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Spending quality time with the hubster and handing over cooking duties for a night are two of my favorite things when it comes to date night. But geez, it’s super easy to rack up a $100 bill at some of our favorite restaurants. On nights when we’re watching the wallet but we don’t want to…
Located in Baldwin Park, Bodyscape Massage is a true refuge for couples thanks to the massage packages and couples massage classes it’s offered for years. But now offerings for couples just got even better with the advent of Bodyscape’s new Massage Date Night. Offered every Friday at 6:30pm throughout the holidays, the evening includes a…
Our sister city, Tampa Bay, is an easy two-hour drive away and is packed full with delightful diversions perfect for fun weekend together. Earlier this year, the city launched a brand-new program designed to give out-of-towners the key to the city… sort of. The Tampa Bay CityPASS includes tickets to all of the area’s best…
Now through January 4, 2015, Gaylord Palms will is an epicenter of holiday festivities, complete with free live holiday shows, festive feasts and libations, and of course, ICE!, the legendary frosty wonderland crafted from 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice. ICE! was definitely designed with families in mind, but it’s a fantastic date night for grown ups,…
From the moment I saw photographs of Streamsong Resort, I knew I had to go there. Flip through the snazzy website and the images of sprawling, sun drenched vistas and earth-inspired design are bound to tempt anyone to set out on the two-hour, southeast journey past Lakeland to see for yourself if this place is…
Now in its fifth year, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic kicks off Friday, October 31 for an unforgettable two-night epicurean celebration. Featuring more than 40 food and wine stations, the event’s culinary causeway gives guests an all-access, all-inclusive feast prepared by award-winning chefs from the hotel’s restaurants, including Todd…
One of the great things about living in Florida is our access to great hotels, everywhere. Our stay-cation spots are abundant and diverse. We don’t always want the beach or a fancy lazy river. Sometimes we want some good ole fashioned Vegas style fun. This is the case at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino…
This Friday begins 53 days of foodie festivities at Epcot, home to the 19th International Food & Wine Festival September 19 – November 10. Nearly 300 chefs have come together to showcase fare from across the globe at more than 25 food-and-beverage stops, hundreds of food and beverage seminars and workshops, as well as dozens…
Located just a stone’s throw from Epcot and Disney’s BoardWalk, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort sprawls across 87 acres dotted with sparkling lakes and five shimmering swimming pools. With easy access to all of Walt Disney World’s parks and entertainment districts via Disney shuttle and water taxi, the resort is a great starting…
The Mills 50 District just keeps getting better. On that small strip of space on Mills Avenue between Princeton and Colonial, there are great restaurants like Pho 88, Tako Cheena, and Hawkers, and some of the best local watering holes like Quantum Leap Winery and Lil Indies. And on Monday, July 21, it gets even better:…
Emeril’s Tchoup Chop (pronounced “chop chop”) opened in 2003 at Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort. Though I’ve lived in the area—and visited City Walk and even Emeril’s Orlando—many a times since then, I never ventured to Tchoup Chop. It’s located in the hotel, so parking would be more expensive, I told myself. It’s too far of…
South + York opened up in a Winter Springs plaza at the top of Tuscawilla Road more than six months ago and has slowly but steadily created a loyal following of avid fans ever since. Inside the minimalist space where a chalkboard touts the name of Central Florida farms tapped to source the local focused…
Channel your inner child during Retro Game Night at the Orange County Regional History Center, Friday, May 30 from 7pm – midnight. Besides a slew of fun board games— Pictionary, Chinese Checkers, Clue, Battleship, Candy Land, Mystery Date, Scrabble, Twister—the event will also feature video games, two Giant Jengas, free nostalgic treats and a cash…
Not a lot of restaurants have figured out how to make the wait for your table just as enjoyable as sitting at it. But thanks to a new winery meets restaurant concept, recently unveiled at the Waterford Lakes Town Center, the guest experience begins steps before the hostess stand. Arrive at Cooper’s Hawk Winery &…
For most Orlando locals, it takes an hour or less to travel to The Shores Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond, beachfront resort located in Daytona Beach Shores. Just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean and quietly tucked away from the more bustling Daytona Beach (about a mile away), the resort is an enjoyable yet affordable luxury…
Walt Disney World and date night. Maybe not two things most people would put together. But Brooke Fehr, Disney Food Blog contributor, would advise you to reconsider. She’s studied the sprawling 40-square-mile resort extensively over the past few years and has picked up some stellar date night ideas, tips and recommendations along the way. Lucky…
Two upcoming foodie events, both organized by local restaurant critic Scott Joseph, are worthy of your consideration. Here are the details… Sous Chefs, Road Food & Rioja! This Pop-Up event will put the spotlight on up-and-coming sous chefs from some of Orlando’s best restaurants. Held inside the showroom of the Orlando Harley-Davidson dealership off of I-4,…
Orlando couples with a love for getaways packed with gourmet adventure will want to check out the new Epicurean Hotel, a 137-room boutique property that just opened in Tampa’s trendy South Howard (SoHo) district. I recently visited this food-focused spot and fell in love with its culinary aesthetic, rooftop bar, French patisserie, and luxurious spa,…
Calling all Disney dining fans? Here’s a way to get mega savings every time you eat at Walt Disney World restaurants plus get access to exclusive culinary events. Tables in Wonderland is a membership-based dining card that’s purchased annually through WDW. Members receive a 20% discount on food and beverage, including alcohol, at over 100…
Get me started talking about date night ideas for Orlando and you probably won’t be able to shut me up. I love, love, love finding out new things for couples to do together. But we haven’t done it all… far from it. There are still a ton of awesome date night spots and restaurants on…
Winter Park, home to dozens of independently owned restaurants and a bevy of award-winning chefs, is arguably Orlando’s best epicurean neighborhood. While many of its eateries can be found along Park Avenue’s bricked boulevard, there’s one unsung gem tucked into Hannibal Square that’s worthy of your culinary consideration. We checked out Fresh, a super small…
I have a confession to make… I NEVER go to the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival. I went once seven years ago and felt so annoyed by the crowds that I never went again. But when I noticed it was back again (this weekend in fact) I decided to give it another chance. Why? Because…
I met a happy couple recently who proudly admitted to being regular date nighters just like Marc and I. “But we always go to the same place,” they confessed. “Seasons 52!” WHAT? While I have to admit my surprise at such loyalty to just one restaurant, I do agree that sometimes, especially on date night,…
Beer is the new wine… at least in the world of themed dinners, which are popping up all over Orlando these days. Turns out there is a lot to learn when it comes to pairing food with beer. Some have even argued that the beer/food combo is much more complex and interesting than wine and…
Date Night at Leu Gardens To Have and Have Not Friday, September 6, 6 p.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens Address $5 Baldwin Park First Friday Festival & Art Stroll Friday, September 6, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Baldwin Park’s New Broad Street Free John Witherspoon Orlando Improv Friday, Sept 6 – Sunday, Sept 8 Tickets…
By Tisha Mccray Recently I had the opportunity to try out Cuba Libre’s new feature: Tapas Tuesday. I love ordering small plates of food with fellow diners; it automatically creates an atmosphere of sharing and exploration and you can get away with eating several different things. Cuba Libre’s atmosphere is welcoming starting from the minute…
One of the things I love about Orlando is that we have dozens of dining hubs scattered all over the area ideal for exploring on date night. Today, I’m going to give you some ideas for Ivanhoe Village, the bohemian shopping and dining district formerly named The Antique District. Dinner There are a handful of…
By Kirsten Maher ** Several times a year, the Orlando Date Night Guide sends a different couple on an awesome date night. This Couple at Large then shares their experience on the blog. For May, we sent Kirsten and her date to Velvet Sessions. Here’s what she had to say about the experience: On the last Thursday of each…
It’s been a few years since I wandered through the Church Street District. My memory of the area was that it was a place most frequented by a twenty-something, 3 for the price of 1 drink guzzling crowd, a demographic I’m sadly no longer a part of. While the 3 for 1 drinks are still…
UPDATE: Ravalia’s closed its Casselberry location and is now in Lake Mary at 579 Lake Emma Rd. While I’m a huge fan of Yelp and Urbanspoon, nothing beats a personal restaurant recommendation coming from a close friend. A few weeks ago, my friend Laura suggested that Marc and I check out Ravalia’s Pasta Bar & Italian Rotisserie,…
Last week, I read a great story in Orlando Weekly about a group of bluegrass musicians that get together to jam every Friday night in an Ocoee parking lot near the southeast corner of Route 50 and Maguire Road. Read the full story by Ashley Belanger. With bands like Mumford & Sons bringing bluegrass into the…