Curry Ford Road
The early footprints of the new Hourglass District concept have only punctuated the nascent energy that's already been rising in this unassuming local stretch. In recent years, this old Orlando corridor has become surprisingly diverse in cuisine, with noteworthy newcomers joining established favorites of every cuisine: Italian (Pizza Bruno), Mexican (La Fiesta, Cilantro's Taqueria, Los Generales), Cuban (Zaza New Cuban Diner), Mediterranean (Theo's Kitchen, JJ's Grille) and Vietnamese (Pho and Roll). On the beverage side, Ocean Sun Brewing, Roque Pub, the newly reopened Claddagh Cottage, Foxtail Coffee and the upcoming opening of Hourglass Brewing distinguish the strip. Collectively, it's become an unlikely and organic frontier for accessible quality food and drink.
1. Valhalla Bakery, valhallabakery.com
2. Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com
3. Buttermilk Bakery, buttermilk-bakery.com
1. 4 Rivers Smokehouse, 4rsmokehouse.com
2. Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa, pigfloyds.com
3. Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, bubbalous.com
Namesake beers for local bands at Ten10 Fest
Live music at a brewery isn't exactly a new concept, but Ten10 Brewing Co. on Virginia Drive went a step beyond for their Ten10 Fest this past October. In addition to inviting 10 mostly local bands to throw an all-day hootenanny in their back parking lot, they invited five of those bands to brew their own signature suds to serve. From American Party Machine's Fireball cinnamon whiskey-inspired red ale to Fat Night's hibiscus-infused pale ale, the variety of brews gave the festival a little extra local love that we hope to see replicated again.
1. The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com
2. Dexter's, dextersorlando.com
3. Maxine's on Shine, maxinesonshine.com
1. Keke's Breakfast Cafe, kekes.com
2. Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com
3. Briar Patch, thebriarpatchrestaurant.com
1. Santiago's Bodega, santiagosbodega.com
2. Briar Patch, thebriarpatchrestaurant.com
3. Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com
1. Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com
2. Graffiti Junktion, graffitijunktion.com
3. Beth's Burger Bar, bethsburgerbar.com
1. DaJen Eats, dajeneats.com
2. Caribbean Sunshine Bakery, caribbeansunshinebakery.net
3. Golden Krust, goldenkrust.com
1. Gringos Locos, gringoslocos.com
2. Black Bean Deli, blackbeandeli.com
3. Yellow Dog Eats, yellowdogeats.com