Chef Jim Kyndberg, CRAVE Culinary Director
CRAVE Orlando invited us to come and experience their restaurant, what a nice surprise it was. My husband and I enjoy fine dining and this was our first time at CRAVE. We were welcomed by James Beard award nominee Chef Jim Kyndberg, CRAVE’s Culinary Director who prepared for us a 6 course feast.
Chef Kyndberg started his career at a very young age as an apprentice under Master Chef Tell Ernhardt on Grand Cayman Island. then he returned to the Midwest as the executive chef for the Aveda Spa in Osceola, Wisconsin and then went on to become chef and owner of The Bayport Cookery, a boutique restaurant outside Minnesota only available by reservation and offering preset menu, pretty famous in the area.
Chef Kyndberg & Adriana Martin
Chef Kynderberg inspiration behind his menu at CRAVE is to provide flavorful dishes which means that at CRAVE there is no bland dish, any option lives up to their motto “Fresh – Vibrant – American”. The menu offers something for everyone in the family, from flat breads and hamburgers to sushi and fusion inspired dishes based on international flavors all using locally sourced food
Red Wine & Angry Dragon Martini
And of course to find the perfect pairing CRAVE has an award wining wine list, which is globally diverse and represents the wine making styles and grape selections that profile what each country does best. In the area of cocktails they do an amazing job too, very creative options and many profile flavors.
Sweet Heat Martini
Here our culinary tour at CRAVE Orlando
Ninja Maki Roll with shrimp tempura, escolar, Japanese 7 spice, jalapeno, avocado & spicy mayo
Kogi Beef Tacos, Korea meets Mexico perfect bite
Edamame Cream Cheese Wontons, divine & light
Perfectly cooked Seabass, grilled polenta, buerre blanc sauce, green beans and microgreens, delightful!
The surprise inside the meatball is gooey three cheese stuffing!
Thin Spaghetti and Giant Meatball, new menu item!
Perfectly balanced s’mores brownie, with graham cracker, sea salt and vanilla bean ice cream, you have to save space for dessert!
One thing that I learned is that CRAVE supports our Orlando community via “CRAVE CARES” which is an ongoing initiative that focuses on supporting local organizations. For that purpose they host fundraising events, create special menus to raise funds and awareness, and through silent auction donations, which my husband and I were happy to contribute.
This month the program is benefiting UCP of Central Florida an organization part of Ronald McDonald House Charities providing support to children with special needs via education and therapy from birth to age 21. Last year alone, UCP helped 2,400 children with and without disabilities, but there are many more who can benefit from their programs. On your next visit ask your CRAVE server about this program.
CRAVE Orlando is one of those places that you have to experience, I will certainly become a regular to this place, they change their menu every six months. Also during my visit had the chance to meet other executives from CRAVE America who announced they just opened a new location in the Coral Gables area, another reason to visit Miami soon!
Adriana Martin enjoying the Angry Dragon Martini (Bacardi dragon berry, soho lychee, cranberry and citrus zest)
