The town (and actually the country) costumes have held the fall flavor and Halloween vibe since August, but here in the food section we practice restraint. Generally.
Now that October is here, you can relax and showcase these merchandise and locations in Central Florida, relax in the pumpkin spice appreciation throughout the Metro.
Autumn Bonbons at Caribe Royal Orlando
Stone throwing from Disney, this popular resort offers three limited autumn fall and Halloween bonbons. You will find them in the area where you go to get your property, and they are made fresh in-house. Flavors include maple brown butter pecans, cranberry yogurt, and… pumpkin chai! For $14, it can be used by six people, up to November.
Caribe Royale Orlando: 8101 Orlando’s World Center Drive, 407-238-8000; cariberoyale.com
Courtesy bar
If you like pumpkins, scream! Or because you are afraid.
Orange Nightmare has returned to Orlando’s original craft cocktail spot (now located in Winter Park). It is the creepy sisters of their themed Christmas event. There’s plenty to be excited about the menu, but for pumpkin fans, the Phoenician Scream ($17) is the most likely love match featuring rum, anise, pumpkin, ginger, honey, lemon and vango (an vanilla version of Angosla).
Co-owner Diana Zimmerman describes the drink as “a Lebanese zombie with a sweet and delicious Middle Eastern and autumn flavor.”
Reservations are recommended, walk-ups are welcome.
Courtesy Bar: 1288 N. Orange Ave. Winter Park; thecourtesybar.com/nightmareonorange
Duffy’s sports grill
Duffy’s Fall-Tinis is back and this year it’s a replacement for the morning fix for Caramel Apple and PSL fans. Single servings start at $9 and are open until November 30th.
Duffy’s Sports Grill: Multiple locations. duffysmvp.com
Jeff’s bagel run
It is the most abundant option for your pumpkin fix. Available in billions of options (pumpkin bagels, pumpkin spice cream cheese, pumpkin cold foam beer, pumpkin cream cocoa), and multiple locations around the Metro.
“These flavors capture the warmth and nostalgia of autumn,” said Jeff Perera, co-founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run. “We love giving our guests a new way to enjoy bagels and coffee together. Pumpkin season is one of the most anticipated times of the year.”
Beware of VIP (Very Important Pumpkin) News: Jeff’s Bagel Run serves its pumpkin spice latte 365 days a year.
Jeff’s Bagel Run: Multiple Places. jeffsbagelrun.com
Jojo’s Shake Bar
If you’ve seen shaking at Jojo’s Shakebar, you know that “going big or going home” is a mantra. It’s the same this year as they’ve resumed “JoJo Pumpkin Patch” for all your fall fun. Point Orlando Patio has been transformed into a fall retreat. The schedule includes pumpkin paintings and other seasonal activities, and of course there are shakes that are worthy of combining them on the menu.
Other bites like Chilimac ‘n’ cheese and Boosie Hot Chocolate may be yours, but pumpkin fans head straight for the pumpkin patch shake.
Jojo’s Shakebar: 9101 International Drive in Orlando, 321-463-5656; jojosshakebar.com
Kavas Tacos + Tequila
Well, until November 30th, they are celebrating a break in the summer season soon. It’s an adult product, but everyone can enjoy autumn ice cream sammy (pumpkin spice stewro donut sammy and salted caramel ice cream ($12). Good stuff.
Kavas Tacos + Tequila: International Drive at 9101 Orlando, 407-776-2027; Kavastacos.com
Zymarium Meadery is showing up for Halloween
There’s nothing band cake
Their fall collection is back. Among the mix, it is a pumpkin spice that fans will love and is available in all band cake sizes until December 7th.
Nothing Bandcake: 415 N. Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, 407-628-4001; NothingBundtcakes.com
Parlor Kitchen
Ryan Herery from Parlor Kitchen loves pumpkin desserts.
“When I was a kid, my mother would make pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting,” he says with a laugh. “They were my favorite on the planet. They were next to the beef jerky. She literally simmered fresh pumpkin all day long and made a bar out of fresh, mashed pumpkin. Looking back, what she was doing was making time for a break.
This is a pumpkin pie waffle in the form of a basic witch waffle, stuffed with vanilla sugar cookies, dipped in scratch apple cider glaze and served with pumpkin spice cream cheese whipped cream.
I had another last weekend. And it was ridiculous.
He also got the PSL on the deck. He also has his famous Goth Black Vampire breakfast waffle.
I say, “Run, don’t walk,” but these will be there until mid-November.
Parlor Kitchen: 5th, located in the hall of 15 E. 5th St.in Apopka. Parlorkitchen.com
Perkins
Perkins has a lineup of full pumpkin spices on the deck, including all-new pumpkin spice coffee, classic pumpkin pies, and Litre’s favorite pumpkin cream cheese mammoth muffins.
Perkins: Multiple locations. perkinsrestaurants.com
Taverna Opa Orlando
Now until November 30th, pumpkin fans have more reasons to scream “Op!” At Taverna Opa. That is, PSL’s own Med version: pumpkin spice leukmad, Greek-style doughnuts, pumpkin spices, salted caramel ice cream ($14).
Taverna Opa Orlando: 9101 International Drive in Orlando, 407-351-8660; Opaorlando.com
It’s too Jay’s delivery
Toojay’s has begun its fall season with pumpkin-inspired menu additions by November 30th in all 20 locations in Florida. This includes pumpkin cheesecakes, pumpkin spice cakes and more.
Toojay’s Deli: Multiple locations. toojays.com
Vicki Bakery
The iconic and family-run Vicki Bakery was founded in 1972 by Antonio and the Gerasia CAO, and has since adopted several seasonal twists to keep things fun. If appropriate, the beloved pumpkin Y Queso product that was a hit during this period. Limited edition products including Pumpkin Ike Fran Cheesecake and Pumpkin Ike Pass Litos (Pumpkin Cafe Conreche) are available throughout Thanksgiving weekend at all Vicky Bakery locations.
Vicky Bakery: Multiple locations. vickybakery.com
Zymarium Meadery
Every December, Joe Leigh, co-owner of Orlando’s own Zymarium Meadery, uses Mead to make his own home’s koquito instead of more traditional rum.
“It’s a labor of love that is very popular every season,” he says. “Last year, last year, we introduced flights in three different flavors: Ube, coffee and banana.”
However, the guest continued to ask if there was still a way to get it early. And for that reason: Pumpkin Spice Kokito!
“We created it for our annual dark ritual Halloween pop-up as a great way to satisfy our cravings for the creepy season. Pumpkin Spice Kokito uses a pumpkin spice blend that is different from other kokito spice blends, including cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.”
Zymarium Meadery: 1121 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando, facebook.com/zymarium
Find me on Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo, or Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more food fun, join Let’s Eat and Orlando Facebook Group.
