The “The Paramount on Lake Eola” continues toward completion. Construction fencing has been removed from the perimeter and once again Central Blvd., Lake Ave, and Pine St. are opened after over 2 years of being partially closed. The Publix Supermarket also looks to be completing build-out, with the sign being worked on this week, though the actual opening will not happen until Labor Day.
In other news, plans for the “Orlando Wheel” to be located in tourist town (I-Drive Area) are under way. The 500ft wheel will be similar to the London Eye and others in Singapore and Bejing, containing sightseeing capsules all around a ferris wheel structure, each holding about 40 people. Given Orlando’s flat terrain, it should make for a great view of Downtown Orlando for anyone willing to bear the trauma of first driving down to that part of town and second being trapped inside a capsule chock-full-of tourists. But hey, it’s sure to make the tourists happy, and may be worth trying at least once, maybe when Aunt Bunny and Uncle Leo come to visit and you’re forced to drive to touristville!
Anyway, lots going on in dining news, we have some openings, closings, and name changes. First, Cool Blue Burrito that was located in The Plaza has closed without notice. Its short stint is of no surprise given that it was only opened for 4 hours a day, weekdays only! Plus with Panchero’s down the street on Church St., and Tijuana Flats re-opening a few blocks away in Thorton Park, its sub-par burritos didn’t stand a chance anyway. Speaking of Tijuana Flats, the build out in the old Gelatone gelato shop and Renovations spa spaces in Thorton Park Central, next to Hue Restaurant, looks to be coming along nicely with awnings and signs now appearing along with general minor renovations to the exterior of the Thorton Park Central retail for the Central and Summerlin corner. In openings, Panino’s Pizza & Grill has opened on Orange Ave (next to Ichiban Sushi). Haven’t tried it out yet, but the hours look promising 9am to 5am, just hope it will stand out among the 4 other Pizzerias in view from just outside their front door (plus NYPD Pizza soon to be opening in The Plaza!). Also in The Plaza, the build out of Bola Italian restaurant space continues, however with a new name posted, “The Black Olive”. No word on the details of this change, however the Bola Italian Restaurant that was on I-Drive appears to have closed (along with their website).
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Downtown News and Stuff…
There is some good news and bad news for the “The Paramount on Lake Eola” condominium project located on Central Blvd. The good, it is completing final construction in the next few weeks and the sidewalks that have been closed for the past 2 years have finally opened, along with the mounting of a “unique” metal sculpture at the corner near the entrance to the Publix supermarket that will be located on the ground floor. The Publix is set to open on Labor Day. The bad news, well kind of bad news, is that a lawsuit has been filed by some condo buyers concerning a structural problem that arose early on in construction. However city and structural inspectors have repeatedly stated that the massive iron structures and supports brought in are more than sufficient to resolve any possible structural issues discovered, and the remedy is common practice in high-rise concrete structures when cracks are discovered during construction. It is the developer’s opinion that the lawsuit is being filed by buyers who want to “back-out” of their contracts and is using the structural issue as an excuse to have their deposits refunded. The Paramount has sold all but 5 of the 313 total units.
In other development news, Doc’s Restaurant, located on South Orange Ave. across from ORMC is closing to make room for a hotel. The existing structure will be partially demolished to make room for a Hampton Inn hotel that will include space for a new Doc’s Restaurant. In the meantime, Doc’s Restaurant owners are looking for another downtown location to open up during construction and beyond.
Also in Orlando news, Fast Company Magazine (June 2008 issue) has named Orlando as one of 12 global cities best for innovation. Only 2 other U.S. cities are included in the list (Seattle and Kansas City). The top reasons noted for Orlando’s inclusion are its interactive and simulation software, and biotech industries, noting the future medical hub complex to be located in Lake Nona that will include the UCF Medical School, Burnham Institute, Nemours Children’s Hospital, VA Medical Center, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center.
And some good drinking and dining news (well drinking anyway), the new Stardust Lounge located in the former Lee’s Underground Tavern space mentioned last week definitely lives up to its expectations. I don’t know how they did it, maybe through smoke and mirrors, but somehow the space looks bigger than I remember when it was Lee’s Tavern. It’s still of course a pretty small space, but they did a great job on the renovation. Drinks were top, though there is no beer on tap (only bottles), but hey, this is a lounge after all, and while they do have a rather nice list of themed specialty drinks, my posse prefers to kick it old school with some White Russians and Tom Collins. Also to my surprise, it’s non-smoking, which is great news for anyone who has been to Tanqueray's Bar on Orange Ave (another small Orlando underground bar but does allow smoking). Also, on one visit to Stardust, food menus were displayed showing a limited subset of The Beacon’s menu (apparently food will be brought over from The Beacon a couple blocks away).
In other development news, Doc’s Restaurant, located on South Orange Ave. across from ORMC is closing to make room for a hotel. The existing structure will be partially demolished to make room for a Hampton Inn hotel that will include space for a new Doc’s Restaurant. In the meantime, Doc’s Restaurant owners are looking for another downtown location to open up during construction and beyond.
Also in Orlando news, Fast Company Magazine (June 2008 issue) has named Orlando as one of 12 global cities best for innovation. Only 2 other U.S. cities are included in the list (Seattle and Kansas City). The top reasons noted for Orlando’s inclusion are its interactive and simulation software, and biotech industries, noting the future medical hub complex to be located in Lake Nona that will include the UCF Medical School, Burnham Institute, Nemours Children’s Hospital, VA Medical Center, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center.
And some good drinking and dining news (well drinking anyway), the new Stardust Lounge located in the former Lee’s Underground Tavern space mentioned last week definitely lives up to its expectations. I don’t know how they did it, maybe through smoke and mirrors, but somehow the space looks bigger than I remember when it was Lee’s Tavern. It’s still of course a pretty small space, but they did a great job on the renovation. Drinks were top, though there is no beer on tap (only bottles), but hey, this is a lounge after all, and while they do have a rather nice list of themed specialty drinks, my posse prefers to kick it old school with some White Russians and Tom Collins. Also to my surprise, it’s non-smoking, which is great news for anyone who has been to Tanqueray's Bar on Orange Ave (another small Orlando underground bar but does allow smoking). Also, on one visit to Stardust, food menus were displayed showing a limited subset of The Beacon’s menu (apparently food will be brought over from The Beacon a couple blocks away).
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Downtown News and Stuff…
On building and development news, the planned Verde Towers project located Uptown on a 2.5 acre site at the corner of N. Orange and Marks St., long thought to be on hold, has been reborn as a 300 mid-rise apartment 5 story building with 1st floor retail proposed for artist related galleries and shops, with an aim to continue downtown's residential expansion into Uptown. Details are slowly emerging and I will keep you posted.
There is some very good news for the new downtown Arena and Entertainment complex. You can now begin to see when travelling I-4 WB and exiting from the temporary Anderson St. exit, the future site of the Orlando Events Center. The land is now clearly visible and has been completely cleared of the final remaining buildings and structures. The Church St. site is just on the other side of I-4 from Church Street Station and will be completed and ready in time for the Magic’s 2010 NBA season. There are also plans in the works to transform the area under I-4 into an outdoor retail market and walkway to bridge the Church Street Station and new Arena entertainment complexes.
And now for some downtown dining, drinking, and entertainment news…The former Lee’s Underground, “Cheers” style basement bar, has re-opened as Stardust Lounge, not to be confused with Stardust Video on Corrine and Winter Park drive, a cool spot in its own that I should tell you about another time. The new Stardust Lounge promises a vintage 1950’s Vegas style and as is owned by the Beacon Hill Group, which also owns Graze and The Beacon downtown restaurants located in the Sanctuary condo. I will keep you posted on if it lives up to its promise and plan to make a visit this week. On a related note, the former Beacon Group’s “Room 39” bar in the historic Angebilt Building on Orange Ave (next to The Lodge), has been renovated and re-opened as “Finnhenry’s” (www.finnhenrys.com) with plans of being a neighborhood style bar and lunch spot. A first visit found it pretty busy as a potential happy hour hotspot, with food apparently only served till 3pm. Since I arrived after that I can’t tell you much about the food, but the waitress was kind enough to bring over some pretty tasty homemade chips. J Also in restaurant news, the recently closed Downtown Sam Snead’s will be replaced by “310 Lakeside” from the same owners as 310 Park South on Park Ave. in Winter Park. More news on that to come…
Some more downtown happenings… a group of emerging artists have begun to coordinate a weekly “Block Party” in downtown on the 200 block of Magnolia Ave, near Culture Mart and Daily News luncheonette. The event invites local artists to display and sell their work and starts at about 8pm on Fridays.
There is some very good news for the new downtown Arena and Entertainment complex. You can now begin to see when travelling I-4 WB and exiting from the temporary Anderson St. exit, the future site of the Orlando Events Center. The land is now clearly visible and has been completely cleared of the final remaining buildings and structures. The Church St. site is just on the other side of I-4 from Church Street Station and will be completed and ready in time for the Magic’s 2010 NBA season. There are also plans in the works to transform the area under I-4 into an outdoor retail market and walkway to bridge the Church Street Station and new Arena entertainment complexes.
And now for some downtown dining, drinking, and entertainment news…The former Lee’s Underground, “Cheers” style basement bar, has re-opened as Stardust Lounge, not to be confused with Stardust Video on Corrine and Winter Park drive, a cool spot in its own that I should tell you about another time. The new Stardust Lounge promises a vintage 1950’s Vegas style and as is owned by the Beacon Hill Group, which also owns Graze and The Beacon downtown restaurants located in the Sanctuary condo. I will keep you posted on if it lives up to its promise and plan to make a visit this week. On a related note, the former Beacon Group’s “Room 39” bar in the historic Angebilt Building on Orange Ave (next to The Lodge), has been renovated and re-opened as “Finnhenry’s” (www.finnhenrys.com) with plans of being a neighborhood style bar and lunch spot. A first visit found it pretty busy as a potential happy hour hotspot, with food apparently only served till 3pm. Since I arrived after that I can’t tell you much about the food, but the waitress was kind enough to bring over some pretty tasty homemade chips. J Also in restaurant news, the recently closed Downtown Sam Snead’s will be replaced by “310 Lakeside” from the same owners as 310 Park South on Park Ave. in Winter Park. More news on that to come…
Some more downtown happenings… a group of emerging artists have begun to coordinate a weekly “Block Party” in downtown on the 200 block of Magnolia Ave, near Culture Mart and Daily News luncheonette. The event invites local artists to display and sell their work and starts at about 8pm on Fridays.
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