OPENINGS: Miami-based Ono Poke Shop will move into the Red Mug Diner space sometime this summer. The space will be split in two, with Red Mug Diner (now featuring a new pared-down menu) occupying one half and Ono in the other ... New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is looking to bring his sports-bar chain Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar to Orlando ... Ace Café Orlando celebrates its opening with three days of concerts, all-you-can-eat brunches, and car/bike-related fun the weekend of May 19 ... The Glass Knife, a new upscale and sophisticated café/pâtisserie, will open in the old Italio space in Winter Park ... Look for Tactical Brewing Company to open in the old CaddyShanks space in Baldwin Park later this fall ... Also in Baldwin Park, the Nest Bar Orlando has opened next door to Colibri Mexican Cuisine, and Tutto Caffe will open just up the road by the end of the month ... On East Colonial Drive, DaVi Viet Kitchen, which became DaVi Cajun Seafood, is now Pho 407.
CLOSINGS: DeLand's Cress Restaurant will close in its current incarnation on Aug. 26, after which it will reopen to focus solely on special and ticketed events from Aug. 29.
NEWS/EVENTS: Swine & Sons brings back their popular Bangrak Thai street food pop-up at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 .... Soco will start serving Saturday brunch beginning May 13 and will bring in a DJ to amp the atmo ... Chef Bruno Fonseca of Millenia 106 will host a benefit dinner in memory of food truck operator Bryce Balluff at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18. Cost is $65 ... Florida Hospital's Gourmet Soiree Chef Showdown goes off 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at the Rosen Shingle Creek. Tickets are $250 ... Poutine Palooza: Part Deux, hosted by Kristen Manieri of Orlando Date Night Guide and yours truly, is Monday, May 22, in K Restaurant's backyard. Chefs Kathleen Blake (Rusty Spoon), Andres Mendoza (Norman's at the Ritz-Carlton) and Simon Zanotto (Earls Kitchen + Bar) will battle it out for poutine supremacy. Cost is $30 ... This year's Epcot Food & Wine Festival will run a record 75 days, from Aug. 31 to Nov. 13.
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