{"id":409234,"date":"2026-09-24T13:04:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T13:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/409234\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T13:04:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T13:04:10","slug":"orlando-falls-into-seasonal-flavors-pumpkin-spice-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/409234\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando falls into seasonal flavors: pumpkin spice and beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us, says Lance Koenig, remember Halloween as a classroom party at school, that one night of trick-or-treating, or their favorite childhood costume.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I get photos from my family every year,\u201d he tells me. \u201cMe, dressed as \u2018Sprout\u2019 from back in the Jolly Green Giant ad campaign days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Koenig, owner of The Glass Knife, now with two locations in Winter Park, chuckles about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re always thinking about how that made us feel. We still want moments where we can be playful and lean in.\u201d<\/p>\n

His team does this every day of the year, but on holidays, they really double down, turning their usual cakes, doughnuts and more into works of art that not only rep the whimsy of, in this case, Halloween, but also the seasonal flavors.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how the idea of The Crossing came up.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an all-new, three-course dessert experience. Available throughout October, the Thursday-Saturday program is reservation-only \u2014 $45 per person \u2014 featuring themed plates and sips both 21+ and mocktail. Guests can enjoy The Crossing at both Winter Park locations.<\/p>\n

\"AvailableAvailable by advance reservation only, The Glass Knife is about to offer The Crossing, a three-course dessert offering that hits fall-season foodies squarely in their eternally autumnal souls. (Courtesy The Glass Knife)<\/p>\n

\u201cJust after the 2025 season, our team asked what would be the perfect adult Halloween experience? No house party, no costume necessary. From there, there were basically 365 days of trial and error to get us to an elevated experience that matched a unique way of being able to interpret the holiday that also matched our brand,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

What to expect: Memento Mori (maple mousse, miso whipped caramel cream, toasted Cantonese sesame seeds, miso caramel sauce, cherry reduction), The Final Harvest (warm spiced pumpkin cake, pecan streusel, vanilla ice cream, pumpkin spice salted caramel) and The Hereafter (dark chocolate, cheesecake, cherry jam, chocolate buttermilk cake, chocolate mousse, white chocolate, chocolate crumble).<\/p>\n

Also included is an \u201camuse bouche\u201d special sip, as well as your choice of a limited-time concoction: Black Widow Martini, Vampire Cocktail, or Apple Cider mocktail.<\/p>\n

Wait: The Glass Knife has cocktails?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s always been a surprise to some, but yes: it\u2019s a fact,\u201d says Koenig, noting that the team had a lot of fun developing these specific pairings.<\/p>\n

So, too, I\u2019d guess, will those of you with an elevated Halloween sweet tooth.<\/p>\n

And as for you pumpkin spice fiends, the Pumpkin Pastry ($14), Pumpkin Cheesecake Cold Foam ($7.50), Pumpkin Spice Creme Brul\u00e9e Donut ($5.50) and Pumpkin Spice Bonbon ($3) are already available in both shops.<\/p>\n

More info: 212 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park and 276 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park; \u00a0theglassknife.com\/happenings<\/a><\/p>\n

\"It'sIt’s 5 o’clock somewhere … and this season that’s Another Broken Egg Cafe! The Pumpkin Brunch Old Fashioned melds Maker’s Mark and Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur with bitters, orange peel, a cinnamon stick and a coffee ice cube. (Courtesy Another Broken Egg Cafe)
\nAnother Broken Egg Cafe<\/p>\n

Waffles \u2018n\u2019 bourbon for breakfast? Some people might balk, but call it \u201cbrunch\u201d and most will jump right on board. Available now through Nov. 22 as part of the brand\u2019s Fall seasonal menu, the Pumpkin Brunch Old Fashioned and Pumpkin Crunch Waffle are a pumpkin-spice lover\u2019s fall day drinking fantasy made real.<\/p>\n

\"AlsoAlso available at Another Broken Egg Cafe: the Pumpkin Crunch Waffle. You can pair it with the Pumpkin Brunch Old Fashioned. (Courtesy Another Broken Egg Cafe)<\/p>\n

The former melds Maker\u2019s Mark and Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur with bitters, orange peel, a cinnamon stick and a coffee ice cube (that is a pro move right there). The latter is a pumpkin-infused, graham cracker-crunch waffle topped with spiced pumpkin cheesecake butter, maple pumpkin syrup, and powdered sugar, served with two eggs of any style and bacon or sausage patties.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d go bacon with that Old Fashioned, personally.<\/p>\n

More info: Multiple locations; anotherbrokenegg.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PumpkinPumpkin season is in full swing at Jeff’s Bagel Run with cream cheeses, bagels, cold brew and more. (Courtesy Jeff’s Bagel Run)
\nJeff\u2019s Bagel Run<\/p>\n

At Jeff\u2019s Bagel Run, they\u2019ve got Pumpkin Spice Latte on the menu all year long, but come fall, Pumpkin Season has the menu exploding with additional options. Now through Nov. 1, guests can enjoy a host of returning favorites including the pumpkin bagel, pumpkin spice cream cheese, maple brown sugar cream cheese, maple spice latte and pumpkin spice cold foam cold brew.<\/p>\n

New this year: vegan pumpkin spice cream cheese joins the roster, allowing plant-based guests to get in on the creamy, seasonal fun.<\/p>\n

More info: Multiple locations; jeffsbagelrun.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"RaglanRaglan Road’s Irish Pumpkin Shake. (Courtesy Raglan Road)
\nRaglan Road Irish Pub<\/p>\n

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying Booo! Pumpkin Cream Ale at Raglan Road, a lovely, nitro pour with flavors of pumpkin (obviously), cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. It\u2019s a 5.5% ABV delight from Tampa\u2019s 81 Brewing Company. For something kid-friendlier (or for dessert), you might look to their Irish Pumpkin Shake instead. Available through Nov. 1 as part of their seasonal menu, it\u2019s sweet and creamy, striking a nice \u201ccooling\u201d balance for Central Florida\u2019s version of fall.<\/p>\n

More info: Located in Disney Springs,1640 Buena Vista Drive in Orlando; raglanroad.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"STKSTK at Disney Springs has a slate of pumpkin offerings, including pumpkin ravioli with crab, a pumpkin spice margarita, and more. For traditionalists (and for dessert), there’s a pumpkin pie, as well. (Courtesy STK)
\nSTK<\/p>\n

Also at Disney Springs, STK\u2019s got a complete roster of pumpkiny menu items, from pumpkin ravioli with crab to a pumpkin spice margarita to a pumpkin espresso martini. For traditionalists, however, there\u2019s good \u2018ol pumpkin pie. Fall-inspired sides like maple-roasted acorn squash round out a nice lineup of fall-inspired flavors.<\/p>\n

More info: Located in Disney Springs, 1580 E. Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista, 407-971-7440; stksteakhouse.com\/en-us\/location\/orlando<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PancakesPancakes are prepared by diners on tabletop griddles at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant in De Leon Springs State Park. This season, they’ve got pumpkin spice! (Courtesy Old Spanish Sugar Mill)
\nOld Sugar Mill Pancake House<\/p>\n

Central Florida\u2019s favorite DIY \u201cdiner\u201d is putting fall back on the menu this year, with pumpkin spice pancakes returning. Here, delighted diners do their thing on the skillet-topped tables (and they even offer cooking classes for kids). Pumpkin spice pancake batter will be available through Oct. 31 for your griddling pleasure.<\/p>\n

More info: Located at De Leon Springs State Park, 601 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in De Leon Springs, floridastateparks.org\/parks-and-trails\/de-leon-springs-state-park\/old-sugar-mill-pancake-house<\/a><\/p>\n

Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram\u00a0@amydroo<\/a>\u00a0or on the OSFoodie Instagram account\u00a0@orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email:\u00a0amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>, For more foodie fun, join the\u00a0Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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