Ep 15. Orlando

In this episode of The Zimmern List, host Andrew Zimmern visits Orlando, Florida, to explore the culinary scene in a city known more for its theme parks than its food. Zimmern starts his adventures with a stop at Se7en Bites, a bakery and restaurant that serves up creative twists on classic southern comfort food. Zimmern samples the house-made pimento cheese and deviled eggs before indulging in the biscuits and gravy with sausage gravy made from scratch.

Next, Zimmern visits Tako Cheena for some Asian-inspired street food. He tries the Korean beef tacos and the five-spice Vietnamese pork banh mi sandwich, paired with an order of tater tots loaded with kimchi, bacon, and sour cream. Zimmern notes that the bold flavors and fusion of different cuisines are representative of the Orlando culinary scene.

Zimmern then heads to East End Market, a hub of locally sourced and artisanal food vendors. He visits Houndstooth Sauce Company, a hot sauce purveyor that focuses on unique and flavorful combinations. Zimmern samples a few different sauces, including a pineapple curry habanero and a smoked serrano and lime, and notes that the sauces would be a great addition to any home kitchen.

For dinner, Zimmern visits Kadence, a Japanese omakase restaurant with a unique twist: it's located in a strip mall behind a secret door. Zimmern experiences the restaurant's signature ten-course tasting menu, which features carefully crafted dishes such as kampachi sashimi, black truffle soba noodles, and Hokkaido scallops with yuzu and pistachio. Zimmern notes that while the meal is expensive, the exceptional quality and attention to detail make it worth the price.

To end his visit, Zimmern heads to Better Than Sex Desserts, a dessert bar that specializes in romantic and indulgent treats. Zimmern tries the restaurant's signature dessert, the Better Than Sex cake, which is composed of layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. He also has a sip of the restaurant's Love Potion #69 cocktail, which features strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of chili.

Overall, Zimmern is impressed with the diversity and creativity of the Orlando food scene. He notes that many of the chefs and restaurateurs are transplants from other cities, bringing with them different culinary perspectives and techniques. Zimmern also reflects on Orlando's evolution from a city known primarily for its theme parks to a destination for food lovers. He predicts that the Orlando food scene will only continue to flourish in the coming years.