OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
Chayhana Restaurant, touting the “world’s finest plov,” has opened in the old Rico’s Mexican Restaurant & Latin Food space at 851 W. State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs. Chayhana serves Uzbek-style plov, a rice pilaf similar to Indian pulao, as well as manti (dumplings), shashlik (kebabs) and lagman (noodles) … Look for the city’s third outpost of Shah’s Halal Food to open this month in the former Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ space at 1737 S. Orange Ave. in SoDo … Mares Real Peruvian Cuisine, the so-so Peruvian restaurant at 528 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park, has rebranded as Cevi’ch Central, a place where “Peruvian tradition meets flavor and innovation.” Evidently, their goal is a Michelin star … Oak & Stone, a pizza and beer tavern from Artistry Restaurants, will open alongside sister restos Boca, Atlantic Beer & Oyster and the recently opened Chapman Restaurant on Park Avenue later this year. Oak & Stone will move into the 310 Park South space.
Doral-based Baku Asian Fusion Bar has opened in the old New Orleans Kitchen & Oyster Bar space at 8204 Crystal Clear Lane near the Florida Mall. The restaurant presents a menu fusing Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Korean flavors and offers a full bar … Sal’s Pizza, the Boston-based chain specializing in Sicilian-style pies (and not to be confused with Sal’s Pizza Bar on Daryl Carter Parkway), has opened its first pizzeria outside of New England inside Live at the Pointe Orlando … Look for LGBTQ-friendly restaurant concept Heatwave to open in the old Stonewall space at 741 W. Church St. Heatwave will feature three interconnected spaces: a café, restaurant and hybrid theater-lounge … Boba Garden, a boutique bubble tea shop by husband-and-wife tandem Vladimir Borisenko and Katya Isaeva, has opened at 1184 E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs.
NEWS & EVENTS:
The Waterfront, formerly Julie’s Waterfront, was forced to close after a fire destroyed part of the building. Owner Ryan Davis plans to rebuild the Edgewood mainstay and is looking to raise $15,000 via GoFundMe … Small Food Group will stage the 13th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade & Lunar New Year Festival Sunday, Feb. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 728 N. Thornton Ave. in the Edoboy parking lot. More than 30 food and retail vendors will be on hand including Kai Kai BBQ, UniGirl, Dean’s Oyster Bar, Hapa Halo Filipino/Hawaiian Street Food and more … The Taste of Altamonte goes from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at Cranes Roost Park. Nearly 50 food/dessert/beverage vendors will be on hand. Cost is $100, or $130 VIP. Visit altamonterotary.org for more … The 10-year anniversary celebration of the Orlando Whiskey Festival goes from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Orlando Science Center. Guests can sample nearly 100 whiskey brands. Cost is $89 to $155. Visit whiskeynbizz.com for more.
This article appears in Feb 5-11, 2025.
