Orlando Life June 2013

CENTRAL FLORIDA’S BEST DOCTORS ■ MIKE THOMAS WANTS A SOCCER STADIUM

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CONTENTS

june

Volume 14

Issue 6

DEPARTMENTS 8 JAY BOYAR’S LIMELIGHT

Two documentaries with Orlando ties are hitting it big; Oliver Stone critiques Rollins College students; a “block” party comes to Amway; art takes a walk in Sanford; the Shakes gets a sleeper; and the Maitland Civic Center goes to the dogs.

16 D esign/STYLE Slinky, sultry swimwear, just in time for the season. by Marianne Ilunga • photographs by Rafael Tongol

40 FLAVOR

Some dishes are better left to cooler weather. Here’s a sampler to savor when it’s simmering. by Rona Gindin • photographs by Rafael Tongol

50 PEOPLE & PLACES

Paula is out and about at Friends of Harriett, Polasek’s Paint Out, Starry Starry Night and Bowl-Erina. by Paula Wyatt

56 RESTLESS NATIVE

Finally, a good idea for a stadium. Too bad all the money’s already been spoken for. by Mike Thomas

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FEATUREs

CENTRAL FLORIDA’S BEST DOCTORS ■ MIKE THOMAS WANTS A SOCCER STADIUM

22 surviving summer

T H E B E S T O F C E N T R A L F LO R I DA

WAYS 20 to

A savvy and sometimes surprising guide to help you make the most of the warm-weather months, complete with a movie guide, a book-reading list, an indoor tarpon, a nighttime zoo and quite a few shady places.

by Michael McLeod • photographs by Rafael Tongol

A new procedure at Florida Hospital and Orlando Health gets to the heart of the matter — without being invasive. by Harry Wessel • photograph by Rafael Tongol Plus, a list of the region’s Best Doctors compiled by Best Doctors Inc.

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ORLANDO LIFE

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Photos: RAFAEL TONGOl

30 Healing hearts

BEATtthe he HEAT

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FIRST

from the editor

At the Science Center, an Education in Fish and Feet

S

omehow I managed to attend an event called “Science of Wine” last month

without learning much of anything about the science of wine, apart from the fact that tannin is the substance that makes your tongue feel dry and people who know a lot about wine refer to Cabernets as “Cabs.”

But I did turn up revelations in two other areas of scientific inquiry — cultural anthropology and marine biology.

The event in question was an annual fundraiser for the Orlando Science Center, which was checkered with sampling stations where guests could graze on gourmet concoctions and savor dozens of wines.

I have too much residual Protestant work ethic whipped into me to go on a field trip to a science center and not come back with a report. So here it is.

For years now I have been trying to get to the bottom of the black-magic preoccupation women have with designer heels. On the science center’s terrace, my curiosity was piqued when I spotted a subject wearing especially outrageous creations: red, decorated in front with broad, entwined leather loops that reminded me of the elaborate crests seen on some dinosaurs.

Her name was Kristen. The shoes were Betsey Johnsons. When I asked her about them, she pointed to a spot just above her toes. “They hurt me, right here. There’s always a spot — at least one spot, no matter how lucky you are — where you know a shoe is going to hurt you.”

She also told me that it is not uncommon for those in her tribe to buy a pair of shoes knowing full well that they may never wear them. Apparently the evolutionary niches for these creations are narrow indeed. Women are willing to go months, years, waiting for just the right occasion to wear just the right pair of shoes, which, if and when they wear them, are sure to cause pain.

I felt for a moment that I was in the midst of a National Geographic special about Mayan blood sacrifices.

I have to credit my companion for the evening, Nina Streich, who orchestrates Orlando’s annual Word Peace Film Festival, for the next revelation, which was in the field of marine biology. After talking to a vendor at one of the seafood stations about sustainability and bluefin tuna, she came away with a dark look on her face.

“They didn’t know what I was talking about,” she said. “Tuna has been so severely overfished that I refuse to eat it.”

Later, when I did a little research, I ran across a study done by the nonprofit ocean-protection group Oceana. It revealed that 59 percent of the fish labeled as tuna sold at restaurants and groceries in the United States is not really tuna.

I don’t know whether to feel good or bad about that.

Take Note What’s SOCIAL

Follow us on twitter: @OrlandoLifeMag and Facebook at: facebook.com/orlandolifemagazine.

We’re on Google+ and Pinterest too: pinterest.com/orlandolife/.

What’s ONLINE Check out our expanded listing of arts organizations and their schedules of events for the upcoming season.

What you CAN DO Take in the University of Central Florida production of The Fantasticks, June 27-Sept. 1.

What’s ON DECK In our July issue, we’ll discuss design strategies for outdoor living areas.

CORRECTION Paul Hennessy, who took a photo of celebrity chef Paula Deen, was inadvertently not credited in our May issue.

Michael McLeod Editor in Chief mmcleod@orlando-life.com 4

ORLANDO LIFE

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ASHLEY ANNIN, DANNY ROMERO Editorial Interns

Editorial: press@orlando-life.com

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Copyright 2013 by Florida Home Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited without written permission of the copyright holder.

ORLANDO LIFE (USPS 000-140) (Vol. 14/Issue No. 6) is published monthly by Florida Home Media LLC, 2700 Westhall Lane, Ste 128, Maitland, FL 32751. Periodicals Postage Paid at Maitland, FL and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Orlando Life Magazine, PO Box 5586, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-5586 JUNE 2013

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LIMELIGHT

jay boyar

Stranger Than Fiction: Two Documentaries With O-Town Ties Get Nationwide Attention

H

Tons. At this year’s Florida Film Festival, for example, there were more than 40, culled from some 500 submissions. And that’s just for one of the many film festivals around the country.

Most documentaries never go anywhere. A lucky few are seen by a relative handful of people, mainly at festivals. And each year, a very lucky few somehow manage to gain enough traction to play commercially in theaters and/or to land a prized berth on TV. So it strikes me as amazing that not one but two documentaries that made it into that exclusive circle last year have strong ties to Orlando. I’m talking about The Queen of Versailles, which chronicles the misadventures of local zillionaire couple Jackie and David Siegel, and An Affair of the Heart, which looks in on retro-rocker Rick Springfield and some of his most devoted fans.

Considering that we’ve got a pretty lively bunch of filmmakers based right here in Central Florida, I’m intrigued that it seems to have taken an outsider, California photographer/ documentarian Lauren Greenfield, to see that the Siegels’ story, if told in just a certain way, would resonate around the country.

Time-share mogul Siegel and his outrageously endowed wife have been covered by the local media for years — but mainly superficially. Greenfield was not only revealing but revolutionary in capturing their bizarre yet poignant struggle, as the economy tanked, to salvage their ostentatious lifestyle and their under-construction, 90,000-square-foot Lake Butler mansion, dubbed “Versailles.”

This is the first major documentary I’ve ever seen that makes extensive use of the stylistic devices of reality TV: the cartoony music, the deliberately flat pacing. I’m not a particular fan of that approach, but it’s hard to deny that it suits

Two of the year’s most discussed documentaries have Orlando ties: An Affair of the Heart , about Rick Springfield and his superfans; and The Queen of Versailles , about the over-the-top Siegel family.

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PHOTOs: (top) courtesy Doverwood Communications, Inc.; (bottom) courtesy nbc universal; (opposite Page) scott cook

ow many documentaries are made each year?

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the subject and the statement made by the film.

Apparently I’m not the only one to think so. Not only did The Queen of Versailles earn a rare theatrical release for itself, it garnered for Greenfield a Directors Guild nomination and the U.S. Director prize at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, among other accolades. It’s now available on DVD and just last month played an extended run on Bravo.

An Affair of the Heart also puts me in mind of television.

Specifically, it reminds me of those “inspirational” tales of people overcoming everyday adversity that are the lifeblood of the Lifetime network.

That probably sounds like a strange way to describe a film about a 1980s pop star — until you actually watch the movie.

Not only does this documentary explore some of the bumps in Springfield’s personal life, it also focuses on the struggles of several ardent admirers — including a 14-year-old boy who latched onto him as a father figure, and a Unitarian minister who credits his music with sustaining her through difficult times.

This documentary was made by locals. It was directed by Orlando-area filmmaker Sylvia Caminer (who actually has worked for Lifetime) and produced by Caminer and local publicity-firm owner Melanie Lentz-Janney.

“Without the fans, we wouldn’t have had a movie,” director Caminer, an Emmy-winner, recently told me. “That’s what triggered the whole idea: That unique bond and then the impact that Rick had on some of these fans’ lives.”

Like The Queen of Versailles, this film received a theatrical run and won several prizes, including awards from the Nashville, Boston and, yes, Florida film festivals. Last month, it began playing on the EPIX channel and is set to arrive on DVD next month.

Are these two films part of a new trend involving Orlando-linked documentaries, or is their timing just some sort of fluke? For now, that’s an open question. But both are definitely part of a larger trend in which the styles and subjects of television are taking hold in the world of traditional documentaries.

And Orlando, for better or worse, is leading the way.

Jay Boyar, arts editor of Orlando Life, has written about film and travel for the Orlando Sentinel and numerous other newspapers.

He’s the author of Films to Go: 100 Memorable Movies for Travelers & Others and a contributor to ReelRomance: The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies.

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Rollins Professor Thomas Ouellette listens as Oliver Stone expounds.

Stone Cold? Not If You Speak Clearly Oliver Stone is a director — first, last and always. Even when he isn’t on a movie set. I realized as much recently when the Academy Award-winner turned up as a speaker at Rollins College as part of the school’s Winter Park Institute series.

He was there to talk about his controversial film career and his characteristically contentious new book, The Untold History of the United States, which is the basis of a documentary series on Showtime. He had agreed to take questions after his talk from the audience, which naturally included Rollins students.

As the students asked their questions, Stone looked increasingly unsettled. He kept consulting with the event’s moderator to clarify just what, exactly, had been asked. “Diction has to be taught in colleges,” he finally scolded. “ Diction, diction, diction! That’s why we like English actors.”

This got a huge laugh from the audience and approving nods from some of the faculty in attendance. And it put considerable pressure on the next student questioner, graduating media major Cass Yankala.

Even before asking her question, she won the moment by expressing her trepidation about speaking — which made the audience laugh even harder — and applaud.

“I was a lot more nervous in asking the question,” admitted Yankala, when I spoke with her a few days later. “But if he can give us some constructive feedback now and we can use it tomorrow, how great is that?”

Well put. Though I have to admit, she was speaking so rapidly that I really did have a bit of trouble, over the phone, picking up exactly what she said.

Visit rollins.edu/wpi for more information.

ORLANDO LIFE

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plan on it Rydingsvard, John Chamberlain, Frank Moore, Therman Statom, Chuck Close and Howardena Pindell.

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Currents in Contemporary Art

Through June 30 Orlando Museum of Art

StarWars , Disney Style

The Orlando Museum of Art has delved into its own extensive collection and selected works by some the world’s most highly regarded contemporary artists, including Ursula von

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Andre Smith: Picturing Place

Through August 4 Art & History MuseumsMaitland

This display is culled from the center’s collection of prints, paintings and drawings by its founder, who traveled across the U.S. and Europe after World War I and recorded his impressions of the people and places he encountered.

artandhistory.org Dreamgirls

teoric rise and subsequent travails of a 1960s Motowngirl group, The Dreams, who are based not-so-loosely on The Supremes.

madcowtheatre.com

Daniel Tosh: The June Gloom Tour

June 25 Orlando Shakespeare Theater

The controversial comic — host of Comedy Central’s Tosh.0, native Central Floridian and a proud UCF grad — brings his envelopepushing standup routine back to his old stomping ground. Jerrod Carmichael is the opening act.

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PHOTO: ŠDISNEY

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LIMELIGHT

music

‘Block’ Party With the Boys at Amway

photo: courtesy orlando venues

Here’s a shout-out to boy-band lovers

and former shoulder-pad wearers: It’s time to trade in your skinny jeans for parachute pants and Members Only jackets: New Kids on the Block are coming to town.

OK, let’s salvage a shred of dignity and leave the parachute pants where we found them.

After the success of their tour with the Backstreet Boys in 2011, NKOTB is taking to the road again, this time joined by ’90s all-stars Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees, which is on tour for the first time in 12 years.

The event, aptly named The Package

Tour, will be delivered to the Amway Center June 21. Look for New Kids to perform fan favorites such as “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” and “Step by Step” in addition to songs from their latest album, 10.

NKOTB released their first, self-titled album in 1986 and six subsequent albums since then, including Step by Step, Merry, Merry Christmas and Face

the Music.

Expect sultry R&B from Boyz II Men, including their Grammy-winning single “I’ll Make Love to You,” while pop-flavored dance tunes from 98 Degrees will set the stage for the headliners.

Visit thepackage-tour.com for more information.

— Ashley Annin

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LIMELIGHT

event

Sanford Art Walk Makes Much Ado About Nothing wine, listening to live music, looking over pretty paintings and strolling through a friendly, lakeside downtown.

That’s the theory, at least, behind the Sanford Art Walk, which takes place on the fourth Friday of every month —that’s June 28 this time around — from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Each Art Walk features a juried art show revolving around a particular genre. This month’s theme is “Art About Nothing,” which means, essentially, that the pieces on display must be so abstract that they’re unidentifable.

Music and light refreshments will be available at the Welcome Center and at participating art galleries, including Gallery on First, Hyder Gallery Center for Fine Art and Jeanine Taylor Folk Art. By visiting each of the art venues — all within walking distance of one another — you’ll be eligible

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to win a work of art.

Visit sandfordwelcomecenter.com for more information.

— Ashley Annin

PHOTo: rafael tongol

It’s not a bad way to close out the month: savoring a glass of

JUNE 2013

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LIMELIGHT

theater

A Beautiful Sleeper Turns Up at the Shakes

PHOTO: courtesy orlando shakespeare theater

If you’re staging a performance, the last

thing in the world you want is to put your audience to sleep. So doesn’t it sound like self-defeating behavior for the Orlando Shakespeare Theater to actually encourage audience members to turn up in their jammies?

Then again, given that the Shakes is recommending its production of a zippy, modernized Sleeping Beauty for families with children ages 4 and older, the opening-night pajama party slated for June 22 will likely be far too noisy for snoozing.

The production, which runs through July 29 on the Goldman Stage, is being directed by Patrick Braillard, whose previous credits with the Shakes include directing Medea, Anno Menander and The Weird Sisters.

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Director Patrick Braillard

“Everyone believes they know the story of Sleeping Beauty,” says Braillard.

“And that is a part of the fun — living up to those expectations while at the same time putting our own unique spin on the story and the characters.”

People have been putting their own unique spin on Snow White for quite some time.

The classic fairy tale of a comatose princess in need of princely rescue, brilliantly rendered by Walt Disney in the 1959 animated feature, dates back to French folklorist Charles Perrault, who wrote La Belle Au Bois Dormant — “The Beauty Asleep in the Forest” — in 1697.

Visit orlandoshakes.org for information.

— Michael McLeod

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event

Every Dog Has Its Party Day

tendees are invited to bring their dogs along to compete together for prizes in timed events; play games meant to bolster the canine-human bond; and take advantage of advice and services from various vendors.

Moore’s favorite game involves a race through a makeshift tunnel that dogs and their owners must navigate as a team. “By the end of that event the dogs are walking around with these looks on their faces —I swear they know this whole thing is about them,” says Moore.

There are a few rules, of course: Dogs must be well-mannered; up to date on their shots; and arrive wearing a 6-foot leash attached to one owner per dog. “If you have two dogs, invite a friend,” suggests Moore.

There’s also a “Wag-Bag” giveaway valued at more than $50. The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and admission is $25. All proceeds go to Dogs 4 Disabled Vets.

Visit dogpartyday.com dogpartyday.co for information.

— Michael McLeod

Once, San Diego pet expert Arden Moore had Betty

White on her pet podcast radio show as a guest.

Moore took the opportunity to amuse the actress and fellow animal-lover by saying: “You know, Betty, you’re only a teenager in dog years.”

Moore has a way of seeing life, in general, through a dog’s perspective, which is why she came up with National Dog Party Day. “If Hallmark can make up holidays,” she reasons, “so can I.” The “party” in question is actually a fundraising event for, among other canine causes, Dogs 4 Disabled Vets, a Florida-based nonprofit organization that trains rescue dogs to help veterans become more self-sufficient.

It’s being held on June 21 in four regions across the country, including Central Florida at the Maitland Civic Center. At-

Thank You to Our 2013 Sponsors

PHOTO: COURTESY NATIONAL DOG PARTY DAY

LIMELIGHT

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3/19/13 3:01 PM JUNE 2013

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POET? SHOW IT! Billy Collins gives promising young writers a boost.

(From Left): Contest winner Logan Schulman, Seminole High School; second runner-up Karen Watson, Timber Creek High School; Billy Collins; first runner-up Richelle Burke, Trinity Preparatory School.

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Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins has this to say about his chosen mode of creative expression: “I’ve always said that high school is where poetry goes to die.”

Collins, now a Distinguished Fellow at Rollins College’s Winter Park Institute, has made it his mission to change the negative perception of poetry among young people. In 2003 he wrote Poetry 180 to expose high-school students to new voices in contemporary poetry.

This year, to mark National Poetry Month — that’s in April, by the way — Collins invited Central Florida high school students to submit poems for his review and evaluation.

More than 90 entries from 14 public and private high schools in Orange and Seminole counties were submitted. The top three winners read their works at an event dubbed “A Poetry Conversation.” It was moderated by Collins and featured a panel of high-school and college students.

The winner was Seminole High School senior Logan Schulman, whose poem was titled “Transcending Height.” First runner-up was Trinity Prep junior Richelle Burke and second runner-up was Timber Creek High School freshman Karen Watson.”

“I was honored to win this award, but just as honored to have Billy Collins even read my poem,” says Schulman, who plans to attend New College in Sarasota.“I hope to major in philosophy, which is the questioning of life. And I consider poetry to be the explanation of life — so they both complement each other.”

Collins’ latest book, Aimless Love: New and Collected Poems, will be published in the fall. The Winter Park Institute will host a reading in November.

Logan Schulman’s winning poem, “Transcending Height,” appears in Orlando Life’s online edition, orlandolife.com

ORLANDO LIFE

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DESIGN STYLE

fashion

Sultry for Summer

Hot hues and deft designs put the flash in splash.

by Marianne Ilunga photographs by Rafael Tongol hair & makeup by Elsie Knab poolside setting courtesy of Doug Seaburn

Adriana G., joined in a cool pool by fellow AbFab model Drew C., sports pinstripes on her one-piece, blueand-white halter bathing suit from Fashion Asylum (asylumfashionhouse.com), $78. Her blue, oversized round crossover sunglasses are by Tom Ford, $395, from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall.

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CREDITS: EDITORIAL INTERN ASHLEY ANNIN

Adriana’s neon-green jumpsuit by Alexis, $396, and her acid-yellow platform wedge sandals by Dolce Vita, $79, are both from Bloomingdale’s, The Mall at Millenia. Her chrysocolla necklace with horn pendant, $395; chrysocolla and bone bead necklace with turquoise detail, $450; horn bracelet, $75; and agate bracelet, $75; are all by NEST from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall.

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DESIGN STYLE

fashion Adriana’s bright floral bandeau onepiece swimsuit (this page) is by Trina Turk, $138, from Bloomingdale’s, The Mall at Millenia. Her yellow linen scarf is by Eileen Fisher, $78, from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall.

Her freshwater pearl and gold-filled necklace, $200, and freshwater pearl and gold-filled bracelet, $250, are both

by Michal Yakar (michalyakar.com).

The print blouse with tropical flowers and a leopard pattern (opposite page) is by Elie Tahari, $328, from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall.

Her yellow bikini bottoms are from Fashion Asylum (asylumfashionhouse. com), $32, while her metallic gladiator sandals by Stuart Weitzman, $398, are from Bloomingdale’s, The Mall at Millenia. Her two strand gold-filled Citrine drop necklace, $450, is by Michal Yakar (michalyakar.com).

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DESIGN STYLE

fashion

The sheer orange-and-pink tie blouse is

by Lafayette 148, $398, from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall. The orange-andmaroon sheer open-legged harem pants by Alexis, $275; the blue-and-orange peacock print bikini top by PilyQ, $76; and the hotpink sandals by Tori Burch, $150; are all from Bloomingdale’s, The Mall at Millenia.

The gold-filled and apatite long necklace, $460; and the apatite and freshwater pearl necklace, $220; are both by Michal Yakar (michalyakar.com). Drew wears Hugo Boss lobster swim trunks, $59, from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall.

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Adriana’s white crochet one-piece bathing suit by Robin Piccone, $154, is from Bloomingdale’s, The Mall at Millenia. Her blue-gray Lucite and crystal detail bracelet, $215; blue-gray Lucite cuff, $225; and pearl, white coral and green amethyst three-strand statement necklace, $345; are all by Alexis Bittar and all from Saks Fifth Avenue, The Florida Mall.

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Colorful koi cavort in the Gaylord Palm Resort’s lush, 4.5-acre atrium.

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Summer Survival Secrets A BUCKET LIST OF ACTIVITIES, FROM A READING LIST TO A SELECTION OF SHADY RETREATS.

by Michael McLeod • photographs by Rafael Tongol

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Relaxing Resorts When you’re feeling lethargic, remember this — we live year-

round in the visitor capital of the universe. That means we can visit world-class resorts whenever we please. And there’s no time like the dog days to check out what these Florida getaways have to offer.

Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Residents of northern cities sometimes find respite from frostbitten winter days by ducking into arboretums: glass-ceilinged civic sanctuaries where exotic foliage thrives and balmy air holds sway.

Central Florida has a similar oasis. You just have to use it in reverse, as a place to escape the blistering heat of summer rather than winter’s bitter cold.

It’s a massive arboretum that serves as the centerpiece of the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, a 63-acre haven at the intersection of Osceola Parkway and International Drive.

The resort’s hotel is built around a 4.5-acre complex enclosed in a stadium-sized, glass-paneled dome. Fourteen stories beneath that dome, 42 species of palm trees and five kinds of bamboo grow among 1,000 other species of plants.

Meandering pathways wind through the greenery, leading the way to the adjacent hotel lobby and various resort amenities, including a spa and five restaurants.

The temperature at floor level is always 74 degrees. The dome’s glass panels are treated to screen out ultraviolet rays, so it’s virtually impossible to get a sunburn. And the soothing sound of rushing water pervades the dome night and day, thanks to a 400,000-gallon system of channels, waterfalls and pools that serves as home to 500 species of aquatic creatures, ranging from tarpon to coy to juvenile alligators.

It’s an Eden under glass, outlandish enough to feel a bit more like Las Vegas than Orlando.

Gaylord Palms generates the most interest among locals in the winter, when it stages a massive holiday ice sculpture attraction in the convention center. But you might also consider giving the resort’s scenic centerpiece a shot during the summer, as a great place to dine after a long, leisurely walk in temperate surroundings.

You’ll sneer at the gators, but the fish are a hoot, whether you’re into the mystique and the vivid colors of the coy — they’re like fat parrots with fins — or the “lagoon” where native fish congregate. There, a massive, rescued tarpon named Stamos is often followed by a finny retinue as he cruises the shallows. His scales are so silvery in the sunlight shining 24

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through the dome that you might mistake him for an aluminum animatron on loan from Disney World.

Not to get too carried away with the fishies, but it’s a good deal for them, this place, offering the best of both worlds: They’re well fed, safe from predators and not cooped up in tanks. The vast majority wind up living to a ripe old age.

All in all, we’re calling this a pretty savvy summer escape, and not just for Stamos.

Parking is $18 in the lot, $24 to use the valet. But if you shop or dine, your ticket will be validated. Resort prices prevail — $25 for buffet brunch, $50 for a steak. Just consider how nice that 74 degrees is going to feel as the summer wears on. Visit mariott.com for more information.

If you’re of a mind to travel to a summer resort elsewhere in Florida, here are three we sorted out from the crowd. All are island retreats.

Little Palm Island Resort and Spa, Little Torch Key. Set on a private, 5-acre island off the Florida Keys, accessible only by seaplane or boat, this resort has been the paradise of choice for celebrities and presidents. It offers a sequestered retreat with a white sand beach, a marina, sailing, yachting, worldclass dining, Indonesian-inspired spa treatments and much more. Suites are equipped with mini-bars and air-conditioned thatched-roof bungalows. Live musicians serenade you on the beach. From $690 a night; visit littlepalmisland.com for more information.

Sunset Key Guest Cottage, A Westin Resort. Another private

island, this one located in Key West off Sunset Key, spans 27 acres and features ocean and garden views from cottages with Victorian-style tin roofs and wraparound verandas. A lushly landscaped pool boasts whirlpools and cascading waterfalls. From $469 a night; visit westinsunsetkeycottages.com for more information.

Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island. Amelia Island is chock full of

charming shops and historic attractions, and this luxury hotel makes a great headquarters for your visit. You’ll have easy access to 13 miles of immaculate, dune-lined beaches along a pristine sandy shore, 18 holes of private championship golf, a luxurious spa and a courtyard fire pit perfect for stargazing and salty breezes. From $399 a night; visit ritzcarlton.com for more information.

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Cool Summer Reading We’ll start with two classics boasting Florida ties for all of you

who see the summer as a season meant for reading. Then we’ll turn the reins over to our old friend Nancy Pate, retired Orlando Sentinel book critic, who put together her own suggested summer reading list as a favor.

The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. It’s always summarized as a story about disillusioned British and American expats at a bullfighting festival in Spain. Here’s a better synopsis: Hemingway’s breakthrough, 1926 novel is the best doomed-romance story since Romeo and Juliet.

If this is your first reading, you need to be on your toes.

Hemingway — who wrote most of this novel in Paris, two years before he took up residency in Key West — is subtle about everything. That includes how he gradually reveals a key fact: Because of a war wound, his lead character, Jake, can no longer function sexually, which makes him the only safe man in sight for the novel’s brilliant but tragically inclined femme fatale.

Sure, he acted like a macho man. But at his core, both as a writer and as a man, Hemingway was a hopeless romantic — one who wrote, as his first and arguably best novel, an exceedingly bittersweet and obviously hopeless romance.

The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. How odd it is that Rawlings’ Pulitzer Prize-winning, 1938 novel about a boy’s attachment to a wild animal, set in the hard, as-yet untainted scrub country of Alachua County, was seen for so long as a children’s book. If you’re of a literary bent, you can’t find a novel with a more brilliant connection between the theme and the setting.

And all you need to be is a mother or father to get the feeling that this novel about a young boy and a yearling deer is really, above all, about parenting.

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Sora Restaurant Gaylord Palms ORLANDO LIFE

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NANCY PATE’S PICKS Ladies’ Night, by Mary Kay Andrews. After driving her cheating husband’s sports car into the pool, a Florida lifestyle blogger moves in with her widowed mom, who owns a rundown beach bar. Court-mandated divorce therapy sessions soon evolve into “ladies’ night” at The Sandbox.

Andrews’ 2012 hit, Spring Fever, was just published in paperback. St. Martin’s Press, June.

Bad Monkey, by Carl Hiaasen. The king of comic crime (Tourist Season, Skinny Dip, Lucky You, Stormy Weather) returns with the tale of a former South Florida cop who’s drawn into a murder investigation involving his ex-lover, real-estate speculators, a kinky coroner, a voodoo queen, a frozen arm and the eponymous monkey. Knopf, June.

Heart of Palm, by Laura Lee Smith. The past and future collide when the quirky Bravo clan of a sleepy North Florida town must decide whether to sell the family homestead to real-estate developers. Grove/Atlantic, April.

Board Stiff, by Elaine Viets. South Florida sleuth Helen Hawthorne works “dead-end jobs” to keep off the grid. Murder Unleashed found her at a dog-grooming parlor, while she was a yacht crew member in Final Sail. In the 12th in Viets’ cozy crime series, Helen and her new P.I. husband are on the trail of “The Paddleboard Killer.” NAL, May. The Blood of Heaven, by Kent Wascom. In this early 19th-century frontier epic, a preacher’s son runs off to Spanish-held West Florida before joining up with other radicals in New Orleans, where Aaron Burr wants to create a new country. Grove/Atlantic, May.

Shady Spots Living in a subtropical climate has its disadvantages, comfort-

wise. But one of the pluses is that magnificent flora and fauna thrives here year-round. Central Florida’s verdant natural beauty is on dazzling display at an array of parks and gardens offering both abundant shade and welcoming breezes.

Leu Gardens. One way to beat the heat and still enjoy the

beauty that Mother Nature has to offer is with a leisurely stroll through Orlando’s most popular tropical haven: Harry P. Leu Gardens.

The 50-acre refuge is in the Audubon Park district, northeast of downtown Orlando, but you quickly lose track of both time and direction once you’re traveling along its lushly landscaped trails, which wind their way through stands of palms, past shimmering lakeside scenes and along crisply manicured botanical gardens that include the country’s third-largest concentration of camellias.

There are gardens dedicated to roses, bamboos and butterflies, along with a citrus grove stocked with more than 50 varieties.

Towering oaks and elms shade stretches of the trails, and strategically placed gazebos and benches make for perfect rest stops.

You may even encounter some wildlife. Plenty of birds flock to the gardens, while turtles and alligators occupy its waters.

For sheer spectacle, there’s a 50-foot-wide floral clock.

There are frequent evening events, including Date Night, which this month features an outdoor screening of the Hitchcock classic, Vertigo. The flick is slated for June 7 at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children, free for Leu Members. Visit leugardens.org for more information.

Mead Botanical Garden. This 50-acre enclave off Pennsylvania

This summer’s classic re-read appears to be F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, what with the new movie out. The renewed interest in Fitzgerald extends to his Southern belle wife, Zelda Sayre, the subject of two new novels. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Ann Fowler (St. Martin’s Press) was published in March, and Call Me Zelda (NAL) by Erika Robuck, who wrote Hemingway’s Girl, came out in May. So did Gatsby Girls (BroadLit), a collection of eight Fitzgerald short stories inspired by Zelda and which originally appeared in The Saturday Evening Post.

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Avenue in Winter Park has at least one advantage over Leu Gardens: Fewer people know about it. Its gardens are also lined with trails that offer views of wetlands and wildlife such as herons and egrets.

The gardens date back to the 1940s, when they were created as a tribute to Theodore Mead, a well-known horticulturalist who focused on growing bromeliads, orchids, caladiums and ferns.

Modern improvements include boardwalks and bike and walking paths. There’s also a shaded outdoor amphitheater — and an annual rubber-duck race, the proceeds of which go to charity.

Volunteers and the Winter Park Parks and Recreation Department maintain the grounds. Admission is free. Visit meadgarden.org for more information.

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Moss Park. The largest of Orange County’s parks is an oasis that remains well secluded from the homes and strip malls springing up throughout fast-growing southeast Orlando.

Natural Florida is at its best in the park, with plenty of heron, rabbits and other family-friendly critters in plain view.

Most are at ease with humans, so much so that they walk right up to picnic tables to “sample” unprotected food. You’ll also see deer, wild turkey and the endangered Florida Sandhill Crane, for which the park is a designated refuge.

Large trees — appropriately covered in moss — blanket the grounds, providing shade at almost every turn. The park has 54 campsites offering water, electricity, showers and flush toilets. Outdoorsy locals “rough it” here, as do tourists who consider it an inexpensive alternative to hotels surrounding the nearby attractions.

A popular destination for family reunions and informal company cookouts, Moss Park offers plenty of covered pavilions with large barbeque grills and picnic areas that can be rented for parties and special events. Admission is $5 per person. Visit ocfl.net for more information.

OTHER COOL PLACES

Kenny Chesney sang “everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.” The country singer was speaking metaphorically, of course, but there are plenty of evening activities ideal “for when the big moon rises and it’s time to play.”

Audubon Park Community Market at Stardust Video and Coffee. This hipster hangout has been operating during evening hours, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., every Monday since its inception in 2009.

There you’ll find growers, ranchers, fishermen, chefs, artists and musicians. Visit audubonmarket. com for more information.

Cranes Roost Park. What is touted as sprawling Altamonte Springs’ “downtown” offers free, under-the-stars movies. It’s a beautiful setting, and food and beverages are available. Visit uptownaltamonte.com for more information.

Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Night Hikes take place periodically from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (The next ones are June 11 and June 15). You must pre-register and be at least 5 years old. The hikes focus on visits with nocturnal animals. For annual pass holders the cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5 to12. If you don’t have an annual pass, prices are $5 higher.

Visit centralfloridazoo.org for more information.

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Leu Gardens ORLANDO LIFE

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The Great Indoors

Think the local cultural scene is limited to Mickey, Shamu and

Harry Potter? Au contraire. Central Florida boasts an array of wonderful museums, some of them truly one of a kind. Many of them have special summer offerings designed to get us off the couch and into a gallery.

MUSEUMS

Morse Museum of American Art. The folks at the Morse Mu-

seum in Winter Park are always careful to point out that the facility isn’t dedicated just to the spectacular stained-glass creations of Louis Comfort Tiffany, but to the American art of his era as well.

The current exhibit is devoted to the Country’s embrace of Art Nouveau, a widespread, late 19th century movement that combined a back-to-nature ethos with a revolt against the traditional way of looking at art.

The proponents of Art Nouveau — it means, literally, “new art” —preferred the sinuous, natural line to the formal, rigid one, and insisted that any number of creations, not just paintings and sculptures, could qualify as art.

Curator Jennifer Thalheimer has assembled more than 100 objects, including jewelry, ceramics, architectural ornaments, furniture and art glass. The exhibit, which will last through the summer, meshes nicely with the glorious evocations of Tiffany’s work elsewhere in the museum — from the galleries devoted to his lost Long Island mansion, Laurelton Hall, to those displaying his favorite stained-glass windows. Visit morsemuseum.org for more information.

Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. If you’ve ever wondered about the process a sculptor goes through when conceptualizing and completing a piece, now’s the time to satisfy your curiosity. Through July 21 this indoor-outdoor museum, also in Winter Park, is hosting an exhibit devoted to photographs, sketches and models upon which sculptors have based their creations. Visit polasek.org for more information.

Mennello Museum of American Art. Here’s one way to visit

the Everglades without getting ravaged by mosquitoes or swallowed up by a giant python. On July 5 the Mennello, located in Loch Haven Park, will open an exhibit devoted to vividly colorful paintings of the River of Grass by curmudgeonly folk artist Earl Cunningham. The artist, who died 28

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in 1977, also collected Native American artifacts, some of which will be on display as well. Visit mennellomuseum.com for more information.

Orlando Museum of Art. Say “summer camp” and what’s

the next word that comes to mind? If you’re like us, it’s “s’more’s.” But summer camp can also refer to the great indoors, as it does in this case. OMA operates several programs for elementary school students that involve creative projects, nascent art appreciation and independent thinking, which on many summer days is easier to do indoors than out. Programs begin June 10 and continue through mid-August. Email gneureuther@omart.org for more information.

MOVIES For generations, Floridians have escaped the heat by duck-

ing into movie theaters. This summer will be no different, and the major studios are serving up their usual big-budget bonanza of explosions, car chases and apocalyptic events to make certain that we’re properly dazzled.

June

The Purge. A dystopian action thriller that envisions a government-sanctioned, annual 12-hour period in which all crimes are allowable. Starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey. Rated R. Man of Steel. Another reworking of the Superman legend, tracing the superhero’s beginnings on Krypton to his life as a mild-mannered reporter. Starring Henry Cavil, Amy Adams and Kevin Costner. Rated PG-13.

World War Z. Flesh-eating zombies have taken over the world!

Fortunately, Brad Pitt is on the case. Also starring Mireille Enos and Matthew Fox. Rated PG-13.

White House Down. A paramilitary force takes over the White House, and it’s up to a Capitol police officer to save the day.

Starring Jamie Foxx, Channing Tatum and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Not yet rated.

The Heat. In the long tradition of comedy/action buddy-cop

thrillers, an FBI agent and a street cop battle a ruthless drug kingpin. The twist: The buddies are played by Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. Rated R. JUNE 2013

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July

Lone Ranger. The masked man still has his silver bullets, but you can expect the role of Tonto to depart from tradition: It’s being played by Johnny Depp. Also starring Armie Hammer, Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Wilkinson. Not yet rated.

RED 2. Don’t mess with retirees, particularly when they’re re-

tired black-ops CIA agents. A sequel to the 2010 hit, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren. Not yet rated.

R.I.P.D. Another buddy-cop action thriller that sounds a bit

like Men in Black, but instead of aliens the enemies are monstrous spirits. Starring Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon. Rated PG-13.

The Wolverine. The X-Men franchise lives on through one of its most popular characters, who’s very strong, very handsome and a very quick healer. Starring Hugh Jackman and Jessica Biel. Not yet rated.

August

300: Rise of an Empire. Once again it’s a few incredibly buff

Greeks against an army of Persians, but in this sequel to the surprise 2007 hit, the battles are at sea rather than on land.

Starring Eva Green and Rodrigo Santoro. Not yet rated.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. You want monsters? You want

zombies? You get them and more in the second movie in the fantasy franchise based on the popular book series. Starring Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario. Not yet rated.

Elysium. It’s 2159 and it’s gotten so bad on Earth that the only nice place to live is Elysium, a plush space station. The sci-fi thriller stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. Not yet rated.

Kick-Ass 2. In this sequel to the 2010 hit, teen superhero KickAss bands together with a bunch of friends to fight a supervillain whose name is unsuitable for publication. Starring Aaron Johnson, Chloë Moretz and Jim Carrey. Rated R.

Harry Wessel, Ashley Annin and Danny Romero contributed to this article.

Model: Jackie Hoag from P Models Wardrobe Styling: Tammara Kohler - Fused Fashion Hair and Makeup: Elsie Knab Clothes: Courtesy of Charyli in Winter Park Assistant: Melissa Campana

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Morse Museum of American Art ORLANDO LIFE

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A revolutionary new procedure offers new hope for elderly cardiac patients.

Dr. Kevin Accola and his patient, Duyane Hoffman.

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HEALING BROKEN HEARTSy

by Harry Wessel • photograph by Rafael Tongol

T

hings were looking bleak for Duyane Hoffman. Re-

ally bleak. He’d had heart trouble before, having undergone triple-bypass surgery two decades earlier.

But now his aortic valve had calcified and narrowed to the point where it was barely functioning. Accustomed to regular exercise, he no longer could walk more than a few steps or even speak a few words without gasping for air.

What the retired Pan Am pilot needed was a new aortic valve, but at 92 he was too old for another open-heart procedure. As his condition steadily worsened, his cardiologist could offer only one sliver of hope: Hold out for a few more months, he said, and maybe we’ll be able to help you.

Now, more than a year after that help arrived in the form of a revolutionary new medical procedure, the 93-year-old Apopka resident and orchid enthusiast says he’s feeling great. He’s back to exercising three days a week on a treadmill, although, with his wife nearby, he jokingly complains about not being able to chase girls anymore “because I can’t catch them.”

Hoffman was among the first of now scores of elderly Central Floridians to undergo a “transcatheter aortic valve replacement,” TAVR for short, which received FDA approval in November 2011 and was first performed in Orlando in February of last year — in Hoffman’s case, Feb. 29, Leap Day. Instead of having to split open his rib cage, doctors made a small incision in Hoffman’s upper leg and threaded a catheter through his femoral artery and into his heart. His nearly closed aortic valve was first dilated with a balloon, then held open with a stainless-steel mesh stent containing a new valve

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made from cow’s heart tissue.

“After the operation I was there for just about a week. There was almost no pain of any kind,” recalls Hoffman, whose only post-operative problem was a faulty pacemaker that had to be rewired. “After that, I went home the next day. I haven’t had any problems ever since.”

Hoffman’s TAVR procedure was a team effort led by cardiac surgeon Dr. Kevin Accola, medical director of the Valve Center of Excellence at Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute. He was one of two cardiac surgeons in the operating room, along with two interventional cardiologists, two anesthesiologists, several nurses and several more technicians.

“It’s a large team, and we need both surgeons and cardiologists working together,” says Accola, who has performed more than 30 TAVR procedures since Hoffman’s. “It’s been really neat to see the synchronization of the two specialties and the symphony that occurs, with everybody playing their instrument, doing their thing, and at the end it turns out to be a real nice production.”

Accola is quick to caution that TAVR is still in its infancy, that it’s still limited to high-risk or otherwise inoperable patients who need a new aortic valve. For those not at high risk, conventional open-heart surgery is still considered safer.

“But as the technology becomes more refined, it will be made available to many more patients,” Accola predicts.

“We’ll see more and more of this type of catheter-based technology not only being successful but becoming the standard of care.”

Veteran cardiologist Dr. Arnold Einhorn, co-director of the ORLANDO LIFE

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OUR VULNERABLE VALVES

The heart has four valves: the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral and aortic valves. These valves have tissue flaps that open and close with each heartbeat. The flaps make sure blood flows in the right direction through your heart’s four chambers and to the rest of your body.

Heart valve disease occurs if one or more heart valves don’t work well. The valves can have three basic kinds of problems: regurgitation, stenosis and atresia.

Regurgitation, or backflow, occurs if a valve doesn’t close tightly. Blood leaks back into the chambers rather than flowing forward through the heart or into an artery. Backflow most often is due to prolapse, which happens when the flaps of the valve flop or bulge back into an upper heart chamber during a heartbeat.

Prolapse mainly affects the mitral valve.

Stenosis occurs if the flaps of a valve thicken, stiffen or fuse together. This prevents the heart valve from fully opening. As a result, not enough blood flows through the valve. Some valves can have both stenosis and backflow problems.

Atresia occurs if a heart valve lacks an opening for blood to pass through.

Some people are born with heart valve disease, while others acquire it later in life. Acquired heart valve disease usually involves aortic or mitral valves.

Although the valves are normal at first, problems develop over time.

Many people have heart valve defects or disease but don’t have symptoms. For some people, the condition mostly stays the same throughout their lives and doesn’t cause any problems. For other people, heart valve disease slowly worsens until symptoms develop. If not treated, advanced heart valve disease can cause heart failure, stroke, blood clots or death due to sudden cardiac arrest.

Currently, no medicines can cure heart valve disease. However, lifestyle changes and medicines can relieve many of its symptoms and complications.

These treatments also can lower your risk of developing a life-threatening condition. Eventually, you may need to have your faulty heart valve repaired or replaced.

Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.

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Orlando Health Heart Institute, is even more enthusiastic.

“TAVR is absolutely going to revolutionize the ways we take care of certain types of heart problems,” he says. “Eventually we’re probably going to be replacing most valves this way.”

He notes that while TAVR is just for the aortic valve, similar minimally invasive methods are in trials for the mitral valve, “and as many if not more people have problems with their mitral valve.”

Diseases of the aortic and mitral valves affect one in 20 Americans, according to the American Heart Association.

Many of those diseases — including severe aortic stenosis, the narrowing of the aortic valve that affects 500,000 Americans and nearly doomed Hoffman — are related to aging.

The older you are, the more likely you are to have heartvalve problems. And the older you are, the less likely you’re able to withstand the rigors of open-heart surgery.

“The people that we were doing TAVR on were 90 or older,” says Einhorn, who has participated in more than 20 of the procedures at Orlando Health since March 2012. “We haven’t had any significant mortality since starting it. A lot of it is picking the right patient, along with having the right team with the right skill set.”

Both Orlando Health and Florida Hospital offer TAVR, with specially designed “hybrid” operating theaters that combine the elements of a surgery room and a catheter lab.

Although available only in select hospitals — most states have just a handful of TAVR centers, and some states have none — Florida tops the list with 17 listed centers, including in Gainesville, Tampa, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Einhorn still marvels at having the ability to replace a heart valve without having to open a chest wall. “We had ‘minimally invasive’ surgery 20 years ago, but the idea of going through the leg to replace a valve in the heart? I would have never even thought of it.”

As for Duyane Hoffman, who went through heart surgery two decades ago and again last year, the difference was dramatic, as his wife can attest.

“With his triple bypass, they split his chest. He was in the hospital for two weeks, and it was a slow recovery,” says Nancy Hoffman. “This time was a snap, so to speak. It was much easier on him and me both.”

The benefits have been dramatic, too, she reports.

“For almost a year before the TAVR procedure was done, he couldn’t have talked without stopping in midsentence several times to catch his breath. Now he can have a good long conversation, and he can spend 15 to 20 minutes on a treadmill at a good steady pace.”

It’s not chasing girls. But Hoffman will take it. n JUNE 2013

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F

ounded in 1989 by Harvard Medical School physicians, Best Doctors Inc. conducts an extensive, biannual survey to iden-

tify doctors that other doctors trust most. It’s the largest ongoing peer-reviewed survey in the medical industry. As a result, Best Doctors maintains a worldwide database of more than 53,000 medical experts, working in more than 450 specialties and subspecialties. The list on the following pages, excerpted from The Best Doctors in America 2013 database, includes doctors in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and Volusia counties who were named most frequently by their peers when asked about referring a friend or family member. Of course, such surveys can’t possibly be all-inclusive, and there are obviously hundreds of excellent physicians in Central Florida whose names don’t appear here. Still, the list is a useful sampling of local doctors who are among those most trusted by other practitioners. Best Doctors Inc., has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list, but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person or other party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. The Best Doctors in America database is compiled and maintained by Best Doctors Inc. For more information, visit bestdoctors.com or contact Best Doctors at 800-675-1199 or by e-mail at research@bestdoctors.com. Please note that lists of doctors are not available on the Best Doctors website. Copyright 2013, Best Doctors Inc. Used under license, all rights reserved. This list, or any parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Best Doctors Inc. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without the permission of Best Doctors Inc. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission. Best Doctors, The Best Doctors in America and the star-in-cross logo are trademarks of Best Doctors Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries, and are used under license.

ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY Laila W. Alidina Allergy Asthma Specialists 407-339-3002 Andrew S. Bagg Allergy Asthma Specialists 407-339-3002 Eugene Franklin Schwartz Allergy and Asthma Consultants of Central Florida 407-862-5824

ANESTHESIOLOGY

Mark Daniel Anderson JLR Medical Group 407-667-0444 Kevin C. Angert JLR Medical Group 407-667-0505 W. Jerry Merrell JLR Medical Group 407-667-0505 George Mychaskiw Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7715

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE R. Charles Curry Jr. Florida Heart Group 407-894-4474

Aurelio Duran Orlando Heart Center Downtown 407-650-1300 James A. Miner Florida Heart Group 407-894-4474 Michael Anthony Nocero Jr. Central Florida Cardiology Group 407-841-7151

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Scott J. Pollak Central Florida Cardiology Group 407-841-7151 Kerry Martin Schwartz Florida Heart Group 407-894-4474 William E. Story Central Florida Cardiology Group 407-841-7151 Andrew Steven Taussig Central Florida Cardiology Group 407-841-7151 Hall B. Whitworth Jr. Central Florida Cardiology Group 407-841-7151

COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY

Sergio Walters Larach Center for Colon and Rectal Surgery 407-228-4141

CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Naga S. Pullakhandam Florida Hospital 407-303-7283

DERMATOLOGY Ronald C. Knipe 407-581-2888

Clifford W. Lober 407-846-7166 Maxine Tabas Advanced Dermatology 407-647-7300 James H. Taylor DeLand Dermatology 386-738-0322

ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM

Penny S. Glickman Central Florida Endocrine and Diabetes Consultants 407-629-4901 Carlos A. Pacheco Central Florida Endocrine and Diabetes Consultants 407-629-4901 Steven R. Smith Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes 407-303-7100

FAMILY MEDICINE

Richard Baxley College Park Family Practice 407-246-7001 Martin M. Berger Primary Care Specialists 407-275-9014 Bonnie M. Dean Family Care Specialists of Orlando/ Longenix 407-355-7759 Robert Gaynor Pine Loch Family Care 407-812-8110 Jennifer Goldin Semoran Park Family Physicians 407-447-7550 Allison W. Hanley Orlando Weight Management and Nutrition Center 407-447-0001 John R. Hartman 321-442-1214

Lara D. Hitchcock Hitchcock Health Institute 407-578-3303 Gerald Joseph Kivett Primary Care Specialists 407-275-9014 Christian Kovats 407-366-9800 Gideon G. Lewis 407-647-0199 James W. Louttit Maitland Family Practice 407-628-4312 Joan Martich Primary Care Specialists 407-380-2216 Douglas Griffiths Meuser University of Central Florida Health Center 407-823-2701 Jan C. Parrillo Family Medical Center 407-843-1528 Pinkal P. Patel Oviedo Family Health Center 407-366-7455 James E. Quinn North Seminole Family Practice 407-321-4230 Eddie C. Waldheim Jr. Maitland Family Practice 407-628-4312 Scott Jay Warner Centre for Family Medicine 407-646-7070 Katherine Welty 407-438-8840

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GASTROENTEROLOGY

Paul B. Goldberg Gastro-Intestinal Consultants 352-383-7703 Robert H. Hawes Center for Interventional Endoscopy 407-303-2570 William Ruderman Center for Digestive Health 407-896-1726 Philip Styne Medicine Specialists at Florida Hospital 407-303-2096

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Edwin DeJesus Orlando Immunology Center 407-647-3960 Vincent M. Spoto Infectious Disease Associates 407-629-9400

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Gregory M. Brown Internal Medicine Associates of Lake County 352-314-2424

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY Maria L. Cannarozzi UCF Pegasus Health 407-309-4800

Carlos Alberto Alemany Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2024 Said M. Baidas MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 407-648-3800 Stefani L. Capone Hematology and Oncology Consultants 407-898-5452 Philip H. Dunn Hematology and Oncology Consultants 407-898-5452 William B. Grow Hematology and Oncology Consultants 407-898-5452

Gregory Pennock MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-1869

Ronald A. Eason Winnie Palmer ObGyn Faculty Practice 321-841-5560

Timothy D. O’Leary Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 321-841-8555

Giselle Ghurani Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2422

Sejal P. Dharia Patel Center for Reproductive Medicine 407-740-0909

Thomas Gibbs Florida Women’s Care 407-648-5101

Terrence Peppy Women’s Health 407-381-7336

D. Ashley Hill Loch Haven ObGyn 407-303-1444

Frank Riggall Center for Reproductive Medicine 407-740-0909

Jennifer E. Tseng MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 407-648-3800

Robert W. Holloway Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2422

Veronica Lee Schimp MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-8393

Lee M. Zehngebot Hematology and Oncology Consultants 407-898-5452

Frederick Hoover Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery and Gynecology Specialists 407-303-2780

Judith Seline Simms-Cendan Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 321-841-5530

NEUROLOGY

Rachel Glidden Humphrey Florida Hospital 407-622-0560

Stephen P. Snow Women’s Care Florida 407-316-8550

Kristin Jackson Advanced Urogynecology 407-898-9804

Louis Stern 407-843-8994

Jose E. Sarriera MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 407-648-3800 Nikita Shah MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-843-8370 Sonalee Shroff Hematology and Oncology Consultants 407-898-5452

Nicholas G. Avgeropoulos MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-1869 Ira Jay Goodman Compass Clinic 407-210-1320 Daniel Harry Jacobs Neurological Service of Orlando 407-240-1762 Martin Menkin Orlando Center for Neurology 407-650-8075 Garrett H. Riggs MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-5918 Bennett Rosenthal 407-296-1940

NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Richard J. Bagby Boston Diagnostic Imaging 407-331-9355

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Arnold P. Advincula The Center for Specialized Gynecology 407-303-4573

Julio Hajdenberg MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 407-648-3800

Aman S. Bhullar Winnie Palmer ObGyn Faculty Practice 321-841-5560

Omar Kayaleh MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-891-1869

Glenn Bigsby Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2422

Tarek Mekhail Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2024

Kyle M. Crofoot 407-894-4330

David Charles Molthrop Jr. Hematology and Oncology Consultants 407-898-5452

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Gary W. DeVane Center for Reproductive Medicine 407-740-0909 N. Donald Diebel Women’s Care Florida Specialists 407-644-5371

Sharon Beth Jaffe Center for Reproductive Medicine 407-740-0909 Marnique H. Jones Women’s Care Florida - OB & GYN Specialists 407-644-5371 John C. Kim The Center for Specialized Gynecology 407-303-4573 Arnold J. Lazar Women’s Care Florida Specialists 407-644-5371 Gregory John Locksmith Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 321-841-8555 Randall A. Loy Center for Reproductive Medicine 407-740-0909 Steven D. McCarus 407-303-4190 Milton W. McNichol Fertility Center of Orlando 407-345-9006 Jeannie M. McWhorter Winnie Palmer ObGyn Faculty Practice 321-841-5560 Alfred H. Moffett, Jr. ObGyn Associates of Mid-Florida 352-787-1535 Melissa M. Moore Winter Park ObGyn 407-645-5565

Mark Wilstrup Women’s Care Florida Specialists 407-644-5371

OPHTHALMOLOGY

C. Durham Barnes Central Florida Retina and The Macular Degeneration Center 407-425-7188 Miguel Lugo 407-260-2255 George Brock Magruder Jr. LaserVue 407-843-5665 Ricardo J. Ramirez 407-843-2020 Jeffrey Blair Robin LasikPlus Orlando 407-478-4800 Jerry N. Shuster 407-767-6411

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

J. Dean Cole Florida Hospital Orthopaedic Institute 407-895-8890

OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Jeffrey E. Baylor The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883 Henry N. Ho The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883 Jeffrey Jay Lehman The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883 JUNE 2013

5/20/13 10:29:32 AM

Aftab H. Patni The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883 Brian Spector The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883

Arthur Raptoulis Pediatrix Cardiology 407-647-4890

Clifford A. Selsky Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2080

PEDIATRIC CARDIOVASCULAR ANESTHESIA

Amy A. Smith Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-8588

Don Felix Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-649-6907

Kiran Tipirneni The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883

Hamish M. Munro Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-649-6907

Hao Tran The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883

Vivek S. Desai Central Florida Pediatric Intensive Care Specialists 407-894-8768

PATHOLOGY

Diane D. Davey University of Central Florida College of Medicine 407-266-5227

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY Laila W. Alidina Allergy Asthma Specialists 407-339-3002

Eugene Franklin Schwartz Allergy and Asthma Consultants of Central Florida 407-862-5824

PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT GYNECOLOGY Judith Seline Simms-Cendan Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 321-841-5530

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGY Don Felix Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-649-6907 Eric Kunichika JLR Medical Group 407-667-0505

PEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY

PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE

Mary Majella Farrell Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-841-5104 Aaron Godshall Florida Pediatric Associates 407-894-8556 Lawrence David Spack Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-841-5104 John Arthur Tilelli Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-841-5104

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY Richard A. Banks Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-3303 Paul Michael Desrosiers Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-3303

PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY

Jeffrey Arthur Bornstein Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-3338 Nora A. Erhart Children’s Center for Gastroenterology and Nutrition 407-351-0804

Judith E. Wall Nemours Children’s Clinic 407-650-7230

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Mark Weatherly Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-6350

PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY

PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY

Carlos E. Araya Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-567-4000

Lane F. Donnelly Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7801

Robert S. Mathias Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7240

PEDIATRIC SLEEP MEDICINE

Jorge Antonio Ramirez Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-7970

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY Eric R. Trumble Neurosurgeons for Kids 407-236-0006

PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY Robert W. Hered Eye Physicians of Central Florida 407-398-7730

PEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY Steven L. Frick Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7715

Jonathan Phillips Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-3040

Constantine Mavroudis Florida Hospital for Children 407-303-3697

David Edward Milov Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7617

PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGYONCOLOGY

Rodrigo Nehgme Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-649-6907 David G. Nykanen Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-649-6907 ORLANDO-LIFE.COM

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Fouad M. Hajjar Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2080 Ramamoorthy Nagasubramanian Nemours Children’s Clinic 407-650-7230

Floyd R. Livingston Nemours Children’s Clinic 407-650-7270

Dawn Marie Sokol Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7249

Charles T. Price Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-843-4800

Craig E. Fleishman Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-649-6907

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY

Carlos E. Sabogal Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-6350

Devendra I. Mehta Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-3338

Vincent F. Giusti Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 321-841-8588

J. David Moser Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7220

Catherine L. Lamprecht Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7249

William M. DeCampli Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-649-6907

Susan desJardins Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 407-649-6907

James R. Kosko, Jr. Children’s Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy 407-253-1000

Mitchell Byrne Austin Children’s Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy 407-253-1000 Cheryl S. Cotter Children’s Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy 407-253-1000 Izak H. Kielmovitch The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates 407-644-4883

Floyd R. Livingston Nemours Children’s Clinic 407-650-7270

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT MEDICINE

Penelope A. Tokarski Howard Phillips Center for Children 407-317-7430

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEONATAL-PERINATAL MEDICINE

Gregor Alexander Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 407-841-5218

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEONATAL-PERINATAL MEDICINE

David A. Auerbach Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 407-841-5218 Douglas E. Hardy Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 407-841-5218 Brian Lipman Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 407-841-5218 Eduardo J. Lugo Florida Hospital for Children 407-303-2528 Victoria Niklas Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-963-4170 Lewis Otero Florida Hospital for Children 407-303-2528

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Mark B. DiDea Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290

Neal T. Silverstein Pediatric Care of Altamonte 407-339-3030

Alan R. Forbes Winter Park Cancer Center 407-478-4920

David Duany All About Kids Pediatrics 407-354-0717

Samuel Norman Smith Interlachen Pediatrics 407-767-2477

D. Wayne Jenkins MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-1869

Robert Erhart Physician Associates of Florida 407-381-7360

Jill P. Watson Physicians Associates of Clermont 352-536-9336

Steven Gerard Lester Central Florida Cancer Care Center 407-321-3040

Ronald Gerard Davis Epilepsy Center of Central Florida Phone: 407-293-1122

Barbara J. Gans Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290

Lloyd Neil Werk Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7219

Michael D. Sombeck Florida Hospital Cancer Institute 407-303-2030

Richard S. Finkel Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7250

Armando S. Garcia All About Kids Pediatrics 407-354-0717

David B. Yaeger Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290

RADIOLOGY

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEUROLOGY, NEURO-ONCOLOGY

Shari Geismar Doctor Q Pediatrics 407-275-5700

PEDIATRICS/HOSPITAL MEDICINE

Richard J. Bagby Boston Diagnostic Imaging 407-331-9355

Jose A. Perez Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies 407-841-5218 Thomas E. Wiswell Florida Hospital for Children 407-303-2528

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEUROLOGY, GENERAL

Nicholas G. Avgeropoulos MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-1869

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEUROLOGY, NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE Richard S. Finkel Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7250

PEDIATRIC SURGERY

Mark Gilchrist Premier Pediatrics 407-290-2394 Gregory D. Gordon Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290 Brenda B. Holson Interlachen Pediatrics 407-767-2477

Ira Pinnelas Pediatric Hospitalist Service 407-237-6326 Matthew A. Seibel Pediatric Hospitalist Service 407-237-6326

PLASTIC SURGERY James L. Baker Jr. 407-644-5242

Clifford P. Clark III 407-629-5555

David Miller Children’s Surgical Associates 407-540-1000

Stuart H. Janousky Physician Associates 407-261-2928

Ross Allan Morgan Children’s Surgical Associates 407-540-1000

Lucyna Lagod Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290

Donald Plumley Children’s Surgical Associates 407-540-1000

Miles Mayer Landis Lake Mary Pediatrics 407-323-3550

W. Raleigh Thompson Advanced Pediatric Surgical Specialists 407-303-7280

Deborah M. Marcus Physician Associates Sand Lake 407-381-7326

PEDIATRIC UROLOGY

Stacy A. McConkey Center for Pediatric Care 407-303-6830

Frank H. Stieg III Plastic Surgery Specialists 407-647-4601

Sandra D. Morales Physicians Associates 407-380-5888

PSYCHIATRY

Mona P. Patel Clermont Pediatrics 352-394-7125

Ryan C. W. Hall 407-322-8199

Michael A. Keating Florida Hospital 407-303-5781

Mark Alan Rich Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7260 Hubert S. Swana Nemours Children’s Hospital 407-650-7260

PEDIATRICS/GENERAL

Brooke C. Britton Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290 Alix G. Casler Physician Associates 407-261-2934 Gregory J. Coffman Pediatric Associates of Orlando 407-841-7290 David F. Cowan Primary Care Specialists 407-855-2526 36

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Robert Lynn Quigley Centre for Family Medicine 407-646-7070 Sunita Raj Physician Associates 407-261-2930 Gabriela Roitman-Geller All About Kids Pediatrics 407-354-0717 Margaret Gail Silver Physicians Associates of Clermont 352-536-9336

Richard O. Gregory Florida Hospital Celebration Health 407-303-4250 Dean Johnston 407-333-2525 Calvin Peters Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 407-898-1436 D. Scott Rotatori 407-628-5476

Richard C. W. Hall 407-322-8199

James Roderick Hundley 407-629-4466

Joseph Andriole 407-832-0175

Frank R. Hellinger Jr. Orlando Neurosurgery 407-975-0200

RHEUMATOLOGY

Pamela Gail Freeman Rheumatology Associates of Central Florida 407-859-4540 Jeffrey Edward Poiley Arthritis Associates 407-896-8861

SURGERY

Juan Cendan Orlando VA Medical Center 407-629-1599 L. Thomas Chin Florida Hospital Transplant Center 407-303-2474 William Steve Eubanks Jr. Surgical Specialists of Florida Hospital 407-303-7399

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY Juan Pablo Arnoletti Florida Hospital 407-303-7299

Louis Barr Surgical Specialists of Florida Hospital 407-303-7399 Marc DeMers Orlando Health Surgical Group 321-843-5001

Irving S. Kolin 407-644-1122

Michael Paul Kahky Orlando Health Surgical Group 321-843-5001

Dennis E. Platt Orlando VA Medical Center 407-621-2653

Mark Stephen Roh MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-5134

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

UROLOGY

Daniel J. Buchholz MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando 321-841-1869

Vipul Patel Global Robotics Institute 407-303-4673

Jamie Cesaretti Winter Park Cancer Center 407-478-4920 JUNE 2013

5/20/13 10:29:47 AM

2013 Father of the Year Awards The Orlando Father’s Day Council would like to congratulate Orlando’s 2013 Father of the Year Awards honorees Gregg Hill

Suresh Gupta

Thomas Sittema

Thursday, June 13, 2013 Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction-6:00 PM Awards dinner program- 7:30 PM For ticket/table sponsorship information: 407-660-1926 or jwells@diabetes.org

102.5

FM

WLOQ

ORLANDO’S SMOOTH JAZZ

ORLANDO-LIFE.COM

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ORLANDO LIFE

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5/20/13 10:29:53 AM

why diagnoses go

WRONG and what you can do about it

A Q&A with Best Doctors’ Vice-Chairman, Evan Falchuk Q: If someone asked you to explain in 20 seconds what Best Doctors does, how would you answer?

A: We are turning traditional notions of health care on their head. In today’s confusing maze of a health care system, we get people the right answers to their medical questions. We do this in lots of different ways, but all of LW LQYROYHV ¿JXULQJ RXW ZKDW LV DFWXDOO\ ZURQJ DVNLQJ WKH right questions, and getting the right answers from the world’s best expert physicians. Today, we serve 30 million members around the world, and we believe that through our work we are on our way to changing health care forever.

Q: Can you give us an example of a case where Best Doctors corrected a diagnosis?

A: My favorite example is close to home — my own brother, Brad. He’s the co-creator of the TV show “Glee,� and before coming to Best Doctors, he was incorrectly diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his spinal cord. His doctors had scheduled him for radiation and surgery to get rid of the tumor, which is actually the right thing to do for that kind of condition. The trouble is, that wasn’t the condition he had.

So we reviewed all of his medical information and family medical history, and our doctors found a clue that ended up being lifesaving for him. It turned out we have a family history of a condition that could easily be confused for a malignant tumor. Best Doctors recommended some DGGLWLRQDO WHVWV ZKLFK FRQÂżUPHG WKDW KH GLGQÂśW KDYH D tumor at all. The treatment that was originally planned was in fact very dangerous, given his actual condition.

Today, having received both the right diagnosis and right treatment from Best Doctors, he is doing great. What’s amazing about my brother’s case is that stories like his are more common than most of us think.

7OL_Jun13 Doctor List.indd 38

Our U.S. data from 2012 showed 34% of people had been misdiagnosed, while 68% required a change in treatment.

Q: The public is starting to hear more about how often people are misdiagnosed, and about getting second opinions. In this day and age, why is misdiagnosis happening so often in the ¿UVW SODFH" A: Doctors today are the best educated and best trained than at any time in history. They have the best technology out there, and every year more and more treatments are available. So how can misdiagnoses still happen? The problem, we believe, is in how our health care system works. Doctors sometimes have to see 30 or more patients a day, and often can spend only 15 minutes or less with each one. What’s happening is that doctors and patients just don’t have the time together that they need to ask all the right questions, and make the best decisions. It’s why we believe that misdiagnosis is a public health problem that doesn’t get the attention it absolutely deserves.

Q: How long has Best Doctors been around? What was the genesis of the company?

A: Best Doctors has been doing this work for almost 25 years. My father is one of the founders. He is an internist and professor of medicine and saw the problem of quality in medicine from his work as a doctor. He knew that as a doctor and a teacher he could only reach so many people. His vision in creating Best Doctors was to reach millions more. It’s inspiring to be part of a team that is making this vision a reality.

5/20/13 10:29:59 AM

o

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO AVOID BEING

MISDIAGNOSED?

G

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You should never be a spectator in your own care. It’s your health, and your life.

2. Always get a second opinion and focus on sharing your symptoms, rather than the diagnosis you received from your initial treating doctor.

3. Take the time to get to know your family medical history – and make sure your doctor knows about it.

4. Take someone with you to your doctor’s visits to help listen, take notes, and ask questions.

t

5. If you’ve been diagnosed with a type of cancer, always have your pathology re-checked.

Q: What makes doctors the “Best?� How does Best Doctors choose its physicians?

A: We think the very best doctors are the ones who make good, thoughtful decisions. Now, one way to do this would be to watch every doctor practice, but obviously that’s not practical. So what we set out to do over two decades ago was ambitious and game-changing. We wanted to ask doctors all across the country, and across all of the many specialty areas of medicine who, in their experience, they thought were the best at what they do. It’s a little bit like what doctors do themselves when they look for doctors — they ask their peers for their honest perspective.

Today, we have assembled a respected database of nearly 53,000 doctors that represent the top 5% of doctors across 45 specialties and more than 400 subspecialties of medicine. $XGLWHG DQG FHUWLÂżHG E\ *DOOXSÂŽ as using the highest industry standards survey methodology and processes, the Best Doctors in AmericaÂŽ List is an incredibly powerful tool.

And it’s completely independent. Doctors can never pay to get on our Best Doctors in America list, nor are they (or we) ever paid if they’re voted on to the list. The only way to be on the list LV IRU WKHLU SHHUV WKH EHVW LQ WKHLU ¿HOGV WR QDPH WKHP WR LW ,W is, in fact, a singular honor to be a Best Doctor.

Q: What would you give as the #1 reason why Best Doctors continues its efforts to improve health care?

A: The biggest reason why we come to work each day at Best Doctors is because we believe everyone should get the right care. While most people get the right care, far, far too PDQ\ SHRSOH VWLOO GR QRW 7KHUH LVQœW DQ HDV\ ZD\ WR ¿[ WKH health care system, but we know we don’t need to wait for that — we can help people through our approach and physicians’ expertise today, and so we do.

7OL_Jun13 Doctor List.indd 39

Q: What can people do to avoid being misdiagnosed?

A: The best thing you can do is to ask questions. You should never be a spectator in your own care. Ask why your doctor thinks your diagnosis is right. Find out what else could be causing your problems. Don’t be afraid to ask — it’s your health, and your life.

If you’re going to get surgery or you have a serious illness, always get a second opinion. Making sure you are comfortable that you understand what is happening and what is being planned for you is a really important way to avoid problems.

Focus on telling your second-opinion doctor all of your V\PSWRPV UDWKHU WKDQ LQÀXHQFLQJ KHU WKLQNLQJ ULJKW RII WKH EDW E\ UHSHDWLQJ ZKDW \RXU ¿UVW GRFWRU VDLG \RX KDYH Take the time to get to know your family medical history — and make sure your doctor knows about it. ,WœV KDUG WR OLVWHQ WR GLI¿FXOW PHGLFDO QHZV DQG SD\ FORVH attention to details at the same time, so take someone with you to doctor’s visits to help listen, take notes, and ask questions.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a type of cancer, always have your pathology re-checked. If you had a biopsy and your diagnosis is based on your original pathology report, be sure to get it reviewed again.

We all have the power to make a real difference in our own care or that of a loved one.

Best Doctors, Inc. (www.bestdoctors.com) is a global health company founded by Harvard Medical School professors in 1989.

Around the world, Best Doctors provides people access to WKH H[SHUWLVH RI WKH EHVW ÂżYH SHUFHQW RI SK\VLFLDQV IRU WKH right care and right treatment. For further information, call (800) 223-5003. Unsure if you have access to Best Doctors DV DQ HPSOR\HH EHQHÂżW" 7DNH WKLV DUWLFOH WR \RXU +XPDQ Resources Department.

5/20/13 10:30:04 AM

The prawns used in Mi Tomatina’s gambas al ajillo, one of the Winter Park restaurant’s dozens of tapas offerings, are raised locally and delivered daily.

40

ORLANDO LIFE

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JUNE 2013

5/20/13 10:30:35 AM

FLAVOR

rona gindin photos by rafael tongol

When the Heat Is Really On, Try These Refreshingly Flavorful Summer Treats

D

uring sweltering, sizzling Central Florida summers,

most of us avoid heavy meals. But that doesn’t mean we don’t eat well. In fact, summer is a great time to enjoy light yet flavorful foods and beverages. Here are some tasty treats that may not beat the heat — but will definitely make it more bearable.

TAPAS

Spain is hot in summer. Sizzling, searing hot. So it’s not unusual, during an afternoon stroll, to take a break and slip into a bar for a fruity sangria or frosty beer along with a small plate of tapas — a wedge of egg-potato omelet, perhaps, or a small dish of fried squid.

Luckily, Central Floridians have an array of tapas options — some authentic, others creative or Americanized. At Mi Tomatina, a stylish little spot in Winter Park’s Hannibal Square, the tapas of both varieties tend to be just plain good. You can enjoy them indoors, surrounded by Picasso-like paintings, or outdoors, on a spacious patio where a guitarist and vocalist serenade on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Chef Jose Baranenko has headed up the kitchen for the past couple of years. His take on the authentic Spanish omelet ranks among the best I’ve ever tasted.

The triangles are brown on the outside with a fluffy egg mixture containing sliced potato, bits of onion and red bell pepper within. Baranenko’s omelet is a close cousin to the version co-owner Patricia Carvajal — her partner is Stuart Kirban — remembers her grandmother making.

Garlic shrimp is a tapas standard, usually featuring small shrimp swimming in a flavorful oil with garlic slices. Here, however, the dish features huge head-on prawns, briefly seared in imported olive oil with garlic. They’re simply delicious. Carvajal credits the freshness; the prawns, from a family-owned Cape Canaveral farm, are delivered daily.

While it seems more like a winter dish, and more like a mini entrée than a small plate, the oxtail is so satisfying that you’ve just got to order it anyway. Tender braised meat is served on a fluffy potato mousse and drizzled with Spanish wine sauce ORLANDO-LIFE.COM

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and a sherry reduction, which adds a hint of sweetness.

“In Spain, they’d just boil the oxtail and serve it with olive oil,” Carvajal says. “Here we go the extra mile by cooking it with vegetables and fresh herbs and the sherry and all that.”

The menu says “OMG!” after the description. You know what? It’s justified.

The Serrano ham croquettes and “tangy chicken” empanadas were good too, but not OMG-worthy, as the other three dishes were.

Thankfully, Mi Tomatina also does its sangria right. The beverage is merely Tempranillo wine with a bit of sugar and chopped seasonal fruit. Share a pitcher and transport yourselves to Seville.

Mi Tomatina specializes in paella, too, and offers an interesting collection of variations on the rice dish. They’re all nearly $40 or more, while the tapas start at $6.50. In fact, two of us left stuffed after sharing only five tapas with a glass of sangria apiece, total $60.

So go ahead and order the paella. I had a hard enough time limiting my tapas to only five. I’ll be dashing back to try the honey-lavender shrimp on a bed of fresh baby greens, the lamb chops with fig wine sauce and the manchego mac-andcheese. It’ll put a little olé in my day.

433 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 321-972-4881, mitomatina.com

LEMONADE

No roundup of summer comestibles is complete without lemonade. My dilemma: which Central Florida version should I include? Intrigued by the kiwi-watermelon concoction listed on the menu at Hash House a Go Go, I used that as an excuse to try this new International Drive eatery.

The specialty lemonade, like essentially everything else on the menu, is out of control. Hash House a Go Go’s shtick is “twisted farm food.” In layman’s terms, that means diner food magnified to obscenely large portions. The quality pretty well matches the quantity, though, so I suggest you employ a doggie bag.

The blueberry-pecan pancake, for example, is as big as ORLANDO LIFE

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Clermont. And the sage-fried chicken and waffles would feed two football players with its combination of large breaded chicken breasts and four thick waffles, each with a bacon strip cooked inside.

Other items are just as huge. We walked around the dining room, mouths agape in wonderment, gawking at the enormity of the portions on other patrons’ plates.

So, to the lemonade, which is not so huge, though neither is it petite. It arrives in three colors — green at the bottom, yellow in the middle and red on top. The server suggested I mix it “because there’s a lot of syrup at the bottom.” That was the kiwi part.

The watermelon is freshly-squeezed juice while the actual lemonade, I’m told, is housemade with concentrated lemon juice and some freshly squeezed lemons.

If I try it again, I’d choose the spiked version — or water. But the beverage is fun and refreshing. Choose the $4.95 option, unless you want to splurge and spend $9.95 for the “twisted” 24-ounce signature glass.

5350 International Drive, Orlando, 407-370-4646, hashhouseagogoorlando

GRILLED MEATS

In Florida, we’re backwards when it comes to barbecuing.

It’s more tempting to fire up the grill in April or October, when the temperature is bearable, than in July. Yet we do it in the summer anyway, in part to keep our ovens off and our kitchens cool.

Shuck aside the burgers and steaks one night and try the sweet Italian sausage from The Meat House, an upscale butcher in Winter Park. The flavor and texture are way better than what you’ll find in the supermarket.

That’s because the meat — pork butt — is ground in-house and enhanced with a load of spices. Among them are fennel seeds, paprika, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano and thyme.

The mixture is stuffed into a natural hog casing. No nitrates are added.

“We like to grill it on medium-high heat for three to four

The popular slow-braised oxtail at Mi Tomatina is far more complex, and flavorful, than the traditional Spanish dish.

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The tortilla española is a classic example of a Castilian omelet — except for the chive aioli.

minutes a side, so it gets a nice crisp casing and has a nice bite,” says Kyle Yarusites, lead butcher. Then, he suggests, move the sausage to the grill’s top shelf and use indirect heat for 10 minutes or so to cook it all the way through without burning the casing.

For the ultimate preparation, Yarusites suggests serving the sausage on a Martin’s roll with garlic butter, caramelized onions, sautéed bell pepper and Boar’s Head whole-grain deli mustard. But even an Arnold bun with a schmear of Gulden’s — or a sausage on a fork, bare— will do.

669 Orange Ave, Winter Park, 407-629-6320, themeathouse.com

SALAD

This story is writing itself. Summer foods: lemonade, tapas, salad. You can get a bowl of iceberg or a chicken Caesar in restaurants from Wendy’s to Christner’s, of course.

But let’s focus on Greens & Grille. These twin restaurants, in Millenia and near UCF, are “fast casual,” meaning you orORLANDO-LIFE.COM

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der at the counter. Yet they’re a notch more upscale than fast food. Okay, maybe five notches.

The salads are quite good. In fact, I’m sure I’ve never tried a sandwich or wrap at Greens & Grille because I’m so drawn to the vegetable-meat tosses. You can create your own concoctions, but I always go with one of the restaurant’s suggestions.

Often it’s the Fall Salad, notable for its roasted beets and creamy goat cheese. I’m also partial to the Southwest, with its herb-marinated chicken strips and chipotle-lime dressing.

Last week I opted for the Steak House: lean, flavorful, tender strips of flank steak sitting atop a toss of mixed greens, candied almonds, sliced eggs, dried cranberries, grilled onions and bleu cheese. The dressing is a sherry-thyme combo. This is worth waiting on line at a counter for.

4104 Millenia Blvd. #114, Orlando, 407-770-1407 11325 University Blvd., Orlando, 407-373-0123 greensandgrille.com ORLANDO LIFE

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PASTA

Enough with the thick steaks, the ears of corn, the baked potatoes. Lighten up with a bowl of pasta in a bright, crisp dining room. Italio, a new counter-service restaurant in Winter Park, serves up surprisingly flavorful meals, and for only $7 to $9 a pop.

The concept is streamlined — there’s a reason folks call it “an Italian Chipotle” — although lines still snake around the seating area. You can choose semolina or whole-grain pasta, or a salad or a wrap-type sandwich. Then you select a meat, then a sauce, then toppings.

My favorite so far is the Italian sausage with white spaghetti

and a spicy Prima Rosa sauce: part pomodoro, part Alfredo, with a dash of hot cherry pepper relish. To go lighter, try the shrimp on whole-wheat pasta with a basil pomodoro. Add on a “stick,” which is cheese-filled dough pressed until the inside is gooey. Pick up a mini bottle of wine or a flavored San Pellegrino Italian soda and you have a perfect summer meal.

276 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-960-1860, italiokitchen.com n Rona Gindin, dining editor of Orlando Life, has written about Orlando’s restaurants for Fodor’s and Zagat, among many other publications. She’s the author of The Little Black Book of Walt Disney World.

Tempranillo wine is the foundation of Mi Tomatina’s especially satisfying red sangria.

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FLAVOR LISTINGS

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AFRICAN

Nile Ethiopian 7048 International Dr., Orlando, 407-354-0026 / nile07.com. Locals willingly navigate International Drive to dine at Nile, a family-owned restaurant specializing in the exotic cuisine of Ethiopia. Order a few dishes to share and scoop up the intriguing concoctions with the eatery’s signature spongy bread. End with a strong cup of aromatic, brewed-to-order coffee. $$

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Sanaa 3701 Osceola Pkwy., Lake Buena Vista, 407-9393463 / disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/sanaa. Sanaa, one of Disney’s most interesting restaurants, offers dishes based on cuisine from the Spice Islands, a coastal African area rich with Indian influences. Flavors are intense, but spicy only upon request. (Curry, the chefs insist, is a melding of flavors, not one particular spice.) The marketplace-style dining room boasts picture windows overlooking the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s savannah, so you might spot zebra or wildebeest while lunching on tandoori chicken or a vegetarian platter with stewed lentils and a vegetable sambar (stew). $$

AMERICAN Bananas

942 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, 407-480-2200 / bananasdiner.com. Bananas has a split personality. It’s a wholesome, family place to grab higher-quality versions of such classics as burgers, shakes and pancakes (the Buffalo Benedict is a surprise pleaser). Other times, it’s a delightfully outrageous experience for more adventurous diners who enjoy the antics of cross-dressing servers. The Sunday drag gospel brunch (“Sinners welcome!”) is like no church service you’ve ever attended. $$

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Cask & Larder 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 321-280-4200 / caskandlarder.com. Billing itself as a “Southern Public House,” this casual Winter Park eatery serves up modern twists on traditional favorites. Look for a three-ham platter with pepper jelly; pimento cheese; and seasonal favorites such as grilled pork belly and chicken-and-biscuits.

Many beers are made on the premises. $$

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Chatham’s Place 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando,

407- 345-2992 / chathamsplace.com. For an old-fashioned dining experience – a subdued dining room and doting personalized service by a longtime staff – dine at this hidden Restaurant Row establishment. Locals return regularly for Chef Tony Lopez’s classic dishes such as black grouper with pecan butter, rack of lamb and filet mignon. $$$

Citrus 821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, 407-373-0622 /

citrusorlando.com. A clubby yet stylish restaurant in a convenient downtown Orlando location, Citrus features modern American cuisine with a nod toward regionally grown and produced ingredients. International influences also highlight the menu, from smoked chili aioli complementing herbmarinated chicken to balsamic rum glaze topping juicy pork chops. $$$

Dexter’s 808 E. Washington St., Orlando, 407-648-2777;

558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-629-1150; 950 Market Promenade Ave., Lake Mary, 407-805-3090 / dexwine. com. Central Florida has three Dexter’s locations, and each has become a neighborhood magnet, drawing diners of all ages for hearty portions of creative American fare (at fair prices), good wine and, in some cases, live music. Casual dress is the rule. The brunches, and the pressed duck sandwiches, are especially popular. $$-$$$

Emeril’s Orlando 6000 Universal Blvd. Orlando,

407-224-2424 / emerils.com. Get a taste of New Orleans at Emeril’s, a fine-dining restaurant at always-bustling Universal CityWalk. You’ll find classics from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, including the signature barbecue shrimp, andouille-stuffed redfish, double-cut pork chops and banana cream pie. The service, of course, is superb. Consider sharing appetizers at the bar area. $$$$

Graffiti Junktion 900 E. Washington St., Orlando, 407-

426-9503; 2401 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, 407-377-1961 / graffitijunktion.com. The Graffiti Junktions in Thornton Park and College Park are loud and purposely grungy looking, hence “graffiti” in the name. But this ultra-casual duo dishes up great burgers, wings and zucchini fries. Live entertainment ranges from performance art to trivia contests. Watch for daily happy-hour specials. $

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Hillstone 215 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-7404005 / hillstone.com/hillstone. Formerly known as Houston’s, this Winter Park mainstay is part of a high-end chain. Still, it grows its own herbs, bakes its own bread, grinds its own meat, cuts its own fish and whips its own cream. In nice weather, guests relax with a cocktail in Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Killarney. Many proposals have been popped during dinners for two on the boat dock. $$$

Jernigan’s 400 W. Church St., Orlando, 407-440-7000 / www.amwaycenter.com. Watch a Magic game in style at Jernigan’s, a well-appointed buffet restaurant located on the Amway Center’s exclusive club level. The reservationsonly eatery, open to ticket holders, serves wholesome meals for about $40. The menu of the day might offer slow-smoked barbecue ribs, grilled rib-eye steak, pasta pomodoro and Chinese chicken salad. Jernigan’s is run by Chicago’s Levy Restaurants, the team behind Downtown Disney’s Portobello Yacht Club, Fulton’s Crab House and Wolfgang Puck Grand Café. $$$

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Rusty Spoon 55 W. Church St., Orlando, 407-401-

8811 / therustyspoon.com. Foodies flock to this Church Street gastropub, a warm and welcoming space at which meals are described as “American food. European roots. Locally sourced.” Your salad will consist of über-fresh greens, your sandwich will be filled with slow-braised lamb, your pasta will be hand-rolled and your meat will be robustly seasoned. $$-$$$

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Seasons 52 7700 Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-3545212; 463 E. Altamonte Dr., Altamonte Springs, 407-767-1252 / seasons52.com. A Darden concept founded in Orlando, the two local locations turn out creative and tasty meals in grand, bustling spaces. The food happens to be low in fat and calories; that’s just a bonus. The wine selection is impressive and the itty-bitty desserts encourage sampling without guilt. $$$ Shipyard Brew Pub 200 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 321-274-4045 / shipyardemporium.com. This ultra-casual brewpub has been packed night and day since it opened in 2011, and not just because it pours a great lager. To complement suds brewed both in-house and elsewhere, a from-scratch menu offers Buffalo chicken dip, amazing white-bean hummus, sandwiches, flatbreads and entrées, including étouffée and pot roast. Stop in any time to pick up a loaf of some of Orlando’s best bread. $-$$

Tap Room at Dubsdread 549 W. Par St., Orlando, 407650-0100 / taproomatdubsdread.com. One needn’t play golf to dine at this historic course-side tavern, a College Park icon offering a varied menu – and a reputation for fine burgers. Options other than the famous half-pound patties include steaks, salmon, tequila-citrus chicken and a dandy Reuben sandwich. $$

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The Table Orlando 9060 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, 407-900-3463 / thetableorlando.com. For special occasions, book a place at The Table, a tiny restaurant that serves a five-course gourmet meal with wine pairings. Up to 22 guests at a time share the repast around an oversized table. The New American menu changes regularly and is comprised in large part of locally sourced foods. The price is a set $100 including tax and tip. Groups can host private events here. $$$$ TooJay’s Various locations / toojays.com. When it’s time

for a taste of Jewish Brooklyn – pastrami on rye, latkes, blintzes, knishes – the six local outlets of this South Floridabased chain have it all. You’ll also find diner foods such as omelets, sandwiches and pot-roast dinners. Take home some black-and-white cookies. $

THE KEY

$ Inexpensive, most entrées under $10 $$ Moderate, most entrées $10-20 $$$ Pricey, most entrées over $20 $$$$ Very expensive, most entrées over $30 indicates the restaurant is a Silver Spoon winner (Judges’ Choice).

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Yellow Dog Eats 1236 Hempel Ave., Windermere, 407-

296-0609 / yellowdogeats.com. It’s the lunch locale for the Windermere-Gotha crowd, who come for scratch-made sandwiches, hearty barbecue and wholesome baked goods.

The menu also has a significant vegan-friendly section. The dining rooms are scattered throughout a funky, historic building that was once a country store. $

ASIAN Anh Hong

1124 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, 407-999-2656.

You’ll receive a bundle of fresh herbs to tear into your soup at this Mills 50 Vietnamese eatery, and another bunch for a roll-your-own entrée that’s like a DIY summer roll. Asian classics, such as grilled meats and scallion pancakes, are done exceptionally well here, which makes Anh Hong a top choice for local Vietnamese-Americans longing for a taste of home. $

Dragonfly 7972 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, 407-459-1892 / dragonflysushi.com. Stylishly attired 30-somethings regularly pack this oh-so-hip restaurant, where groups share sushi, grilled “robata” items, and tapas-style Asian foods such as soft-shell crab tempura, crispy black pork belly and shisowrapped spicy tuna. $$

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Hawkers 1103 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, 407-237-0606 / facebook.com/hawkersstreetfare. This Mills 50 mainstay, named for street vendors of Asian fare, serves up generous tapas-size portions of curry laksa (an aromatic Singaporean soup), roti canai (Malaysian flatbread with a hearty curry sauce), five-spice tofu, chilled sesame noodles, smoky mussels and sensational beef skewers with peanuty satay dip. $$ Ming Bistro 1212 Woodward St., Orlando, 407-898-9672.

Enjoy perhaps Orlando’s best dim sum for dinner or, on a weekend morning or afternoon, select shrimp dumplings, beef balls, turnip cakes, sticky rice, barbecue pork buns and egg tarts one small dish at a time from carts that roll between tables. The a la carte menu features Hong Kong-style staples from stir-fry beef to chicken feet. $ Sea Thai 3812 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, 407-895-0985 / seaorlando.com. Start with a green papaya salad and beef yum, then feast on steamed whole fish with garlic chili sauce, pad Thai and green curry chicken. But you can’t go wrong with any of the Thai classics offered at this welcoming East Orlando eatery. $$

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Seoul Garden 511 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland, 407599-5199 / orlandokorearestaurant.com. Seoul Garden is so Asian-focused that the “about us” section of its website is written in Korean. That authenticity extends to the food.

Barbecued meats are grilled to order in the dining room.

Be sure to try the marinated beef short ribs and the soft tofu stew. $

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Sushi Pop 310 W. Mitchell Hammock Rd., Oviedo, 407-542-5975 / sushipoprestaurant.com. Oviedo is an unlikely location for this cutting-edge restaurant, a popular spot for sushi. The food is serious and often experimental, as chef-owner Chau uses molecular gastronomy to create some of the fusion fare. The aura is fun: Asian anime on the walls, playful colors, and servers who dress in outrageous themed outfits. $$ Tasty Wok 1246 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, 407-896-8988 / yelp.com/biz/tasty-wok-orlando. True, it’s a humble spot, but Tasty Wok offers an array of satisfying dishes, among them roast duck and steaming soups. Try the beef chow fun, eggplant with minced pork, and salt and pepper ribs. A smaller menu of American-style Chinese dishes is also available. $

BARBECUE 4 Rivers Smokehouse

1600 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; 1869 W. S.R. 434, Longwood; 1047 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden / 407-474-8377, 4rsmokehouse.com. A diverse array of barbecue specialties – from Texas-style brisket to pulled pork, smoked turkey and bacon-wrapped jalapeños – has gained this rapidly growing homegrown concept a large following.

The Longwood outpost even includes a bakery and an oldfashioned malt shop featuring homemade ice cream. $

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SIP THE FINEST MARGARITA

BURGERS Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille

110 W. Church St., Orlando, 321-219-0600 / hamburgermarys-orlando.com.

A colorful crowd is part of the fun at this Church Street hotspot, where bingo games, trivia contests and cabaret shows are among the events that vie for guests’ attention beside the enormous and creatively topped burgers. $

Johnny’s Fillin’ Station 2631 S. Fern Creek Ave.,

Orlando, 407-894-6900 / johnnysfillinstation.com. Neighbors gather for hearty burgers, along with wings, subs and wraps, at this homey spot in a residential downtown neighborhood. Beer flows, TVs broadcast big games, and families love the pool tables and dart boards. $

Pine 22 22 E. Pine St., Orlando, 407-574-2160 / pine22.

com. Burgers go chic at this fast-casual downtowner, where every ingredient is special. The burgers are from happy cows, the eggs from free-roaming chickens, the pork from lovingly raised pigs. Mix and match your toppings over a patty of beef, turkey or black beans (or pulled pork), with options ranging from mango salsa to sautéed mushrooms. $$

CONTINENTAL Venetian Room

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Experience the modern side of Mexican cuisine Taste guacamole made fresh at your table Savor fresh seafood and steaks with authentic sauces

Dellagio & Sand Lake Road 8000 Via Dellagio Orlando 407.345.0186 cantinalaredo.com

8101 World Center Dr., Orlando, 407-238-8060 / thevenetianroom.com. Walk though a run-of-the-mill convention hotel to reach the AAA FourDiamond Venetian Room, an elegant, domed-service, continental restaurant that hearkens to the heyday of unapologetic, butter-and-cream-enhanced fine dining. The lobster bisque is an absolute must. After that, try the filet mignon, duck a l’orange or Dover sole. $$$$

CREATIVE/ PROGRESSIVE Chef’s Table at the Edgewater Hotel

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99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, 407-230-4837 / chefstableattheedgewater.com. Husband-and-wife team Kevin and Laurie Tarter are your personal servers at this intimate Winter Garden hideaway, where Kevin prepares the evening’s three-course, prix-fixe meal and Laurie helps choose the wine. Both stop by every table to chat with guests.

Adjacent, the Tasting Room offers tapas-size portions of international dishes and a full bar. $$$

Finesse 7025 County Road 46A, Lake Mary, 407-805-9220 /

finesse-therestaurant.com. Talented chef Alex Brugger runs a remarkable kitchen at Finesse, a stylish Lake Mary restaurant with an ambitious menu. Begin with the tender duck confit encased in puff pastry, the complex black bean soup and whatever raw tuna appetizer happens to be on the menu. Continue with the creamy seafood paella, made with risotto, or the steak or pork with chimichurri and duck fat French fries. End with the chocolate-orange soufflé served with peanut butter anglaise. $$-$$$

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NEW-HOME TRENDS: SMALLER, SMARTER, MORE BELLS AND WHISTLES

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Funky Monkey 912 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, 407427-1447; 9101 International Dr., Orlando (Pointe Orlando), 407-418-9463 / funkymonkeywine.com. Every meal begins with complimentary lime-garlic edamame at these eclectic eateries, known as much for sushi and intriguing wine lists as for creative American cuisine and an ever-changing menu. FMI Restaurant Group also owns Bananas, Nick’s Italian Kitchen and Prickly Pear as well as a catering arm and the Funky Monkey Vault, a wine shop that also sells gifts, apparel and furniture. $$ Hue 629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 407-849-1800 / huerestaurant.com. Hue is a progressive American restaurant on a busy corner in trendy Thornton Park. Well-dressed 30-somethings sip colorful martinis at the bar and dine, indoors and out, on of-the-now items such as tuna tartare, duck breast with cranberry reduction and amaretto risotto, and grouper with smoked paprika olive oil. $$$

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K Restaurant 2401 Edgewater Dr. Orlando, 407-8722332 / kwinebar.com. Kevin Fonzo, the go-to chef in College Park since 2001, owns this homey eatery, which is, in fact, located in an erstwhile residence. The menu is mostly creative-American, along with Italian favorites celebrating Fonzo’s heritage. Casual wine tastings and themed special JUNE 2013

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lerougewinebar.com. This Restaurant Row hot spot is a sexy lounge with backlit lighting, a long bar and comfy sofas.

It also features fine food. Guests can choose from among three-dozen tapas, including garlic shrimp and sautéed wild mushrooms, or enjoy traditional entrées such as seared salmon with wine-lemon-dill sauce. $$$

Park Plaza Gardens 319 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407645-2475 / parkplazagardens.com. After 30-plus years, Park Plaza Gardens is practically an institution on Winter Park’s tony Park Avenue. People-watchers gather at the small bar and sidewalk tables to linger over casual meals and cold beers, while those looking for an indulgent experience dine in the garden-like back dining room, which boasts atrium windows and plush décor. The menu features a melding of American, European and Asian flavors and cooking techniques. $$$-$$$$

Luma on Park 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-4111 / lumaonpark.com. If there’s pancetta in your salad, the salumi was made in the kitchen, by hand, starting with a whole pig. Most herbs are from local farms, fish from sustainable sources, pickled vegetables jarred in house and desserts built around seasonal ingredients.

Luma’s progressive menu, which changes daily, is served in a sleek and stylish dining room in the heart of Winter Park, under the passionate direction of Executive Chef Brandon McGlamery, Chef de Cuisine Derek Perez and Pastry Chef Brian Cernell. $$$

Ravenous Pig 1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-2333 / theravenouspig.com. After leaving their hometown for serious culinary training, Winter Park natives James and Julie Petrakis returned to open the region’s first genuine gastropub. Dinner reservations have been tough to snag ever since. The ambitious menu changes daily based on the fish, meat and produce that’s available, and it’s executed by a dedicated team that abhors shortcuts.

Besides daily specials, The Pig always serves up an excellent burger, soft pretzels, shrimp and grits and a donut dessert called Pig Tails. $$$

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Victoria & Albert’s 4401 Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-3463 / victoria-alberts.com. Indulgent, sevencourse prix-fixe feasts are served in the serenely elegant main dining room, accompanied by live harp music, while 10 courses are offered in the more intimate Queen Victoria’s Room. But what the heck? Why not go for 13 courses at the Chef’s Table?

Chef Scott Hunnel, Maitre d’ Israel Pérez and Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek travel the world to seek out impressive food and service trends, then adapt the golden ones locally.

That’s why V&A, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is Orlando’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant. $$$$

dinners, along with a constantly changing menu, bring back regulars for singular experiences. $$-$$$

Le Rouge 7730 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-370-0909 /

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Norman’s 4012 Central Florida Pkwy., Orlando, 407-

278-8459 / normans.com. Celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken’s restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes, turns out artistic New World cuisine combining the flavors of Latin America, the Caribbean, the Far East and the United States.

The dining room is dramatic, the food astounding and the service polished. Be sure to begin with a Norman’s classic: foie gras “French toast.” And you’ll be delighted with the Mongolian veal chop. $$$$

Featured in

Orlando Restaurant Guide 2013

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EASTERN EUROPEAN Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café

205 E. 1st St., Sanford, 407-321-2204 / willowtreecafe.com. If you like to indulge in a good schnitzel with a liter of hearty beer, head to Sanford. There you’ll find Theo Hollerbach overseeing the gemütlichkeit while serving up authentic German foods from sauerbraten to a wurst sausage platter. Live music on select evenings gets the whole dining room swaying together in a spirit of schunkel abend. $$

Yalaha Bakery 1213 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, 321800-5212; 8210 County Road 48, Yalaha, 352-324-3366 / yalahabakery.com. Fans of hearty German breads and scratchmade German pastries can drive to this homey outpost in rural Lake County, or they can pick up their loaves and sweets at an Ivanhoe District storefront. The Yalaha unit also sells sandwiches and hot lunches. $

HAWAIIAN/ POLYNESIAN Emeril’s Tchoup Chop

6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, 407-503-2467 / emerils.com. Emeril Lagasse’s Polynesian-fusion fare is executed by locally renowned chef, Greg Richie.

Within a dramatically decorated space, diners enjoy tropical cocktails, steamed dumplings and creative entrées such as pan-roasted duck breast with gingered pear chutney and umeboshi (pickled) plum glaze. $$$$

Introducing our New Lunch and Dinner Menus! See them at www.roccositaliangrille.com

W inter Park 400 South Orlando Avenue s 407-644-7770 Reservations online at www.roccositaliangrille.com ORLANDO-LIFE.COM

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rona gindin

Roy’s 7760 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-352-4844 / roysrestaurant.com. Hawaiian-fusion flavors enhance familiar and exotic fish dishes at this Restaurant Row pioneer, a link in a Honolulu-based chain owned by namesake chef, Roy Yamaguchi. $$

INDIAN Aashirwad

5748 International Dr., Orlando, 407-370-9830 / aashirwadrestaurant.com. Begin with kashmiri naan, a slightly sweet bread stuffed with nuts, coconut and raisins, and continue with chicken biryani, cauliflower in exotic Manchurian gravy and a mixed tandoori grill. Whole spices are roasted and ground daily on site, further enhancing the cuisine’s authenticity. $$

with white truffle oil and arugula), ricotta gnocchi and a breaded veal chop topped with a lightly dressed salad. It’s easy to miss, tucked away in a Winter Park strip center, but once you find it, you’ll be back. $$$

LATIN Mi Tomatina

433 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 321-972-4317 / mitomatina.com. This eatery bills itself as a paella bar, and indeed guests share a half-dozen varieties of the signature Spanish rice dish. Yet others come for a mellow meal over tapas (garlic shrimp, potato omelet, croquettes) and sangria, enjoyed while seated within a small contemporary dining room or outdoors overlooking Hannibal Square. $$-$$$

El Tenampa 11242 S. Orange Blossom Tr., Orlando, 407850-9499 / eltenampaorlando.com. Many Orlandoans make El Tenampa part of their Costco shopping ritual, since the restaurant is located only a block from the OBT warehouse store. This authentic eatery features fresh fruit juices, spicy chicken chilaquiles (a Mexican breakfast, available all day long, made with fried tortilla pieces and a green sauce) as well as a satisfying shrimp quesadilla in addition to the standard enchiladas and fajitas. $

ITALIAN Antonio’s

611 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-645-5523 / antoniosonline.com. Fine Italian fare comes at reasonable prices at Antonio’s, proprietor Greg Gentile’s culinary homage to his ancestors. The upstairs restaurant, recently remodeled and expanded with a balcony overlooking Lake Lily, is somewhat formal, although the open kitchen provides peeks of the chefs in action. Its downstairs counterpart, Antonio’s Café, is a more casual spot that doubles as a market and wine shop. $$$

SEAFOOD Cityfish

Bice 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando, 407-503-1415 / orlando.

617 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 407-849-9779 / cityfishorlando.com. Feast on slabs of grilled, blackened or fried fresh fish at this hip Ts-and-flip-flops Thornton Park hangout. The atmosphere is ultra-casual and the sidewalk seating is great for people-watching. $$

bicegroup.com. Bice, with 50 locations around the world, has a local outpost of ambitious Italian cuisine at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal. Homemade egg pasta is used for several dishes, such as spaghetti Bolognese; other choices include veal piccata and steak with a Gorgonzolademi sauce. $$$$

Enzo’s on the Lake 1130 U.S. 17-92, Longwood, 407-

834-9872 / enzos.com. Long before Orlando became a serious foodie town, Enzo’s was serving up lovingly prepared Italian specialties inside a converted Longwood home. Little has changed. Split a bunch of antipasto to begin your meal.

After that, you pretty much can’t go wrong, but standout dishes include homemade ravioli stuffed with chicken and spinach, veal with artichoke-caper-white wine sauce and possibly the best spaghetti carbonara in town. $$$

Mi Tomatina

O’Stromboli 1803 E. Winter Park Rd., Orlando, 407-647-

Peperoncino 7988 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, 407-440-2856 / peperoncinocucina.com. The menu changes every night at this cozy Dr. Phillips Italian, where chef-owner Barbara Alfano puts out plates of fried pecorino drizzled with honey, pear- and four-cheese pasta, and fish steamed in parchment paper. $$$

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Prato 124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-262-0050 / prato-wp.com. This is one of Orlando’s very best Italian restaurants, but don’t expect a classic lasagna or chicken parmigiana. Executive Chef Brandon McGlamery and Chef di Cucina Matthew Cargo oversee an open kitchen in which pastas are made from scratch, pizzas are rolled to order, sausages are stuffed by hand and the olive oil is a luscious organic pour from Italy. Try the chicken liver Toscana, a satisfying salad Campagna with cubes of sizzling pancetta tesa, shrimp tortellini and citrusy rabbit cacciatore. Begin with a Negroni cocktail; it’s possibly the best around. $$-$$$

Rocco’s 400 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-644-7770 /

roccositaliangrille.com. Calabria native Rocco Potami oversees this romantic Italian eatery, where fine authentic fare is presented in an intimate dining room and on a secluded brick patio. Classics include carpaccio (raw, thinly sliced beef

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8000 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, 407345-0186 / cantinalaredo.com. Modern Mexican cuisine in a spiffy setting draws lovers of cilantro, jalapeño and pico de gallo to this Restaurant Row eatery, where the margaritas flow, the guacamole is made tableside and the portions are generous. The spinach enchilada is a vegetarian-friendly treat. $$

Cocina 214 151 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park, 407-790-7997 / cocina214.com. Tex-Mex food is top quality here (214 is the Dallas area code), with salsa, savories and even margarita flavorings made from scratch. The spinachmushroom quesadilla and braised pork tacos with “orange dust” are especially noteworthy. $$

370-3277; 3895 Lake Emma Rd., Lake Mary, 407-804-0920 / memoriesofindiacuisine.com. Exceptionally good Indian fare draws diners in Dr. Phillips and Lake Mary to these twin restaurants, where dishes such as palek paneer (creamed spinach) and lamb masala in rich ginger-garlic gravy always satisfy. $$

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MEXICAN/ SOUTHWESTERN Cantina Laredo

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Memories of India 7625 Turkey Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-

3872. This innocuous neighborhood eatery isn’t fancy, but the food is filling and fresh. That’s why it has become a favorite of residents of Merritt Park, Rose Isle and Baldwin Park. The carbonara is particularly hearty and the fettuccini Alfredo is rich, buttery and more than you should eat in one sitting. The homemade soups are always a dependable starter. $$

around the dining room while others toss white napkins into the air, joyously shouting “Opa!” Then there’s the belly dancer. $$

Pio Pio 2500 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, 407-207-2262;

5752 International Dr., Orlando, 407-248-6424; 11236 S. Orange Blossom Tr., Orlando, 407-438-5677 / piopiointernational.com. Latin American-style marinated roast chicken is a mainstay at the three Orlando locations, each a dark, mid-scale den where families fuel up on heaping platters of pollo along with garlicky salad, fried plantains (sweet and green) and rice and beans. $$

MEDITERRANEAN Anatolia

7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, 407-352-6766 / anatoliaorlando.com. Sensational Turkish food in an upscale-casual setting makes Anatolia a popular choice in the Dr. Phillips area. Start with any of the “cold salads” and a piping hot puffy lavash bread, then try chargrilled whole fish, tavuk doner (Turkish gyro), lamb chops or spinach-feta pide, sort of like a boat-shaped flatbread. $$

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Bosphorous 108 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-6448609 / bosphorousrestaurant.com. This is the place for flavorful Turkish fare in either a white-tablecloth setting or alfresco along Park Avenue. Many couples fill up on the appetizer sampler with oversized lavash bread. For a heartier meal, try the ground lamb “Turkish pastry,” a shish kebab or a tender lamb shank. Outdoor diners can end their meals by smoking from a hookah. Or not. $$ Taverna Opa 9101 International Dr., Orlando, 407-351-

8660 / opaorlando.com. The food is excellent, but that’s only half the reason to visit Taverna Opa. On busy nights, the place is festive indeed: Some guests join a Zorba dance

Ocean Prime 7339 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-7814880 / ocean-prime.com. Designed to evoke the ambience of an old-time supper club, Ocean Prime’s white-jacketed servers offer sensational steaks and fish dishes along with creative options such as sautéed shrimp in a spectacular Tabasco-cream sauce, crab cakes with sweet corn cream and ginger salmon. End with the chocolate peanut butter pie. $$$$ Todd English’s Bluezoo 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd.,

Lake Buena Vista, 407-934-1111 / thebluezoo.com. Creatively prepared seafood is served in an over-the-top undersea setting at this fine-dining restaurant, located in Disney’s Swan and Dolphin hotel. The fashion-forward choices might be a miso-glazed Hawaiian sea bass or fried lobster in a soy glaze. The desserts are among the best in town. $$$$

Winter Park Fish Co. 761 Orange Ave. Winter Park, 407-622-6112 / thewinterparkfishco.com. Fish and seafood dishes are fresh and well-prepared at this humble Winter Park spot, where a counter service format helps keep the prices reasonable. Crab cakes, lobster rolls, mahi-mahi sandwiches and more ambitious dishes such as grouper cheeks in parchment and stuffed grouper are among a day’s assortment. $$

STEAK

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Bull & Bear 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando, 407-597-5410 / bullandbearorlando.com. Orlando’s Bull & Bear looks similar to New York’s legendary steakhouse (except for the pool and golf course views), but ours has its own ambitious menu. Guests of the Waldorf Astoria’s finedining spot can feast on traditional items such as veal Oscar and prime steak that’s dry aged for 21 days, and intriguing ones like appetizers of gnocchi and escargot with crescents of black garlic, and shrimp and grits presented under a dome that, when removed, introduces a waft of aromatic smoke. The chocolate and lemon desserts are superb. $$$$ Capital Grille 4600 N. World Dr., Lake Buena Vista, 407939-3463 / thecapitalgrille.com. Capital Grille tries to one-up its upscale steakhouse competitors by dry-aging its beef, an expensive process that results in especially flavorful meat.

Try a beautifully unadorned chop or a more creative dish,

PHOTO: RAFAEL TONGOl

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such as citrus-glazed salmon or Kona-crusted sirloin. The setting is clubby; the wine selection is generous. $$$$

Christner’s Del Frisco’s 729 Lee Rd., Orlando, 407645-4443 / christnersprimesteakandlobster.com. Locals have been choosing this prototypically masculine, dark-woodand-red-leather enclave for business dinners and family celebrations for more than a decade. Family-owned since 1993, Christner’s features USDA Prime, corn-fed Midwestern beef or Australian cold-water lobster tails with a slice of the restaurant’s legendary mandarin orange cake. And there’s a loooong wine list (6,500 bottles). On select nights, Kostya Kimlat hosts magic shows along with a prix-fixe menu in a private dining room. $$$$ Fleming’s 8030 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, 407-352-5706;

933 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-699-9463 / flemingssteakhouse.com. Fleming’s puts a younger spin on the stately steakhouse concept, featuring sleek décor and 100 wines by the glass along with its prime steaks and chops.

The tempura lobster “small plate” with soy-ginger dipping sauce is a worthy pre-entrée splurge. For a taste of the oldfashioned, visit on Sunday, when prime rib is served. $$$$

Nelore Churrascaria 115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-1112 / neloresteakhouse.com. This is one of two Nelore Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouses — the other one is in Houston — where the servers, or “gauchos,” come to your table as often as you’d like bearing skewers of premier beef, chicken or pork. There’s a world-class salad bar and Brazilian cheese bread to keep you happy between meat courses. $$$$ Ruth’s Chris 7501 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-2263900; 610 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-622-2444; 80 Colonial Center Pkwy, Lake Mary, 407-804-8220 / ruthschris. com. With three stately steakhouses and corporate headquarters by Winter Park Village, Ruth’s Chris, a native of New Orleans, has become an Orlando special-occasion mainstay. Its service-oriented restaurants specialize in massive corn-fed Midwestern steaks served sizzling and topped with butter. $$$$ Shula’s 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Orlando, 407-934-1362 / donshula.com. Coach Don Shula, who led the Miami Dolphins through a perfect season in 1972, is now in the restaurant business. His Orlando outpost, located in Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin resort, is a dark, tastefully sports-themed steakhouse where the menu is painted on a football. Offerings include Premium Black Angus beef as well as barbecue shrimp, wedge salad and crab cakes.

$$$$

VEGETARIAN Dandelion CommuniTea Café

618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, 407-362-1864 / dandelioncommunitea.com.

Proprietor Julie Norris meant to open a crunchy teahouse, but her organic, locally sourced foods were such a hit that the Dandelion is now a hot spot for lunch and a mecca for the “OurLando” movement. Even carnivores can’t resist Henry’s Hearty Chili, Happy Hempy Hummus, and wraps and sandwiches. As for dessert, Razzy Parfait’s vanilla soygurt is delicious, filling and healthful enough to be a meal. $

Café 118 153 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-389-2233 /

cafe118.com. Raw foods – none cooked past 118 degrees – are the focus of this crisp Winter Park café, attracting raw foodists, vegans and vegetarians. The spinach and beet ravioli stuffed with cashew ricotta is an impressive imitation of the Italian staple. Thirsty Park Avenue shoppers might stop by for a healthful smoothie. $$

PHOTO: RAFAEL TONGOl

Ethos Vegan Kitchen 601 S. New York Ave., Orlando,

407-228-3899 / ethosvegankitchen.com. Orlando’s Ivanhoe District is home to Ethos, a vegan restaurant with a menu that also satisfies open-minded carnivores. Fuel up on pecan-crusted eggplant with red wine sauce and mashed potatoes or a meat-free shepherd’s pie, if salads, sandwiches and coconut-curry tofu wraps won’t do the trick. $-$$

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PEOPLE & PLACES

with paula

It Was a Starry Night at Rollins as the Holt School Celebrated China

I

always get lost when I visit the Rollins College campus.

There’s no trouble finding the place — I’m not that blonde. But once I’m there I’m always overwhelmed by the charm of the brick-lined streets, the grandness of the historic architecture, the breeze off the lake.

And on this particular evening, to top it all off, I knew I was about to experience, rain or shine, a starry, starry night. The Starry Starry Night Gala, that is — the annual fundraiser benefiting the Hamilton Holt School, which offers evening graduate and undergraduate degree programs primarily for working adults.

When I entered the decked-out Harold and Ted Alfond Sports Center, I felt as though I had been transported to an exotic Asian locale. That wasn’t surprising, considering the theme of the evening was “Celebrate China.” The auction items and the food further carried the theme forward.

Following cocktail hour, a very energetic host struck a win-

dow-rattling gong, indicating that it was time for us to make our ascent up the bleachers to the second floor. There we were treated to a performance of the traditional Asian Dragon dance and served dinner “Asian family” style, in straw baskets with red chopsticks.

There was a full agenda of entertainment for the evening including several martial-art performances and a man juggling a bowl that was big enough to serve as a planter for one of my azalea bushes.

The live auction was a central focus of the event, organized by the American Fundraising Foundation and supervised

by Wade and Barbara West.

The event was underwritten by Walt Disney World, Tupperware Brands Corporation, the Orlando Magic, Harriett Lake, Concord Management, Epoch Properties, Fields Auto Group, GrayRobinson, Massey Communications and Winter Park Construction, among others.

1. Marylou Bloch, Abigail Rizor, Hattie Wolfe 2. Kris Leach, Jo Gregg, Michann Acevedo, Jennifer Carraway, Rico Campos II 3. Karen Du, Wenxian Zhang 4. Nancy Port Schwalb, Sam Click

2.

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3.

4.

PHOTOS: Forever Xpressions

1.

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Reynolds

All that glitters …

Anniversary ◆ Birthday Engagement ◆ Wedding

Make Her Feel Special Since 1974

232 North Park Av enue •

9OL_June13 Paula.indd Reynolds and Co FP OL 51 June13.indd 1

Winter Park •

4 07. 6 4 5 . 2 278•

w w w. Rey n o l d s J ewe l e r.co m

5/20/13 5/14/1310:32:33 9:37:31AM AM

PEOPLE AND PLACES

with paula

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1. WESH-Channel 2 News’ Pat Clarke and friends 2. Orlando Ballet dancers and Tricia Earl 3. Rey Tabarrok, Andrea Batchelor 4. Robert Earl, Patrick Lyons, Tricia Earl, Robert Hill

PHOTOS: brion price

BOWLING FOR DANCERS

I’m a sucker for a good play on words. So when I got an invitation to a bowling-themed Orlando Ballet benefit nicknamed “Bowl-Erina” — well, let’s just say I was bowled over.

The April 16 event, formally dubbed Pins for Pirouettes, was part of the grand opening festivities for Kings Bowl Orlando, a classy bowling center — you dare not say “alley” anymore — on International Drive. It’s the fourth location for Patrick Lyons’ Boston-based chain and the second socalled “boutique bowling” center in Orlando.

Robert and Tricia Earl, longtime supporters of the ballet, were there with Lyons and his enthusiastic team to host the event. The evening came alive with the style and energy of the 1960s; the design, the music and the food all worked in unison to create the magic.

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I always enjoy the Central Florida Rat Pack. I just never get tired of their on-stage banter and lively renditions of classic crooner tunes. Frank Sinatra is played by Armando Diaz, Sammy Davis Jr. is played by Steve Roman and Dean Martin played by Felix J. Deneau. Watching them perform is almost like sitting with the high-rollers at the Sands back in the day.

I ran into Richard and Noelle Siegel, son and daughterin-law of time-share mogul and reluctant documentary film co-star David Siegel.

I also learned how to make a gummy bear martini from the super-friendly staff. And I could easily spot the ballet dancers mingling with the guests, even in bowling shoes, because they move so gracefully.

And at the end of each lane and on every screen there was video of the region’s only professional ballet company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary next season. Check it out at orlandoballet.org.

Kudos, of course, to all the ballet volunteers, including the officers on its board of directors: Ava Doppelt, Judy Sandefur, Matthew J. Ahearn, Terry Dola, Tricia Earl, Rosemary O’Shea, Scott A. Silzer and Sibille Pritchard. The artistic director is the amazing Robert Hill.

JUNE 2013

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PEOPLE AND PLACES

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MY FAVORITE HARRIETT

“The greatest thing about getting old is that you lose your eyesight at about the same time you get your wrinkles.”

That’s yet another memorable quip from the delightful Harriett Lake, overheard at the fifth annual Friends of Harriett Luncheon.

The event, which benefits women’s cancer care at the MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, this year honored Central Florida community leader Carol Massey, philanthropist and wife of pest-control magnate Harvey Massey.

Harriett herself chooses the honoree and the charity each year. “Carol is a gorgeous example of someone dedicated to improving the lives of others,” she said.

She might well have been talking about herself, of course.

Harriett supports a wide range of charities across education, healthcare and the arts. Her organization, Friends Of Harriett, was established in 2008 and is led by Meredith McWaters who, along with Lois Silverberg and a team of excessively enthusiastic volunteers (myself included), assists Orlando area charities.

This particular elegant event was held at the Rosen Centre Hotel and featured a high-end silent auction, performances by the cast of The D Word and a drawing for a $5,000 Neiman 54

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4.

1. Carol Massey, Jeremy Gamble, Andrea Massey-Farrell 2. Harriett Lake, Tricia Earl 3. Gentlemen for Carol and Harriett 4. Sherri Holley, Lois Silverberg, Meredith McWaters, Andrea Massey-Farrell, Carol Massey, Harriett Lake Marcus Shopping Spree. More than $200,000 was raised.

“It is such an honor to be selected as the charitable beneficiary of Harriett’s Favorite Things,” says Jeffrey Muddell, foundation vice president at Orlando Health. “The philanthropic support raised through this event will allow us to provide ongoing, state-of-the-art, connected care for women battling multiple types of cancer in our local community.”

Other members of the advisory board for this year’s Harriett’s Favorite Things function were: Nancy Bagby, Sandy Hostetter, Rita Lowndes, Andrea Massey-Farrell, Denise McKinny, Joan Pohl, Alexis Puigh, Mary Rumberger, Lynn Sullivan and Jackie Zollo.

PAULA AT THE PAINT OUT

If I’m allowed to have an all-time favorite art exhibit, the Winter Park Paint Out, a benefit for the Polasek Museum JUNE 2013

5/20/13 10:33:03 AM

1.

3.

1. Chuck Koch, Ken DeWaard, Bill Farnsworth, Anne Koch 2. John Polasek 3. Molly Lind, Jennifer Calder, Pam Paisley 4. Sara Reid, Walt Komanski, Gary Hollingsworth & Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park, has got to be it.

Here’s the idea: Invite 25 plein air artists — that is, artists who paint outdoors — to visit this picture-postcard city and send them out to find scenes they’d like to capture on canvas.

Have them bring those paintings — sometimes so recently completed that the paint hasn’t dried — back to the museum, where they’re sold as a fundraiser.

I celebrated it along with 400 other art lovers at a garden party at the Polasek last month to observe the conclusion of the weeklong event, now in its fifth year.

As I threaded through the crowd and the artists, viewing the paintings on display, I recognized a beautiful rendering of a favorite chair of mine on Park Avenue, a perfect perch from which to sip a Pinot Grigio.

Another painting reminded me of the way the light at sunset caresses the wooden dock behind Hillstone. Another, depicting Lombardi’s Seafood by night, made me think of the ORLANDO-LIFE.COM

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2.

4. countless oysters I’ve bought there for summer cookouts.

There were, overall, 160 paintings created over the course of the event, and they ranged in price from $225 to $3,800.

Eighty-six of them were sold.

Such a win-win-win it was: a win for the Polasek and a win for the artists, who get to pursue their passion and earn half the proceeds of the paintings they sell. The other half goes to the museum, which is a win for all of us because it helps to support one of Central Florida’s most important cultural treasures. n

THERE’S MORE ONLINE

Using your mobile device, scan the QR code or go to orlando-life.com and see more pictures and stories from these and other events held throughout Central Florida.

Native Floridian Paula Wyatt is an Orlando event planner, socialmedia expert and entrepreneur whose companies include Posh Able Events, Posh Able Image Builders and the nonprofit Posh Abilities.

You can reach her at paula@poshableevents.com.

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I

’ve always been about SEC football, particularly the rep-

tilian variety. But having been educated in the SEC’s finest university, I also am sophisticated enough to understand that soccer is the future of the world.

There was a time when I had no more interest in watching it than NASCAR or a golf tournament without Tiger Woods.

But then my daughter did the youth soccer thing, and I did the daddy assistant coach thing.

It was a simple game in a gender-neutral league. The team with boys that had the most testosterone won. The other team still got gelatos afterward at Jeremiah’s. At the end of the season, everybody got a trophy.

My job was tying shoes and administering high-fives.

But soon the little kids got me interested in the big kids.

And I found myself watching the World Cup instead of Fox News on the YMCA elliptical machines. I began appreciating the nuances of a game based on patience, due diligence, being in position to exploit opportunities and those rare but meaningful scores.

And lately I have come to take all this as a burning bush sign from God, telling me that Central Florida is ready for Major League Soccer. Look at the explosion of youth leagues. Look at the demographics. Look at the Orlando Magic’s record.

So I say bring it on. Bring soccer to downtown Orlando in its own stadium.

Compared to the other three downtown venues, coming in at over $1 billion, the soccer stadium backers are currently lobbying for what is quite a bargain at only $110 million.

This is less than a fourth the cost of the Amway Center, but would house a team that soon would be far more popular than the Magic. MLS draws more per game now than the NBA. It would cost about half as much as the renovation of the Citrus Bowl, which has just seen its prized Capital One Bowl knocked down a couple rungs because of the new bowl realignment. We are not in the playoff mix, nor can we afford the national championship game.

The performing-arts center will produce more red ink than Medicare. Subsidies will be required to drive attendance, just like at Miami’s performing-arts center. I’m not saying this is

56

ORLANDO LIFE

12OL_June13_Restless Native.indd 56

a terrible thing, just that it will happen.

A downtown soccer stadium adds to the lure of downtown and ridership for SunRail. It could host any number of events, including NCAA championships, international matches, UCF and UF soccer, lacrosse, Taylor Swift and whichever 72-year old rock star is making the rounds. And at about 20,000 seats, it’s the perfect size for the ACC football championship game.

Mayor Buddy Dyer wants it bad but couldn’t get any money out of the Legislature this past session. And Orange County seems to be suffering from a case of venues burnout after recent bailouts of the Citrus Bowl and arts center.

But Buddy is jostling for another ribbon-cutting.

He’ll figure it out. Everybody just has to be patient.

This means Orlando City Soccer must refrain from playing cities off against each other. The MLS needs Florida, and there is no market that comes close to Orlando.

At the end of the day, there is enough money to do this, and do it here. The team’s new investor, Brazilian entrepreneur Flávio Augusto da Silva, is young and god-awful rich. And next year is an election year, so state money should be coming in the next go-round.

Thanks to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacob’s frugal management, the resort tax is in solid shape. In about nine years, the county’s annual bond payments on the convention center will go down $30 million, creating a huge surplus in resort-tax revenues. The county can borrow on that several years out, perhaps with the soccer team paying interest on the note until the county can pay it off in a lump sum.

And there is the Citrus Bowl to host games until it gets done.

They could call the new venue VisitOrlando Stadium and write off the county’s contribution as naming rights and promotion. Throw in 500 cheap seats for youth soccer kids. Sell Disney the scoreboard naming rights: The DumboTron!

There are any number of ways to do this.

So do it. n Native Floridian and longtime Orlando columnist Mike Thomas is a freelance writer. You can reach him at miket@orlando-life.com.

Photo: RAFAEL TONGOl

It’s Time for Soccer to Make its Move From the Schoolyard to the Stadium

JUNE 2013

5/20/13 10:33:46 AM

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AbadiMTStd-LightItalic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-= [] \;’,./≠ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥�`¡™£¢ §¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤ ÷≠ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $‚Ǩ¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–± AbadiMTStd_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-= [] \;’,./≠ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢ §¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤ ÷≠ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $‚Ǩ¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–± AbadiMTStd-Italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-= [] \;’,./≠ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢ §¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤ ÷≠ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $‚Ǩ¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–±

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12OL_June13_Restless Native.indd 65

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