OPENINGS: Henry Moso will open a second Kabooki Sushi in a former restaurant space off Turkey Lake Road in Dr. Phillips early next year … Karim El-Sharif will open Lotus Asia House in Pointe Orlando later this year or early next year. The pan-Asian restaurant will move into the space formerly occupied by RA Sushi … Hopdoddy Burger Bar will also open around the same time in the old Funky Monkey space at Pointe Orlando … Del Monte Mexican Grill has opened off Howell Branch Road in Winter Park … Vera Asian, a quick-service “modern Asian eatery,” will open early next year in Lake Mary next to TooJay’s in the Lake Mary Centre … Tre Bambine, the Italian street food concept by Jacquelyn Angiulli, hopes to open next month in the old Spice Modern Steakhouse space on East Central Boulevard downtown … Ford’s Garage, serving prime burgers and craft beer, has opened at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets … À La Cart food truck park will soft open in the Milk District on Sunday, Nov. 18. The open-air pavilion will host five food trucks and offer indoor seating, lawn games and a 15-tap bar offering craft beer, cider, wine and cold-brewed coffee on draft.
CLOSINGS: Bravo Cucina Italiana in Dr. Phillips has closed.
NEWS/EVENTS: Norman Van Aken is no longer affiliated with 1921 Mount Dora. The restaurant’s owners and the James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef agreed to part amicably. Camilo Velasco will remain at the kitchen’s helm … Francisco Galeano has been appointed executive chef of Tapa Toro following Wendy Lopez’s departure to Reyes Mezcaleria. Galeano has also launched a new winter menu – I’m eyeing piquillo peppers stuffed with Moroccan-spiced lamb as well as panko-crusted eggplant with romesco sauce, seasonal chutney and local honey … The Pharmacy stages a “Holiday Chopped Challenge” Saturday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. Teams are pitted against one another in a timed mystery basket challenge featuring local farms’ produce & Florida Fresh Meats. Cost is $65 … The Taste of Africa Food & Music Festival takes place Saturday, Nov. 17, from noon to 9 p.m. at Eagle Nest Park in MetroWest. Admission is $10.
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This article appears in Nov 14-20, 2018.
