OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
Amit Kumar, the man behind Indian mainstays Bombay Street Kitchen, Aashirwad and Tamarind, will open Sama, a multi-level, multi-concept, 8,000-square-foot behemoth on the land that housed Fuji Sushi and Dry Clean World on Lee Road in Winter Park. The ambitious venture will serve modern, innovative and uniquely plated Indian cuisine on the main floor, with a cool and trendy small plate concept upstairs. Look for it to open next year … Second location announcements: Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar has opened another location at 3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd. offering an indulgent ambience, bespoke cocktails and some of the best anticuchos and ceviches, much like the original location in Lake Nona … Sushi Saint, the high-end temaki bar by chef Michael Collantes, will open a second location at Icon Park this spring. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant will offer the same handrolls, dishes and cocktails as the downtown original but also fare exclusive to the tourist-sector haunt.
KungFu Kitchen, the superb noodle joint by Peter Song, will open a second location this May in the former Nine Spices Hot Pot space at 5320 S. Kirkman Road … Tiger Sugar, which happens to be one of my favorite boba tea joints anywhere (the brown sugar boba milk with cream mousse especially), will open its first Orlando location this year at 717 N. Mills Ave. in the same development as Kōri Bakery & Dessert in Mills 50. No word yet on an exact date … The Packwoods, a striking craft cocktail bar from Thriving Hospitality (Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen, Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery) is now open at Maitland Social, joining Wave Asian Bistro, Pizza Bruno and Foxtail Coffee inside the Horatio Avenue gastrohub. The 1,400-square-foot space focuses only on cocktails; food isn’t served … Cappadocia, the longtime Turkish restaurant at 565 N. Semoran Blvd., has been replaced by Star Gyros and Grill, which also serves Turkish staples.
NEWS & EVENTS:
Three-time James Beard Award nominee Jerome Grant of Mahal BBQ in Washington, D.C., and chef BJ Wright of Palm Beach Meats will collaborate on a multicourse dinner March 21 at Palm Beach Meats Orlando. Dubbed “Domino Club: A tasting journey through St. Croix with Caribbean and Filipino flavors,” the meal will draw inspiration from the iconic Montpelier Domino Club in St. Croix, exploring the island’s rich culinary heritage through a tasting experience blending Grant’s Afro-Filipino barbecue techniques with tropical island flavors. Cost is $180. Visit palmbeachmeats.com for the menu, tickets and more … The 3rd Annual Taste & Sip of Sanford in support of Picnic Project happens March 22 at the Sanford Civic Center with more than 20 food and beverage vendors on hand. Cost is $50 ($75 VIP). Visit tastesipsanford.com for more … Spring Fest goes from 12:30-6:30 p.m. March 23 at the House on Lang featuring food from Gentry’s BBQ, Oh My Dogs!, PhatAsh Bakes, Al’s Ice Cream Gelato and Peko-Peko. Adult bevs will be provided by Ten 10 Brewing and The Guesthouse. Admission is free.
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This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2025.