Go Local Wednesdays – Lodge 10 Year Anniversary this Weekend

I have a special place in my heart for The Lodge in Downtown Orlando.  If you can believe it they are 10 years old – wow I feel old!  If you have not been to The Lodge – where have you been living the last 10 years?  Congrats to the awesome guys who own this establishment on their 10 year anniversary!  

The Lodge is just a fun place to go any night of the week if you’re looking for a good beer or a stiff drink and it’s a great example of successful Downtown businesses.  The guys recently opened up another bar right upstairs called The Woods.  The new place offers a more intimate atmosphere with craft cocktails made with fresh juices and unique spirits and the beer menu is excellent as well.  Hope to attend the 10 year anniversary for this new spot in the future!

Be sure to check out the Lodge 10 year Anniversary Festivities at their Facebook Event Page or stop by and ask one of the friendly bartenders!  There’s no cover for the main bar with $2 PBRs and $3 Jagers.  The best part is the VIP Beer Garden with 16 of the Best Craft Beers available

Come Celebrate 10 Years of Debauchery! NO COVER, $2 PBR’s, $3 Jagermeisters, Get Served by Bartenders Past, a Beer Garden with 16 of the Best Craft Beers Available(Limited Space for the Beer Garden, so get your tickets asap!).  The VIP tickets are only $25!  Oh and last but not least, my favorite DJ in Downtown Orlando will be playing some old Lodge classics.

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Manicures and Mimosas in Thornton Park

This weekend you can enjoy a mimosa, get a manicure, and people watch in Downtown Orlando’s favorite neighborhood for locals!  Lambs Eat Ivy Salon located at 804 E Washington St  will be featuring Manicures and Mimosas on their front patio from 11:30 am – 3 pm.  The weather is just right to enjoy a manicure alfresco in Thornton Park!

Stop by this Saturday from 11:30 am – 3 pm and enjoy a relaxing weekend in Downtown Orlando.  First come first serve!  For more info visit their Facebook page or call  (407) 245-7006.

The Thornton Park area is full of small businesses to check out – make a day of it!

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Valentine’s Day Ideas

What are your plans for Valentines Day?  I’m not a huge fan of the holiday myself.  It might be the worst night of the year to make dinner plans so I think my significant other and I will order a yummy stuffed pizza TO GO.

If you aren’t a home body like me, here are a few ideas to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Orlando!

Winter Park:  A movie under the stars sounds like a romantic date for v-day.  Enzian’s Popcorn Flicks in the Park will start at 7 pm tomorrow at Central Park in Winter Park.  The movie of the night is a classic From here to Eternity.

Downtown Orlando:  Thornton Park’s 2nd Thursday wine walk is a pretty inexpensive date and sure to be enjoyable.  You can stroll through the new Thornton Park Main Street district from 6:30 – 10 pm and stop at various shops, restaurants and bars.  For only $10/person you complimentary wine/beer/little bites at various stops.

If you’re recently single or just hate Valentine’s Day, the Love Stinks Party at Neighborhood Rogue sounds interesting.  Stop by the fire pit and burn pics of your exes.  Check out more info on the Facebook event page.  This is just around the corner from the wine walk so there are discounts available for wine walk participants.

Hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

image credit:  The finished product via Creative Commons

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Hammered in Ivanhoe Village

I tried to post this last week after I visited the new bar in Ivanhoe Village last week; but I got busy with selling homes.  The blog takes the back seat sometimes.

The new hot spot in Ivanhoe Village is called The Hammered Lamb.  They had a soft opening early last week and then officially opened the doors on Friday.  The location is perfect with beautiful views of  Lake Ivanhoe from the large outdoor patio bar.  Inside there are video games, tons of TVs, plenty of spots to sit and chat or listen to the awesome 90′s set-list.  It’s a relaxed neighborhood bar vibe that is just right for the area.

They will be serving light dishes in the future but for now it’s a great place to have a drink and enjoy the Florida weather on the outdoor patio.

Thinking of moving to the area?  Search nearby homes for sale in Lake Highland, Colonialtown North , Eola Heights, and College Park or call me to learn more about Downtown Orlando real estate at 407-494-2820.

 

Image Credit:  from window from Hammered Lamb instagram

 

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Yummy Treats in Ivanhoe Village

Just the other day my boyfriend stopped off in Ivanhoe village to meet with someone about a logo design.  He stopped by Yalaha bakery on his way home.  It’s a place we have passed by many times but never gone inside.  I have always been curious what kind of treats they had!

He brought home a beautiful Tuscan bread, a key lime tart, and some kind of chocolate treat that seemed to be filled with ganache.  It was so tasty that once I took a bite I forgot what it was actually called!

This delightful bakery serves German breads and old world tortes and pastries, they offer lunch, and coffee beverages.  It is open Monday through Sunday from 8 am - 6 pm.  I highly recommend stopping by and will probably make this a weekly routine for myself!

What’s your favorite local Orlando bakery?

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Small Business Saturday Where to Shop

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  As many of you know Small Business Saturday is this weekend across the country.  These local businesses are what make our neighborhoods and communities such a great place to live.  If you’re out and about this weekend remember to shop local Orlando!  Here are a few websites to find locations of small businesses in the Orlando area with plenty of places to shop or dine this Saturday.

Winter Park 

Winter Park – Park Ave.

Winter Park – Hannibal Square 

College Park 

College Park – Edgewater Dr. and surrounding 

Another College Park directory for small businesses

Downtown Orlando neighborhoods

Downtown Orlando shopping - Central Business District

South Eola District  - Area South of Lake Eola

Thornton Park – Washington Ave.

Mills 50 District - Near where Mills Ave and Hwy 50 intersect

The Milk District – Robinson St near Bumby and Primrose

Ivanhoe Village – Orange Ave through Loch Haven Park area

Downtown South (SODO) area 

Audubon Park – Corrine Dr. (the photo is an image of a favorite shop of mine – Dear Prudence)

Baldwin Park 

Baldwin Park Village Center

 

What are your favorite local Orlando shops?

P.S. Please feel free to send me more suggestions for Orlando shopping and dining!

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Local Deals

 

If you live in the Downtown Orlando area near the intersection of Mills Ave and Colonial Dr. (Hwy 50), you should consider becoming a member of the Mills 50 Main Street district.  They offer residential memberships for only $25/year.  If you are a business you may also join the organization as a business member.

What is so great about being a residential member?  Seasonal specials from Mills 50 businesses and access to Mills 50 events in the area!  The business community in this area is very diverse and has a ton to offer!  Join today for specials at places like Atilla’s Steak and Salad, Bananas Modern American Diner, BART, Blue Daze Designs, Dandelion Communitea Café, Quantum Leap Winery and so many more AND for access to events like First Day of Fall Pub Crawl and Jingle Mingle!

Follow more news and info at the Facebook Page

Image credit:  Logo from Mills 50 Website created by Julio Lima and SAY IT LOUD

 

Go Local Wednesdays – The Salt Room

A while back I visited the Salt Room in Orlando for a Mills 50 networking event.  The Salt Room is a member of the Mills 50 main street district as are we, so we went in support of another business right in our backyard.

To give you a little background, The Salt Room is a salt therapy and wellness center.  Salt Therapy or Halotherapy has been used to treat upper and lower respiratory problems such as allergy and sinus problems – among other things.  Salt Therapy is very popular in Europe where they are known as Salt Caves.  The owner of the Orlando Salt Room, Ashley Lewless, decided to bring this unique treatment to Florida.

I have to say it is an interesting experience – something I’ve never seen before.  The room is covered in natural rock salt, and by covered I mean literally covered on the ceilings and floors!  You recline in a relaxing chair during your 45 minute session as the halogenerator crushes up pharmaceutical grade salt into small particles for inhalation.  You can just relax and close your eyes or even read a book while you simply inhale.  I left feeling refreshed as if I could breathe clearer.  It really seems to open up your air ways!  As for the salt, it is so fine you almost don’t even notice it.  Your skin and lips feel a little salty like as if you’ve been at the beach all day. They also offer yoga, massage, acupuncture, and skin care.
P.S. They are offering a Buy One Get One Free for an adult membership -Buy a 3 Month Adult Membership for yourself, get one FREE for a family member or friend.*

Have you been to the Salt Room?  What other unique local places have you tried lately?

** disclaimer – I’m not a doctor and you should talk to a doctor before starting any new therapy.

 

Go Local Wednesdays – From Farm to Table

There’s a great local event happening this Friday in Audubon Park near Downtown Orlando!  Farm to Table is a “progressive happy hour” featuring fine wines, handcrafted hors d’oeuvres made from local ingredients.  What a great way to GO LOCAL!

The event begins at 6 pm this Friday September 14th and runs until 8 pm.  Stroll the Garden District’s shops and enjoy the local food and drink this weekend.

Wine expert Sarah Matthew has created wine pairings to complement the various food samplings.  According to the Audubon Park district site, patrons will enjoy appetizers made from free-range Ocoee chicken eggs; organic, Heart of Christmas Farm blueberries; cream from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows; freshly baked baguettes and crustinis; Audubon Park-made, European-style sea salt butter; locally sourced, handmade charcuterie; dips and spreads made from wild caught, fresh Florida sea food and much more.

Advance tickets are just $25 per person, $22 for APGD and Slow Food members, $30 at the door.
More Info:  contact Jennifer at AudubonParkGardenDistrict@gmail.com or 407-590-8776.

Image Credit:  Milk Farm Photo via Creative Commons

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Prato in Winter Park

A few weeks ago I visited Prato in Winter Park for a business lunch and was very impressed with the entire experience.  I wouldn’t consider myself a food expert by any means of the imagination, but I like to think I know good taste!  And I have to say the design and menu of Prato were put together in very good taste.

My business partner suggested the location because of the central location and from the minute I arrived I was pleasantly surprised.  Without having even taken a bite to eat I was already swooning over the place.  The exterior features amazing arched window-paned doors and flickering lanterns.  The interior is the perfect mix of modern and rustic with exposed beams on the ceiling, exposed brick and horizontal wood panels on the wall, an expansive open bar, and a wall of indoor plants.  They have truly created an environment that is comfortable and perfect for sharing a stone fired pizza and enjoying a craft cocktail.  They describe the menu as Italian classics with modern techniques and seasonal ingredients and I would have to say that pretty much nails it!

It was lunchtime so I skipped the cocktail, but I have been told they are tasty and hope to head back and try one soon!  Have you tried Prato yet?  The New York Times listed Prato as one of the spots to be sure to dine when in Winter Park!

What other great places have you tried lately?

Want to live the Winter Park lifestyle?  Contact us about buying a home in Winter Park.
ThinkLiveBe Properties
Kathryn Stelljes PA – Selling Downtown Orlando, College Park, and Winter Park
1-800-859-5714 ext. 0
info@ThinkLiveBe.com