✈️ Cask & Larder Is More Than Just “Flight Food”
“There are travelers who don’t get to go home or haven’t had a decent meal through flights,” says Natalie Ramos, Front of House Manager at Cask & Larder inside Orlando International Airport, “we want our food to be peoples’ home away from home.”
Cask & Larder was formerly located in Winter Park, inside what is now The Ravenous Pig, but has since moved to Terminal A of MCO. This farm-to-terminal restaurant offers comfort food with a cozy vibe. It’s warm with a southern ambiance; extremely refreshing, compared to the rest of the cold airport. You get a picnic-feel sitting beneath the large tree while looking through kitschy decor and trinkets.
Madelynn Torres, Sous Chef of Cask & Larder, has worked with the restaurant since it opened in the airport several years ago. Check out some of our bites!
🍤 Shrimp & Grits
These in-house grits are made with bacon fat, onions, and chicken stock; it’s finished with goat cheese that provides that lingering flavor. The shrimp is marinated with herbs that include parsley, chives, and oil. It’s then topped with relish, more herbs, and spice oil that serves a subtle kick of heat.
🍗 Chicken
This is what I would consider a true Southern dish! The chicken is coated with oil and a Nashville rub, capitalized by a drizzle of hot honey. The sweet-spicy flavor is complimented with herbs and pepper relish alongside in-house ‘Bama sauce. Chicken is a staple in Southern cuisine, and Cask & Larder really nailed down the flavor. This dish wouldn’t be complete without a side of Mac & Cheese sprinkled with bacon bits!
🐟 Grilled Fish
This plate features a cooked fish upon a bed of red pepper, onions, and roasted potato. Ramp oil elevates this dish, adding a hint of wild leek flavor to the fish.
🥧 Apple Crisp
This warm apple crumble is a classic Southern dessert, accompanied by a scoop of cold ice cream to deliver that warm-cool sensation. The crumbs add a perfect amount of grit to the smoothness of the whip cream and moist apple filling.
Their Southern-style cuisine is composed of locally-sourced vendors, in efforts to give back to the Orlando community. It allows travelers to enjoy a true, Orlando meal on their way out. Their Satellite bar also provides adult travelers an unwinding environment with cold drinks and a relaxing vibe.
I appreciate that Cask & Larder strives to offer weary travelers a cozy experience between connecting flights. Their dishes are more than just “airplane food,” as they capture real Southern flavor. This is a great dining option when you want comfort food that surpasses the other chain eateries in the terminal. It alleviates the stress of travelling and allows visitors to sit back and enjoy a great meal with a refreshing drink.
