PRESENTED BY

Welcome back to Monday Morning, Orlando!

Hey everyone! Are you all pumped for Thanksgiving? This week, we’re focused on putting together pies and preparing some delicious hors d’oeuvres. We’ll also meet up with other family members who’ll take care of the turkey and the sides.

Small programming note: My plan for this Thursday’s issue is to provide a condensed version, focused only on things to do over Thanksgiving weekend, including events and shows, since I’m guessing you’ll have black Friday handled on your own, OR NOT (like me).

 In today’s issue: 👇

• Before Plymouth

• Silicon City

• Meng’s Kitchen

• ….and much more

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🛑 Don’t forget to click (or tap) the poll at the bottom of this issue so we know if we’re on the right track. Every time you vote in a poll, our cat Luna gets a little treat. 🐈

Let’s dive in!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Before Plymouth: A Florida Thanksgiving Tale

Not precisely Orlando, but an interesting tale NEAR Orlando.

Here's a surprising slice of Florida history: our country's first Thanksgiving wasn't celebrated by Pilgrims in Plymouth, Mass, but rather unfolded under the warm Florida sun in a celebration that brought together two fascinating cultures.

Picture this: on a bright September morning in 1565, Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 European settlers joined the welcoming Timucua people for a shared feast in what we now know as St. Augustine – a full 56 years before Plymouth's famous celebration.

Even more delightfully, this wasn't Florida's first thanksgiving gathering. Just a year earlier, French explorer Rene Goulaine de Laudonnière hosted his own joyful feast near present-day Jacksonville to celebrate Fort Caroline's founding.

The Timucua, who had called Florida home for over 4,000 years, brought their incredible knowledge of local foods to these feasts. They shared delicacies like fresh oysters, fish, smoked alligator, and sweet native fruits with their new neighbors.

These early Florida Thanksgivings, involving the Timucua tribe, showcase a different narrative of early European-Native American interactions, one marked by mutual respect and cooperation, at least initially. This history provides a broader context for understanding Thanksgiving’s origins and the complex relationships between European settlers and indigenous peoples in early American history.

PRESENTED BY COVERING CENTRAL FLORIDA
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THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Ditch the Apron: Orlando's Best Thanksgiving Restaurant Offerings

Looking to make this Thanksgiving more about family time and less about kitchen duty? Then, you can skip the chaos this Thanksgiving—Orlando's restaurant scene has your back.

Orlando's wonderful restaurants are ready to help! Treat yourself to 4 Rivers Smokehouse's mouthwatering slow-smoked turkeys or enjoy a special evening out with Fleming's delightful three-course feast.

Planning a cozy meal at home? Canvas Restaurant & Market has you covered with their pre-order family-style takeaway spread, complete with delicious touches like bacon brioche stuffing and sweet house-made coquito.

Make it memorable at Rosen Plaza Hotel's festive buffet, featuring everything from fresh pasta to seafood delights. Or settle in at local gems like Winter Park's Park Avenue Tavern and the charming Tap Room at Dubsdread offer intimate dining experiences.

However you celebrate, Orlando's dining destinations offer all the warmth of home cooking—without the cleanup!

🔥 Check out more local Thanksgiving day offerings, right here.

'Silicon City': Orlando's Tech Scene Gets Downtown Boost

In an exciting development for Central Florida's tech community, three leading organizations have joined forces to create a vibrant innovation space in the heart of downtown Orlando.

The welcoming new Tech Hub Orlando, housed in a charming historic building at 36 W. Pine Street, brings together the UCF Business Incubation Program, Innovate Orlando, and OMG Labs in an expansive 11,500-square-foot facility.

Already buzzing with activity from nearly three dozen companies, the friendly space offers everything from co-working desks to office suites, plus inviting breakout rooms, lecture halls, and a spacious auditorium.

During October's soft opening, the hub drew more than 350 enthusiastic participants to events like Game Jams and Startup Weekend, setting the stage for a thriving creative community in the heart of the city.

Sweet Soul Revival: The Return of Club Eaton

A musical landmark is stirring back to life in historic Eatonville, Florida. At 426 E. Kennedy Blvd., the skeletal remains of Club Eaton – once a jewel of the “Chitlin' Circuit” – are undergoing a $1 million restoration.

Built in 1946 by businessman Condor Merritt, the venue hosted legends like James Brown, Little Richard, and early performances by Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight during segregation.

Martha Bryant Hall, now 81, spent countless nights dancing there until dawn, while young Charles McKinney would peek through an exhaust fan to glimpse the shows.

Today, architect Malcolm Jones leads the transformation of this cultural touchstone into a modern venue that honors its rich heritage.

(Learn more about Club Eaton’s restoration with Joe Byrnes, right here.)

4Roots Celebrates Phase 1 Opening of Urban Farm Campus

Something exciting is growing in Orlando's Packing District – a vibrant new urban farm that's reimagining how cities connect with food. The 18-acre 4Roots Farm Campus, the brainchild of local restaurant pioneer John Rivers, just opened its doors (phase 1) with a cheerful carrot-pulling celebration.

At the heart of the project sits an impressive 18,000-square-foot greenhouse, already sharing fresh, pesticide-free vegetables with neighbors in need. Students and visitors can dive into hands-on farming programs, while a delightful quarter-mile food forest with 75 edible plants takes shape.

Plans for an event center and farm-to-table restaurant are sprouting up next year with the community hub setting to fully bloom by 2026.

TASTY NEWS 🧑‍🍳
Orlando Eateries On Their Way

1️⃣ Mountain Mike’s Pizza - West Coast Pizza Enters Orlando

Mountain Mike's Pizza (Insta), the beloved West Coast chain, is bringing its arcade-filled, family-friendly pizzerias to Orlando with five new locations slated to open starting 2025. Multipli Capital's CEO Ned Algeo and partner Sean Morrison, who already operate two 3Natives cafés locally, will spearhead this expansion through their BizBox Restaurant Group.

2️⃣ Daddy's Chicken Shack - Crispy Comfort Food Arrives

Veteran franchise operator Ed Zausch is expanding Daddy's Chicken Shack (Insta) to Kissimmee's tourist corridor, with a spring 2025 opening planned at 6296 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. The menu features buttermilk-brined, pressure-cooked chicken served with house-made sauces and pickles on brioche buns.

😞 Dearly departing: Tornatore's Ristorante and Italian Market. In an announcement on Facebook, Denny Tornatore shared his journey and closure announcement after 15 years in business. The last day of service will be on December 23rd.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Time for din-din in WP

📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Winter Park

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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Meng’s Kitchen

📍2415 E.Colonial Dr., Orlando, Florida 32803. Map to this location.

From the vibrant street carts of Thailand to the heart of Orlando, Meng's Kitchen (Insta) brings authentic Southeast Asian magic to every plate.

Chef AJ's culinary journey began as a traveling musician in Thailand, where he discovered the soul of Asian cuisine in humble food stalls across the country.

Now nestled in iFresh Market, his ghost kitchen-turned-culinary destination serves acclaimed signatures like Hainan Chicken Rice and Chicken Katsu Curry, blending his executive chef expertise in both Eastern and Western flavors.

[Check out Meng’s Kitchen, right here]

MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out

📜 Next Step Screenplay Series: Short Film Showcase
📅 November 25, 2024 | 7PM-10PM
📍 Bynx Orlando, 420 E. Church Street, #118, Orlando, FL 32801

Experience 9 screenplays performed by 8 directors and 24 actors, spanning drama, comedy, sci-fi, and zombies.

🎵 Stetson University School of Music
📅 November 26, 2024 | 7:30pm
📍 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

An evening showcasing Stetson's finest ensembles including the Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Symphonic Band.

🍻 Drinksgiving At Boxi Park
📅 November 27, 2024 | 7pm
📍 Boxi Park, Lake Nona

Pre-Thanksgiving celebration featuring live entertainment from Icon Party Band and a complimentary welcome drink.

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Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal