Grande Lakes Orlando has debuted a new Green Menu, focused on locally-sourced, clean, and vibrant cuisine.
The 500-acre luxury resort anchored by The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is home to the renowned Knife & Spoon restaurant led by Chef John Tesar.
Knife & Spoon, the resort’s signature steak and seafood restaurant, was recently awarded the One MICHELIN Star consecutively in Florida’s prestigious MICHELIN Guide for both 2022 and 2023.
Knife & Spoon’s first Green Menu was curated by Tyler Kineman, Chef De Cuisine, and Julian Silvera, Sous Chef, who worked closely together to create a simple yet flavorful menu using fresh and clean ingredients from local farms and businesses, providing local ties behind the flavors of each dish. The Green Menu includes unique dishes such as Cured Local Catch with Miso Sand, Ocean Vegetables and Sea Foam; a Dayboat Catch with Aji Broth, Charred Corn Puree and Frog Song Vegetables; and a Mille-Feuille with Peaches, Caramelized Honey Phyllo, Vanilla Cream, along with several other curated dishes.
However, the Green Menu isn’t merely a culinary exploration. It’s a conscientious effort to promote sustainability and bolster local businesses. Beyond tantalizing your taste buds, this initiative aligns with principles of reducing food waste, embracing resourcefulness, and championing local flavors.
The Green Menu at Knife & Spoon includes:
Cured Local Catch
Miso Sand, Ocean Vegetables, Sea Foam
Garden Salad
Regenative Vinegar | Seasonal Vegtables
Seasonal Vegetables
Pistachio Puree, House pickles & ferments
Dayboat Catch
Aji Broth | Charred Corn Puree
Frog Song Vegetables
Mille-Feuille
Peaches | Camerlized Honey Phillo
Vanilla Cream
Tyler Kineman, Chef De Cuisine at Knife & Spoon tells us, “At the heart of the new Green menu lies a deep appreciation for the local farms in Florida, whose dedication and hard work provide us with an abundant array of fresh and vibrant ingredients.”
“These farms are the true heroes behind the flavors that grace your plate, and we extend our sincere gratitude to each and every one of them. One of the pillars of our sustainable culinary philosophy is the art of fermentation. By harnessing the natural processes of fermentation, we transform surplus fruits and vegetables into delightful vinegars that add complexity and character to our dishes.
This approach not only celebrates the incredible flavors of the region but also minimizes food waste and showcases our resourcefulness in repurposing ingredients. We also pay homage to the age-old tradition of fermentation by crafting garums from leftover meats and fish. Through this meticulous process, we unlock the umami potential of these ingredients, resulting in rich and savory flavors that elevate our culinary creations.
By utilizing every part of the animal and minimizing waste, we embrace a more sustainable approach to gastronomy.”
“As you embark on this culinary journey with us, we invite you to savor the flavors and appreciate the thoughtfulness behind each dish.
By choosing to dine with us, you contribute to a sustainable food ecosystem that supports local farms, minimizes waste, and celebrates the extraordinary flavors of our region.”
The Knife & Spoon team worked with the following local businesses for the Green Menu:
- Florida Classics —Dundee, FL
- Frog Song Organic Farms – Hawthorne, FL
- Grande Lakes Bakery —Grande Lakes, Orlando, FL
- Harpke Farms —Davie, FL
- Hawthorne Creek Creamery —Hawthorne, FL
- Indian River Oyster Company —New Smyrna, FL
- Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company —Orlando, FL
- J.F. Haden’s Craft Liqueurs —Miami, FL
- Lake Meadows Farm —Ocoee, FL
- Mack Farms —Lake Wales, FL
- Mick Farms —St Cloud, FL
- Play of Sunlight —Tallahassee, FL
- Simple Seafood by Kelly —New Smyrna, FL
- Suncreek Brewery —Clermont, FL
- Sutton Milk —Okeechobee, FL
- The Villages —The Villages, FL
- Whisper Creek Farm —Grande Lakes, Orlando, FL
- Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery —Cape Coral, FL
Photos Courtesy: Grande Lakes Orlando
The Green Menu is available at $135 per person, with an optional $75 upgrade for beverage pairings, which include house made meads and kombucha.
For dining reservations, please visit www.knifeandspoonrc.com
For more information about Grande Lakes Orlando, please visit www.grandelakes.com.
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About Grande Lakes Orlando
Hidden in the heart of Orlando, Grande Lakes Orlando sits on 500 lush acres at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. The resort features a 582-room Ritz-Carlton, 1,010-room JW Marriott hotel, the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton spa as well as three picture-perfect pools. The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Tennis Club, which hosts the PNC Championship, includes an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course. A dozen celebrated dining venues throughout include Knife & Spoon, a steak and seafood restaurant led by award-winning chef John Tesar, and Primo, Mediterranean/Italian fare by multiple James Beard award-winning chef Melissa Kelly, a leader in the farm-to-fork movement. Grand Lakes Orlando restaurants source fresh ingredients from Whisper Creek Farm, an on-property 18,000-square-foot working farm, as well as on-site apiaries. The resort features a wide array of additional activities: kayaking, eco-tours on Shingle Creek, falconry, mountain biking and fishing school. Conference and meeting attendees have their pick of meeting space options located across 150,000 square feet plus more than 100,000 square feet of outdoor space. Grande Lakes is located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, five minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and minutes from the major theme parks.
Follow Grande Lakes Orlando @grandelakesorlando on Instagram and grandelakesorlando on Facebook. Also, The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott on Twitter @RC_Orlando and @JW_Orlando, Instagram @ritzcarltonorlando and @jwmorlando and Facebook ritzcarltonorlando and jwmarriottorlando.
For more information, visit www.grandelakes.com.
