Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

We always like to report on new places and new experiences and restaurants are among our favorite topics! Today, we take a look at a relatively new restaurant in Downtown Kissimmee… Savion’s Place.

Savion’s Place occupies the space recently vacated by the popular Chef John’s restaurant on E. Dakin Avenue.  Chef John’s has moved to Pleasant Hill Road in case you’re wondering but replacing it is Chef Pouchon’s Savion’s Place. The first thing to note is that the restaurant isn’t a huge big place. It’s small and because of that, the chef is able to provide a superb menu with real care and attention to detail. There are daily specials and all of them are delicious and very tasty.

Reviewing great food and dining experiences always brings something different and this little restaurant is no different. If you’re in Kissimmee on vacation sometimes you just want to get away from the pool at your Florida Leisure vacation home and enjoy a meal elsewhere. We know it’s tempting to stay in for meals all the time because you can spend a small fortune buying breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily snacks when you eat out, but sometimes it’s just worth it! Most of our guests end up visiting the chain restaurants on US 192 or even taking the 20 minute journey to some of the truly excellent  restaurants on restaurant row on Sand Lake Road but now it’s possible to find better quality food just 10 to 15 minutes away in Kissimmee!

The menu is very reasonably priced and because of that it attracts a lot of its custom from residents rather than tourists. With that, you get a better overall experience as the service level is much much better than you’ll find in the tourist trap. Sorry, that may be harsh, but it’s true and we see it as our job to tell you the truth so you can have the best vacation experience while you’re with us!

We’re always very cautious when reviewing a new restaurant, particularly one that is privately owned, but we have checked out Savion’s Place three times over the last two months and we’re pleased to be able to recommend it for it’s great food. As you can see from the menu photographs above, there is a great variety of choice. Some established favorites appear with Chef Pouchon’s twist on them. Notably, we highly recommend the pork rib eye. A simply superb dish that sees the pork marinated in the chef’s special sauce for a full 48 hours before it is served to guests. If you’ve never had pork that melts in the mouth before, here’s your chance.

But, we get ahead of ourselves! To start your meal you have a variety of choice but we recommend the lobster bisque and the mussels from the specials board when they are on. For entrees, we’ve already covered the pork but the special seafood pasta is simply exquisite. Nice and light but also very filling with a really nice touch of a small crab cake added on top. If you’re looking for something really light, then the steak salad is excellent and the stuffed chicken breast is also delicious. We also have good reports of the meatloaf and the steak choices while the jambalaya seemed popular among guests the second time we visited.

If you’ve only got time for lunch, then check out the pulled pork sandwich or the crab cake sandwich. The Philly cheesesteak and 1/2 pound burgers will keep you going through the afternoon and if you still have room, make a bee line for the molten chocolate cake or the key lime pie for dessert.

One thing we do need to caution you about is the fact the restaurant is small and it can fill up quickly. Reservations are recommended as the restaurant only seats around 30 people indoors and if the weather is co-operating, around another dozen outside.The phone number is 407 572 8719.

Enjoy!

Every once in a while Orlando turns up another gem and that’s one of the reasons why Central Florida is such a great place to visit.  There’s always something new and just recently we got to try out one of the newest restaurant additions for 2012. Fogo de Chão (pronounced “Fo-Go-Dee-Shoun”) is  an authentic Southern Brazilian steakhouse, founded in 1979 in Port Alegre, Brazil, situated on International Drive close to the Orlando County Convention Center.

Fogo de Chão has been named one of Zagat’s top U.S. restaurants and it opened in the City Beautiful in March this year. The restaurant’s dining experience is based upon the centuries old gaucho tradition known as churrasco, the art of roasting meats over an open charcoal fire. A prix fixe menu features freshly grilled meats carved tableside, as well as an extensive salad bar and authentic Brazilian sides.

The food is absolutely delicious and while the meats maybe the main focus, the gourmet salad and sides bar, with more than 30 selections,is a fabulous way to start your meal. A word of warning: we were warned to pace ourselves and we can vouch that that advice is absolutely spot on. The temptation is to wade in and load your plate with smoked salmon, sun dried tomatoes,hearts of palm, tabbouleh salad, jumbo asparagus, cured meats, artisan breads, imported cheeses and so much more but that is a fatal mistake. Instead, we would advise just taking some nibbles…. and giving yourself plenty of time to eat before go back for more!

The reason for holding back a little soon becomes clear. As you sit down at your table, the first thing you’ll notice is a red/green double sided disc. This plays a very important part in your meal. Initially it will have the red side for “Stop” facing upwards and the moment you turn it over to show the green side for “Go” you’ll encounter a meat barrage as 16 different cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork each make their way to your table. Frankly, it’s just great entertainment to have the gaucho chefs approaching you with their wares but there does come a point where you want it to stop for a moment and you can only achieve that by turning your disc back to red!

It is important to understand that you, the guest, can dictate both the pace and the portions of your dining experience to get the most from it. The gaucho staff are extremely friendly and they walk around the restaurant ready to meet your every need. Give them a chance and you’ll soon find that you’re absolutely full of food!

To compliment the fabulous food the restaurant offers a 200 label wine list that has received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence …no mean feat. Of course, there is a full bar service as well and we’d recommend sampling the Caipirinha if you’ve never had one before.  The drink is made from the Brazilian liquor cachaca and you have several choices to pick from.

While the menu and service are traditional, the architectural elements of the restaurant are strikingly contemporary, with a rich palette of terracotta,oxblood red, tan and cream. Red clay roof accents and crisp, black awnings frame the restaurant’s centerpiece, a multi-storied, cobalt blue tile entrance with a glass enclosed open flame rotisserie at its foundation. Interiors are starched, white linens, warm woods, amber hued chandeliers and colorful wall murals depicting the gaucho culture and lifestyle.

The 12,000 square foot restaurant has seating for 400 guests and offers five private and semi-private dining rooms for group events, meetings and wedding celebrations. There is also an outdoor patio area that features stone floors, exposed wood beams and teak planters.

The food is the main event though and the concept of Fogo de Chão makes dining a lot of fun. Once you’ve enjoyed the extravaganza of the 16 different cuts of slow roasted meats, yes,you really can do them all, you then can enjoy one of the excellent desserts on offer. There is a great choice but the restaurant’s signature dessert is Papaya Cream, made with fresh papaya, vanilla ice cream and Creme de Cassis liqueur. Other options include South American flan, creme brulee, turtle cheesecake, molten chocolate cake and key lime pie.

Fogo de Chão is a great night out. It’s not the cheapest place to dine though and it is on par with some of Orlando’s other fine steakhouse experiences. For me, it’s simply better than virtually all of them. Not only is the food absolutely phenomenal, it is simply a fabulous experience as you get to try out many different styles of meat. The dream of two sets of brothers from Southern Brazil has now extended to Central Florida and it’s a very welcome addition. I’m already looking forward to a return visit!

Fogo de Chão is located at 8282 International Drive, a quarter mile south of Sand Lake Road and about a mile north of the Orange County Convention Center.

Operation hours and pricing is as follows:

Lunch $26.50 (Monday to Thursday: 12.00pm to 2.30pm, Friday 12.00pm to 3pm.)

Sunday lunch: 12.00pm to 3.00pm $35.50

Dinner $42.40 (Monday to Thursday: 5.00pm to 10.00pm, Friday and Saturday: 5.00pm to 11.00pm, Sunday: 5.30pm to 9.30pm.)

There is also a Salad bar only option – $19.50

Children five years of age and under enjoy complimentary dining. Children 6 to 10 years of age dine at half the prices listed above.

Beverages, desserts, taxes and gratuity are additional.

More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com and here’s some video:

Exotic cocktails will pair like a tropical daydream with fresh new tastes from more than one island paradise at the 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort. The one-of-a-kind 45-day festival serves up international cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents, with more than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails.

Marketplace tasting menus offer variety and adventure for guests on a mission to tantalize their taste buds during a scenic stroll around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon. The adventure can take them to the festival’s first Hawaii marketplace, which will cook up Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips to team with a refreshing Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona Longboard or Pipeline beer. A new Caribbean Islands marketplace will serve ropa vieja with rice and jerk-spiced chicken with mango salsa. A beverage menu featuring a frozen Dragon Berry Colada and frozen Rock Coconut Mojito is sure to conjure steel-drum fantasies.

With a swing across the Atlantic, guests will be transported to the new Portugal marketplace, where the Portugal Wine Bar will offer best sips to pair with calamari salad with olives and smoked paprika. The Scandinavia marketplace will return after a hiatus with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer. And the Canada marketplace will introduce a sweet treat: apple ice wine.

Disney and celebrity chefs will team with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to get the party started Sept. 30. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:

* Three new tasting marketplaces — Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal — plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces
* Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.
* First-ever HGTV home entertaining seminars each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
* The Cranberry Bog display by Craisins telling the story behind the venerable cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
* Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
* Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Festival guests can make a day of circumnavigating the World Showcase Promenade, grazing and sipping as they go. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines, cocktails and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. For quicker marketplace visits, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be worn on a wristband and loaded and reloaded at several park locations.

Live daily entertainment showcases many cultures with music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade. Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres. Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are The Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Fan favorite Taylor Dayne kicks off the festival Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and crowd pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wraps the event Nov. 11-13.

The festival attracts a diverse audience — from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include:

* The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
* More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.
* A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
* Popular returning events that include First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29; Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar; and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery.
* The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event beginning Oct. 8 and with a new Saturday evening time of 7:30-10 p.m. featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment presented by Cirque du Soleil.

Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions and the celebrated return of “Captain EO,” the classic musical 3-D production starring Michael Jackson in a rare big-screen performance. In World Showcase, new and recently updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

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Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been awarded the AAA Five-Diamond Award, the highest AAA honor for a restaurant. This is the 11th year (first awarded in 2000), and V&A’s is the only restaurant in Central Florida and one of only three in Florida, along with L’Escalier and The Restaurant at the Four Seasons, both in Palm Beach. Only 55 restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico made the 2011 list.

The leadership team at Victoria & Albert’s are manager and sommelier Israel Perez, chef Scott Hunnel  (pictured above) and master pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek.

The restaurant is one of the best in Central Florida and certainly the best choice for special occasions. The menu is modern American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seasonal products.

AAA evaluates more than 60,000 hotels and eateries annually. The ratings are given on a scale of one to five diamonds. Five-diamond properties are the premier establishments in the U.S.

We’ve been getting quite a lot of rainy cold weather in the last week and visiting the theme parks is never as much fun when conditions are like this. Sure, you can still have a wonderful time but there are other places to go and to see that can bring just as much enjoyment and excitement. Shopping is one of those things you can do when the rain comes down and a visit to Florida Mall will get you dancing up and down at some of the great bargains there are to be had in the Orlando area.

The Florida Mall is a large enclosed shopping mall  in Orlando and it first opened its doors in 1986.  It is widely recognized as one of the premier shopping experience destinations in the area and is located close to many of the Orlando attractions including Walt Disney World,  Seaworld and Universal Orlando.

The mall  is situated on the southeast corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road and features over 250 stores, and includes some of the biggest names imaginable as its main anchors. Macy’s, Dillard’s, Sears, JC Penny, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom can all be found at Florida Mall as well as The Florida Hotel.

At nearly 2,000,000 square feet, it stands as one of the largest single-story malls in the United States and it’s here that you’ll find fabulous fashion, exceptional eateries and some delightful diversions.  There’s plenty of parking and  many opportunities to relax and refresh the mind and body. It’s a great place to visit no matter the weather so make sure it’s on your hit list when you’re in Orlando. Here’s some video to give you a preview…

Well today marks the last day of the year and it’s always fun to look back and reflect on some of the things that happened and what interested most people. That’s why we’ve taken a look at our YouTube.com/FloridaLeisure channel to see exactly what were the most popular videos from over 100 that we made in 2010.

Coming in at No. 10 is the Fun Spot video… this is the video featuring the two great fun parks in the Orlando area…one on International Drive and the other on US 192 at Old Town.

At No. 9 is the Sea World Up Close VIP Dolphin Encounter… a great way to get up close and personal with the dolphins at SeaWorld.

At No. 8 is the LPGA Golf video featuring the exciting finish to the tour when six of the ladies were in close competition for the leading titles in the World here in Orlando.

No 7 is the video from the AARP conference that came to Orlando in September and features part of Peter Greenberg’s talk on how to travel and save money.

No 6 is the visit I made to Disney’s Animal Kingdom… one of the more popular theme parks and evidence of that comes from the number of views the video attracted.

No 5 is the video featuring the World’s capital for water skiing. This was a video I made after calling in at the Water Skiing Hall of Fame…I’d often driven by the place but never stopped…I didn’t know what I’d been missing!

No 4 is the video I made featuring the opening day at the new Amway Arena here in Orlando… it’s the new home of the Orlando Magic and many of the concerts that come to town… a great place to visit to take in a game or listen to some great artists.

No 3 is the Restaurant Row video I put together after visiting the Sand Lake Road area of Orlando. This area really is a great place to visit and some of the best food in Florida can be found here…and you bet the place will be heaving tonight…New Year’s Eve!

Coming in at the No. 2 spot is the Discovery Cove video. A lot of people wonder about the experience at Dolphin Cove and this video goes behind the scenes and shows you everything you need to know.

And the No. 1 video for 2010 is the Hotel or Vacation Rental Home video with over 30,000 views showing just how popular vacation rental homes have now become. This video explains the differences and cost savings between vacation rental homes and hotels and points out that no matter whether you are visiting on business or pleasure, a vacation home really is the best choice for a more relaxing and enjoyable time that saves you real money into the bargain!

Hope you’ve enjoyed our review of the Top 10 Florida Leisure videos for 2010 and please do visit YouTube.com/FloridaLeisure to seee some of the videos that didn’t quite make the list… there’s a lot to choose from such as the SeaWorld Penguin Up Close VIP Encounter, the Harry Potter section at Island’s of Adventure and the Lego Imagination Center at Downtown Disney.

Have a wonderful evening tonight and here’s looking forward to a great 2011 and the chance to create more memories!

Last night we were privileged and honored to be able to attend the 2010 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction at the Ballroom at Church Street in Orlando. The evening was opened by Event Chair, Chris Hurn and proved to be a great success as several of the areas leading chefs prepared many special dishes for guests to sample. In fact, some of the gourmet food was so good that many folks returned time and time again to their favorite tables to get yet more of the delicious offerings… and I have to confess, I had a big weakness for the chocolate strawberries!

Heidi Hatch & Nigel Worrall

Nick Anderson & Nigel Worrall

In addition to the Signature Chefs, each table saw the addition of a Celebrity Sous Chef who was added to the mix to make wandering around the ballroom all the more special. The local news channels were covered well as Fox 35′s Heidi Hatch (above left) and Tom Johnson joined Wesh 2′s Martha Sugalski, Tony Mainolfi, Guy Rawlings and Jim Payne for the evening. Other local celebrities were Orlando Magic legend Nick Anderson (above right), author Sally Hogshead and Harris Rosen while local radio was covered with personalities Jayde Donovan from XL 106.7, Adam Alexander from 1059 Sunny FM and Daniel Dennis from Monsters in the Morning Show who completed the line up.

The main function of the night, however, was to raise as much money as possible for the March of Dimes cause. Auctioneer extraordinaire Jim Ferrell (above left) did a magnificent job, despite losing his voice at times, and we saw some great bidding on both silent auction and the main auction items. All in all, a great deal of money was raised to help families like the Hoffman’s of Weston, Florida (above right) who were introduced to us all as the March of Dimes National Ambassador Family and the Campbell’s who are Central Florida’s Ambassador Family.

The evening was rounded off as Executive Chef Larry Sinibaldi of The Palm Restaurant ran out as the favorite chef of the night and collected the Bob Mervine Award in the process. Enjoy the video…

Dining Delights in Orlando this week features P.F. Chang’s at the Mall of Millenia. The Mall of Millenia is located at Conroy Road and offers an extraordinary experience, for those of us who call Orlando home or those visiting Orlando for business or pleasure. There’s a dazzling selection of international stores and an exceptional collection of retailers all presented in a high class environment of dramatic architecture and amenities.

There are some fabulous places to dine and to enjoy a culinary experience. P.F. Chang’s is one of those places and it serves superb American Chinese cuisine from a menu that was originally conceived and planned by chef Philip Chiang. For those that don’t know, “P. F. Chang’s” is the namesake of Paul Fleming (P. F.) and Philip Chiang, whose surname is simplified to Chang.

The first thing that strikes you is the vibrant atmosphere as you enter the restaurant. If there’s a recession going on you simply wouldn’t know it when you walk into this place. People are everywhere and all of them are enjoying the company of friends and relatives while having an exceptional culinary experience.

The thing that makes Chang’s work is that the menu offers so much but it is kept all so simple. There’s nothing complicated or ridiculously expensive. It’s simply excellent food at an affordable price. P. F. Chang’s also caters for those who are vegetarian or who have to follow a gluten -free diet. In fact, it is one of the few restaurant chains that offers a dedicated gluten-free menu to diners.

The restaurant has a charming upscale ambiance and apart from its excellent menu it has a great wine list to boot. If you are looking for a great place to visit when you are next in Orlando…put P.F. Chang’s on your list of places to visit. Here’s a short video…

To kick off the Dining Delights in Orlando series, we are making Taverna Opa Greek restaurant our first port of call. The restaurant is located at Pointe Orlando on International Drive. The official address is 9101 International Dr Ste 2240 Orlando, FL 32819 and the phone number for reservations is 407 -351-8660

In addition to the main dining room – Santorini, the outside Elios covered patio and the Mythos bar, there is a private dining room called the Creta room that can seat 100 people. It’s perfect for hosting meetings and private events.

Taverna Opa is a fun place. It’s here you’ll experience some great food, a great range of wines, drinks and beverages as well as watching plates get broken and napkins waved in the air.  The marriage of traditional with modern is what this Greek restaurant promotes and it claims to be the most rapidly expanding concept in the U.S.

There is live entertainment in the form of belly dancing and the casual atmosphere makes for a relaxed meal. You have a choice of dining indoors or out and you’ll find the menu packed with delicious offerings that will make you want more than is really good for you!

The Orlando Sentinel says “The Greek dishes here are authentic, of high quality and served in ample portions. If you love good Greek food, and aren’t opposed to having a good time while you eat it, you should experience Taverna Opa.”

Can’t say I disagree with any of that. The menu  offers an assortment of traditionally prepared dishes of fresh seafood, premium cut meats, and a unique wine selection to complement the menu.  This unique take on dining incorporates celebration and good times to a delicious Mediterranean menu.

Jump in the Zorba, their traditional line dance, or dance alongside the belly dancer while a confetti of napkins surrounds you.  As the hours pass the night transcends to a more sophisticated nightlife, led by the live DJ spinning a variety of Greek, Spanish, and Top 40 Hits and remember, the night’s not over until the ouzo runs out!

Price Guide:  $15 to $35 (Price Range for Main Course)