STARLESS

@knifespoonorlando at the Ritz-Carlton was once the standard. When Michelin first touched Florida, they got their star and honestly, before that even happened, I already felt they deserved it. At one point, hands down my favorite steakhouse in Orlando. No debate.

Then they lost the star… and I didn’t get it.

I came back to find out why… and now I do.

On paper, this menu is elite. The ideas, the combinations, the cocktails… everything reads like a Michelin experience. But somewhere between concept and execution, there’s a disconnect. The plates look beautiful. The intention is there. But the flavor doesn’t always follow through.

Let’s be clear, this wasn’t a bad meal. But at this level, “not bad” is a problem.

The highlights? Surprisingly, the sides stole the show.
The crab fried rice was so good we ordered one to go.
The kimchi creamed spinach might’ve been the best thing on the table… no exaggeration.

The crudo and scallops were technically solid… just missing some S & P.

The 2 pastas: EPIC FAIL

The Akaushi bone-in ribeye, over $200 felt underwhelming. I’ve had it here before and it was unforgettable, the fat literally tasted like popcorn. This time? No “wow.” No magic. That signature richness just wasn’t there.

The supposed showstopper, tuna & foie missed completely. Tuna was on point, but the foie? Hard, off, and honestly disappointing… especially for someone who loves foie.

Cocktails? This one hurt. The menu reads like a dream for a cocktail guy like me… but out of six drinks, only one delivered: Temperance in Tea Pot. Layered, funky, beautifully presented. The rest didn’t live up to their own description.

Desserts followed the same pattern… great ideas, great visuals… but not memorable.
Except for the soufflé. That one hit spot on!

And that’s the story here.

Knife & Spoon feels like a Monet painting—impressive from a distance, but when you get close, the details don’t hold up the way you expect.

Now I understand the star being taken away.

The talent is there. The vision is there. But at this level, execution is everything and right now, it’s just not fully connecting.

#steakhouse#orlando#seafood#michelin#finedinning Less