Here's a look at new Orlando/Central Florida hotels, conference centers, restaurants, private rooms, and other spaces to open for events this fall. The new and renovated Orlando/Central Florida venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Renowned chef Rick Bayless brings his famous Mexican fare to Florida with Frontera Cocina at Disney Springs, which opened in June. Bayless is a six-time James Beard Foundation winner. The restaurant, with an open kitchen and lively atmosphere, serves item such as Oaxacan red chile chicken, salsa verde shrimp enchiladas suizas, and freshly made salsas and guacamole. The 6,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 200 people, including 40 on a patio and 23 at the bar.
The latest restaurant from two-time James Beard Foundation award winner Art Smith (a former chef to Oprah Winfrey) opened in July at Disney Springs. Smith, a native of north Florida, created Homecoming: Florida Kitchen & Southern Shine to offer his take on Florida fare to guests from around the world. The casual 6,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 and is available for buyout. The restaurant has a wraparound porch that overlooks the water at Disney Springs. The menu will include Southern favorites such as shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and Smith’s signature “fabulous fried chicken” and hummingbird cake. In the Shine bar, guests can sip on Florida-made spirits flavored with house-made mixers and locally-grown herbs.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal Orlando's fifth hotel, opened in July. It has 115,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 41,000-square-foot ballroom, 16 breakout rooms, 27,000 square feet of prefunction space, and 11,000 square feet of outdoor event space. The property also is connected via covered walkway to the newly expanded event space at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, creating a meeting venue with more than 247,000 square feet of flexible space. The hotel has 1,000 guest rooms, including 80 suites, as well as a pool, fitness center, water taxis, and a landscaped path to the Universal Orlando theme parks and CityWalk.
DoveCote, created by chefs James and Julie Petrakis, former French Laundry chef Clayton Miller, and wine industry veteran Gene Zimmerman, opened July 20 in the Bank of America building in downtown Orlando. The restaurant, described as a modern twist on a French brasserie, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the week and dinner on Saturdays. A raw bar serves an assortment of oysters, shrimp, mussels, clams, and other seafood. The 5,000-square-foot space has seating for 184 people inside and 36 on the street-side terrace.
Earls Kitchen & Bar is expected to open its first Florida location at the Mall at Millenia around the end of August. The Canadian-based company is an “upscale casual” concept with full table service in the dining room and a lively bar and lounge. While the company has 65 locations across North America, each menu is created based on local tastes and ingredients. Common items include ethnic cuisine, gourmet burgers, steaks, and noodle bowls. The 9,200-square-foot restaurant will have seating for more than 300 people, including a semiprivate area for 20.
Chroma Modern Bar & Kitchen plans to open in September at Lake Nona Town Center. The restaurant will have seating for 250 people or space for 350 for a reception. There will also be several options for private and semiprivate events, including the Solarium that will seat 48 people or hold 60 for receptions and a patio that will also seat 48. The menu will focus on “modern American” fare with a mix of small plates, shareable appetizers, and entrees. It will be open for dinner seven nights a week and lunch on weekdays.
Sugarcanes Rum Bar & Lounge opened in April on I-Drive, just north of the Orlando Eye. The 4,500-square-foot restaurant serves Caribbean and South American fare. There’s also an extensive bar menu that includes rum varieties from more than 30 countries, ranging from silver and gold rums to spiced and over-proof rums. The venue has seating for 292 people, including a private dining room that seats 26, and offers live music including salsa, Latin jazz, and reggae.
Maddey’s Craft and Cru opened in June at Church Street Station in downtown Orlando. The restaurant has a New York theme and serves gourmet pizza, pasta, items inspired by the city’s ethnic communities such as Chinatown and Harlem, and craft cocktails made with freshly squeezed juices. The 4,400-square-foot restaurant seats 177 people. It’s available for buyout Monday through Wednesday evenings, when it is not open for dinner. Private groups can also reserve the patio that seats 40 or holds 75 for a reception. The restaurant plans to convert a basement room into private banquet space.
Marlow’s Tavern is scheduled to open in August at the Lee Vista Promenade. The 3,500-square-foot tavern will seat 109 people inside and 62 on a covered patio. The menu will offer classic American fare, wines from around the world, a variety of craft and imported beer, and handcrafted cocktails. It will be open daily for lunch, happy hour, and dinner.
Cranes Roost Park completed a $10 million renovation in late June. The outdoor venue in Altamonte Springs now includes a floating stage that can be used for receptions, meetings, and other events. The 5,400-square-foot stage is partially covered and can accommodate 150 people for a reception. It has an air-conditioned greenroom and restroom, and electrical service for sound and lighting systems. For larger events, the adjacent amphitheater has stadium-style seating for 4,000 people. The renovation also expanded the boardwalks, widened the walkways, and updated lighting and landscaping around the 45-acre park.
