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What's one great place for lunch in St. Pete near the museums?

Thanks so much, Cflynn. This is research for a feature about a day trip to St. Pete. The readers live in the Daytona area so I want to find them interesting places other than glorious beaches.

May 02, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

What's one great place for lunch in St. Pete near the museums?

One day, one lunch -- something noteworthy, maybe colorful, historic, farm-to-table, trendy -- worth seeking out. (If there's anything else I must see or do while in the area, don't be shy about sharing that too.)

Thanks,
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May 01, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Hey Orlando is featured on Epicurious!

Thank you so much, Sandwich Sister and Lou. This project was really exciting. There was so much to say I actually had to trim out a few great places, and then the James Beard news came in so my editors were psyched to add that news into the mix. We are, not so slowly, becoming recognized for the great eats between the Sizzlers and the Longhorns.

www.RonaRecommends.com

Apr 19, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Delray: If I like Tryst and Max's Harvest, what else should I try?

Thanks for both of these recs. We'll have a grandmother (in her 70s) and a teenage boy with us. They're both used to being dragged to these kinds of places, but would one restaurant be more appropriate than the other?

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Apr 11, 2013
Rona Gindin in Miami - Fort Lauderdale
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Delray: If I like Tryst and Max's Harvest, what else should I try?

Should I make repeat visits during my annual Delray-area weekend or is there someplace else I'd enjoy just as much? I could go north or south of Boynton Beach.

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Apr 11, 2013
Rona Gindin in Miami - Fort Lauderdale

Foodie looking for good eats in Punta Gorda Florida

For seafood, definitely go to Peace River seafood and get crabs. Good choices in the historic downtown area are River City Grill (very local-foods oriented) and The Perfect Caper.

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Apr 03, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Orlando: Dinner for 10 Ladies Near World Center Marriott

You're pretty stuck then, as the Marriott is surrounded by chain restaurants and other hotels. So yes on Siro and La Luce, also Bull & Bear, but Funky Monkey is not that close. You could do a Disney hotel restaurant like Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge or Flying Fish at the BoardWalk.

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Mar 13, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Orlando's Best Sandwiches

You are confusing two different restaurants. Yellow Dog Eats is a sandwich and barbecue shop in Gotha, near Windermere. Yellow Dog Cafe is a full-service waterfront restaurant in Malabar.They are not related.

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Mar 13, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Orlando: Dinner for 10 Ladies Near World Center Marriott

Sarah, Will you have cars?

Mar 13, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Best of Orlando - January 2013

The Pharmacy website is now live. I'm told it's a work in progress, but the basics are there. http://thepharmacyorlando.com/

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Mar 07, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Orlando's Best Sandwiches

Bill Whitaker hasn't owned Press 101 in awhile. In March 2012, I interviewed the new owner, Steve F. Ashdji, who told me he also held interests in hotel development and the pharmaceutical industry. I am curious to hear if the restaurant is indeed gone.

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Mar 06, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Best of Orlando - January 2013

I'm told the website will be up by the end of the week.

www.RonaRecommends.com

Feb 24, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Quick - Help me pick which Sushi restaurant in Orlando to go to tomorrow night.

Sushi Pop really is worth a drive. It's far, though, especially if you're paying a cab. Otherwise I'd say Shin for the quality of the sushi, Dragonfly for the fab atmosphere. Hanamzuki is terrific but sushi is not where it's strongest. Shari Sushi in Thornton Park is another contender.

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Jan 30, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Orlando bar dining

I'd suggest The Rusty Spoon. It's a fab gastropub in the heart of downtown. The food is locally sourced and prepared wonderfully. The bar area is low-key and friendly, and has seats indoors and out.

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Jan 16, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Yummy food in Punta Gorda

I was especially impressed with three places in Punta Gorda recently: Peace River Seafood, quite downscale (picnic tables, fishnets) but crazy-fresh crabs and shrimp. Also, River City Grill impressed with a great take-out lunch,--I mean, really great. Based on the desserts I sampled I'd recommend giving The Perfect Caper a try if you want to go upscale.

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Jan 15, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Best restaurants near Waldorf Astoria Orlando?

What may not be clear, j04, is that the Waldorf is in the middle of nowhere. That hotel, along with an upscale Hilton and Wyndham, I believe, are alone with a bunch of timeshares on a huge piece of land that was probably undeveloped until the hotels went up recently. There are no strip malls or independent businesses nearby. If you want to venture out and find non-hotel restaurants, head over to Downtown Disney or Celebration, or go a bit further to Sand Lake Road, our Restaurant Row, and you'll find plenty of options. Crossroads right outside Disney property has a bunch of places too, but nearly all are chains.

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Jan 07, 2013
Rona Gindin in Florida

Really, really large group in Orlando

Tchoup Chop sounds like a great choice. The decor is fantastic and Chef Greg puts out a creative, top-quality menu. Enjoy! (and report back, please, the good and the bad)

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Dec 05, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Pasco County, Florida - any must eat's?

I just ate at Pearl in the Grove and it was fantastic. Creative eclectic menu, warm service, and calorie-worthy desserts. www.pearlinthegrove.com

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Nov 18, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Really, really large group in Orlando

Maggiano's can definitely accommodate a group that size, but you can also do a buyout of a another restaurant. On the VisitOrlando.com website, you can choose a part of town, such as International Drive (near the convention center), and see which restaurants appeal. Wedding venue places might be good too. Bella Collina out in Montverde is beautiful but pricey. Another option is Casa Feliz in Winter Park. Or, work backwards: Call a caterer (Cuisiners, Big Wheel, Puff n Stuff, Aruthurs are reputable) and ask about venues in your price range. You can often get venue ideas from their websites. (This VisitOrlando.com link might help. http://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/weddings/

)

Good luck.

www.RonaGindin.com

Nov 14, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Unique Orlando Place Close To Turnpike?

If you get off at the Winter Garden exit instead of an Orlando exit you have a few lunch choices. Yellow Dog Eats is a cute little sandwich, salad and barbecue shop in a historic building in Gotha. JR's Attic is a cute little choice on Winter Garden's quaint Plant Street. You can also try 4 Rivers Smokehouse, a great barbecue place in Winter Garden. There's not much near the 17-92 exit. Maybe Padrino's for sorta upscale Cuban, or Sushi House for sushi in a chic space.

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Oct 30, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Dinner Reservations at Disney?

September is fairly slow at Disney World so you can take a chance, but if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant you'd do we'll to reserve a place.

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Sep 22, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Free Range Chicken/Grass Fed Beef/Farmers: Windermere or Winter Garden area?

Right now, I believe Audubon is the only all-local farmers market in town. It's by the Stardust in Orlando. This winter, the East End Market will open right near Audubon. It will be a full-time farmers-style market with artisan and locavore food vendors. http://eastendmkt.com/

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Aug 15, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Free Range Chicken/Grass Fed Beef/Farmers: Windermere or Winter Garden area?

Lake Meadow Naturals is hosting a local-foods event this Saturday from 9 to 11. The farm has a nice store that's open a few days a week.

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Aug 14, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Feeding a basketball team in ORLANDO

How far are you willing to drive and what kind of prices are you looking for? Off the cuff I'd say drive 10 minutes to Celebration for upscale diner food at the Market Cafe, or maybe New England-style seafood at Celebration Town Tavern. Both are pretty cheap, not chains, and fairly good, and have options for picky teens and parents with decent taste.

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Jul 23, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Orlando Advice

Some people like to picnic on the grounds of the Polasek sculpture museum, right on a lake. If food is allowed, Leu Gardens would be lovely for a picnic. The state park at Wekiwa is pretty. You might pick up food at Dylan's Deli, a French cafe with nice sandwiches; FreshMarket; maybe from Croissant Gourmet or Mills 903 (someone help with the name?) or a food truck or Cuban Sandwiches to Go.

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Jul 23, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Confined to the Peabody - Need a Recommendation

In that case, stick with Napa.

Jul 09, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Confined to the Peabody - Need a Recommendation

I can't choose between those two for you, but keep in mind that International Drive has an inexpensive green trolley that travels regularly up and down International Drive. I-Drive isn't tops for quiet fabulous restaurants but Sand Lake Road nearby has several credible options.

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Jul 06, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Yellow watermelon in central florida?

It'll show up. It does every summer. It may be too early in the season. Maybe try FreshMarket.

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Jun 14, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Need Orlando advice

Norman's is one of your very best options. From your list, I'd recommend Norman's, Luma and Ravenous Pig, without question. All have fish dishes and excellent food.

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Jun 11, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida

Help..Convention at Marriott/Ritz Grand Lake

You might want to try Taverna Opa. It's not to far away, it has surprisingly good Greek food, and the whole restaurant, pretty much, dances along with the entertainers.

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Jun 05, 2012
Rona Gindin in Florida