Elizabeth "Social Media Maven" B.'s Profile

Half price sushi on Mondays? Ok you got me! I had some friends tell me about this deal at Funky Monkey for half price sushi on Mondays, along with other items on menu.

Instead of having to order edamame, they give it to you right there at your table as a starter, like other restaurants bringing you bread, they do it with the edamame and you pay nothing.  It was delicious, especially with the lemon flavor that was mixed in.

Then got two sushi rolls, one had lobster in it and was dynamite.  I got two rolls and it came to $13 total.  They were big rolls, and I thought it was a great deal.   I encourage you to go on a Monday sometime, whether it be for lunch or after work, for a glass of wine and some rolls, you will not be disappointed.

I look forward to going on another Monday again!

So I first thought, Disney Restaurant, won't be amazing...boy was I wrong, it was AMAZING!

Last week we had a work conference at this hotel, so I was just looking for a nice restaurant, preferably seafood to book a reservation for clients.  Made reservation and when checking in for reservation (we were a bit early), they sat us as soon as there was a table instead of waiting for time.

The only thing I have to say that was a con of this place was our particular server. She took forever to serve us, yet she was nice too.  At the end we were ready to pay our bill, but she spoke to the table next to us for like 20 min, while we were eyeing her to pay the bill :)

Ok, so I did my rant on the one bad thing.  Totally did not mess with the experience though.  Things that were AMAZING...

1) Shrimp & Scallop Fettuccine  - dynamite!
2) Mussels - OMG so good!
3) Red Sangria
4) Creme Brulee
5) Fireworks show on the water!

I recommend this restaurant to not only people visiting Orlando, but local residents!

Love Mother Falcon staff and their work!  I have seen the shirts they have done for friends with whatever ideas their brains created, but I needed shirts made for my team at work.   I thought, they are fast, I need a quick turnaround, and they do good quality work.  So the decision was made, went with Mother Falcon.

Took less than 24 hours to place a big order, get proof, have them made, and then picked up.  

I just need to find that next creative idea for a shirt. If you have it I will buy you and I shirt with the idea :)  Def recommend this place for shirts!

First time here after hearing the buzz around town about this place.  I think I need to spend more time here to get the full experience, but spending about an hour in the place, it was pretty chill.  To note in regards to Milk Bar....

1) Great selection of beers
2) Love that the beers go in the glass that was meant for them
3) Relaxing atmosphere
4) Food options available and brought over by the Social Chameleon
5) Eclectic art on the walls...

Looking forward to visiting again, so I can write an update!

There are not too many Hallmarks left in Orlando it seems, so I looked up which one was closest to me, and found this one.  

I have been to this one at least a dozen times, and would not go to another one.  This might sound interesting, but when I walk inside this Hallmark, its quiet, comfortable, and I get just the right amount of customer service.

The people that work there are very kind, and don't keep coming up to you to help you while there.  This Hallmark has a great selection of gifts, cards, and more!

It was time to get new sneaks! I was recommended by friends to go to the Track Shack.  They said they would take time to fit me, and the prices were not bad.  Sure enough they were right.  I didn't feel like it was going to a sneaker place at a mall, where they rush to help you, don't take time to look at how you walk, why you are looking for shoes, what you need them for, etc.  But you know what? Track Shack does all this!

I found the perfect shoe that I use for running, got recommendations for Spinning shoes, and felt like I was not in any rush.  

The price was competitive for the show, and I even got a discount for having a Buy Local Orlando card - how cool is that!

What's even cooler is that the Track Shack hosts different events like a 5k/half marathons/running clinics, and so much more.   I just did a 5k back in January that was hosted by Track Shack and Seasons 52.  I would recommend Track Shack to anyone!

Love Love Love this gym! Its the new hot spot for gyms downtown! Might not be right in the center of downtown, but as someone that lives downtown it is worth the 5 min drive to go to Sodo where 24 Hour Fitness is.

Run down of 24 Hour Fitness:

Best class to take: Spinning! OMG - absolutely amazing! Take Alex or Becky's class, they will give you a good work out. But as a word of advice get there at least a half hour to get your spinning pass for the class, it fills up very quickly. Or pay $1 to reserve your definite spot in the class, kinda cool option to do so if you can't get there early.

More pluses: Great equipment, new, and clean.  Big open area, 2 floors, nutrition store, helpful team members, cute trainers :) (I need to sign up for a session as a matter of fact!), and so much more.  

Try it out for yourself... you get a week free to try out!

Oh Mochi Mochi Mochi! How I love thee and wish I could visit you more often but trying to be good! But wait a second? You have non fat, no sugar yogurt selections? What?!  Ok I am there!

This is what I love about you:
1) You are downtown and within walking distance of where I live and work
2) You give samples before I decide what I want - thank you
3) I love that I can still grab a sample, but then just buy Mochi balls (those are great! Esp the Green Tea & Mango flavor!)
4) Your staff is very kind and helpful, I think they always have smiles on their faces :)
5) Very cool decor and bright inside!

So go mochi yourself, make sure to try those mochi balls!

Along side Washington St in Downtown Orlando lies a sushi restaurant right next to the new Gringos Locos.  If it wasn't for a coworker giving me the details and know about this place, I might not have known or went there.  Boy was I missing out!  

What I like about this place is it is quaint, and I felt extremely comfortable eating alone when I went there one day for lunch.  I wanted a place I could relax during my lunch break, and this was a great place to kick back.  I ate at the sushi bar and almost immediately when I walked in I was greeted by everyone there, nice & friendly staff.

The sushi chef who I was sitting in front of was the sweetest man and wanted to make sure I was taken care of and given the details about the type of sushi they have.  I wish I would have gotten his name, but will next time.  

For the price, the lunch boxes give you a good amount of food. I ordered the Sushi Appetizer + Chef's Choice Lunch Box, and that came with miso soup to start with, ginger salad, 5 pieces of nigiri sushi (very fresh fish!), and Tuna roll.  I finished everything :)

My goal is to go back to have the custom rolls, and try out the sake.   One thing I don't know that I would like to find out is if there are happy hour specials? If anyone knows, let me know!

Most people do not know about this place over on the East side of town a bit close to UCF, but on Colonial.  I heard about this place from a friend that lived close to the area, and I really think it is one of those spots that doesn't get enough attention but should. I mean they even have a Twitter account....@mariabonitarest - how cool is that, they get Social Media, which really catches my eye!

Things to note with Maria Bonita that make them a Mexican restaurant you should visit:

1) 99 cent Margarita Mondays, come on, can you beat that?

2) Authentic Mexican cuisine, some dishes to note:
- Fire-grilled chicken breast smothered with sofrito sauce accompanied with sweet maduros (oh man!)
- Tacos Mexicanos or  Tradicionales
& more!

3) Friendly staff that wants to make sure you are taken care of

4) Large space for groups, networking events, birthdays, etc!

Hard location to visit all the time, but if on that side of town, visit Maria Bonita!