Disney Junkies…Details for You!August 1, 2020Otown SpotsAre you a Disney junkie? Has the shut down of all things Disney been perplexing? Are you curious about dipping your toes into a Disney Springs experience? Well, I have a few details for you! I met up with a girlfriend for a few hours to catch up at Disney Springs this past week. She lives in Orlando and totally knew the drill. We just wanted to grab a bite, have a drink and she had a few things that she needed to return at what is now one of my new favorite stores (that is a whole different blog). First of all, let’s chat “the drill”. While you may have heard, you are temperature checked and masks are required. Yes and yes. Please also keep in mind, if you love a little Disney Springs, they are not busy. This is your time to go. You can swing dance down the pathways. The downside is, if you go for the street entertainment. This does not exist. This is a shopping and dining experience. In regards to the masks, you are required to wear masks at all times. The only exception is if you are sitting down eating or drinking. You are not permitted to walk around eating or drinking. So, please keep these tips in mind. Boathouse Eats My girlfriend and I met up for eats at The Boathouse. One of my favorite’s out at Disney Springs. We like to sit out on the dock and watch the “boat-cars” . The “boat-cars” come off the dock into the water. I have been on a lobster kick lately. I ordered a refreshing Sangria and the Lobster Roll. This is my first Lobster Roll order since visiting Martha’s Vineyard and I have high expectations. These expectations were met! The huge chunks of lobster meat were delicate and I did request to make sure that there wasn’t a lot of mayo. Our waiter was adorbs and wanted to pose for a picture, so I had to share. I think it was because he was having a great time with us. The claw meat fell off my roll when I picked it up and became the best snack ever in snack history to a bird. The waiter did replace the lobster meat that fell! It is Disney, folks! I have been asked if I would go back to Disney Springs based on the restrictions currently in place. My answer is, yes! We had a great time. Just understand that it is less of an entertainment complex and they are very strict on the mask wearing. We love our Disney experiences and until we are back to hotel & park hoppin…just making the best of our everyday experiences! Related posts: Sunday Funday Brunch Vegan With A Southern Twist And Then There Is A Dining Experience Self Isolation Gone Wild!... Self Isolation Gone Wild!March 31, 2020Otown Spots / PlayIs self isolation making you want to pull your hair out yet? Are you fixated on Netflix’s The Tiger King and wondering after watching that if you will have any brain cells left? Are your kids making you appreciate your boss and their teachers more than you ever thought possible? I have a solution for you! Self isolate in your car, driving thru a safari! Do it, you will have a blast! It is definitely the epitome of self isolation gone wild! It’s super easy. I did this with a friend, but I can only imagine how much the kiddos would love it. We grabbed coffee and headed out to Wild Florida on Saturday morning. I highly recommend that you get there early. We got right in, but when we left the line was definitely getting long. Paying online ahead of time is also a preferable option! View From A Sunroof The view from the sunroof was totally awesome! I won’t lie, I stood up on the seat and stuck my head out of the window to feel the amazing hot Florida summer sun on my face and get the best view of the animals that I could. A very decompressing experience! The gazelle’s were actually one of my favorite animals. However, I did not get a great picture of them. They are fast and furious. The energy is incredible. I thought how I would love to have that kind of energy and their long lanky legs! I can’t share this day near Otown’s Wild Florida’s Drive Thru Safari without mentioning our stop for an unusual treat. If I could recall the location I would, but there is a road side stand in the middle of nowhere with hot boiled peanuts. Don’t miss this opportunity to grab a bucket! They were delish and super inexpensive! Related posts: Bourbon and Brew The Cocoa Beach Pier Is My Happiness! Sunday Funday Brunch No Swill! Cheers to the Good Stuff!... And Then There Is A Dining ExperienceFebruary 18, 2020Otown SpotsThere is going out to eat, there is dining out and then there is a dining experience. Yes, these are all very different experiences. The latter is what we surprisingly experienced when meeting up with friends in Orlando. Date night on this occasion was nothing short of spectacular! The ambiance itself is quaint, romantic, and beautiful. As we soon realized, we were in for a AAA 4-Diamond dining experience that would last the evening. We sipped wine, laughed and enjoyed incredible service as our waiter, Mario, became an incredible source of information as we ordered. He made recommendations as we he asked questions about what we liked as he took us through the menu of the Venetian Chophouse. The Venetian Chophouse is located inside the Caribe Royale Hotel, but don’t let that scare you. They validate! Little did we know that a simple dinner for four would turn into a dining experience to remember. Recommended by Mario We started off with the recommended by Mario charcuterie board. Our board also had a detailed list of each of the meats and cheeses that we were nibbling on which made for fun conversation. The Venetian Chophouse is well known for their lobster bisque. I am a sucker for a good lobster bisque. Truth be told, I am usually disappointed in the “oversell”. However, no disappointment here. Incredible! Big chunks of lobster with the perfect blending of sherry and cognac flavors popping out. The flaky crust that it was served in definitely helped make it even more spectacular! Because sharing is caring, we had to try the fresh tomato with buffalo mozzarella cheese salad appetizer with friends. This salad was sprinkled with citron sea salt giving it a little extra something. The chilean sea bass was an entree of choice and served with a duet of caviar sauce (that even sounds fancy). We shared the sides of lobster mac and cheese which rocked our worlds. Can you ever have too much chunks of fresh lobster? Our night flew by so quickly. We were laughing, sipping, and enjoying our time together over an amazing meal with friends for over 4 hours. Next time you are in Otown, visit the Venetian Chophouse and ask for Mario. His recommendations are spot on! Related posts: Sunday Funday Brunch Vegan With A Southern Twist “Almost Famous” Bourbon and Brew... Bourbon and BrewDecember 29, 2019Otown Spots / PlayA little combo of bourbon and brew in one building? Yes! It exists in Winter Park. For Christmas this year, one of my gifts to a true die hard bourbon aficionado was a tour to a brewstillery right here in Florida! I didn’t even know that we made bourbon. What is a brewstillery? So glad that you asked! The Winter Park Distillery has two connected, but separate areas due to legal reasons. Did you know that you can’t brew brew and distill bourbon in the same building? Therefore, one side is the brewery where you can sit, play board games and enjoy the cold brew. The other side is the distillery where spirits of bourbon, vodka, rum, and tequila are created and sold. You are able to buy some of these fine spirits in local stores such as Publix. Inside of A Barrel The bourbon and brew tour started off with our early arrival to the bar. We decided to enjoy a cold brew. The bar itself was kind of cool. It had a slight curve mimicking the inside of a barrel. We started our tour off on the brewery side which is located in the bar itself (I think this is kind of cool too). We then made our way to the spirit side for tasting and learning about the process of making bourbon, vodka, and tequila in Florida. I won’t give away all of the secrets of bourbon making in Florida, you should definitely book a tour! But our climate in Florida is great for Bourbon making. There you go, I did share a little something. They also offer, for a small fee, your own opportunity to make a small batch of bourbon which you can later retrieve when it is ready! I will share my favorite tasting of the day, Bear Gully Classic Bonfire Bourbon. It was smooth with a hint of smoke. This is a fun little tour in a beautiful area of Winter Park, something fun to do! Users who liked this: Related posts: Four Paws Up Dog-Friendly The Cocoa Beach Pier Is My Happiness! Life Is Better On A Boat Staycation: Resort Orlando... Disney Holiday Hotel Hoppin’December 13, 2019Eat + Drink / Otown SpotsOne of our holiday traditions is very grown up. It’s a little Disney hotel hoppin’, holiday style! We get a group of friends together and make a plan for the day that includes the Disney Resorts with connections via boat and monorail. We plan our day based on bars and restaurants, the views and times that they are open. Then we let the shenanigans begin! No humbug here, enjoying the Christmas decorations from resort to resort is so much fun. The Gingerbread houses and themed Christmas trees are so very different at each Resort. Disney holiday magical moments at our fingertips and we are avoiding the mass crowds at the parks! I thought I would share a little method to our madness along with some of our favorite watering holes and unique experiences that are available at the different bars. And how to get from resort to resort. A method to our madness can change from season to season. But here is the down and dirty on a quick tour if you need a few tips! Start your day out at Ft Wilderness Lodge. The Geyser Point Bar is on the lake. The drinks are great with awesome shareables. A great way to kick off your Hotel hoppin’ adventure!Take the boat to the Contemporary Hotel and check out the Wave Bar, light up your Cosmo with a fancy glow stick.Ride the Monorail to the Polynesian, Trader Sam’s is a little “secret” tiki bar that opens at 4:00 PM. So, plan accordingly.Ride the Monorail to the Grand Floridian, The Enchanted Rose Lounge is brand new with craft cocktails themed after Beauty and the Beast. Jump back on the monorail to the Contemporary for the most amazing view from the California Grill. If you are able to enjoy a meal, the food is delicious. If not, we have watched the fireworks from this incredible view from their bar area while eating small bites. The Enchanted Rose at the Grand Floridian has the coolest cocktails. They are created table side with a “Cocktail Story”. I chose the Amour. It was shaken together to “soak up the love”. Such a romantic cocktail with several ingredients including Chamomile tea and pear. Trader Sam’s in the Polynesian is super cool and this year was our first time here. It’s very small with themed tiki drinks. Whenever a speciality drink is ordered, the staff includes the whole bar in antics related to the drink theme. In complete Disney style, different aspects of the tiki bar “come to life” and it truly is super fun! The California Grill at the Contemporary Resort is located at the very tippy top and has an amazing view. The view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks are absolutely spectacular. The menu at the California Grill range from hand rolled sushi, artisanal wood fired pizzas to perfectly prepared filet’s. Make sure you check the time of the fireworks because they can change based on the day. Being able to enjoy many aspects of the Disney experience during the holidays while avoiding the crowds and the expense is a huge bonus. Plus, we have such a great time! It’s the ultimate Holiday Disney Staycation! We love living in Florida! Users who liked this: Related posts: Staycation: Resort Orlando Shut The Front Door! Crushin’ at Crush XI “Almost Famous”... Vegan With A Southern TwistNovember 6, 2019Otown SpotsIt’s true! Vegan restaurants and food experiences are trending (even for non-Vegan’s)! I am always up for new food experiences. At least that’s what I tell myself. My son has become a Vegan in the last few years and lives in Orlando. While we were meeting up for dinner last night and deciding on a place to eat I told him, “you pick”. And he did! While it has been a long time since I have been to a Vegan restaurant and as a “certified meat-eater“, I have never over the moon for any of them. So, Dixie Dharma is super different! They are rocking a southern cooking menu. They serve 100% plant-based food with a southern spin. They have items on their menu like, “biscuits and gravy” and “wet burrito’s”. I do love a fried green tomato sandwich. My sandwich had a fresh green tomato sliced super thick, I loved this! They bread it, then deep fry it and serve it with eggplant remoulade, kale, and house chow-chow.” And it was ridiculously good! Add a side of their mac n’ cheese and score! My son had the Hillbilly Chili Dawgs which are two hot dogs in pretzel buns, smothered with housemade Indian chili and cheese sauce, blackened onion, scallions, and a spicy sauce. He is a huge fan of their “tater salad” and after trying it, I would totally agree. It was quite tasty! Their sides even include boiled peanuts. How fun is that? After you have indulged in Dixie Dharma’s vegan “vittles”, their selection of sweets for a nice treat may be one of your hardest decisions of the day! Did you see the Ginger Molasses Pumpkin Spice cookie? Hello? 🙂 Users who liked this: Related posts: Sunday Funday Brunch “Almost Famous” Staycation: Resort Orlando Disney Holiday Hotel Hoppin’... Sunday Funday BrunchAugust 6, 2019Otown SpotsSunday Funday Brunch is always my favorite meal of the week. Finding this bakery, market, and restaurant in Lake Nona was a total score this weekend! While outside the 321 area code, it’s not too far of a drive for a great view, unique experience and delish food! It’s one of my very best gal pal’s birthday weekend and Sunday funday brunch was the perfect ending! Canvas Restaurant and Market provides a great selection from savory to sweet! Canvas also touts many accolades including best outdoor dining experience, this always speaks my language! Even on a hot Florida day, the view of the water can be seen from all aspects inside, it’s all glass! Our Sunday funday brunch started off with sweet for me and savory for the birthday girl! Sweet & Savory The brunch menu is the perfect size and selection of sweet and savory. I chose buttermilk pancakes with, ricotta, housemade Meyer lemon curd, and fresh whipped cream. The birthday girl went for the greens, the healthier option. She had the baby gem lettuce, roasted garlic dressing, crispy ciabatta, Grana Padano topped with a grilled salmon. One of the best savory dishes on the brunch menu has to be the Chicken Biscuit. I did have a bite of this bad boy. It’s a modern take with a southern flare featuring a sweet tea fried chicken, arugula, peach jam, mayo, and fried egg on a housemade biscuit. Seriously, you cannot go wrong! This is definitely a do-over and worth the drive for “Take Two”. Lake Nona is a cool little area on the outskirts of Otown with a lot to offer. Check it out! Users who liked this: Related posts: Chicken And Waffles Vegan With A Southern Twist Staycation: Resort Orlando Just Plain Elevated... Staycation: Resort OrlandoJune 5, 2019Otown SpotsDo you need a vacation? A relaxation, but can only afford a staycation? I seriously heard a Vanilla Ice rap in that first sentence! In all seriousness, consider a staycation at a resort in Orlando and this is why. We have immense opportunity right in our own backyards. Florida is a huge tourist destination. Do we take advantage of staycations in Orlando resorts? There are so many four and five star, all inclusive resorts offering competitive pricing and Florida resident discount pricing. I am not referring to the Disney Resorts. There are plenty of other resorts to choose from, really great resorts that will cater to your needs and wants! We have stayed in a few over the years for long weekends. We do not and I repeat, we do not leave the resort. Ignore the theme parks and Disney Springs lurking outside the walls of your resort bubble of relaxation and decompression. Living It Up Otown Style! Orlando resorts really allow you to live it up Otown style whatever that looks like for you. One of our favorites is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. They typically offer great rates for Florida Residents. Our living it up Otown style weekend at the Grand Cypress consists of pampering, poolside cocktail service while decompressing and hitting up the waterfall pool. Other all inclusive resort style options are also included like kayaking and paddle boarding. The hotel has onsite dining and snack bars with beautiful accommodations. What more could you ask for? Spending a weekend living it up Otown style at an Orlando resort for my whole family can be significantly less expensive than going out of town. It is truly so much fun! There are so many different resort hotel options, they are truly endless. Don’t you deserve a staycation resort that works for your family? Happy Summer! Related posts: Staycation: Vero Beach “Almost Famous” Disney Holiday Hotel Hoppin’ Sunday Funday Brunch... “Almost Famous”May 9, 2019Otown SpotsHow would you like to be “almost famous”? How much out of the box fun do you like to have? As Mother’s Day approaches, I have been reminiscing on time spent well with my kids. My kids are grown and I don’t get to see them very often which can be really difficult. I grab the moments when I can and just go with it. Recently, my 22-year-old son and I had the best day in a very unexpected Otown International Drive location. We thought it would be fun to check out the Orlando Eye which is now called ICON Park. While there, we ended up spending half the day at Madame Tussauds. Yes, it’s a wax museum! I thought it might be a cheesy tourist trap, but “when in Rome”. Stepping inside the doors leads to the coolest scenes with the stars from yesteryear, the concert halls, and even superheroes! Become almost famous when hanging out with all of your favorites! Interactive Experience Madame Tussauds is a completely interactive experience. Each room has different props that you can use to snap fun pictures and pose with your favorite stars! I found a few scenes from some of my favorite iconic movie sets, a fabulous little cocktail party with Hollywood elites. My son helped save Gotham alongside Batman and helped Superman lift a helicopter! The whole day was very unexpected. It’s not often my son and I get a chance to be silly and spent a day together! Eat Drink Play Brevard wishes all the Moms a wildly fun day with their kids, making memories. One day you will turn around and they will be all grown up and you will wonder what happened. Related posts: Staycation: Resort Orlando Sunday Funday Brunch Vegan With A Southern Twist Disney Holiday Hotel Hoppin’... Sharing is Caring:TwitterFacebookLinkedIn
