A Southern-inspired restaurant with seasonal dishes located across from Lake Ivanhoe in the heart of Orlando.
Have you been to @themonroeorlando recently? We had a great experience! Details below ⬇️
What we ordered:
🌶️ Pimento cheese - More creamy and whipped than chunky, but tasted very fresh and homemade.
🥗 Citrus salad - A nice and refreshing salad for a hot day. Served with feta, frisee, fennel, pistachios and a pomegranate vinaigrette.
🥕 BBQ carrots - I would never have ordered these had they not been recommended to us. Turns out, I loved them!
🍗 Famous fried chicken - The cook and seasoning was very, very good. We’re anxious to try the crispy chicken sandwich next.
🧀 Mac & cheese - Not the creamiest and the crumble on top I’m pretty sure was goldfish? Haha not my favorite but we still ate it all…😋
🍉 Watermelon basil salad - This could have been much better — more basil, some feta maybe,…something to give it a little oomph. But if you like plain watermelon, which is still delicious, then go for it.
Things to note:
✨ It’s worth allowing time to visit the @frontporch.monroe outdoor bar either before or after your meal. It’s a smaller, more simple menu that’s completely different from what you’ll find inside.
✨ Happy hour is only Tues-Fri even though the menu online states Tues-Sat.
✨ The service at the indoor bar was 10/10. Very attentive and friendly without ever being annoying.
✨ Despite a baby shower and sweet 16 party happening, it never got too loud. The ceilings are high and the space is huge, which is the only explanation I can think of!
✨ There is plenty of parking in the garage but it’s not free. We paid $6 for a couple hours.
✨ For some reason, there are multiple typos on the menu. 😂 Has anyone else noticed this?? Time to update it (along with fixing the HH days)
#themonroeorlando #orlandofoodie #orlandoeats
For group hangouts or celebrations, check out @frontporch.monroe! It’s a large covered outdoor space next to @themonroeorlando restaurant serving cocktails, beer, wine, and food.
We went right as they opened for a drink before heading next door for dinner. We would definitely go back!
#orlandobars #downtownorlando #creativevillageorlando #themonroeorlando
My first time to @seitobp (if you can believe it)! 🍣 🥟
What we ordered:
✨ @sotosake Junmai on happy hour (tues-fri 5-7pm)
✨ Tuna Crispy Rice - Always a favorite combo but it wasn’t the best crispy rice I’ve had.
✨ Szechuan Beef Dumplings - Great flavors and not too spicy.
✨ Roasted Bone Marrow - We really liked the sweetness component of this dish. The bone marrow itself was a generous portion.
✨ Duck Bao - Large portion and very tasty. I’d definitely reorder this!
✨ Spider Roll (not pictured) - We enjoyed this, however I would order another roll next time. It’s a great menu and was difficult to choose!
Overall, everything was very good but I never had that instant “wow” moment, if you know what I mean. I would definitely go back to try more because I liked the menu a lot and the atmosphere at @seitobp & @theospreyorlando is always lovely.
What’s your go-to order at Seito?
#seitobaldwinpark #orlandoeats #orlandodining
Brunch with the ladies @chromalakenona 🍳🥂
When I asked my friends and followers for the best brunch spot in Lake Nona, the majority said Chroma! Here’s what we ordered & what we thought:
🥮 Giant cinnamon roll - An indulgent start but so yummy! The middle was dough-y and dense so it was rich and filling. I’d order it again but only if I was going with a group. It really is giant!
🍗 🧇 Hot Chicken and Waffles - I thought these were great. You can get the spicy sauce on the side like we did. It’s delicious with or without it!
🍳 Caprese Scramble - This was okay but could’ve been a lot better. We found the oregano to be pretty potent.
🦀 My friend got the crab cake Benedict that our server recommended and loved it! Can’t go wrong with this combo IMO.
Next time, I want to try the cocktails, wild blueberry 🫐 pancakes and smoked salmon board 🥯.
Overall, it was a solid brunch spot and I’d happily go again. I will say that the prices are on the higher end for brunch and the portions are on the small side. Any classic breakfast sides, like potatoes, aren’t included with any of the dishes but rather sold separately. Personally, it was plenty for me but I can see how people would want to order more plates.
Have you been to @chromalakenona? If so, what are your favorite dish(es) for brunch or dinner?
#chromalakenona #lakenonaorlando #lakenonalife #orlandoeats #orlandofoodie
Helloooo spring! 👋🏻🌸🌼 Recapping my winter eats & drinks in Orlando. Places listed below ⬇️
☕️ 🍵 🥐 🍳 🥑
@haancoffeeroasters
@lightonthesugar
@qreatecoffee
@loboscoffeeroasters
@foxtailcoffeeco
@swineandsons
🥗 🥪 🍗 🍔
@planteesburgers
@poke.hana
@stasiositaliandeli
@chi.kin.koreanfried
@farmandhausorlando
🍽️ 🍝 🍕 🍣
@kaya.orlando
@pratowp
@official_pizza_bruno
@sushi_lolas
@theospreyorlando
@papallamaorl
@turcipasta
@strandorlando
@ottoshighdive
🍨 🍰
@kellyshomemadeicecream
@reelfishcoastal
🍻 🍹
@ten10_brewing
@redlightredlight
@ivanhoeparkbrew
@themodernebar
@freehandgoods
Some additional winter favorites and spots we frequent not pictured: @delidesires @matador_orlando @olliespublichouse @thirstytopher @gnarly_barley407 @santiagosbodegaorlandofl @sixtyvineswinterpark @cava @bitesbubbles
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#orlandoeats #orlandofoodie #orlandofood #orlandofoodies #orlandodining #orlandobars #orlandolocal #orlandoblogger #orlandofoodblogger #orlandorestaurants #bestoforlando #orlandodatenight #orlandoliving #orlandoblog
5 reasons you should go to @freehandgoods in College Park ⬇️
✨ Their candles selection is sooo good! I’m picky and they had some great scents.
✨ A birthday gift, housewarming gift, congratulatory gift, or a gift to treat yourself - there’s something for everyone when you’re in a pinch
✨ It’s next door to @official_pizza_bruno 🍕 so the pro move is to grab a drink here while you’re waiting for your table
✨ They serve beer, wine, seltzers, and have nonalcoholic options too
✨ Enjoy your beverages at the indoor bar, indoor table seating or the outdoor picnic tables, weather-dependent
Bonus #6: Because it always feels good to #supportlocal ❤️
#freehandgoods #collegeparkfl #collegeparkmainstreet #collegeparkorlando #orlandoshopping #localorlando
PIZZA BRUNO COLLEGE PARK 🍕🍝🔥💯
We’ve been long-time fans of @chefbrunofonseca & his original Curry Ford location, but this one is closer, a different style, and dare I say better? Tough call.
How’s it different? Instead of Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas, they serve crispy South Jersey style ‘za’s. Plus, they offer pastas! I love how they put a twist on some of their best-sellers we know and love, like the garlic knots, Ghost and KBAR pizzas.
What we ordered:
🤤 Fried Knots with “too much garlic”…no such thing in my book! I loved the crunch of outside with the soft and gooey-ness of the inside. A must try!
🍝 Spaghetti cacio e pepe - Super cheesy in the best way, and the perfect al dente
🍗 Calabrian buffalo wings - I’m not a huge buffalo fan usually, but these were very good! The fresh house ranch dipping sauce was dill-forward and fantastic.
🍕 Kook in the line up - South Jersey style that’s nice and crispy! I loved the freshness of the basil, sweetness of the pineapple (without being too much like you’d find on a Hawaiian pizza), and @nueskes bacon
🍦 Soft serve swirl of vanilla and mint chocolate with sprinkles hit the spot, cooled off my mouth, and was the perfect end to a fun date night ❤️
A few quick tips:
✨ Make a reservation in advance on @exploretock
✨ Plan ahead for parking. If you’re lucky, there’s a lot behind the plaza.
✨ Call or order takeout on their website instead of Uber Eats, which is more expensive!
We’ll definitely be back soon to try more!
#pizzabruno #collegeparkfl #orlandoeats #orlandofoodie #orlandofood #orlandofoodblogger #orlandodining #orlandorestaurants
A weekday morning at the coffee shop ☕️💻 Where are your favorite places to work from? I have a list of local places to test out and will report back with my favorites! So far, Foxtail and @loboscoffeeroasters are great 💯
📷: @foxtailcoffeeco iced matcha lattes 🍵 & @swineandsons breakfast bowl 😋🌶️
#foxtailcoffee #winterparkfl #orlandocoffee #orlandoeats #swineandsons #matchalover #orlandolocal
First impressions of @ottoshighdive - your new neighborhood rum bar🍹
What we ordered:
✨ Guava Pastelito cocktail - Delicious and comes in a cute flamingo cup! 🦩 Would reorder
✨ Crab salad - The highlight of the meal - 10/10 recommend! Great portion
✨ Hearts of Palm (not pictured) - This was a delicious, fresh salad. Would definitely reorder
✨ Rollo de queso - This was much sweeter than we expected but very yummy
✨ Pan Con Timba - I loved the guava jam but wouldn’t reorder unless maybe I was with a larger group. So much bread! 😆
Additional thoughts:
✨ Think of it more as a bar with food than a restaurant
✨ Happy hour M-F 5-7pm
✨ Their frozen cocktails will be incredible for summer time
✨ The prices are high, however for the portions we received, it was worth it. I might not feel the same about the rice & beans dishes though…
✨ Beautiful space and design
✨ Loved the vibe
✨ Good service
✨ Definitely make a reservation or go when they first open
✨ Allow extra time for parking. They share the same lot as Sideward Brewing and Stasio’s.
#ottoshighdive #milkdistrict #rumbar #orlandoeats #orlandodining #orlandofoodie #orlandobars #orlandodrinks
About Ariana
Ariana is a food and drink connoisseur seeking her next memorable restaurant experience at home and around the world. She is a born-and-raised gourmet, detail-oriented planner, obsessive beauty collector and curious traveler.