Orlando Magazine July 2018

Stephanie Murphy, U.S. Representative

Barbara Jenkins, Orange County School Superintendent

50 MOST

Laura Kelley, Executive Director, Central Florida Expressway Authority

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CONTENTS FE ATU RES

From left, Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Orange County School Superintendent Barbara Jenkins, Expressway Authority Executive Director Laura Kelley

33 50 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Taking the top spot this year on our annual list are, collectively, the women who are on it, including the three Central Florida leaders pictured above. We talk to them and other prominent local women about power in the age of the #MeToo movement.

In addition, we have our annual look at the dozens of other local influential individuals who help shape our community.

Stephanie Murphy, U.S. Representative

Barbara Jenkins, Orange County School Superintendent

50 MOST

Laura Kelley, Executive Director, Central Florida Expressway Authority

POWERFUL

3 women of power, part of our annual list of influential Central Floridians.

Photo By Roberto Gonzalez

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS • Plastic Surgeons | 69

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• Best of ORL

SEPTEMBER • Pet Guide • Arts & Entertainment Season Preview • Premier Veterinarians • Magical Dining

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CONTENTS DEPARTM ENTS

UP FRONT

DINE

16 | THE NEW MIX

80 | CULINARY SPOTLIGHT

Your feedback, trivia and other tidbits.

18 | FROM THE EDITOR Power, family, memories, diversity. It's all here.

PULSE 22 | SPOTLIGHT Memories of a simpler time—growing up in Winter Park and playing Little League baseball with future stars of the game.

30

24 | AFTER DARK Mathers Social Gathering combines taste and swank in a throwback setting where you can enjoy craft libations and light bites.

26 | THE FIND July’s blistering sun can be relentless, but we’ve found a multitude of ways you can keep your cool and have fun all summer long.

28 | BODY & SOUL

80

Have you ever wondered if beauty devices can really deliver what they claim? Well, we tested a few and were pleasantly surprised at the results.

Orlando’s Chinatown Plaza on West Colonial Drive offers adventurous diners an array of eateries specializing in authentic Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese food.

84 | RECOMMENDED EATING Restaurants to put on your must-try list.

SCENE 98 | ON THE TOWN What’s happening in the area this month in theater, film, music, art and more.

108 | RSVP Orlando magazine’s Dining Awards, Barrister’s Ball, Science of Wine.

ETC. 112 | EXTRA PULP Things haven’t changed much since she was a kid; Laura Anders Lee still relishes the lazy days of summer with her family.

28

30 | STORY OF A… Bus Driver.

Find more great content about your city online at

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BASEBALL: COURTESY OF BILL CROSS JR.; BUS DRIVER, STATUE: ROBERTO GONZALEZ

22

HEALTH HUB

HAVING FUN IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA SUN. Summer Safety Guide

C

Choosing when and where you play is as important as choosing what you’re playing. Mornings and evenings are best for outdoor activities in Florida’s summer heat because the temperature can range up to 20-degrees cooler than it does in the afternoon.

What to Wear • GORE-TEX® shoes are ideal, but other fabrics work very similarly • Sunscreen-rated SPF 30 or higher • Synthetic fabrics designed for wicking moisture away such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, and spandex blends are naturally UV-resistant • Well-ventilated clothing, shoes and socks

Robert Chong, MD Lake Mary | College Park

SUMMER AID “Prepare your family for a safe season with a summer first-aid kit. Collecting essential medications and prescriptions in a light bag with multiple compartments makes it easy and convenient to be ready for minor emergencies.”

Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke If you or your child experience the following symptoms, you should immediately move to a cooler place, stop exercising, and cool down by pouring chilled water over your head, ears, neck and wrists, or use wet cloths, compresses and fanning.

SUMMER FIRST-AID KIT • Alcohol wipes

• Insect repellant (30% DEET)

• Cooling sports towel

• Dark urine

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

• Emergency prescription medications (such as epinephrine or an albuterol inhaler)

• Dizziness, lightheadedness

• Disposable gloves

• Thermometer

• Headaches

• Gauze, tape and scissors

• Triple-antibiotic ointment

• Nausea and vomiting

• Hydrocortisone (1%)

• Tweezers

• Cool, moist skin

• Weakness

Back-to-School Physicals & Vaccinations If you’re like most parents, you probably greet the end of summer with a mixture of emotions. Of course, it’ll be great to get the kids back to a normal schedule that keeps them busy. Most importantly, you’ll need to get your child an appointment for his or her back-to-school physical exam — as well as any needed vaccinations — before classes begin again. You can get your child’s back-to-school and sports physicals from one of Florida Hospital Medical Group’s board-certified family doctors or pediatricians.

The exam is covered by most major insurance plans.

18-FHMG-03641

• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen • Water bottle • White-petroleum jelly (Vaseline) for fevers or pain

To find the perfect primary care physician or pediatrician for your family, call (407) 988-2226. Or visit FHMedicalGroup.com for a customized search by zip code. All of our physicians are part of the Florida Hospital Care Network.

SUMMER SAFETY GUIDE | FHMedicalGroup.com

CONGRATULATIONS

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Volume 72, Number 9

July 2018

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Daryl Tol

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President and CEO of Florida Hospital

MANAGING EDITOR Hancel Deaton hancel.deaton@orlandomagazine.com

Recognized as one of Orlando Magazine’s

17-SYSTEM-02756

“50 Most Powerful People in Orlando”

ART DIRECTOR Anna Ware anna.ware@orlandomagazine.com ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Denis Vargas denis.vargas@orlandomagazine.com PHOTO EDITOR Roberto Gonzalez

17-SYSTEM-02756 Orlando Mag July Most Powerful 2017 Daryl Tol P2.indd 1

5/30/17 9:53 AM

DINING CRITIC Joseph Hayes DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CIRCULATION Catherine Walters catherine.walters@morris.com DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SALES & OPERATIONS Ashelyn Vazquez

CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS Nancy DeVault, Neil Haldeman, Cheri Henderson, Laura Anders Lee, Jim Leusner, Michael McLeod, Marie Rodriguez de la Viuda, Maddy Zollo Rusbosin, Rita Sotolongo, Megan Stokes, Dan Tracy PHOTOGRAPHY Steven Diaz, Emily Jourdan, Mariah Wild ILLUSTRATION David Vallejo PRODUCTION Jason Jones, Jen Davis

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A SUMMERTIME TO R EL A X .

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We want to hear from you. Send your letters to the attention of Barry Glenn, Editor, Orlando magazine, 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32803 or email barry.glenn@ orlandomagazine.com. Letters must be signed and include a phone number in the event we need to contact you. (Your phone number will not be published.)

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THE

NEW

MIX

CON N EC T WITH US

TIME WARP Historical flashback for the month of July

1850

1918

1st public demonstration of South African political leader ice made by refrigeration by Nelson Mandela Florida physician John Gorrie. was born.

1951

Walt Disney's animated musical film "Alice In Wonderland" released.

CONNECTIONS

2018

Lion’s Pride named one of the “10 Great American Soccer Bars” in the country by Travel Channel.

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Steven Sibbald via Facebook on the May issue Dining Awards cover Nom Nom Nom Maxine Earhart via Facebook on the Dining Awards Some of the hardest working people around!

So much talent in one room. @hunger_street via Instagram on the Dining Awards This was a fun night out!

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@thesippinggypsy via Instagram on the January issue Savannah Getaway One of my favorite getaways!!

Laura Diaz @LadyLauraDiaz via Twitter on the June issue Women of the Year Humbled to have been chosen as one of @OrlandoMag's "Women of the Year"... but not humble enough to refrain from sharing the link and patting myself on the back... http://bit.ly/2ta19cQ

of the month

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The Snapshot images above, were from AC2: An Intimate Night with Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen at the Dr. Phillips Center. Tag us on Instagram using @orlandomag on social media and check in on Friday to see if your picture has been selected as part of our #FridayFavorites.

The Kid Kontributor of the Month, is a new digital exclusive dedicated to featuring young writers. Know of any? Head to orlandomagazine.com/kids to learn about the new program and submit an entry!

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LETTER FROM TH E EDITOR

Action Plan

I

've never been one for planning. That may sound a bit surprising, coming from an editor who is charged with coming up with themes and stories for the city's magazine each month. So perhaps I should say I've never been one for over-planning.

Because sometimes the coolest stories appear out of nowhere. That was the case for a feature piece that came about when a large envelope arrived in my office mailbox a while back. Inside was a typewritten manuscript from Neil Haldeman, an Ann Arbor, Michigan, resident who grew up in Winter Park. He had decided to submit a reminiscence of his time playing Little League baseball back in the mid-1950s with the likes of future Major Leaguers Davey Johnson and Jack Billingham (who was then known as “Jackie’’).

But what drew me most to Haldeman’s story was the memories of he and his older brother playing for the perennial cellar-dwelling Indians—until one day their coach decided he just couldn’t take the losing anymore. You're in for delightful read, starting on page 22. And thanks to Winter Park's Bill Cross for providing some great vintage photos.

Elsewhere, in our Dine section, critic Joseph Hayes discovers an assemblage of Asian restaurants in a setting that is modest to say the least—a mall from yesteryear on West Colonial Drive. Yet in this expanse can be found eateries featuring tremendous examples of authentic cuisines from Korea, China, Vietnam and Japan, especially at BBB Tofu House and Chef Wang’s Kitchen. Then there’s the bounty of food at 1st Oriental Market and the delectable offerings both savory and sweet at Sun Pearl Bakery. Perhaps you had no plans before now to stop by this collection of culinary spots, called Chinatown. But now we’ve given you reason to.

Finally, we move to the showcase feature in this issue—our annual look at Orlando's 50 Most Powerful People. Okay, that does require planning, and lots of it, but the choices themselves are not foreordained: We research and keep watch on people and developments throughout the year. For instance, five months ago, I could have never predicted that our No. 1 choice would be, collectively, the women who appear on the list. But it simply fell into place, like it was meant to be. Writers Dan Tracy, Megan Stokes and Jim Leusner talk to some of those subjects, along with other women leaders in our community, about the challenges they have faced in a power structure dominated by men. Then we have profiles of the individuals on the list, both men and women, along with a compilation of 15 more leaders to watch in the near future.

Sound like a plan? Turn the pages and enjoy.

BARRY GLENN

BARRY.GLENN@ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM

FOR MORSELS OF THE LOCAL DINING SCENE, CHECK OUT JOSEPH HAYES' DINING BLOG SAVOR ORLANDO AT ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM/SAVORORLANDO 18 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

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PULSE S P OTLI G HT • A F TE R DA R K • TH E FI N D • B O DY & SO U L • S TO RY O F A …

MARIAH WILD

PAGE 24

SOCIAL SCENE

Mathers Social Gathering is a downtown speakeasy with style, outfitted with antiques, exposed-beam ceilings and hardwood floors. And the bartenders always deliver on classic and inventive cocktails.

PULSE SPOTLIGHT

In the spring of ’53, future stars were making their mark in Winter Park—as were a couple of new kids on the block. BY NEIL HALDEMAN

D

DURING THE YEARS 1953-55, WINTER PARK’S LITTLE League produced a player named Jackie Billingham, who went on to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds and compiled one of the best World Series records in history. Another boy named Davey Johnson went on to play for the Baltimore Orioles and later managed the New York Mets to a World Series championship. Ronnie Cayll would have made it to the bigs but quit while establishing a winning record in Triple-A because he hated airplane travel.

Then there was Beaner Howden. . . and my brother, and me.

In the spring of 1953 our family had just moved to Winter Park. I was 10 years old and we lived in a house on Virginia Court, a little street sloping down to Lake Virginia

from Fairbanks Avenue. It was an amazing place to be a child.

Dinky Dock was just down the way, Winter Park Elementary a few blocks up on Park Avenue, near the Colony Theater (where I saw Shane for 25 cents) and O’Brien’s Drug Store with its legendary cherry Cokes. The Dinky Railroad Line ran right along Lake Virginia, and Rollins College shut down during the summer in those days, so the campus

22 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018 | PULSE

provided a magnificent playground. There was even an old intramural gym that was easy to sneak into to play basketball. But it was baseball, not basketball, that we really loved.

I was the youngest of five boys, and baseball was part of our family fabric. I had been catching my 12-year-old brother Jim’s fastballs for as long as I could remember, and that’s what I was doing one day soon after arriving in town when the mailman stopped and watched us throw a few. He walked over to the house, and in a few minutes Mom was standing on the porch announcing that we could go out to the Little League park that afternoon if we wanted to. The mailman

COURTESY OF BILL CROSS JR.

Baseball Memories

Glory days: A scene at a Winter Park Little League field circa 1955, with umpire Bill Cross Jr. giving the safe sign.

COURTESY OF BILL CROSS JR.

At left, future stars Davey Johnson (middle first row) and Jackie Billingham (far right, second row).

Above, Neil Haldeman (first in front row) strikes a serious pose.

arranged for Jackie Billingham’s mom to come by and pick us up.

The Winter Park Little League had already begun its ‘53 season, but Al Hooper (the mailman and vice president of the league) had arranged for us to play. The park had four diamonds, real wood fences, grandstands and a refreshment stand. Ray Green, a former mayor, had donated the land to the city, and Bill Cross Sr., who became president of the league, had turned it into an actual baseball park.

When we arrived that first day, Mr. Hooper went over to consult with Mr. Kinney, coach of the Indians, the perennial last-place team we would soon discover.

As soon as they had finished their discussion, Jim and I were surrounded by two teams, about 30 kids, dressed in team uniforms, ready for a game. And none of them seemed at all glad to see us.

Mr. Kinney said to the assembled mob something like, “This is Jimmy and Neil. They just moved here from Georgia and they’re going to play for the Indians.” He handed Jim a ball so we could show our stuff to the other kids, and I was terrified. But I walked off the distance that I had walked a thousand times before in preparation for catching my big brother’s fastballs. And over the next few moments, aside from one meek comment about throwing too “sidearmed,” there was a

silence that, given the audience, seemed like thunderous approval.

Jim and I played for the Indians the rest of that season. Since we had joined the team late, however, Jim wasn’t allowed to pitch, which, we discovered, annoyed Mr. Kinney to distraction.

We played infield; but even with a Haldeman infield the Indians couldn’t get out of the cellar.

One day when we were again losing badly, Mr. Kinney walked out onto the field in mid-inning, forfeited the game, and announced that he wanted to have Jimmy Haldeman pitch against one batter, Beaner Howden, the best hitter for the other team.

Just one at-bat.

I watched from third base in amazement.

This kind of thing was not supposed to happen, and I’m sure it wouldn’t have if Al Hooper had been there. Mr. Kinney was just tired of losing, and he had reached some kind of breaking point. He handed Jim the ball, and Beaner stepped up to the plate. Today, Jim recalls that he felt pretty comfortable that day.

He had seen Beaner hit against Ronnie Cayll many times, and knew that Beaner could hit a fastball out of the park.

Jim worked the count to two strikes, with curveballs, and then decided to throw a pitch that our dad had taught him, a change-up.

A change-up in Little League was an oddity, because most of the pitchers were pretty slow

anyway. And Jim says a change-up was difficult with small hands because it was a two-fingers pitch. But a change-up it was. And, indeed, Beaner was surprised, and was only able to hit a meager grounder back to the mound.

So it was made clear that day—or at least Mr. Kinney thought it was— that if Jimmy Haldeman had been allowed to pitch for the Indians that year, they would have finally had a winning season.

Jim and I have reminisced about that event for 65 years, and still don’t know if Jackie, Davey or Ronnie happened to catch any of it. But I’m proud to have shared the diamond with those soon-to-be stars, as well as my Indians teammates, and I still think Winter Park is the best place I’ve ever lived. Its progress over the years admittedly has dealt me a few blows: Rollins swallowed up Virginia Court and built tennis courts where our house used to be. The Dinky Railroad got ripped up. The Colony Theater became a mall and later a Pottery Barn. Winter Park Elementary was torn down.

O’Brien’s Drug Store faded into history.

However, there is a baseball god: The Winter Park Little League fields (now part of Ward Park) are still there. I’m pretty sure they’ll never again produce as many future pros—or as many memorable times—as they did in the Haldeman era. But I like it that way.

Neil Haldeman, a 1961 graduate of Winter Park High School, lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He has a BA in English Literature from the University of Michigan, where he worked for 30 years in information technology before retiring.

PULSE | JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 23

PULSE AFTER DARK

Mathers’ décor is vintage eclectic; (inset) experienced bartenders mix classic cocktails.

Parlor Chic doesn’t look at all remarkable. However, its story—and what’s inside—is quite unique.

Originally built as a furniture store, this 162-year-old structure was the only place left standing after a fire swept through downtown Orlando in 1884. Since it rose from the ashes, quite literally, it was aptly renamed The Phoenix Building, and today it is home to one of the most unusual speakeasies in Central Florida: Mathers Social Gathering.

From the moment you arrive at the Magnolia Avenue entrance, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Downstairs, a dapper bouncer ushers you into the third-floor library via an elevator. But don’t let the library’s modest book-lined interior fool you: Behind one of the shelves is a secret door that leads you through to Mathers Social Gathering. Inside this late 1800sinspired drinking parlor, there is no detail overlooked. Its founders, the Team Market Group (led by brothers Keith, Romi and Daniel Mawardi), wanted to make the space one of a kind. The brothers began attending

that includes a shot of whiskey). You can also auctions and collecting antiques to outfit Mathers from its high, exposed-beam ceilings check out the Mathers General Store, which sells books and magazines, vintage trinkets down to its hardwood floors. and knickknacks, candy and fresh floral arThe swanky 4,500-square-foot space rangements. Additionally, the General Store is filled with plush leather couches and serves up seasonal on-tap cocktails as well as Oriental rugs. Its brick walls are lined with absinthe for the more adventurous drinker. throwback pictures of downtown Orlando, Another unique aspect of Mathers Social and there’s an expansive bar with boozeGathering is its quality entertainment. With filled shelves where you’re sure to find weekly wine tastings and live music—from an something to sip. The suspender-wearing electric violinist to a jazz trio—there’s always craft bartenders are trained to mix cocktails something to enhance the patron’s experience. to your liking. They can also guide you Since opening the bar last May, the Mathers through Mathers’ curated drink menu that team has produced epic parties in which it transfeatures classics like an Old Fashioned to forms the club’s interior. Guest favorites include of-the-moment recipes such as The Grand Mathers Things (a Stranger Things-themed Frosé. For large groups, try one of the social Halloween fête) to The 1922 (a Roaring ’20s potions like the Bourbon Berry or Blueberry New Year’s Eve bash).

Basil Gimlet that can serve up MATHERS SOCIAL “We like to do things out to eight people.

GATHERING of the box,” explains event and Beyond libations, Mathers Wednesday-Saturday marketing director Holly Spears. serves a selection of light bites 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Happy Hour “That’s what makes this place such as caprese skewers, cheese 4-7 p.m. so amazing. We care so much or charcuterie boards, and the 30 S. Magnolia Ave. about the quality of everything Prohibition Milk & Cookies Orlando 32801 we do here.” (a spin on the classic dessert mathersorlando.com

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MARIAH WILD

A

AT FIRST GLANCE, the old Mather Building

Mathers Social Gathering is all about enjoying the finer things in life. BY MADDY ZOLLO RUSBOSIN

PULSE THE FIND

Time to Chill Sno-Balls! and other great ways to keep cool during the sweltering dog days of summer.

BY NANCY DEVAULT

U Stay indoors and get a little culture. This summer, the Orlando Museum of Art features the 5th annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition, showcasing the works of 10 Florida artists. And the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College has four new exhibits.

The museum is also offering three CFAMily days and various tours and lectures. omart.org, rollins.edu U You’re sure to be cool at minus5° Ice Experience, a Pointe Orlando bar kept at 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Everything from the cocktail glasses to the walls is made of ice. Don’t sweat it if you didn’t bring a jacket; parkas and gloves are provided.

Also on I-Drive is Ice Bar Orlando, an arctic wonderland comprised of 70 tons of hand-carved ice. minus5experience.com, icebarorlando.com U Give yourself a summer staycation and dive into the relaxing lazy rivers at one of these local properties: Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, Hilton Orlando, Omni Resort at ChampionsGate, and Wyndham Grand Resort Bonnet Creek. For active splish-and-splash, Gaylord Palms Resort offers a wave pool, drop slide and dueling tunnels. fourseasons. com, thehiltonorlando.com, omnihotels.com, wyndhambonnetcreek. com, gaylordpalms.com U If you don’t mind getting a little wet, dive into some splash pad fun at Barnett Park, Disney Springs,

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Downtown Winter Garden, Dr. P. Phillips Community Park and at Trailblazer Park at the Lake Mary Sports Complex.orangecountyfl.net, fun4orlandokids.com, cwgdn.com, drphillips.org, lakemaryfl.com U Savor the ultimate summer fruit on Independence Day. First, join Track Shack for the Florida Hospital Watermelon 5K, starting at Central Park in Winter Park, to benefit the military. Then, rehydrate with chilled fruit slices during the Watermelon Eating Contest. trackshack.com U Nevermind the sun! Mars is making its closest approach to Earth since 2003, so viewing is at its best this summer. Check out “Mars Opposition Viewings,” hosted by the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium at Seminole State College and the Central Florida Astronomical Society, July 27-28 and August 3-4.

Observe Jupiter, Saturn, the moon, and various star clusters and nebulae. seminolestate.edu/planet U Escape the heat with a classic pastime at RDV Sportsplex Ice Den. Newbies can take Learn to Skate classes (four instructional weeks) or participate in public skate sessions (ages 3 and up). Think you’re already cool on the ice? Suit up for drop-in hockey sessions or leagues for curling, figure skating, gliding stars (an adaptive program), hockey and speed skating. mvpsportsclubs.com U Rev up your dinner and a movie

plans seated in a 1950s-era car at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Let your eyes wander from the screen upward to the ceiling, which is lined with thousands of tiny fiber-optic twinkling stars. Or snag some screen time at the Enzian theater, where you can eat and drink and watch an independent film or cult classic. disneyworld.disney. go.com, enzian.org

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

U Orlando has plenty of ice cream shops but, for a refreshing alternative, try Amazeballs Classic New Orleans Sno-Balls, available at the Winter Park Farmers Market on Saturdays and at the Lake Eola Farmers Market on Sundays. The snow-like consistency is smooth and creamy— unlike a typical icy snow cone.

Choose from 50 flavors like Cotton Candy, Passion Fruit or Key Lime Pie. amazeballssnoballs.com

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PULSE BODY & SOUL

Best Face Forward Want to take your skincare routine up a notch?

These tools and devices are designed to give your complexion a boost. We tested them all.

BY MADDY ZOLLO RUSBOSIN

1 SONIC YOUTH Foreo IRIS Illuminating Eye Massager $139, foreo.com

What It Claims: Approved by ophthalmologists, this massager helps reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles, and bags through its T-Sonic technology.

Our Take: Thanks to the massager’s gentle tapping sensation, applying eye cream has never felt more enjoyable. It also made us look and feel instantly more awake.

1

2

5 GREEN WITH ENVY Shiffa Jade Facial Massage Roller $63, nordstrom.com

What It Claims: Jade rolling is an ancient Chinese beauty ritual that is just as beneficial today as it was centuries ago thanks to its healing and soothing benefits. The green stone stimulates blood flow, contours and tightens the skin, and helps reduce puffiness and the appearance of fine lines and pores.

Our Take: The dual-ended tool makes it easy to roll your entire face, even the delicate undereye area, in a matter of minutes. It worked our moisturizer into the skin better than our fingers, and the jade’s cooling sensation felt seriously therapeutic. Try storing it in the fridge for extra de-puffing benefits. After using it daily for a week, our skin looked brighter and felt smoother.

3

2 ROLL WITH IT

GloPRO Microneedling Regeneration Tool $199, beautybio.com What It Claims: This micro-needling tool rejuvenates an aging complexion. The needles penetrate the skin, triggering it to regenerate and make new cells—leading to a firmer, brighter appearance with continued use.

Our Take: While we got a little weary of getting pricked by its sharp micro-tips, the device was practically pain-free. Even after one use, our face felt softer and had a glow, making it a mainstay on our vanity.

3 LET THERE BE LIGHT Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask $34.99, neutrogena.com

4

6 PUCKER UP JuvaLips Original Lip Plumper $149.95, myjuvalips.com

5

What It Claims: It’s a temporary, injection-free solution for thin lips. Simply apply the nourishing balm, place your lips into the mouthpiece and turn it on for a minute.

Our Take: There’s a slight pulling sensation during the treatment. Afterward, we were pleasantly surprised that our lip volume had increased. It made a noticeable difference—more so than any topical product, so it’s ideal to do for special events.

What It Claims: This acne-fighting LED mask brings light-therapy treatment from the dermatologist’s office straight into your living room. The secret to its skin-clearing success? It’s equipped with blue lights to kill bacteria and red lights to decrease inflammation.

Our Take: While you may look like a comic book villain while wearing it, the 10-minute treatment is a non-irritating, non-drying way to combat current—and future—breakouts.

4 SET THE TONE NuFACE Trinity Toning Device $325, mynuface.com

What It Claims: Its micro-current technology firms skin tone and decreases the appearance of wrinkles.

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Our Take: The biggest difference we saw after using this repeatedly for five minutes a day was the lifting effect along our jawline and cheekbone. Our features looked tighter and more luminous—plus our makeup went on smoother, too.

7 GOOD VIBRATIONS QYKSonic ZOE, $149, qyksonic.com

6 7

What It Claims: This sonic brush massages skin to remove makeup and cleanse. It can also be used to apply skincare serums and creams.

Our Take: Its pointed tip lets you target areas around the nose and mouth. Plus, its antibacterial silicon bristles are gentle enough for sensitive skin.

PULSE STORY OF A…

Bus Driver Florida Operator of the Year and 33-year veteran Melinda Demers says driving a LYNX bus “isn’t as easy as it looks.”

BY CHERI HENDERSON Her driving ambition. “My mom was a school bus driver for 20 years. My dad drove trucks.” Although she wanted to be an accountant, Demers ended up driving a school bus for Orange County Public Schools for four years. “The day they laid me off, LYNX called. I’ve been here ever since.”

On her time off, she hands her husband the keys. Demers drives nine hours and 45 minutes each day and has accumulated 2.5 million miles behind the wheel. “By the last run, I’m done.”

Backseat drivers allowed. Drivers learn routes using printed turn directions called left-right sheets. Demers gets an earful from riders about new drivers who have had trouble learning the route.

“If you see a driver having a hard time, help him out. Don’t sit there and bash him. It’s nerve-wracking [to learn the route].”

Dial it down when you’re on the phone. “If people are talking on their phone in a normal voice, that’s fine. But when they get loud, you have to tell them to tone it down. Other people don’t need to hear it, and I don’t need to hear it. Sometimes I just turn on my blower and my fans and drown them out.”

Those late buses. “We know we’re late. We have three clocks in front of us. It’s not like we do it on purpose. People think we’re superheroes sometimes—that we can fly over traffic.”

Be part of the change you want to see. Often the people who complain about the bus being late are the ones who don’t start digging for their change until the bus arrives. “That takes up time. A minute doesn’t seem like much to somebody, but if you have five people doing that, there’s five minutes you’re down just because they weren’t ready to go.”

When you can’t stop to go. “I gave myself kidney stones [years ago] because I didn’t have time to stop [for a bathroom break].

It’s either not having time to stop or not having a place to stop.”

Counseling comes with the fare. Sometimes people will sit behind Demers and use her as a sounding board. “Some people just want to get something off their chest. I feel like a bartender sometimes.”

A real card. Demers questioned a woman who asked for a rider discount using a man’s ID card. Demers looked at the card and the woman said, “I got a sex change nine years ago.” So Demers went to her customer relations representative who told her, “Next time ask for her picture ID with it.” “So I did, and they were different names. She was using her husband’s Medicare card.”

It’s a team effort. A mother of three and grandmother of six, Demers says she couldn’t have maintained her career without the help and support of her husband of 38 years. “He’s been a rock.”

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That time she called police. Years ago an elderly rider wouldn’t pay his fare. When Demers told him he had to, “he fell on the bus floor, acting as if I had pushed him.” Demers called a supervisor, and then the police came. “The police knew him because he’d done it before in grocery stores and on other buses.”

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he annual list of influential individuals in our city has educators, public servants, and ambassadors of good will and philanthropy, as well as leaders in business, the arts, tourism, sports, the LGBTQ community and more. This year, there’s a new No. 1 in town...

PROFILES BY JIM LEUSNER, DAN TRACY, CHERI HENDERSON, MICHAEL MCLEOD AND BARRY GLENN PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERTO GONZALEZ

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BY DAN TRACY, MEGAN STOKES AND JIM LEUSNER

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his year, the No. 1 ranking on Orlando magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People list goes not to a single leader but rather a collective force.

Its members come from all walks of life, ranging from government and politics to business and nonprofits, from law and philanthropy to the arts and LGBTQ issues. They are the women of our community—specifically those who appear on this year’s list.

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They are being honored as one, even though their voices, opinions and accomplishments are wide ranging. Yet, their push for equality, the causes they champion and the mentoring of those following in their footsteps are of a common and courageous bond.

Kelly Cohen, Anna Eskamani, Mayanne Downs

Their individual achievements are noted on our annual list of the 50 Most Powerful, which, of course, includes both men and women.

But for the story you are about to read, we asked some of them, as well as other influential female leaders, to give us their views on the issue of women and power, based on their experiences and in light of the fast-moving events that characterize the #MeToo movement.

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Val Demings, Patty Sheehan 36 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

OR YEARS, THE ORLANDO POWER STRUCTURE —LIKE MUCH OF SOCIETY — HAS BEEN DOMINATED BY MEN. Certainly, there are notable exceptions, including two-term Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs; Orlando City Attorney Mayanne Downs; Orange County School Superintendent Barbara Jenkins; U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings; and Central Florida Expressway Authority Executive Director Laura Kelley.

But their numbers are relatively small compared to their male contemporaries, especially considering that women make up slightly more than half of the population and about 52 percent of the voting-age population.

Take politics, for example. In Florida, only 14 of the 40 senators are women; in the state House, women have 28 of the 120 seats. Only one woman, Attorney General Pam Bondi, serves in the Florida Cabinet.

Nationally, 23 members of the 100-strong U.S. Senate are women, and there are 84 female representatives in the 435-member U.S. House.

There has never been a woman president or vice president.

In fact, the United States ranks 96th—right behind Pakistan—for political empowerment of women compared to men in top federal government leadership and parliamentarian positions, according to the 2017 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report.

The political landscape could be changing, however. Record numbers of women are running for Congress as well as state offices in Florida.

And a generation of teens nationwide has been awakened, demanding immediate gun law changes after the Feb. 14 Parkland, Fla., school shooting that claimed 17 lives. Her impassioned speech calling for change transformed 18-year-old senior Emma Gonzalez into a leader of the #NoMore movement. It already has led to a Florida law raising the legal age to buy weapons from 18 to 21 and allows authorities to seize guns from mentally unstable individuals.

“Women are stepping forward with an enthusiasm and self-confidence that I have never seen before,” says Deirdre Macnab of Winter Park, former president of the Florida League of Women Voters.

There’s little doubt that women are speaking out louder than they have in many years, most prominently and visibly by marching and demonstrating against sexual assault and harassment, com-

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monly referred to as the #MeToo movement.

Powerful men such as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota and NBC Today show host Matt Lauer have fallen as a result of sexual harassment and misconduct allegations. Weinstein was recently indicted by a grand jury on rape and other sex charges.

Female anger and dissatisfaction crystallized on Jan. 21, 2017, when the Women’s March drew an estimated 1 million people to Washington, D.C., shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as president. The protesters contended he does not respect women, in part because he was recorded on tape bragging about groping women’s genitals. That same weekend, nearly 10,000 people marched at Lake Eola in support of women’s rights, with a similar number gathering a year later at the downtown Orlando park.

“I think things will change,” says Linda Chapin, who served as Orange County’s first mayor in the 1990s. “The women who are motivated to run for office right now is a reaction to unacceptable behavior at all levels.

This may be a real group of real reformers, and heaven knows this is what we need.”

Nearly all of the women interviewed for this story could recall at least one incident when they were touched inappropriately, spoken to in a sexist or disrespectful manner or much worse.

“You start remembering things that happened over the years and this flood of memories comes back on how helpless and powerless you felt,” says Carol Wick, a women’s rights activist, corporate consultant and licensed marital and family therapist. “I’ve talked with my friends. And then we thought, ‘This [the public discussion and backlash] is what we hoped for, and powerful people were being toppled.’ ” Wick remembered being harassed when she was 17 or 18 by her boss at a Midwestern grocery store. He wanted her to go away with him for a weekend. “I told my mom and she said, ‘I guess you’re going to quit.’ ” Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who in 2000 became the first openly gay politician elected in Orlando, says she once was asked out on a date by a college professor,

who continually picked on her in his class after she rejected him.

“It was emotionally horrible,” she says.

“There was no way I was going to sleep with my instructor.”

Sheehan, who dropped out of the class, says harassment has continued to this day. Recently, she says, she was bullied by a man who attempted to physically intimidate her over a disagreement about city matters. She would not name him.

Anna Eskamani, who is running for a state legislative seat, says she, at age 28, has had “so many” #MeToo moments. They range from what she described as issues over consent and intimacy with an ex-boyfriend, to people spreading mean-spirited, unfounded rumors about her having affairs with male politicians.

“There’s no way she’s doing this on her own.

There has to be a male involved,” she says, recounting the allegations.

For Glenda Hood, former Orlando mayor (1992-2003) and Florida secretary of state (2003-05), it was an issue of disrespect by male colleagues or the kind of language they used with her. She recalled her time as the first female chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce when a fellow board member would introduce her as “the little gal from Orlando.”

Finally one day, when it was her turn to introduce him, she said “and now let’s hear from the little guy from the Panhandle.” Afterward, he thanked her for the lesson.

“Sometimes I would work through it with humor or I would even dismiss people on my staff or team from the room and then they [the offender] would have to deal directly with me,” says Hood. “You can’t let it fester inside you where you’re not paying attention to what the work is for that moment. You have to confront it and deal with it head on.”

Besides bringing these injustices to light, women are also trying to shatter a longstanding habit of, for one reason or another, automatically handing authoritative positions to men.

Downs, who in addition to being city attorney also is the first female managing partner of a major Florida law firm, says: “People find comfort in what is familiar. People find great comfort in men. The world, for a long, long time, has been run by men.”

The president and managing director of GrayRobinson, Downs says men dominate in her chosen field of trial law because they

are presumed to be superior to women. It is a “form of combat. And women are not presumed to be good in combat,” she says.

But she believes that obstacle can and will be overcome with “demeanor, competence, work ethic, confidence and experience. That is the formula for overcoming the presumption or for being successful,” she tells women lawyers in speeches around the country.

When Downs was in law school, she says, her class was about half men and half women.

But now, at pretrial court hearings, she often is the only female lawyer there, along with dozens of male attorneys. The legal profession, she says, needs to find a way to keep women in law after they have children.

“It takes a long time to change things and a long time to pull that rope,” says Downs, a mother of two.

For better or worse, women often are expected to handle the bulk of child-rearing duties, even when they work full time. Kelley, who is the first female director of the Central Florida Ex-

“

WOMEN ARE STEPPING FORWARD WITH AN ENTHUSIASM AND SELFCONFIDENCE THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.” -Deirdre Macnab

pressway Authority and its predecessor agency, says balancing family and work is difficult.

“I always worried, as a young mother, the amount of work I did and the impact on my children,” says Kelley, a mother of two. “The feedback from my kids is that I inspired them…

Then as they were growing up, I think they would tell you that they had a mother who worked hard and progressed. Sorry, no guilt.”

Women of color often face even more difficulties in their professions. Just ask Demings or Jenkins.

“I was poor, black and female and I was reminded of that many times,” Demings says. “My mother would not allow me to get caught up in the stereotypes or to feel sorry for myself or wish I was richer or a different color or a different genJULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 37

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“

I COULD HAVE MAINTAINED STATUS QUO AND KEPT MY HEAD DOWN OR I COULD SWING FOR THE FENCES AND I SWUNG FOR THE FENCES. AND I GOT A HOME RUN.” -Val Demings

der. She let me see the strength in me. She said, ‘Nobody defines you; you define you.’ ” Before her election to Congress in 2016, Demings was a member of the Orlando Police Department, where she worked her way up from the patrol ranks to become the first female chief in the city’s history. Her husband, Jerry, was OPD’s first black chief and is now Orange County’s sheriff (and running for county mayor).

During her tenure as chief, violent crime was reduced by 40 percent. Some of her tactics were controversial, like disbanding well-established units that weren’t working.

38 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

“I could have maintained status quo and kept my head down or I could swing for the fences and I swung for the fences. And I got a home run,” she says.

To her, being the first female police chief meant excellence was the only option. She didn’t want anyone blaming failures within the department on the fact that it was being run by a woman.

“There’s a lot of pressure that comes with being the first because I knew I was setting the standard for all of the women who followed me,” she says. “I feel like it’s a calling to help other women and girls realize their potential.”

Jenkins says she shocked colleagues in 1989 when she got a job as an Orange County public school principal, even though she was pregnant with her daughter.

“There were other, older females that were principals who said, ‘Oh, my God, I’m so glad you did this. I wanted to have another child and I was worried about how it would be looked upon as a pregnant principal.’ And now it’s no big deal,” Jenkins says.

Jenkins became the first female superintendent at OCPS in 2012. She always thought it odd that in a female-dominated profession, such as education, there were very few women in leadership roles.

Now, with 131 female principals and 71 male principals in Orange County, the scales are

tipping. Orange, Osceola and Lake County public schools all have a female superintendent.

“It’s always been an assumption or a predetermination that those positions [superintendent and upper-level administrators] were for men,” Jenkins says. “Here in Central Florida, where we’ve had a female police chief and a female mayor more than once, I think we see more and more women gaining equal footing in those high leadership positions. But in [OCPS], it took a while to put a female at the helm.”

Back in the 1990s, women arguably played a more prominent role in running Metro Orlando: Chapin was Orange County mayor; Hood was Orlando’s mayor; Toni Jennings was the state Senate president and later lieutenant governor; Martha Haynie was Orange County comptroller; and Rita Bornstein was president of Rollins College.

Women also headed the boards of the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce, the District 5 office of the Florida Department of Transportation, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Florida Citrus Sports. And a woman, Rear Adm. Louise Currie Wilmot, commanded the Orlando Naval Training Center, now closed and the site of the Baldwin Park development.

“We all supported each other and pulled for each other,” Chapin says. “We demanded a lot of ourselves and expected a lot of each other.

The women who were best at it had unusually supportive spouses—or none! All of us assumed we had to work twice as hard.”

Once they stepped down, many of them were replaced by men. Chapin is not sure why more women did not move to the forefront.

“Did we simply use up all the likely prospects in that first wave? Did other women watch us and decide it was too hard, demanded too much?” she says. “Did a growing conservative movement in national political life make

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Stephanie Murphy, Barbara Jenkins, Laura Kelley

Carol Wick, Diana Bolivar

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it unfashionable? I hope someone will write a doctoral thesis and explain it all.”

Hood thinks it was a problem of outreach to young women, who she says have a difficult time reaching for leadership roles when many are simultaneously experiencing their most productive professional years and starting families. Better job training could also ease the intimidation often associated with high-level positions.

“So we need to reach out and support younger women and let them know, ‘You can do all of the above.’ You don’t have to be superwomen but you can certainly take on those roles and balance it with your family,” she says.

Why do we need more women at the top?

“We’re much better at it,” Hood says.

“I think women are better at building collaborative partnerships. I think we’re able to check our egos at the door and seize an opportunity when we see it,” she says. “Shame on us as a community if we aren’t supporting our younger generations and women, in particular, to take on these leadership roles.”

Diana Bolivar, owner of a local management consulting firm, says fearlessness is one of the most important qualities in a leader.

She learned to be fearless in the hardest way possible: by facing her own death.

When she was 15, a serial rapist attacked Bolivar near her Massachusetts home as she walked back from a mall. The attacker cut her throat, but she fought back ferociously, grabbing the blade of his knife so tightly that one of her fingers was severed. Eventually he gave up but only after kicking and breaking her ribs.

Her survival—three surgeons spent 18 hours repairing her hand—led her to become a stronger person.

“I receive every pain and suffering with gratitude because I believe that is one of the ways we grow as human beings. You can let misfortune make you bitter and become a victim, or you can fight and learn from it and help others who haven’t been able to move past their tragedy,” says Bolivar, a former president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando.

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Linda Chapin, Glenda Hood

For U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, whose family fled Vietnam in 1979 and was rescued at sea by the U.S. Navy, success was a matter of following her father’s advice in the new land of opportunity: “Work hard. Focus on your education. And play by the rules.”

That led Murphy, of Winter Park, to become the first woman in her family to graduate from college. She then decided to show her gratitude to the U.S. government by later working as a Department of Defense analyst and becoming the first Vietnamese-American woman elected to Congress.

Along the way, there were mentors in Washington such as former presidential national security adviser Brent Scowcroft. And there were trusted local advisers, including Cari Coats, a longtime Orlando business executive and Rollins College entrepreneurship program executive director. But there were also #MeToo moments, which led Murphy to support sexual harassment training in Congress. She had already made the training mandatory for her staffers before both houses approved a requirement late last year.

Murphy stresses the need for more women, diversity and youth to bridge a huge gender, 40 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

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BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORK, NEVER MAKE ASSUMPTIONS, ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST AND WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, COME IN WITH FACTS, NOT EMOTION.” -Diana Bolivar

technology and generation gap in Congress in the 21st century. “The diversity that makes this country great isn’t yet reflected in the halls of Congress,” she says. “Only two percent of Congress is millennial and yet 30 percent of the workforce is millennial today. And it will be 50 percent by 2025.”

She adds: “Women and young people are realizing that elections matter.”

Orlando business and political strategist Kelly Cohen believes women still have a lot of power today; they just aren’t as high profile as some of the women of the 1990s.

She noted women who are at high levels in the nonprofit sector, sports areas, in economic partnerships and in government.

“I think there has been great movement made, but on boards, I don’t think there are as many women. There is a lot of room for women on community boards and we need more CEOs,” Cohen says.

Also a lobbyist and managing partner for Southern Strategy Group, Cohen herself is a key player in economic development and political fundraising. A lawyer by training, she was a fundraiser in 2002 for then-State Sen. Buddy Dyer, now Orlando mayor, who was running for state attorney general at the time. It was her job to approach potential donors around the state for financial support.

“There were not a lot of female political fundraisers at the time,” Cohen says. “I was in my late 20s…You had to prove you knew

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“I’ve not held all men to the same standard because of what some have done to injure me,’’ she says. “And those that aren’t good, I bless and release.”

Bolivar has four rules for women in leadership: “Be impeccable with your work, never make assumptions, always do your best and when you arrive at the negotiating table, come in with facts, not emotion.”

She believes Orlando has embraced female leadership but that Hispanics still must work to gain a foothold in the city’s power structure. “The Hispanic community needs to be more supportive of each other and not be afraid of competition,” she says. “If you see a Hispanic leader doing well, support that leader.”

“

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SHOW UP, LISTEN, AND BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT YOUR OWN VALUES. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CLEAR SENSE OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO DO.” -Margot Knight

how to raise money and get things done [sometimes in] male-dominated places such as country clubs. Candidly, people weren’t sure if I was there to get them a drink or coffee, or if you were actually competent to do the deal.”

Breaking in, much less getting ahead, in business or politics takes more than hard work, women say. Support from family, friends and mentors is invaluable, especially when assertive women often are tagged as being a “bitch” or worse.

“That’s a way to disown a woman’s idea, to call them names,” says Margot Knight, who formerly ran United Arts of Central Florida and now directs an artists’ program in the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco.

Knight says she always tries to collaborate and be inclusive in her decision-making.

She never walks into a meeting, she says, without thinking “there’s more I don’t know than I know.”

Her advice: “Show up, listen, and be very clear about your own values. You have to have a clear sense of who you are and what you are willing to do.”

Chapin says her parents were instrumental in the success she found, first in the business world as a banker, then in politics. “They encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be, to ignore the barriers that were there,” she says.

Macnab credits her parents and grandparents as well with teaching her that “if you do something you love, you won’t work a day in your life” and to “leave everything better than you found it.”

Jenkins believes more female mentors are needed, saying women often need an extra nudge to keep moving up the ladder.

“If there are more women making the decisions, then I think you’ll see more equality or at least that wage gap start to dissolve,” she says. “If we have more females coming into power, you will continue to see more change.”

WISDOM

MORE OBSERVATIONS AND ADVICE “WE’VE COME SO, SO FAR. SOME OF IT’S GOOD, SOME BAD. IT’S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLAYING FIELD.” –Carol Wick “JUSTICE GRINDS SLOWLY…AND WHEN IT COMES, IT’S SMASHED INTO A BUNCH OF TINY PIECES. IT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.” –Mayanne Downs “BE AUTHENTIC AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL.…IF THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU IS THAT YOU FAIL, IT’S NOT THE WORST THING IN THE WORLD.” –Kelly Cohen “I DIDN’T LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH GENDER EYES. I LOOKED AT IT AS THE JOB.” –Laura Kelley “THE SELF - DOUBT WOMEN GO THROUGH IS JUST POWERFUL. THEY NEED VALIDATION, WHEREAS MEN JUST LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY, ‘GOSH, I’D MAKE A GREAT CONGRESSMAN.’ IF YOU FAIL, YOU’RE NOT THE FIRST. GET BACK UP AND TRY AGAIN.” –Val Demings “WORK HARD, OF COURSE. BE OPEN - MINDED, BE WILLING TO LISTEN. DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE DETERMINED, IF TOUGH, POSITIONS. AND WATCH YOUR BACK.” –Linda Chapin “MEN SEEM TO HAVE THIS DELUSIONAL FANTASY ABOUT HOW SAFE THE WORLD IS FOR WOMEN.” –Deirdre Macnab “BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. BE FEARLESS AND HAVE EMPATHY.” –Anna Eskamani “WE HAVE TO FIGHT AND CLAW FOR EVERYTHING WE CAN.’’ –Patty Sheehan “THINK LIKE A MAN BUT ACT LIKE A WOMAN. USE YOUR FEMININITY, THAT SIXTH SENSE THAT WE’RE BORN WITH. LISTENING TO YOUR GUT IS AN ART AND IT TAKES YEARS TO TAP INTO IT. WE SPEND OUR LIVES TRYING TO SHUT IT DOWN BECAUSE PEOPLE TRY TO TELL US WHAT WE SHOULD THINK.” –Diana Bolivar “SHOW UP AND ASK, ‘HOW DO I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?’ ” –Margot Knight “SOME OF MY BIGGEST MENTORS WERE MEN SO I ALWAYS CHALLENGE WOMEN THAT THEY HAVE TO TAKE UP MENTORING AND ENCOURAGING AND GUIDING OTHER WOMEN IN WHATEVER PROFESSION THEY’RE IN AS WELL.” –Barbara Jenkins “I GO INTO THESE POSITIONS AND ESTABLISH MYSELF AS THE LEADER RIGHT FROM THE GET - GO SO THAT THERE WON’T BE ANY QUESTION. YOU MAKE THAT DEMAND IN YOUR BODY LANGUAGE, IN YOUR PROFESSIONALISM, TO BE TREATED EQUALLY.” –Glenda Hood “WHEN YOU’RE UNDERESTIMATED, KILL THEM WITH COMPETENCE.” –Stephanie Murphy JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 41

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2 GOVERNMENT POWERFUL

& POLITICS

JOHN MORGAN

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BUDDY DYER ORLANDO MAYOR

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ver the past year, Dyer didn’t pitch any major new projects, instead focusing on those in the works: SunRail expansion to Osceola County; new Orlando International Airport terminal construction; and Phase II of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. That’s on top of affordable and low-income housing development of 600 units that’s built or being planned for downtown and west Orlando; the downtown UCF-Valencia College campus and Creative Village construction; and the Puerto Rico refugee crisis. City officials worked to help settle Hurricane Maria victims, while Orlando Utilities Commission and Orlando Police were dispatched to the island. Last fall, Dyer said he met with a handful of advisers to discuss whether he should apply for the UCF president’s job being vacated by retiring John Hitt—or even consider a run for governor. Ultimately, Dyer decided to stay mayor and join the presidential search committee, which selected UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker. “My ability in this job to affect so much policy and what is going on in Central Florida goes much further than being president of UCF,” Dyer says.

“Quite honestly, I get up every day loving what I’m doing.” In office for more than 15 years—making him the longest-serving mayor in Orlando history—Dyer has announced that he will seek re-election in 2019.

42 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

ATTORNEY, BUSINESSMAN, PHILANTHROPIST

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ith a flurry of tweets over Thanksgiving weekend, the Orlando trial lawyer and political fundraiser announced he could not “muster the enthusiasm” to run for governor as a Democrat, despite leading a lackluster field of candidates without formally announcing his intentions. Morgan said he was becoming an independent and that he would no longer raise money for nationwide political organizations such as the Democratic National Committee. Meanwhile, he is focused on his court fight to force the state to comply with a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana that he helped win voter approval for in 2016 but which state officials continue to appeal because they object to the smokable form of marijuana. Morgan also has his sights set on a 2020 constitutional amendment to raise the minimum wage statewide.

And, of course, his 350-lawyer Morgan & Morgan law firm continues to expand its presence nationwide, racking up a second consecutive $1 billion year in revenue. Last year, the firm donated 2,000 pounds of supplies to Puerto Rico hurricane victims and flew a team of doctors to the island. In August, Morgan and wife Ultima donated $1 million to the homeless aid nonprofit Community Resource Network.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

FRANK KRUPPENBACHER ATTORNEY; CHAIRMAN OF GREATER ORLANDO AVIATION AUTHORITY

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t Orlando International Airport, Kruppenbacher is a mayor of sorts, overseeing 21,000 employees, a $518 million budget and $31 billion in regional economic impact. His constituents: a record 45 million total passengers over the past year.

OIA now ranks 11th busiest in the nation and first in Florida, but expansion continues. A multi-billion dollar, 19-gate South Terminal expansion is under way. Meanwhile in September, OIA also was ranked No. 1 in overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power for North American airports that handle more than 32 million annual passengers. Kruppenbacher led a fight against the Transportation Security Administration, threatening to privatize passenger screening if federal staffing and security improvements were not made. TSA relented in April and agreed to expand checkpoint capacity, provide additional screeners and bomb dogs, while GOAA will remodel to provide more airside passenger lanes. Aside from the airport, Kruppenbacher serves as one of Gov. Rick Scott’s outside advisers and fundraisers and is a key player in helping to lure new business to Orlando. He pushed to open the airport’s Puerto Rico evacuee assistance center in October after Hurricane Maria.

4 MAYANNE DOWNS ORLANDO CITY ATTORNEY; PRESIDENT, GRAYROBINSON

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owns has been making the rounds in the state and country, giving keynote speeches over the past few years, but she’s not running for office. As Orlando’s first female city attorney, the first woman to head the 300-lawyer GrayRobinson firm in Florida, and ex-president of the Florida Bar, she preaches professionalism and diversity in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of women having a seat at the business table.

A skilled trial lawyer and a perennial choice on various state and national best lawyer lists, Downs says she never turns down a speaking request because it is important to follow those “who made a difference to me” during her career. As city attorney, she is one of Mayor Buddy Dyer’s closest advisers. Between her two jobs, Downs “has her hands in everything between here and Tallahassee,” says one acquaintance. She also serves as a member of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which disciplines judges; and the boards of directors for the Orlando Economic Partnership and the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.

TERESA JACOBS ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR

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he Republican leader is leaving Orange County government after 16 years in office, eight years as a commissioner, plus the past eight as county mayor. She is term-limited from the mayor’s office and set on replacing Bill Sublette as chairman of the Orange County School Board. She faces three challengers for the post. To the surprise of many political observers who have watched the NRA reign supreme in national, state and local politics, Jacobs was able to persuade the commission earlier this year to require criminal background checks and a 3-day waiting period for everyone purchasing a firearm at a gun show, flea market or firearms exhibit in the county. Those restrictions previously applied only when buying a firearm from a licensed gun dealer. The county, at Jacobs’ behest, assisted the nonprofit organization Feeding Children Everywhere in putting together and shipping more than 4.4 million meals to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

5 JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 43

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MARCOS MARCHENA ATTORNEY, MARCHENA & GRAHAM

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archena was involved in two of the more momentous recent decisions in Metro Orlando.

As chairman of UCF’s Board of Trustees, he oversaw the selection of Dale Whittaker as president, replacing John Hitt, who retired after 26 years. Enrollment had tripled under Hitt, reaching 66,000 students.

As the general counsel for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Marchena is the legal adviser for a massive $3 billion expansion that includes construction of a third terminal and a multi-modal station awaiting its first occupant. OIA, with more than 45 million passengers, has surpassed Miami as the state’s busiest airport. Back at UCF, the prominent Republican is working to open by the fall of 2019 a campus in downtown Orlando in conjunction with Valencia College.

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KELLY COHEN

MANAGING PARTNER, SOUTHERN STRATEGY GROUP

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ohen has a major voice in local issues, ranging from politics and business to sports and civic initiatives. A longtime lobbyist, fundraiser and strategist, she serves as a key political adviser to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and other Democrats. This year she is campaign finance chairman for Sheriff Jerry Demings’ bid for Orange County mayor. She remains a key advocate for the Orlando Magic’s proposed Sports and Entertainment District; Orlando City Soccer; Lake Nona’s Medical City and Sunbridge developments; and Osceola County’s BRIDG and NEOCity high-tech projects. Cohen was part of the leadership team helping to merge the Canvs co-working space, Starter Studio tech incubator and the Firespring investment fund in order to support entrepreneurs. She serves on the Orlando Economic Partnership Executive Committee; the boards of directors for the Creative City Project and Starter Studio; and the advisory board for Clean the World, which recycles hotel soap to distribute in needy countries.

JERRY DEMINGS

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF

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ver his 37-year government career, Demings has collected several big titles: Orlando police chief; Orange County public safety director; and for the past 10 years, Orange County sheriff. Now he wants to add another: Orange County mayor. With current Mayor Teresa Jacobs leaving office due to term limits, the mild-mannered Demings is considered the favorite for the job. During his three terms as sheriff, overall crime has declined 30 percent in unincorporated Orange County. Demings co-chairs the Orange County Heroin Abuse Task Force and serves as a member of the Homeland Security FEMA National Advisory Council, which advises the government on disaster preparedness and response. He also sits on boards for the Boy Scouts; Boys & Girls Clubs; Orange County Police Athletic League; and Children’s Safety Village. Military Times magazine again cited the sheriff’s department this year as one of the best for hiring veterans.

44 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

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GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

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JOHN MINA

ORLANDO POLICE CHIEF

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or the past four-plus years, Mina has led Orlando Police through some of its toughest times: a series of controversial use-of-force incidents, the June 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre and the 2017 killing of a police sergeant by a career felon. In his calm, steady style, Mina has modernized the agency and moved it to a new headquarters. Along the way, crime has gone down, force by officers has dropped due to body cameras and more training, and OPD has improved relations in the community. Mina has opted to pass on retirement and will run for Orange County sheriff; he is considered the front-runner as Sheriff Jerry Demings seeks the Orange County mayor post.

Earlier this year, Mina received a 2018 Orlando Diversity Award from the LGBT+ Center Orlando Inc.; a 2018 Florida Attorney General’s Distinguished Victims Services Award; and was voted the Florida Police Chiefs Association Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year last July.

10

BILL NELSON U.S. SENATOR

COURTESY OF OFFICE OF U.S. REP. STEPHANIE MURPHY

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lorida’s senior senator—and one of only two Democratic senators in the South—is being targeted by the Republican Party and challenger Gov. Rick Scott in what is expected to be a close race in November. A state legislator beginning in 1972, Nelson served six terms in the U.S. House and was elected to the Senate in 2000. During his tenure, Nelson has been an advocate for the environment and the space industry. In recent months, he has pushed for a nationwide gun-tracing database for federal firearms agents; more mental health resources in schools; hiring 1,000 more government-funded doctors nationwide to help combat the opioid crisis; and capping student loan debt interest rates. In May, he helped secure nearly $23 million to help 15 Florida public transit agencies pay for response costs and damaged equipment from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

STEPHANIE MURPHY U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 7

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wo years ago, Murphy upset 12-time Republican Congressman John Mica with the help of a redrawn district and an inspiring story of her family’s 1979 sea rescue by the U.S. Navy while fleeing Vietnam. Since then, the first Vietnamese-American woman elected to Congress has been busy brushing aside partisanship for her purple district that takes in Seminole County and northern portions of Orange. The Democrat, a former Pentagon analyst, has been a key player on small-business and defense issues, while advocating for women and children. Quorum Analytics, a Washington firm, earlier this year ranked her as the No. 1 most effective member of her House freshman class (for recruiting bill co-sponsors) and seventh most-bipartisan of the chamber’s 435 members. She successfully led the effort for more federal funding for Florida schools to offset enrollment of hurricane-displaced students from Puerto Rico; helped enact a law so that small-business owners could obtain microloans up to $50,000; and aided in winning major military pay and veterans’ education benefit increases.

JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 45

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12 VAL DEMINGS

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 10

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emings, a Democrat completing her freshman term and gearing up for a re-election campaign, has continued to push for federal gun control legislation, ensuring she will continue receiving an F rating from the NRA. Although no new gun laws have moved through Congress, Demings has promised to fight on, arguing that as former Orlando police chief, she is in an ideal position to discuss and promote solutions to gun violence. A member of the House Homeland Security Committee, she recently helped introduce a bipartisan bill to protect U.S. elections from Russian interference. She was among those who successfully fought for the Transportation Security Administration to remain at Orlando International Airport, where the board was considering replacing the agency with a private security force.

DARREN SOTO U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 9

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he freshman congressman has been a crusader to preserve the Kissimmee River, win funding for citrus growers and cattle ranchers, secure PTSD benefits for first responders and help line up hurricane disaster relief for Puerto Rico evacuees and island infrastructure. In May, Soto helped persuade FEMA to extend temporary relocation benefits to evacuees as they searched for permanent Central Florida housing. He also opposed privatized passenger screening at Orlando International Airport, an idea that later was withdrawn when aviation authority and TSA officials resolved their differences. A former state legislator, Soto is the first Floridian of Puerto Rican descent to be elected to Congress. He is being challenged this November by former congressman Alan Grayson for the district seat which includes southeast Orange and all of Osceola counties.

46 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

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GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

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PATTY SHEEHAN ORLANDO CITY COMMISSIONER

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he first openly gay person elected to the Orlando City Council (2000), Sheehan has mixed standing up for the LGBTQ community with representing her constituents in a district that includes neighborhoods such as Colonialtown South, Delaney Park, Lake Como, Southern Oaks and Wadeview Park. Her profile rose in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting June 12, 2016, when 49 people—many of them members of the Latin gay community— were murdered by a lone gunman. She has continued involvement in supporting a Pulse memorial, family outreach and counseling services for victims, in addition to backing local governments’ legal challenge to a state law that punishes elected officials who enact sensible local firearms ordinances. Other priorities: protecting Lake Eola’s beloved resident swans and finding ways to encourage biking and walking without snarling traffic.

Sheehan is a member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE, FLORIDA HOUSE DISTRICT 49

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mith made history in 2016 when he was elected as Florida’s first openly LGBTQ Latino lawmaker. Ever since, the progressive Democrat representing east Orange County has been a strong voice for equality, medical marijuana and Puerto Rico hurricane victims. He is best known as a vocal supporter of Pulse nightclub shooting victims—helping secure $3 million in funding for a PTSD treatment program at UCF—and as an advocate for gun reforms in the wake of the Parkland school shooting. One civic leader describes him as “the conscience of the Legislature.” Smith judges his own success not on bills passed in the Republican-controlled House, but rather on “how I can use my platform to effectively change the conversation and effect change.” Smith also serves as the Central Florida outreach coordinator for Equality Florida and has been honored by the Florida League of Women Voters, Hispanic Federation, Florida Education Association, and the Metropolitan Business Association. In May he was tapped as the LGBT+ Center of Orlando’s Champion for Equality.

15 JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 47

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POWERFUL

EDUCATION DALE WHITTAKER PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

B BARBARA JENKINS

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ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

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enkins heads up the nation’s ninth largest school district, which swelled even more during the past year with the arrival of more than 2,500 students from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. That was the largest influx of refugee students to any district in Florida. In addition to making room for the storm victims, one of Jenkins’ big efforts has been using the half-penny sales tax to distribute more than 100,000 laptops to all high school and middle school students. Roughly three-fourths of those schools’ curriculum is digital, and by 2020, elementary schools will go digital too. Also, under Jenkins’ watch, school-appointed committees have eliminated two vestiges of the Old South. Robert E. Lee Middle School, named after the Confederate general, is now called College Park Middle School. And Jackson Middle School, also memorializing a Confederate general (Stonewall), is in the process of a name change. Earlier this year, Jenkins was considered for the job of running public schools in New York City, but the job went to a Houston school official.

48 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

SANDY SHUGART PRESIDENT, VALENCIA COLLEGE

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cholar, poet, singer and guitar player Sandy Shugart has been the president of Valencia College, enrollment 70,000, for 18 years. After opening a new $27 million campus in Poinciana in August (the college’s sixth overall), Shugart continues working with UCF officials to open another campus in downtown Orlando. It will feature the Walt Disney School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality and is set to start classes late next year. Under Shugart, the school awards the fourth most associate degrees among colleges and universities nationwide. Last year, he was one of three people to win the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, recognizing innovators and leaders in that industry. This year, he was honored with the 2018 Global Vision & Education Award from the Atlantic Institute. Shugart, who recently completed a lecture tour in Poland, is working on his fourth music CD.

WHITTAKER: COURTESY OF UCF

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eginning July 1, Whittaker takes over as UCF’s fifth president, succeeding the retiring John Hitt, who had a remarkable 26-year-reign.

Whittaker joined the school in August 2014 as provost and vice president for academic affairs. He has a master’s degree and doctorate in agricultural engineering and held faculty and administrative positions at Purdue and Texas A&M universities for two decades. While at UCF, Whittaker has helped lead the joint downtown Orlando campus project with Valencia College, which broke ground last year and is slated to open in fall 2019. In addition, Whittaker has helped recruit more than 200 new faculty members and set off on a 20-year strategic planning process aimed at making UCF Florida’s preeminent university. He now leads the nation’s second largest university (66,000 students), which awards 16,000 degrees annually, tops in the country. Among his goals: develop more talent for business, increase community and research partnerships, and secure more funding sources.

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

1

RASESH THAKKAR SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAVISTOCK GROUP

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ith Thakkar at the helm, the 17-square-mile community known as Lake Nona has become, by some measures, the fastest growing residential area in the nation and certainly in Orlando. Already basking in the coup of attracting the United States Tennis Association and its facilities to the area, Lake Nona is the soon-to-be-home of a $430 million training center for the international accounting firm KPMG, set to open in late 2019. That coincides with the second phase of Lake Nona Town Center, which features retail and restaurant space, a 200-room hotel, a million square feet of office space and a six-story office tower. And don’t forget that Johnson & Johnson is building an $18 million human performance institute in Medical City. Thakkar’s aim is to create what Tavistock officials refer to as an “innovative well-being environment and collaborative ecosystem.” He is hardly done with building Lake Nona. In the next year, Thakkar says, he plans to aggressively pursue regional and national retailers, restaurateurs and entertainment companies for the region.

DARYL TOL

PRESIDENT/CEO, FLORIDA HOSPITAL & ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM’S CENTRAL FLORIDA DIVISION

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ltimately responsible for running 15 hospitals and managing 26,000 employees spread across Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Lake, Volusia and Flagler counties, Tol sees his job as something of a consumer advocate. He wants to make life easier for patients by simplifying and connecting healthcare services and argues that people leaving the hospital are not discharged, but are transitioning to another phase of treatment or to their home. One of his goals is to bring Florida Hospital closer to its patient base by opening new ambulatory and freestanding emergency room locations and offering virtual care through e-visits. He also oversaw the opening late in 2017 of a new $203 million hospital in Apopka.

JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 49

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3

DAVID STRONG PRESIDEN T & CEO, ORLANDO HEALTH

DAVID SIEGEL PRESIDENT & CEO, WESTGATE RESORTS

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ince the 2015 death of his 18-year-old daughter, Victoria, from a prescription drug overdose, Siegel has been—in his words—“laser focused” on the opioid crisis, providing the overdose-reversal drug Naloxone to first responders and speaking at government hearings. The timeshare magnate will host a conference in August at his Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa to educate doctors on opioid alternatives and new statewide requirements that in many cases limit them to three-day supplies for patients. Siegel, a longtime Republican donor, heads one of the largest resort developers in the country, with 26 themed destinations in nine states and more than 13,500 villas and hotel rooms. Westgate annually honors thousands of U.S. military members, veterans and their families, as well as Gold Star families, during a special weekend in Orlando. This year, Siegel’s Westgate Resorts Foundation has donated $50,000 to military charities, part of $1 million in donations to 65 nonprofits in communities where the company operates.

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trong is presiding over significant expansion for the $3.8 billion, not-for-profit Orlando Health and its seven major campuses, breaking ground and beginning construction on several freestanding emergency departments in Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties, a nursing and an Alzheimer’s center in Ocoee, and an Orlando Health-UF Health Cancer Center at Dr. Phillips Hospital. With its market share increasing, it also launched a partnership with the Florida-based CareSpot urgent care system last year.

Orlando Health is one of the region’s largest employers with 23,000 workers. In April, it was recognized by the prestigious Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare 2018.” In November, Strong was appointed as the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Central Florida Regional Board Chair.

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4 GREGORY LEE

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ee’s influence extends to numerous areas—sports and entertainment, real estate and government. Since October 2016, he has been president of the Orlando Utilities Commission governing board and led the search for a new CEO last year. He chairs BakerHostetler’s nationwide sports and entertainment industry practice, which means helping pro football and baseball teams. He also coordinates the firm’s local real estate work, including the Orlando Magic’s $250 million downtown sports entertainment complex, the $80 million U.S. Tennis Association’s Lake Nona campus, various tourist timeshare projects and the Oviedo City Center. Lee also has been active with the Central Florida Sports Commission; the Cure Bowl/Orlando Sports Foundation Advisory Board; and Orlando Economic Partnership. Since 2008, he has chaired the Orlando Community Venues Oversight Committee monitoring construction of the Amway Center, Orlando City Soccer Stadium and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, as well as the renovation of Camping World Stadium.

50 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

SIEGEL: COURTESY OF WESTGATE RESORTS

ATTORNEY, BAKERHOSTETLER

BUSINESS

6

8

CHUCK WHITTALL

PRESIDENT, UNICORP NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

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huck Whittall and Unicorp are not slowing down. The developer of ICON Orlando (formerly the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye) on I-Drive recently opened StarFlyer, the world’s tallest swing ride, next door. At 450 feet high, StarFlyer outdoes ICON by 50 feet. Whittall is also busy on other development fronts: After building Venetian Isle, Westside Shoppes, Lakeside Crossing, Zen Luxury Living and several Wawa convenience stores in recent years, Unicorp is looking to buy 82 acres in southwest Orlando to build O-Town West, which would feature $500,000-plus homes and a boardwalk with shops and restaurants overlooking a lagoon with fountains. A 24-year veteran in the development world, Whittall also broke ground recently on The Ritz-Carlton Residences Orlando, Grande Lakes.

7

CRAIG USTLER

PRESIDENT, USTLER DEVELOPMENT INC.

COURTESY OF NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

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icknamed “Mr. Downtown,” Ustler says he wants to “fundamentally change the trajectory of Parramore and the West Side” through Creative Village, the 68-acre district incorporating business, educational and living space. In 2017, Ustler’s company broke ground on the $105 million, 15-story student housing complex for the UCF-Valencia Downtown Campus and the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons. Ustler is also developing a $64 million, 256-unit mixed-income apartment complex. All three projects are slated for completion in August 2019, coinciding with the campus opening. “The progress at Creative Village is very exciting. This is a catalytic redevelopment project,” Ustler says. The developer is also building apartments at Florida Hospital Health Village and is in the early planning stages of doing the same near Florida Hospital Apopka.

DANA BLEDSOE

PRESIDENT, NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

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s a hospital administrator, Bledsoe—who completed her doctorate in healthcare administration in May—draws upon her years in nursing to serve children and families at Nemours.

Named this year among Orlando Business Journal’s 2018 Top Women Business Executives, Bledsoe took the helm at the 100-bed academic medical center in Lake Nona in 2015. Nemours recently received its fourth Innovation of the Year award from the Florida Hospital Association. Since 2017, the hospital has gained accreditation for its Graduate Medical Education program, opened its Center for Fetal Care, launched a registered nurse residency program, has begun offering lung transplants, and boosted occupancy by 26 percent. It is also adding 30 critical-care beds. Bledsoe serves on the boards of Give Kids the World Village and the Orlando Economic Partnership.

JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 51

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ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & THE ARTS

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DANNY WHITE UCF ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

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ast year, our story about Danny White alluded to him waking the sleeping giant that is UCF sports. And has he ever. The Knights’ football team was arguably the most talked-about team in the nation with its perfect 13-0 season, capped off by a Peach Bowl victory over Auburn and a No. 6 national ranking. Correction: A No. 1 ranking, according to White, who led the charge to proclaim UCF as tops because of its status as the country’s only undefeated FBS team (there were national championship parades staged downtown and at Disney). Pundits scoffed, but the publicity surrounding UCF’s magical season brought tremendous exposure.

Although Coach of the Year Scott Frost left for Nebraska, White has brought in promising replacement Josh Heupel.

White also has something else to boast about: UCF’s athletes achieved an average 3.33 grade point average, a record for the school, and for the fourth straight year they are graduating at a higher rate (94 percent) than any other NCAA Division I FBS public institution in the nation.

PRESIDENT & CEO, DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

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early four years after opening, the Dr. Phillips Center continues to shine, with the smash hit Hamilton coming to town next January as part of what could be the strongest Broadway Series season to date. Meanwhile, on the north side of the center, work continues on the 1,700-seat Steinmetz Hall acoustical theater, which will host performances by the Orlando Philharmonic, Orlando Ballet and Opera Orlando. It is set to open in the spring of 2020. Ramsberger and her lieutenants continue to create a robust programming schedule and revenue stream at downtown’s crown jewel. Nearly $7 million in donations was raised in the past year, and the center boasts an impressive list of corporate partners that include Morgan Stanley, Pepsi, Florida Hospital, Orlando Utilities Commission and Foxtail Coffee.

52 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

2 RAMSBERGER: COURTESY OF DR. PHILLIPS CENTER

KATHY RAMSBERGER

ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & THE ARTS

3

FLAVIO AUGUSTO DA SILVA

CHAIRMAN & MAJORITY OWNER, ORLANDO CITY SOCCER CLUB

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fter the team struggled on the field in its first three seasons, Da Silva launched a multimillion-dollar roster makeover. Despite a promising early stretch that saw six straight wins, the team settled into a 6-8-1 record by mid-June—and promptly fired Head Coach Jason Kreis. Despite its troubles, Orlando City still has a valuation of $491 million—the highest in Major League Soccer, according to Forbes. Last summer, the magazine valued them at $272 million, fifth richest. In March, Da Silva sold 8.6 percent of the team’s parent company, which also owns the Orlando Pride women’s team and Orlando City Stadium, to a Toronto investor for $42.3 million. Da Silva still owns nearly 79 percent of the team, and the rest is controlled by other partners. Forbes says Orlando City is one of the MLS’s few profitable teams and that another round of league expansion is in the works. It also noted that “off the field the Lions have been nothing short of stellar.”

STEVE HOGAN

CEO, FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS

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t is easy to forget that Camping World Stadium used to be a pretty lonely place. Formerly the Florida Citrus Bowl, it was an unsightly mess that typically hosted a New Year’s Day bowl game and a handful of other events, including Jones High School football contests. But under the guidance of Steve Hogan, the venue in west Orlando has become a relative hive of activity, drawing three bowl games, the annual Florida A&MBethune Cookman clash, the NFL Pro Bowl and assorted other events, including last year’s WrestleMania 33, which attracted a record crowd of 75,000 fans. A $200 million renovation started in 2014 sparked much of the stadium’s popularity. In mid-June, Florida Citrus Sports announced that the NFL is returning for a third Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Hogan’s goals include moving up in the pecking order of the college football playoffs.

4 ALEX MARTINS CEO, ORLAND O MAGIC

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artins, who topped our list in 2012, heads up the 19th most valuable franchise in the NBA with a value of $1.23 billion (the DeVos family paid $85 million for the team in 1991). They’re in the Top 5 in single-game ticket sales and attendance has held steady. The problem is on the court, where the Magic this year posted one of the worst records in the NBA—again. A promising start, with a new GM and president of basketball operations in place, devolved into a 25-57 record and the firing of Head Coach Frank Vogel. Perhaps the team’s celebration of its 30th anniversary and a new coach at the helm, Steve Clifford, will make for good karma. In the meantime, Martins and the Magic hope to start building their sports and entertainment complex this year on the cleared plot across from Amway Center. In the community, Martins continues to serve on the UCF Board of Trustees.

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JOSHUA VICKERY FOUNDER & CEO, CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS

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ince founding CFCA in 2010, Vickery has become a formidable force in the Central Florida arts scene. In 2017, 2,032 people performed in CFCA theatrical and musical productions. The community-conscious nonprofit boasts a 310-member choir, orchestras for youth and adults, seniors programs, a performing arts school, dancers, a theater troupe, and arts and wellness programs. Vickery’s success has earned him a recurring slot on our 50 Most Powerful list, in addition to being named among Orlando Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 in 2017. Florida Arts Education Alliance named Vickery the Arts Educational Professional of the Year in 2016, and Orlando Weekly dubbed him a Top 3 Arts Advocate in 2017. “We had no idea that it would become a multigenerational and multidisciplinary offering for so many people,” Vickery says of his organization. The singer, actor, teacher, producer, musical director, arts administrator and conductor is working on a book about CFCA’s rise to success.

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PATRICK & HOLLY KAHN

OWNERS, SNAP! SPACE & SNAP! GALLERY

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atrick and Holly Kahn do not like empty spaces.

The first clue came eight years ago when the couple, who had moved to Orlando from Los Angeles, began drafting vacant downtown warehouses as temporary galleries for a series of annual art-photography festivals they called “Snap!” Eventually they found a permanent residence for their enterprise in a former movie theater near Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive. But their mission hasn’t changed: They still abhor visual vacuums, replacing them with a sophisticated array of events and exhibits that have elevated the city’s cultural profile. Their nonprofit gallery, Snap! Space, suits the neighborhood’s youngish, eclectic, cross-cultural urban vibe.

Its offerings, and exhibits at a second Snap! Gallery downtown, have brought the world to Orlando’s doorstep, featuring nationally recognized and world-famous photographers, from South African-based abstract minimalist Roger Ballen to legendary “street style” urban photographer Jamel Shabazz.

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ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & THE ARTS

BENOIT GLAZER & ELAINE CORRIVEAU DIRECTORS, TIMUCUA ARTS FOUNDATION

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hen they built a custom home across from Boone High School in 2007, Canadian transplants Benoit Glazer and Elaine Corriveau left something out: a living room. In its place is a 99-seat concert hall that serves as headquarters for their nonprofit Timucua Arts Foundation, devoted mainly to staging a broad mix of musical offerings.

Most of the more than 700 performances the Glazers have orchestrated have been free, though donations are encouraged.

Guests also bring wine and food to share. At first, shows were usually a family affair a la the von Trapps, featuring Elaine, who teaches piano, Benoit, who retired last year as musical director and trumpet player of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, and their three children. Now there are guest soloists, chamber orchestras, a resident ensemble in Alterity Chamber Orchestra, and acclaim including the imprimatur of The New York Times, which rightfully called Timucua one more reason “not to equate Orlando with mouse ears and thrill rides.”

8 JOHN SINCLAIR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY OF WINTER PARK

SINCLAIR: KAREN LESLIE PHOTOGRAPHY

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t’s not as much of a reach from the composers of the baroque period to the circa 1960 Green Bay Packers as you might think. At least it isn’t to John Sinclair, who likes to quote legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi: “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” Generations of Central Florida musicians have grown accustomed to having that sentiment hammered into them by the omnipresent conductor. Sinclair, who is also chair of the Rollins College Music Department, conducts roughly 150 performances each year, from Rollins productions to annual festivals and concerts involving the Bach chorus and orchestra, the Messiah Choral Society, and the Candlelight Processional, Walt Disney World’s holiday-season tradition. His three decades of musical stewardship is most obvious with the Bach Society, whose range he has refined and expanded, most recently with a concert devoted to the choral works of three often-overlooked, mid-20th century African American composers.

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TRANSPORTATION & TOURISM 2

GEORGE KALOGRIDIS

HARRIS ROSEN

HOTELIER, PHILANTHROPIST

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ith Orlando drawing a record 72 million tourists in 2017, business is good for Rosen Hotels & Resorts. Its namesake president and chief operating officer began with a Quality Inn on Sand Lake Road in the mid-1970s, lived there to save money and acted as its manager, security officer and a dining room hand. Over the next 40-plus years, Rosen acquired eight more hotels— including two last year—and has expanded his portfolio to nearly 6,700 rooms and 700,000 square feet of meeting space, making him the single largest private hotelier in Florida. Although he is a giant in the business world, Rosen is equally known for his multimillion-dollar philanthropy: his role in the formation of the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management; free pre-school and college scholarship programs he funds in the Tangelo Park and Parramore neighborhoods; aid programs he finances in Haiti; and his self-insured company health plan. In April, the World Health Care Congress honored Rosen with lifetime achievement awards for health benefits innovation and public leadership. Rosen also supports the Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Jewish Community Center, named after his parents.

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alogridis’ kingdom includes four theme parks, two water parks, the Disney Springs entertainment district, and 28 Disney-owned-and-operated themed resort hotels. And Disney still has 70 percent of Orlando’s tourism market share. Its two Avatar-related attractions at Animal Kingdom continue to draw big crowds 13 months after opening, and coming up any day now is the opening of Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. Also on the horizon (fall of 2019): the opening at Hollywood Studios of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Mouse now has 74,000 employees, making it the largest single-site employer in the country. Its community grant programs are expected to hand out more than $34 million this year; in April, it surprised five local nonprofits with gifts of $100,000 apiece.

Kalogridis, a Central Florida native and UCF grad who was named to the top Disney World post in January 2013, serves on various local boards and is the vice chairman of the onePULSE Foundation, which is working to create a permanent memorial and museum honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack.

KALOGRIDIS: COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

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PRESIDENT, WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

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TOM WILLIAMS

CHAIRMAN & CEO, UNIVERSAL PARKS & RESORTS

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illiams continues to oversee Universal’s theme parks worldwide, including Orlando, Hollywood, Japan and Singapore. Work continues on the Universal Beijing Resort, a theme park destination in China, with completion expected in 2020. In Orlando, Universal saw increases in attendance in 2017, opening the Volcano Bay Water Theme Park as well as the Loews Sapphire Falls Hotel. Set to open in August: the 600-room, 17-story Aventura Hotel. The Harry Potter lands continue to be huge draws, and Universal recently opened the Fast & Furious-Supercharged thrill ride. The company continues to work on a major, as-yet-unannounced expansion on land it owns off Universal Boulevard, with speculation centering on an attraction related to a DreamWorks movie or Nintendo (the company is building a Super Nintendo World at its park in Osaka, Japan).

Universal now accounts for about 25 percent of the Orlando tourism market share.

LAURA KELLEY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY

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hree years into her leadership tenure, Kelley is overseeing nonstop roadway expansion—widening 60 percent of the expressway network in the next few years—while traffic counts have increased 37 percent since 2013 and are expected to climb as regional growth continues. Also being studied are seven new future toll corridors in the five-county area. In March, another five-mile leg of the Wekiva Parkway opened, allowing expressway travel between Lake and Orange counties. And with Kelley’s background in finance, the project was completed 18 months ahead of schedule at a savings of $160 million. Construction will approach $2 billion in the next proposed five-year plan—and over $8 billion in the next 20 years. This year, the authority also will begin accepting E-ZPASS, a toll collection system that serves 16 states in the Northeast. In April, the Orlando Business Journal named Kelley its 2018 Businesswoman of the Year.

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GEORGE AGUEL

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he tourism numbers continue to be magical news for Aguel and Visit Orlando. In 2017, Orlando drew 72 million visitors, beating the previous year’s total by 4 million and further cementing our title as most visited destination in the United States. The area’s premier tourism marketing agency, Visit Orlando has an $80 million-plus budget for promotion, and much of that comes from the tourist development or “bed’’ tax.

Expect records in perpetuity, which Orlando seems to set with ease, even after hurricanes decide to blow through.

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RICH MALADECKI

PRESIDENT & CEO, CENTRAL FLORIDA HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION

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aladecki’s group represents nearly 80 percent of Central Florida’s lodging establishments, amounting to 121,000 hotel rooms, more than 80,000 vacation ownership units and over 15,000 vacation rental homes. The CFHLA is adamant against using the tourist development tax, which is levied on hotel rooms, for public facilities or other projects it considers outside the scope of tourism (a bill to allow such uses died in the Florida Legislature this year). In the community, the group conducted two post-hurricane Puerto Rico job fairs and awarded numerous full scholarships to hospitality students.

WILLIAMS: COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

PRESIDENT & CEO, VISIT ORLANDO

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Welcome to tomorrow land.

We’ve got land for expansion, manpower to empower and forward-thinking infrastructure investments that top $10 billion. We’ve evolved from a university town built to win the space race to one of the most imaginative cities in America. Our evolution didn’t happen overnight; we’ve been preparing for our explosive growth for more than a decade. And you thought you knew everything about Orlando. Ready to learn more?

Orlando.org

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PHILANTHROPY & COMMUNITY VOICES

1

JOEL HUNTER

FAITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

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unter left Northland last year, the church he built into one of the largest in Central Florida, to become a full-time volunteer helping homeless families in Central Florida.

He told numerous publications it was time to leave the four walls of the church he grew from a couple of hundred congregants to 20,000 over a 32-year career. Since becoming chairman of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, he has recruited more than 100 faith-based and community organizations. His goal: “to knit together an entire community response to effectively help those who are needy and homeless.” When Hunter announced he was switching careers, well-known Orlando attorney John Morgan wrote a check for $1 million to the commission, telling the Orlando Sentinel, “There is a sweetness and a gentleness in Joel Hunter that makes him more Christlike than some of the phony baloneys that I see on TV. I just believe that there’s people that talk the talk and there’s people who walk the walk, and Joel Hunter is the latter to me.”

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3 TED MAINES

JIM PUGH

BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

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ugh and wife Alexis have donated millions to the center and recruited others to contribute millions more. He is working to raise the final $10 million for the Steinmetz Hall, expected to be completed in 2020. “When finished, the Dr. Phillips Center will be rated perhaps the best in the world,” he says. In 2017, the center hosted 346 shows for 358,000 visitors. Pugh is also CEO of Epoch Residential, one of the nation’s largest apartment builders. With a long history of service on government, civic and arts boards in Orlando, he was one of a dozen people in North America honored with the 2018 Horatio Alger Award for a history of educational and community achievement. A board member for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida, Pugh remains a key Democratic fundraiser, donating $150,000 to the political committee of Florida gubernatorial candidate and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham.

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INTERIOR DESIGNER, ACTIVIST

JEFFREY MILLER ATTORNEY, ACTIVIST

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aines and Miller continue to exert much influence in political, social and philanthropic arenas, as well as the arts. The couple have held fundraisers for several prominent Democrats, including Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Sen. Bill Nelson, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings (running for county mayor), and Florida House candidate Anna Eskamani. Miller was instrumental in securing the former Chamber of Commerce Building downtown to become the site of the Holocaust Museum for Hope and Humanity, and he and Maines were recently honored with a Dinner of Tribute by the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida. Among the recipients of their donations of money or time are Equality Florida, Human Rights Campaign, Orange County Library, Creative City Project and the Upstanders Stand Up to Bullying initiative.

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PATRICIA BRIGHAM

PRESIDENT, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FLORIDA

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righam previously had one of the most frustrating volunteer jobs at the League. Starting in 2014, she was in charge of the Gun Safety Coalition that is promoting sensible gun restrictions in Florida. A former radio reporter, she has traveled to Tallahassee and Washington trying to convince mostly conservative legislators that proposals like banning semiautomatic assault weapons/large capacity magazines and eliminating firearm sales at gun shows without background checks are good ideas. Supporting the teen outrage caused by the Parkland High School shootings, she watched the state Legislature make some minor tweaks to the gun laws. Now, as the League’s state president, a job she assumed in April, Brigham is focusing on pre-registering 16- and 17-year olds so they can vote when they turn 18.

She also is moving the League’s main office from Tallahassee to Orlando.

CARLOS CARBONELL

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CEO, ECHO: TECH STRATEGY & APPS

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arbonell is a key player in Orlando’s technology, business, Hispanic and LGBTQ communities, using his award-winning mobile app company as his base to become a featured speaker at the prestigious SXSW Conference in Austin, Texas, and a board member with the Orlando Economic Partnership. With his varied background, Carbonell serves as an adviser to Orlando and Orange County mayors. He’s also a founding board member of the One Orlando Alliance assisting the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting; a board adviser for the newly created Orlando Regional Tech Association; and a board member of the Orlando City (Soccer) Foundation.

He also sits on tech advisory committees for Valencia College and Full Sail University. In 2017, Carbonell was selected as one of two Business Leaders of the Year by the Metropolitan Business Association. “I draw joy from connecting people,’’ he says, “especially when I know there would have been little chance they would have connected otherwise.”

KAY RAWLINS

CO - FOUNDER, ORLANDO CITY SOCCER CLUB; PRESIDENT, ORLANDO CITY FOUNDATION

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5 62 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

fter a very public 2017 divorce from fellow Orlando City co-founder Phil Rawlins, Kay Rawlins has immersed herself in club and community outreach projects and has become the public face of the team. As president of the club’s foundation and its vice president for community relations, she lobbies state officials for more low-income housing; fundraises and advocates for the homeless; and helped raise money for Puerto Rico hurricane victims. Rawlins also promotes community gardens in Parramore and healthy lifestyles for kids—in conjunction with the team opening a Saturday morning farmer’s market outside the stadium. “She’s involved in all the right things,” says one business acquaintance. She frequently speaks to civic groups and is a board member of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida; Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation; Central Florida Foundation; and the Community Leadership Council for the Howard Phillips Center (at Arnold Palmer Hospital).

976 Lake Baldwin Lane, Ste. 101 Orlando FL 32814 407-658-8566 | www.mgfirm.com

The Attorneys and Staff of Marchena & Graham congratulate

Marcos Marchena

for being recognized as one of Orlando magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 63

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BLUE STAR

PERFORMER, CLUB OWNER, ACTIVIST

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lue’s star has been on the rise ever since appearing in Orlando in 2000. That would be star as in Blue Star, a retired, Georgia-born ballet dancer who came to Orlando to study audio engineering at Full Sail University. She wound up creating a burlesque dance troupe, buying a club, hosting her own show on Pride Radio Orlando, establishing the Samuel Barber Fund to help cancer victims in honor of a friend who died from the disease, and becoming the gay community’s resident matriarch—entertainer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist, friend. Star’s place in the local LGBT firmament was never more in evidence than two years ago, when she transformed her club, The Venue, into a safe place for mourners and a distribution center for supplies and gift cards for those affected by the Pulse nightclub massacre. Congratulations to the organizers of the Orlando Harvey Milk Diversity Awards, who found a way to sum all this up in a single job descriptor, recognizing her as their “LGBT Trailblazer” for 2018.

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DICK BATCHELOR

CONSULTANT, SO CIAL ADVO CATE

I EDDY MORATIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LIFT ORLANDO

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ith support from the area’s business leaders, LIFT Orlando and Moratin are doing remarkable work on Orlando’s west side, carrying out the nonprofit’s stated mission to “break the cycle of poverty through holistic neighborhood revitalization.’’ Part of that involves replacing dilapidated, vacant housing, and the organization recently opened Pendana at West Lakes, a $40 million, 200-apartment community south of Camping World Stadium.

LIFT Orlando’s MVP Families Program, in partnership with Florida Citrus Sports, serves more than 200 children and parents with programs that include a summer camp for middle-schoolers and family fun days. LIFT also has raised more than $500,000 to support teacher development in the neighborhood and launched a $20 million “impact investment fund’’ so that it can raise capital and buy land.

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n 2002 and 2014, Batchelor was instrumental in persuading Orange County voters to pay a half-penny sales tax to fund school construction and renovation. This year, he has led a “Children’s Trust’’ effort that would ask voters to approve a property tax for programs to help poor, homeless and abused kids. But the idea, which must get county commission approval before it can get on the ballot, is opposed by County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who says the citizen council handling the money wouldn’t be directly accountable to voters.

If the measure stalls, Batchelor says he plans to approach the new mayor and commission after the election— Jacobs’ tenure is up because of term limits—to request substantial funding for children’s needs.

Congratulations from the Unicorp family!

Chuck Whittall

President and CEO of Unicorp National Developments, Inc.

One of Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People

Congratulations JoAnn Newman on being named ONE TO WATCH

by Orlando Magazine We think the world of you!

Thank you for leading us in our mission to Inspire Science Learning for Life JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 65

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15 TO WATCH THESE LEADERS ARE ALSO MAKING A MARK IN OUR COMMUNITY ARAMIS AYALA The Orange-Osceola state attorney, who last September rescinded her death penalty ban after a heated battle with Gov. Rick Scott, has recently drawn praise for a new policy in which her prosecutors will no longer require monetary bail for defendants accused of nonviolent misdemeanors, alleviating what Ayala calls the “poverty penalty.’’

PHIL BROWN Executive director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority since 2010, Brown runs day-to-day operations at the nation’s 11th busiest airport. A south terminal is in the works to go with a completed intermodal rail station.

JOHN F. DAVIS The former president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida was appointed in January to head Orlando, Inc., the chamber of commerce wing of the Orlando Economic Partnership.

ANNA ESKAMANI An outspoken advocate for social justice issues, Eskamani is running as a Democrat for the state House seat in District 47.

The daughter of Iranian immigrants, the 28-year-old holds two undergraduate degrees, two master’s degrees and is pursuing a doctorate in public policy, all from UCF.

TIM GIULIANI In his second year as CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, Giuliani leads a not-for-profit public/private group with more than 140 board members/investors from the region’s top companies, representing a seven county-area.

ERIC GRAY He heads United Against Poverty, a nonprofit social service agency that helps locals in need. Of Orlando’s 330,000 low-income families, more than 33,000 look to UAP for help through discount groceries, job training and more.

FRED HAWKINS JR. An Osceola County commissioner since 2008, Hawkins is also chairman of the powerful Central Florida Expressway Authority, which recently opened a Beachline Expressway interchange that provides greater access to rural areas of eastern Orange and northern Osceola counties.

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JOSH HEUPEL UCF’s new head football coach is faced with matching the departed Scott Frost’s perfect 2017 record, but some think this year’s team has even more talent. As quarterback, Heupel led Oklahoma to a national championship in 2000.

KURT KAMPERMAN He is chief executive for the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Campus, which just completed its first year of operation in Lake Nona and is drawing accolades for its combination of training players for tournament play as well as a focus on community youth and adult tennis programs.

GEORGIA LORENZ The new president of fast-growing Seminole State College takes over Aug. 1, succeeding E. Ann McGee, who led the institution for 22 years. Lorenz was formerly vice president of academic affairs at Santa Monica College in California.

JOANN NEWMAN The president and CEO of Orlando Science Center since 2009, Newman is leading Unlock Science, a $30 million multi-year campaign to renovate exhibits and enhance visitor experiences.

Fund-raising efforts are now focused on a massive exhibit that will feature live animals.

GABY ORTIGONI The new president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando has served the area’s Hispanic community for 20 years, most recently as an executive for Prospera, a nonprofit that provides bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business.

DOMINIQUE GRECO RYAN The city of Orlando’s “night manager’’ ensures that downtown nightlife doesn’t go off the rails, particularly when clubs let out.

That means getting businesses to work in harmony, as well as figuring out ideal pickup points for ride services so that people get home safely.

THAD SEYMOUR, FALECIA WILLIAMS They are leading the establishment of the collaborative UCF-Valencia College downtown campus, set to open in the fall of 2019. Seymour is vice provost of UCF’s downtown location; Williams oversees Valencia’s efforts as president of both its downtown and west campuses.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

PLASTIC SURGEONS This special advertising section highlights the accomplishments of plastic surgeons, who tell about their commitment to helping people look their best.

PLASTIC SURGEONS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FIALA AESTHETICS

SUSIE RHEE, MD AND THOMAS FIALA, MD, FACS 70 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

“

AS PLASTIC SURGEONS, WE GET TO DO SURGERY THAT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPIER. WHEN OUR PATIENTS ARE DELIGHTED WITH THEIR RESULTS AND THEIR EXPERIENCE, THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE. — DR. THOMAS FIALA, MD, FACS

”

SERVICES: Fiala Aesthetics is a full-service cosmetic practice, offering many popular surgical and non-surgical procedures. On the surgical side, Drs. Rhee & Fiala are experts in breast augmentation, lift and reduction; liposuction and tummy tuck; facial cosmetic procedures including eyelid, face and neck lifts; and laser resurfacing for sun damage and wrinkles. For patients having a facelift, tummy tuck, or mommy makeover, the practice offers the convenience of an overnight stay at their AAAASF-certified surgery center, with one-on-one nursing care by experienced RN’s.

Fiala Aesthetics also offers a full range of non-invasive services, including the latest generation of FDA-approved injectable fillers, Botox and Dysport; traditional facials and HydraFacials, and more. Injection Specialist Phi Nguyen, PA-C, has been recognized by Galderma as one of the top injectors in Florida. She’s known for a gentle touch and an artistic sense of facial proportions.

Fiala Aesthetics is one of the most experienced CoolSculpting practices in Central Florida, having offered the fat-melting technology for over 6 years.

WHAT SETS US APART: In addition to safely performing world-class surgical procedures, Dr. Rhee and Dr. Fiala emphasize patient education and excellent service. “It’s not just about doing top-notch surgery,” says Dr. Fiala.

“Our goal is to also give the patient an excellent experience as they go through the entire process.” Their dedication to quality is shared by the team, including Injection Specialist Phi Nguyen, PA-C, and Aestheticians Kim Peters and Debbie Safra.

ADDRESS: 220 E. Central Parkway, Suite 2020 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

MAGAZINE PICKS: Orlando Magazine Best of Orlando in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017

2017

SPECIALTY: In practice for 20 years, Fiala Aesthetics is widely known for consistently excellent cosmetic plastic surgery of the face and body, combined with five-star customer service. Dr. Fiala has been voted the top Plastic Surgeon in Orlando by Orlando Magazine readers four times in the past five years, and has won accolades from Vitals.com and other rating sites. He is the Past President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Rhee’s expertise in facelifts, body contouring and injectables adds the latest refinements in techniques to the practice.

PHONE: 407-339-3222 800-330-4414 (Toll Free)

WEBSITES: drfiala.com plasticsurgeryinflorida.com

JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 71

PLASTIC SURGEONS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

NEWMAN PLASTIC SURGERY CHARLES E. NEWMAN, JR., MD DZI-LONG NEWMAN, PA-C 72 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

“

AT NEWMAN PLASTIC SURGERY, PLASTIC SURGERY IS NOT ABOUT VANITY. IT IS A WAY FOR YOU TO ENHANCE AND DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL...

— DR. CHARLES E. NEWMAN, JR.

”

BEFORE

AFTER

PATIENT GOAL: “Mommy Makeover/Body Restoration” with Abdominoplasty to strengthen core and remove excess skin. This patient also received a breast augmentation to restore volume to the breasts to allow for a balanced and youthful appearance.

BALANCED BEAUTY PHILOSOPHY: Dr. Newman is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been serving the Orlando area for over a decade. His practice involves all facets of plastic surgery with a focus on cosmetic procedures for the body, breast and face. Newman Plastic Surgery utilizes a Balanced Beauty approach which entails a comprehensive evaluation of the patient, taking into account patient goals, expectations, and lifestyle to determine an appropriate plan that is tailored to each patient. A balanced and proportionate result is achieved on the foundation of compassionate care, patient comfort, open communication and patient safety.

Understanding the intricacies of aesthetic balance is part of what sets Dr. Newman apart. “It is not the paint or the canvas but rather the artist that creates a masterpiece. It is imperative that a patient seek a surgeon with proper credentials and training to achieve the best results. Understanding your surgeon’s practice philosophy also ensures it is a ‘good fit’ for your goals.” He also finds gratification in performing reconstructive surgery for skin and breast cancer patients. “The restoration of form and function is critical to patients, and it is very rewarding to be a part of this transformation.”

SERVICES: In addition to surgical services and ADDRESS: 444 N. Mills Ave. Orlando, FL 32803

cosmetic anti-aging injectable treatments, Newman Plastic Surgery offers innovative treatments such as Laser Resurfacing, Halo Laser, MiraDry, SaltFacial, the Time Machine Procedure, and skin care to accommodate all skin types and needs. EDUCATION: Graduated from Davidson College and received his medical degree from the University of South Florida. He completed his residency and plastic surgery training at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. WHAT SETS HIM APART: Dr. Newman works alongside his wife, board certified physician assistant, Dzi Newman. The dynamic of the two is an asset to each patient’s experience. “Having her with me ensures every last detail is attended to. Many patients find additional comfort in her presence, both during the consultation and during surgery. In the operating room, we are able to perform multiple procedures safely and effectively.” The Newmans want every patient to feel respected and comfortable, and that attitude is reflected in each staff member and in every facet of care.

DURING OFF HOURS: Dr. Newman can be found working on his golf game or helping his wife chase after their four young children.

PHONE: 407-481-9505 407-481-9506 (Fax)

EMAIL: Info@NewmanPlasticSurgery.com

SERVICES: • Facelift • Blepharoplasty • Rhinoplasty • Injectable Volume Restoration • Laser Resurfacing • Breast Augmentation • Breast Lift • Breast Reduction • Body Contouring • Abdominoplasty CERTIFICATIONS: American Board of Plastic Surgery American Society of Plastic Surgeons

WEBSITE: NewmanPlasticSurgery.com

JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 73

PLASTIC SURGEONS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THE INSTITUTE OF AESTHETIC SURGERY RICHARD O. GREGORY, MD; ROXANNE L. SYLORA, MD; DONOVAN T. ROSAS, MD RICHARD O. GREGORY, MD: Dr. Gregory is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Indiana School of Medicine, and completed residencies in general surgery, plastic surgery/maxillofacial surgery and hand surgery at Duke University. Among Dr. Gregory’s numerous awards for plastic surgery are Best Plastic Surgeon in Orlando, Top Doctors (as voted by peers) and recognition in the Best Doctors in America. ROXANNE L. SYLORA, MD: Dr. Sylora is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

She graduated from the University of Illinois and received her training in plastic surgery at Wayne State University. Dr. Sylora completed additional fellowship training for cosmetic surgery in Nashville, Tennessee, with world-renowned faculty. She has been recognized as a Top Doctor (Consumers’ Checkbook as ADDRESS: Celebration Health Office 400 Celebration Place, Suite A320 Celebration, FL 34747 Altamonte Springs Office 661 E. Altamonte Drive, Suite 312 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

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voted by peers) and America’s Top Doctors for many years.

DONOVAN T. ROSAS, MD: Dr. Rosas is a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon whose expertise spans the whole of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. An Ivy Leaguer and transplant from the Northeast, he brings with him a wealth of experience earned at the nation’s premier institutions of higher learning including Princeton University, Brown University and Harvard University. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Our doctors are members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and were recognized as Fellows of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Gregory is also a member of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons

Lake Nona Office 10920 Moss Park Road, Suite 224 Orlando, FL 32832 PHONE: 407-409-8000 EMAIL: info@iasurgery.net

WEBSITE: iasurgery.net SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/InstituteOfAestheticSurgery Instagram.com/iasurgery twitter.com/iasurgery

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PLASTIC SURGEONS

MID FLORIDA DERMATOLOGY & PLASTIC SURGERY

CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, M.D.; JILLIAN MORRISON, M.D.; DAVID PLANK, M.D.; JAMES L. BAKER, JR. M.D. OUR PRACTICE: At Mid Florida Institute of Plastic Surgery, a new practice in Altamonte Springs with a well-known and muchloved staff, you are treated like a friend more than a patient.

Whether seeking to correct injuries from previous trauma or simply wanting to refresh your appearance, our practice offers you personalized service with superb attention to detail in correcting a variety of cosmetic concerns. It would be a privilege to collaborate on a new you! A you that appears as exquisite, engaged, and youthful as you actually feel. Beauty is ultimately about highlighting and enhancing your natural aesthetic gifts and ensuring you feel comfortable in your own body and skin.

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a fine art; it requires exceptional skills and knowledge-based intuition. It’s a transformation that elicits smiles and restores confidence! SERVICES: Now offering comprehensive aesthetic services and plastic surgery including cosmetic injectables, light & laser treatments, and facial & body plastic surgery. Our 3D Vectra Imaging technology treats you to a sneak preview of the potential future new you, allowing you to visualize the possibilities! Our new and state-of-the-art laser and light devices are from Syneron Candela, a premier provider of aesthetic equipment for cosmetic facilities. Consultations with our physicians are available at Mid Florida Institute of Plastic Surgery in Altamonte Springs and at select Mid Florida Dermatology locations. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: ASAPS, ASPS, FSPRS. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION: Voted Orlando’s #1 Medical Group by Orlando Style Magazine; Best Doctors in America; Voted Top Physician 2017 for Orlando Family Magazine.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PLASTIC SURGEONS

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SPECIALTY: Dr. Saigal is a Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose and face. MISSION: To provide high-quality, personalized care with excellent, natural-looking and functional results, and the fastest recovery possible. EDUCATION: University of Miami (MD), Thomas Jefferson University (Residency), Mount Sinai Medical Center (Fellowship). Double Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Assistant Professor, UCF College of Medicine. Medical Director, Windermere Medical Spa. WHAT SETS HIM APART: As a subspecialist, Dr. Saigal offers cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical techniques in a comfortable, boutique-like professional environment. His expertise is Endonasal, or Closed/Scarless Rhinoplasty, and he specializes in comprehensive facial rejuvenation, including chin implant, deep-plane face lift, blepharoplasty, and facial fillers for lip and cheek augmentation, as well as non-surgical nose job. PERSONAL: Dr. Saigal and his wife, breast cancer surgeon Dr. Anu Saigal, are the parents of three boys.

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50 CONGRATULATIONS TO

most powerful

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DINE CU LI N A RY S P OTLI G HT • R ECO M M EN D ED E ATI N G

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

PAGE 80

SWEET PARADISE

The cakes at Sun Pearl Bakery are almost too beautiful to be devoured—but you’ll find a way. The shop is one of the eateries and shops in Chinatown Plaza that Joseph Hayes deems very worthy of exploration.

DINE CULINARY SPOTLIGHT

Chinatown Plaza occupies a plain expanse on West Colonial Drive.

But the flavors to be had at its eateries, bakeries and groceries offer a rich sampling of Asian cuisines, opening a new world to adventurous diners and shoppers.

BY JOSEPH HAYES

A

A TRAVELER WANDERING from China to Korea to Vietnam would embark upon a journey of several thousand miles, beginning, as the Chinese proverb tells us, with a single step. In our case, a sojourn west on Colonial Drive leads to the self-named Chinatown Plaza, a center of Asian food culture that touches many parts of that world.

Orlando’s Chinatown inhabits the former Westside Crossing shopping center (the sign is still there) in Pine Hills, a complex that was at different times home to Publix and Walmart. The center, established

by Chinese investors in 2007, sports a red tile-roofed paifang entrance arch and a bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, erected in 2012 in honor of the founding father of the Republic of China.

The Plaza is, frankly, an environment in need of repair, with several long-closed storefronts and a patchwork bumper-car ride of a parking lot that lets drivers cut across with rather loose interpretations of lanes. A depot for Star Line Express Bus offers $90 trips to New York and points in between; a branch of the Amerasia Bank, founded by a Taiwanese immigrant, offers checking accounts and loans.

It is, in essence, a place for the people living in Orlando’s multifaceted Asian community to reacquaint themselves with a taste of home.

Shoppers and diners find their comfort foods behind a strip mall façade, where touchstones speak to the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japa-

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nese populace about tradition and family. And the Plaza’s standout restaurants and food centers also offer the eager adventurer an authentic way of experiencing those cultures, without trekking too far from home.

BBB TOFU HOUSE Owner Tony Teng had several restaurants in California before opening BBB with partner Elaine Ho. I walked in not knowing what to expect; I hadn’t heard many recommendations from friends in the know, but the menu I found online looked interesting and I love Korean food.

I left an absolute fan.

Archetypal Korean cuisine goes back thousands of years,

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

Savor the Journey

Tony Teng serves up a feast of Korean delights at his BBB Tofu House, one of the standouts in Chinatown Plaza.

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

The paifang arch signals you have arrived at a crossroads of cuisines.

They include BBB Tofu House (upper right), with its soon tofu, bulgogi and cheese buldak; and Huong Viet, featuring grilled pork and spring roll with rice vermicelli.

and may be the oldest in Asia, with a history of fermentation that is still present in kimchi, doenjang fermented soybean paste, and the suddenly popular gochujang red pepper sauce. Even though we think in hot and spicy terms, chili peppers and their distinctive heat weren’t a staple in Korea until their introduction in the 16th century via Japan by way of Portuguese traders, who in turn imported Mexican plants first encountered by Christopher Columbus. Their convoluted journey has culminated in the marvels of BBB Tofu House.

When your server says a dish is better spicy, believe it. There’s a fullness to the heat that enhances the deep tastes of seafood,

barbecued beef and chicken. It is distressingly difficult to make a menu choice; each dish seems like the ideal meal—until you read the next one. Items like the familiar bulgogi (thin sliced marinated sirloin, $21.99) and the decidedly unfamiliar cheese buldak (a contemporary Korean fast food of extremely spicy chicken topped with mozzarella, $19.99) come served on a sizzling stone pan—as do most items. The various bowls of broth graced with organic silken-soft tofu (what’s called soon tofu, $11.99) arrive at a furious bubble in individual-sized heated stone pots, in which you crack an egg to let soft-boil. Assorted seafood, galbi short ribs, ramen and very pleasing dumplings are options.

Every meal comes with a changeable assortment of small house-made side dishes called banchan—and we all know how much I love small side dishes. Kimchi, pepper-basted turnip, bean sprouts, a tart citrus-dressed shredded cabbage are all delightful on their own or as condiments for the main

dish. Even the pan-fried seafood pancake ($16.99), wonderful in its crunchy goodness, benefited from a few well-placed additions.

Korean BBQ is famous for a reason—the taste. Grilled chicken, sliced pork, grilled corvina and rib eye are offered as combos, served with tofu, rice, and those delightful banchan ($19.99-$21.99). Kimchi bokum bap ($16.99), a hot stone platter of rice, egg and melted cheese, arrives like a hyperactive paella, vibrant with crunchy rice bottom

and stringy cheese. BBB demands lots of time, and lots of friends to fully enjoy every choice.

BBB TOFU HOUSE 5140 W. Colonial Drive 407-723-8299

CHEF WANG’S KITCHEN The chef is Jian Hua Wang, born in Beijing and a master of the hand-pulled noodle, a skill he used to great effect while in residence at Epcot’s Nine Drag-

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DINE CULINARY SPOTLIGHT

various dishes made with intestines, there is a very good beef chow fun or kung pao chicken. And a surprising highlight is one of the fried rice choices: particularly good rice with chicken, pork, beef or shrimp that gets even better at home the next day after a hit in a hot pan. Be adventurous.

CHEF WANG’S KITCHEN 5148 W Colonial Drive 407-930-3188

AN ECLECTIC ASSORTMENT The Chinatown Plaza anchor is 1ST ORIENTAL MARKET, a rambling pan-Asian arcade with a dizzying array of dried noodles, oils, teas and enough dishes and pots to open your own restaurant. Often-local produce presents remarkable assortments of cabbage, artistic dragon fruits and a cornucopia of exotic herbs like curry leaves, makrut lime and perilla. Ingredients from China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand fill the aisles, and the fresh meat and fish departments (whole, bright-eyed fish, almost all from the U.S.) will make you realize that there’s more to food than what’s in your local supermarket. 1storiental.com SAPPORO RAMEN is an aficionado’s favorite. Often crowded, the small dining room makes up for lack of space with well-crafted bowls of ramen, soba, and udon.

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Diners enjoy ramen, sobo and udon—as well as fried octopus fritters—at Sapporo Ramen (upper left). 1st Oriental Market is overflowing with cooking essentials that include produce, herbs and fresh fish.

Broths include soy sauce, pork bone, bean paste and curry, served with pork slices, fishcakes and bok choy. Japanese brown curries and fried octopus fritters add to the options. Vegetarians will rejoice in the option of vegetable broth; dessert lovers and children at heart will smile at the fishshaped taiyaki dessert. facebook. com, search for Sapporo-Ramen Open since 2004, SUN PEARL BAKERY is a go-to for the Asian community. Sun Pearl offers Taiwanese sweet and savory buns such as pineapple and red bean, chocolate pineapple, roast pork and curry and scallion. The shop showcases rice dumplings, fruitfilled whipped cream cakes and wedding cakes. sunpearlbakery.com

VIETNAMESE CHOICES Noodles arrived in Vietnam while it was under Chinese rule 2,000 years ago, but the “classic”

Vietnamese dish, pho, is a product of French colonialism in the late 1800s, along with bánh mì sandwiches on French baguettes and killer strong coffee.

HUONG VIET VIETNAMESE

serves summer rolls, deep fried tofu, the rice and tapioca flour dish called bánh bèo, and grilled pork and spring roll rice vermicelli in a simple setting. facebook. com/HuongVietVietnameseCuisine PHO VIET is a noodle and rice shop, with the standard variety of rice vermicelli and protein options (bun dac biet is an all-inclusive version with grilled shrimp, pork, beef and spring roll.). facebook. com/PhoVietOrlando K2P DÉLICES BAKERY makes inexpensive bánh mì sandwiches on house-baked bread, stuffed with meats, head cheese, pâté, grilled pork and chicken, and pork meatballs. facebook.com, search for K2P Delices.

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

ons restaurant. His origins are reflected in his Northern Chinese dishes, such as eggplant with peppers and potatoes (di san xian, $10.95), a staple from Dongbei in the northeast, Manchurian cuisine that uses potatoes (an incomer from its Russian Siberian neighbor) and wheat instead of rice. The eggplant and potatoes are deep fried, then sautéed in sweet soy sauce and garlic. It’s a beautifully simple dish with a homey, comfort food flavor.

Pork dumplings ($10.95 for 10) are simple dim sum-sized packets, perfectly pan-fried with crisp wrapping and savory filling. I kept going back to the “special” of cucumber with garlic sauce (pai huang gua, $6.95), which dresses smashed cucumber segments with sesame oil, salt, rice vinegar and crushed garlic.

It has a beautiful crunch, and the surprising combination of bright cucumber and deep sesame and garlic flavors counters spicy dishes perfectly.

Chef Wang’s specialties run from sweet and sour shredded potatoes (Dongbei is the home of sweet and sour, $12.95) to a ginger steamed whole fish ($24.95).

Sichuan styles are represented in dan dan mein($9.95), a favorite from Southwest China, hand-pulled round noodles artistically topped with ground pork, hoisin, five spice powder and hot chili oil. There’s nothing al dente about this dish, so the soft texture might be surprising.

And for the less daring who might want to refrain from the

DINE RECOMMENDED EATING

Key to Symbols

Meals:

Pricing:

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B BR L D

$ Dinner entrées under $10 $$ Dinner entrées $10-$15 $$$ Dinner entrées $15-$25 $$$$ Dinner entrées more than $25

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Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

AFRICAN

Boma-Flavors of Africa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com B, D daily. At buffet-style Boma, African-influenced foods span the continent from the Mediterranean to South Africa. To their credit, chefs at Boma prepare every item fresh every day. The breakfast selctions are superb. $$-$$$  Jiko-The Cooking Place Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com D nightly. Wood-burning ovens and traditional cooking styles infuse Jiko with the diverse flavors of Africa. Everything on the exotic menu, from East African curries to Moroccan savory pastries, will please. $$$$ Ẃ Sanaa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com. L-D daily. Sanaa’s focus on the foods of East Africa makes for a mouth-watering trip. Flavors of India, Portugal and Europe infuse the menu, with many dishes served as multi-item samplers. Pair the short ribs or the smoky, mildly spicy perfection of tandoori chicken with little-known wines from Indian vineyards. $$$ Ẃ

AMERICAN

903 Mills Market 903 S. Mills Ave., Orlando 407898-4392. 903millsmarketcafe.com B-L-D daily.

This simple little neighborhood eatery is a great place to stop in for the “EMT,’’ an award-winning sandwich that’s a concoction of breaded eggplant, melted mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and pesto served in a toasted club roll. 903 also has a selection of 100 craft beers, along with weeknight dinner specials, including Meatloaf Mondays. $ %Ace Café Orlando 100 W. Livingston St., 407996-6686. acecafeusa.com L-D daily; BR Sun. Our 2018 Readers’ Choice for Best Happy Hour, which runs from 5 to 7 weekdays. There are car or motorcycle “meets’’ most every night—from Mustangs to Mopars, hot rods to Harleys—so the hours are even happier (every Thursday is Bike Night). Inside, Ace’s menu is classic American, with Buffalo wings, meatloaf, and all manner of burgers. $$ Artist Point Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, 901 Timberline Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining D daily. A fantastic lodge setting combines with flavors of the Northwest to make this restaurant a prime Disney draw. The menu mainstay is the Chinook cedar plank salmon; seasonal items include bison, venison and diver scallops. The wine list, exclusive to Oregon and Washington State vineyards, offers some great Willamette Valley and Red Mountain labels. $$$$ Ẃ %Beth’s Burger Bar 24 E. Washington St. Orlando 407-650-4950; 5145 S. Orange Ave., Edgewood 407-888-1190; 9938 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407888-1190. bethsburgerbar.com L-D daily. Winner of the Dining Awards’ Readers’ Choice for Best

 Ẃ

2018 Dining Award winner Reservations recommended Extensive wine list Preferred Dining Partner

Most restaurants listed here are recommended by an Orlando magazine dining critic. Others are marked as winners of our critic and readers’ 2018 Dining Awards and/or as recent advertisers. This list is offered as a reader service and is not intended to be comprehensive.

Although we make every effort to keep the listings current, they are subject to change without notice.

Local Burger the past three years. Owner Beth Steele and her crew offer an impressive array of mouthwatering creations in an informal, welcoming atmosphere. The Peanut Butter Burger is truly tasty, topped with grilled onions, cheddar cheese and A1 sauce. And if you dare, order the Double D Challenge—a four-patty burger featuring eight slices of bacon and five different cheeses. Win a T-shirt if you finish it! $-$$ California Grill Disney’s Contemporary Resort, 4600 North World Drive, 15th Floor, Lake Buena Vista 407939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com D nightly. The venerable Disney gem underwent a major makeover a few years ago, but the incredible views and abundant wine selections have ramained. The menu changes daily, but some things are constant: Pork Two Ways features grilled tenderloin and pork belly served with goat cheese polenta; the beef filet from the searing wood oven is also a standout. There’s a 10- to 14-course sushi bar extravaganza nightly for a limited number of diners. $$$$ Ẃ %Chef’s Table at the Edgewater 99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstableattheedgewater.com D nightly. Kevin and Laurie Tarter’s restaurant has ruled the chef’s table category for a decade and 2018 was no exception, as it captured the top pick from our critic and readers. Chef de Cuisine David Lampman came to Chef’s Table in 2009 and is now the main hand in the kitchen, executing Tarter’s culinary vision with plates of lowcountry perloo, New Orleans-influenced fish, and fork-tender osso buco. $$$$ Ẃ Copper Canyon Grill Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-363-3933. ccgrill.com L-D daily. This restaurant offers up full-flavored American cuisine made from scratch daily with an emphasis on fresh and bold tastes. The menu features classics like meatloaf and hickory grilled steaks but also puts a spin on other staples like skillet-baked cornbread. $$-$$$$ Dexter’s Three Orlando-area locations. dexwine. com L-D daily; BR Sat.-Sun.; These combination art gallery, chill-out hangout and neighborhood fixture cafés offer signature sandwiches and immense pasta bowls and entrées. $$ Ẃ Earls Kitchen+Bar The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-345-8260. earls.ca L-D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. This upscale casual chain offers delicious diversity in its menu, crafted by Chef Simon Zanotto. Try the avocado “Super Toast,’’ the combo platter of ribs and chicken, the bacon cheddar burger, or the Korean bibimbap of fresh and pickled veggies in a stone rice bowl. The impressive cocktail menu includes Bees Knees, a concoction of Aviation gin, Cointreau, bitters, lemon and honey. $$-$$$ Ẃ Ember 42 W. Central Blvd., Orlando 407-849-5200. emberorlando.com L-D daily. Enjoy appetizers and cocktails downtown at this upscale bar. Flatbreads, sliders and salads fill the menu as well as daily specials. Exposed brick and a rich color scheme add to the cozy atmosphere. Dine inside near the main bar or outside in the courtyard. $-$$ Ẃ

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Everglades Restaurant Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive, Orlando 407-996-9840 ext. 3610. evergladesrestaurant.com D nightly. Nestled in a sprawling hotel complex and aimed at celebrating regional Florida food, Everglades specializes in prime steaks and seafood as well as more unusual items such as gator chowder and marinated buffalo. $$$ Ẃ Farm & Haus 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. farmandhaus.com. D Mon-Thu. If you’re too busy prepare dinner, just order online and Farm & Haus will cook and deliver it, or you can pick it up at East End Market. The menu, which changes weekly, has included slow-cooked lamb with braised fennel and oranges over couscous; English pea and smoked country ham risotto; and brown butter carrot cake. $-$$ %Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Three Orlando-area locations. freddysusa.com Open daily.

It’s simply a skinny steakburger on a toasted bun, but pleases the palate: Freddy’s captured our Critic’s Pick for Best Burger in the 2018 Dining Awards, as well as the Judges’ Choice in our inaugural Burger Battle in 2017. The frozen custard is a delight too, as are the Nutter Butter ice cream sandwiches. $ The Glass Knife 276 S. Orlando Ave, Winter Park 407-500-2253. theglassknife.com B-L-D daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; BR Sat.-Sun. This hotspot near Winter Park Village is a sleek yet approachable haven for those in search of both sweet and savory.

Start the day with doughnuts, an avocado and egg toast, or a cheddar biscuit sandwich. Lunch standouts include the turkey bacon club and the berry bacon spinach salad. In the evening, enjoy Southern red velvet or carrot cake, and European-style pastries along with fine wines, craft beers and champagne. Be warned: You might be unable to resist taking home one of The Glass Knife’s gorgeous cakes. $$ Graffiti Junktion 700 E. Washington St., Thornton Park 407-426-9503; 2401 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-377-1961 and eight other Orlando area locations. graffitijunktion.com L-D daily; BR Sun. Graffiti Junktion specializes in burgers. Items like the Iron City Burger (topped with a fried egg and Canadian bacon among more traditional toppings like American cheese and onions) are complemented by daily happy hour specials and themed nights throughout the week. $-$$ %Hillstone 215 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407740-4005. hillstone.com L-D daily. Grilling is king here, whether the choice is steak, fish, chops or chicken. The hardwood-grilled trout, pork ribs and cheeseburger are standouts—as is the lakeside setting, which put Hillstone at the top among readers in the categories of Outdoor Dining and View in our 2018 Dining Awards poll. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Keke’s Breakfast Café Multiple Orlando-area locations. kekes.com B-L daily. Voted Best Breakfast by readers for the past three years, this Orlando-based chain has more than a dozen local outlets offering a wide selection of pancakes (enormous), waffles, French toast, omelets, egg combos and more. $

LakeHouse Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, 1 Grand Cypress Bloulevard., Orlando. 407-2394240. grandcypress.regency.hyatt.com B-L-D daily. This resort hotel restaurant features a huge selection of light-to-hearty offerings throughout the day, including a breakfast buffet. Among the dinner menu items: chicken pot pie, K.C. bone-in strip steak, grilled cauliflower steak, and shrimp & grits. $$-$$$$.  Marlow’s Tavern Four Orlando-area locations. marlowstavern.com L-D daily. This cozy tavern puts a gourmet spin on classic American cuisine and offers a wide selection of beers. Try one of their popular cheeseburgers, the blackened fish tacos, or white cheddar shrimp and grits. Among the desserts is the fried banana split. $$ %Maxine’s on Shine 337 N. Shine Ave., Orlando 407-674-6841. maxinesonshine.com L Fri.-Sun.; D Tue.-Sun.; BR Sun. This casual bistro is full of quirky charm, with a menu ranging from bar snacks to full entrees emphasizing seafood. Outdoor seating, live music, an interesting wine list and the presence of delightful proprietors add up to everything you should expect from a local restaurant. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Neighborhood Restaurant and Best Kept Secret in our 2018 Dining Awards. $$-$$$. Ẃ %Omelet Bar 2250 Strategy Blvd., Orlando 407-704-1597. omeletbar.com B-L daily, BR Sun. Winner of our Critic’s Pick for Best Breakfast in the 2018 Dining Awards, this eatery across from UCF shines with overstuffed build-your-own omelets, a pancake bar, breakfast bread bowls and a three-way chicken and waffles “flight.” Lobster Benedict and unlimited mimosas make for a pleasant Sunday brunch. $-$$ %Orlando Meats 728 Virginia Drive, Orlando 407598-0700. orlandomeats.com B-L Tue.-Sat.; BR Sun. It’s a hands-on full-service butcher shop but a great place for breakfast and lunch as well. Not wasting anything, Orlando Meats’ potato chips are fried in beef tallow. The menu includes a fried turkey bologna sandwich (with yellow mustard on white bread); and the beef, meatloaf and burgers are roasted, baked or ground on premises. For breakfast, the offerings include the Blarney Stone: corned beef, sauerkraut, corned mayo, Swiss, and fried egg on a bagel. Winner of the Critic’s Pick for Best Lunch in our 2018 Dining Awards. $-$$ The Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen 2603 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-930-6282. outpostcollegepark.com L-D Tue.-Sun.; BR Sun. At this eatery, virtually everything is house-made, including condiments and sauces. The shrimp and grits are superb, featuring white cheddar and Parmesan along with a spicy Cajun brown butter sauce and chorizo. The enormous Ericsson smoked pork ribs are cut St. Louis style and covered in a smokysweet sauce. $$-$$$ The Parkview 136 S. Park Ave., Winter Park 407647-9103. facebook.com/TheParkviewWP L-D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. This self-described “neighborhood joint’’ excels with most menu ventures, especially at brunch, with items such as the pastrami tartine—an open-faced sandwich of house-cured beef and poached egg on a batard—and a variety of frittatas, the best being the mélange of savory mushrooms, broccolini and goat cheese. There are plenty of national and local brews on tap, along with an extensive wine list, and The Parkview features live jazz and indie music nights. $$-$$$ Ẃ

The Ravenous Pig 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-628-2333. theravenouspig.com L-D daily.

Chefs Julie and James Petrakis, both Orlando-area natives who trained at the Culinary Institute of America, showcase the “gastropub” phenomenon with an ever-changing menu that includes fare like seared foie gras, pork porterhouse, mushroom cannelloni and the Ellensburg Lamb Noisette with royal trumpet mushrooms. $$$ Ẃ RusTeak 2625 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407540-1100 rusteakwinebar.com L-D Mon.-Sat. This popular College Park gathering place boasts a prodigious range of offerings, from steaks and flatbreads to tasty burgers and salads. RusTeak offers a sizable wine list and a wide variety of craft cocktails. $$-$$$. Ẃ Seasons 52 Plaza Venezia, 7700 Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-354-5212; 463 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 407-767-1252. seasons52.com L-D daily. Like the food it serves, this Darden upscale chain remains as fresh as the day it opened.

Most dishes are under 475 calories, and what flavorful calories they are: from the caramelized sea scallops with lemon risotto and roasted asparagus, to the wood-roasted pork tenderloin with sweet potato mash and spring vegetables. The wine list is just as impressive. $$$ Ẃ Se7en Bites 617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407203-0727. se7enbites.com B-L Tue.-Sun. Baker and pie maker Trina Gregory-Propst likes to push the limits of food as you know it, and her neighborhood breakfast and lunch destination packs in the patrons. Se7en Bites’ creations include handmade moonpies, cupcakes, luscious biscuits and gravy, statuesque cakes and a chicken pot pie with a perfect crust. The salted caramel chocolate pecan pie is a thing of beauty. $ %Shakers American Café 1308 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-422-3534 shakerscafe.com B-L daily This enduring College Park eatery, a 2018 inductee into the Dining Hall of Fame, offers plenty of breakfast fare favorites, from standard eggs and sausage to gravy and biscuit. But the real treat is to check out the specials on the chalkboard. They could include a chorizo and goat cheese omelet, beef short rib hash, or cinnamon roll pancakes. For lunch, Shakers (so named because of its collection of salt and pepper shakers) offers a variety of items, including Reubens, burgers and “Mom’s Meatloaf.” $ Slate 8323 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-5007528. slateorlando.com L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat., BR Sat.-Sun. The menu at this Restaurant Row spot ranges from pasta and pizza to a selection of eye-opening entrees. Start with pimento cheese hush puppies, then move to main dishes like hearth-roasted snapper with cornmeal spoonbread, or smoked brisket with brown sugar chili rub, house bacon and roasted rutabaga-potato hash. Sweet endings include lemon berry trifle, and rum raisin bread pudding. $$-$$$$ Ẃ The Smiling Bison 107 N. Magnolia Ave., Sanford 407-915-6086. thesmilingbison.com L Wed.-Sat., D Tue.-Sat. The highlight here is house-made charcuterie—smoked kielbasa, sweet curry sausage and, of course, the bison burger. Other menu items include the boneless pork chop with kumquat marmalade, the Duck Lover’s Pizza with duck ham, sausage and confit, and cheddar-bacon fat biscuits. $$-$$$.  Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes Multiple Orlando-area locations. souplantation.com. L-D daily. A remarkable array of salads and soups, allowing for much healthy eating but also providing for a bit of a splurge (such as pizza or ice cream) if desired. $-$$

Swine & Sons Provisions 595 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-636-7601. swineandsons.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat. Lexie and Rhys Gawlak are the proprietors of this grocery-eatery, providing house-made sausages, terrines and bacon, along with sandwiches like the Southern Cuban and the ribeye hotdog. The Swine’s breakfast includes the eggs on a bun (fried eggs, bacon and tomato jam) and avocado toast. $-$$ %The Tap Room at Dubsdread 549 W. Par Street, Orlando 407-650-0100. taproomatdubsdread.com L-D daily. BR Sun. Nestled within the picturesque Dubsdread Golf Course, The Tap Room offers casual, yet sophisticated, American fare. Fresh fish, hand-cut steaks, pastas and the award-winning Tap Room Classic Cheeseburger are some of the College Park restaurant’s best menu items. You can dine inside or out on the veranda, which offers views of the golf course. The Readers’ Choice selection for Best Power Lunch in our 2018 Dining Awards. $$-$$$ Ẃ Tony Roma’s 8560 International Drive, Orlando.

407-248-0094. tonyromas.com L-D daily. There are ribs aplenty here, basted with your choice of four sauces, including a Maker’s Mark bourbon variety. But this casual dining mainstay also boasts a variety of steaks, seafood, chicken, burgers and salads. Mix and match items include the filet medallions and ribs combo. $$-$$$ Ẃ %T-Rex Cafe 1676 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-828-8739. trexcafe.com L-D daily.

This Disney Springs restaurant literally takes you back—to prehistoric times—as you enjoy dishes like the Bronto Burger, Mega Mes-O-Bones spareribs, Pork-asaurus Sandwich, and the Cesar-saurus Salad, all the while surrounded by animatronic dinosaurs. Our Readers’ Choice for Best Place to Take the Kids in our 2018 Dining Awards. $-$$$  The Waterfront 4201 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-866-0468. thewaterfrontorlando.com L-D daily; BR Sun. This reinvented lakeside spot boasts an impressive quartet of veteran local chefs at the helm—Pat Kennedy, Matt Wall, A.J. Haines and Alex Meyer. Among the standouts are the Waterfront Burger, with hand-ground chuck, housecured bacon, Swiss and blue cheese and caramelized onion; fish and chips; and blackened catfish with kale and grits. On the last Monday of every month, the chefs are given free rein to leave the menu behind and the results are delicious. A recent dinner featured rabbit schnitzel, house-made sausage, beef sauerbraten and apple strudel. $-$$

ASIAN

Hawkers Street Fare 1103 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0606; 9100 Conroy Windermere Road, Windermere 407-583-6334. eathawkers.com L-D daily. Chefs specializing in cuisines from Vietnam, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong put a modern twist on family recipes to create tasty fare like crispy cod with black bean sauce, kimchi fried rice, chicken eggrolls, green papaya and shrimp salad, and wok-fired green beans. $ King Bao 710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0013. kingbaowow.com L-D daily. This Mills 50 spot offers a variety of rolls, ranging from light and pillowy to sturdy and chew-worthy, holding treats like pork belly, shrimp and kimchi fried chicken.

Fascinating combinations like Asian pear salsa on the Glen Rhee Korean short rib, or shallot, pepper and ginger relish on tofu “Veganville” handhelds, emphasize the well-thought-out flavors. $

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Mamak 1231 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-2704688. mamakasianorlando.com L-D daily. Mamak brings the flavors of Malaysia to Orlando. A musttry is the wonton with hot sauce, consisting of steamed chicken and shrimp dumplings coated in peanut sauce, chili oil and sesame seeds. Other winners: pasembur, a sweet potato gravy served on crispy tofu; and gwa bao, a soft steamed bun filled with duck or pork. $-$$ Morimoto Asia Disney Springs Marketplace, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-6686. patinagroupcom/ morimoto-asia L-D daily. Morimoto Asia, a towering presence at the phoenix that is Disney Springs, is an ultra-hip vision of pan-Asian delights created from the mind of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Its quirky takes on Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes enhance a substantial sushi menu that can sometimes be acquired directly from the hands of the Iron Chef himself. Don’t miss the Peking Duck and the Singapore laksa, which adds rice noodles and chicken meatballs to spicy curry and coconut soup. $$$ Ẃ Noodles and Rice 813 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407895-8833. noodlesandricecafe.com L-D daily except closed Tuesdays. The menu at Noodles and Rice is extensive and this Mills 50 spot gets just about everything right. Try the hot pots, Korean seafood pancakes, house ramen or the wonderful Thai basil fried rice. $ Sushi Lola’s 2902 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407898-5652. sushilolas.com L-D Mon.-Sat. At this Audubon Park café, Korean chefs in the back kitchen create oven-based offerings while sushi masters assemble intricate rolls at the bar out front. The most popular offering, the Playboy Roll, features tuna, avocado and tempura shrimp, adorned with fish roe and roasted rice crackers.

For a Korean dish, try the bulgogi bibimbap—marinated beef and rice. $-$$$ TaKo Cheena 932 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 321-2367457. mytakocheena.com L-D Tue.-Sun. This adventurous cuisine boasts numerous influences, from Thai to Indian to Mexican. Treat yourself to the Indian butter chicken burrito, Thai Peanut Chicken tacos, or Asian hot dogs—Chinese sweet sausage topped with kimchi or pickled daikon radish. TaKo Cheena is open till 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. $

BARBECUE

%4 Rivers Smokehouse Six Orlando-area locations 1-855-368-7748. 4rsmokehouse.com L-D Mon.-Sat. Our 2018 Readers’ Choice in three categories—Barbecue, Ribs and Takeout. The lines at 4 Rivers can get long, but John Rivers’ succulent barbecue sandwiches, delectable brisket (inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2017) and homestyle sides are worth the wait. The baked cheese grits are magnificent. $-$$ Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que Five area locations. bubbalous.com L-D daily. This local chain is a good bet for a quick barbecue fix. Tender smoked pork is sliced Virginia-style onto soft sweet buns.

Try the award-winning ribs (available with mild, hot or killer sauce) and the fried okra. $-$$ Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q 2800 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-423-9871. cecilsbbq.com L-D daily. Slow hickory-smoked meats are brought to you by three generations of the Reaves family.

They offer outrageously good pulled pork, beef brisket that makes folks hover over the plate, and unique sides such as jalapeño mashed potatoes, spicy baked beans and sweet potato soufflé. And free ice cream! $$

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa 1326 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-203-0866; Lake Nona Village, 9680 N. Narcoossee Rd., Lake Nona 407-730-7376; pigfloyds.com L-D daily. Serving a combination of Latin, African and American fusion, this eatery also invokes the Caribbean roots of barbecue with barbakoa, or traditional Puerto Rican smoke cooking, full of rich flavors and tropical ingredients. It’s on delicious display in the St. Louis ribs and the matahambre smoked flank sandwich.

Also try the North African chicken sausage and shrimp platter. $-$$$.

The Polite Pig Disney Springs, Town Center 407938-7444. disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining L-D daily. The culinary powerhouse that is the Petrakis family trots out exemplary barbecue and more in a locally sourced, artisanal restaurant disguised as a fast food outlet. It’s all here: pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis ribs, and coffee-scented, amazingly tender brisket. But the Pig also offers delectable surprises like a salmon BLT (with bacon jam and marinated tomato), cracklings, charred broccoli, barbecue cauliflower, chicken salad made with meat from the smoker—and even a house-brewed beer. $-$$$

CAJUN/CREOLE

Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen 2203 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-672-5753; 494 W. S.R. 436, Altamonte Springs 407-951-6928. tibbysneworleanskitchen.com L-D daily. Using family recipes, owner Brian Wheeler delivers satisfying N’Awlins cooking, with the jambalaya-crawfish-filé gumbo as the standout. Andouille sausage is king; it’s in almost every dish. $-$$

CARIBBEAN

%Bahama Breeze Five area locations. bahamabreeze.com L-D daily. A themed delight that has dominated the Caribbean category of our Dining Awards for many years, Bahama Breeze showcases interpretations of island cuisine, including jerk chicken, West Indian patties, fried plantains, and seafood paella. A terrific family dinner destination. $$-$$$ Kafe Kalik 9029-A Airport Blvd., Orlando International Airport 407-825-3274. kafekalik.com L-D daily. Indian curries, jerk seasoning, seafood and slow-cooked meats highlight the menu. Anything Bahamian from “Mama’s Kitchen” should be considered first. The Arawak Cay sushi bar is an interesting twist, featuring seafood from the islands such as conch salad, tuna ceviche and lobster.

Desserts are also a delight. $$

CHINESE

Jumbo Chinese Restaurant 1967 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-657-8878 jumbowinterpark.com L Mon.-Sat., D daily. A Winter Park fixture for three decades, Jumbo’s boasts all the familiar dishes, plus offerings like Duck Polynesian—deep-fried boneless duck served with lychee and pineapple in a homemade sweet and sour sauce. Group dinners are available for two to six people. $-$$ Ming’s Bistro 1212 Woodward St., Orlando 407898-9672. L-D daily. This out-of-the way Mills 50 spot offers dim sum worthy of San Francisco..

Feast on sesame balls, roast pork buns, shrimp dumplings and items you may not recognize (like chicken feet or jellyfish). In addition, a full menu of Hong Kong-style entrées offers enticements— order the duck. $ %Peter’s Kitchen 3922 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-895-8174.peterskitchencb.business.site L-D daily except closed Wednesday. Residing in a nondescript building that has housed all manner of eateries over the years, this newcomer is

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a hit with readers, who voted it Best Chinese in our 2018 Dining Awards. The dim sum gets rave reviews from the online community; other menu items include squid with ginger and scallions, Peking duck, honey garlic chicken, and jumbo shrimp with walnuts. $$ P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Winter Park Village, 436 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-622-0188; The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-345-2888. pfchangs.com L-D daily. Chinese-inspired foods from the creators of Fleming’s steak house, so you know the beef dishes will be good. $$-$$$ Ẃ

CONTINENTAL

Chatham’s Place 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407-345-2992. chathamsplace.com D Mon.-Sat. Wooden wine racks line the walls enclosing only 15 tables, creating a cozy atmosphere to enjoy high-quality dishes and attentive service. The few select items on the menu, such as the Portobello mushroom soup and duck breast entrée, intrigue the palate. $$$$ Ẃ Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park 407-998-8090. thealfondinn.com B-L-D daily. At the site of the late, great Langford Hotel, standout entrees with a European flavor are created, including the olive oil poached snapper, honey glazed pork belly, and ahi tuna served over tomato and eggplant caponata. The watermelon salad is a delicious, deceptively simple palate cleanser between courses. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Jack’s Place Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando 407-996-1787. jacksplacerestaurant. com D nightly. Sample steaks and seafood while surrounded by the world’s largest collection of autographed caricatures of stars and dignitaries. $$$ Ẃ Nine18 The Villas of Grand Cypress, 1 N. Jacaranda, Lake Buena Vista 407-239-1999. grandcypress.com D Tue.-Sat. Contemporary Continental cuisine is served in a refined casual atmosphere with polished service and sunset views of a magnificent golf resort. Begin with the mustard seed-crusted ahi tuna or the wild mushroom crepe. The main courses offer creative takes on duck, steaks, scallops, grouper, venison, lamb and chicken. $$$$ Ẃ

CREATIVE/CONTEMPORARY

%1921 by Norman Van Aken 142 E. 4th Ave., Mount Dora 352-385-1921. 1921nva.com L Tue.-Sat.; D Tue.-Sun. The Critic’s Pick as Best Destination Restaurant in our 2018 Dining Awards. Renowned chef Van Aken has made a big splash in a small town with New Florida Cuisine served in a gorgeous setting of furniture and artwork from the nearby Modernism Museum. Start with the Florida spiny lobster and rock shrimp dumplings, then move to the “Korea Town’’ fried Cornish hen. Executive Chef Camilo Velasco also creates a superb pan-roasted duck breast with flavors of guava and mole sauce. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Artisan’s Table 22 E. Pine St., Orlando 407-7307499. artisanstableorlando.com B-L-D daily; BR Sat.-Sun. Simple ingredients and exemplary preparation are the hallmarks of this downtown spot.

The menu shifts daily according to what’s available, but here’s what to watch for: grilled ciabatta and puttanesca, featuring smoked pulled chicken topped with a quick-fried egg; the pan-seared salmon served on a bed of chickpea and lentil salad; and the fish and chips. $$-$$$ Ẃ

%The Boheme Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, 325 S. Orange Ave., Downtown 407-313-9000. grandbohemianhotel.com B-L-D daily; BR Sun. Our Critic’s Pick for Hotel Restaurant in the 2018 Dining Awards. Chef Laurent Hollaender also lays out an amazing array of items for Sunday brunch, from oysters and crab legs, to waffles and omelets, to house-made charcuterie and decadent desserts.

Evening fare includes sherry-baked Chilean sea bass and cognac-flamed pepper steak. $$$$ Ẃ Canvas Restaurant & Market 13615 Sachs Ave., Orlando (Lake Nona) 407-313-7800. canvaslakenona. com D daily, L Sun. Canvas is a multicultural mélange of tastes, with influences of Latin, Caribbean, New Orleans, and Cuban. The pork belly and ham sandwich and the smoked fish dip are winners, as are most of the shrimp dishes. Don’t miss Canvas’ take on mussels, meaty shellfish served in a blend of tart tomatillo and spicy chili. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Café Tu Tu Tango 8625 International Drive, Orlando 407-248-2222. cafetututango.com L-D daily.

Go with a group and share, as Café Tu Tu Tango’s menu is full of inventive items—all in appetizersized portions. Cajun chicken egg rolls and Dutch salad made with caramelized onion flatbread, dried cranberries, pine nuts and goat cheese are typical selections. $$ Ẃ Capa Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, 10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista 407-313-7777. fourseasons.com/orlando D daily. Capa combines the joys of a true tapas bar with the depth of a premium steakhouse, offering stunning views from its 17th-floor perch. The small plates include ternera beef cheeks, strips of veal draped over bits of roasted rutabaga, and patatas bravas, small potato columns in a spicy paprika sauce. On the large side, the 32-ounce Porterhouse for two is otherworldly in size and flavor. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Citricos Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 4401 Grand Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista 407939-3436. disney.go.com D daily. Citricos offers a unique blend of Southern European cuisine with a local Florida touch. France, Spain and Italy make an appearance on the menu. For a special treat, reserve the in-kitchen Chef’s Domain table well in advance. $$$$ Ẃ Itar Bistro and Market 7065 Westpoint Blvd., Orlando. 407-757-055. itarbistro.com L-D Mon-Sat. This gem combines the flavors of Italy and Argentina, with Chef Mariana Moya at the helm turning out rich, robust dishes. Try the pasticcio eggplant with Parmigiano topping, as well as the mixed grill for two, featuring Angus beef flank, short ribs and blood sausage. The empanadas, particularly those with chicken and onion filling, are delightful. $$-$$$ K Restaurant 1701 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407872-2332. kwinebar.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. A College Park mainstay of fine American cuisine sure to please both the eye and the palate. The menu changes each day, ensuring that every dining experience will be unique, and the intimate and cozy dining room is the perfect setting for a romantic night out. $$$ Ẃ Luma on Park 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park 407599-4111. lumaonpark.com D nightly. Executive chef Brandon McGlamery offers fine dining with a sustainable twist, creating a changing menu that focuses on using locally sourced ingredients.

Standouts include the Idaho rainbow trout with black beluga lentils and julienned zucchini, and the roasted Ashley Farms chicken with butternut squash puree, cider-glazed Brussels sprouts and red onion marmalade. $-$$$$ Ẃ

Market to Table 146 Plant St., Winter Garden 407970-8876. market2table.com D Wed.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. Chef Ryan Freelove offers an approachable, seasonally influenced menu focusing on fish and fowl and enhanced by house-made stocks, herb butters and sauces. Appetizers like rich crab cakes, calamari (dressed with tangy lemon aioli), and grilled beef skewers are simple and simply well done. He serves fish robed in lemon juice and a superb airline chicken breast accompanied by potato puree and a grilled mini squash filled with beets and duck confit. Soups like the fall offering of butternut squash have great depth of flavor. $$$  MOOR Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee. 407-586-1101. marriott.com L-D daily. A one-of-a-kind dining experience on a 60-foot ship deck within a hotel. Specialty Chef Phillip Fisher oversees the dishes, including creations like she-crab soup and Gulf-caught white shrimp atop Anson Mills white corn grits. The flatbreads are special—particularly the house-smoked duck and goat cheese—as well as the chicken and waffles, using chicken from Lake Meadow Naturals made with scratch ricotta cheese and drizzled in maple syrup-reduced pan drippings. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Norman’s Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407-393-4333. normans.com D nightly. New World Cuisine pioneer Norman Van Aken is the mastermind behind the Orlando Norman’s, a dramatically designed dining room featuring a menu that melds the flavors of Latin America, the Caribbean, the U.S. and the Far East. $$$$ Ẃ The Osprey Tavern 4899 New Broad St., Orlando 407-960-7700. ospreytavern.com L Tue.-Sat., D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun. This Baldwin Park spot offers a fascinating menu that includes whole grilled branzino, bolognese, duck breast, and cottage pie with braised short rib. The desserts and fresh-baked brunch creations from Pastry Chef Kristy Carlucci are must-haves. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Primo JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407-393-4444. primorestaurant.com D nightly. After winning the coveted James Beard Award, Chef Melissa Kelly and her pastry-chef husband, Price Kushner, opened the Grande Lakes Marriott branch of Primo. The warm, woodsy restaurant offers items such as rack of lamb with figs, casarecce pasta with clams and mussels, roasted chicken breast with lima bean ragout, and pan-seared diver scallops with risotto. The produce comes from Primo’s on-site garden. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ %The Rusty Spoon 55 W. Church St., Orlando 407401-8811. therustyspoon.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly.

Kathleen, Blake, our Critic’s Pick for Best Chef in the 2018 Dining Awards, offers creative riffs on classic European and American dishes, while sourcing local ingredients whenever possible, at her gastropub in the 55 West building. Try the lamb sandwich or the Dirty South stew, the latter a combination of rock shrimp, yellowtail snapper and clams. Other winners: the “55” burger stuffed with bacon and Gruyere cheese, and the Lake Meadow salad of greens, eggs and chicken livers from Lake Meadow Naturals farm. $$-$$$ Ẃ %Santiago’s Bodega 802 Virginia Drive, Orlando, 407-412-6979; 1185 Spring Center South Blvd., Altamonte Springs, 407-960-2605. santiagosbodega. com L-D daily, BR Sun. This tapas-style restaurant, with its art-filled dining room and captivating lounge, captured the Best Brunch and Late Night Dining awards from readers in our 2018 dining poll.

Santiago’s specializes in hot and cold small plates, with more than three dozen available, ranging from yellowfin tuna ceviche and lamb patties to chicken skewers and tomato and basil bruschetta. $$ Ẃ

%Strong Water Tavern Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, 6601 Adventure Way, Orlando 407-503-5000. loewshotels.com/sapphire-falls-resort D daily. Our Critic’s Pick for Best Casual Dining in the 2018 Dining Awards. Chef Carlos Castaño presents a dazzling menu of items from Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Colombia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico in this rum-centric small-plate restaurant disguised as a hotel lobby bar. Best bets: the Peruvian Trio, three servings of classic ceviche of corvina; beef and sweet plantain hash; pollo patron, shredded chicken atop fried green plantain slices with a spicy tomato hogao; and Jamaican curry goat. More than 60 types of rum are available from the bar, most in a three-shot tasting flight. $-$$ Ẃ %The Tasting Room 99 W Plant St., Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstableattheedgewater.com D Mon.-Sat.; BR Sun. Take your taste buds on a trip to the Bayou—Chef Kevin Tarter infuses his Louisiana upbringing into every dish at this sidekick to the adjoining Chef’s Table. The tapas-style dining includes items like smoked fish dip, fried green tomatoes, lobster BLT, and Muffaletta sliders. The craft drinks are outstanding. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Best Appetizers in our 2018 Dining Awards. $$-$$$ Ẃ %Tiffins Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneygo.com L-D daily. Within three gallery-like dining areas full of original art and artifacts from Asia and Africa, Tiffins presents adventurous dishes such as a whole-fried sustainable fish served on fermented black bean sauce with green papaya salad; and a berbere-spiced lamb chop fragrant with clove and cardamom. For appetizers, which can be a meal in themselves, don’t miss the black-eyed pea fritters or the smoky grilled octopus. Winner of Critic’s Pick for Best Theme Park Restaurant in our 2018 Dining Awards. $$$$ Ẃ %Urbain 40 8000 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando.

407-872-2640. urbain40.com L-D daily. Our Critic’s Pick for Fine Dining in the 2018 Dining Awards.

Local legend Tim Keating has raised the level of culinary excellence wherever he has been chef, and this Restaurant Row spot is no exception.

The melting pot of tastes includes bouillabaisse Provencal, an exquisite offering of Northeastern mussels, clams from Cedar Key and wild-caught shrimp in a tomato, saffron and fennel broth with a touch of Pernod. Other winners: the Angus burger with pimiento cheese, onion jam and Bearnaise sauce; a richly flavored chicken Alfredo; and a magnificent shrimp lo mein. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ %Victoria & Albert’s Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista 407-824-1089. victoria-alberts.com D nightly. Reserve far in advance for Orlando’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant, a 2018 inductee into our Dining Hall of Fame. Awardwinning Executive Chef Scott Hunnel and Chef de Cuisine Aimee Rivera prepare outstanding sevencourse prix-fixe meals in the main, very intimate dining room, the 10-course splendor of dinner in Queen Victoria’s Room, and a 10-course extravaganza right in the kitchen at the Chef’s Table. $$$$ Ẃ

CUBAN

%Black Bean Deli 325 S Orlando Ave. Suite 1-1, Winter Park; 1835 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407628-0294. blackbeandeli..com L Mon.-Sat., D Mon.-Fri. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Best Latin in our 2018 Dining Awards, this family-run eatery specializes in authentic Cuban comfort food. The Cuban sandwich, media noche, picadillo—and of course the black beans—are first rate, as are the empanadas. The creamy flan custard is a must-try to top off the meal. $

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Columbia 649 Front St., Celebration 407-5661505. columbiarestaurant.com L-D daily. The oldest restaurant chain in Florida, serving authentic, upscale Cuban fare from sangria to paella in a decidely Spanish, Old World-style dining room. The merluza “Russian style” is especially interesting.

Live music plays in the tapas lounge. $$$ Ẃ Cuba Libre Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-226-1600. cubalibrerestaurant.com D nightly. In this massive setting reminiscent of a Cuban hacienda courtyard, chef/ partner Guillermo Pernot offers a magnificent menu that features classic Cuban recipes as well as bold adaptations. The contemporary items include Citrus Grilled Brick Chicken in mango sweet and sour gravy. Classic Cuban items are offered as well, like Ropa Vieja—shredded beef brisket stewed with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and red wine and served with maduros and steamed white rice. $$$ Ẃ Padrino’s Cuban Bistro 13586 Village Park Drive, Orlando 407-251-5107. padrinosbistro.com L-D daily. From the markets of 1930s Cuba to presentday Orlando, generations of the Padrino family have been nourishing people with authentic Cuban cuisine. Try the white bean “caldo gallego” soup and citrus-marinated lechon asado pork.

Finish with house-made Tres Leches cake. $$ 

DESSERT

%Better Than Sex 1905 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-761-8949 betterthansexorlando.com 6 p.m.midnight Wed.-Sun. The atmosphere is decidedly sweet and sexy at this Ivanhoe Village spot, selected by readers as tops for Best Desserts in our 2018 Dining Awards. A steamy sample: Peanut Butter Perversion (peanut butter mousse on a chocolate chip cookie dough crust with salted chocolate bark). Or try the Lavender Lipstick, a honey-rimmed glass of Proseco dripping with lavender syrup. $$  Blue Bird Bake Shop 3122 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-228-3822. bluebirdbakeshop.com Open Tue.-Sun. Get your sweet and coffee and have a seat, or order your bounty to go. Either way, be prepared to choose from more than two dozen varieties of cupcakes—including sweet potato, red velvet, Snickerdoodle, apricot ginger and even a chocolate Guinness beer cake. $ %Buttermilk Bakery 1198 Orange Ave., Winter Park 321-422-4015. buttermilk-bakery.com B-L Tue.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. Voted Best Independent Bakery by our readers in the 2018 Dining Awards. Taissa Rebroff, her brother Phillip and mom Lana bake everything that graces the ever-changing menu, from the sweet croissant tarts with plum or apricot, to orange-cardamom buns, to baked Basque peppers on housemade sourdough. Delectable tea cakes, cookies and scones also make regular appearances. $ Charlie’s Gourmet Pastries 3213 Curry Ford Road, Orlando 407-898-9561. charliesgourmetpastries.com Open Mon.-Sat. A longtime Orlando favorite, Charlie’s creates items such as checkerboard cake, rainbow cookies and mincemeat pies that have become nostalgic and forgotten treats elsewhere. There also are elephant ear pastries, cream cheese rugelach and real coconut macaroons, but it’s the overstuffed fruit pies and butter-laden cakes that have kept people coming back for nearly 50 years. $-$$ P Is For Pie 2806 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-7454743 crazyforpies.com 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat. This Audubon Park gem creates mouthwatering whole pies, hand pies, “pie pops’’ and more. The

choices are many, from banana cream to caramel maple pumpkin to—wait for it—chocolate peanut butter & sea salt pie. Get there early. $-$$ The Cheesecake Factory 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-226-0333; 520 N. Orlando Ave, Winter Park 407-644-4220 L-D daily. The menu is extensive to say the least, with all manner of entrées and salads. But it’s the sweets that draw diners, The signature item is cheesecake, of course, and the offerings in that area range from Oreo Dream to lemon meringue to white chocolate raspberry truffle. $$-$$$ 

EUROPEAN

Bauern-Stube 8015 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-857-8404. bauern-stube.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. From the stacks of stollen greeting you at the entryway to the accordion player creating a festive dining room, Bauern-Stube re-creates a German after-a-day-in-the-fields retreat. Begin with a black beer, then try the authentic sauerbraten or hunter schnitzel with mushroom and onion gravy. $$-$$$  %Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café 205 E. First St., Sanford 407-321-2204. willowtreecafe.com L-D daily.

Our readers’ pick for Best German in the 2018 Dining Awards, Hollerbach’s offers a vast array of beers and such hefty food choices as the Schlachthaus Platte with its veal sausage, pork meatloaf and smoked pork loin. On weekends, you’ll find a sing-along, with people locking arms and swaying back and forth to German tunes. $$-$$$$  Schumann’s Jager Haus 25 W. Church St., Orlando 407-985-1950. schumannsjagerhaus.com L-D daily.

The Mulvaney brothers opened this German restaurant and placed chef Ralph Oliver at the helm, and the result is superb cuisine, from schnitzel to potato pancakes to spatzle. Try the signature pork or chicken Jager schnitzel, a tender cutlet dressed in a rich mushroom demi-glace and served with pickled red cabbage. There’s also a cordon bleu version with ham and Gruyere cheese. And oh, yes: There’s lots and lots of beer. $$-$$$. 

FRENCH

%Café de France 526 Park Ave. S., Winter Park 407-647-1869. lecafedefrance.com L-D Tue.-Sat. Our Readers’ Choice for Best French Restaurant in the 2018 Dining Awards. You could easily miss this diminutive restaurant on Park Avenue’s south end—and that would be a big mistake. For nearly four decades, Dominique and German Gutierrez have delighted diners with a simple, subtle seasonal menu featuring standouts like herb-roasted rack of lamb, beef bourguignon, coq au vin and slow-roasted glazed duck. $$$ Ẃ Chez Vincent 533 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 407-599-2929. chezvincent.com L-D daily.

This charming French spot in the trendy redeveloped Hannibal Square section of Winter Park offers fine food and formal service in an elegant dining room. $$$ Ẃ %DoveCote 390 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-9301700. dovecoteorlando.com L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. Winner of the Critic’s Pick as Best Restaurant in our 2018 Dining Awards. Chef Clayton Miller’s goal is to present “approachable French comfort food’’ and he delivers, with consistently superb creations that range from a killer onion soup and magnificent chicken pâté, to dishes such as short ribs and grilled chicken whose exacting technique belies their simplicity. With a creative lineup of craft cocktails and a generous happy hour, this downtown gem is not to be missed. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

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Le Coq Au Vin 4800 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407851-6980. lecoqauvinrestaurant.com D Tue.-Sun. An Orlando mainstay since 1976, this French restaurant combines classic cuisine such as the signature coq au vin (chicken in Burgundy sauce) with Southern specialties—New Orleans-style gumbo and boudin sausage do have French roots, after all. $$$ Ẃ

GREEK

The Greek Corner 1600 N. Orange Ave, Orlando 407 228-0303. thegreekcorner.net L-D daily. This Ivanhoe Village favorite offers an abundance of Greek specialties, ranging from lamb kebobs and chops to baked dishes like pastitsio and moussaka. For lunch, try the gyro or souvlaki. $-$$$ %Taverna Opa Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-351-8660. tavernaoparestaurant. com L-D daily. Chosen Best Greek and Best Place to Celebrate by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards, this I-Drive mainstay features upbeat music that has patrons dancing on the tables (almost), while the kitchen creates satisfying takes on Hellenic dishes like slow-roasted lamb, and pastitsio. $$$ Ẃ

INDIAN

Aashirwad Indian Restaurant 7000 S. Kirkman Road Orlando 407-370-9830 aashirwadrestaurant.com L-D daily. This I-Drive restaurant focuses on northern Indian dishes. The familiar favorites are all here—samosas, chicken tandoori, chicken tikka—as well as intriguing selections such as chicken shakuti (aniseflavored poultry cooked in coconut-based masala gravy). There are also a dozen vegetarian choices, from tadka daal (yellow lentils cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices) to methi malai mutter (green peas in a creamy gravy with fenugreek leaf). $$ Bombay Café 1137 Doss Ave., Orlando 407-2405151. bombaycafeorlando.net L-D daily. Located near Florida Mall, this casual spot offers a variety of Indian favorites. Of particular note: the crispy, crunchy Indian snack known as chaat; and the south Indian dosa, a folded pancake filled with ingredients such as peas, onion, tomatoes and lentil chutney. Curries include khoya kaju, cashews cooked in a creamy sauce. $ Kohinoor Indian Restaurant Ethan Allen Plaza, 249 State Road 436, Suite 1093, Altamonte Springs 407788-6004. kohinoorindianrestaurant.com L-D Tue.Sun. Bombay native Reis Fernandez transforms simple foods such as chicken and lentils into tender, aromatic, almost mystical meals. The chicken xacuti is a must-try specialty from Goa, and the bharta is a creamy eggplant dish. $$-$$$ Ẃ Memories of India Shoppes at Lake Emma, 3895 Lake Emma Road, Lake Mary 407-804-0920; 8204 Crystal Clear Lane, Suite 1600, Orlando 407370-3277. memoriesofindiacuisine.com L-D daily.

From crisp samosa starters and spicy vegetable dishes to classic tikka masala and fragrant clay oven tandoori, Memories has helped define excellent Indian cuisine in Orlando since 1999. $$-$$$ Rasa 7730 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-9300402. eatatrasa.com L-D daily. This relatively new entry along Restaurant Row aims to broaden our concept of Indian food, creating marvelous dishes from the country’s southern region, as well as Chinese-influenced cuisine. A great way to experience the dishes is with the South Indian thali, or platter, with its variety of offerings ranging from poriyal (a dry spice blend surrounding fresh okra) to sambhar (a lentil-based vegetable dish flavored with tamarind). Other best bets: iddly Manchurian, a Chineseinfluenced lentil cake, and dosa, crepes wrapped tortilla style around vegetables. $$. 

%Tamarind 501 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 149, Winter Park 321-207-0760; 12309 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-237-0920. tamarindfl.com L-D daily. Owner/chef Amit Kumar uses slow-roasted spices to create out-of-this-world flavors at this jewel, selected Best Indian cuisine by our readers in the 2018 Dining Awards. The Goan shrimp curry, Kashmiri aloo (potatoes in yogurt curry) and palak paneer (spinach and curd cheese) are standouts, as is the tandoori chicken. Save room for kulfi, a heavenly dessert. $$-$$$.

IRISH

Fiddler’s Green 544 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-645-2050. fiddlersgreenorlando.com B Sun.; L-D daily. Simple, hearty Irish food and numerous beers on tap draw a young, fun-loving crowd to this comfortable tavern, replete with a massive wooden bar from Ireland. $$ Ẃ Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant Downtown Disney, 1640 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-938-0300. raglanroadirishpub.com L-D daily.

This Irish-themed megapub inspired by celebrity chef Kevin Dundon is not to be missed. A sure bet is Kevin’s Heavenly Ham, oven-roasted ham with an Irish Mist glaze with potato cakes and braised cabbage. Add a brew from the extensive beer menu and stay a while to enjoy the joyous music and dancing. $$$ Ẃ

ITALIAN

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza 420 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 407-260-2625; 8031 Turkey Lake Road, #300, Orlando 407-363-9466 acfp.com L-D daily. The pies take only four minutes to cook in an 800-degree coal oven; other specialties include meatball & ricotta, Philly cheesesteak, and Eggplant Marino. $$ Antonio’s 611 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-6451035 antoniosonline.com L-D daily. In the dining room upstairs, Chef Patrick Tramontana offers entrees like Pollo Marsala, or braised lamb shank with Parmesan risotto and sweet peas., while the informal cafe and market downstairs boasts a variety of pizzas, salads, meats, pastas and more. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Bice Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-503-1415. biceorlando.com D nightly. Tucked into an upstairs corner at the Portofino, Bice brings Orlando the seductive pastas, risottos and entrées that have made the chain an Italian favorite in numerous locations around the world. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Cala Bella Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-996-3663. calabellarestaurant. com D nightly. Stimulating Italian fare, including great risotto and lamb chops, is served in a beautiful dining room at this sprawling hotel. The desserts are fabulous, too. $$$$ Ẃ Christini’s Ristorante Italiano Dr. Phillips Marketplace, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Dr. Phillips 407-3458770. christinis.com D nightly. Owner Chris Christini has wowed diners with his meticulously prepared old-school menu since 1984. The Linguine alla Genovese Is a perfectly balanced pasta dish with pesto sauce and distinct flavors of garlic and pine nuts, while Chicken Scaloppine al Marsala combines rich wine sauce with sauteed mushrooms and a thin-pounded chicken cutlet. $$$$ Ẃ Enzo’s on the Lake 1130 S. 17-92, Longwood 407151834-9872.

E Welbourne Ave enzos.com L Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Antipasti Winter Park,vegetables, FL 32789marinated seafood and of roasted imported salamis begin the feasting at Enzo’s, a longtime family-owned Italian restaurant in a lakeside house. Dover sole, rarely seen on today’s menus, is a specialty. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

Francesco’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-960-5533, francescosrist.com L-D Mon.-Sat. The pizza is primo at Francesco’s, whether you choose the simple Margherita or load it with carne or vegetables.

Other standouts include the spaghetti alla carbonara and the pollo Siciliano, a chicken breast sautéed in a mix of capers, artichokes and garlic and wine sauce. $$-$$$ Il Mulino Walt Disney World Swan Resort, 1200 Epcot Resort Blvd., Lake Buena Vista 407-9341199. swandolphin.com/ilmulino D nightly. New York’s Il Mulino has cloned itself, and the Orlando version is on Disney property. The restaurant brings the flavors of chefs/founders Fernando and Gino Masci to the subtropics. $$$ Ẃ La Bella Luna 4886 New Broad St., Orlando 407895-0025. labellalunafl.com D daily; L Mon.-Sat. This friendly family-owned restaurant in Baldwin Park offers specialties such as Zuppa di Pesce, cedar plank salmon, Basa Luna, Chicken Tortellini Carbonara, and a wide range of award-winning New York–style pizzas, as well as a selction of Italian wines and beer. $$ La Luce 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando 407-597-3600. laluceorlando.com D daily.

West Coast Italian stylings come to Orlando in this signature restaurant started by celebrity chef Donna Scala. Best selections include bitesize polpette meaballs and the Tuscan ragu and lamb. House-made pastas and high-end ingredients are a hallmark. $$-$$$ Ẃ

Mellow Mushroom 11680 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-384-4455; 2015 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-657-7755. mellowmushroom.com L-D daily. This pizza place is known for its easygoing atmosphere and quirky décor. The menu includes a variety of specialty pizzas, calzones, hoagies and salads. Choose from more than 40 different beers on tap to pair with your pizza slice. $-$$ %Nonno’s Ristorante Italiano 1140 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 407-260-8900. nonnositalianrestaurant.com L Tue.-Sat., D Tues.-Sun. Winner of Best Italian Restaurant among readers in our 2018 Dining Awards. Pasta, seafood, veal and chicken populate the menu here, and the genial Stefano LaCommare and son Lenny do very well with all of them. Classic eggplant parm is a massive serving of breaded eggplant smothered in tomato sauce and cheese and cooked in the oven. The monkfish special features firm white fish topped with capers, pine nuts, olives and chopped tomato. For an appetizer try the bruschetta topped with caponata, a delicious mélange of eggplant olives, onions and celery. $$-$$$ Peperoncino Cucina 7998 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando 407-440-2856 peperoncinocucina.com L-D daily. The husband-wife chef team of Barbara Alfano and Danilo Martorano provide a delicious slice of Southern Italy with an array of fish and meat entrees, pasta and risotto. But their antipasti and stuzzicherie (starters and appetizers) are particularly magnificent, ranging from tiny burratini cheese with ripe tomatoes and house-spiced, thin-sliced pastrami to fried risotto arancini balls and Calabrese roasted eggplant. $$-$$$$ Ẃ

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151 E Welbourne Ave Winter Park, FL 32789

DINE | JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 89

DINE RECOMMENDED EATING %Pizza Bruno 3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando. pizzabrunofl.com D daily, L Sat., BR Sun. Our 2018 Critic’s Pick for Best Neighborhood Restaurant and Readers’ Choice for Best Pizza. Bruno Zacchini’s tiny eatery is a draw not only for your average pizza lover but also local kitchen celebs seeking the goodness of his Neapolitan soft dough pie.

Zacchini keeps it simple—crushed plum tomatoes and fresh cheese for a pizza subtle in taste and a great base for toppings including hot soppressata, clams and wood-fired pineapple. $-$$ Prato 124 N. Park Ave, Winter Park 407-262-0050 prato-wp.com. L Wed.-Sun.; D daily. From Luma executive chef Brandon McGlamery comes Prato, a trendy, communal spot with inventive offerings like pretzel-encrusted calamari, shrimp ravioli, oakroasted trout and a variety of pizzas. $$-$$$ Ẃ Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar 400 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-644-7770. roccositaliangrille.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Guests can expect a true Italian experience from owner and chef Rocco Potami. Part of that experience, set in a vintage 1940s building, involves indulging in multiple courses, otherwise known as primo e secondo piatti. Diners are encouraged to arrive hungry— very hungry. Menu standouts include the Scaloppine di vitello alla Rocco—veal scaloppini topped with roasted red peppers, prosciutto and Fontina cheese, deglazed with white wine and finished with a rich demi glace sauce. $$-$$$$. Ẃ Vito’s Chop House 8633 International Drive, Orlando 407-354-2467. vitoschophouse.com D nightly. The fine chops, aged steaks, 1,000+ wine selections and Italian flair make this I-Drive restaurant a sophisticated choice. The menu also includes large lobster tails, fresh fish and classic Italian cuisine. $$-$$$$ Ẃ Winter Garden Pizza Company 46 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden. 407-877-1930. wintergardenpizza.com L-D daily. This downtown hometown favorite’s menu is chock full of pie combinations, calzone, pasta, subs and Buffalo wings. $-$$

JAPANESE

Amura 55 W. Church St., Downtown Orlando 407316-8500; Plaza Venezia, 7786 W. Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-370-0007; Colonial Town Plaza, 950 Market Promenade Ave., Lake Mary 407-9366001. amura.com L Mon.-Sat.; D nightly. Three of Orlando’s hippest sushi houses, the downtown location casual, the others modern and suave. $$$ Banshoo Sushi Bar Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando 407-996-9840. rosecentre.com D nightly. Chef Yoshi Kohazame combines the simplicity of a Japanese sushi roll with ingredient combinations that suggest an American flair. The masterpiece of his kitchen is the rice.

And he will offer you recommendations based on your previously ordered dish. Top the night off with a Banshoo Sunset Punch cocktail. $$ %Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando 407-9601228. domufl.com D daily; BR Sat.-Sun. Winner of the Critic’s Pick for Best Japanese in our 2018 Dining Awards. This Audubon Park hotspot, located in East End Market, offers a modern take on a traditional ramen bar. Be prepared to wait—90 minutes most nights; they don’t take reservations—but know that the wait is worth it. Chef/owner Sonny Nguyen cooks up a sterling assortment of pork, chicken and vegetable broth ramen with housemade noodles, as well as otherworldly crispy wings in kimchi butter. And the grilled octopus dish may be the best-tasting bargain in town. $$

Dragonfly Robata Grill 7972 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando 407-370-3359. dragonflysushi.com/orlando D daily. Executive chef Ray Hideaki Leung’s 1,000-degree grill imparts a quick outer crisp and sublime taste to squid, mackerel, ribeye, lamb chops and a variety of other meats and fish. The sushi and sashimi selections are plentiful: The signature Classic roll with albacore tuna, whiite fish and scallions is sauced, then baked, for a combination of sweet, spicy and savory. Dragonfly has one of the best happy hours around. $-$$$$ Ẃ Kabooki Sushi 3122 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-228-3839. kabookisushi.com D daily. Chef/ owner Henry Moso has a passion for Japanese culture that is reflected in his inventive menu: Kazan scallops with a spicy green peppercorn coconut sauce, and tempura duck breast with Thai basil sauce. Sushi offerings are equally creative— kokonutsu lobster roll combines tempura lobster, creamy avocado, salty roe, citrus, honey, soy and toasted coconut. $$$ %Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Seven area locations. kobesteakhouse.com D daily. A perennial Readers’ Choice for Best Japanese. Teppanyaki chefs grill a variety of meat and seafood dishes as well as vegetables and fried rice right at your table. After dinner, indulge in green tea ice cream or fried cheesecake. $$$  Nagoya Sushi 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407-248-8558; 5661 Red Bug Lake Road, Winter Springs 407-478-3388. nagoyasushi.com D nightly. At Nagoya, the art of the itami-san (sushi chef) is alive and well with a steady hand on sea-kissed fish. But it’s the kitchen food (cooked dishes) that shines in these friendly cafes, with the miso scallops a particular favorite. $$-$$$ %Seito Sushi 4898 New Broad St., Orlando 407898-8801; seitosushi.com L-D daily. Winner of the 2018 Critic’s Pick for Best Pan-Asian, and voted Best Sushi by readers. At Seito, owner Jason Chin and executive chef Huy Tin have elevated sushi and Pan-Asian dining to a delicious new level.

The ramen bowls are magnificent slow-cooked, heady broths swimming with braised meats, eggs and superb noodles. Teriyaki chicken and bulgogi, grilled marinated Korean beef, also are winners.

The chirashi items are beautiful arrangements of seasonal fish atop seasoned sushi rice—and some of the best plates in Orlando. Also, try the eel topped with charred Asian pear. $$-$$$. Ẃ Shari Sushi Lounge 621 E. Central Blvd., Thornton Park 407-420-9420. sharisushilounge.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. The food, the atmosphere and the diners are all stylish at Shari Sushi, which presents a variety of cutting-edge rolls, sashimi, and tempura. $$-$$$ Shin Sushi and Sake Bar 803 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-648-8000. shinsushi.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. The closest thing we have to a neighborhood sushi bar. Four Japanese chefs own and operate this North Quarter spot, serving some of Orlando’s most authentic sushi. Extensive selection of sakes. $$$ Ẃ Sushi Pop 310 W. Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo 407-542-5975. sushipoprestaurant.com. D Tue.Sun. This hip spot is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Giant screens play Japanese anime while waiters dressed in anime or glam-rock styles deliver eye-popping dishes like the Anaconda roll, boasting avocado, eel and tempura shrimp, or the Harvest Duck, served atop a green bean and stuffing casserole. $$-$$$$ Ẃ

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Yamasan Sushi & Grill 1606 N. Mills Ave., Orlando.

407-228-1730. yamasanorlando.com L-D daily.

This trendy entry on the Mills 50 dining scene turns out fabulous sushi, tempura, udon bowls and mushi soups. $-$$ Yuki Hana 3635 Aloma Ave., Oviedo 407-6958808. sushioviedo.com L-D daily. Executive Chef Albert DeSue presents creative takes on Japanese cuisine, from dishes seared on the robata grill (don’t miss the applewood bacon-wrapped scallops) to a sukiyaki featuring lightly seared Wagu, a single egg yolk, blistered leeks and crispy tofu cubes, topped off by a meaty jus poured tableside. The sushi offerings resemble works of art, particularly the house-cured salmon wrapped around avocado and accented by dots of edamame cream and pickled shallots. $$$ Ẃ Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando 407-597-3600. hiltonbonnetcreek.com/dining/ zeta-bar-sushi-lounge D daily. Whether you’re gathering for lively conversation or to catch your favorite game, this sophisticated hotel spot offers an abundance of traditional and signature sushi rolls, sashimi and noodles, along with innovative hand-crafted cocktails, wines and beer. $$-$$$ Ẃ

KOREAN

Seoul Garden 511 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland 407599-5199. L-D daily except Wednesday. Standard grilled meat bulgogi barbecue, served with all those little side dishes, is here, but there’s also a world of other traditional dishes to be explored. Order the seafood pancake for an invigorating combination of simple seafood and fiery kimchi. $$ Shin Jung 1638 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407895-7345. shinjungkorean.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly. From the grills in the center of the tables to the five types of kimchi that accompany meals, Shin Jung is authentic Korean all the way. Daeji bulgogi is tender pork in a sweet-spicy sauce. $$

LATIN/SPANISH

Bulla Gastrobar 110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 321-214-6120. bullagastrobar.com L-D daily. Bulla satisfies with a tasty lineup of Spanish tapas, entrees and libations. Among the standout tapas: chili and garlic infused gambas a ajillo shrimp and the huevos “Bulla,” a fried egg on crisp potatoes with Serano ham and potato foam. The large plates include an excellent seafood paella, cooked to order with the coveted soccarat, the browned crusted rice touching the pan. $-$$$$ Ẃ Cevíche Tapas Bar and Restaurant 125 W. Church St., Orlando 321-281-8140. ceviche.com D Tue.-Sat. A multitude of hot and cold tapas, plus paellas and cazuelas, are served in the styles of Northern Spain and Catalan in this upscale Church Street mainstay. $-$$$ Ẃ Fogo de Chão 8282 International Drive, Orlando 407-370-0711. fogodechao.com L daily except Saturday, D daily. At this Brazilian steakhouse chain, you start with the salad and sides bar, then turn your dinner card green side up, signaling the gaucho chefs to hustle over and begin serving tableside from your choice of 15 fire-roasted meats, including pork ribs, filet mignon and sausage. Sides include cheese bread, polenta and caramelized bananas. $$$-$$$$. Ẃ Fuego Melia Orlando Suite Hotel, 225 Celebration Place, Celebration 407-964-7000. fuegomeliaorlando.com B-D daily. Tapas are the star at Fuego, which offers a selection of hot and cold dishes. Try the lamb meatballs, blended with sharp cheese, garlic and rosemary in a dark porcini sauce, or

the pulpoa la Gallega, featuring disks of tender poached octopus with olive oil and potato wedges. For entrees, the chicken Scaloppini and grilled ribeye are best bets. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Mango’s Tropical Café 8126 International Drive, Orlando 407-673-4422. mangos.com/orlando D daily. Our Readers’ Choice winner for Best Entertainment/Live Music in the 2018 Dining Awards.

Mango’s dinner show with singers, dancers and a live band begins at 7 and runs continuously through the evening. The “Floribbean’’ menu includes churrasco steak with shrimp au gratin and grilled salmon with mango salsa. Late at night Mango’s transforms into a DJ-led dance floor spread among eight bars. $$$  %Tapa Toro 8441 International Drive, Orlando 407-226-2929 tapatoro.restaurant L-D daily.

Chef Wendy Lopez was selected as Best Chef by readers in the 2018 Dining Awards, and the restaurant topped Best Spanish as well. The 12-seat paella pit is a big draw here, cooking up numerous tasty versions of the classic rice dish. Tapa Toro is also tapas territory, with the small plates drawing from both Spanish and Mediterranean influences. Try the pan con petipua, pureed green peas topping toast wedges with beets and goat cheese, or the pulpo al gallego, tender octopus charcoal grilled and sprinked with picante paprika and sea salt. $$-$$$ Ẃ

MEDITERRANEAN

%Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine 108 S. Park Ave., Winter Park 407-644-8609; 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Suite 108, Dr. Phillips 407-352-6766. bosphorousrestaurant.com L-D daily. Chosen by readers as Best Middle Eastern cuisine in our 2018 Dining Awards.

Turkish specialties from frothy tarama (whipped caviar) to falafel, along with entrees like chargrilled chicken patties and lamb shanks with vegetables are highlights at this family-owned restaurant. $$-$$$ Cedar’s Plaza Venezia, 7732 W. Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-351-6000. orlandocedars.com L-D daily.

Cedar’s gives Middle Eastern cuisine the respect it deserves, graciously serving high-quality standards, from a smoky baba ghannouj to lamb kebabs, in an upscale atmosphere. $$-$$$ Ẃ Paramount Fine Foods 8371 International Drive, Orlando 407-930-8645. paramountfinefoods.com L-D daily. Embracing the flavors of the Middle East, this Canadian-based company has opened its first U.S. location at the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex. Try the baked pita straight from the wood-burning ovens, barbecue halal meats, chicken and beef shawarma, flatbread creations, and the baklawa dessert. $-$$$ Villa de Flora Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee 407-586-1114. gaylordpalms.com B-D daily; BR Sun. Make your way around the Mediterranean market-like buffet and enjoy such dishes as Valencian seafood paella, osso buco with gremolata, and chicken cacciatore.

Villa de Flora also has one of the more popular Sunday brunches in the area. $$$ Ẃ

MEXICAN/TEX-MEX

Agave Azul 4750 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando 407-704-6930. agaveazulorlando.com L-D daily.

A bountiful menu ranging from Fajitas de Camaron (grilled shrimp sauteed with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms) to Arrachera (grilled marinated skirt steak, topped with chimicurri sauce). Agave Azul also offers lots of drink choices—as in more than 100 brands of tequila to choose from. $-$$$

%Black Rooster Taqueria 1323 Mills Ave., Orlando. 407-601-0994. blackroostertaqueria.com L-D Tues.-Sun. This farm-to-taco eatery, owned by John Calloway and wife Juliana, is our Critic’s Pick for Best Tacos in the 2018 Dining Awards. Calloway creates hand-pressed corn tortillas and emphasizes savory rather than spicy. Crispy red grouper tacos—beer-battered fish piled with pickled cabbage, avocado and fresh cilantro—are one of the richly flavored delights. Also try the smoky achiote pork, slow cooked in a banana leaf for 36 hours and layered with pickled onion, cilantro and a fruity, mellow habanero salsa. $ %Cocina 214 151 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park 407-790-7997. cocina214.com L-D daily. This restaurant just off Park Avenue is a perennial winner for Best Mexican/Tex Mex among readers in our annual Dining Awards—2018 makes the seventh year in a row it has topped the category. The extensive menu includes tempting items like fried avocado bites, Snapper Frito, and Mexican corn, as well as more traditional favorites. Also sure to please: an ample selection of margaritas, wines and beer. $$$ Ẃ Frontera Cocina Disney Springs Town Center 407560-9197. fronteracocina.com L-D daily. Chef Rick Bayless, an eight-time James Beard Award winner, creates true Mexican fare, with delights like carne asada, Black Angus steak steeped in garlic and red chilies; tortas, a crusty bread roll stuffed with achiote-seasoned pork shoulder; and coctel verde, shrimp and scallops dressed ceviche-style in lime, avocado and sharp pepper-tomatillo salsa.

Don’t miss the delicious sikil pak, a spicy Yucatecan pumpkin seed dip. $$-$$$$  Hunger Street Tacos 2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-444-6270. hungerstreettacos.com L-D Mon.-Sat., BR Sat. Our Critic’s Pick for Best New Restaurant in the 2018 Dining Awards. Brothers Joseph and David Creech present delectable tacos, quesadillas and tostadas that define the real Mexico. Try the suadero, seared marinated brisket with cilantro, lime and an avocado-tomatillo sauce.

Two taco offerings that leap from classic to fusion are the “Grilled Cheese,’’ melding halloumi, refried beans, Serrano-lime salsa and mint; and a pankofried avocado wedge, served with shredded cabbage, pepper-lime crema and queso cotija. $-$$ Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-996-9939. rosenshinglecreek.com L-D daily. This gem dazzles with Mexican dishes crafted by Hawaiian-born chef Cameron Hostellero. The Flounder Vera Cruz boasts lightly coated fish topped with flaked crab, avocado and slaw. The filet tostada features a chipotle-pepper-rubbed Angus filet atop fried tortillas layered with Manchango cheese and salsa rojo. The giant margaritas are a must. $$-$$$  %Reyes Mezcaleria 821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-868-9007. reyesmex.com L Mon-Fri; D daily; BR Sat.-Sun. Our Readers’ Choice for Best New Restaurant in the 2018 Dining Awards. Restaurateur Jason Chin (Seito Sushi, The Osprey Tavern) ventures into Mexican cuisine in downtown’s North Quarter, and the results are impressive. What he calls “regionally inspired Mexican cuisine’’ includes offerings like tacos stuffed with crispy fish, braised short ribs or pork belly; tuna tostada, a fried, crispy platter of tortilla crowned with yellowfin tuna and a splash of pickled tomatillo and lime aioli; and a stellar Oxacan mole negro—impeccably cooked duck breast with a deep chocolatly sauce, roasted pumpkin and chayote squash. $$-$$$ 

Taquitos Jalisco 1041 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden 407-654-0363. L-D Tue.-Sun. Enjoy sizzling fajitas, tortilla soup, flavorful chicken mole and bountiful burritos, with musicians playing on weekends. $$ Tijuana Flats Multiple area locations. tijuanaflats. com L-D daily. From humble beginnings in Winter Park, Tijuana Flats has spread across Florida and beyond. Using the freshest ingredients—and making an amazing array of hot sauces available—quesadillas, crispy tacos and of course flour tortillas keep diners coming back. $

SANDWICHES

Beefy King 424 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-8942241. beefyking.com B-L Mon.-Sat. Nobody would enter the circa-1960s Beefy King on a whim, but they’d miss moist and tender roast beef, pastrami, turkey and ham cooked on premises and served from a steam table just like in the delis of old. $ %The Deli Downtown 18 N. Boyd St., Winter Garden 407-347-3873. thedelidowntownwg.com L daily; D Mon.-Sat. Our Critic’s Pick for Undiscovered Gem, as well as Best Sandwich, in the 2018 Dining Awards.

Chef Joseph Burnett, formerly of Osprey Tavern, is creating casual masterpieces in downtown Winter Garden, including sandwiches, soups and salads. The Buffalo chicken sandwich, the award winner, is a magnificent combination of tender beer-braised chicken, fragrant Marbleu blue Monterey Jack cheese, housepickled celery and house-made ranch and Buffalo sauce. Other winning sandwich combinations: carved roast beef and horseradish; pulled pork and Oaxaca cheese; and jack fruit with whiskey barbecue sauce. $ %Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria 67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-894-0865. pompomsteahouse.com L-D daily (open 24 hours Fri.-Sat.).

Readers’ Choice for Best Sandwiches in our 2018 Dining Awards. This Milk District favorite offers two dozen inventive sandwiches and an array of salads. Try the Fu Man Chu sandwich, a wild combination of Asian-spiced pulled pork, goat cheese and ginger-cranberry chutney. $ %Savoree 2 W. Plant St., Winter Garden 407-3475222. savoree.net Opens daily at 11 a.m. Our 2018 Readers’ Choice for Best Salads, Savoree boasts a varied lineup of sandwiches, wraps, salads and bowls.

The Walkers Bowl features brown rice, oven-roasted salmon, carmelized onions, toasted almonds and feta cheese, topped with Green Goddess dressing. $ %TooJay’s Gourmet Deli Six area locations. toojays.com L-D daily. Winner of the Readers’ Choice for Best Deli in our 2018 Dining Awards.

TooJay’s serves up thick corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches, along with house-made salads. Comfort food like shepherd’s pie, pot roast and meatloaf also is in abundance. The chocolate Killer Cake is legendary. $-$$

SEAFOOD

Bonefish Grill Eight area locations. bonefishgrill. com D nightly. From the folks who brought us Outback, this is a casual seafood chain with a sleek edge. Fish selections are seared over oak and topped with sauces like mango salsa or garlic-gorgonzola butter. $$-$$$ %deep blu seafood grille Wyndham Grand Orlando, Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando 407-390-2420. deepbluorlando.com D nightly. Our Readers’ Choice winner for Best Service in the 2018 Dining Awards, deep blu shines with an inventive menu featuring selections like lobster with seafood stuffing, blu crab crusted grouper, and seafood Cioppino. A must-order is the blu crab mac n’ cheese. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Eddie V’s 7488 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407355-3011. eddiev.com D nightly. Seafood is the specialty of the kitchen, where moist grouper simply sauteed in garlic is given the same attention as an intricate lemon sole coated in a Parmesan crust. But steaks also stand out, from the centercut filet mignon to the huge 22-ounce charred ribeye. The side dish menu includes crab fried rice, an entrée in itself, but a must-try is the truffled macaroni and cheese. Eddie V’s also boasts a dazzling happy hour menu, including lollipop lamb chops, lump crab cake, and Point Judith Calamari with roasted cashews and crisp noodles. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ FishBones 6707 Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407352-0135; 7005 County Road 46A, Lake Mary 407-581-2399. fishbonesorlando.com D nightly.

FishBones serves just-caught seafood along with aged steaks and prime rib in a relaxed yet refined Key West-themed dining room. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Flying Fish Disney’s Boardwalk, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463 disneyworld.disney.go.com D-daily. Our Critic’s Pick for Best Seafood in the 2018 Dining Awards. The cuisine created by Chef Tim Majoras at Flying Fish is magnificent, with the menu adapting to the seasons and availability.

Items like Cedar Key clams, rock shrimp and Florida coast grouper take full advantage of local specialties. The blue crab bisque is superb, as is the Maine lobster nero pasta: lobster poached in butter and fennel, highlighted by squid-ink pasta, baby artichokes and golden tomato sauce. $$$$ Ẃ Hemingway’s One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando 407-239-1234. grandcypress.hyatt.com D daily. If the décor doesn’t make you feel like you’re vacationing in the Florida Keys, the cuisine will. Mementos and fishing trophies from Key West’s most famous resident add to the relaxed atmosphere. Start with the coconut scallops or the Key lime Caesar salad and move on to the Seafood Paella Valenciana or the Macadamia-crusted sea bass. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Johnnie’s Hideaway 12551 State Road 535, Orlando 407-827-1111. johnnieshideaway.com D nightly. This modern Caribbean-styled dining room serves simply prepared quality steaks and fresh fish to emphasize old Florida and Floribbean cuisine. Johnnie’s is complete with a lakeside Hideaway Tiki Deck & Raw Bar. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ MoonFish The Fountains, 7525 W. Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407-363-7262. moonfishorlando. com D nightly. Fish caught that day and prepared creatively defines this large seafood house, which serves a wide-ranging menu in an elaborate, cheerful space. $$-$$$ Muddy Waters 101 S. Eola Drive, Orlando 407843-9676. muddywaters-orlando.com D daily; L Sat.; BR Sun. Chef Bernard Carmouche exels at New Orleans-inspired cooking in a hybrid sports bar, after-hours club atmosphere downtown.

The signature po’ boy sandwich is a wedge of Crescent City pleasure, with lightly seasoned shrimp, fried oysters or catfish shoehorned into a crisp-crusted French baguette. Other highlights include the large raw oyster bar, and the smoked trout beignets, which are like fish-stuffed hush puppies. $$-$$$.  Ocean Prime Rialto, 7339 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando 407-781-4880. ocean-prime.com D nightly.

Superb seafood and steaks are presented in a supper club atmosphere, while jazz plays in the artistically lit piano bar. The surf and turf boasts a filet, butter-poached lobster tail, gouda potato

cake and chili seared spinach. The sea scallops with Parmesan risotto is another winner, as is the black truffle macaroni and cheese. $$$$ Ẃ The Oceanaire Seafood Room Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-363-4801. theoceanaire.com D nightly. More than 25 species of fish and shellfish are flown in daily. The wine list is tailored for pairings with seafood, and the vintage ocean liner décor complements the nautical menu. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ %Paddlefish Disney Springs, 407-934-2628 paddlefishrestaurant.com L-D daily. Aboard a docked paddleboat that was once Fulton’s Crab House, this Disney standout won Best Seafood from readers in our 2018 Dining Awards. The menu is extensive, with charred octopus and lobster corn dogs among the starters. The main courses include scallops with brown butter, cauliflower puree, crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon; and the market catch with Macadamia nut crust, red curry and crab fried rice. There’s all manner of seafood boils as well, and landlubbers can opt for a steak, chops or chicken. $$$$ Ẃ Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen 1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-543-3474. reelfishcoastal.com L Tue.-Fri.; D Tues.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. At Reel Fish, in the former Ravenous Pig location, restaurant veteran Fred Thimm takes an upscale fish camp vibe and runs with it. The restaurant’s takes on “fish camp classics’’—fried shrimp, scallops, oysters or fish—are flawlessly cooked, with a slightly salted batter. The fish dip boasts flaked trout mixed with matchsticks of green apple. $$-$$$  Todd English’s bluezoo Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 407-934-1111. swananddolphin.com D nightly.

Chef/TV personality Todd English runs this contemporary seafood restaurant. The over-the-top design sets the stage for the menu’s “coastal cuisine,” essentially a fusion of flavors from the U.S., Europe and Asia. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Winter Park Fish Company 761 Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-622-6112 thewinterparkfishco.com L-D Mon.-Sat. With signature seasonings and housemade sauces, this quick-service restaurant is a must for any seafood lover. The wine list features a selection of California wines to enhance any meal. Be sure to try the lobster roll and the savory hushpuppies. $$-$$$ Ẃ

SOUTHERN

%The COOP 610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park 407843-2667. asouthernaffair.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat. Voted Best Southern by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards. 4 Rivers barbecue king John Rivers’ venture into fried chicken, catfish and other downhome cuisine has produced pretty much perfection. Some standouts: fried green tomatoes on a BLT, house-made pimento cheese, Low Country shrimp and grits, and chicken ‘n waffles. Yum. $-$$ Highball & Harvest Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando 407393-4422. ritzcarlton.com B-L-D daily. Scrumptious Southern fare is on the menu, including CastIron Quail with Hoppin’ John, and Brown Butter Trout. Other winners are the shrimp and grits, and The Southern Spread—an assortment of pimento cheese, pickles and smoked fish dip. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ House of Blues Downtown Disney, 1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-934-2623. hob. com L-D daily; BR Sun.. For a casual bite to eat at Downtown Disney, this Southern-Soul restaurant does the trick. Opt for the fried shrimp po’ boy or the jambalaya, and reserve time for the famous buffet Gospel Brunch on Sundays. $$ Ẃ

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%Soco-Southern Contemporary Cuisine 629 East Central Blvd., Orlando 407-849-1800 socothorntonpark.com D daily; BR Sun. This Thornton Park mainstay was voted Best Restaurant by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards, Chef Greg Richie, inducted into our 2018 Dining Hall of Fame, delivers delicious down-home cuisine highlighted by creative twists, including lobster, shrimp and grits; pecan-crusted pork chop; buttermilk fried chicken; molasses-braised short ribs; and fried pickled oysters. There’s also an impressive lineup of craft cocktails. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

STEAK HOUSES

%Bull & Bear Waldorf Astoria Orlando, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando 407-5975500. bullandbearorlando.com D nightly. Our readers’ pick for Best for a Business Dinner and Best Hotel Restaurant in the 2018 Dining Awards.

Handsome furnishings, including sparkling chandeliers and a coffered ceiling, give the Bull & Bear space a club-like ambience. Offerings include beef short ribs braised in Syrah wine; Chateaubriand for two; oak plank salmon; and pan-roasted Colorado lamb. $$$$ Ẃ The Capital Grille Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando 407-370-4392; The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando 407-3512210. thecapitalgrille.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly.

Dry-aged steak, doting service and a 300-pluslabel wine list are the calling cards of this upscale steakhouse. Try creative alternatives such as Kona-crusted sirloin with caramelized shallot butter. The classic décor is D.C.-centric—you’ll expect to see a senator dining nearby. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Charley’s Steak House 2901 Parkway Blvd. Suite A1, Kissimmee 407-396-6055; 8255 International Drive, Orlando 407-363-0228. charleyssteakhouse. com D nightly. Charley’s custom-built pit gives steak, chicken, chops and fish a distinctive flavor, and a list of over 800 wine selections makes for the ultimate steakhouse experience. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster 729 Lee Road, Orlando 407-645-4443. christners primesteakandlobster.com D Mon.-Sat. Year in and year out, readers pick Christner’s as the city’s best steak house: They were tops once again in our 2018 Dining Awards poll. Owners Carole, David and Alice Christner serve USDA Prime, cornfed Midwestern beef and Australian cold-water lobster tails in a masculine, woodsy atmosphere.

There’s also a 6,500-bottle wine cellar and an extensive single-malt scotch collection. $$$ Ẃ Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House 9150 International Drive, Orlando. 407-351-5074 delfriscos.com L Mon.-Fri.; D daily. Offering prime steak and fresh-off-the-boat seafood, this I-Drive restaurant also boasts two floors, two bars, four private dining rooms—and a wine list of more than 1,200 selections. $$$$. Ẃ Eleven at Reunion Resort Reunion Resort, 7593 Gathering Drive, Reunion. 407-662-1170. reunionresort.com D Tue.-Sat. Situated atop the 11-story Reunion Grande building, Eleven boasts stunning 360-degree panoramas of the area. In the kitchen, Chef Jake Brenchley offers 1855 Premium Black Angus filet, New York strip and sirloin, along with 21-day dry-aged ribeye and Porterhouse. All are seasoned with a house-made 11-spice blend.

Seafood items include sea bass with smoked cabbage and pecan brown butter. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 933 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-699-9463; Dellagio Plaza, 8030 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando 407-3525706. flemingssteakhouse.com D nightly. With a contemporary dining room and 100 wines by the glass, Fleming’s is a lively take on steak houses. All cuts are aged USDA prime corn-fed beef. $$$ Ẃ Kres Chophouse 17 W. Church St., Downtown Orlando 407-447-7950. kresrestaurant.com L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Kres’ urban panache attracts downtown’s see-and-be-seen crowd, who fill its dramatic booths to try out sizzling steaks and chops. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ A Land Remembered Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando 866-996-9939. landrememberedrestaurant.com L-D daily. Themed around Patrick Smith’s novel of the same name, which chronicles a Central Florida family’s experiences around the time of the Civil War, A Land Remembered serves a menu centered on steaks from the Harris Ranch. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %Linda’s La Cantina 4721 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-894-4491. lindaslacantinasteakhouse.com D Tue.-Sun. Linda’s has been serving steaks to Orlandoans for more than 70 years. It specializes in steak and seafood, with all of its USDA choice steaks cut on site. Enjoy a cocktail at the fire fountain lounge before your meal. Voted Best Old Favorite by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards. $$-$$$  Morton’s The Steakhouse Dr. Phillips Marketplace, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando 407-248-3485. mortons.com D nightly. This local outlet of the national chain has made its reputation on 24-ounce Porterhouse steaks, 20-ounce New York sirloin, and 14-ounce double-cut filets. Bar 12-21 features petite filet mignon sandwiches. Don’t forget to try the hot chocolate cake. $$$$ Ẃ Old Hickory Steakhouse Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee 407-5861600 gaylordpalms.com D nightly. Designed to look like a rustic Everglades retreat, Old Hickory emphasizes naturally aged, grain-fed Angus beef with your choice of toppings, plus seafood and handcrafed artisanal cheeses. The award-winning wine list is extensive, offering more than 40 different Cabernet Sauvignon selections alone. $$$$ Ẃ The Palm Hard Rock Hotel, 5800 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407-503-7256. thepalm.com/orlando D nightly. Lavish steaks and giant lobster tails are this high-end restaurant’s delicious breadand-butter. The Palm—filled with 1920s and ’30s caricatures—traces its origins back to 1926, when Italian natives opened the first location in New York City. Don’t miss the jumbo lump crab cake or the ahi tuna. $$$$. Ẃ Ruth’s Chris Steak House Winter Park Village, 610 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park 407-622-2444; The Fountains, 7501 Sand Lake Road, Dr. Phillips 407226-3900; 80 Colonial Center Parkway, Heathrow 407-804-8220. ruthschris.com D nightly. A topquality restaurant with a reputation for excellent service, Ruth’s Chris serves each steak sizzling hot on a 500-degree plate to preserve the beef’s temperature and flavor. $$$$ Ẃ Shula’s 347 Grill Westin Lake Mary Orlando North, 2974 International Pkwy., Lake Mary 407-531-3567. donshula.com B-D daily. Named after Hall of Fame football coach Don Shula, this is a place for a “raving fan” of steak. The upscale sports bar serves premium black Angus beef burgers and steaks, from the 8-ounce filet mignon to the 16-ounce Cowboy Steak. $$-$$$$ Ẃ

Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops The Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando 407-313-8625. spencersforsteaksandchops.com D Tue.-Sat. You’ll find modern twists on classic American cuisine at this steak house. Steaks are aged 21 to 28 days in-house and beautifully seared to order. $$$$ Ẃ Texas de Brazil 5259 International Drive, Orlando 407-355-0355. texasdebrazil.com L Mon.-Fri.; D nightly. Texas de Brazil is a splendidly executed Brazilian churrascaria. Waiters stop at tables to offer chunks of seared, tender meats, and the salad bar is bursting with additions such as roasted red peppers and imported cheeses. $$-$$$$ Ẃ %The Venetian Chop House Caribe Royale Resort, 8101 World Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-238-8060. cariberoyale.com D Mon.-Sat. Winner of our 2018 Readers’ Choice awards for Most Romantic and Best Wine List. A top-end, fine-dining experience within a hotel, the Venetian is full of deep tones, cut crystal and a replica of Tempietto de San Pietro in the corner. Among the marvelous dishes is the lobster bisque under a dome of pastry. Entrees include bison short ribs with onion jam, New York strip, fllet mignon, veal chop with porcini butter, and an herb-crusted pork chop. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ

THAI

%Sea Thai 3812 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407895-0985. seathaiorlando.com L-D daily. Don’t let the strip mall fool you—the inner ambience and extensive menu of Sea Thai (the “Sea’’ stands for South East Asia) shine through. A haven for spicyfood lovers, there’s something delicious for all, from the spicy beef salad to the garlic chili fish to the popular crispy Panang duck. Voted Best Thai by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards poll. $$ Thai Blossom 99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden 407-905-9917. mythaiblossom.com L-D daily. Located on the first floor of the historic Edgewater Hotel, Thai Blossom offers affordable Thai favorites and a selection of salad and seafood dishes.

The scrumptious creations include mussels in green curry, ginger duck, and a whole soft shell crab served as an appetizer. $$ Thai Cuisine Restaurant 5325 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407-292-9474. thaicuisineorlandocom L-D daily. Start with the deep-fried fish cakes or the green papaya salad, then move to a wide assortment of noodles and curries. There are a variety of duck dishes, offered stir fried with a range of ingredients, including basil, ginger and eggplant. $-$$

VEGETARIAN

Dandelion Communitea Café 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando 407-362-1864. dandelioncommunitea.com. L-D Mon.-Sat, L Sun. Taking residence in a 1920s house, Dandelion is a local leader in using sustainable, organic and environmentally friendly ingredients. The atmosphere is definitely homespun; having a vegan chili bowl or veggie wrap for lunch here is more like visiting a friendly, local music-minded aunt than sitting in a restaurant. Beer and wine are available, and local artworks are showcased. $ %Ethos Vegan Kitchen 601-B New York Ave., Winter Park 407-228-3898. ethosvegankitchen. com L-D Mon.-Sat.; BR Sat.-Sun. Winner of Best Vegetarian from readers in our 2018 Dining Awards, Ethos takes its name seriously, serv-

ing pizzas, sandwiches and entrées from an exclusively vegan kitchen. You will feast on such specialties as Sheep’s Pie (meatless with broccoli, carrots peas, onions, mashed potatoes and gravy), Mac ‘n Cheese ‘n Peas, and Bay Cakes, made with chickpeas, celery and fesh herbs.

Vegan beer and wine are served, and a jazz/funk brunch is presented every Sunday. $-$$ Infusion Tea 1600 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 407999-5255. infusionorlando.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat, L-D Sun. It wasn’t the first tea shop in College Park, but Infusion certainly started the alternative vibe in this neighborly neighborhood. A center of the local art, crafting and writers’ scene, the kitchen serves fresh-made soups, salads and sandwiches with an organic and local slant, along with dozens of flavored and exotic teas. $ Market on South 2603 E. South St., Orlando 407613-5968 marketonsouth.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat., B-L Sun. If you turn up your nose at the thought of “plant-based dining,’’ then you’ve never eaten at this popular spot beside the 408. Not to be missed: Chef Shaun Noonan’s Carolina BBQ pulled jackfruit or Celine Duvoisin’s much-in-demand doughnuts (“100% egg-free and dairy-free and not healthy at all’’). $-$$ %The Sanctum Café 715 N Fern Creek Ave. Orlando 407-757-0346. thesanctumcafe.com B-L-D Mon.-Sat.; BR Sun. Winner of the Critic’s Pick for Vegetarian and Readers’ Choice for Best Healthy Selections in our 2018 Dining Awards. Owner/ chef Chelsie Savage refers to her restaurant as “plant based” and “healthy” before the word vegetarian is mentioned. Sourcing locally and organically whenever possible, this neighborhood favorite now offers dinner menus and Sunday brunch along with the popular lunch fare. Try the coconut polenta cakes with cabbage slaw and sriracha; and the Southern Soul bowl of mushroom gravy, black-eyed pea tempeh, organic potato and brown rice. $-$$

VIETNAMESE

%Little Saigon 1106 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407423-8539. littlesaigonrestaurant.com L-D daily. This Mills 50 District mainstay, chosen as Best Vietnamese by our readers in the 2018 Dining Awards, offers a wide variety of rice and vermicelli dishes topped with your choice of meat and vegetables. But it’s the soups that are the go-to for the many faithful—steaming bowls full of pork or beef, noodles, and fresh basil. The summer rolls with peanut sauce are a must. $-$$ Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant 730 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-897-3488. pho88orlando.com L-D daily. The specialty here is pho—broth, noodles and meat—with choices seemingly endless (11 variations of beef noodle soup alone). Other menu items include beef stew, stir-fried noodle dishes, and the banh mi Vietnamese sub. $-$$ Pho Vinh 657 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-2280043. phovinhorlando.com L-D daily. An impressive menu of Vietnamese dishes features soups, noodles and rice platters. Pho Vinh serves a standout example of a dish enshrined in our Dining Hall of Fame—Buùn Chaû GioøThòt Nöôùng, rice vermicelli with charbroiled pork and spring rolls. $-$$.

Saigon Noodle & Grill 101 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando 407-532-7373; 710 S. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando. 407-658-1967. saigonnoodleandgrill.com L-D daily. An array of soups, silky and sweet pad thai, pan-fried noodles and caramelized shrimp and pork belly are some of the sights and aromas that await you at this eatery. $

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DINE RECOMMENDED EATING Viet Garden 1237-1239 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 407-896-4154. vietgardenorlando.com L-D daily.

Fusing the cuisines of Vietnam and Thailand freely, Viet Garden garners reader votes regularly for its reasonably priced chicken satay, pad Thai and spicy stir-fried beef with vermicelli. $-$$$

WINE BARS AND LOUNGES

The Attic Door 28 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden.

407-877-0266 jrsatticdoor.com D (snacks/small plates) Tue.-Sat.; seasonal BR Sun.This eclectic spot proclaims itself “the swankiest little wine bar and live music venue around.’’ Relax with a glass of wine in one of the mismatched chairs or leather sofas amid the funky array of lamps and tables. $-$$ Blue Martini Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Suite 1182, Orlando 407-447-2583. bluemartinilounge.com Open daily. Live music, cocktails accented with glow sticks, trendy bar foods and a lively dance floor lure upscale singles. $$-$$$ Ẃ Bösendorfer Lounge The Grand Bohemian Hotel, 325 S. Orange Ave., Downtown Orlando 407-3139000. grandbohemianhotel.com Open daily. Black marble, red stone and mirrors, plus an Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano, create an edgy and upscale environment for martinis, indulgent nibbles, casual power meetings and entertainment. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ Eden Bar 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-6 291088. enzian.org L-D daily. Taking a cue from Hapsburg beer gardens, Eden offers a bucolic outdoor setting right outside the Enzian theater. Local and international beers and a good selection of wines snuggle up with salads, nachos and sandwiches, along with Austrian goulash and unusual pizzas (potato and bacon, anyone?). $$ Ẃ Eola Wine Company 430 E. Central Blvd., Orlando 407-481-9100. eolawinecompany.com Open daily. Part retail shop, part lounge, Eola Wine offers an impressive variety of labels, more than 100 wines by the glass and a commendable selection of beers. Nibble on flatbreads, cheese platters and bruschetta “flights.” $-$$$ Ẃ One80 Skytop Lounge 400 W. Church St., Orlando 407-913-0180; 180downtown.com Open to ticketholders during select Amway events; nonevent, open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Located on the top terrace of the Amway Center, One80 is a hot downtown ultra-lounge. Its patio bar with a 180-degree view of the city skyline is as impressive as the beautiful people who flock to it. $$ The Vineyard Wine Company 1140 Town Park Ave., Suite 1260, Lake Mary 407-833-WINE. thevineyardwinecompany.com Open daily. With a variety of tapas, lunch and dinner entrées, desserts, and platters to accompany your wine, this spot is more than just a lounge. Sit back with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc while enjoying the live music Tuesday through Saturday. $-$$$ Ẃ %The Wine Room 270 Park Ave. S., Winter Park 407-696-WINE. thewineroomonline.com Open daily. Warm and inviting, The Wine Room offers hundreds of wines. Dozens are available as 1- to 3-oz. samples paid for through a debit system.

Selections can be enjoyed along with handcrafted meats and cheeses. Voted Best Wine Bar by readers in our 2018 Dining Awards. $-$$ Ẃ MORE ONLINE: Be sure to check out additional restuarant listings and other reviews in our dining section on orlandomagazine.com.

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IMAGINATION ON ICE

Crystal, a new performance from Cirque du Soleil, explores the artistic limits of ice by combining stunning acrobatics on the ice and in the air. The show comes to the Amway Center, August 1-5.

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Celebrate Independence Day and top it off with a fireworks show at one of the local venues listed below. with games, live music and shopping before winding up with nighttime fireworks synchronized to music.

Free. Parade at 9 a.m.; other events 4-9:15 p.m.

407-566-1200. celebration.fl.us/events

RED HOT & BOOM July 3: Get an early start on Independence Day the night before with live music, games, vendors, food and a 25-minute fireworks display synchronized with patriotic and contemporary music. Free. 4-11 p.m. Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. 407-571-8180. altamonte.org

STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD July 4: This city’s waterfront is jumping on Independence Day with live entertainment, food and drink, the Fort Mellon Park Splash Pad, children’s activities and, after sunset, a fireworks display over beautiful Lake Monroe. Free. 4-10 p.m. Fort Mellon Park, 600 E. First St., Sanford. sanfordfl.gov

BALDWIN PARK INDEPENDENCE BASH July 3: Start the evening with a walk through the town center as artists and craftsmen sell their wares. Also available: food trucks, live music, carnival games and more. Get there early for a good spot at Harbor Park to see the fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free. 6-11 p.m. New Broad Street, Baldwin Park town center, Orlando. baldwinparkevents.com

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4: The City of Winter Park offers patriotic music by the Bach Festival Society Choir and live entertainment by Sean Holcomb, free hot dogs and watermelon while they last, a kids’ zone with a Touch-a-Truck and more. Free. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Central Park, Park Avenue, Winter Park. 407-5993463. cityofwinterpark.org

FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN July 4: There’s always a big crowd around Orlando’s Lake Eola on the Fourth, so come early and enjoy the live music, games, food and drink before the city’s 41st annual patriotic fireworks start at 9 p.m. Free. 4-10 p.m. Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando. cityoforlando.net

OVIEDO INDEPENDENCE DAY July 4: Live entertainment, fireworks at Oviedo Mall and a kids’ zone with inflatable games. Beer, wine and spirits available. Free. 5-9 p.m. 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo. cityofoviedo.net

4TH OF JULY PARADE July 4: Celebration Town Center’s annual Independence Day celebration starts with a morning parade through the community and resumes that afternoon

WINTER GARDEN PARTY IN THE PARK July 4: Enjoy live music by Speed Limit 70, family activities, food and more, followed by fireworks. Free. 5-9:30 p.m. Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. 407-877-5432. wintergardenpost.com

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD July 3-4: Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot each have special fireworks shows for the Fourth of July. “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at Magic Kingdom are at 9:15 p.m. on July 3 and 4; “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks at Epcot are at 9 and 10 p.m. on July 4. Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com INDEPENDENCE DAY AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO July 4: The night sky will light up with fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers during a one-of-a-kind, patriotic finale to “Ignite,” SeaWorld’s new endof-day spectacle. Included in park admission. seaworldparks.com INDEPENDENCE DAY AT LEGOLAND July 4: Celebrate America’s independence with fireworks in the skies above Lake Eloise and help create a giant USA flag out of thousands of LEGO bricks before the sun goes down. Included in park admission. 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. florida.legoland.com AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4: This year’s annual Independence Day celebration in downtown Avalon Park includes an apple pie bake-off, community performances, wet and dry bounce houses, and food trucks—topped off with a fireworks display. Free. 5-9 p.m. Avalon Park East Boulevard, Orlando. 407-658-6565. avalonpark.com

EVENT SUBMISSIONS: For inclusion in On The Town, send event information to hancel.deaton@orlandomagazine.com. Deadline for print is two and a half months prior to the event date. Events can also be submitted to our online calendar at orlandomagazine.com (these will not be printed).

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4TH OF JULY HAPPENINGS

SPECIAL EVENTS ELECTRIC OCEAN Through Sept. 3: As the sun goes down, the park comes alive with exciting nighttime shows and electrifying music. Guests are immersed in a sea of wonder with a fireworks finale. Included with theme park admission. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworldparks.com CRAFTS AND CULTURE MARKET July 1: Happening the first Sunday of every month, this outdoor family friendly event features a kid’s corner, food trucks, artisan vendors and music.

Free. 1 p.m. 100 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville.

Search Eatonville Cultural and Heritage Foundation Inc. on Facebook.

COKE ZERO SUGAR 400 July 5-7: The action at Daytona International Speedway starts Thursday with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series practice laps, followed Friday with qualifying laps during the day and the Daytona Firecracker 250 race that evening—100 laps under the lights. On Saturday, the 60th annual Coke Zero 400 caps the weekend, with the final race starting at 7 p.m. daytonainternationalspeedway.com FIRST THURSDAYS AT OMA June 7: Mingle with local artists and view their work, enjoy live music and wander the galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art. Food and drink available for purchase. 6-9 p.m. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org LAKERIDGE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES July 7, 14, 21 & 28: Take a complimentary winery tour, then spend the afternoon listening to live music as a different band performs on the outdoor stage each Saturday. Food and drink are available for purchase. Free. 1-4 p.m. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 North, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com DINING WITH DIABETES July 11-12: Live cooking demonstrations include techniques, tips and tastings presented by local guest chefs with a focus on what foods to choose when eating out. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute, 2415 N. Orange Ave., Suite 501, Orlando. 407-303-2822. floridahospitaldiabetes.com THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK July 12: Artists display works for sale along the streets and inside local businesses. Free, but $15 gets you a glass (pay and pickup at Olde Town Brokers) and a map of participating businesses.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com SANFORD’S ALIVE AFTER 5 STREET PARTY July 12: Central Florida’s largest recurring street party, a gathering with live music, local artists, food and beverage samples. 5 p.m. 230 E. First St., Sanford. sanfordwelcomecenter.com

WORLD OF GOOD SUMMER F.U.N. CONVENTION July 12-14: Florida United Numismatists host this annual event for buying, selling and appraising coins, paper currency, tokens, medals and similar items. Free. Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Orange County Convention Center, Hall WE1, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. funtopics.com ART & MUSIC IN THE PARK July 13: Artwork and live music in the park between Casselberry City Hall and Lake Concord just east of U.S. Highway 17-92. Food trucks and other vendors on site as well. Free. 6 p.m. Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry.

407-262-7700, ext. 1507. casselberry.org PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE July 14-15: The PAW Patrol set out over land and sea to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway’s celebration before Mayor Humdinger finds it first.

Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org CREATE YOUR SUMMER TOUR July 17: Three of the most successful YouTube creators—Karina Garcia, Wengie, and Natalies Outlet—join forces to teach audience members completely new hacks that will inspire them to feel imaginative, confident and special. 6 p.m. The Plaza Live Orlando, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando.

407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.com 3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK July 19: Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to browse the galleries and nontraditional art venues that spotlight the best of established and emerging Orlando-based artists. 6 p.m. CityArts Factory, 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com SANFORD ART WALK July 21: Discover this river town’s culture, nightlife, food and art while exploring galleries and art spaces on and around First Street between Magnolia and Sanford avenues. This month’s theme is “Aperture.” 6-9 p.m. sanfordwelcomecenter.com FLORIDA WEDDING EXPO July 22: Over 150 vendor exhibits, chances to enter over 100 giveaways, plus the first 500 general admission brides receive $1,000 in wedding expo dollars to spend with participating vendors and a $200 gift card for Symbolize It. Noon-5 p.m. Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. floridaweddingexpo.com MOONLIGHT WALKING TOUR July 27: Take a historical stroll through Greenwood Cemetery. The walk is approximately 2 miles within the 100-acre cemetery, and it briefly visits about 100 graves of notable individuals in Orlando’s history. Free. 8-10 p.m. Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando. cityoforlando.net/greenwood DARCI LYNNE AND FRIENDS LIVE July 28: Rescheduled from original May 13 date, the 12-year-old ventriloquist and 2017 winner of

JULY FUNDRAISERS 7/4 WATERMELON 5K, benefits the Track Shack Youth Foundation. Combines a 5K run and watermelon-eating contest. Central Park, Winter Park. trackshack.com

7/18 ORLANDO STORY CLUB, benefits Pet Alliance

of Greater Orlando. Participants tell five-minute stories based on the evening’s theme: “What a Mess!” The Abbey, Orlando. orlandostoryclub.com

7/21 WALK TO END HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE, benefits the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.

Orlando Brewing, Orlando. hdsa.donordrive.com

7/28 CHILDHOOD CANCER 5K RUN/WALK, benefits the Caleb Solomon Williams BELAC Foundation.

Bill Frederick Park At Turkey Lake, Orlando. 407405-7790. calebsolomonwilliamsfoundation.org

7/29 BOWLING FOR FREEDOM, benefits Paving the

Way to prevent child trafficking. Kings Dining & Entertainment, Orlando. Search Paving the Way on Facebook.

7/30-8/4 38TH NATIONAL VETERAN WHEELCHAIR GAMES, benefits Paralyzed Veterans of

America. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. wheelchairgames.org

COMING UP...

8/3-5

MEGAPLEX 2018, benefits The C.A.R.E. Founda-

tion of Apopka. DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando. megaplexcon.org

8/9-11 HEARTS OF REALITY, benefits Give Kids the World Village. Celebration Town Center, Celebration. celebrationtowncenter.com

8/10-12 24TH ANNUAL HARVEST GRAPE STOMP, bene-

fits the Boys & Girls Club of Lake and Sumter counties. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com

America’s Got Talent brings her jaw-dropping voice, hilarious puppets and vibrant personality to Orlando for one night only. 7 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. drphillipscenter.org ART AFTER DARK July 28: A semi-formal soirée for young professionals including interactive art experiences, meet-and-greet opportunities with special guest artists, live music, photo opportunities, a silent auction, craft cocktails, and gourmet light bites.

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The Coke Zero Sugar 400 Weekend, July 5-7, is the final race of NASCAR Salutes at Daytona International Speedway, pg. 99.

MICHELEE PUPPETS BACK TO SCHOOL BASH July 29: MicheLee Puppets appears as a part of Sunday Family Fun Days in Maitland with a special party celebrating the upcoming school year. Free. Venue on the Lake, 641 S. Maitland Ave., Maitland. micheleepuppets.org/events CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CRYSTAL Aug. 1-5: This unique production pushes the boundaries of performance by combining skating and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination as gymnasts and skaters perform acrobatics on the ice and in the air. Wednesday-Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 4 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday 1:30 and 5 p.m.

Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 877924-7783. cirquedusoleil.com/crystal

CONCERTS THE ABBEY 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-704-6261. abbeyorlando.com July 28: Mamma Mia! sing-a-long, 8 p.m.

AMWAY CENTER 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7000, 800-745-3000. amwaycenter.com, ticketmaster.com July 11: Sam Smith, 8 p.m.

July 22: Silvestre Dangond, 7 p.m.

July 26: Cyndi Lauper and Rod Stewart, 7:30 p.m.

THE BEACHAM 46 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-246-1419. thebeacham.com July 24: Found Wild, Good Old War and Anthony Green, 6:30 p.m.

BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. 407-6369951. bluebambooartcenter.com July 1: Cafezz, 8 p.m.

July 5: Bobby Koelble Trio, 8 p.m.

July 10: Chris Cortez Trio, 8 p.m.

July 12: Marco Bojorquez Trio, 8 p.m.

July 14: Smokin’ Torpedoes, 8 p.m.

July 15: Renee Dion, 8 p.m.

July 17: Chris Cortez Solo, 8 p.m.

July 18: Blue Bamboo’s 2nd Anniversary featuring the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m.

July 19: Dave Sheffield Trio, 8 p.m.

July 24: Chris Cortez Solo, 8 p.m.

July 25: Jeff Rupert Quartet, 8 p.m.

July 26: Cortez & Koelble, 8 p.m.

July 27: Dan Jordan Quartet, 8 p.m.

July 28: The Conglomerate, 8 p.m.

July 31: Chris Cortez Solo, 8 p.m.

CENTRAL FLORIDA FOLK Winter Park Library, 460 E. New England Ave., Winter Park. cffolk.org July 29: Wild Cotton and Remedy Tree, 2 p.m.

CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS Multiple Orlando-area locations. 407-937-1800. cfcarts.com July 21: Decades, 7 p.m.

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DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org July 8: Erasure—World Be Gone Tour, 8 p.m.

HARD ROCK LIVE 6050 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-351-5483. hardrock.com July 7: Beres Hammond with Third World, 9 p.m.

HOUSE OF BLUES Disney Springs West Side, Walt Disney World.

407-934-2583. houseofblues.com/orlando July 3: Boy George and Culture Club with the Thomson Twins’ Tom Baily, 7 p.m.

July 12: Johnnyswim & Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, 7 p.m.

July 20: Echo & the Bunnymen and Violent Femmes, 7 p.m.

July 21: Jesus Culture Presents the On My Side Tour featuring Kim Walker-Smith, 6 p.m.

July 26: Glass Animals, 7 p.m.

July 28: Janelle Monae—Dirty Computer Tour, 6:30 p.m.

KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-2422219. kingcenter.com July 20: The Greatest Love of All–The Whitney Houston Show, 8 p.m.

July 21: Classic Albums Live–Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here, 8 p.m.

BRUCE BENNETT/COURTESY OF DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

7-10 p.m. City Arts Factory, 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. downtownorlando.com

ARE YOU READY TO SAVOR ORLANDO? Orlando magazine’s weekly blog featuring its noted dining critic, Joseph Hayes, focuses on the area’s wide array of delectable dining options. From fine dining to local hot spots, interviews with top chefs and innovators, reviews and more, Savor Orlando is your hub for all things food in Central Florida. To partner with Orlando magazine on an upcoming blog or to read Joseph’s latest post, go to orlandomagazine.com/savororlando

SCENE ON THE TOWN July 28: Jeff Kashiwa and Steve Cole, 7 p.m.

THE PLAZA LIVE ORLANDO 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.com July 19: The Greatest Love of All—The Whitney Houston Show, 8 p.m.

July 27: #Yes50—Celebrating 50 Years of Yes, 8 p.m.

THE SOCIAL 54 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-246-1419. thesocial.org

p.m., Saturday at 7:30 and 10:15 p.m., Sunday at 7:30 p.m. 407-480-5233. theimprovorlando.com SAK COMEDY LAB Improvisational comedy shows, competitions, songs and scenes. 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando.

Tuesday-Wednesday times vary; Thursday 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

407-648-0001. sakcomedylab.com SLEUTHS MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE Audience members solve a crime during the dinner show. Performances nightly. 8267 International Drive, Orlando. 407-363-1985. sleuths.com

DANCE

July 17: Uniform, Drab Majesty and Deafheaven, 7 p.m.

July 26: No Vacation and Sales, 7 p.m.

WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 203 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com July 7: Latin Explosion— Tribute to Gloria Estefan.

July 26: A Portrait of a Queen— Tribute to Aretha Franklin, 7:30 p.m.

RUSSIAN BALLET ORLANDO Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando. russianballetorlando.org Esmeralda July 29: This classical love story tells the tale of the free spirited, warm hearted Esmeralda who falls in love with a handsome captain.

FILM

WILL’S PUB 1042 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. willspub.org July 10: The Dead Boys, The Gold Pelicans, Vicious Dreams and Sick Dogs, 7 p.m.

CLASSICAL MUSIC BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. 407-6369951. bluebambooartcenter.com July 11: Carol Stein and Friends, 8 p.m.

WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 203 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com July 6: Chrono Trigger—Epic Orchestral Tribute, 7:30 p.m.

COMEDY DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org July 6: Dan and Phil World Tour 2018—Interactive Introverts, 8 p.m.

MOONLIGHT PLAYERS THEATER 735 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont. 352-243-5875. moonlightplayers.com July 6: The Maniacs Improv Comedy, 8 p.m.

ORLANDO IMPROV Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Suite 2310, Orlando. 407-480-5233. Ages 21 and over. Monday and Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 and 10:30

POPCORN FLICKS IN THE PARK Central Park, 150 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park.

407-629-0054. enzian.org June 14: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 8 p.m.

FLORIDA STATE POETS ASSOCIATION ORLANDO-AREA CHAPTER July 19: All local FSPA members are eligible to join. Third Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m.

Maitland Public Library, 501 S. Maitland Ave., Maitland. floridastatepoetsassociation.org FLORIDA WRITERS ASSOCIATION ORLANDO-AREA CHAPTERS July 11 & 12: The Orlando writers’ group meetings with guest speakers and discussions has been rescheduled from its regular date on the first Wednesday of month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. The Maitland writers’ group meetings are the second Thursday of month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Maitland Public Library, 501 S. Maitland Ave., Maitland. floridawriters.net, madaboutwords.com NERD NITE ORLANDO July 12: An evening of entertaining, thought-provoking presentations, with host Ricardo Williams. Second Thursday of the month. 7:30 p.m. The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-704-6261. orlando.nerdnite.com OPEN MIC POETRY July 4, 11, 18 & 25: Open-mic poetry readings 8 p.m. each Wednesday. Austin’s Coffee and Film, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park. Free.

407-975-3364. austinscoffee.com WRITERS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA OR THEREABOUTS facebook.com/groups/writersofcentralfloridaorthereabouts

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Old Town Kissimmee, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway., Kissimmee. myoldtownusa.com

July 4: The Just Write Roundtable is a discussion and meeting for local writers. 7 p.m. Free.

PR’s Taco Palace, 717 W. Smith St., Orlando.

July 1: Star Wars—The Force Awakens, 7 p.m.

July 8: Star Wars—The Last Jedi, 7 p.m.

July 15: Star Wars—Rogue One, 7 p.m.

July 22: Batman, 7 p.m.

July 29: Zootopia, 7 p.m.

July 11: Short Attention Span Storytelling Hour… or Thereabouts. 7 p.m. Free. Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, Orlando.

MOVIEOLA Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando.

407-246-2121. cityoforlando.net/parks/movieola July 27: Peter Rabbit, 8:15 p.m.

LITERARY CARIBBEAN HUT CAFÉ OPEN MIC June 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Live music and open-mic talent, from poetry/spoken word to comedy.

8 p.m. 2141 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. 407-4253190. caribbeanhutflorida.com DIVERSE WORD July 6, 13, 20 & 27: A weekly gathering highlighting spoken-word poetry. 8 p.m. Dandelion Communitea Café, 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, 407-362-1864. dandelioncommunitea.com

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July 18: Storytelling as Bungee Jumping is a chance for writers of any genre to take a risk by trying out something new before a supportive group of other writers, 7 p.m. Free.

Copper Rocket Pub, 106 Lake Ave., Maitland.

July 25: So You Think You Can Funny? is for comics, writers, poets, bloggers or storytellers who have written something funny, 7 p.m. Free. Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, Orlando.

THEATER CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS CFCArts Black Box Theater, 250 S.W. Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando. 407-937-1800. cfcarts.com Singin’ in the Rain Jr. July 27-28: Tap your toes and sing along in this splashy adaptation of the celebrated and beloved film, performed by the CFCArts summer camp students.

Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 2 & 7 p.m.

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-839-0119. drphillipscenter.org Into the Woods July 17-29: Presented by students in the Musical Theater Production summer program at Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, everyone’s favorite storybook characters come together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece in this modern classic. Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 & 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.

MOONLIGHT PLAYERS THEATER 735 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont. 352-243-5875. moonlightplayers.com Charley’s Aunt July 20-Aug. 5: When Charley and Jack plan on proposing to the girls they love, they intend for Charley’s aunt coming from Brazil to act as chaperone. With her last-minute cancellation, the boys draft their pal to dress in drag and introduce him to the ladies and their families as the aunt. All goes well until the real aunt turns up.

Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

ORLANDO SHAKES! 812 E. Rollins St., Orlando. 407-447-1700. orlandoshakes.org The Little Mermaid Through July 29: Based on the Hans Christian Andersen version of the fairy tale, a precocious young mermaid dreams of visiting the Landside. Against the advice of her friends, she makes a deal with an evil sea witch for the chance to earn the love of a human prince. Danger is imminent, but how can she ignore what’s in her heart? Wednesday at 2 p.m., Friday at 2 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 4:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

OSCEOLA ARTS 2411 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-846-6257. osceolaarts.org The Little Mermaid July 13-29: A musical based on Disney’s 1989 animated film of the same name, the show is about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find love. Friday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m.

SONNENTAG THEATRE AT THE ICE HOUSE 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora. 352-383-4616. icehousetheatre.com Sweet Charity July 13-Aug. 5: It’s 1966 and Charity Hope Valentine is a performer at a seedy dance hall in New York City. Will she finally find true love at last with a shy accountant named Oscar? Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday at 2 p.m.

WINTER PARK PLAYHOUSE 711 N. Orange Ave., Suite C, Winter Park. 407645-0145. winterparkplayhouse.org

Gigolo—A Cole Porter Revue July 29-Aug. 19: Inspired by the life of Porfirio Rubirosa, this musical revue features 25 Cole Porter classics to tell the tale of a handsome playboy and his relationships with four beautiful women. Thursday-Sunday at 2 p.m., Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

MUSEUMS ALBIN POLASEK MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDENS 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park. 407-647-6294.

Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. polasek.org Czech-born American sculptor Albin Polasek’s onetime Winter Park home and studio is now a museum with an art collection focused mainly on American representational sculpture, with more than 200 of Polasek’s works inside and out. The former residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Arabesque—Contemporary Conversations Through Aug. 19: Explore modern Islamic art through this exhibit of submitted works and selections from a private collection.

Tours of the Capen Ongoing: Step inside the restored Capen-Showalter House, built in 1885.

Thirty-minute tours are offered Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

ART & HISTORY MUSEUMS MAITLAND 221 W. Packwood Ave., 231 W. Packwood Ave. and 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. 407-539-2181.

Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. artandhistory.org A collection of museums encompassing the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Historical Museum, Telephone Museum, Waterhouse Residence Museum and Carpentry Shop Museum. Maitland Art Center, Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; all others Thursday-Sunday noon-4 p.m. Closed on major holidays. artandhistory.org Enchanted Florida Through Aug. 26: On display at the Maitland Art Center, see paintings, photographs and video art by Florida artists whose works show their search and desire for pristine nature, but what they encounter is landscape blighted by urban and suburban developments.

Discover André Smith Ongoing: Smith created an art colony in 1937 in Maitland, originally called The Research Studio. During his 21-year tenure at the art center, Smith developed friendships with author/ folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, arts patron Mary Curtis Bok and stage actress Annie Russell, while also creating a location for invited artists to develop their work. Maitland Art Center.

The Research Studio Ongoing: Maitland Art Center was founded as an art colony in 1937 by visionary American artist and architect, André Smith. The

center’s most significant permanent collection is the facility itself; the Research Studio, as it was originally called, is one of the few surviving examples of Mayan Revival architecture in the Southeastern United States.

CASA FELIZ HISTORIC HOME MUSEUM 656 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. 407-628-8200. casafeliz.us Ongoing: This restored Spanish farmhouse-style home, designed by acclaimed architect James Gamble Rogers II, was saved from the wrecker’s ball and now serves as a community center and museum. Open houses hosted by trained docents take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, and live music is featured in the large parlor on Sundays from noon-3 p.m. Free.

CORNELL FINE ARTS MUSEUM Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2526. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-5 p.m. rollins.edu/cfam Margaret Bourke-White’s Different World Through Aug. 26: An examination of the work produced by this trailblazing photographer from her time in Russia and her photojournalism conducted during World War II, plus rarely seen photographs taken in India, Pakistan and South Africa among other locations.

Trong Gia Nguyen—My Myopia Through Aug. 26: Seeking to disturb the traditional viewing experience, Nguyen’s series of windows replicate the familiar iron security window grates commonly found in older colonial homes in Vietnam. However, as they are constructed of thin wood, they’re incredibly fragile and unable to serve any purpose of security.

The Myers Legacy—Dutch and Flemish Paintings from the Collection Through Aug. 26: A small selection of works by Dutch and Flemish Renaissance and Baroque artists from the collection of John C. Mayers, Sr. whose family made the greatest contribution to helping Cornell Fine Arts Museum build the only Old Masters collection in the Orlando area.

Forging Modern American Identities—Recent Acquisitions Through Dec. 12: An exhibit of recent gifts to the collection from Rollins alumni Barbara and Theodore Alfond allowing the museum to present a dynamic and multifaceted history of 20th-century art produced in the United States.

Ongoing: Free weekend tours take place at 1 p.m. each Saturday at the campus facility and 1 p.m. each Sunday at the nearby Alfond Inn, which displays dozens of works from the museum’s Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art. Happy Hour art tours of the Alfond Collection are also conducted the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at The Alfond inn.

DALI MUSEUM 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. 727-823-3767. thedali.org

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SCENE ON THE TOWN Clyde Butcher—Visions of Dali’s Spain Through Nov. 5: Explore Salvador Dali’s homeland as documented by renowned nature photographer Butcher, often called “Florida’s Ansel Adams.”

HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407539-2680. Tuesday-Thursday noon-4 p.m., Friday noon-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org The Heritage Collection Ongoing: Photographs and oral histories of west Winter Park.

The Hannibal Square Timeline Ongoing: Documents the significant local and national events in African-American history since the Emancipation Proclamation.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE AND EDUCATION CENTER OF FLORIDA 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland. 407-628-0555.

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.1 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. Free. Donations accepted. holocaustedu.org Deadly Medicine—Creating the Master Race Through Aug. 31: Trace the history of Nazi Germany racial health policies from the early 20th-century international eugenics movement to the Nazi regime’s “science of race.” The exhibit is also meant to challenge viewers to reflect on the present-day interest in genetic manipulation that promotes the possibility of human perfection.

Tribute to the Holocaust Ongoing: This memorial exhibit presents an overview of the Holocaust through artifacts, videos, text, photographs and artwork.

MENNELLO MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART 900 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-246-4278.

Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday noon-4:30 p.m. mennellomuseum.com Jiha Moon—Double Welcome, Most Everyone’s Mad Here Through Aug. 12: Moon uses multi-media to harvest cultural elements native to Korea, Japan and China and unite them with Western elements to investigate the multi-faceted nature of our current global identity as influenced by popular culture, technology, racial perceptions and folklore.

Ongoing: Permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham (18931977) and other American artists.

MORSE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311.

Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. morsemuseum.org Domes of Yosemite Through July 8: The largest existing painting

by Albert Bierstadt (1830–1902), an artist from Charles Hosmer Morse’s hometown,

is exhibited on special loan from the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum in Vermont.

Celebrating 75 Years—Pathways of American Art at the Morse Museum Through Sept. 23: The museum celebrates the breadth and depth of the collection assembled by founders Hugh and Jeannette McKean with a special exhibit that includes portraits, landscape paintings, works on paper and pottery.

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Life and Art Ongoing: Through art objects, archival documents and artifacts, this exhibition examines Tiffany’s astonishingly diverse work in the decorative arts—what he called his “quest for beauty”—over the course of his lifetime.

Art Nouveau in Europe and America from the Morse Collection Ongoing: An installation of works that represent the bold, international decorative-arts style known as Art Nouveau, which peaked from about 1890 to 1910.

The exhibition, drawn from the Morse collection, features furniture, jewelry, ceramics and art glass from European and American artists and designers.

MUSEUM OF ART DELAND 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. 386-734-4371; downtown satellite location, 100 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. 386-279-7534. Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. 1-4 p.m. moartdeland.org Selections from the Permanent Collection Ongoing: On display is the Collector’s Choice– Samuel Blatt Collection, Purvis Young–Art of the Street, and the Linda Pinto Collection.

Legendary Florida—The Florida History Paintings of Jackson Walker Ongoing: Paintings of Florida’s eventful past are on permanent exhibit at the Volusia County Historic Courthouse, 120 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand.

ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. 407-836-8500.

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. thehistorycenter.org Another Year Passes—Orlando After the Pulse Nightclub Massacre Through Oct. 14: In remembrance of the Pulse victims, this special exhibit includes more than 200 images and memorial items related to the mass shooting.

Ongoing: Explore multiple floors of exhibits taking you through the history of Orange County, from the first people to the first contact with the Spanish through 100 years of tourism all the way to the present-day theme-park era.

ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. 407-896-4231. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-4 p.m. omart.org

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Enduring Beauty—Seminole Art and Culture Through July 8: See traditional articles of adornment and domestic crafts produced by Seminoles from the early 19th to mid 20th century.

2018 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art Through Aug. 19: This exhibition features works from 10 of the most progressive and exciting artists working in Florida today.

Louis Dewis—A Belgian Post-Impressionist Through Sept. 9: A mini-exhibition of seven paintings by Dewis who was inspired by such French masters of landscape painting as Corot, Cézanne and Gauguin, to paint scenes of cities, villages and countryside throughout Belgium and France.

Contemporary American Graphics Collection Ongoing: Includes more than 150 original signed and numbered lithographs, etchings, silk-screen prints and woodcuts by America’s foremost artists.

Contemporary Art Collection Ongoing: Outstanding works of art from 1945 representing such artists as Jennifer Bartlett, Nick Cave, Lesley Dill, Jane Hammond and James Casebere. The exhibit also includes an extensive collection of prints from the 1960s to present.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-514-2000.

Sunday-Tuesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. osc.org Hall of Heroes Through Sept. 3: Immerse yourself in the world of superheroes, crime fighters, gadgets and spies in this exhibit where you’re in the midst of the action and on an exciting journey through several different themed environments with surprises around every corner.

SOUTHEAST MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY Daytona State College, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. 386-5064475. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 1-5 p.m. Free. smponline.org Light Waves by Matthew Jolliffe Through July 20: Exhibit features the work of this DeLand High School student and photographer.

THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN AND WILDLIFE ART 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. MondaySunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 727-892-4200. thejamesmuseum.org Art and the Animal July 28-Oct. 23: The 58th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists is a juried show of premier wildlife art from artists around the world and will feature over 100 paintings and sculptures, with select art available for purchase.

of the month

Want To Be A Featured Writer For Orlando Magazine?

Be Our Kid Kontributor Of The Month!

What’s the Scoop?

We’re looking for youngsters ages 12 and under to be online writers for our magazine each month!

Our first topic is “The Best of Orlando’’ and, we want young writers to tell us, in 500 words or less, about a place, experience or thing in Orlando they feel represents the very best of our city. We’ll select a winner who will be our Kid Contributor of the Month!

Go to orlandomagazine.com/kids for more info!

How Do Kids Enter?

Entries should include the writer’s name, age, school and parent contact number and email address. If desired, Mom or Dad can include include a video (for online entries) or a photograph to help bring the story to life.

Entries can be emailed to: kidkontributor@orlandomagazine.com Or mail to our office at: Orlando Magazine Attn: Kid Kontributor 801 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 201 Orlando, FL 32803 All entries must be received by August 1, 2018. Editors will select the winner, who will be notified via email.

What Does the Winner Get? Title of Kid Kontributor of the Month Your story published online for 1 year Inclusion of your story in an Orlando Magazine e-blast Orlando Magazine Swag Bag & Award

Series is open to children ages 12 and under in the Central Florida area (and beyond). Parent or legal guardian of winner must sign a consent form before work is published. Only one entry per child, per topic. Entries can be delivered as a Word Doc. PDF, or Pages document. The Kid Contributor contestant must be the author of his or her own original work. For more information, please visit orlandomagazine.com/kids

SCENE ON THE TOWN Permanent Collection Ongoing: Approximately 400 works of art selected from over 3,000 pieces acquired

by Tom and Mary James over their 50 years of art collecting. Pieces showcase American’s early West, native life, native artists, frontier, wildlife and the new West.

WINTER PARK HISTORY MUSEUM 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park.

407-647-2330. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. wphistory.org Wish You Were Here—The Hotels and Motels of Winter Park Through May 2019: From the lavish luxury hotels of the late 1800s to roadside family motels, tourist courts and the boarding houses used by the workers who built Winter Park, this exhibit highlights all the hotels and motels that played a part in creating the town of today.

WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE MUSEUM 1 N. Main St., Winter Garden. 407-656-3244.

Daily 1-5 p.m. wghf.org Ongoing: Housed in the city’s 1918 Atlantic Coast Line railroad depot, the museum features a large collection of local citrus labels, a citrus packing-house replica, and an audio kiosk detailing the area’s citrus history, plus Native American artifacts and photographs of the area dating back to the days of pioneer settlements. A History Research and Education Center next door holds the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s collection of west Orange County documents, research material, and additional photographs and artifacts.

ZORA NEALE HURSTON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 227 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. 407-647-3307.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.1 p.m. Donations accepted. zoranealehurstonmuseum.com Ongoing: The museum provides a place in the heart of the community where the public can view the works of artists of African descent.

GALLERIES ANITA S. WOOTEN GALLERY Valencia College, East Campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. 407-582-2298. Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. valenciacollege.edu/arts Richard Currier Through Aug. 3: Contemporary painter and native of Florida displays his work of atmospheric landscapes and dramatic ocean scenes.

ARTS ON DOUGLAS 123 Douglas St., New Smyrna Beach. 386-4231753. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. artsondouglas.net

Past Perfect Exhibition and Sale Through July 21: A rare opportunity to explore treasures from the past and add to your art collection.

Jane Manus—Where Form Meets Function July 21-Aug. 11: Opening reception July 7 from 4-7 p.m. in the alt_space.

ATLANTIC CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach. 386427-6975. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. atlanticcenterforthearts.org 29th Annual University Student Exhibition Through Aug. 11: In honor of the outstanding work being produced by state university art students and recognizes their dedication to the pursuit of excellence.

THE BRONZE KINGDOM Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. 407-203-8864. bronzekingdom.com Ongoing: This 8,000 square-foot gallery/ museum features a collection of rare African bronze, beaded and wooden sculptures from all over the continent, including palatial pieces from Benin and Bamum tribal kingdoms, some dating back to early 1600s.

CITYARTS FACTORY 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-648-7060. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. orlandoslice.com Ongoing: A collection of seven galleries showcasing a variety of artworks.

CREALDÉ SCHOOL OF ART Two locations: Alice & William Jenkins Gallery, 600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park. 407-6711886. crealde.org; and Hannibal Square Heritage Center, 642 W. New England Blvd., Winter Park.

407-539-2680. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org 37th Annual Juried Student Exhibition Through Sept. 1: This exhibit features some of the year’s best student work.

HARRY P. LEU GARDENS 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

407-246-2620. leugardens.org Enchanted Fairy Doors Through Sept. 23: Explore the gardens to discover where the fairies live. This whimsical exhibit features 15 unique fairy doors to inspire and delight.

JEANINE TAYLOR FOLK ART GALLERY 211 E. First St., Sanford. 407-323-2774. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. jtfolkart.com Ongoing: Works by Butch Anthony, Cornbread, Ab the Flagman and others celebrate the contribution of Southern folk art to our heritage.

MAYOR’S GALLERY Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave., Orlando.

407-246-4279 cityoforlando.net

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Heather Nagy—Orlando Collection Through Aug. 3: A series of paintings by local artist Nagy, who strives for people to see the beauty she finds in Orlando with new eyes.

SNAP! DOWNTOWN 420 E. Church St., Orlando. Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. or by appointment. snaporlando.com Nostalgia Through July 6: Portrait photography by Terry O’Neill and Gered Mankowitz. Both artists have decades of experience photographing famous and prominent people like Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and contemporary musicians such as Amy Winehouse.

SNAP! SPACE 1013 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment. snaporlando.com Couture Culture II Through Sept. 8: Fashion stylist and photographer couple Formento and Formento, return to Snap! with the newest works from their series “Hysteria,” complemented by works from the new series of narrative photographs “Midnight” by French artist Reine Paradis.

SPORTS ORLANDO CITY SOCCER Orlando City Stadium, 655 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com July 14: vs. Toronto FC, 8 p.m.

July 26: vs. NYC FC, 8 p.m.

ORLANDO PRIDE Orlando City Stadium, 655 W. Church St., Orlando. orlandocitysc.com July 7: vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.

July 21: vs. Seattle, 3:30 p.m.

FLORIDA FIRE FROGS Osceola County Stadium, 631 Heritage Park Way, Kissimmee. 321-697-3156. floridafirefrogs.com July 1: vs. Daytona, 11 a.m.

July 4-5: vs. Charlotte, 6:30 p.m.

July 9-12: vs. Daytona, 6:30 p.m.

July 13-14: vs. Clearwater, 6:30 p.m.

July 15: vs. Clearwater, 11 a.m.

July 23-24: vs. Charlotte, 6:30 p.m.

July 25: vs. Charlotte, 11 a.m.

July 26-28: vs. Bradenton, 6:30 p.m.

July 29: vs. Bradenton, 11 a.m.

ONLINE CALENDAR: Be sure to check out our online calendar at orlandomagazine.com.

Stay Connected To Your Community!

Check out these events and other opportunities to stay connected to your community in Orlando magazine’s On the Town, World of Good and orlandomagazine.com!

Orlando’s Finest

Celebration of Emerging Leaders Thursday, August 16, 2018 3NINE at The Plaza

Butterfly Talks

6:30PM VIP Champagne Reception 7-9PM Cocktails, Dining, Celebration

Saturday, July 7, 21, 2018

The LGBT Center of Central Florida 946 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Join us as we toast Central Florida’s best and brightest emerging young professionals and leaders. Fifteen extraordinary candidates will be honored for their accomplishments and commitment to ending cystic fibrosis and recognized at the Orlando’s Finest Grand Finale Celebration.

5-6:30 PM

Wine and dine at chef attended food stations, bid on silent auction and take in the vibe at the swanky 3NINE at the Plaza.

A support group for lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and queer women. Building a positive community, which will include empowering guest speakers, inspiring topics, and special events. All ages are welcome. Starting May 12 and 26, we meet every other Saturday. $2 Donation.

www.thecenterorlando.org — BENEFITS —

VIP tickets offer exclusive benefits including access to Meet the Candidates Champagne Reception, Private Party Zone and more.

Mark your calendars and be part of this posh new prominent event!

orlandosfinest.finestcff.org — BENEFITS —

SCENE RSVP

Orlando Magazine’s Dining Awards The magazine presented its annual culinary awards during festivities at Reyes Mezcaleria restaurant, with 21 critic’s picks honored along with readers’ choices in 57 categories. Event sponsors were FreshPoint, Stella Artois and Reyes Mezcaleria.

Back: Dining Critic Joseph Hay es with DoveCote’s Bryant Sha nk, Gene Zimmerman, Clayton Spicer, Caitlyn Koch, Makaela Miller, Joshua Hiller and (front) Falter Kea

ra

Vassilis and Katerina Coumbaros of Taverna Opa/Tapa Toro, with Al Novoa (FreshPoint, center)

A toast to Stella Artois, one of the event sponsors

Sabrina Musselman (FreshPoint) with Kirt and Maxine Earhart, George Vogelbacher, Fabiano Olmo (Maxine’s on Shine)

David Lampman, Kevin and Laurie Tarter, George Brinser, Alicia Havard, Tarin Scarborough (Chef’s Table at the Edgewater, The Tasting Room) with Candice Frazier of FreshPoint

David Christner and Carole Christner (center) of Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster, with Brittany Permaul and Steve Carney of FreshPoint

108 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018 | SCENE

STEVEN DIAZ

SPONSORED BY

Logan Anderson (FreshPoint) and Camilo Velasco (1921NVA)

Shashank Sonar, Sunil Kumar (Tamarind)

Megan Risk, Wade McLamb (deep blu seafood grille)

Logan Anderson (FreshPoint) with Jason Chin, Benjamin Bower, Sue Chin, Christina Werner, Nicole Bowlen (Reyes Mezcaleria)

STEVEN DIAZ

Logan Anderson (FreshPoint) with Joseph Creech, Seydi Creech, David Creech (Hunger Street Tacos)

Steve Gunter and Barbara Teal (The Tap Room at Dubsdread), with Melissa Crossman (FreshPoint), center

Kathleen Blake (The Rusty Spoon), Wendy Lopez (Tapa Toro)

Greg Richie, Craig Snyder, Andre Matta, Tim Wilz (Soco)

Preston Fletcher, Katrina Fletcher, Sami Carroll, Melissa Crossman, Logan Anderson, Brittany Permaul, Matt Lafountain, Candice Frazier, Dan Snowden, Steve Carney, Sabrina Musselman, Kelly Kerney, Laura Parkins, Al Novoa, Ana Cabrera (FreshPoint) SCENE | JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 109

SCENE RSVP

Science of Wine Guests uncorked their inner sommelier at the 8th annual fundraiser for Orlando Science Center, which featured 150 varieties of wine, as well as offerings from 30 culinary partners. Guests also enjoyed wine seminars, cooking demos and a painting experience.

Nirav Pandya and Simoli Pandya

Rich and JoAnn Newman, Greg

and Melly Hale, Dennis Lind

Rusty and Sarah McCranie

110 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018 | SCENE

ROBERTO GONZALEZ

Wellness guru Kristine Thomas talks about making healthy desserts with wine.

Barristers’ Ball Barry University School of Law’s annual gala brought together students and faculty for a “Great Gatsby’’-themed night of dinner and dancing at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.

Leticia Diaz, Harry Behzadi, Albe

rt Behzadi, Kelsey Chase

Albert Hutchinson, Ruth Witherspoon

EMILY JOURDAN

Suzanne and Casey Clouchete, Brandon and Victoria Pharis

Oliver Pichardo, Nicole Lopera

Matthew Hyde, Amy Lefkowitz, Brigitte Debbarh, Brooklyn Trahan, Caleb Taylor

Paulisha Webster, Adam Staton

Dustin and Danielle Boring, Lia and Askin Uysal

SCENE | JULY 2018 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 111

W

WE TYPICALLY SPEND July 4th at my parents’ place on the Florida-Alabama line.

It’s not a modern, sleek house or a luxury condo on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, but rather a secluded and casual bay house. Going there is a real escape, a bit like going back in time.

Getting to the house still requires verbal directions—and I don’t mean from Siri. At the end of a long county road is a washedout drive made from red clay, sand and oyster shells. For a half-mile, the road winds underneath gnarled oaks, around scrubby palmettos, and past 100-year-old beach houses. Then suddenly, it becomes a narrow causeway with Perdido Bay on one side and Soldier Creek on the other. It looks like the end of the road—if not the end of the world—and inevitably first-time visitors call us. “I think I’m lost,” they say. “Just keep going,” we assure them. “We’re the last house on the left.” (Although one friend made a wrong turn and ended up on the edge of a cliff!)

Because the house is so remote, we rarely leave once we’re there. Our isolation means there is no need for make-up, hair dryers and designer shoes—or any shoes for that matter.

The nearest Walmart is 14 miles away, so my mom carefully plans the menu in advance so we have everything we need. We only make a run to the store if the fish aren’t biting or if we want more tomatoes and Silver Queen corn from the local farm stand. For dinner, we often eat outside on the boat house. Still in our swimsuits and wrapped in towels, we pick blue crabs with our fingers, the bay breeze fending off the mosquitoes.

If we do go out, we take my dad’s 24-year-old Cape Horn fishing boat to Pirate’s Cove. This beachfront, hole-inthe-wall has been around for generations, always lively with boaters and their sandy dogs. It just so happens to be the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” After a burger and a Bushwacker, a heavenly blend of rum, chocolate and ice cream, it’s time for a nap.

EMAIL LAURA AT FEEDBACK@ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM AND READ MORE OF HER COLUMNS AT ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM 112 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2018

Volume 72, Number 9, Orlando® (USPS 007-215) (ISSN 1059-3624) is published monthly by Morris Visitor Publications, 801 N. Magnolia Avenue, Ste. 201, Orlando, FL 32803. For subscriptions, call 1-800-243-0609 or visit our website at www.orlandomagazine.com. Copyright 2018 by Morris Communications. All rights reserved. Orlando® and CENTRAL FLORIDA® are federally registered trademarks. THE ABCs of Education™, CENTRAL FLORIDA HOME & GARDEN™, DISCOVER ORLANDO™, INSIDE ORLANDO™, LIVING IN ORLANDO™, ORLANDO HOME DESIGN™, and ORLANDO HOME & GARDEN™ are state registered trademarks. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine or of the trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

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Time After Time

Back at the house, my favorite resting spot is the swinging bed that my mom built herself and hung from the ceiling on the screened-in porch. Rocking back and forth, I listen to the gentle lapping of waves, the low drone of motorboats, and the rhythmic cicadas in the slender pines, and I drift off.

Growing up, my parents didn’t allow a television or a telephone at the beach house.

Today, it seems unfathomable we were that out of reach from friends and family, not to mention emergency dispatchers. But we never had a problem. The one exception was my dad’s portable radio for Alabama football broadcasts. Today, technology has infiltrated the house but not dominated.

We have satellite TV and our cell phones, but without Wi-Fi nobody gets much work done. Our days are spent fishing, swimming, sailing, tubing, kayaking and chasing dolphins. At night, even with the option of television, we’d rather play an embarrassing game of Cards Against Humanity or have an old-fashioned sing-along on the porch.

My brother, Will, plays guitar by ear and knows the lyrics to practically every song, or else we make up our own. When we’re not too settled, we venture out to The Point, a sandy peninsula where the brackish bay meets the freshwater creek. We light a bonfire and roast marshmallows, as families on distant shores shoot fireworks.

Will and I have families of our own now, and my mother is anxious for our children to experience everything we got to do as kids. (She put a crib in my room long before my husband and I were expecting our first child.) My oldest son, Anders, just turned 8 and is old enough to go crabbing at night, using a propane lantern and a long net to scoop up blue crabs. Crabbing was one of the very first adventures I remember taking with Will by ourselves. Guided by our own light, we waded along the shore until our bucket was filled. We are now passing the torch to the next generation.

Sometimes I feel bogged down by ever-present politics and technology—the world is changing so rapidly. But as soon as we turn down that shaded oyster-shell drive, I feel protected. At Perdido, life is still simple. A little disconnected from the rest of the world, we’re able to connect with family, nature and God. And there’s no place on earth I’d rather be.

DAVID VALLEJO

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• Energy Efficient HVAC, Windows and Insulation Levels

• HOA Maintained Irrigation, Landscaping & Exterior Pesticide For Your Home

To top all that off, our spacious clubhouse boasts a community dining room with a Chef-Ready kitchen, an on-site Activities Director, theater room, a fully equipped fitness center, Thai Chi/yoga/meditation areas and a heated resort-style pool. We also offer gourmet homemade meal delivery service right to your front door as well as “Chef on Call” service for special community or in-home private dining events!

Four Luxurious, Exquisitely Designed Models to Choose From: CADENCE • CONCERTO • SONATA • HARMONY

407.212.0123

www.SerenityReserve.com

317.509.8771

2392 Symphony Circle – Saint Cloud, Florida 34771

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SomedayStartsToday.com (407) 303-DOCS

18-SYSTEM-03566

Call today for an appointment