Orlando's restaurant landscape is shifting again this fall, with several notable openings, a few relocations, and at least one high-profile closure on the horizon. Paula Ahn, the chef-entrepreneur behind Taste of Chengdu, has launched Sujuo Korean Eatery at 5474 Central Florida Parkway in Williamsburg, taking over a space that Famas Pizza & Pasta occupied for nearly 20 years. The new spot focuses on Korean fusion cuisine.
On N. Mills Ave., chef Lewis Lin's Hayashi Tarō is set to open this month in the former RoyalTea space at 714 N. Mills Ave. The concept centers on omakase bento, with to-go boxes priced between $35 and $45 and a more immersive omakase experience available at an eight-seat counter inside. Ex-Kappo Tsan chef David Tsan will handle the sushi program. Meanwhile, just up the street, Pig Floyd's has left its longtime home at 1326 N. Mills Ave. and merged with sister concept Pigzza at 1050 N. Mills Ave., combining barbecue and pizza menus under one roof as Pig Floyd's x Pigzza.
A few more additions round out the season: Viet-Nomz has opened a new location at 1330 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park; Pho An Vi II is expected to debut at 5080 W. Colonial Drive in the old Ten Seconds Rice Noodle space, featuring Vietnamese fare and goat hotpot; and AJ's Pizza Joint — serving Brooklyn, Detroit and Sicilian-style pies — has opened inside Crooked Can Brewing Co.'s food hall in Minneola. The Humble Crumb, an artisan sourdough bakery run by owner Merali Figueroa, is slated to open in October inside the Marketplace at Avalon Park, with creative loaf flavors like garlic bloom and blueberry lemon zest.
On the closing side, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in Disney Springs will permanently shut its doors on September 13, with no replacement announced yet. Separately, The Boheme inside the rebranded Hotel Beauden has relaunched as Libra, with executive chef Francisco Sillero guiding a new menu shaped by Hispanic, Floridian and Asian culinary traditions.
For those looking to celebrate the season's best eats in a festive setting, the 14th annual Cows 'n Cabs event returns November 5 and 7 at Central Park's West Lawn, with tickets starting at $225 for the main event and $275 for the intimate Tapas & 'Tinis night. Full details and reporting come courtesy of Orlando Weekly.
