Pride goeth out with a bang, in particular at The Moderne in Orlando’s Mills 50 district, where a celebratory brunch will be underway this weekend.
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On June 27, from noon to 4 p.m., the party is a partnership with the local nonprofit Crew Health, an organization that offers affordable medical care and case management to everyone, with a specific LGBTQ+ focus.
On Saturday, however, the focus will be on drinks, food, fun and entertainment, as guests enjoy interactions with host, performer Orusha San Miguel.
“When we built our restaurant, we wanted to be more than just a place to eat and drink, we almost wanted to use it as a platform for community outreach, for helping local nonprofits, Crew Health being one of them,” Moderne chef/owner Michael Nguyen told the Orlando Sentinel. “We have a close connection … they’re one of the first we partnered with.”
Particularly meaningful is the staff involvement, he says. Many of them are members of the LGBTQ community.
“Having them to lead this menu and help create things with these local organizations is just a beautiful thing.”
A portion of the special roster’s proceeds will go toward Crew Health’s mission, though the deliciousness will be for guests to enjoy. Open since late 2022, The Moderne has hosted its first brunch, and the team is having fun with it.
“I don’t think there are many Asian brunch spots in Orlando, let alone anybody doing a Hong Kong-style French toast,” says Nguyen of this deep-fried milk bread sandwich.
“It’s stacked together with black sesame and peanut butters with an almond crust.”
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A drizzle of condensed milk ups the decadence factor alongside the creative sips The Moderne is known for, plus drinks crafted specifically for Pride.
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“We’ve always played around with the idea of brunch, but because Crew Health wanted to do a brunch event, it sort of pushed it over the line, and who knows? Maybe we’ll do more of these.”
In the meantime, make your reservation on OpenTable.com or opt for a walk-up. There’s space, but you may have to wait. Patio seating is first-come, first-served, as well.
The 2025 menu, Nguyen says, was a record-breaker and raised significant funds. They’re hoping this year’s roster represents an opportunity to give back even more.
“Our bartenders were invited to push boundaries and craft cocktails that are as bold and unapologetic as the community they honor,” says Matthew Taylor, PR and social media manager for The Moderne.
“Our goal is to create something beautiful while making a significant contribution to local organizations. Pride at The Moderne isn’t just a menu. It’s a statement.”
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: [email protected], For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
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