OPENINGS
Reyes Mezcaleria, by Jason and Sue Chin (Osprey Tavern, Seito Sushi Baldwin Park) is in soft opening mode … Small-batch bakery DG Doughnuts (Damn Good Doughnuts) has opened on West Colonial Drive in Oakland … The owner of the now-closed Maria Bonita Mexican & Cuban Restaurant has opened Marita’s Latin Bites on East Colonial Drive near the Econ Trail … The Waterfront has opened in the old Julie’s Waterfront space on South Orange Avenue. Matt Wall, formerly of North Quarter Tavern, is helping out in the kitchen … Burton’s Bar, under new ownership, will reopen later this month in Thornton Park … New brewery Ellipsis Brewing will open on TPC Boulevard near Orlando International Airport this summer.
CLOSINGS
Mucho Tequila and Tacos in Thornton Park will close May 7 (that’s after Cinco de Mayo, natch) and be replaced by Muddy Waters, a NOLA-inspired resto by Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar owners Bernard Caramouche and Larry Sinibaldi … Portobello Restaurant in Disney Springs has closed and will reopen this fall with a new concept and a new name.
NEWS/EVENTS
Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s vice president of culinary development, Abdiel Aleman, will prepare dinner at Second Harvest Food Bank’s Chef’s Night Series. Their “Year of the Steak” culminates with a meal inspired by recipes from a dinner at the James Beard House celebrating Ruth’s Chris’ 50th anniversary … Three master sommeliers – George Miliotes, John Blazon and Brian Koziol – and James Beard Award winner Norman Van Aken will gather for a wine dinner at 1921 in Mount Dora Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. Cost is $175 … Cuba Libre has overhauled its menu; Marlow’s Tavern has a new spring menu; and Nova Restaurant will debut its spring/summer menu next week … Struggling restaurant owners might want to attend the Food Service Social Media Bootcamp Sunday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the UCF Rosen School of Hospitality. Cost is $297.
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This article appears in May 3-9, 2017.
