Paul Simon plays Florida

So What 2011 Tour
Dec 4 2011  New UCF Arena Orlando, FL
Dec 5 2011  Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, FL
Dec 6 2011  Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, FL

George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Florida tour

							Sat 11/26/11             Miami, FL   Magic City Casino                    Sun 11/27/11            Lake Buena Vista, FL   House Of Blues                      Mon 11/28/11          Ponte Vedra Beach, FL   Ponte Vedra Concert Hall                     Tue 11/29/11            Clearwater, FL   Ruth Eckerd Hall                    Appearing at "Rock Legends Cruise" / ZZ Top Thu 12/01/11             Miami, FL      Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - "Liberty Of The Seas"                     Fri 12/02/11               Miami, FL             Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - "Liberty Of The Seas"                    Sat 12/03/11             Miami, FL             Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - "Liberty Of The Seas"                      Sun 12/04/11             Miami, FL             Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - "Liberty Of The Seas"                     Mon 12/05/11             Miami, FL             Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - "Liberty Of The Seas"

Concerts - Forthcoming Fall 2011

FORTHCOMING CONCERTS FALL 2011

Some wonderful concerts coming up including Orlando Calling at the Citrus Bowl similar to the fabulous London Calling in Hyde Park London every summer.  

Acts include:

    The Killers

    The Raconteurs

    Pixies

    The Avett Brothers

    The Roots

    Gogol Bordello

    Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

    Kid Rock

    Blake Shelton

    Doobie Brothers

    Warren Haynes Band

    Dwight Yoakam

    BUDDY GUY

    O.A.R.

    Iron & Wine

    Pete Yorn

    Jenny & Johnny

    Gavin DeGraw

    Drive By Truckers

    Dr. Dog

    Chris Isaak

    Brandi Carlile

    Robert Randolph & The Family Band

    The FLATLANDERS

    Los Lonely Boys

    Civil Twilight

    Lucero

    The Felice Brothers

    Blues Traveler

    Michelle Branch

    Justin Townes Earle

    The David Mayfield Parade

    Ben Sollee

    Renee & The Translators

    The Supervillains

What a fantastic line-up, would love to see Bob Seger - and The Killers are huge favourites from the UK Festival circuit.  If there any concerts on while we are out we always try and get tickets, amongst others we’ve been lucky enough to see Paul Rodgers, Oasis, Meatloaf, Willie Nelson and Gwen Stefani amongst others.  Can you guess which one our teenage daughter dragged us along to?!

CENTRAL FLORIDA CONCERTS

Aug 27   Mr. Big 

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Aug 31  Train and Maroon 5  

Venue:  Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa

Sep 1 Armin Van Buuren with Blake Jarrell    

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Sep 2 Erasure  Venue: 

House of Blues Orlando

Sep 3  Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival   

Venue: Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fair Tampa

Sep 9  Brad Paisley with Blake Shelton and Jerrod Niemann   

Venue: Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairground Tampa

Sep 9  Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa  

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Sep 11 House of Blues and Foundation Present Bright Eyes with First Aid Kit  

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Sep 11  Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa 

Venue: Ruth Eckerd Hall Orlando

Sep 16  Marc Anthony 

Venue:  AmericanAirlines Arena Miami

Sep 16 Stryper 

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Sep 17  Journey with special guests Foreigner and Night Ranger 

Venue:  Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairground

Sep 18  Marc Anthony  

Venue: Amway Center, Orlando

Sep 18 Incubus: If Not Now, When?    

Venue Amphitheatre Florida State Fairground Tampa

Sep 21 Tu Musica, Tu Ritmo   

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Sep 23  Pepper with special guests The Expendables and Ballyhoo!     

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Sep 24  Honda Blink-182, My Chemical Romance    

Venue: Amphitheatre Tampa Fairground

Sep 25  Calle 13      

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Oct 1 Opeth with Katatonia     

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Oct 5 The Script    Venue: Ruth Eckerd Hall Orlando

Oct 7 Cyndi Lauper,  Dr. John: From Memphis to Mardi Gras   

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Oct 16 Jack's Mannequin   

Venue:   House of Blues Orlando  

Oct 21 John Oliver  

Venue:  David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts

Oct 21  Bela Fleck & The Flecktones     

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Oct 28  Josh Groban - Straight To You Tour     

Venue:  St. Pete Times Forum

Oct 28  Colbie Caillat     

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Oct 29 Josh Groban: Straight To You Tour    Venue:  Amway Center Orlando

Nov 3 Saints ; Sinners Tour ft. Between The Buried And Me    

Venue:  The Ritz Ybor Tampa

Nov 4 Yngwie Malmsteen      

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Nov 8  An Evening with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree   

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Nov 12 / 13  Orlando Calling    

Venue:  Citrus Bowl Orlando

Nov 12  Queensryche 30th Anniversary Tour    

Venue:  House of Blues Orlando

Nov 27  George Thorogood & The Destroyers    

Venue: House of Blues Orlando

Dec 15 Insomniac Presents Skrillex  Venue: House of Blues Orlando

SOUTH FLORIDA CONCERTS

Sep 9  Manu Chao: La Ventura  Venue:  

Klipsch Amphitheater at Bayfront Park Miami

Sep 10 Return to Forever IV     

Venue:  Mizner Park Amphitheater Boca Raton

Sep 11 J Cole    

Venue: Revolution Live  Fort Lauderdale

Sep 13 Rock The Bells - Miami Beach: Raekwon, Ghostface and Mobb Deep  

Venue: The Fillmore Miami Beach

Sep 16  Marc Anthony    

Venue: AmericanAirlines Arena Miami

Sep 17 / 18   XVI International Ballet Festival of Miami  

Venue: The Fillmore Miami Beach

For all you foodies check out Magical Dining Month in Orlando (September)

It’s the best time of the year to be in Orlando for food lovers.  The Magical Dining Month takes place every year in September where Orlando’s finest restaurants feature a three-course, prix fixe dinner menus for only $30.

One dollar from each meal will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, so you will be helping others as well as enjoying a delicious meal for exceptional value.

Participating restaurants are:

ANDIAMO ITALIAN BISTRO AND GRILLE   Lake Buena Vista Area   Italian

BICE RISTORANTE    Universal Orlando Resort   Italian

BIG FIN SEAFOOD KITCHEN   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Seafood

THE BOHEME   Downtown Area   American

CALA BELLA   International Dr. Area   Italian

THE CAPITAL GRILLE   International Dr. Area   American

CHARLEY'S STEAK HOUSE   Osceola County   Steak

CHARLEY'S STEAK HOUSE   International Dr. Area   Steak

CHARLEY'S STEAK HOUSE   South Orlando Area   Steak

CHATHAM'S PLACE RESTAURANT   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Continental

CHEZ VINCENT   Winter Park   French

CITRUS RESTAURANT   Downtown Area   American

CITY FIRE AMERICAN OVEN & BAR   Sand Lake Rd. Area   American

CRAVE   Mall at Millenia Area   American

CUBA LIBRE RESTAURANT & RUM BAR   International Dr. Area   Latin

DRAGONFLY ROBATA GRILL AND SUSHI   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Asian

ELEVEN   Osceola County   American

EMERIL'S RESTAURANT ORLANDO   Universal Orlando Resort   American

EMERIL'S TCHOUP CHOP   Universal Orlando Resort   Asian

EVERGLADES RESTAURANT   International Dr. Area   American

FIORELLA'S CUCINA TOSCANA   International Dr. Area   Italian

FISHBONES   Lake Mary   Seafood

FISHBONES   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Seafood

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Steak

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE   Winter Park   Steak

FUNKY MONKEY WINE COMPANY   Downtown Area   Fusion

FUNKY MONKEY WINE COMPANY   International Dr. Area   Fusion

HUE RESTAURANT   Downtown Area   American

IL MULINO NEW YORK TRATTORIA   Lake Buena Vista Area   Italian

ISLANDS DINING ROOM    Universal Orlando Resort    American

JOHNNIE'S HIDEAWAY   Lake Buena Vista Area   American

K RESTAURANT   College Park   American

THE KITCHEN   Universal Orlando Resort   American

LA LUCE BY DONNA SCALA   Lake Buena Vista Area   Italian

LAGO   Baldwin Park   Italian

A LAND REMEMBERED   International Dr. Area   American

LATIN QUARTER   Universal Orlando Resort   Latin

LE COQ AU VIN   South Orlando Area   French

LUIGINO'S RESTAURANT   Lake Mary   Italian

LUMA ON PARK   Winter Park   American

MAMA DELLA'S RISTORANTE   Universal Orlando Resort   Italian

McCORMICK & SCHMICK'S   Mall at Millenia Area   Seafood

MIKADO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE   Lake Buena Vista Area   Asian

MING COURT   International Dr. Area   Asian

MOONFISH    Sand Lake Rd. Area   Seafood

MORTON'S THE STEAKHOUSE   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Steak

NAPA   International Dr. Area   American  

NICK'S ITALIAN KITCHEN   Downtown Area   Italian

NINE18    Lake Buena Vista Area    Continental

OCEAN PRIME   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Seafood

THE OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM   International Dr. Area   Seafood

THE PALM   Universal Orlando Resort   Steak

PRICKLY PEAR   Downtown Area   American

PRIMO BY MELISSA KELLY   SeaWorld Area   Italian

RANGETSU   Maitland   Asian

RISTORANTE TUSCANY   Lake Buena Vista Area   Italian

ROY'S HAWAIIAN FUSION RESTAURANT   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Seafood

SEASONS 52   Altamonte Springs   American

SEASONS 52   Sand Lake Rd. Area   American

SPENCER'S FOR STEAKS AND CHOPS   International Dr. Area   Steak

TAVERNA OPA   International Dr. Area   Greek

TIMPANO ITALIAN CHOPHOUSE   Sand Lake Rd. Area   Steak

TODD ENGLISH'S BLUEZOO   Lake Buena Vista Area   Seafood

TOMMY BAHAMA   International Dr. Area   Seafood

THE VENETIAN ROOM   Lake Buena Vista Area   American

VINES GRILLE & WINE BAR   Sand Lake Rd. Area   American

VITO'S CHOP HOUSE   International Dr. Area   Italian

ZEN   Osceola County   Asian

It's a huge selection to choose from - you could even eat at a different restaurant every night of the month!  

For food to die for we strongly recommend Chatham’s Place at Sand Lake; simply sensational meals, the finest we have eaten in Florida.   Make a reservation quickly as they get booked up very quickly by those in the know!

Ocean Prime is in the Sandlake area, very good food - excellent crab cakes when we last ate there, although the restaurant needs to be full to get the best atmosphere.   If you’re fond of Crème Brulee they do a very tasty one!

Chez Vincent at Winter Park is a busy bistro and is located in where there is lots of hustle and bustle in the surrounding bars and restaurants.  It’s worth a detour to visit this area, it shows Orlando as it used to be as it’s where the wealthy used to vacation and own homes, and there is some amazing architecture with a very European feel.

Why not make a day of it and visit the Morse Museum at Winter Park where you can look at the Tiffany Collection, take a walk round the lake and / or a boat ride.  You can then head off for a tasty French meal.  There are bakeries where you can buy fresh croissants and french bread and pastries too.

We’ve also tried the Taverna Opa which as you would guess from the name serves Greek food.  They serve an excellent hummus and a most delicious pudding, although not for those who are watching their calorie count!  (But who does on vacation!)  It’s a very lively restaurant with belly dancers and loud music.

Check out the Magical Dining website, you can just click a restaurant and see the Magical Menu so you can see which restaurants you are likely to want to eat at.  http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/

Food & Wine Classic - Swan and Dolphin Resort, Walt Disney World, FL

The 2nd Annual Swan and Dolphin Resort Food and Wine Classic takes place on October 7 and October 8 2011.  This is a unique education seminar so book your place as soon as possible.

Another fabulous recipe from the kitchens of the Swan and Dolphin Resort at WDW Orlando.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Ingredients:

7 Egg Whites

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Cup Powdered Sugar, or 10X sugar

1 Tsp. Cream of Tartar

1 Vanilla Bean, or 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract

1 Pint Ea.  Asst Berries and Fruits:

Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Peaches, Oranges 

Vanilla Ice Cream or desired flavor

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°F.

Warm whites slightly to room temperature.

Using a mixer or hand mixer, start whipping the whites at a medium speed. When they start to get some volume, add the granulated sugar in stages.

Mix until it has stiffened to a point. (This means to stick your finger directly into the meringue and pull it out. If the meringue on the tip of your finger is at a point then it is done.)

Sift your powdered sugar and gently fold into the meringue until there is no more dry sugar present. Gently fold in your vanilla bean or extract. (Scrape vanilla bean).

Pipe using a star tip on parchment paper. Pipe in a spiral, then pipe around the edges of the spiral to form a cup. Place it in the oven so it can dry out. It may take up to 2 hrs to dry out meringue. Constantly check to make sure it does not get any color. The inside should be a little sticky still.

*If it is getting color, the oven is too high or the meringues are overdone. Try lowering the temp a little to 160°F.

Let cool so the sugar can solidify. You can put desired fruits  inside the cup and serve with vanilla ice cream and fruits.

Yields: 24 cups

Summer Pavlova

 Doesn't that look mouth-wateringly scrumptious?  And for those on vacation and not up to making meringue just buy some from the supermarket and use summer fruits with some cream or ice cream.  

Or if you're watching your weight (sadly like me) use a low fat or fat free yoghurt in place of the cream or ice cream.  Still yummy!!

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