White Wolf Awarded Best Local Café at Best of Central Florida Luncheon

The White Wolf Café recently received the Orlando Local News' award for Best Local Café at the paper's annual Best of Central Florida luncheon on December 3rd at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge. The White Wolf Café also celebrated its 30th anniverary this year as well, making the awards ceremony every more timely.

The iconic atmosphere of the restaurant enchants visitors from their first step into the door, with the establishment's meld of antique furnishings and upbeat persona. Originally founded in 1991 by Michael Hennessy as an antiques store, the shop took its name from Hennessy's loyal dog Casper, a white German Shepherd and common fixture in the early years of the White Wolf. His passion for antiques led him to open the enterprise.

Michael began his shop's transformation inadvertently after selling ice cream and snacks for customers (he also happened to be one of the first dispensers of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream). Soon, other items like salads and sandwiches were added to the menu. In the early 1990's, Hennessy met his wife, Anne Marie, and the couple operate the restaurant as a team.

Though the quality service and one-of-a-kind ambience remain the same, the White Wolf's layout has changed over the years. Additions over the years include the restaurant's famous bar made from an old bank building, as well as the walls of Orlando's old city hall (detonated in Lethal Weapon 3), currently used as table tops.

Above: Anne Marie Hennessy receives White Wolf's award with fellow restaurateurs.

Photo: OrlandoLocalNews.com.

Though Michael's ingenuity has him looking toward the future, he always keeps one foot in the past. The store's transition from antique market to restaurant never entirely came full circle, as many of the decorations, lights and pictures remain on sale today.

Whether you're buying a Tiffany Lamp, or just their famous chicken sandwich, your time and money will be well spent at the White Wolf Cafe.