It's Time to Wine Down - Urban Flats

Urban Flats on Sand Lake Road is a wonderful new addition to the traditional upscale dining in the Dr. Phillips area.  Not your average restaurant, Urban Flats has an attitude, and a bar crowd to follow. 

The location rocks, in Via Dellagio, overlooking the road in a way that makes you forget that you are looking at a street.  Inside is huge, with tall ceilings and floor to ceiling glass seemingly everywhere.  The light is just right, with fancy low-lit drop lights surrounding the inside bar. 

Wednesday is the night to visit.  Wine Down Wednesday is what Urban Flats is famous for, and the night I went did not disappoint.  From 5 - 8 pm and $20, you can drink yourself silly and snack on appetizers and flatbreads. 

The crowd was extensive and well dressed.  With a dj posing under a large piece of art, it felt, well, Urban.  Great tunes and wine flowing ever so easily, was it a haze that I saw inside or the wooziness of the unlimited wine.  Let's just note this:  getting close to the food was hard, so I forgot about it. Oooops.

If you do get a change to eat at Urban Flats, the flatbreads are great, and try the Hummus Sampler.  It is so yummy, with two types of hummus and an olive tapanade.  I had a Cesaer Salad Flatbread, which was great! Having not been to an Urban Flats in a few years, and several bad food experiences at the downtown location, I was incredibly suprised.  This is some great food!

Most of the Wine Down crowd is inside, but if you check out the exterior bar area, it's a little quieter and still has a nice crowd.  With tables scattered around and a gorgeous wrap-around granite bar area, it's more comfortable outside than in.  Imagining a hot night with upscale rhythms playing, I can already see the summer social scene.  This is not your average happy hour, this is a whole new twist on an old rite of passage. 

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Downtown Orlando Farmer's Market

Downtown Orlando Farmer's Market

Every Sunday local farmers and vendors come together to offer their products for sale in Lake Eola Park.  Enjoy great food vendors, photography, jewelry, and local farmers selling fresh organic vegetables, homemade pastas, and more.  The veggies are the best part - you can by in small amounts and feel good about supporting local farmers.  Not to mention, they are delicious!  Starting at 10 a.m., don't bother to eat first because there are food vendors selling everything from Jamaican Jerk Patties to Arepas to

fresh popped kettle corn.  It's all very yummy and a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Le Cafe de Paris

Le Cafe de Paris is a quaint little bistro on Dr. Phillips Boulevard and is owned by Claude and Chantal from Metz, France. Charming, friendly, and comfortable, you will always feel like family when you visit Claude and Chantal at their mom and pop Parisian cafe. It almost feels like they are welcoming you into their own home, as Chantal runs around, both manning the register and cooking all of the dishes. You can tell by speaking with her that she loves this restaurant. Her heavy French accent and pronunciation is what really drives home the feeling that you have stepped outside of Orlando and landed in a small cafe in a French town. "Bonjour!" she exclaims as you walk in the door, and instantly I feel cultured. I have visions of baguettes and brie and rich red wine and somehow paint a picture of me strolling the streets of Paris. But don't get confused, there is nothing extravagant or outlandish about Le Cafe de Paris. It is a small hole in the wall, with a few interior tables and some sidewalk seating. It is the family charm that makes this place a great lunch spot. There are many women sitting together, catching up over a pressed sandwich and talking. One sitting alone reading and sipping an espresso. And all the while Claude is wandering around smiling, making sure that you are doing ok.


The food is simple and delicious. I personally am obsessed with Brie, so the Parisian sandwich is my absolute favorite. It is simple, and amazing. Brie, tomatoes, and butter all melted together on Panini-style bread. I choose a double espresso and head out the sidewalk seating to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. All the while I am wishing I could tell everyone how great and peaceful this afternoon is.


There are select menu items, all of which look great. I have tried a few, and am anxious to try more. Daily baked goods like croissants, baguettes, quiches, soup du jour, and special entrées to delight yourself. This is a place that you will have to show up, because there is no website or online info, so head on in. If you do, be sure to say bonjour and bon appétit.