It takes a lot for a restaurant to meet the strict criteria we have for “fine dining” and once we stepped through the grand opening at Norman’s Restaurant located at the Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, it was easy to see why fine dining comes easy and each meal is served to perfection.

As you step into this dining bliss you will have the chance to see why Norman’s will have you telling all of your friends about the best dining experience that Orlando has been buzzing about.

If you want to experience a taste of fine Florida dining, this is the way to go. Norman’s under direction of Award Winning chef Norman Van Aken, who is a James Beard Foundation honoree who established himself with Norman's in Miami. The food at his Orlando location carries not only the same name but the same quality.

Norman’s is a warmly designed 135-seat space and is very much in the spirit of his Miami restaurant.  The New World cuisine menu selections will have guests hopping from one country to the next, all without leaving the hotel. If the evening temperatures and weather is right, Normans also has a stunning seating arrangement outside for up to 60 and again this is some of the most desired seating from early Spring until the early part of Summer.

After you have picked your seat, which we recommend calling ahead for the best view as many dining at Norman’s will want to view the sensational sunsets from their large bay windows that overlook the Grande Lakes.

Not only did the service at Norman’s match the quality of the food, but the selection of entrees will allow you to take a taste journey that is like no other. Norman’s menu will challenge you to try something new, as the next time you return for more, the same item probably will not even be available, as they keep it creative and fresh by changing the menu daily.

For starters, we recommend the Coconut-Yuca Soup. This is truly a Florida menu item. The Spiny Lobster, Truffled Mojo and Mint Pineapple Mousse make this most unbelievable combination we have tasted anywhere. After the fresh taste of coconut strikes your mouth and you bite into the lobster and finish it with a bite of the mousse from the middle of the bowl it will seem like your entrée and dessert have been combined all in one bite.

The next item you will want to taste is from the First Plates and Salads is the Prime Beef Tartare.  When you top this dish with Nicoise Olives and a Fried Quail Egg, the word flavorful is comes right along with every bite. The quail egg is placed on top with such precision; it is a piece of work.
Normans like many restaurants in Florida, Normans offers a little Florida flare in their menu, but we most admired the “Copperwell” Wahoo and the LaBelle Farm Squab.

The Wahoo is an amazing piece of fish and certainly deserves our Piscasso award for food turned into artwork.  Most of the masterpieces have been created by Chef Clayton Miller, who we had a chance to see at work in the kitchen and with his staff, precision is a must and each menu item shows he love food great food done right.

If you like the idea of tasting something that you might only find at Normans, then opt for the Squab. We stepped inside of the kitchen to see what made this masterpiece. Chef Miller prepared it with precise detail; you could call him an artist with this dish that combines Cardamom Sweet Potato along with Truffled Parsley and Sauce Salmis. For those who are not familiar with Squab, here is the definition of a great item. (Squab-- A young (about 4 weeks old) domesticated pigeon that has never flown and is therefore extremely tender. It was a popular special-occasion dish in Victorian England. Squabs usually weigh 1 pound or less and have delicately flavored dark meat. Fresh squab is available throughout the summer months (year-round in some regions) in gourmet markets. Frozen squab is marketed year-round. Even the definition of this item says unique.)

Take the Crawford Farm Roasted Pork and enjoy the Spiced Pumpkin, Grilled Scallions and Raisin Chutney that again offers your taste buds something new and unexpected. This was one of the highlights of our dinner. The pork is well worth the $42 menu price. The spiced pumpkin takes away the normally dull flavor some pork dishes offer.

No one will want to leave the restaurant without trying one of their six award winning desserts. The Strawberry Consommé is perfect finish to a great evening.  This is the most unique dessert we have sampled at any restaurant. Unlike some restaurants who think dessert needs to be overwhelmingly filling, the Strawberry Confit with Chocolate Crumble and Champagne Sorbet are light and enjoyable with every bite. This could even pass as a drink in a bowl, as the strawberry consistency from this dessert is so desirable you will want to pick up the bowl and drink away. Why we don’t recommend drinking it in the restaurant, it was just that good.

If you like sorbets and ice creams, Norman’s again captures the Florida flavor with Banana and Coconut sorbets along with Rhum ice cream.
Entrees start at $32 and the most expensive for this evening for the Grilled Veal Chop at $46. A four-course menu that features Mr. Van Aken's signature dishes are available in a tasting menu format for $80, wine not included. You can purchase a wine flight for $40 to accompany the tasting menu. If you like wine and want to enjoy a glass with the sunset, Norman’s offers 10,000 different bottle selections, centered in the restaurant perfectly for you not to miss having a glass or two during the evening.

Norman’s Orlando is located at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is located at 4012 Central Parkway.  The restaurant is open for dinner; Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m.

The Salon, showcasing specialty cocktails and dishes from Van Aken’s repertoire, is open Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until closing.  Telephone: 407-393-4333