<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script async defer crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v17.0&appId=1360880647827568&autoLogAppEvents=1" nonce="nOICdQjC"></script>

Narcoossee’s

Written By Scott Joseph On May 18, 2023

Narcoo int

Narcoossee’s, the Grand Floridian restaurant that sits apart – physically and experientially – from the more well known Victoria & Albert’s and Citricos in the “main house,” recently reopened after a renovation and menu refresh.

Like the other restaurants in the nearly 35-year-old hotel, Narcoossee’s has undergone renovations before – it was originally an oyster bar – but this one changed the physical layout and removed a sunken part of the room so that it is now all on one level. It still takes full advantage of its lagoonfront location and proximity to the Magic Kingdom. And while it is still a decidedly casual dining experience, the food is more elevated than I remember from past Narcoossee’ses (Narcoossi?)

South Steel SJO March AD copy

Noah Estabrook is the chef overseeing the current menu. I was invited to sample some of the new items – as well as some returning fan favorites – at a media dinner recently.

Narcoo charcu

We started with an innovative charcuterie board, one featuring seafood items instead of the usual pork and beef. It had sausages filled with lobster, ahi tuna that had been given the pastrami treatment, and charred octopus.

Narcoo tortoloni

We also sampled brisket and ricotta tortelloni in brown butter with sultana raisins.

Narcoo bisque

And lobster bisque, with the broth poured tableside over butter-poached lobster and vanilla foam with coral tuile sticking out (making it look like perhaps an elk had sunk into the bisque. Narcoossee’s has always had a lobster bisque on the menu. Estabrook’s version is one of the better ones.

Narcoo fish

My tablemates and I all negotiated to order different entrees and agreed to share. My favorite – alas not the one I selected for my own – was the blackened redfish, a beautiful thick fillet dredged in spicy spices sitting atop a hash of chorizo sausage and sunchokes with sweet corn and hominy. The fish was fresh tasting and had wonderfully big-flaked flesh.

Narcoo scallops

Plancha-seared scallops were my second favorite (also not my selection; what can I say, I was out ordered). Big pillowy scallops with a gorgeous golden scorch, served in a lemon cream sauce tinged with truffle and with bits of tasso ham.

Narcoo pork

My dry-aged pork ribeye chop didn’t disappoint but it didn’t elicit oohs and ahhs either. The chop was accompanied by a delicious potato pave filled with goat cheese and the meat was topped with a tasty onion jam.

Narcoo steak

My other companion had the prime New York strip steak, nicely seared and sliced, graced with fig jus and accompanied by turnips and colorful cauliflower.

Narcoo desserts

For dessert, a sampling of delicacies from resort pastry chef Kristine Farmer, including almond-crusted cheesecake, hazelnut-chocolate bar, berry pavlova and pineapple bavarois. As beautiful as the desserts she features up at Victoria & Albert’s.

Service, under the direction of “proprietor” Matt Cristi, was up to the usual Disney standards.

Narcoossee’s, I’m told, is often named as the favorite restaurant of returning visitors and locals, too. With the new menu and comfortable atmosphere, it’s bound to become a favorite to many more.

Narcoossee’s is at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 4401 Grand Floridian, Orlando (map). It is open for dinner daily. The phone number is 407-939-5277.

We hope you find our reviews and news articles useful and entertaining. It has always been our goal to assist you in making informed decisions when spending your dining dollars. If we’ve helped you in any way, please consider making a contribution to help us continue our journalism. Thank you.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
<div class="fb-comments" data-href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" data-width="100%" data-numposts="5"></div>
Scott's Newsletter