Happy Sunday all! Thanks for all the great comments and recommendations for things to do during our week in South Carolina. I can honestly say we had a blast in the South and can’t wait to go back….and to eat at Mrs. Wilkes! LOL…..Yesterday, we finally made it to Florida for our next adventure in Kissimmee!
We have one week of fun here before we head over to St. Lucia!!!
I snapped a few pictures of our resort on our morning walk to Starbuck’s.
We are staying at my parents Time Share and it’s pretty darn awesome!
The Kitchen!
There are 2 bedrooms that look pretty much the same…..
The view from our room ~ by the way, an alligator hangs out in that lake and we saw him today!
1 of the 6 pools!
Ok, enough about this place ~ let’s just say, I am really spoiled on time shares 
This morning start out with a delicious fruit cup….
Plus a Venti Iced Coffee with 1 pump mocha ~ it totally hit the spot since it is hot and humid here today in the mid 80’s. (1 points+)
We decided to pick today as a total relaxation day since most of yesterday was spent driving in the car. For lunch, we headed over to the Oldest Restaurant in Florida ~ Columbia Restaurant.
You have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating…..
We decided to sit outside since our table was in the shade. As soon as we sat down we were each given bags with hot, freshly baked Cuban bread and butter. Delicious!!
Cuban bread is super crunchy/flakey on the outside, but, light, airy and soft on the inside.
I remembered completely LOVING the Cuban Chicken Dish we had in Florida on our way back from the Bahamas so I decided to check out the Arroz Con Pollo with yellow rice.
I ended up giving the chicken to The Husband…..so I could have his plantains
Then, I gobbled up all of the sticky, yellow rice with peas, peppers and onions. I LOVE yellow rice!
After lunch, we decided to go to Publix to order our Thanksgiving Feast. While we were there, I found TWO NEW to me products to try.
1st ~ the drink you all all told me to try ~ Cheerwine!
2nd ~ Wickles!!! I have been eyeing these all week every time we see them.
1 points+ a serving…..
Decent ingredient list (sans the last 2)
I may or may not have bought these just because they had peppers inside the jar!
I NEVER knew I could LOVE a Wickle so freakin’ much!!! Seriously, you all have to try these if you have not….they are light bread & butter pickles (probably better!) with a little spicy, garlicky kick.
I totally ate like half a jar with my Cheerwine (which is also tasty cherry soda!)
I actually think I might be ordering some of these to send home because there is NOTHING like Wickles in California!
We spent the afternoon lounging around, reading and pondering what we want to do this week. My dad actually requested an Italian Food dinner so we decided to google a few ideas.
Bruno’s Italian Restaurant came up with great reviews from several people and the menu looked tasty. You know you are at Bruno’s when you see this sign along the street
I think what makes Bruno’s place pretty cool is that it a local place that you won’t find anywhere else and it is run by Bruno and his family.
Bruno even comes out of the kitchen to say hi and make sure you enjoyed his food.
He actually is a pretty funny guy who can make some pretty amazing food too!
As soon as you sit down they bring out these super soft, hot, homemade Garlic Knots that literally melt in your mouth as soon as you sink your teeth into them.
Each meal includes the garlic knots and simple salad with homemade Italian dressing.
I LOVE that they put “a must try” in red letters right next to the Bruschetta description on the appetizers.
If you try one appetizer at Bruno’s try the Bruschetta ~ it’s unbelievable. I would honestly go back just for this appetizer!
The bread is perfectly toasted, but, not hard and then it is topped with the creamiest ricotta that blends with the garlicky pesto and sweet tomatoes.
I asked our waiter about the 3 dishes I was pondering and he said out of all of the ones I listed the Penne Verdi was his favorite. I have to admit, after tasting The Husband’s baked pastas and my mom’s eggplant parmesan (which were both delicious with their homemade red sauces), that I made the right choice.
Penne Verdi is crisp, lightly steamed broccoli with fresh spinach and penne tossed with fresh roasted garlic and olive oil. For being such a light dish, it pacts a delicious sweet garlic olive oil flavor throughout the entire dish.
I think we might head out to Universal Studios tomorrow and then maybe the Kennedy Space Center the next day.
For all those out there ~ what are your must try places to eat and things to see in Orlando/Kissimmee, Florida?
Quick side note ~ doesn’t this recipe look good? I am so adding it to my must make list!
Night all!
oooooooooooooh I have no tips but I am soooooooooo living vicariously 🙂
SO, we stayed at the SAME PLACE in Kissimee AND we went to St. Lucia, too! 🙂 Where are you going in St. Lucia?? We went to Sandals in La Toc and it was absolutely wonderful. Enjoy!! : )
Danielle ~ like minds!!! That is awesome. We are staying at the Windjammer. What did you all end up doing in St.. Lucia and in Kissimmee?
In Kissimee, we did the Disney Parks, some shopping, and some relaxing at the time share, too!! In St. Lucia, we spoiled ourselves silly with the all-inclusiveness (read: ate too much and played too much haha). We did a shopping excursion into the towns on St. Lucia. We also did the volcano tour, which was fun. We wanted to spend a lot of time at the resort so we didn’t do too many excursions. it was lovely. Where are you staying in St. Lucia??
We are staying at the WindJammer…I cannot wait! I am sure we will be doing both relaxing at the resort and exploring the island. We are debating renting a car or just doing taxi rides. Since you have been there, what would you recommend? Do people drive crazy and the roads insane? I’ve heard both good and bad for doing both. If it isn’t crazy to drive I would think that is the better option. Thoughts?
Danica
Oh I’m so sorry I missed that you said WindJammer the first time! 🙂 I would recommend a taxi. They drive INSANE there and while it was sometimes scary, they at least know how people drive there (and were good at it). I’d be nervous to be a cautious driver and start driving on their roads. haha 🙂
I just got back from a week in Orlando! If you want to experience a little bit of Disney without going to the parks, check out Downtown Disney during the evening. So much going on!
Also, eat at Season’s 52. Nothing on their menu is over 475 calories and they focus on fresh ingredients prepared simply.
Thanks Kati ~ Season52 is definitely a place I know I’d love….now to convince my parents they “have” to try it 😀
Hey there, I hope you guys are having a blast. I am from Fla moved up north 4 years ago. My family still lives there were 40 min from Kissa-me and I MISS IT…Have fun. Make sure you go to Harry Potter you will LOVE it…Great places to eat on International Drive right up from you off main Highway. Have FFUUNNNNNN
I love love LOVE Wickles! They are hard to find here, but Publix has them sometimes and World Market has them on and off.
I ADORE Wickles! I highly recommend them cold served cold straight from the refrigerator. SO delicious and worth the rater expensive price for pickles!
I agree with Kati. Seasons 52 was very good. Have fun and keep the posts coming.
Spicy pickles would complete me. I need to try and find something like that around here!!! I am loving your food you are posting, it all looks incredible!! Can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip 🙂
Did you get my post from last week on restaurants? Haha it was long, but I can repost here if you want!
And more importantly, did you eat at Columbia on Saturday?! My friend and I ate there Saturday afternoon, with a pitcher of Sangria 🙂
Here’s another idea too. I’ve never had Chicago style pizza except for this, which I love!
http://www.giordanos.com/
There is Gatorland in Orlando, I have never been but it might be fun for your husband to see more gators 🙂 Winter Park has a great farmer’s market on Saturdays (Celebration has one on Sunday, but it’s not as big as WP). When I was in law school, we made plans to do this ecosafari but with the timing we couldn’t do it, but I have heard good things: http://www.floridaecosafaris.com/. Harry Potter at Universal is a must do, it was amazing. And cold butterbeer 🙂 JK Rowling said no soda or unhealthy food when the park was being developed so the food choices in Harry Potter are pretty good (minus the butter beer!).
I love seeing all your FL posts because I go to all those places! We have actually stayed at that resort too! Citywalk is fun, Downtown Disney has a new theater where you cine & dine or fork & screen. It’s a basic menus, but it’s fun. First Watch is a breakfast/lunch place, there is one in Dr. Phillips, not far from Kissimmee.
I’ll keep thinking! Most of what we do involves food and drinks though haha!
Have fun!
HI Jamie,
Yes, I got your recommendations last week ~ you are amazing!!! Seriously, we have done so many things you recommended and LOVED them. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas.
Thank you!!!!
Danica
While actually a Chicago restaurant, Giordano’s pizza is amazing and I was excited when I found it in Orlando (I moved to FL from the midwest a few years ago). BEST deep dish pizza!
Also, I would have to second the recommendation about Gatorland. While very cheesy, you will see more alligators than ever before. I went last fall while family were visiting and we even came upon the staff feeding the gators from a pedestrian bridge (not the staged feeding that you can pay to do, but a real feeding) – ridiculous closeness to gators eating massive pieces of meat. Totally cheesy, but a fun way to spend a few hours!
Have fun while in FL and enjoy the rest of your vacation!
A few more…Wekiwa Springs and Fantasy of Flight (passed by on my way home from work for my reminder!)
PLEASE tell me you had the famous sald at Columbia!!!!???? You MUST go back and have it…..we go there every Feb and last year at there 3 times, 2 of the times I just ate soup and salad, the dressing is amazing. GO BACK!!
Read about it here…………..
http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/recipe.asp?FeaturedItemID=2
Jill ~ I thought about getting that salad but it was the whole iceberg lettuce thing that made me think not. Then, I saw someone order it and the waiter making it at their table and though ohhhh I should’ve done that LOL.
This makes me so happy to see Wickles on your blog! They’re made near where I live in Alabama, and I LOVE them–so glad to see you’re trying them 🙂
Glad it has been helpful! I moved from Delaware to Orlando in 2007 for law school and love it here! I like to show it off, if I can! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and I love all the updates!
Do you have Famous Dave’s pickles in California? I’ve never had “wickles” but the Famous Dave’s pickles are sweet and spicy and soooooo addicting! And I don’t even like pickles!
I don’t know if you have it in California, but my recommendation is TGIFRiday’s!!! They have amazing fruit mojitos and delicious food!!! I can’t believe you are so close to Disney World and you’re not going there!! It’s so fun 🙂 At least visit Harry Potter world in Universal if you can! 😀
I absolutely LOVE that you love Wickles. I live in Alabama and they are made just miles down the road from my house!!