🌱 F&D Kitchen Captures The Locavore Vibe
Freedom With Food
“The fact that we’re not extremely corporate allows our chef to express himself through his food,” says Chase Khoshnou, Service Manager at F&D Kitchen in Lake Mary, “we have the freedom to move around with our menu specials because we don’t have a huge chain of command to go through.”
This New American gastropub prides itself in their farm-to-table scratch kitchen that uses a variety of locally-sourced ingredients, spearheaded by Chef Ramon Tomasini. F&D is a classic Florida eatery that’s feels high-end without the uptight vibe. Detail-oriented decor illustrates an elegant feel, however, visitors sporting cargo shorts and baseball caps would still feel welcome.
Appetizer
Their fried green tomatoes are sprinkled with sea salt, accompanied by a dallop of in-house tomato jam which held a sweet-savory flavor. The ricotta custini is another good appetizer, drizzled with local honey.
Entrée
The Chorizo Eggs Benedict had a smooth kick of spice, accompanied by notes of red wine in the pork. The Tender Pork Hash featured poached eggs and various root vegetables, including rutabaga, turnips, and carrots, accompanied by salsa verde and aged white cheddar.
Chef Ramon Tomasini
The service team is extremely personable, adding to the restaurant’s cozy feel. Browsing through the menu, it’s important to note that their beef and poultry is halal, allowing it to fit within particular diets; the butchering and curing is done in-house. The restaurant operates off Siesta hours, closing at 2:30 p.m. after lunch, re-opening for Happy Hour at 4 p.m. with a full menu at 5 p.m.
If you’re looking for a fine-dining experience without the pretentious vibe, F&D Kitchen is a solid option when you’re in the Lake Mary area.
“We strive to be a relationship-oriented place,” mentions Chase, “we want to be a consistent option for locals so we can leave our footprint in the community.”
