OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
After a series of pop-ups and trial runs inside Mills Market, Cowboy Curry, the Japanese beef curry house by Sorekara chef William Shen, is now in soft-opening mode … Mazala Pijja opens Thursday, Sept. 18, inside the Laxmi Plaza at 1155 Doss Ave. near OBT. Expect pizza pies fusing Indian ingredients like tikka masala, palak paneer and smashed samosas … The Sanford outpost of Bawarchi Biryanis has opened in the former Indian Express space at 233 Bellagio Circle just off St. Johns Parkway … Also in Sanford, the Bait & Hook has opened inside Henry’s Depot, offering everything from creative sushi rolls to “fresh catch” fish sandos to seared snapper collars. The operation, situated where The Current Seafood once stood, is by Mike Evans, the chef who runs Yugiri Ramen Project just a few stalls down in the same food hall …
At another food hall on the east side of town, Ferratti’s, specializing in handmade pastas, focaccia and Neapolitan desserts, will open inside the Marketplace at Avalon Park next month … Little Sister Dumpling, a fast-casual operation offering a wide variety of dumplings from classics to modern twists to vegan options, will open next door to Tiger Sugar at 713 N. Mills Ave. this December … This fall, look for another JAM Hot Chicken to open in the former Hunger Street Tacos stall inside Plant Street Market in Winter Garden.
NEWS & EVENTS:
Daniel Gabor’s Alpine Bar & Grill kicks off Oktoberfest Sept. 20 and 21 with a ceremonial barrel tap, live music and German classics like rollbraten, roasted half-chicken and kaiserschmarrn on the menu … Olive oil sommelier Sarah Santa of June Crush, along with The Dinner Party Project, will host an olive oil tasting with cheeses and amaros Sept. 24 at an undisclosed location. Cost is $65. Visit thedinnerpartyproject.co for more … 4Roots Farm will host a Sourdough Bread & Craft Brews class Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The two-hour, hands-on workshop will explore whole grains, gut-friendly fermentation and the joy of “real food” courtesy of Goose & Co. Sourdough Artisan Bakery and Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Visit givebutter.com/breadandbrews for tickets ……