Beckham’s MLS team in Miami takes field for first time

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https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/sports/beckhams-mls-team-in-miami-takes-field-for-first-time/

Beckham’s MLS team in Miami takes field for first time

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https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mls-david-beckhams-inter-miami-steps-field-first-time-1674792

MLS: David Beckham's Inter Miami steps onto the field for the first time

Inter Miami, currently in talks with Qatar Airways over a sponsorship deal, is set to debut against LAFC on 1st March at the Banc of California Stadium

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https://miami.cbslocal.com/2020/01/20/beckhams-mls-team-in-miami-takes-field-for-first-time/

Beckham’s MLS Team In Miami Takes Field For First Time

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https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/david-beckham-plots-ambitious-sergio-21328945

David Beckham plots ambitious Sergio Aguero transfer for Inter Miami

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero is out of contract next summer and David Beckham is keen to lure him Stateside for his new Inter Miami franchise

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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/84768/awards-2019-independent-supporters-council.html

Awards: 2019 Independent Supporters' Council

Soccer America

1. 3252 (LAFC) 2. Rose City Riveters (Portland Thorns) -- Timbers Army (Portland Timbers) -- Skyway Casuals and Ralphs Mob (Tampa Bay Rowdies)

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https://sports.abs-cbn.com/football/news/2020/01/21/beckham-s-mls-team-miami-takes-field-first-time-65290

Beckham's MLS team in Miami takes field for first time

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/inter-miami/fl-sp-hyde-inter-miami-camp-starts-20200120-dks7tysbxrdmjc7rmt4ipzrsza-story.html

Hyde: 'It's real,' as Inter Miami has first practice with first view of hope | Commentary

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/4034791/javier-chicharito-hernandez-out-of-sevilla-squad-amid-la-galaxy-negotiations

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez out of Sevilla squad amid LA Galaxy negotiations

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/01/21/gasparilla-2020-what-to-know-before-you-go/

Gasparilla 2020: What to know before you go

The best parking places, bathroom stops, meeting points, after parties and places to catch beads.

The Jose Gasparilla pirate ship sails toward the Tampa Convention Center during the annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion in Hillsborough Bay sailing north to Seddon Channel on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Hundreds of boats join the flotilla.

On Saturday, the world’s only fully rigged pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, will set sail from the south end of Hillsborough Bay along with an accompanying flotilla to travel across Tampa Bay before...

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1079530

MURRAY: Dalglish, Miami FC Aiming to Hit New Heights in Championship

CLUB HOPES HISTORY OF SUCCESS IN HEART OF MIAMI WILL BRING OUT PASSIONATE FANBASE AS IT ENTERS NEW ERA

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5193521/celtic-news-inter-miami-lewis-morgan-winner-mark-spalding/

LEW-SA Celtic news: Inter Miami would be signing a winner in Morgan says Spalding

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https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-01-21/soccer-newsletter

Soccer newsletter: Chicharito joins Galaxy at critical juncture

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/21/where-javier-chicharito-hernandez-ranks-among-biggest-mls-transfers-ever-andrew

Where Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez ranks among biggest MLS transfers ever | Andrew Wiebe

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10788007/aguero-inter-miami-transfer-beckham/

KUNBELIEVABLE Man City legend Sergio Aguero attracting transfer interest from David Beckham’s Inter Miami

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7912597/Manchester-City-striker-Sergio-Aguero-wanted-David-Beckhams-Inter-Miami.html

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero 'wanted by David Beckham's Inter Miami and would not be against a move' to the new MLS team

Sergio Aguero recently became the Premier League's highest foreign scorer

His tally of 177 has seen him overtake legendary Arsenal man Thierry Henry

His present contract at Manchester City expires in the summer of 2021

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https://www.caughtoffside.com/2020/01/21/david-beckham-and-inter-miami-plot-ambitious-swoop-for-premier-league-superstar/

David Beckham and Inter Miami plot ambitious swoop for Premier League superstar

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https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/live/transfer-news-and-rumours-live/pt0irr6xufvg1m528ctlkzrml

Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Inter Miami set sights on Aguero

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world

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https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/javier-chicharito-hernandez-officially-joins-the-la-galaxy-it-was-the-right-time-the-right-opportunity-163621117.html

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez officially joins the LA Galaxy: 'It was the right time, the right opportunity'

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https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/david-beckhams-inter-miami-targeting-21331068

David Beckham's Inter Miami 'targeting transfer' for Man City legend Sergio Aguero

Manchester City great Sergio Aguero - who scored his 252nd Blues goal on Tuesday - is reportedly a transfer target for David Beckham-owned MLS franchise Inter Miami

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http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2020/01/21/beckham-takes-inter-miami-pitch-qatar-sponsorship-backing/

Beckham takes Inter Miami pitch to Qatar for sponsorship backing

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https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/football-news/david-beckham-in-talks-with-qatar-over-a-deal-for-inter-miami-cf.html

David Beckham In Talks With Qatar Investors Over Sponsorship Deal For Inter Miami

FOOTBALL NEWS

David Beckham is reportedly in talks with investors from Qatar for sponsorship deals as he gears up for the debut season of his MLS franchise - Inter Miami.

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http://www.curvemag.com/Lifestyle/Livin-the-High-Rollin-Hard-Rock-Life-in-Tampa/

Livin' the High Rollin' Hard Rock Life in Tampa

Get lucky with a quick getaway to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

Cigar aficionados know that Tampa proudly wears the sobriquet "Cigar City," thanks to the historic neighborhood of Ybor City, which was populated in the 1890s by thousands of Cuban immigrants. A cigar factory tour at Tabanero Cigars features dexterous Cuban artisans rolling handmade cigars in the heart of Ybor City.

Tampa is known as "cigar city"

Regardless of where you wander throughout Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, what becomes increasingly clear is how well the resort and the greater Tampa Bay area honor the Hard Rock tagline Love All Serve All. It's enough to make you feel lucky all over again. Light a cigar and place a bet: you just can't miss with a good luck charm like that.

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/4033304/javier-chicharito-hernandez-confirms-move-to-la-galaxy-it-was-the-right-time

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez confirms move to LA Galaxy: 'It was the right time'

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https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mls-david-beckhams-inter-miami-steps-field-first-time-1674792

Sport | Football

MLS: David Beckham's Inter Miami steps onto the field for the first time

Inter Miami, currently in talks with Qatar Airways over a sponsorship deal, is set to debut against LAFC on 1st March at the Banc of California Stadium

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/sports/soccer/chicharito-galaxy.html

Mexico’s ‘Chicharito,’ Javier Hernández, Joins Los Angeles Galaxy in M.L.S.

The striker will enter the league as its highest-paid player and raise the stakes in a nascent Los Angeles rivalry with L.A.F.C.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/21/where-javier-chicharito-hernandez-ranks-among-biggest-mls-transfers-ever-andrew

Where Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez ranks among biggest MLS transfers ever | Andrew Wiebe

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https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/inter-miami-soccer-fans-indignant-over-potential-team-sponsorship-with-qatar-11446017

Inter Miami Fans Indignant Over Potential Sponsorship Deal With Qatar

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/sports/soccer/chicharito-galaxy.html

Mexico’s ‘Chicharito,’ Javier Hernández, Joins Los Angeles Galaxy in M.L.S.

The striker will enter the league as its highest-paid player and raise the stakes in a nascent Los Angeles rivalry with L.A.F.C.

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https://abc7.com/sports/javier-chicharito-hernandez-confirms-move-to-la-galaxy-it-was-the-right-time/5867324/

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez confirms move to LA Galaxy: 'It was the right time'

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1079722

SIGNINGS: Miami Brings Bezecourt Aboard for New Season

SACRAMENTO ADDS GRINWIS TO GOALKEEPING CORPS; LUNDT RETURNS TO LOUISVILLE ON LOAN

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https://www.statesman.com/sports/20200121/soccer-notebook-why-chicharito-landing-in-la-matters-for-austin-fc

Soccer notebook: Why Chicharito landing in LA matters for Austin FC

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https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2020/01/21/javier-chicharito-hernandez-officially-joins-galaxy/

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez officially joins Galaxy

Popular Mexican star joins Galaxy as as new Designated Player after spending past 10 years in Europe

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https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/changes-underway-to-get-charlotte-ready-for-a-new-mls-team/275-183d64c1-02fa-4544-a8c0-e15d792827eb

Changes underway to get the Queen City ready for a new MLS team

A permit was issued on January 14 for renovations at Bank of America Stadium needed to help the city prepare for an MLS team.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/01/21/mls-ownership-group-to-move-forward-on-stadium.html

MLS ownership group to move forward on stadium project without state tax credits

The proposed MLS stadium will be located north of Market Street near Union Station.

St. Louis’ Major League Soccer ownership group plans to move forward with its proposed Downtown West stadium development regardless of whether it receives state tax credits, a lawyer representing the expansion franchise told a city board Tuesday.

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1079688

TRANSACTIONS: Louro Makes Move to Tampa Bay

GUYANA INTERNATIONAL DOVER RE-SIGNS WITH HOUNDS; ENERGY FC BRINGS BACK IBEAGHA FOR THIRD SEASON

New Tampa Bay Rowdies signing Evan Louro made 79 starts for the New York Red Bulls II over the past three season, placing him in the top five in minutes among goalkeepers in the Championship. | Photo courtesy New York Red Bulls II

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies added a new face to their goalkeeping corps on Tuesday with the signing of Evan Louro ahead of the 2020 USL Championship season. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Louro is a familiar foe for the Rowdies, having served as starting goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls II since 2017. In three years with the Red Bulls, Louro made 79 starts and played more than 7,000 minutes, making him one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the Championship, despite having only turned 24 this past Sunday.

“Evan is a goalkeeper that has always been a bit of a thorn in our side,” said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins. “As we’ve seen in our games against him through the years, he’s a great shot stopper and he’s he organizes his back line well. We’re excited to have him on our side now because we feel he’ll fit well within our system.”

Louro is a New York metro area native that came up through the Red Bulls system. He joined the club’s academy in 2008, helping the U16s to an undefeated record and U.S. Soccer Development Academy championship in 2012. While attending the University of Michigan, Louro played for the Red Bulls U23s in USL League Two before signing an MLS contract with the Red Bulls as a Homegrown player in 2017.

“I’m super grateful to be here,” said Louro said. “I’ve had the privilege to play against the Rowdies many times and it was always my favorite trip of the year. The fans are second to none, the stadium being right next to the water is second to none. Neill really made me feel wanted and welcomed and all the guys have been welcoming so I’m just really excited to get started.”

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/20/2020-mls-trialists-your-rundown-where-players-are-auditioning-new-contracts

2020 MLS Trialists: Your rundown of where players are auditioning for new contracts

Colorado Rapids

The Rapids have several trialists in their camp, with one name MLS fans will surely recognize. Former NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku — who scored five goals in 34 matches — is in camp with the club after spending the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He is joined by two young Argentines, Andres Alarcon and Brian Lopez, from Argentinos Juniors and Racing Club respectively, a former draft pick (Jacob Hauser-Ramsey) and a former US youth international (Will Vint).

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https://www.burgundywave.com/2020/1/21/21075570/rapids-release-2020-preseason-roster

Rapids release 2020 preseason roster

The preseason roster includes signed players, the two 2020 MLS SuperDraft picks, select players from the Rapids Academy, and several trialists.

Kwadwo Poku: 27-year-old attacking midfielder who has experience with NYCFC, Anzhi in Russia, and most recently played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/bar-breweries/2020/01/16/the-dark-barriehaus-beer-co/

The Dark, BarrieHaus Beer Co.

In Ybor City, cross over to The Dark side with this dunkel lager. | Local craft beer of the week

The Dark is BarrieHaus’ Munich dunkel lager. [Photo courtesy of Geneva Johnson]

The gradual increase in demand for traditional lagers has been consistent in the past few years.

In some ways, this is burnout in the face of ever-hazier IPAs and bombastic stouts, but it’s also...

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https://www.cbs17.com/hidden-history/hispanic-heritage-month/tampa-stakes-claims-to-cuban-sandwich-2/

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Tampa stakes claims to Cuban sandwich

Hispanic Heritage Month

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – It’s an age-old debate: Was the famous Cuban sandwich born in Tampa’s historic Ybor City?

Second-generation baker Bryant Valdez, who has worked at La Segunda Bakery Ybor for 32 years now, will be the first to tell you the Cuban sandwich belongs to Tampa. “Yeah, I’m gonna fight this, debate it until the end,” Valdez said as he beamed with pride. He went on to laugh and say, “Miami’s got the formula, but they don’t have the flavor.”

Bakers like Valdez have been working at La Segunda for generations. Each one plays a special role in baking the bread from scratch.

“Our dough grows very slowly. It’s all handmade from start to finish. It’s really the bakers that have been here on average for 20 to 25 years that have to communicate with each other to get the bread from start to finish,” said owner Copeland More, part of the four generations of family keeping history alive in Tampa Bay.

Photo provided by La Segunda

More’s grandfather, Juan More, had a vision in the late 19th Century to head from Spain to Cuba to learn to make Cuban bread using the traditional recipe. To this day, La Segunda handcrafts this bread which is now enjoyed across the United States. “It’s a family business for us. We have employees that have been here longer than I have been alive,” More said.

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https://www.heraldtribune.com/entertainment/20200116/now-playing-for-sarasota-manatee-jan-16-22

Now Playing for Sarasota-Manatee: Jan. 16-22

YBOR CITY STATE MUSEUM: Depicts history of Cuban community through a cigar cottage, historical garden, artifacts, photos and more. 1818 E. Ninth Ave., Ybor City, Tampa. 813-247-6323; ybormuseum.org

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https://stpetecatalyst.com/artificial-intelligence-innovation-lab-sets-up-shop-in-ybor-city/

Artificial intelligence innovation lab sets up shop in Ybor City

Adriana Avakina, CEO, TheIncLab, presenting at the Tampa Bay Wave TechDiversity Pitch Night in St. Petersburg last year.

A few months after taking part in Tampa Bay Wave’s TechDiversity accelerator, TheIncLab has established an office in Ybor City.

The company, headquartered in Washington, D.C. and with an office in Nashville, develops artificial intelligence-based systems designed to learn and collaborate with humans. On Monday, the company moved into The Undercroft, a cybersecurity guild and development center in Ybor City.

Local civic, business and government leaders have been pushing to grow the technology sector, so the TheIncLab’s decision to open an office here comes as welcome news.

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https://thatssotampa.com/yacht-starship-adds-a-pirate-ship-lost-pearl-to-its-fleet/

Yacht Starship adds a Pirate Ship, Lost Pearl, to its fleet

Drink up, me hearties! It’s Gasparilla season in the city of Tampa. While the pirates will make their collective presence felt during the parades and performances downtown and Ybor City, another ship is set to dock in the city on a more permanent basis.

Don’t worry, no need to raise the white flag. The pirates aboard this ship have no interest in taking over the city. Instead, these pirates are just out to let you cruise around the city in buccaneer fashion.

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https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1164842-titus-oneil-named-parade-grand-marshal

Titus O’Neil Named Krewe Of Tampa Sant’ Yago Knight Parade Grand Marshal

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https://wflanews.iheart.com/featured/pm-tampa-bay-with-ryan-gorman/content/2020-01-17-tampa-bays-gasparilla-season-kicks-off-this-weekend-with-kids-parade/

Tampa Bay's Gasparilla Season Kicks Off This Weekend With Kids Parade

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/01/17/artificial-intelligence-firm-theinclab-expands-to-tampa/

Artificial intelligence firm TheIncLab expands to Tampa

The Washington, D.C.-area company expects hiring 15 developers and engineers in the next twelve months and partnering with bay area universities to augment its staff with student interns.

The Undercroft — the new home to a branch office of TheIncLab, an artificial intelligence firm — provides work space for several cybersecurity companies in one of Ybor City’s most historic structures, the El Pasaje building on E Ninth Avenue.

TAMPA — A tech company that works to develop artificial intelligence-enabled systems that learn and collaborate with humans is expanding to Tampa.

TheIncLab, based near Washington D.C., has opened an...

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https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/01/17/floridas-oldest-restaurant-also-holds-the-title-for-largest-spanish-restaurant-in-us/

Florida’s oldest restaurant also holds the title for largest Spanish restaurant in U.S.

The restaurant is known for much more than its food and size

YBOR CITY, Fla. – Did you know that Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is Florida’s oldest restaurant?

What first began in 1905 as the Columbia Saloon, a small corner cafe where cigar workers gathered, is now the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, with a seating capacity of over a thousand people.

The popular restaurant near Tampa continues to be operated and owned by Casimiro Hernández’s family. Andrea Gonzmart is Hernández’s great-great-granddaughter, an immigrant from Spain who lived in Cuba prior to arriving in the United States.

“When he initially immigrated from Cuba at the turn of the century he wanted to give, you know, the comfort foods of home,” Andrea said.

One of those dishes is the popular Cuban sandwich made with ham, roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickles on top of Cuban bread.

The restaurant features a more than five thousand square-foot kitchen and has fifteen different dining rooms. All designed with a Spanish style.

Ceramic Spanish tiles were imported from Spain to decorate the restaurant. Other artifacts inside the restaurant reflect the family’s heritage.

Among the several dining rooms is one dedicated to a famous Spanish novel.

“The Don Quixote dining room was actually the first air-conditioned dining room in the city of Tampa,” Gonzmart noted.

Back in 1956, the Siboney room, a large showroom, was popular for bringing in some top Latin performers. It was during the era when the cigar industry started to disappear in the city.

"It brought people back to Ybor and that was the important thing," Andrea said.

Other dining rooms include the Patio room, which offers a feel of the Spanish courtyards and the Red dining room which was a bar prior to being remodeled.

“We have the original Terraza that we found all around the border,” Andrea said.

Columbia Restaurant is not just known for its food and its size -- it’s also known for its variety of wine.

“We actually have over 1,000 bottled wine list, which makes up about 80 percent Spanish wines and 20 percent Californians, South American wines,” Andrea said. “The fact that I can look back and see that my great-great-grandfather founded what now is a whole city block but a small corner café restaurant in 1905, it’s kind of mind-blowing.”

Central Floridians can visit the Columbia Restaurant in Celebration. Click here to see the menu.

Columbia Restaurant