Michelin Guide added four new starred venues to its growing list of recognized Orlando restaurants last week, including Camille, Natsu, Papa Llama, and Victoria and Albert’s. “With 7 starred, 11 Bib Gourmand and 30 Recommended Restaurants in the 2024 MICHELIN Guide, Orlando continues to drive culinary innovation forward,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “This is a true testament to the growth and vibrancy of Orlando’s culinary scene, fueled by the dedication of our talented chefs, restaurateurs, and committed service staff. Together, we’ve made Orlando a vibrant hub f ..read more

Orlando Magic has been planning to build a massive entertainment district project adjacent to the Kia Center since 2011, and they say if they get enough incentives from the City of Orlando, they could begin construction by the end of the year. The ambitious $500 million, 8.4-acre mixed-use project calls for a 260-room full-service hotel with 16,000 SF of Class A office space, 270 residential units, 125,000 SF of retail, a 3,500-person live event venue, a town square, and 1,100 new parking spaces.  Orlando City Council voted on the proposed incentive agreement that would grant them $2.5 m ..read more

Tijuana Flats (Website), a Central Florida-based Tex-Mex brand, has announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as of late last week. The company also coupled the announcement with the news that it would be closing 11 of its restaurants almost immediately, one of which was located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and another ten in Florida, including some in Jacksonville, Boynton Beach, and Orlando – though the exact stores are yet to be announced. The company’s new owners, Flatheads, LLC., shared in a statement that the decision to declare bankruptcy and cut low-performing locations wa ..read more

Winter Park-based Sounds Great Recycled Music (Facebook) in the Antique Mall is up for sale. The owner, Dan Dan The Record Man, took to social media last week to announce that he would be selling his 25-year mall space business and private collection, saying it was “time to pass the torch.” The sale would include: Over $200,000 worth of inventory. Shop tables, shelves, and display units. Onsite storage in a backroom, antique mall area. Already established customer base. The current lease. The current rent is $660/month and an additional 6% of sales. The asking price for the whole kitten-cab ..read more

The City of Orlando’s Streets and Stormwater Division has issued a public Lake Alert for Lake Arnold in the Lake Como neighborhood. The Florida Department of Health has detected the presence of a harmful algal bloom in the lake and is advising that all water contact activities cease until further notice. Including irrigation. The City will update the public once the alert is lifted and we will update this post when that happens. The post Lake Alert: Algae in Lake Arnold appeared first on Bungalower ..read more

A new dispensary and bar combo concept has opened in the former home of Orlando Weekly in the historic Tinker Building at 16 W. Pine Street [GMap]. Chronic Guru Orlando (Facebook | Instagram) has moved into the bottom floor of the building and hosted a grand opening earlier in the month, with lines around the block. The shop also features a Cannabis Lounge bar area that is open to the general public, no medical marijuana card needed. They will be hosting regular event programming in the space, like an upcoming “Puff and Paint” workshop where attendees are encouraged to toke and play. More on ..read more

This is our latest rundown of the top ten things you need to know this week, in Orlando’s downtown “bungalow neighborhoods.” Click HERE to listen to Episode 375 of “Bungalower and The Bus” on Real Radio 104.1 FM, which was recorded at Stefano’s Trattoria in Winter Springs in recognition of National Chicken Parmesan Day. Bungalower.com · Bungalower and The Bus: Episode 375 (Stefano's Trattoria) TOP TEN HEADLINES Orlando’s largest food hall, The Hall on the Yard, has been evicted for failing to pay rent, but don’t worry, we hear bids have been pouring in to change it into something ..read more

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts alone and do not reflect the official policy or position of Bungalower Media, our readers, or our advertisers. In honor of National Chicken Parmesan Day (April 19), we took attorney Moe Dewitt to Stefano’s Trattoria in Winter Springs to record episode 375. Brendan was out of town, so Mike Donohue took over and subbed in. This week’s episode was sponsored by Enzian Theater, Credo Conduit, and JustCallMoe.com. Tune in to Bungalower and the Bus every week on Real Radio 104.1 FM or our podcast to learn all about the ..read more

UPDATE: According to paperwork included at the bottom of this post, the landlord is alleging that The Yard owes them roughly $249,105.16 in unpaid rent. Orlando’s largest and most bougie food hall, Hall on the Yard  (Facebook), has reportedly closed. The 12,250 SF food hall, the largest commercial tenant of The Yard on Ivanhoe development at Alden Road and Virginia Drive, opened for business on November 18, 2021. According to security personnel on site, who wished to remain anonymous, the property management company was forced to evict the operators for failing to pay rent. A small print ..read more

Last month, the Orlando Museum of Art (Website) announced that they had received a major gift from Dr. James Cottrell and Mr. Joseph Lovett, longtime art patrons, social activists, and Manhattan residents. The gift includes over 300 artworks from the duo’s extensive collection of downtown New York City and international artists from the past 50 years. The Cottrell-Lovett gift will be available to view at the museum this summer and Spring 2025. Notable artists represented in the collection include Donald Baechler, Miguel Barcelo, Barton Lidice Beneš, Kwame Brathwaite, Sophi ..read more