Cover Story
Best of Orlando 2015 Royal Proclamation
Hear ye, hear ye! All kings, queens, knights, nobles and peasants are invited to take part in Orlando Weekly’s annual celebration of royal proportions. In this year’s issue, we have crowned royalty in each of our six fiefdoms: Local Color, Goods and Services, Food and Drink, Arts and Culture, Music and Nightlife, and Sports and…
9 killer rum cocktails for National Rum Day, Aug. 16
It’s time to gird up for yet another “National Whatever Day” – but we won’t hold the onslaught of made-up holidays against National Rum Day – Sunday, Aug. 16 – because rum cocktails are just too much fun. (Not to mention perfect drinking in our climate, especially this time of year.) We’ve gone straight to the…
Mad Cow Theatre examines race and gentrification in the Tony Award-winning ‘Clybourne Park’
Many of us don’t go a day without seeing something in the news about race relations. These issues have been going on for decades, as can be seen in Bruce Norris’ Tony Award-winning Clybourne Park, which debuts at Mad Cow this weekend. The play begins in 1959 as a white, middle-class neighborhood called Clybourne Park is…
Local artist SKIP asks: Have you seen my banana?
If you attended last month’s Cardboard Art Festival, you saw it: a gigantic yellow banana constructed by B-Side Artist SKIP. Titled “Franchise: El Tercer Mundo,” it was not, as we had originally hoped, a Velvet Underground tribute; it was a political statement on the exploitation of the worker (note the poor squished Chiquita lady under the behemoth…
Pop punk thoroughbreds Face to Face make a three-night run for the Triple Crown at the Social
Similar to what Alkaline Trio recently did with their limited four-show, career-spanning club stands, California pop-punk legacy band Face to Face returns with their own live extravaganza of an intimate multi-night run that spotlights their pacesetting, golden-era material. As one of only about a handful of cities to receive the deluxe “Triple Crown” series residency,…
Orlando Nerd Fest returns with four days of music in nerdy natural habitats Orlando Science Center and the Geek Easy
Orlando Nerd Fest dazzled and drew geeks from all over during its successful first iteration last year, and now it’s back with new combo moves sure to delight local nerdy elitists. With a packed lineup featuring some of the most recognizable names in nerdcore (MC Chris, Nuclear Bubble Wrap) along with some of our favorite…
Chris Hardwick brings his Nerdist brand of comedy to Hard Rock Live
Even though Chris Hardwick is partly responsible for launching the career of professional crackpot Jenny McCarthy – the pair hosted the MTV dating show Singled Out back in the halcyon 1990s – we still like him. He’s redeemed himself in the years since by launching Nerdist Industries, a network of podcasts and websites devoted to…
Displaced homeless shelter could move to Parramore
Orlando Union Rescue Mission could find a new place to call home in Parramore. The homeless center, currently on Central Boulevard, is in talks with city officials to buy land at the corner of Anderson Street and Terry Avenue in the Parramore neighborhood, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The shelter had to relocate for the…
State orders Kappo to install a sneeze guard or face a lawsuit
If you’ve been to East End Market, you’ve seen Kappo, the tiny (just seven seats) omakase sushi bar tucked away toward the back. We’ve given them plenty of praise since they opened in 2014 – a glowing review, a feature in BITE, a mention in our five Top Tables of 2014. In addition to Jennifer…
First Watch debuts new menu, ditches some mainstays
Diners who dropped in for their typical weekend Chickichanga at First Watch restaurants this weekend were greeted with quite a surprise: a new menu. OK, so it wasn’t so much of a surprise for those who noted some of the recent updates (a shaker of raw sugar instead of white packets, fresh veggie juices, homemade…
7 reasons Shanghai Disneyland is going to be insane
Shanghai Disneyland, opening in the spring of 2016, is trying a few new things not seen in other “Magic Kingdom”-style parks. Here are a few of the more interesting changes in the works at the new park. Shanghai Disneyland Resort as a whole will be nearly 1,000 acres and cost an estimated $4.4 billion. By…
This Little Underground: R-Dent, The Areolas, Pinehurst, Adult Life, Haunter (Will’s Pub)
Melody punk is often a too-tame deal, but the recent slice from the kinder side of Florida punk rock (Aug. 2, Will’s Pub) showed that it doesn’t always need to be. Jacksonville headliner R-Dent goes at it full-tilt with an N-Thusiastic (nailed it) and energetic stage show. Their sound can be a little scattered with…
Everything we know about Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2015
Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Florida for its 25th anniversary this year. The anniversary is going to be filled with icons of years past while modern updates to many aspects of the event will make this a year not to be missed. Fan favorite Jack the Clown will return this year as the…
Universal Orlando is now hiring scare actors for Halloween Horror Nights 25
Hey, aspiring zombies who also happen to be looking for work: Universal Orlando is hiring scare actors for its upcoming Halloween Horror nights. According to a post on the park’s blog, they’re looking for male actors up to 6’3″ with “medium to athletic builds,” as well as male and female actors of all sizes and…
Orlando’s tiny house community partners with Coalition for the Homeless
First of all, did you know that Orlando has a tiny house community? It does. The Orlando Lakefront at College Park: a tiny home and RV community is located just off Orange Blossom Trail, and it currently hosts eight tiny houses. And, we’re told, there are more on the way. Right now they share space…
Universal Orlando releases details on new Sapphire Falls resort
Details on Universal Orlando Resort’s fifth on-site resort, Sapphire Falls, were released late last month. The new 1,000 room resort is wedged between Royal Pacific, Universal’s South Pacific themed resort and Cabana Bay, Universal’s retro beach hotel themed budget resort. Cabana Bay opened last year, the first new hotel since Universal saw its massive expansion…
According to embarrassing study, 30 percent of Orlando homes have cockroaches
As we all know, cockroaches love Orlando and whether you know it or not, there’s a good chance you have a few thousand unwanted roommates. A recent release of data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests that a little more than 30 percent of Orlando homes have experienced cockroach sightings, placing it in the top…
Disney’s Hollywood Studios tests out assigned seating for Fantasmic!
Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios tested different versions of reserved seating over the past week. Fantasmic! is Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ nighttime show that features water projection screens, live actors and fireworks. The seating test focused on three different variants; reserved seats, reserved rows and reserved sections. The big issue with Fanstamic! is the popularity of…
Tampa bicyclist braves flood and ‘takes a header’ on live TV
As you’re probably aware, Tampa has been getting punished with rain, which has culminated into some pretty substantial flooding. Homes have been evacuated and many roads and intersections have also closed. Local authorities are urging citizens not to go out and attempt to navigate in this mess. However, those warnings went unheard by his guy,…
Florida is selling bear-hunting permits despite a lawsuit to block hunt
Florida wildlife officials began selling bear-hunting permits Monday in spite of a pending lawsuit from conservation groups challenging the constitutionality of the bear hunt, reports NEWS 13. Last week, the Seminole County-based group Speak Up Wekiva filed a lawsuit in Leon County trying to block the state from selling the bear-hunt permits until the suit…
Here’s how many calories you can burn walking around Orlando theme parks
Ever feel bad for the turkey leg(s) you devoured at some of Orlando’s theme parks? Feel guilty no more. Florida Tix, an online ticket company, has a cool infographic that shows how many calories you can expect to burn while walking, waiting in lines and screaming on all the rides in Florida’s theme parks. According…
Beloved Winter Park candy store Sassafras Sweet Shoppe closes
Sad news for sweet teeth: Winter Park candy wonderland Sassafras Sweet Shoppe is closing. We awarded them a writer’s pick (“Best Sugar Based Time Travel”) in our 2013 Best of Orlando, saying: “It’s hard to believe so much sweetness can be packed into such a small space.” They announced the closure on their Facebook page,…
**UPDATED** Everything you need to know (so far) about the upcoming Will’s Pub 20th anniversary celebration
It’s a big year for fans of Will’s Pub – the bar celebrates 20 years. **UPDATE** Looks like the Will’s Pub anniversary is a full weekend extravaganza that also includes festivities on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11-12, including massive reunion shows. Days break down like this: Friday, Sept. 11 My Hotel Year (sold out) Saturday, Sept. 12…
Star Wars at Disney Hollywood Studios by 2016 is a strong possibility
With what seems to be half of the park closing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios the rumors of things opening anytime soon seem to be rare. However, one rumor that keeps popping up is a Star Wars preview center taking residence in the former The Magic of Disney Animation attraction area. Numerous Disney fan blogs…
This Little Underground: Brother Hawk, Amigo the Devil, Overdale (Backbooth)
Atlanta’s Brother Hawk (July 31, Backbooth) is a band that’s still new to Orlando but one that’s worth particular attention. We may be just a little south of the South here – which is very much arguable once you go cross the county line – but we love our Southern rock. And I like to…
Nonprofit opens Teriyaki Madness on Colonial Drive
The newly opened Teriyaki Madness on Colonial Drive looks like any other casual restaurant in the area with one slight difference: It’s owned by a nonprofit organization. The “Chipotle of Japanese food,” according to the Dallas Business Journal, serves bowls and combination plates that include meat, rice or noodles, and some type of salad for…
Lawsuit seeks to block return of bear hunting to Florida
Conservation groups want a judge to shoot down the return of bear hunting in Florida and to halt the pending sale of bear-hunting permits. With permits for this fall’s hunt going on sale Monday, the Seminole County-based group Speak Up Wekiva filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court Friday challenging the constitutionality of the…
Florida drivers have killed roughly 10 percent of panther population this year
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission estimate there’s only 100-180 panthers in Florida and within the past 7 months, 17 panthers have been struck by a car. This means, Florida motorists have offed nearly 10 percent of the total panther population. As of now, we’re on track to top last year’s numbers. According to…
The Gatlin Creative opens up a new artist workshop with a free party on Saturday
This weekend, the Gatlin Creative celebrates the opening of their new studio, G2, with a party geared towards artists, designers and creatives of all sorts. G2 is a showplace for art and design work that doubles as a rental studio for projects of all kinds. Sculptures from Gatlin co-owner Tiffany Windsor are on display, along…
Google adds “Restaurant Peak Hours” widget to location results
You’re about to look like a dining-out sensei who always gets a table, even at the hottest spots in town, thanks to Google (of course). This week, Google rolled out a new feature to its restaurant listings that shows users peak times at restaurants so they can best plan their walk-in meal. The new feature…
Marco Rubio jumps on the “where’s the outrage” bandwagon with stupid tweet
One of the more obnoxious trends in social media these days is the desire to criticize people who care about an issue by placing it next to another, unrelated issue and asking: Why are people so outraged about [NEW THING PEOPLE ARE POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT]? Where is the outrage over [OLDER THING THAT…
Time-lapse video shows the yearlong renovation of the Citrus Bowl in one minute, 17 seconds
This is what $210 million worth of renovations looks like in fast forward. Time-Lapse Courtesy of Work Zone Cam. Related Stories
Florida man arrested for playing National Anthem rejects plea deal, fights for right to party
Lane Pittman, the Jacksonville man who, back on July 4th, ripped an impromptu street sesh of the “Star-Spangled Banner” so damn hard the cops were forced to arrest him, has rejected a plea deal by the court on Monday. You can watch a video of the performance and arrest below. According to Pittman, the plea…
The Up house in Seattle will be saved and relocated
It looks as if the home people have appropriately dubbed the “Up house,” will receive a storybook ending. The Seattle abode that has been boxed in by commercial developers has strong similarities to Up character Carl Fredricksen’s home and is going to be relocated, according to KOMO News. Back in the early 2000s, the owner and…
Check out Orlando City’s new downtown stadium renderings
Friday morning, Orlando City Soccer Club released new renderings of the 25,500-seat privately funded stadium planned for downtown Orlando. Look at all the purple fans! The stadium is designed to have a canopy roof covering the stands, premium amenities in the East stands, 31 suites, an indoor club, an open-air terrace for supporters and real grass. The stadium’s construction…
We kinda love the newly renovated Winter Park Village Publix
In the run-up to the blizzard of love that is our annual Best of Orlando awards, sometimes items are proposed as writers’ picks that don’t make the cut. But that doesn’t mean we don’t genuinely love them. One such this year was Best Reno: Winter Park Village Publix. The food gods smiled (again) on Winter Park…
Best Middle Eastern
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
Best Place to Buy Produce
Freshfields Farm
Best Influx of Funny People
Orlando Indie Comedy Fest
FDLE seeks more investigators to handle increase in police-involved shooting incidents
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement wants more investigators to handle an increase in shooting incidents involving officers at other police agencies across the state. The department next week will present Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet an outline of its budget proposals, which include requests for a boost in salaries for forensic lab technicians…
National teachers union relieves Orange County union president of duties
The American Federation of Teachers decided to take over the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association Wednesday, relieving its president Diane Moore, union officers and board of directors of their duties. The move comes after AFT says it and the Florida Education Association exhausted efforts to help the union with its issues. AFT President Randi Weingarten…
Valencia students file formal complaints against OCSO for excessive force
Like most young people their age, Deidra Reid and Reginald Lane Jr. say they have been following closely the escalations between police officers and people of color across the country. On social media, they see a common hashtag: #JusticeForMikeBrown, #JusticeForSandraBland, #JusticeForSamDubose, and so on, into what seems like an endless list that is updated daily…
Florida Supreme Court tells state it can’t execute death row inmate just yet
The Florida Supreme Court denied the state’s motion to reconsider a stay of execution for Jerry Correll, a death row inmate convicted of killing four people. Correll, who was supposed to be executed in February, was granted a stay by the court because the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing arguments on the legality of midazolam,…
Breaking news: Veggies are healthy
There’s still time to get your body caftan-ready this summer, and a new study from Harvard University (so you know it’s legit) looked at the effects of vegan and vegetarian diets and found that those who adopted veggie-centric diets were able to more easily shed pounds than omnivores. Those on vegetarian diets lost around 4.4…
You’ll soon be able to get home delivery from Publix, this includes Pub Subs
Shopping will soon be even more of a pleasure for Publix shoppers with the grocery delivery service Shipt. For an initial $49, registered Shipt users can order grocery items (including Pub Subs!) via the app or online and “Reliable Shoppers” will deliver the groceries as soon as an hour later. According to Shipt, the Shoppers “can pick…
Tonight, Orlando star DiViNCi (Solillaquists of Sound) will be on Jimmy Fallon
Actually, the musical billing says Ms. Lauryn Hill, but local musician DiViNCi (of Solillaquists of Sound fame) has been part of her band as MPCist and programmer for quite some time now. Which means he’ll be the latest Orlando music face to be on national TV once tonight’s episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon airs…
Man catches disgustingly huge fish near Cape Canaveral, affectionately names it ‘Dinosaur’
Sam Gerson, a Florida-based doctor and hearty man of the sea, pulled in a disgustingly massive goliath grouper while fishing off the coast of Cape Canaveral on Monday, July 27. According to Huffington Post, Gerson’s fishing guide estimated the whopper weighed at least 300 pounds and was likely more than 50 years old. “I…
CAIR Florida files suit against gun-store owner who declared his shop a “Muslim-free zone”
Remember that guy we posted about on July 21 who made a weird YouTube video declaring his Inverness, Florida gun store a “Muslim-free zone?” Well, now he’s being sued by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for violating federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on religion in public accommodations – and retail stores, including gun shops,…
Best Library
Orlando Public Library (OCLS main branch)
Best Mural
“Pan” mural by Dolla Short at Will’s Pub
Best New Place on I-Drive to Get High
Orlando Eye observation wheel
Best Way to Feel Like a Baller Without Actually Being One
Amway Center Box Seats at Orlando Solar Bears Games
Best Ball Kicking
WAKA’s adult co-ed kickball league
Best Local Twitter Feed
1. “A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan,” @amediocretime 2. Ross McCoy, @elross 3. The News Junkie, @thenewsjunkie
Best Neighborhood to Live In
1. Winter Park 2. College Park 3. Thornton Park
Best Desserts
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Best Pub Grub
Oblivion Taproom
Best Local Blog
A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan
Best Consignment Store
Dechoes Resale
Best Club Nights
Backbooth
Best Pop Act
Beebs and Her Money Makers
Best Craft Cocktail Bar
The Courtesy
Best Trivia Night
Hamburger Mary’s
Best Doggie Daycare
Ranger’s Pet Outpost and Retreat
Best Vintage Clothing Store
Dechoes Resale
Best Annual Tradition
OMA’s Florida Prize in Contemporary Art
Best Public Art
Mills 50 Dumpster Project
Best Beach
New Smyrna Beach
Best Public Golf Course
Dubsdread Golf
Best Arts Event/Festival
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival
Best Mexican
Gringos Locos
Best Building That’s Really Just a Big Toy
Legoland Hotel
Best New Thing in Orlando
Orlando City Soccer Club’s designation as an MLS team
Best Fond Farewell
Billy Manes Leaves Orlando Weekly to Become Editor of Watermark
Best Local TV Newsperson
Amy Sweezey, WESH-2 News
Best Chinese
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Best Late-Night Restaurant (serving after 11 p.m.)
Gringos Locos
Best Liquor Store
Total Wine & More
Best Punk Act
Wet Nurse
Best Local Record Release Gimmick
Mike Dunn’s Bock n’ Roll
Best Vegan
Ethos Vegan Kitchen
Best Dog Groomer
Plush Paws Pet Salon
Best Wine Shop
Total Wine & More
Best Local Visual Artist
Betsy Johnson
Best Local Filmmaker
Stephen Shea
Best Billiards Hall
Sportstown Billiards
Best Scene-free Dining on Park Avenue
Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen
Best Burger
Graffiti Junktion
Best Diner
Christo’s Café
Best Sandwiches
Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria
Best Comeback
Jack the Clown at HHN 25
Best Local Politician
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Best Dry Cleaner
College Park Cleaners
Best Electronic Act
XXYYXX
Best Reggae/Ska Act
The Supervillains
Best Dance Club
Independent Bar
Best Vegetarian
Dandelion Communitea Café
Best Pet Supply Store
Woof Gang Bakery
Best Shop for the GQ Reader
Cloak & Dapper
Best Local Author
Billy Manes
Best Young Artist Putting Orlando on the Map
Nathan Selikoff
Best Boot Camp
Camp Gladiator
Best Public Pool
College Park Community Center
Best Recurring Arts Nights
Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
Best Piggy Twist on Fried Rice
Bacon fried rice at Chan’s
Best Main Street District
Mills 50, mills50.org
Best Hummus
Dandelion Communitea Café
Best Jobs at Disney, if You Can Get Them
Tech jobs for legal immigrants holding H-1B visas
Best Excuse to Wear Plaid Pastel Pants
The Orlando Shuffle at Beardall Senior Center
Best Cuban
Black Bean Deli
Best E-cig Store
The Vapour Room of Orlando
Best New Imaginative Music Series
The In-Between Series
Best Singer-Songwriter
Kaleigh Baker
Best Homegrown Music Movement
Total Punk
Best Wings
Oblivion Taproom
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
Orange County Animal Services
Best Local Poet/Spoken Word Artist
Ashley Inguanta
Best Arts Promoter Giving Art Basel a Run for Its Money
Snap! Orlando
Best Shady Way to Explore Orlando
Do the Significant Trees Map tour
Best Canoeing/Kayaking
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Best Arts Advocate
Blue Star
Best Thai
SEA Thai Restaurant
Best Workday Hangover Cure
Artisan’s Table afternoon breakfast
Best Development Everyone Is Hoping Won’t Ruin Ivanhoe Village
The Yard at Ivanhoe Village
Best Guilty Pleasure
A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan
Best Throwback
King Kong reboot at Islands of Adventure
Rally in Orlando celebrates New York’s $15 minimum wage victory
Workers and activists rallied on the front steps of Orlando’s City Hall Thursday, July 23, joining organizers across Florida who showed support for the $15 minimum wage increase in New York. On Wednesday, a wage panel appointed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recommended the minimum wage be raised for employees of fast-food chain restaurants…
Free Will Astrology (7-29-15)
ARIES (March 21-April 19) “I am very much in love with no one in particular,” says actor Ezra Miller. His statement would make sense coming out of your mouth right about now. So would this one: “I am very much in love with almost everyone I encounter.” Or this one: “I am very much in…
Best Place to Let It Go in Baldwin Park
East Coast Floats
Best Soul Act
The Sh-Booms
Best Dive Bar
Wally’s Mills Ave. Liquors
Best New Reason to Get OOC at a DIY Venue
The Space Station
Best Record Store
Park Ave CDs
Best Authentic German Market
Hollerbach’s Magnolia Square Market
Best Literary/reading series
There Will Be Words
Best Reason to Look Straight Up
Tom McGrath’s ceiling at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
Best City Park
Lake Eola Park
Best Theme Park
Epcot
Best Ladies’ Room
Women and Abstraction at CFAM
Best Vietnamese
Pho 88
Best Mound of Dirt
The leftovers of the round building at the Dr. Phillips Center
Best Ice Cream
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Best Subs
Publix deli
Best Pink Bunny
The pink bunny memorial statue for Chase Smith at Lake Como Park
Best Food Truck
Korean BBQ Taco Box
Best New Somm
Jill Davis, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
Best Mani/Pedi
Millenia Nails and Day Spa
Best Live Music Club
The Social
Best Tacos
Gringos Locos
Best Hole-in-the-wall Local Meat Market
Orlando Meats
Best Substitute For a Tahiti Vacay
Overwater bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Best Local Actor/Actress
Blue Star
Best Comeback
Theatre Downtown wins Patrons’ Pick at Fringe
Best Dog Park
Lake Baldwin Park Dog Park
Best Theme Park Ride
The Incredible Hulk
Best Local Politician in Need of a Reality Check
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson
Best Republican Reprieve
Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner’s attempted compromise on Medicaid expansion, FHIX
Best Cupcake
Sweet! by Good Golly Miss Holly
Best WTF Lawsuit
Lawsuit alleges that Valencia College coerced students into volunteering for invasive medical procedures
Best Local Activist Group
Equality Florida
Food & Drink
Related Stories
Best Biscuits
The Coop
Best New Spot to Roll a Natural 20
Gods & Monsters
Best Beauty Services (facials, waxing, etc.)
The Beauty Spot
Best Local Music Event
Florida Music Festival
Best Bar
Will’s Pub
Best Karaoke
Big Daddy’s
Best Reason to Renew Your Library Card
Orange County Library System’s e-books programs
Best Adult Entertainment Store
Fairvilla Megastore
Best Dinner With an Artist
Participation
Best Non-edible Reason to Drive to DeLand
Museum of Art – DeLand
Best Do-Gooder Sunday Morning Activity
Eco-Action canoe cleanups
Best Theme Park Food
Epcot, various food pavilions
Best Excuse for a Late Lunch
Grilled cheese happy hour at La Femme du Fromage
Best Savory Cupcake
Fig + Goat Cheese Cupcake from Jillycakes
Best Road Rage
I-4 Ultimate Project
Best Parking Lot Dining
Shish.Co Mezze Grill
Best Mindless Desk Snack
Chile-spiced dried mango from Trader Joe’s
Best Bike Riding for a Reason
Critical Mass
Planning board approves high-rise project on Lake Eola Park
Orlando’s Municipal Planning Board unanimously approved plans for a 28-story tower near Lake Eola Park Tuesday, despite crowds of residents protesting its impact. The building, which would replace two historic buildings on East Central Boulevard, will house 215 residential units, an area for commercial use and a parking garage. Although the plans were approved by…
Best Way to Humanely Taste Bacon That Doesn’t Involve Internet Seaweed
Casey’s Bacon Salt from Poca’s Hottest
Best Way to Kill Time in Winter Park Village
Adjectives Market
Best Open Mic
Austin’s Coffee and Film
Best Fish Tacos
Jimmy Hula’s
Best Place to Buy Meat
Freshfields Farm
Best Smoke Shop
Pipe Dreams
Best Neighbor’s Closet to Raid
The Lovely Boutique Market
Best Gallery
CityArts Factory
Best New Art Power Couple
Glen Gentele (director, Orlando Museum of Art) and Shannon Fitzgerald (incoming director, Mennello Museum of American Art)
Best Gym
LA Fitness
Best Tourist Activity Outside of a Theme Park
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Best French
Le Coq au Vin
Best Bakery
Blue Bird Bake Shop
Best Pizza
Mellow Mushroom
Best Seafood
Winter Park Fish Co.
Best Case of Restaurant Anticipation
College Park
Best Red Meat We Ate This Year
Matsusaka beef
Orlando Royalty
Stuff the Magic Dragon Mascot for the Orlando Magic, nba.com/magic Everyone recognizes Stuff the Magic Dragon as the devoted mascot determinedly flipping out about the Orlando Magic at their Amway Center games. Stuff recently won a Golden Matrix Award for Best Mascot Video from the Information Display and Entertainment Association, and he’s also the host…
Best Leap Onto the World Stage by an Indie Band
Hundred Waters’ Super Bowl ad
Best Bar to Meet Men
Parliament House
Best Orlando Weekly Event
Best of Orlando Party
Best Spray Tan
South Beach Tanning
Best Antiques
Adjectives Market
Best Museum
Orlando Science Center
Best Reward for Loyalty
Hannibal Buress stops in to Speakeasy
Best Escape Room
The Great Escape Room
Best New Addition To The I-Drive Corridor
Orlando Eye at I-Drive 360
Best Local Publication
Orlando Weekly
Best Barbecue
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best Place to Take Visitors From out of Town
Winter Park
Best Street Fight Among Elitists
Winter Park city commission’s proposed changes to the historic preservation ordinance
Best Juice/Smoothies
The Juice Bar
Best Bonus Bites
Sour and half-sour pickles at Brown’s New York Deli
Best Farmers Market
Winter Park Farmers Market
Best Folk/Country Act
Thomas Wynn and the Believers
Best Bar (smoking)
Tanqueray’s
Best Tapas/Small Plates
Santiago’s Bodega
Best T-shirts
Mother Falcon
Best Barbershop
Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
Best Theater Space
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Best Underground Support System for Artists
The Falcon
Best Local Sports Team
Orlando City Soccer Club
Best Water Park
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Water Park
Best Greek
Mediterranean Blue
Best Reason to Learn the Back Roads of Colonialtown
Closure of Bumby Avenue between Corrine Drive and Colonial Drive
Best Reason to Live in Orlando
So much to do
Best Roof
Guang Ming Temple
Best Steakhouse
Linda’s La Cantina Steak House
Best New Place to Get Drunk at Disney
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Best Kicks No One Else Has
Custom painted shoes by Kittens of Industry
Best Hip-Hop Act
Solillaquists of Sound
Best Bar (non-smoking)
Redlight Redlight
Best Bar to Meet Women
Dancers Royale
Best Sneaky Drink Specials
Sly Fox
Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor
Trinity Tattoo Company
Best Bike Shop
Orange Cycle
Best! Show!! Ever!!!
The Acrocats at the Venue
Best Place to Find Art Elements
Demolition sites around Winter Park
Best Massage Therapy/Bodywork
Massage Envy
Best Salvaging of a Stadium Deal
Orlando City Soccer Club decides to build its own stadium
Best Indian
Tamarind Indian Cuisine
Best Brunch for Adventurers
Wallaby Ranch
Best Coffee/Tea
Drunken Monkey
Best Poor Excuse for Destroying a Historic Site
Tinker Field
Best Feel-Good Moment
Mass gay marriage on City Hall steps in January
Best Breakfast
Keke’s Breakfast Café
Best Place to Worship Your Tiki God
Aku Aku Tiki Bar
Best Jazz Act
The Groove Orient
Best Bartender
Tammy Purvis at Dancers Royale
Best Pool Bar
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Parliament House
Best Constant Influence on Our Music Scene
Swamburger Presents
Best Boutique
The Owl’s Attic
Best Movie Theater
Enzian Theater
Best Way to Read in a Moving Car
“Functionally Literate Radio” on WPRK
Best Mini Golf Course
Congo River Golf
Best Yoga Studio
Orlando Power Yoga
Best Local Radio Personality
Johnny Magic, WXXL 106.7 FM
Best Local Facebook Page
1. “A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan,” facebook.com/amediocre.time 2. Orlando Weekly, facebook.com/orlandoweekly 3. Bungalower, facebook.com/orlandobungalower
Best Reason to Leave Orlando
Having to drive on I-4
Best Reason to Lie Down in Public Spaces
Black Lives Matter protests downtown
Best Local Charitable Group
Second Harvest Food Bank
Best Brunch
Santiago’s Bodega
Best Cheap Eats
Tijuana Flats
Best Music Festival Pivot
Florida Music Festival
Best Surprising New Indie Venue
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Best Craft Beer Bar
Redlight Redlight
Best New Boon to the Milk District
Spacebar
Best Outdoor Dining
Hillstone Restaurant
Best Museum Shop
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Best Burlesque Troupe
Peek-A-Boo Burlesque, stardustorlando.com
Best Photographer
Macbeth Photography
Best News for Performing Pachyderms
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus retiring their elephants
Best Tailgate
Food Truck Bazaar pre-game at Orlando City Soccer Club games
Best Super Reason to Watch the Orlando Magic Next Season
“Super Mario”
Best Local Radio Station
WTKS 104.1 FM
Taste of the Nation gala is Aug. 8, plus new menus, new brunches and Orlando restaurant openings and closings
The Eden Bar and Enzian Theater have added 20 new food items to their menus, including pickled beet hummus, fried oysters and raspberry beignets. Nearly 50 eating establishments are taking part in Main Street Restaurant Week Aug. 1-8. Menus can be viewed at mainstreetrestaurantweek.com. The 26th Taste of the Nation gala melds food with fundraising…
Best Deli
TooJay’s Gourmet Deli
Best Kept Secret
A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan
Best Local Big Shot
John Morgan, Morgan & Morgan
Best New Source for Essential Listening
Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe
Best Hair Salon
Alchemy
Best Rock Act
Thomas Wynn and the Believers
Best Steamy Good Time
Turtle Mound Steamed Sampler at JB’s Fish Camp
Best Pub/Taproom
Oblivion Taproom
Best Band Smirking Into National Consciousness
You Blew It!
Best Used Bookstore
The Book Worm
Best Comedy (club, group or night)
1. SAK Comedy Lab, 29 S. Orange Ave., 407-648-0001, sak.com 2. Improv Orlando, 9101 International Drive, 407-480-5233, theimprovorlando.com 3. Shit Sandwich at Bull & Bush, 2408 E. Robinson St., shit-sandwich.com
Best Dance Company
1. Orlando Ballet, orlandoballet.org 2. VarieTease, thevenueorlando.com 3. Rock Hard Revue, rockhardrevue.com
Best Secret Weapon for Visiting Artists
Flying Horse Editions
Best Place to Bike
West Orange Trail
Best Freshman Year
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley at Universal Studios
Best Local Radio Show
“A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan”
Best Local News Writer
Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel
Best Use of Public Money
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Best Reimagined Pastry
Macaron ice cream sandwich at Quickly Boba & Snow
Best Local Website
orlandoweekly.com
Best Caribbean
Jimmy Hula’s
Best Comic Book Shop
A Comic Shop
Best Club DJ
The Angel of Boom
Best Metal Act
Gargamel!
Best Sushi
Seito Sushi
Best Sports Bar
Sportstown Billiards
Best Spot Brewing Up a New Music Scene
The Hourglass Brewery
Best Place to Indulge Two Passions at Once
Propagation
Best Film Festival or Series
Florida Film Festival
Best Theater Company
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Best Shrine to Black Lives That Mattered
Wells’ Built Museum of African-American History and Culture
Best Place to Bowl
Colonial Lanes
Best way to get your wrestling fix in Orlando
WWE NXT at Full Sail Live
Best People Watching
Park Avenue in Winter Park
Best Waste of Public Money
I-4 Ultimate Project
Best Pho
Pho 88
Best Local TV News Channel
WESH-2 News
Best Restaurant to Take a Date
The Ravenous Pig
Best Health Food Store
Trader Joe’s
Best Expanded Local Tribute
Ralphfest
Best New Dance Night That’s Not Downtown
DJ BMF’s Soul Shakedown
Best Wine Bar
The Wine Room on Park Avenue
Best Affordable Veterinary Care
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando’s affordable clinic
Best Veterinarian
Dr. Bruce Bogoslavsky, Animal Veterinary Hospital of Orlando
