IF/WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN ORLANDO
SWEET TREATS:
The Salty Donut & Gideon’s Bakehouse - Believe the reviews. Believe the lines. These local gems provide works of art (donuts and cookies) you get to eat. Both provide freshly made treats created with high quality ingredients. Our favorite donut- toasted Coquito. Favorite cookie- all of them. These are BIG treats probably best to share if you still want to fit your fave vintage. TSD and GB are located very close to each other on the northeast side of Orlando. GB is located inside the East End Market. They also have a Disney Springs location accessed by a very, very long line. Make good choices people.
SAVORY TREATS:
Taco Kat- Renowned for their Sonora Wheat tortillas made in house. A simple yet delicious menu served in a cool kat setting. Add in $5 margaritas in many flavors including mango, kiwi and passion fruit. Check out the speakeasy accessed through the vending machine. Even the bathroom wallpaper is cool.
The Ravenous Pig- located in Winter Park, this award winning gastropub made us very, very happy. Their seasonal cocktails are almost too pretty to drink. Almost. They offer a special brunch menu on the weekend.
ZAZA Cuban Comfort Food- if you find yourself in Terminal B and a gate over 40, you’re in luck. (Although they do have other locations in the Orlando area.) We loved the iced mocha latte, chicken mojo and Cubano sandwiches. You can even take home some of their coffee beans for a souvenir.
East End Market: a nicely curated, small business haven for local chefs, bakers and makers. Gideon’s Bakehouse is located here. A small location of The Owl’s Attic offers vintage and plants. Next time we NEED to try Wafu for taiyaki and soft serve.
VINTAGE TREATS:
Vintage/consignment shops on Corrine - The Audubon Garden District was our favorite spot for vintage. Along Corrine Drive find The Owl’s Attic, Lovely Things, and Chic Boutique. They all offer clean and thoughtful collections of fashion and small homegoods. Note- Chic Boutique offers higher end pieces at reasonable prices, not necessarily vintage.
Orange Antique Market - We loved the lighting, home decor and cocktail glasses available from the many vendors. Find lovely MCM pieces in great condition at fairly reasonable prices. They don’t offer shipping so be ready to figure this out oyo.
Avalon- This is a small second hand chain with an Orlando location. Super clean and well lit with great prices. Very friendly staff. While their focus isn’t vintage, we found some gems which are otw to the G&P website asap.
TREATS:
Leu Gardens- Almost 50 acres of natural beauty in a serene lakeside setting. Stroll the winding paths to find plants, flowers and trees from around the world. The smells here are a sensory treat. We immediately felt our shoulders relax. Prepare to spend a couple hours here. $15 adult admission.
Lobby of Alfond Inn at Rollins College- serendipitous parking prompted an impromptu detour to visit the lobby of this charming inn. Modern art from the Rollins Museum of Art greeted us at every turn. Such a peaceful aura pervades this lovely space. Ice water, chess sets and comfortable seating are part of the charm. Sign up for one of the Happy Hour guided tours offered the first Wednesday of every month at 6p.
Scenic Boat Tour of Winter Park- a fun way to spend some time on the water. The SBT company has been in operation since 1938. Every hour on the hour their pontoon boats set out to explore the chain of lakes and canals of Winter Park. View the lakeside estates and plan how to spend your future lottery wins. Learn local history and take in the beautiful flora and fauna. Extra special is the corny humor from your captain- cue the Gilligan Island theme song.
ONE DISNEY SPRINGS TREAT: The Edison- make a reservation and ask for a table on the lower level to enjoy the live, vintage “radio” show. Dress up in your best true vintage, preferably loaded with sequins and beads. Performers sing modern songs with a vintage, jazzy vibe. Think Aerosmith and The Cardigans but 1920s style. It’s fun. Trust us. The cocktails aren’t cheap yet remember there isn’t a cover charge. It will be loud. Very loud.
