Hillstone in Winter Park, Florida brings culinary delight to lakeside setting
Many don’t realize just how much lakes play a role in Central Florida. Step away from the hustle of the themed attractions and slip into a culinary delight just outside of the Orlando tourism zone and discover the lakeside haven of Hillstone in Winter Park, Florida. Offering up a range of flavors so fresh you’re certain at times you’re standing in the on-site garden, this is a must-try for anyone living in or visiting the area.
We have already shared our review of Hillstone, but we cannot only give one nod of the palate to this delight. Here then are images of our meal, including a range of delicious offerings. ** We were their guest and as such, provided with a number of items to try. Here they are, in all the yummy glory…
All photos are copyright Rori Paul and taken with permission of Hillstone.
For more on Hillstone and other Florida dining, check out Rori Travels Florida food section: Travelers Taste Of
I am not a seafood fan and only since coming to Florida and trying fresh
seafood have I enjoyed it.
These stone crabs at Hillstone were so tempting and delicious
I had to have a second bite! Never had stone crab before, so
surprised at the hardness of the shell, but they crack it
for you and all you have to do is pull it out, dip and eat.
Yum! The creamy dip only adds to the yum-factor.
Do not tell my family but I LOVED these deviled eggs.
There is something in there we couldn’t figure out -
a light crunch – that made them oh-so-darn-good.
This Cesar Salad with rock shrimp was so amazing.
The fresh greens were perfectly topped with
dressing that was an ideal combination of flavors,
Add in the rock shrimp for a hot-cold combo that
I do not often like, a shrimp so tasty and fun that
it literally popped in your mouth, and you
have something Laura still talks about a number of times a week.
The funny thing about my job is how I have to try things
I’ve not traditionally liked in the past. The fun thing is that my palate is expanding
to new levels of delight. This Waldorf Salad was something I would have
skipped in the past. No more. Yum. The flavors are each so individually
fresh and delightful, but in a move that still surprises me, I’ve come
to find that when done very well, I now love flavors that blend.
The key is “done well” with each flavor remaining strong and secure on
its own, while blending smoothly and richly with the others.
This Waldorf Salad is a perfect example.
The house-made veggie burger will be a great
friend to those who go veggie. Laura loved it.
I’m not one who is all that into the vegan life, just ask
our sweet and wonderful friend Catrell of Cooney World
Adventures and the Healthy Happy Traveler, but she has
introduced me to some things, and this burger is one that
got my attention. No, I’m not going to order again – remember, not into
that stuff – but it is one that Laura adored and others who live such a
lifestyle are sure to find suits their needs nicely.
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVED the
Famous French Dip. I want Hillstone to be where we
go for my birthday dinner and this
will very much be my meal of choice!
The fries were yummy and I’m going to have a heck of a time
deciding between the fries and the couscous.
There is only one way to describe the couscous:
DELICIOUS!
Right on-site is a garden used for raising fresh herbs and veggies.
Local growers too provide items for the menu.
I come from a farm family and have actually eaten fresh
tomatoes in the garden, right off the vine.
These tasted that exact way – that exact level of freshness.
The light oil on top only enhanced the flavors…
Rotisserie Chicken, organic and fresh, with a sauce
the lingers on the palate – all in a good way -
means a treat that even the most picky diner will enjoy.
Most any Florida menu will include a key lime pie and
while I was allowed a bite (Thank You, Laura) Laura
devoured this! Yep, amazingly tasty and amazingly memorable.
Join me: yum, yum, yum, yum… yum, yum, yum, yum…
This banana pie was mine – all mine. Ok, I let Laura have a few bites.
Talking about amazing. You know how most of the time banana pies
taste like the banana was dead and buried when used?
This was SO not like that. The banana was a perfect age, the cream
fresh and oh so wonderfully bad for you (never), the chocolate chunks
and crumbly crust a perfect balance to the flavors… YUM!
