November Letter From The Publisher: How to Savor The City Beautiful
I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.
CATHERINE WALTERS
I’m back, Orlando—but just for this special issue! Who better to guide you through Central Florida’s vibrant dining scene than someone who’s spent nearly half a century savoring everything our city has to off er? Our community has faced a wave of small business closures recently, including beloved spots like Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria, DeJan Eats and Valkyrie Doughnuts. Kappy’s Subs in Maitland, one of the last surviving Love Diners in the U.S., nearly joined that list but was saved by the remarkable support of our local community. These closures remind us of the financial challenges, rising costs and growing demands small businesses face. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to rally behind these treasured establishments. And we may have a few suggestions.
This month, we’re thrilled to present the 2024 Dining Award winners, chosen by you in more than 70 categories, along with special picks from Brendan O’Connor. Let’s do our part to keep these local gems thriving—patronize them, spread the word and shop small. Together, we can sustain Orlando’s extraordinary and diverse culinary scene. In this issue, we’ll also take you on two unexpected travel adventures: Tallahassee and Utopia of the Seas. Join Orlando magazine editor Jennifer McKee as she explores our state’s capital, followed by a sneak peek of Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, sailing out of Port Canaveral. Our resident cruise expert, Posie Bowers, recounts the excitement of the inaugural voyage, filled with fun, a few mishaps and plenty of laughs.
Looking for something closer to home? Our event specialist, Cynthia Van Gaasbeck, rounded up the best holiday happenings in our monthly calendar on p. 88. Planning a holiday party or get-together? Head to p. 20 for a crash-course in Southern entertaining, and don’t miss our Holiday Cocktails Guide and fun Cocktails Quiz starting on p. 80. There’s so much more packed into this issue—so dive in and enjoy!
With warmest regards,
CATHERINE WALTERS
catherine.walters@morris.com
Your Dedicated Publisher and Dining Enthusiast
We’ll meet again,
Don’t know where, don’t
know when,
But I know we’ll meet
again, some sunny day.
