corpkid

AGREE! I eat there all the time and this is a great beer! Fifi's should be a hit in no time. Their food is really good and the place looks great! Between the Beacon, Fifi's and Graze -- this corner will be a great mix. The only problem I have is that Fifi's doesn't yet have a liquor license. I'm more of a "cocktail" kind of guy -- does anyone know if they are applying for one? Also, does anyone know what "type" of resturaunt Graze is going to be? From what I've heard (and this is probably completely incorrect), it will rival HUE....

That looks pretty hot! Anyone been to that Bola (on I-Drive)? How is it?

I agree - If it essentially pays and occupies itself (tourists), yet provides all types of cool stuff to do for locals, why not support it and be excited about it? Hey, I LOVE to hit up Universal on a FRI/SAT night and eat at Tchoup Chop and then hit the Red Coconut Club. Yeah, somewhat touristy but better than many cities have and DAMN GOOD FOOD! Hell, I might even do a few tequila shots at Margaritaville (as touristy as they come) and then use my "preferred pass" to hit a few rides at IOA or USF (Do NOT try unless you have an iron stomach) . It's nice to have these options. I-drive right now is kind of sparse, unless you like T-Shirts. I look forward to what will become of this strip! I could be totally off here, but don't you think eventually (like 20 years or something) that the attractions area will just mesh into D/T as one big D/T Orlando? The entire I-4 corridor is predicted to be one big swath of "metro" and our area is growing at a remarkably quick pace. The only thing I really, really wish for is some type of train to get me to and from downtown to I-Drive and the theme parks. Lynx leaves a lot to be desired and tequila shots + driving on I-4 = a terrible decision. Those cabs can get pricey!

Agree. I think the Clubhouse (formerly Maui Jack's) is OK, but we need a REAL sports bar downtown. The clubhouse is packed on game days, so I'd venture to guess there is a market for one more.

It is indeed pretty crazy d/t on New Years' eve (but most weekend nights are to some degree). Unfortunately I'll be in Boston this year for family stuff. Wish I could stay in Orlando!

I've heard this too, but how so?

Kind of O/T, but does anyone have information on the expansion of the Lymmo system? I keep hearing they are working on extending that over to the T/P area and further north & south -- There's supposed to be a stop right on "Condo Corridor" (aka S. Eola Dr.). That would be awesome for me living in Eola South! What is taking so long for this? It's not like they have to build anything, right?

So Boomer -- You're in marketing I take it? Subtle, real subtle! On another note, has anyone seen how they are pimping LV to the 20/30 something crowd? Look at the new MGM Grand website... WE HAVE THIS STUFF -- really! I just got back and we have the cool ass hotels (Grand Bohemian, et. al) and we MOST CERTINALY have the bars! We can and should try to market downtown a bit more -- can I get an AMEN!? BTW - just got back from the MGM hotel a week ago and it was nice, but not "all that" -- pretty much the same way I feel about Vegas. What do you think would happen if Orlando had casinos?

If this thing falls apart, I swear I'm leaving! (Okay, I'm overheating, but still...). Why is it that cities like Fort Lauderdale get awesome amenities and we get the O-AMWAY-Enema, the Citrus Bowel and the Bob Carr (no disparaging remarks needed for that one)... Seriously, we are NOT a small city and there is apparently quite a bit of money here, not mention we are the #1 tourist destination in the country... I'm getting very discouraged... Can someone calm me down and shed some light on this...?

Ironically -- I moved here from Manhattan.. (and for those exact two reasons)... I am so typical I feel dirty...

Aren't most "very large" cities built because there is water there or some other "natural" phenomenon? I know there are exceptions, but I keep trying to figure out why the Orlando metro is getting so big so fast. Are the theme parks REALLY that big of a deal? Exactly WHAT makes people like this place enough to move to it?

And I wonder, since so many of these areas have yet to have the foot traffic needed to support these eateries how long they can hold on for. A prime example is KRES -- way back when they opened they were banking of 55w which is still not anywhere near being done. While the Sanctuary is "done" it's only about 40% occupied. I'm thinking 101 will help out as it's a little cheaper and will most likely consist of younger types who will not use it as a second home / investment. Or so I hope! BTW -- does anyone realize we STILL do not have a liquor store downtown? Anyone who wants to make a mint should look into that venture.

I just drove by the downtown site on my way home today and noticed they have signs all around the "round" building (Orange and Anderson) stating "Future Home of the PAC" (or something close to that). Also, is that really crappy lane closure on Anderson related to the PAC? It sucks coming home from work as that whole intersection backs up pretty bad. Finally --- is that round building coming down for the PAC? I'd imagine they'd need to implode it due to its size. That would be a very cool site to see!

No kidding! Is it just me, or can Orlando be excruciatingly frustrating sometimes?

Has anyone actually driven down I-Drive around 8PM in the last few months (years)? The traffic is unspeakably bad. It took me almost an hour to go from the convention center to Wet n' Wild a few Friday nights ago. How in the HELL can that strip handle the influx of traffic an arena would bring? I swear, Orlando seems to build before thinking... That's why most of our City Beautiful is a traffic nightmare.

A mall, as much as I'd love to see it, might be cost-prohibitive to retrofit. Plus, there

<no words required, just an emoticon>

I was talking about curtians and drapes/blinds. I have a pretty unique setup of track drawn curtains that wrap around in a U shape. They rock and expo did an EXCELLENT job installing them. Of course the were $3K but they make the place. Lowes did me just fine for my flooring -- I've had HORRIBLE experiences with Home Depot. Also, Flooring Solutions in the Design building in Altamonte (the one with Scan Design in it) did an excellent job on my old house. As for the Motorized blinds, You can probably get the fabric from Expo or anywhere that sells that stuff. Make sure you provide a sample to whoever is doing the track/motor install so that they can assure you it's not too heavy. The tracking and motor you'll probaby want to go to Absolute Sound in WP. They have contractors that do that I believe. Expo might be able to handle it, I would ask...

This is extremely wise advice. I would suggest that ANY condo buyer do the same. Of course, the trade off is that you must add the install time to move in time, but in the long run, what's a couple of weeks. We did this with Eola South and made out like bandits! BTW -- I would suggest (and I've had many houses/condos over the past few years) LOWES for the flooring and EXPO for the window stuff. They just get it right and have awesome selections. Don't get me started on my furniture choices!

BTW -- they are only open for tapas & drinks at 8PM for another week or so at which point they will switch to their full menu (including full dinners)... Stopped in to have a drink last night at 7 (they weren't open yet <ugh>) and the place looks pretty cool on the inside...

It is indeed fully open (I live in Eola S. and sit on my balcony watching the hipsters get tipsy over there). It appears to be a tapas & lounge place and doesn't open until 5-ish. The orange colors they're using for the seating/umbrellas really pops out from the (as mentioned) starkness of the Sanctuary... My first trip is Tuesday night for a meeting -- I'll let you know what I find/think.

what type of restaurant is it?

Shari is very good... Thursdays 5-7PM they have $3 sushi happy hour which is an excellent value. Just get there EARLY as it's always very crowded (I usually get there at 4:45).

Harvey's is "OK" but I would suggest heading over to Luma on Park Ave in Winter Park or over to Beluga in the Winter Park Village... KRES is good (if you like steak) but it is pricey... Two people with drinks is easily approaching 100 bucks. Again, Harvey's is good, affordable, but it's not "trendy/fun" like Hue is. Go with Luma -- you'll like it if you like Hue.

You know, I think because he's a contender (though it's not official) for the presidential elections, he may be trying to run on a "low taxation" platform. Of course to which this would be completely counter to, should it have passed. Just speculating about that, but I