OPENINGS
The wait is almost over! The coolification of Maitland continues apace as Teak Neighborhood Grill says they will open on the ground floor of the Village at Lake Lily apartments next week ... Look for Garp & Fuss, serving American fusion cuisine, to open in the former Bistro on Park Avenue space in Winter Park ... The latest dining destination to open in Disney Springs will be an Italian restaurant called Maria & Enzo's by the Patina Restaurant Group, who also operate Morimoto Asia and the soon-to-open Edison, as well as Tutto Italia and Via Napoli in Epcot ... Look for the Lion's Den, a game-day Orlando City Soccer-themed bar, to open on West Church Street sometime in October ... Smoke & Donuts, a new pop-up offering oak-smoked barbecue and craft donuts, has opened for business. Look for them at Red Cypress Brewery and Redlight Redlight.
NEWS/EVENTS
Starting Thursday, Aug. 17, all three Ruth's Chris locations in Central Florida will offer a five-course menu with pairings from Champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart. Cost is $115 ... Also on Aug. 17, Austin Boyd (Osprey Tavern, Seito Sushi, Reyes Mezcaleria) and Camilo Velasco (1921 by Norman Van Aken) collaborate on a four-course wine dinner at 1921 featuring Talley Vineyards. Cost is $115 ... Taste! Central Florida, a culinary event in support of the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Coalition for the Homeless, goes 6:45-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Orlando World Center Marriott. Tickets are $150 and a special room rate is offered for those who imbibe with dinner ... On Thursday, Aug. 24, Paddlefish hosts a four-course wine dinner on the restaurant's rooftop. Cost is $100 ... Yuki Hana hosts a four-course "omakase" tasting Aug. 24. Cost is $50 with sake pairings $20 extra ... The third annual Mount Dora Seafood Festival goes Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 26-27, at Elizabeth Evans Park ... Christner's Prime Steak & Lobster's Summer Wine & Dine Menu features a four-course meal with "rare" wine pairings. Cost depends on the steak you select, either $94 (12-ounce), $107 (16-ounce) or $176 (20-ounce).
