Breakfast Worth Leaving Bed For...

Breakfast in bed… sounds great right? Let’s be honest… it’s messy and ultimately SOMEONE has to do those dishes. Skip the hassle by going to Ethos for brunch. I promise, it’s a decision that you will not regret. Want to sleep in? You have from 9am to 3pm to catch this decadent deal.

 

I started my breakfast journey with an orange juice mimosa. Absolutely bubbly and worth it. I enjoyed every last drop. Even though we ordered a smorgasbord of food, it was at our table in no time and the feast began.

 

Orange Juice and Cranberry Mimosas- The classy way to drink your breakfast

I started with today's special- French Toast! My childhood favorite breakfast food did not fail me. It was crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and positively scrumptious.

 

 

 

 

With the special, I chose the side of home fries. I have no idea what they were seasoned with but I need the recipe... Or else Ethos needs to sell them to me by pound. These potatoes will certainly have you coming back for more!

 

 

Now of course, I had to try the pancakes.. you can get a side of two for $3.95. I am being completely forthcoming when I admit that these are the best pancakes I have ever had!! They tasted as if they were crafted by Zeus himself.... they didn't even need the syrup they came with. They were the perfect mix of fluffy and gooey and warm. I'm ready to go order some more right now!

 

 

Now if you're one of those that craves the traditional breakfast sausage... Ethos will not let you down. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy with a side of sausage. It looked amazing. I would have been envious if I was not so stuffed. He did share a bite or two... I could have sworn it was straight from my grandma's kitchen... pure southern comfort food.

 

 

 

With seriously good prices, Ethos is definitely the place to go for breakfast. Located right around the corner from Park Ave in Winter Park, its a great area to spend your weekend morning. And since everything is 100% vegan, you get to leave feeling guilt free!  (Think of all those dishes you don’t have to clean…)

 

*Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays- 9am to 3pm
 

Viva La Vegan! Viva La Toasted!

Your mama’s grilled cheese has grown up and it is delicious! If you’re looking for some comfort food with a distinguished twist, look no further than Toasted in Winter Park. Offering choices for both carnivores and vegans alike, everyone can find something at Toasted to devour.

 

 

          Specializing in unique burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, Toasted brings a bit of sophistication to your favorite childhood foods. I ordered the Roasted Vegetable which is a vegan grilled cheese sandwich inside an artisan grilled bread, stuffed with mushrooms, tomatoes and spinach. Believe me when I say vegan cheese is hard to master but Toasted definitely comes out on the top of the list… which is not surprising based on cheese experience and the wide variety they offer. A Periodic Table of Cheese even adorns their wall. They really do love and know their cheeses.

 

 

              I was also lucky enough to try the Vegan Bahn-Mi, a vegan burger with exceptional taste. Never have I ordered a vegan burger so moist and juicy. With a little spicy kick, this burger was one that absolutely stands out in the crowd. 

 

     Don’t let your sandwich steal the show. Make sure to order Truffle Fries as your side and normal fries will no longer do anything for you. Crisp, fresh and a little extra special taste of truffle, these fries are worth every delicious calorie.

 

 

     In addition to the delicious food, exceptional service and adorable décor make Toasted a perfect fit for Winter Park. I really want their cheese grater lights in my apartment now!  They are social media friendly; find pictures on Instagram or add your own under #igettoasted. In a hurry… curb side service is available.  Order too much… they have the art of doggy bagging everything perfected; even those extra fries have their own special bag so they do not get soggy.  Whatever your meat eating preference, I recommend going to toasted as soon as possible.

 

Viva La Vegan! Viva La Toasted!

A Falafel Good Time....

I was recently introduced to the amazing world of falafels and I fell in lust. Last night, I visited one of Orlando’s newbie restaurants, Hubbly Bubbly and lust instantaneously became love.

When I say everything on the menu sounds delicious, I do mean EVERYTHING. Deciding exactly what to order was definitely the hardest part of my night. Starting with large fried cauliflower bites dipped in lilly sauce and to die for hummus with pita chips, the appetizers were enough to count as a full meal.  The true star of the night was definitely the falafel sandwich though. Stuffed in a pita and filled with whatever you decide, I made a falafel my way and it was marvelous.

Don't worry.. If you order too much, take home lids are available!

 

This picturesque restaurant is located at the corner of Edgewater and Par St. With a fresh look, sleek design and brilliant puns everywhere, Hubbly Bubbly fits right into the College Park scene. What makes them stand out however (besides their pure deliciousness) is their service; as a first timer, I was not sure exactly how to order my falafel… I had only had them before as a premade item… and the staff was right there to help. Not only did they go out of their way to help me perfect my order (and veganize it) they followed up several times to ensure 100% satisfaction.

 

Hubbly Bubbly will definitely start seeing me as a regular customer immediately. I will not be a falafool… I will remember to order online when I’m in a hurry!

 

Orlando has gone Looney

Sufferin Succotaash, the Looney Tunes have come to town! This weekend I took a jaunt downtown to the History Center and reconnected with the very characters that introduced me to opera and dynamite, the perfect childhood combination. Let the nostalgia begin…

Start your walk down memory lane with the first Looney Toon… Porky Pig! (All these years I always thought it was Bugs Bunny). Follow the timeline in the exhibit to see the battles of Bugs and Elmer Fud, Bugs and Yosemite Sam, and Bugs and Daffy Duck… I never realized how Bugs Bunny was always fighting. All your favorite supporting characters are featured as well including Marvin the Martian and Foghorn Leghorn.

This dynamic display not only allows you to reconnect with the rowdy band of misfits, but also introduces you to how they were created. Before you leave, you will easily be able to answer any Looney Toon question at trivia night. For you war-buffs (or more likely your war-buff boyfriend) the exhibit includes rarely seen shorts surrounding World War II propaganda. More exciting than this history lesson is the FIVE televisions within the exhibit that constantly play the cartoons; move over kids, that couch is mine. Hola Speedy Gonzalez! Arriba Arriba!!

            Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day idea? This history center is hosting a night event on Friday the 15^th, featuring the romantic Looney Toon episodes, wine and chocolate. Cuddle up with your love, watch Pepe Le Peu chase his girl and earn some points for your totally unique idea.  Have a little one? Join the pancake, cartoon and pajama party on Saturday, March 1^st to definitely hit nostalgia where it hurts, Saturday morning cartoons.

            Before you leave, don’t forget to vote for your favorite Looney Toon character! Bonus points, its right next to Wall Street so you can immediately grab a beer and reminisce about reminiscing.

In the infamous words of Porky Pig, “that’s all folks!”

           

 

An Adventure in Maitland....

What is the common link between a Mayan Temple, a Victorian house, and the history of telephones? They are all  available to explore here in Central Florida. The Maitland Art and History Center is not your typical museum and its right down the road!

            The Art Museum itself is inside a local artist’s house. Its picturesque nature made me want to move in immediately. Featuring both a permanent collection and new traveling pieces, there is always something to see. Afterwards, I took a few moments to travel in the garden surrounding the house. By that point I was DEFINITELY ready to pack my bags.  Just add a bed, a couch, and a few good books...



The artist's job is to explore, to announce new visitors and to open new doors.

 

 

The Art Museum  features a spotlight on local artist Andre Smith, who created the Mayan Revival architecture in the Art Center across the road. Of course, it is not a real Mayan Temple, yet I still felt like I was in the Yucatan peninsula. The beauty here is truly in the details; symbols are carved into every rock, leaving something to see everywhere you look, even the floor. It is no wonder that people are constantly booking the art center as a wedding venue. To say it was breathtaking is an understatement.

 

 

 

 

Once I picked my jaw up off the floor, I headed to the house next door, the History Center! Here I connected with Maitland and Central Florida’s rich history, learning about local legends such as the Waterhouse family and Carl H Galloway. Directly behind the History Center is the Telephone Museum. I got to get down and gritty with the telephone system and practiced being an operator. “Oh Hello Mrs. Smith, you wanted to speak with Mrs. Montgomery? Let me connect you and listen in.” Imagine how much gossip you would have caught back in the day?!

            Just when I thought my day was done, I was advised that the Waterhouse tour was included in my admission. A couple of streets down, right at Lake Lilly is the Waterhouse residence.  Here I received my own PRIVATE tour of the house built 130 years ago! Including original period furniture and a full family history I was transported back to the Victorian Era and immediately realized I would have never survived. All the work those women had to do… no thank you!  I’ll just buy my clothes at the mall, thanks. Make sure to ask about the handmade decorations in the sewing room...  they are made out of human hair!

            For only SIX dollars, I have to say this was an amazing day. This hidden gem is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Bonus points if you go on Sunday, because after you can visit the Farmers Market right there at Lake Lilly. If you do, pick up a bag of kettle corn, just be sure to share with the ducks!