So you think you’ve hit up every food spot in Lake Nona? Think again. This month, we tasked ourselves with finding lesser known, or completely hidden in plain view, sources of dining. We were very surprised at how many hidden locations we actually have in our area and their level of quality. It may seem a bit odd or extreme to have to go through security gates, or visit hospitals for food, but that’s exactly what we did, and we loved it! Hopefully, our readers will finish this article with one of these local hidden gems on their food agenda.
So, we had very low expectations when heading into our first stop. The word “cafeteria” doesn’t exactly bring out a Pavlovian response in many people. A two-minute drive to Nemours Children’s Hospital and a quick stop at the security desk, and we had arrived. This was vastly different than any cafeteria we’ve ever been to. There was a huge variety of food to choose from. Sushi, pizza, Latin, pasta, sweets and lots more. If you can’t find something here, then you’re too picky. The prices were great as well. We had enough food to easily feed four people for around $30.
The cafeteria has variety and price, but how about the real test…taste and quality? Admittedly, we were expecting to need to grade this stop on a curve, being in a hospital cafeteria. We expected wrong. The food was fresh, and several selections were made a la minute. While this stop might not be a great spot for a dinner date, it’s perfect for a quick lunch close to home. Rumor has it that the VA hospital also has some pretty good food, but everything was shut down by the time we arrived. Maybe next time…
Just across the street from Lake Nona lies the gated golf community of Eagle Creek. A quick stop at the guard shack, and you can head right in for dinner at this country club restaurant. We sat at the bar and ordered one item for three people. The Chairman’s Ultimate Burger: two patties, cheddar blue cheese, mushrooms, caramelized onions, jalapenos, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion. This thing was daunting. We felt it better to throw in the towel after half the burger as there were more stops to make. If you’re not feeling up to this challenge, head in on Monday’s for $6 burger night.
Next stop, Lake Nona Deli and Market. As we head into the gated VillageWalk community, we once again found the need to produce an ID to get by security. We’ve had delivery pizza (which is arguably one of the best pizzas in town) from Lake Nona Deli and Market several times but haven’t actually been to the store itself. We kind of just assumed that when we ordered food, the sleeping pizza builder got awoken from slumber to make and send out our delicious pie. We were wrong. The menu here is fairly simple, but the food is quality and the staff is very friendly. Pizzas, pastas, and deli sandwiches are accompanied by a fairly good beer selection and several flavors of ice cream. You can also get gas outside, and some food, snacks and supplies in the market shop.
Ever had a craving for 3 p.m. froyo accompanied by all the toppings? Our next stop is the answer. Swirl World. Located in the RaceTrac on Narcoossee, you can find a hidden froyo shop. This gas station has everything you could need, several flavors of frosty goodness and an accompanying buffet of toppings. All for purchase by the ounce. This was a perfect afternoon respite on our journey.
Our last stop was the highlight of the excursion. We’ve known that Hemisphere is located in the MCO Hyatt but always figured it wouldn’t be worth going through the airport security and congestion for a bite to eat. We were wrong. It was less than 10 minutes from Laureate Park, and valet parking was free at the hotel. A far shorter and easier trip than was expected, no security, no hassle. The space inside the restaurant was beautiful, highlighted by two-story windows looking over the MCO runways from high above. It would be the perfect start to any date night. The commotion of the airport all but faded away. The dinner menu is built for sharing. The offerings were focused and featured a diverse selection of local, seasonal ingredients. The first dish we sampled was easily the best: crawfish chowder. It has been a part of the menu for 20-plus years and for a good reason. Creamy, bright and with just enough spice to wake the palate. Don’t miss this.
Grass-fed bone marrow, avocado toast (we know, it’s a cliche at this point, but it’s still darn tasty), tempura veggies and burrata mozzarella hit the table next. One would have to nitpick to find flaws with the food. The only real complaint was that the burrata needed salt to finish. Everything else was spot on. The last plate to land was a palmetto creek pork chop with creamy polenta and cherries. Great char and cooked to a perfect medium, another winner. My only regret from Hemisphere was that we were short on time and skipped dessert. We highly recommend making this part of your next evening out. Whether it be a stop on the way to downtown Orlando or you are just looking for a great restaurant for a fancy dinner, this should be on your list.
There you have it, all of James Bond’s favorite restaurants in the Lake Nona area that have been secretly serving up great food and drinks all along. These aren’t quite speakeasies, but there’s something to love about any lesser-known spot. We challenge you to try them all; just don’t forget to bring your ID.
