Last week, I had the pleasure of dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park with two of the best chefs from Grande Lakes Orlando.  Although Orlando is a destination where one expects to be subjected to not-so-great food, Chef Sean Woods and Chef Mark Beaupre (from The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando- home of Norman’s and Melissa Kelly’s Primo) are big proponents of farm-to-fork and have tons to share about the ‘100 mile’ menus.

We enjoyed a delicious spread of appetizers, compliments of the chef: Mixed Green Salad, Crab Cakes and Fresh Tomato & Mozzarella

I dined on a lobster salad, which was remarkable and I was at a loss of words when I finished this meal.  The lobster was incredibly succulent and the warm tender vegetables were perfectly blanched to my liking.

A big thank you to Jason for inviting me to this delectable lunch soiree.  It truly was an enjoyable afternoon filled with tasty Ritz Carlton food and unique conversation revolving around The Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott at Grande Lakes Orlando; the cuisine, spas and resorts, all of which sound like the perfect get-away, especially with the chilly winter season upon us.  I am incredibly eager to jump on a plane and visit this magnificent resort in Orlando.

More to come…stay tuned as I blog about the (other) magical side of Orlando…where you will be pampered through every aspect of your stay…from the golfing to the spa, Grade Lakes offers a vast array of services for everyone.  Who knows, you may just get an inkling to jump on a plane and treat yourself to a decadent get-away.  Perhaps I’ll see you down there…basking in the sunshine and soaking up the farm-to-fork cuisine, spa treatments and countless other relaxing offerings.  You’ll think twice about where you are…Orlando? Yes, Orlando can be paradise…there is a world outside of Disney…and it surely is magical.