Kona Grill Grand Opening in Winter Park, FL

I was invited to the grand opening of Kona Grill in Winter Park last week. Located in a new shopping center along 17-92, Kona Grill is a welcome addition to Winter Park's collection of restaurants.

Because you want to know, here's what Kona Grill has to say about themselves:

WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 21, 2016) - Winter Park's already outstanding dining scene just got even better with the opening of the new Kona Grill. Located in the Lakeside Crossing shopping center, Kona Grill offers a modern American menu, sushi bar and signature drinks - perfect after a day of holiday shopping along Park Avenue. Kona Grill is sure to be a favorite after-work gathering spot, for its happy hour (Monday-Friday from 3 pm-7 pm) and reverse happy hour (Monday-Thursday from 9 pm-11pm and Friday-Saturday from 10 pm-midnight).

This is the first Kona Grill in Central Florida, and company's fourth location in Florida. The publicly-traded company (NASDAQ: KONA) operates 44 restaurants in 23 states.

About Kona Grill:
Kona Grill features a global menu of contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty cocktails in an upscale casual atmosphere. Kona Grill owns and operates 44 restaurants, guided by a passion for quality food and exceptional service. Restaurants are located in 23 states and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.konagrill.com

A sushi buffet was set up for the grand opening where I was able to sample various types of rolls and sashimi. A large ice sculpture was the centerpiece of the sushi table.

There was tuna, salmon, yellowtail, California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, and more. All tasted fresh and delicious.

Yellowtail:

Potstickers were also delicious.

Portobello & Goat Cheese Flatbread - Tomato sauce, parmesan, spinach, mozzarella, sun-dried tomato, red onion, and basil.

Big Kahuna Cheeseburger - caramelized onion, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, brioche, homemade pickle spear.

Macadamia Nut Chicken - House mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, shoyu cream, and pineapple-papaya marmalade.

Miso-Sake Sea Bass - Shrimp & pork fried rice and pan-Asian ratatouille.

Passion Fruit Creme Brulee:

Carrot Cake:

TR Fire Grill Grand Opening in Winter Park, FL

I was invited to the grand opening of TR Fire Grill in Winter Park. This is another of the newly opened restaurants to go into the slowly developing Ravaudage shopping area at the intersection of 17-92 and Lee Road. Of the three restaurants which are currently open there, TR Fire Grill definitely seems to be the most upscale. At the grand opening event, sample sized portions of various menu items were being served. The following are some of the highlights:

Pulled Pork Tacos:

Hawaiian Ahi Tuna:

Prime Rib Egg Roll and Prime Rib:

Shrimp & Grits:

Deviled Egg, Meatball, Salad, Macaroni & Cheese, and Seared Cauliflower.

Pumpkin Cheesecake:

Buttery Seared Lemon Pound Cake:

Wonuts: These are the menu item I was looking most forward to trying. The wonuts were a cross between a waffle and a doughnut, dipped in chocolate and topped with powdered sugar. They didn't quite taste like a waffle or a doughnut. They were somewhere in between and were nowhere as sweet as I was expecting. These are only served at the restaurant during Sunday brunches.

I liked what I tasted at TR Fire Grill. I did notice that much of the non-dessert food was pretty spicy compared to what I find at most restaurants. I personally was a fan of the spice, but it was overwhelming for the person I ate here with. I wonder what the spice tolerance of the general public is? Regardless, TR Fire Grill seems like a nice addition to Winter Park!

Provisions & Buzz Co. Grand Opening in Baldwin Park, FL

I was invited to the grand opening of Provisions & Buzz Co. This restaurant is located along New Broad Street in Baldwin Park and was formerly Jack's Steakhouse. The decor of Provisions & Buzz Co. seems to be loosely themed around bees. There were hexagonal honeycomb designs hanging on the walls of the restaurant. Bees appeared on the menu, jars of honey were given as parting gifts, and the obvious Buzz in the restaurant's name.

Small, sample size bites of many of the menu items were served at the grand opening. The Tuna Tartare was one of my favorites. It was topped with avocado, pickled cucumbers, micro greens, wonton chips, and sweet soy.

Crostini: The bread was a little too hard for my liking, but the tomato topping did have a very nice garlic flavor.

Cheese Puffs: Lightly fried pillows, filled with fontina cheese and crispy pancetta. These were good. They resembled tater tots in size and appearance from the outside, but were filled with cheesy deliciousness inside.

Pork Shank: Braised served over soft goat cheese polenta with roasted garlic and onion gravy.

Caramelized Onion and Smoked Gouda Quesadillas: I liked the smokey flavor of the cheese in these quesadillas.

Tempura Shrimp: Tempura fried then tossed with spicy honey aioli. I guess the honey aioli brought us back to the restaurant's bee theme.

Drinks were also offered at the grand opening to accompany the food. Here's an Earl Grey Martini:

OLV Café Grand Opening

I was sent some information on a new restaurant called OLV Cafe that opens tomorrow in SoDo. I thought I'd share in case anyone is interested. I'll need to give them a try soon!

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 21, 2009) – OLV Café announced today it will celebrate its grand opening on Monday (Aug. 24). This contemporary, swanky and fun café/bistro is designed to be Southeast Orlando’s newest restaurant and social gathering place.

“We are excited to announce the beginning of a brand new kind of restaurant experience in Orlando. OLV Café is more than just a restaurant -- it is Sodo’s new hip destination,” said Michael Buell, a partner on the project. “As Sodo’s newest addition, OLV Café is positioned to be a premiere social gathering place, offering great food and good times--morning, noon and night.”

The café/bistro will be open for lunch and dinner, offering coffee all day with a great selection of beer and wine in the evening. Its eclectic menu will bring a unique blend of tastes from around the world.

“From our she-crab bisque or smoked duck confit for lunch to tuna ceviche with avocado-tomato salsa and crispy tortilla for dinner, OLV Café’s dishes are unlike anything being offered in the area,” said Humberto Perez, owner of OLV Café.

OLV Café wants to create the perfect place to meet friends for coffee, conduct business meetings or meet collegues for a drink after work. Its will feature free WiFi and high-tech multi-screen entertainment to help people stay connected during the day and night.

OLV Café will open from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to Midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday. The new bistro/café is located at 25 W. Crystal Lake Drive Suite 175, Orlando, Florida 32806 in the Sodo shopping plaza.

For more information on OLV Cafe, call (407) 722-5060 or visit www.olvcafe.com.