OPENINGS
Reyes Mezcaleria, by Jason and Sue Chin (Osprey Tavern, Seito Sushi Baldwin Park) is in soft opening mode ... Small-batch bakery DG Doughnuts (Damn Good Doughnuts) has opened on West Colonial Drive in Oakland ... The owner of the now-closed Maria Bonita Mexican & Cuban Restaurant has opened Marita's Latin Bites on East Colonial Drive near the Econ Trail ... The Waterfront has opened in the old Julie's Waterfront space on South Orange Avenue. Matt Wall, formerly of North Quarter Tavern, is helping out in the kitchen ... Burton's Bar, under new ownership, will reopen later this month in Thornton Park ... New brewery Ellipsis Brewing will open on TPC Boulevard near Orlando International Airport this summer.
CLOSINGS
Mucho Tequila and Tacos in Thornton Park will close May 7 (that's after Cinco de Mayo, natch) and be replaced by Muddy Waters, a NOLA-inspired resto by Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar owners Bernard Caramouche and Larry Sinibaldi ... Portobello Restaurant in Disney Springs has closed and will reopen this fall with a new concept and a new name.
NEWS/EVENTS
Ruth's Chris Steak House's vice president of culinary development, Abdiel Aleman, will prepare dinner at Second Harvest Food Bank's Chef's Night Series. Their "Year of the Steak" culminates with a meal inspired by recipes from a dinner at the James Beard House celebrating Ruth's Chris' 50th anniversary ... Three master sommeliers – George Miliotes, John Blazon and Brian Koziol – and James Beard Award winner Norman Van Aken will gather for a wine dinner at 1921 in Mount Dora Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. Cost is $175 ... Cuba Libre has overhauled its menu; Marlow's Tavern has a new spring menu; and Nova Restaurant will debut its spring/summer menu next week ... Struggling restaurant owners might want to attend the Food Service Social Media Bootcamp Sunday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the UCF Rosen School of Hospitality. Cost is $297.
Got restaurant dish? Send tips to