If you asked me “What one thing could you do all day long and not get tired of it?” I would tell you I could look at food photos all day long. It’s what I do on social media and on the rare occasion when I turn on the television. Food Network and The Cooking Channel without a doubt.
Today I’m bringing you food (and cocktail) photos from Orlando’s newest “in resort” restaurant the LakeHouse at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
Guys…don’t be afraid of dining inside a resort…even if they charge for parking. When you come in for a meal, most hotels comp parking. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress will comp your valet when you dine at the LakeHouse.
The majority of my favorite eateries in Central Florida are INSIDE of resorts.
(rant over)
The LakeHouse at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Let’s take a look around at the venue shall we. Your first glimpse of the LakeHouse is gazing down from the top of a large spiral staircase. The space is large, 6,350 square feet to be exact, but the mixed table and booth seating is tucked away into cozy nooks in the center of the space and along the perimeter of the restaurant where large floor to ceiling windows offer sweeping views of Lake Windsong.
The restaurant is divided into four distinct sections (the sunroom, kitchen, dining room and bar) each offering it’s own unique atmosphere.
Craft Cocktails at the LakeHouse
I love a space with a good craft beer, wine and cocktail list! Especially when dining with friends. It’s nice to have the beer drinkers, wine snobs and cocktailers all equally impressed with options. LakeHouse delivers in all beverage categories. We were even presented with a few drink options that my table mates and I dubbed “the secret menu”.
During this dinner, I was part of a group of journalists invited out to sample all that the LakeHouse has to offer. Such a FUN group! (photo cc: Laura Richeson, APR)
Our dining adventure began with the LakeHouse’s signature white wine sangria which is blended with pinot grigio.
After the welcome cocktail we were told to order whatever we wanted from the specialty cocktail menu where drinks were moderately priced at $12 each. My first choice was of course the riff on a Moscow Mule
FUZZY MULE
Absolut Vodka | Fresh Lime Juice | Peach Flavor | Ginger Beer
LAKESIDE BREEZE
Absolut Vodka | Fresh Blueberries | Citron | Strawberries | Mint
Other cocktails I wanted to try, but pacing myself was a requirement, were the Hyatt Grand Fizz (Grey Goose Vodka, St. Germaine, Fresh Lime and Soda), the Italian Job (Evan Williams Single Barrel, Amarno Nonino and Bitters) and the Rainy Summer (Gin, Rose Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice and Soda).
Remember when I mentioned the “secret menu” earlier. Here are two cocktails that our servers brought us on the fly…
This was a GIN MOJITO! I would have never thought to put gin in a mojito but it totally worked!
…and my favorite cocktail of the night…a CUCUMBER GIN MARTINI.
Sushi, Appetizers, Salads, Entrees and Desserts at the LakeHouse
The evening continued on with family style and abbreviated versions of the food offerings at the LakeHouse which were split between me and my table mates.
From the Sushi menu…
I was delighted to see that the venue is still offering sushi. The absence of the sushi bar when I first took a look at the refurbishment made me a little sad until I was reassured that sushi was still available.
The two rolls we sampled were the HRGC Roll $15 (krab salad | avocado | sliced mango | eel sauce) and the Lakehouse Roll $15 (spicy tuna | melted cheese | topped with tuna)
Some of the offerings on the sushi menu include nigiri as well as miso soup, edamame and even chirashi… if you’d like to make a meal out of it.
From the FNB Bites menu…
ALMOND FILLED DATES ($9)
Wrapped in Bacon
MALDON SEA SALT PRETZEL BITES ($8)
Horseradish Mustard | Beer Cheese Fondue
From the Appetizers menu…
GRILLED SHRIMP COCKTAIL ($13)
Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce | Shaved Horseradish | Sliced Cucumbers
From the lunchtime Soup & Salad Menu…
CITRUS SALAD ($10)
Sliced Oranges | Arugula | Fresh Ricotta Salata | Red Onion | Garden Mint | White balsamic Vinaigrette
SHRIMP AND GRITS ($28)
Passion Fruit BBQ Sauce | Turnpike Mills Cheese Grits
SEA BASS ($29)
Citrus Butter Sauce | Spiced Kale | Lemon Grass Orzo | Red Pepper Julienne
From the Steaks & Chops menu…
FILET MIGNON ($32)
Herb Bread Pudding | Port Wine Sauce | Beech Mushrooms | Asparagus
From the Desserts menu…
HOT ROASTED APPLE TART ($8)
Fire Roasted Apples | Crispy Flaky Crust | Almond Filling | House Churned Vanilla Bourbon Ice Cream
Keep in mind that the images above are all tasting portions as part of the press event. Your entrees will be heartier portion sizes. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT skip out on ordering this dessert. It is “life-changing”.
A huge nod to LakeHouse Executive Chef David Didzunas for taking us on this culinary journey.
For a look at the breakfast, lunch, dinner and small plates menus visit the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress website.
For a look inside the rooms and the grotto pool at this resort visit this post – Theme Parks By Day and Luxury at Night
For a look at sister restaurant Hemingway’s visit this post – Review at Hemingway’s
To see what the LakeHouse used to look like visit this post – Cascade American Bistro Dinner Review
Here’s a side-by-side before and after shot.
Special thanks goes out to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for hosting me at this dinner. I was not required to write this post and all opinions are my own.
LakeHouse
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
One Grand Cypress Blvd
Orlando, Florida, 32836
Reservations: 407-239-4240
GrandCypress.com
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