OPENINGS: After offering its superb barbecue at the now-shuttered Belicoso Cigars and Cafe in Mills Park, then being a resident food truck at À La Cart, Smoke & Donuts is going full brick and mortar. Look for their restaurant to open in spring 2022 in the old Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn space next to Se7en Bites ... Also next spring, Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa will open its second location in the former Bubbalou's location on Lee Road after the latter closed, citing a "labor shortage." Looking forward to that drive-thru ...
Winner of the No Loss for Words Award for Restaurant Names goes to Richard Blais, whose newest restaurant, Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, will open in the old Hemingway's space at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress next month. Expect cuisine inspired by tropical flavors and ingredients from Florida, including native fruits, vegetables and seafood ... Also next month, Tabla will open its third restaurant, in Lake Nona at 9971 Tagore Place ... Cantina Catrina, a Día de Los Muertos-themed Mexican restaurant, will open at the entrance of the dining pavilion at the Florida Mall this winter. This is the second Cantina Catrina in Florida — the original is at the Dadeland Mall in Kendall ... Denni Cha (Kaizen Izakaya, Soseki) is behind Uncle Dendog's, a food truck operation set up at Orlando Brewing. Uncle Dendog's specializes in Korean-style hot dogs and globally inspired street food ... Black Rooster Taqueria's Curry Ford location has soft opened. Soft opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 5-10 p.m. When they fully open, hours will mirror that of the Mills 50 original and feature brunch items as well.
EVENTS: FusionFest, the free, two-day multicultural festival featuring music, arts, dance, games and, of course, food, takes place Nov. 27-28 at the Frontyard Festival in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts downtown. Visit fusionfest.org for more ... The Dinner Party Project is hosting a four-course bourbon dinner featuring Jefferson's Bourbon Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Welcome House. Cost is $150. The following day, TDDP is hosting a French Fête at Golden Hour Wine featuring a tasting of five French wines accompanied by light French bites. Cost is $75 with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Visit thedinnerpartyproject.co for details.
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