Waterford Lakes Town Center (read: strip mall) is getting a couple of new restaurants this year. Both are officially chains, which is disappointing news for the independent-restaurant starved region, but at least they sound like promising options.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, slated to open in April, is out of Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago. It will feature an upscale casual dining room, a full bar, a barrel aging room and a wine tasting room (a gift shop, too). The barrels are for aging the company’s own Cooper’s Hawk wines. Most of the Cooper’s Hawk locations are in the Midwest. The Orlando store will be the second to open in Florida. A Tampa location is already in operation.

The area’s third Marlow’s Tavern will also open in Waterford Lakes, toward the end of 2014. The Atlanta based restaurant previously opened at Pointe Orlando and on Orlando Avenue in Winter Park.

Marlow’s has good quality food, and Cooper’s Hawk sounds interesting. But wouldn’t it be nice to see some independent restaurants open on the east side of town?

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