OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
Sparrow, the Eurocentric wine bar and lounge by James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur Jason and Sue Chin, will soft-open May 19 at 807 N. Orange Ave., featuring a focused menu drawing on Spanish and European influences by Reyes Mezcaleria’s Wendy Lopez … Beignets & Brew, specializing in those pillowy choux pastry fritters, has opened in Hunter’s Creek at 2079 W. Town Center Blvd. In addition to the classic varieties such as Nutella, Cinna-Swirl and Turtle beignets are offered, as well as a savory chicken-and-beignets option. Look for another location to open in the old North Quarter Market at 885 N. Orange Ave. later this year … Grappolo Cucina Italiana, offering fresh-made pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, handmade dolci and more, has opened in the old Farm & Haus space at 526 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park. The owners also run a well-received restaurant in Surrey, England, called La Meridiana … Tiger Sugar, the uber-popular global boba tea chain, has opened next to Kori Dessert at 717 N. Mills Ave. …
Look for Halls on 5th to soft-open May 14 at 15 E. Fifth St. in Apopka, featuring such vendors as Butcher’s Nook, Empanada & Co., Parlor Waffle Kitchen, Soulicious Vegan, Sweet & Salty Island Grindz and Thrive Eatery … Tallahassee-based Lucky Goat Coffee will open at 4753 S. Orange Ave. in SoDo on May 15 … Over in Lakeland, the Dram House — a cocktail lounge where “bourbon leads the way” — has opened at 3234 S. Florida Ave. … Hummus House in Winter Park has closed after nearly a decade of serving its brand of fast-casual Mediterranean fare.
NEWS & EVENTS:
Aloma Cinema Grill has partnered with former Dexter’s of Winter Park chef-owner Adrian Mann to revamp the theater’s menu. ACG has also launched the Green Room Bar & Café, featuring many Dexter’s classics including the eggplant napoleon and grilled Colby cheeseburger … The Great Southern Box Co. will host Sip Happens — a bottomless wine event 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. In addition to bites provided by the food hall’s vendors, there will be live music. Tickets are $35-$65 … A Taste of Baldwin Park goes from 5-10 p.m. Thursday, May 22, with more than 50 restaurant and beverage vendors on hand. Tickets range from $60-$320. Visit tasteofbaldwin.eventbrite.com for more info.
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New Eurocentric wine bar Sparrow now in soft-opening mode in Orlando
This article appears in May 7-13, 2025.