By Chef Kevin Fonzo
“Why haven’t you ventured into the real city of Orlando? Come see why we are proud to call Orlando home!”
The biggest misconception about Orlando: is that it is all one theme parks.
In reality, it is: more about us having the best theme parks in the world, but also an exploding culinary scene which is thriving due to our diverse population and availability of local ingredients year-round.
As a chef, I love living in Orlando because: we are virtually the "breadbasket" of Florida. Centrally located with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, giving us two bodies of water to source our seafood as well as being surrounded by numerous farms.
My Restaurant | K Restaurant
Orlando's first chef-owned restaurant utilizing and sourcing ingredients from the area. We have the benefit of having our own backyard garden for growing vegetables and herbs. Try anything on my menu because it is all sourced locally and it is damn good!
1710 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804
T: 407.872.2332 | krestaurant.net
My Orlando Guide
MORNING
Photographs courtesy of Credo
COFFEE | Credo
This is in my College Park neighborhood and they have great coffee, a great scene, and they practice fair trade.
706 West Smith Street, Orlando, FL 32804 | T: 407.371.2925
550 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803
downtowncredo.com
BREAKFAST | Artisan's Table
Come here and order the Japanese Rice Bowl with Farm Egg from my chef and friend Scott Copeland.
22 East Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801
T: 407.730.7499 | www.artisanstableorlando.com
Photography courtesy of Swine & Sons
FAST BREAKFAST | Swine & Sons
This provisions shop is great if you're in a hurry.
595 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
T: 407.636.7601 | swineandsons.com
EXPLORE
East End Market | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
FOOD & DRINK SHOPS | East End Market
Visit any of the artisans here. Swing by Lineage for some incredible coffee. Have it with a pastry from Olde Hearth Bread or a chunk of cheese from La Femme Du Fromage. You can also get a glass of local wine from Quantum at Local Roots.
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
T: 321.236.3316 | www.eastendmkt.com
AFTERNOON PAUSE
TEA | Infusion Tea
They have some of Orlando's best tea offerings, as well as a diverse menu.
1600 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804
T: 407.999.5255 | www.infusionorlando.com
COCKTAIL HOUR
Photograph courtesy of The Courtesy Bar
The Courtesy Bar
This is Orlando's first craft cocktail bar and it is still leading the pack.
114 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
T: 407.450.2041 | www.thecourtesybar.com
DINNER
“There are so many talented chefs in the Central Florida region right now. You would need at least a month in our great city to visit all of them.”
GASTROPUB | The Rusty Spoon
Visit chef Kathleen Blake at Rusty Spoon for anything that is sourced locally.
55 West Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801
T: 407.401.8811 | www.therustyspoon.com
Photograph courtesy of SOCO Thorton Park
SOUTHERN | SOCO Thorton Park
If you are looking for Southern cuisine, this is the best the city has to offer.
629 East Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801
T: 407.849.1800 | www.socothorntonpark.com
Winter Park | Photograph courtesy of The Alfond Inn
NEW AMERICAN | The Osprey Tavern & Hamilton's Kitchen at The Alfond Inn
For some of the most creative food I would venture to these places.
THE OSPREY TABERN
4899 New Broad Street, Orlando, FL 32814
T: 407.960.7700 | ospreytavern.com
THE ALFOND INN
300 E New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
T: 407.998.8089 | www.thealfondinn.com
Photograph courtesy of Prato
ITALIAN | Prato
The best pizza in town is at Prato.
124 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
407.262.0050 | www.prato-wp.com
Photograph courtesy of Norman's
UPSCALE | Norman's + Victoria & Albert's
For a fancy night out head to Norman's at the Ritz-Carlton or Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.
NORMAN'S
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
4012 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32837
T: 407.393.4333 | www.ritzcarlton.com
VICTORIA & ALBERT'S
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 4401 Floridian Way, Orlando, FL 32830
T: 407.939.3862 | Website
LATE NIGHT
Photograph courtesy of Cask & Larder
Cask & Larder
Swing by here for creative bar snacks to beat off the alcohol from the killer cocktails of bartender Mike Bass at their bar.
Open until midnight
565 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
T: 321.280.4200 | www.caskandlarder.com
Chef Kevin Fonzo
Executive chef and owner of K Restaurant and Wine Bar in Orlando. His philosophy is to showcase the best locally sourced ingredients, many come from his own garden behind his restaurant. Originally from Central Florida, he was part of the opening team for The Peabody Hotel before moving to Atlanta where he worked with the Peasant Group, and at Bistango, and Ciboulette. In 2010, he was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Southeast.
K Restaurant and Wine Bar
1710 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804
T: 407.872.2332 | krestaurant.net
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