Highball & Harvest is a farm to table restaurant located inside The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. They serve Southern inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, including some herbs and plants grown at their onsite farm, Whisper Creek. I find it impressive for any restaurant to be able to do this, as it is a huge Earth-friendly initative.
Some of my favorite dishes at Highball & Harvest are on their Magical Dining menu, like The Southern Spread and the H&H Baby Donuts. The Southern Spread has a phenomenal pimento cheese spread served with crab dip and country toast. Their Brussels sprouts were addicting with a kimchi sauce that lent to their sweetness, a unique take on brussels for me.
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For my main course, I had the shrimp and grits made with Cape Canaveral shrimp and crawfish. After living in Savannah for a few years, I have become quite the shrimp and grits snob, but I can confidently say this shrimp and grits can rival some of the best in the low country. I also trued the 12-ounce skirt steak. It was tender and cooked perfectly to the desired temperature.
For dessert, you cannot miss the bag of donuts, which comes with a tube of Nutella for fresh stuffing. The Madagascar Vanilla Creme Brulee is beautiful and topped with Macarons, so you really get two desserts in one. Highball and Harvest also validates your parking for the perfect finishing touch.
My top picks: The Southern Spread, Shrimp and Grits, H&H Baby Donuts.
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Dining and Cooking