Winter in The Park
photography by Megan Gross
How to get there
Winter Park is a mere 1 hour drive down I-4. The most popular area to visit is the famous Park Avenue and the Rollins college area. Lined with century old oaks, the brick streets guide visitors in and out of quaint shops, splendid eateries, and even several big named stores. If visiting the Ave, the best way to get around is to park and take a stroll to capture all the area has to offer.
Being so close to home, visitors tend to make this a day trip, but shopping weary patrons may choose to stay the night to recover at the Park Plaza Hotel located right in the heart of Park Ave. Built in 1922, this vintage 22 room boutique hotel located at 307 Park Avenue South is the perfect place to rest and recharge.
History
Originally named Lakeview in 1858 and re-named Osceola in 1870, the city did not receive its current name until eleven years later when its founders Loring Chase and Oliver Chapman, who came to the area fleeing the northern winter, decided they wanted the name to be something about a park in winter - thus the name Winter Park. Chartered in 1887, the city was originally developed as a winter resort for affluent Northerners escaping the harsh winters in search of a peaceful place to rest and unwind. It is also the home to the oldest college in Florida and the nation’s leading liberal arts college, Rollins College, which was built in 1885.
Holiday Feasts
On and around Park Ave, there are many wonderful restaurants and cafes. Whether you’re treating yourself or surprising a well-deserving person with a gift card (hint, hint), you can’t go wrong with our favorite restaurant picks.
Luma on the Park, located at 290 South Park Ave, is without a doubt one of our new favorite restaurants. Open for dinner seven days a week, reservations are highly encouraged. For an entertainingly delicious evening, try to get a reservation at the pastry counter listening to the playful banter of Pastry Chef Brian Cernall. As an ingredient inspired restaurant, the menu is ever changing. Although they do have some regulars on the menu, they usually offer what is in season locally. During our visit, Chef de Cuisine Derek Perez delighted us with an overwhelming variety of incredible dishes. From the Cervena Venison Carpaccio served with Brussels slaw, shoestring potatoes, onion agrodolce and horseradish aioli to the Marcona Almond Cappelletti with mascarpone filled handmade pasta surrounded by a cauliflower puree, capers, currants, brown butter, and topped with crunchy garlic breadcrumbs, the small plate options provide a textural heaven for your palate. As far as main dishes go, you can’t go wrong with any of the choices. We love the menu constant House Trenne Bolognese featuring an eight hour ragu, red wine, and parmesan. The fresh fish they serve from Gary’s Seafood is always a crowd favorite. During our visit, the cat of the day was local speared flounder served amid quinoa-cauliflower salad, braised scallion and pickled chanterelles. Make sure not to cheat yourself out of dessert. Chef Brian has come up with some incredible confections including our favorite, the Milk Chocolate Semifredo with peanut butter streusel, roasted banana sorbet, dark chocolate and coarse English sea salt. We can’t wait to return to try Luma’s Italian inspired sister restaurant Prato, which recently opened in November.
If you are looking for a unique cultural dining experience, head to Bosphorous at 108 South Park Ave. This restaurant brings a little piece of Turkey to Winter Park not only with delightful dishes such as the made-to-order hollow bread called Lavas (pronounced lavash) and the best hummus we have ever tasted, but the entire décor has been imported from Turkey as well. Candle holders, platters, paintings, and even hookahs have been brought over from Turkey and are all available for purchase. With such a great menu, it is hard to even choose the best appetizer so we highly recommend enjoying the Karisik Meze (mixed appetizer). With a combination of hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouli, stuffed grape leaves and more, it is a great chance to sample a variety of familiar and new exotic
dishes. The Special Beyti Kebab is a great entrée choice with hand chopped lamb flavored with garlic, hot Turkish peppers, and parsley then wrapped in a special pita topped with their homemade tomato and yogurt sauces.
If you are looking for great a breakfast option, head to the local favorite, the Briar Patch. Located on 252 N Park Ave, this charming and cozy eatery offers up mouthwatering options such as their Raspberry & Brie Stuffed French Toast, unique egg creations, and homemade ice cream as well as perfect brunch beverages such as a Blood Orange Mimosa, Bloody Mary, and a Prosecco Bellini. The covered porch seating is an ideal place for people watching and fueling up for a long day of shopping and holiday activities.
Shop till you drop
Shoppers are sure to check everyone off their holiday lists in Winter Park between the unique shops and mainstream stores on Park Ave.
For the fashionistas in your life, look no further than Tuni and Current. Tuni at 301 S Park Ave, has all the latest clothing and accessories for women that you can’t live without, while Current offers men’s contemporary fashion at 128 S Park Ave. Giftcards to either store would make any recipient smile.
For the kids (or kids at heart) Lighten Up! offers toys for young and old with goodies such as kites (more than 100 to choose from), hard-to-find board games, puzzles, toys and flags at 348 S. Park Ave. Looking to make your own candy land? Stop by Sassafras at 115 East Morse Blvd for unique gourmet candies from the 1800’s to today. The perfect holiday outfits await your little ones at Bebe’s located at 311 S Park Ave. From bibs to mini business suits, they have it all.
There are also a variety of big name brand stores including GAP, Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, and more to make ensure all of your gift-giving needs are met.
Join in the Festivities
There are tons of things to do in Winter Park. From the 12 mile Scenic Boat Tour to the Winter Park Farmers’ Market held every Saturday from 7 am-1 pm, add all of the holiday hoopla and we guarantee you will have a festive time. Here are a few of our favorite holiday highlights.
From December 1 through January 8, visitors can not only enjoy viewing the 2nd annual “Winter in the Park” Holiday Window Contest, but also participate. On Park Avenue and down New England Avenue in Hannibal Square, participating stores will have window placards designating their participation and will be listed on posters throughout the city as well as on the voting ballot. Pick up your voting ballot at any participating merchant, the Winter Park Welcome Center, and the “Winter in the Park” holiday ice skating rink which will be open to skaters of ages through January 8. All ballots must be dropped off at the ice rink to be counted. Merchants will be judged in two categories - the “Design Excellence Award” & “People’s Choice Award.”
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art gets in the holiday season spirit with their 33rd annual lighting of century-old Tiffany windows in Central Park with a free outdoor concert of holiday favorites by the Bach Festival Society Choir and Brass Ensemble on December 1 as well as their Christmas Eve Open House. Admission to the museum, located at 445 North Park Avenue, will be free from 9:30am. to 4 pm., with live music by Raintree Chamber Players from 1pm to 4 pm.
The Mead Botanical Gardens welcomes visitors on December 4 and 17 from 9am – 11am for the Enchanted Walkabout. See faces in the trees, sit on a fairy throne, take a peek inside fairy doors, discover gnome homes, and experience other amazing and enchanting aspects of nature found throughout the gardens. Cost: $10/Adults & $5/Child (5-15). Reservations are required at b_in_joy@hotmail.com or call 407-704-2320
On December 10 & 11, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park presents A Classic Christmas, featuring the Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Orchestra conducted by John V. Sinclair with traditional holiday favorites and paired with selections from Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite. Performances will be held at Knowles Memorial Chapel on the Rollins College campus. Tickets may be purchased at www.BachFestivalFlorida.org.
Wherever you are this holiday season, home or abroad, our holiday wish for all of our readers is that you be surrounded by hope, laughter, and most of all love.
