• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • My Recipes
  • On the Road
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Ask Chef Dennis » Recipes » Norman’s Restaurant – World Class Dining in Orlando

    Norman’s Restaurant – World Class Dining in Orlando

    Published: Apr 12, 2016 · Modified: Apr 19, 2018 by Chef Dennis Littley · 2 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    39 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    Norman’s Restaurant at the beautiful Ritz Carlton in Orlando is slowly taking the culinary world by storm. One delicious bite at a time.

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    Of course I’d heard of Norman Van Aken, but If you love food and haven’t heard of the man, check your pulse. He is legendary in the culinary world and his first restaurant in O-Town is proof of his skill and absolute love for food.

    Of course it doesn’t hurt that Chef Van Aken has assembled a world class team of culinary professionals starting with his Executive Chef Andres Mendoza. Chef Andy’s love of food was quite apparent as we chatted about the restaurant, his childhood in Mexico and his love for food. We had in so much in common, but then again good food brings people together.

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    I was treated like royalty at Norman’s Restaurant and the deliciousness started with their tasting menu’s opening star, Portuguese Octopus. If you’ve never cooked octopus, its really not easy. This octopus was perfect, in texture, taste, and tenderness. Served with a squid ink aioli and an Aji Panca sauce it was a gastronomic delight.

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    Next up from the ala carte menu was “My Down Island French Toast”. This Curacao-Scented Foie Gras with Griddled Brioche and a Savory Passion Fruit Caramel was unbelievable delicious.

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    I felt like I was in Culinary Heaven with each course…..sigh. Next we started with the entrees and they hit it right out of the park with the Anderson Ranch Rack of Lamb, with Mole Verde, Patty Pan Squash and Guava & Tamarind Gastrique. OMG, this was the best lamb I’ve ever had in my life. Marinated for 24 hours then fire grilled to caramelize the outside, it was jaw dropping delicious, not to mention a feast for the eyes.

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    Next was one of my personal favorites Florida Cobia. I do love my Fresh From Florida Seafood and Cobia a wonderful fish you rarely see on menu’s. Chef Andy went all out with this creation, searing the Cobia and presenting it with a Huitlacoche Sponge Cake, Truffle Butter, Truffles and Zucchini Ribbons. The flavors were astounding!

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    I was starting to get a little full from my culinary adventure at Norman’s Restaurant, but I knew dessert was up next and I certainly didn’t want to disappoint my hosts by not finishing my desserts…lol.

    First up was Chef Van Aken’s signature dessert his interpretation of Banana’s Foster. I’ll take two please…..sigh. Beautifully caramelized rhum bananas, with a sticky date cake and a chile jelly with a chocolate sauce and pecan ice cream.

    Norman's Restaurant, Norman Van Aiken, Orlando, Restaurant

    Last but not least was a new addition to the menu making its first appearance with my tasting was Corn Flan. I told Chef Andy he had my blessing to keep this dessert on the menu…. it definitley got the Chef Dennis seal of approval! This dessert was a perfect way to end a perfect meal, a creamy not too sweet corn flan, served with a burnt corn spuma, spicy candied popcorn and a raspberry gel was so flavorful and left me feeling satisfied without the guilt. In my books thats the best kind of dessert to enjoy!

    Food evokes memories and Chef Andy has added his own flair to the cooking at Normans adding love and his experience to the dishes he serves. You will absolutely love the food at Norman’s and make sure to tell Chef Andy that Chef Dennis sent you!

    Go to their website to learn more about Norman’s Restaurant .

    You can find Norman’s located on the Lobby Level of The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes at 4012 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando, FL 32837. Call for reservations at (407) 393- 4333.

    Follow Norman’s on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    « Apple Butter Bourbon Pork Chops with Potatoes and Collards
    Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge »

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katlyn

      July 28, 2017 at 5:09 am

      I would truly enjoy this beautiful report

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        July 29, 2017 at 12:10 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar


    I'm Chef Dennis and Welcome to my Culinary Journey where I share my Restaurant-Style Recipes & Travel Adventures. My goal in sharing my recipes and cooking tips is to make you feel more comfortable in your kitchen, and help you find the joy of cooking! 

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe : Restaurant Style
    • Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • How to make Restaurant-Style Seafood Soup
    • Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe
    • Best Restaurant Style Chicken Salad
    • Cannoli Cream Filling Cake

    Featured In

    logos of all the places chef dennis has been featured

    Popular Posts

    • Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • How to Grill a Steak House Style Ribeye Steak
    • Oven Roasted Rack of Pork – Restaurant Style Dinner

    Most Popular Posts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-style recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact

    © 2009-2022 · Ask Chef Dennis · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Statement

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network