Every item we tried off Sabrina’s menu had us doing a happy dance. | Photo by LALtoday
Staying up to date on Lakeland’s food and drink scene is a hard job, but someone has to do it. We’re looking back on a year of bevs and bites to narrow it down to the top 10 things we tried in 2024, in no particular order (because how are we to choose?).
Burrata plate | Sabrina’s Delicacies Creamy, cheesy, customizable — this dish has it all. We paired our burrata with prosciutto and mixed berries, plus a watermelon lemonade.
Drinking chocolate | Andrew Logans Confections This elevated take on hot chocolate made with Belgian dark chocolate and homemade whipped cream warmed us right up during a chilly farmers market trip.
Pintxos are small snacks typical in Spain — try them on the rooftop bar at Vasco61.
Photo by LALtoday
Pork belly pintxos | Vasco61 These bites are just the right size for sharing — featuring toast from Born & Bread Bakehouse and kimchi from Gigi’s Oriental Market doesn’t hurt, either.
Keep reading for seven more of our favorite local eats, plus a few honorable mentions we just couldn’t keep off the list.
Your turn: What’s the best thing you tried this year?
Whether it’s a dish you can’t stop thinking about, a beverage you couldn’t put down, or an entire meal you could eat every day, share your great taste with us.
STEM Sprouts | 9-10:15 a.m. | Aerospace Center for Excellence | $10 | Kids ages 3-5 and their parents will learn a letter of the alphabet + an aviation concept through play — this week’s topic is magnets.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Botanical Candle Making Class | 5-7 p.m. | Cob & Pen | $45 | Curious Botanicals will teach you everything you need to know about making a scented candle.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Yoga In The Vines | 6-6:50 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $15 | Complete a relaxing flow in the fresh air, then stick around the tasting room to use your free drink voucher.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Backyard Night Market | 4-7 p.m. | The Green House Garden Store | Free+ | This month’s Christmas-themed market will include Pinoy Cravings, Dainty Links Jewelry, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Nature Lecture Series | 6-8 p.m. | Circle B Bar Reserve | Free | Wildlife ecologist Dr. Monica Folk will share about working with the endangered red cockaded woodpeckers in the Nature Discovery Center.
Hoping to fly Avelo Airlines from Lakeland to Atlanta? Book a flight by Jan. 5 — after that, the airline will pause the route due to low ridership. These flights have been about 40% full, but with high ridership overall at LAL, the route could return in the future. (LkldNow)
Open
Hikers rejoice. Circle B Bar Reserve’s Marsh Rabbit Run trail has reopened to visitors. Alligator Alley is still closed due to hurricane damage, and likely will be for several months, so save our local hiking guide for more outdoorsy options. (The Ledger)
Plan Ahead
Who will be crowned Top Chef of Polk County? Find out by sponsoring Achievement Academy’s next fundraiser on Feb. 24 at Bonnet Springs Park. Chefs of local restaurants + food trucks (think: Cob & Pen, Plates On Deck, and The Terrace Grille) will create small plates to win awards.
Real Estate
Tampa Bay Business Journal has released its list of the best regional real estate deals of 2024, giving Swan Lake Village + Swan Landing in Lakeland the title of Top Affordable Housing Deal. The two-phase project was developed by Blue Sky and Community Assisted and Supported Living of Sarasota.
Development
The City of Lakeland is seeking a construction manager to lead the development of its new Tigertown dorm. The $33 million project will include 76 rooms for players, offices, a dining hall, and even a barber shop. The city will accept proposals through Monday, Dec. 30. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Edu
PCPS is revising its volunteer background checks due to a new state law, so it’s freezing applications from Dec. 20 until March 2025. Starting in March, all current volunteers + new applicants will have to undergo a Level 2 background screening.
Tech
Researchers at Florida Poly and the University of Windsor in Canada are working together to develop wearable sensors for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The tech will track changes in gait due to the disease, and could be more cost-effective than current tech.
Drink
What’s better than one boba tea? Two for the price of one. Tsaocaa Tea & Michi Ramen is offering BOGO drinks Thursday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 22 to celebrate its first year in business. Find it on Highway 98 North in the Village Plaza, near Hobby Lobby.
Caffeine and community engagement. Those are the things that fuel our days here at LALtoday. Donate now to support your LALtoday team so we can continue to bring you this free, daily newsletter chock-full of local need-to-knows, upcoming events, city news, and more.
Try This
Boost your immune system with an Immunity IV therapy drip, packed with antioxidants like glutathione and vitamins B-12, C, and B-Complex. We’ll take all the help we can get this flu season.Learn more.*
Shop
These best-selling men’s flannel pajama pants are comfortable, warm, and soft to the touch. Hello, new favorite pants of the season.*
Category
History
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
”Willy Wofson, left, is surprised and delighted with the light dusting of snow that fell in Lakeland, Florida in January 1982. Snow was a rare occurrence in Lakeland, having previously snowed in 1977.” | Photo via the Lakeland Public Library
Dreaming of a white Christmas? It’s unlikely, since this winter’s temperatures are forecasted to be even higher than average. But there’s always hope, especially for those that remember Florida’s “great snowfall” on Jan. 19, 1977, when Lakelanders awoke to snow.
While the snow day did cause a few driving mishaps, it seemed as though most celebrated the once-in-a-lifetime snowfall by catching flakes on their tongues and making hot chocolate. Since then, snow has been a rare — but not impossible — occurrence.
Thankfully there are two places to find “Swan City snow” this season:
Head to Lakeside Village this Thursday-Saturday for snow flurries at the top of each hour from 6 to 9 p.m.
Visit Light Up BSP at Bonnet Springs Park for snow every 45 minutes from 6 to 8:15 p.m.
A pair of high waisted joggers. They’re constructed with ultra-soft modal fabric, making them perfect for casual hangouts with friends + family over the holidays.
Tickets to Florida Strawberry Festival headliner concerts went on sale on Friday, and it looks like everyone’s feeling “Fancy.” I didn’t get any this year, but tell us who you’re going to see so I can live vicariously through you in spring.
}})
