OPENINGS: Halal Guys on North Alafaya Trail soft-opened this past Monday and will celebrate a grand opening Friday, Sept. 1 ... Vita Luna Cafe has rebranded itself as Framework Craft Coffee House and will open a storefront in the Mills 50 District sometime this October ... Market on Magnolia, the mini-food hall comprising Da Kine Poke, Gnarly Barley and a pizza stall from the owners of Anthony's Pizza, plans to open downtown "sometime in September" ... Too Much Sauce in Mills Park is aiming to be open in two weeks' time ... Four Rebels American Taco Kitchen & Bar is slated to open in the former Segafredo Zanetti space in the first week of October ... Look for Austin's Buffet & Bakery to open at 2300 W. State Road 434 in Longwood.
CLOSINGS: Pharmacy, the critically acclaimed apothecary-themed bar and restaurant hidden away in Dr. Phillips, has closed has reopened. Read more on the back-and-forth here ... Arepera La Nueva on Lee Road has closed. Look for a Thai restaurant to take its place.
EVENTS: Yes, it's still August, but the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is officially underway (through Nov. 13) ... Orlando Magical Dining Month is in full swing with more than 100 restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe dinners for $35 ... The September Slurp-Fest, an event for oyster lovers, happens Saturday, Sept. 9, at East End Market. A half-dozen oysters will go for $8 ... Rabii Saber, executive pastry chef of Four Seasons Orlando, and master somm George Miliotes of the soon-to-open Wine Bar George, host a dessert party Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Capa Steakhouse. Cost is $55 ... Do Good Date Night, a nonprofit event, is Friday, Sept. 15, at the Second Harvest Food Bank. Participants volunteer their time at the food bank for an hour, after which they'll enjoy food, beer and entertainment. Cost is $20 ... Christner's Prime Steak & Lobster is bringing magician Kostya Kimlat back for a series of dinner performances: Sept. 23, Oct. 27, Nov. 25 and Dec. 29.
NEWS: Visit Orlando is pushing ahead with its desire to bestow Orlando with a signature dish, and they've decided it should be a honey-based dessert. With Rosh Hashanah coming right up on Sept. 21, maybe there'll be a new dish on local holiday tables.
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