Dining Guide: All American
30 of Greater Orlando’s best American restaurants. Read More Read More
Side Dish
Restaurant news from throughout Greater Orlando. Read More Read More
Dining Review: NOVA Scratch Kitchen
OFM dining critic Michael Lit’s take on Ivanhoe Village’s NOVA Scratch Kitchen. Read More Read More
That’s Italian!
Hungry for Italian dining? Here are 30 of our favorite Greater Orlando eateries that’ll make you say, “That’s amore!” Read More Read More
Dining Review: Norman’s at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Chef Norman Van Aken is a culinary trendsetter with his blend of Caribbean and Key West flavors that he coins as “New World Cuisine.” He is one of the only American chefs to win the James Beard and Robert Mondavi awards, as well as the Food Arts Silver Spoon. Until now, and despite Van Aken being a culinary inspiration to me through the years, I’d never had the opportunity... Read More
Recipe: Executive Chef Greg Richie, Soco Restaurant
Chicken Fried New York Strip Steak with Mashed Potatoes and White Truffle Pepper Gravy Nestled in trendy Thornton Park and headed by Executive Chef Greg Richie, the Zagat-rated Soco Restaurant offers—and derives its name from—Southern contemporary cuisine, and prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients. This month, Richie shares how to make one of Soco’s heartiest... Read More
Orlando Dining for the Whole Family
Great dining options and families are two things that Orlando has in abundance, and plenty of the former are perfect for the latter. These are some of our favorites, representing an array of menu and pricing options for just about every taste and budget. 4 Rivers Smokehouse: Chef John Rivers’ popular eateries serve up world-class brisket, great barbecue and good times for the... Read More
Winning the War on Clutter
Whether you own your home or rent, chances are it suffers from the curse of clutter. Sports equipment, electronics, clothes, tools, cleaning supplies and more all compete for limited space in closets, cabinets, pantries, the garage and even the floor while leaving increasingly less room for you and your loved ones. Photo provided by Garage Design Works So, what’s a clutter-crazed... Read More
Best of the Beach: 6 Outstanding Central Florida Beaches
Pity Orlando—the largest city in Florida without immediate access to a beach. If you ask us, though, our geographic reality is as much a benefit as it is an inconvenience. After all, if we didn’t need to leave town to visit the shore, chances are we’d be less likely to travel to the many amazing beaches that are just a relatively short drive from our hometown. And when we... Read More
Dining Review: Luma on Park
Luma on Park, from James Beard-finalist Chef Brandon McGlamery, is a restaurant fellow chefs have been recommending for quite some time. My wife Toni and I were excited to finally try his modern American cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Located on Winter Park’s ritzy Park Avenue, Luma is an elegant venue that offers a variety of seating options for any party size.... Read More
Chef Recipe: Osprey Tavern’s Roasted Organic Chicken & Buttermilk Biscuits
Orlando’s foodie scene has blossomed in recent years, resulting in a bounty of local restaurants that pride themselves on fresh ingredients and recipes dreamed up by chefs every bit as skilled as those you might see on TV. One of those standouts is Baldwin Park’s Osprey Tavern. This month, Executive Chef Joseph Burnett and Pastry Chef Kristy Carlucci reveal the secrets behind... Read More
Al Fresco Dining in Orlando
310 Lakeside, 310 Nona and 310 Park: All three sister restaurants have outdoor seating with gorgeous scenery. Lakeside: Downtown Orlando, (407) 373-0310 | Nona: Lake Nona, (407) 203- 1120 | Park South: Winter Park, (407) 647-7277 4 Rivers Smokehouse: Load up on Orlando’s best brisket and other barbecue goodness on the patio at Chef John Rivers’ flagship store. Winter Park, 844-474-8377 Bice... Read More
Home Away From Home: Top Local Trends in Outdoor Living
Now more than ever, homeowners are taking their outdoor spaces to the next level by creating oasis-like areas as an extension of their homes. From pavers to plants to kitchens, we’ve caught up with the experts of outdoor living to find out what the latest trends are in the Orlando area. When it comes to what plants are popping up in landscapes across the region, palm trees are... Read More
Out & About in Orlando
SYMPHONIC CINEMA Calvary Assembly, Winter Park Jun 10-11 The Central Florida Community Arts Symphony Orchestra invites you to sit back, relax and be swept away by beautiful and powerful film scores. Featuring iconic music from unforgettable motion pictures such as Back to the Future, The Magnificent Seven, UP, Titanic and many more, this concert event is designed to entertain the... Read More
Pie Perfection: 30 blockbuster pizzas in Greater Orlando
New York. Chicago. Orlando? While the first two cities are most closely associated with the best pizza in the country, our hometown does itself proud in that regard, too. Ask any local where his or her preferred pizza joint is, and you’ve probably just opened an hour-long debate over the merits of the crust here or the sauce there. No matter how you slice it, it’s evident that... Read More
Park It and Ride
One of the most unique benefits of Greater Orlando living is year-round access to the world’s best theme and amusement parks. Of course, being able to visit Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom or Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter any time we like could easily lead to a sense of jadedness—if the parks weren’t always cooking up something fresh. SeaWorld Orlando’s... Read More
Four-Legged Adventures
Family fun and summertime go hand in hand. All too often, though, our four-legged family members get left behind when everyone else heads out. Sure, your cat probably prefers it that way, but if you’ve seen one too many hangdog expressions from your canine companions when you depart for a day of adventure, maybe it’s time you do something about it. “Dogs aren’t any different... Read More
Time Out for Fun: 6 Easy Family Road Trips From Orlando
When it comes to family fun in Greater Orlando, do you feel like you’ve been there, done that? Well, maybe you just need to drive a little further. From historical forts and beaches to marine discovery centers and museums, Orlandoans have access to adventure from coast to coast. Ready to start exploring some fantastic spots? Consider these cool day-trip destinations, most of which... Read More
Dining Review: Todd English’s bluezoo
Living in a tourist town can have its shortcomings, but having a plethora of celebrity chef restaurants is not one of them. Take, for example, Todd English’s bluezoo at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, to which my wife Toni and I recently—and happily—made the 45-minute trek to enjoy a weekend dinner. Once in the restaurant, we were seated immediately and took... Read More
Chef Recipe: Ryan Vargas, Emeril’s Tchoup Chop
Featured Dish: Huli Huli Chicken with Stir-Fried Sunburst Squash, Haricot Verts and Wax Beans If you’re a fan of Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, one of Emeril Lagasse’s two restaurants at Universal Orlando, then you’re also a fan of Chef Ryan Vargas, known as the culinary master’s “right-hand chef” at the popular eatery. This month, Chef Ryan gives us a sneak peek at a dish... Read More
What’s Trending?: Expert Landscaping Tips
Given the Sunshine State’s generally hot climate for the majority of the calendar year, the start of spring has no real effect on the weather in Orlando—except to make it even hotter. Instead, local landscapers and designers are noticing a wide variety of trends that homeowners are taking advantage of this year. Whether it’s plant life, amenities or hardscaping, the latest... Read More
