Popular I-drive restaurant Tapa Toro sold to Atelier Dining

Written By Scott Joseph On September 22, 2023

Tapa Toro dining room

Meraki Food Group announced Friday that it has sold its International Drive restaurant Tapa Toro to Atelier Dining, which operates restaurants in Winter Garden and Las Vegas.

Tapa Toro was one of three restaurants operated by Meraki, which is owned by Vassilis and Katerina Coumbaros, but the only one at Icon Park. Meraki’s other restaurants, Taverna Opa and the recently opened Kavas Tacos + Tequila, are at Pointe Orlando and will continue under the Meraki banner.

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Quantum Leap Winery to host Friends of the Vine benefit for James Beard Foundation

Written By Scott Joseph On September 22, 2023

Friends of the Vine

Quantum Leap, the Mills 50 winery, will be the site of Friends of the Vine: A Magical Evening, a walkabout dinner benefitting the James Beard Foundation on Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $175 per person, plus tax, and can be purchased at this link.

The evening’s participants include:

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Toojay’s

Written By Scott Joseph On September 21, 2023

Toojays

The back of a staffer’s t-shirt at Toojay’s – the only t-shirt that didn’t have “Oy Vey” on it – read, “Is this where Harry met Sally?”

The short answer is no, it isn’t.

That’s also the long answer.

But then there are few places like Katz’s Deli, the Lower East Side restaurant where a memorable scene from the 1989 movie “When Harry Met Sally…” was filmed. (And for the record, Harry and Sally did not meet at Katz’s, either, but let’s not get picky.)

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Newsy Nuggets: Mills 50 Mexican, Audubon Park BBB replacement and a late 10th anniversary for Zaza

Written By Scott Joseph On September 20, 2023

Armstrong Lock and Security

It’s a lock. One of the longtime Mills 50 District businesses, dating back to before it was Mills 50, or even before the time folks were calling it the ViMi (for Virginia Street and Mills Avenue), Armstrong Lock and Security Products has sold its building and it’s to become a restaurant. The new proprietor is Juan Rios, owner of the Agave Azul Mexican restaurants. The new restaurant, however, will be a different concept, albeit still Mexican. Armstrong still occupies the space and a woman who answered the phone said the staff had not been told when they would vacate (and perhaps move to a new location). I’m sure than when Rios takes over the building, the first thing he’ll want to do is change all the locks.

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International honor for Wine Bar George, and Rioja takes over Dr. Phillips Center

Written By Scott Joseph On September 19, 2023

Wine Bar George Ext

Wine Bar George, the estimable venue at Disney Springs owned by the estimabler master sommelier George Miliotes, was recognized by “The World of Fine Wine” publication, winning the Best Wine Bar List designation. Also named were: Marion Wine, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; VIN Bjørvika, Oslo, Norway; and Brut, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.

The World’s Best Wine Lists awards were announced at a ceremony in London Sept. 11.

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