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| Former dining doom of Prickly Pear Image via Prickly Pear facebook |
By Ken Storey
Prickly Pear shut down as a restaurant in May 2013. It's owner, FMI Restaurant Group, said they were shifting the space from restaurant to an events-only space, modeled after other successful events spaces in Eola Square.
Soon after the Prickly Pear's shift, FMI shut down Nick’s Italian Kitchen, which lived in the same building. Now, it turned out that FMI has sold their interests in the Eola Square spaces to a group of investors with backgrounds in the hotel and hospitality industry. One of the new owners is Jesse Newton, president of the company responsible for opening up Aura Bar and Restaurant directly across the street. Aura has been under construction for nearly three years. The restaurant is now hiring, despite not yet announcing an opening date.
Prickly Pear shut down as a restaurant in May 2013. It's owner, FMI Restaurant Group, said they were shifting the space from restaurant to an events-only space, modeled after other successful events spaces in Eola Square.
Soon after the Prickly Pear's shift, FMI shut down Nick’s Italian Kitchen, which lived in the same building. Now, it turned out that FMI has sold their interests in the Eola Square spaces to a group of investors with backgrounds in the hotel and hospitality industry. One of the new owners is Jesse Newton, president of the company responsible for opening up Aura Bar and Restaurant directly across the street. Aura has been under construction for nearly three years. The restaurant is now hiring, despite not yet announcing an opening date.
Orlando food critic Scott Joseph is now reporting that the Prickly Pear and Nick’s Italian Kitchen spaces will become two new restaurants. Luis Negron, formerly a chef with Universal Orlando’s Royal Pacific Hotel, will oversee both restaurants. The two restaurants should employ around 120 people.
The first restaurant will be Lotus will use locally sourced products to create an American based menu with Asian, Italy, and other global influences. The farm to table fusion concept will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner with meals between $8 and $16.
The second restaurant will be Honey, a dinner-only restaurant with an aphrodisiac theme. Champagne by the glass will be offered at the new fine dining establishment. Both restaurants should open by the end of summer.
If you're a Prickly Pear or Nick’s Italian Kitchen fan though don't worry, FMI plans to relocate the restaurants to the I-Drive area where their highly successful Funky Monkey restaurant is located. FMI also has a Funky Monkey in Mills50 near their Bananas Diner and Funky Monkey Vault retail store along with an award winning line of spirits.
