Orlando Weekly College Guide 2012

TO EAT

WHO

YOU’LL MEET

WHERE

TO DRINK

SOCIAL STUDIES

ORLANDO WEEKLY’S COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE

FALL 2012

WHAT

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SOCIAL STUDIES ORLANDO WEEKLY’S COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s second annual college guide. Start studying. We have a lot of ground to cover.

table of contents Barely legal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Party animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Last night a DJ saved my life . . . . . . . . . 21 The parent trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Strap on the feedbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Frenemy foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

PUBLISHER Michael Wagner EDITOR Erin Sullivan ART DIRECTOR Kate Weddle COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Robert Bartlett CONTRIBUTORS Marcus Griggs, Eleanor Roy, Erin Sullivan, Jessica Bryce Young COPY EDITOR Katie Westfall BUSINESS Karen Waeiss, manager; Amanda Self, administrative assistant ADVERTISING Graham Jarrett, director; Jon Bowers, Tara Centeno, Jonathan Risteen, Dan Winkler, account executives; Devon Dunkle, coordinator PRODUCTION Denika Robbins, production manager; James Ball, graphic designer CIRCULATION Pierre Rene, manager NATIONAL ADVERTISING: Voice Media Group, 1-800-278-9866 Copyright © 2012 Orlando Weekly Inc., all rights reserved.

Cover models: Scott Horn and Bonnie Anna Kerlin ORLANDO WEEKLY INC. 1505 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 377-0400, (407) 377-0415 classified (407) 377-0420 fax orlandoweekly.com 2012 COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE 7

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Sad but true: It sucks to be under 21 when you’re in college. Not necessarily because you want to get drunk all the time – what really sucks is that you get left in the dust when your friends go out to party and you can’t even get past the bouncer at the front door.

Places to party (sober) if you’re under 21 Fortunately, Orlando does have some options for the under-21 crowd. You may have to watch as your buds guzzle down pitchers of cheap beer right in front of your face while you’re sipping on a soda, but at least you aren’t sulking in your room while everyone else is having a good time. Here’s a list of some of our favorite 18-and-up spots.

Independent Bar 70 North Orange Ave. 407-839-0457 independentbar.net

Fubar 12233 University Blvd.

407-382-2799 orlandofubar.com

Knight Library 12289 University Blvd.

407-482-2500 knightlibrary.com

This is one of the most colorful 18-and-up spots we can think of. It attracts a diverse crowd, ranging from hipsters to faux vampires, and every night of the week is themed – different music, different types of dancers, different drinkers (or, in your case, non-drinkers). Tuesday night’s Grits and Gravy is super old-school – soul and R&B from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s – and Friday and Saturdays DJs spin New Wave from the ’80s and faves from the ’90s. Other nights you’ll hear the type of music that’ll give you a chance to gloat to friends about how you heard it first. This is the place to be if you like a little variety in your under-21 bar-hopping.

These two bars are located directly across the street from UCF, so this is where the underage collegiate go to dance. Visit either spot on a busy night and you’ll definitely have a story to tell your friends – a story that will more than likely contain a belligerent frat guy or a way-too-tipsy girl yelling “YOLO!” A decent place to be for a late-night adventure, as long as you don’t mind navigating all the superdrunk people. The plaza where Knight Library and Fubar are located has been sold and is scheduled for demolition this year. We’re not sure what the future holds for either of these popular college bars, but for now, enjoy it while you can.

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By Marcus Griggs

barely legal

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Natura Coffee and Tea 12078 Collegiate Way 407-482-5000 facebook.com/ naturacoffeeandtea

Roxy 740 Bennett Road 407-898-4004 roxyorlando.com

The Social 54 North Orange Ave. 407-246-1419 thesocial.org

If you’re too young to drink but old enough to be in college and you want a chill place to hang, you might find the cloudy atmosphere of a hookah lounge appealing. Natura Coffee and Tea offers a diverse selection of hookah flavors, and their tea menu isn’t too shabby, either. If you’re looking to hear some local music while you sip and puff, hit an open-mic night. Natura isn’t really a bar, but when you do finally hit the big two-one, they do serve wine and beer.

If Fubar is where you go so you can have a story to tell, this is where you go to have a Greek epic. This is the quintessential “club scene” experience, and you don’t have to be of age yet to take advantage of it – Roxy is big, loud and frequently promiscuous.

Whether your Greek epic of a night ends as a comedy or a tragedy is up to how you handle the place, but you’ll definitely leave here with an Odyssey of a tale to tell later.

Cheap entry? Check. Consistently good music?

Check. Eighteen and up? Check. This is a great place to hear some of the hottest non-mainstream music – both national and local talent – and the shows are super-intimate. Yes, a fully loaded bar is right there, taunting you while you dance (or whatever it is you do at shows), but you’ll be so close to the band that you’ll hardly notice. ■ 2012 COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE 13

Parties bring the weirdoes out of the woodwork. We generally don’t condone stereotyping people (well, OK, maybe we do, just a little), but there do seem to be certain people you run into at every college party (or falling down at the bar).

The seven types of people you’ll meet at every college party We’ve put together a list of the kinds of people you’re likely to cross paths with on any given weekend – and how to deal with them.

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THE FRESHMAN CHICK WHO JUST DISCOVERED ALCOHOL

More than likely, this girl was the valedictorian of her high school and she strives to be an overachiever in everything.

She applies the same philosophy to her partying. You’ll be able to spot her teetering on any elevated surface near the speakers, double-fisting a fruity vodka-and-something and living it up for the first time. Amateur.

Sigh. Be sure not to stand under her; gravity’s a bitch when you can’t handle your liquor and you’re wearing six-inch heels.

2

THE 26-YEAR-OLD UNDERGRAD THAT STILL HASN’T GRADUATED

This guy somehow manages to find out where every party is, despite the fact that he creeps the hell out of everyone. You’ll see him trying to lure drunk girls into corners, usually unsuccessfully. Avoid him at all costs. Really.

3

THE HIGH-END DRUG DEALERS

These are the charismatic business majors who roll up to the parties in the heavily tinted sports cars. You’ll find them in the back rooms of the party working on their, ahem, “sales skills,” sipping the import beer they brought. If you watch these guys closely, you’ll eventually spot the little baggies filled with blow, E and all sorts of Rx party favors they also brought along! Partying with guys like this can be exhilarating – erm … in more ways than one, we suppose – but word to the wise: Don’t get into a vehicle with them unless you plan to be awake all night long and don’t mind wondering how the hell you’re going to get home to your cruddy Orlando dorm from the downtown hi-rise where the after-party raged til dawn.

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By Eleanor Roy

Party animals

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4

THE GUY WHO YELLS “YOLO!” BEFORE HE CHUGS HIS DRINK

This guy is often seen wearing board shorts and a neon tank top that says “Fuck Swag.”

While he seems nice and always acts friendly, this dude can be insanely unpredictable. Don’t dare say anything negative about Skrillex, unless you want to see what ’roid rage is like.

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THE FRATERNITY/SORORITY PLEDGE

You probably have classes with this guy or girl. During the day, he (or she) is respectable, responsible and inoffensive. But at night, he or she can rage. You’ll recognize this partier by the glazed eyes and bizarre willingness to publicly engage in whatever hazing tasks are demanded of them by their Greek overlords.

Later, you’ll see them puking up a storm in the bushes out front. Don’t pity this person.

Someday he or she will inflict the same sort of torture on a lowly pledge, too.

6

THE CRYING GIRL

There’s one at every party. She was fine when she got here, but obviously she wasn’t getting enough attention because after her third beer it was like someone flipped a switch and she turned into a hot, sobbing mess. She’s angry at somebody who slighted her – her boyfriend, her roommate, her ex-best friend, whoever – and she’s going to make sure

everyone at the party knows it. The subject of her drama seems trivial to everyone but her, but that doesn’t stop people from flocking to her with hugs and sympathetic words and compliments, even though they all secretly think she’s kind of a loose cannon. Soon enough, she’s got exactly what she wants: all eyes on her. Best strategy for dealing with the crying girl: Don’t ever be her.

7

THE GUY WHO TRIES TO TURN EVERYTHING INTO A DRINKING GAME

For some reason just being at a party and socializing is never enough for this guy. He’s kind of hyper and a little overbearing, and he always wants to make getting drunk some kind of competition. If you’re not into playing asshole, beer pong, quarters or whatever other games this guy is pushing, we have a game you can suggest to him. It’s called Pookie. Get a piece of squishy fruit – an orange, a lemon, a banana – and tell him the goal is to toss the fruit up in the air and catch it between the wall and your forehead. If you fail, you drink.

He can play this one by himself all night long.

He’ll be passed-out drunk or passed out with a massive headache in no time. ■

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By Eleanor Roy

Party animals

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Five Orlando club nights you don’t want to miss TAKEOVR Tuesday nights at Roxy 740 Bennett Road 407-898-4004 roxyorlando.com The tagline for this night, sponsored by Smile for Camera, the people who bring you the most mortifyingly realistic club photos imaginable, speaks volumes: “We take a doucher of a club and turn it into something fucking awesome.”

DJs Cliff Tangredi, Winston Wolfe and Joey Paranoia spin indie, dub, rave and electro.

This night is packed, full of debauchery and something you need to experience at least once if you’re into the club scene.

MONDAZE Mondays at Backbooth 37 W. Pine St. 407-999-2470 backbooth.com Another night brought to you by Smile for Camera, the same folks who sponsor Takeovr at Roxy. But where Takeovr is, well, insane, this night’s a little bit of throwback – think New Wave/dreamwave/electropop songs you can dance to but won’t make you feel too far out of your element if you’re not an electronic dance music fanatic or regular club-goer.

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Club Photo: smileforcamera.com

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IGNITION

COLLEGE INDIE NIGHT

Thursdays at Firestone Live 578 N. Orange Ave. 407-872-0066 firestonelive.net

Fridays at Independent Bar 70 N. Orange Ave. 407-839-0457 indepdendentbar.net

This night has become the epicenter of Orlando’s electronic dance music scene – in addition to featuring some of the best electronic acts going, Ignition goes balls to the wall to create the most festive dance-party experience possible: acrobats, DJs, party buses, kegs, toga parties, 3D projections. If you can bring it into a club and make it a good time, they’ll probably try it here.

If you’re not the quintessential club kid – that is to say, if EDM isn’t your thing, Moombahton intimidates you and you can’t even wrap your head around what dreamwave or nu disco is, this is a dance night for you. Familiar indie songs (or at least stuff that feels familiar), 80s, New Wave and modern stuff that melds well with that kind of sound is what you’ll get here. No pretension, just good beer specials and even better times.

SHAKE ’N’ BASS Sundays at Backbooth 37 W. Pine St. 407-999-2470 backbooth.com If Moombahton and tropical bass are your thing, check out this night featuring DJs Ma-Less, Dr. Khan and Big Makk, who’ll give you thumpin’ bass you can, well, dagger to. You know, if that’s your thing. No holds barred, free keg til it floats. You’re not going to find a wilder Sunday night dance party downtown. ■

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At some point in your college career, your parents are going to want to visit you – they’ll want to see where you live, meet your friends, maybe live vicariously through you for a little while by tagging along with you for happy hour.

the parent trap Five places to take your family when they come to visit But what do you do with them after you’ve done all that? You can’t take them to the local douche-haunts you usually wind up in on the weekends, and there are really only so many things about your life that you want to reveal to your family.

Here are a few guaranteed parentpleasers where you can kill a few hours

with mom and dad – and maybe even grandma – while they’re in town without letting them know that you really spend your time waking up hungover, barely making it to class, then falling onto your couch with the Wii controller and a bong until somebody suggests something better to do.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Enzian Theater

It’s peaceful, it’s botanical, it’s beautiful – it’s an oasis in the heart of Orlando that’s so relaxing that it should probably be a must for every potentially stressful parental visit. Stroll through massive stands of bamboo thicker than a baby’s arm, visit the lakefront deck to look for gators and turtles, check out the massive formal rose gardens, then stroll through the Leu House Museum, where you can get a taste of what life was like in these parts before modern amenities like central air and beer pong. Check the events schedule for familyfriendly entertainment, like outdoor movies, jazz music and plant sales.

Are your parents film buffs? Then they’ll love the Enzian, Orlando’s only arthouse theater. The Enzian shows cult classics, cutting-edge indie releases and some of the better new releases showing in larger theaters. Have a pre-movie cocktail at the lush, jungly outdoor Eden Bar, then head inside and find a table where you can order drinks and food while watching your film. This one’s a parent-pleasing entertainment option that you’ll enjoy as much as they will.

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1920 Forest Ave. 407-246-2620 leugardens.org $8 per person

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1300 S. Orlando Ave. • Maitland 407-629-0054 enzian.org $10 for movie tickets (matinees $8)

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The DailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar This recurring event takes place at locations all around Central Florida, from DeLand to Orlando to I-Drive. Tons of gourmet food trucks peddling everything from savory crepes to specialty cupcakes to fresh seafood and locally farmed fare gather in one location and draw hundreds of people ready to chow down. Bring folding chairs, set up your base camp and let everyone marvel at the fact that some of the best food you’ve eaten in a month is being made and served out of a truck. Even if your parents are foodie snobs, we’re pretty sure they’ll get a kick out of this spectacle.

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thedailycity.com (various locations around the Orlando area, see site for dates and details)

Park Avenue, Winter Park If you go to school at Rollins, this is a no-brainer.

If your parents like to eat, drink, shop and gawk, they’ll love Park Avenue. Wander for blocks and browse high-end stores, wine bars, spas and specialty boutiques; have lunch or brunch at any one of a number of burger spots or fancy bistros; grab a coffee or a glass of wine in the late afternoon, then stroll in the very pretty and well-preened Central Park. Everyone will be satisfied, exhausted and (if you’ve played your cards right) well-fed when the day is over.

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Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art That boxy, formal-looking building at the north end of Park Avenue in Winter Park? It’s not a church. It’s a museum. You might not really know much about decorative artist and interior designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, except that he’s known for making those floral stainedglass lamps, but this museum is dedicated to celebrating all of his other design achievements – furniture, exquisite stained-glass windows, mosaics and more. Prove to your parents that you’re cultured enough to recognize Tiffany’s contribution to the American aesthetic – or that you even know what the words “American aesthetic” mean. ■

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445 N. Park Ave. • Winter Park 407-645-5311 morsemuseum.org $5 (free on from 4-8 p.m. on Fridays, April through November)

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No parental visit is complete until they’ve taken you out to eat, but chances are they’re going to ask you to pick the place. You might feel put on the spot and you might not know where, exactly, people who want food that’s not served on paper plates go to eat. Don’t get stuck in the Cheesecake Factory trap – we’ve got some places you can recommend to mom and dad when they ask you where you want to go for a decent meal – quite possibly the best one you’ll have all semester long. (All write-ups below come straight from our annual Bite dining guide, which you can find distributed around town and online at orlandoweekly.com.

You should find a copy of this and keep it handy so you’re in the know about what to eat and where in Orlando.)

strap on the feedbag

K Restaurant and Wine Bar

Five great places to take your parents for dinner (as long as they’re paying the bill) Luma on Park

This cozy café reaches a grand level of food and service; chef and owner Kevin Fonzo (aka “K”) creates dishes that are both simple and elegantly delicious.

From salad to starter to main course, everything hits the right note, surpassing the restaurant’s sterling reputation. Try the grouper cheeks when they’re on the menu..

Foodies are hot for the innovative fare at this Park Avenue restaurant. The atmosphere is lively and suitable for large parties. There’s a great wine selection, and the small plates encourage sharing. Or go for one of the fabulous entrees, such as duck with butternut squash and lemon confit. The exquisite dessert menu stands alone, as does the weekend brunch.

2401 Edgewater Drive 407-872-2332 krestaurant.net • $$$

7732 W. Sand Lake Road 407-351-6000 orlandocedars.com • $$$

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Cedars Restaurant Their spin on traditional Lebanese food is a lightness of texture and flavor that is both refreshing and inviting. Use the hot, puffy pitas to scoop up baba ghanoush, a smooth roasted eggplant and garlic puree with a wonderfully smoky taste.

3

7732 W. Sand Lake Road 407-351-6000 orlandocedars.com • $$$

Garibaldi’s Mexican Restaurant A place for genuine Mexican food (along with some authentic folk songs). There are more than 30 different combination platters of tacos, burritos and enchiladas, along with chiles rellenos and chalupas. The “fajitas Garibaldi” adds chorizo sausage to a combination of chicken and beef on a sizzling iron pan.

This place is a perennial Best of Orlando award winner.

4

929 N. Semoran Blvd.

407-275-5035 • $$

The Rusty Spoon Self-described gastropub brings a locavore credo to the downtown core, along with an urban-farmhouse vibe. The rustic menu focuses on locally farmed and raised ingredients, but not obsessively so.

Best: tapenade-stuffed eggs, coffee-rubbed culotte steak and grown-up s’mores. There’s a small but decent selection of craft beers, signature drinks and wines as well. Live music on weekends. ■

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55 W. Church St. 407-401-8811 therustyspoon.com • $$ 2012 COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE 41

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Feeding yourself like a grown-up turns out to be harder than you thought.

freneMY food Without your parents’ lovingly presented, nutritionally balanced meals magically appearing on the table each night, you’re at the mercy of the dining hall and its unlimited soft-serve machine, 23 different kinds of sugary cereal and nightly mac & cheese.

But while everyone knows a bacon cheeseburger will do you no favors in the pants area, if you think going out for salads and smoothies is automatically a healthier option, be careful. Not every salad has your best interests at heart. (Look, in their defense, restaurants just prioritize “delicious” over “healthful,” because that’s what brings customers back.)

Keeping in mind that we are not doctors, the general rule of thumb for a lady who wants to maintain her weight is to take in 1,500 calories a day; to lose, 1,200. (Guys: You get 2,500 calories to maintain weight, and 2,000 to slim down.)

Chicken Caesar Salad The Cheesecake Factory (dinner menu)

1,510 CALORIES

Know before you grow (out of your jeans):

We don’t want to scare you but this salad wants you dead. It wants to choke your heart to suffocation with its buttery croutons and creamy, cheesy, eggy dressing tentacles. Tap out, NOW. Instead, eat this: El Fabrica de la Tarta de Queso does have a selection of “Weight Management” salads.

UGH. Life is too short to utter those words in public.

Get the Seared Tuna Tataki Salad for 440 calories or the Herb-Crusted Salmon Salad for 560.

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By Jessica Bryce Young

Acts like your friend, but stabs you in the back “healthy choices” that aren’t

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freneMY food

Mediterranean Chicken Wrap Quizno’s

Orange Ka-Bam! smoothie (medium) Smoothie King

1,080 CALORIES

Houlihan’s (entrée menu)

697.5 CALORIES

Almond Crusted Tilapia

1,326 CALORIES

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Yes, fish and almonds are both good for you. But in this case, they must be sticking the almonds to the fish with pure butter. Or maybe bacon.

Instead, eat this: 5-ounce Atlantic Salmon, Simply Prepared: 467 calories; 5-ounce Petite Sirloin: 519 calories. Both come with bread, salad and grilled asparagus, so you’ll hardly be deprived.

This seemingly innocuous, veggie-filled wrap named after a beautiful ocean will make you think twice about hitting the beach – unless you’re wrapped in a towel.

Instead, eat this: Eliminate the tortilla and make it a salad: You’re down to 770 calories (still not great). But substitute red wine vinaigrette for the recommended tzatziki topping, and now you’re at 410 calories for a large, 220 for a small. Bikini time!

Smoothie King actually has several smoothies that hit more than 1,000 calories, but any dummy can guess that a drink in the “Add Bulk” or “Indulge” section of the menu is probably fattening. But this fruity treat misleadingly labeled “Stay Healthy!” supplies more than half your daily calories – and it’s a BEVERAGE. Instead, eat this: A small Peach Slice smoothie quenches those fruity cravings, but it’s still 251 calories.

You can save a few calories (like, 10 or 20) by ordering from the “Slim-N-Trim” menu, but it hardly seems worth it. So here’s your new mantra: “A smoothie is a meal, not a snack.” ■

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