Norman's Orlando

After years of anticipation, Norman's Orlando has finally opened on Sandlake.

We had dinner there this evening and it was an elegant and delicious experience. 

Norman's 3.0 is located in the Dellagio Plaza on Sandlake Road. 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.normans.com/

They have a bar, patio and the main dining room. The decor is stylish and the service is formal. Our server was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable.

We started with some bread rolls, served with butter and salt and pepper. I wasn't really sure what the intention was with the salt and pepper so I just sprinkled it on the butter after I spread it. These rolls had a unique texture. 

We started with a seafood appetizer Shrimp Ceviche with the salsa of life and cucumbers, this was tangy.

Next up was my favorite of the meal...

Brazilian styled Shrimp & Mussel chowder $20 - made with saffron, orange, star anise in coconut milk. This was very tangy and so delicious I could have easily ate another full bowl. This seems to be chef Norman's twist on Moqueca

For my entree I had the scallop dish.

Seared Diver Harvested Sea Scallops over fermented black bean sauce. Served with tortellini filled with a very creamy cheese.

As you can see the scallops were seared perfectly. The sauce with black beans which was a unique choice. 

The tortellini was filled with boniato and queso fresco. I had never heard of boniato, but apparently it's a relative of the yam and it's popular in South Florida where chef Norman has a lot of history. Boniato

My dining companion opted for the fish entree. Pan-cooked fillet of Key West Yellowtail Snapper - served with Swiss chard and garlicky mashed potatoes and citrus butter.  $39

We finished with a decadent dessert. 

Dedo de Chocolate (chocolate finger) - Chipotle chocolate mousse salted butter caramel, macadamia bark, chocolate sorbet - $13

This was quite rich and delicious.

Overall dinner was excellent and we will definitely be returning. 

Here is the menu from the night we went, they will possibly change the menu on a regular basis so don't expect to see all the exact same items. Since my visit they have added an adobo pork dish. What will you choose?

Dessert Menu 

Additionally they have a separate menu at the bar.

Bar Menu

Patio

Wine Cellar

Norman's Orlando

(321) 754-1025

Reservations strongly suggested

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uYnA4XVS3VvJ2PY19

Additionally I would suggest reading chef Norman's autobiography. I'm really enjoying it.

No Experience Necessary: The Culinary Odyssey of Chef Norman Van Aken

This is also worth a listen.

Getting the Band Back Together with Norman Van Aken of Orlando, Florida’s Norman’s Restaurant (An Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation)

Lombardi's Seafood Market and Cafe

Lombardi's in Winter Park has been around a long time as a seafood market. Initially a wholesaler they now sell to the public and now have a Cafe. They are located on Fairbanks in Winter Park just west of 17-92.

Cafe Hours
Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Here is one of their recent menus

Starters

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HOUSE SMOKED FISH DIP

It's fresh. It's smoked. It's a Florida must have. Served with crackers, carrots, celery, jalapenos and pickles - 6.98

PEEL & EAT SHRIMP

3/4 Pound of large Shrimp. Steamed with Old Bay .Served with drawn butter and Old Bay. - 9.98

CRISPY CALAMARI

½ pound Flash fried calamari and pepperocini served with basil aioli and lemon - 7.98

HOUSE MADE CRAB CAKES

Taste of Maryland. Two Maryland style lump crabmeat crab cakes served over lightly dressed salad - 8.98

SWEET CORN FRITTERS

Lombardi family recipe. It's what Grandma used to make - 4.98

Soups

Pint - 4.98 | Quart - 8.98

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Cream Of Mushroom

Lobster Bisque

New England Clam Chowder

We have our fresh homemade soups ready for you to take home and heat later in our retail case.

Lil' Mates

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popcorn shrimp

5.98

cheese quesadilla

4.98

chicken fingers

5.98

House Specialties

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FRESH FLORIDA GROUPER SANDWICH

It's Caught on our boat, F/V Fishmonger off of Fort Myers Beach. Doesn't get any Fresher. Grill it, Blacken it or Fry it. It's Local - 15.98

NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER ROLL

A New England classic. Fresh Maine Lobster, cooked to perfection and lightly tossed in our house made dressing, served on a fresh grilled roll - 15.98

FRESH FISH TACOS (3)

Lightly blackened fresh fish served with citrus slaw, cilantro and sriracha mayo on flour or corn tortilla - 8.98

WHOLE FRIED SNAPPER

Fresh Whole Snapper. It's fresh, lightly seasoned and fried. Want it pan seared? No problem! Served On A Bed Of Greens - 14.98

Steamer Baskets

Steamer baskets served with regular drawn butter or Frank's hot sauce butter.

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Single Items Baskets

½ lb

1 lb

Shrimp with Old Bay

7.98

12.98

Snow Crab

7.98

13.98

Middleneck Clams (1 dz)

8.98

Baskets

Choose from list below or Mix & Match; fried, blackened or grilled
Choose a basket or atop a salad
Choose 2 half portions for higher priced item.

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Fish of the Day 9.98

Fish & Chips 9.98

Native™ Salmon 10.98

Rainbow Trout 10.98

Grouper 15.98

Fried Clam Strips 8.98

Crab Cake 8.98

Sea Scallops 12.98

Fried Oysters 12.98

Shrimp 12.98

Baskets

Served with fries, hushpuppies
and coleslaw.

SALADS

Choose from House
or Caesar.

Fish of the Day

---

Mullet

9.98

Special of the Day

16.99

1 pound lobster served with steamed garlic potatoes and a beer

Sandwiches

Served with fries, coleslaw, lettuce & tomato on brioche bun.

---

Fish of the Day 9.98

Grouper 15.98

Chicken 6.98

Po Boys

Topped with a signature Po Boy sauce. Served with fries, coleslaw, lettuce & tomato

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Fish of the Day 9.98

Shrimp 9.98

Oyster 12.98

Clam Strip 7.98

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/lombardis_seafood/

They even have their own Lombardi's App!
http://www.lombardis.com/download/
 

Lobster Ceviche From Luke's Maitland

Lobster Louie Ceviche from Luke's Maitland

Great tangy flavor.

Sushi Pop

Went to dinner last night at Sushi Pop Oviedo, had a lot of different items. Salmon Belly, Bluefin Tuna, Buffalo Rock Shrimp. Here are a few photos. Great as always.  

Tasmanian Trout with chives and bourbon barrel maple syrup.

Korean Fried Chicken Wings

Salmon Belly - Blood orange ponzu, sesame seeds, radish, olive oil, kaiwari, fried pickled shitake mushrooms, lemon grass xo on Himalayan salt

Blu on the Avenue

Here are some pics from a recent meal at Blu on the Avenue in Winter Park.

 Kale Salad, was good, the red onions were a bit strong and dominated the flavor. The goat cheese was good, I wish there was more cheese though. The pecans were nice.

 Salmon with Farro. The Farro was very mild but a nice complement to the Salmon which was rich and sweet and had a great crisp crust on the bottom. I never could figure out what that green stuff on the side was, it didn't have any flavor. I'd get this again but $28 the price is a bit high.

These were what we got when we ordered roasted vegetables, they weren't bad. 

Lobster Grilled cheese, nice crust on the bread, there was a good amount of lobster but the cheese they chose didn't complement it well.

Overall I like Blu on the avenue a lot but if you go on the weekends expect it to be very loud and crowded. They also have a lot of creative dishes and sushi.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/blu-on-the-avenue-winter-park


326 S Park Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789

(407) 960-3778

bluontheavenue.com

Nova Scratch Kitchen Orlando

Nova Scratch Kitchen has opened on the Corner of Orange Ave and Virginia, in the space formerly occupied by Brian's restaurant. They are next to Ski World and just down the street from The Lucky Lure.

1409 N Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32804
Get Directions  
Phone number (407) 745-4080 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nova_orlando/

I visited a few days after their opening and found the decor and staff to be very pleasant. This is not the diner that Brian's used to be, this is a nicer restaurant with quality dishes and an experienced and talented chef.

They also have a bar near the entrance and had a nice list of craft cocktails.

Menu

Crab Cakes

Corn Chowder

Fish Duo, Pan Roasted American Red Snapper/ Mojo Snapper Ceviche/ Herb Gremolata

Short Rib Burger with Duck Fat Fries

Side Order of Wilted Spinach

Side Order of Chick Pea Salad with Feta, Olives, peppers

The menu will be expanding soon, but it already looks good. Looking forward to trying more of it. My meal was great.