The Alpine, a purveyor of fine coffee and epicurean sandwiches, has opened in Ivanhoe Village in the former Caffe Divina space. Owner Edward Varlamov promises that "world famous" macarons are in the works as well.
If cake is more your thing, stop by the B350° Pastry Shop next to the Wine Barn. The bakery is run by Ernesto Materan, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate who honed his skills at the Shingle Creek and Disney Grand Floridian resorts.
Wondermade, the hand-crafted marshmallow maker, has opened a dessert café on First Street in Sanford, and another local confectioner – Sky Candy (skycandyorlando.com) – is now producing organic cotton candy in various whimsical flavors. How sweet it is.
They're back, and SoDo brunchers can breath a sigh of relief. After closing in October because of a management shake-up, OLV Café has reopened for dinner and Sunday brunch. A limited menu is being offered, but a full menu will be announced sometime in January.
If sharing a meal with a ballet troupe is on your bucket list, consider purchasing a ticket to the Nutcracker Luncheon Dec. 21 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. The family-friendly affair goes from noon to 2 p.m. and benefits the Orlando Ballet School. Tickets are $35 for children 12 and under; $45 for adults. Visit orlandoballet.org for more information.
BRIEFLY:
Mills Brewpub is now Divas Dinner Theatre, "a new drag entertainment concept in Mills 50." And, yes, the gospel brunch is back ... The Cowfish, a sushi and burger bar, has opened in Universal CityWalk ... Soco is now serving up happy hour specials, further ensconcing itself as Thornton Park's It Spot.
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