Chef and Proprietor Kathleen Blake has graced the kitchen of many fine eateries in Orlando and now she has embarked in opening her very own place. The Rusty Spoon has a Southern flair in a gastro pub setting located in the heart of Downtown Orlando. Touting itself as "American Food. European Roots. Locally Sourced", this adequately sums of the style of the menu.
My go to is always the daily featured oysters, generally 2-3 selections to choose from and always fresh and succulent. Another favorite are the Lake Meadow eggs, local farm eggs done "deviled" style but here they use "loads of herbs" in the yolk and top it off with oven-dried tomato. The Rusty O-Rings are another great choice, buttermilk soaked Vidalia onions in a batter that resembles funnel cake, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a Stout dipping sauce. The daily crudité is also always a fun choice for local, seasonal salads.
The "55" is the house burger which is 1/2 pound grassfed beef stuffed with bacon & gruyere, smothered in onions, and topped with Rusty aioli and house made pickles. Another favorite is the "Dirty South", an iron skillet of local shrimp, snapper, and clams in a Shrimp Peanut Broth with greens and creamy grits.
The bar here serves up some fantastic craft cocktails but I'm a sucker for a good Negroni and theirs is excellent. Done with Nolet's Dry Gin, Aperol, Cocchi Americano, House made Meyer Lemon Hibiscus Bitters, and of course a twist of lemon.
With a nod from James Beard, this is a restaurant to watch.
The "55" House Burger, stuffed with bacon & gruyere
"Dirty South", an iron skillet of local shrimp, snapper, and clams in a Shrimp Peanut Broth
Lake Meadow Eggs
Rusty O-Rings
Oysters
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