One of the questions I’m asked most frequently – not as much as “What’s your favorite restaurant?” but more than “How come you’re not fat” and “Really, you’re still writing reviews? I thought you were retired/dead.” – is “Is there anything new in town?”
And I’m surprised when I ask in return if they’ve been to Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe and they say they haven’t heard of it. It’s been open two years, now, so it’s high time you gave it a try. Visit Orlando’s Magical dining is a good excuse.
Russell’s culinary operations are overseen by chef/partner Emmanuel Clement. For the Magical Dining menu, he’s put his wonderful Roasted Beets & Burrata Napoleon on the starter list. This is a terrific appetizer, and Clement shared the recipe and demonstrated how to make it in this Compliments of the Chef video. I’ve prepared it for a couple of dinner parties but I always like going back to see how it’s really supposed to be done.
Have that as your starter and then follow up with the Parmesan Crusted Shrimp Linguine or the Blackened Wild Salmon, which are regularly priced at $31 and $28 respectively. With the $14 appetizer you’re already in bargain territory before choosing a dessert. (Go with the White Chocolate Bread Pudding.)
Russell’s is offering an enhancement option to add steak, chicken or shrimp for just $9. Add some extra shrimp or make it a surf and turf with the steak. But under no circumstances should you add shrimp to the bread pudding.
By the way, there is no Russell involved with the restaurant. It’s so named because the strip of land it sits on, overlooking Lake Ivanhoe, was once known as Russell’s Point and was a pineapple farm, another historical point that is reflected in the restaurant’s logo.
So you’ll get a bit of history along with your great food and, not incidentally, beautiful views over the lake, especially at sunset.
Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe is at 1414 N. Orange Ave., Orlando (map). It is open for dinner daily. The phone number is 407-601-3508. Here is a link to Russell’s Magical Dining page.
