Latest news with #Knife&Spoon
Los Angeles Times
19-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
A Luxurious Wedding Hideaway in the Central Florida Wetlands
Spread across 500 acres of palm-lined grounds, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is expansive in feel while still being quietly tucked away from the surrounding city. With natural wetlands surrounding it and carefully maintained lawns throughout, the setting blends the calm of a nature preserve with the refinement of high-end hospitality. Its design of sun-warmed stucco, broad colonnades, and shaded arcades calls to mind the relaxed elegance of a Mediterranean estate, though it's located just a short drive from Orlando International Airport. Couples planning a wedding here will find a wide range of options. Outdoor ceremonies might take place beneath the trees in the Citrus Garden or beside the lakeside gazebo as the sun dips low. Receptions can then move to the open-air Palm Courtyard or into the spacious Plaza Ballroom, which fits up to 600 guests beneath high ceilings and warm, ambient lighting. For smaller gatherings, Whisper Creek Farm offers a more rustic atmosphere, though nothing about it feels rough or unfinished. Each space is managed by a dedicated events team, who handle logistics with an intentional focus and improvisational ease. Guest rooms and suites reflect the same understated luxury. Interiors are dressed in soft neutrals and organic textures, with many rooms opening out onto balconies that look across the lake or the golf course. For those planning longer stays, multi-bedroom residences with full kitchens and private pools are also available nearby. The 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa gives couples and guests space to unwind, while the Greg Norman-designed golf course adds another way to relax among the beautiful natural surroundings. Dining at the resort is thoughtful and varied, from upscale Southern cooking at Knife & Spoon to more relaxed options overlooking the garden. Knife & Spoon is also available for a full buyout for wedding receptions. Whether it's a single day or a full weekend of events, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes lends itself well to a wide range of celebrations—quietly elegant, spacious without ever feeling impersonal. Beyond its world-famous theme parks, Orlando offers a surprising blend of luxury, nature, and romantic charm for weddings and honeymoons. From serene garden venues and grand resorts to vibrant nightlife and warm weather year-round, couples are drawn to Orlando for its accessibility, variety, and festive spirit. Whether you're planning a sleek ballroom wedding or an intimate elopement by the lake, this Central Florida city offers something for every love story. October through April brings milder temperatures and lower humidity—ideal for outdoor weddings and honeymoons. Summer is popular but tends to be hot, rainy, and crowded.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Pulls on your heartstrings': demolition starts on former Sauced building, Thayer Mansion
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — Demolition gets underway after a massive fire on Christmas Day left a restaurant in ruins. The Italian restaurant Sauced and the Thayer Mansion is coming down where birthdays, weddings and receptions were celebrated. After standing tall in Evansville for decades those two buildings at 1113 Parrett Street are coming down after a fire heavily damaged Sauced on Christmas last year. Some say it's heartbreaking. Some on-lookers tell me a piece of Evansville history and what some credit as the spark in the neighborhood revitalization effort will be gone sooner rather than later. Sauced Owner Scott Schymik certainly has made an impression on the city and the customers who came through the door. Brian Buxton who runs the ever-popular Fingers, Fork, Knife & Spoon Facebook page is just one of them. 'Sauced: it was one people's favorite Italian restaurants in town. I had been for many times for dinner. They had a great outdoor patio. Scott obviously is a great chef, had a great menu and it's sad when you lose anything like this,' Buxton says. Construction crews began taking down what house the beloved restaurant, ballroom and the former Kirby's Private Dining where several people hold special memories. That includes Moriah Hobgood who ran the blue bar for two years and now owns Mo's House which sits across the street from hallowed grounds. 'I literally would not be where I am without Sauced, and Scott and the blue bar and what it is. So, it definitely pulls at your heartstrings to see it being torn down and not being part of the neighborhood anymore for sure,' Hobgood says. Schymik tells me the Christmas Day fire waterlogged the entire building and someone was also renting the upstairs apartment. Some say it's a loss, but they have memories to hold close for life. 'It was Sauced — I felt like — was the first thing that was here — Kirby's — and people got married there. They had huge moments, first dates, the married later on. I don't exactly know how to process seeing it gone or what it will look like,' Hobgood says. Schymik believes crews will stay on scene for a couple weeks to finish the demolition. 'Pulls on your heartstrings': demolition starts on former Sauced building, Thayer Mansion '…the good Lord sent the Red Cross': volunteers across America work around-the-clock to aid flood victims Saturday protests against Trump administration also take place in Henderson Clean-up continues in Princeton following tornado touchdown 'You're not a pouncer. You're a bouncer:' Hendrix family 'emotional' over Chaser's bouncers incident Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
