The Alfond Inn Celebrates Winter in Winter Park, FL

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. November 17, 2014

Winter Park, Florida - November 18, 2014 - In one short year, The Alfond Inn has become the heart of Winter Park hospitality in one of Florida's most unique communities. The town's name was bestowed by two northerners, Loring Chase of Chicago and Oliver E. Chapman of Massachusetts, who developed what was to become Florida's first planned community in the 1880's. "Winter Park" was indeed an enticement to wealthy Northerners, primarily from New England and Philadelphia, to buy into the development. These 19th century trendsetters built winter residences as sanctuaries from the challenging winter weather up north, a tradition that continues to this day.

The Alfond Inn embraces that idea, offering a retreat all winter long for guests seeking the balmy temperatures of the lakes region of Central Florida. Guests can tour Winter Park's 19th century Spanish Mediterranean-style mansions, arrayed on roads lined with live oaks and overlooking the lakes for which Winter Park is famous. The walkable downtown has the feel of a genteel Southern town, with shaded brick paved streets and museums, as well as boutique shops, restaurants and cafes. The Alfond Inn celebrates its second winter with several new offerings.

High Tea at The Alfond Inn

The golden age of Winter Park gentility lives on at The Alfond Inn with its new High Tea, featuring specialty teas by Cherrie Langston served alongside Executive Chef Marc Kusche's traditional High Tea fare. Served on the second Sunday of every month from 3 to 4:30 p.m., the price is $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required.

New Tasting Menu at Hamilton's Kitchen

This new four-course experience that explores the range of Chef Kusche's favorite flavors, with dishes such as crab cakes with creamy corn and aioli or pork belly with peach chutney and local honey. For the second course, it's a choice of shrimp linguine with baby spinach and tomatoes or wild mushroom ravioli served with basil sauce and a cherry tomato confit. The star attractions include salmon with bean ragout and lemon pepper; steak frites with aioli sauce and broccolini; tuna with eggplant, tomatoes and pine nuts; or short ribs with mashed potatoes. Desert choices include McCallan 12-year butterscotch pudding, Killer Chocolate Cake and Key Lime cheesecake. The Tasting Menu is priced at $45 per person, or $55 with a two glass wine pairing from the sommelier.

New Chef's Table Experience

For those who want an in-depth experience of Chef Kusche's talents, there's Hamilton's Kitchen new Chef's Table Experience. Chef Kusche will prepare five courses, along with wine pairings, and serve them at the long table in Hamilton's Kitchen. Priced at $125 per person, including wine pairings. Please allow 24 hours advance notice.

Get Your Jazz On

Get Your Jazz On is the new way to experience a great evening in Winter Park. Its includes a live jazz performance, wine, and award winning smoked pig from Executive Sous Chef, Bill Baxter served on the Courtyard Lawn of The Alfond Inn. The introductory cost is $20 per person. The next Get Your Jazz On nights are November 20th, December 4th and 18th from 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Saturday Pickled Brunch

Thanks to the popularity of Hamilton's Kitchen signature Sunday Brunch, The Alfond Inn is now offering a "Pickled Brunch" on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live acoustic music on the veranda of Hamilton's Kitchen, creative cocktails from the popular Make your Own Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar and a menu inspired by Chef Kusche's modern take on traditional Southern cuisine.

Restaurant reservations are available via OpenTable or by calling (407) 998-8089.

The two-night From the Heart package is available this winter for $598, based on double occupancy, plus tax, and includes:

Two nights in a Classic Room.
Dinner for two in Hamilton's Kitchen.
Scenic Winter Park Boat Tour Tickets for two.
Bottle of Champagne in room.
Chocolate amenity in room.
Discounted valet.
Romantic turndown service.

For reservations book online at www.thealfondinn.com or call 407-998-8090.

The Alfond Inn

The Alfond Inn, voted the #2 hotel in Florida in the 2014 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, is a stylish boutique hotel in Winter Park. A Preferred Boutique Hotel that has a AAA Four Diamond Rating, The Alfond Inn is managed by The Olympia Companies, an innovative leader in hospitality. Owned by Rollins College, a private coeducational liberal arts college, also in Winter Park, The Alfond Inn opened in August 2013 and was built with a $12.5-million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation. Net operating income from the Inn is directed to The Alfond Scholars program fund, the College's premier scholarship fund, over the next 25 years or until the endowment principal reaches $50 million, whichever comes later. The 112-room boutique hotel includes the popular Hamilton's Kitchen restaurant, a pool and fitness center, and 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. It is 15 minutes from downtown Orlando and 30 minutes from Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport. The Alfond Inn, 300 East New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. 407-998-8090 www.thealfondinn.com.