Previously we've talked about why it matters to know your city. It's hard to live missionally if you don't like where you live or don't know much about the places people go. But here's the thing, if you're unhappy with where you're at or haven't been living a life of intention to the glory of God, all that can change today.
When we first moved to Downtown Orlando I prayed two simple prayers that God was faithful to answer:
" God, please help me see these people the way you see them and please help me fall in love with this city."That's it. And it worked. I passionately love The City Beautiful and all it's diverse and wonderful people.
Robin lives in my second favorite city in our great country: Chattanooga, TN (it has something to do with countless family vacations there, their mountains and the fact that they have all four seasons, unlike Florida). Robin didn't always love her city but now it "has burrowed way under her skin and taken up residence in her heart." In the same way that Robin and I have fallen in love with our cities we'd love for you to do the same. Robin is hosting a Love Where You Live link-up for the next few weeks and this week we're talking about our city's restaurants.
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What you may not know about O-town is that we're much more than Disney and Darden. We have a burgeoning local food movement that includes everything form local farmers to vegan and vegetarian fare to a food truck for almost every menu you can think of.
Below is short list of some of my favorites:
For a fine dining experience: Citrus
For killer sandwiches: 903 Mills Market or Pom Pom's
For your sweet tooth: The Dessert Lady or Blue Bird Bake Shop
For vegan/vegetarian offerings: Dandelion
For coffee and GF options: The Drunken Monkey or Rhaposadic Bakery
For an affordable gastropub: Avenue
For the best lobster mac & cheese in town: The Pour House
For the best (free range, organic) burger: Pine 22
For killer food truck fare: La Empanada or Big Wheel Provisions
For French pastries: Benjamin French
That's the really short list. If you're ever in Downtown Orlando I'd love to give you a personal tour.
So what do you love most about where you live? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below.
JOY!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is simple and PERFECT for Love Where You Live! I'm SO glad you played along because your post shows how easy it is to brag on your city AND help visitors to town (or new transplants).
Also, your simple prayer helps me remember why we're wherever we are anyway.... It's never really about ourselves, is it?
Thanks for the encouragement, Robin :) And yes, it's never about us.
DeleteOh, how I so often feel like our lives are so much the same. I pray the same prayer most every day here and slowly, but surely God is turning my heart home. Thank you~
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori. God hears you and will honor your faithfulness.
DeleteTerrific prayer when moving to a new place! I like your list and wish I could try the restaurants.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abby. Feel free to look me up if you're ever in Orlando :)
DeleteI love La Empanada and the Orlando Food Truck movement in general. We get some of your trucks over here occasionally.
ReplyDeleteIt's been ages since I went to downtown Orlando, but armed with your list I'm tempted to make a trip and take you up on that personal tour! Thanks for sharing.
Renia, I would love to give you a tour! Let's make it happen. I actually used to blog about stuff to do/eat in Downtown but it was the wrong season of life for me to keep it up. I create personalized tours for people all the time and I would LOVE to do the same for you.
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