Love it or hate it, Gargi’s Lakeside is an Orlando institution that’s situated in the heart of The City Beautiful. As a lifelong Floridian I’m almost embarrassed to admit I’d yet to frequent Gargi’s until a few weeks ago. Between the internet and family, I’d heard a myriad of opinions about this family owned Italian establishment. So, while venturing out for sushi one night we made an abrupt u-turn after driving by this lakeside restaurant. Gargi’s has been on my “list” forever, but had yet to actually make it inside.
After walking in we were immediately seated lakeside and promptly served Italian wine, setting the stage for an exceptional evening. Between my husband’s recent trip to Italy and the restaurant’s local legacy, our expectations were fairly high. Here’s what we tasted and enjoyed during our recent visit!
- Shrimp Scampi: Large shrimp sauteed in white wine, garlic, lemon butter and Parmesan. A warm start to our Italian experience, not something I’d order again, but the shrimp was flavored well and complimented our wine.
- Chicken Alla Bill Fredrick: Yes, that Mayor Bill. This light, yet satisfying dish was filled with chicken cutlets with mushrooms, onions, and peppers all sauteed in a Chardonnay wine with a touch of marinara. This large portion was fresh and clearly made to order, something I’d recommend tasting during your next Gargi’s visit.
- Gnocchi Gorgonzola: Homemade gnocchi simmered in a light cream with Gorgonzola cheese topped with grapes, almonds and walnuts. An odd combination on paper, but that made from scratch gnocchi was unreal. This tender, rich pasta was fresh, savory and to put simply – fun to eat!
If you haven’t tried this lakeside spot yet, it’s worth a visit, and if you haven’t been lately we’d suggest taking another look.