Norman’s is an upscale restaurant located in The Ritz Carlton in Orlando Florida. The Atmosphere is opulent and formal with high ceilings, lots of natural stone and impressive wine refrigeration curios in the formal dining room.

Norman’s Executive Chef is Multi Award Wining and James Bead Award Wining Celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken who also is a decorated cookbook author. The Restaurant serves a fusion of Latin, Caribbean and Asian foods done in European Style.

Bread service is stellar like no other.

They offer you your choice of maybe a half dozen different oils with descriptions, herbs, butter, choice of salts and fresh baked ciabatta and mushroom brioche breads.

I started with the Masa Crusted Tuna with Salsa Verde, Jicama and Salmon Roe.

Parts of this dish are stunning………I don’t know if this is by design or not….The actual fish lacks salt and pepper.  The sauce is delicious.  Pops of very sharp pickled onion cut threw and wake you up.

My husband started with the Pan Seared Annatto Sea Scallops with White Grits, Chanterelles and Orange Butter Sauce.

I heard this was amazing as it sounds.

Dinner for me was the Pan Cooked Grouper in Ramp Sofrito with Sweet Potato Agnolotti, Romanesco, Morita-Tomatillo Salsa.

Grouper could have used some salt and pepper but was prepared mostly perfect in a well made tasty sauce. The fancy cauliflower (romanesco) was only ever so slightly cooked. Extra sharp pickled onions add lots of acid to the plate. BUT THE SWEET POTATO AGNOLOTTI WERE ABSOLUTELY TO DIE FOR………They were so small but bursting with so many delicious flavors. So many flavors….My husband and me both wished we could have a plate of them…..WOW they were really great!

My husband had the Pork Havana with Smokey Plantain Crema, 21 Century Mole and Golden Grits.

The Pork was prepared tender and medium. It also lacked salt and pepper but sat in well made delicious sauces that you were suppose to mix together. Grits were natural and flavorful.

Instead of dessert we went for a cheese plate.

Here comes the cart.

We went for the Stinky Blue Cheese and a Truffle Cheese.

We ended dinner a little cheesy but it was delicious!

That was my trip to Norman’s at The Ritz Carlton in Orlando Florida

www.Normans.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.