Funkster Bootsy Collins will perform at Chicago African Festival of the Arts

The last days of summer always seem to drift by in a hazy mist but the Windy City makes sure that those final drops of sunny warmth are celebrated with a bang.  There’s a host of fireworks, picnics and parties to commemorate the season’s end but the most exciting and action-packed events take place in parks all across the city: Read More »

Icewine Grapes Chillin'

Ok, so I might be a little bit early on this, but the Niagara Icewine Festival is coming up from January 13-29. It’s in Ontario, Canada, so I thought I’d give everyone a nice heads up so that you can make your travel plans far in advance.

If it’s anything like last year’s event, you’ll be able to order wine from ice bars, watch cooking demonstrations and learn all about Icewine, one of Ontario’s (and Canada’s) most treasured products.

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Inside The Dessert Lady in Orlando

The next time you’re in downtown Orlando for any reason and you find yourself with a sweet tooth, you must get yourself to The Dessert Lady.

Located in the former Church Street Station, just west of Orange Ave, The Dessert Lady offers some of the most amazing confections you will ever lift up on a fork. Seriously.

Their carrot cake is probably the most raved about and it is really good, but I’m a fan of the cannoli cake, which combines two of my dessert loves – cannoli and cake – into one. The portions are large enough to share, which is a good thing since they are $10 a slice. Definitely a splurge, but worth it. For those who can’t make up their mind, there is a sampler plate for $24, and you get to pick the four desserts to sample (I would get one of these to pass around the table).

The Dessert Lady does have a daily happy hour from 4pm to 8pm, making it a great bridge between work or dinner and play. Among the specials are 2-4-1 wines and select vodka drinks, 2 for $6 or 2 for $7 bottled beers and $5 select mixed drinks, including margaritas. You could start here before going to an event at the Amway Center or club hopping downtown.

The restaurant is open until 11pm most nights and midnight on Friday and Saturday, making this a cool place to end a date with a nightcap, as well.

Whatever reason you find yourself here, you won’t regret it if you have any kind of sweet tooth at all.

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The Dessert Lady
120A W. Church St
Orlando, FL 32801
407-999-5696
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[Photo courtesy The Dessert Lady]

Macallan 12-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Yummy.

I always laugh when I hear the word “Scotch.” I can’t help but hear Ron Burgundy’s word from Anchor Man: “I love Scotch. Scotchy Scotch Scotch. Here it goes, down into my belly…” Ron Burgundy did for Scotch what self-serve wine bars did for wine – made it less snooty and more accessible. At least in my mind. Even so, I never got around to experimenting with Scotch Whiskey until very recently – I still considered it to be a “man’s” drink. I also incorrectly assumed that Scotch Whiskey is nowhere near as interesting or complex as wine.

Thanks for Macallan, however, these erroneous thoughts and assumptions were corrected. A few months back, my husband asked if I wanted to attend a free Scotch tasting with him at Atlantic Station’s Lobby at Twelve hotel/restaurant. He had asked before, and I had either been busy or simply hadn’t been interested. This time, though, I decided to give it a shot. At least I would get a free drink, even if I didn’t like it. I was suspicious though — free? I soon learned that they more than make up for the free events with new Macallan converts like myself.

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