Downtown Orlando Happenings

Checked out "Ember" lounge (a couple times now), a definite new spot. Apparently I'm not alone, the place was packed last Saturday night. For those that don't know already, Ember is in the space once occupied by Kate O'Brians on Central Blvd. I know I said it before, but the renovation is beyond recognition from the original Kates. A very nicely done job, and so far proving to be a great happy hour spot with good appetizers and drinks.

In other restaurant news, I was caught off guard at the opening of Rustic Steakhouse on Church St. It occupies the former Improv space next to Ceviche and is from the owners of Spice Modern Steakhouse (which has locations on Central Blvd. across from the new Downtown Publix and on Park Ave in Winter Park). Though I've been monitoring the progress of the build out of the new steakhouse, the taped windows and entrance lobby prohibited much detail, so I was pleasantly surprised to walk by last weekend and see it opened, well it had just opened 2 hours before I walked by! Since I was walking back from dinner I didn't get a chance to eat there, but I was given a tour. It is very nicely done, with the former entrance space area from the Improv intact and left as a pretty cool lounge and bar area. The inside dinning room space is impressive with a large glass wine room serving as the focal point. Another nice touch is seating and tables upstairs in the encompassing balcony. I'll definitely be checking out the food on my next visit, the menu, and specifically the drink menu, looked very promising.

Downtown Orlando Happenings

The new downtown Publix has opened in The Paramount Condo on Central Blvd across from Lake Eola. This first downtown super market in decades is sure to have a major impact to downtown. Already, there has been a significant increase in pedestrian traffic in the area and overall activity. The Central Blvd. corridor, Eola Dr, and Thorton Park Central area has fast become the major residential and living area in downtown. The explosion of this area has been truly amazing within the past few years creating a truly urban residential area in downtown that includes, The Waverly, Thorton Park Central, Eola South, The Sanctuary, 101 Eola, The Jackson, Star Tower, Osceola Brownstones, Post Parkside, and The Paramount. The Montage apartment high-rise, to be located just behind The Paramount, is also planned to break ground before the end of the year.

Within the CBD, 55 West has completed construction, however build-out of a yet to be announced 4-Star hotel will begin in the next few months. This restructuring of 55 West will involve the release of all condo sales contracts with units being re-released to market once the hotel configuration and design has been finalized.

In dining and drinking news, the former Kate O’Brians on Central Blvd. has been remarkably renovated beyond recognition, and has just opened as “Ember”. This stylish new lounge has a Mediterranean theme and is from the owners of the Church Street Latitudes complex and Tryst martini bar. After a recent walk-thru of the completed $4M renovation, this place is sure to be a hot spot. The outdoor patio area is amazing, consisting of an enormous multi-level patio of pavers and tiles, mosaics, mediterranean roof tiles, and wrought iron rails throughout. An abundance of stylish lighting and fans for outdoor air circulation adds a nice touch. Also the indoor area is first-rate as well, again completely unrecognizable from the former Kate O’Brians space. Ember will feature specialty drinks and food that have been designed by the team from Kres Chophouse on Church Street.