OPENINGS: As a result of a $250,000 grant from the USDA, the city will launch the Parramore Farmers Market Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orlando City Soccer Stadium beginning Jan. 6 … Look for the District Gastro Bar and Social Eating House to open on West Church Street in the Parramore District next spring … Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream on South Fern Creek Avenue has opened … Sticky Rice, from Soupa Saiyan owner Marshall Phanthachit, will open later this month in the old Pho 407 space on East Colonial Drive. The restaurant will specialize in Laotian fare … Taiwanese bubble tea chain ViVi Bubble Tea will open on East Colonial Drive near Chuan Lu Garden by the end of the year … Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders is now open at the Shoppes at Lake Mary.
CLOSINGS: Tchoup Chop, the Emeril Lagasse-branded restaurant near Universal Orlando, will close at the end of the year … Douce France Bakery in Winter Garden has shut down their retail operation to focus on wholesale business.
EVENTS: On Thursday, Nov. 2, 50 percent of every sale at Chipotle Mexican Grill will benefit Special Olympics Florida … Chef Brandon McGlamery and the Park Lights Hospitality Group host the Fall Fest & Hurricane Relief Luncheon for Zenn Naturals at Luke’s Kitchen & Bar from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Chefs from Smiling Bison and 1921 will also take part. A minimum donation of $50 is suggested, which includes two complimentary drink tickets … Meet Orlando’s finest mixologists at Eden Bar’s annual Elixir Mixer Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. Cost is $20 … Dining to Heal, a four-course meal to benefit RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network) takes place Friday, Nov. 3, at DoveCote Brasserie. Cost is $140.
NEWS: Circo Orlando, the fancy retractable-roofed restaurant anchoring Josh Wallack’s Hollywood Plaza project, will not tower over I-Drive as previously reported. The cancellation was a result of recent financial troubles the Maccioni Restaurant Group (who own NYC’s Le Cirque and who have a hand in Circo Orlando) are experiencing. No word yet on what restaurant will replace Circo atop Hollywood Plaza.
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This article appears in Nov 1-7, 2017.
