Somewhere in the vicinity of Orlando’s famed Restaurant Row, there is an elevator door with no signage and no flash in the hallway of an otherwise unassuming office building. But hit the green button and you are instantly thrown back into the 1920’s, a time when alcohol was illegal, a time when the speakeasy was a gathering club where one could purchase alcohol during the days of Prohibition. Welcome to Pharmacy.
Recently I was invited to a blogger’s dinner at Pharmacy and had the opportunity to sample many of the tasty treats on both the “Elixirs” and “Prescription” menus. Elixirs being the drinks to make the medicine go down, the Prescriptions being the medicine. The medicine that should be taken to ease the irritation of the strong elixirs. And by strong, I mean strong. The drinks packed a powerful punch, each carefully crafted with science. Each elixir uses the freshest herbs to create a one-of-a-kind experience with bitters, tonics and sodas.
However, I came for the food. While the menu does change according to the season and ingredients available, the one constant is the team of husband and wife Head Chefs Loren Falsone and Tyler Brassil. I had the opportunity to talk to Loren during our dinner and her experience is impressive. A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, she was named the Best New Chef in 2000 by Food and Wine Magazine before relocating to Orlando to become the Executive Chef at Seasons 52. Taking a look at her, it is hard to ever picture her as your what people think of a stereotypical Chef, yelling all the time and angry. Or maybe that is just my experience with the Chefs I used to work with back in my restaurant days. Loren was very gracious and charming, and most importantly, extremely passionate about food.
Here is just a sampling of the food we enjoyed at Pharmacy – first off the appetizers:
Tomato and Proscuitto Brushcetta with Burrata Cheese and Fram Poached Egg
Whole Buttery, Garlicky Cape Canaveral Rock Shrimp
Tellegio Fritters
Florida Fresh Tang Fried Chicken with Lime, Scallions and Sesame
Margharita Flatbread
Roasted Cowart Ranch Beef Bone MarrowThis was my first time experiencing the taste of bone marrow. I rarely eat meat so I took advantage of this opportunity to try something new. I actually liked it, much to my surprise.
For our entrees we all tried to order different things for the table so we could see a wider variety of the menu.
Roasted Yellowtail Snapper
Cast Iron Roasted Strip Steak
Braised Oxtail and Grilled Short Rib “Paillard” Au Jus
Double Cut Brined Pork ChopAnd lastly dessert:
Hot Maple Pecan Sticky Bun woth Southern Butter Pecan Ice CreamPharmacy is able to make accommodations for most dietary restrictions including Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free. Just ask. I am looking forward to taking some guests here- imagine how impressed they will be when I know just where the secret elevator is, then I can only imagine how much they will love the elixirs and prescriptions. This is just what the Doctor ordered.
*Since I was invited to a blogging event I did not assign my normal sprout ratings. That will happen the next time I visit as a “regular” guest. *
We’ve been inside this place! I know where it’s hiding ?. But we didn’t get to eat there that night but now I definitely have to make a point of going back for dinner. It ALL looks great. Please, please, please let us be your guests ?
How fun is that? The dishes look amazing and very unique. Looking forward to going there when we’re in town. It’s great that you get invited to experiences like that and can then pass them on.