Grapefruit pie, berry French toast and teriyaki glazed seared ahi tuna are among the delicious dishes on our menu as we ate our way across Polk County, stopping at tearooms, fine dining restaurants and fun lunch spots. My pick for the top 10 dishes to try during your visit to Central Florida is as follows:
•Terriyaki glazed seared ahi tuna, served with jumbo crab California roll and tempura fried vegetables, at the Terrace Grille Terrace Hotel. The Terrace Hotel in Lakeland is a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal in a historic hotel. My meal also included a delightful tomato bisque and goat cheese salad. We had a wonderful dining experience before going to the nearby Lakeland Center to see the hilarious Lily Tomlin one-woman show.
•Boiled grapefruit topped with a piece of chicken liver at Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales. We had an amazing four-course dinner at Chalet Suzanne, which offers overnight stays in unique rooms with antiques and personal touches in each suite. The grounds also include a soup cannery where the famous Moon Soup that was served on several space missions is made. For my entrée, I chose saffron curry shrimp with cavier sauce and it was also great.
•a turkey zinger sandwich at The Barn, The Stable and the Back Porch Restaurant in Lake Alfred. The sandwich has cranberry walnut dip on multi grain bread with turkey, lettuce, tomato and cucumbers. Lunch is served in baskets in the restaurant. It’s also a fun place to shop with plenty of antiques and gifts to be found.
•French Silk Pie at Lavender ‘n Lace Tearoom in Lake Alfred. Meringue and pecan crust are slowly baked and filled with chocolate cream and then topped with chocolate amoretto sauce. A wide selection of hot tea is offered, as well as iced plum tea. I also sampled some of the other “sweet temptations” on the menu and they are all great. Chocolate petite cake, apple cake and chocolate peanut butter pie are among the selections. While in Lake Alfred, be sure to stop downtown where several antique and gift shops are located. You’ll find plenty of unique gifts.
•the Bubba Roll at Tsunami Sushi in Winter Haven. Tempura shrimp and cucumber is topped with avocado and steamed shrimp. This is a great spot for a fun dinner out with friends. There are plenty traditional sushi selections, as well as some specialties.
•berry French toast at the Stanford Inn in Bartow. We also had confetti egg bake, mixed fresh fruit and muffins during our visit. Be sure to try the house blend of juice which includes raspberry, cranberry and orange juice. The home is filled with lovely antiques and the suites are wonderful. Fun activities, including Bingo during breakfast and a spirited game of High Cotton, a card game created by two Georgia women, are among the things that make this bed and breakfast stand out. Host Becky Grainger is delightful and takes the extra effort to make your stay memorable.
•tuna cranberry salad at Blue Palmetto Café at Bok Tower Gardens. A scoop of tuna salad is served on a bed of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, dried cranberry and roasted pumpkin seeds.
•a frittata omelet at Garden Bistro at Hollis Gardens in Lakeland. The open-faced omelet has peppers, onions, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and melted cheddar cheese. A glass of fresh squeezed tangerine juice completes the meal.
•grapefruit pie at Lang Sun Country Groves/Taste of Florida. Every time I visit Central Florida, a piece of this pie is a must. I brought the recipe home after my first visit and my mother has made it several times. Other citrus desserts created by Mary Lang are also on them menu, as well as great lunch choices.
•Eggs benedict at Nick’s Restaurant in Davenport. Breakfast favorites and specialties including French toast are also offered.
