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.
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“I know I get photos from my family every year,” he tells me. “Me, dressed as ‘Sprout’ from back in the Jolly Green Giant ad campaign days.”
Koenig, owner of The Glass Knife, now with two locations in Winter Park, chuckles about it.
“I think we’re always thinking about how that made us feel. We still want moments where we can be playful and lean in.”
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.
That’s how the idea of The Crossing came up.
It’s an all-new, three-course dessert experience. Available throughout October, the Thursday-Saturday program is reservation-only — $45 per person — featuring themed plates and sips both 21+ and mocktail. Guests can enjoy The Crossing at both Winter Park locations.
“Just 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,” he says.
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).
Also included is an “amuse bouche” special sip, as well as your choice of a limited-time concoction: Black Widow Martini, Vampire Cocktail, or Apple Cider mocktail.
Wait: The Glass Knife has cocktails?
“That’s always been a surprise to some, but yes: it’s a fact,” says Koenig, noting that the team had a lot of fun developing these specific pairings.
So, too, I’d guess, will those of you with an elevated Halloween sweet tooth.
And as for you pumpkin spice fiends, the Pumpkin Pastry ($14), Pumpkin Cheesecake Cold Foam ($7.50), Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulée Donut ($5.50) and Pumpkin Spice Bonbon ($3) are already available in both shops.
More info: 212 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park and 276 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park; theglassknife.com/happenings
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Another Broken Egg Cafe
Waffles ‘n’ bourbon for breakfast? Some people might balk, but call it “brunch” and most will jump right on board. Available now through Nov. 22 as part of the brand’s Fall seasonal menu, the Pumpkin Brunch Old Fashioned and Pumpkin Crunch Waffle are a pumpkin-spice lover’s fall day drinking fantasy made real.
The former melds Maker’s 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.
I’d go bacon with that Old Fashioned, personally.
More info: Multiple locations; anotherbrokenegg.com
Jeff’s Bagel Run
At Jeff’s Bagel Run, they’ve 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.
New this year: vegan pumpkin spice cream cheese joins the roster, allowing plant-based guests to get in on the creamy, seasonal fun.
More info: Multiple locations; jeffsbagelrun.com
Raglan Road Irish Pub
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’s a 5.5% ABV delight from Tampa’s 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’s sweet and creamy, striking a nice “cooling” balance for Central Florida’s version of fall.
More info: Located in Disney Springs,1640 Buena Vista Drive in Orlando; raglanroad.com
STK
Also at Disney Springs, STK’s 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’s good ‘ol pumpkin pie. Fall-inspired sides like maple-roasted acorn squash round out a nice lineup of fall-inspired flavors.
More info: Located in Disney Springs, 1580 E. Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista, 407-971-7440; stksteakhouse.com/en-us/location/orlando
Old Sugar Mill Pancake House
Central Florida’s favorite DIY “diner” 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.
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
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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