Morgan’s firm.

Barbara Poma – The owner of Pulse nighclub and CEO of the onePULSE Foundation is hoping to have a permanent memorial opened at the site of the mass shooting by 2022. The Legislature recently allotted $500,000 toward the project, and the design was narrowed to six architectural firms.

Jason Siegel – The CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission is leading the drive to have Orlando selected as a host city for World Cup soccer in 2026.

Jeff Weltman – The Orlando Magic’s head of basketball operations hired Steve Clifford as coach, and the team made the playoffs (although falling to Toronto in the first round). Will he make the right decisions on players to engineer a more successful repeat for next season?

Falecia Williams – It’s almost here—Valencia College’s downtown campus—and Williams is in charge.

What benefits and challenges will the school’s landmark accomplishment bring?

JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 61

CONGRATULATIONS,

www.osc.org

62 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

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PLASTIC SURGEONS This special advertising section highlights the accomplishments of plastic surgeons, who tell about their commitment to helping people look their best.

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Fiala Aesthetics is a full-service cosmetic practice, offering many popular surgical and non-surgical procedures. On the surgical side, Dr. Fiala is an expert in breast augmentation, lift and reduction; liposuction and tummy tuck; facial cosmetic procedures including eyelid, face and neck lifts; and laser resurfacing for sun damage and wrinkles. For patients having a facelift, tummy tuck, or mommy makeover, the practice offers the convenience of an overnight stay at their AAAASF-certified surgery center, with one-on-one nursing care by experienced RN’s.

Fiala Aesthetics also offers a full range of non-invasive services, including the latest generation of FDA-approved injectable fillers, Botox and Dysport; traditional facials, HydraFacials, and more. Injection Specialist Phi Nguyen, PA-C, has been recognized by Galderma as one of the top injectors in Florida. She’s known for her gentle touch and an artistic sense of facial proportions.

Using micro-cannulas for injections, rather than traditional needles, also keeps pain and bruising to a minimum. Fiala Aesthetics is also one of the most experienced CoolSculpting practices in Central Florida, having offered the fat-melting technology for over 7 years.

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sites in the nation investigating a new fat-melting laser, the Eon FR, a device that was designed here in Central Florida. Additionally, Dr. Fiala’s TAP block techniques, which make the recovery from a tummy tuck dramatically more comfortable, have been recognized as a “best practice” in several influential national plastic surgery publications.

WHAT SETS US APART: In addition to safely performing world-class cosmetic procedures, Dr. Fiala emphasizes patient education and excellent service. “It’s not just about the surgery,” says Dr. Fiala. “Our goal is to also give the patient and their family an excellent experience as they go through the entire process.” This

ADDRESS: 220 E. Central Parkway, Suite 2020 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Orlando Magazine Best of Orlando in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

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dedication to quality is shared by the entire team, including our caring and experienced nurses, Board-Certified MD Anesthesiologists, PA and aestheticians.

SPECIALTY: In practice for over 20 years,

Fiala Aesthetics is widely known for consistently excellent cosmetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body, combined with five-star customer service. Dr. Fiala has been voted the top Plastic Surgeon in Orlando by Orlando Magazine readers five times in the past six years, and has won accolades from Vitals.com, realself.com, and other rating sites. He is a Past President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a voluntary member of faculty at the UCF College of Medicine.

PHONE: 407-339-3222 800-330-4414 (Toll Free)

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JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 65

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NEWMAN PLASTIC SURGERY

CHARLES E. NEWMAN, JR., MD, AND DZI-LONG NEWMAN, PA-C

66 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

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AT NEWMAN PLASTIC SURGERY, PLASTIC SURGERY IS NOT ABOUT VANITY. IT IS A WAY FOR YOU TO ENHANCE AND DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL...

— DR. CHARLES E. NEWMAN, JR.

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BEFORE

AFTER

PATIENT GOAL: “Mommy Makeover/Body Restoration” with Abdominoplasty to strengthen core and remove excess skin. This patient also received a breast augmentation to restore volume to the breasts to allow for a balanced and youthful appearance.

SPECIALTY: Dr. Newman is trained in all facets of plastic surgery but specializes in cosmetic surgery for the body, breast and face. He also finds gratification in performing reconstructive surgery for skin and breast cancer patients.

“The restoration of form and function is critical to patients, and it is very rewarding to be a part of this transformation.” EDUCATION: Graduated from Davidson College and received his medical degree from the University of South Florida. His residency and plastic surgery training was completed at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

BALANCED BEAUTY PHILOSOPHY: By combining established plastic surgery principles with modern advances, we are able to restore, rejuvenate, enhance, and refine. Each patient is unique and care is tailored to meet specific

ADDRESS: 444 N. Mills Ave. Orlando, FL 32803

goals. A balanced and proportionate result is achieved on the foundation of compassionate care, patient comfort, open communication and patient safety. When all these elements are present, excellence will flourish. WHAT SETS HIM APART: Dr. Newman works alongside his wife, board certified physician assistant, Dzi Newman. The dynamic of the two is an asset to each patient’s experience. “Having her with me ensures every last detail is attended to. Many patients find additional comfort in her presence, both during the consultation and during surgery.

In the operating room, we are able to perform multiple procedures safely and effectively.” The Newmans want every patient to feel respected and comfortable, and that attitude is reflected in each staff member and in every facet of care.

DURING OFF HOURS: Dr. Newman can be found working on his golf game or helping his wife chase after their four young children.

PHONE: 407-481- 9505 407-481- 9506 (Fax)

EMAIL: Info@NewmanPlasticSurgery.com

SURGICAL SERVICES: Face Eyes Breast Body NON-SURGICAL SERVICES: Laser Treatments Miradry® Halo® Injectable Fillers Botox®/Dysport® CERTIFICATIONS: American Board of Plastic Surgery American Society of Plastic Surgeons

WEBSITE: NewmanPlasticSurgery.com

JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 67

PLASTIC SURGEONS

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THE INSTITUTE OF AESTHETIC SURGERY

DONOVAN ROSAS, MD; ROXANNE SYLORA, MD; RICHARD GREGORY, MD OUR PRACTICE: At The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (IAS), we believe that plastic surgery isn’t just about vanity; it’s about reclaiming your self-confidence. While plastic surgery may correct something external, the biggest transformation is internal.

We understand that it takes courage to discuss your physical insecurities, which is why building strong patient relationships and trust is so important to us. Our complimentary consultations emphasize education, so patients know their options and understand what is – and isn’t – possible to achieve through surgery.

Offering a wide variety of the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques, our surgeons work with you to create a look that you’ll love. SERVICES: As a full-service plastic surgery practice, IAS offers a comprehensive menu of services, from facial and body surgeries to non-invasive body contouring, hair restoration and injectables. Using the latest in laser technology, IAS offers skin resurfacing, toning, hair and tattoo removal, and more. Com-

plimentary consultations with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons are available at all three Orlando-area locations.

WHAT SETS US APART: IAS is one of the most trusted plastic surgery practices in the area. All three of our surgeons have been recognized for their outstanding skill and patient care by Orlando Family Magazine, Orlando Style, Orlando Magazine and a variety of other publications. It’s not just the skill and experience of our surgeons that sets us apart; it’s their caring bedside manner and genuine approach. As a practice rooted in Christian values, our mission is to help each patient achieve their God-given potential and inspire their self-confidence. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Our doctors are members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and were recognized as Fellows of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Gregory is also a member of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons.

ADDRESS: Celebration Health Office Lake Nona Office 400 Celebration Place 10920 Moss Park Road Suite A320, Celebration, FL 34747 Suite 224, Orlando, FL 32832 PHONE: 407-706-3603 EMAIL: info@iasurgery.net SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook.com/InstituteOfAestheticSurgery, Instagram.com/iasurgery 68 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

Altamonte Springs Office 661 E. Altamonte Drive Suite 312, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 WEBSITE: iasurgery.net

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JILLIAN MORRISON, MD; CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, MD; DAVID PLANK, MD; FERNANDO OVALLE, MD; NOT PICTURED: JAMES L. BAKER, JR. MD At The Mid Florida Institute of Plastic Surgery, an established medical group in Orlando with a well-known and much-loved staff, you are treated like a friend more than a patient.

Whether you’re seeking to correct injuries from previous trauma or simply want to refresh your appearance, our practice offers you personalized service with superb attention to detail in correcting a variety of cosmetic concerns. It would be a privilege to collaborate on a new you! A you that appears as exquisite, engaged, and youthful as you actually feel.

Beauty is ultimately about highlighting and enhancing your natural aesthetic gifts and ensuring that you feel comfortable in your own body and skin. This means we spend time getting to know you before creating a unique treatment plan that considers your individual body and desires, leading to a natural looking but effective outcome. Our surgeons are experienced top-level talent, adept in crafting changes both subtle and dramatic. We ADDRESS: 390 Maitland Ave, Ste 1000 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

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consider plastic surgery a fine art; it requires exceptional skills and knowledge-based intuition. It’s a transformation that elicits smiles and restores confidence!

We offer comprehensive aesthetic services and plastic surgery including cosmetic injectables, light & laser treatments, and facial & body plastic surgery. Our 3D Vectra Imaging technology treats you to a sneak preview of the potential future new you, allowing you to visualize the possibilities. Mid Florida Dermatology & Plastic Surgery is the industry leader and Orlando’s Candela Center of Excellence for laser treatment and therapy. Consultations with our physicians are available at The Mid Florida Institute of Plastic Surgery in Altamonte Springs and at select Mid Florida Dermatology locations.

Professional Recognition: Voted Orlando’s #1 Medical Group by Magazine in 2013, 2018, & 2019; Best Doctors in America; Voted Top Physician 2017 for Orlando Family Magazine.

WEBSITE: midflmed.com

JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 69

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PLASTIC SURGEONS

GEORGE POPE, MD POPE PLASTIC SURGERY

PRACTICE LOCATION: Now in his 31st year of practice in Central Florida, Dr. Pope, a long-time College Park resident, recently happily relocated his office to Edgewater Drive, next door to RusTeak. “Our patients and staff love our new office, and the College Park community has welcomed us warmly,” Dr. Pope said. SPECIALTY/FOCUS: Dr. Pope enjoys all cosmetic surgery procedures, but is doing more and more breast surgery for women, including augmentation, reduction and lift, as well as male breast reduction for gynecomastia. His expertise as both an ENT physician and a plastic surgeon gives him special capabilities in rhinoplasty. Many difficult revision cases are referred to him. EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS: Louisiana State University School of Medicine, residencies in Otolaryngology at Tulane Medical Center and Plastic Surgery at University of Louisville, double board certified in Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery. AWARDS/HONORS: Voted as a Best Plastic ADDRESS: 2629 Edgewater Drive Orlando, FL 32804 70 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

PHONE: 407-857-6261 407-857-6241 (Fax)

Surgeon by Orlando magazine readers for several consecutive years, and Top Plastic Surgeon by his peers for several years.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Certified by American Board of Plastic Surgery, member of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and American Society of Plastic Surgeons, fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Pope is also the chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Orlando Health. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Dr. Pope enjoys teaching residents and medical students and is proud to be on the clinical faculty of UCF College of Medicine. And, out of more than 50,000 medical practices worldwide, Pope Plastic Surgery has earned the prestigious distinction as a Top 250 practice with Allergan Inc., manufacturer of Botox, Juvederm, Voluma, Kybella, Vollure, and Volbella. The elite title is earned by a deep commitment to excellence and highest-quality patient care.

EMAIL: info@popeplasticsurgery.com WEBSITE: popeplasticsurgery.com

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DINE R E VI E W • R ECO M M EN D ED E ATI N G

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

PAGE 77

SANDWICH CENTRAL

Maria and Louie Palo, along with their three children, operate Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, which boasts an array of sandwiches on freshly baked bread, as well as shelves of imported pasta and other Italian goodies.

DINE REVIEW

The ribeye with piquillo peppers is one of the outstanding dishes at the new Jaleo restaurant at Disney Springs.

Chef José Andrés has brought the talents of his culinary team to Disney Springs.

And the results— from a spread of ribeye and piquillo peppers to a half-dozen kinds of paella—are mouthwatering.

BY JOSEPH HAYES

JALEO 1482 Buena Vista Drive Disney Springs 321-348-3211 jaleo.com Entrees: $12-$38; chef’s tasting menus available, $70-$110

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CHEF JOSÉ ANDRÉS is no stranger to fame or success. Since coming to America from his home in northwestern Spain in 1991, he has built 20 restaurants in 30 locations, and received Michelin stars, James Beard awards, and the esteemed Order of Arts and Letters from the King of Spain. Teaching culinary physics at Harvard and a course called “World on a Plate” at George Washington University comes as easily as his five books and long-running PBS series, Made in Spain (along with two others). And you may be surprised to know that he was the “culinary consultant” for the TV show Hannibal—but alas, no dishes with fava beans at Jaleo, his new restaurant at Disney Springs.

One of Andrés’ latest endeavors, the Orlando Jaleo is the largest of five across the country, replacing the former Wolfgang Puck’s Grand Bistro with a modern tribute to tapas and Spanish cookery (Wolfgang moved 900 feet away to his new Bar and Grill). Jaleo’s bold splashes of red and yellow, a massive photo of a bullfighter’s suit of lights and a patio overlooking Lake Buena Vista make for an exciting space to enjoy the specialties of Andrés’ childhood.

The restaurant is purely Spanish, timeless dishes worthy of sharing given a modern twist. Basque and Asturian cheeses; mini-burgers made from Ibérico pork and bacon (Ibérico de bellota, $9); and 45-day aged Angus ribeye served with wood-smoked Spanish piquillo peppers (chuletas de cordero, $40) are just some of the delights. Andrés makes sebiche from oysters doused in what is basically a gin and tonic ($18), or a remarkable dish of fire-roasted red peppers, eggplant and sweet onions (escalivada catalana, $9).

Of course, it wouldn’t be a José Andrés restaurant without aceitunas modernas y clásicas ($12), a famous product of José’s days at el Bulli with molecular gastronomy wizard Ferran Adrià. Olive juice is gelled with a va-

76 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | DINE

riety of stabilizers to make a sphere that looks like the accompanying stuffed Gordal olives, but flows back to liquid at first bite.

Spanish chef Ramón Martínez met Andrés in 2004 at the Basque Culinary Center at the beginning of the latter’s trajectory as a television personality. Martínez was convinced to come to America, he says, “as a trial. I said I’ll try it for a year.” Fast forward fifteen years, he’s the culinary director for all Jaleo operations and essential in menu development.

“José is passionate about Spanish food,” says Martínez. “He always says there are two ways to do things—good, or bad, there’s no middle. It took him 10 years to get FDA approval to bring the real jamón Ibérico or puntallitas, the baby squid, to America, but he never gives up. His passion never stops.”

It’s those authentic ingredients that make Jaleo’s menu rise above most other tapas places in town.

REY LOPEZ

Spanish Treasure

DELICIOUS DYNASTY

CUSHION, WALL: REY LOPEZ: ANDRÉS : SCOTT SUCHMAN; STASIO’S: ROBERTO GONZALEZ

Highlights at Chef José Andrés’ gem of a restaurant: a wall-covering image of a bullfighter in his ornate suit, and the chicken croquettes served on a gold-rimmed red cushion.

Jamón Ibérico, 36- to 48-month cured ham from free range, acorn-fed, black-footed Ibérico pigs found only in Spain, is carved tableside into paper-thin leaves ($38), or served with a small dollop of sturgeon caviar (José’s Taco $18).

Croquetas de pollo ($12) are labeled as “traditional chicken fritters” on the menu, and the filling of these crisp little tubes of pulled chicken and bechamel is immediately recognizable—it’s the gold-rimmed red cushion they arrive on that causes a stir. But the story behind how the croquettes are made is even better.

“I wanted to see if there was any machine that could help us make it the way we do,” Martínez says. “It doesn’t work. It’s still handmade, how my grandmother used to make it.”

“We improve it every time we make them,” says Willy Ong, who has worked for Wolfgang Puck and in the Grand Floridian kitchens, as his hands rapidly transfer each thumb-sized piece from flour to egg to breadcrumbs, as many as 1,000 a day. There are easier ways, faster ways, cheaper ways of making little croquettes or dates

wrapped with bacon, or stock distilled from whole chickens every morning. So why not do that?

“Because the quality is never the same,” Martínez says. “José is obsessed with quality: even if you use a machine instead of a knife to chop onions, it changes the dish.”

Jaleo couldn’t represent Spain without paella. Like Moroccan tagine and Indian tandoori, paella means both the meal and the pot it is cooked in. Andrés’ are a lesson in seasoning, the value of fine ingredients and traditional methods, cooked in massive pans in an enormous center-kitchen open woodfire pit (with a ventilation system that may cost more than your house). There are usually five or six variants on the menu—not all available at all times—such as the archetypal paella Valenciana, savory short grain Calasparra rice cooked with chicken, rabbit, lima beans, green beans, and saffron. Versions with vegetables and mushrooms; chicken; shrimp and squid; and arroz a banda con bogavante with lobster, complete the rotation.

The flavors meld together, yet sing separately; and all range between $25 and $38. Listen for pot bang-

ing and a shout of “PAELLA!” to know it’s ready.

After setting up the Disney Springs location, Martínez has left the kitchen in the able hands of Executive Chef Rodolfo Guzmán, who met Andrés in 1995 as a dishwasher at the D.C. Jaleo.

“My first job in my whole life was Jaleo,” he says.

Some chefs have fame thrust upon them; some earn their reputations. José Andrés and Jaleo deserve their celebrity.

Beyond the Plate News of José Andrés humanitarian efforts with his not-for-profit NGO, World Central Kitchen—bringing food to disaster-torn Houston, Alabama, Cuba and Peru (not to mention aid to furloughed government workers during this year’s shutdown)—has garnered the attention of the James Beard Foundation and Nobel Prize committees alike. He has fed more people in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria than the Red Cross and Salvation Army combined, and once left in the middle of a Beard dinner to find a helicopter to travel to fire-ravaged California.

MARIA AND LOUIE Palo arrived in Orlando 35 years ago, with a 1-year-old son and no restaurant experience.

Since then, their passion for Italian food has created Amalfi’s, Carnevale d’Amalfi and Louie & Maria’s (you might remember the merrygo-round horses out front).

The Palo family now find themselves proprietors of Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, bringing the senior Palos and their children—Al, Diana and Michael—together in a tasteful and taste-full temple of Italian pleasures. Bronze die-cut pasta comes from Amalfi (Louie’s birthplace), and fresh pasta arrives from Sassano, Salerno, home of Mama Maria.

Shelves are filled with Mulino Bianco cookies from Emilia-Romagna, sweet salciccia sausage and smoked Levoni capocollo; Connecticut creamery Liuzzi supplies fior di latte mozzarella and aged caciocavallo cheeses.

The deli case holds family recipes like chicken pesto meatballs, fresh-baked lasagna, porchetta and salame, while popular sandwiches include ribeye steak, superb eggplant Parmigiana, and “The Stasio” of prosciutto, capocollo, soppresata and fresh mozzarella. Louie bakes the bread every day.

Maria calls Stasio’s crisp design and mix of market and deli “old school, yet new.” You’ll agree, it is the best of both worlds.

210 N. Bumby Ave., Milk District. 407-277-7755 —J.H.

DINE | JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 77

Chef Mendonça’s creations at his Bem Bom include bacalhoada, a cod fish stew (foreground); piri-piri chicken; and rock shrimp tacos.

Goodness Multiplied Chef Chico Mendonça’s takes on Portuguese and Mexican cuisines make Bem Bom on Corrine a must-try on the dining scene.

BY JOSEPH HAYES

BEM BOM ON CORRINE 3101 Corrine Drive 407-960-5101 facebook.com/ bembomoncorrine Entrees: $12.95-$38

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LIFE IN A food truck isn’t easy.

Even in the largest of rigs, cooking inside a metal box is hot, frantic and looming with the threat of mechanical disasters. Chef Francisco “Chico” Mendonça calls his seven years in the cramped, understaffed food truck called Bem Bom (a repetitive Portuguese phrase meaning “good, good”) his “hardest job ever.” And yet he still says that situation was made to order for him and led to the opening of Bem Bom on Corrine, small in stature yet impressive enough to win the readers’ choice for Best New Restaurant in this year’s Orlando magazine Dining Awards.

“Chef Chico” grew up on the volcanic island of São Miguel in the Azores, an archipelago that is part of Portugal, a land of hot springs, seafood, unique wines and the piri-piri pepper, imported from Africa since the 15th century. Mendonça has cooked in French, Italian and Spanish kitchens including Romanoff in Bermuda and the famed Voltaire

78 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | DINE

in Dallas, and came to Orlando to create the kitchen at Cocina 214 in Winter Park. He started his mobile run with the 18-foot Bem Bom food truck in 2012, serving Mexican dishes and authentic Azorean cuisine.

Bem Bom on Corrine is the refined, stationary version of the truck. The regular menu features respectful takes on Mexican and Tex-Mex items like Rockin’ Tacos ($14)—flour-dusted rock shrimp, charred corn, Mexican arbol chili and tomatillo sauce, slaw and toasted coconut. The truffled mushroom quesadilla ($9.95) joins hand-selected mushrooms with pico de gallo and white truffle oil.

“There’s no fusion,” Mendonça says. “I am in love with Mexican, and I specialize in Portuguese, but they’re both separate.” Case in point: The stunning center-cut cod filet (bacalhau com batata, market price) with smashed potatoes, dressed with peppers and caramelized onions, has no connection to Dallas and everything to do with the spirit of

São Miguel. Frango de churrasco ($13.95) is classically Portuguese, grilled chicken marinated in piri-piri for 24 hours, a simple yet exotic dish with rich flavors and an attention-getting heat.

Bem Bom sits on a former bank site and took an extended time to complete. “This place was a nightmare to finish,” Mendonça says, adding he signed the lease in 2015 but didn’t officially get the certificate of occupancy until this past May. Ever conscious of the details, Mendonça makes his sauces fresh daily (he was head saucier at Voltaire, making up to 40 different ones every day). The exception is the famed piri-piri, which he has formulated with whiskey from Winter Park Distilling. “This can age for five months; there’s nothing else like it.”

And the clientele notices. “I have amazing customers,” he says.

“Some come here three times a week. … I have one who came here 38 days in a row. A lot are Portuguese, and you know how they eat. It’s very relaxed—you eat, you have a drink, you talk, you eat some more, a true Portuguese way of eating.”

Mendonça looks at food as he looks at life. “I’m always shopping. I’m never completely happy with the way things are. I cook because I love the food … I think we always cook for ourselves. And that does make me happy.”

And if Chef Chico is as pleased as his customers are, he should be a very happy man indeed.

A Case of Homage At the recent Orlando magazine Dining Awards presentation, Mendonça confessed to Dining Hall of Famer Norman Van Aken that he was a fan. “I told him that I was guilty of stealing his tamarind sauce from his cookbook.

He uses it on pork; I make it with duck, a perfect combination.”

Mendonça laughs. “He was very happy to hear it.”

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

DINE REVIEW

WE’LL DECK THE HALLS F O R Y O U R H O L I D AY P A R T Y .

Make merry among the stars at Jack’s Place, featuring the largest collection of celebrity caricatures.

Put a tropical twist on the holidays with a patio party at ’39 Poolside Bar & Grill. Impress your guests with a not-so-silent night out at our state-of-the-art entertainment venue, 3NINE. Or if you prefer, customizable private ballrooms are at the ready. Whether it’s a party for a group of 8 or 1,800, our event team at Rosen Plaza will make certain every spirit is bright.

ENJOY A 10% DISCOUNT WHEN YOU BOOK A WEEKDAY HOLIDAY EVENT. ®

For savings and special room rates, book early at RosenPlaza.com/HolidayParty or call 407.996.0256

9700 International Drive

DINE RECOMMENDED EATING

Key to Symbols

Meals:

Pricing:

Other Symbols:

B BR L D

$ Dinner entrées under $10 $$ Dinner entrées $10-$15 $$$ Dinner entrées $15-$25 $$$$ Dinner entrées more than $25

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Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

AFRICAN

Boma-Flavors of Africa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com B, D daily. At buffet-style Boma, African-influenced foods span the continent from the Mediterranean to South Africa. To their credit, chefs at Boma prepare every item fresh every day. The breakfast selctions are superb. $$$  Jiko-The Cooking Place Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com D nightly.

Wood-burning ovens and traditional cooking styles infuse Jiko with the diverse flavors of Africa. Everything on the exotic menu, from East African curries to Moroccan savory pastries, will please. $$$$ Ẃ Sanaa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com. L-D daily.

Sanaa’s focus on the foods of East Africa makes for a mouth-watering trip. Flavors of India, Portugal and Europe infuse the menu, with many dishes served as multi-item samplers. Pair the short ribs or the smoky, mildly spicy perfection of tandoori chicken with littleknown wines from Indian vineyards. $$$ Ẃ

AMERICAN

903 Mills Market 903 S. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-8984392. 903millsmarketcafe.com B-L-D daily. This simple little neighborhood eatery is a great place to stop in for the “EMT,’’ an award-winning sandwich that’s a concoction of breaded eggplant, melted mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and pesto served in a toasted club roll. 903 also has a selection of 100 craft beers, along with weeknight dinner specials, including Meatloaf Mondays. $ Ace Café Orlando 100 W. Livingston St., Orlando 407-996-6686. acecafeusa.com L-D daily; BR Sun. Happy Hour, runs from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays. And with car or motorcycle “meets’’ most every night— from Mustangs to Mopars, hot rods to Harleys—the hours are even happier (Thursday is Bike Night).

Inside, Ace’s menu is classic American, with Buffalo wings, meatloaf, and all manner of burgers. $$ %Beth’s Burger Bar 25145 S. Orange Ave., Edgewood 407-888-1190; 9938 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-203-8100. bethsburgerbar.com L-D daily. Winner of the Dining Awards’ Readers’ Choice for Best Local Burger the past four years. Owner Beth Steele and her crew offer an impressive array of mouthwatering creations in an informal, welcoming atmosphere.

The Peanut Butter Burger is truly tasty, topped with grilled onions, cheddar cheese and A1 sauce. And if you dare, order the Double D Challenge—a four-patty burger featuring eight slices of bacon and five different cheeses. Win a T-shirt if you finish it! $-$$ California Grill Disney’s Contemporary Resort 4600 North World Drive, 15th Floor, Lake Buena Vista 407939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com D nightly. The venerable Disney gem underwent a major makeover a few years ago, but the incredible views and abundant wine selections have ramained. The menu changes daily, but some things are constant: Pork Two Ways features grilled tenderloin and pork belly

 Ẃ

2019 Dining Award winner Reservations recommended Extensive wine list Preferred Dining Partner

Most restaurants listed here are recommended by an Orlando magazine dining critic. Others are marked as winners of our critic and readers’ 2019 Dining Awards and/or as recent advertisers. This list is offered as a reader service and is not intended to be comprehensive.

Although we make every effort to keep the listings current, they are subject to change without notice.

served with goat cheese polenta; the beef filet from the searing wood oven is also a standout. There’s a 10- to 14-course sushi bar extravaganza nightly for a limited number of diners. $$$$ Ẃ %Chef’s Table at the Edgewater 99 W. Plant St, Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstable-attheedgewater.com D nightly. Kevin and Laurie Tarter’s restaurant has ruled the chef’s table category for more than a decade and 2019 was no exception, as it captured the top pick from our readers. Chef de Cuisine David Lampman came to Chef’s Table in 2009 and is now the main hand in the kitchen, executing Tarter’s culinary vision with plates of lowcountry perloo, New Orleans-influenced fish, and fork-tender osso buco. $$$$ Ẃ Earls Kitchen+Bar The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-345-8260. earls.ca L-D daily BR Sat.-Sun. This upscale casual chain offers delicious diversity in its menu. Try the avocado “Super Toast,’’ the combo platter of ribs and chicken, the bacon cheddar burger, or the Korean bibimbap of fresh and pickled veggies in a stone rice bowl. The cocktail menu includes Bees Knees, a concoction of Aviation gin, Cointreau, bitters, lemon and honey. $$-$$$ Ẃ Everglades Restaurant Rosen Centre 9840 International Drive, Orlando 407-996-9840 ext. 3610. evergladesrestaurant.com D nightly. Nestled in a sprawling hotel complex and aimed at celebrating regional Florida food, Everglades specializes in prime steaks and seafood as well as more unusual items such as gator chowder and marinated buffalo. $$$ Ẃ %Farm & Haus 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando 321-4306627. farmandhaus.com B-L-D daily. Winner of the 2019 Readers’ Choice for Best Healthy Selections and Best Takeout. Patrick and Brittany Lyne operate the brick and mortar part of their enterprise at the East End Market, with offerings such as a sesame noodle bowl, kale & white bean soup, and a honey butter chicken biscuit. Recently the dinner service has expanded into a mobile truck operation around Baldwin Park, with plans to expand. Sign up, you’ll get a text when they’re in the area and you can order from that night’s menu and have it delivered to your door. $-$$ Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 3200 S. Orange Ave., 8107 Vineland Road. freddysusa.com Open daily. It’s simply a skinny steakburger on a toasted bun, but pleases the palate: Freddy’s captured our Critic’s Pick for Best Burger in the 2018 Dining Awards, as well as the Judges’ Choice in our inaugural Burger Battle in 2017. The frozen custard is a delight too, as are the Nutter Butter ice cream sandwiches. $ %The Glass Knife 276 S. Orlando Ave, Winter Park 407-500-2253. theglassknife.com B-L-D daily, 7 a.m.10 p.m.; BR Sat.-Sun. Winner of the 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Desserts and Best Independent Bakery, this is a sleek yet approachable haven for those in search of both sweet and savory. Start the day with doughnuts, an avocado and egg toast, or a cheddar biscuit sandwich. Lunch standouts include the turkey bacon club and the berry bacon spinach salad. In the evening, enjoy Southern red velvet or carrot cake, and European-style pastries along with fine wines, craft beers and champagne. You might be

80 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | DINE

unable to resist taking home one of The Glass Knife’s gorgeous cakes. $$ Graffiti Junktion 700 E. Washington St., Thornton Park 407-426-9503; 2401 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-377-1961 and eight other Orlando area locations. graffitijunktion.com L-D daily; BR Sun. Graffiti Junktion specializes in burgers. Items like the Iron City Burger (topped with a fried egg and Canadian bacon among more traditional toppings like American cheese and onions) are complemented by daily happy hour specials and themed nights throughout the week. $-$$ %Greens & Grille 4104 Millenia Blvd. #114, Orlando 407-770-1407 greensandgrille.com L-D daily. Voted Best Salads by our readers in the 2019 Dining Awards, this popular spot in a strip center next to the Mall at Millenia offers an abundance of signature salads, from the Summer Sweets (Romaine, spring mix, cucumbers, slices apples, orange segments, candied almonds and dried cranberries) to the The Fall (spring mix, sweet peas, grilled onions, dice beets, roasted potatoes and goat cheese). You can also “make your own’’ and there’s a wide selections of sammies available too. $ %Hillstone 215 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407740-4005. hillstone.com L-D daily. Grilling is king here, whether the choice is steak, fish, chops or chicken. The hardwood-grilled trout, pork ribs and cheeseburger are standouts—as is the lakeside setting, which puts Hillstone at the top among readers nearly every year in the categories of Outdoor Dining and View. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Keke’s Breakfast Café Multiple Orlando-area locations. kekes.com B-L daily. Voted Best Breakfast by readers for the past four years, this Orlando-based chain has more than a dozen local outlets offering a wide selection of pancakes (enormous), waffles, French toast, omelets, egg combos and more. $ Marlow’s Tavern Five Orlando-area locations. marlowstavern.com L-D daily. This cozy tavern puts a gourmet spin on classic American cuisine and offers a wide selection of beers. Try one of their popular cheeseburgers, the blackened fish tacos, or white cheddar shrimp and grits. Among the desserts is the fried banana split. $$ %Maxine’s on Shine 337 N. Shine Ave., Orlando 407674-6841. maxinesonshine.com L Fri.-Sun.; D Tue.Sun.; BR Sun. This casual bistro is full of quirky charm, with a menu ranging from bar snacks to full entrees emphasizing seafood. Outdoor seating, live music, an interesting wine list and the presence of delightful proprietors add up to everything you should expect from a local restaurant. Winner of the 2019 Readers’ Choice for Neighborhood Restaurant and a new inductee into the Dining Hall of Fame. $$-$$$. Ẃ Omelet Bar 2250 Strategy Blvd., Orlando 407-7041597. omeletbar.com B-L daily, BR Sun. This eatery across from UCF shines with overstuffed build-yourown omelets, a pancake bar, breakfast bread bowls and a three-way chicken and waffles “flight.” Lobster Benedict and unlimited mimosas make for a pleasant Sunday brunch. $-$$

Orlando Meats 728 Virginia Drive, Orlando 407-5980700. orlandomeats.com B-L Tue.-Sat.; BR Sun. It’s a hands-on full-service butcher shop but a great place for breakfast and lunch as well. Not wasting anything, Orlando Meats’ potato chips are fried in beef tallow.

The menu includes a fried turkey bologna sandwich (with yellow mustard on white bread); and the beef, meatloaf and burgers are roasted, baked or ground on premises. For breakfast, the offerings include the Blarney Stone: corned beef, sauerkraut, corned mayo, Swiss, and fried egg on a bagel. Winner of Best Burger from both the judges and the public in our 2018 Burger Battle. $-$$ The Ravenous Pig 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-628-2333. theravenouspig.com L-D daily.

Chefs Julie and James Petrakis, both Orlando-area natives who trained at the Culinary Institute of America, showcase the “gastropub” phenomenon with an ever-changing menu that includes fare like seared foie gras, pork porterhouse, mushroom cannelloni and the Ellensburg Lamb Noisette with royal trumpet mushrooms. $$$ Ẃ RusTeak 2625 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-5401100 rusteakwinebar.com L-D Mon.-Sat. This popular College Park gathering place boasts a prodigious range of offerings, from steaks and flatbreads to tasty burgers and salads. RusTeak offers a sizable wine list and a wide variety of craft cocktails. $$-$$$. Ẃ Seasons 52 Plaza Venezia, 7700 Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-354-5212; 463 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 407-767-1252. seasons52.com L-D daily. Like the food it serves, this Darden upscale chain remains as fresh as the day it opened. Most dishes are under 475 calories, and what flavorful calories they are: from the caramelized sea scallops with lemon risotto and roasted asparagus, to the wood-roasted pork tenderloin with sweet potato mash and spring vegetables. The wine list is just as impressive. $$$ Ẃ Se7en Bites 617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-2030727. se7enbites.com B-L Tue.-Sun. Baker and pie maker Trina Gregory-Propst likes to push the limits of food as you know it, and her neighborhood breakfast and lunch destination packs in the patrons. Se7en Bites’ creations include hand-made moonpies, cupcakes, luscious biscuits and gravy, statuesque cakes and a chicken pot pie with a perfect crust. The salted caramel chocolate pecan pie is a thing of beauty. $ Shakers American Café 1308 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-422-3534 shakerscafe.com B-L daily This enduring College Park eatery offers plenty of breakfast fare favorites, from standard eggs and sausage to gravy and biscuits. But the real treat is to check out the specials on the chalkboard. They could include a chorizo and goat cheese omelet, beef short rib hash, or cinnamon roll pancakes. For lunch, Shakers (so named because of its collection of salt and pepper shakers) offers a variety of items, including Reubens, burgers and “Mom’s Meatloaf.” $ The Smiling Bison 107 N. Magnolia Ave., Sanford 407-915-6086. thesmilingbison.com L Wed.-Sat., D Tue.-Sat. The highlight here is house-made charcuterie—smoked kielbasa, sweet curry sausage and, of course, the bison burger. Other menu items include the boneless pork chop with kumquat marmalade, the Duck Lover’s Pizza with duck ham, sausage and confit, and cheddar-bacon fat biscuits. $$-$$$.  Swine & Sons Provisions 669 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-636-7601. swineandsons.com B-L-D Mon.Sat. Lexie and Rhys Gawlak are the proprietors of this grocery-eatery, providing house-made sausages, terrines and bacon, along with sandwiches like the Southern Cuban and the ribeye hotdog. The Swine’s breakfast includes the eggs on a bun (fried eggs, bacon and tomato jam) and avocado toast. $-$$

%The Tap Room at Dubsdread 549 W. Par Street, Orlando 407-650-0100. taproomatdubsdread. com L-D daily. BR Sun. Nestled within the picturesque Dubsdread Golf Course, The Tap Room offers casual, yet sophisticated, American fare. Fresh fish, hand-cut steaks, pastas and the award-winning Tap Room Classic Cheeseburger are some of the College Park restaurant’s best menu items. You can dine inside or out on the veranda, which offers views of the golf course. The Readers’ Choice selection for Best Power Lunch in our 2019 Dining Awards. $$-$$$ Ẃ Tony Roma’s 8560 International Drive, Orlando.

407-248-0094. tonyromas.com L-D daily. There are ribs aplenty here, basted with your choice of four sauces, including a Maker’s Mark bourbon variety. But this casual dining mainstay also boasts a variety of steaks, seafood, chicken, burgers and salads. Mix and match items include the filet medallions and ribs combo. $$-$$$ Ẃ The Waterfront 4201 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407866-0468. thewaterfrontorlando.com L-D daily; BR Sun. Among the standouts at this reinvented lakeside spot are the Waterfront Burger, with hand-ground chuck, house-cured bacon, Swiss and blue cheese and caramelized onion; fish and chips; and blackened catfish with kale and grits. On the last Monday of every month, the chefs are given free rein to leave the menu behind and the results are delicious. A recent dinner featured rabbit schnitzel, house-made sausage, beef sauerbraten and apple strudel. $-$$

ASIAN

Hawkers Asian Street Fare 1103 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0606; 9100 Conroy Windermere Road, Windermere 407-583-6334. eathawkers. com L-D daily. Chefs specializing in cuisines from Vietnam, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong put a modern twist on family recipes to create tasty fare like crispy cod with black bean sauce, kimchi fried rice, chicken eggrolls, green papaya and shrimp salad, and wok-fired green beans. $ Kai Asian Street Fare 1555 S.R. 436, Suite 1171, Winter Park 407-831-3430 kaistreetfare.com L-D Tue.Sun. “Food is supposed to be fun,’’ says co-owner Quan Van, and he makes it so at this strip mall spot, adding flavorful twists to dishes. They include coating wide, wok-fried chow fun noodles in a Vietnamese sauce with squid, beef and shrimp; or topping crispy fries with Korean bulgogi beef, kimchi and spicy mayo. The signature chicken wings offer a crispy exterior draped in soy garlic, spicy Korean gochujang or whiskey soy. $ King Bao 710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0013. kingbaowow.com L-D daily. This Mills 50 spot offers a variety of rolls, ranging from light and pillowy to sturdy and chew-worthy, holding treats like pork belly, shrimp and kimchi fried chicken. Fascinating combinations like Asian pear salsa on the Glen Rhee Korean short rib, or shallot, pepper and ginger relish on tofu “Veganville” handhelds, emphasize the wellthought-out flavors. $ Mamak 1231 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-2704688. mamakasianorlando.com L-D daily. Mamak brings the flavors of Malaysia to Orlando. A must-try is the wonton with hot sauce, consisting of steamed chicken and shrimp dumplings coated in peanut sauce, chili oil and sesame seeds. Other winners: pasembur, a sweet potato gravy served on crispy tofu; and gwa bao, a soft steamed bun filled with duck or pork. $-$$ Morimoto Asia Disney Springs Marketplace, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-6686. patinagroupcom/ morimoto-asia L-D daily. Morimoto Asia, a towering presence at the phoenix that is Disney Springs, is an

ultra-hip vision of pan-Asian delights created from the mind of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Its quirky takes on Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes enhance a substantial sushi menu that can sometimes be acquired directly from the hands of the Iron Chef himself. Don’t miss the Peking Duck and the Singapore laksa, which adds rice noodles and chicken meatballs to spicy curry and coconut soup. $$$ Ẃ Noodles and Rice 813 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407895-8833. noodlesandricecafe.com L-D daily except closed Tuesdays. The menu at Noodles and Rice is extensive and this unassuming Mills 50 spot gets just about everything right. Try the hot pots, Korean seafood pancakes, house ramen or the wonderful Thai basil fried rice. $ %Poke Hana 1225A E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407 601-0283. poke-hana.com L-D daily Our 2019 Critic’s Pick for Best Casual Dining. Amid the vast wave of new poke restaurants, this homegrown spot brings a level of quality seldom seen in fast food. There’s good, sushi-quality rice, fish brought in daily (with sourcing information posted), and interesting non-tuna items (tuna is poke of choice) like kimchee octopus, Hawaiian-roll sliders, poke nachos and house-made crispy rice taco shells that stick in your teeth—but you still love them. Fast, friendly, and very, very good. $$ Sushi Lola’s 2902 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-8985652. sushilolas.com L-D Mon.-Sat. At this Audubon Park café, Korean chefs in the back kitchen create oven-based offerings while sushi masters assemble intricate rolls at the bar out front. The most popular offering, the Playboy Roll, features tuna, avocado and tempura shrimp, adorned with fish roe and roasted rice crackers. For a Korean dish, try the bulgogi bibimbap—marinated beef and rice. $-$$$ TaKo Cheena 932 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 321-2367457. mytakocheena.com L-D Tue.-Sun. This adventurous cuisine boasts numerous influences, from Thai to Indian to Mexican. Treat yourself to the Indian butter chicken burrito, Thai Peanut Chicken tacos, or Asian hot dogs—Chinese sweet sausage topped with kimchi or pickled daikon radish. TaKo Cheena is open till 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. $

BARBECUE

%4 Rivers Smokehouse Six Orlando-area locations 1-855-368-7748. 4rsmokehouse.com L-D Mon.-Sat. Our 2019 Readers’ Choice winner in the Barbecue and Ribs categories. The lines at 4 Rivers can get long, but the succulent barbecue sandwiches, delectable brisket and home-style sides are worth the wait. The baked cheese grits are magnificent. Owner John Rivers is the winner of our critic’s Impact Award for his continuing efforts to give back to the community. $-$$ Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que Five area locations. bubbalous.com L-D daily. This local chain is a good bet for a quick barbecue fix. Tender smoked pork is sliced Virginia-style onto soft sweet buns. Try the award-winning ribs (available with mild, hot or killer sauce) and the fried okra. $-$$ Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa 1326 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-203-0866; Lake Nona Village, 9680 N. Narcoossee Rd., Lake Nona 407-730-7376; pigfloyds. com L-D daily. Serving a combination of Latin, African and American fusion, this eatery also invokes the Caribbean roots of barbecue with barbakoa, or traditional Puerto Rican smoke cooking, full of rich flavors and tropical ingredients. It’s on delicious display in the St. Louis ribs and the matahambre smoked flank sandwich. Also try the North African chicken sausage and shrimp platter. $-$$$.

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING The Polite Pig Disney Springs, Town Center 407-9387444. disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining L-D daily.

The culinary powerhouse that is the Petrakis family trots out exemplary barbecue and more in a locally sourced, artisanal restaurant disguised as a fast food outlet. It’s all here: pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis ribs, and coffee-scented, amazingly tender brisket.

But the Pig also offers delectable surprises like a salmon BLT (with bacon jam and marinated tomato), cracklings, charred broccoli, barbecue cauliflower, chicken salad made with meat from the smoker—and even a house-brewed beer. $-$$$

CAJUN/CREOLE

Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen 2203 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-672-5753; 494 W. S.R. 436, Altamonte Springs 407-951-6928. tibbysneworleanskitchen. com L-D daily. Using family recipes, owner Brian Wheeler delivers satisfying N’Awlins cooking, with the jambalaya-crawfish-filé gumbo as the standout. Andouille sausage is king; it’s in almost every dish. $-$$

CARIBBEAN

%Bahama Breeze Five area locations. bahamabreeze.com L-D daily. A themed delight that has dominated the Caribbean category of our Dining Awards for many years, Bahama Breeze showcases interpretations of island cuisine, including jerk chicken, West Indian patties, fried plantains, and seafood paella. A terrific family dinner destination. $$-$$$

CHINESE

Chef Wang’s Kitchen 5148 W. Colonial Drive 407-9303188 L-D daily except closed Tuesday. At this hidden treasure inside a strip mall, Chef Jian Hua Wang creates memorable dishes such as deep-fried eggplant and potatoes sautéed in sweet soy sauce and garlic. Pork dumplings are simple dim sum-sized packets, perfectly pan-fried with crisp wrapping and savory filling. Other specialties range from sweet and sour shredded potatoes to a ginger steamed whole fish. Sichuan styles are represented in dan dan mein, which are hand-pulled round noodles topped with ground pork, hoisin, five spice powder and hot chili oil. $$ Ming’s Bistro 1212 Woodward St., Orlando 407-8989672 L-D daily. This out-of-the way Mills 50 spot offers dim sum worthy of San Francisco.. Feast on sesame balls, roast pork buns, shrimp dumplings and items you may not recognize (like chicken feet or jellyfish). In addition, a full menu of Hong Kong-style entrées offers enticements—order the duck. $ Peter’s Kitchen 3922 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407895-8174. peterskitchencb.business.site L-D daily except closed Wednesday. Residing in a nondescript building that has housed all manner of eateries over the years, this spot serves delicious dim sum that gets rave reviews from diners. Other menu items include squid with ginger and scallions, Peking duck, honey garlic chicken, and jumbo shrimp with walnuts. $$ P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Winter Park Village, 436 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-622-0188; The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-345-2888. pfchangs.com L-D daily. Chinese-inspired foods from the creators of Fleming’s steak house, so you know the beef dishes will be good. $$-$$$ Ẃ %Taste of Chengdu 2030 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-839-1983 facebook.com/tasteofchengdu L-D Tue.-Sun. Winner of Best Chinese from both readers and our critic for 2019. Chef Xiong “Tiger” Tang puts his authentic spin on Sichuan dishes that include the sweat-inducing seasonings of his home country, with offerings like whole lobster with peppers, brisket in chili sauce, or tofu skin with chive sauce. Tang says he gets fresh peppers—called huajiao—from his brother in the Sichuan province. $$-$$$

CREATIVE/CONTEMPORARY

1921 Mount Dora 142 E. 4th Ave., Mount Dora 352385-1921. 1921mountdora.com L Wed.-Sat.; D Tue.Sun. BR Sat.-Sun. In this small-town setting, diners are surrounded by furniture and artwork from the nearby Modernism Museum as they enjoy dishes like Ponce Inlet tilefish, seared Maine scallops and crispy duck leg. There’s also a Sunday night supper, which features main courses like Southern fried chicken, ham steak and jambalaya. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Artisan’s Table 55 W. Church St.., Orlando 407-7307499. artisanstableorlando.com B-L-D daily; BR Sat.Sun. Simple ingredients and exemplary preparation are the hallmarks of this downtown spot. Daily specials include Meatloaf Monday, Chicken and Dumplings Wednesday and Fried Chicken and Waffles Friday. And don’t miss the fish and chips, a special on Thursday. $$-$$$  Bar 17 Bistro Universal’s Aventura Hotel, 6725 Adventure Way, Orlando 407-503-6000. universal-orlando. com D daily. This 17th-floor gem boasts stunning views and an inventive menu from Chef “Mousse’’ Benhamacht. The fried rice is saturated with rich flavors, adding charred baby cornlets, crisp Brussels sprouts leaves, a fried egg and seared prosciutto ham to pan-fried rice. Choices in bao buns include braised pork belly, duck confit with turmeric citrus aioli and fantastic firecracker shrimp with a chili glaze. A great place for after-theme-park cocktails. $$-$$$ The Boheme Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, 325 S. Orange Ave., Downtown 407-313-9000. grandbohemianhotel.com B-L-D daily; BR Sun. Chef Laurent Hollaender lays out an amazing array of items for Sunday brunch, from oysters and crab legs, to waffles and omelets, to house-made charcuterie and decadent desserts. Evening fare includes sherry-baked Chilean sea bass and cognacflamed pepper steak. $$$$ Ẃ Canvas Restaurant & Market 13615 Sachs Ave., Orlando (Lake Nona) 407-313-7800. canvaslakenona. com D daily, L Sun. Canvas is a multicultural mélange of tastes, with influences of Latin, Caribbean, New Orleans, and Cuban. The pork belly and ham sandwich and the smoked fish dip are winners, as are most of the shrimp dishes. Don’t miss Canvas’ take on mussels, meaty shellfish served in a blend of tart tomatillo and spicy chili. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Café Tu Tu Tango 8625 International Drive, Orlando 407-248-2222. cafetututango.com L-D daily. Go with a group and share, as Café Tu Tu Tango’s menu is full of inventive items—all in appetizer-sized portions. Cajun chicken egg rolls and Dutch salad made with caramelized onion flatbread, dried cranberries, pine nuts and goat cheese are typical selections. $$ Ẃ Capa Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, 10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista 407-313-7777. fourseasons.com/orlando D daily.

Capa combines the joys of a true tapas bar with the depth of a premium steakhouse, offering stunning views from its 17th-floor perch. The small plates include ternera beef cheeks, strips of veal draped over bits of roasted rutabaga, and patatas bravas, small potato columns in a spicy paprika sauce. On the large side, the 32-ounce Porterhouse for two is otherworldly in size and flavor. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Chatham’s Place 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407345-2992. chathamsplace.com D Mon.-Sat. Wooden wine racks line the walls enclosing only 15 tables, creating a cozy atmosphere to enjoy high-quality dishes and attentive service. The few select items on the menu, such as the Portobello mushroom soup and duck breast entrée, intrigue the palate. $$$$ Ẃ

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Citricos Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 4401 Grand Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista 407939-3436. disney.go.com D daily. Citricos offers a unique blend of Southern European cuisine with a local Florida touch. France, Spain and Italy make an appearance on the menu. For a special treat, reserve the in-kitchen Chef’s Domain table well in advance. $$$$ Ẃ %Fig’s Prime 1188 Commerce Park Drive, Ste. 1002, Altamonte Springs 407-960-1300. figsprime.com LMon.-Fri; D nightly. Our Critic’s Choice for Undiscovered Restaurant in our 2019 Dining Awards. Chef Victor Gonzalez, a veteran of the Orlando dining scene, demonstrates a mastery of many cuisines, whether Continental, American or Caribbean. The delicious offerings range from a remarkably thick 8-ounce prime sirloin to veal scallopini to a magnificent paella. The Mediterranean seafood zuppa is crowded with lobster, calamari, clams, scallops and shrimp cooked in a zesty marinara sauce. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park 407-998-8090. thealfondinn.com B-L-D daily. At the site of the late, great Langford Hotel, standout entrees with a European flavor are created, including the olive oil poached snapper, honey glazed pork belly, and ahi tuna served over tomato and eggplant caponata. The watermelon salad is a delicious, deceptively simple palate cleanser between courses. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Itar Bistro and Market 7065 Westpoint Blvd., Orlando. 407-757-055. itarbistro.com L-D Mon-Sat. This gem combines the flavors of Italy and Argentina, with Chef Mariana Moya at the helm turning out rich, robust dishes. Try the pasticcio eggplant with Parmigiano topping, as well as the mixed grill for two, featuring Angus beef flank, short ribs and blood sausage.

The empanadas, particularly those with chicken and onion filling, are delightful. $$-$$$ K Restaurant 1701 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407872-2332. kwinebar.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. A College Park mainstay of fine American cuisine sure to please both the eye and the palate. The menu changes each day, ensuring that every dining experience will be unique, and the intimate and cozy dining room is the perfect setting for a romantic night out. $$$ Ẃ %Luke’s Kitchen and Bar 640 South Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-674-2400. eatatlukes.com L-D daily; BR Sat.-Sun. Our Critic’s Pick for Best Cocktails in the 2019 Dining Awards. The barrel-aged and draft cocktails coming from the bar are outstanding: The on-tap Jaguar, consisting of Elyx vodka, Boomsma Beerenburger and Lindsay bitters, grapefruit, apple and lime is complex enough to occupy most of the evening and complements what Luke’s calls “classically inspired libations.” In the kitchen, the creative fare from Brandon McGlamery’s team ranges from mustard breaded pork to cast-iron trout with lentils. $$$ Ẃ Luma on Park 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park 407599-4111. lumaonpark.com D nightly. Executive chef Brandon McGlamery offers fine dining with a sustainable twist, creating a changing menu that focuses on using locally sourced ingredients.

Standouts include the Idaho rainbow trout with black beluga lentils and julienned zucchini, and the roasted Ashley Farms chicken with butternut squash puree, cider-glazed Brussels sprouts and red onion marmalade. $-$$$$ Ẃ Market to Table 146 Plant St., Winter Garden 407970-8876. market2table.com D Wed.-Sat.; BR Sat.Sun. Chef Ryan Freelove offers an approachable, seasonally influenced menu focusing on fish and fowl and enhanced by house-made stocks, herb butters and sauces. Appetizers like rich crab cakes, calamari

(dressed with tangy lemon aioli), and grilled beef skewers are simple and simply well done. He serves fish robed in lemon juice and a superb airline chicken breast accompanied by potato puree and a grilled mini squash filled with beets and duck confit. Soups like the fall offering of butternut squash have great depth of flavor. $$$  MOOR Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee. 407-586-1101. marriott.com L-D daily. A one-of-a-kind dining experience on a 60-foot ship deck within a hotel. Specialty Chef Phillip Fisher oversees the dishes, including creations like she-crab soup and Gulf-caught white shrimp atop Anson Mills white corn grits. The flatbreads are special—particularly the house-smoked duck and goat cheese—as well as the chicken and waffles, using chicken from Lake Meadow Naturals made with scratch ricotta cheese and drizzled in maple syrup-reduced pan drippings. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Mrs. Potato 4550 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando 407-290-0991. mrspotato.net L-D Mon.-Sat. Winner of our 2019 critic’s Best-Dressed Potato Award. It sounds simple: grated potatoes, grilled into a saucer shape. But the Brazilian delicacy called a rosti potato originated in Switzerland, uses a national signature cheese (catupiri) developed by Italians and is way larger than you can imagine. The South American batata Suíça takes the idea of crisp hash browns and fills them with gooey, savory goodness like ham and cheese, beef stroganoff, Buffalo chicken. Rafaela Cabede’s exemplary creations have been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. $-$$ %Norman’s Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407-393-4333. normans.com D nightly. Our 2019 Critic’s Pick for Best Restaurant continues to prove the relevance of New World cuisine first championed by its namesake chef, Norman Van Aken. The menu, with flavors of the Caribbean, Pacific Rim, Latin America and Florida, comes from a continuing conversation between Van Aken and Executive Chef Andres Mendoza, producing superb dishes such as almaco jack fish in red sauce, and tempura fried octopus with squash broth. $$$$ Ẃ %The Osprey Tavern 4899 New Broad St., Orlando 407-960-7700. ospreytavern.com L Tue.-Sat., D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun. This Baldwin Park spot offers a fascinating menu that includes whole grilled branzino, bolognese, duck breast, and cottage pie with braised short ribs. The desserts and fresh-baked brunch creations from Pastry Chef Kristy Carlucci— a 2019 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame—are must-haves. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Primo JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407-393-4444. primorestaurant.com D nightly. After winning the coveted James Beard Award, Chef Melissa Kelly and her pastry-chef husband, Price Kushner, opened the Grande Lakes Marriott branch of Primo. The warm, woodsy restaurant offers items such as rack of lamb with figs, casarecce pasta with clams and mussels, roasted chicken breast with lima bean ragout, and pan-seared diver scallops with risotto. The produce comes from Primo’s on-site garden. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ The Rusty Spoon 55 W. Church St., Orlando 407401-8811. therustyspoon.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly.

Chef Kathleen Blake offers creative riffs on classic European and American dishes, while sourcing local ingredients whenever possible, at her gastropub in the 55 West building. Try the lamb sandwich or the Dirty South stew, the latter a combination of rock shrimp, yellowtail snapper and clams. Other winners: the “55” burger stuffed with bacon and Gruyere cheese, and the Lake Meadow salad of greens, eggs and chicken livers from Lake Meadow Naturals farm. $$-$$$ Ẃ

%Santiago’s Bodega 802 Virginia Dr., Orlando, 407412-6979; 1185 Spring Center South Blvd., Altamonte Springs, 407-960-2605. santiagosbodega.com L-D daily, BR Sun. This tapas-style restaurant, with its artfilled dining room and captivating lounge, captured Best Brunch from readers in our 2019 dining poll.

Santiago’s specializes in hot and cold small plates, with more than three dozen available, ranging from yellowfin tuna ceviche and lamb patties to chicken skewers and tomato and basil bruschetta. $$ Ẃ Strong Water Tavern Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, 6601 Adventure Way, Orlando 407-503-5000. loewshotels.com/sapphire-fallsresort D daily. Chef Carlos Castaño presents a dazzling menu of items from Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Colombia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico in this rum-centric small-plate restaurant disguised as a hotel lobby bar. Best bets: the Peruvian Trio, three servings of classic ceviche of corvina; beef and sweet plantain hash; pollo patron, shredded chicken atop fried green plantain slices with a spicy tomato hogao; and Jamaican curry goat. More than 60 types of rum are available from the bar, most in a three-shot tasting flight. $-$$ Ẃ %The Tasting Room 99 W Plant St., Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstableattheedgewater.com D Mon.-Sat.; BR Sun. Take your taste buds on a trip to the Bayou: Chef Kevin Tarter infuses his Louisiana upbringing into every dish at this sidekick to the adjoining Chef’s Table. The tapas-style dining includes items like smoked fish dip, fried chicken livers with smoked sausage gravy, fried green tomatoes and New Orleans shrimp and grits. The craft drinks are outstanding. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Best Appetizers in our 2019 Dining Awards. $$-$$$ Ẃ Tiffins Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneygo.com L-D daily. Within three gallery-like dining areas full of original art and artifacts from Asia and Africa, Tiffins presents adventurous dishes such as a whole-fried sustainable fish served on fermented black bean sauce with green papaya salad; and a berbere-spiced lamb chop fragrant with clove and cardamom. For appetizers, which can be a meal in themselves, don’t miss the black-eyed pea fritters or the smoky grilled octopus. $$$$ Ẃ Urbain 40 8000 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando. 407872-2640. urbain40.com L-D daily. The melting pot of tastes at this Restaurant Row standout includes bouillabaisse Provencal, an exquisite offering of Northeastern mussels, clams from Cedar Key and wild-caught shrimp in a tomato, saffron and fennel broth with a touch of Pernod. Other winners: the Angus burger with pimiento cheese, onion jam and Bearnaise sauce; a richly flavored chicken Alfredo; and a magnificent shrimp lo mein. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Victoria & Albert’s Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista 407-824-1089. victoria-alberts. com D nightly. Reserve far in advance for Orlando’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant. Award-winning Executive Chef Scott Hunnel and Chef de Cuisine Aimee Rivera prepare outstanding seven-course prix-fixe meals in the main, very intimate dining room, the 10-course splendor of dinner in Queen Victoria’s Room, and a 10-course extravaganza right in the kitchen at the Chef’s Table. $$$$ Ẃ Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill Disney Springs West Side, Lake Buena Vista 407-815-2100. wolfgangpuck.com/ dining/orlando-bar-grill L-D daily. The Grand Café that was Puck’s in name only is but a distant memory. This new venture showcases the legendary chef’s true talents as well as those of Executive Chef Michael Tiva, with standout dishes of pasta, seafood and pizza. Try

the pappardelle in traditional Bolognese meat sauce; the poached and seared Florida red snapper with clams and mussels; and Puck’s signature smoked salmon pizza. $$$-$$$$ 

CUBAN

Black Bean Deli 325 S Orlando Ave. Suite 1-1, Winter Park; 1835 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-628-0294. blackbeandeli..com L Mon.-Sat., D Mon.-Fri. This family-run eatery specializes in authentic Cuban comfort food. The Cuban sandwich, media noche, picadillo— and of course the black beans—are first rate, as are the empanadas. The creamy flan custard is a musthave to top off the meal. $ Columbia 649 Front St., Celebration 407-566-1505. columbiarestaurant.com L-D daily. The oldest restaurant chain in Florida, serving authentic, upscale Cuban fare from sangria to paella in a decidely Spanish, Old World-style dining room. The merluza “Russian style” is especially interesting. Live music plays in the tapas lounge. $$$ Ẃ Cuba Libre Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-226-1600. cubalibrerestaurant.com D nightly. In this massive setting reminiscent of a Cuban hacienda courtyard, chef/partner Guillermo Pernot offers a magnificent menu that features classic Cuban recipes as well as bold adaptations. The contemporary items include Citrus Grilled Brick Chicken in mango sweet and sour gravy. Classic Cuban items are offered as well, like Ropa Vieja—shredded beef brisket stewed with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and red wine and served with maduros and steamed white rice. $$$ Ẃ Padrino’s Cuban Bistro 13586 Village Park Drive, Orlando 407-251-5107. padrinosbistro.com L-D daily.

From the markets of 1930s Cuba to present-day Orlando, generations of the Padrino family have been nourishing people with authentic Cuban cuisine. Try the white bean “caldo gallego” soup and citrus-marinated lechon asado pork. Finish with house-made Tres Leches cake. $$ 

DESSERTS AND BAKERIES

Better Than Sex 1905 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-761-8949 betterthansexorlando.com 6 p.m.midnight Wed.-Sun. The atmosphere is decidedly sweet and sexy at this Ivanhoe Village spot. A steamy sample: Peanut Butter Perversion (peanut butter mousse on a chocolate chip cookie dough crust with salted chocolate bark). Or try the Lavender Lipstick, a honey-rimmed glass of Proseco dripping with lavender syrup. $$  Blue Bird Bake Shop 3122 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-228-3822. bluebirdbakeshop.com Open Tue.Sun. Get your sweet and coffee and have a seat, or order your bounty to go. Either way, be prepared to choose from more than two dozen varieties of cupcakes—including sweet potato, red velvet, Snickerdoodle, apricot ginger and even a chocolate Guinness beer cake. $ Buttermilk Bakery 1198 Orange Ave., Winter Park 321-422-4015. buttermilk-bakery.com B-L Tue.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. Taissa Rebroff, her brother Phillip and mom Lana bake everything that graces the everchanging menu, from the sweet croissant tarts with plum or apricot, to orange-cardamom buns, to baked Basque peppers on house-made sourdough. Delectable tea cakes, cookies and scones also make regular appearances. $

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Charlie’s Gourmet Pastries 3213 Curry Ford Road, Orlando 407-898-9561. charliesgourmetpastries. com Open Mon.-Sat. A longtime Orlando favorite, Charlie’s creates items such as checkerboard cake, rainbow cookies and mincemeat pies that have become nostalgic and forgotten treats elsewhere. There also are elephant ear pastries, cream cheese rugelach and real coconut macaroons, but it’s the overstuffed fruit pies and butter-laden cakes that have kept people coming back for 50 years. $-$$ The Cheesecake Factory 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-226-0333; 520 N. Orlando Ave, Winter Park 407-644-4220 L-D daily. The menu is extensive to say the least, with all manner of entrées and salads.

But it’s the sweets that draw diners, The signature item is cheesecake, of course, and the offerings in that area range from Oreo Dream to lemon meringue to white chocolate raspberry truffle. $$-$$$  %The Greenery Creamery 420 E. Church St., #112, Orlando 407-286-1084. thegreenerycreamery.com Open daily noon to 9 p.m. Our critic’s 2019 selection for Best Ice Cream. Consider these flavors: Cardamom rose. Chocolate orange olive oil. Black ash coconut. Consider the taste buds that developed Lady Marmalade, sweet milky ice cream with angel food cake and orange marmalade swirls. Owner and opera singer Marie Mercado uses all-natural (although sometimes unusual) ingredients and Dakin Dairy Farms milk for her small batch, handcrafted marvels of dairy and vegan treats. $ Olde Hearth Bread Co. Audubon Park retail, 407622-0822; wholesale 407-834-8881. oldehearthbreadcompany.com Mon.-Sat. Famous in Central Florida for artisanal baked goods, Shannon and Janice Talty’s company, celebrating its 20th year, makes about 18,000 pieces of bread a day, everything from pretzel rolls and braided challah to banana bread and pumpkin muffins. They supply nearly 275 business customers that include theme parks, hotels and restaurants; individuals craving the goodness can find it at Olde Hearth’s retail outlet in East End Market or at farmers markets in Winter Park and Maitland. %P Is For Pie 2806 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-7454743 crazyforpies.com 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat. This Audubon Park gem creates mouthwatering whole pies, hand pies, “pie pops’’ and more. The choices seem endless, from banana cream to caramel maple pumpkin to—wait for it—chocolate peanut butter & sea salt pie. But Stacey and Ed Tomljenovich also specialize in the savory, including a pork and chicken handpie with prosciutto; and a meat loaf, mashed potato and green beans creation. Winner of our critic’s 2019 Upper Crust Award. $-$$

EUROPEAN

%Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café 205 E. First St., Sanford 407-321-2204. willowtreecafe.com L-D daily.

Our readers’ pick for Best German in the 2019 Dining Awards, Hollerbach’s offers a vast array of beers and such hefty food choices as the Schlachthaus Platte with its veal sausage, pork meatloaf and smoked pork loin. On weekends, you’ll find a sing-along, with people locking arms and swaying back and forth to German tunes. $$-$$$$ 

FRENCH

Café de France 526 Park Ave. S., Winter Park 407647-1869. lecafedefrance.com L-D Tue.-Sat. You could easily miss this diminutive restaurant on Park Avenue’s south end—and that would be a big mistake. For nearly four decades, Dominique and German Gutierrez have delighted diners with a simple,

subtle seasonal menu featuring standouts like herbroasted rack of lamb, beef bourguignon, coq au vin and slow-roasted glazed duck. $$$ Ẃ Chez Vincent 533 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 407-599-2929. chezvincent.com L-D daily.

This charming French spot in the trendy redeveloped Hannibal Square section of Winter Park offers fine food and formal service in an elegant dining room. $$$ Ẃ %DoveCote 390 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407930-1700. dovecoteorlando.com L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. Chef Clayton Miller’s goal is to present “approachable French comfort food’’ and he delivers, with consistently superb creations that range from a killer onion soup and magnificent chicken pâté, to dishes such as short ribs and grilled chicken whose exacting technique belies their simplicity. DoveCote captured Best Wine List from our critic for 2019, with drinkmeister Gene Zimmerman devising the perfect complements to Chef Miller’s creations. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ %Le Coq Au Vin 4800 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-851-6980. lecoqauvinrestaurant.com D Tue.Sun. Winner of the 2019 Readers’ Choice Award for Best French. An Orlando mainstay since 1976, this French restaurant combines classic cuisine such as the signature coq au vin (chicken in Burgundy sauce) with Southern specialties—New Orleansstyle gumbo and boudin sausage do have French roots, after all. $$$ Ẃ

GREEK

The Greek Corner 1600 N. Orange Ave, Orlando 407 228-0303. thegreekcorner.net L-D daily. This Ivanhoe Village favorite offers an abundance of Greek specialties, ranging from lamb kebobs and chops to baked dishes like pastitsio and moussaka. For lunch, try the gyro or souvlaki. $-$$$ %Taverna Opa Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-351-8660. tavernaoparestaurant. com L-D daily. This 12-year-old I-Drive mainstay scored a trifecta among readers in our 2019 Dining Awards poll, capturing Best Restaurant, Best Greek and Best Late-Night Dining. It’s a fun spot—there’s lively music, belly dancing, dancing among diners and napkin-throwing. But Taverna also pays attention to the menu, with selections like branzino (the European sea bass), slow-roasted lamb, Nisiotiko (“the Greek paella’’), and moussaka.. $$-$$$$ Ẃ

INDIAN

Aashirwad Indian Restaurant 7000 S. Kirkman Road Orlando 407-370-9830 aashirwadrestaurant. com L-D daily. This I-Drive restaurant focuses on northern Indian dishes. The familiar favorites are all here—samosas, chicken tandoori, chicken tikka—as well as intriguing selections such as chicken shakuti (anise-flavored poultry cooked in coconut-based masala gravy). There are also a dozen vegetarian choices, from tadka daal (yellow lentils cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices) to methi malai mutter (green peas in a creamy gravy with fenugreek leaf). $$ Bombay Café 1137 Doss Ave., Orlando 407-240-5151. bombaycafeorlando.net L-D daily. Located near Florida Mall, this casual spot offers a variety of Indian favorites. Of particular note: the crispy, crunchy Indian snack known as chaat; and the south Indian dosa, a folded pancake filled with ingredients such as peas, onion, tomatoes and lentil chutney. Curries include khoya kaju, cashews cooked in a creamy sauce. $

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Rasa 7730 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-9300402. eatatrasa.com L-D daily. This eatery along Restaurant Row aims to broaden our concept of Indian food, creating marvelous dishes from the country’s southern region, as well as Chinese-influenced cuisine. A great way to experience the dishes is with the South Indian thali, or platter, with its variety of offerings ranging from poriyal (a dry spice blend surrounding fresh okra) to sambhar (a lentil-based vegetable dish flavored with tamarind). Other best bets: iddly Manchurian, a Chinese-influenced lentil cake, and dosa, crepes wrapped tortilla style around vegetables. $$.  %Tamarind 501 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 149, Winter Park 321-207-0760; 12309 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-237-0920. tamarindfl.com L-D daily. Owner/ Chef Amit Kumar uses slow-roasted spices to create out-of-this-world flavors at this jewel, selected Best Indian cuisine by our readers in the 2019 Dining Awards. The Goan shrimp curry, Kashmiri aloo (potatoes in yogurt curry) and palak paneer (spinach and curd cheese) are standouts, as is the tandoori chicken.

Save room for kulfi, a heavenly dessert. $$-$$$

IRISH

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant Downtown Disney, 1640 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-938-0300. raglanroadirishpub.com L-D daily.

This Irish-themed megapub inspired by celebrity chef Kevin Dundon is not to be missed. A sure bet is Kevin’s Heavenly Ham, oven-roasted ham with an Irish Mist glaze with potato cakes and braised cabbage. Add a brew from the extensive beer menu and stay a while to enjoy the joyous music and dancing. $$$ Ẃ

ITALIAN

Antonio’s 611 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-6451035 antoniosonline.com L-D daily. In the dining room upstairs, Chef Patrick Tramontana offers entrees like Pollo Marsala, or braised lamb shank with Parmesan risotto and sweet peas., while the informal cafe and market downstairs boasts a variety of pizzas, salads, meats, pastas and more. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Bice Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-503-1415. biceorlando. com D nightly. Tucked into an upstairs corner at the Portofino, Bice brings Orlando the seductive pastas, risottos and entrées that have made the chain an Italian favorite in numerous locations around the world. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Cala Bella Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-996-3663. calabellarestaurant. com D nightly. Stimulating Italian fare, including great risotto and lamb chops, is served in a beautiful dining room at this sprawling hotel. The desserts are fabulous, too. $$$$ Ẃ Christini’s Ristorante Italiano Dr. Phillips Marketplace, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Dr. Phillips 407-3458770. christinis.com D nightly. Owner Chris Christini has wowed diners with his meticulously prepared old-school menu since 1984. The Linguine alla Genovese Is a perfectly balanced pasta dish with pesto sauce and distinct flavors of garlic and pine nuts, while Chicken Scaloppine al Marsala combines rich wine sauce with sauteed mushrooms and a thinpounded chicken cutlet. $$$$ Ẃ Enzo’s on the Lake 1130 S. 17-92, Longwood 407834-9872. enzos.com L Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Antipasti of roasted vegetables, marinated seafood and imported salamis begin the feasting at Enzo’s, a longtime family-owned Italian restaurant in a lakeside house. Dover sole, rarely seen on today’s menus, is a specialty. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

%Francesco’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-960-5533, francescos-rist. com L-D Mon.-Sat. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Best Italian in the 2019 Dining Awards. The pizza is primo at Owner/Chef Francesco Aiello’s restaurant, whether you choose the simple Margherita or load it with carne or vegetables. Other standouts include the spaghetti alla carbonara and the pollo Siciliano, a chicken breast sautéed in a mix of capers, artichokes and garlic and wine sauce. $$-$$$ La Luce 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando 407-597-3600. laluceorlando.com D daily. West Coast Italian stylings come to Orlando in this signature restaurant started by celebrity chef Donna Scala.

Best selections include bite-size polpette meaballs and the Tuscan ragu and lamb. House-made pastas and high-end ingredients are a hallmark. $$-$$$ Ẃ Nonno’s Ristorante Italiano 1140 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 407-260-8900. nonnositalianrestaurant.com L Tue.-Sat., D Tues.-Sun. Pasta, seafood, veal and chicken populate the menu here, and the genial Stefano LaCommare and son Lenny do very well with all of them. Classic eggplant parm is a massive serving of breaded eggplant smothered in tomato sauce and cheese and cooked in the oven.

The monkfish special features firm white fish topped with capers, pine nuts, olives and chopped tomato.

For an appetizer try the bruschetta topped with caponata, a delicious mélange of eggplant olives, onions and celery. $$-$$$ Peperoncino Cucina 7998 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando 407-440-2856 peperoncinocucina.com L-D daily. The husband-wife chef team of Barbara Alfano and Danilo Martorano provide a delicious slice of Southern Italy with an array of fish and meat entrees, pasta and risotto. But their antipasti and stuzzicherie (starters and appetizers) are particularly magnificent, ranging from tiny burratini cheese with ripe tomatoes and house-spiced, thin-sliced pastrami to fried risotto arancini balls and Calabrese roasted eggplant. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Pizza Bruno 3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando. pizzabrunofl.com D daily, L Sat., BR Sun. Bruno Zacchini’s tiny eatery is a draw not only for your average pizza lover but also local kitchen celebs seeking the goodness of his Neapolitan soft dough pie. Zacchini keeps it simple—crushed plum tomatoes and fresh cheese for a pizza subtle in taste and a great base for toppings including hot soppressata, clams and woodfired pineapple. $-$$ Prato 124 N. Park Ave, Winter Park 407-262-0050 prato-wp.com L Wed.-Sun.; D daily. From Luma executive chef Brandon McGlamery comes Prato, a trendy, communal spot with inventive offerings like pretzel-encrusted calamari, shrimp ravioli, oakroasted trout and a variety of pizzas. $$-$$$ Ẃ %Retro Station 5749 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee 407-219-9299 retrostationrestaurant. com D daily except closed on Tuesday. The Readers’ Choice for Best Pizza in our 2019 Dining Awards. The offerings at this spot in the Highway 192 tourist area range from basic the All You Need Is Meat (ground beef, salami and pepperoni) to the Portuguesa (ham, onions, black olives, tomatoes, boiled eggs and oregano). Retro Station also offers a wide selection of main dishes like chicken parmesan, salmon alfredo and shrimp scampi. $$ Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar 400 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-644-7770. roccositaliangrille.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Guests can expect a true Italian experience from owner-chef Rocco Potami. Part of that experience, set in a vintage 1940s building, involves indulging in multiple courses, otherwise known

as primo e secondo piatti. Diners are encouraged to arrive hungry—very hungry. Menu standouts include the Scaloppine di vitello alla Rocco—veal scaloppini topped with roasted red peppers, prosciutto and Fontina cheese, deglazed with white wine and finished with a rich demi glace sauce. $$$. Ẃ Terralina Crafted Italian The Landing at Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista 407-934-8888 terralinacrafteditalian.com L-D daily. Chef Tony Mantuano offers exquisite Italian cuisine in a glass conservatory overlooking Lake Buena Vista. The food focus is Rome and parts south, with delicate pastas and savory pizza, grilled seafood and tender mozzarella.

Mantuano re-creates flavors his grandmother introduced to him, and “Nonna’s pork ragu” turns up on delightful hand-rolled gnocchi. Executive Chef Justin Plank excels, with offerings like seafood cannelloni, loaded with shrimp, scallops, salmon, mahi, swordfish, sweet corvina, and mascarpone cheese, wrapped in pasta and baked in a lobster cream sauce with lemon zest and mozzarella. $$$. Ẃ

JAPANESE

Amura 55 W. Church St., Downtown Orlando 407316-8500; Plaza Venezia, 7786 W. Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-370-0007; Colonial Town Plaza, 950 Market Promenade Ave., Lake Mary 407-936-6001. amura.com L Mon.-Sat.; D nightly. Three of Orlando’s hippest sushi houses, the downtown location casual, the others modern and suave. $$$ Banshoo Sushi Bar Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando 407-996-9840. rosecentre. com D nightly. Chef Yoshi Kohazame combines the

simplicity of a Japanese sushi roll with ingredient combinations that suggest an American flair. The masterpiece of his kitchen is the rice. And he will offer you recommendations based on your previously ordered dish. Top the night off with a Banshoo Sunset Punch cocktail. $$ %Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-960-1228. domufl.com D daily; BR Sat.-Sun. This Audubon Park hotspot, located in East End Market, offers a modern take on a traditional ramen bar. Be prepared to wait— 90 minutes most nights; they don’t take reservations—but know that the wait is worth it. Chef/owner Sonny Nguyen cooks up a sterling assortment of pork, chicken and vegetable broth ramen with housemade noodles, as well as otherworldly crispy wings in kimchi butter. And the grilled octopus dish may be the best-tasting bargain in town. Winner of our dining critic’s 2019 Empire-Building Award (Nguyen has opened a second restaurant and more are on the way), as well as Readers’ Choice for Best Ramen. $$ Dragonfly Robata Grill 7972 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando 407-370-3359. dragonflysushi.com/orlando D daily. Executive chef Ray Hideaki Leung’s 1,000-degree grill imparts a quick outer crisp and sublime taste to squid, mackerel, ribeye, lamb chops and a variety of other meats and fish. The sushi and sashimi selections are plentiful: The signature Classic roll with albacore tuna, whiite fish and scallions is sauced, then baked, for a combination of sweet, spicy and savory.

Dragonfly has one of the best happy hours around. $$-$$$$ Ẃ

2019

DINING AWARDS READERS CHOICE

The votes are in & Cocina 214 is a fan fave!

Best Mexican/Tex-Mex 1st place Best Happy Hour 1st place Best Place for Cocktails 1st place Best Appetizers 2nd place

Thanks for all the Votes!

Come try our AwardWinning Menu!

451 S. Atlantic Ave Daytona Beach, FL 32118 407.790.7997

cocina214.com

151 E Welbourne Ave Winter Park, FL 32789 386.456.3168

DINE | JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 85

DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Kabooki Sushi 3122 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407228-3839; 7705 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando kabookisushi.com D daily. Chef/Owner Henry Moso has a passion for Japanese culture that is reflected in his inventive menu: Kazan scallops with a spicy green peppercorn coconut sauce, and tempura duck breast with Thai basil sauce. Sushi offerings are equally creative—kokonutsu lobster roll combines tempura lobster, creamy avocado, salty roe, citrus, honey, soy and toasted coconut. $$$ %Kadence 1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando kadenceorlando.com B Sat.; L Thu.-Sat.; D Tue.-Sat. Our Critic’s Pick for Best Japanese in the 2019 Dining Awards.

From this tiny eatery in Audubon Park, Mark Vyan Berdin, Lordfer Lalicon and Jennifer Bañagale create culinary jewels like Japanese skipjack and salmon roe, deep red bonito and pearly cuttlefish. The challenges are learning to literally “trust the chef” (the meaning of omakase)—and to get one of the nine seats. Fortunately, pre-ordered takeaway chirashi bowls are available for lunch and dinner. Kadence is an anomaly, a big-city, big-ticket treasure that succeeds because of, and in spite of, its uniqueness. Reserve online. $$$$ %Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Seven area locations. kobesteakhouse.com D daily. A perennial Readers’ Choice for Best Japanese. Teppanyaki chefs grill a variety of meat and seafood dishes as well as vegetables and fried rice right at your table. That always entertaining spectacle may be why our readers also picked Kobe as Best Family-Friendly Restaurant for 2019. $$$  %Seito Sushi 4898 New Broad St., Orlando 407898-8801; seitosushi.com L-D daily. Voted Best Sushi by readers in our 2019 Dining Awards. At Seito, owner Jason Chin and Executive Chef Huy Tin have elevated sushi and Pan-Asian dining to a delicious new level.

The ramen bowls are slow-cooked, heady broths swimming with braised meats, eggs and superb noodles. Teriyaki chicken and bulgogi, grilled marinated Korean beef, also are winners. The chirashi items are beautiful arrangements of seasonal fish atop seasoned sushi rice—and some of the best plates in Orlando. Also, try the eel topped with charred Asian pear. $$-$$$. Ẃ Shari Sushi Lounge 621 E. Central Blvd., Thornton Park 407-420-9420. sharisushilounge.com L Mon.Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. The food, the atmosphere and the diners are all stylish at Shari Sushi, which presents a variety of cutting-edge rolls, sashimi, and tempura. $$-$$$ Shin Sushi and Sake Bar 803 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-648-8000. shinsushi.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. The closest thing we have to a neighborhood sushi bar. Four Japanese chefs own and operate this North Quarter spot, serving some of Orlando’s most authentic sushi. Extensive selection of sakes. $$$ Ẃ Sushi Pop 310 West Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo 407-542-5975; 115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park 321-203-2282. sushipoprestaurant.com D Tue.-Sun. This hip spot is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Giant screens play Japanese anime while waiters dressed in anime or glam-rock styles deliver eye-popping dishes like the Anaconda roll, boasting avocado, eel and tempura shrimp, or the Harvest Duck, served atop a green bean and stuffing casserole. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Yamasan Sushi & Grill 1606 N. Mills Ave., Orlando.

407-228-1730. yamasanorlando.com L-D daily. This trendy entry on the Mills 50 dining scene turns out fabulous sushi, tempura, udon bowls and mushi soups. $-$$

Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando 407597-3600. hiltonbonnetcreek.com/dining/zeta-barsushi-lounge D daily. Whether you’re gathering for lively conversation or to catch your favorite game, this sophisticated hotel spot offers an abundance of traditional and signature sushi rolls, sashimi and noodles, along with innovative hand-crafted cocktails, wines and beer. $$-$$$ Ẃ

KOREAN

BBB Tofu House 5140 W. Colonial Drive 407-7238299 L-D daily except closed Wednesday. Tucked away in Chinatown Plaza is this gem, with Chef-Owner Tony Teng serving up a feast of Korean delights like bulgogi (thin-sliced marinated sirloin); cheese buldak (spicy chicken topped with mozzarella); and a variety of Korean BBQ combos. BBB also offers excellent soon tofu soup, with seafood, short ribs, ramen, dumplings and more as options. Every meal comes with an assortment of house-made side dishes called banchan, ranging from kimchi and pepper-basted turnip to bean sprouts and citrus-dressed shredded cabbage. $$-$$$  Seoul Garden 511 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland 407-5995199 L-D daily except Wednesday. Standard grilled meat bulgogi barbecue, served with all those little side dishes, is here, but there’s also a world of other traditional dishes to be explored. Order the seafood pancake for an invigorating combination of simple seafood and fiery kimchi. $$ Shin Jung 1638 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-8957345. shinjungkorean.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly.

From the grills in the center of the tables to the five types of kimchi that accompany meals, Shin Jung is authentic Korean all the way. Daeji bulgogi is tender pork in a sweet-spicy sauce. $$

LATIN/SPANISH

%Bem Bom on Corrine 3101 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-960-5101. facebook.com/bembomoncorrine L-D Tue.-Sun. Our readers’ pick for Best New Restaurant in the 2019 Dining Awards. Chef/Owner Chico Mendonca has transferred the goodness of his Portuguese food truck to this bricks-and-mortar location in Audubon Park. Try the Rockin’ Tacos, Carnitas Tacos, piri piri chicken, and the papo secos rolls—a Portuguese favorite that Mendonca serves with nearly every dish. Another offering that the faithful crave: Bem Bom fries, tossed with Thai chilies, Thai basil, white truffle oil and Parmigiano Reggiano. $$-$$$ Bulla Gastrobar 110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 321-214-6120. bullagastrobar.com L-D daily. Bulla satisfies with a tasty lineup of Spanish tapas, entrees and libations. Among the standout tapas: chili and garlic infused gambas a ajillo shrimp and the huevos “Bulla,” a fried egg on crisp potatoes with Serano ham and potato foam. The large plates include an excellent seafood paella, cooked to order with the coveted soccarat, the browned crusted rice touching the pan. $-$$$$ Ẃ Cevíche Tapas Bar and Restaurant 125 W. Church St., Orlando 321-281-8140. ceviche.com D Tue.-Sat. A multitude of hot and cold tapas, plus paellas and cazuelas, are served in the styles of Northern Spain and Catalan in this upscale Church Street mainstay. $-$$$ Ẃ El Inka Grill 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407930-2810. elinkagrill.com L-D daily. Chef-Owner Ivan Colombier draws on European influences for a culinary lineup that spotlights fish, ceviche and potatoes. Try the tagliatelle pasta, served coated in pesto with grilled chicken or skirt steak. Another winning

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dish is the sampler of causas, a column of pureed potato topped with chopped chicken salad, shrimp and octopus. Ceviches wear all manner of colorful frocks: white fish in red pepper sauce; salmon in citrus; grilled lobster marinated in intense aji amarillo peppers. $$-$$$  %Mango’s Tropical Café 8126 International Drive, Orlando 407-673-4422. mangos.com/orlando D daily. Our Readers’ Choice winner for Best Entertainment/Live Music in the 2019 Dining Awards. Mango’s dinner show with singers, dancers and a live band begins at 7 and runs continuously through the evening.

The “Floribbean’’ menu includes churrasco steak with shrimp au gratin and grilled salmon with mango salsa.

Late at night Mango’s transforms into a DJ-led dance floor spread among eight bars. $$$  %Peru Power Food Truck 407-790-8863. facebook. com/perupowerfoodtruck Chosen by readers as Best Latin and Best Food Truck in the 2019 Dining Awards.

Fernando and Carroll Melgarejo’s truck has become a familiar sight around Central Florida, offering delights like fish and calamari tacos, potato-and-fried-eggstacked burgers, and ceviche. Their Facebook page is kept up to date, informing fans where they’ll be next.

A second food truck, Jama, serves a different menu of Peruvian street food, including fried pork belly over mac ‘n’ cheese. $-$$ %Tapa Toro 8441 International Drive, Orlando 407226-2929 tapatoro.restaurant L-D daily. Voted Best Spanish Restaurant by readers in our 2019 Dining Awards, with Chef Frank Galeano also capturing the Best Chef category among the diners. Tapas are a big draw here, as well as paella, with versions of the rice dish showcasing seafood, as well as chicken and lamb. But Galeano also emphasizes healthful selections like a roasted eggplant “steak’’ with cauliflower, capers, kale and raisins, as well as an herbed chicken sandwich with grilled vegetables and red pepper aioli. $$-$$$ Ẃ

MEDITERRANEAN

%Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine Four Orlando-area locations. bosphorousrestaurant.com L-D daily.

Chosen by readers as Best Middle Eastern cuisine in our 2019 Dining Awards. Turkish specialties from frothy tarama (whipped caviar) to falafel, along with entrees like chargrilled chicken patties and lamb shanks with vegetables are highlights at this familyowned restaurant. Bosphorous has locations in Winter Park, Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona and, most recently, Winter Garden. $$-$$$ Cedar’s Plaza Venezia, 7732 W. Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-351-6000. orlandocedars.com L-D daily.

Cedar’s gives Middle Eastern cuisine the respect it deserves, graciously serving high-quality standards, from a smoky baba ghannouj to lamb kebabs, in an upscale atmosphere. $$-$$$ Ẃ The H Cuisine 7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407930-3020. thehcuisine.com L-D Tue.-Sun. At this new hotspot just off Restaurant Row, three resident chefs craft a menu inspired by Turkish cuisine with European influences. The H prides itself on tableside preparation, including a Chateau tender filet for two seared in butter. The most flamboyant offering is strozzapretti, an Italian pasta specialty unique in Orlando to this restaurant. Hand-rolled cavatelli are flambéd in strong spirits inside a massive, carved-out barrel of Parmigiano Reggiano with wild mushrooms and bits of ham for a creamy, cheese-abundant dish. Also noteworthy: monkfish dressed in broth and accompanied by potatoes and seasonal vegetables. $$$$ 

Villa de Flora Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee 407-586-1114. gaylordpalms.com B-D daily; BR Sun. Make your way around the Mediterranean market-like buffet and enjoy such dishes as Valencian seafood paella, osso buco with gremolata, and chicken cacciatore. Villa de Flora also has one of the more popular Sunday brunches in the area. $$$ Ẃ

MEXICAN/TEX-MEX

Agave Azul 4750 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando 407704-6930; 900 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 321972-3414. agaveazulorlando.com L-D daily. A bountiful menu ranging from Fajitas de Camaron (grilled shrimp sauteed with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms) to Arrachera (grilled marinated skirt steak, topped with chimicurri sauce). Agave Azul also offers lots of drink choices—as in more than 100 brands of tequila to choose from. $-$$$ Black Rooster Taqueria 1323 Mills Ave.., Orlando.

407-601-0994. blackroostertaqueria.com L-D Tue.Sun. At this this farm-to-taco eatery in the Mills 50 District, John Calloway creates hand-pressed corn tortillas and emphasizes savory rather than spicy.

Crispy red grouper tacos—beer-battered fish piled with pickled cabbage, avocado and fresh cilantro— are one of the richly flavored delights. Also try the smoky achiote pork, slow cooked in a banana leaf for 36 hours and layered with pickled onion, cilantro and a fruity, mellow habanero salsa. $-$$ %Cocina 214 151 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park 407-790-7997. cocina214.com L-D daily. This restaurant just off Park Avenue is a perennial winner for Best Mexican among readers in our annual Dining Awards—2019 makes the eighth year in a row it has topped the category, and Cocina also captured reader wins for Cocktails (superb Margaritas) and Happy Hour. The extensive menu includes entrees like achiote rotisserie chicken and corn-crusted mahi, as well as a variety of tacos, burritos, enchiladas and flautas. And the annual Running of the Chihuahas each May is a hoot. $$$ Ẃ Frontera Cocina Disney Springs Town Center 407560-9197. fronteracocina.com L-D daily. Chef Rick Bayless, an eight-time James Beard Award winner, creates true Mexican fare, with delights like carne asada, Black Angus steak steeped in garlic and red chilies; tortas, a crusty bread roll stuffed with achiote-seasoned pork shoulder; and coctel verde, shrimp and scallops dressed ceviche-style in lime, avocado and sharp pepper-tomatillo salsa. Don’t miss the delicious sikil pak, a spicy Yucatecan pumpkin seed dip. $$-$$$$  %Hunger Street Tacos 2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-444-6270. hungerstreettacos.com L-D Mon.-Sat., BR Sat. Brothers Joseph and David Creech, winners of our critic’s 2019 Rising Stars Award, present delectable tacos, quesadillas and tostadas that define the real Mexico. Try the suadero, seared marinated brisket with cilantro, lime and an avocadotomatillo sauce. Two taco offerings that leap from classic to fusion are the “Grilled Cheese,’’ melding halloumi, refried beans, Serrano-lime salsa and mint; and a panko-fried avocado wedge, served with shredded cabbage, pepper-lime crema and queso cotija. $-$$ Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-996-9939. rosenshinglecreek.com L-D daily. This gem dazzles with Mexican dishes crafted by Hawaiian-born chef Cameron Hostellero. The Flounder Vera Cruz boasts lightly coated fish topped with flaked crab, avocado and slaw. The filet tostada features a chipotle-pepper-

rubbed Angus filet atop fried tortillas layered with Manchango cheese and salsa rojo. The giant margaritas are a must. $$-$$$  Reyes Mezcaleria 821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407868-9007. reyesmex.com L Mon-Fri; D daily; BR Sat.Sun. Restaurateur Jason Chin (Seito Sushi, The Osprey Tavern) ventures into Mexican cuisine in downtown’s North Quarter, and the results are impressive. What he calls “regionally inspired Mexican cuisine’’ includes offerings like tacos stuffed with crispy fish; hamachi tostadas with salmon roe, lime aioli and crushed peanut chile oil; chicken mole with roasted cauliflower and baby carrots; and whole or fileted line-caught snapper with roasted tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon and rice. $$-$$$  Tijuana Flats Multiple area locations. tijuanaflats. com L-D daily. From humble beginnings in Winter Park, Tijuana Flats has spread across Florida and beyond. Using the freshest ingredients—and making an amazing array of hot sauces available—quesadillas, crispy tacos and of course flour tortillas keep diners coming back. $

SANDWICHES

%Bad As’s Sandwich 207 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-757-7191 badasssandwiches.com Open daily. Winner of both the critic’s and readers’ picks for Best Sandwiches in the 2019 Dining Awards. John Collazo’s neighborhood sandwich shop is a required stop if you’re looking for terrific, boldly flavored combinations in handhelds. Try the signature Bad As’s sandwich with its stack of well-seasoned beef, pork, chicken, Havarti cheese, pickled onions and garlic aioli.

A frequent special is the Capone, a mouthwatering Italian collection of mortadella, capocollo, ham, chorizo, Fontina cheese and basil-manchego aioli. Servings are large—and multi-napkin juicy. $ Beefy King 424 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-8942241. beefyking.com B-L Mon.-Sat. Nobody would enter the circa-1960s Beefy King on a whim, but they’d miss moist and tender roast beef, pastrami, turkey and ham cooked on premises and served from a steam table just like in the delis of old. $ The Deli Downtown 18 N. Boyd St., Winter Garden 407-347-3873. thedelidowntownwg.com L daily; D Mon.-Sat. Chef Joseph Burnett is creating casual masterpieces in downtown Winter Garden, including sandwiches, soups and salads. The Buffalo chicken sandwich is a magnificent combination of tender beer-braised chicken, fragrant Marbleu blue Monterey Jack cheese, house-pickled celery and house-made ranch and Buffalo sauce. Other winning sandwich combinations: carved roast beef and horseradish; pulled pork and Oaxaca cheese; and jack fruit with whiskey barbecue sauce. $ %Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria 67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-894-0865. pompomsteahouse.com L-D daily (open 24 hours Fri.-Sat.).

This Milk District favorite offers two dozen inventive sandwiches and an array of salads. Try the Fu Man Chu sandwich, a wild combination of Asian-spiced pulled pork, goat cheese and ginger-cranberry chutney. Chef/Owner Pom Moongauklang is a 2019 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame. $ %TooJay’s Gourmet Deli Six area locations. toojays.com L-D daily. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Best Deli in our 2019 Dining Awards.

TooJay’s serves up thick corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches, along with house-made salads.

Comfort food like shepherd’s pie, pot roast and meatloaf also is in abundance. The chocolate Killer Cake is legendary. $-$$

SEAFOOD

Bonefish Grill Eight area locations. bonefishgrill.com D nightly. From the folks who brought us Outback, this is a casual seafood chain with a sleek edge. Fish selections are seared over oak and topped with sauces like mango salsa or garlic-gorgonzola butter. $$-$$$ %deep blu seafood grille Wyndham Grand Orlando, Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando 407-390-2420. deepbluorlando.com D nightly.

Our Readers’ Choice winner for Best Seafood, Best Hotel Restaurant and Best Service in the 2019 Dining Awards. Deep blu shines with an inventive menu that features selections like lobster with seafood stuffing, blu crab crusted grouper, and seafood Cioppino. Or try the black and blu linguine: Squid ink is blended with the pasta to create silky, black strands, which Chef Wade McLamb mixes with fresh blue crab, arugula, cherry tomatoes and tops with shaved parmesan. A must-order is the blu crab mac n’ cheese. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ %Eddie V’s 7488 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-355-3011. eddiev.com D nightly. Seafood is the specialty of the kitchen, where moist grouper simply sauteed in garlic is given the same attention as an intricate lemon sole coated in a Parmesan crust. But steaks also stand out, from the center-cut filet mignon to the huge 22-ounce charred ribeye. The side dish menu includes crab fried rice, an entrée in itself, but a must-try is the truffled macaroni and cheese.

Eddie V’s also boasts a dazzling happy hour menu, including lollipop lamb chops, lump crab cake, and Kung Pao Calamari. Our 2019 Readers’ Choice for Best Restaurant for a Business Dinner. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ FishBones 6707 Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-3520135; 7005 County Road 46A, Lake Mary 407-5812399. fishbonesorlando.com D nightly. FishBones serves just-caught seafood along with aged steaks and prime rib in a relaxed yet refined Key Westthemed dining room. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Flying Fish Disney’s Boardwalk, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463 disneyworld.disney.go.com D daily.

The cuisine created by Chef Tim Majoras, our Critic’s Choice as Best Chef in the 2019 Dining Awards, is magnificent, with the menu adapting to the seasons and availability. Items like St. Augustine soft shell crab, Cedar Key clams and rock shrimp take full advantage of local specialties. The Hokkaido scallops with grits, sweet corn and peppadew is superb. $$$$ Ẃ %Hemingway’s One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando 407-239-1234. grandcypress.hyatt.com D daily. This Keys-themed restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has delighted diners for more than three decades. The shrimp scampi is impressive—jumbo tiger shrimp with pappardelle pasta and fried green tomatoes in white wine butter sauce. Other winners include the Seafod Paella Valencia and the crab cakes served with sweet corn coconut grits. And you must stop by the bar so that Fred Rhode, a 2019 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame, can craft you a Papa Doble—spiced rum, Bacardi, orange and pineapple. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Johnnie’s Hideaway 12551 State Road 535, Orlando 407-827-1111. johnnieshideaway.com D nightly. This modern Caribbean-styled dining room serves simply prepared quality steaks and fresh fish to emphasize old Florida and Floribbean cuisine. Johnnie’s is complete with a lakeside Hideaway Tiki Deck & Raw Bar. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Ocean Prime Rialto, 7339 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-781-4880. ocean-prime.com D nightly.

Superb seafood and steaks are presented in a supper club atmosphere, while jazz plays in the artistically lit piano bar. The surf and turf boasts a filet, butter-poached lobster tail, gouda potato cake and chili seared spinach. The sea scallops with Parmesan risotto is another winner, as is the black truffle macaroni and cheese. $$$$ Ẃ The Oceanaire Seafood Room Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-363-4801. theoceanaire.com D nightly. More than 25 species of fish and shellfish are flown in daily. The wine list is tailored for pairings with seafood, and the vintage ocean liner décor complements the nautical menu. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Paddlefish Disney Springs, 407-934-2628 paddlefishrestaurant.com L-D daily. Aboard a docked paddleboat that was once Fulton’s Crab House, this Disney standout’s menu is extensive, with charred octopus and lobster corn dogs among the starters. The main courses include scallops with brown butter, cauliflower puree, crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon; and the market catch with Macadamia nut crust, red curry and crab fried rice. There’s all manner of seafood boils as well, and landlubbers can opt for a steak, chops or chicken. $$$$ Ẃ Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen 1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-543-3474. reelfishcoastal.com L Tue.-Fri.; D Tues.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. At Reel Fish, in the former Ravenous Pig location, restaurant veteran Fred Thimm takes an upscale fish camp vibe and runs with it. The restaurant’s takes on “fish camp classics’’—fried shrimp, scallops, oysters or fish—are flawlessly cooked, with a slightly salted batter. The fish dip boasts flaked trout mixed with matchsticks of green apple. $$-$$$  Todd English’s bluezoo Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 407-934-1111. swananddolphin.com D nightly. Chef/ TV personality Todd English runs this contemporary seafood restaurant. The over-the-top design sets the stage for the menu’s “coastal cuisine,” essentially a fusion of flavors from the U.S., Europe and Asia. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Winter Park Fish Company 761 Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-622-6112 thewinterparkfishco.com L-D Mon.-Sat. With signature seasonings and housemade sauces, this quick-service restaurant is a must for any seafood lover. The wine list features a selection of California wines to enhance any meal. Be sure to try the lobster roll and the savory hushpuppies. $$-$$$ Ẃ

SOUTHERN

%The COOP 610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park 407843-2667. asouthernaffair.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat. Voted Best Southern by readers in our 2019 Dining Awards. 4 Rivers barbecue king John Rivers’ venture into fried chicken, catfish and other down-home cuisine has produced pretty much perfection. Some standouts: fried green tomatoes on a BLT, housemade pimento cheese, Low Country shrimp and grits, and chicken ‘n waffles. Yum. $-$$ Highball & Harvest Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407393-4422. ritzcarlton.com B-L-D daily. Scrumptious Southern fare is on the menu, including Cast-Iron Quail with Hoppin’ John, and Brown Butter Trout.

Other winners are the shrimp and grits, and The Southern Spread—an assortment of pimento cheese, pickles and smoked fish dip. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ House of Blues Downtown Disney, 1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-934-2623. hob. com L-D daily; BR Sun.. For a casual bite to eat at

Downtown Disney, this Southern-Soul restaurant does the trick. Opt for the fried shrimp po’ boy or the jambalaya, and reserve time for the famous buffet Gospel Brunch on Sundays. $$ Ẃ Soco-Southern Contemporary Cuisine 629 East Central Blvd., Orlando 407-849-1800 socothorntonpark.com D daily; BR Sun. Chef Greg Richie delivers delicious down-home cuisine highlighted by creative twists, including lobster, shrimp and grits; pecan-crusted pork chop; buttermilk fried chicken; molasses-braised short ribs; and fried pickled oysters.

There’s also an impressive lineup of craft cocktails. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

STEAK HOUSES

Bull & Bear Waldorf Astoria Orlando, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando 407-597-5500. bullandbearorlando.com D nightly. Handsome furnishings, including sparkling chandeliers and a coffered ceiling, give the Bull & Bear space a club-like ambience. Offerings include beef short ribs braised in Syrah wine; Chateaubriand for two; oak plank salmon; and panroasted Colorado lamb. $$$$ Ẃ The Capital Grille Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-370-4392; The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-351-2210. thecapitalgrille.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly. Dry-aged steak, doting service and a 300-plus-label wine list are the calling cards of this upscale steakhouse. Try creative alternatives such as Kona-crusted sirloin with caramelized shallot butter. The classic décor is D.C.centric—you’ll expect to see a senator dining nearby. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Charley’s Steak House 2901 Parkway Blvd. Suite A1, Kissimmee 407-396-6055; 8255 International Drive, Orlando 407-363-0228. charleyssteakhouse.com D nightly. Charley’s custom-built pit gives steak, chicken, chops and fish a distinctive flavor, and a list of over 800 wine selections makes for the ultimate steakhouse experience. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster 729 Lee Road, Orlando 407-645-4443. christnersprimesteakandlobster.com D Mon.-Sat. Year in and year out, readers pick Christner’s as the city’s best steak house: They were tops once again in our 2019 Dining Awards poll, and also captured the Best Old Favorite category.

Owners Carole, David and Alice Christner serve USDA Prime, corn-fed Midwestern beef and Australian cold-water lobster tails in a masculine, woodsy atmosphere. There’s also a 6,500-bottle wine cellar and an extensive single-malt scotch collection. $$$ Ẃ Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House 9150 International Drive, Orlando. 407-351-5074 delfriscos. com L Mon.-Fri.; D daily. Offering prime steak and fresh-off-the-boat seafood, this I-Drive restaurant also boasts two floors, two bars, four private dining rooms—and a wine list of more than 1,200 selections. $$$$. Ẃ Eleven at Reunion Resort Reunion Resort, 7593 Gathering Drive, Reunion. 407-662-1170. reunionresort.com D Tue.-Sat. Situated atop the 11-story Reunion Grande building, Eleven boasts stunning 360-degree panoramas of the area. Menu offerings include 1855 Premium Black Angus filet, New York strip and sirloin, along with 21-day dry-aged ribeye and Porterhouse. All are seasoned with a housemade 11-spice blend. Among the seafood items are sea bass with smoked cabbage and pecan brown butter. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 933 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-699-9463; Dellagio Plaza, 8030 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando 407-352-5706.

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flemingssteakhouse.com D nightly. With a contemporary dining room and 100 wines by the glass, Fleming’s is a lively take on steak houses. All cuts are aged USDA prime corn-fed beef. $$$ Ẃ Jack’s Place Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando 407-996-1787. jacksplacerestaurant. com D nightly. Sample steaks and seafood while surrounded by the world’s largest collection of autographed caricatures of stars and dignitaries. $$$ Ẃ Kres Chophouse 17 W. Church St., Downtown Orlando 407-447-7950. kresrestaurant.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Kres’ urban panache attracts downtown’s see-and-be-seen crowd, who fill its dramatic booths to try out sizzling steaks and chops. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ A Land Remembered Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 866-996-9939. landrememberedrestaurant.com L-D daily. Themed around Patrick Smith’s novel of the same name, which chronicles a Central Florida family’s experiences around the time of the Civil War, A Land Remembered serves a menu centered on steaks from the Harris Ranch. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Linda’s La Cantina 4721 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-894-4491. lindaslacantinasteakhouse.com D Tue.-Sun. Linda’s has been serving steaks to Orlandoans for more than 70 years. It specializes in steak and seafood, with all of its USDA choice steaks cut on site.

Enjoy a cocktail at the fire fountain lounge before your meal. $$-$$$  Morton’s The Steakhouse Dr. Phillips Marketplace, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407-248-3485. mortons.com D nightly. This local outlet of the national chain has made its reputation on 24-ounce Porterhouse steaks, 20-ounce New York sirloin, and 14-ounce double-cut filets. Bar 12-21 features petite filet mignon sandwiches. Don’t forget to try the hot chocolate cake. $$$$ Ẃ Old Hickory Steakhouse Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee 407-586-1600 gaylordpalms.com D nightly. Designed to look like a rustic Everglades retreat, Old Hickory emphasizes naturally aged, grain-fed Angus beef with your choice of toppings, plus seafood and handcrafed artisanal cheeses. The award-winning wine list is extensive, offering more than 40 different Cabernet Sauvignon selections alone. $$$$ Ẃ The Palm Hard Rock Hotel, 5800 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-503-7256. thepalm.com/orlando D nightly. Lavish steaks and giant lobster tails are this high-end restaurant’s delicious bread-and-butter. The Palm—filled with 1920s and ’30s caricatures—traces its origins back to 1926, when Italian natives opened the first location in New York City. Don’t miss the jumbo lump crab cake or the ahi tuna. $$$$. Ẃ Ruth’s Chris Steak House Winter Park Village, 610 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-622-2444; The Fountains, 7501 Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407226-3900; 80 Colonial Center Parkway, Heathrow 407-804-8220. ruthschris.com D nightly. A topquality restaurant with a reputation for excellent service, Ruth’s Chris serves each steak sizzling hot on a 500-degree plate to preserve the beef’s temperature and flavor. The 11-ounce filet is divine, while the 40-ounce Tomahawk ribeye is an eyepopping cut of meat. The roasted Brussels sprouts, lobster mac & cheese, and fire-roasted corn are among the side dish standouts. $$$$ Ẃ Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops The Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando 407-313-8625. spencersforsteaksandchops.com D Tue.-Sat. You’ll find modern twists on classic American cuisine at this steak house. Steaks are aged 21 to 28 days in-house and beautifully seared to order. $$$$ Ẃ

Texas de Brazil 5259 International Drive, Orlando 407-355-0355. texasdebrazil.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly. Texas de Brazil is a splendidly executed Brazilian churrascaria. Waiters stop at tables to offer chunks of seared, tender meats, and the salad bar is bursting with additions such as roasted red peppers and imported cheeses. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %The Venetian Chop House Caribe Royale Resort, 8101 World Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407238-8060. cariberoyale.com D Mon.-Sat. Winner of our 2019 Readers’ Choice award for Most Romantic Restaurant. A top-end, fine-dining experience within a hotel, the Venetian is full of deep tones, cut crystal and a replica of Tempietto de San Pietro in the corner.

Among the marvelous dishes is the lobster bisque under a dome of pastry. Entrees include bison short ribs with onion jam, New York strip, filet mignon, veal chop with porcini butter, and an herb-crusted pork chop. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

THAI

Sea Thai 3812 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-8950985. seathaiorlando.com L-D daily. Don’t let the strip mall fool you—the inner ambience and extensive menu of Sea Thai (the “Sea’’ stands for South East Asia) shine through. A haven for spicy-food lovers, there’s something delicious for all, from the spicy beef salad to the garlic chili fish to the popular crispy Panang duck. Voted Best Thai by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards poll. $$ %Thai Blossom 99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden 407-905-9917. mythaiblossom.com L-D daily. The Readers’ Choice winner for Best Thai in our 2019 Dining Awards. Located on the first floor of the historic Edgewater Hotel, Thai Blossom offers affordable Thai favorites and a selection of salad and seafood dishes.

The scrumptious creations include mussels in green curry, ginger duck, and a whole soft shell crab served as an appetizer. $$

VEGETARIAN

%Dandelion Communitea Café 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando 407-362-1864. dandelioncommunitea. com L-D Mon.-Sat, L Sun. Winner of Best Vegetarian from readers in our 2019 Dining Awards.

Taking residence in a 1920s house, Dandelion is a local leader in using sustainable, organic and environmentally friendly ingredients. The atmosphere is definitely homespun; having a vegan chili bowl or veggie wrap for lunch here is more like visiting a friendly, local, music-minded aunt than sitting in a restaurant. Beer and wine are available, and local artworks are showcased. $ Ethos Vegan Kitchen 601-B New York Ave., Winter Park 407-228-3898. ethosvegankitchen.com L-D Mon.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. Ethos takes its name seriously, serving pizzas, sandwiches and entrées from an exclusively vegan kitchen. You will feast on such specialties as Sheep’s Pie (meatless with broccoli, carrots peas, onions, mashed potatoes and gravy), Mac ‘n Cheese ‘n Peas, and Bay Cakes, made with chickpeas, celery and fesh herbs. Vegan beer and wine are served, and a jazz/funk brunch is presented every Sunday. $-$$ Infusion Tea 1600 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-9995255. infusionorlando.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat, L-D Sun. It wasn’t the first tea shop in College Park, but Infusion certainly started the alternative vibe in this neighborly neighborhood. A center of the local art, crafting and writers’ scene, the kitchen serves fresh-made soups, salads and sandwiches with an organic and local slant, along with dozens of flavored and exotic teas. $

%Market on South 2603 E. South St., Orlando 407613-5968 marketonsouth.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat., B-L Sun. The 2019 Critic’s Choice for Best Neighborhood Restaurant. If you turn up your nose at the thought of “plant-based dining,’’ then you’ve never eaten at this popular spot beside the 408. Not to be missed: Chef Shaun Noonan’s Carolina BBQ pulled jackfruit or Celine Duvoisin’s much-in-demand doughnuts (“100% egg-free and dairy-free and not healthy at all’’). $-$$ %Proper & Wild 155 E. Morse Blvd. Winter Park 407543-8425 properandwildwp.com L Mon.-Fri; D Tue.Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. This recently opened gem from Chelsie and Jamie Savage offers sophisticated menu items like burgers made from lentils and shiitake mushrooms, and a winter squash curry that doesn’t flaunt its meatlessness so much as make you question the need for meat at all. Other delights: chickpea fries, avocado caprese, and Heartcakes (young palm, bok choy, mustard frills, panang remoulade). Our critic’s choice for Best Plant-Based Restaurant in the 2019 Dining Awards. $$  The Sanctum Café 715 N Fern Creek Ave. Orlando 407-757-0346. thesanctumcafe.com B-L-D Mon.Sat.; BR Sun. Chef/Owner Chelsie Savage refers to her restaurant as “plant based” and “healthy” before the word vegetarian is mentioned. Sourcing locally and organically whenever possible, this neighborhood favorite now offers dinner menus and Sunday brunch along with the popular lunch fare. Try the coconut polenta cakes with cabbage slaw and sriracha; and the Southern Soul bowl of mushroom gravy, black-eyed pea tempeh, organic potato and brown rice. $-$$

VIETNAMESE

Little Saigon 1106 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407423-8539. littlesaigonrestaurant.com L-D daily. This Mills 50 District mainstay offers a wide variety of rice and vermicelli dishes topped with your choice of meat and vegetables. But it’s the soups that are the go-to for the many faithful—steaming bowls full of pork or beef, noodles, and fresh basil. The summer rolls with peanut sauce are a must. $-$$ %Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant 730 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-897-3488. pho88orlando.com L-D daily.

Chosen as Best Vietnamese by our readers in the 2019 Dining Awards. The specialty here is pho—broth, noodles and meat—with choices seemingly endless (11 variations of beef noodle soup alone). Other menu items include beef stew, stir-fried noodle dishes, and the banh mi Vietnamese sub. $-$$ Pho Vinh 657 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-2280043. phovinhorlando.com L-D daily. An impressive menu of Vietnamese dishes features soups, noodles and rice platters. Pho Vinh serves a standout example of a dish enshrined in our Dining Hall of Fame—Buùn Chaû GioøThòt Nöôùng, rice vermicelli with charbroiled pork and spring rolls. $-$$.

Saigon Noodle & Grill 101 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando 407-532-7373; 710 S. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando. 407658-1967. saigonnoodleandgrill.com L-D daily. An array of soups, silky and sweet pad thai, pan-fried noodles and caramelized shrimp and pork belly are some of the sights and aromas that await you at this eatery. $ Viet Garden 1237-1239 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-896-4154. vietgardenorlando.com L-D daily.

Fusing the cuisines of Vietnam and Thailand freely, Viet Garden garners reader votes regularly for its reasonably priced chicken satay, pad Thai and spicy stir-fried beef with vermicelli. $-$$$

WINE BARS AND LOUNGES

The Attic Door 28 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden.

407-750--7063 jrsatticdoor.com Afternoon tea Sat. Sun.; D (snacks/small plates) Tue.-Sat. This eclectic spot proclaims itself “the swankiest little wine bar and live music venue around.’’ Relax with a glass of wine in one of the mismatched chairs or leather sofas amid the funky array of lamps and tables. Recently added: traditional afternoon tea service on Saturday and Sunday, with fresh-baked scones, finger sandwiches and desserts. $-$$ Blue Martini Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Suite 1182, Orlando 407-447-2583. bluemartinilounge. com Open daily. Live music, cocktails accented with glow sticks, trendy bar foods and a lively dance floor lure upscale singles. $$-$$$ Ẃ Bösendorfer Lounge The Grand Bohemian Hotel, 325 S. Orange Ave., Downtown Orlando 407-3139000. grandbohemianhotel.com Open daily. Black marble, red stone and mirrors, plus an Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano, create an edgy and upscale environment for martinis, indulgent nibbles, casual power meetings and entertainment. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Eden Bar 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-6 291088. enzian.org L-D daily. Taking a cue from Hapsburg beer gardens, Eden offers a bucolic outdoor setting right outside the Enzian theater. Local and international beers and a good selection of wines snuggle up with salads, nachos and sandwiches, along with Austrian goulash and unusual pizzas (potato and bacon, anyone?). $$ Ẃ Eola Wine Company 430 E. Central Blvd., Orlando 407-481-9100. eolawinecompany.com Open daily.

Part retail shop, part lounge, Eola Wine offers an impressive variety of labels, more than 100 wines by the glass and a commendable selection of beers.

Nibble on flatbreads, cheese platters and bruschetta “flights.” $-$$$ Ẃ %The Vineyard Wine Company 1140 Town Park Ave., Suite 1260, Lake Mary 407-833-WINE. thevineyardwinecompany.com Open daily. The Readers’ Choice winner for Best-Kept Secret and Best Wine List in our 2019 Dining Awards. With a variety of tapas, lunch and dinner entrées, desserts, and platters to accompany your wine, this spot is more than just a lounge. Sit back with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc while enjoying the live music Tuesday through Saturday. $-$$$ Ẃ %The Wine Room 270 Park Ave. S., Winter Park 407-696-WINE. thewineroomonline.com Open daily. Warm and inviting, The Wine Room offers hundreds of wines. Dozens are available as 1- to 3-oz. samples paid for through a debit system. Selections can be enjoyed along with handcrafted meats and cheeses. Voted Best Wine Bar by readers in our 2019 Dining Awards. $-$$ Ẃ MORE ONLINE: Be sure to check out additional restuarant listings and other reviews in our dining section on orlandomagazine.com.

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LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SKY

For the Fourth of July in Orlando, there’s nothing quite like the explosive Fireworks at the Fountain show at Lake Eola Park. Come early for family festivities and entertainment and stay for the 9 p.m. fireworks.

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Appearing as the lead character in Orlando Shakes’ production of “Snow White,” actress Aja Grooms works her charms on a butterfly, p. 96.

RED HOT & BOOM July 3: Get an early start on Independence Day the night before with live music, games, vendors, food and a 25-minute fireworks display synchronized with patriotic and contemporary music. Free. 4-11 p.m. Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. 407571-8180. altamonte.org BALDWIN PARK INDEPENDENCE BASH July 3: Start the evening with a walk through the town center as artists and craftsmen sell their wares. Also available: food trucks, a beer garden, live music, carnival games and more.

Get there early for a good spot at Harbor Park to see the fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free. 6-11 p.m.

New Broad Street, Baldwin Park Town Center, Orlando. baldwinparkevents.com

FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN July 4: Come early to join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at Lake Eola and enjoy live music, games, food and drink before the city’s annual patriotic fireworks start at 9 p.m. Free. 4-10 p.m.

Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando. orlando.gov/events/fireworks-at-the-fountain ALL-AMERICAN 4TH OF JULY July 4: Celebration Town Center’s annual Independence Day festivities start with a morning parade through the community and resumes that afternoon with games, live music and shopping before winding up with nighttime fireworks synchronized to music. Free. Parade at 9 a.m.; other events 4-9:15 p.m.

407-566-1200. celebration.fl.us/events AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4: This year’s Independence Day celebration in downtown Avalon Park will kick off with the annual bike parade and include an apple pie bake-off, community performances

and wet and dry bounce houses—topped off with a fireworks display. Free. 5-9 p.m. Avalon Park East Boulevard, Orlando. 407-658-6565. avalonpark.com 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4: The City of Winter Park offers patriotic music by the Bach Festival Society Choir and live entertainment by Orlando Cloggers. Activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, a bicycle parade and games for kids, plus complimentary hot dogs, watermelon and water. Free. 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. Central Park along Park Avenue, Winter Park. 407-599-3463. cityofwinterpark.org CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM July 4: Enjoy live entertainment, vendors and a free kids area. At 8 p.m. join the Winter Springs mayor and the commission for the Freedom Fling Prize Toss. Fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Free.

5-9:30 p.m. Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs. 407-327-6593. winterspringsfl.org/events

EVENT SUBMISSIONS: For inclusion in On The Town, send event information to hancel.deaton@orlandomagazine.com. Deadline for print is two and a half months prior to the event date. Events can also be submitted to our online calendar at orlandomagazine.com (these will not be printed).

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MEGAN PRIDEMORE

4TH OF JULY HAPPENINGS

ONGOING EVENTS WINTER GARDEN PARTY IN THE PARK July 4: Enjoy live music by Speed Limit 70, family activities, food and more, followed by fireworks. Free. 5-9:30 p.m. Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. 407-877-5432. wintergardenpost.com INDEPENDENCE DAY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD July 3-4: Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot each have special fireworks shows for the Fourth of July. “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are at 9:15 p.m. on July 3 and 4; “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks are at Epcot at 9 and 10 p.m. on July 4 only. Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com INDEPENDENCE DAY AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO July 4: The night sky will light up with fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers during a one-of-a-kind, patriotic finale to “Ignite,” SeaWorld’s end-ofday spectacle. Included in park admission.

7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworld.com/orlando ICON PARK LIGHTS UP I-DRIVE July 4-5: Visit The Wheel at ICON Park and enjoy the festivities celebrating the Fourth of July. The two-day event includes live bands, stiltwalkers, balloon animals, food and more.

Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday 4 p.m.-midnight.

Guests must purchase a ticket for The Wheel to enter. ICON Park, 8375 International Drive, Orlando. iconparkorlando.com LEGOLAND RED, WHITE & BOOM July 4-6: Celebrate America’s independence with fireworks in the skies above Lake Eloise and help create a giant USA flag out of thousands of LEGO bricks before the sun goes down. Included in park admission. 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. florida.legoland.com

SPECIAL EVENTS SEAWORLD ELECTRIC OCEAN Through Sept. 1: As the sun sets, the park comes alive with exciting nighttime shows and electrifying music. Guests are immersed in a sea of wonder that ends in a fireworks finale.

Included in park admission, on select nights only. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworldparks.com COKE ZERO SUGAR 400 July 4-6: The action at Daytona International Speedway starts Thursday with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series practice laps, followed Friday with qualifying laps during the day and the Daytona Firecracker 250 race that evening—100 laps under the lights. On Saturday, the 61st annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 caps the weekend, with the final race starting at 7:30 p.m. daytonainternationalspeedway.com

LAKERIDGE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES July 6, 13, 20 & 27: Take a complimentary winery tour, then spend the afternoon listening to live music as a different band performs on the outdoor stage each Saturday. Food and drink are available for purchase. Free. noon-4 p.m.

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 North, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com ORLANDO STORY CLUB July 10: Anyone with a story can put their name in the hat for a chance to share. Ten names are drawn at random and three judges are selected to score the storytellers. This month’s theme is “Cake for Breakfast” and all proceeds support Kids House of Seminole, Inc. 7-9:30 p.m. The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-7046261. orlandostoryclub.com, abbeyorlando.com SUMMER F.U.N. CONVENTION July 11-13: Florida United Numismatists host this annual event for buying, selling and appraising coins, paper currency, tokens, medals and similar items. Free. Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. funtopics.com PAW PATROL LIVE—RACE TO THE RESCUE July 13-14: Mayor Goodway is missing on the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race, and it’s up to the PAW Patrol to rescue her. Saturday 10 a.m., 2 & 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Addition Financial Arena, 12777 N. Gemini Blvd., Orlando. additionfiarena.com, ticketmaster.com LEGO MOVIE DAYS July 13-14, 20-21 & 27-28: Join Emmet and the gang for character experiences with the stars of The LEGO Movie films, interactive photo opportunities, exclusive building activities and specially themed dining offers. Included in park admission. 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. florida.legoland.com

MUSIC

MONTHLY HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN EATONVILLE CRAFTS & CULTURE MARKET July 7: Experience the heritage and culture that is the historic Town of Eatonville with storytellers, performers, reenactments, local merchants and more, the first Sunday of each month. Free. 1-5 p.m. 100 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. eatonvillechf.com THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK July 11: Artists display works for sale along downtown streets and inside local businesses. Free, but $15 gets you a glass (pay and pickup at Olde Town Brokers) and a map of participating businesses offering wine pours. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com SANFORD’S ALIVE AFTER 5 STREET PARTY July 11: Central Florida’s largest recurring street party is a monthly gathering with live music, local artists, and food and beverage samples and more. 5 p.m. 230 E. First St., Sanford. sanfordwelcomecenter.com ART AND MUSIC IN THE PARK July 12: Discover artwork and live music in the park between Casselberry City Hall and Lake Concord, the second Friday of each month. Food trucks and other vendors are on site as well. 6 p.m. Free. Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry.

407-262-7700, ext. 1507. casselberry.org MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART IN THE ALLEY July 12: Downtown Mount Dora galleries are open to the public while art exhibitors show their latest works and musicians perform.

Free. Galleries open 6-8 p.m. Sidewalk exhibitions open until 9 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org 3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK July 18: Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to browse the galleries and nontraditional art venues that spotlight the best of established and emerging artists who are based in Central Florida. 6 p.m. Rogers Kiene Building, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com

THE ABBEY 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-704-6261. abbeyorlando.com July 16: Summer Salt with Dante Elephante and Motel Radio, 8 p.m.

July 16: The Get Up Kids with Great Grandpa, 8 p.m.

July 18: PJ Morton, 8 p.m.

July 19: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Sing-Along Series, 8 p.m.

AMWAY CENTER 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7000, 800-745-3000. amwaycenter.com, ticketmaster.com

EVENING EXCHANGE July 19: Every third Friday, meet at East End Market for fun, interactive workshops and a chance to browse the wares of more than 30 artisan makers, plus culinary demonstrations, specialty cocktail bars, food specials and much more. 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. 321236-3316. eastendmkt.com

July 10: JoJo Siwa—D.R.E.A.M. The Tour, 7 p.m.

July 13: New Kids On The Block, 8 p.m.

July 23: Jennifer Lopez, 8 p.m.

July 30: Shawn Mendes, 7:30 p.m.

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SCENE ON THE TOWN HARD ROCK LIVE 6050 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-351-5483. hardrock.com July 3: Rob Thomas—Chip Tooth Tour, 8 p.m.

July 16: Kirk Franklin—Long Live Love Tour, 8 p.m.

July 23: Howard Jones—Transform, 8 p.m.

July 27: Classic Albums Live—Rolling Stones “Let It Bleed,” 8 p.m.

HOUSE OF BLUES Disney Springs West Side, Walt Disney World.

407-934-2583. houseofblues.com July 5: Guaco and Chyno, 7 p.m.

July 6: El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, 8:30 p.m.

July 12: Ana Barbara—Mi Revancha Tour, 8 p.m.

July 13: New Found Glory—From The Screen To Your Stereo To Your Town, 6:30 p.m.

July 26: Slippery When Wet— Bon Jovi Tribute, 7:30 p.m.

July 27: Carly Rae Jepsen—The Dedicated Tour, 7 p.m.

July 31: Alceu Valença, 8 p.m.

KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-2422219. kingcenter.com July 20: Classic Albums Live—Pink Floyd “The Wall,” 8 p.m.

PLAZA LIVE ORLANDO 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.com July 8: Leela James, 8 p.m.

THE SOCIAL ORLANDO 54 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-246-1419. thesocial.org July 13: MySpace Prom with Take This To Your Grave, 6 p.m.

Jennifer Lopez brings her It’s My Party: The Live Celebration Tour to the Amway Center, July 23, p. 93.

July 3: Bobby Koelble Band, 8 p.m.

July 5: Cortez & Koelble, 8 p.m.

July 6: An Intimate Solo Piano Concert with Peter Kater, 8 p.m.

July 10: Dan Jordan Quartet, 8 p.m.

July 11: Dave Sheffield Trio, 8 p.m.

July 12: Chris Cortez Quartet, 8 p.m.

July 13: The Chris Thomas Band, 8 p.m.

July 18: Steve Luciano Trio, 8 p.m.

July 19: Blue Bamboo’s 3rd Anniversary featuring the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m.

July 20: Souljam, 8 p.m.

July 24: Cortez, Clermont & Archard, 8 p.m.

July 25: Eddie Marshall Trio, 8 p.m.

July 26: Jack Graham & Friends, 8 p.m.

July 27: The Conglomerate, 8 p.m.

July 28: Eddie Marshall’s Blue Bamboo Big Band, 3 p.m.

July 31: Dave Sheffield Quartet with special guest Bill Allred, 8 p.m.

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org July 13: Isabel Davis, 7 p.m.

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July 12: The 502s One-Year Anniversary and EP Release Party, 7:30 p.m.

July 26: Flashback Friday, 8 p.m.

July 27: Unsung Zeros with Teen Agers and Shane Hagan, 8 p.m.

WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com July 6: Sanford’s Gigantic Gospel Show, 7:30 p.m.

July 13: New York Rockabilly Rockets—Shake, Rattle and Roll, 7:30 p.m.

WILL’S PUB 1042 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. willspub.org July 7: Pathos with Adult Life, Take Lead and Woolbright, 7 p.m.

CHANTAL ARTUR/SUNSHINE SACHS LA

BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. 407636-9951. bluebambooartcenter.com

SOUNDBAR ORLANDO 37 W. Pine St., Orlando. 407-456-1391. soundbarorl.com

July 10: Sadistik, 8 p.m.

July 10: Curse Mackey, 8 p.m.

July 20: Gringo Star with the Woolly Bushmen and Timothy Eerie, 9 p.m.

July 26: Mephiskapheles, 8 p.m.

CLASSICAL MUSIC BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. 407-6369951. bluebambooartcenter.com July 17: Carol Stein—The Piano Lady, 8 p.m.

COMEDY BOB CARR THEATER 401 W. Livingston St., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org July 5: Carlinhos Maia, 8 p.m.

BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB Ongoing: Weekly stand-up comedy shows at two Orlando-area locations. Boardwalk Bowl, 10749 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando. Ages 21 and over.

Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday 7:30 p.m. Otters on the River, 4380 Carraway Place, Sanford. Ages 18 and over. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m. 407-6292665. bonkerzcomedyproductions.com KOMBUSTIBLE S’MORES—AN IMPROV SHOW Long-form improv comedy team performs the first Friday of every month. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. The Backspace, 1309 Edgewater Drive (in the back), Orlando. facebook.com/kombustiblesmores ORLANDO IMPROV Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive Suite 2310, Orlando. 407-480-5233. Ages 21 and over.

Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday at 7 and 9:45 p.m., Sunday at 7:30 p.m. 407-480-5233. theimprovorlando.com PLAZA LIVE ORLANDO 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.com July 19: Small Town Murder (podcast) with James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman, 8 p.m.

July 20: Brian Kilmeade (Fox News TV personality)—America Great From The Start, 8 p.m.

SAK COMEDY LAB Ongoing: Improvisational comedy shows, competitions, songs and scenes. 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. Tuesday-Wednesday times vary; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. 407-648-0001. sakcomedylab.com SLEUTHS MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE Ongoing: Audience members turn detective to solve a crime during the comedy dinner show.

Performances nightly. 8267 International Drive, Orlando. 407-363-1985. sleuths.com

DANCE

JULY FUNDRAISERS JULY 4

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org

ADVENTHEALTH WATERMELON 5K, benefits the

Track Shack Youth Foundation. Combines a 5K run and watermelon-eating contest. Park Avenue South, Winter Park. trackshack.com

JULY 10

July 7: Lights! Camera! Dance!, presented

by ESOR Dance Ensemble, 7 p.m.

VALENCIA COLLEGE Performing Arts Center, east campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. 407-582-2900. valenciacollege.edu/arts July 12-13: Summer Repertory Concert, 8 p.m.

FILM ENZIAN 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. 407-629-0054. enzian.org July 6: The Freshman, 1 p.m.

July 7: The Absent-Minded Professor, 1 p.m.

July 9: Drop Dead Gorgeous, 9:30 p.m.

July 11: Newsies, 3 p.m.

July 16: Flipper, 3 p.m.

July 17: Tito and the Birds, 3 p.m.

July 18: Tron, 3 p.m.

July 20: Ballet On The Big Screen— Romeo And Juliet, 11 a.m.

July 22: Carmine Street Guitars, 9:30 p.m.

July 30: The Rock, 9:30 p.m.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Old Town Kissimmee, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. myoldtownusa.com July 7: Top Gun, 7 p.m.

July 14: The Secret Life of Pets, 7 p.m.

July 21: The Grinch (2018), 7 p.m.

July 28: Space Jam, 7 p.m.

ORLANDO STORY CLUB, benefits Kids House of Seminole, Inc. Participants tell five-minute stories related to a specific theme. The Abbey, Orlando. facebook.com/orlandostoryclub

JULY 13 SWEET DREAMS—DANCING FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, raises funds to ensure a safe night’s sleep

for members of the transgender community when they are in need. Hosted by Scott Maxwell and Moira with celebrity judges and dancers. Presented

by Bliss CARES. DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Orlando. sweetdreamsevent.eventbrite.com

JULY 21 STRIKE OUT HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE, benefits the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Aloma Bowl, Winter Park. hdsa.donordrive.com

JULY 27 CHILDHOOD CANCER 5K RUN/WALK, benefits the

Caleb Solomon Williams BELAC Foundation. Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, Orlando. 407-4057790. facebook.com/calebsolomonwilliams

COMING UP… AUG. 9-11 MEGAPLEX 2019, benefits The C.A.R.E. Foundation of Apopka, which rescues local wildlife and abused animals. Caribe Royale, Orlando. megaplexcon.org

AUG. 17-18 ANNUAL HARVEST GRAPE STOMP, benefits the Alz-

heimer’s Family Organization. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com

MILK MONEY MOVIES Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. 407-877-4736. gardentheatre.org July 9: Finding Nemo, 10 a.m.

July 16: Beauty and the Beast, 10 a.m.

July 23: Horton Hears A Who!, 10 a.m.

July 30: Tangled, 10 a.m.

WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com July 18: The Sound Of Music, 7:30 p.m.

POPCORN FLICKS IN THE PARK Central Park, 150 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park.

407-629-0054. enzian.org July 11: The Little Mermaid, 8 p.m.

WORLD OF GOOD

LITERARY DIVERSE WORD July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: A weekly gathering highlighting spoken-word poetry. 8 p.m. Dandelion Communitea Café, 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, 407-362-1864. dandelioncommunitea.com

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SCENE ON THE TOWN FLORIDA STATE POETS ASSOCIATION July 17: All local FSPA members are eligible to join. Third Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m.

Maitland Public Library, 501 S. Maitland Ave., Maitland. floridastatepoetsassociation.org FLORIDA WRITERS ASSOCIATION July 3 & 11: Orlando writers’ group meetings with guest speakers and discussions are the first Wednesday of month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. The Maitland writers’ group meetings are the second Thursday of month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Maitland Public Library, 501 S. Maitland Ave., Maitland. floridawriters.net, madaboutwords.com NERD NITE July 11: An evening of entertaining, thought-provoking presentations with host Ricardo Williams and guest speakers. Second Thursday of the month. 7:30 p.m. Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 Winter Park Road, Orlando. 407-623-3393. orlando.nerdnite.com OPEN MIC POETRY July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31: Open-mic poetry readings 9 p.m. each Wednesday. Austin’s Coffee and Film, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park.

Free. 407-975-3364. austinscoffee.com WRITERS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA OR THEREABOUTS Membership is free and open to writers of all genres with regular monthly meetings for sharing, critiquing and promoting work. facebook.com/groups/writersofcentralfloridaorthereabouts July 10: Short Attention Span Storytelling is the second Wednesday of the month.

Free. 7 p.m. Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 Winter Park Road, Orlando. 407-623-3393.

July 24: Orlando WordLab (OWL) is the fourth Wednesday of the month. Free.

7 p.m. Winter Park Public Library, 3rd floor meeting room, 460 E. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407-623-3300.

THEATER CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS CFCArts Black Box Theatre, 250 S.W. Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando. 407-937-1800. cfcarts.com Bye Bye Birdie July 5-28: When teen idol Conrad Birdie is drafted into the Army, a last-ditch publicity stunt involving a new song and a last kiss for one lucky girl is contrived. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org

A Chorus Line July 3-6: Seventeen dancers auditioning for a spot in the chorus line are asked to give a personal history of how they came to be in show business and reveal their hopes and inspirations. Wednesday & Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.

GARDEN THEATRE 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. 407-877-4736. gardentheatre.org Flashdance The Musical July 5-28: Eighteen-year-old Alex, a welder by day and “flashdancer” by night, dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 2 p.m.

MAD COW THEATRE 54 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-297-8788. madcowtheatre.com Outside Mullingar Through July 14: The unlikely love story of Anthony and Rosemary—two introverted 40-something neighbors whose families are pitted against one another in a bitter land dispute. Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.

MOONLIGHT PLAYERS THEATER 735 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont. 352-243-5875. moonlightplayers.com All Shook Up July 12-Aug. 4: The music of Elvis comes alive in this tale inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Friday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m.

ORLANDO REPERTORY THEATRE 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-896-7365. orlandorep.com Li’l Abner July 12-28: World-famous characters populate this upbeat show in a mixture of hillbilly nonsense and sharp, critical humor. Thursday-Saturday 7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 2 p.m.

ORLANDO SHAKES 812 E. Rollins St., Orlando. 407-447-1700. orlandoshakes.org Snow White Through July 28: The Brothers Grimm fairy tale comes to life onstage in a fast-paced, comical rendition of the classic story of love, envy and magic. Wednesday and Friday-Sunday 2 p.m., Saturday 4:30 p.m.

OSCEOLA ARTS 2411 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-846-6257. osceolaarts.org Newsies July 12-Aug. 4: Inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899, this musical tells the tale of a band of young “newsies” and

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their charismatic leader, Jack Kelly. Friday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m.

SONNENTAG THEATRE AT THE ICE HOUSE 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora. 352-383-4616. icehousetheatre.com The Drowsy Chaperone July 12-Aug. 4: A parody of musical comedies from the 1920s. Thursday 7:30 p.m., Friday 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 2 p.m.

MUSEUMS ALBIN POLASEK MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDENS 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park. 407-647-6294.

Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. polasek.org Czech-born American sculptor Albin Polasek’s onetime Winter Park home and studio is now a museum with an art collection focused on American representational sculpture, with more than 200 of Polasek’s works inside and out.

The former residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Precious Pollinators Through Aug. 25: A celebration of bees and colorful native flowers and plants—all executed by members of the Central Florida Watercolor Society and intended to raise awareness about the decline of bees and other pollinators in North America.

Tours of the Capen Ongoing: Step inside the restored Capen-Showalter House, built in 1885 but rescued from destruction and floated across Lake Osceola to its current home on the Polasek grounds.

Thirty-minute tours are offered Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

ART AND HISTORY MUSEUMS—MAITLAND 221 W. Packwood Ave., 231 W. Packwood Ave. and 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. 407-539-2181.

Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. artandhistory.org A collection of museums encompassing the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Historical Museum, Telephone Museum (currently closed for refurbishment), Waterhouse Residence Museum and Carpentry Shop Museum. Maitland Art Center, Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; all others Thursday-Sunday noon-4 p.m. Closed on major holidays. artandhistory.org Etched In Time Through Sept. 8: Explore the history of 19th and 20th century etchings used in print as a way to share images long before the age of Instagram.

Pressed Editions—Experimental Contemporary Prints Through Sept. 8: Works by selected innovative individual printmakers based in Central Florida and by UCF’s Flying Horse Editions.

Discover André Smith Ongoing: Smith created an art colony in 1937 in Maitland, originally called The Research Studio. During his 21-year tenure at the art center, Smith developed friendships with author/ folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, arts patron Mary Curtis Bok and stage actress Annie Russell, while also creating a location for invited artists to develop their work. Maitland Art Center.

The Research Studio Ongoing: Maitland Art Center was founded as an art colony in 1937 by visionary American artist and architect, André Smith. The center’s most significant permanent collection is the facility itself; the Research Studio, as it was originally called, is one of the few surviving examples of Mayan Revival architecture in the Southeastern United States.

CASA FELIZ HISTORIC HOME MUSEUM 656 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. 407-628-8200. casafeliz.us Ongoing: This restored Spanish farmhouse-style home, designed by acclaimed architect James Gamble Rogers II, was saved from the wrecker’s ball and now serves as a community center and museum. Open houses hosted by trained docents take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, and live music is featured in the large parlor on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. Free.

CORNELL FINE ARTS MUSEUM Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2526. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-5 p.m. rollins.edu/cfam Mexican Modernity—20th Century Paintings from the Zapanta Collection Through Sept. 8: A highlight of significant modern artists representing dynamic moments and movements in the evolution of Mexican art.

Mediated Reality—Cityscapes

by Photorealists Through Sept. 8: Urban scenes transformed from paintings to print showcasing the perspectives of 10 artists.

Shifting Perspectives—Art by the Students of the Art Time Outreach Program Through Sept. 8: The public debut and celebration of works created by the students who participated in the program.

The Place as Metaphor— Collection Conversations Through Sept. 8: A selection of collection favorites and new acquisitions intended to build conversations around ways of seeing.

Education Gallery Ongoing: Learners of all ages can discover the world of art through a dress-up station where children can become characters from works in the museum’s permanent collection. There’s also a reading nook, a children’s

audio guide and a new mini museum where visitors become the museum curator by moving works around the walls. Plus, families who purchase the children’s book Stories and Studios—Conversations and Projects become members of the Art Adventure Club.

Ongoing: Free weekend tours take place at 1 p.m. each Saturday at the campus facility and 1 p.m. each Sunday at the nearby Alfond Inn, which displays dozens of works from the museum’s Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art. Happy Hour art tours of the Alfond Collection are also conducted the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at The Alfond inn.

DALI MUSEUM 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. 727-823-3767. thedali.org

Permanent Collection Ongoing: Approximately 400 works of art selected from over 3,000 pieces acquired

by Tom and Mary James over their 50 years of art collecting. Pieces showcase American’s early west, native life, native artists, frontier, wildlife and the new west.

MENNELLO MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART 900 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-246-4278.

Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday noon-4:30 p.m. mennellomuseum.com Immersion into Compounded Time and the Paintings of Firelei Báez Through Sept. 1: Large-scale and intricate portraits of influential individuals and mythical goddesses from Afro-Caribbean history.

Bronzes From The Vault Through Nov. 2: A collection of cast bronzes created by Salvador Dali in the 1970s for the publisher Isidro Clot.

Visual Magic—Dali’s Masterworks in Augmented Reality Through Nov. 3: Augmented reality (AR) technology is used to engage visitors while highlighting the popular Masterworks collection.

Before Dali—Goya—Visions & Inventions Through Nov. 3: Two alternating suites of first-edition prints published in Goya’s lifetime alongside three significant paintings representing unique themes of the artists’ works.

HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407539-2680. Tuesday-Thursday noon-4 p.m., Friday noon-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org The Heritage Collection Ongoing: Photographs and oral histories of west Winter Park.

The Hannibal Square Timeline Ongoing: Documents the significant local and national events in African-American history since the Emancipation Proclamation.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE AND EDUCATION CENTER OF FLORIDA 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland. 407-628-0555.

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. Free. Donations accepted. holocaustedu.org Tribute to the Holocaust Ongoing: This memorial exhibit presents an overview of the Holocaust through artifacts, videos, text, photographs and artwork.

THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN AND WILDLIFE ART 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. MondaySunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 727-892-4200. thejamesmuseum.org

The Cultural Connections of Edward S. Curtis Through July 21: Photographs from the early 20th century documenting vanishing Native American cultures.

Ongoing: Permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham (18931977) and other American artists.

MORSE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311.

Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. morsemuseum.org Earth into Art—The Flowering of American Art Poetry Through Sept. 27, 2020: Examine the works of American Art Pottery (1876 to 1914), the first truly American art to achieve widespread acclaim both domestically and abroad.

Iridescence in Glass and Pottery—A Celebration Ongoing: The replication of iridescence made popular by Louis Comfort Tiffany and others in the 19th century is celebrated with diverse examples.

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Life and Art Ongoing: Through art objects, archival documents and artifacts, this exhibition examines Tiffany’s astonishingly diverse work in the decorative arts—what he called his “quest for beauty”—over the course of his lifetime.

Art Nouveau in Europe and America from the Morse Collection Ongoing: An installation of works that represent the bold, international decorative-arts style known as Art Nouveau, which peaked from about 1890 to 1910. The exhibition, drawn from the Morse collection, features furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and art glass from European and American artists and designers.

MUSEUM OF ART DELAND 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. 386-734-4371; downtown satellite location, 100 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. 386-279-7534. Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. 1-4 p.m. moartdeland.org

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SCENE ON THE TOWN

It’s PAW Patrol to the rescue, July 13-14 at UCF’s Addition Financial Arena, p. 93.

ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. 407-836-8500.

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. thehistorycenter.org Love Speaks—Artistic Responses to the Pulse Nightclub Tragedy Through Sept. 22: A remembrance exhibition sharing artwork created across the nation—from paintings to basketry to graphic novels—paying tribute to those who were taken and also inspire a better tomorrow for those who remain.

Ongoing: Explore multiple floors of exhibits taking you through the history of Orange county from the first people to the first contact with the Spanish through 100 years of tourism all the way to the present-day theme-park era.

ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. 407-896-4231. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-4 p.m. omart.org

Florida Prize in Contemporary Art Through Aug. 18: Invitational and award exhibition featuring 10 of Florida’s most progressive and exciting artists.

Contemporary American Graphics Collection Ongoing: Includes more than 150 original signed and numbered lithographs, etchings, silk-screen prints and woodcuts by America’s foremost artists.

Contemporary Art Collection Ongoing: Outstanding works of art from 1945 representing such artists as Jennifer Bartlett, Nick Cave, Lesley Dill, Jane Hammond and James Casebere. The exhibit also includes an extensive collection of prints from the 1960s to present.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-514-2000.

Sunday-Tuesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. osc.org Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles— Secrets of the Sewer Through Sept. 3: Work your way through puzzles, mazes and obstacles that reveal the secrets of the sewer.

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Ongoing: From the natural world to high tech simulation, from dinosaurs to the planets in our universe, hands-on activities throughout the center may inspire a budding scientist and make learning fun for all ages.

WINTER PARK HISTORY MUSEUM 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park.

407-647-2330. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. wphistory.org Wish You Were Here—The Hotels and Motels of Winter Park Through June 2020: From the lavish luxury hotels of the late 1800s to roadside family motels, tourist courts and the boarding houses used by the workers who built Winter Park, this exhibit highlights all the hotels and motels that played a part in creating the town of today.

WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE MUSEUM 1 N. Main St., Winter Garden. 407-656-3244.

Daily 1-5 p.m. wghf.org Ongoing: Housed in the city’s 1918 Atlantic Coast Line railroad depot, the museum features a large collection of local citrus labels, a citrus packing-house replica, and an audio kiosk detailing the area’s citrus history, plus Native American artifacts and photographs of the area dating back to the days of pioneer settlements. A History Research and Education

VSTAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Legendary Florida—The Florida History Paintings of Jackson Walker Ongoing: Paintings of Florida’s eventful past are on permanent exhibit at the Volusia County Historic Courthouse, 120 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand.

Center next door holds the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s collection of west Orange County documents, research material, and additional photographs and artifacts.

ZORA NEALE HURSTON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 227 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. 407-647-3307.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.1 p.m. Donations accepted. zoranealehurstonmuseum.com Ongoing: The museum provides a place in the heart of the community where the public can view the works of artists of African descent.

GALLERIES ANITA S. WOOTEN GALLERY Valencia College, east campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. valenciacollege.edu/arts Graphic Design Faculty Exhibition Through Aug. 2: A display of works created by Valencia faculty.

ARTS ON DOUGLAS 123 Douglas St., New Smyrna Beach. 386-4231753. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. artsondouglas.net Put a Bird on It Through July 20: A group exhibition.

Ray Azcuy—Pattern/Abstraction/Design July 6-Aug. 16 : An exhibit of the artist’s work.

ATLANTIC CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach. 386427-6975. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. atlanticcenterforthearts.org 30th Annual University Student Exhibition Through Aug. 10: The Atlantic Center honors the work produced by state university art students.

THE BRONZE KINGDOM Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. 407-203-8864. bronzekingdom.com Ongoing: This gallery/museum features a collection of rare African bronze, beaded and wooden sculptures from all over the continent, including palatial pieces from Benin and Bamum tribal kingdoms, some dating back to early 1600s.

CITYARTS FACTORY 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-317-8367.

Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. orlandoslice.com/page/now-on-exhibit Ongoing: A collection of galleries showcasing a variety of artworks.

CREALDÉ SCHOOL OF ART Two locations: Alice & William Jenkins Gallery, 600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park. 407-671-1886. crealde.org; and Hannibal Square Heritage Center, 642 W. New England Blvd., Winter Park. 407-5392680. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org 38th Annual Juried Student Exhibition Through Aug. 31: Student work in painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and fiber arts. Alice and William Jenkins Gallery at Crealdé School of Art. The Sage Project Phase II—Hannibal Square Elders Tell Their Stories Through Aug. 31: Seventeen portraits and living histories of residents in their 80s and 90s who are natives or longtime residents of the African American west side Winter Park community. Hannibal Square Heritage Center Gallery.

UCF ART GALLERY University of Central Florida, main campus, Visual Arts Building, 12400 Aquarius Agora Drive, Orlando. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. gallery.cah.ucf.edu Specters of Capital—An Exploration In Architecture and Identity Through July 11: Morgan Craig explores architectural structures through paintings that illustrate the slow disintegration of the future and the fragmentation of the past.

SPORTS

Storytellers XVII—West of the East Coast Tracks—New Smyrna Teens Give Us Insight Into Their Changing World Through Sep. 1: Teens document their historic African-American community in west New Smyrna Beach through photographs.

Hannibal Square Heritage Center Gallery.

HARRY P. LEU GARDENS 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620.

Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. leugardens.org Enchanted Fairy Doors Through Sept. 30: Whimsical exhibit featuring 20 one-of-a-kind fairy doors to inspire an imaginative world of mythical forests and secret gardens.

Ongoing: On 50 acres of land, the gardens provide an oasis within The City Beautiful where guests can discover palms, cycads, flowering trees, azaleas, vines, bromeliads, roses and more, as well as explore the historical home of Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane.

MOUNT DORA CENTER FOR THE ARTS 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. 352-383-0880.

Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-4 p.m. mountdoracenterforthearts.org Dustin Boise—Solo Exhibit Through July 26: By combining mundane materials with wit and craft, the artist expresses intimate relationships between tangible objects and the imagination.

TERRACE GALLERY AT ORLANDO CITY HALL 400 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-246-4279.

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-5 p.m. cityoforlando.net Identity Through Aug. 9: Three UCF graduate students exhibit works exploring identity through their personal artistic expression.

Ongoing: On display is a portion of the city’s permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, tapestries and mixed media.

FLORIDA FIRE FROGS Osceola County Stadium, 631 Heritage Park Way, Kissimmee. 321-697-3156. floridafirefrogs.com.

July 8: vs. Charlotte, 6 p.m.

July 9: vs. Charlotte, 6 p.m.

July 10: vs. Charlotte, 6 p.m.

July 11: vs. Charlotte, noon.

July 19: vs. Fort Myers, 6 p.m.

July 20: vs. Fort Myers, 6 p.m.

July 21: vs. Fort Myers, noon.

July 25: vs. Daytona, noon.

July 26: vs. Daytona, 6 p.m.

July 27: vs. Daytona, 6 p.m.

July 28: vs. Daytona, noon.

July 30: vs. Clearwater, 6 p.m.

July 31: vs. Clearwater, 6 p.m.

MLS ALL-STARS July 31: This major-league soccer game pits the MLS All-Star Team against Atlético Madrid.

8 p.m. Exploria Stadium, 665 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com ORLANDO CITY SOCCER LIONS Exploria Stadium, 665 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com July 3: vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.

July 13: vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

July 21: vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

ORLANDO CITY SOCCER PRIDE Exploria Stadium, 665 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com July 6: vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.

July 20: vs. Sky Blue, 7:30 p.m.

ORLANDO PREDATORS Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando.

407-440-7000, 800-745-3000. amwaycenter.com July 5: vs. Jacksonville Sharks, 7:30 p.m.

July 19: vs. Columbus Lions, 7:30 p.m.

ONLINE CALENDAR: Be sure to check out our online calendar at orlandomagazine.com

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SCENE RSVP

BBQ on the Boulevard The 28th annual event, sponsored by the Orlando Economic Partnership, drew hundreds of business and community leaders for an evening of networking beside Lake Eola.

Tim and Sarah Giuliani

with Orlando City soccer

mascot Kingston

Liefke Meyers, Steven Jamieson

Rich Maladecki, Peter Kacheris, Rico Pasamba, Erin Walsh, Frank Fry

Dick Batchelor, Jeanne Ford, Matt Batchelor 100 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019 | SCENE

Helen Martinez, Tracey Bracco, Julie Eason, Carla Biermann, Jami Smith, Colleen Johnson

EMILY JOURDAN

Joel Roberts, Maritza Martinez, Sam Stark

Diane O’Dell, Lisa Blackwelder, JoAnn Newman

Robert Gaye, C. T. Hsu

, Orange County Mayor

Jerry Demings, Cas

son ey Barnes, Nick Ander

Patty Sheehan, Fred Lauten

EMILY JOURDAN

Tim Giuliani, Allen Johnson, Stacey Smith

Kelly Cohen, Carol Burkett, Jeff Williamson, Jessi Blakley, Laureen Martinez

Joe Fernandez, Dylan Tell, Carlos Carbonell, Jon Yapo

Jeff Mathews, Annie Ahmed, Akter Khan

Kim Matthew, Deborah Crown, Gary Blanchette, David Odahowski SCENE | JULY 2019 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 101

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Embrace the Moment Gala Kim Campbell, wife of the late recording artist Glen Campbell, was guest speaker at the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center benefit, held at The Alfond Inn.

Stacey Schwartz, Emmy Ketterman, Hannah Robinson, Susan Rawson

Lisa Warren, Chris Warren h Gendron

Joann Harris, Valerie Chestnut, April Boykin, Patricia Hazlett

Erin Smith, Yolanda Covey

Marla Weech, Rowdy and Judy Gaines, Michael and Jessica Speed

Nicole Jefferys, Andrea Garden, Briana Burdette, Ricshonda Hankerson, Fredricka Finklea, Amy Pollock

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EMILY JOURDAN

Amy Rourke, Kim Campbell, Edit

I

I ALWAYS WANTED at least two kids. I

grew up with a family of four and assumed I’d have the same—and it just happened to work out that way. When our son Anders turned 2, William was born. My husband and I switched from zone defense to a man-to-man, full-court press.

People told us having kids close together would be a good thing, that having boys two years apart meant they’d be best friends.

But at 9 and almost 7, they’re more like archrivals. Most days, I feel like a referee in a heated boxing match of close calls.

One major issue is that they could not be more different. This summer, Anders has enrolled in science camp, basketball and archery, while William attends drama camp, karate and art lessons. A classic introvert, Anders prefers playing alone in his underwear with his collection of Beyblades and Pokemon cards, while William, the extrovert, socialite and fashionista, wants someone to play with all the time.

Anders is shy and struggles with speech articulation while William starred in his school play. Anders is a picky eater, refusing even to eat pizza, chicken fingers and hot dogs. William enthusiastically tries salmon, sushi and foie gras.

After William was born, Anders went through an especially rough terrible-twos stage. A therapist advised me never to underestimate the power a new sibling has on the firstborn. Anders lived in a world where his parents devoted all their attention to him and then BAM! William came along and took half of it away.

My mom, who lives nearly five hours away, kindly asked me how she could help with the boys this summer. I told her I’d love to send them to stay with her, but one at a time. For two glorious weeks, I won’t have to deal with fighting for a single day—the scratching, punching, wrestling, and testosterone-ing, the crying, the whining and the tattletelling. I’m looking

EMAIL LAURA AT FEEDBACK@ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM AND READ MORE OF HER COLUMNS AT ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM 104 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2019

Volume 73, Number 9, Orlando® (USPS 007-215) (ISSN 1059-3624) is published monthly by Morris Visitor Publications, 801 N. Magnolia Avenue, Ste. 201, Orlando, FL 32803. For subscriptions, call 1-800-243-0609 or visit our website at www.orlandomagazine.com. Copyright 2019 by Morris Communications. All rights reserved. Orlando® and CENTRAL FLORIDA® are federally registered trademarks. THE ABCs of Education™, CENTRAL FLORIDA HOME & GARDEN™, DISCOVER ORLANDO™, INSIDE ORLANDO™, LIVING IN ORLANDO™, ORLANDO HOME DESIGN™, and ORLANDO HOME & GARDEN™ are state registered trademarks. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine or of the trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Periodicals postage paid in Orlando, FL and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to Orlando magazine 801 N. Magnolia Ave. Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32803. Unsolicited photographs, illustrations, or articles are submitted at the risk of the photographer/artist/author. Morris Visitor Publications assumes no liability for the return of unsolicited materials and July use them at its discretion.

Bond of Brothers

forward to giving each son special one-onone attention. I’m hoping they’ll even miss each other a little bit, too.

My brother, Will, and I are 27 months apart, coincidentally the same as Anders and William. We fought constantly and drove our parents crazy—you know what they say about karma. But later in life, we became close. In our early 20s, the two of us took a train trip together up the East Coast to D.C., New York and Boston.

Like my own children, the two of us are very different, but on this trip we put our personal agendas aside. I actually don’t remember arguing at all—only laughing and telling old stories as we explored each city together. We share the same childhood and the same genetic makeup. He knows the most about me, which is why he knows how to push my buttons more effectively than anyone else.

Looking back on our younger years, I realize life was usually more fun—and always more interesting—with my pesky younger brother around. He was my companion the first time we were allowed to navigate Disney by ourselves, my partner as we rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad over and over again. He was my co-patient when we got our tonsils out, my accomplice the time we stole Dad’s beer, my pillow on road trips, and my playmate on long, boring summer afternoons. When I totaled my car as a young adult on a road trip from Atlanta, he was the first one on the scene. He’s come to visit me in all the five states and eight cities I’ve lived, even helping me move. Today, he’s the only uncle to my two boys, and I’m the only aunt to his two children.

I want my two sons to care about each other, but in the chaos of their incessant fighting, it’s difficult to see the brotherly love.

But in rare moments, they give me a glimmer of hope. During a flag football game, an overaggressive kid broke the rules and tackled William. Anders darted out on the field, ready to seek revenge. While I stopped him, I couldn’t help but feel proud that Anders was standing up for his little brother.

Even though the boys have their own rooms, they recently started sleeping together. Sometimes at night, way past their bedtime, I hear them whispering in the dark. Standing outside their door, I resist the urge to tell them to go to sleep, instead smiling that they’re getting along, swapping stories about their day and sharing Fortnite strategies. Maybe in these late hours, a slow but sure bond is forming, the makings of a lifelong friendship.

DAVID VALLEJO

EXTRA PULP LAURA ANDERS LEE

FIND ORLANDO’S HIDDEN GEMS The arts, dining, travel, entertainment, style, people and trends—if it’s part of Orlando’s lifestyle, you’ll find it covered in Orlando magazine.

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