Hey Pi People!
Listen up PI lovers. Today is your day! Woot-woot!
Read MoreTag: Rosen Hotels
They Came. They Saw. They Chainsawed.
Oh yes they did! Hard to believe it was already one year ago when I attended the first of these events, and now I’m so excited it’s coming back for round two on December 16. What I’m referring to is Rosen Plaza’s Iced Out holiday event wherein local top chefs put their chainsaw skills to the test, battling each other (not to mention the Florida weather. . .) by creating amazing sculptures out of huge blocks of ice. With a chainsaw. Poolside, at the Rosen Plaza. Now you see why the weather plays a part in this? Even on a cool night carving an ice sculpture outside can be tricky!
Read MoreThis and That – Notes on Orlando Hospitality
Sometimes life needs updating. With sooooo much going on recently, here-there-everywhere, I wanted to provide some updates on a few things I’ve written about (or, intended to write about. . .?) in the past.
Read MoreA Grateful Salute to a Local Hospitality Hero
It’s November, just a few days before Turkey Day, and now that we’ve all survived (I think?) that over-the-top nauseously nasty election, sigh, I wanted to make my Thanksgiving post about something meaningful, so yes, this WILL NOT have anything to do with politics.
You’re welcome.
Under the category of ‘local do-gooders that go above and beyond in serving humanity’, we have a home town guy walking among us who continues to raise the bar on how one man can and does continue to change the world in significant and meaningful ways. Even better, he does so quietly, with leadership, grace, and because ‘it’s the right thing to do.’
Read MoreStop ‘Wine-ing’ – Drink More Beer!
And I know just the place to start doing that. Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill at the Rosen Centre Hotel is now hosting a series of beer-pairing dinners, Harry’s Brewmaster Series, that are both fun and incredibly educational, even after you’ve sipped and slurped and tasted your way through five complete meal courses and six exceptional beers. That’s right, I used the words ‘fun’ and ‘educational’ in the same sentence; but did you also notice that I’m talking about drinking beer? Kudos to the culinary braintrust at the Rosen Centre who concocted this unique event, which actually is an extension of their still very popular Vine and Dine at Rosen Centre which I’ve also written about here. Except that having attended one of each, I have to admit that the beer pairing seemed to hold the edge on the fun factor. Why? I don’t know, just trust me on this one. Maybe it was the combination of the more casual but chic, poolside location of Harry’s Bar & Grill. Maybe it was because when your first course is Steamed Pork Belly Buns and your last course is Beer Battered Granny Smith Apples (with a chocolate rum dipping sauce) it’s just more fun to talk about. And eat. Or, maybe, possibly it’s just because drinking beer itself tends to invite more colorful conversations (even without having a ball game blasting away in surround sound on ten different TV screens). Whatever the reason, the night was lively, and at only $50 per person it’s a steal of a dining out deal. Here’s the review in pictures and all photo credits go to professional photographer, Richard Pabis (what, like you thought I could be trusted with a camera while eating and drinking all this?):
Read MoreReady to Get Halloweeny Yet?
This post is about vampires. . .and asylum. . .and James Bond. Oh my! October’s a long, busy month, so for sure it’s a slow build, but when you get to the crazy holiday climax at the end – aka Halloween – it just seems right to let loose then, doesn’t it? Even if you don’t dress up […]
Read MoreHotels Offer Great Ideas for Unique and Special Date Nights
Well for sure there’s no argument about a shortage of things to do here in Orlando. But, what if you could peel away – guilt free – from the kids, pets, house projects, laundry, lawn mowing and other distractions that keep us adults from going out and having a little romantic grown up fun as a two-some? Where would you go? Pull up a barstool and let’s chat, because I’ve got some great ideas for you, some of which you’ve probably never even considered because they involve, well, going out into the tourist corridor. (ba-dump)
I know what you’re thinking. Mon Dieu! Is the Hive lady drinking too much butter beer? Well that would be no, because I would never, not ever, suggest to anyone who lives in Otown that they visit a theme park for a romantic date night, and in particular during summer months. (Well, technically, that would be a hot summer date, but again, not the path I’m leading you down today.) That said, let me share just a few of the date night gems I know about ‘out there’ and you can be the butter-beer judge.
Read MoreDo We Have Enough ICE in Orlando for Everyone Yet?
I think not, because everywhere you turn this time of year you discover a new ‘ice thingie’ here in town.
In the mid 70’s when I first arrived on the Orlando scene, it was just the occasional tiny ice rink that would pop onto the scene around the holidays, kind of like those Teflon ones you find on some of the cruise lines. Then RDV opened their Sports Complex in Maitland including the Ice Den and voilà, next thing you know we have an actual hockey team here in Otown. Soon, the great, big sprawling Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel opened and immediately began featuring an incredible annual ICE! exhibit which just gets more creative and bigger (and more expensive, as a fellow Hype Orlando blogger recently posted) every year, followed by the city of Winter Park adding their popular ice rink for public skating. Next up not one, but two ice bars in the tourist corridor on International Drive. Ice Bar Orlando, located right on the Drive, and Minus 5 Ice Bar, which you will find at Pointe Orlando. So, what next? An ice show with professional skaters for all to enjoy based at a local hotel? RC_Holidays on Ice logo
Why yes, thank you!
Read MoreAnd, Speaking of Lobby Bars. . .Heeerrreee’s Harry’s!
As mentioned in a previous post, I do love me a good hotel lobby bar, and get particularly excited when the inbox contains an invite to a new opening. For so many reasons, the August 19th opening of Harry’s Poolside Bar and Grill at the Rosen Centre Hotel certainly did not disappoint! Before I give you my ‘High Five for Harry’s’ review, I’ll let you in on a secret. . .
When I first heard the name, I did a little happy dance in my mind while remembering a most fabulous experience I once had at THE Harry’s Bar, you know the really famous one in Venice, as in Venice, Italy, right?
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Terry's World Travels 