Lake Eola Neighbourhood.

[spenser1058]

It looks like the Sorosis clubhouse will receive some TLC and become the Eola Garden Club.

First, they have to get permission from the city to allow special events there. If not, it may fall to residential use.

https://bungalower.com/2021/10/24/sorosis-of-orlando-womans-club-to-become-eola-garden-club/

From Bungalower 

Kudos to the developers and Puff n Stuff Catering making this happen.
 

[spenser1058]

@popsiclebrandonalerted us earlier this week that Eden’s would become Dolce (no sausages for us *sigh*). Here’s more from Bungalower:

https://bungalower.com/2021/11/23/ask-bungalower-whats-happening-at-the-old-edens-fresh/

[dwSouthEola]

We posted some pics and info about this to our neighborhood Instagram the other day, it'll be exciting to see the new concept take shape. It's a great location.

[spenser1058]

9 minutes ago, dwSouthEola said:

We posted some pics and info about this to our neighborhood Instagram the other day, it'll be exciting to see the new concept take shape. It's a great location.

I really wanted sausages, though. Oh well, hopefully this will be wonderful too.

[spenser1058]

I was looking at their website and it seems Eden’s is down to one location. That leaves the question: are they not long for this world or will they be the next Beefy King that hangs on in one spot for 53 years and counting?

[bqknight]

On 11/26/2021 at 12:59 PM, spenser1058 said:

I was looking at their website and it seems Eden’s is down to one location. That leaves the question: are they not long for this world or will they be the next Beefy King that hangs on in one spot for 53 years and counting?

Eden's was not good IMO - especially that the meat options was just Boars Head deli meat. I think people went there because it was there, not because they liked it. I'd much rather just go down to Publix and get a better salad. 

[AndyPok1]

On 11/24/2021 at 11:11 AM, spenser1058 said:

@popsiclebrandonalerted us earlier this week that Eden’s would become Dolce (no sausages for us *sigh*). Here’s more from Bungalower:

https://bungalower.com/2021/11/23/ask-bungalower-whats-happening-at-the-old-edens-fresh/

Wait what?  Booooo.  It's getting to the temperature where I can resume my Friday afternoon lunch walks downtown!

[dwSouthEola]

At our last neighborhood association meeting residents from MAA Parkside were commenting that they had seen/heard a bakery was 'coming soon' to this location. With very little digging (while we were talking at the meeting) we found this online: https://www.jillycakesorlando.com/

Opening soon in scenic Downtown Orlando!

500 E Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801

We've been following them on Insta since the meeting (https://www.instagram.com/jillycakesbakes/), they previously won Cupcake Wars and are currently competing on Holiday Wars on Food Network. Pretty cool, but from their posted sign that they are hiring the business is clearly more than a new Jillycakes location, also serving food and drinks. Will be really neat to see the full concept once they open.

[popsiclebrandon]

1 hour ago, dwSouthEola said:

At our last neighborhood association meeting residents from MAA Parkside were commenting that they had seen/heard a bakery was 'coming soon' to this location. With very little digging (while we were talking at the meeting) we found this online: https://www.jillycakesorlando.com/

Opening soon in scenic Downtown Orlando!

500 E Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801

We've been following them on Insta since the meeting (https://www.instagram.com/jillycakesbakes/), they previously won Cupcake Wars and are currently competing on Holiday Wars on Food Network. Pretty cool, but from their posted sign that they are hiring the business is clearly more than a new Jillycakes location, also serving food and drinks. Will be really neat to see the full concept once they open.

Appears to be they are going to be selling their stuff at this Dolce place, maybe baking out of there too but with the size I'd be surprised.

[bqknight]

They did my wedding cupcakes! They’re delicious and have tons of flavors. Most recently they were in I-Drive 360 (with Sausage Shack, so makes sense) and we’re in the Trader Joe’s plaza in Winter Park before that. 

Edited November 30, 2021 by bqknight

[dwSouthEola]

7 hours ago, bqknight said:

They did my wedding cupcakes! They’re delicious and have tons of flavors.

That's so cool! Whenever a business space with good foot traffic opens up in the neighborhood I've always hoped we'd get a good bakery. Living in Boston's North End there were so many and tbh I love having it so close but - Publix just doesn't cut it. Lol

[neoanderz]

On 11/26/2021 at 12:59 PM, spenser1058 said:

I was looking at their website and it seems Eden’s is down to one location. That leaves the question: are they not long for this world or will they be the next Beefy King that hangs on in one spot for 53 years and counting?

I’m curious.  Did Beefy King have more than one location at one time?

[spenser1058]

16 minutes ago, neoanderz said:

I’m curious.  Did Beefy King have more than one location at one time?

Yes, it was a nascent chain. There was also one in WP and on SOB Trail that I remember. There may have been more.

[spenser1058]

The F&D Cantina is about to open at TPC in the former Jax/Baoery/Cityfish/CCM space. I checked out their Lake Mary menu which is said to be similar and I think it may be a new favorite - awesome texmex taken up a notch or two.

Apparently, they’re the folks that own Anthony’s TP now, so just one big happy family.

Speaking of Mexican, Scott J did a review of the new restaurant that is replacing Sam Seltzer’s after many years (Sam’s wasn’t bad for a lower end steakhouse - I missed its passing).

Nevertheless, Scott talked about the battle with Altamonte Springs over the giant plastic bulls and cows they put out front.

Now that the space is going south of the border, maybe a giant Ferdinand the Bull would be in order!

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/reviews/65-mexican/5914-las-lomas-mexican-grill

Edited January 6, 2022 by spenser1058

[dwSouthEola]

On 1/5/2022 at 8:12 PM, spenser1058 said:

The F&D Cantina is about to open

I was in talking with them today, really nice people and the space looks amazing. They said the soft opening will either be the 16th or 17th.

[AndyPok1]

On 1/5/2022 at 8:12 PM, spenser1058 said:

Apparently, they’re the folks that own Anthony’s TP now, so just one big happy family.

Didn't realize it had gotten sold.  Hopefully no major changes?  They're probably my favorite local pizza (and especially stromboli place), though I end up at Brick & Fire more often now since its closer.

[spenser1058]

46 minutes ago, AndyPok1 said:

Didn't realize it had gotten sold.  Hopefully no major changes?  They're probably my favorite local pizza (and especially stromboli place), though I end up at Brick & Fire more often now since its closer.

Scott J mentioned it a while back. As far as I can tell, it’s mostly the same as always and still the closest place for pizza to me so I’m good.

[spenser1058]

Oudom Thai and Sushi temporarily closed by FL BPR to clean up their act:

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/news/5918-oudom-thai-and-sushi-restaurant-ordered-closed

A bit of roach with your Sushi adds protein!

From Scott J

Edited January 10, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

On 1/10/2022 at 6:44 PM, spenser1058 said:

Oudom Thai and Sushi temporarily closed by FL BPR to clean up their act:

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/news/5918-oudom-thai-and-sushi-restaurant-ordered-closed

A bit of roach with your Sushi adds protein!

From Scott J

Oudom is still closed and Scott J is wondering if there’s more going on than problems with health inspectors.

Personally, I think that spot is cursed. @dwSouthEola, do you know any friendly priests in the neighborhood that do exorcisms?

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/news/5921-oudom-thai-sushi-still-closed

[angela1117]

Oooofff...flashback to the beginning of my career with DOH (before the health dept "lost" restaurant inspections to DBPR in the early '90's. DBPR had stronger lobbyists and wanted all those sweet permit fees). DOH ended up with the institutional food (schools, assisted living facilities which were typically cleaner.

Inspecting restaurants was a great diet aid....except for the part where I had morning sickness. The baby is 32 now and I retired a year and a half ago 

[dwSouthEola]

22 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Personally, I think that spot is cursed. @dwSouthEola, do you know any friendly priests in the neighborhood that do exorcisms?

They should pick up some smudge sticks at Avalon and spend the rest of their time cleaning. I don't think Eola Square is cursed, it just takes a lot to keep such big spaces with big overhead running and profitable. After a few diff concepts and diff owners, the owners of the Mule and now RusTeak have really anchored that end of the block and do well. Obviously whether its been failed concepts or bad business decisions many have failed here but Oudom is at 7yrs now, I'm not ready to count them out yet.

[spenser1058]

Oudom has been exorcised of its infestations and dirt (whether by a priest or Mr. Clean, we can’t say).

Opening should come quickly:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/food-restaurants/restaurant-inspections/os-bz-downtown-orlando-sushi-restaurant-reopens-after-shut-down-for-9-days-20220114-rquykcb7m5ewromgir6qfwl6pu-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

[idroveazamboni]

I will be visiting my parents in Orlando next month. Hopefully ,I can get downtown and take some new pictures. I’m excited to see all the new buildings constructed over the last 3 + years. 

[spenser1058]

@dwSouthEola, you’ve been holding out on me <g>! Somehow I missed out that Baptist Terrace is no more. However, kudos to the city for getting together with ONIC (it could have been OHA, I lost the link) to keep the building as affordable housing for seniors.

@jgardnerucf, since you’ve made clear you know about everything the minute it happens, why didn’t you tell us about this?

I wonder if that funky blue color they just painted it is a Buddy favorite…

[spenser1058]

Joy Wallace Dickinson at The Sentinel takes a look at one of the core’s unheralded gems, Broadway United Methodist Church. 

It’s celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and thankfully it’s in a protected district (thanks, Mayor Bill!) so the bulldozers so popular on UP can’t get at it.

What’s interesting is reading the story about its construction and everything since. They’ve been incredibly involved in the community in their attractive building unlike the developers who build ugly boxes, take their money and run. And the congregation has  stayed for a century unlike the residents the ugly towers attract that are gone a year or two later.

I know who I’d prefer for a neighbor.

history
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-fe-joy-wallace-dickinson-0410-20220410-c2lsmgxyevg4ncmmilcjwfr5we-story.html
 

Edited April 10, 2022 by spenser1058