August 2018

Universal’s Aventura Hotel NOW OPEN!

Published on August 22, 2018 in Universal Orlando by Crystal Boston

Universal’s Aventura Hotel opened August 15, 2018 and I was able to experience a bit of the hotels amenities during its first weekend.

This new hotel has a modern style and is within walking distance of Universal’s Volcano Bay and offers great views of all three Universal Orlando theme parks.

The lobby area is very stark and minimalist with concrete floors and modern furniture. Once you pass the check-in desk there is a lobby bar, barVentura, lounge seating area, Starbucks, and a quick service dining area, Urban Pantry. There is also a Universal store on the left and barVentura even offers a phone charging station while you enjoy a beverage!

Universal’s Aventura Hotel also offers a roof top bar, Bar 17 Bistro, which opens at 4 pm. To access the roof top you will need a Team Member to assist you with the express elevator, which will only take you to the 17th floor. Currently there is a host stand outside the elevator but if you don’t find anyone there, just see the front desk or Concierge for assistance.

Bar 17 Bistro sits on the left side of the roof top area and the right side offers space for private events. The bar area is also all concrete floors with modern eclectic seating arrangements and is open air. It did get quite windy while we were there, I can only imagine when it rains… And, during this time of year, one whole side of the bar area is in the sun (and heat). When we arrived, only one side of the bar was being used because no one wanted to sit on the sunny/hot side.

The views were amazing and, since there was not a private event the evening we were there, we were able to check out the views from there as well.

The menu, which is not the same at the bar as online (they have paper menus printed and we were told to not use the online menu) is an offering of small plates, featuring urban international flavors as well as classic options, and is served family style. I was with a few friends and we shared the Meat & Cheese Board, Bao Buns (you select 3 from a list of 8 options), Shrimp (which is not on the online menu, so I cannot remember the exact name of this dish) and Wagyu Beef Sliders. Everything was prepared well and we all enjoyed our selections.

As for drinks, while they do offer some specialty themed cocktails, we all ordered beer and wine so I don’t have anything to share… However, I can share that they use all plastic ware for beverages, including wine glasses, and the plates are all plastic as well. Only the silverware was “real” with paper napkins.

If you are looking for a spot to get away from the parks and just enjoy the view, Bar 17 Bistro is your spot!

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Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant – Disney Springs

Published on August 12, 2018 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant has been at Disney Springs for many years, but I recently had the opportunity to visit this dining and entertainment venue again. With new menu items and entertainment since my last visit, it was like a whole new experience!

We started with adult beverages at just one of the 4 bars. With a fun assortment of themed cocktails and a wide offering of Irish, European and American beers, including local and craft varieties, there is something for every taste.

Following our “cocktail hour” we were seated for our reservation. The menu offers traditional Irish options—from Atlantic fish & chips to classics like Shepherd’s Pie—as well as several not-so-Irish options.

We enjoyed wings and scallops to start and our main dishes were traditional Irish options of fish & chips and shepherd’s pie as well as a not-so-traditional Red quinoa and white bean burger with Smokey Bacon and Almond-roasted Brussels Sprouts.

And, of course, dessert is a must… The Chef’s Dessert Flight offered a small taste of everything delicious!

Entertainment is offered daily from 4:30 pm until 1 am. There is a main stage and a patio stage with live music, dance shows and bands.

The Rhythms of Raglan Dance Show is the all-new entertainment featuring 90-minutes of live Irish music and dance presented by a talented mix of performers.

And, during each performance, kids are invited to join the dancers on stage and even receive a signed certificate of achievement.

We enjoyed a very entertaining and fun evening as well as great food and drinks! Reservations are accepted starting at 180 days but walk-ups are welcome as well, based on availability. Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant also offers a Saturday and Sunday Brunch.

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STK Orlando – Disney Springs

Published on August 6, 2018 in Orlando/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

STK Orlando at Disney Springs opened its doors May 25, 2016 but I was just able to experience it for the first time.

STK Orlando is an interesting place… The outside style reminds me of The Hangar Bar or The Edison – more industrial brick and beams with a casual feel – and the front patio would be a relaxing spot to people watch.

Once you step inside you feel as if you are about to enjoy an intimate dining experience – it’s dark with pops of light with a warm inviting feeling.

However, the experience is anything but intimate due to the very loud nonstop music – top 40 tunes and classics from decades past. While the music choice was to my liking, the volume was not conducive for an intimate experience and gave it a more club like vibe rather than a signature dining experience feel as we are accustomed to with Disney (think California Grill or Flying Fish). It was a challenge to have a conversation with our dinner partners and a bit hard to even hear what our server was saying at times.

Regardless of the ‘club vibe’, the food lived up to the reviews and our expectations as did the service! Something to remember before you go, the menu is à la carte but a delicious bread service is included.

We waited for our table in the lounge area and the bartender was very accommodating, answering our questions and offering tastings and her personal experience to help me choose a wine. The drink menu offers some interesting cocktails that I will need to go back and try another time and they carry a few Florida beers that my husband tried. They also offer a full wine list to choose from.

We enjoyed the Double Smoked Bacon – more like large chunks of fatty pork but very tasty once you cut the fat off (IMO) – for a starter as well as the Shaved Brussels Sprouts for a salad.

While STK is known for its steaks, they serve an amazing Scottish Salmon too. With your steaks you can choose various sauces and/or toppings (for an additional charge) and there are several delicious sides to compliment your protein as well. The sides are priced a bit on the high side, but they are large enough to share – the problem is that you want to try them all!

Dessert also did not disappoint, we ordered the Warm Baked Cookie with chocolate sauce, caramel and vanilla ice cream. Again, large enough to share.

STK Orlando currently offers a Social Hour, weekdays 3:30 – 6 pm, and Thursday – Saturday, 10 pm to close. In addition, you can reserve the venue, or parts of it, for private events. On the evening we were there we were not able to go to the rooftop dining area due to a private event.

While they do seat walk-up Guests, reservations are accepted and recommended. They currently accept reservations via your My Disney Experience account or Open Table. Some Dining Plans are accepted and this is a Signature Dining experience, requiring 2 Table Service Credits per person.

Overall, if you are looking for a fun place with great food and service that is geared more towards an adult experience rather than a family experience, I would recommend STK Orlando, just be prepared for the loud music and club vibe.

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Donut King

Published on August 1, 2018 in Florida Locales/Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

If you just pulled an all-nighter driving so that you can view the sun coming up over Disney World, and let’s say that it is still a bit early before sunrise, the family is asleep, and you arriving from the west. Well, you are in luck.

It happens that west of Disney, approximately 20 miles, in the town of Minneola, is a little non-descript donut shop called Donut King. Open 24 hours a day so that no sudden donut desire goes unanswered, it will fulfill all your glazed, iced, sprinkled, creme or jelly filled desires. Don’t be fooled by appearances, there is a big selection in this little building. I’ve found the selection best early in the morning. If you are there before the sun is up then that should qualify as early.

Recently, a “Hot Donuts Now” sign was placed in the window, but the wife has limited my intake so I haven’t been able to take advantage as the neon beckons me for a donut. She only has my best interest at heart.

If you are a family of four. A dozen should be good. If the family is awake, maybe two dozen.