Nineteen61, Lakeland, Florida

Short-Rib Poutine Appetizer

Lakeland finally has a restaurant that can compete with Tampa and Orlando- Nineteen61. This is the place to go for the best culinary experience; delectable dishes ranging from Cuban, Peruvian to local flair. 

Chef Fernandez will not disappoint your palate. The menu changes often, each time with delicious options.

Let's begin with some of my favorite dinner menu items. Let's start with the apps. 

Pulpo (Octopus)

Two of my favorite apps are the Pulpo (octopus) and the Charcuterie Plate. 

The Octopus- Squid Ink & Chorizo Vinaigrette, Smoked Fingerling Potatoes, Choricero Aioli.  

The Charcuterie Plate- Jamon Iberico, Chorizo and Variety of Spanish Cheese with Mixed Olives.

Charcuterie Plate

Oxtail

The main dinner menu changes regularly, but here are some of my favorites that they offer from time to time. 

The oxtail and paella. 

If you haven't tried oxtail, you are really missing out. 

Some of the regular menu items that are incredible are the Scallops and the Hanger Steak.

Scallops

Let's move on to brunch. Brunch is definitely my favorite meal of the week, and Nineteen61 is my favorite brunch location in the South!  

One of my regular brunch menu orders is the El Cubano 1961- Mt. Citra Pork, Pickled Tomato, Mojo Aioli, Jamon Serrano on Cuban Bread. 

El Cubano 1961

Biscuits and Gravy (House Sausage)

If you love Biscuits and Gravy, Chef Fernandez will not disappoint you. The Biscuits and Gravy come with House Country Sausage, Bechamel & White Lily Biscuits. 

They don't taste like your traditional Biscuits and Gravy, they are even better!

And of course, who doesn't love Eggs Benedict! At Nineteen61, they are so amazing with the White Lily Biscuits, Jamon Serrano & Aji Amarillo Hollandaise. 

Eggs Benedict

So the next time you are driving down i-4, make sure you stop by Nineteen61!

Paella

Dinner menu

Brunch menu

1961 Prix Fixe menu (available from 5-6 PM, Tuesday through Saturday)

Hashtag: #foodrevolutionoflakeland 

Visit the Nineteen61 website

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Make a reservation by calling 863-688-1961

Gnocchi

Business Hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 5-9 PM

Wednesday: 5-9 PM

Thursday: 5-9 PM

Friday: 5-10 PM

Saturday: 5-10 PM

Sunday: 10AM-2PM

Don't forget to try dessert!

Emiliano's Cafe, Best Brunch spot in Central Florida!

The Brunch Bunch at Emiliano's Cafe!

I know some people feel that bottomless mimosas make a great brunch. For me, incredible food makes for a better brunch!

With a Cuban flair, Emiliano's Cafe in Gainesville, is definitely one of my new favorite brunch spots.

We sat on the front porch with a great view of downtown. The weather was perfect for my close friend's birthday brunch.

Portobello-brie crepes

Katherine ordered from the "unch" in the brunch menu: Portobello-brie crepes filled with roasted portobello and warm brie, topped with a mango-jalapeno glaze.

Crab Cake Benedict

Matt ordered one of my all-time favorites! You can never go wrong with crab cake benedict: pan-fried, panko breaded, lemon-herb crab cakes served on grilled corn arepas, topped with poached eggs and a rich hollandaise sauce.

Guava-Strawberry Crepes

Rachel ordered from the "Easy Like Sunday Morning" menu.  I was so jealous that I didn't order the guava-strawberry crepes: warm crepes stuffed with a guava-strawberry cream cheese filling, topped with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar.

Gaucho steak and eggs

I am definitely the carnivore of the group.  My favorite brunch menu item is always steak and eggs. Emiliano's had the best brunch steak I've ever had.  Their gaucho steak and eggs came with a half pound of churrasco, fire-grilled steak, topped with chimichurri, served with two eggs sunny side up, skillet potatoes and cuban toast.

Emiliano's Cafe is Delicious! Photo obtained via Facebook.

To view the entire Emiliano's Cafe brunch menu click here.

Sunday isn't the only great day to visit Emiliano's Cafe. They have great events such as martini madness, farm to tapa, and musica and mojitos. Make sure you view all the exciting events they have by clicking here!

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Check out the Emiliano's website