Mother’s Day is May 12 – not far off! – so if you haven’t made dining plans, now’s the time to do it. Check out our Holiday Dining page for some tasty options.

This Mother’s Day, Jaleo Disney Springs will offer a special brunch experience to celebrate all the mother figures in one’s life. For $49 per person, guests will enjoy a four course menu, featuring classic tapas, Spanish-style brunch favorites and a variety of seasonal specials curated by Head Chef Kristoffer Anderson, like paella with artichokes and pork ribs. The meal is accompanied by live performances of classic rumba music by roaming guitar players and vocalists. To book this experience, click HERE

The last time I reviewed the Boheme, the restaurant in the Grand Bohemian Orlando, I called it “one of downtown Orlando’s best restaurants.” If I were to make that claim today – and I don’t intend to – it would be with an asterisk for how few restaurants there are in downtown.

At least restaurants of the calibre that Boheme wants to be – full service, yes, but a bit more upscale. It is that, though with a recent renovation and complete redo of the space’s decor, tablecloths that added a bit of upscalability have been removed. On the plus side, it no longer looks like a French cathouse, with flaming reds replaced by warmer blues. (The many works of art that adorned the walls have been replaced by decorative mirrors.)

It just seems like Boheme isn’t really trying. The food on a recent visit was fine, though at the prices it demands – $38 to $66, not counting the $225 Tomahawk Experience – it should have been better.

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Francesco’s Ristorante and Pizzeria will celebrate its 12th anniversary on May 18 with an evening of fine food and opera singers at the Maitland restaurant.

Owner and chef Francesco Aiello has been busy creating new dishes and promises a unique pasta entree for the anniversary.

You can make a reservation by calling the restaurant at 407-960-5533.

In the meantime, check out some of the new dishes in the gallery below, including Mediterranean salad with orange mint dressing, English cucumbers, red onion medley mixed tomatoes and goat cheese; and a pizza with rapa, sausage semi, dried yellow tomato and finished with smoke flavored oil.

Francesco’s Ristorante and Pizzeria is at 400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. It’s open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner daily.