The Ravenous Pig
1234 N. Orange Ave.
(between Orlando and Denning)
Winter Park, FL 32789
www.theravenouspig.com

The Ravinous Pig is located a few blocks off the strip of Winter Park in the Orlando area. The place was awarded Best Restaurant Overall in Orlando Home and Leisure Magazine’s Silver Spoon Awards, however, I failed to see what the big deal was. Granted, the food was not bad, but the it was not exceptional either. And the wine list was very, how should I say…unimpressive. Don’t get me wrong, the food was edible, but if I did not subscribe to the magazine I would never have thought the place would be nominated, much less win.

I ordered a salad with goat cheese, beets, pistachio’s, avocado, and an herb vinaigrette. For my entree I ordered mussels in a witte beer, fennel, and orange type juice, and it came with truffle oil fries. It says a lot that my friend enjoyed the fries better than any other dish. Again, it was not bad, but there was no compelling taste that begged me to continue to frequent the restaurant. My friend had the signature shrimp and grits in chorizo oil which was okay. The dessert was a key lime tart with white chocolate and raspberry.

For the first time in my history of trying new wines at a restaurant, the first two chosen were both not too tasty. Never have I been to a place where I had to settle on a bottle based on the fact that I refuse to pay more than $10 on a mediocre glass of wine. Granted, the bottle opened up a bit as the dinner went on and tasted better, but for this to have been the 4th bottle tried, it was more of a settlement rather than a choice. The wine list clearly needed a Sommelier to make some adjustments.

Overall, this restaurant was not the best to me, but was also not the worst. I would not protest if asked to go again, but it will not be on the list when it’s my choice for dining. Good for a date night or business meeting, or a night with your friends. The staff was friendly and attentive, so the experience will not be a waste.

Written by Neidre Hines on Friday, April 23, 2010 

Filed under Beauty and the Eats
Tagged with business, history, pig, restaurants, review, wine

Neidre Hines has written a total of 19 article(s) for us.