The change in season is finally upon us, and because the weather doesn’t change much here in Central Florida, that means new food and drinks! On Nov. 15, Marlow’s Tavern released its seasonal menu featuring sensational new dishes and beverages to keep guests captivated. The American-tavern-style restaurant presented a new “For the Table” section of small plates and appetizers, as well as tasty new cocktails to update some of the classics.
“We are extremely excited about our new additions,” said Marlow’s executive chef, CEO and co-founder John C. Metz. “We’re always striving to push the envelope with unique, creative items. We believe we’ve done just that with a great selection of fun dishes and drinks our guests will enjoy, filled with the terrific flavor and quality ingredients they’ve come to associate with Marlow’s.”
To kick off the evening, I was introduced to two new snacks on the menu.
Snacks:
Oh Nuts! ($3.50) – Cashew, Pecan, Almond, Filbert (Hazelnut), Peanut, Candied, Rosemary & Caribbean Spice
These nuts have a caramelized and candied coating, which is great! The notes of rosemary nicely break up the standard taste of the blend of nuts. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty and raises the standards of a simple snack.
Marinated Olives ($3) – Cold Pressed Olive Oil, Lemon, Rosemary
As a huge olive fan, I might be biased, but they are always so tasty! This snack is essentially classic Greek olives with pits, so don’t bite down too hard! I really enjoyed how light they were and could’ve eaten so many more. I had to restrain myself.
As a last-minute addition to my tasting, I was introduced to a new menu item that Metz is most excited about. Meet three new starters/shareables that provide an upscale take on a classic flatbread.
Toasts:
Fig and Bacon ($6) – Toasty Rosemary Ciabatta, Whipped Ricotta, Black Mission Figs, Caramelized Onion, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Balsamic Glaze
A nice option for those bacon lovers, but the fig threw me off a bit. I’m not a huge fig fan, but it’s still quite tasty. The balsamic glaze added a delicate touch, too.
Artichoke and Arugula ($5) –Toasty Rosemary Ciabatta, Whipped Ricotta, Artichoke, Baby Arugula, Balsamic, Lemonette
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try this flavor, but it seemed to be a crowd favorite. One of the two meatless options for those of you who prefer that.
Roast Tomato ($4) – Toasty Rosemary Ciabatta, Whipped Ricotta, Pomodoro Sauce, Parmesan, Parslied Olive Oil
This is a fancy take on a cheese flatbread. I actually enjoyed this one the most as it escalated the flavor of a classic cheese pizza. It was drizzled in a flavorful olive oil, which was a nice addition to the plate.
Now on to the drinks! I started off with a glass of Riesling as it was recommended by my server, and it was delicious! I prefer my wines to be a bit sweeter and not dry. Dr. L’s Riesling fit the criteria perfectly! This isn’t a new addition to the menu, but it’s definitely worth trying for those who have a similar wine preference as mine. The new adult beverages include:
The Vesper Classique – American Harvest Vodka, St. George Botanivore Gin, Cocchi Americano and Fee Brothers Peach Bitters
This drink was inspired by the James Bond character. It’s a tad strong with a slight bitterness. Wish the peach flavor was more noticeable. Overall, the martini wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t order a full drink.
Prickly Pear Margarita – Herradura Reposado Tequila, Western Son’s Prickly Pear Liqueur, Patron Citronge, House Made Sour, Sriracha Salt on Rim
This was a great treat! A semi-sweet drink with a nice kick of heat to balance it out along the rim. The sriracha salt was the highlight, and I wish I had a lot more along the rim of my glass. Out of the new drinks added to the menu, this margarita was my favorite option.
The Daiquiri – Bacardi Light, Fresh Squeeze of Lime
“Put the Lime in the Coconut”
A refreshingly light drink with a very faint hint of coconut (bummer for my coconut-obsessed self). This would be nice on a hot summer day for those who don’t enjoy the sweeter pinã coladas.
To wrap up the new menu tasting, I sampled some of the new entrees that are tavern favorites.
Seared Diver Scallops ($23) – Simply Seasoned and Perfectly Seared, Carrot Purée, Roasted Parsnip, Bacon and Sweet Pea Hash, Roasted Tomato Fondue, Parslied Olive Oil
Wow, now this was extremely delicious! All of the tastes paired so perfectly and just melted in my mouth. This is something I’m ready to eat a whole dish of. I’d definitely recommend it! The olive oil added a nice break up to the slightly sweet carrot purée, and the bacon paired perfectly with the delicate sweet pea hash. Let’s just say I’ve been dreaming about this dish since I’ve tried it, and I can’t wait to enjoy it again…hopefully very soon! Hands down, the best dish that was offered in the new menu tasting.
Steak Frites ($24) – Bavette Steak (The Butcher’s Favorite), Tiny Green Beans, Steak House Fries, Roasted Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Peppered Gravy
This dish was very tasty. The onion pepper gravy is the most flavorful component, and I wish there was more. The meat was tender and juicy and seasoned nicely, not too overpowering. I’m usually not a huge steak house fry fan as they are typically not well seasoned and dry. These fries are lightly salted and taste great paired with the gravy.
Grilled Chicken Stack ($15.50) – Prestige Farms Chicken, Roasted Mushrooms, Fingerling Potatoes, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Green Beans, Roasted Chicken Glacé, Fine Herbs, Parslied Olive Oil
This is the dish for those who are looking for a healthier option. The mushrooms and tomatoes had a nice flavor to them, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the lightly seasoned grilled chicken, which seemed a little dry. The chicken glacé, fine herbs and parslied olive oil had the most flavor out of the entirety of the dish, but I wouldn’t consider ordering this out of all of the other delicious and mouthwatering options Marlow’s offers.
Ready to delve into the new flavors of Marlow’s Tavern? Visit the closest location to the Nonahood in the new Lee Vista Promenade.
