OPENINGS: Pizza news: Antonella’s Pizzeria will open a second location at 7591 University Blvd. on the corner of Goldenrod Road; Perla’s Pizza by Taglish’s Mike Collantes will soft-open Feb. 12-14 next to the Thirsty Topher in Ivanhoe Village at 603 Virginia Drive … Over at Pointe Orlando, the Hampton Social will open Feb. 18 in the old Tommy Bahama Restaurant space. They’ll offer coastal-inspired fare (lobster rolls, shrimp tacos and the like) …
Chicago hot dog chain Portillo’s will open March 2 on Palm Parkway … Burger and shake joint Build My Burgers has opened in the UCF corridor on Technological Avenue next to World of Beer … The Daily Dose, offering shakes, tea, waffles, donuts and açai bowls, has opened on Tree Swallow Drive in Winter Springs … Lucciano’s, an Argentina-based gelato outfit, has opened its first gelateria in the U.S. inside the Florida Mall … Near the Margaritaville Resort, Lizzie’s Memphis Style BBQ is now serving up a bevy of porky meals.
CLOSINGS: The Pharmacy in Dr. Phillips has closed. The speakeasy-style restaurant opened back in 2013 to much acclaim … Vito’s Chop House has closed after operating on International Drive for more than 20 years.
NEWS+EVENTS: Chef Michael Cooper, formerly of Luma on Park, is the new executive chef at the Osprey in Baldwin Park … Reyes Mezcaleria’s Wendy Lopez will stage the next in her “En La Mesa” dinner series with a six-course seafood-focused meal Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Cost is $85 … Through Feb. 28, Ravello at the Four Seasons Resort will offer a three-course fragole menu featuring Florida strawberries in such dishes as tuna tartare, chicken risotto and seared salmon. Dessert is a strawberry custard. Cost is $59.
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This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2021.
