OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
The Rev, offering ramen, seafood and oysters, has finally opened in the old Orlando Meats space at 728 Virginia Drive in Ivanhoe Village. The concept, by Santiago’s Bodega owner Jason Dugan, was originally dubbed Ramen Revolution when the concept was announced more than four years ago … Nuri’s Tavern has opened in the ground floor space that previously housed the Robinson Coffee Room at 63 E. Pine St. The restaurant, from Team Market Group, offers thin, crackly-crusted tavern-style pizzas that are “party cut” (in squares) … More pizza news: Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza will open its third area location March 4, this one at 10 Alexandria Blvd. in Oviedo. Other locations are in Lake Mary (which we favorably reviewed in January 2024) and Dr. Phillips.
Nabe, Lewis Lin’s wagyu shabu-shabu concept, is slated to soft-open the beginning of March next door to Peperoncino at the Dellagio Town Center in Dr. Phillips. Nabe will also offer premium seafood, cocktails and a sake program. Expect bar seating and booth seating … Salvatore’s Prime Sandwiches, the Italian sandwich outfit that served Henry’s Depot in Sanford, has closed its stall and opened a brick-and-mortar at 1520 Edgewater Drive, across the street from Infusion Tea in College Park … Celestial Park, part of Universal’s Epic Universe park, will feature two full-service restaurants — Atlantic, an “undersea culinary fantasy reminiscent of an enormous Victorian aquarium” serving seafood and steak, and The Blue Dragon Pan Asian Restaurant. The park is slated to open May 22.
NEWS & EVENTS:
Smoke & Donuts celebrates its second anniversary Saturday, Feb. 22, with $2 beer, $2 BBQ sliders, $2 shots, $2 loaded fries and $2 wine. Raffles, live music and a photo studio by David Lawrence will also be part of the festivities, which commence at 11 a.m. … Chez Les Copains Brasserie inside City Food Hall will commence brunch service this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In honor of celebrated culinarian Jacques Pépin’s 90th birthday, Norman’s Orlando will host a dinner Friday, Feb. 28, to benefit the Jacques Pépin Foundation with such notable chefs as Ryan Ratino (Ômo by Jônt), Michael Collantes (Soseki), Andres Mendoza (Citricos), Stefan Riemer (Walt Disney World), Mario Pagan (Chayote), Camilo Velasco (Tiffins), Wendy Lopez (Reyes Mezcaleria), Clay Miller (Ravenous Pig), Ryne Wood (Bacán) and Carlos Robles, Kyle Rhodes and Gloriann Rivera from Norman’s. A reception will precede a five-course seated dinner. Tickets are $240 and, yes, there’s a possibility that Pépin will be in attendance. Visit normans.com/events for more.
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This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2025.
