"Orlando" news and stories

Redlight Redlight in Orlando, FL. Image: Redlight Redlight

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Last week, What's On Tap suggested craft beer seekers crash the college town of Athens, Ga., while the students are away. This week, why not leave your kids at home during that summer trip to Orlando? Drop the tykes off at Grandma's, lie about the location of Disney World and add world-renowned Florida bar Redlight Redlight to the vacation itinerary.

For more than four years, this hip and particularly well-stocked pub has been a must for seekers of rare brews. And now is as perfect a time as any to pop in as they celebrate Christmas in July. "We saved most of the Christmas beers," says owner Brent Hernandez, including a couple kegs dating back to 2005. "We do a lot of aging and have a pretty solid vintage list."

See all 21 beers on tap as of Monday and learn more about Redlight Redlight after the jump. ...

It doesn't get any better than this. If I had magical powers and could transport myself to any food festival in the country this weekend, I don't think I'd be able to decide where to go! We've got BBQ in Missouri and Pies in Florida, and starting next Wednesday (4/23), Texas is the place to be with festivals in both Houston and Dallas.

Read on for details about all of these yummy events, and check out the gallery from last weekend's Scottsdale Culinary Festival!

Alton Brown served as keynote speaker for the recent Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting in Orlando. Brown talked about the need for the food science community to communicate more openly with consumers, according to FoodNavigator-USA. At the same time, he stressed the consumer's responsibility to eat in moderation, saying "There are no bad foods, only bad eaters." The IFT site also has some notes on Brown's speech, as well as a variety of other press releases on other topics from this year's meeting. Other topics included the health benefits of beer; eating behind the wheel; and removing acrylamide from foods like potato chips and coffee. Audio recordings are also available, for a fee.

Following Nicole's post about the new Dagwood sandwich restaurant, it seems only fitting to mention the recent opening of a new Earl of Sandwich restaurant in Tampa. The Orlando-based chain is operated by Lord John Montagu, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, a descendant of the 4th Earl of Sandwich (right), the British naval commander who supposedly invented meat between bread back in the 1700s. Also involved in the venture are Montagu's son Orlando and Planet Hollywood founder Gary Davis. This is the second EOS location to open since 2004, according to a recent story in the St. Pete Times (scroll down). On the menu, of course, are sandwiches, including roast beef, which was reportedly the filling of choice for the first sandwich back in 1762.

Florida restaurateurs may soon have their say in whether or not dogs can dine outside with their owners. Rep. Sheri McInvale, R-Orlando has introduced a bill that would create a three year variance from a current law that keeps dogs out of restaurants. Only restaurants that wanted to allow dogs would participate. The proposed law would not give dog owners the right to bring their dog any restaurant they choose.  Along with letting dogs dine al fresco, the proposed law would also require participating restaurants to have $1 million worth of liability insurance to cover possible biting incidents.

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