Great Dates Orlando

May Couple at Large Giveaway: Rosen Centre’s Vine & Dine Monthly Wine Dinner

WINNER CHOSEN. Congratulations Brad and Christina Reed!

Each month, Great Dates Orlando sends a different couple on an awesome date night. The pair becomes the "Couple at Large" and are charged with reporting back to readers the details of their night.  

May’s lucky couple will be heading to the Rosen Centre Hotel to take part in the monthly Vine & Dine wine pairing dinner series inside the renowned Everglades Restaurant.  Scheduled for Friday, May 17 at 6:30pm, this five-course feast will feature a wine pairing with each course all centered around this month’s theme: "It's All a Blend,” which will focus on fusion food and blended wines.  

Now in its seventh year, the Rosen Centre series invites foodies to bring their sense of adventure and their appetite to an epicurean affair designed to delight as well as educate. These events, which usually last three to four hours, feature a wine speaker who engages the attendees in casual conversation about the food and the wine during the five-course gourmet dinner.  

All Vine & Dine events begin with a welcome reception featuring wine or unique wine cocktail. Also expect wonderful raffle prizes including free bottles of wine and other wine gifts. The cost of each Vine & Dine dinner is $75 per person, plus tax and 20 percent gratuity. Valet parking is complimentary. With the exception of gratuity, Mays’ Couple at Large will be attending at no cost.  

TO ENTER: CONTEST CLOSED First, make sure you’re actually available to attend the Friday, May 17th Vine & Dine dinner. 

Second, leave a comment on this blog post that says "pick me!" You and your sweetie can each enter… double your chances.    

For extra entries, go to the Great Dates Orlando Facebook page and like the post announcing that this month's Couple at Large selection has begun. You can share that Facebook post for added entry but you need to come back to this blog post and leave a comment telling me that you shared. Because of privacy settings, I can’t see all shares.

The winner will be chosen on Friday, May 10th using the random number generator at Random.org. Watch your email that afternoon; that's how I'll be contacting the winner. I'll also be announcing the winner on Twitter.    

Good luck! 

 

By the way, you should follow GDO on Twitter and Facebook for even MORE great date night ideas!

 

 

Painting Date Night on Saturday, May 11

I’m hosting a Painting Date Night at Creative Canvas & Wine on Saturday, May 11 at 7pm and inviting 20 couples to come join me for this unique date night class when instead of working on individual paintings, you’ll create a side-by-side painting on two separate canvases (see image).    

Best of all, I’ve negotiated nearly 40% off the regular rate for this class.  

Guys… if you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for your significant other, look no further. This event will be an awesome pre-Mother’s Day surprise!  

Click here for more information and to pre-purchase your spots.

  

 

Maitland Art Center's 2013 Summer Concert Series

Image source

On Friday, May 10 at 7pm the Maitland Art Center will kick off its annual Summer Concert Series in the beautiful main garden located at 231 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland.

A perfect way to enjoy a summer evening under the stars, this series begins with Central Florida band The Hindu Cowboys, whose sound has been described as “rich with folk, traditional string band and organic corn-fed roots music all topped off with retro-country gravy.”  

Besides the live music, attendees can also enjoy delicious food by Shred-A-Bowl food truck and popcorn provided by Enzian. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a low-backed chair. A bar will be available for those who would like to purchase alcohol.  

Plan to visit the Art Center’s chapel and courtyard where you’ll hear literary readings from Maitland poets and writers. In addition, the main galleries will be open for guests to view the exhibitions.  

The Summer Concert Series will take place the second Friday of every month from May –September. Admission is $3 and free for A&H members.  

May 10: The Hindu Cowboys
June 14: Dan Jordan Quartet
July 12: Daniel Heitz & the Revelators
August 9: The Loria Brothers
September 13: The Master Blasters

For more information, phone 407-539-2181 or visit www.ArtandHistory.org. 

 

By the way, you should follow GDO on Twitter and Facebook for even MORE great date night ideas!

 

 

Orlando Restaurant Week, May 1 -31

Today marks the start of Orlando Weekly’s Restaurant Week, a month-long affair featuring three-course prix fixe menus at more than 20 local eateries, including The Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel, Oceanaire Seafood Room, Paxia, and Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine.

Lunch menus are priced at $10-$15, and dinners are $25-$35. No cards or coupons, just pursue through the restaurant menus listed here, make your reservation, and then show up to enjoy some cheap eats.

Much like Orlando Magical Dining Month (September), I find that these prix-fixe events allow Marc and I to check out new places without the full price tag. Knowing that this is their chance to showcase their restaurant, chefs typically do their best to put together enticing menus that will make you want to come back again and again.

For example, the menu for K Restaurant is particularly tantalizing, showcasing dishes like Florida ceviche, pan seared local seafood, and French toast bread budding for dessert all for $35! YUM!

Try, if you can, to use this opportunity to plan some cheaper date nights every weekend in May. You won’t regret it. 

Win Tickets to The Science of Wine, May 11

CONTEST CLOSED: Congratulations to Jim Matysik

One of the largest collections of wines of any Orlando event is coming to Orlando Science Center on Saturday, May 11, 2013. The Science of Wine is not just another wine tasting, but an oenological odyssey with presentations on multiple aspects of wine growing and wine tasting as well as the opportunity to sample more than 100 fine wines from the world’s most important wine regions. 

From 7 p.m.–10 p.m., there will be plentiful gourmet and casual food offerings to accompany the wide range of wine selections. Food partners include Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, SoNapa Grille, and MoonFish.

In addition, the Science Center will offer a wine knowledge-building seminar presented by Luis Torres, renowned wine educator from the Constellation Academy of Wine: “Cheese and Wine: Life Beyond the 'Wine and Cheese' Social Cocktail Party.” Also, Tim’s Wine Market will offer wine education stations that explore the elements of wine while guests sample and become educated.  

Tickets are available at $75 per person but you might WIN 2 TICKETS HERE!

To enter, simple leave a comment on this blog post with the name of your favorite wine. You and your sweetie can each enter… double your chances. 

The winner will be chosen on Wednesday, May 8 using the random number generator at Random.org. Watch your email that afternoon; that's how I'll be contacting the winner. I'll also be announcing the winners on Twitter. I am not able to announce winner's names on Facebook.

Good luck!

 

Two Events for Orlando Locavores

Local foodies take note: there are 2 wonderful events coming up in May that are sure to float your boat.

The Homegrown Food Festival

The first is a food truck night on Thursday, May 2, which will feature mobile chefs that are committed to using local farmers and artisans in their mobile meals. From 6pm – 9pm, you’ll be able to choose from the smorgasbord of options—some vegan, some gluten-free— from trucks like Curbside Chef, which utilizes locally grown aquaponic produce and herbs.

Soup to Nuts will be serving soups and grilled sandwiches that can be ordered gluten or dairy-free. Local Yolk'l will have their high-quality breakfast fare on hand. There will also be smoothies, fresh-baked treats, and vegan cupcakes.

The Homegrown Food Festival will take place at Homegrown Local Food Cooperative, 2310 N Orange Avenue, Orlando.

Farm to Table Dinner at the Winter Garden Harvest Festival

The second annual Winter Garden Harvest Festival will descend on Winter Garden’s downtown historic district on Saturday, May 4 with a full day of workshops, cooking demonstrations, tours, live music, and activities. There will be a famer’s market, a beer garden, and a stage where blues and bluegrass performers will help everyone kick up their heels.

But the item on the calendar I’m most excited about is the festival’s Farm To Table Dinner, which will take place from 7-9pm in Winter Garden's beautiful downtown pavilion. The ticketed dinner will highlight West Orange County’s talented chefs and farm-fresh ingredients from local producers. Sommelier selected wines, a signature spring cocktail and a handcrafted locally brewed beer will accompany the delicious, locally sourced cuisine.

Tickets, which are $75 each, include drinks, tax and gratuity, and help to support the festival and our local food movement.

 

This Weekend’s Wine and Beer Happenings

Thanks to a bevy of beer and wine happenings sprinkled over the entire weekend, there’s a very good chance you could keep your blood alcohol level above legal limits until it’s time to go back to work on Monday.

Winestock
Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
$30 in advance, $40 day of event and $75 for VIP (limited)
Cranes Roost Park (275 Cranes Roost Blvd. Altamonte Springs)
Sample an array of vino during Winestock at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. The festivities will include wine tastings and live music by Robert Harris and Blender.

Cruising for a Brewzin' Bike Pub Crawl Hop
Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m.
Free, but you buy your own drinks at each stop. 
Meet up at Lizzy McCormack's (55 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando)
Created by Orlando Bicycle Polo Club, this event invites pub crawlers to visit eight bars via bicycle.

Lake Mary Pour
Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m
$25
Colonial TownPark (932 Market Promenade Ave., Lake Mary)
The event will include craft beer, spirits, wine, live music and artwork.

Beer Bomb Bus Tour
Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m.
$25-$30
Begins at BART (1205 N. Mills Ave. Orlando)
A guided tour of area beer bars, including Hourglass Brewery, the Imperial in Sanford, Buster's Bistro, and BART.

 

Couple at Large: Griffin Cooking School Class

By Lauren Muench

** Each month, Great Dates Orlando sends a different couple on an awesome date night. This Couple at Large then shares their experience on the blog. For April, we sent Lauren Muench and her boyfriend, Justin, to The Griffin Cooking School at Grande Lakes' JW Marriott. Here’s what Lauren had to say about the experience:

Last weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity of attending a class presented by The Griffin Cooking School at Grande Lakes' JW Marriott. On the menu? SUSHI!

The event was held on Saturday, April 13 from 1-4pm in the Citron Restaurant located inside the beautiful JW Marriott hotel. In case you missed it, The Griffin Cooking School offers cooking classes once or twice a month. You can check out the schedule here. 

For our Sushi Class, we were presented with a packet outlining the order of events, a few sushi-making essentials, and of course, many of the sushi fix-ins.

Chef’s Takashi and Chau stood before us and explained a wide variety of information, including how to prepare sushi rice, where to purchase and how to filet the best sushi-grade fish, and finally, how to prepare our very own sushi rolls. Oh, and did I mention we were offered UNLIMITED WINE throughout the entire class? Definitely a bonus.

Our first roll that we learned how to prepare was a Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, made with rice, cucumber, and spicy tuna. I've never actually tried a hand roll before and I was pleasantly surprised. It was absolutely delicious and a wonderful start to the meal.

We were then instructed how to make a California roll, which would later transform into a Rainbow Roll. This was my absolute favorite roll of the class, made with lump crabmeat (no imitation krab here.), perfectly ripe avocado, and some of the freshest slices of sashimi I’ve honestly ever had.

Our final roll that we learned how to prepare was a Vegetable roll. Justin and I kind of cheated and added the remaining spicy tuna and sashimi slices to this roll. Making the various types of rolls was definitely the highlight of the class for both of us.

After we were stuffed beyond belief, then came the sake tasting. They provided us with 8 different types of sake to sample. Yes... eight different types of sake. We were definitely a fun crowd by the time this class was finished.

The Griffin Cooking School Sushi Class was one of the most fun and interesting things I have ever done. Justin and I have always wanted to learn how to make sushi and I felt like this class was perfect for us. Takashi and the rest of the Griffin Cooking School staff were extremely helpful and informative and offered assistance throughout the entire class to anyone who needed it (ahem… like myself).

Justin and I could not stop talking about how fun this class was and how we would have gladly spent the money to attend. I feel like this was the perfect date activity because it was something so different than anything we have ever done and it was fun getting to learn something new together.

I would absolutely recommend these classes for any couple looking to have a great time and try something fun and different. Thank you Kristen and Great Dates Orlando for this amazing opportunity.

Win Tickets to the 2013 Great American Pie Festival, April 27 & 28

CONTEST CLOSED. Congratulations to Lucas Hueneke... you win the 2 tickets to the Great American Pie Festival.

Image source

For the 12th year in a row, the town of Celebration will become a pie Mecca for the thousands of pie lovers, tasters and bakers that will be descending on this “Pleasantville” town for the Great American Pie Festival (April 27 & 28).

As always, the highlight of the event will be the Never-Ending Pie Buffet, packed with award-winning pie, ice cream, toppings, cheeses and beverages.  

Besides a hearty appetite, you’ll need to bring $10 to access the Never Ending Pie Buffet… unless you’re the lucky couple to win a pair of tickets here.

To enter, simple leave a comment on this blog post with the name of your favorite pie. You and your sweetie can each enter… double your chances.

The winner will be chosen on Thursday, April 25 using the random number generator at Random.org. Watch your email that afternoon; that's how I'll be contacting the winner. I'll also be announcing the winners on Facebook and Twitter. 

Good luck!

2013 Great American Pie Festival
Lakeside Park  
631 Sycamore St., Celebration, FL  
Saturday, April 27 11AM-7PM  
Sunday, April 28  12PM-5PM
www.piecouncil.org/Events/GreatAmericanPieFestival

 

By the way, you should follow GDO on Twitter and Facebook for even MORE great date night ideas!

 

 

Kings Orlando Combines the Club and Bowling

By Justin Braun

Going bowling is a great date night idea but decrepit and often-creepy local lanes ruin the mood. Not so at Kings, Orlando’s classiest adults-only alley, sports bar, restaurant, and lounge. 

This 30,000 square-foot International Drive hotspot has everything...

• 22 ten-pin bowling lanes
• Four full-size billiards tables
• A regulation-size, outdoor Bocce ball court
• Regulation shuffleboard table
• 60+ TV’s and HD projector screens

Don't think for a second you'll be munching on stale popcorn or greasy pizza; the menu is loaded with tempting bites including five different kinds of sliders and seven different burgers, plus an entree list with gourmet options like pan roasted scallops and Cajun seared grouper.

Kings didn't skimp on the dessert and drinks’ list either; items like Guinness Ice Cream Floats and giant bowls of Kings Sangria let visitors know that King's knows how to party.  

Expect a clubby atmosphere created by the thumping tunes, dress code, velvet-roped line, and complimentary valet service, all of which will make you see that this joint is anything but your typical bowling alley. 

Kings Bowl Orlando is located on I-Drive behind Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Charley’s Steakhouse
8255 South International Drive, Orlando
Open Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. and Friday – Sunday 11 – 2 a.m.