If you have a hankerin’ for some really awesome pizza, take yourself to the moon . . . the Lazy Moon that is. Located on University Blvd, just a stones throw from the UCF campus, lies a pizza joint like no other. The Lazy Moon just re-opened in March after changing locations to the plaza just across the street from the old restaurant. The new location boasts plenty of room for guests, a sprawling plant wall, a indoor bocce ball court and coming soon – custom artwork featuring local venues throughout the city beautiful. The owners plan to add plenty of tv’s and an outside patio seating area as well.

On to the menu. Inspired by a local eatery he frequented while in college, the owner manages to create giant pizzas and such, without giant prices. The slices are huge and are well worth the measly $3.65 per slice. In fact, one of the best deals on the menu is the “Boxcar Willy”, which for a mere $4.25 you can enjoy a slice and a pint of PBR. What is a PBR you ask? Tim (one of the owners) says he’s been asked that question only 836 times. For those of you who don’t know, or may have been hiding under a rock for a really long time . . . it’s one of America’s finest brews, Pabst Blue Ribbon. Add to your slice and choose from over 40 different toppings including Woodsmoked Bacon and Mojo Pork. Pizza not what you are craving? Try a calzone or one of their delicious melts. The Creamy Tomato Melt sounds like a winner to me. Also on the menu, tasty salads, soups and even cheese sticks.

Lazy Moon has a wonderful selection of beers on tap that changes every month or so depending on what the customers like, what’s in season or maybe even a beer that the staff really likes and wants to bring it in for all to try. What’s trending now? According to Tim, there are two beers to definitely try – the Racer 5 IPA and the Tree Hugger Ale.

So, if beer (or soda) and pizza has been on your mind lately, take yourself and your crew over to the Lazy Moon, located at 11551 University Blvd., Orlando (in the strip next to World of Beer). Trust me, you will be glad you did!

Eat Drink and Be Lazy – Lazy Moon Website

Shop great deals on Pizza Equipment at REWonline.com

Beef Jerky is incredibly easy to make, fun to eat, and long lasting. The most difficult part of making beef jerky is slicing the meat, assuming you don’t have a meat slicer. In the video above we slice through 5 lbs of Eye Round steak in under 5 minutes. A process that can take hours by way of knife. Next, you will want to marinade or brine the meat. I mix the meat and ingredients in a zip-lock bag and put it in the refrigerator for 8-24 hours. See below for my favorite recipe.

To properly dehydrate meat you need a Dehydrator, but a convection oven will also work but you may want to crack the door to keep the humidity from getting too high. What both of these will do that a regular oven won’t do is circulate hot air(around 160 F) removing the moisture from the meat and circulating the air to keep the humidity down. The process takes between 4 and 8 hours to complete at 155-160 F and you will want to check the strips halfway through to make sure they are dehydrating evenly on both sides. Enjoy!

Original Style, Beef Jerky Recipe(Per 2 pounds of meat):

• 1 Cup Soy Sauce
• 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbs Liquid Smoke
• 1 tbs Paprika
• 1 tbs Onion powder
• 1 tbs Garlic powder
• 1 tbs Brown Sugar
• Add Crushed red peppers to make spicy

Check out incredible savings on Slicers at REWonline.com

Frying pans may not be recognized as a weapon but after you watch this episode of Kitchen Combat you might think twice about arguing with the chef. Vollrath markets their Wear-Ever series as “extra dent resistant” so we decided to see what dent resistant meant in terms of Man vs Pan. As said in the video, most of our stress testing should not happen in the kitchen unless you make scrambled eggs with a sledge hammer. But, it is always nice to see the true quality of a product. Our verdict, you won’t be replacing a dinged pan anytime soon if your using Vollrath Wear-Ever fry pans.

Check out our selection of Wear-Ever Fry Pans or leave a comment and let us know what you think.

In the heart of Dr. Phillips lies a hidden gem, a traditional Italian restaurant with a twist – Cariera’s by Castelli. During the week tourists and regulars alike enjoy the traditional Venetian atmosphere and superb dining menu, but when the weekend starts on Friday, Cariera’s is filled with scintillating live music and fun times for the entire family.

Less than a year ago, Cariera’s was purchased by new owners and remodeled to include more comfortable dining chairs, new tableware, updated wine list, renovated restrooms and several new menu items to add to the restaurant’s already popular menu options. The restaurant walls are decorated with authentic Venetian masks along with digital picture screens that rotate classic pictures and those of some of Cariera’s regular customers. Eat there often enough and you too can add your picture into the mix.

Through the years, (actually since 1975) Cariera’s has always been family owned, and to this day the tradition remains the same. Interestingly enough, Cariera’s by Castelli is owned by two Brazilians and one Argentinean, of course they came from Italian families and basically grew up in the kitchen. Don’t let that sway you, all three of the new owner’s have decades of experience in the restaurant industry including several other successful restaurants and the best Italian chefs in all of Orlando. Even with all the changes you will find that most of the menu items have stayed the same with only a handful of new dishes added to the menu. Why mess with perfection right?

The menu at Cariera’s is filled many with delectable items, cooked with the finest and freshest ingredients available. For starters, they recommend a traditional favorite – calamari. Squid fried to perfection and served with a tasty marinara sauce for dipping. If you want to head straight to a main entrée and you love pasta, try the fettuccine with a vodka cream or Alfredo sauce or the chicken penne (a staff favorite). Cariera’s serves a wonderful Lemon Mahi if fish is what you love to eat and we heard the Veal Cariera’s is to die for. Looking for something new, the owners suggest the Shrimp di Napoli or one of their other gourmet pizzas with ultra thin crust. Other menu items include signature pasta dishes, seafood and a good selection of dessert options. Additionally, Cariera’s offers several of their pasta dishes and their flat breads as gluten free options. Wash all that down with. . . the Godiva Shake (named for the touch of Godiva liquor they add to this new favorite). Just need a drink and a great atmosphere, hang out in the separate bar area and try either the Tiramisu or the Bada Bing Martini – magnifico!

If you’re in the neighborhood why not stop by Cariera’s by Castelli, you’ll be glad you did. Cariera’s is located at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando 32819.

http://CarierasByCastelli.com

Newcomers Rob and Angie Nelson have transitioned their way from food truckers to full-blown restaurant owners. Redeye Bar and Grill located in Ocoee, Florida, has only been open for about four months, but has made a splash in the industry with succulent barbecue dishes. Originally, the two started off with a food truck which Rob tells us was, “just a hobby.” They would travel to all of the hotspots in Orlando, like World of Beer, to serve some of their custom creations such as the Big Daddy Burger. Eventually, Rob and his wife Angie had to sell the food truck and relocate to Hawaii for Rob’s career, which was in the hospitality industry. After spending just a year there, they moved back to be closer to family and Rob decided to turn his hobby into a passionate career.

After researching family recipes, consulting with previous restaurant owners, and working with “The Sauce Man,” Rob was able to take his hobby to the next level. The creations were made with passion and custom flavors. Take the Redeye sliders for example. This Redeye favorite isn’t just your typical meat on a small bun. They take homemade cornbread (which is baked by Rob’s mom every morning) and top it with barbecue pulled pork, glazed barbecue sauce and honey. We recommend you follow that starter with a custom sandwich or a Redeye barbecue dish, such as the Sliced Beef Brisket. The tender meat is slow cooked over three types of hard wood for over 12 hours before being served with a choice of soup or salad and a side dish. To top off your meal, indulge in the Bananas Fosters that can easily be split between four people. The crispy pastry hovering over vanilla ice cream, bananas and powdered sugar is absolutely mouth watering.

The drink list is nothing to brush off either. Unlike many other barbecue joints in town, Redeye has a variety of wines and craft brews. They recently upgraded their kegs from six to ten taps and they even have a root beer tap for the kids. One of their most popular brews is Dale’s Pale ale. Because of the high demand, it gets tapped out quite often and Rob tells us he is on a waiting list to get more. The combination of delicious food, a good drink menu, and their weekly live music, makes Redeye Bar and Grill a complete dining experience. Rob also informed us that brunch has started as of February 10th, 2013 where they will serve puff pastries, mimosas, and have a saxophone player to keep you in that relaxed state of mind on a Sunday afternoon. Don’t forget to stop by Redeye Bar and Grill at 2594 Maguire Road in Ocoee, Florida.

In order to better serve the needs of our customers, we’ve expanded our phone / live chat hours of operation for our online store sales and customer service teams.  During the week, Restaurant Equipment World is now open 24 hours a day (with the exception of closing at 9pm on Friday).  This change allows us to offer personal service 7 days a week to our valued customers, with limited weekend hours.  We can be contacted at (800) 821-9153 toll-free or by dialing (407) 679-9004.  Both our USA and Dubai, UAE offices can be reached directly by dialing either of these numbers.  Customer inquiries received via e-mail will also be responded to during this these times as well.

* This change was facilitated by the opening of our Dubai, UAE office.  We are not outsourcing calls to other companies.  Whether you call into our USA or Dubai, UAE (late evening / early morning) offices, you’ll always be speaking with a friendly and knowledgeable associate who is employed directly by Restaurant Equipment World.

Shipyard Brew Pub located in Winter Park, Fl. Will leave any beer connoisseur with a very satisfied palate. With its daily changing beer menu from their seasonal Pumpkin Head beer to their bacon infused beer, Shipyard will not leave you wanting. Aside from their microbrewery Shipyard also brings a taste of New England to Central Fl. Main Lobster, Clam Chowder and a Raw Oyster bar are a few of the New England staples that you can find at Shipyard. Watch this video as Shipyard’s manager explains what sets this brew pub apart from the rest – and he’ll tell you a little about their Mug Club.

Shipyard Brew Pub is located at: 200 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

http://www.shipyardwinterpark.com/

http://www.restaurantequipment.net/

REW wants to wish Happy Birthday to Felicia and Patrick for the month of December.

Congratulations to Yoly on her sixth anniversary her at REW.

We also want to give a big Congratulations to Cauella from our purchasing department for her recent wedding to husband, Lamar.

Here is Patty, vice president of REW, at the Gingerbread House Village, from the Festival of Tress – which was a great success. She was in-charge of the Gingerbread House Village, which sold all of their houses. Congratulations to all who participated, and thanks to everyone who made this a great success.

The holidays are here! Christmas trees,  lights, and reindeer positioned in “creative” ways – oh joy!.. Well, here at REW we are showing our holiday spirit!

From our family to yours we wish you a happy, festive and safe holiday season.

As the year comes to a end, we like to look back at all the local restaurants that have been featured on our blog. And we would like to give them a big thanks for taking the time out to talk to us and answer our questions. We wish these restaurants continued success in the upcoming year. And in no particular order a list of our favorite dish from each restaurant.

Jimmy Hula’s – Burt Reynolds

Tibby’s New Orleans Restaurant – Shrimp and Andoullie Cheddar Grits

The Ravenous Pig – The Mahi Burger

Seito Sushi – Its a tie with the Sashimi platter and the fried cheescake

4 Rivers – Texas Destroyer Sandwich

Yellow Dog – The PB& J

Mellow Mushroom – The Kosmic Karma Pizza

Hot Olives – Crab Cake Sandwich

Prato – The American Pizza

Living in Florida is beneficial for those who love the beach. We have the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico or you can head east for a surf on the cool Atlantic Ocean waves. But living in Central Florida makes it tough to ever truly feel the tropical ambiance of either coast- until now. In the small city of Winter Park, lies a little piece of tropical heaven. It’s a place where you can get a cold craft beer on a hot summer day, listen to the tunes of a Bob Marley melody, and of course experience the succulent flavors of a fresh fish taco topped with all the varieties of fixings you can think of. This little slice of Utopia is the one and only Jimmy Hulas.

Jimmy Hula, who is the concept behind the restaurant, is not just a man, but a legend. His name runs wild throughout the borders of California, Florida, and Hawaii. He was known to be a world traveler, an adventurer at heart, but no solid facts are known about Jimmy Hula. The only thing we know for sure is that he loved the beach and to have a good time. Zach Hartman, Manager, says, “Everywhere Jimmy went, he started a party and brought with him a piece of that culture and cuisine.” And so in turn a legendary man inspires what will become a legendary restaurant.Stepping into Jimmy Hula’s of Winter Park, you immediately let go of anxieties and have a brush of calming vibes flow through you. Plastered on the walls are surf boards and island inspired artwork. The music of island beats dance through your head as you have the trouble deciding on an infamous fish taco or what is considered “the best burger” in the US. Both choices are undeniably delicious, but if still can’t decide Hartman tells us, “We feel we have the finest burgers in the United States, however because of the uniqueness of our taco offerings, at the moment our fish tacos are our most popular items.” I am not sure if that would sway your choice one way or the other because its not comparing apples to apples. If you have to, order both. Maybe a VooDoo Fish Taco topped with pineapple mango salsa and house-made VooDoo sauce and a Burnt Reynolds Burger that is accompanied by a fried egg, bacon, and Lays chip, and take one home with you- that’s my recommendation.Once your decision is made, you sit down on the unique car-seat booths to enjoy your meal, but not before you select a craft beer that will ignite your taste buds and quench your thirst. Don’t forget to order a starter. The Jimmy Cracked Corn is a newer item that will have you chomping at the bit to get every last kernel. You won’t be embarrassed eating corn on the cob in public, that’s for sure.

If you happen to be watching your weight or looking for something Gluten-free, you can go naked! Not literally, but when you order your favorite taco, sandwich, or burger, you can get it wrapped in lettuce or bun-less. You will also be happy to know that many ingredients on the menu are local. Hartman says, “The produce heavy nature of our menu items forces us to use mostly locally source organic and fresh produce where ever possible. Especially for seasonally affected items like our Fire Roasted Avocado.”
Jimmy Hula’s is definitely a unique establishment in this area of Florida. When asked how they differ from other local restaurants, Hartman confidently tells us, “Jimmy Hula’s offers a world of flavors based on Jimmy’s travels. There’s not many places with the range of tastes you can experience at our locations. You can’t get a fish taco and a burger with bacon, eggs, and potato chips at the same establishment anywhere in Florida. Maybe not anywhere else in the US.” We have to agree with Zach Hartman on this one. And if you upset your neighborhood doesn’t have an amazing, establishment like Jimmy Hula’s, have no fear. A second location was opened in Orlando close to the University of Central Florida and a third location is coming soon too! If you are saying to yourself, “I want a Jimmy Hula’s near me”, then you are in luck. There is opportunity to open a franchise near you: http://www.jimmyhulas.com/franchising.phphttp://www.jimmyhulas.com/blog/jimmy-hulas-catches-big-waive-from-state-of-fl-to-sell-franchises