The Moderne Honors Orlando’s Viral “Banana Lady” with New Cocktail After Car Crashes Into Restaurant

by Ricky Ly

One of Orlando’s most popular cocktail bars, The Moderne, recently made national headlines after a bizarre early-morning incident involving a car crash and an unexpected hero dressed as a banana.

Around 4 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, an SUV crashed through the outdoor patio of the Mills 50 restaurant on East Colonial Drive, destroying tables, chairs, and fencing.

Thankfully, no one was injured, but owner Michael Nguyen estimates the damage could run into the tens of thousands of dollars, with repairs to the custom fence alone potentially costing $30,000 to $50,000.

The unexpected star of the story was Stephanie Oropeza, who was driving home from a Halloween party with her fiancé while still dressed in a full banana costume.

After witnessing the crash, she immediately stopped, called 911, and checked on the driver. Surveillance footage captured the entire scene, and The Moderne shared the video online in hopes of identifying and thanking the mysterious “Banana Hero.”

The footage quickly went viral, attracting national media attention and turning Oropeza into a local celebrity. The restaurant eventually tracked her down and treated her to dinner as a thank-you.

Now The Moderne is paying tribute to its unlikely hero with a brand-new cocktail appropriately named “Call 1-800-Banana.”

Made with rum, banana, vanilla, lime, and baking spices, the cocktail tastes like a boozy take on Bananas Foster — rich, sweet, warmly spiced, and absolutely delicious, turning an unfortunate incident into something positive while celebrating the quick-thinking woman who stopped to help.

The Moderne has reopened for business, although its outdoor patio remains closed for repairs.

Located in Orlando’s Mills 50 District, The Moderne is a stylish cocktail bar and restaurant known for its inventive craft cocktails, Asian-inspired tapas, and Art Moderne-inspired interior. Opened in December 2022, the restaurant combines Southeast Asian and Mediterranean influences with creative dishes such as Korean vodka pasta, duck wontons, Osaka-style pressed sushi, and miso cream noodles. With its glamorous gold accents, intimate atmosphere, and rotating specialty cocktail menu, The Moderne has become a popular destination for date nights, cocktails, and late-night dining in Orlando.

Address: 1241 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 5 PM–1 AM; Friday–Saturday, 5 PM–2 AM

Website: https://www.themodernebar.com/