OPENINGS: F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen will open a second location at 104 E. First St. in historic downtown Sanford in mid-November. Look for another F&D to open next spring in Longwood … Mai Thai Asian Fusion, from the folks behind the local Chai Thai chain of restaurants, has opened in the old Artisan’s Table space on East Pine Street … Poke Hana, which we favorably reviewed back in June, will open its second location in a 1,000-square-foot space in Windermere Village in February … More poke news: Pokéworks, with a menu designed by Top Chef alumnus Sheldon Simeon, will open downtown on the ground floor of the Morgan & Morgan building this November … LemonShark Poke is expected to open its second location inside the Florida Mall this weekend … The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co., situated next door to the Ravenous Pig on West Fairbanks Avenue, will release its first batch of brews in August. A beer garden in between the restaurant and brewery will open in time for next year’s Super Bowl … The 6 Cafe & Lounge will move into the stand-alone building that once housed the Sam Seltzer Steakhouse and most recently Panda Hibachi Buffet at 800 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs. Drake is behind the venture. (No, no – he’s not.)
CLOSINGS: Dexter’s in Windermere has closed. Also, Dexter’s in Winter Park will relocate to the old TR Fire Grill space in the Ravaudage complex this fall … After an eight-year run, Kathleen and William Blake have sold their interest in the Rusty Spoon to Dutch restaurateur Michele Lagerweij, who will rename the restaurant Elize. Lagerweij owns a café of the same name in Utrecht, the Netherlands … Norman’s inside the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes will serve its last meal Aug. 31, after which the new owners will convert the space into a steakhouse. Fear not, Norman Van Aken and his partners will announce a new location for Norman’s very soon.
EVENTS: Jinya Ramen Bar in Thornton Park celebrates its one-year anniversary Thursday, Aug. 8, with spicy chicken ramen and tonkotsu black ramen for $8.08, plus BOGO alcoholic drinks … Chefs Eddie Matta (Proper & Wild) and Kelsey Moreau (Sanctum Cafe) duke it out in a Veggie Burger Brawl Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Sanctum Cafe. Tickets are $30; $40 after Aug. 7 … Maître fromager Max McCalman will host Wine Room’s 4th annual Italian Wine & Cheese Festival Sunday, Aug. 11, from 1-4 p.m. Cost is $75.
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This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2019.
