Local Orlando Super Foodie E-Newsletter 5-21-2021 edition

featuring illume, the new Japanese influenced rooftop bar and restaurant at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek and more Orlando food news

TastyChomps.com's Amazing Weekly Newsletter! View this email in your browser Visit TastyChomps.com This Week in Orlando Food and Drink ->Like this newsletter? Forward this to a friend ->A friend forwarded this to you? Subscribe here! New Japanese influenced Rooftop Bar and Restaurant to open May 27th at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek near Disney Springs Orlando's hottest new rooftop restaurant, illume, is opening at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, on Thursday May 27th. We got an exclusive sneak peek at illume – this place is full breathtaking views, an Asian-inspired menu , and handcrafted Japanese sake and aged whiskey cocktails. Perfect for viewing the nightly nearby Disney fireworks. The restaurant will be led by chef Myra Buerkle.   Remembering Chef Francisco "Chico" Mendonca of Bem Bom Cuisine Chef Francisco "Chico" Mendonça of Bem Bom Cuisine passed away after a brief battle with cancer this past Saturday May 15 at the age of 57. Chef Mendonça and his wife Dee founded Bem Bom Food Truck in 2012, featuring some of the best Portuguese food in Orlando.  In 2018, the family opened their brick and mortar location on Corrine Drive in the Audubon Park neighborhood, whipping out some of the best Mexican & Portuguese cuisine in town with dishes like the Prego de Frango Piri-Piri, piri-piri marinated chicken sandwich and whole oven roasted octopus in olive oil. Chef Chico, who was born in the Azores Islands of Portugal, was masterful in his craft and always happy to share with guests his love for food, drink, and his home in the Azores. His kind spirit will be sorely missed in Central Florida.   Proudly Sponsored by: Stefano's Trattoria   Heirloom Family Meal Delivery by Puff N' Stuff Catering   When 2020 forced the world to slow down, the folks at Puff N' Stuff Catering saw a renewed interest in family time, and wondered, "what if we crafted fresh meals for busy families to provide the convenience of take-out or delivery, and the wholesomeness of making it yourself?" Visit Orlando Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021 While Orlando attracts visitors from around the world, the local community is a vibrant mix of global citizens, including Asian Pacific American communities. In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Visit Orlando has gathered information on Asian-owned restaurants and special events for visitors and locals to enjoy this month and throughout the year, which will be continually updated on VisitOrlando.com/AAPI. Visit Orlando also asked me to do a quick "Tour a Tasty Trio of Asian-American Restaurants in Orlando" that can be found here (and featuring Dochi, Kabooki, and Hawkers): https://www.visitorlando.com/blog/post/asian-american-restaurants-orlando/   Celebrating May – Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021 in Orlando This month throughout Central Florida there will be activities and events to promote and bring awareness to the Asian American Pacific Islander community as well as benefiting non-profit organizations to advance equality and justice. See below for details on all that is going on in the community this May: https://tastychomps.com/2021/05/celebrating-may-asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month-in-orlando.html Proudly Sponsored by: Big Fin Seafood Kitchen Tasty Chomps x Orlando Foodie Forum – A Taste of… Tap Room at Dubsdread Secret Menu – May 13th thru May 23rd Starting May 13th – May 23rd, 2021, guest can get a 3-course dinner at Tap Room at Dubsdread for just $39.  Price does not include tax or gratuity. Choose one appetizer, entrée, and dessert from the menu below: Really good bread service courtesy of The Tap Room. APPETIZERS Lamb Skewers Seasoned, grilled lamb served over hummus with fried chickpeas and peaches drizzled with a roasted garlic, rosemary infused olive oil. Avocado Scotchies 2 soft boiled eggs, wrapped in avocado, breaded and fried crispy, on top of a smoked corn relish and andouille sausage. ENTRÉES Clam Cavatelli Littleneck clams, fresh hand made cavatelli pasta in a white wine butter sauce, with broccoli rabe, saffron, and fresno peppers. Smoked Short Ribs Cherrywood smoked boneless short ribs, braised southern collard greens with bacon, fried cheesy polenta with a fire roasted tomatillo chutney. DESSERT Carrot Cake Key Lime Pie Brownie Sundae OR DRINK Any cocktail, beer or wine (up to $12) To make a reservation, call The Tap Room at Dubsdread and mention the "Tasty Chomps Taste of Tap Room at Dubsdread Secret Menu" from May 13th – May 23rd, 2021. The Tap Room at Dubsdread 549 W Par St, Orlando, FL 32804 (407) 650-0100 taproomatdubsdread.com   A Food Lover's Guide to St. Pete/Clearwater for Summer 2021 – Our Itinerary for Sunny St. Pete/Clearwater We were invited to visit St. Pete/Clearwater to get a taste of what makes this dreamy Florida destination a slice of paradise.  From soft, white sands and jewel-colored waters under the sun, to beautiful parks, mind-opening museums, and an amazing local culinary scene, St. Pete/Clearwater, just a quick trip from Orlando, has it all!   Foodie's Guide to St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival 2021   The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival is an annual celebration of all things culinary. The 4-day fest features a variety of unique events showcasing celebrity chefs, award-winning winemakers, local artisans and so much more. Orlando's Best Taco Spots – Spring 2021 Tacos! Who doesn't love them? Those little hand held meat filled corn or wheat tortilla wraps that the Mexican people have blessed the world with. We made a list to help folks find – maybe will add a map later…e-mail us at tastychomps at gmail.com if you have any other suggestions! Just in time for Cinco de Mayo…here are our Favorite Taco Spots in Orlando.   World's Largest Free-Standing White Castle is Now Open in Orlando   White Castle , home of The Original Slider and America's first fast-food hamburger chain, opened its Orlando Castlewith ribbon cutting at 8 a.m. this past Monday May 3rd, 2021. It was a wild day full of car lines stretching back literal miles and waits as long as 4 hours with some people lining up the night before at 8pm. STAY CONNECTED Don't miss out on the latest and greatest food discussions in Orlando! Join the community: Orlando Foodie Forum Presented by TastyChomps on Facebook!  Facebook Twitter Website Instagram YouTube Email Don't miss out on the latest and greatest food discussions in Orlando! Join the community at Orlando Foodie Forum Presented by TastyChomps Facebook Group!  Share Tweet Forward to Friend Like our Weekly E-newsletter? Forward it to a friend! Got this e-newsletter from a friend? Subscribe here. Copyright © 2021 Tastychomps.com The Orlando Food Blog, All rights reserved. Thank you for signing up to our newsletter. Make sure you like us on facebook.com/tastychomps and follow us on Twitter as well at twitter.com/tastychomps unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  view this email in your browser Copyright © 2021 Tastychomps.com The Orlando Food Blog, All rights reserved. Thank you for signing up to our newsletter. 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