North Orange, Winter Park

Finding Winter Park Fish Co. was a happy accident.  We were headed to a restaurant  with the address of 806 Orange Ave but it was in Orlando and not Winter Park.  Unwilling to get back in the car, we walked the block to Winter Park Fish Co, and were well rewarded for the effort.  Nice spot, beach shabby decor, with the emphasis on fishing stuff plus some retro items.  Casual beach atmosphere finishes off the vibe.

Welcoming shark greet you at the end of the ramp

Interior seating with fishing gear overhead

Flamingo light

Funky Florida paper light shade

We had to wait for about 10 minutes for a table, it was Friday night and the place was packed.  So we ordered some wine and stayed outside on the porch and enjoyed another glorious Florida night.  Once seated we were promptly supplied with menus, refills on our drinks, then the hard job started; what to order.

Our server supplied us with the home made smoked white fish dip and  Ritz crackers.  Very tasty heavy with fish and not filler, smooth and just the right amount of smoke flavor.

Complimentary fish dip

The menu is representative of what is fresh that day, with made from scratch sides and toppings. You can choose your fish, method of preparation,  topping and then sides.  We quickly decided and placed our orders.  First up the Ahi Tuna Salad, with mixed greens.  Tuna sushi grade, cooked rare, with flavorful crisp outside, salad dressed lightly with EVOO, along with that a side of Cheese Gnocchi, which was quickly eaten by all, so we ordered another portion,

Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna

Cheesy Gnocchi, we gobbled up two of these sides

Our second choice, Seafood Pot Pie,  this dish packed full of assorted shell-fish; lobster, shrimp, scallops, crab along with zucchini, peas, green beans with a sweet sherry cream sauce,capped off with a golden brown crust that sat gently on top.

Sea Food Pot Pie

Our third entrée, the Shrimp and Grits, in a deep rich lobster gravy, with a side of Baked Mac n Cheese.  This was quite a departure from the shrimp and grits we are used to, which to me made it doubly better.  The lobster gravy brought a new dimension  to this dish, the richness was delightful.  The Mac was a mixture of several cheesed that just oozed goodness, with a golden brown crust.

Shrimp w Grits and Lobster sauce

Baked Mac n Cheese

All the dishes were served with hush puppies,  which should be its own conversation.  Never a fan of these little balls of dough, until this time.  Tasty, light, slight onion flavor, dusted,  no rolled in powdered sugar.  I am sure some hard-core Puppy lovers with think this an abomination, but to this northern woman, it was one of the best ever tasted.  We ordered our own basket.

Hush Puppies rolled in Powdered Sugar

So here are the take always: if you are in the mood for amazing fresh seafood, go to a place where the FISH is the star. It’s always fresh and sustainably caught. Local and family owned business.  If possible sit out side, this place is small and fills up quickly.