Boathouse of Winter Park

Today is my younger sister’s 20^th birthday! Happy birthday Kathryn!

To celebrate, last night we went out with my family to Boathouse of Winter Park, which just opened on Fairbanks in Winter Park where O’Boys used to be. It’s been a long while since a meal exceeded my expectations, but everything was just really good. Upon seeing the exterior of the restaurant and looking at their website, I expected more of a casual, run-of-the-mill restaurant. Although casual, the food was not at all run of the mill. Everything was prepared really well and tasted wonderful.

My family always orders appetizers. We had to restrain my dad by limiting him to two. He’s known for filling all of us up before our entrees even arrive. We ordered their house smoked salmon and dry rubbed smoked wings. The smoked salmon was the best smoked salmon I have had in a long time. It had a little bit of sweetness and was served with toasted baguettes, whipped cream cheese, chopped egg, onions and capers. This alone is worth a return trip.

The chicken wings were also delicious and flavorful from the rub and the grilling. It was served with a wonderful bleu cheese dipping sauce with huge chunks of bleu cheese.

For my main course I ordered a crab cake sandwich served on toasted ciabatta bread brushed with olive oil or butter (making it delicious even without the crab cake). The crab cakes were topped with a coarse mustard sauce, which was wonderful. The crab cakes were high quality with savory lump crab meat. There was hardly any filler. I couldn’t taste anything but rich crab meat. The fries accompanying the sandwich were also very good. They were waffle fries with a little bit of salt and other seasonings.

Kathryn ordered their braised short ribs, which were amazing. They were fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth good and served with garlic mashed potatoes.

Kevin ordered their smoked tenderloin filet, which he enjoyed but agreed that the braised short ribs were the better beef dish.

For dessert, we ordered a slice of coconut key lime pie and peach cobbler. The table was divided between which was better. Both were amazing but the pie won my heart.

It was a great meal with my family. I still can’t believe my sister is 20. When did she become an adult?

Workout

Today I took a walk with my next door neighbor and our dogs to and around Lake Eola then continued with Women’s Health Magazine’s Sculpt Sexy Arms. I can feel myself getting more upper body strength, and although I have a long way to go, it is great motivation to see small changes.