If you are looking for a restaurant in the Orlando area, away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, I can highly recommend Season 52 on Sand Lake Road.  Less than twenty minutes from Walt Disney World this restaurant offers sophistication, a marvellous waterfront setting and a menu that will definitely make your mouth water.

Seasons 52 describes itself as “casually sophisticated grill and wine bar” so you probably wouldn’t want to turn up in your shorts and t-shirts.  But there’s no need to wear a suit and tie either.  We visited at lunchtime on our last visit and I felt quite at home wearing slacks and an open necked shirt.  We booked online using their website www.seasons52.com .  Be sure to check which location you are booking though, as there a five restaurants in Florida and two in Atlanta. If you are wondering where the name Seasons 52 originates, let me will explain. The restaurant serves seasonal food, which changes four times a year with each season and the fresh produce changes slightly each week, hence 52 weeks of the year.

Every item on the menu contains less than 475 calories including the desserts; although they are so delicious you may be tempted to have two or even three! No butter is used during the cooking process and they use natural cooking methods such as grilling over open fires.

We decided to skip the starters, although I must admit to being very tempted to order one.  We had heard such good reports about the desserts that we didn’t want to risk being too full and not be able to finish the last course.  My choice of entrée was the Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon with chive new potatoes and fresh roasted vegetables.  It was quite a surprise when it arrived, as it was actually served on the plank of wood on which it had been cooked.  It was however delicious, as was my partner's meal.  She had opted for the Grilled Carolina Striped Bass over fennel risotto with roasted Chioggia and golden beets and asparagus jus.  We of course tasted each other's meals so I do know that her meal was just as tasty as my own.

When we had finished our main meals the waiter asked if we had room for dessert and we happily replied in the affirmative.  I had expected him to then produce a dessert menu but he appeared with every available dessert (ten in all) on a silver tray.  Each dessert comes in a shot glass and every one is no more than 250 calories.  Seasons 52 have named then "mini indulgences" and I cannot think of a more apt name.  Tiramisu, Rocky Road, Strawberry Mango Cheesecake are a few names that come to mind.  We were then asked to make our choices by taking whichever dessert we liked from the tray.

I must admit I was sorely tempted to take more than one but in the end chose the Red Velvet Cake and I was not disappointed.  Each dessert costs only $1.95. 

If you are a lover of wine, they serve more than a hundred wines with sixty of them by the glass.  The restaurant is a favourite with the locals and if you wish to dine outside they have a patio area overlooking the lake.  I can hardly wait for our next visit to Orlando and I know that part of that is due to the anticipation of dining at Seasons 52 once again!  Orlando Villa Orange Tree Vacation Home

Seasons 52, 7700 Sand Lake Road, Orlando Tel: 407 354 5212