A couple finding, creating, and devouring delicious foods

Tag Archives: orlando

Krispy Kreme® Offers Central Floridians a Dozen Ways To Honor Everyday Superheroes on April 28

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Krispy Kreme Hero Appreciation Day BadgeOn April 28, people of all ages will celebrate National Superhero Day with capes and costumes in honor of their favorite superhuman or villain. Krispy Kreme wants guests to celebrate this occasion with a FREE dozen doughnuts for the real-life, everyday heroes among us.
Visit any of the five Krispy Kreme shops in Central Florida on April 28 to buy a dozen doughnuts and get a FREE dozen Original Glazed® doughnuts to share with the unsung heroes in your life.  No coupon necessary. Offer not valid at grocery or convenience stores.
Krispy Kreme encourages fans to join in the festivities and recognize the unheralded heroes who live in their communities and serve the public as police officers, fire fighters, military, teachers, doctors, volunteers, and more.
Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Dozen
Daytona Beach
980 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Open 24 hours
Melbourne
2040 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935
Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday) and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)
1031 S. Orlando Avenue (17-92), Winter Park, FL  32789
Open 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday) and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)
4080 Millenia Blvd., Orlando, FL 32939
Open 24 hours
5310 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (192 / Mile Marker 11.5), Kissimmee, FL  34746
Open 24 hours
Join in the conversation with @KrispyKreme on Twitter #HeroAppreciationDay, or visit HeroAppreciationDay.com.

Taking a Walk in Winter Park with Orlando Food Tours

Posted on by Shannon Murdock Posted in Nom Nom Nom, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews, Travel Leave a comment

On a beautiful Sunday morning, Josh and I headed to downtown Winter Park to take a three hour tour. Don’t worry: we weren’t on the water, and we didn’t get lost. We went on a journey for the love of food.

Orlando Food Tours began when a group of friends met once a week hang out and get rid of the mid-week blahs. They tried new food, and realized they could turn their love of food into a business. Their goal with Orlando Food Tours is to introduce locals and tourists to the Winter Park food scene. They walk you up, down, and around Park Ave., giving you local history while letting you sample some of Winter Parks savory treasures. Park Avenue is one of the most picturesque roads in Winter Park. The streets are bustling with people eating, shopping, playing in the park, walking their dogs, or all of the above. The shops are varied, with everything from wedding clothes to baby clothes, everything in between, and before and after.  In fact, you could outfit yourself and your whole home on Park Ave.
Prato
The fist stop on the tour is Prato. Eye catching with it’s beautiful upscale country décor, Prato’s beauty extends to it’s food. We were offered two pizzas: Salsiccia (toscano, rapini, cherry pepper, provolone picante) and the Widowmaker (caciocavallo, romesco, fennel sausage, farm egg). Both were elegant and fresh, and loved by all. Also offered were focaccia breadsticks and an olive oil dip. Josh and I will definitely be back on date night.

Orlando Food Tours Bite at Prato

 

 

Beautiful farm-to-table accents   Orlando Food Tours Pizza at Prato

 

Salsiccia Pizza
 Orlando Food Tours Pizza at Prato

Widowmaker Pizza

The Ancient Olive

Tucked back down a small side street near a charming Spanish-style fountain is The Ancient Olive. Specializing in infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars, The Ancient Olive is a gem. There are many varieties of olive oils such as Basil, Blood Orange, and Tuscan Herb, and  balsamic vinegars such as Cinnamon Pear, Dark Chocolate, and Grapefruit. All are free to try. You’re even encouraged to mix and match to find a combination you love. They host cooking classes, too. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable.

Orlando Food Tours Olive Oil     Orlando Food Tours Samplings

The cinnamon pear is one of my personal favorites. It’s great on ice cream, as you might have seen in my previous post.

  Orlando Food Tours

Kiel, one of our tour guides.

The Spice and Tea Exchange

Josh and I have been to The Spice and Tea Exchange many times. They have a vast selection of spices, teas, rubs, sugars, and small kitchen utensils. They have ready-made packets of spices for easy cooking and plenty of helpful, knowledgeable staff on hand willing to help.

Orlando Food Tours Spice and Tea Exchange Ice Cream Orlando Food Tours Spice and Tea Exchange Choices

Orchid Thai

I have not had a lot of Thai food in my life. It seems like there are not enough Thai restaurants around. Fortunately, Orchid Thai is there to save us from our loss. It’s a small restaurant on Park Ave. with seating both inside and out. We were given a table outside due to the beautiful day. We were served Pei Mussels with a lemon ginger sauce, and an appetizer sampler plate with summer rolls, spring  rolls, crispy shrimp, dumplings, curry puffs, and a cucumber relish. I’ve never had mussels. I was thoroughly impressed. The lemon ginger sauce made the mussels shine. All of the appetizers were flavorful. There were not enough of them.

Orlando Food Tours Spice and Tea Orchid Thai Orlando Food Tours Spice and Tea Orchid Thai Mussels Orlando Food Tours Spice and Tea Orchid Thai Shrimp Bread

Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream

Good dessert should always follow a good meal. Ice cream and fudge was our treat at Kilwins. Kilwin’s specializes in fudge, but they have an array of delicious sweets to tempt you.

Orlando Food Tours Ice Cream Stop

Sassafras Sweet Shoppe

Because one sweet treat just isn’t enough. We stopped at Sassafras, a small candy store on Morse St. There were plenty of sweets: old favorites and new ones. They also have a cotton candy machine. Who doesn’t love fresh cotton candy?

Orlando Food Tours Candy Shop

 

Orlando Food Tours Candy Stop

The Orlando Food Tour was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We visited places new to us, and others we were already fond of. We also learned a little of Winter Park history along the way. If you’re new to the area, or just interested in getting a better look around (as well as eating some delicious food), we highly recommend taking a tour.

The promo code is “EatMore” and will give 10% off tickets to our readers. This promo code is good till March 31, 2014.

http://www.orlandofoodtours.com/

Trucks and Tech Orlando Returns with a Zombie Twist – Truckpocalypse

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trucks_and_tech

Make sure to mark Thursday, March 27, 2014 on your calendar for Truckpocalypse!

For Trucks and Tech III: Truckpocalypse, survivors and zombies will go head to head in an epic costume contest battle. Before the war begins, stock up on gourmet goodies that’ll satisfy both human and undead appetites alike. Get infected through captivating tech conversation and startup demos. And enjoy a commemorative cup filled to the brim with delicious brews, all while kicking back on your lawn chair/blanket for a front row seat to the inevitable onslaught. Truckpocalypse is coming…are you ready?

Trucktoberfest Soup to Nuts

It wouldn’t be Trucks & Tech without the food trucks. The food trucks on site will be SWAT Truck, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, SwedeDISH, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, The Crepe Company, Soup to Nuts, and The Pastrami Project. Grab yourself a delicious cupcake, a plate of swedish meatballs, and spicy buffalo chicken waffle to munch on with the family. I know I’m craving one of these right now!

Trucks and Tech Truckpocalypse

This event is one of the few family friends tech events in Orlando. Bring out the family for fun and to learn a little about the tech community in Orlando. Our family has enjoyed every Trucks & Tech so far.

Trucktoberfest Buffalo or Breakfast Waffle

RSVP for the Truckpocalypse on the Facebook event page for additional updated and info: https://www.facebook.com/events/590204037719658/ 

Picture provide by professorjosh.com

Balsamic Vinegar & Ice Cream? You have to try this!

Posted on by Shannon Murdock Posted in Desserts, Nom Nom Nom, Product Reviews, Recipes, Reviews Leave a comment

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found my newest foodie obsession: balsamic vinegar and ice cream. Specifically, cinnamon pear balsamic vinegar from The Ancient Olive and French vanilla ice cream. I am serious. This is one of the most delicious combinations I have had in a long time. Honestly, I don’t really like vanilla ice cream, but while visiting The Ancient Olive in Winter Park with Orlando Food Tours, Nick introduced us to the idea of olive oil and balsamic vinegar on ice cream. Using a combination of blood orange olive oil, dark chocolate balsamic vinegar, and a small scoop of ice cream, he hooked an entire group of people  on this strange new idea. I dare you to give it a try. Find a flavor you would like and give it a try. If you’re not sure where to start, head to The Ancient Olive in Winter Park, and ask for Nick. He’ll know what you’re talking about.

Ancient Olive Balsamic Vinegar and Ice Cream

Unique Eats at Yellow Dog Eats in Windermere is a Tucked Away Treasure

Posted on by Shannon Murdock Posted in Nom Nom Nom, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews 1 Comment

You know when you walk into a place and everything just feels right? It’s homey, warm, and inviting. A place that feels like home.

That’s what it feels like at Yellow Dog Eats. Yellow Dog Eats is nestled in a neighborhood in Gotha, right outside of Windermere. It’s located in a house that is over 100 years old. Inside, you’ll find wood walls, low lighting, and a cozy atmosphere. Oh, and a killer outdoor backyard setting that I know I would want to duplicate in my own yard.

It’s the food we’re here to talk about, though, and it doesn’t disappoint. The menu is extensive, filled with homemade sandwiches, BBQ, salads, and sides: both vegan and non.  There are even a few choices for the kids though there is no, “kid’s menu.”

Josh went with the “Drunken Pig:” a pulled pork sandwich topped with pecan-smoked bacon, Gouda cheese, crispy fried onions, Fish’s Gold BBQ sauce, homemade beer cheese soup, and scallions.

Yellow Dog Eats Drunken Pig
I chose the “Mr. Smokey:” pulled pork sandwich topped with juicy pineapple slices, fried onions, pecan-smoked bacon, and Fish’s Gold BBQ sauce. I asked for no fried onions, though. I’m not an onion lover.

Yellow Dog Eats Mr Smoky
The little man got the “Puppy Love:” peanut butter, strawberry preserves, sliced bananas, fresh cut strawberries, chocolate chips, chopped roasted peanuts (which he nixed), served on multi-grain bread with animal crackers.

Yellow Dog Eats Puppy Love

The pork was juicy, and the BBQ sauce flavorful. You can get that anywhere. It’s the toppings that pull everything together and make the sandwich memorable.

Find out location and full menu info: http://yellowdogeats.com/

Taste for Learning: Supporting Education with Wine and Spirits

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Taste for Learning on May 17 2014

Every year and a half, vintners from around the world donate and pour their finest wines and spirits to help raise dollars for scholarships at Taste for Learning in Orlando, FL, courtesy of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. The event marks the continuation of joint philanthropy efforts between the Valencia College Foundation and the Orlando Health Foundation. Taste for Learning will benefit both Valencia College scholarships and Orlando Health’s medical education program. Every item is donated — from the gourmet food to the international wines poured by their own vintners, to the advertising and the decor. 100% of all dollars raised from tickets, sponsorships, and auction items will go back to these foundations. The last six events have raised $2,266,825 for student scholarships and medical education.

Plan to join us at the Rosen Shingle Creek on May 17, 2014 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. to enjoy wine, spirits, food, and friendship. I would suggest booking at room at the Rosen Shingle Creek for a discounted rate for this event, too.

Taste for Learning Promotional Info for 2014

We loved attending this event in the past and can’t wait for May to come around. Please join us by inviting friends and colleagues, sponsoring a table and contributing auction items.

Until February 14, 2014, couples can save $50 by purchasing a couples ticket for $200, instead of the normal $125 each. http://www.valencia.org/taste/

Taste for Learning Desserts

The Last Shift for a Great Orlando Food Truck, Big Wheel Truck

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The Orlando food truck craze began just a few years ago. One of the first to be mentioned on Eat St. and to take food truck cuisine to a new level was Big Wheel Truck.

Orlando Food Truck Big Wheel Truck Sketch at East End Market

Sunday, January 19, 2014 was the last shift for Chef Tony Adams and his Big Wheel Truck crew at the East End Market. After spending some time up north, Adams ventured back to Orlando to enjoy some lovely Florida winter weather and spread his love for food to others. Adams partnered up with the East End Market to offer a few classes, dinners, and one last Big Wheel Truck pop-up!

Orlando Food Truck Big Wheel Truck Last Shift

Big Wheel fans and local foodie newbies came out for their final taste of the Big Wheel Truck. They wanted one last bite of some Big Wheel classics. When asking people waiting in line what they thought about Big Wheel Truck, a few key words seemed to be repeated; local, fresh, unique, and delicious!

Lump crab stuffed Florida avocado with sticky rice and momofuku vinaigrette.

Orlando Food Truck Big Wheel Lump Crab Avocado

Seared beef heart tacos with waterkist tomato salsa.

Orlando Food Truck Big Wheel Beef Heart Tacos

Colossal shrimp and grits with spicy andouille sausage.

Orlando Food Truck Big Wheel Shrimp and Grits

Thanks to Chef Tony Adams and the rest of his crew for one last taste of something local, delicious, and fresh! Your food will be missed!

Orlando Food Truck Big Wheel Last Shift

Do you have any Big Wheel Truck memories? Any favorites?

Check out East End Market events calendar for more info on the special events being hosted.

 

Donuts! Burgers! Cheese! Treehouse Truck gets a visit from Food Network’s Eat St.

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The Treehouse Truck recently was filmed by the Food Network for their show all about food trucks, Eat St.. They were on location at the Golf Channel in Orlando for a lunchtime shoot. I was lucky enough to get interviewed and take a big tasty bite of the GC Luther Burger – Bacon Cheeseburger in between 2 Krispy Kreme Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Hopefully a few snippet of my interview make the edits for the show.

GC Luther Donut Burger Treehouse Truck

Lots of foodies were interviews by the Eat St. crew. Taking a big bite is a must!

Other featured menu items included:

  • Papa Nick’s Roast Pork – Philly Style Sliced Roast Pork rubbed with Treehouse Blend of Herbs and Spices served with Sharp Provolone Cheese and Broccoli Rabe. Served on an Amoroso Roll.
  • Mama’s PBJ – Deep Fried Peanut Butter, Jelly, Banana, and Nutella Sandwich.
  • Hot Ness – A whole habañero pepper mixed into an all-beef patty, grilled and topped with melted American cheese, fresh cilantro, tomato, and drizzled with sour cream on a toasted bun.

Eat St on location in Orlando for Treehouse Truck Eat St on location in Orlando for Treehouse Truck - What a big bite! Eat St on location in Orlando for Treehouse Truck - Interviews

I was wearing my Google Glass while being interviewed. Here is a look at the crew from my point of view.

Eat St Crew Filming Through Google Glass

Eat St filming through Google Glass

I was able to grab a sketch of the Eat St crew filming too.

Eat St on location in Orlando for Treehouse Truck - Sketch

 

We will definitely post again when we find out when the episode will air.

The La Empanada Food Truck Beats a Hot Pocket Any Day

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Forget getting a Hot Pocket for lunch. Go find the La Empanada Food Truck in Orlando, Florida.

This is a delicious chicken pesto empanada for only $3.50 or 3 for $9.00.

La Empanada Truck Chicken Pesto

Twitter: @laempanadatruck

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Empanada-Food-Truck/198475063544049