12 Top Neighborhoods in Central Florida
Where to Live
NOW KEEPING COOL IN A MARKET THAT'S
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Hot 100 & Real Estate All-Stars
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Kelly Price & Company Congrats To Our 2021 Hot 100 Elite & All Star Agents
Kelly L. Price
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407.645.4321 2021 Hot100 Elite
407.810.8333 2021 Hot100 Elite
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407.929.5604 2021 Hot100 Elite
407.721.4541 2021 Hot100 Elite
407.286.4363 2021 All Star
Our Hot 100 Elite winners have the unique distinction of having been named Hot 100 five times or more over the last ten years. Our All Star winner has demonstrated excellence in real estate sales and making her mark in Central Florida. We are so proud of everyone!
407.645.4321 KellyPriceAndCompany.com
243 W. Park Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789
CONTENTS FE ATU RES
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Lake Nona's Laureate Park; (inset) a roseate spoonbill at Orlando Wetlands Park.
ON THE COVER 12 Top Neighborhoods in Central Florida
Where to Live
NOW KEEPING COOL IN A MARKET THAT'S
HOT
PLUS
Waterfront Dining at Russell's
Explore the natural side of Central Florida at Orlando Wetlands Park, Rock Springs Run and Lake Apopka's North Shore, where you'll discover myriad wildlife, from otters to bald eagles. Or visit Gatorland, one of the area's first attractions, to see the scaly reptiles up close, and Wild Florida to view exotic animals from the comfort of your car.
Central Florida's real estate market is growing in all directions, as out-of-state homebuyers are relocating here in search of more space and bigger houses. New communities, such as Horizon West and Hanover Lakes, are rising up, while long-standing neighborhoods, like Bay Hill and College Park, are red hot.
The community of Avalon Park was designed and built in the New Urbanism style. Photo By Roberto Gonzalez
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS • The Hot 100 & Real Estate All-Stars | 43 Central Florida's top real estate professionals.
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PREMIER R E A L E S TAT E Whether you’re trying to buy or sell real estate, getting the best deal means finding an agent who possesses savvy and know-how and gets results. Orlando magazine lists the top real estate professionals in Central Florida who have demonstrated those skills.
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COMING UP AUGUST • Best of ORL
SEPTEMBER • Pets • Arts & Entertainment Preview
LAUREATE PARK: COURTESY LAKE NONA; SPOONBILL: TERRY GODBEY
28
24 | ORLANDO UNTAMED
HOT NEIGHBORHOODS
EXPERT CARE TO GUIDE
YOUR BEST MOMENTS. At Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, we’re grateful for your
commitment to staying safe. And even in times of uncertainty, you can be certain of our commitment to your safety. As Florida’s leader in women’s healthcare, we’ll provide you with the highest level of quality, personalized and safe care — because getting the medical attention you need is important to us, and to you.
WinniePalmerHospital.com
CONTENTS DEPARTM ENTS
UP FRONT
FOOD & DRINK
10 | THE MIX
88 | REVIEW
Info on Central Florida's community gardens and a refridgerator program that provides food for those in need.
SPOTLIGHT 14 | IN FOCUS Tony Piloseno turned his passion for music and mixing unique paint colors into a creative career.
16 | HOME
88
Go green when you clean with these eco-friendly products for your home.
18 | ATTRACTIONS LEGOLAND and SeaWorld celebrate summer with nighttime spectaculars, EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival gets underway, and more.
20 | TRAVEL Savor the best of the South in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, from building sand castles on the pristine beaches to dining on fresh Gulf oysters.
110
Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe has become a favorite neighborhood hotspot, offering classic dishes served in fresh new ways, as well as a stellar happy hour and one of the most popular brunches in town.
92 | TABLE TALK We sat down to chat with two-time James Beard award-winning chef Melissa Kelly of Primo to learn more about what drives her success and inspires her.
93 | RECOMMENDED EATING Restaurants to put on your must-try list.
ON THE TOWN 104 | CALENDAR What’s happening in the area this month in theater, film, music, art and more.
110 | RSVP Winter Garden's Arts in April event, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida Golf Classic.
ETC. 112 | LAST LOOK Sundays are made for a leisurely stroll at the Downton Farmers Market.
16
Find more great content about your city online at
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@OrlandoMag 4 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
TONY, CALAMARI, CLEANING PRODUCTS: ROBERTO GONZALEZ; CHALK ART: EMILY JOURDAN
14
Member of the Hot 100 Hall of Fame Consistently ranked in the top 1% of Realtors Nationally Co-Founder and Real Estate Advisor at Stockworth
JULIE BETTOSINI
#1 Listing and Selling Agent in Orange County Known for her commitment, competitive drive and market knowledge, Julie has a wealth of client relationships that include professional athletes, entertainers, top executives, as well as internationally renowned physicians and entrepreneurs. Her white-glove client centered services have won her Corporate Relocation business for major companies throughout Central Florida. With more than 20 years of experience, and supported by a team of dedicated real estate professionals, Julie is able to consistently deliver a world class experience to both Buyers and Sellers throughout the greater Orlando area.
407.909.5903 | JBettosini@stockworth.com
HAVE A
WILD
SUMMER BREAK!
morrismedianetwork.com
Volume 75, Number 9
July 2021
PUBLISHER Catherine Walters
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Kristin Merrick
EDITORIAL Hancel Deaton, Editor Brooke Fehr, Food & Attractions Editor Anna Ware, Art Director Denis Vargas, Associate Art Director Roberto Gonzalez, Photo Editor
CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Butler, Tara Bradley Connell, Melissa Corbin, Terry Godbey, Cheri Henderson, Jennie Hess, Emily Jourdan, Patricia Letakis, Jennifer McKee, Maddy Zollo Rusbosin, Cynthia Van Gaasbeck
ADVERTISING SALES Kristin Merrick, 407-318-7249 kristin.merrick@orlandomagazine.com Rosemary Bowers, 407-318-7263 rosemary.bowers@orlandomagazine.com
CIRCULATION
Spend this summer break outside and experience Florida’s wild side! Explore Florida’s natural wildlife on a chartered airboat tour, discover new animals inside our Gator Park, interact with exotic animals during an animal encounter, and journey through our Drive-thru Safari where wild animals like reticulated giraffe, watusi, and scimitar oryx roam freely!
PUBWORX/PROCIRC: 3191 8240 NW 52nd Terr., Ste 505, Doral, FL 33166 Kolin Rankin, Consumer Marketing Director/ Director Print Order Dept. RETAILERS: To carry OMAG, call 646-307-7765
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6 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
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Tina Battock, President Scott Ferguson, Vice President-Operations Sherry Brown, Director-Manufacturing & Production Veronica Brooks, Accounting Manager Michelle Rowe, Circulation Business Manager Morris Communications Company, LLC William S. Morris III, Chairman Craig S. Mitchell, CEO
HEALTH HUB
SEND YOUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTHY A back-to-school physical should be on your checklist.
Summertime feels a little bit different this year – and going back to school might feel different, too! While we may not know exactly what’s in store for the next school session, there’s no better time than the present to make sure your kids are ready by having their required physicals.
GET YOUR CHILD AHEAD OF THE CLASS If your child has missed his or her regular well visit or vaccination during the pandemic, now is the time to make sure they are up to date. Get ahead of the class by asking an AdventHealth children’s health navigator for help ensuring that your child has all the necessary health checks and immunizations to participate in school and sports and activities. Any child who is being enrolled in school for the first time in Florida must have proof that he or she has received a physical exam within the past year. Likewise, certain vaccinations are required for all kids entering Florida public schools at different levels, and your child’s back-to-school physical is the ideal time to get current on those shots.
HEALTH NAVIGATORS: ONE CALL DOES IT ALL As specially trained registered nurses, health navigators provide complimentary services to help coordinate your child’s overall care and answer any questions you may have. These services include: • Answering questions about your and your family’s health care • Finding a family medicine provider or pediatrician • Helping schedule office visits, back to school physicals and screenings • Providing resources and support for you and your family • Coordinating care among multiple providers and facilities 21-SYSTEM-04422
NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU All AdventHealth facilities are taking extra measures to keep you safe, including masks worn by visitors and staff, temperature checks, social distancing reminders, remote check-ins, and frequent sanitizing. So don’t put off making that doctor’s visit when it’s needed.
How We Make It Easy • Personal Health Navigators • Next Day Appointments • Locations Close • Extended Hours to Home • Online Scheduling
Before the back-to-school rush begins, schedule physicals online at CentralFloridaBacktoSchool.com or call your personalized health navigator at 407-537-5516.
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READER SERVICES TO SUBSCRIBE You can save more than 72 percent off the newsstand price, never miss an issue and have the magazine delivered to your home each month. Or you can give friends and family members Orlando magazine as gifts. Subscribe by calling Orlando magazine customer service at 1-800-2430609 or visiting orlandomagazine.com EXISTING SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES Send questions about your current subscriptions to orlandomagazine@emailcustomerservice.com TO ADVERTISE If you would like information about how you can promote your products or services in Orlando magazine, call Kristin Merrick at 407-318-7249 or email at kristin.merrick@orlandomagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES $19.95 for one year, $32 for two years. Canada and Mexico add $20 per year for postage; Payment must be in U.S. funds. Single-copy price is $5.99. Single copies or back issues by mail are $5 each plus postage. Orders must be prepaid.
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TOTAL 17.6 MILLION 8 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
THE MIX CON N EC T WITH US
WHERE ARE LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDENS? If you have a green thumb, or the itch to garden but don’t have the space, Central Florida has several community gardens to explore!
1 Festival Park Garden
2911 East Robinson Street, Orlando
2 Colonialtown
745 Honeysuckle Lane, Casselberry
3 Mead Community 1310 South Denning Drive, Winter Park
Community Garden 500 Harwood Street, Orlando
1224 Elmwood Street, Orlando
Community Garden
1220 Spokane Avenue, Orlando
4 Lake Eola Heights
Community Garden
6 Summerloch Green
Community Garden
Garden
5 Lake Davis / Greenwood
7 Parramore Community Garden
654 West Robinson Street, Orlando
8 Sanford Community Garden
430 West 18th Street, Sanford
Did we miss any? Let us know on social!
COMMUNITY FRIDGE PROGRAM AT EAST END MARKET
MANY OF OUR CITY’S RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN experiencing food insecurity over the past year. A community refrigerator program was launched in October 2020 at East End Market in Audubon Park. It is accessible to the public and is regularly restocked with fresh foods for anyone in need. The project operates under the banner “Everybdy Eats” and is led by UCF grad, Sashauna McKain. (originally reported by Brendan O’Connor at Bungalower.com).
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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
FOCUSON WITH DR. AHMED SADEK
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Should I Be Concerned?
A
ALTHOUGH MOST PATIENTS WITH epilepsy live long, healthy lives, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a serious concern affecting one in 1,000 adults and one in 4,500 children with epilepsy. The exact cause of SUDEP is unclear. Most people are found dead in bed, often face-down. Though few people witness a seizure immediately preceding death, that is not required for a SUDEP diagnosis. Researchers believe that some seizures can cause an irregular heart rhythm leading to death, while others point to suffocation as the cause of death. The greatest risk factor for SUDEP is frequent seizures, particularly generalized tonic clonic or grand mal seizures. Although the risk of SUDEP is considered quite small in most people, a recent study estimates that having three or more tonic clonic seizures within a year increases the risk of SUDEP 15-fold. Other risk factors involving abrupt cessation of seizure medications, not taking seizure medications as prescribed, being an young adult between 20 and 40 years old, and having an intellectual disability with an IQ of less than 70.
At this time, no singular measure can eliminate all risk of SUDEP. The most effective measure is to get the best possible control of your seizures. This involves working closely with your health care team, taking your medications as prescribed, and considering all possible treatment options for your epilepsy (including medications, surgery, medical devices, dietary therapy, etc.). Good lifestyle habits such as getting proper sleep, avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs, and taking medications on time can help avoid breakthrough seizures. Some studies suggest that having someone available to provide assistance during a nighttime seizure may help prevent SUDEP. Although it can be scary to consider your risk for SUDEP, discussion of this dangerous condition is important to increase public awareness and promote research. Please consider discussing SUDEP with your epilepsy provider and identify strategies to reduce your risk.
Dr. Ahmed Sadek Orlando Epilepsy Center, Inc.
Dr. Sadek is the Director of Orlando Epilepsy Center. He is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Florida Shands, Gainesville. Dr. Sadek is triple Board certified in Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Epilepsy. CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 407.704.8510 Website: orlando-epilepsy.com
The Difference is Our Culture Integrity, Collaboration, Responsiveness Local and Global Reach
(L to R) Matt Tomaszewski, Chocky Burks, Steve Healy Corcoran Premier Realty is a locally owned boutique real estate firm with the power of the Global network of Corcoran. With over 30 years combined local experience, owners Chocky Burks, Matt Tomaszewski, and Steve Healy unite their local expertise with the strength of worldwide Corcoran. Offices are in Windermere, Winter Park, and Lake Mary where experienced Agents personally handle your home selling and buying needs. Our teams deliver unrivaled, client-centric service and innovative marketing. The Result: RESULTS • Extensive referral network with top sales offices in NYC, Hamptons, Westchester County NY, Chicago, South Florida, Denver, Hawaii, Northern California, Florida Panhandle, Scottsdale and the BVI’s • Over 30B in annual sales • Over 100 offices • 5/5 Stars reviews on Zillow • 10 million annual website visits • Over 5,000 agents nationwide
Windermere Office | 1921 Maguire Rd Ste 104, Windermere, FL 34786 | 407.965.1155
Winter Park Office | 271 N. Pennsylvania Ave Ste 2, Winter Park, Fl 32789 | 407-378-5585
SPOTLIGHT
GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM
I N FO C U S • H O M E • AT TR AC TI O N S • TR AV E L
PAGE 20
STANDING STRONG
Coastal Alabama comprises only 60 miles, but Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are packed with beautiful beaches, wildlife refuges and historical relics, including Fort Morgan, built in the early- to mid-1800s.
Musical Hues
Tempo and instrumentation transform into color for this 22-year-old TikTok sensation, who creates viral paint videos.
F
BY CHERI HENDERSON
FOR MOST PEOPLE, music evokes a feeling. But for TikTok content creator Tony “Tonester” Piloseno, it elicits swirls of colors that he mimics as he blends paint in his addictively soothing videos that have amassed 1.8 million followers. Piloseno, who recently launched his own Tonester paint line with Winter Garden-based Florida Paints, sees color when he hears music. It’s a result of his having synesthesia, an unusual condition that stimulates senses other than the one being used. The condition would manifest itself as Piloseno played trumpet in concert band through his senior year in high school. But it wasn’t until he began mixing paint while working at a Sherwin-Williams store in Athens, Ohio, at age 18 that he began to understand the correlation between music and color. “I realized I associate different colors with different sounds of music,” he says. When he listens to music, he sees swirls of colors, much like the swirls he creates as he mixes paint. “I can almost see out of the corner of my eye
14 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021 | SPOTLIGHT
something similar to a memory.” The color comes together based on “the tempo of a song and the instruments used.” When Piloseno listens to a ballad by Adele, he sees “certain types of yellows and oranges, something that’s a little more vibrant,” while bass-heavy instrumental music can give rise to a soft blue with green. “The sounds blend together just like paint,” he says. He began producing his videos—always backed by popular music—in December 2019. “Athens is not the most happening place. So at the store, I was hanging out and doing homework most of the time,” says Piloseno, who is finishing his marketing degree with Ohio University. “I thought it would be cool to make a video of myself making a paint color. I believe my sixth video got a million views,” he says. He has since monetized on TikTok and YouTube. But he got fired for creating videos on company time, even though he paid for the paint he created during down time. When word got out via social media, “I received multiple job offers from
all the major players in the paint industry.” But Piloseno accepted an offer from Don Strube Jr. of Florida Paints because “he was the only one who actually talked to me about our shared passion—the importance of color and paint.” Piloseno is training as a sales associate, but part of his job is to create videos and grow his own paint line, sold at tonesterpaints. com. “On my website, you can choose either merchandise or color. It’s not merchandise or paint. We wanted to say ‘color’ because that’s what we emphasize,” he says. Strube couldn’t help but notice Piloseno’s artistic eye and unusual techniques, such as using blueberries or coffee to achieve a certain shade. “Not only does he have a passion for color, he has a passion for our industry,” Strube says. Florida Paints has gained broader brand awareness as a result of hiring Piloseno. “People say, ‘I’ve heard of you guys because of the TikTok guy.’ Internally, he’s helped all our employees raise our awareness on the power of social media,” Strube says. For Piloseno, this is just the beginning. “My goal would be to become a recognized artist in creating color,” he says. He hopes his product line will become “the first well-developed paint brand started through the use of social media and the use of content creation.”
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
SPOTLIGHT IN FOCUS
“I've been a resident of Orlando for 30 years. Homeowner in Baldwin Park for 18 years. I know how important it is to find the right home and community for your family. I understand the challenges you face when Listing or Buying a home in a competitive market. Let's have a conversation about your real estate needs.” – Greg
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FULL-SERVICE BOUTIQUE
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SPOTLIGHT HOME
A Greener Way to Clean Tidy up your home as well as your eco footprint with these seven tips in mind. BY MADDY ZOLLO RUSBOSIN were the hottest items in town. Because of the spread of COVID-19, people were sanitizing everything from their groceries to their mail, and it was commonplace to see the cleaning aisle barren, with customers scrambling to grab whatever was available. Now that things are returning to a sense of normalcy, you’re likely to have more choice when it comes to household supplies. That’s why there’s no better time to revamp your approach and embrace a more eco-conscious,
sustainable cleaning mentality. Don’t know where to start? Here are seven simple tweaks to begin going greener.
SIMPLIFY Fact: You probably have more cleaning products than you actually need. “The easiest and quickest thing to do is to eliminate as many products from your house as possible,” explains Jamie Jones, founder of local brand, Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox. “Most things in our home can be cleaned with just soap and water,
16 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021 | SPOTLIGHT
but companies like Clorox are in the business of making money, so they tell us we need a different product for each room and surface.” A good starting point is to toss anything toxic and whittle down from there.
LOOK TO THE LABEL Similar to beauty products and food, it can be a daunting task to know what to look for on a label—and just because something says it’s natural or green doesn’t necessarily mean it is. “Avoid bleach, phosphates, chlorine and
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
A
A LITTLE OVER a year ago, cleaning products
Many of these eco-friendly cleaning products can be found locally at Publix, Target, Whole Foods and other stores.
gar. Baking soda can be used in a number of ways (from removing the most caked-on microwave messes to cleaning crayon scribblings off walls) while vinegar’s acetic acid naturally disinfects and helps dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grease and grime. If you don’t feel like DIY-ing it, eco-friendly brands such as Aunt Fannie’s take the guesswork out of it.
TIDY UP INCREMENTALLY It’s easier said than done, but you’ll save yourself a lot of time and effort if you don’t let a mess fester. “Removing dust, cleaning up sticky messes and vacuuming regularly are all easy and effective ways to keep your home clean,” says Jones. While seemingly basic, cleaning as you go works—and remember, try not to stress about germs and keeping things super sanitized 24/7. “Places like hospitals need to have a sterile environment, so the ingredients and products matter a lot, but you really don’t need that level of concern for your home,” she adds. “Think more about the process of cleaning rather than the right products.”
artificial fragrances,” says Angelica Cabrales, owner of Living to the Greenest, an Orlando-based cleaning company. “Instead look for concentrated formulas you can easily refill, ones made with essential oils, or products you can use on multiple surfaces,” she says. Proof that you don’t need a lot? Cabrales’ entire business relies on only four products.
TRUST YOUR SENSES Anything that makes your eyes water, your skin peel or has too strong of a smell needs to go. “It’s harder to judge based on only ingredients because even the ‘natural’ products list ingredients most of us have never heard of,”
Jones explains. So if your gut is telling you something seems a little harsh, it probably is.
KEEP PACKAGING IN MIND What’s on the outside is just as important as what’s on the inside. Cabrales suggests opting for items made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. Another option? Anything refillable. That way, once you buy the initial item, all you need going forward are refill packs that create less waste. CONSIDER PANTRY ITEMS Sometimes all you need for that fresh clean look and smell is a little baking soda or vine-
RETHINK YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PAPER This is may be the trickiest thing when it comes to a more sustainable cleaning routine, but trust us, you can cut back on your paper towel habit. “A good starting point would be to use cleaning cloths, like E-Cloths, when doing more deep cleaning and only using paper towels for spot cleaning or convenience throughout the day,” advises Cabrales. “However, once you start using premium cloths and realize how easily they clean, you may never go back to paper towels.” Jones adds that flour sack towels are also a good alternative (they’re inexpensive and have a similar thickness). Need more info? Go to the Environmental Working Group’s website (ewg.org), which rates cleaning products. Find out more about the products above at orlandomagazine.com.
SPOTLIGHT | JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 17
SPOTLIGHT ATTRACTIONS
Long days and balmy nights make July a popular time to visit this nearby hotspot. BY NANCY BUTLER THIS FOURTH OF July, celebrate America’s independence with Red, White and Boom! fireworks in the shape of LEGO bricks at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. The fireworks will light up the sky above Lake Eloise on both July 3 and 4. Guests can pick up special viewing glasses at locations around the park that give the fiery bursts their signature LEGO shape. The show is best seen in Pirates Cove and along the edge of the lake, but guests have great views from anywhere in the park. Throughout the day, visitors can celebrate America in other fun ways by helping
to build a giant American flag out of LEGO bricks, showing their best moves during a DJ dance party and entering a competition to see who can build the best patriotic creation. Independence Day activities are included with regular park admission. All year round, say Ahoy! to the swashbuckling pirates who take over Lake Eloise during the recently opened Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show. Guests can meet the new female pirate, Calico Jade, as she and Captain Brickbeard recruit the finest buccaneers to add to their crew.
Celebrate summer at LEGOLAND with fireworks and shows for the whole family.
This exciting show features scallywags who wakeboard, jet ski, ski barefoot and perform an iconic ski pyramid—a throwback to the days when the park was Cypress Gardens. Barefoot skiing originated in Winter Haven, and the first-ever competition was held at the sight of Brickbeard’s show. Some of the most daring pirates even defy gravity on the all-new fly board as they are propelled over 70 feet into the air. The show occurs three times during the day; take note that guests sitting in the front will be in the splash zone. legoland.com/florida
NIGHTS OF LIGHT Get ready to party the evening away this summer during SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean. This nighttime extravaganza runs on select days and evenings through September 6 and transforms the park into a gleaming, watery wonderland. Some highlights include Club Sea Glow, an electric dance party with DJs and neon sea creatures, and new this year, Rescue Tails, a presentation that shares SeaWorld’s commitment to animal rehabilitation. End the night with Ignite, a stunning fireworks, music and water display that turns the night sky into an undersea paradise—visible from all around the lake! Special summer eats and treats are also available. seaworld.com/orlando
18 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021 | SPOTLIGHT
LEGOLAND: COURTESY LEGOLAND FLORIDA RESORT; FIREWORKS: COURTESY SEAWORLD ORLANDO
Celebrate Summer at LEGOLAND
Sip & Stroll Longer Than Ever ON JULY 15, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival returns in full force to Walt Disney World. Central Florida’s biggest culinary festival will take place through November 20. All seasoned Food and Wine goers know to come hungry: global marketplaces across the park offer dishes from six continents, with some marketplaces debuting on opening day and others joining in the fun a little later in the season. Expect returning favorites such as Greece, Germany and Australia around World Showcase, but don’t skip the spots located in Future World as well. In addition, the festival will feature innovative cocktails and other sips so visitors can celebrate, as last year’s 25th anniversary festival was a scaled-back version. There will be two events tied to the upcoming opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on October 1: Kids can find all of the Remy statuettes across the park for a prize during Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt, while adults can get their prize by trying five cheesy dishes from different marketplaces during the new Emile’s Fromage Montage. Admission is included with your ticket, but park reservations are required. disneyworld.disney.go.com
ICE CREAM AND M&MS STORE: COURTESY BROOKE FEHR; THE ESCAPE EFFECT: COURTESY THE ESCAPE EFFECT
A DELICIOUS WORLD OF COLOR Chocolate lovers, rejoice: There is an awesome new spot to get your fix! The M&M’S store recently opened at Disney Springs, offering 10,000 square feet of candy and merchandise sure to please fans of the brand. Located across from House of Blues in West Side, guests step through the giant yellow M&M and are immersed within an interactive chocolate experience. There are photo ops with life-sized M&M characters. But don’t miss
the signature chocolate wall: tall, rainbow rows of M&M dispensers where guests can create mix-and-match bags of their favorite chocolate candies—including white chocolate, peanut, caramel and crunchy mint as well as classic milk chocolate. You can even personalize your own M&Ms with photos, graphics or a message of your choice! In addition, you’ll find co-branded Disney apparel, mugs, gifts and more. disneysprings.com
Meet Your Match at The Escape Effect IT IS MEDIEVAL times at Stonebury Castle England, and you are on
the run from an angry king who just murdered his brother; you have two hours to reunite with your companions before being captured. Will you survive? At The Escape Effect, voted Central Florida’s best escape room, you can find out. This locally-owned entertainment venue is the only escape room in Florida to offer games longer than an hour. With extended game times come more intense mysteries and harder puzzles. The venue has recently reopened with elevated safety protocols, and games are always private to your party. Every game has an unlimited-hint option and customizable difficulty levels depending on the size and experience of your party. Each room is unique to The Escape Effect: guests can search Sherlock’s study to see if Lady Ricoletti is guilty of murder, or they can battle for immortality against Greek gods on Mount Olympus. The popular “Fright Before your Eyes” room is not for the faint of heart; guests need flashlights and spectre detectors, as the room is pitch black and filled with missing souls. Make your reservations at their website. theescapeeffect.com SPOTLIGHT | JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 19
SPOTLIGHT TRAVEL
Southern Exposure
Another stunning sunset along the pristine beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama.
A
ALABAMA CLAIMS A mere 60 miles of the Gulf of Mexico’s shoreline, with the Perdido River serving as the state line with Florida. Depending on who you talk to, it’s often surmised that Alabama was cheated out of its fair share of what’s commonly known as the Redneck Riviera. But you won’t miss a thing while visiting this sunny stretch of unspoiled coastline. Known for its sugary white sands and turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, comprise 32 miles of the Panhandle’s Emerald Coast, with Southern hospitality front and center. Perhaps surprisingly, Alabama manages the nation’s largest offshore artificial reef system (approximately 1,060 square miles). The reefs are constructed from car bodies, culvert fragments, bridge rubble, barges, boats and planes, and attract an array of fish, including red snapper and amberjack. Thus, the area also attracts avid anglers and commercial fishermen. Reel Surprise Charters can take you to these rich fishing grounds through half-day and full-day deep-sea fishing excursions leaving from Perdido Bay. The company is named after the first charter boat, a 65-foot Bonner, that owners Randy and Susan Boggs bought 16 years ago. The couple recently repowered the large vessel
and remodeled the air-conditioned cabin. A small bar and two restrooms provide for a comfortable trip, and if you’re queasy about baiting your own hook, the crew will do it for you. With a fleet of eight boats, charters are available by reservation for all skill levels. With feet firmly planted back on the ground, take your pick of pristine beaches running from Gulf State Park (see sidebar) in Gulf Shores, which could easily be a destination in itself, to slightly west of Gulf Shores where Fort Morgan guards the southernmost point of Alabama. When visiting Fort Morgan, consider taking the self-guided tour of this preserved Army fort, where you’ll learn the historic progression of seacoast fortification that began during the Spanish-American War and continued through World War II. A six-mile hike through the nearby Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge highlights preservation of a different nature in Alabama’s last natural habitat for coastal barrier wildlife. On the way out to the quiet side of things, stop by Sassy Bass Market Place, where you can get all the fixins for the perfect picnic to be enjoyed on the beach or under a shaded thicket of oaks and palmettos. You’ll find all the usual beach pursuits readily available here, but there’s one
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activity you definitely won’t want to miss: a class in sand castle building offered by Sand Castle University. Its founder, Janel Hawkins, can teach even the most architecturally challenged sculptor how to build a sound castle made of sand. And the best part? It takes place on the beach, where you can dig in your toes for the day. Hawkins shows up with all the tools of the trade, such as buckets, spatulas and plastic spoons. At the end of the class, you’ll receive a time-lapsed video documenting your experience. Reservations are required, and advance bookings are highly recommended. Along Gulf Shores Parkway (Highway 59), there is a sea of condo options, many with private-access beaches, depending on where you stay. Meyer Vacation Rentals can give you the hookup from their diverse selection of properties spanning the entire coast. But for public beach access, you’ll want to call The Hangout your home base for the day. Located in the center of the action and known for its mammoth music events, this entertainment mecca also features a solid menu, a literal wall of cocktails and open-air seating directly on Gulf Shores Public Beach. Mark your calendar for the Annual Oyster Cook-Off Craft Spirits and Beer Weekend, happening Nov. 5-6.
GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM
You just may find your home away from home along the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. BY MELISSA CORBIN
Clockwise from far left: Class is in session with Janel Hawkins of Sand Castle University; get your fresh catch-of-theday straight from the Gulf; great blue herons and dozens of other shore birds make their home along the coast; The Lodge at Gulf State Park overlooks the beach and surrounding area.
EXPLORE GULF STATE PARK...
GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM
BACK TO NATURE Featuring 2 miles of coastline, the park offers that quintessential beach vacation and so much more, with its nine distinct ecosystems, 28 miles of trails, Lake Shelby, and some excellent spots for stargazing. Here, you can let Mother Nature lead the way.
When it comes to oysters, you really can’t throw a single pearl and not hit an oyster joint of some quality. One of the better establishments is Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina. The two-in-one operation offers casual dining at its Dockside eatery—where you can order a seafood tower appetizer of Murder Point oysters, steamed Gulf shrimp and crab claws—and its Upstairs restaurant, with a dinner menu of fine Southern cuisine sourced primarily from the region. Proprietor and namesake Johnny Fisher most recently added Playa at Sportsmans Marina, less than four miles away, to his family of restaurants. Featuring Caribbean and Latin American fare, the tropical cocktails alone are Insta-worthy, but you’ll be glad you stayed for the fresh tacos prepared with homemade tortillas. When Hurricane Sally ripped through the area last year, The Royal Oyster Bar
seemingly battened down its hatches forever. But the owners are bringing their successful blend of boutique oysters, a thoughtful wine and spirits list, and all-around good taste to a different location that is slated to open this summer. The new locale, on County Road 6, will also feature a convenience store and an Airbnb that promises to be one of a kind. Carver’s Steakhouse in Orange Beach is the area’s newest choice if you’re needing a palate cleanser after all that fresh seafood (as if that’s even going to happen). Carver’s specializes in wood-fired steaks and chops, but has a healthy regard for the coastal environment and offers a creative, Gulf-inspired selection of seafood. And, yes, oysters. No matter how you enjoy the Southern graces of the area, when the sun sets on a day well-lived in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there is no escaping its vibrant beauty. Find a spot that is just your speed and witness the magic.
WHERE TO STAY Offerings include cabins, cottages, RV and primitive campsites, and outposts. The Lodge, a Hilton Hotel property, is located within Gulf State Park and features environmentally friendly amenities, a conference center and captivating beachfront views. WHERE TO EAT With a full-service hotel on the property, the culinary and beverage options far exceed what you might expect from a state park. For more casual options, concession stands and camp stores around the park offer everything from icy treats to fully prepared meals. ADVENTURES BEYOND Because of the park’s close proximity to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, you can always drive off property for a night out on the town. And well within driving distance are excursions to Fairhope and Mobile, Alabama, as well as Coastal Mississippi.
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ORLANDO Take a walk on the wild side and experience Central Florida’s remarkable natural beauty.
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TERRY GODBEY
BY TERRY GODBEY
HERON: TERRY GODBEY; CAMELLIA: COURTESY LEU GARDENS
Orlando is the most visited destination in the United States, and its theme parks, with their megadose of fantasy and thrills, are a big reason. But for a different kind of adventure, the area offers an untamed, authentic side. Imagine seeing alligators up close, or spending a day wandering through woods and wetlands teeming with wildlife and alive with birdsong. Places abound—not far from the city’s urban core—where you can embrace the great outdoors under your own power. Whether on foot, by bicycle, or in myriad other ways, these adventures promise to deliver surprises around every corner. If learning more about Florida’s native fauna is on your wish list, Orlando Wetlands Park is one of the state’s best birding sites. Its 1,650 acres of hardwood hammocks, marshes and lakes are home to more than 200 species of birds. But that’s not all. You’re also likely to see alligators, bobcats, otters, foxes, deer, turtles, snakes and butterflies during a visit to this area, just east of Orlando proper in the town of Christmas. Bring your camera and be on the lookout for red-shouldered hawks, bald eagles and, if you’re lucky, bright pink
roseate spoonbills. There are migrating birds in the winter, nesting birds in the spring and wading birds year-round, including all manner of herons, egrets and ibises. A word of caution, however: There is little to no shade, so visit in the early morning hours or late afternoon on warm days and take plenty of water. For a cooler, more cultivated experience, visit Harry P. Leu Gardens. This 50-acre oasis in the city includes an impressive camellia collection—one of the country’s largest—and Mary Jane’s Rose Garden (Florida’s largest formal rose garden) as well as vegetable, herb and bamboo gardens, among others. Wide paths make many areas fully accessible by wheelchair. In Winter Park, Mead Botanical Garden spans 48 acres and has a more rustic look. Stroll under the longleaf pine canopy, hike along Howell Creek, wander through the butterfly gardens, and keep an ear out for the who-who-who-whoooo calls of the barred owls. Is a faster pace more your speed? At Revolution Adventures, you can rent all-terrain vehicles to explore the 230-acre recreational area in Clermont, or hop on an eightwheel amphibious vehicle to navigate its lakes and ponds.
This page and opposite: Orlando Wetlands Park is home to a variety of wildlife and birds, including this great blue heron. Above: Camellia japonica at Leu Gardens.
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One of Central Florida’s earliest tourist attractions, Gatorland, is bursting with charm. Open since 1949, the park is famous for its shows in which gator wranglers tempt the huge reptiles to jump for food and its boardwalk through a marsh dotted with hundreds of gators and nesting birds. It has zip line rides, and a petting zoo and train for the kids. You can see rare white gators (they are not the same as albinos, though the park has one of those, too). Remember to snap a selfie at the iconic “gator mouth” entrance. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is part of the Lake Apopka North Shore environmental sanctuary. Along the 11-mile, one-way road, you’ll observe an abundance of wildlife from behind the wheel. The speed limit is 10 mph, so at peak times it can take two to three hours to drive all the way through. One caveat: The drive is open only Friday through Sunday. Roll down your windows and take photos of the residents, which include hundreds of bird species as well as gators, otters and raccoons. It’s fairly common to see bobcats as well. Stopping your car is limited to designated pullouts, and you’ll also want to watch out for hikers and bicyclists where the road intersects with the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Outdoor adventure abounds in Central Florida. Whether you’re riding roller coasters or learning firsthand about the state’s wildest residents, there’s never a dull moment.
Above: An alligator caught mid-bellow at Gatorland. Opposite: A giraffe leans in for its closeup at Wild Florida.
COURTESY GATORLAND
For the aquatically minded, the Shingle Creek and Wekiva River areas are gorgeous spots to rent a canoe or kayak and make a splash. The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek (the headwaters of the Florida Everglades) rents stand-up paddleboards, too—and provides guided ecotours if you want to relax while soaking in the scenery. Rock Springs Run, west of Sanford, is another jewel. This spring-fed stream, which eventually joins the Wekiva River, has wonderfully crystal-clear water. You can rent canoes or kayaks at King’s Landing or go swimming or tubing at the spring in nearby Kelly Park, where the water is a refreshing 68 degrees all year. (Inner tubes can be rented at areas outside the park.) If cycling is your thing, a good bet is the 22-mile-long West Orange Trail. Rent bikes at the southern trailhead, Killarney Station, and stop to grab a sandwich or ice cream cone in quaint downtown Winter Garden. If you’re hankering to experience the Florida of yore but your legs are sore from traversing theme parks, give them a rest while driving through a nature preserve. Wild Florida’s airboat tour through swamps, marshes and rivers will take your breath away. You can also drive through its Safari Park for a look at exotic animals such as zebras and giraffes as well as native deer and bison, without ever leaving the comfort of your car.
COURTESY WILD FLORIDA
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HotNeigh
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PHOTO CREDIT
Avalon Park, east of Downtown Orlando, is an allinclusive live/work/ play community.
borhoods It’s summertime and Central Florida is sizzling, but not just because of the heat. A huge influx of out-of-state homebuyers is fueling the rise of developing communities, while established neighborhoods are more desirable than ever. BY PATRICIA LETAKIS
PHOTO CREDIT
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERTO GONZALEZ
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is a popular business mantra made famous by Kevin Costner’s character in the film Field of Dreams. Any wise business person will point out that when there is a demand for something, that often-quoted line from the movie rings true. As pandemic concerns across the country continue to ease and interest rates remain low, homebuyers are out in full force. Developers, builders and real estate agents in Orlando and Central Florida have been busier than ever trying to meet the needs of out-of-state buyers eager to call Florida home, as well as local folks wanting to upgrade to larger houses to accommodate working-from-home lifestyle changes. So if you’re looking to move to a new neighborhood, buy a home, build your dream house, or sell your home, you’ll be faced with a very different market in 2021. Juliana Boselli-Neves, the 2021 Orlando Regional REALTOR Association secretary, explains: “The market is extremely good for both buyers and sellers. Buyers have options. They have to be quick, but they do have options, and interest rates are so low that it’s a good market to buy. When it comes to the sellers, they have the ability to choose the best offer. And they’re getting multiple offers.” How long interest rates stay low and buyer interest remains high can’t be predicted, but the median price of a home in the Orlando market has felt their effects. In April 2021, the median home price was $295,000, a 12 percent increase from April 2020, according to Orlando Regional REALTOR Association. Boselli-Neves points out that there’s a big surge of out-ofstate buyers, which is affecting prices. These folks are looking for more space and bigger houses. And for that they are heading to the outskirts of Orlando: Windermere, Winter Garden, Horizon West, Lake Nona, St. Cloud and Apopka.
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NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE RISE
To build new communities you need land, and the logical place to go is either southwest or southeast of Orlando, where there is still land available for development. One community growing aggressively is Horizon West, located southwest of Winter Garden, Windermere and Dr. Phillips. Simon Simaan, broker, Realtor and owner of The Simon Simaan Group, grew up in Orlando and has watched the development firsthand. “Back then there were mostly forests, cattle and orange groves; all that is being developed now. The price of land has increased. You can’t redevelop an area that has already been developed, so you have to go out and prospect—goldmine like back in the days of the Old West,” he says. 30 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
PHOTO CREDIT
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I f you b u il d i t, t h e y wil l c om e,
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Horizon West/Hamlin is one of the fastest growing communities in Central Florida.
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man-style homes with front porch swings line streets with names that pay homage to Florida’s bygone citrus industry: Honeybell Drive and Tangelo Twist Alley. Some neighborhoods boast lakefront homes with wooden deck stairs descending to docks. Canoe launches as well as clubhouses can be spotted inside neighborhoods. Both home choices and builders within Horizon West’s 21,000 acres are plentiful. You’ll find single-family homes, townhouses, apartment homes and 55-plus communities. Builders include Ashton Woods, Taylor Morrison, Dream Finders Homes and Toll Brothers, to name a few. In the Hamlin area, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhomes are priced from $350,000 to $400,000, with some exceeding that amount. However, the average price of a new home in Horizon West is $500,000-plus. As for home sites, Julian says they are definitely in demand—not only in Horizon West, but other communities as well—and there is often a list of potential buyers. Each month six to 10 home sites are released by the developer, and they go fast. Building a home used to take 5 to 7 months, but now it’s about double that because of a shortage of materials. “It’s all about supply and demand,” Julian says. “There’s not a lot of negotiation right now because demand is so high. An entry-level home that costs $250,000-$300,000 could receive 40 offers.”
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
HORIZON WEST, considered one of the largest master-planned developments in Central Florida’s history, was on the drawing board beginning in 1995. The project, inspired by the New Urbanism movement, encompasses a town center and five villages, each with several neighborhoods offering a mix of housing styles, schools, parks and recreation. In January 1997, Horizon West received the green light from Orange County to begin work on its first village, Lakeside, which was approved for 8,915 residential units—and the building hasn’t stopped. Since then, the development has evolved to include Bridgewater (10,450 units), Seidel/Village F (3,891 units), Hickory Nut/Village H (6,548 units) and Ovation/Village I (5,608 units). The construction of Hamlin Town Center, a commercial area designed to serve all the villages, followed. It’s home to several small businesses, from orthodontic offices to coffee shops and fitness centers, as well as essentials such as Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital, a Publix supermarket and a 24-hour Walmart Supercenter. Newer residential neighborhoods are nestled around it. Today, Lakeside, Bridgewater and Seidel are basically complete. Each still has a few properties available, but very little development remains. Hickory Nut, Ovation and Hamlin are where homebuilders are now actively building. According to Michael “Bo” Julian, broker, Realtor and co-owner of Julian Properties, HAMLIN is one of the hottest areas. “It’s on fire over there. Everything is new: homes, schools, shopping, restaurants and a hospital. It’s a great location with easy access to theme parks and downtown Winter Garden,” he says, adding that homes are selling so quickly he can’t keep enough properties in inventory. Lisa Wargel and her family moved to Horizon West from Dallas 18 months ago and built a five-bedroom home, which she describes as “our forever house,” in the Overlook neighborhood. She says that the No. 1 reason she chose the area was for the good schools, adding “it’s so close to Disney.” Her two teenage children adjusted easily to their new neighborhood, and she landed a job as studio manager for Eat the Frog Fitness, which opened in 2019. “It’s a growing town … we love it here—good people and diversity,” she says. A couple of doors down from Eat the Frog in the same retail strip is Abbott’s Frozen Custard. Owner Jennifer Pelcher left Rochester, New York, eight years ago. “We knew this would be a great location, an area that was developing. It was orange groves when we arrived,” she says. “It’s amazing how quickly it has grown, but I feel we picked a good place to live.” In July 2019, she opened her shop—a well-known business in the Rochester area—which has since become an after-school hangout for kids and parents hungry for scoops of creamy frozen custard, milkshakes, sundaes and the famous Turtle novelty bar. She hires high school kids to work in her shop and takes an ice cream cart to community events. “I’ve met so many neighbors because of my business. As big as Orlando is, this feels like a small community,” she says about Horizon West. At the New Independence Parkway exit 15 on State Road 429, you can see homes under construction, land being surveyed, and acres of burnt-out orange groves near County Road 545 to the west. On the east side of S.R. 429, manicured landscaping and rows of magnolia trees skirt the main roads that lead into Hamlin Town Center and the more-developed neighborhoods, where Crafts-
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ROBERTO GONZALEZ; KITCHEN & OUTDOOR LIVING NIGHTTIME: COURTESY TOLL BROTHERS
Residents of Horizon West/Hamlin live the quintessential Central Florida lifestyle.
You can’t redevelop an area that has already been developed, so you have to go out and prospect— goldmine like back in the days of the Old West. Simon Simaan, Realtor
On the opposite side of town, southeast of Orlando, just north of the Osceola County line and St. Cloud, is LAKE NONA, a shining gem in the portfolio of Tavistock Development Company. A well-thought-out, master-planned community, Lake Nona is anchored by Medical City and an impressive town center where a creative urban vibe is evident in its architecture. Four- and five-story office buildings, hotels, restaurants, small businesses and sidewalks, plus public art and a color-themed design put it a notch above other planned communities. When completed at the end of this year, its 18-story Lake Nona Wave Hotel, designed by Arquitectonica, will be the beginning of Lake Nona’s skyline. Rob Adams, vice president of residential development for Tavistock, explains that while a typical developer will build houses and strip retail, Tavistock’s leadership had the foresight to understand that Lake Nona was going to be dense and started building the town center a bit ahead of its time. Cutting-edge technology can be found throughout the community, from high-speed internet connections to autonomous shuttles. Fiber optics were installed in homes for enhanced internet connections, proving serendipitous given COVID-19. Even before the pandemic, home offices in Lake Nona were becoming commonplace. Today it is estimated that about 20 percent of residents work from
home. With more and more people resuming normal activities, residents are boarding one of the area’s more visible examples of high tech: the driverless minibuses that “Move Nona.” The autonomous shuttles were introduced in 2019 to transport residents from the town center to major points within the community. Medical City, which rose up in 2011-2012, is home to UCF College of Medicine, Nemours Children’s Hospital and Orlando VA Medical Center. Also located in Lake Nona are the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, offering improvement programs for individuals and groups; USTA National Campus, the largest tennis facility in the nation with 100 courts; and KPMG Lakehouse, a national training center for the accounting organization. These facilities bring both jobs and educational opportunities to Lake Nona and reinforce the focus on health, wellness and education. Resident Jim Kilp was keen on the community’s attention to such things as wellness and exercise. His company transferred him from Kansas City, Missouri, to Orlando in 2003 and he bought in Lake Nona’s NorthLake Park, one of the development’s earlier communities. However, in 2018, he moved to the newer Laureate Park because of its proximity to the thriving town center, where he opened Rukus Cycling Studios in November 2019. “I love the JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 33
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get in and out, and the sooner they get out has a meaningful difference on their ability to make money. “We [Tavistock] are not getting out. Every decision we make, we know we’ve got to live with it. If we have a poorly designed piece of land somewhere, we’re going to be dealing with it at some time. So what that adds for us is some pressure to do it right.” Today, Lake Nona boasts 14 communities. In Laureate Park, you’ll find townhouses as well as bungalows, cottages and contemporary, single-family homes. The neighborhood is still being built out with three-story townhomes priced from the mid-$300,000s and up. Another parcel under development will be ready for sales in the fourth quarter. Most single-family homes here are priced in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. Laurel Pointe was scheduled to break ground in June this year. In May there was already a list of interested parties for the gated community’s 124 lots, which are designated for one- and two-story, single-family estate homes, with luxury features and large yards. Toll Brothers is the
COURTESY LAKE NONA
center. It’s a happening, happy place with lots of activity and people. It just seems like the heart of Lake Nona,” he says. It’s not unusual to see parents or grandparents coming for cycling sessions and bringing their kids with them. “We have 10-year-old riders all the way to 75-year-old riders,” he says, adding that besides locals, people who work in Lake Nona join his classes before heading home. Kilp also says that he’s a big fan of the Tavistock restaurant group, which has several eateries in Lake Nona. “Park Pizza sponsors our happy hour ride on Friday night, and the other weekend, we were at Canvas [a casual, upscale restaurant tucked in Laureate Park].” Since Tavistock acquired the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club community in 1996, neighboring NorthLake Park, a more traditional neighborhood, followed; however, it wasn’t until mid-2015 and 2016 that population growth accelerated. Today it hovers around 64,000 residents. The difference between Lake Nona and other developments, Adams explains, is that developers usually want to
Facing page: Lake Nona developers have focused on well-being, education and technology. This page: Established neighborhoods College Park and Winter Park.
designated builder on the project, and models and pricing should be available by fall 2021. Another developing neighborhood is Summerdale Park, with 209 lots. Tavistock turned over the first homesites in July to affiliated builders Dream Finders Homes and Craft Homes. Eleven lots were sold in April, the first month of sales, and Dream Finders will start construction in the third quarter on single-family homes priced from $435,990. __________
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
College Park scores as one of the more popular neighborhoods in the Orlando, so folks desiring a home in that area will be happy to learn about THE PACKING DISTRICT, a new community west of College Park. Plans are on the drawing board and Dr. Phillips Charities will lead the development of the 202-acre site, which will feature townhomes and multifamily properties. Toll Brothers is scheduled to unveil its models in November 2021. Homebuyers are also finding newer developments tucked in pockets of older neighborhoods. “Dr. Phillips is a stable area and has always been desirable, but there is a lot of change going on in the southern quadrant near the new O-Town West development,” Julian says. Located at the intersection of Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Parkway, between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, O-TOWN WEST is a mixed-use development, which will offer shopping, dining and entertainment options as well as office space and residential units. Among the housing developments will be The Glasshouse, with 900 luxury apartments. Nearby is the brandnew Buena Vista High School, scheduled to open in August. A few blocks away is Ruby Lake, a fairly new community of single-family homes priced from $500,000 to $800,000.
Developers searching for available land are heading west of Orlando to Gotha and Oakland, as well as Clermont. They’re finding parcels they can clear, so the sound of bulldozers may very well signal new construction of homes and neighborhoods in those areas. Farther south, crossing into Osceola County, new waterfront communities such as HANOVER LAKES in St. Cloud are popping up. Designed around the 3,400acre spring-fed Alligator Lake, the development offers homes priced from $350,000 to $600,000. Canals wind through the community, and waterfront homes with docks are offered. A resort-style swimming pool, a playground and a community dock are planned. The property is being promoted as a boater’s paradise. __________
NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATIONS
Established neighborhoods such as BAY HILL, COLLEGE PARK, WINTER PARK and MAITLAND are highly sought-after for their character and excellent locations. Realtor Kelly Price, broker and owner of Kelly Price & Company, notes that although Winter Park is desirable for its tree-lined brick streets and farmers market, she’s also enthusiastic about its neighbor. “Maitland is a hot market. You can’t tell the difference between Maitland and Winter Park anymore,” she says, adding that buyers are finding great price points in Maitland. Boselli-Neves has seen a renaissance in people rehabbing homes in established neighborhoods or demolishing to rebuild with pricey custom construction. “You’ll see homes purchased for $350,000 to $550,000. They’ll tear it down and build something that’s worth $1.2 to $1.3 million. It’s incredible to see what’s being done.” JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 35
Avalon Pa rk BY CHERI HENDERSON
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I think people want to see and be around other people. They want a familyoriented area. Millie Nieves-Brockmeyer, Realtor
This year, construction will begin on Encore 55-Plus, a 400-unit multifamily development for seniors. A boutique hotel and Olympic-size swimming pool will be among the amenities shared with the existing Encore at Avalon Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Center, according to Lerret. Everything in the entire community is within walking or short driving distance of the downtown business district with its shops, restaurants and businesses. To cater to the workfrom-home crowd, the Innovation Center hosts The 5th Floor, which offers rentable meeting and workspaces. The downtown area has thrived during the pandemic, according to Lerret, as a result of so many people working from home and needing an outlet. Business owner Te Hardy opened Chill Pop Lounge right before the pandemic and has enjoyed the support of both residents and fellow business owners. “All the business owners have gotten together and planned sidewalk events,” she says. “We send each other to one another’s restaurants. We got together and said, ‘We’re going to be successful by sticking together.’ And that’s what we’ve done,” she adds. As people emerge from the pandemic, they seem to be seeking more of a sense of community, according to Millie Nieves-Brockmeyer, broker and owner of RE/MAX Innovation. “I think people want to see and be around other people. They want a family-oriented area.” And according to Hardy, that’s what they will find in Avalon Park. “It’s like a Norman Rockwell world,” she says.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
magine Mayberry meets Cheers: Tree-lined streets provide shade for people walking dogs, exercising, visiting restaurants and businesses or heading to work. Folks greet one another by first name, and smiles are in ample supply. But this is no sitcom. This is Avalon Park, an all-inclusive live-work-play community that epitomizes the New Urbanism movement. The distinctive style, introduced locally in 1994 when development began in Celebration, evokes small-town America with its welcoming front porches, businesses and restaurants within a walkable distance, and public gathering areas. “I come from a very small town in upstate New York outside Albany. That was something my husband and I were looking for—the camaraderie. Everything is here,” says longtime resident Peggy Wilson, a founding member of Avalon Park Jetsetters social group for 55-plus residents. Wilson recalls the community support she received after her quintuple bypass surgery: “People came out of the woodwork and were offering to do things for me.” Development of the 1,860-acre neighborhood off South Alafaya Trail in Orlando began in 1998. Today, the community of 12,868 features 2,447 single-family homes, 1,168 multifamily homes and 90 businesses centered on a town square, dubbed Founders Square, that serves as a lively hub for community events. The Econlockhatchee River flanks the neighborhood, which boasts three parks, ballfields, community pools and 16 miles of trails. With its median resident age of 32, the neighborhood is a haven for young families. Its three public schools— Avalon Elementary, Avalon Middle and Timber Creek High—are all A-rated, and its downtown YMCA is home to Central Florida’s largest youth sports program, according to Stephanie Lerret, Avalon Park Group public relations and marketing director. But retirees feel at home here as well. In 1999, Jim Collazo bought one of the community’s first homes. “I live right across the street from the fountain in Founders Square. I like being in the center of the action here,” he says, while eating breakfast with a friend at Nuno’s Café. “There’s a significant number of people who were in that first group and who are still living here,” observes Lerret, who is also a townhome resident. “They’ve either stayed in their home or transitioned to a townhome or to a different type of housing. That’s the model for how the community builds,” she says. Avalon Park’s median household income is $95,492, with home prices averaging $369,000. “There’s a housing type for any type of income,” Lerret continues. “If you graduate high school here and go to college, you move into an apartment. Then you graduate to a townhome. Then you go to a single-family home, and then move down. Eventually you move to senior-family housing.”
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
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Conway /
Hou rglass D i st ri c t BY JENNIE HESS
“ etired marketing pro Lisa Warren moved to the Conway area in 1997 with her husband, Bill, for the pleasant neighborhood and convenient location. She soon began exploring the area’s history and learned that their new home was just two blocks from the site of Orlando’s birthplace, Fort Gatlin. A historical marker on the site details how the U.S. Army built the stronghold in 1838 during the Second Seminole War for its strategic position overlooking three lakes. The fort was abandoned in 1849 and a few soldiers and families stayed on to grow citrus and raise cattle in what would become the seat of Orange County, formerly known as Mosquito County. “That was a real eye-opener and a thrill because I love history,” Warren says. Now living on the northernmost edge of Conway along Lake Arnold, she enjoys chatting with lakeside neighbors and watching people kayaking and paddleboarding on the water, as well as feathered species ranging from herons and egrets to owls and wood ducks. “Once a year, flocks of white pelicans migrate through Conway,” she says, “and they drop down into my lake, stay a day or two, and move on.” Lakeside living along the Conway Chain of Lakes and beyond is a huge draw for prospective homeowners, says longtime area real estate broker and The BearTeam owner Bethanne Baer. In the early 1990s, “you could get a nice house in the $40,000-$60,000 range,” she recalls. “Now you can’t touch a lot for less than $150,000.” Median home rates
38 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Julie Wright, Resident
run from about $385,000-$400,000, and “we’re seeing the resurgence of the tear-down and rebuild.” The area’s many green spaces—from Barber Park (with its own dog park) in east Conway to Wadeview Park near Boone High School—teem with picnicking families, soccer games and other sports activities. At Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex, tennis and swimming programs, as well as summer camps, attract locals of all ages. Business development in Conway’s Curry Ford West/ Hourglass District has made it the cool new place to be. Promoted as a sort of “Main Street America,” where patrons can stroll from Pizza Bruno for a savory pie to Hourglass Brewing for a pint, the district’s growth continues to snowball. Plant-based eatery Leguminati is a vegan haven, cozy F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen has become a neighborhood go-to, and popular Black Rooster Taqueria of the Mills
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
R
People have pride in our community. When there’s a call to action and something is needed, [we] come together.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
50 District will open its second, larger location this summer at a Curry Ford Road intersection. Foxtail Coffee, the Tamale Co. Mexican Street Food and other restaurants and businesses are flourishing. Nearby, Conway mainstays like Charlie’s Gourmet Pastries, which turns 50 this year, and Clemons Produce, with row after row of fresh fruits, veggies and more, are thriving. Though business slowed considerably in 2020 when restaurant and pub sales were limited to takeout eats and drinks due to pandemic regulations, it has revived. “The community has been absolutely stellar,” says Chauncey Fedele, taproom manager at Hourglass Brewing. Fedele and his staff focused on selling takeout growlers and crowlers until the brewery was able to reopen. “I don’t think
we could have asked for a better location. Everybody is so supportive, and they’re very tight knit.” These days, locals and visitors head to the brewery, where 42 craft beers are on tap, for weekly events such as Trivia Tuesday and Bingo Wednesday. Patrons can bring their own bites or enjoy deliveries from local eateries to pair with their brews, wine or meads, Fedele says. Conway neighbors always have been supportive of one another, says Baer, whose brokerage organizes yearly school-supply drives. Julie Wright, a nonprofit consultant and mom of two sons, agrees. “People have pride in our community,” says Wright, an 11-year Conway resident. “When there’s a call to action and something is needed, the community comes together.” JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 39
Doctor
P h illips BY TARA BRADLEY CONNELL
rom the early 1920s through the development of Walt Disney World in the late 1960s, the Dr. Phillips area was defined by its thousands of acres of citrus groves. Longtime residents fondly recall the intoxicating scent of orange blossoms wafting through the air each spring. Today, locals still appreciate the landscape, including the Butler Chain of Lakes, sprawling golf courses, and neighborhoods catering to a wide range of family sizes. “It’s been a great community to raise a family, with great public and private schools to choose from,” says Richard J. Snyder Sr., a Dr. Phillips resident since 1984. “It’s perfectly situated to commute to work by jumping on I-4 or the Turnpike.” Snyder also appreciates the diversity of the community and his supportive neighbors. Michael “Bo” Julian, broker and owner of Julian Properties, was born and raised in Orlando and has lived in the area most of his life. “There’s a variety of folks that live in Dr. Phillips. It caters to everyone because of the proximity to the restaurants, the convenience of the airport and all of the theme parks. Living here has a lot of benefits.” Phil Kean, president of Phil Kean Design Group, agrees: “What’s really nice is that the lots aren’t tiny, so the homes aren’t on top of each other, and there’s room to spread out.” Having worked on everything from architecture and interior design to overall home and kitchen renovations in the Bay Hill area, Kean points to the exceptionally clean 13 lakes in the Butler Chain and abundant golf courses as just a few of the perks of living here. But you don’t have to own lakefront property or live on a golf course to enjoy all that Dr. Phillips has to offer. For instance, members of the Orange County Sportsmen’s Association have access to Lake Sheen’s swimming area, boat launch, fishing dock and outdoor pavilions. Day passes are a fun way to indulge in the area’s vacation amenities and are available at award-winning golf courses and hotel properties. You don’t have to check into a room to play 18 holes or float along a lazy river, such as the one at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort. 40 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
While it doesn’t hurt that some of Central Florida’s most popular draws are just a short drive away—think theme parks, Disney Springs, outlet malls and Restaurant Row— the neighborhood of O-Town West is a destination in itself, with robust plans for further development. The next few years will see 350 acres of commercial and residential real estate being developed, with the plans already creating a buzz. Look for multifamily housing and luxury apartments and an extensive entertainment complex with retail shops and restaurants. Nothing seems to be getting more attention than the White Castle that opened in May in The Village at O-Town West. After all, we’ve waited a long time for America’s oldest burger chain to lower its drawbridge in the Sunshine State. So it made sense that the Ohio-based operation, whose loyal customers are known as “Cravers,” would build a 4,567-square-foot mega-castle, the world’s largest White Castle, right here in Central Florida. “Even before the real estate market started to boom, Orlando was evolving,” Julian says. “Central Florida isn’t simply an international tourist destination; it is becoming an international location where people can come and live and thrive and be successful.” Kean adds: “People don’t just come here to work. They come for the great memories and nostalgia they find in Orlando. Bay Hill and the entire Dr. Phillips area is an easy commute to anywhere you need to be, whether it’s the theme parks or the shopping malls or the restaurants. This neighborhood really does have it all.” Today, Dr. Phillips offers plenty of ways to enjoy the Central Florida lifestyle, mixed with the memories of childhood. And even though some parts have changed and developed through time, a few orange groves remain. If you drive down one of the back roads and pay attention, you can still catch their sweet scent lingering in the air.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
F
“
It is becoming an international location where people can thrive and be successful.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ; TOP RIGHT, PHIL KEAN HOME: MICHAEL LOWRY PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael “Bo” Julian, Realtor
JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 41
Meet Michael "Bo" Julian and the Exclusive Homes Team Lauren Foley, Libni Rodriguez, Stephen Hughes If you live or work in Central Florida – chances are you’ve met Michael “Bo” Julian. For over two decades, Bo has been cultivating lasting relationships with buyers and sellers in the ever-evolving Orlando real estate market. He is an active resident of his community and can be seen cheering on his twin boys at Dr. Phillip’s Little League, or out introducing clients and friends to all that Orlando has to offer. Bo’s experience and relationships formed through the years have expanded his services beyond Central Florida as well as the continued growth of Julian Properties, Inc. Through his relationships, Bo has recently added three agents to his Exclusive Homes Team; Lauren Foley, Libni Rodriguez, and Stephen Hughes. Lauren Foley is a UCF graduate who spent most of her career in the hospitality industry. Lauren has spent recent years in NYC working with one of the highest-grossing independent restaurant groups. After connecting with Bo and making the decision to move into the real estate industry, Lauren knew that she wanted to work with a successful boutique style brokerage with decades of local experience. Libni Rodriguez has called Orlando home for the past 21 years and is native to Venezuela. Libni has worked in interior and furniture design for his family’s business. His knowledge in design and passion for working with a family-owned and operated business perpetuated his interest in real estate and joining the JPI team.
Stephen Hughes hails from the UK and has been a long-time client and friend of Bo. Stephen’s background is working in human resources with a large software company; however, he has always had an interest in buying and selling real estate. After purchasing multiple properties with JPI, Stephen decided to join Bo and begin his career in real estate. Bo has built his business on trust, knowledge, and teamwork. When you use Bo as your agent, you are getting the benefit of not only one experienced real estate professional but the entire Exclusive Homes Team, which is renowned for its acumen and exemplary customer service. A FAMILY TRADITION: Since starting with the agency in 1996, Bo has carried on a tradition begun by his grandfather Carl Julian, and continued by his mother and business partner, Carlene Julian. Starting in 1956, Carl Julian built many of the residential communities in the Orlando area as the owner of Julian Construction. FUN FACT: Bo began his real estate career at Harbor Isle, which is the location of one of his current listings, and where he and his team hosted their photoshoot pictured here. In addition, Bo has been mentored by his father, builder/developer Michael Young. This wealth of knowledge has allowed Bo to create his niche in the luxury real estate market and expand his team into property management and commercial services.
7491 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, FL 32835 • 407-694-5843 bojulian@julianproperties.com • JulianProperties.com
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PREMIER R E A L E S TAT E Whether you’re trying to buy or sell real estate, getting the best deal means finding an agent who possesses savvy and know-how and gets results. Orlando magazine lists the top real estate professionals in Central Florida who have demonstrated those skills.
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O
rlando magazine’s Hot 100 Elite are those agents who have the unique distinction of having been named to the Hot 100 five times or more over the last ten years.
Crystal Adams
Karen Arbutine
LUXE RE/MAX Innovation 407.927.9610 CrystalAdamsRealtor@gmail.com CrystalAdamsRealtor.com
RE/MAX Central Realty 407.928.3788 karbutine@remax.net GetOrlandoRealEstate.com
Frank Benevento
Julie Bettosini
Coldwell Banker 407.492.5153 frank@listedluxury.com listedluxury.com
Stockworth Realty 407.909.5903 JBettosini@stockworth.com Stockworth.com
44 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Kim Arena
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist 407.701.1621 Kim.Arena@FloridaMoves.com thekimarenateam.com
Lew Brooks
Orlando Luxury Homes, Inc. 407.771.4969 info@orlandolux.com orlandolux.com
Nancy Bagby
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.620.8868 bagbyteam@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Chocky Burks
Corcoran Premier Realty 407.493.2748 chocky@corcorangroup.com corcoran.com
Chris Christensen
Regal | Christie’s International Real Estate 407.749.0700 chris@regalrealtyorlando.com regalrealtyorlando.com
Catherine D’Amico
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.252.3210 catherine@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Steve Healy
Corcoran Premier Realty 407.749.6200 steve.healy@corcorangroup.com corcoran.com
Kim Coburn
RE/MAX Town & Country Realty 407.341.1324 KimCoburn.com
MaryStuart Day
Megan Cross
Justin Dalrymple
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.353.9997 megan@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Mainframe Real Estate 407.538.7818 justin@mainframere.com MainframeRE.com
David Francetic
Veronica Figueroa
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.620.8683 marystuart@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Coldwell Banker Realty 407.247.6857 dfrancetic@earthlink.net davidfrancetic.cbintouch.com
Fig Team 407.625.3749 Veronica@FigueroaTeam.com FigueroaTeam.com
Beth Hobart
Michael “Bo” Julian
Melissa “Missy” King
Mainframe Real Estate 407.227.8192 Beth@BethHobart.com BethHobart.com
Julian Properties 407.694.5843 bojulian@julianproperties.com JulianProperties.com
Coldwell Banker Realty 321.377.7955 Mkingrealtor@gmail.com Missyking.net
JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 45
Jennifer King
Corcoran Premier Realty 407.595.3272 jennifer@jenniferkingteam.com corcoran.com
Caroline Moffitt-Lawton
Keller Williams Heritage Realty 407.670.9797 carolinemoffitt@gmail.com carolinemoffitt.net
Kelly L. Price
Kelly Price & Company 407.645.4321 Kelly@KellyPriceAndCompany.com KellyPriceAndCompany.com
Padgett McCormick
Kelly Price & Company 407.929.5604 PMcCormick@KellyPriceAndCompany.com KellyPriceAndCompany.com
Alison Mosley
Paul McGarigal
The McKee Group 407.948.0658 Matt@MattMcKee.com MattMcKee.com
Amy Ladd Miller
Sherri Palmer
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 407.304.6458 alison@themosleyteam.com themosleyteam. premiersothebysrealty.com
ALL Real Estate & Investments, Inc. 407.476.5773 ALLRealEstateFL@gmail.com allrealestateinvestments.com
Pamela Ryan
Deb Schroeder
Kelly Price & Company 407.721.4541 PRyan@KellyPriceAndCompany.com KellyPriceAndCompany.com
46 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Matt McKee
RE/MAX Properties, SW 407.761.1428 pmcgarigal@cfl.rr.com rentnowbuylater.com
Infinity Realty Group 407.234.2256 Deb@InfinityRealtyGroup.com InfinityRealtyGroup.com
eXp Realty LLC 407.718.0412 sherrisellshomes@cfl.rr.com sherrisellsflorida.com
Lisa Shear
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.721.9375 lisashear@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Simon Simaan
The Simon Simaan Group 407.558.1396 Simon@SimonSimaan.com SimonSimaan.com
George Stringer
Coldwell Banker Realty 407.222.7047 georgestringer@mindspring.com georgestringer.cbintouch.com
Heather Unger
ACME Real Estate 407.601.4958 heather@acmeflorida.com acmeflorida.com
Sue Silberbusch
Orlando Luxury Homes, Inc. 407.252.3157 sue@orlandolux.com orlandolux.com
Ken Teixeira
Jenni Sloan
Keller Williams Advantage Realty 407.761.0512 Diane@DianeSterling.com DianeSellsCentralFloridaHomes.com
Brian Teach
Matt Tomaszewski
Weichert-Realtors, Hallmark Properties 407.697.4946 kensellsorlando.com
Coldwell Banker Realty 407.923.9313 Brian@BrianTeach.com BrianTeach.com
Maria Van Warner
Wendy Williams Crumit
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.256.8066 maria@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Diane H. Sterling
Kelly Price & Company 407.810.8333 JSloan@KellyPriceAndCompany.com JenniSloanRealEstate.com
Fannie Hillman + Associates 321.356.8590 wendy@fanniehillman.com fanniehillman.com
Corcoran Premier Realty 407.719.5956 matt@corcorangroup.com corcoran.com
Alex Vastardis
Coldwell Banker Realty 407.947.6264 aavastardis@live.com thevastardisteam.com
JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 47
Russie Weidl
Watson Realty Corp. 407.721.8822 Russie@watsonrealtycorp.com RussieSells.com
Jenny Wemert
Wemert Group Realty 407.848.1150 jwemert@wemertgrouprealty.com WemertGroupRealty.com
Yien Yao
The Yao Team at Keller Williams Advantage II Realty 407.982.7239 Info@TheYaoTeam.com TheYaoTeam.com
Homevest Realty 407.222.7370 YOUNGandYOUNGER.com
Not seeing your favorite Hot 100 Real Estate Agent? Ronald Ziolkowski
RE/MAX Prime Properties 407.592.7653 RonTheRealtor@msn.com RontheRealtor.com
48 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Check out our complete list on OrlandoMagazine.com
Scott Young
REAL ESTATE’S
O
rlando magazine is proud to recognize the top professionals in Central Florida Real Estate on our Annual Hot 100 list.
Jason Asa
Keller Williams at the Parks 407.451.7700 Jason@theasateam.com TheAsaTeam.com
Tony Galarza
Wemert Group Realty 689.220.3071 tgalarza@wemertgrouprealty.com wemertgrouprealty.com
Julie Bowyer
Keller Williams at the Parks 407.758.0153 jbowyer@me.com
Jean Gillen
The Realty Doctors 321.947.0912 Jean@Realty-Doctors.com Realty-Doctors.com
Rick Brown
Christine Elias
Brown Home Group Keller Williams Advantage II Realty 321.348.8720 rick@brownhomegroup.com BrownHomeGroup.com
Urban Dog Group Coldwell Banker Realty Winter Park 321.231.5814 caerealestate@gmail.com urbandogrealestate.com
Lisa Gould
Crystal Grohowski
Gould+ Keller Williams Winter Park 407.476.6101 info@gouldplus.net gouldplus.net
BHHS Florida Realty 407.462.7736 crystal@ckhomesorlando.com ckhomesorlando.com
JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 49
Kathy Hereford
Kathy Hereford Home 407.575.8977 Kathy@kathyherefordhomes.com KathyHerefordHomes.com
Danny Hilwa
Millennium Homes Realty 407.808.5252 danny@dannyhilwa.com dannyhilwa.com
Kevin Kendrick
Skip Kirst
Keller Williams Lake Nona 407.271.1854 kevin@thekendrickteam.com thekendrickteam.com
Collado Real Estate 407.342.0265 skip@skipkirst.com skipkirst.com
Lynda Miller
Shelby Norwich
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 407.620.2924 Lynda@millerstaging.com LyndaMillerSells.com
Olde Town Brokers 407.227.2838 shelbynorwich@otbhomesearch.com oldetownbrokers.com
50 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Albin Hubscher
Central Florida Prime Real Estate LLC. 407.404.4041 albin@cflprimerealestate.com cflprimerealestate.com
Kim Lam
BHHS Florida Realty 407.716.3858 kim@ckhomesorlando.com Ckhomesorlando.com
Maria Nunez
Compass Florida, LLC 407.782.6512 maria.nunez@compass.com sellbuymaria.com
Brian Hyser
HYSER 407.951.2472 brian@hyser.com hyser.com
Peter Luu
Peter Luu Signature Group 321.917.7864 Peter.Luu@PremierSIR.com PeterLuu.com
Justin Pekarek
Orlando Property Advisors 407.808.3695 Justin@TheOrlandoPA.com OrlandoPropertyAdvisors.com
Nicole Rader
Terri Schon
Dan Teston
Andrea Sider
Mainframe Real Estate 407.484.4743 Info@NicoleRaderRE.com
Coldwell Banker Realty 407.625.2670 Terri.Schon@gmail.com TerriSellsOrlando.com
Keller Williams Winter Park 407.697.4204 ourluxuryestate@gmail.com ourluxuryestate.kw.com
Kristin Green-Vogt
Erin Wanner
Corey Welch
Century 21 Integra 407.417.7206 facebook.com/kristinvogtrealtor
Stockworth Realty Group 407.595.5055 erin@stockworth.com stockworth.com
The Teston Team 407.509.0211 Dan@TestonTeam.com TestonTeam.com
Chris Winn
Wemert Group Realty 689.220.3171 cwelch@wemertgrouprealty.com wemertgrouprealty.com
Keller Williams Advantage II Realty 407.970.6776 chriswinn@Kw.com ChrisWinn.net
Brad Young
Homevest Realty 407.454.2529 YOUNGandYOUNGER.com
JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 51
REAL ESTATE
ALL STARS
2021 John Alexandrou
Michelle Algin
Avalon Realty Group 407.312.4928 avalonrealty@gmail.om avalonrealtygroup.com
Gwyn Clark
RE/MAX Central Realty 407.416.0545 MAlgin@REMAX.net MichelleAlgin.com
Mary Colton
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.616.9051 Gwyn@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.222.7388 mary@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Lisa Fleming
Melissa Flores
Fannie Hillman + Associates 321.228.8341 lisa@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com 52 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
ACME Real Estate 407.601.4958 melissa@acmeflorida.com Acmeflorida.com
A
s a part of our expanded Real Estate coverage, we’d like you to meet a few of the area’s realtors making their mark in Central Florida, Orlando magazine’s Real Estate All Stars 2021.
Julimar Barreiro Pastrana
Farah Bloom
407.590.8604 jbarreiro.realtor@gmail.com Julimarbarreiropastrana.exprealty.com
Park Life with Keller Williams Winter Park 407.873.5222 bloomrealtor@gmail.com ParkLifeOrlando.com
Keith Conklin
Stephen DeCristo
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 909.851.4054 kc.imaginerealty@gmail.com keithconklin.premiersothebysrealty.com
Gina Francis
Global Luxury, Coldwell Banker Realty 407.492.0999 Gina@GinaSellsOrlando.com GinaSellsOrlando.com
Olde Town Brokers, Inc 321.277.7499 sdecristo@me.com oldetownbrokers.com
Heather Frazee
Fannie Hillman + Associates 321.689.9465 heather@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Barbara Friedman Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.622.6059 barbara@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Gail F. Higley
Paul D. Giles
Linda Guzman
Vintage Properties Group LLC 407.467.1587 paul@vintageprop.com vintageprop.com
LIV Realty Inc. 407.574.4404 info@livrealtyhomes.com livrealtyhomes.com
Nicole Howell
Regan Jackson
RE/MAX Properties 407.352.5800 Ext. 626 Gail@GailHigley.com GailHigley.com
Fannie Hillman + Associates 321.217.7918 nicolehowell@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
ACME Real Estate 407.601.4958 regan@acmeflorida.com Acmeflorida.com
Zoltan Kecskes
Marie Helen Ledbetter
Bobby Livera
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.741.3081 zoltan@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Kyle Madorin
Upwell Realty 407.926.9960 kyle@upwellrealty.com upwellrealty.com
Sharon Helsby
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.620.3633 sharon@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Shirley Jones
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.719.9180 shirley@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Kelly Price & Company 407.286.4363 MarieHelenRealtor@gmail.com LedbetterLuxuryTeam.com
Baldwin Park Reatly 321.231.2308 Bobby@BaldwinParkRE.com BaldwinParkRealty.com
Kelly Maloney
Greg Martinez
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.310.5035 kelly@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Greg Martinez Realty 407.625.2416 greg@gregmartinez.com gregmartinez.com
Steven J. Luppert
Rotenberger Land & Real Estate 407.484.9178 steveluppert@gmail.com rotenbergerland.com
Christen McCamie
Nesta Real Estate Consultants 407.619.8238 christen.mccamie@gmail.com NestaREC.co JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 53
Kevin McClanahan
Beatrice Miranda
Maria Quintero
Lauren Richardson Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.221.6438 lauren@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Ocean Properties & Management, Inc. 386.428.0975 Ext. 305 & 317 sales@oceanprops.com oceanprops.com
Brian Rotenberger
Amanda Salazar
Barrett Spray
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.491.8509 kevin@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 407.509.0849 Maria.quintero@premiersir.com mariaquintero.premiersothebysrealty.com
Metro City Realty & Condos 407.237.3331 beam@mymetrocity.com mymetrocity.com
Rotenberger Land and Real Estate 407.948.8478 Maitlandbroker@gmail.com rotenbergerland.com
ACME Real Estate 407.601.4958 amanda@acmeflorida.com Acmeflorida.com
Tim Veigle
Rick Winner
Watson Realty 407.399.0879 Timveigle@watsonrealtycorp.com timveigle.com 54 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Ziro Realty 407.319.1505 rwinner@zirorealty.com ZiroRealty.com
Kathleen A. Perkins
RE/MAX PROPERTIES SW 407.312.1956 kathleen@kathleenperkins.com facebook.com/kathleenperkinsrealtor
William E. Roe
Jessica Polanco
Mainframe Real Estate 321.443.2442 info@jessicapolanco.com MainframeRE.com
Dawn Romance
Fannie Hillman + Associates 407.929.2826 dawn@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Greg Vazzana
BST Real Estate 407.925.8404 team@barrettspray.com BarrettSpray.com
Fannie Hillman + Associates 321.947.7218 greg@fanniehillman.com FannieHillman.com
Irma G. Yapor
Paul Young
Real Property International 321.405.2799 mail@realpropertyinternational.com realpropertyinternational.com
Young Real Estate 407-633-HOME paul.young@youngrealestate.com youngrealestate.com
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Amanda Godinho, Regan Jackson, Heather Unger and Melissa Flores ABOUT: At ACME Florida, we have a fresh vision of how real estate should be-a simple commitment to treat people right and to make the process fun and simple. We have a distinguished team of innovative real estate professionals, outside-the-box thinkers, who refuse to accept the status quo. We go above and beyond in marketing, branding, and service to attain the best possible outcomes for our clients. Our specific strengths, when combined, provide diverse, creative service that far exceeds the norm in aspirational presentation, luxury at any price point, and a curated approach. We're not only some of the best agents in the business, but we're your friends and neighbors, and we are active in our communities. Led by co-founders Orlando-native Heather Unger and Courtney Poulos out of Los Angeles, our team specializes in and has exceptional market knowledge of Orlando's diverse communities. ACME Florida wants to congratulate our agents on their continued accomplishments 56 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
in the real estate profession, embodiment of cutting-edge marketing, and commitment to their clients and their success. Thank you, Orlando, for the opportunity to serve over 1,700 clients with their real estate needs. We look forward to introducing some groundbreaking new programs to the market and are honored to streamline the process of buying and selling for our current and future clients. Our approach translates into RESULTS. Call or email today and let us show you how our approach crushes the status quo. ACME REAL ESTATE FLORIDA WWW.ACMEFLORIDA.COM IG @acmeflorida HELLO@ACMEFLORIDA.COM 407.601.4958
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Kim Arena
#1 Real Estate Team in Central Florida Kim Arena is ranked among the TOP 1% of all Coldwell Banker Associates worldwide, and there’s good reason for her consistent success: Her commitment to her clients’ complete satisfaction, joined with years of experience and vast market knowledge. “I work very hard for all my clients, treating each sale or purchase as if it were my own,” Kim says. Combine her extraordinary customer service with her 19 Years of Expertise and its obvious why Kim is among the Top 100 Realtors in Orlando and is one of an elite few to be honored with the Five Star rating for customer satisfaction. A 28-year resident of Orlando, Kim’s drive for excellence, attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, impeccable ethics and professional manner have made her the go-to Realtor for the most discerning clients. In her quest to stay on top of her industry and hone her business skills, Kim has earned the titles of Luxury Home Specialist, Certified Negotiation and Marketing Specialist, Relocation Specialist, and Accredited Home
Staging Specialist. She has been so successful at helping her clients achieve their real estate dreams and goals that they highly recommend her to their friends, family and business associates. Over 95 percent of her business comes from referrals. “That is a huge honor for me and one I do not take lightly,” she says. “For most people your home is one of your largest assets, and I thank all my clients and future clients for entrusting me with the sale or purchase of their home.
Kim Arena, P.A. Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist 407-701-1621 Kim.Arena@FloridaMoves.com TheKimArenaTeam.com JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 57
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Jason Asa The Asa Team
THE ASA TEAM: Jason has been selling homes and helping families achieve their real estate goals for 17 years. He has earned many awards including America’s Top 100 in 2018, 2019, 2020, Exit Realty Top 20 in state, RE/ MAX Platinum Club, Keller Williams Platinum Club, Orlando Top 100 in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and Keller Williams MREA Million Dollar Regional award in 2020. He is part of the Metrix Training with Jason Abrams, Brett Tanner and Brian Gubernick and currently is in Leverage Coaching with Danny Morel. He has a strong desire to keep learning and being the best version of himself in business and his personal life. His greatest professional achievement has been to acquire 75% of his business from past client referrals. His greatest personal achievement is being the greatest father he can be to his 4 children and learning and growing with them daily. In his off hours he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, golfing, meditating and exercising. WHAT SETS US APART: Jason currently has a team of very talented agents and is always looking to expand. He says the best reason to use him as an agent is his impeccable work ethic, transparency and communication. You can reach him at Jason@ theasateam.com, follow him on Social Media at https://www.facebook.com/theASAteam/ and visit his website at Viewgreaterorlandohouses.com 58 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Jason Asa The Asa Team Jason@TheAsaTeam.com ViewGreaterOrlandoHouses.com Facebook/theASAteam
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Frank Benevento Luxury Home Specialist
NEARLY $35,000,000 MILLION SOLD IN 2020!!! SPECIALTY: Frank Benevento has been a well-respected household name in Central Florida’s luxury-home niche. He has LISTED, MARKETED AND SOLD in most of the region’s upscale communities and is renowned for his ability to bring high-net-worth individuals into his personal sphere, and is widely known for having many luxury listings throughout Central Florida. BEST REASONS TO USE HIM AS AN AGENT: Year after year, Frank’s WORLDWIDE MARKETING has enabled him to procure his own buyers from not only Florida, but from New York, California and many other states, and countries wanting to call Orlando home. AWARDS/HONORS: In his first year with Coldwell Banker, he received the “Rookie of the Coldwell Banker Realty Year” award. Since then he’s achieved highest award being named #1 in total dollar amount and obtaining International Presidents Premier, and a portfolio of repeat clientele toping over 100 Five
Star reviews. Frank takes his business very serious and has seen a consistent upward trajectory year after year. HIS COMMITMENT: Frank, who graduated Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in marketing and management, makes a simple pledge to his clients: To work hard and utilize his world-class business acumen to accomplish his clients’ goals with an unrelenting work ethic. COLDWELL BANKER REALTY 1120 TOWNPARK AVENUE, SUITE 1042 LAKE MARY, FL 32746 407-492-5153 407-620-8597 FRANK@LISTEDLUXURY.COM WWW.LISTEDLUXURY.COM JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 59
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Justin Dalrymple Mainframe Real Estate
ABOUT JUSTIN: Justin was born and raised in Central Florida and it is a privilege he doesn’t take lightly. His commitment to providing topnotch real estate service is fueled by years of local market knowledge about one of the most sought-after real estate markets in the nation. He services the entire Central Florida, New Smyrna Beach, and Northeast Florida areas as a member of the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association, the New Smyrna Beach Realtor® Association, and the Northeast Florida Realtor® Association. His real estate career began in 2005 while working with one of the largest new homebuilders alongside some of the top builders, sales professionals, and marketing directors in the new home industry. It built the strong foundation he now utilizes in his career as one of Central Florida’s Top 100 Realtors. Justin prides himself on providing unparalleled customer service with unwavering stamina, and an unrivaled tenacity to provide you with an unmatched buying or selling experience. He has not only invested in multiple investment properties himself but has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers 60 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
find investment properties and dream luxury estates to city life high rises and ocean view beach homes. Anyone that knows him will tell you he’s never without his phone. He lives, breathes, dreams real estate, and redefines the standard of expectations. When he isn’t working, he loves spending time with his family in New Smyrna Beach or traveling the world to experience everything that life has to offer. One of his core values is to treat others as he wants to be treated and he truly believes that LOVE ALWAYS WINS! Mainframe Real Estate 811 N Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801 407-538-7818 (Cell) ce ai rame com
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Fannie Hillman + Associates Hot 100 Elite
Fannie Hillman + Associates is proud of our “Hall of Fame” agents that have made this distinguished list due to their continuous achievements in the real estate market. These recognized agents exemplify initiative, involvement, and commitment to their clients. Fannie Hillman + Associates has built a reputation for delivering the highest quality real estate services to Central Florida. Celebrating our 40th anniversary, we continue our unprecedented commitment to excellence, customer dedication and expert knowledge of the community to ensure that the team at Fannie Hillman + Associates will deliver the best experience in marketing and selling your home. Congratulations to our Hot 100 Elite agents on their accomplishment!
Bagby Team | Nancy, Julie + SueAnn | 407-620-8868 | bagbyteam@fanniehillman.com Catherine D’Amico | 407-252-3210 | catherine@fanniehillman.com Lisa Shear | 407-721-9375 | lisashear@fanniehillman.com Maria Van Warner | 407-256-8066 | maria@fanniehillman.com MaryStuart Day | 407-620-8683 | marystuart@fanniehillman.com Megan Cross | 407-353-9997 | megan@fanniehillman.com Wendy Williams Crumit | 321-356-8590 | wendy@fanniehillman.com
Fannie Hillman + Associates 122 S. Park Avenue Winter Park FL 32789 407-644-1234 fanniehillman.com JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 61
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Fannie Hillman + Associates All Stars
Fannie Hillman + Associates was established in 1981 by single mother, entrepreneur, and real estate visionary Fannie Hillman. Over the years, Fannie Hillman + Associates has evolved into the largest independent real estate company in Central Florida. We endeavor to set ourselves apart from the pack and improve the lives of the people we serve. You can most certainly place your trust in a Fannie Hillman + Associates agent and we guarantee to provide exceptional service throughout all transactions. Fannie Hillman + Associates is truly honored to serve our clients and our community. MAJOR CONGRATS TO OUR ALL-STAR AGENTS! Friedman Team | Jeffrey & Barbara Friedman 407-222-6059 | friedmanteam@fanniehillman.com Greg Vazzana | 321-947-7218 | greg@fanniehillman.com Higgins & Clark Team | Patrick Higgins & Gwyn Clark 407-616-9051 | higginsclarkteam@fanniehillman.com 62 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Heather Frazee | 321-689-9465 | heather@fanniehillman.com Kelly Maloney | 407-310-5035 | kelly@fanniehillman.com Lauren Richardson | 407-221-6438 | laurenr@fanniehillman.com Lisa Fleming | 321-228-8341 | lisa@fanniehillman.com Mary Colton | 407-222-7388 | mary@fanniehillman.com Nicole Howell | 321-217-7918 | nicolehowell@fanniehillman.com Sharon Helsby | 407-620-3633 | sharon@fanniehillman.com Shirley Jones | 407-719-9180 | shirley@fanniehillman.com Zoltan Kecskes | 407-741-3081 | zoltan@fanniehillman.com
Fannie Hillman + Associates 122 S. Park Avenue Winter Park FL 32789 407-644-1234 fanniehillman.com
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Danny Hilwa, P.A. ALHS
Millennium Homes Realty, LLC, Accredited Luxury Home Specialist ABOUT DANNY: Danny Hilwa has a unique passion for Orlando, having lived in the area for 43 years since he was 3 years old. Attending Park Maitland, Trinity Prep and Rollins College he has watched Central Florida develop from a small town into the magnificent city that it is today. He has been licensed for 20 years specializing solely in high-end luxury properties, gaining intense experience with a proven track record of results with top sales and numerous awards throughout his career. He is an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) and is fluent in English, Spanish and Arabic. Danny believes that the key to this industry is loyalty and taking the time to treat each client like family rather than as a transaction, many agents preach this but rarely follow through and try to juggle many clients at once. As a result he is proud and humbled to have an amazing reputation built by repeat clients and referrals using very little self-advertising. He is committed to his family and feels his upbringing is the cornerstone of his success. In fact he is fortunate to have both his parents and his brother as neighbors in his community, which he feels is his biggest blessing. Danny and His wife Diana love to travel experiencing cultures and learning traditions abroad. Over the years he has developed amazing skills in the art of negotiation because all the postcards and ads mean nothing if your agent does not understand that the core of real estate is intense and calculated negotiation. Danny is proud to have closed over $115 million in personal sales and these earned numbers are his own. The general public does not realize that most agents often combine the sales figures of multiple agents in their office as a team and lump their sales figure in their advertisements to show a cumulative but misleading volume to lure your business. Many do the same when representing “combined years of experience.” Always
remember that even the best surgeon can only do so many procedures without sacrificing the quality and attention to each patient. Please remember that you will truly only be hiring ONE agent to represent you, even in the largest office or the best team it will be one individual you will be calling consistently for help. If it seems that your agent is boasting sales that seem so high and unrealistic-that is exactly what they are doing. Remember when you get a 'Just Sold' card in the mail most of the time the agent who mailed it to you DID NOT actually sell that home, they merely are letting you know it just sold with their photo nearby misleading you to believe they they were involved. There are many excellent agents in Orlando and Danny urges you to find the agent, not the office, who will give you the attention you need and deserve to make the process work in your best interest. Find the agent that wants to represent you not sell you. As a resident of Vizcaya, Danny specializes solely in Dr. Phillips, Windermere and Lake Nona, with 100 percent of his sales in these areas that he knows and loves. He is truly honored to be able to be a part of Orlando's growth and would love the opportunity to represent you and your family. Considering his humility and dedication to the luxury market and Danny's love for Orlando, his motto remains the same from the day he started two decades ago: "The one thing money will never buy you is class!" 407-808-5252 (Phone) 888-690-1943 (Fax) danny@dannyhilwa.com dannyhilwa.com JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 63
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Brian Hyser HYSER.
ABOUT BRIAN: Brian Hyser is one of the most successful real estate brokers in Florida. After 3 short years being the #1 agent with Charles Rutenberg Realty, selling over $100 million dollars in sales, he founded HYSER., the first brokerage designed for the marketplace of tomorrow. ENTREPRENEUR: On November 4, 2013, a 28-year-old Brian opened his first chiropractic company. Over the next 5 years, the company grew to 5 locations and was considered one of the most successful personal injury companies in Central Florida. "We designed the company to be self-sufficient. Our doctors ran each office and I focused on business development". With a passion for entrepreneurism, Brian decided to start another venture. On February 26, 2018, Brian began his first day in the real estate business. What began as a side hustle would soon become a career and a passion. Not too long after, Brian decided to sell his chiropractic company to focus solely on real estate. 64 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
In 2021, Brian founded HYSER. a new brokerage designed for the marketplace of tomorrow. With an in-house marketing team, HYSER. has revolutionized the traditional brokerage model. PERSONAL LIFE: Brian was born in Belvidere, Illinois, and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2010 with a doctorate in chiropractic. He lives in Winter Park with his wife, Laura, and their 2 boys, Cameron(4) and Parker (1). HYSER. 1101 Symonds Avenue Suite 400 Winter Park, FL 32789 407-951-2472 brian@hyser.com www.hyser.com
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Skip Kirst, Broker Associate Collado Real Estate
ABOUT SKIP: As a Realtor® and a member of the Florida Bar for over 30 years, Skip is uniquely qualified to help you navigate the Central Florida Real Estate Markets of Orlando/Winter Park and Coastal Volusia County. He’ll work to find you the right home, no matter how long it takes, and guide you through selling your home to maximize the return on your investment. With a 95% repeat and referral rate, Skip’s commitment to the Orlando/ Winter Park and New Smyrna Beach real estate markets is reflected in his multiple-transaction clients in both communities. As a 6th Generation Floridian who grew up in both the Orlando/Winter Park and New Smyrna Beach communities, BRIDGING CITY & BEACH is not just a slogan. Skip is passionate about his profession and his community. In addition to working tirelessly for his clients, Skip serves on the Orlando Ballet and Zebra Coalition Boards of Directors.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH: 402 Flagler Ave. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
WINTER PARK: 1027 Orange Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789
407-342-0265 SkipKirst.com Skip@SkipKirst.com @SkipKirstRealtor JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 65
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Kyle Madorin Upwell Realty
SPECIALTY: Residential purchases, sales, and investments throughout the Orlando metro area, emphasizing an unparalleled level of customer care. BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY: Home ownership is a cornerstone of American culture and the best way for families to pass along generational wealth to their children. I aim to help first time homebuyers take that leap while making the process as simple and stress free as possible. Existing homeowners should look with optimism toward their next chapter, selling their home quickly and easily while finding the ideal property for the next stage in their lives. While life moves forward, everything should become better, brighter, and progress toward a more promising future. Moving up and living well. My business embodies that sentiment. My hope is everyone from first-time buyers to luxury investors who partner with Upwell will never think about real estate the same way again. BEST REASON TO USE ME AS AN AGENT: Real estate is a dichotomy; simultaneously an emotional journey and a numbers game. Since 2013, I have helped my customers strategize how to win both aspects of each deal. With a career dedicated to exceptional service, clients who give me the honor of helping with their transactions truly understand nothing means more to me than their absolute satisfaction. AWARDS/HONORS: Top 100 Agents in the United States by RateMyAgent, top 1% of Realtors in Central Florida, Orlando Real 66 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
Producers Top 500, HomeLight Top Producer, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Million Dollar Guild designee. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Launching Upwell Realty as a boutique brand, catering to the citizens of Central Florida who understand the difference it makes when their agent is invested in their happiness. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Marrying Shalea Asaro and sharing countless adventures over the last 17 years, while raising two fantastic boys together. Orlando, FL 407-926-9960 Kyle@UpwellRealty.com Upwellrealty.com
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Lynda Miller Lynda Miller is Central Florida’s premiere Real Estate Agent. Lynda knows Orlando. She knows what buyers want to see and she knows how to get homes sold quickly and for top dollar. Lynda has been selling homes for over 24 years, and as a Real Estate and Staging Expert, Lynda knows how to create a powerful visual presentation. Lynda loves what she does. Her passion and eye for design, combined with a deep understanding of the market, help buyers find their dream home, and sellers get their listing sold fast. Her passion and creativity is clearly reflected in her success. As a Central Florida Top Producer for over eight years, Lynda’s creative talents and business skills have secured her the top spot in home sales and staging. Lynda’s success has been recognized with prestigious accolades that include: • Orlando Style Magazine: 5 Star Realtors • Orlando Magazine: Hot 100 Realtors for 2021 • Orlando Family Magazine: Top Realtors in Orlando Feature 2020 • 5 Star Service Award Winner • Channel 9 Featured Realtor Lynda goes above and beyond to ensure that each and every client receives
a five-star experience. She provides clients with unmatched customer service and utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to ger her client’s property seen and sold fast. From features on Channel 9, to professional HDR photography, to social media and direct mail campaigns and professionals designed and printed brochures, Lynda utilizing numerous marketing platforms to reach the most qualified buyers. She helps her client’s package and brand their property in the best light possible, and the results she gets speak for themselves. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lynda has been happily married to her husband, Bob, a local pharmacist, for twenty-four years. Her daughter, Katie, a recent graduate of Rollins College and SCAD, who is currently working for Hermes in New York City; as well as Ava and Stella, her schnauzers, complete her world. 407-620-2924 Lynda@millerstaging.com LyndaMillerSells.com JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 67
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Andrea Sider, P.A. Keller Williams Winter Park
SPECIALTY: My specialty is in Luxury Residential Properties including Luxury Homes, Lakefront, and Luxury Condos concentrating in the Central Florida area. However, no property is too big or too small. BEST REASON TO USE ME AS AN AGENT: Experience, client satisfaction, and strong negotiating skills are just a few of my attributes. As a longtime resident of Orlando (over 31 years) I have developed a large network of friends and clients, all of whom receive my excellent service. As a second generation Real Estate Broker, I pursued my passion for Real estate and became a licensed in 2007 and subsequently a Broker in 2017. I have been affiliated with Keller Williams, a top Global company with offices around the world, since 2008. My passion, integrity and enthusiasm are my North Star in both my personal and professional life. As a top producer, I enjoy the culture, education and support at Keller Williams Winter Park. In the interest of maintaining my professionalism and providing value to my Buyers and Sellers, I continue my education to keep informed of industry changes. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: My second career as a Realtor. Member of the Keller Williams Luxury International group. Earning positive accolades and testimonials from Buyers and Sellers.GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: I am proud of my family. My husband and I have been residents of the Central Florida community for 31 years. My husband, a physician, has been with Orlando Health that entire time. He currently is with leadership with his Anesthesia group and is 68 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
completing his role as Chief of Staff with Orlando Health. I am proud of our ambitious children. Our daughter (and son-in-law) as one of the top financial advisors at a Fortune 500 company as well as working on their start-up companies in their spare time. The success of our equally entrepreneurial son who just earned his MBA from Yale University and is now working for a Fortune 500 company as well as running his own start-up company. OFF HOURS: I enjoy reading historical fiction, brushing up on my foreign language skills, German, Spanish and French, expanding my knowledge about art, attending theatre, and spending time with family, friends and our dogs. I am also looking forward to travelling the world once again soon. Keller Williams Winter Park 147 W. Lyman Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789 407-697-4204 (Phone) Ourluxuryestate@gmail.com www.ourluxuryestate.kw.com Facebook: Andrea Sider, Broker Associate Instagram: siderandrea Linkedin: Andrea Sider
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Simon Simaan
The Simon Simaan Group SPECIALTY: Residential Properties in Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Orlando, and Winter Garden. BEST REASON TO USE SIMON AS AN AGENT: Excellent Client Satisfaction Rating on Every Deal, Strong Negotiation Skills, Renowned for Integrity and Professionalism, High Level of Construction and Management Experience, International and National List of Clientele, Great Network of Skilled Vendors, and Exquisite Marketing Paired with Exceptional Service. YEARS IN BUSINESS/AWARDS/ PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: The Simon Simaan Group has over 50+ years of combined Real Estate Experience and sold over $280+ Million locally. Simon is a second generation Realtor. He is also ranked within the Top 1% of Realtors in Central Florida, Best of Zillow Agent, Orlando Magazine Hot 100 Realtor since 2016, a Certified International Property Specialist, Orlando Regional Realtor Association Diamond Producer, Orlando 5 Star Realtor Award, and a Certified General Contractor in Florida. He is also local to the area since 1985. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Becoming a Realtor and helping clients achieve their dreams. Nothing is more satisfying in his career than attending all of the closings and developing a long lasting relationship with all of his clients for many years to come. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Walking into a Starbucks in London and meeting the love of his life, Simona. OFF HOURS: Spending time with his family and friends. Volunteering with local communities and charities. Enjoying the Central Florida Lifestyle.
The Simon Simaan Group 407-558-1396 Simon@SimonSimaan.com www.SimonSimaan.com JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 69
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Ken Teixeira EXPERIENCE/AWARDS/HONORS: Ken has more than 24 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has been the company-wide Top Producer at Weichert, Realtors- Hallmark Properties since 2009. He has been the #1 agent in Florida and among the top 15 nationwide for the entire Weichert Organization for the last five years. Ken is a seven-time recipient of the President’s Club Award and is a five-time recipient of the Champion's Club Award—the highest honor in the Weichert Organization. This is his thirteenth consecutive year to be named to the HOT 100, and he is a multiple winner of Orlando Style Magazine's Top 15 Five Star Realtors Award. AFFILIATIONS/ MEMBERSHIPS: Ken is an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) and among less than 2 percent of Realtors nationwide to hold the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, which is based on years of experience and the number and volume of transactions. He is also Relocation Certified. Memberships include the Orlando Regional Realtor Association, Florida Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. BEST REASON TO SELECT KEN AS YOUR AGENT: Navigating today’s ever changing real estate market can be a daunting task. It requires business acumen, dedication, broad market knowledge, professionalism, and a passion 70 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
for real estate. Ken possesses these qualities, and they allow him to maintain his primary objectives: obtaining the best price and terms for his sellers and finding the perfect home for his buyers—while making the process stress free for all! #1 WEICHERT AGENT/FLORIDA 2016-2020 COMPANY-WIDE TOP PRODUCER 2009-2020 ORLANDO MAGAZINE HOT 100 REALTORS 2009-2021 ORLANDOSTYLE MAGAZINE 5 STAR REALTOR 2016-2019
Weichert, Realtors- Hallmark Properties 400 W. Morse Blvd. #103 Winter Park, FL 32789 407-697-4946 kensellsorlando.com
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Kristin Green-Vogt Century 21 Integra
SPECIALTY: Kristin Green-Vogt’s specialty, hands down, is "my clients." Encompassing the two words is an ethos that impels her to do whatever it takes to get the deals her clients want and need. “I take pride in making sure I do a really good job every time and I value the relationships that are built along the way,” Green-Vogt says. Digging deeper, her transaction specialty is the piggyback, in which she sells the client’s old home and purchases their new one in a single, swift, organized package. Variables change for each client, of course, but she enjoys anticipating the challenges to create a smooth transition. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Green-Vogt’s greatest professional accomplishment thus far is the opening of the Kristin Green-Vogt Group with Century 21 Integra in Lake Mary. The office is in the new Griffin Park shopping center off West Lake Mary Boulevard, where she expects to outshine her 2020 success of selling $32 million in property and assist her teammates in reaching their goals in 2021. “I am so excited and proud of the opportunity to lead other agents and help them reach their productivity goals while still providing the exceptional service to my clients that they have become accustomed to,” she says. YEARS IN BUSINESS/AWARDS/ PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Green-Vogt has earned recognition in her 12 years as a professional, including being a member of the Disney
Institute-trained real estate group Agents of Excellence. She was named to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association’s Top 20 under 40 in 2019 and was an ORRA Diamond producer in 2020. She worked for the past two years with Coldwell Banker, where she was the top agent in Orlando. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Green-Vogt says her greatest personal accomplishment is raising her two daughters, Kylie and Kennedy. The family motto—work hard, play hard—exemplifies their desire to excel in all things they attempt. “They are my ‘why’ and keep me motivated each day to wake up and be my best self. I want to provide them with an example that shows they can be strong and independent, and we can have a ton of fun along the way.” Kristin Green-Vogt Team Lead for the Kristin Green-Vogt Group Century 21 Integra 245 Wheelhouse Lane Suite 1461 Lake Mary, FL 32746 407-417-7206 @KristinVogtRealtor on Facebook @KristinVogt_Realty on Instagram JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 71
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Russie Weidl, PA GRI, ASP, CDPE, REOS WATSON REALTY CORP.
EXPERIENCE AND AWARDS: When Russie decided to pursue a career in real estate, she made a commitment to be the best, and with over $280 million in sales, she hasn’t looked back! Through the years she has earned the President’s Club and Silver and Gold Pinnacle awards multiple times, and she has the distinction of being Watson Realty’s top agent in Central Florida 12 times! Russie is recognized as a “Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction” by Five Star Professional in addition to her recognition as a top selling agent and top producer in Central Florida 13 years in a row by Orlando Magazine. PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY: Russie’s customers are always her first priority. Sellers quickly realize from her exquisite staging of their homes to her knowledge of beautiful photos that appeal to potential buyers that she is the right choice. Buyers notice her grasp of the current market conditions and what is necessary to purchase the home of their dreams. Russie is 72 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
diligent, compassionate, trustworthy, patient and always available to answer questions. No one understands the Central Florida real estate market better than Russie, and quite a few have used her services several times through the years. Many refer their friends and families to her, knowing they will be in good hands whether buying or selling a home. “IF YOU’RE FUSSIE INSIST ON RUSSIE” 7015 C.R. 46A Lake Mary, FL 32746 407-721-8822 Russie@watsonrealtycorp.com RussieSells.com RussieWeidl.WatsonRealtyCorp.com
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Rick Winner Ziro Realty
SPECIALTY: Rick specializes in all facets of the real estate business, whether navigating the way for first timers, or providing help in the luxury market, he knows and has experienced it all. BEST REASON TO USE RICK WINNER AS AN AGENT: Rick answers his phone. No switchboard, No assistants, No team. Rick is dedicated to you and making your transaction go smoothly. BACKGROUND/AWARDS/HONORS: Rick is a second generation broker. He grew up watching his mother run her office and become one of the top producing agents in central Pennsylvania. In Rick’s first full year as a Realtor he was included in the “America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents” and is a Gold Producer award winner by Orlando Regional Realtor Association. His hard work, charisma, and true passion for his business has helped Rick's reputation as a qualified realtor® rise quickly. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Rick is the founder, creator and broker of Ziro Realty, a revolutionary flat-rate listing office that
saves their clients serious money compared to a traditional commissionbased agency. Ziro Realty will be offering office franchises in all 50 states later this year. FREE ADVICE: When searching for a Realtor, or any other kind of professional for that matter, don’t be drawn in by tailored suits, shiny shoes or gold cufflinks. Look for a straight shooting, hard-working, no BS person that connects with you. It’s your life and your money, find somebody you can trust. 950 Celebration Blvd Suite F Celebration, FL 34747 407-669-9476 rwinner@zirorealty.com www.ZiroRealty.com facebook.com/zirorealty JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 73
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P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Paul Young
Broker/Owner, Young Real Estate It didn’t take Paul Young long to reach the pinnacle of the Florida real estate market. Hard work is nothing new to him, as it is what got him to reach the top of the depth chart as freshman kicker in Division 1 Football and to excel in the Marine Corps. His family is littered with successful military careers ranging from a Marine Full Bird Colonel fighter pilot, to Army Special Forces, to a West Point Graduate and Army Ranger just to name a few. Young Real Estate is soaring to similar success; Paul’s main focus is making sure those around him achieve their goals. Over the last 6 months Paul has trained multiple new Realtors to instant success, having them get 3 or 4 pending transactions in their very first month. The success of their Realtors is due to their commitment and his teaching on the practical aspects of the trade that they can use to serve their clients better. The focus is on adding value at Young Real Estate and they strive to do it at a high level every day. The hard work is paying off and they have fun doing it! At YRE they have a work hard, play harder atmosphere which has given them the fun reputation which many local vendors can attest to. They have the best happy hours and fun Christmas Parties. It is no accident that they are growing in size and market share daily. Paul’s next goal is to help his Realtors start winning some of 74 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021
the awards he has won over the years. Paul has won numerous awards including ORRA’s “20 Under 40 Rising Stars”, ORP’s “35 under 35”, AIOREP “Top 10”, ORP’s “Professionalism Award Male Finalist” and “America’s Top 100”. He has also been on many Real Estate Expert Panels for different companies and organizations. Helping others achieve their goals and success through real estate is his passion. 407-633-HOME paul.young@youngrealestate.com youngrealestate.com Facebook.com: youngrealestatecompany Instagram.com: youngrealestatecompany
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P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Crystal Adams, PA, CDPE, CRES, CRS, SRS, SFR LUXE RE/MAX Innovation
SPECIALTY: Residential Sales in Orlando and Surrounding Cities. BEST REASON TO USE ME: I’m passionate about making clients my #1 priority. I pride myself on getting what they want in an honest, professional way. I strive to make the buying & selling process as stress-free as possible with up-to-date technology, integrity, great communication and marketing. EXPERIENCE/AWARDS: I’ve been in business since 2004. 7 Years in a Row: Agent of the Year Award & In Top 100 RE/MAX Agent for Florida, Multi-Million Dollar Top Producer, ORRA’s Gold Club Level Top Producer, Platinum Club, Orlando’s Top 100 Realtors, Hall of Fame, Voted #1 Agent for East Orlando Real Estate & America’s Top 1%. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: I’m proud of all the awards I receive for my hard work and dedication to my clients. Most of my business comes from referrals from past/present clients and friends who trust and support me. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: My three amazing children, husband, and giving back to my community. 3742 Avalon Park E. Blvd., Orlando, FL 32828 407-927-9610 CrystalAdamsRealtor@gmail.com CrystalAdamsRealtor.com
Crystal Grohowski and Kim Lam
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty SPECIALTY: All aspects of real estate including Corporate Relocation and Commercial Real Estate. BEST REASON TO USE US AS AN AGENT: We strive for top customer service and attention to details, along with customer discretion. We consistently rank in the top 1% for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services with over 18 years in the real estate business. AWARDS/HONORS: Global Relocation Certified and Luxury Homes Specialist Certified. We are rank Chairman Circle Platinum for 2020 and are Diamond Award Winners with Orlando Regional Realtor Association 2020. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: We were able to help our buyers and sellers meet their goals during a pandemic, resulting with 99 closed sales in 2020. We are not a mega team and like to keep personal contact with our customers. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Crystal: Being a single mother and seeing my children into college has made me very happy. Knowing I have and will continue to do all I can to help them achieve their goals. Kim: Raising my daughter as a single parent and watching her excel in soccer. OFF HOURS: Crystal: After the last year it’s been about trying to enjoy the little things more. Love to find new restaurants, read more and gardening. Kim: I spend a lot of time working out at the gym. I also enjoy reading non-fiction and spending time with my family. FREE ADVICE: Enjoy the ride, we have learned things can change in an instant and take nothing for granted. 401 Main St. Suite B Windermere, FL 34786 407-406-5347 ck@ckhomesorlando.com ckhomesorlando.com @CKHomesOrlandoTeam
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P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Gina Francis
Global Luxury, Coldwell Banker Realty ABOUT GINA: A luxury home specialist, Gina is well known for her WOW marketing abilities. She loves the challenge of bringing magnificent homes to market, then negotiating the best outcome for her clients. Because highly valued homes are her passion, she has attained three luxury certifications: Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Luxe Listing Specialist, and Coldwell Banker Global Luxury. Gina has served clients in the Longwood/ Lake Mary area for more than 20 years. Her local knowledge is second to none, as are her education and her network of industry experts and contractors. Gina is well known for detailed attention to the legal aspects of client contracts and for skillful negotiation on her clients’ behalf. Both skills stem from a fascination gained through early employment as the assistant to a Judge. Protecting her clients’ financial interests is Gina’s top priority, as she views real estate as not only home ownership, but a financial tool for the future. Due to her extraordinary service, responsiveness, and genuine care for their well-being, clients become lifelong friends. 1120 Townpark Ave. #1042 Lake Mary, FL 32746 407-492-0999 GinaSellsOrlando.com
Albin Hubscher, MBA, Broker/Realtor® Central Florida Prime Real Estate
ABOUT ALBIN: Albin Hubscher, broker and owner of Central Florida Prime Real Estate has resided in the Central Florida area for the past fifteen years, and has been a licensed real-estate agent for twelve years, and a broker for the past five. He is a Rollins College graduate, and received an MBA from the Crummer School of Business in 2011. Albin has received real estate accolades such as being an ORRA Diamond Producer in 2020, and has been featured as a “Orlando’s Top 100” realtor for several consecutive years. Albin has a passion for helping families and individuals find the right homes that suit both their needs and their budgets, taking into consideration all aspects of their life. Albin understands that each individual and family has different needs, wants, and wishes when looking for a new home, or selling theirs. Through his personalized and relational approach Albin puts his clients first – he believes that clients should feel comfortable, confident, and never pressured. Albin believes a successful Realtor finds what is important to clients, and it is followed through by strong communication skills, a hardworking attitude, honesty, and having the ability to advocate and negotiate on behalf of his clients. 400 S. Orlando Ave. Maitland, FL 32751 407.404.4041 Cflprimerealestate.com
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P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Kevin and Yvette Kendrick Keller Williams Lake Nona
SPECIALTY: Real Estate Professional helping buyers, sellers, and investors throughout Central Florida with a focus on the Lake Nona area. BEST REASON TO USE US AS AN AGENT: We love helping people buy and sell residential homes with supporting the local community, such as schools, hospitals, church, and neighborhoods. YEARS IN BUSINESS/AWARDS/ HONORS/PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Kendrick Team began in 2016. We have been blessed to be in the Top 1% of Orlando Realtors since 2017. Lake Nona Realtor of the Year in 2019. Top Producer at Keller Williams Lake Nona since 2016, including Double-Platinum in 2020. Top 3 in Lake Nona Sales since 2016. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: We have been volunteering at 7 of the 8 Lake Nona area schools since 2016. We have been named Small Business Partner In Education of the Year at 3 schools since 2016. In the month of May, we have fed breakfast to every teacher in our Lake Nona schools. OUR TEAM: We have 7 members on the Kendrick Team. We love watching them grow professionally and personally. OFF HOURS: We enjoy traveling and spending time with others. FREE ADVICE: As the leader of the Kendrick Team, we love treating every single client like they are family. 9161 Narcoossee Road, Suite 107 407-271-1854 kevin@thekendrickteam.com www.thekendrickteam.com facebook.com/KendrickTeam
Linda Guzman, BROKER/ OWNER/ CEO LIV Realty Inc.
BEST REASON TO USE ME AS AN AGENT: As a mother I know the importance of family, stability, financial obligations, and the meaning of a good community. With more than 10 years in the Real Estate industry my passion for making a difference in my community is driven by my desire to be of service. As a Multi-Million Dollar Agent, ranking Top 500 Real Estate Producer, Top 10% Zillow Premier Agent, Award Winning Agent and Top Producer, I strive to serve with quality customer service and negotiate the best terms to ensure the client’s legal rights and assets are being protected while providing a smooth process along the way. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Creating an empire from scratch and keeping a consistent business flow with a high level of referrals. Thank you to my clients who support and trust my business. As the Founder of Lipgloss and Real Estate we support, empower, and connect people throughout the country with 2 conferences a year. FREE ADVICE: I truly believe your business plan begins with your mindset. Be sure to love yourself, be okay with yourself when you mess up, and put the phone down and be with your family. To have a healthy mind you have to start from within. 10967 Lake Underhill Road Suite 144 Orlando, FL 32825 a e o a ce pe i oo 407-574-4404 .li realt omes.com i o li realt omes.com ocial e ia ealt c ace oo ealt c sta ram ealt c. i e
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P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Sue Silberbusch, Esq. and Lew Brooks Orlando Luxury Homes, Inc.
WHY USE US?: Sue is a licensed attorney with five law licenses including Florida. She brings added value and insight to every transaction she handles and is the Broker/Owner of Orlando Luxury Homes. Lew brings 35 years of real estate experience and expertise to their transactions. AWARDS/ HONORS: We have been in business for over 50 years combined and are certified members of the Million Dollar Guild, Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and Hot 100 Orlando Magazine recipients for the past 10 years! OFF HOURS: Sue can be found on the tennis and pickleball courts throughout Central Florida or spending time with her family of 5. Lew can be found at Pet Alliance or any of Disney’s theme parks! CLAIM TO FAME: Our Golden Rule is to treat our clients like family. 90% of our business is via referrals so our “family policy” is more important than ever. Our real estate relationships are for life! FREE ADVICE: Covid has taught us all that we are all stronger than we ever knew. Resilience and tenacity have gotten us through tough times. The same applies to real estate. In a crazy seller’s market we are asking our buyers to be resilient and flexible; we are asking our sellers to be optimistic yet realistic. 124 N. 4th St., Suite 1900 Lake Mary, FL 32746 407-771-4969 info@orlandolux.com www.orlandolux.com facebook.com/orlandoluxhomes
Terri Schon, PA
Coldwell Banker Realty ABOUT TERRI: Closing over 20+ million in 2020, Terri is also proud to consistently receive the International President’s Award. As a full time agent, Terri is fully committed to her clients and their individual goals. Her 18 years of real estate experience, knowledge of the ever-changing market and professional approach are key to educating her clients and empowering them to make the right real estate decisions in a highly competitive market. Terri has a strong base of loyal repeat clients and develops long lasting relationships with both her buyers and sellers. In fact, over 95% of her business is referral based. Whether working with a first time home buyer or a high-end luxury seller, Terri’s intimate knowledge and expertise of the local community, paired with the global reach of Coldwell Banker provide her clients with a proven competitive advantage for market position, offers, and negotiations. Having seen just about every real estate twist and turn possible she manages the adversity of the deal with expertise, professionalism and patience. From start to finish Terri is a hands-on realtor, available to her clients 24/7, giving them the assurance that they are a priority in what can be a very stressful process. 7626 W. Sand Lake Road Orlando FL 32819 407-625-2670 www.TerriSellsOrlando.com Terri.Schon@gmail.com
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P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Julie Bowyer
Beth Hobart
Address: 11 S. Bumby Avenue Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32803 Phone: 407-758-0153 E-mail: jbowyer@me.com Facebook: juliebowyerrealtor Instagram: juliebowyerrealtor
407-227-8192 Beth@BethHobart.com BethHobart.com
Mainframe Real Estate
Keller Williams at the Parks
SPECIALTY: Since starting my career in real estate in 2010, I have built my business based on honesty, integrity and hard work. My goal is to provide excellent customer service and to earn the trust and respect of all my clients. Almost all my business comes from repeat clients and referrals. I specialize in the downtown Orlando area, including Delaney Park, Lancaster Park, Lake Cherokee, Lake Davis, Wadeview Park, Thornton Park, College Park, Lake Como, Be Air and the Conway area. As a longtime Delaney Park resident and active member of the community, I am very aware of the downtown area and housing market. BEST REASON TO USE ME AS AN AGENT: Local knowledge, making sure that the transaction is a smooth and pleasant experience. A good resource after the sale. OFF HOURS: Raising my two teenagers and spending time with friends and family.
Matt McKee
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A Realtor since 2005, Beth has a reputation for impeccable service, and incredible marketing and branding. Although Beth has closed on over $30+million in sales volume in the past year, the relationships with her clients are her top priority, and attention to detail and going above and beyond are paramount. Her clients are more than just another transaction, they continually become life-long friends. Over the course of her career, Beth has increased her sales year after year to become a top-ranking Realtor in Central Florida. She has been #1 for closed sales at Mainframe Real Estate since 2016 and was voted Best Realtor in Orlando by Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Beth is passionate about her community, and is a proud Board Member of the Orlando City Foundation and the Downtown Orlando Partnership, and has also volunteered with Quest Inc since 2001. Although the line between work and home is blurred since Beth lives, eats and breathes real estate, her down-time includes spending time with her family and friends, with her husband, Jim, and their fur babies Tommy, Angus McHaggis and Fiona, and leaving the world a little better than she found it…all while drinking copious amounts of coffee.
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Matt McKee Beatrice Miranda
5/24/21 4:01 PM
The McKee Group at Compass
The McKee Group at Compass Metro City Realty
7380 W. Sand Lake Rd., Suite 500 Orlando FL 32819 407-948-0658 matt@mattmckee.com MattMcKee.com
7380EW. Sand Lake Rd., Suite 500 520 Church St #101 Orlando FL 32819 Orlando, 32801 407-948-0658 407-237-3331 matt@mattmckee.com mymetrocity.com MattMcKee.com
ABOUT MATT: As a real estate professional in Central Florida, Orlando, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Oakland, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Conway, Matt has in-depth local knowledge and can provide you with the information you need on home buying, home selling, financing, and owning real estate. Matt provides a wide range of real estate services and utilizes the most current technology, processes, and systems to assist you with all of your home buying and home selling needs. Whether you are new to the market or an experienced investor, he has the expertise, proven track record, and resources to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Beatrice Miranda is a name that is ABOUT MATT: As aluxury real estate synonymous with highprofessional end sales in Central Orlando, Windermere, and rentals Florida, in the Downtown Orlando and Dr. Phillips, Oakland, Winter Garden, Winter Park real estate markets. Specializing Ocoee, in-depth in short Conway, sales, firstMatt time has home buying,local and knowledge can provide with luxury hi-riseand condominium sales,you Beatrice’s the information youand need on home buying,service, home and selling, financing, passion for the field, exemplary customer marketing skillsand has owningher real estate. Matt asprovides a wide range real estate services and placed at the forefront an industry leader. Herof overwhelming enthusiasm utilizesinthe most current technology, and systems to assist youtowith shows every aspect of her life, fromprocesses, her personality to her work habits her all of your home buying and home selling needs. inherent sense of style. Whether newtime to the market or purchasing an experienced investor,condo, he hasorthea Whether youyou are are a first homebuyer a $50,000 expertise, proven track record,aand resourcesestate, to help real luxury homebuyer purchasing $6,000,000 youyou canachieve rely onyour Beatrice estate goals.you with the same top rate service. Her positive energy, “can do” to provide attitude, and strong work and moral ethics has set her in a league of her own. Always ahead of the curve, Beatrice Miranda has earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike for being a strong negotiator and creative thinker, as well as her communication skills.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
P R E M I E R R E A L E S TAT E
Justin Pekarek
Jessica Polanco
407-808-3695 Justin@TheOrlandoPA.com OrlandoPropertyAdvisors.com YouTube: @OrlandoPropertyAdvisor
811 N Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 321-443-2442 info@jessicapolanco.com MainframeRE.com
Orlando Property Advisors
Realtor, Mainframe Real Estate
ABOUT JUSTIN: Justin’s passion is Video, and helping his customers learn from near and far about all things Orlando Real Estate has catapulted his business and brand into the Top 100 of all Orlando Realtors. “I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge and storytelling via YouTube and other social media platforms, as I can see how it has benefitted so many customers relocating to the area.” Justin and his brokerage, Orlando Property Advisors, are based in Lake Nona and focus on new construction and relocations from all over the country to Central Florida. Awarded the “video influencer” award by Tom Ferry & Bomb Bomb & a “top 20 under 40” recipient, Justin and his team will continue to create informative and entertaining videos that benefit their clients, nationwide.
ABOUT JESSICA: I started my real estate career in 2015. Sold over 100 homes from new constructions for leading builders in Central Florida and moved on to resell homes. I was recognized as one of the 500 top producers in Orlando Florida. In 2004, I started out my career in the title industry. I went from processor to getting my license to become a closer for the title. My father was a very well known and successful realtor in Kissimmee. He helped so many families achieve their dream and being part of the American dream of owning a home. After my father’s passing, I decided to change industries and go into corporate America. For years, I knew that I didn’t belong there and that the passion for helping others was no longer there. I then knew what I had to do, go into Real Estate full time and carry the legacy. For relaxation, I love to go shopping and spend time with my family and friends, run on the beach, rollerblade and simply enjoy life. EXPERIENCE/AWARDS/HONORS: 6 years in the business; 2020 Five Star Real Estate Agent Award; 2020 Mainframe #8 in the company with highest sales; 2020 ORRA Silver award winner; 2020 NAHREP TOP agent in the SOUTH.
George Stringer
Dan Teston
211 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32801 407-222-7047 (Cell) ce eor estri er mi spri .com eor estri er.c i to c .com
422 Main Street, Suite 1 Windermere, FL 34786 407-509-0211 Dan@TestonTeam.com TestonTeam.com Social Media: @TestonTeam on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Coldwell Banker Realty
ABOUT GEORGE: ‘Real Estate is the Best business there is’, my first broker said to me years ago. Not sure what she meant, I soon found out - No time clock, no 2 days alike, No limits to Success, amazing customers & clients who become friends, plus the satisfaction in helping people, which leads to everyone’s goal - referrals. I began knowing that I’d give it my all - no customers, inroads or deep pockets, I learned perseverance, failures, successes, & ultimately how to TRULY put others first. My work ethic was good, but boy did I learn to develop a better one - then a career! I’m proud of the awards & recognition over the years, but I’m most happy with the relationships along the way because I understand my Greatest asset is ‘trust’ - that’s why they hire me. My family is so supportive, as is Coldwell Banker. I always try to help new agents and anyone who asks about the Best Business there is - real estate! I work across all of Central Florida with an emphasis on the Southwest Orlando, particularly the Bay Hill area and Windermere with a focus on luxury homes, golf and lake front.
BRAND + IDENTITY GUIDELINES
I’ve been in real estate since 2008 with a background in site development and specialize in helping first time buyers as well as the move up homeowner. We know from experience the finesse it takes and critical timelines to coordinate both the sale and purchase of a new home. Right now a lot of people have equity in their home and we're helping them use that to move into the home of their dreams. We've seen firsthand the importance of making your house standout when you're selling so we use a professional stager on all of our listings. We’re there every step of the way, whether it’s new construction, buying your first home or selling your current one, we are in it with you for the long term. Outside of real estate, health and fitness is important to me and my family and we enjoy working out, playing together and loving all that Orlando has to offer.
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Congratulations on being named to Orlando Magazine’s Hot 100 Elite, a recognition which highlights those agents who have been named to the Hot 100 five times or more over the last 10 years.
OVER $53 MILLION IN SALES IN 2020 * The Mosley Team is powered by the husband-wife duo of Alison and Frank Mosley, combined with the enduring brand of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Together, they provide extraordinary marketing services locally and globally for listings at every price point. Through state-of-the-art digital marketing tools and virtual technology, they will continue to provide you with extraordinary services. The Mosleys’ collaborative approach, creative marketing strategies and exceptional negotiating capabilities have contributed to multimillion-dollar sales volume year after year.
OUR TEAM INCLUDES NATHALIE BATES 407.509.6820
EXPERIENCE MATTERS, ALWAYS.
SARA CAMBRON 321.277.8444
Call today for a private consultation for all your real estate endeavors.
JOHNNY WALKER 407.848.0168
FRANK MOSLEY 407.489.9508 | FRANK.MOSLEY@PREMIERSIR.COM ALISON MOSLEY 407.304.6458 | ALISON.MOSLEY@PREMIERSIR.COM Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. *Source: Stellar MLS.
ERIN FREEMAN 954.849.7993
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Gould+ is your partner for peaceful,
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We’ve helped hundreds of clients successfully navigate the real estate journey. We can do it for you, too. Gould+ is on your side, prepared to make your real estate dreams a reality.
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Real estate is our expertise — and it’s also our passion. With more than 31 years of experience in Orlando’s most established neighborhoods, we are a tight-knit team that knows how to work in concert for the absolute best results. We acknowledge and welcome the changing landscape of modern real estate, focusing on our competitive edge. Above all else, we advocate on behalf of our clients. We listen carefully, document appropriately, and communicate fully. We are sunny, steadfast, and savvy. We tailor our approach to your preferences and meet your every need.
Gould+ Keller Williams Winter Park 407.476.6101 info@gouldplus.net www.gouldplus.net
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Caroline Moffitt Lawton
This Little Ms. Moffitt does not sit on her Tuffet! I MOVE HOUSES! “Pray hard, work hard, and run fast” You probably recognize her alongside her precious pug, Lester, who is featured prominently in all of her Ads. The secret to her success, she says, is staying grounded and giving back. An early riser, Caroline begins each day at 4 a.m. “I believe in praying and reading the Bible and I believe in giving and putting God first.” After a workout at the gym, she is ready to attack the day. Her attention to detail and respect for her clients’ needs are key to connecting with them and selling homes quickly. Caroline credits her faith and prayers as a reason for her success. “You can work day and night, but unless God blesses you and gives you the ability, you’re not going to succeed.” • Top Realtor for 33 Years! • 2020 Keller Williams Awards - #1 Sales in Individual Sales & Volume, Top Individual Sales Unit, Top Listing Units & Volume, Triple Gold Award! • I Sold 43 Homes in 2020!
#1
IN SALES
BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION
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Let’s talk about RESULTS! I SOLD 59 Homes from Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2015
#1
IN SALES
BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION
I MOVE HOUSES! Ñ
Named Orlando Magazine’s REAL ESTATE’S HOT 100 for 2014, 2015 and 2016!
Ñ
TOP REALTOR consecutively for 28 Years!
Ñ
Triple Gold Award Winner - 100 Billion or more in production
Ñ
Named Star Performer by the Orlando Regional Realtors!
Ñ
Central Florida Resident since 1977
Ñ
As a Christian Realtor, I give God the credit for my success
Caroline Moffitt Cell Phone (407) 670-9797 Email: carolinemoffitt@gmail.com
Website: www.carolinemoffitt.net
Lester as Elvis, Lester is not for sale
RESULTS In Any Market
Serving Central Florida since 1984
Providing Exceptional Service Facebook.com/youngandyounger
YoungAndYounger.com Scott Young 407-222-7370 122 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2016
Brad Young 407-454-2529
1300 E. Michigan St. Orlando, FL 32806 JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 83
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SELLING LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA IS MY PASSION, CALL ME TODAY.
WE GO WHERE YOU GO Read Orlando magazine on-the-go with digital issues and subscriptions. Available through Magzter.com, iTunes, and Google Play.
$2,499,000 | 1450 CENTER OAK TRAIL, LONGWOOD, FL 32779
Karen Arbutine, Realtor
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Honesty • Integrity • Experience
407.928.3788 GetOrlandoRealEstate.com
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MOVING IN ORLANDO? Here’s What You Should Know Orlando ranks among America’s hottest real estate markets, with the average home price up nearly 8 percent over the last year. With increasing demand and a low supply of homes available, there’s strong competition among buyers. Even in a booming market, there’s a level of uncertainty with financing, inspection and appraisal contingencies that could get in the way. But buying a new home shouldn’t be stressful; it should be exciting. Are you thinking about moving sometime soon? Here’s what you need to know about working with Opendoor, the leading digital real estate platform, to make buying and selling a home a more simple, certain, and fast experience.
Home buyers: stand out among the competition Opendoor data shows how technology can enable people early on in the home buying process, with 37 percent digitally browsing homes to buy and 40 percent tapping into tools to understand what they can afford. But no matter how prepared, house hunting in a hot real estate market like Orlando can feel daunting. But it’s possible to stand out and strengthen your offer once you find your dream home. With an Opendoor-backed offer, buyers can present the certainty of an all-cash offer to a seller—free of financing, appraisal, and home sale contingencies, even if you need a home loan. Buyers who made offers with Opendoor’s program already have a higher acceptance rate than offers made without cash backing.
Home sellers: get a competitive offer on your home in minutes Kristen Reilly needed to sell her family’s home in Orlando for an upgrade as she and her husband needed more space for their growing family. “Having young children, two dogs, and a busy life, the Opendoor experience was priceless when it came to a seamless and easy move,” she says. Opendoor has streamlined the home selling process into just a few clicks online-an increasing preference of many sellers. In fact, the company found 71 percent of sellers said they would consider selling their home to a digital real estate platform like Opendoor.
Whether looking to upgrade a home, downsize, or even change neighborhoods, many sellers in Orlando are also looking to buy their next home nearby. By selling to Opendoor, local homeowners can reduce the risk of missing out on the next home of their dreams. They have the opportunity to choose their closing date, in as few as 14 days and up to 90 days— and flexibility to change the date if they need to line up closing dates with their next home. Need to stay in your home longer than expected? Opendoor also offers Late Checkout to give sellers more time. “Opendoor allowed us to choose the closing date, not have to worry about repairs, showings, and cleanings and have a totally hasslefree process—even down to using a mobile notary. When it came to closing, the only surprise we experienced was getting more equity in the home we were selling,” Kristen beams. “We saved $10-15K needed on repairs to our old home by going with Opendoor, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Opendoor is the future of real estate.”
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. Visit OrlandoMagazine.com to subscribe today!
FOOD & DRINK R E VI E W • TA B LE TA LK • R ECO M M EN D ED E ATI N G
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
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GREAT NEIGHBORS
Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe opened in January 2020 to positive reviews before pausing for the pandemic. Now, the restaurant is busier than ever offering happy hour, dinner and weekend brunch.
FOOD&DRINK REVIEW
The upscale casual restaurant has quickly become a mainstay for locals. BY BROOKE FEHR
RUSSELL’S ON LAKE IVANHOE 1414 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804 407-601-3508 Entrees: $18-$47
W
WHILE TAKING IN the view from Russell’s, it’s easy to see how
Orlando came to be nicknamed The City Beautiful. The restaurant sits near the banks of Lake Ivanhoe. The compact building’s western-facing picture windows offer stellar views of the lake, which is bordered on its other side by bustling I-4. It’s a curious juxtaposition, with tranquil lake views in the foreground and busy motorists whizzing to and fro in the distance. To the south, there’s a lovely playground situated in a neighboring park, where it isn’t uncommon to watch families with young children play, or to see patrons taking a post-meal stroll. This is bustling Ivanhoe Village, the city’s art district, where antique stores and locally-owned shops thrive. And in short order, Russell’s has become part of the landscape. But to say that the road to success has been smooth is to glance over the events of the past year. The future seemed bright when Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe—so named for George Russell, who built a pineapple plantation and an amusement park in the area at the turn of the twentieth century— opened January 2020 in the space previously occupied by Mesa 21. Owner Philippe Villain envisioned a restaurant that served elevated cuisine in a comfortable setting. “It’s about high-quality, value for the customer, and it’s about treating people properly—both our staff internally but also the consumer,” he shares. Villain set to work creating such a place, and he knew just the chef for the job—Emmanuel Clement. The two had worked together in New York City in the 1990s and had kept in touch, intersecting at various points throughout their careers, working for
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the same companies more than once. “We know each other, we trust each other like brothers,” explains Villain. When he reached out to Clement, it was perfect timing; the chef had just sold his restaurants in Mallorca. Villain asked Clement to come to Florida and take a look. “So I came over and spent a week here with Philippe. And I said ‘Alright, I’m in.’” Three months later, Clement moved to Florida and he and Villain went to work crafting the vision for Russell’s. The French influences are unmistakable. To begin, both Villain and Clement believe that dishes should be made from scratch. Villain points out that Chef Clement makes all of the charcuterie, stocks and sauces inhouse. “Stocks are your base. You can do whatever you want; if the stock is good, your sauce is going to be good,” Clement explains.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
Neighborhood Dining: Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
Left: Russell’s Royale with Cheese is served with House Fries and is already a crowd pleaser. Right: Rack of Lamb, offered alongside Israeli couscous brightened with tabbouleh, showcases fresh flavors for summer..
Getting the food right is important, but Villain also wants to ensure that customers feel comfortable and welcomed from the moment they step in the door. He feels that fine dining is, for the most part, a thing of the past, but one can still have a memorable meal without all of the fuss. “There’s pleasure to be had with really awesome food and experiences but it’s just got to be done in a more casual way,” he says. While tables in the airy dining room are dressed with white tablecloths and cloth napkins for dinner, lightly-stained woods add warmth to the space. The young waitstaff have a warm, welcoming attitude, and are ready to guide you through the menu with recommendations and advice. The restaurant gained a strong foothold in the early part of the year before the COVID-19 shutdown interrupted business. “We started pretty strong,” says Clement, “but then in March the virus came, so we slowed down a little bit.” The pause didn’t break their stride; business picked up upon reopening.
When I recently dined at Russell’s with a party of seven friends, we weren’t disappointed in terms of food or service. Such a large party afforded us ample opportunity to try a broad range of the dishes, and the waitstaff were attentive to our needs from beginning to end. While both Villain and Clement enjoy executing quintessential dishes accurately, they also want to surprise and delight their guests. Examples of both classics
and twists on popular plates are evident across the appetizer menu. We couldn’t resist the opportunity to try the Tuna and Avocado Tartare, served in the style of poke with its marinade of soy and ginger. We were equally pleased with the Calamari. Rather than offering the popular starter deep-fried, Chef Clement gently sautees the small squid in garlic and parsley to complement its delicate flavor and texture. Another favorite dish of the table
was the simple Scallop Ceviche, with slices of scallop dressed in an herbal vinaigrette. Finally, the Roasted Beets and Burrata Napoleon was a stellar combination of fresh, rich earthy flavors. The menu’s French influence is also apparent with respect to main dishes. A friend who chose the Duck Confit gave the tender dish rave reviews, while another friend tucked into the meaty Grilled Swordfish. While the fish was certainly well prepared, the
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FOOD&DRINK REVIEW
star of the plate was a creamy, tangy beurre blanc accented with lemony sorrel. For my selection, I chose Roasted Rack of Lamb, a dish that will change seasonally. I was treated to the summer version, served alongside Israeli couscous dressed with a bright, fresh tabbouleh. Other friends gave high marks to Shrimp Linguine, with its creamy spinach-parmesan sauce, and Russell’s Royale with Cheese, the house burger. Here, I pause for a moment to further elaborate on value, which is something that’s important to Villain. Most main courses come with two sides, instead of sides being offered a la carte. From the beginning, he felt that offering choices for sides not only represented good value, but also didn’t limit the customer. “Customers have the freedom to choose, and to customize. I have seven different things, and you pick.” While our meals were certainly satisfying, we couldn’t resist trying two of the restaurant’s most popular desserts. The White Chocolate Bread Pudding,
with its whiskey sauce, was a crowd favorite. But Russell’s also pays homage to its namesake’s favored crop, the pineapple, with the Signature Pineapple Foster. Served atop caramelized banana bread, it’s rich and substantial enough to share. And there’s so much more to enjoy. While the restaurant isn’t currently open for lunch, brunch on both Saturday and Sunday has proven to be a popular draw. The Mrs. Croc is Russell’s take on the classic Croque Madame, combining ham, Gruyere, bechamel and a fried egg. Sweet treats such as the Cinnamon Roll Waffle and Bananas Foster French Toast also have their fans. Happy hour is gaining quite a reputation as well. And why not? Small plates such as Potato and Bacon Cheese Croquettes and Pork Belly Bao (both options at press time) are the perfect snack to nosh on alongside a specialty cocktail, like the House Pineapple Old Fashioned. Happy hour also provides incredible value, with wines for $5 a glass (including some lovely French
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options) and cocktails for $6 each. Beers from neighboring Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. round out the offerings at $4. While opening a restaurant in 2020 wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. Villain and Clement feel optimistic about the future of Russell’s, noting that locals have embraced them, and he sees many repeat customers on a regular basis. “They come here and they’re happy to support local. They don’t want to go to the big chains. And I think that’s been even louder in this tough time. It’s pretty nice to hear, in a bad time, that people want to support the little local
guy. It’s good for me. I like to hear that.” Where do the pair hope to go next? The sky really is the limit. While regular customers already voice loud votes for their favorite dishes (“Please don’t ever take the filet off the menu!” one recently said), Villain and Clement want to continue to wow and surprise diners. They know that starts with trust. “And once we have their trust,” shares Villain, “let’s walk them down the culinary road, and we can get a little more daring with experiences. But they’ve got to trust you first.” Adds Clement, then, “There’s no limit what you can do.” I, for one, am ready to go along for the ride.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
Happy hour offers fantastic drink specials. Inset: Save room for a special dessert, like the Signature Pineapple Foster, served on caramelized banana bread.
FOOD&DRINK TABLE TALK
tisanes. If someone has a sore throat in my kitchen, I’m grabbing ginger, cloves, oranges and honey and making them a remedy.
Chef Melissa Kelly The two-time James Beard award-winning chef opens a new version of her restaurant, Primo, at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes later this summer. We wanted to know more. BY BROOKE FEHR
Where does your love of cooking come from? My family. My grandfather was a butcher, and I grew up in an Italian-American family with a garden. Food was the center of the universe in my family.
What’s one ingredient you always have? Olive oil, because I use it in so many different ways. In sauces, as dressing, to cook with. I joke, but I fix things with olive oil. It’s good for your skin too.
Which came first: farming or cooking? Growing up, they came hand in hand. In my culinary life, cooking came first. When I opened Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, I was directly involved in the farming aspect. I don’t think I’ll ever do it differently. I feel like it’s the pulse of what we do.
What’s one flavor you think is underappreciated? I love bay leaves. I really love the aromatics, how perfumey they are. I always keep a tree in my greenhouse and we grow them here.
What’s your favorite breakfast? If I am going to eat breakfast, it’s yogurt with goji berries, granola and honey. If I have a day off, I might have spinach and poached eggs and a piece of toast. The perfect poached egg is just [perfect] with a little crunchy salt.
What is your single most favorite thing to cook? I love making fresh pasta. It’s very therapeutic for me. It’s something I’ve done since I was five years old with my grandmother. Being in Maine for 22 years, I love cooking fish because I think it’s an art and I’m picky about it. You wear a lot of professional hats: chef, farmer, educator, mentor. What’s your favorite?
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I love cooking so much, but there’s nothing more rewarding than when someone comes back and says, “Thank you. I learned this,” or “I keep my kitchen organized this way because you showed me this way to do it.” The mentorship is really important to me, especially as I get older.
How has the kitchen changed for women over the course of your career? I feel like it’s becoming an even playing field. When I started running my own kitchen, I put up with nothing. And I taught a lot of young professionals who came through my kitchen, male and female, what goes and what doesn’t go. But we’ve grown leaps and bounds recently. It’s so good to see. What’s the most creative dish you’ve ever made? I’m really the more cautious chef. Less is more for me. If we have perfect arugula, I want to put a little salt and olive oil on it, and maybe a tiny squeeze of lemon. I want to taste that arugula. What’s your favorite drink? I drink a lot of tea. I make my own kombucha and different herbals,
What’s your guilty food pleasure? Normally on Sundays at Primo in Maine, I get crab rolls for the staff for lunch, and we get salt and vinegar potato chips. We put the chips on the rolls and eat them like that. It’s so good. It’s deadly. Any rules to live by in the kitchen? Be organized and be clean. They have nothing to do with the cooking, and everything to do with the cooking. It’s something that I really drill into my cooks’ heads. When you take care of something, it lasts. And if you’re not organized, it’s a recipe for disaster.
The Tough Stuff Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla Beer or wine? Wine Pizza or pasta: Pizza Gelato or sorbet? Gelato Roasted or sous vide? Roasted Street eats or sit down? Street eats More money or more time? More time Facebook or Instagram? IG Current Binge? I really don’t watch TV
ROBERTO GONZALEZ
Chef Melissa Kelly in her organic kitchen garden outside of Primo at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes.
What’s your favorite restaurant right now? Last year [pre-pandemic], I took two trips out to L.A. and visited a restaurant called Bavel with this big, open, wood-fired kitchen and Mediterranean influences, lots of vegetables, and I was mesmerized by their food. The way they were cooking food was just so primitive, the flavors were clean and the food was really fresh and great.
FOOD&DRINK RECOMMENDED EATING
Restaurants AFRICAN
NILE ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT
7048 International Drive, Orlando 407-3540026. nileorlando.com The flavors at this 14-year mainstay remain a dazzling discovery, with beef, chicken and vegetable dishes enhanced by otherworldly spices like cumin, coriander, nutmeg, fenugreek and sacred basil. There are many enticing choices, but owner Abeba Gonetse makes it easy with the Chef’s Special Combination for two featuring delectables like chicken doro wat stew in red pepper sauce, beef alicha in turmeric, yellow kik split peas, and gomen cabbage cooked in garlic and ginger. Coffee service is special: The beans are roasted in a pan over hot coals and the brew is served in small cups in a ceremony of friendship and respect. $$
SANAA
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com Sanaa’s focus on the foods of East Africa makes for a mouthwatering trip. Flavors of India, Portugal and Europe infuse the menu, with many dishes served as multi-item samplers. Pair the short ribs or the smoky, mildly spicy perfection of tandoori chicken with little-known wines from Indian vineyards. $$$ Ẃ
AMERICAN
%AMERICAN KITCHEN BAR & GRILL
1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. 407828-2828. bhotels-andresorts.com Winner of the Critic's Rising Star Award for 2020. Chef Venoy Rogers says his restaurant, at the B Resort & Spa, is “all over the place’’—Italian, French, Asian, deli, you name it. And that approach works well. Dishes he defines as American include the Truffle Chicken Alfredo and the East-West Pasta, the latter featuring Space Coast royal red shrimp in squid ink fettuccini and crowned with a dollop of uni. Then there’s the Knuckle Sandwich—aged Wagyu beef knuckle marinated for four days, smoked, steamed like uber-pastrami, then layered on a challah bun with Wagyu beef fat aioli. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ
%BETH’S BURGER BAR
25145 S. Orange Ave., Edgewood 407-8881190; 9938 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407203-8100; 223 Wheelhouse Lane, Lake Mary 407-716-2272. bethsburgerbar.com Winner of the Dining Awards’ Readers’ Choice for Best Local Burger the past five years. Owner Beth Steele and her crew offer an impressive array of delicious creations in an informal, welcoming atmosphere. The sizes go up to triple patties and "beyond" and the toppings are also endless: peanut butter, pineapple jalapeno, and cheddar mac & cheese, to name a few. And if you dare, order the Double D Challenge—a four-patty burger featuring eight slices of bacon and five different cheeses. Win a T-shirt if you finish it in 10 minutes! $-$$
%CHEF’S TABLE AT THE EDGEWATER
RUSSELL'S ON LAKE IVANHOE
99 W. Plant St, Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstable-attheedgewater.com Kevin and Laurie Tarter’s restaurant has ruled the chef’s table category for more than a decade and 2020 was no exception, as it captured the top pick from our readers, as well as the Best Kept Secret award. Kevin Tarter’s culinary vision shines through with plates of lowcountry perloo, New Orleans-influenced fish, and fork-tender osso buco. $$$$ Ẃ
%DELANEY’S TAVERN
1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-849-0801. eatdt.com At this recent SoDo District addition, winner of the Critic's 2020 Award for Best Hotel Restaurant, Chef Anthony Albino offers a variety of creative American fare, from sandwiches and soups to beef and seafood. Must-tries are the blue crab beignets, rock shrimp salad, and the corned beef sandwich, with meat that spends 10 days in brine and is then roasted in beer. For breakfast, try the Swine Frittata, with chorizo, bacon, ham, roasted mushrooms and smoked gouda cheese. $-$$$
%THE GLASS KNIFE
276 S. Orlando Ave, Winter Park 407-5002253. theglassknife.com Winner of the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Desserts, 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 Europeanstyle pastries along with fine wines, craft beers and champagne. $$
1414 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-601-3508. russellsorlando.com With commanding views of Lake Ivanhoe and comfortable, chic surroundings, Russell’s offers upscale casual dining with an innovative and fresh menu. Indulge in fresh starters such as tuna or beef tartare before moving on to mains like crispy duck confit, grilled spiny lobster tails and a variety of steaks, chops and pasta dishes. The M-F happy hour offers small plates and drink specials; weekend brunch dazzles with a fresh array and breakfast and lunch specialties as well as bottomless mimosas and sangria. $$$$ Ẃ
SE7EN BITES
617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-203-0727. se7enbites.com Baker and pie maker Trina Gregory-Propst likes to push the limits of food as you know it, and her neighborhood breakfast and lunch destination packs in the patrons. Se7en Bites’ creations include hand-made moonpies, cupcakes, luscious biscuits and gravy, statuesque cakes and a chicken pot pie with a perfect crust. The salted caramel chocolate pecan pie is a thing of beauty. $
%SWINE & SONS PROVISIONS
669 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-6367601. swineandsons.com Lexie and Rhys Gawlak, 2020 inductees into Orlando magazine's Dining Hall of Fame, are the proprietors of this grocery-eatery, providing housemade sausages, terrines and bacon, along with sandwiches like the Southern Cuban (with candied collards) and hot chicken. A variety of smash burgers are also on the menu. $-$$
ASIAN
%GREENS & GRILLE
4104 Millenia Blvd. #114, Orlando 407-7701407 greensandgrille.com Voted Best Salads by our readers in the 2020 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 Fall (spring mix, sweet peas, grilled onions, diced beets, roasted potatoes and goat cheese). You can also “make your own.’’ There's a wide selections of sammies available too. $
%HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE
1103 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0606; 9100 Conroy Windermere Road, Windermere 407-583-6334. eathawkers.com Winner of the dining critic's Empire Building Award for 2020. Chefs specializing in cuisines from Vietnam, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong put a modern twist on family recipes to create tasty fare like basil
KEY Pricing:
%MAXINE’S ON SHINE
337 N. Shine Ave., Orlando 407-674-6841. maxinesonshine.com 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 2020 Readers’ Choice for Brunch. $$-$$$. Ẃ
$ Under $10 $$ $10-$15 $$$ $15-$25 $$$$ More than $25
Other Symbols: % Ẃ
2020 Dining Award winner Reservations recommended Extensive wine list Preferred Dining Partner
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FOOD&DRINK RECOMMENDED EATING fried rice, coconut curry stew, Korean twice fried wings, chicken dumplings and pad thai. Hawkers originated in Orlando but now has seven locations in five states, with plans for further expansion. $-$$
KING BAO
710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0013; 11768 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-914-2544. king-bao.com King Bao presents 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 Fiji apple salsa on the Glen Rhee Korean short rib, or shallot, pepper and ginger relish on tofu “Veganville” handhelds emphasize the well-thought-out flavors. $
MAMAK
1231 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-270-4688. mamakasianorlando.com 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. $-$$
BARBECUE
%4 RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE
Six Orlando-area locations 1-855-368-7748. 4rsmokehouse.com Our 2020 Readers’ Choice winner for Ribs and Takeout. The lines at 4 Rivers can get long, but the succulent barbecue sandwiches, delectable brisket and home-style sides are worth the wait. The baked cheese grits are magnificent. $-$$
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 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. $-$$$.
THE POLITE PIG
Disney Springs, Town Center 407-938-7444. disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining The culinary powerhouse that is the Petrakis family trots out exemplary barbecue and more in a locally sourced, artisanal restaurant disguised as a fast food outlet. It’s all here: pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis ribs, and coffee-scented, amazingly tender brisket. But the Pig also offers delectables like fried chicken and cedar plank salmon. roasted beets and grilled street corn. $-$$$
CAJUN/CREOLE
TIBBY’S NEW ORLEANS KITCHEN
2203 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-672-5753; 494 W. S.R. 436, Altamonte Springs 407-9516928. tibbysneworleanskitchen.com Using family recipes, owner Brian Wheeler delivers satisfying N’Awlins cooking, with the jambalayacrawfish-filé gumbo as the standout. Andouille sausage is king; it’s in almost every dish. $-$$
CARIBBEAN
DAJEN EATS
323 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite F, Eatonville 407775-5791. dajeneats.com Chef Jenn Ross has carved out a delicious spot for herself and legions of fans with this Eatonville eatery, where Jamaican-inspired dishes are reimagined through a vegan lens. Ross' passion for her craft are evident in every bite of her creations, from Jamaican jackfruit sliders to non-dairy sweet treats. Not to be missed: the Identity Crisis’’ sandwich, half Jerk Chick’n and half Buffalo Chick’n, with the “meat’’ made of wheat protein. $-$$
CHINESE
MING’S BISTRO
1212 Woodward St., Orlando 407-898-9672. 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. $
%TASTE OF CHENGDU
2030 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-8391983; 4856 New Broad St., Orlando. 407-2864850. tasteofchengdufl.com Winner of Best Chinese from readers for 2020. 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 gets fresh peppers—called huajiao—from his brother in the Sichuan province. $$-$$$
CREATIVE/CONTEMPORARY
%À LA CART
609 Irvington Ave., Orlando 407-776-4693. alacartorlando.com The Critic’s Pick for Best Food Hub in the 2020 Dining Awards Surrounding a convivial lawn in Colonialtown, À La Cart is a libation-filled pavilion watched over by owners April and Dustin Williams, with spots for five or more stationary food trucks. Currently featured are bowls and bao from Poke Kai; oak-smoked barbecue from Smoke & Donuts; offerings from Brazilian-themed Steak It Easy; and sweets and milkshakes from Dulce Pecado. The SwedeDish truck takes residence Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with falafel merchants Korgette doing business Monday through Thursday. $-$$
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%THE BOHEME
Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, 325 S. Orange Ave., Downtown 407-313-9000. grandbohemianhotel.com Chef Laurent Hollaender lays out an amazing array of items for Sunday brunch, from oysters and crab legs, to waffles and omelets, to house-made charcuterie and decadent desserts. Evening fare includes sherry-baked Chilean sea bass and cognacflamed pepper steak. Voted Best Hotel Restaurant by readers in the 2020 Dining Awards. $$$$ Ẃ
%DEXTER’S NEW STANDARD
1035 N. Orlando Ave., #101, Winter Park 407316-2278. newstandardwp.com The Critic’s Pick for Best New Restaurant in the 2020 Dining Awards, this hotspot features the talents of Chef Ryan McLaughlin, who creates a menu of modern and inventive dishes like eggplant Napoleon, crab-stuffed beignets, a pork porterhouse and a harvest board of tomato carpaccio, marinated turnip, grilled peppers and crisp raw radishes. Plus, there’s a full sound stage for both local and touring live bands, sometimes as many as three a night. $$-$$$ Ẃ
%JJ’S FRESH FROM SCRATCH
2950 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando 407-802-2947. jjsfresh.com Voted tops for healthy selections in our 2020 Readers’ Choice poll. JJ Paredes and his mom, Olivia Lozada, blend flavors of Mexico and the Mediterranean at this Hourglass District spot. Pick a base (such as lettuce, lentil rice, roasted sweet potatoes) add meat and veggies (including chicken, pork, black beans, caramelized tofu), and finish with sides ranging from guacamole to tabbouleh. $-$$.
%LUKE’S KIT CHEN AND BAR
640 South Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-6742400. eatatlukes.com 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 bay scallops with watermelon, cilantro, spicy peanut and sesame, to pork steak with blackeyed peas, shishito, peach, and green tomato. McGlamery was a 2020 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame. $$$ Ẃ
MRS. POTATO
4550 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando 407-2900991. mrspotato.net It sounds simple: grated potatoes, grilled into a saucer shape. But the Brazilian delicacy called a rosti potato originated in Switzerland, uses a national signature cheese (catupiri) developed by Italians and is way larger than you can imagine. The South American batata Suíça takes the idea of crisp hash browns and fills them with gooey, savory goodness like ham and cheese, beef stroganoff, or Buffalo chicken. Rafaela Cabede’s exemplary creations have been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. $-$$
%NIC & LUC SCRATCH KITCHEN
damom buns, to baked Basque peppers on housemade sourdough. Delectable tea cakes, cookies and scones also make regular appearances. $
%TAVERNA OPA
The Critic’s Pick for Best Breakfast in the 2020 Dining Awards. Chef Leroy Bautista has turned his South Florida preserves-making business into a healthful breakfast and lunch setting in Longwood. The menu showcases plant-based and farm-totable: breads are from Olde Hearth and produce comes from local farmers markets. Bautista makes sweet creations like apricot lavender and mango habanero preserves; and savories like Trinidad scorpion pepper jelly and bacon jam to go with omelets and breakfast sandwiches. $
%SISTER HONEY’S
This 13-year-old I-Drive mainstay captured the Greek and Late-Night Dining categories among readers in our latest dining poll. 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. $$-$$$$ Ẃ
851 E. State Rd Suite 128, Longwood 321-9726415. nicandluc.com
%PRIMO
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407-3934444. primorestaurant.com After winning the coveted James Beard Award, Chef Melissa Kelly opened the Grande Lakes Marriott branch of Primo. Currently under renovation, the restaurant previously offered items such as rack of lamb with figs, casarecce pasta with clams and mussels, roasted chicken breast with lima bean ragout, and pan-seared diver scallops with risotto. The produce comes from Primo’s own garden. Kelly was inducted into our 2020 Dining Hall of Fame. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ
CUBAN
%A LO CUBANO KITCHEN facebook.com/alocubanokitchen; @alocubanokitchen
Picked by readers as the No. 1 food truck in our 2020 Dining Awards poll. Husband-wife team Yojan Gonzalez and Lisa Plasencia create an impressive variety of Cuban cuisine, from Cuban sandwiches and pork belly bites to pan con lechon and pork-stuffed plantains. Their mobile range is wide, but Al Lo Cubano turns up pretty often at East End Market. Check their Facebook and Instagram pages for schedules. $
%BLACK BEAN DELI
1346 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park; 1835 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-628-0294. blackbeandeli.com This family-run eatery, specializing in authentic Cuban comfort food, captured the critic's prize for Best Casual Dining in our 2020 Dining Awards The Cuban sandwich, media noche, shredded Havana pork, picadillo—and of course the black beans—are first rate, as are the empanadas. The creamy flan custard is a must-have to top off the meal. $
DESSERTS AND BAKERIES
%BUTTERMILK BAKERY
1198 Orange Ave., Winter Park 321-422-4015. buttermilk-bakery.com Winner of the 2020 award for Best Bakery from both dining critic and readers. Taissa Rebroff, her brother Phillip and mom Lana bake everything that graces the ever-changing menu, from the sweet croissant tarts with plum or apricot, to orange-car-
247 E. Michigan St., Orlando 407-730-7315. sisterhoneys.com Evette Rahman, a 2020 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame, opened Sister Honey’s in 2012 and soon began winning ribbons and accolades for her baking. She captured the 2019 World Dessert Championship for her Razzleberry swirl Key lime pie stuffed cookie against more than 1,400 other competitors. She’s also won two World Dessert Championships as well as an American Pie Council Championship, and three years’ Best of Show at the APC National Pie Championships. What to try at this gem of a bakery? Start with the custardfilled coconut cake—a four-layer pistachio variant is killer—or a sweet and billowy lemon meringue pie.
EUROPEAN
%HOLLERBACH’S WILLOW TREE CAFÉ
205 E. First St., Sanford 407-321-2204. willowtreecafe.com Our readers’ pick for Best German Restaurant in the 2020 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. There are numerous varieties of schnitzel. $$-$$$$
FRENCH
%CHEZ VINCENT
533 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 407599-2929. chezvincent.com Chef Vincent Gagliano offers a delicious array of French cuisine, including sautéed snails baked in a puff pastry with a Port wine sauce, and main courses of quail with a raspberry sauce, and rack of lamb in a blue cheese sauce. The Readers' Choice winner for Best French Restaurant in our 2020 Dining Awards. $$$ Ẃ
LE COQ AU VIN
4800 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-851-6980. lecoqauvinrestaurant.com A local mainstay since 1976, this French restaurant presents classic cuisine like the signature coq au vin (chicken with burgundy sauce), roasted rack of lamb, seared scallops with crabmeat and bearnaise sauce, and beef Bourgignon. $$$ Ẃ
Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-351-8660. tavernaoparestaurant.com
INDIAN
AASHIRWAD INDIAN RESTAURANT
7000 S. Kirkman Road Orlando 407-370-9830 aashirwadrestaurant.com This I-Drive restaurant focuses on northern Indian dishes. The familiar favorites are all here—samosas, chicken tandoori, chicken tikka—as well as intriguing selections such as chicken shakuti (anise-flavored poultry cooked in coconut-based masala gravy). There are also a dozen vegetarian choices, from tadka daal (yellow lentils cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices) to methi malai mutter (green peas in a creamy gravy with fenugreek leaf). $$
EL VIC’S KITCHEN
2445 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-674-8131 elvicskitchen.com This recent College Park addition boasts an impressive array of Indian fusion cuisine. Of particular note is the Kasundi Shrimp Couscous, highlighted by shrimp marinated in mustard seeds, turmeric, cumin, ginger and green chili chutney. Grandma’s Home Style Chicken Curry is a slow-cooked stew served with kulcha flatbread and basmati rice. There is also a variety of nizza flatbreads with delicious toppings. $-$$$
%TAMARIND
501 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 149, Winter Park 321-207-0760. tamarindfl.com Chef/owner Amit Kumar uses slow-roasted spices to create out-of-this-world flavors at this jewel, selected Best Indian cuisine by our readers in the 2020 Dining Awards. The Goan shrimp curry, vegetable biryani, Kashmiri aloo (potatoes in yogurt curry) , vegetable jalfrezi (vegetables, onion, pepper & curry sauce) and palak paneer (spinach and curd cheese) are standouts, as is the tandoori chicken. The vegetable samosas, pastries stuffed with potatoes and peas, are an ideal starter. $$-$$$
KEY Pricing:
GREEK
THE GREEK CORNER
1600 N. Orange Ave, Orlando 407 228-0303. thegreekcorner.net This Ivanhoe Village favorite offers an abundance of Greek specialties, ranging from lamb kebobs and chops to baked dishes like pastitsio and moussaka. For lunch, try the gyro or souvlaki. $-$$$
$ Under $10 $$ $10-$15 $$$ $15-$25 $$$$ More than $25
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2020 Dining Award winner Reservations recommended Extensive wine list Preferred Dining Partner
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FOOD&DRINK RECOMMENDED EATING IRISH
%RAGLAN ROAD IRISH PUB AND RESTAURANT
Downtown Disney, 1640 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-938-0300. raglanroadirishpub.com The good times roll with music, dancing and dazzling culinary creations from Chef Mark O’Neill. Let There Be No Rush Pork features 12-hour braised pork shoulder with caramelized apple puree, pickled mustard seeds and creamed cabbage with sage. Then there’s the Shepherd’s to Die For Pie with beef, lamb and and Irish peat-smoked mashed potatoes. Or try the Boaring Burger, boasting grilled wild boar, blue cheese, and port and pear chutney. The beer choices are extensive, including seven signature draughts made just for Raglan Road. Winner of Best Live Music/Entertainment among readers in our 2020 dining poll. $$$ Ẃ
ITALIAN
%PIZZA BRUNO
3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando. pizzabrunofl.com Selected by readers as best pizzeria in our 2020 Pizza Bracket Challenge. 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. $-$$
%PRATO
124 N. Park Ave, Winter Park 407-262-0050 prato-wp.com From Luma executive chef Brandon McGlamery comes Prato, a trendy, communal spot with inventive offerings like mustard spaghettini, duck breast with pancetta and braised cabbage, filet mignon marsala, and some of the best pizzas around. McGlamery was a 2020 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame. $$-$$$ Ẃ
%CAFÉ PAISANO
THE MEATBALL STOPPE
This family-run Seminole County mainstay has been going strong for 15 years and was selected as Best Neighbo0rhood Restaurant by readers in the 2020 Dining Awards voting. Café Paisano presents an array of brick oven pizzas, including one called “Heaven’’ (roasted red peppers, garlic, plum tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fried eggplant, olive oil and mozzarella cheese). The full menu features all manner of pasta specialty dishes with seafood, chicken, veal and more $$.
Celebrate the spirit of Italian hospitality as this charming restaurant welcomes you as part of the family. Offering authentic Italian fare as well as interpretations of classics, every dish is based upon a family recipe. Try a meatball flight with a side of polenta for a flavorful experience; vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. $$-$$$.
182 W. State Rd. 434, #1000, Longwood 407767-0011. cafepaisano.com
CALA BELLA
Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-996-3663. calabellarestaurant.com 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. $$$$ Ẃ
%FRANCESCO’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA
400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-960-5533. francescos-rist.com A 2020 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame. The pizza is primo at chef/owner Francesco Aiello’s restaurant, whether you choose the simple Margherita or load it with carne or vegetables. Other standouts include the spaghetti alla carbonara and the pollo Siciliano, a chicken breast sautéed in a mix of capers, artichokes and garlic and wine sauce. $$-$$$
%FRESCO CUCINA ITALIANA
7721 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando 407- 3635775. frescoorlando.com This Dr. Phillps eatery, in business since 2008, was voted Best Italian by readers in our 2020 dining poll. Specialties include Fiochetti Pear (pocket flower pasta stuffed with pear, mascarpone and gorgonzola and served in a vodka sauce), lobster ravioli, mushroom risotto, pappardelle Bolognese, chicken or veal Saltimbocca, and a selection of wood oven pizzas. $$-$$$
7325 Lake Underhill Rd., Orlando 407-2706505. themeatballstoppe.com
JAPANESE
%DOMU
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-960-1228. domufl.com This Audubon Park hotspot offers a modern take on a traditional ramen bar. Be prepared to wait—90 minutes most nights; they don’t take reservations— but know that the wait is worth it. Chef/owner Sonny Nguyen cooks up a sterling assortment of pork, chicken and vegetable broth ramen with house-made noodles, as well as otherworldly crispy wings in kimchi butter. And the grilled octopus dish may be the best-tasting bargain in town. Winner of the 2020 Readers' Choice for Best Ramen. $$
%SEITO SUSHI
4898 New Broad St., Orlando 407-898-8801. seitosushi.com Voted Best Sushi and Best Japanese by readers in our 2020 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
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%SUSHI POP
310 W. Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo 407-542-5975; 115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park 321-203-2282. sushipoprestaurant.com Chef Chau Trinh is the Critic's Pick for Best Chef in our 2020 Dining Awards. His Oviedo version of Sushi Pop is a hip 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 2.0 roll, boasting avocado, eel and tempura shrimp. The Winter Park location has more restrained décor and a refined menu that offers esoteric cold and hot tastings, such as octopus with Spanish Iberico ham lardo and sunchoke chimichurri. $$-$$$$ Ẃ
%SUSURU
8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando 407-778-4813. susuruorl.com The Critic’s Pick for Best (Hip) Japanese in our dining poll. Susuru is like a basement rec room in some Osaka suburban home, wood paneled and plastered with mid-century tin advertising signs, pop culture toys and sideshow trinkets. But with a full, open kitchen. Don’t try to imagine it, just experience this delightful izakaya in person. There are charcoalgrilled skewers of chicken bits from meatballs and wings to skin and knee cartilage; super crisp tori senbei (chicken thigh meat “chips”); grilled yellowtail collar; beautifully crafted rice bowls; and rich ramen with 12-hour tonkotsu bone broth or creamy chicken tori paitan. $$
KOREAN
BBB TOFU HOUSE
5140 W. Colonial Drive 407-723-8299. bbbtofuhouse.com 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 housemade side dishes called banchan, ranging from kimchi and pepper-basted turnip to bean sprouts and citrus-dressed shredded cabbage. $$-$$$
LATIN/SPANISH
%PAL CAMPO RESTAURANT
13605 S. Apopka Vineland Rd., Orlando 407 778-4600. palcamporestaurant.com Set in a Lake Buena Vista strip mall, this Puerto Rican eatery packs a punch, as evidenced by the four first-place honors it captured from readers in our 2020 Dining Awards poll— Overall Restaurant, Family-Friendly, Latin, and for Service. Since 2015, Pal Campo has been cooking up authentic cuisine like tostone rellenos (green plantains stuffed with shrimp, conch, chicken, octopus or skirt steak); whole fried red snapper; shrimp mofongo; and the chuleta kan kan, a traditional pork chop presentation that’s eye-catching because of its “Mohawk’’ look, stood on end. $$-$$$
%JALEO
burritos, enchiladas and flautas. And the annual Running of the Chihuahas each May is a hoot. $$$ Ẃ
The Critic's Pick for Best Overall Restaurant in our 2020 Dining Awards. Renowned Chef (and culinary humanitarian) José Andrés has brought the talents of his culinary team to town, and the results are mouthwatering. The restaurant is purely Spanish— timeless dishes given a modern twist. Basque and Asturian cheeses; mini-burgers made from Iberico pork and bacon, and 45-day aged Angus ribeye served with wood-smoked Spanish piquillo peppers (chuletas de cordero) are just some of the delights. The chicken fritters (croquetas de pollo) are crisp little tubes of pulled chicken and bechamel, served on a gold-rimmed red cushion. Bold splashes of red and yellow, a massive photo of a bullfighter’s suit of lights and a lakeside patio make for an exciting space to enjoy this Spanish treasure. $$-$$$$Ẃ
%REYES MEZCALERIA
Disney Springs 321-348-3211. jaleo.com
%TAPA TORO
8441 International Dr., Orlando 407-226-2929 tapatoro.restaurant Voted Best Spanish Restaurant and Best Happy Hour by readers in our 2020 Dining Awards. Paella is a big deal here—the varieties include seafood, beef and mushroom, chicken and lamb, and vegetarian. There's a seemingly endless lineup of tapas as well, from pork belly and lamb sliders, to Spanish frittata and crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce. $$-$$$ Ẃ
MEDITERRANEAN
%BOSPHOROUS TURKISH CUISINE Four Orlando-area locations. bosphorousrestaurant.com
Chosen by readers as Best Middle Eastern cuisine in our 2020 Dining Awards. Turkish specialties from frothy tarama (whipped caviar) to falafel, along with entrees like chargrilled chicken patties and lamb shanks with vegetables are highlights at this family-owned restaurant. Bosphorous has locations in Winter Park, Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona and Winter Garden. $$-$$$
THE H CUISINE
7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407-930-3020. thehcuisine.com Three resident chefs craft a menu inspired by Turkish cuisine with European influences. The H prides itself on tableside preparation, including a Chateau tender filet for two seared in butter. The most flamboyant offering is strozzapretti, an Italian pasta specialty unique in Orlando to this restaurant. Hand-rolled cavatelli are flambéd in strong spirits inside a massive, carved-out barrel of Parmigiano Reggiano with wild mushrooms and bits of ham for a creamy, cheese-abundant dish. $$$$
MEXICAN
%COCINA 214
151 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park 407-7907997. cocina214.com Winner of Best Appetizers among readers in our 2020 Dining Awards Poll. Cocina's extensive menu includes entrees like achiote rotisserie chicken and corn-crusted mahi, as well as a variety of tacos,
821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-868-9007. reyesmex.com Winner of both the critic's and readers' awards for Best Mexican in our 2020 Dining Awards.Chef Wendy Lopez’s creations are magnificent revelations, highlighting Michoacán and other regions of Mexico. $$-$$$
%TAMALE CO.
2411 Curry Ford Road, 407-203-6505. tamaleco.com The Critic's Pick for Best Neighborhood Restaurant in our 2020 Dining Awards. Fernando and Jennifer Tamayo offer up an assortment of corn flour tamales that are creamy, robust and stuffed with intense flavors—from breakfast tamales (served all day) to deep, rich mole and carne asada tamales, lengua and nopales tacos (tongue and cactus), mushroom and black bean tamales, and thick masa sope topped with pork sausage. Grab a chicharron preparado—fried pork skins topped with cabbage, tomato and pickled pork rind—and a micheladas, Mexican Modelo Negro beer mixed with lime juice, spices, tomato juice and chili peppers. Tamale Co. proves that ancient recipes can be very hip. $-$$
SANDWICHES
Try the Fu Man Chu sandwich, a wild combination of Asian-spiced pulled pork, goat cheese and ginger-cranberry chutney. The Billy Chang features smoked brisket, blue cheese, strawberry jelly and red onions. $
%STASIO’S ITALIAN DELI & MARKET 210 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-277-7755.
Voted Best Deli by our readers in the 2020 Dining Awards poll. Maria and Louie Palo and children Al, Diana and Michael operate this Milk District standout, offering imported pastas, Mulino Bianco cookies, sweet salciccia sausage and a host of other treats. The deli case holds family recipes like chicken pesto meatballs and fresh-baked lasagna, while popular sandwiches include the superb eggplant Parmigiana and “The Stasio” of prosciutto, capocollo, soppresata and fresh mozzarella. $-$$
SEAFOOD
THE OSPREY
4899 New Broad St., Orlando 407-960-7700. theospreyorlando.com This Baldwin Park mainstay recently changed its focus to seafood. Menu offerings include sunburst trout with hoppin' john, cioppino, whole grilled branzino, fish and chips, and blue crab hush puppies. Non-seafood items include the Tavern Burger and Josper-roasted chicken. $$$-$$$$
%REEL FISH COASTAL KITCHEN
%BAD AS’S SANDWICH
207 N. Primrose Dr., Orlando 407-757-7191; 1881 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-9516971. badasssandwiches.com Winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Sandwiches in our 2020 dining poll. John Collazo’s sandwich shops are required stops if you’re looking for terrific, boldly flavored combinations in handhelds. Try the signature Bad As’s sandwich with its stack of well-seasoned beef, pork, chicken, Havarti cheese, pickled onions and garlic aioli. A frequent special is the Capone, a mouthwatering Italian collection of mortadella, capocollo, ham, chorizo, Fontina cheese and basil-manchego aioli. Servings are large—and multi-napkin juicy. $-$$
1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-5433474. reelfishcoastal.com Winner of Best Seafood among readers in our 2020 Dining Awards poll. At Reel Fish, 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 Low Country Boil dazzles with wild-caught Florida shrimp, scallops, snow crab, mussels, Andouille, redskin potatoes, corn on the cobb, and charred okra. For strarters, try the fish dip, flaked trout mixed with matchsticks of green apple. $$-$$$
%HINCKLEY’S FANCY MEATS
3201 Corrine Dr., Orlando 786-671-1023. hinckleymeats.com The Best Sandwich (Critic’s Pick for 2020) resides at Hinckley’s in East End Market, and what a sandwich it is: pastrami on rye, with Old World salted, cured, dried, spiced and smoked beef on Olde Hearth Bread Co. rye, with freshly grated horseradish, incomparable Havarti cheese and Russian dressing. An extremely close second is Hinckley’s pressed pato Cubano of duck ham, roast duck, pickled mushrooms, mustard and Gruyère on Cuban bread. $
POM POM’S TEAHOUSE & SANDWICHERIA
KEY Pricing:
$ Under $10 $$ $10-$15 $$$ $15-$25 $$$$ More than $25
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67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-894-0865. pompoms-teahouse.com This Milk District favorite offers two dozen inventive pressed sandwiches and an array of salads.
% Ẃ
2020 Dining Award winner Reservations recommended Extensive wine list Preferred Dining Partner
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FOOD&DRINK RECOMMENDED EATING tails in a masculine, woodsy atmosphere. There’s also a 6,500-bottle wine cellar and an extensive single-malt scotch collection. $$$ Ẃ
MARKET ON SOUTH
742 Carter St., Orlando, 407-425-5301. nikkisplace.net
A LAND REMEMBERED
Southern cuisine is the name of the game at this Parramore mainstay, where Chef Nick Aiken Jr. has been serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1999. Customers love the scratch dishes and reasonable prices, as well as the myriad of menu choices, including meatloaf, smothered beef liver and onions, beef stew, fried catfish and chitterlings with rice. $-$$
Themed around Patrick Smith’s novel of the same name, which chronicles a Central Florida family’s experiences around the time of the Civil War, A Land Remembered serves a menu centered on steaks from the Harris Ranch. $$-$$$$ Ẃ
If you turn up your nose at the thought of “plantbased dining,’’ then you’ve never eaten at this popular spot beside the 408. Not to be missed: Chef Shaun Noonan’s Carolina BBQ pulled jackfruit or Celine Duvoisin’s much-in-demand doughnuts (“100% egg-free and dairy-free and not healthy at all’’). $-$$
SOUL FOOD
NIKKI’S PLACE
SHANTELL’S JUST UNTIL...
503 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, 407-878-7785. shantellsinsanford.com Shantell Williams cooks up a wide array of soul food at her eatery, along with a big side of welcoming charm. The fried chicken is the best around (try it on a Belgian waffle) and the hot wings carry plenty of spice. Other favorites: jerk chicken (or shrimp) and rice, and the Mac a Bella—a marinated, grilled portabello mushroom topped with mac-n-cheese. On Wednesday evenings, Williams hosts a “Talking Taboo’’ discussion, where patrons discuss everything from politics to race relations. $-$$
Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 866-996-9939. landrememberedrestaurant.com
%THE VENETIAN CHOP HOUSE
Caribe Royale Resort, 8101 World Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-238-8060. cariberoyale.com Winner of our 2020 Readers’ Choice award for Most Romantic Restaurant. A top-end, fine-dining experience within a hotel, the Venetian is full of deep tones, cut crystal and a replica of Tempietto de San Pietro in the corner. Among the dishes are bison short ribs, Norwegian salmon and a selection of gourmet burgers. $$-$$$ Ẃ
THAI SOUTHERN
THE COOP
610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park 407-8432667. asouthernaffair.com 4 Rivers barbecue king John Rivers’ venture into fried chicken, catfish and other down-home cuisine has produced very good results, with standouts like fried green tomatoes on a BLT, house-made pimento cheese, Low Country shrimp and grits, and chicken ‘n waffles. $-$$
%SOCO-SOUTHERN CONTEMPORARY CUISINE
629 East Central Blvd., Orlando 407-849-1800. socothorntonpark.com Winner of Best Southern cuisine among readers in our 2020 Dining Awards poll. Chef Greg Richie delivers delicious down-home cuisine highlighted by creative twists, including a pecancrusted fresh catch, smoked black-eyed pea ravioli, grilled meatloaf on lobster mashed potatoes, and Korean-style fried chicken. There’s also an impressive lineup of craft cocktails. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ
%ORCHID THAI CUISINE
305 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-331-1400; 1210 S. International Pkwy., Lake Mary, 407878-2988. enjoyorchidthai.com Our Readers’ Choice winner for Best Thai in the 2020 Dining Awards. Specialties include mussels in lemongrass ginger broth, thai coconut soup, a wide selection of curries, duck basil, and tilapia sautéed in basil, tamarind and ginger. $$
THAI BLOSSOM
99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden 407-905-9917. mythaiblossom.com Located in downtown Winter Garden's historic Edgewater Hotel, Thai Blossom offers an extensive selection of curries, fried rice and noodle dishes, plus delectables like Thai basil duck, ginger red snapper, garlic shrimp and squid, mussels in green curry, and a whole deep-fried soft shell crab served as an appetizer with sweet and sour sauce. $$
VEGETARIAN
%ETHOS VEGAN KITCHEN STEAK HOUSES
%CHRISTNER’S PRIME STEAK & LOBSTER 729 Lee Road, Orlando 407-645-4443. christnersprimesteakand-lobster.com
Year in and year out, readers pick Christner’s as the city’s best steak house: They were tops once again in our 2020 Dining Awards poll, and also captured the Best Old Favorite category. Owners Carole, David and Alice Christner serve USDA Prime, corn-fed Midwestern beef and Australian cold-water lobster
601-B New York Ave., Winter Park 407-2283898. ethosvegankitchen.com Winner of the Critic's Pick for Best Plant-Based Restaurant in our 2020 Dining Awards. Kelly and Laina Shockley have run Ethos since 2007, keeping to their socially conscious menu of no animal products, dairy, honey or eggs. The comfort food fare makes even carnivores comfortable. Chef Kelly's talents show in a beautiful baked calzone crust surrounding tofu ricotta, or wheat and shiitake mushroom powder "chicken'' and caramelized onion that fills a flaky empanada. There's also sausage made from wheat gluten; a Philly cheesesteak-like seitan sandwich; and tofu in place of chicken in a coconut curry wrap. $-$$
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2603 E. South St., Orlando 407-613-5968. marketonsouth.com
VIETNAMESE
PHO 88 VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT 730 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-897-3488. pho88orlando.com
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. $-$$
%VIET-NOMZ
7581 University Blvd, Winter Park, 407- 6366069; 11798 E Colonial, Orlando, 407- 601-4113. vietnomzfl.com The brainchild of friends Mike Cho, Phillip Nguyen and Chris Chen was voted Best Vietnamese by our readers in the 2020 Dining Awards poll. Promoting a modern take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine and street fare, Viet-Nomz offers an abundance of pho noodle soup and entrée bowls, including “What the Pho?!” with chicken pho broth, chicken, eye round, beef balls and vegetables. Other notables: Vietnamese street tacos, and wings with a fish sauce glaze.
WINE BARS AND LOUNGES
THE ATTIC DOOR
28 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden. 407-7507063. jrsatticdoor.com This eclectic spot proclaims itself “the swankiest little wine bar and live music venue around.’’ Relax wth a glass of wine in one of the mismatched chairs or leather sofas amid the funky array of lamps and tables. The evening menu includes steak pot pie and a smoked salmon flatbread. There's traditional afternoon tea service on Saturday and Sunday, with fresh-baked scones, finger sandwiches and desserts. $-$$ Ẃ
%THE COURTESY
114 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. thecourtesybar.com The Critic’s Pick for Best Cocktails for 2020 is Gene Zimmerman’s Courtesy, located in a tiny sliver of the 1925-built Autrey Arcade, where patrons can enjoy a selection of craft cocktails and absinthe in a speakeasy-esque, atmospherically lit setting.
MORE ONLINE: Be sure to check out additional restuarant listings and other reviews in our dining section on orlandomagazine.com.
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ON THE TOWN
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C A LE N DA R • WO R LD O F G O O D • R S V P
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LET’S CELEBRATE!
Fireworks at the Fountain over Lake Eola is live this year, along with other Independence Day celebrations throughout Central Florida. Turn the page to find July 4th activities in your part of town.
ONTHE TOWN CALENDAR
Nothing is quite what it seems at the mesmerizing Museum of Illusions Orlando, in ICON Park, p. 108.
INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO July 2, 3, 4: The night sky will light up with fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers during a oneof-a-kind, patriotic finale to SeaWorld’s endof-day spectacle. Included in park admission. seaworldparks.com CELEBRATION INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE July 3: The Star Spangled Spectacular Independence Day Parade starts at Celebration Town Hall and follows a route along Celebration Avenue to Market Street, to conclude at Lakeside Park. 9 a.m. 407-566-1200. celebration.fl.us ORLANDO BIG BAND—A PATRIOTIC SALUTE TO AMERICA July 3: Sing along to the patriotic music of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and more, including Kate Smith’s memorable performance of “God Bless America” as it originally aired. 7:30 p.m. Wayne Densch Performing Arts
Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-3218111. wdpac.com RED, WHITE AND BREW BLOCK PARTY July 3: Main Street is party central for Daytona’s Rock the Block Street Party and Pub Crawl. Enjoy live music, drink specials and food trucks, followed by fireworks over the ocean at the boardwalk. 6-midnight. 386-255-0415. daytonabeach.com RED, WHITE & BOOM July 3-4: Help build LEGOLAND Florida’s American flag during the day and stay for fireworks of exploding LEGO bricks at night. Included with park admission. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346. legoland.com AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY July 4: Celebrate America’s birthday with an apple pie bake-off, bike parade, wet/dry bounce park, food and beverage vendors, community performances, music and more. Downtown Avalon Park, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd. 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 407-658-6565. avalonpark.com
BBQ & SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS July 4: Gather along the Indian River for Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s annual 4th of July pops concert and the City of Cocoa’s fireworks show at Riverfront Park. A BSO fundraising barbecue dinner beforehand, catered by Charlie and Jake’s Brewery, is $75 advance sale only. 6-10 p.m. 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa. 321-2422024 for tickets. brevardsymphony.com CLERMONT’S 4TH OF JULY RED, WHITE & BOOM! July 4: Bring a blanket and watch the show at Waterfront Park. The party includes a fireworks spectacular over Lake Minneola, food trucks, DJs, an aerialist and more. 7-10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. 300 3rd St., Clermont. 352-708-5975. clermontfl.gov/events FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN July 4: The fireworks show at Lake Eola Park is back after taking last year off because of the pandemic. With the Orlando skyline as backdrop, locals and visitors are invited to gather around the lake for family fun that includes live music, kids’ activities and food & beverage vendors. 5-10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. WKMG News 6 will broadcast and livestream the celebration,
EVENT SUBMISSIONS: For inclusion in Calendar, 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). 104 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2021 | ON THE TOWN
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS ORLANDO
4TH OF JULY HAPPENINGS
starting at 8 p.m. Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando. orlando.gov LEESBURG’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4: Lake County’s largest fireworks show takes place lakefront at Venetian Gardens. Enjoy a full day of family fun with a water-ski show, stilt walker, photo booth, kids’ play zone, festive foods, live music, a Leesburg Lightning baseball game and more. 6 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. 109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg. 352-3650053. leesburgpartnership.com MELBOOM! 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS July 4: The City of Melbourne hosts an Independence Day celebration at Front Street Park that can be viewed from the beach about 2 miles away and boats on the Indian River as well as from the park. 9 p.m. 2205 Front St., Melbourne. 321-608-7400. melbourneflorida.org STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD July 4: The City of Sanford is hosting a scaleddown celebration this year, but look to the sky for spectacular fireworks over Lake Monroe. The party is from 7-10 p.m., with fireworks set for 9:15 p.m. Fort Mellon Park, 60 E. First St. 407-688-5000. sanfordfl.gov TAVARES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4: America’s Seaplane City celebrates Independence Day at Wooten Park on Lake Dora with a water-ski show, food trucks, live entertainment and more. All day. 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares. 352-742-6209. tavares.org WINTER GARDEN PARTY IN THE PARK July 4: This year’s event will feature fireworks only, scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m. Free. Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. 407-656-4155. wintergardenpost.com WINTER PARK 4TH OF JULY July 5: Winter Park’s “Fourth on the Fifth” features patriotic music by Dr. John Sinclair and the Bach Festival Society Choir and Brass Ensemble, a performance by student Elvis Avetis and country/rock/Americana by Sean Holcomb, and a kids’ zone with carnival games. Free. 9 a.m.noon. Central Park, 150 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park. 407-599-3463. cityofwinterpark.org
SPECIAL EVENTS SHEN YUN 2021 Through July 4: Experience a lost culture through the art of classical Chinese dance as legends come to life through stunning costumes, high-tech backdrops and orchestral music. Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org TASTE OF EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL Through July 5: Take in enchanting topiaries and gather gardening tips while sampling seasonal foods from the outdoor kitchens through-
ONGOING EVENTS
MONTHLY HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN NOTE: Events may be canceled or moved to a virtual format as needed; call or check websites before attending. APOPKA FARMER’S MARKET July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Spend your Thursdays exploring all the local produce, foods and crafts. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Kit Land Nelson Park, 10 N. Forest Ave., Apopka. apopkafarmersmarket.com AVALON PARK FOOD TRUCK NIGHT July 18: The Avalon Innovation Center parking lot comes alive with the area’s best food truck cuisine, served along with music and fun, the third Sunday of each month. 5-8 p.m., 3801 Park East Blvd. avalonparkorlando.com FIRST THURSDAYS AT OMA July 1: Mingle with local artists and view their work, enjoy live music and walk through the galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art. Food and drink not permitted at this time. 6-9 p.m. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART IN THE ALLEY July 9: Downtown galleries are open to the public while art exhibitors and musicians line Royellou Lane showcasing original works, handmade goods and acoustic sounds. Free. Galleries open 6-8 p.m. Sidewalk exhibitions until 9 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org ORLANDO FARMERS MARKET July 4, 11, 18, 25: Stroll the park at Lake Eola and browse the seasonal fresh produce and so much more at this dog-friendly Sunday market. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 20 N. Eola Drive, Orlando. orlando.gov SANFORD’S ALIVE AFTER 5 STREET PARTY July 8: Come out and experience Central Florida’s largest recurring street party, held in historic downtown Sanford, with music, food, craft beer and shopping. 5-8 p.m. 230 E. First St., Sanford. historicdowntownsanford.com
out the World Showcase. Enjoy live music while picking up outdoor-living advice that you can use at home. Included with regular admission. disneyworld.disney.go.com ENCHANTED FAIRY DOORS Through Sept. 5: This Central Florida tradition is back for the summer featuring 20 one-of-akind, whimsical fairy doors scattered throughout Leu Gardens’ 50 acres to inspire children’s imaginations. $10 adults, $5 for children 4-17 years. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
SANFORD ART & JAZZ NIGHT July 15: Previously known as the Sanford Art Walk, this new event revolves around art, jazz and local businesses. Explore galleries and art spaces as you discover this river town’s culture and nightlife, food and art. 6-9 p.m. historicdowntownsanford.com THE SOKO MARKETPLACE IN HANNIBAL SQUARE July 4, 11, 18, 25: Peruse the goods on offer, listen to great music and indulge in delicious foods while helping to support entrepreneurs of color. 12:30-4:30 p.m. Shady Park, 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org 3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK July 15: 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 Orlando-based artists. 6-9 p.m. Rogers Kiene Building, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com WASHINGTON STREET OUTDOOR MARKET July 31: Monthly market featuring local works by artists/makers, held at The Falcon gallery and bar. 5-10 p.m. 819 E. Washington St., Orlando. thorntonparkdistrict.com WEEKENDS AT THE WINERY July 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31: Pick a spot on the expansive green at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards and bask in the fresh air and sunshine while enjoying live entertainment, food truck offerings and wines by the glass. Noon-4 p.m. 19239 U.S. 27 N., Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com WINTER GARDEN FARMER’S MARKET July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Browse among a large selection of vendors offering locally grown produce, baked goods, homemade soaps and fresh flowers. Live entertainment each week. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden. wintergardenfarmersmarket.com
SUMMER F.U.N. CONVENTION July 8-10: Florida United Numismatists hosts 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, Hall WE1, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. funtopics.com EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL July 15-Nov. 20: Take a taste tour around the world at marketplaces featuring authentic global cuisine and beverages while enjoying
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ONTHE TOWN CALENDAR the sights and sounds at entertainment spots located throughout the World Showcase. disneyworld.disney.go.com FLORIDA WEDDING EXPO July 18: Explore more than 120 vendor exhibits with the chance to win one of more than 150 giveaways. The first 250 general admission brides receive gift certificates for wedding bands from JVL Jewelers and a $200 photo gift from Symbolize It. Noon-5 p.m. Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Drive, Orlando. floridaweddingexpo.com
MUSIC THE ABBEY 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-704-6261. abbeyorlando.com July 30: Ryan Weaver, with Blackbird Anthem, 7 p.m. July 31: Dead Set Florida, a Jerry Garcia Birthday Celebration, 7 p.m. BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. 407-6369951. bluebambooartcenter.com July 2: Jeff Rupert Quartet, 8 p.m. July 10: Cortez and Koelble, 8 p.m. July 17: Don Soledad Trio presents an evening of flamenco, 8 p.m. July 18: Blue Bamboo’s 5th Anniversary, featuring Orlando Jazz Orchestra, 3 p.m. HARD ROCK LIVE 6050 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-351-5483. hardrock.com July 16: Silvestre Dangond, 8 p.m. July 23: Classic Albums Live—Led Zeppelin “Led Zeppelin IV,” 8 p.m. KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-2422219. kingcenter.com July 10: Adam Hawley, with Ron Reinhardt, Tim George, Dave Reinhardt, 8 p.m. July 17: Classic Albums Live—AC/ DC “Back in Black,” 8 p.m. July 24: Bruce in the USA, a tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, 8 p.m. THE PLAZA LIVE 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.org July 24: Palaye Royale, 7 p.m. THE SOCIAL 54 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. 321-710-1279. foundation-presents.com July 8: Greyson Change, 7 p.m. ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE 1340C S.R. A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-2090367. theamp.com
July 8: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, 7:30 p.m. July 10: Jamey Johnson, with guest Whiskey Myers, 7 p.m. WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com July 10: NY Rockabilly Rockets, Shake Rattle and Roll, 7:30 p.m. WILL’S PUB 1042 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. 407-748-8256. willspub.org July 17: ASTARI NITE, with Violet Silhouette, Obscura Undead DJs, 8 p.m. July 23: Zach Deputy, 8 p.m.
COMEDY BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB Ongoing: Weekly stand-up comedy shows at several Orlando-area locations. Margaritaville Resort Orlando, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee. The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. Twisted Root Burger Co., 4720 Aloma Ave., Winter Park. Ages 18 and over. 407-629-2665. bonkerzcomedyproductions.com ORLANDO IMPROV Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Suite 2310, Orlando. 407-480-5233. Ages 18 and over. 407-480-5233. theimprovorlando.com July 9-11: Shuler King, Friday 7:30 & 10:30 p.m., Saturday 7 & 10 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m. July 15: Elliot Morgan, 7:30 p.m. July 16-17: Kevin Nealon, Friday 7:30 & 10:30 p.m., Saturday 7 & 10 p.m. July 21: Hilarious Colombian Americans, 7:30 p.m. July 23-24: KevOnStage, Friday 7:30 & 10:30 p.m., Saturday 7 & 10 p.m. SAK COMEDY LAB 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-648-0001. sakcomedylab.com Ongoing: See either SAK’s signature show, “Duel of Fools,” 7:30 p.m., or a six-person improv battle in “King of the Hill,” 9:30 p.m.
DANCE RUSSIAN BALLET ORLANDO 618 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. 407-896-0309. russianballetorlando.org Swan Lake Discover the timeless love of Prince Siegfried and Swan Princess Odette in this story of magic, tragedy and romance performed in four acts. July 30: Mount Dora Community Building, 520 N. Baker St., 7 p.m. July 31: Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 2 & 7 p.m.
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FILM ENZIAN 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. 407-629-0054. enzian.org July 2: Summer of Soul, TBA. July 11: Bamboozled, noon. July 13: Paddington, 11:30 a.m. July 14: Batman—Mask of the Phantasm, 11:30 a.m. July 15: March of the Penguins, 11:30 a.m. July 17: The Sleeping Beauty (La Scala), 11 a.m. July 18: Central Florida Film Slam, 1 p.m. July 20: Jason and the Argonauts, 11:30 a.m. July 14: The Rugrats Movie, 11:30 a.m. July 22: The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, 11:30 a.m. ENZIAN POPCORN FLICKS IN THE PARK Central Park, 150 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park. 407-629-0054. enzian.org July 8: Men in Black, 8 p.m. WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com July 15: The Sound of Music, 7:26 p.m. July 25: Office Space, 7:30 p.m. July 25: Idiocracy, 9 p.m.
THEATER ATHENS THEATRE 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand. 330-418-8101. athensdeland.com Jerry’s Girls Through July 4: A review featuring the songs of Jerry Herman, sung by a cast of Central Florida vocalists. Songs include “Hello Dolly,” “Kiss Her Now” and “Milk and Honey.” Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday 2:30 p.m. Ain’t Misbehavin’ July 16-Aug. 8: Rollicking, humorous songs pay tribute to jazz great Thomas “Fats” Waller and the swing music he originated during the 1920s and ‘30s Harlem Renaissance. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday 2:30 p.m. GARDEN THEATRE 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. 407-877-4736. gardentheatre.org The Bodyguard July 9-Aug. 1: Superstar Rachel Marron refuses to think her life is in danger, but her newly hired bodyguard, Frank Turner, thinks otherwise. This romantic thriller gave the world such hits as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “I Will Always Love You.” Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. (also July 18 at 7:30 p.m.), Thursday 7:30 p.m. (also July 22 and 29 at 2 p.m.), Wednesday July 21 and 28 at 7:30 p.m.
MAD COW THEATRE 54 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-297-8788. madcowtheatre.com. “Bringing Home the Herd—Cabarets, Comedies & Captivating Tales” is a new digital series that is being offered on demand for 30 days following the initial release. Barbershop Americana July 1: This mix of barbershop harmony and vaudevillian comedy takes audiences on a nostalgic journey through early American music. The Hound of the Baskervilles July 15: Three actors breathlessly play 16 characters in an uproarious parody of this celebrated Sherlock Holmes novel. OSCEOLA ARTS 2411 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-846-6257. osceolaarts.org A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder July 16-Aug. 1: Monty Navarro, a distant heir to the D’Ysquith family fortune, employs a bag of tricks to expedite the line of succession. Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.; matinee July 31 at 2 p.m. SONNENTAG THEATRE AT THE ICE HOUSE 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora. 352-383-4616. icehousetheatre.com The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery July 16-Aug. 8: Catastrophe strikes on opening night of the F.A.H.E.T.G.D.S. ladies’ murder mystery in this spoof of amateur theatrics. Times TBA. WINTER PARK PLAYHOUSE 711 N. Orange Ave., Suite C, Winter Park. 407645-0145. winterparkplayhouse.org Crazy for Gershwin July 29-Aug. 22: This high-energy song and tap-dance celebration of George and Ira Gershwin features 27 timeless favorites, including “I Got Rhythm” and “Embraceable You.” Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 2 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m.
MUSEUMS Note: Museums and galleries have instituted safety protocols, including online ticket sales, cashless sales, social distancing, use of masks and limiting number of guests. Please check websites while planning visits. 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. Cynthia Holmes—Sweet Surrealism Through July 11: Explore a world of color, whimsy and delightful oddities as reality unites with imagination and discover the surreal possibilities of otherworldly landscapes, animals, weather and people. A Classical Conversation—Jack Hill and Edson Campos July 20-Oct. 3: Classical beauty and form are explored in this dual perspective exhibition of modern and sometimes surrealist presentations of the human body.
WORLD OF GOOD JULY FUNDRAISERS THROUGH AUG. 31 RUN DISNEY 5K VIRTUAL SERIES, celebrating The Lion King, benefits Central Florida Urban League. 407-939-4786. rundisney.com
JULY 4 2021 FIRECRACKER 5K, benefits Avalon Park Foun-
dation, which supports neighborhood programs and services. Avalon Town Park, 3680 Avalon Park E. Blvd., Orlando. avalonparkfoundation.org
JULY 5 ADVENTHEALTH WATERMELON 5K, benefits Track
Shack Youth Foundation. 251 Park Ave. South, Winter Park. 407-896-1160. trackshack.com
ART AND HISTORY MUSEUMS—MAITLAND 221 W. Packwood Ave., 231 W. Packwood Ave. and 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. 407-539-2181. Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed major holidays. artandhistory.org
JULY 24
A collection of museums encompassing the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Historical Museum, Telephone Museum, Waterhouse Residence Museum and Carpentry Shop Museum.
JULY 31
People of Maitland Through Aug. 15: Meet some of Maitland’s residents from centuries past, including a former first lady and an inventor, in this historical exhibition.
CHILDHOOD CANCER 5K RUN/WALK, benefits the
Caleb Solomon Williams BELAC Foundation. Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, Orlando. 407-4057790. calebsolomonwilliamsfoundation.org
THE GIFT OF LIFE’S 6TH ANNUAL BLACK TIE GALA,
benefits premature infants and their families. Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista. 407-905-5454. thegiftoflifeorlando@Facebook
COMING UP AUGUST 14
On Seeing Segovia Through Sept. 19: Explore the paintings, etchings and story of museum founder Jules André Smith’s impressions of Spain during the 1920s.
CELEBRATION OF RUNNING 5K, presented by
The Research Studio Ongoing: Maitland Art Center was founded as an art colony in 1937 by visionary American artist and architect, Jules André Smith. The Research Studio, as it was originally called, is one of the few surviving examples of Mayan Revival architecture in the Southeastern United States.
AUGUST 28
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, serves as a community center and museum. It is currently open for tours by groups of up to six people by appointment only, which may be made by calling 407-628-8200. CORNELL FINE ARTS MUSEUM Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2526. Tuesday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-5 p.m. rollins.edu/cfam Multiple Voices/Multiple Stories Through Aug. 29: This exhibit explores the multilayered narratives contained in
AdventHealth, benefits the Track Shack Youth Foundation. Orlando Cultural Park, Orlando. 407896-1160. trackshack.com
RUN NONA 5K & NEMOURS KIDS’ RUN, benefits the Track Shack Youth Foundation and the Tavistock Foundation. Lake Nona Town Center, Orlando. 407-896-1160. trackshack.com
figural representations and encourages a fresh and nuanced reading of portraits. Path to Paradise—The Artistic Legacy of Dante’s Divine Comedy Through Aug. 29: A showcase of works inspired by Dante’s epic poem completed from the Italian Quattrocento through the contemporary era, illustrating the profound and limitless artistic inspiration drawn from the source text. Uptown/Downtown—Richard Lindner’s Fun City Through Aug. 29: Exhibit features 14 prints from the German American artist’s portfolio of paintings depicting New York City’s underbelly. Creatures in the Margins Through Aug. 29: This exhibit explores the relationship between animals and human conditions with themes relating to war,
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ONTHE TOWN CALENDAR punishment and reward, spirituality and institutional power in the guise of animals. DALI MUSEUM 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. Wednesday, Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Seniors only Wednesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-11 a.m. 727-823-3767. thedali.org The Woman Who Broke Boundaries— Photographer Lee Miller July 3-Jan. 2: Lee Miller was the trusted confidante of many influential artists and an eyewitness to extraordinary moments of the 20th century. This exhibit of 130 images surveys her personal life as well as her portraiture of important writers and artists, who were mainly associated with the Surrealist movement in Paris. Dali’s Masterworks in Augmented Reality Ongoing: View eight masterworks in the permanent collection using augmented reality technology to gain a deeper understanding of their complex imagery. HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407539-2680. Tuesday-Friday noon-4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The museum may be toured by reservation only at this time. 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. Currently open Sunday noon-4 p.m. and Monday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations required and may be made online. Group visits by appointment. Free. Donations accepted. holocaustedu.org Anne Frank House Virtual Reality Tour Ongoing: State of the art VR experience transporting visitors back to the years of World War II to wander through the rooms where Anne Frank, her family and four other Jews hid from Nazi persecution. Uprooting Prejudice—Faces of Change Ongoing: After the May death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, photographer John Noltner set up a camera at the intersection where Floyd died and asked people gathered there: “What do you want to say?” Here are their responses. THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN AND WILDLIFE ART 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Monday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 727892-4200. thejamesmuseum.org
Reverberations—Black Artists on Racism & Resilience Through Aug. 29: The works of emerging and established black artists in Florida and the Southeast challenge viewers with stories of structural racism as well as celebrate hope and resilience. Ergo Sum—A Crow a Day Through Sept. 6: For 365 days, Canadian-born artist Karen Bondarchuk produced a crow a day on a small, hand-cut panel to mark the passing of time that her mother, who was diagnosed with dementia, no longer could. 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 The Grand Portraits of Mr. Eddy Mumma Through Aug. 1: This intimate exhibit explores the vibrant portraits of the selftaught folk artist and his use of color, human form and popular culture. MORSE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The museum is currently open by appointment, which may be made online or by calling 407-644-1429. morsemuseum.org Iridescence in Glass and Pottery—A Celebration Through Sept. 26: 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 ILLUSIONS ORLANDO 8441 International Drive, Orlando. 386-256-1001, 833-541-0992. Reservations required and may be made online. orlando.museumofillusions.us Ongoing: This “edutainment” museum is part of a Croatia-based chain offering
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interactive, immersive exhibits based on math, science and psychology. Explore more than 50 exhibits, including the Beuchet Chair Illusion, True Mirror, Infinity Tunnel, Rotated Room, Vortex Tunnel and the Ames Room. 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 One Orlando Collection Ongoing: Staff-generated exhibit of more than 5,000 artifacts, photographs, documents and oral histories from the Pulse Nightclub shooting that took place on June 12, 2016. 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 Louis Dewis—An Artist’s Life in France Through Aug. 22: Inspired by French masters of landscape painting, Dewis (1872-1946) painted scenes of cities, villages and the countryside throughout France. Florida Prize in Contemporary Art Through Aug. 22: This is the seventh installment of an exhibition featuring the works of 10 of the most progressive and exciting artists working in Florida today. ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-514-2000. Sunday noon-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. osc.org Rescue Through Sept. 6: When disaster strikes, will you be ready? Learn what it’s like to be part of a search and rescue mission in this dynamic exhibit that explores the technology and teamwork used by real heroes every day in death-defying operations. Ongoing: From the natural world to high-tech simulation, from dinosaurs to the planets in our universe, hands-on activities throughout the center inspire budding scientists and make learning fun for all ages. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island. 855-4334210. Included with admission to KSC. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. kennedyspacecenter.com Planet Play Ongoing: This new, immersive, multistory play experience is designed for explorers aged 2-12 years. Children play and learn as they slide through an asteroid field, climb a worm hole, walk on Saturn’s rings, map a constellation and more. WINTER PARK HISTORY MUSEUM 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407647-2330. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. wphistory.org
Rollins—Florida’s First College, the Early Years 1885-1935 Ongoing: This guide through Rollins’ first decades is an interactive experience of college life, featuring re-creations of a 1930s dormitory room and a student union displaying college sports, fads, trends and fashions. ZORA NEALE HURSTON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 344 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. 407-6473307. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Donations accepted. hurstonmuseum.org 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 E. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tour exhibit online at valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/arts-entertainment/gallery.php Home/Body Through Aug. 6: Mixed-media artists Ruth Ross and Rachel Zur combine their talents for an exhibit that celebrates the human spirit and invites viewer interpretations.
JEANINE TAYLOR FOLK ART GALLERY 211 E. 1st St., Sanford. 407-323-2774. Monday by appointment, Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. jtfolkart.com Ongoing: Works by LaVon Williams Jr., Butch Anthony, John “Cornbread” Anderson, Theresa Disney and others celebrate the important contribution of Southern folk art to our heritage. SNAP! DOWNTOWN 420 E. Church St., Orlando. 407-286-2185. Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. snaporlando.com Martin Stranka July-October: A solo exhibition by this award-winning international photographer, in collaboration with Forbes magazine. CITY Unseen—A New [AR]t Experience Ongoing: This public art project utilizes augmented reality and the CITY Unseen app to open artistic borders to create experiences such as murals coming to life and teleportation into a Los Angeles art studio.
SPORTS
July 3: vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. July 22: vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. July 30: vs. Atlanta United FC, 8 p.m. ORLANDO CITY SOCCER PRIDE Exploria Stadium, 665 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com July 4: vs. North Carolina Courage, 6 p.m. July 9: vs. Racing Louisville FC, 7 p.m. July 24: vs. OL Reign, 7 p.m. USTA FLORIDA USTA National Campus, 10000 Usta Blvd., Orlando. 844-872-8667. ustanationalcampus.com Through July 1: WTT Junior National Championship July 9: UTR Junior Tournament July 11-17: USTA Boys’ 12s National Clay Court Championships July 17-19: USTA FL 40 & Over Sectional Championships July 24-26: USTA Fl 40 & Over Sectional Championships July 25: USTA FL Level 7 Championships ONLINE CALENDAR: Be sure to check out our online calendar at orlandomagazine.com
ORLANDO CITY SOCCER LIONS Exploria Stadium, 665 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com
BRONZE KINGDOM Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. Monday-Wednesday by appointment, Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday noon6 p.m. 407-203-8864. bronzekingdom.com Ongoing: The gallery/museum features a collection of rare African bronze, beaded and wooden sculptures from all over the continent, including palatial pieces from Benin and Bamoun tribal kingdoms, some dating back to early 1600s. CITYARTS 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-317-8367. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. downtownartsdistrict.com Elevating DTO—50 Years and Rising, Through the Eyes of Local Artists Opens July 15: This exhibition features original drawings, paintings and sculpture of downtown locations, landmarks over the past 50 years. CREALDÉ SCHOOL OF ART Two locations: Alice & William Jenkins Gallery, 600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park. 407-6711886. crealde.org; and Hannibal Square Heritage Center, 642 W. New England Blvd., Winter Park. 407-539-2680. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org Emerge—New Works by Painting & Drawing Fellowship & Studio Artists Through July 24: Eleven artists who have created under these two programs exhibit their work in the Showalter Hughes Community Gallery. ON THE TOWN | JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 109
ONTHE TOWN RSVP
Winter Garden Arts in April
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EMILY JOURDAN
“The World Outside” was the theme of this community celebration in Winter Garden. Events included a Chalkin It Up Sidewalk Art Contest, a Plein Air Art event, and viewing of art exhibits throughout the downtown area, as well as a scavenger hunt.
Ronald McDonald House Golf Classic The 2021 RMHCCF Golf Classic was held at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes. Tournament participants helped support the families who stay at the three Orlando Ronald McDonald Houses each year.
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1 Liza Donselaar, Lou Ann DeVoogd, Shalom Del Valle 2 Joe Cox, Bob Arcaro, Neil Tew, Jen Morgan 3 Eric Reed, Brian McInis, Justin Foley 4 Adam Rosenberger, Robbie Rosenberger, Robert Rosenberger, Gordon Parker 5 Robert and Brooke Dresser, who are currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Orlando while their newborn daughter is in the hospital 6 Attendees sign up for raffle prizes 7 Lou Ann DeVoogd, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, introduces Brooke and Robert Dresser 8 Golfers and friends gather around
the pool at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge. ON THE TOWN | JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 111
SUNDAYS IN DOWNTOWN Orlando are ideal for a visit to the Farmers Market in Lake Eola Park, at the corner of East Central Boulevard and North Eola Drive. Alongside seasonal produce, visitors will find a selection of arts and crafts and plants, as well as a wine and beer garden and live entertainment. Be sure to bring your furry best friend; the market is dog-friendly. Open Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. orlandofarmersmarket.com
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Market Fresh
Volume 75, Number 9, Orlando® (USPS 007-215) (ISSN 1059-3624) is published monthly by Morris Visitor Publications, 201 S. Orange Avenue, Ste. 1060, Orlando, FL 32803. For subscriptions, call 1-800-243-0609 or visit our website at www.orlandomagazine.com. Copyright 2021 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 201 S. Orange Avenue, Ste. 1060, 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.
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