Eat Local, Be Local! Say Yes to “Flavor” by @Loews_Hotels #orlando

According to SBA (small business administration), there are more than 28.2 million businesses operating in the United States, accounting for 99.7% of all US businesses. Aside from accessibility and value for money, small businesses, driven by passion and unshakeable faith, not only nourish our frames and elevate our palates, they reaffirm our faith in the basic goodness of mankind.

By supporting your local business/restaurant/farmer, not only do you boost the local economy by circulating dollars within the community, you help reduce environmental impact and invest in your and your children’s future. Literally, you build character in your community, and nurture your minds, in this case literally one bite or sip at a time.

Spearheading a culinary experience in our home town Orlando is Flavor by Loews Hotels. An innovative food and beverage experience serving up some of the best of Florida’s local flavor at each hotel. Rolling out nationally across the brand, Flavor by Loews Hotels is built on partnerships with artisan food and beverage vendors ranging from bakers to gelato makers to brewmasters.

Specialty products are showcased across the brand’s portfolio, letting guests experience a taste of the destination without ever having to step off property. Loews Hotels is one of the first hotel brands to embrace local partnerships on a national scale, to truly dine a local.

At Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, guests can enjoy the tastes of Italy featuring products from these partners:

Olde Hearth Bread Company (Casselberry) – The secret to a good sandwich? The bread. No one knows that better than Olde Hearth Bread Company, these artisans live and breathe the slow food movement. Their shop is located in nearby Casselberry, Florida, and is owned by culinary pros Shannon and Janice Talty. Try Olde Hearth’s breads (focaccia, ciabatta, multigrain, brioche potato rolls) in a sandwich at Sal’s Market Deli here at the hotel.

Duomo Gelato (Tampa) – Straight from Tampa, owner Roberto Mori’s recipe is a secret, but he doesn’t hide the fact that all of the ingredients are fresh and premium. And he dreams big: There are more than 100 fruity, creamy flavors to choose from. Here at Loews, you can try more than 50 of them at the Gelateria, found along the Harbor Piazza. Duomo Gelato is also available at Mama Della’s, Trattoria del Porto or in the comfort of your own room with in-room dining.

Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks (West Palm Beach) – This is hard cider with a twist. Owners Matt Stetson and Felonice Merriman infuse real fruit into their distinctive drinks. And their West Palm Beach Taproom is a lively scene that locals love. As a sixth-generation cider maker, Matt started experimenting with gluten-free recipes after he and Felonice started dating and he learned she had celiac disease. Their truly innovative creations include a lemon basil cider that’s exclusive to Loews Portofino Bay; try it at our harbor-side bar, Thirsty Fish, where every night you can toast a live performance by Musica Della Notte’s opera singers. You can also grab a pint at Bar American, Splendido’s, Mama Della’s and Trattoria del Porto.

At Loews Royal Pacific Resort, guests can delight in the flavors of the South Pacific made with ingredients sourced from:

Crooked Can Brewing Company (Winter Garden) – Local beer lovers know this brewery for its quality craft brews and laidback vibe. It’s a fixture in the downtown scene, located at Plant Street Market in historic Winter Garden. Here, every batch is overseen by an award-winning brewmaster that uses both traditional and cutting-edge practices. Kick back with a pour (we recommend High Stepper, an American IPA; and Mr. Tractor, a Kolsch) right here at Jake’s American Bar.

Webb’s Honey (Orlando) – it takes about 1,000 hives and some very busy bees to create what’s known as Orlando’s best local honey. Owner David Webb takes pride in the fact that his product is pure and unfiltered. He knows how to create the deliciously unexpected, too; flavors include Wild Flower, Orange Blossom, Cabbage Palm and Holly. We’ve made the honey a key ingredient in our sauces and dressings here at the hotel. Try the Chicken Yakitori in Islands Dining Room, the Herb Crusted Seabass with Honey Lime Butter Sauce at Jake’s American Bar, and the Asian Chicken Salad at Bula Bar & Grille.

Kissimmee River Mushrooms (Okeechobee) – You have to see them to believe them. Imagine: mushrooms in truly brilliant colors, from pink to gold to blue. It’s all because this family-owned biz does its growing naturally, without chemicals and pesticides, in Okeechobee, Florida. Their beauty is rivaled only by their taste – so nuanced and complementary of many different types of cuisine. Bonus: these mushrooms also have health benefits, like lowering cholesterol. Admire and savor them in our Islands Dining Room (order the Mongolian Beef and Kung Pao Chicken) or poolside in a Portobello Mushroom Wrap at Bula Bar & Grille.

At Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, guests can savor authentic Caribbean recipes featuring ingredients from partners that include:

Pure Produce (Sebastian) – This family-owned hydroponic farm has an admirable mission: to produce high quality, fresh veggies using only the cleanest methods possible. It all starts with a great location along the beautiful Indian River in Sebastian, Florida. There, Alex Gomez and his family grow “everything for a great salad,” including baby English cucumbers, beefsteak tomatoes, Holland sweet bell peppers, butter lettuce and kale. Everything is hand-picked and packed from 18 imperial-style greenhouses, without the use of any machines. You’ll find Pure Produce’s locally grown veggies in a number of healthy dishes here at Loews, including the Baja Spiced Chicken Salad at Drhum Club Kantine and the Vegetable Hot Pot at Strong Water Tavern.

St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine) – St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. – and its distillery has a story as magical as its location. It all began with 28 local Floridians who came together to form a business collaborative using local ingredients to create small-batch spirits. Today, this community-owned endeavor distills its notable St. Augustine Distillery rum, as well as whiskey, vodka and gin. These drinks are served up in Florida’s oldest ice plant, which has been restored to service. But you can also try them right here at Strong Water Tavern; the Fountain of Youth cocktail will give you new life after a day of adventuring through the theme parks.

Palmetto Creek Farms (Avon Park) – This is pork as its meant to be enjoyed – no artificial enhancers, no preservatives, no chemicals or additives. Thanks go to this family-owned farm located south of Orlando in Avon Park, Florida. Their natural pork is the result of free-ranging farming techniques and a commitment to taste and quality. There’s no better place to enjoy it than in a Caribbean dish here at the resort. We recommend the Mojo Pork Tacos at Drhum Club Kantine and the Cuban Burger at Amatista Cookhouse. Or, you can go whole hog at our weekly Caribbean Carnaval, which features an all-you-can-eat buffet of hand-carved whole roasted hog, plus other island delights.

Flavor by Loews Hotels is one of many ways guests can savor the adventure and enjoy the special benefits of staying at Universal Orlando Resort. Guests at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort are just a short walk, complimentary water taxi or shuttle bus ride away from all three Universal Orlando theme parks. They also receive an exclusive package of theme park benefits, including Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before the theme parks open.

Until next time, have a delicious day!

Photo Credit: Loews Hotel.

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