Citrus is a quality restaurant, with easy parking and nice decor. I have been there for lunch, dinner, drinks and a couple of restaurant buyout parties. I have never been overly impressed with the service. No specific bad experiences, it just has never "wowed" me. Most recently we sat at the bar. There is typically a large "pre-magic game" crowd there. We were greeted and given menus. It took a bit for the bar tender to get back to us for our orders. We shared the BBQ chicken flatbread and sweet potato fries. Delicious! We both had wine and it was reasonably priced and we were able to try a couple of different types before we committed (nice touch!). We also had the Cup Cake which was rich and fantastic! You can valet or park in the parking lot behind the building, or even street parking. So it makes it a convenient alternative from the downtown restaurants with tough parking situations. I like the food and its very close to my house, so I will go back, but I will bring some patience!
(3)
BrentandMichelle W.
Been wanting to try this restaurant for a year since we moved to Orlando. It didn't excite us to want to go back. We started off with the beef capprcio(spelling) which was pretty good especially the roasted garlic pieces. However, Brio's is better. I had the Chimmi Churri Steak with asparagus and butternut squash risotto. The risotto was awesome, but the steak was tough. My hubby got the recommended pork chop which he said was "eh". The dessert citrus hazelnut creme bruise was to orangey , but the hard sugar top was yummy. Since Hot Olives and Ravenous Pig were closed this night..Monday we should have gone to the K restaurant instead.
(3)
D K.
Reasonable place for lunch as most items are under $10. Their take on a salad is kind of "interesting" as it's just a huge slab of lettuce thrown on your plate (with sauce and what not). They've got mussels for lunch as one of the main events, so try those if you're there at that time. They make a good burger with bacon and cheddar or blue cheese (no bacon) but it's what you would expect for this tier. I can't give it a solid rating until I go back and try other items, however...
(4)
Mark W.
Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Food: 2 stars Caesar salad --- gloppy, overdressed, mangled lettuce Bean soup --- over-seasoned, nothing special l/o/b/s/t/e/r/ crab fritters --- fried dough balls in a sea of ketchupy tartar sauce chili-glazed salmon --- not seasoned well, uninspiring Great location, beautiful decor. Needs a new chef.
(3)
Lucy W.
Tired of quesadillas, fries and other Orlando touristy/chain food, I went off the beaten path by following some Yelp advice- best decision I made so far on my Orlando trip. Great ambiance and decor, good sized bar. Most importantly, the food and drinks were delicious...I had a salad with lime marinated chicken, cilantro, black beans, corn and plantains with a mojito-like drink with mint and sugar cane called "Broadway". They complimented each other beautifully and the lime flavors were perfect on a hot humid night. There is valet or garage parking, but I was able to secure a free spot on the street easily.
(4)
Kent M.
First time in for dinner last nite. I had app of Fish Tacos for $11. They were very good. 2 Blue Corn tortillas with spicy and flavorful fish/salad filling. For main dish, I had Blackened Scallops. 4 nice size and perfect done scallops. That main dish was more of an app however, in my opinion. And cost $30 alone. Service was just right. Nice and modern decor throughout. Though the food was very good, I left feeling a bit 'ripped off' because of portion size/cost of main dish. I prob would not go back.
(4)
Erica J.
My husband and I went to Citrus for dinner last night. We had the fried green tomato appetizer..fried green tomatoes, rock shrimp, crab..it doesn't get any better. They also have great Friday specials from 5pm-7pm. I had the Italian Sausage Flatbread. It was amazing and only $5...Wow..what a bargain.
(4)
Sean H.
Been here a few times and each experience has been wonderful. I would recommend this place for drinks and appetizers as they offer many different types of apps. The mussels are wonderful as well as the Kobe beef carpaccio. If it is not woo hot outside I highly recommend sitting on the patio.
(4)
Rob W.
I love this place for their outdoor patio dining, its a really nice experience. They have a nice varied menu of upscale items and my wife and i always find something we like. The bar is usually loud and lively on the inside if you want cocktails before you eat. Service is generally excellent, but was lacking once on a holiday evening.
(4)
Sebastian T.
Went on a business dinner. The service was kind of spotty from the beginning. We sat at the bar since it was my partner and I and we wanted a good view of the TV for the Monday Night Football game. Actually took five minutes for the bartender to offer us a drink we were promptly forgotten for the next twenty minutes and we actually had to ask to see a dinner menu. She didn't even think to ask us at the beginning if we were just having drinks or going to to dine with them tonight. The food was a the high point of the night. I had the black bean soup which was great, topped with fresh diced onion and creme fresh. We had the Tuna Tatake which was seared perfectly and was accompanied with some greens and a buttery slices of avocado which were perfectly ripe. I had the Grilled salmon with smoked tomato "couscous" it was not couscous it was more like orzo, but the flavor more than made up for the anomally it was easily the best thing on my plate. the salmon was cooked beautifully , was moist and flaky and crispy on the outside but not seasoned adequately. I would have like to try dessert but the portion size was a bit large which I'm not saying is bad. The other vegetables on the the plate which were grilled baby carrots and giant asparagus were treated very well with olive oil, sea salt and the grill! over all a pleasant experience but it could have been better.
(3)
Lynda F.
Just OK. Like others have stated the ambiance is wonderful and the service was good. Had the chicken sandwich at lunch but would not be in a hurry to go back for the same. Nice presentation but just nothing special for the price. We shared the lobster fritters and I loved the sauce but the fritter itself was something again that I wouldn't care to repeat only because I don't care for the flavor of typical Florida style crab cakes and that's what it reminded me of. Lunch at Citrus is not worth the price IMHO.
(3)
Jerry V.
Attended a business Christmas dinner with 50+ people on 12/5/2012. Service was fair at best. The server was either having a bad day or is just a miserable person; it was embarrassing. Food came out of the kitchen sporadically and was only lukewarm. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)
Matt F.
Great martinis and service. They had chorizo stuffed pork loin as a special when we were there - freakin great!
(5)
Krista J.
I work right next to Citrus so I often go here for lunch. This place is owned by the group that made Kres and Hue & Cityfish, so I knew it had to be a decent place to eat! The atmosphere is contemporary, with a bar that has a few HD TV's - definately eat outside if the weather permits. Some of the dishes here are new american with a latin twist on them. Instead of regular bread rolls, they give you rolls and fried plantains w/ seasoned butter. They also serve yuca fries with some of the dishes, which are a nice alternative to the normal french fry. The Black Bean & Chorizo soup and Butternut Squash soup is yummy and so are the flatbreads. Beware of ordering a salad as an appetizer - they are pretty large in size. B/c I go here for lunch a lot I usually end up getting the CAB burger or the chicken avacado - both are very good and filling. The crowd that usually frequents this place is the business crowd - just about everytime I am there I see a group of people having a business lunch or bring clients out for drinks to blow off some steam.
(4)
emely j.
Citrus is a great restaurant in town. It has been around for a few years about and I even celebrated a birthday there a couple years back. I particularly like the vibe and atmosphere of the place. I usually sit at the bar or the high-tops but it still has that wood, earthy, dim-lit feel. Staff is friendly and can give you recommendations. Mikey is a Citrus staple. I like many of their appetizers like the shrimp and lobster fritters or the amazing blue crab cakes (which have a friend tomato underneath). My favorite dessert is the Cafe con Leche Creme Brulee. A total must have.
(4)
Michael M.
This is a great place to have a nice meal in downtown Orlando. The steaks and flatbreads are really good. And the service is really friendly.
(5)
Amy B.
Do you like citrus flavor? I hope so because almost every dish has a lemon lime or orange flavor. Let's start at the beginning.. At first arrival I was impressed with the decor. It felt comfortable and welcoming. I sat at the bar to wait for my boyfriend. They had a nice wine selection and a few half bottle options.I got a glass of wine which they offered to let me taste vs just pouring ,which was nice. When we were seated service was quick and proficient. She wasn't overly helpful but still no complaints. We ordered 2 apps based on other reviews. The steak flat bread and lobster shrimp fritters. Flat bread was great,it had this almost BBQ taste on it. the fritters not so much. The pinapple mint and avacado sauce was a weird combo.And I tasted the corn more than any shrimp or lobster. Next we split the Cesar salad and scallops with risotto and asparagus. The Cesar Salad was good. Pretty Traditional but with an extra squeeze of lemon. Scallops were cooked perfect and might have been some of the best Ive had if not for all the additional lemon juice they were surrounded in. The lemon was overwhelming in the risotto as well. I think whoever was on garnish that night went a little over the top when adding the lemon to the plate. There was also an orange reduction that added to the intense flavor. We were also given "bread". Which was sourdough an plantains with a lime butter. Served at the same time as the main Meal. I should have expected all the citrus but it was a little too much. I think things would have been better if they mellowed out on the theme a little more. There ingredients were fresh so I think if they cut some of the literal citrus out and based it more a Florida flavor it would be much better. That being said everyones dish around us was clean so maybe it was just what we got. On the way out my boyfriend grabbed a "mint" which he said also had the lemon lime taste. I think if we go back it will be for flat bread and wine.
(3)
Hani B.
A welcome new addition to Orlando's fine diining scene, Citrus, is a good place to go eat whether its for lunch or dinner. The menu offers an interesting new take on many dishes. My favorite appetizer here has to be the Lobster Fritters, highly recommend it. As for the entrees I especially enjoyed the Filet Mignon and the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. Good place to take people to impress with your knowledge of the Orlando dining scene.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I throughly enjoyed eating at this restaurant. There was an awesome wine list and great cocktail list. Im a vegetarian, and there was nothing vegetarian on the menu except for salad. The waitress had a combination of all the vegetables and pastas made for me. My boyfriend ate a filet and he said it was excellent. I would reccommend this place for a nice date, anniversary or special occassion because it pricey.
(4)
Chad R.
I was staying in Orlando for a show downtown at Backbooth and as a foodie I had heard great things about Citrus, so I thought I'd check it out. I enjoyed the selection of some of the small vineyard wines they offered. I ended up going with the Mia's Playground because I'm a fan of most of Russian River Valley Pinots and it was well priced. I would love to tell you that the entree's are great, but we didn't get that far because of all the great starters we had. I would absolutely recommend the steak flat bread and the Wagyu Burger with truffle fries. As simple as it sounds, the habanero ketchup they serve with the burger was amazing. The ONE DO NOT MISS is the Orange Cake for desert.
(4)
Courtney E.
Great salad! Busy lunch crowd. Very healthy menu as well. The couches outside are a great place to sit and enjoy the meal.
(4)
Scott G.
Very good meal. Service was attentive, food excellent. Can have a conversation.
(4)
monica s.
This place has really amazing food. It's right across the street from my condo. It's set in a really beautiful location. I loved my meal! The service was excellent as well. I would love to go back really soon.....Once i go back home to Florida, this will be my first stop.
(5)
Andre C.
Great service, good wine, great music, food....so so. Caprese salad was great but I've had way better mozzarella from Costco. Lobster/shrimp fritters, ok but oily. Doesn't live up to it's vision. Pity.
(2)
Wendy m.
An average resturant. I live walking distance to Citrus but don't go there to often. I much rather walk the mile to lake eola and get not only more bang for my buck but also higher quality. I gave it 3 stars because appetizers are tasty and drinks are strong.
(3)
Nicole G.
I recently went to Citrus for the first time. I have been hearing amazing things about this place so i thought i would go and try it out myself. My good friend and i went together and sat on the patio for dinner. It was so nice out there. The food was amazing(I had the salmon) as well as the serves, our waitress was Breanna. The inside of the restaurant was amazing as well. the decor was very nice and i really liked the bar area. The bar area is a great place to hang out with some friends and have some drinks. Everything about citrus was amazing, even the bathrooms were very nice. (The hand soap smelt so good. ) I will diffidently go back again soon!!!
(5)
Philip R.
We decide to celebrate our 26th anniversary at Citrus. We have celebrated and dined in many a restaurants over time. This was a wonderfully exquisite experience. We were first enthusiastically greeted at the front door by a team of hostesses who recognized why we where there and wished us a happy anniversary. One of them quickly brought us to a "quiet" area that I had requested but I felt it was in the hallway and saw the opportunity to sit outside on a beautiful night. It wasn't set for service (so I assume it was a closed area) but the hostess did not hesitate and made it available for us. We settled in and Jordan made his appearance right away asking if we would like to start with a drink, but the manager actually stepped in and offered a couple of glasses of champagne on the house to celebrate instead. We declined letting her know that we had been drinking Veuve Cliquot throughout the afternoon (it was a celebration day after all). We thanked her as that was a really thoughtful gesture. We had decided to try out the Magical dining menu which is available at various restaurants throughout Orlando at this time of the year and for a $30 "prix fixe" is a great way to experience some of the more expensive menus without over spending. We may be in love but the budget is always a concern these days. Based on the menu we selected, we chose to go with the ZD Chardonnay. The wine list is not over the top but a good varied selection to please pretty much anyone. This was the only little hitch as Jordon seemed a little uncomfortable opening a bottle, however he did make up with his warm and attentive service throughout dinner. We both started with the Fried greens Tomatoes with lobster, rock shrimp and crab creole ravigote. It was timely, very hot and the dish was perfectly balanced. Luckily the portion wasn't to big as we decided that the P.E.I mussels, although it was not included in the MD menu, we had to have them because of the description. Jordan was once again accommodating and added them to the order. We are so glad we did because they were so wonderful. The bread that was served along side of them was perfectly seasoned to let us enjoy every drop of the broth which had just the right kick. We were served the entrees at the appropriate amount of time and view the last minute switched, I have to say, well done Jordan! My wife had the Idaho brook trout and I enjoyed the Shrimp and grits. Both flavor profiles (as we obviously had to share) were spot on and delicious. Dessert was just as perfect and I tried the Warres Optima which complemented the Flourless Chocolate torte while my wife had the key lime Sabayon a interesting twist on a Key lime pie. The manager visited us several times to ensure we were having a great time and it was with genuine true hospitality. Definitely on our must go back list of restaurants and we will not need a special occasion to do so.
(5)
Mariacristina R.
I felt like we got a lot of bang for our buck with the Magical Dining menu. In the past, I've experience more sampling portions than full meals so my husband and I ordered another appetizer since we were anticipating tiny portions. But Citrus didn't hold back and we were treated to a wonderful dinner. The waiter was extremely attentive and informative. We ordered mostly seafood dishes and were really pleased with our meal. Nice to know the desserts are made in house (except for the orange cake).
(4)
Chris R.
Citrus Restaurant is on North Orange near Colonial. Their motto is "Eat, Drink & Be Local" I've always walked right past Citrus because it's next to one of my favorite lunch places The Virgin Olive Market. Since Scott Joseph recently offered a $40 for $20 deal on Citrus I went ahead and bought a certificate to give them a shot and I'm real glad I did. We were seated next to a well dressed large group that was celebrating a graduation and at times they were very loud. A couple times I had to almost yell to even hear myself but besides that the experience was excellent. The chairs are very soft & comfortable, something that important to me I dislike sitting in hard wood or plastic chairs. There were a number of items I was eyeing on the online menu before hand. Black Bean soup with Chorizo, avocado sour cream, chopped sweet vidalia onion($6), the pasta, Salmon, Scallops, and Risotto. A couple different twitter friends had said to get the Shrimp & Lobster Fritters which are made with shrimp, maine lobster, roasted sweet corn, grilled jalapeno, pineapple salsa, avocado crema($13). In the end I shared the Shrimp and Lobster Fritters and the Smoked Chicken Salad. The Fritters were not too crunchy like fritters tend to be, they were just right, I loved the avocado crema the fritters were served with. The salad was filled with chunks of 4 Rivers Smokehouse chicken breast, mixed baby lettuce, pears, pecans, Gorgonzola and covered with a cranberry vinaigrette($14). The perfectly sliced pears made this salad excellent! For my main course I had the Pomegranate Glazed Grilled Atlantic Salmon with wax beans, green beans and peruvian blue potatoes served with a pomegranate-port molasses ($19) In a few of the dishes they used a very tangy and tasty Pomegranate port reduction sauce, sometimes drizzled on the plate sometimes mixed in the dish. I also tried the Tangerine Macadamia crusted Idaho Brook Trout, with a very tasty meyer lemon risotto, steamed broccolini ($22). To top it all off I had to order the cup--cake desert which was not a cupcake at all but a bowl filled with cake and a rich ganache and topped with Edy's vanilla bean Ice Cream & real cream. On Fridays for happy hour they have a $5 flatbread pizza special.
(5)
Marcus S.
Citrus is in an odd location on the North fringe of the downtown area. Parking is an issue but nothing to get overwhelmed about. My experience here was less than satisfying and i wish it were better because Citrus has so much potential. My party had a business lunch setup for Citrus. I was dismayed when i arrived that no indoor table options were available. The hostess said something about sitting at the bar area but refused to allow us entry because the bar tables "only seat 2" while we had a party of 3. Ok so be it, but a little odd...the hostess actually appeared disappointed when i said we would take a table outside. Not a great start to the meal. Fast forward to the food. Why is there 4 Rivers Brisket on the menu at Citrus? To me it seems inherently flawed to have another restaurant's food on your menu...just something to think about. I had the Chicken Avocado sandwich with slaw. The chicken was overcooked and the avocado was not fresh; nothing too much to whine about but a little disappointing. However, the slaw was almost inedible. It looked and tasted old and watery. I seriously question whether the slaw should have been on the plate. Overall, i was disappointed in Citrus. I truly believe if a few of the issues discussed were ironed out then my review would have gone the other way. Until i hear differently if i have a business lunch in the downtown area i going to head over to Kres.
(2)
Sandi W.
Glad we came here for dinner. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful atmosphere unlike the first place we chose for the night... Those Shrimp and Lobster Fritters... Oh yum!!! I could have just ate those for dinner alone! Two of us had the Chimichurri Skirt Steak and substituted the Boniato Mash for risotto instead. Both were so good. The risotto was full of garlicky goodness. Another friend had the FL Shrimp and Grits. She thought it was ok, but that the grits were not creamy at all like she was expecting. Great choice for dinner. Good food and wonderful service!
(4)
Patricia R.
Went tonight with a group of around 20 friends to celebrate. We were seated near the window to the right which was nice but the ones who had to sit near the windows seemed a bit tight. Drinks were ordered and brought out - one of my friends got a Park Lake which was raspberry vodka, champagne, frozen raspberries and something else - it was tasty and potent. I ordered light with only an appetizer: calamari with yucca fries and arugula salad. And then we waited for the food. And waited. And waited. It seemed to take an unusually long time considering that only one person ordered the steak.. which he got really rare so it really didn't need a lot of cooking. My calamari ($15) was tasty, dipped in buttermilk, four thin yucca fries and two sauces for dipping. I asked for some bread... which NEVER arrived even though my server mentioned twice that it was on its way. The whole thing was seriously overpriced (I guess trendy menus means you'll pay a lot to eat little) - their menu is very small with what they offer for eating - there were no sides of fries or anything. There was a chef's menu had a choice of pick one of two for an appetizer, a main course and dessert for $35.
(3)
TDawg T.
Menu limited, food great. Home made blueberry vodka with a splash of agave, great. I will return especially if they TURN DOWN THE FRIG AC! Are you guys hanging meat n there?
(4)
Kwan-Yin C.
My husband surprised me by bringing me here for Valentine's Day and we were extremely surprised on the top notch service and food that we received. Our waiter explained that all their dishes are made from fresh ingredients, most which they grow themselves. First they had a special menu which included some of their staple dishes and some new ones incorporated for the holiday. My husband had never tried oysters and had their oyster appetizer which he LOVED. I had the Filet Mignon which was so tender you could cut it with a butter knife, mashed potatoes were flavorful and fluffy. For dessert we had the Florida Strawberry Pound cake with fresh strawberries from Plant City. The pound cake is made fresh and grilled on a pan to caramelize the sugar and topped with a freshly made Grand Marnier whipped cream... It was HEAVENLY!!! I highly recommend Citrus and can't wait to go again and try out something different .
(5)
Doug G.
Citrus' logos say "Eat, Drink and Be Local." The restaurant is supposed to reflect central Florida's heritage, with their own interpretation of Floridian flavors. Hence the name. The aforementioned descriptor as well as the stellar reviews on yelp convinced me that Citrus was a required stop on my frequent trips to Orlando. So I went. I walk into every restaurant thinking the same way many teachers do about their students, in that everyone starts with an "A". Well, Citrus, as with all other dining establishments, got it's start at 5 stars and away we go... I was cool with the wine selection. I got a 2005 Rioja Crianza, priced at $7, which in real life for the average consumer is $12-$14 a bottle, so the price was acceptable. Also, the bartender allowed me the traditional taste, which I appreciate very much when ordering by the glass. 5-stars in tact. After placing my order, the bartender asked if I wanted bread. I responded in the affirmative, and was promptly provided with a breadbasket of plantain chips and a whole-wheaty/oatey bread. Both were executed extremely well, although I didn't really "get" the lemon/lime butter, other than the fact that citric acid is a required ingredient in everything in here. Hmm... 4.5 stars. I ordered the Citrus Salad, consisting of baby greens, gorgonzola, plantain chips, orange and an orange vinaigrette. The salad was very good. Not great or outstanding. I went into this salad already knowing that I hate fruit in a vegetable based salad. Still holds true, however the "idea" of orange flavoring does work in this salad. It's just that the oranges themselves do not work. For me. So... 4.0 stars. I ordered the Idaho Brook Trout for my entree. Here's why: I wanted fish, and there were three options, Swordfish (which I'm not big on), Salmon (which I just had last weekend) and Idaho Brook Trout which I don't think I've ever even had. So I went with it. The trout had what Citrus calls a "tangerine macadamia crust." It was quite an interesting dish. The fish was extremely dry, not what I was expecting at all. I found myself squeezing the lemon (more citric acid) as hard as I could to moisten the fish, which made it better. It also helped to take each bite of the fish with a mouthful of the risotto. Yes, the "lemon risotto". The vegetables served with the fish were pretty good. Uhhh, 3.5 stars? Overall, this place didn't quite live up to the hype by the time I was done with my meal, because it certainly wasn't cheap. I enjoyed the meal on the whole enough to call it "A-OK", but I think I might not return (unless someone else is paying).
(3)
Jeff J.
Citrus has such potential to excel, but it falls short. The waitstaff is extremely friendly--Brianna made our experience wonderful. However, the food didn't have enough flavors. The tuna tartare was dressed beautifully, but it severely lacked acidity. After eating it, I noticed there was a lime wedge that would have done wonders... but the chef really should just give us that lime juice in the tartare rather than giving us the option to spray it. My entree was a special-- pan seared triple tail. I have to give the restaurant kudos for cooking the fish perfectly. However, it was severely under-seasoned, and most of the flavor was coming from the two purees on the plate. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough puree to overcome the lack of seasoning. Finally, for dessert we had a key lime pie (explained to be a custard-- but sabayon is not custardy). It was a nice take on key lime pie, and I certainly enjoyed it. It was the one bright spot in an otherwise flavorless evening, and saved Citrus from a 2 star review. The dishes are beautiful-- some more acid on the tartare and some more salt on the fish would've bumped this up to 4 stars.
(3)
Tim M.
Had a business dinner here. Food was outstanding, service was impeccable. Price was very reasonable. Can't go wrong here.
(5)
Justin I.
I am a fan of Citrus Restaurant. I've only been one time for lunch and I had a good experience. Started with soup and had a trout dish for the main deal. The food was good and the service was great. The place was packed for lunch but the seating was comfortable and it wasn't too loud. All in all, Citrus is a solid restaurant that is worth checking out.
(4)
Billy O.
Great location and fun atmosphere. I've been to this place about 3 times already and the food and service just keeps getting worst. and worst The later you come, the worst it gets. Its like they get sloppy or angry if you come 1 hour before they close. Ahaaa...get all your frustration out on the food. lol The first time I came here the food was great and the drinks were pretty good also. However, the food is always inconsistent each time I go; and for the worst. For the price, I'm very disappointed. The waiters just seem to keep getting our food orders wrong, late, or not the proper order. They try to play it off like the appetizers are suppose to be desserts or something. lol No visit number 4 for me. Maybe in a year or 2. :/
(2)
D S.
I've been to Citrus 3 times. Always satisfying, never disappointing. The food stands out because it's consistently superior to and more interesting than anything I can make and better than most comparable restaurants in town. The service is solid; decor is inoffensive. The overall atmosphere is comfortable. It's a bit pricey, but it's a reliable choice for a really nice meal that will impress your date.
(4)
Mark G.
Had the blackened grouper special. It was served with pork which tasted more like steak. It was excellent. Bread and plantain chips were tasty too. Awesome service. Drink I had was a little bland and definitely overpriced. Will return if I'm ever stuck in the area again for business. Pricey for what they serve but definitely worth it.
(5)
Morgan C.
Last night i went to Citrus with a group of friends. I was really impressed. I started with the wedge salad with apple wood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese. I was so good i passed it around the table. For my entree i ordered the scallops which came blackened on a bed of asparagus and risotto. We were all so dazzled by our meals. They have a great wine and cocktail list and superb outdoor seating. This being said, our waiter was awful. He was maybe 18 and very confused. He took our orders before our drinks came out. He stumbled around on questions on the menu and looked like he might cry when we asked him to split a bottle of wine two ways. Bless his heart. I think it is hard to find good wait staff, or so it seems for Orlando restaurants. I will definitely be returning to Citrus.
(4)
Annette G.
I came back and had yet another great meal. That said, my meal was actually not as good as everyone elses at the table, but it was still pretty good. I ordered a fish special and it was good, but it was over a bed of broccoli rabe that was so over salted, I nearly spit it out. Still though, I love this place. The food is sure thing, for the most part. Service can be hit or miss, so that's why I stay with 4 vs 5 stars.
(4)
David K.
Fellow Yelpers, This dinner was a sad dinner as my heart's flag was a half mast. I'll tell you why...my girlfriend, whom I absolutely adore (refer to my previous white knight comments in my other amazing reviews [cheap plug, I know]), was so upset with me. I won't get into details, but this made the dinner experience not so great and this review will not feel the same as my others, as its tone will be one of a man in love...feeling the burden of a lingering issue due to his own absent mindedness... Therefore, my loyal readers and fans, I'm not as perfect as I may seem because I do make mistakes (not very often though ;-D). Alright enough self-pity and flagrant cockiness. I screwed up bad with my love and I deservingly went through the necessary consequences. In spite of me being upset, the one whom I adore still manages to inspire me to write tales of food outings...yes, my balls...still in her purse. Also, no check ins or pictures...I left my phone in the car. Onto the restaurant, Its location is awesome, it is tucked away on the beginning of Orange Avenue a few lights before arriving in the major party section of Downtown. The atmosphere is great, it was dark and romantically lit (too bad it was a night where the pendulum swung way outside the equilibrium). I reserved this through Open Table and they hooked me up with a nice booth at the end of the restaurant. This allowed for some coziness for us, but the shield around her was at full force, my love lasers could not penetrate them. We ordered the Artesanal American Cheese Plate as an appetizer. This was smaller than I expected for the price of the actual dish. The cheeses were delicious, the figs were very good. The olives were a bit off for me, the almonds were great and the toast was just too big for the ketchup bowl in which they were placed. It looked like someone placed 5 baguettes into a midget paper bag. Awkwaaaaard... My bothered girlfriend (who looked OH SO BEAUTIFUL) ordered a steak. I'm not sure if it was the Filet Mignon or another type. Nevertheless, the steak was very tender and tasted great! It's even more delicious when she feeds me pieces even though she was mad at me. I don't recall the exact sides she got with her dish, I do know one of them was the Risotto (that bastard keeps coming back to claim her heart at every meal). It tasted very good, almost as she put it, like a chicken noodle soup. I ordered the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. I got the Roasted Potatoes and the Mixed Vegetables as sides (Tip: you can switch sides on any dish, just ask the server!). The Salmon was the best I have had in Orlando thus far. The Pom really made it taste sweet and it was so flaky...delicious. The Potatoes were mixed in the Pom sauce which also gave them a sweet round-house Chuck Norris kick into amazingness. We ordered drinks too and this place really knowns how to pour them. My Vodka on the rocks with a lime was just the right amount and her Cocktail (don't remember the name, although it tasted peachy) was very refreshing. I ordered a dessert to end the night, the choice was between the Chocolate Cupcake and the Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream. We went with the Apple dessert. It was very good. A nice finishing touch to a great meal (all emotional bubbles aside :( ). Overall, I highly recommend it. I hope to redeem myself at some point and take her back here when she isn't so upset with me so as to enjoy this place the right way. Together. Happy. I almost feel gross reviewing this because it just doesn't feel right when the mood was so off with us...However, I'm trying to 'Yelp' you guys out in your decisions on where to eat during the weekend. So there you go, I'm so selfless I should be rewarded! Take Care and here is a tip: Always show your woman affection and how much you love them all the time, never skip a beat...don't scratch the Vinyl record of love...ever!
Great outside patio on a nice nice with comfy couches. Excellent menu and the service is fast. This is also a great location to grab a drink. I have done the "power lunch" as well and that also works well when you don't have much time, but want a good meal.
(4)
K S.
Very nice restaurant. The University of Florida had a MBA informational session here. The food was decent. The setting had a trendy ambiance to it. Parking wise- the restaurant only had valet parking or metered around the area.
(4)
Robert M.
Very impressive. I had a skirt steak w/ chimichurri that was cooked to perfection, along with sweet onions that kicked it up a notch. Came with Fennel whipped mash that had great flavor, and steamed veges. Eat on the outdoor patio if possible. Wine list is decent, but beer selection needs major work. However, our waiter suggested 'Sessions Beer' (a lager) to me after I rambled off a list of beers I wanted that they didn't have. He saved the day. It could be one of the best tasting beers I've ever had....maybe the best. Smooth. Their bread also needs work. I believe it was supposed to be a sweetbread but it wasn't sweet, and it was also dry. Plaintain chips were o.k. but I've had much better, seemed a bit stale or something. Work on the beer and bread, and it's a winner!
(4)
Jeanette D.
Service and the food is always excellent. Great place for a business lunch and a large group.
(4)
Chris S.
Citrus is one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando. We have eaten at the location twice and have been impressed with the service and quality of food. My wife loves the shrimp and grits and I usually get the scallop dish. This is truly a gem for Orlando and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)
Frances F.
Great new place! The lunch menu had plenty of options and surprisingly big portions. Avoid dining during peak hours, as it gets very noisy inside. I recommend the roasted corn and bean burger with that awesome cole slaw salad. I only wish they had a better happy hour.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
The jicama slaw was fantastic. The server kept forgetting my lemons for my water, but she remembered eventually. I like the patio outside with the tables and couches. The bathrooms were nice and clean and the hand soap smelled very nice. It's the little things that make a place stand out, right?
(4)
Kat E.
DON'T ORDER TO GO!!!! How anyone can cook a med-rare filet in 15 minutes while preparing an appetizer and another entree is beyond me. $31 dollars for a small filet, burnt asparagus and a spoonful of mashed potatoes is sooooo not worth it. The shrimp and grits were ok-ish. The delicious, and flavorful, goat's milk, cheddar grits were covered with more burnt vegetables concealing most of the flavor. Despite the 4 shrimp that were included being quite big, it was not worth $25 for the meal. I've read reviews that the shrimp and lobster fritters are amazing, so we ordered them. Didn't taste any lobster, but make sure you eat them right away. After about 5 minutes they are cold and soggy. In conclusion, the food was over priced and over cooked. I'm sure dining at the restaurant would be a much better experience since the food would be fresh (even though I live across the street) and I would be able to send it back. But it will be a very long time till I dine here again.
(2)
Ian G.
I ended up going there twice in a single day. I sat at a table for lunch and then went again with some other friends and sat at the bar. The menu was good and decently executed. I tried (while sharing) the kobe carpaccio, whihc was really good, the mussels which had good flavor, the escargot, the buffalo mozzerella salad and the grits and shrimp. The latter two tasted like someone had dumped salt on them. Everything else was good, not great. Everyone I was with loved their food, but it is my review so I am tellign you what I think. Things were not executed to a higher level. It seemed more like trendy ingredients then great dining. The atmosphere was very good, a great and reasonable and wine list and the SErvice was fantastic. The bartenders were entertaining friendly and attentive. I will go back, probably for apps and drinks.
(3)
Brenda D.
I've only been to this restaurant 3 times on my various trips to Orlando and it's always good food and I like the outdoor lounge area. I started with the wedge salad - the smoked bacon made this salad over the top great. Next, I tried the Black Bean Soup. What a great combination. I want that recipe.
(4)
Joshua J.
First of all.. you can get 4Rivers BBQ here (of course it is more expensive than it would be if you actually go to 4 Rivers to get your grub on)!!! Beyond that, their fish is notoriously known for being very fresh. The staff is courteous and attentive. My only complaint is that it is generally quite loud in here. IMHO it isn't a great place for an intimate date setting.
(4)
Marie B.
When I used to live in Orlando with my boyfriend (at the time), he lived right across the street from Citrus. We used to meet up here for post work drinks and eats. The lobster fritters, flat breads, and orange cake are delicious. I live in NY now and have yet to find an orange cake as good. It has a subtle orange flavor complimented by a cream cheese icing, topped with nuts. So moist. 'So. rich. So good. Mmmm. This restaurant is owned by the same people who own Hue, so the service, food, and wine is top notch. Citrus is highly recommended of all Orlando's restaurant's downtown.
(4)
gregory s.
pricey, beautiful, excellent food I went a few months ago, need to go back and enjoy more of it
(4)
Chris E.
Came in on 9/11 for a first time visit...Sat at the bar and was greeted warmly and promptly by the bartender Jen. She walked me through the menu (much more reasonably priced than I imagined) as well as offering me a secondary special event menu. I asked her several questions about my selections, somewhat difficult as I am sticking to a diet, and she helped me select the best possible option. The food itself (Orlando Farms Chicken) was superb. The kitchen's temperatures were spot on, the service impeccable, and overall one of the more pleasant experiences I have had in the North Quarter of Orlando. Handling corporate accounts like I do I am certain to bring clients here, and look forward to my next meal. The ONLY unfortunate feeling I have is that Jen won't be able to serve us if we are not at the bar...That being said, I am certain that the rest of the operation's staff will be more than capable! I highly recommend for a quiet, pleasant meal where one can enjoy food, company and service.
(5)
Blair A.
I am giving it two stars because the food was quit good, however the service was horrible. I came in with 5 other friends all in our mid twenties. The server was very rude from the very beginning. You could tell he wasn't pleased that he had a table of young people. Everything came on time and tasted great, but after he took our order we didn't see him again until after we all finished our meals. During this time we saw him go to other tables multiple times to check up on them throughout their visit. When he dropped back off our checks he didn't say anything to us. I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant because of my age. Needless to say I will never come back.
(2)
Amber W.
Definitely one of my all time favorites in Orlando. We go often for happy hour, too. The staff are amazing (Heidi is fabulous) and helpful. I always feel comfortable asking questions and the food is literally some of the best I've had. We enjoy taking friends, clients and out of town guests here as often as possible. The menu changes with season and on a day-to-day basis. The chef is incredible. Sit outside on cooler evenings. The north quarter scene is relaxed but classy. For dinner, try the mussels, brussels sprouts, any of the fish dishes, filet, pork and any seasonal dishes. The manhattan is a favorite along with the cosmopolitan. For lunch, everything is healthy and has decent protein.
(5)
Candace T.
Citrus is one of my favorite restaurants.. Now that I'm not living in Orlando, I try to come here at least once per visit, even if just to sit at the bar by myself (great place for that). My favorites are always the black bean soup (the bowl comes with plantain chips) and the wedge salad, but they have tons of great items, so I usually opt for one of those to go with an app or meal, or a daily special. They have great bread and plantain chips here too! The black bean soup is Awesome! Not vegetarian.. Has bacon and chorizo in it, plus chunks of onion and peppers.. Nice kick to it also! Then I had the lamb sandwich special, which was sinfully delicious! Buttered crispy bread, shredded lamb, gooey cheese, and a nice olive tapenade. They have a new taste to their fries which I love.. some African spice. Lastly, an espresso.. always a plus. The service is great and the staff is very friendly. I love sitting at the bar here - extra friendly and fantastic service. The atmosphere is lovely, light music in the background without being too loud inside. This is my number 1 business lunch choice in the area, but it's also great for drinks at the bar, casual lunch outside, or date night.
(5)
M. G.
Enjoyed a Magical Dining Month meal here. The server was excellent and attentive. This place has a nice vibe: classy but relaxed. The drink menu looked interesting and the regular menu was very tempting. The magical dining month menu had some yummy choices. The shrimp and gits was flavorful with a bit of heat. The swordfish with mofongo had good flavor but was a bit dry. I like to craft the "perfect bite" and this didn't quite work that way. The desserts were outstanding (a melty fudgy brownie and a key lime chiffon). Definitely interested in returning here some other time. It is a bit pricy, so it will be have to a special visit.
(4)
Ly N.
If you're looking for a nice date night, you should try this place. It's a bit pricey but well worth it. I had the duck here and it was phenomenon. Cooked perfectly and tastes just as perfect! If you like heat, there's a homemade habanero sauce that you can try upon request. It makes a great pairing with any type of meat dish.
(5)
Nay J.
Bitter short haired blond bartender... Ruined my last experience. My clients were let down also.
(4)
Francisco M.
Had lunch today at Citrus and it was ok. The place was packed and the service was very good. My disappointment comes from the food. I was expecting a lot more from my $25.00 Hanger Steak dish. The steak is not very big and the only sides you get are fries and arugula salad so for $25.00, you feel a bit cheated. Hanger steak is not an expensive piece of meat in general and at other restaurants, you can get a ribeye or NY strip for that price. I ordered it medium rare and it was still tough to cut because it had a lot of fat. I didn't have an appetizer or dessert so I am basing my review on the entree and the service which was the highlight of the visit.
(3)
Travis C.
Took my wife here on a date. If you're looking for a nice, cozy atmosphere, look no further. The bartenders were awesome while they served us when we were waiting for our table, the drinks were incredible, although expensive. The bar menu is great, but it's pricing surprised me. They have some awesome signature drinks, but they'll cost you as much as a decent appetizer. If it were me, and I did it again, I would just buy a bottle of wine. The food was incredible, although the menu they had online was very different from the one in the restaurant, and they were out of the only dish that my wife wanted. However, they comped us a dessert because of it. Our waiter was awesome. He was attentive, conversational, and knew the menu inside and out. When he heard that the menu differed from the one online, he comped me a drink from the bar, and gave us a free choice of dessert. Needless to say, those costs went into his tip. The food was incredible. I honestly can't think of a restaurant in downtown that can measure up to the food here. And there are a LOT of great restaurants in Orlando. If the drinks were a couple dollars cheaper (I used to tend bar, so cost / contents is something that I pay close attention to), the website had been up to date, and the dish my wife ordered had been in stock, this would have been a 5 star review. because I try not to judge on first time experiences, i plan on revisiting Citrus in the next few weeks to give them another fair shot. Bravo Citrus. I'm a fan.
(4)
Mia B.
The signature cocktails were amazing!! We ordered the Yuca appetizer, while waiting for the food there were a couple fruit flies trying to join us. Our appetizer arrived and looked as amazing as it tasted! Loved it! But because of the persistent fruit flies we were turned off to eating or drinking more. Otherwise a 5Star review would have definitely been made. Service was equally as amazing.
(3)
Chris W.
Come to Citrus and experience truly unique, farm-to-table dishes. Fresh. Fantastic. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. The place has plenty of seating but is a popular place among the locals. Get here early or make reservations or you're gonna wait in line. There's outdoor seating to enjoy the Florida weather and there's a banquet room too. The food is the draw. Without the culinary expertise if what the chef is making, it would just be another restaurant. This is not so with Citrus. Enjoy
(5)
Ron H.
Excellent in every way. The place was brimming with life. Went on the recommendation of my nearby hotel. Yelp said it was a bit pricey. It was, but well worth it. The fresh mahi (told it was caught the night before and flown in) was outstanding. The clams were fine and the interesting portion and combination of vegetables all in a clear broth were great. The mahi was coated in a very spicy seasoning. Loved it. Good wine selection. Excellent service. Might try it another night to see what else is good. Highly recommend it if you're in the downtown Orlando area.
(5)
Joshua S.
Citrus ranks up with one of the best, if not THE best food that I've ever had. To go along with that the customer service is phenomenal and you actually get treated like a valued customer and not just another guest willing to pay a high dollar for mediocre food as you can find in a lot of restaurants that tack on the "fine dining" pin around town. Stopped in here back in November while we were aimlessly driving around downtown trying to find a place to live so we could escape from North Dakota. I was ready to buy a pop-up tent at Dick's and conceal it under the docks at Lake Ivanhoe by the time we arrived in the North Quarter. We had heard about the apartments next door and after being skull-numbed from listening to complexes sell their luxury of paper thin walls accompanied with a nice pool, we decided to stop in here for a glass of wine and lunch. We were immediately sat outside on the patio on a perfect sunny Central Florida afternoon. I'll admit, I'm a cheeseburger and fries kind-of-guy so the menu did seem a little foreign to me at first. Thankfully the server was out with ice cold water immediately and before I could get done fanning myself from the geographical shock of being in a city that wasn't covered in ice, he was explaining how everything at Citrus is made in-house and fresh. He literally explained how they made everything from scratch and the things that they couldn't make were locally sourced. I ended up going with the Angus Cheeseburger, which consisted of American cheese, shaved sweet onion, house pickles, local Kaiser and Rosemary fries. It was TO DIE FOR. Stopped back in the night we moved to the neighborhood at the end of November. After talking to the wait staff and explaining our jaunt from frozen hell (ND) down to Orlando, she and the manager brought out a complimentary Fried Green Tomato appetizer to welcome us to town. I thought that was above and beyond an ample welcome. We were impressed. I was a little intimidated by the concept of a green tomato (hello, North Dakota=completely sheltered) and I kept thinking it has to be good if there's a movie with the same name. Anyways, it was excellent. I could've gorged on a few more. They were breaded perfect and tasted like heaven. I ended up going with the "Filet Mignon Flatbread" for dinner. This beauty consisted of filet mignon pieces (obviously) with caramelized onions, roasted tomato, gorgonzola, cheddar, and manchego cheese. It's hard to even type that without salivating. Needless to say, it was stunning. I chased it down with a stiff Crown on the rocks and overall it was a perfect meal. Excellent menu, dynamic customer service, and a wonderful location out of the charlie foxtrot of downtown.
(5)
David K.
One of our favorites. Service is great and the young chef is outstanding! A hang out for us! I recommend it highly.
(4)
Marie H.
Great food, great staff. We came from Houston and really enjoyed our meals. The Octopus was amazing!! We will return!
(5)
Greg L.
I had not been back to Citrus in over a year and I had friends in town that wanted to go back there since they remembered their last visit. I checked the Yelp website and saw a lot of good/great reviews so we went. We were all majorly disappointed! Citrus no longer has the flatbreads, like the fantastic steak and bleu cheese appetizer, as they are now a farm to table restaurant and the menu changes regularly. We went this past Wednesday night and there was not much on the menu that we liked. We almost ordered drinks and left but decided to give it a chance. The Grey Goose Cosmo martinis used to be the bomb here; now, not so much. They used to be strong, lightly pink with small shards of ice on the top. This time, the drinks were still strong, more dark red and too sweet. My friends switched to white wine after the first drink. We noticed the table lines had an unusual smell to them. (My friend described it as a damp smell; maybe the lines were not completely dry when they folded the silverware into them. Trying to decide on appetizers was difficult given the limited choices. The fried green tomatoes were nothing to write home about and the lamb tartar on Texas toast (or something like that) was ok. I had the wedge salad which was probably the best thing I had that night-great flavor and taste. I then tried the scallops and they were quite good, but the celery paste concoction that came with it nearly spoiled the taste of the scallops themselves. (Price: $34!) I shared the scallops with one of my friends and the other person got the chicken, which he thought was good, but not great. I will say the service is still very good, which is one of the reasons we used to come here on a regular basis. At least the table service at Citrus remains in top form. Finally, to end the evening, my friends noted the valet parking was now $5 when it was free the previous times we went there. Obviously, things have changed and not for the better in all three of our opinions. We have taken this restaurant off our list. It appears a number of people truly enjoy the "new" Cirtus, but do not count the three of us on that list. I suggest you use this review to balance against the others when making your final decision. Maybe we just hit a bad night, but we will not be back to determine if that was so.
(3)
Ryan B.
Great date spot with tables or an upscale bar. Food has been great every time I've eaten here (going on 6+ times) just don't go if you want a cheap meal. Menu changes which is nice if you go every few months. Free parking in the attached garage, I always find it easiest to go up to the second floor from the entrance on the side street.
I've seen Citrus on the lists for Magical Dining Month the last few years, and the restaurant always looked inviting. I went with a group on a saturday night and I must say, I was really surprised at the lack of people at the restaurant. Considering they locally source some of their stock, I expected it to be as busy as restaurants like K or Prato, but the dining room was largely empty except for one big party attending a birthday dinner. The magical dining menu was alright, but offered little outside of sea food options. I think the biggest issue with the overall menu at Citrus is an overly ambitious chef trying to include too many ingredients in a single dish. They sound great in theory, but fall short in execution because nothing is able to stand for itself. I ordered the ribeye, served with chimichurri, grilled onions, and brown butter potatoes. The ribeye was cooked perfectly but the quality was lower than I expected, there was a lot of fat and gristle that I had to cut around, and I think I spent more time cutting my steak than eating it. The potatoes were perfect, I could eat them, probably, until I exploded. The chimichurri was good, but I did wish it was served on the side of my steak instead of on top, it didn't really add much to the flavor of the steak. I split a dessert with a friend, a chocolate cake cake with peanut butter ice cream, some pistachios sprinkled on top, and a tart berry jam. It was good...but I don't think I'd order it again. After a bite or two I was underwhelmed and can't say I'd order dessert there again. My group sat chatting and ordering more drinks and wine, so I was surprised when it was close to 11 and our waitress hadn't let us know that they were closing. They had just started closing the restaurant and putting everything away until we felt awkward and left. Overall, I'd consider going again, but I don't know that the experience is worth the amount when I know I could receive better elsewhere.
(2)
Digital B.
i was surprised at how good the food was here. i used to work downtown and many of the restaurants were over priced dumps, but citrus was a nice change of pace. don't misunderstand me, the quality was higher but so was the cost. we had dinner for three with only one appetizer and no desert or drinks and the cost was over $120 (and that was with a kid meal and tip). The appetizer was the fish nachos and my main meal was the scallops. The scallops were perfect and the garlic broccoli was awesome. The other main dish was the smoked salmon which was also very good. I was disappointed in the kids pizza which was a flat bread with no red sauce. Yes it was tasty but what kid wants pizza with out red sauce? Over all it was worth the visit and would be a good place for a date if you are trying to impress. Also good for business dinners or if you want to hang out at the bar after work. I want to go again to try some of the other items on the menu. Citrus is a cut above the rest.
(4)
Bruce E.
Look. Citrus was like A roller coaster. Under seasoned., Over seasoned, novelties like fried gator.... They may have it right now. Experienced staff at the bar, incredible Brussels Sprouts, Grilled octopus and zesty mussels. Local crowd as well. Well done ....
(4)
Jennifer D.
Love Citrus & used to eat there all the time when we lived in Orlando! The food is delicious & the mussels are the best in town! Great flatbreads too! Fabulous wine list. The service is always great! Sexy restaurant & great patio!
(5)
Tracey M.
I love this place! It's great for business, dates, happy hour, and that night out where you just want dinner, no nightclub. This is the first place I think of when asked to meet up downtown. It's not a big happening area, per say, but then again, I'm 43. I want to park ( I always find parking ) enjoy my time eating, drinking and being merry then go home. We sat at the bar, which has become my favorite location. Our bartender, Mike, was great. Made my friend his Old fashioned properly and a nice gin basil grapefruit martini ( okay numerous ones), for me! Their cocktails are always spot on. Great selection of wines and beer. For dinner we chose to split several appetizers. Hands down my favorite is always the mussels. The bread they bring is evil addictive to soak up the yummy broth. We also tried the blue crab cakes which were delicious . As well as the Tuna which was also amazing but was not served with wasabi. It had garlic and a bunch of other flavors going on. I'd get it again but it was a lot of garlic! We stuffed ourselves on apps and alcohol we skipped an actual meal. Other great menu items: black bean soup, any fresh catch sandwich rocks, the scallops are out of this word too.
Good honest food and good service. Fish and meat were very good and the it was quiet, enjoyable. The menu was short but to point.
(4)
Toft W.
Just ate dinner at Citrus with a large group of old friends. We were all blown away by the experience. We sat at the chefs table and enjoyed a variety of unbelievable dishes. The service was perfect, the decor was inviting and the food was exceptional. I recommend this place to anyone seeking a fine dining experience with in Orlando. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Frank C.
Good but not excelent first experience here, will give it another try soon. Service was excelent. Food and drink timing is perfect. Portions great. Food... Was expecting more.
(4)
Amber H.
Citrus is in a great location for meeting friends after work. The flatbread appetizer came out perfect and I truly enjoyed every bite. My main course did not perform as highly. I had the pecan crusted trout with mashed potatoes and green beans. It seemed the plate had been sitting in the window a while since the mashed potatoes were all dried out on the top. The trout was well crusted and had a great flavor but was a little over cooked. However, the orange cake made for a nice finish to the meal.
(3)
Carla T.
I went here to meet with a fairly large group of friends. When I got there the valet commented that my car was not allowed to be parked on the street past 6. I thought it was a little weird because it was 4:55 but hey he was just doing his job so I ended up moving my car to the parking garage behind the restaurant which was free so it turned out okay. I was one of the first in my group to get there and wasn't able to stay more then an hour so I placed my order right away. After everyone had been served I still hadn't seen my food and had prompted the waiter twice for it. He finally told me he had forgot to put it in. When it finally came out it just wasn't very good. I had gotten the filet Mignon flatbread. It seemed soggy to me and the steak seemed to be reheated for 14 dollars it was just totally meh. Besides forgetting my order he was pretty attentive to everyone else even though I never got a soda refill. Overall all I would never go back.
(2)
Kathleen C.
Good appetizers, nice wine, decent service. I'll go back. Ãœber clean bathroom. The valet guy was wonderful.
(4)
Ashlei S.
Carpaccio to start was good. Scallops with plantains were delicious and our server did an excellent job recommending a pinot noir. Key lime pie was a great finish. Service (even outside on the patio) was superb.
(4)
Jamie H.
my colleague and i went to the citrus restaurant for lunch and found the menu to be very appealling, the space modern and "power lunch" friendly, and the food to be pretty good overall. we started with the mussels, which were the best part of the meal. it was a very large plate that was (almost) more than enough for the two of us. each mussel was opened, so it was nice that none were wasted. the broth was amazing - it was thick with chorizo, red pepper, jalapeno, and onions. the buttered crostini on the side was an excellent way to sop up the remaining broth after the mussels were gone. i decided to order the pepper dusted tuna salad, which came with spinach, squash, fennel, cooked cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and the seared tuna. the squash came in small diced pieces and was delicious. i thought that the tuna was fresh but under-seasoned. the lime vinaigrette was too citrusy for my taste, so i was glad i got it on the side. my coworker ordered the duck meatball sandwich (special) and rosemary fries. she seemed to like the first few bites, but then realized the sandwich was extremely salty, too salty to finish. she thought it could have either been the duck itself, the bacon, or the sauce. the fries were very good though, and while they had the rosemary truffle oil taste, they were not too oily.
(4)
L. D.
Actual visit 3/6/14. Filet, broccolini, mashed potatoes. Filet was super tender, bread was soft n fresh. I will go here again.
(4)
Greg S.
This place was very accommodating when it came to service! We called prior to arriving because we were stumped as to where we could park. There was valet but we don't usually carry cash. After calling, the host advised that the parking garage could be used from the 2nd level up. We spent an hour prior to the dinner reservation at the bar, seeing what they had to offer. Two martinis later, we were hooked. Bleu Cheese stuffed olives and all, and not at a price that would bankrupt you! At dinner, some of the party ordered appetizers. The only bad thing I will give this restaurant is that the cheese appetizer was WAY overpriced with what you receive, portion-wise. For $10, I can see that as a fair amount, but I promise you, if you order it, when it comes out you'll be cocking your head to the side in disbelief. Ok ok, back to the good stuff. Went for the shrimp and grits and it......was.....delicious, like lick-the-bowl-delicious. I was so taken by dinner that I had to order dessert even after being full. The bourbon bread pudding was also nothing short of amazing. And both of these, well worth the price, hands down. I wish I could remember our bartender's name, she was really sweet and told me about the "rock, paper, scissor" thing with Session Lager's caps. Who knew? I didn't! Don, our waiter, really chatted the group and kept everyone entertained. All in all, a really great evening there!
(4)
Shon R.
Bottom line - slow service held back an ultimately great meal. Citrus is a great all around restaurant for business or a nice date. The overall atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. I also like that it is located a bit away from the busier the parts of downtown, making it a nice choice for those who don't want to get caught up in the late night scene. As others have noted, the drinks were fantastic. They offer a nice selection of old favorites and new cocktails to try. The food was also very good. Well prepared and seasoned, every dish I have had here has been tasty. Unfortunately, the service here, while very friendly, can also be a bit slow. Don't gulp down that water too quickly, because it may be a while before your waiter comes back around. I thought this was an isolated thing, but the overall service has been a bit slow on 3 out of 4 visits so I have to knock them down a bit for that especially given the prices. Overall though, I still enjoy Citrus and recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal and nice night out.
(3)
Bree G.
We hosted an event at Citrus, and called the day of to confirm. They had no record of the event and the woman we spoke to was extremely rude. Since we already had people coming, we went anyhow. Doug, the manager, understood our predicament and made room for us. He gave us private indoor/outdoor space and it was PERFECT! The servers were GREAT! The food was tasty although overpriced. Overall, it was a successful event.
(4)
Cathy K.
Food presentation and taste were outstanding! tuna and Steaks were perfect. The service was helpful and great. The desserts looked better than they tasted we had the Key lime pie and Orange cake they were good bout not outstanding like the rest of the food and appetizers. Try the duck meatballs for a starter. wow!
(4)
Chelsea W.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Citrus before! I honestly really love this restaurant and Im surprised by the mixed reviews. My first visit was a couple of years ago on Valentines day and everything about the visit was great. Service was excellent, food was melt in your mouth delicious and I only wished the prices were a little lower so that I could come back again. My husband and I visited many times since this visit, sometimes sitting inside, sometimes outside, sometimes full meals and sometimes just appetizers and drinks and i literally have not had a single Item that I did not like. The menu changes seasonally so theres usually at least a few new items each time. Service has always been attentive and more than willing to explain items on the menu and give suggestions. I would trust the servers enough to not even look at the menu and tell them to bring me whatever they recommend and I know it would be a great meal. Citrus is one of my favorites for a special meal out and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Molly C.
Let me preface this by saying that I'm writing this review based on a business luncheon that I both organized and attended. There were 18 attendees and I selected a set menu of 2 appetizer options, 4 entree options, and chef's choice dessert. The organization process was simple; I worked with Vanda (who is Citrus' group coordinator) and she started off by sending me a few different price point options-- we customized the menu from there based on my budget and the group's known dietary restrictions (eg-- I added a hot vegetarian option) She sent over a contact which I sent back complete with credit card information. It eliminated the need for me to mess with a check at the end of our event and simply walk out when we finished-- it was wonderful being able to tell my boss, "No worries, we're good." The gentlemen that were our servers were wonderful and attentive. Our glasses were never empty and they were both good humored and friendly. Most impressive is that they kept an eye on me and watched for cues-- my boss was telling a story and they waited for my "okay" nod to gently interrupt and begin taking orders. Everyone enjoyed their food-- it was well-prepared and tasty but nothing too exotic or overly interesting.. which can actually be a good thing when you're trying to accommodate close to 20 people. In short, Citrus handled my group in a friendly and professional manner from start to finish and exceeded my expectations... and my group was happy to get away from the Millenia area for once. I will be adding them into my regular "luncheon spot" rotation.
(4)
Carson I.
A decent spot for drinks if you're in the area. Is perhaps a good drop in spot to start a date. Not a big fan of the food and think it is overpriced for what you get. The atmosphere is good when enough people are around. It's not in the heart of downtown though, so you have to go a little out of your way.
(3)
Scott M.
Underwhelming. Bad food, mediocre at best service. But, the atmosphere is great. Please someone, save this place! Note to owners, sit down and eat the food and see for yourselves, train your service staff, and turn up the treble. Hearing nothing but the bass is super annoying.
(1)
Rhea P.
Kudos to the chef! Most amazing meal I have had in a LONG time! Perfectly roasted vegetables with delectable, yes, I said delectable risotto cake, accompanied by asparagus and zucchini. Brilliant stuff going on in the kitchen ! Outside of the kitchen is an issue, however. The service needs to be more proactive to say the least. We actually had to request menus, ask to order and all throughout the meal had to move it along ourselves. The service unfortunately did not measure up to the quality of the restaurant and dishes being served. The decor is comfortable, intimate, and sexy. Jazzy tunes play in the background--it's loud enough to enjoy, low enough for conversation. Classy place for an elegant and well prepared meal. A definite gem of a restaurant that I will certainly plan on visiting again soon!
(3)
Mike C.
I never thought that when I walked in to the Citrus Restaurant I would be eating 4 Rivers Smokehouse. But alas, I looked over the menu and decided that 4 Rivers was the route I was going to go. The Beef Brisket with Chipotle Dusted Fries turned out to be excellent, leaving me both satisfied with the quality and quantity of food. The scene is somewhat pretentious, what with long tables full of white women decked out in jewelry, make-up and high heels giggling and chit chatting in what seemed like social clubs. Service is friendly and the waitress was more than knowledgeable and attentive. This place was great, but not on my list of places to frequent...One and done!
(3)
Charles L.
I was welcomed to a cozy modern restaurant and sat at the bar as I was solo. The bartender was quick to recognize me and suggested a nice IPA, I think his name was Michael. I looked over the menu and ordered a few apps, lamb meatballs and smoked chicken wings. Both very above great and showed time consuming cooking preparation. I finished the night with an espresso coffee liquor drink suggested by the bar manager, she demonstrated great knowledge of whiskey and the bar business as a whole. Excellent experience altogether, as I could tell the staff was knowable and the food was fantastic.
(5)
Maurice H.
I decided to have two appetizers, so my first one was their rendition of mussels. They are prepared with a slightly sweet and jalapeno flavor. Not the typical red or white sauce or thick broth. It was an unusual combination and was delicious. I can't tell you how much bread I used to slurp up the sauce. I then had shrimp and grits. I like this dish and was pleased that it was not the typical low country recipe, but was a flavorful preparation with 4 shrimp and a mound of sticky grits that grabbed the flavor of the spice and shrimp mix. Delightful. Dining partners had steak and lamb. Both looked and were reported to be excellent. Oh, the orange cake was sweet, light and fluffy, but they only gave me a taste. I will go without them next time to have a whole piece.
(4)
Matthew J.
Awesome! Best Desserts ever!
(5)
William D.
Eat here a lot.....Good Drinks. Soups are always good. Fish, and Lamb excellent. Good Salads. Service Good. Lunch and Dinner a winner
(4)
R W.
This was not my first visit to Citrus, in all honesty I'd been here once or twice years before but left feeling underwhelmed. It was fair, yes but didnt have anything noteworthy to report or review about. I then did not get the hype. That being said, my team and I paid a return visit this past week. Happily I can report that things have turned around, we ordered various items including apps and deserts. ( You can not go wrong with the Scallops here, trust me on this one) Definitely a noted improvement and change and happy to say that I'll definitely return. Good Job Citrus Team
(4)
Colleen B.
Located on the outskirts of downtown, Citrus has a pretty good location. It is around a couple of good restaurants and has a pleasant outdoor area. This is actually one of a family of downtown restaurants: HUE, Kres Chophouse and Cityfish. Out of that family it is probably my least favorite but is still pretty good. That would be a good family to be in =) Attended a birthday dinner here with a few girlfriends and we sat outside. It was packed outside so the ambiance was nice and lively. Everything was lovely inside the restaurant as well. The decor was very dark and natural which you would think would have a heavy feel but it was surprisingly not a heavy feeling. The lighting was soft which set a nice, intimate feeling in such a large place. The drinks were great, especially the mojitos - just lovely. The food however, was more visually stimulating that taste bud stimulating. Maybe I just made too basic of a choice going with baked chicken. Overall, I will absolutely try this restaurant again because I love all the other restaurants in the family and I know to try something more daring than chicken =)
(3)
Dominic B.
Swanky spot brought to you by the team behind Kres, CityFish and Hue... (Urban Life Management). I've eaten here once or twice before as I live downtown and it's a little out of the way from the CBD, however it's worth it. Living in Thornton Park, it's probably not walkable so you'll have to go for a short drive, but we're talking 5 mins max.... Just got back from a wonderful dinner about 30 mins ago. The staff is very good and we really loved our bartenders as well as our waiter, as usual. Quite personable and chatty in a good way. We sat outside which was really nice with nice low key chill music playing the background and a great breeze. The food this round was OUTSTANDING! Do not miss their short rib gnocchi... it's devine and be ready for leftovers. My staple here was the scallops, which come over a cucumber risotto - and these are also wonderful. However, the short ribs just blew me away tonight and I want more already!!! My other half got the special striped bass on a sweet pepper risotto, and that was also top notch. Also, they have a nice wine list with some pretty odd finds, and it's not incredibly overpriced. Valet parking is $5 but you can self park in the attached garage for free and ride the elevator back down to the 1st floor (entrance is on Park Lake St.). Worth a nice meal out.
(4)
Joel S.
I've lived here in O'town for two years, but had never made it to Citrus before. Parking in the attached garage was easy and free. The only negative is that the parking spaces are designed for hobbit-mobiles and not a normal sized car like, oh, a VW Golf. What's with that? We arrived about an hour early for our reservation so we could have a drink at the bar and meet up with our group as they arrived. The space is very nice... dark colors, but very open and airy. The martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives were tasty! Once our party was assembled it was time for our reservation and our table was waiting for us. Our waiter introduced himself and also another person (assistant?). One of our party had brought wedding invitations to share and those were laying on the table. Mine had my name and my partners name while the other envelope only had one name. The waiter couldn't have known, but the party with one name on the envelope had lost his partner to cancer just a few weeks ago. The waiter booms out "why doesn't his envelope have a second name on it?". We all just looked at each other and I looked at the waiter and quietly said "let it go" and we didn't make a big deal about it. We've all been in those situations where we said something wrong and really didn't intend it to be cruel, but I would have thought the waiter would have known better than to say something like that. We shared a couple appetizers... the Domestic Cheese Plate and the Beef Carpaccio. We almost laughed when they set the $21 cheese plate on the table. It had little, tiny pieces of cheese scattered around with some nuts, figs, etc. There was a hell of a lot more plate than there was cheese... maybe $2 worth of cheese on the plate. If I'd ordered it I would not have been happy. I had the Chimichurri Hanger Steak. The waiter suggested I order it rare to medium because it'd get tough if it was cooked longer. Well, I ordered it medium-rare and it was still tough as hell. The flavors were great, but it was like chewing a tire. My partner had Shrimp and Grits and while I only got a small taste it was very good. One member of our party had a pretty significant portion left and asked for a box. They took the plate away to make the move to the box in the kitchen. When the server returned she informed her that they'd accidentally dropped the 1/2 of the steak in the floor, but they cooked her an entire new one. I was impressed that they would do that and it was a nice touch. All total we spent about $160 for two of us including drinks and tips. I do not feel like we got our money's worth. It was OK, but on several occasions we felt like we were left alone too long and with the issues with the portion size and tire tread steak, I'm not sure we'll be making it a regular stop.
(3)
Steven K.
Ate there Monday night as I was staying at hotel within walking distance. Sat at the bar. Not too busy so service was quick. It's an upscale place, but not overly so. Food was fantastic. I had the redfish. Loved it. Had one manhattan. Well made. A bit pricey I think for the area.
(4)
Rachel B.
I just left here and the food was great- although beware some of the things they have on the yelp menu or urban spoon are a part of a sample menu- they recreated one item I specifically went there for that was just a part of the sample- The bartenders and servers were both attentive and knowledgeable- and the better part is that I walked there from my hotel and it began pouring down rain- the sweet staff offered me an umbrella and the back way out of the kitchen just to save me a little rain!! I will definitely return!!
(4)
TDawg T.
Menu limited, food great. Home made blueberry vodka with a splash of agave, great. I will return especially if they TURN DOWN THE FRIG AC! Are you guys hanging meat n there?
(4)
Kwan-Yin C.
My husband surprised me by bringing me here for Valentine's Day and we were extremely surprised on the top notch service and food that we received. Our waiter explained that all their dishes are made from fresh ingredients, most which they grow themselves. First they had a special menu which included some of their staple dishes and some new ones incorporated for the holiday. My husband had never tried oysters and had their oyster appetizer which he LOVED. I had the Filet Mignon which was so tender you could cut it with a butter knife, mashed potatoes were flavorful and fluffy. For dessert we had the Florida Strawberry Pound cake with fresh strawberries from Plant City. The pound cake is made fresh and grilled on a pan to caramelize the sugar and topped with a freshly made Grand Marnier whipped cream... It was HEAVENLY!!! I highly recommend Citrus and can't wait to go again and try out something different .
(5)
Doug G.
Citrus' logos say "Eat, Drink and Be Local." The restaurant is supposed to reflect central Florida's heritage, with their own interpretation of Floridian flavors. Hence the name. The aforementioned descriptor as well as the stellar reviews on yelp convinced me that Citrus was a required stop on my frequent trips to Orlando. So I went. I walk into every restaurant thinking the same way many teachers do about their students, in that everyone starts with an "A". Well, Citrus, as with all other dining establishments, got it's start at 5 stars and away we go... I was cool with the wine selection. I got a 2005 Rioja Crianza, priced at $7, which in real life for the average consumer is $12-$14 a bottle, so the price was acceptable. Also, the bartender allowed me the traditional taste, which I appreciate very much when ordering by the glass. 5-stars in tact. After placing my order, the bartender asked if I wanted bread. I responded in the affirmative, and was promptly provided with a breadbasket of plantain chips and a whole-wheaty/oatey bread. Both were executed extremely well, although I didn't really "get" the lemon/lime butter, other than the fact that citric acid is a required ingredient in everything in here. Hmm... 4.5 stars. I ordered the Citrus Salad, consisting of baby greens, gorgonzola, plantain chips, orange and an orange vinaigrette. The salad was very good. Not great or outstanding. I went into this salad already knowing that I hate fruit in a vegetable based salad. Still holds true, however the "idea" of orange flavoring does work in this salad. It's just that the oranges themselves do not work. For me. So... 4.0 stars. I ordered the Idaho Brook Trout for my entree. Here's why: I wanted fish, and there were three options, Swordfish (which I'm not big on), Salmon (which I just had last weekend) and Idaho Brook Trout which I don't think I've ever even had. So I went with it. The trout had what Citrus calls a "tangerine macadamia crust." It was quite an interesting dish. The fish was extremely dry, not what I was expecting at all. I found myself squeezing the lemon (more citric acid) as hard as I could to moisten the fish, which made it better. It also helped to take each bite of the fish with a mouthful of the risotto. Yes, the "lemon risotto". The vegetables served with the fish were pretty good. Uhhh, 3.5 stars? Overall, this place didn't quite live up to the hype by the time I was done with my meal, because it certainly wasn't cheap. I enjoyed the meal on the whole enough to call it "A-OK", but I think I might not return (unless someone else is paying).
(3)
Jeff J.
Citrus has such potential to excel, but it falls short. The waitstaff is extremely friendly--Brianna made our experience wonderful. However, the food didn't have enough flavors. The tuna tartare was dressed beautifully, but it severely lacked acidity. After eating it, I noticed there was a lime wedge that would have done wonders... but the chef really should just give us that lime juice in the tartare rather than giving us the option to spray it. My entree was a special-- pan seared triple tail. I have to give the restaurant kudos for cooking the fish perfectly. However, it was severely under-seasoned, and most of the flavor was coming from the two purees on the plate. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough puree to overcome the lack of seasoning. Finally, for dessert we had a key lime pie (explained to be a custard-- but sabayon is not custardy). It was a nice take on key lime pie, and I certainly enjoyed it. It was the one bright spot in an otherwise flavorless evening, and saved Citrus from a 2 star review. The dishes are beautiful-- some more acid on the tartare and some more salt on the fish would've bumped this up to 4 stars.
(3)
Tim M.
Had a business dinner here. Food was outstanding, service was impeccable. Price was very reasonable. Can't go wrong here.
(5)
Justin I.
I am a fan of Citrus Restaurant. I've only been one time for lunch and I had a good experience. Started with soup and had a trout dish for the main deal. The food was good and the service was great. The place was packed for lunch but the seating was comfortable and it wasn't too loud. All in all, Citrus is a solid restaurant that is worth checking out.
(4)
Billy O.
Great location and fun atmosphere. I've been to this place about 3 times already and the food and service just keeps getting worst. and worst The later you come, the worst it gets. Its like they get sloppy or angry if you come 1 hour before they close. Ahaaa...get all your frustration out on the food. lol The first time I came here the food was great and the drinks were pretty good also. However, the food is always inconsistent each time I go; and for the worst. For the price, I'm very disappointed. The waiters just seem to keep getting our food orders wrong, late, or not the proper order. They try to play it off like the appetizers are suppose to be desserts or something. lol No visit number 4 for me. Maybe in a year or 2. :/
(2)
D S.
I've been to Citrus 3 times. Always satisfying, never disappointing. The food stands out because it's consistently superior to and more interesting than anything I can make and better than most comparable restaurants in town. The service is solid; decor is inoffensive. The overall atmosphere is comfortable. It's a bit pricey, but it's a reliable choice for a really nice meal that will impress your date.
(4)
Mark G.
Had the blackened grouper special. It was served with pork which tasted more like steak. It was excellent. Bread and plantain chips were tasty too. Awesome service. Drink I had was a little bland and definitely overpriced. Will return if I'm ever stuck in the area again for business. Pricey for what they serve but definitely worth it.
(5)
Morgan C.
Last night i went to Citrus with a group of friends. I was really impressed. I started with the wedge salad with apple wood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese. I was so good i passed it around the table. For my entree i ordered the scallops which came blackened on a bed of asparagus and risotto. We were all so dazzled by our meals. They have a great wine and cocktail list and superb outdoor seating. This being said, our waiter was awful. He was maybe 18 and very confused. He took our orders before our drinks came out. He stumbled around on questions on the menu and looked like he might cry when we asked him to split a bottle of wine two ways. Bless his heart. I think it is hard to find good wait staff, or so it seems for Orlando restaurants. I will definitely be returning to Citrus.
(4)
Annette G.
I came back and had yet another great meal. That said, my meal was actually not as good as everyone elses at the table, but it was still pretty good. I ordered a fish special and it was good, but it was over a bed of broccoli rabe that was so over salted, I nearly spit it out. Still though, I love this place. The food is sure thing, for the most part. Service can be hit or miss, so that's why I stay with 4 vs 5 stars.
(4)
David K.
Fellow Yelpers, This dinner was a sad dinner as my heart's flag was a half mast. I'll tell you why...my girlfriend, whom I absolutely adore (refer to my previous white knight comments in my other amazing reviews [cheap plug, I know]), was so upset with me. I won't get into details, but this made the dinner experience not so great and this review will not feel the same as my others, as its tone will be one of a man in love...feeling the burden of a lingering issue due to his own absent mindedness... Therefore, my loyal readers and fans, I'm not as perfect as I may seem because I do make mistakes (not very often though ;-D). Alright enough self-pity and flagrant cockiness. I screwed up bad with my love and I deservingly went through the necessary consequences. In spite of me being upset, the one whom I adore still manages to inspire me to write tales of food outings...yes, my balls...still in her purse. Also, no check ins or pictures...I left my phone in the car. Onto the restaurant, Its location is awesome, it is tucked away on the beginning of Orange Avenue a few lights before arriving in the major party section of Downtown. The atmosphere is great, it was dark and romantically lit (too bad it was a night where the pendulum swung way outside the equilibrium). I reserved this through Open Table and they hooked me up with a nice booth at the end of the restaurant. This allowed for some coziness for us, but the shield around her was at full force, my love lasers could not penetrate them. We ordered the Artesanal American Cheese Plate as an appetizer. This was smaller than I expected for the price of the actual dish. The cheeses were delicious, the figs were very good. The olives were a bit off for me, the almonds were great and the toast was just too big for the ketchup bowl in which they were placed. It looked like someone placed 5 baguettes into a midget paper bag. Awkwaaaaard... My bothered girlfriend (who looked OH SO BEAUTIFUL) ordered a steak. I'm not sure if it was the Filet Mignon or another type. Nevertheless, the steak was very tender and tasted great! It's even more delicious when she feeds me pieces even though she was mad at me. I don't recall the exact sides she got with her dish, I do know one of them was the Risotto (that bastard keeps coming back to claim her heart at every meal). It tasted very good, almost as she put it, like a chicken noodle soup. I ordered the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. I got the Roasted Potatoes and the Mixed Vegetables as sides (Tip: you can switch sides on any dish, just ask the server!). The Salmon was the best I have had in Orlando thus far. The Pom really made it taste sweet and it was so flaky...delicious. The Potatoes were mixed in the Pom sauce which also gave them a sweet round-house Chuck Norris kick into amazingness. We ordered drinks too and this place really knowns how to pour them. My Vodka on the rocks with a lime was just the right amount and her Cocktail (don't remember the name, although it tasted peachy) was very refreshing. I ordered a dessert to end the night, the choice was between the Chocolate Cupcake and the Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream. We went with the Apple dessert. It was very good. A nice finishing touch to a great meal (all emotional bubbles aside :( ). Overall, I highly recommend it. I hope to redeem myself at some point and take her back here when she isn't so upset with me so as to enjoy this place the right way. Together. Happy. I almost feel gross reviewing this because it just doesn't feel right when the mood was so off with us...However, I'm trying to 'Yelp' you guys out in your decisions on where to eat during the weekend. So there you go, I'm so selfless I should be rewarded! Take Care and here is a tip: Always show your woman affection and how much you love them all the time, never skip a beat...don't scratch the Vinyl record of love...ever!
Great outside patio on a nice nice with comfy couches. Excellent menu and the service is fast. This is also a great location to grab a drink. I have done the "power lunch" as well and that also works well when you don't have much time, but want a good meal.
(4)
K S.
Very nice restaurant. The University of Florida had a MBA informational session here. The food was decent. The setting had a trendy ambiance to it. Parking wise- the restaurant only had valet parking or metered around the area.
(4)
Robert M.
Very impressive. I had a skirt steak w/ chimichurri that was cooked to perfection, along with sweet onions that kicked it up a notch. Came with Fennel whipped mash that had great flavor, and steamed veges. Eat on the outdoor patio if possible. Wine list is decent, but beer selection needs major work. However, our waiter suggested 'Sessions Beer' (a lager) to me after I rambled off a list of beers I wanted that they didn't have. He saved the day. It could be one of the best tasting beers I've ever had....maybe the best. Smooth. Their bread also needs work. I believe it was supposed to be a sweetbread but it wasn't sweet, and it was also dry. Plaintain chips were o.k. but I've had much better, seemed a bit stale or something. Work on the beer and bread, and it's a winner!
(4)
Jeanette D.
Service and the food is always excellent. Great place for a business lunch and a large group.
(4)
Chris S.
Citrus is one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando. We have eaten at the location twice and have been impressed with the service and quality of food. My wife loves the shrimp and grits and I usually get the scallop dish. This is truly a gem for Orlando and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)
Frances F.
Great new place! The lunch menu had plenty of options and surprisingly big portions. Avoid dining during peak hours, as it gets very noisy inside. I recommend the roasted corn and bean burger with that awesome cole slaw salad. I only wish they had a better happy hour.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
The jicama slaw was fantastic. The server kept forgetting my lemons for my water, but she remembered eventually. I like the patio outside with the tables and couches. The bathrooms were nice and clean and the hand soap smelled very nice. It's the little things that make a place stand out, right?
(4)
Kat E.
DON'T ORDER TO GO!!!! How anyone can cook a med-rare filet in 15 minutes while preparing an appetizer and another entree is beyond me. $31 dollars for a small filet, burnt asparagus and a spoonful of mashed potatoes is sooooo not worth it. The shrimp and grits were ok-ish. The delicious, and flavorful, goat's milk, cheddar grits were covered with more burnt vegetables concealing most of the flavor. Despite the 4 shrimp that were included being quite big, it was not worth $25 for the meal. I've read reviews that the shrimp and lobster fritters are amazing, so we ordered them. Didn't taste any lobster, but make sure you eat them right away. After about 5 minutes they are cold and soggy. In conclusion, the food was over priced and over cooked. I'm sure dining at the restaurant would be a much better experience since the food would be fresh (even though I live across the street) and I would be able to send it back. But it will be a very long time till I dine here again.
(2)
Ian G.
I ended up going there twice in a single day. I sat at a table for lunch and then went again with some other friends and sat at the bar. The menu was good and decently executed. I tried (while sharing) the kobe carpaccio, whihc was really good, the mussels which had good flavor, the escargot, the buffalo mozzerella salad and the grits and shrimp. The latter two tasted like someone had dumped salt on them. Everything else was good, not great. Everyone I was with loved their food, but it is my review so I am tellign you what I think. Things were not executed to a higher level. It seemed more like trendy ingredients then great dining. The atmosphere was very good, a great and reasonable and wine list and the SErvice was fantastic. The bartenders were entertaining friendly and attentive. I will go back, probably for apps and drinks.
(3)
Brenda D.
I've only been to this restaurant 3 times on my various trips to Orlando and it's always good food and I like the outdoor lounge area. I started with the wedge salad - the smoked bacon made this salad over the top great. Next, I tried the Black Bean Soup. What a great combination. I want that recipe.
(4)
Joshua J.
First of all.. you can get 4Rivers BBQ here (of course it is more expensive than it would be if you actually go to 4 Rivers to get your grub on)!!! Beyond that, their fish is notoriously known for being very fresh. The staff is courteous and attentive. My only complaint is that it is generally quite loud in here. IMHO it isn't a great place for an intimate date setting.
(4)
Marie B.
When I used to live in Orlando with my boyfriend (at the time), he lived right across the street from Citrus. We used to meet up here for post work drinks and eats. The lobster fritters, flat breads, and orange cake are delicious. I live in NY now and have yet to find an orange cake as good. It has a subtle orange flavor complimented by a cream cheese icing, topped with nuts. So moist. 'So. rich. So good. Mmmm. This restaurant is owned by the same people who own Hue, so the service, food, and wine is top notch. Citrus is highly recommended of all Orlando's restaurant's downtown.
(4)
gregory s.
pricey, beautiful, excellent food I went a few months ago, need to go back and enjoy more of it
(4)
Marci M.
Citrus is a quality restaurant, with easy parking and nice decor. I have been there for lunch, dinner, drinks and a couple of restaurant buyout parties. I have never been overly impressed with the service. No specific bad experiences, it just has never "wowed" me. Most recently we sat at the bar. There is typically a large "pre-magic game" crowd there. We were greeted and given menus. It took a bit for the bar tender to get back to us for our orders. We shared the BBQ chicken flatbread and sweet potato fries. Delicious! We both had wine and it was reasonably priced and we were able to try a couple of different types before we committed (nice touch!). We also had the Cup Cake which was rich and fantastic! You can valet or park in the parking lot behind the building, or even street parking. So it makes it a convenient alternative from the downtown restaurants with tough parking situations. I like the food and its very close to my house, so I will go back, but I will bring some patience!
(3)
BrentandMichelle W.
Been wanting to try this restaurant for a year since we moved to Orlando. It didn't excite us to want to go back. We started off with the beef capprcio(spelling) which was pretty good especially the roasted garlic pieces. However, Brio's is better. I had the Chimmi Churri Steak with asparagus and butternut squash risotto. The risotto was awesome, but the steak was tough. My hubby got the recommended pork chop which he said was "eh". The dessert citrus hazelnut creme bruise was to orangey , but the hard sugar top was yummy. Since Hot Olives and Ravenous Pig were closed this night..Monday we should have gone to the K restaurant instead.
(3)
D K.
Reasonable place for lunch as most items are under $10. Their take on a salad is kind of "interesting" as it's just a huge slab of lettuce thrown on your plate (with sauce and what not). They've got mussels for lunch as one of the main events, so try those if you're there at that time. They make a good burger with bacon and cheddar or blue cheese (no bacon) but it's what you would expect for this tier. I can't give it a solid rating until I go back and try other items, however...
(4)
Mark W.
Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Food: 2 stars Caesar salad --- gloppy, overdressed, mangled lettuce Bean soup --- over-seasoned, nothing special l/o/b/s/t/e/r/ crab fritters --- fried dough balls in a sea of ketchupy tartar sauce chili-glazed salmon --- not seasoned well, uninspiring Great location, beautiful decor. Needs a new chef.
(3)
Lucy W.
Tired of quesadillas, fries and other Orlando touristy/chain food, I went off the beaten path by following some Yelp advice- best decision I made so far on my Orlando trip. Great ambiance and decor, good sized bar. Most importantly, the food and drinks were delicious...I had a salad with lime marinated chicken, cilantro, black beans, corn and plantains with a mojito-like drink with mint and sugar cane called "Broadway". They complimented each other beautifully and the lime flavors were perfect on a hot humid night. There is valet or garage parking, but I was able to secure a free spot on the street easily.
(4)
Chris E.
Came in on 9/11 for a first time visit...Sat at the bar and was greeted warmly and promptly by the bartender Jen. She walked me through the menu (much more reasonably priced than I imagined) as well as offering me a secondary special event menu. I asked her several questions about my selections, somewhat difficult as I am sticking to a diet, and she helped me select the best possible option. The food itself (Orlando Farms Chicken) was superb. The kitchen's temperatures were spot on, the service impeccable, and overall one of the more pleasant experiences I have had in the North Quarter of Orlando. Handling corporate accounts like I do I am certain to bring clients here, and look forward to my next meal. The ONLY unfortunate feeling I have is that Jen won't be able to serve us if we are not at the bar...That being said, I am certain that the rest of the operation's staff will be more than capable! I highly recommend for a quiet, pleasant meal where one can enjoy food, company and service.
(5)
Blair A.
I am giving it two stars because the food was quit good, however the service was horrible. I came in with 5 other friends all in our mid twenties. The server was very rude from the very beginning. You could tell he wasn't pleased that he had a table of young people. Everything came on time and tasted great, but after he took our order we didn't see him again until after we all finished our meals. During this time we saw him go to other tables multiple times to check up on them throughout their visit. When he dropped back off our checks he didn't say anything to us. I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant because of my age. Needless to say I will never come back.
(2)
Ryan B.
Great date spot with tables or an upscale bar. Food has been great every time I've eaten here (going on 6+ times) just don't go if you want a cheap meal. Menu changes which is nice if you go every few months. Free parking in the attached garage, I always find it easiest to go up to the second floor from the entrance on the side street.
(5)
Amber W.
Definitely one of my all time favorites in Orlando. We go often for happy hour, too. The staff are amazing (Heidi is fabulous) and helpful. I always feel comfortable asking questions and the food is literally some of the best I've had. We enjoy taking friends, clients and out of town guests here as often as possible. The menu changes with season and on a day-to-day basis. The chef is incredible. Sit outside on cooler evenings. The north quarter scene is relaxed but classy. For dinner, try the mussels, brussels sprouts, any of the fish dishes, filet, pork and any seasonal dishes. The manhattan is a favorite along with the cosmopolitan. For lunch, everything is healthy and has decent protein.
(5)
Candace T.
Citrus is one of my favorite restaurants.. Now that I'm not living in Orlando, I try to come here at least once per visit, even if just to sit at the bar by myself (great place for that). My favorites are always the black bean soup (the bowl comes with plantain chips) and the wedge salad, but they have tons of great items, so I usually opt for one of those to go with an app or meal, or a daily special. They have great bread and plantain chips here too! The black bean soup is Awesome! Not vegetarian.. Has bacon and chorizo in it, plus chunks of onion and peppers.. Nice kick to it also! Then I had the lamb sandwich special, which was sinfully delicious! Buttered crispy bread, shredded lamb, gooey cheese, and a nice olive tapenade. They have a new taste to their fries which I love.. some African spice. Lastly, an espresso.. always a plus. The service is great and the staff is very friendly. I love sitting at the bar here - extra friendly and fantastic service. The atmosphere is lovely, light music in the background without being too loud inside. This is my number 1 business lunch choice in the area, but it's also great for drinks at the bar, casual lunch outside, or date night.
(5)
M. G.
Enjoyed a Magical Dining Month meal here. The server was excellent and attentive. This place has a nice vibe: classy but relaxed. The drink menu looked interesting and the regular menu was very tempting. The magical dining month menu had some yummy choices. The shrimp and gits was flavorful with a bit of heat. The swordfish with mofongo had good flavor but was a bit dry. I like to craft the "perfect bite" and this didn't quite work that way. The desserts were outstanding (a melty fudgy brownie and a key lime chiffon). Definitely interested in returning here some other time. It is a bit pricy, so it will be have to a special visit.
(4)
Ly N.
If you're looking for a nice date night, you should try this place. It's a bit pricey but well worth it. I had the duck here and it was phenomenon. Cooked perfectly and tastes just as perfect! If you like heat, there's a homemade habanero sauce that you can try upon request. It makes a great pairing with any type of meat dish.
(5)
Nay J.
Bitter short haired blond bartender... Ruined my last experience. My clients were let down also.
(4)
Travis C.
Took my wife here on a date. If you're looking for a nice, cozy atmosphere, look no further. The bartenders were awesome while they served us when we were waiting for our table, the drinks were incredible, although expensive. The bar menu is great, but it's pricing surprised me. They have some awesome signature drinks, but they'll cost you as much as a decent appetizer. If it were me, and I did it again, I would just buy a bottle of wine. The food was incredible, although the menu they had online was very different from the one in the restaurant, and they were out of the only dish that my wife wanted. However, they comped us a dessert because of it. Our waiter was awesome. He was attentive, conversational, and knew the menu inside and out. When he heard that the menu differed from the one online, he comped me a drink from the bar, and gave us a free choice of dessert. Needless to say, those costs went into his tip. The food was incredible. I honestly can't think of a restaurant in downtown that can measure up to the food here. And there are a LOT of great restaurants in Orlando. If the drinks were a couple dollars cheaper (I used to tend bar, so cost / contents is something that I pay close attention to), the website had been up to date, and the dish my wife ordered had been in stock, this would have been a 5 star review. because I try not to judge on first time experiences, i plan on revisiting Citrus in the next few weeks to give them another fair shot. Bravo Citrus. I'm a fan.
(4)
Mia B.
The signature cocktails were amazing!! We ordered the Yuca appetizer, while waiting for the food there were a couple fruit flies trying to join us. Our appetizer arrived and looked as amazing as it tasted! Loved it! But because of the persistent fruit flies we were turned off to eating or drinking more. Otherwise a 5Star review would have definitely been made. Service was equally as amazing.
Had lunch today at Citrus and it was ok. The place was packed and the service was very good. My disappointment comes from the food. I was expecting a lot more from my $25.00 Hanger Steak dish. The steak is not very big and the only sides you get are fries and arugula salad so for $25.00, you feel a bit cheated. Hanger steak is not an expensive piece of meat in general and at other restaurants, you can get a ribeye or NY strip for that price. I ordered it medium rare and it was still tough to cut because it had a lot of fat. I didn't have an appetizer or dessert so I am basing my review on the entree and the service which was the highlight of the visit.
(3)
Joshua S.
Citrus ranks up with one of the best, if not THE best food that I've ever had. To go along with that the customer service is phenomenal and you actually get treated like a valued customer and not just another guest willing to pay a high dollar for mediocre food as you can find in a lot of restaurants that tack on the "fine dining" pin around town. Stopped in here back in November while we were aimlessly driving around downtown trying to find a place to live so we could escape from North Dakota. I was ready to buy a pop-up tent at Dick's and conceal it under the docks at Lake Ivanhoe by the time we arrived in the North Quarter. We had heard about the apartments next door and after being skull-numbed from listening to complexes sell their luxury of paper thin walls accompanied with a nice pool, we decided to stop in here for a glass of wine and lunch. We were immediately sat outside on the patio on a perfect sunny Central Florida afternoon. I'll admit, I'm a cheeseburger and fries kind-of-guy so the menu did seem a little foreign to me at first. Thankfully the server was out with ice cold water immediately and before I could get done fanning myself from the geographical shock of being in a city that wasn't covered in ice, he was explaining how everything at Citrus is made in-house and fresh. He literally explained how they made everything from scratch and the things that they couldn't make were locally sourced. I ended up going with the Angus Cheeseburger, which consisted of American cheese, shaved sweet onion, house pickles, local Kaiser and Rosemary fries. It was TO DIE FOR. Stopped back in the night we moved to the neighborhood at the end of November. After talking to the wait staff and explaining our jaunt from frozen hell (ND) down to Orlando, she and the manager brought out a complimentary Fried Green Tomato appetizer to welcome us to town. I thought that was above and beyond an ample welcome. We were impressed. I was a little intimidated by the concept of a green tomato (hello, North Dakota=completely sheltered) and I kept thinking it has to be good if there's a movie with the same name. Anyways, it was excellent. I could've gorged on a few more. They were breaded perfect and tasted like heaven. I ended up going with the "Filet Mignon Flatbread" for dinner. This beauty consisted of filet mignon pieces (obviously) with caramelized onions, roasted tomato, gorgonzola, cheddar, and manchego cheese. It's hard to even type that without salivating. Needless to say, it was stunning. I chased it down with a stiff Crown on the rocks and overall it was a perfect meal. Excellent menu, dynamic customer service, and a wonderful location out of the charlie foxtrot of downtown.
(5)
David K.
One of our favorites. Service is great and the young chef is outstanding! A hang out for us! I recommend it highly.
(4)
Marie H.
Great food, great staff. We came from Houston and really enjoyed our meals. The Octopus was amazing!! We will return!
(5)
Greg L.
I had not been back to Citrus in over a year and I had friends in town that wanted to go back there since they remembered their last visit. I checked the Yelp website and saw a lot of good/great reviews so we went. We were all majorly disappointed! Citrus no longer has the flatbreads, like the fantastic steak and bleu cheese appetizer, as they are now a farm to table restaurant and the menu changes regularly. We went this past Wednesday night and there was not much on the menu that we liked. We almost ordered drinks and left but decided to give it a chance. The Grey Goose Cosmo martinis used to be the bomb here; now, not so much. They used to be strong, lightly pink with small shards of ice on the top. This time, the drinks were still strong, more dark red and too sweet. My friends switched to white wine after the first drink. We noticed the table lines had an unusual smell to them. (My friend described it as a damp smell; maybe the lines were not completely dry when they folded the silverware into them. Trying to decide on appetizers was difficult given the limited choices. The fried green tomatoes were nothing to write home about and the lamb tartar on Texas toast (or something like that) was ok. I had the wedge salad which was probably the best thing I had that night-great flavor and taste. I then tried the scallops and they were quite good, but the celery paste concoction that came with it nearly spoiled the taste of the scallops themselves. (Price: $34!) I shared the scallops with one of my friends and the other person got the chicken, which he thought was good, but not great. I will say the service is still very good, which is one of the reasons we used to come here on a regular basis. At least the table service at Citrus remains in top form. Finally, to end the evening, my friends noted the valet parking was now $5 when it was free the previous times we went there. Obviously, things have changed and not for the better in all three of our opinions. We have taken this restaurant off our list. It appears a number of people truly enjoy the "new" Cirtus, but do not count the three of us on that list. I suggest you use this review to balance against the others when making your final decision. Maybe we just hit a bad night, but we will not be back to determine if that was so.
(3)
Chris W.
Come to Citrus and experience truly unique, farm-to-table dishes. Fresh. Fantastic. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. The place has plenty of seating but is a popular place among the locals. Get here early or make reservations or you're gonna wait in line. There's outdoor seating to enjoy the Florida weather and there's a banquet room too. The food is the draw. Without the culinary expertise if what the chef is making, it would just be another restaurant. This is not so with Citrus. Enjoy
(5)
Ron H.
Excellent in every way. The place was brimming with life. Went on the recommendation of my nearby hotel. Yelp said it was a bit pricey. It was, but well worth it. The fresh mahi (told it was caught the night before and flown in) was outstanding. The clams were fine and the interesting portion and combination of vegetables all in a clear broth were great. The mahi was coated in a very spicy seasoning. Loved it. Good wine selection. Excellent service. Might try it another night to see what else is good. Highly recommend it if you're in the downtown Orlando area.
(5)
Diana S.
I've seen Citrus on the lists for Magical Dining Month the last few years, and the restaurant always looked inviting. I went with a group on a saturday night and I must say, I was really surprised at the lack of people at the restaurant. Considering they locally source some of their stock, I expected it to be as busy as restaurants like K or Prato, but the dining room was largely empty except for one big party attending a birthday dinner. The magical dining menu was alright, but offered little outside of sea food options. I think the biggest issue with the overall menu at Citrus is an overly ambitious chef trying to include too many ingredients in a single dish. They sound great in theory, but fall short in execution because nothing is able to stand for itself. I ordered the ribeye, served with chimichurri, grilled onions, and brown butter potatoes. The ribeye was cooked perfectly but the quality was lower than I expected, there was a lot of fat and gristle that I had to cut around, and I think I spent more time cutting my steak than eating it. The potatoes were perfect, I could eat them, probably, until I exploded. The chimichurri was good, but I did wish it was served on the side of my steak instead of on top, it didn't really add much to the flavor of the steak. I split a dessert with a friend, a chocolate cake cake with peanut butter ice cream, some pistachios sprinkled on top, and a tart berry jam. It was good...but I don't think I'd order it again. After a bite or two I was underwhelmed and can't say I'd order dessert there again. My group sat chatting and ordering more drinks and wine, so I was surprised when it was close to 11 and our waitress hadn't let us know that they were closing. They had just started closing the restaurant and putting everything away until we felt awkward and left. Overall, I'd consider going again, but I don't know that the experience is worth the amount when I know I could receive better elsewhere.
(2)
Digital B.
i was surprised at how good the food was here. i used to work downtown and many of the restaurants were over priced dumps, but citrus was a nice change of pace. don't misunderstand me, the quality was higher but so was the cost. we had dinner for three with only one appetizer and no desert or drinks and the cost was over $120 (and that was with a kid meal and tip). The appetizer was the fish nachos and my main meal was the scallops. The scallops were perfect and the garlic broccoli was awesome. The other main dish was the smoked salmon which was also very good. I was disappointed in the kids pizza which was a flat bread with no red sauce. Yes it was tasty but what kid wants pizza with out red sauce? Over all it was worth the visit and would be a good place for a date if you are trying to impress. Also good for business dinners or if you want to hang out at the bar after work. I want to go again to try some of the other items on the menu. Citrus is a cut above the rest.
(4)
Bruce E.
Look. Citrus was like A roller coaster. Under seasoned., Over seasoned, novelties like fried gator.... They may have it right now. Experienced staff at the bar, incredible Brussels Sprouts, Grilled octopus and zesty mussels. Local crowd as well. Well done ....
(4)
Jennifer D.
Love Citrus & used to eat there all the time when we lived in Orlando! The food is delicious & the mussels are the best in town! Great flatbreads too! Fabulous wine list. The service is always great! Sexy restaurant & great patio!
(5)
Tracey M.
I love this place! It's great for business, dates, happy hour, and that night out where you just want dinner, no nightclub. This is the first place I think of when asked to meet up downtown. It's not a big happening area, per say, but then again, I'm 43. I want to park ( I always find parking ) enjoy my time eating, drinking and being merry then go home. We sat at the bar, which has become my favorite location. Our bartender, Mike, was great. Made my friend his Old fashioned properly and a nice gin basil grapefruit martini ( okay numerous ones), for me! Their cocktails are always spot on. Great selection of wines and beer. For dinner we chose to split several appetizers. Hands down my favorite is always the mussels. The bread they bring is evil addictive to soak up the yummy broth. We also tried the blue crab cakes which were delicious . As well as the Tuna which was also amazing but was not served with wasabi. It had garlic and a bunch of other flavors going on. I'd get it again but it was a lot of garlic! We stuffed ourselves on apps and alcohol we skipped an actual meal. Other great menu items: black bean soup, any fresh catch sandwich rocks, the scallops are out of this word too.
Good honest food and good service. Fish and meat were very good and the it was quiet, enjoyable. The menu was short but to point.
(4)
Toft W.
Just ate dinner at Citrus with a large group of old friends. We were all blown away by the experience. We sat at the chefs table and enjoyed a variety of unbelievable dishes. The service was perfect, the decor was inviting and the food was exceptional. I recommend this place to anyone seeking a fine dining experience with in Orlando. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Frank C.
Good but not excelent first experience here, will give it another try soon. Service was excelent. Food and drink timing is perfect. Portions great. Food... Was expecting more.
(4)
Amber H.
Citrus is in a great location for meeting friends after work. The flatbread appetizer came out perfect and I truly enjoyed every bite. My main course did not perform as highly. I had the pecan crusted trout with mashed potatoes and green beans. It seemed the plate had been sitting in the window a while since the mashed potatoes were all dried out on the top. The trout was well crusted and had a great flavor but was a little over cooked. However, the orange cake made for a nice finish to the meal.
(3)
Carla T.
I went here to meet with a fairly large group of friends. When I got there the valet commented that my car was not allowed to be parked on the street past 6. I thought it was a little weird because it was 4:55 but hey he was just doing his job so I ended up moving my car to the parking garage behind the restaurant which was free so it turned out okay. I was one of the first in my group to get there and wasn't able to stay more then an hour so I placed my order right away. After everyone had been served I still hadn't seen my food and had prompted the waiter twice for it. He finally told me he had forgot to put it in. When it finally came out it just wasn't very good. I had gotten the filet Mignon flatbread. It seemed soggy to me and the steak seemed to be reheated for 14 dollars it was just totally meh. Besides forgetting my order he was pretty attentive to everyone else even though I never got a soda refill. Overall all I would never go back.
(2)
Kathleen C.
Good appetizers, nice wine, decent service. I'll go back. Ãœber clean bathroom. The valet guy was wonderful.
(4)
Ashlei S.
Carpaccio to start was good. Scallops with plantains were delicious and our server did an excellent job recommending a pinot noir. Key lime pie was a great finish. Service (even outside on the patio) was superb.
(4)
Jamie H.
my colleague and i went to the citrus restaurant for lunch and found the menu to be very appealling, the space modern and "power lunch" friendly, and the food to be pretty good overall. we started with the mussels, which were the best part of the meal. it was a very large plate that was (almost) more than enough for the two of us. each mussel was opened, so it was nice that none were wasted. the broth was amazing - it was thick with chorizo, red pepper, jalapeno, and onions. the buttered crostini on the side was an excellent way to sop up the remaining broth after the mussels were gone. i decided to order the pepper dusted tuna salad, which came with spinach, squash, fennel, cooked cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and the seared tuna. the squash came in small diced pieces and was delicious. i thought that the tuna was fresh but under-seasoned. the lime vinaigrette was too citrusy for my taste, so i was glad i got it on the side. my coworker ordered the duck meatball sandwich (special) and rosemary fries. she seemed to like the first few bites, but then realized the sandwich was extremely salty, too salty to finish. she thought it could have either been the duck itself, the bacon, or the sauce. the fries were very good though, and while they had the rosemary truffle oil taste, they were not too oily.
(4)
L. D.
Actual visit 3/6/14. Filet, broccolini, mashed potatoes. Filet was super tender, bread was soft n fresh. I will go here again.
(4)
Greg S.
This place was very accommodating when it came to service! We called prior to arriving because we were stumped as to where we could park. There was valet but we don't usually carry cash. After calling, the host advised that the parking garage could be used from the 2nd level up. We spent an hour prior to the dinner reservation at the bar, seeing what they had to offer. Two martinis later, we were hooked. Bleu Cheese stuffed olives and all, and not at a price that would bankrupt you! At dinner, some of the party ordered appetizers. The only bad thing I will give this restaurant is that the cheese appetizer was WAY overpriced with what you receive, portion-wise. For $10, I can see that as a fair amount, but I promise you, if you order it, when it comes out you'll be cocking your head to the side in disbelief. Ok ok, back to the good stuff. Went for the shrimp and grits and it......was.....delicious, like lick-the-bowl-delicious. I was so taken by dinner that I had to order dessert even after being full. The bourbon bread pudding was also nothing short of amazing. And both of these, well worth the price, hands down. I wish I could remember our bartender's name, she was really sweet and told me about the "rock, paper, scissor" thing with Session Lager's caps. Who knew? I didn't! Don, our waiter, really chatted the group and kept everyone entertained. All in all, a really great evening there!
(4)
Shon R.
Bottom line - slow service held back an ultimately great meal. Citrus is a great all around restaurant for business or a nice date. The overall atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. I also like that it is located a bit away from the busier the parts of downtown, making it a nice choice for those who don't want to get caught up in the late night scene. As others have noted, the drinks were fantastic. They offer a nice selection of old favorites and new cocktails to try. The food was also very good. Well prepared and seasoned, every dish I have had here has been tasty. Unfortunately, the service here, while very friendly, can also be a bit slow. Don't gulp down that water too quickly, because it may be a while before your waiter comes back around. I thought this was an isolated thing, but the overall service has been a bit slow on 3 out of 4 visits so I have to knock them down a bit for that especially given the prices. Overall though, I still enjoy Citrus and recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal and nice night out.
(3)
Bree G.
We hosted an event at Citrus, and called the day of to confirm. They had no record of the event and the woman we spoke to was extremely rude. Since we already had people coming, we went anyhow. Doug, the manager, understood our predicament and made room for us. He gave us private indoor/outdoor space and it was PERFECT! The servers were GREAT! The food was tasty although overpriced. Overall, it was a successful event.
(4)
Cathy K.
Food presentation and taste were outstanding! tuna and Steaks were perfect. The service was helpful and great. The desserts looked better than they tasted we had the Key lime pie and Orange cake they were good bout not outstanding like the rest of the food and appetizers. Try the duck meatballs for a starter. wow!
(4)
Chelsea W.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Citrus before! I honestly really love this restaurant and Im surprised by the mixed reviews. My first visit was a couple of years ago on Valentines day and everything about the visit was great. Service was excellent, food was melt in your mouth delicious and I only wished the prices were a little lower so that I could come back again. My husband and I visited many times since this visit, sometimes sitting inside, sometimes outside, sometimes full meals and sometimes just appetizers and drinks and i literally have not had a single Item that I did not like. The menu changes seasonally so theres usually at least a few new items each time. Service has always been attentive and more than willing to explain items on the menu and give suggestions. I would trust the servers enough to not even look at the menu and tell them to bring me whatever they recommend and I know it would be a great meal. Citrus is one of my favorites for a special meal out and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Molly C.
Let me preface this by saying that I'm writing this review based on a business luncheon that I both organized and attended. There were 18 attendees and I selected a set menu of 2 appetizer options, 4 entree options, and chef's choice dessert. The organization process was simple; I worked with Vanda (who is Citrus' group coordinator) and she started off by sending me a few different price point options-- we customized the menu from there based on my budget and the group's known dietary restrictions (eg-- I added a hot vegetarian option) She sent over a contact which I sent back complete with credit card information. It eliminated the need for me to mess with a check at the end of our event and simply walk out when we finished-- it was wonderful being able to tell my boss, "No worries, we're good." The gentlemen that were our servers were wonderful and attentive. Our glasses were never empty and they were both good humored and friendly. Most impressive is that they kept an eye on me and watched for cues-- my boss was telling a story and they waited for my "okay" nod to gently interrupt and begin taking orders. Everyone enjoyed their food-- it was well-prepared and tasty but nothing too exotic or overly interesting.. which can actually be a good thing when you're trying to accommodate close to 20 people. In short, Citrus handled my group in a friendly and professional manner from start to finish and exceeded my expectations... and my group was happy to get away from the Millenia area for once. I will be adding them into my regular "luncheon spot" rotation.
(4)
Carson I.
A decent spot for drinks if you're in the area. Is perhaps a good drop in spot to start a date. Not a big fan of the food and think it is overpriced for what you get. The atmosphere is good when enough people are around. It's not in the heart of downtown though, so you have to go a little out of your way.
(3)
Scott M.
Underwhelming. Bad food, mediocre at best service. But, the atmosphere is great. Please someone, save this place! Note to owners, sit down and eat the food and see for yourselves, train your service staff, and turn up the treble. Hearing nothing but the bass is super annoying.
(1)
Rhea P.
Kudos to the chef! Most amazing meal I have had in a LONG time! Perfectly roasted vegetables with delectable, yes, I said delectable risotto cake, accompanied by asparagus and zucchini. Brilliant stuff going on in the kitchen ! Outside of the kitchen is an issue, however. The service needs to be more proactive to say the least. We actually had to request menus, ask to order and all throughout the meal had to move it along ourselves. The service unfortunately did not measure up to the quality of the restaurant and dishes being served. The decor is comfortable, intimate, and sexy. Jazzy tunes play in the background--it's loud enough to enjoy, low enough for conversation. Classy place for an elegant and well prepared meal. A definite gem of a restaurant that I will certainly plan on visiting again soon!
(3)
Mike C.
I never thought that when I walked in to the Citrus Restaurant I would be eating 4 Rivers Smokehouse. But alas, I looked over the menu and decided that 4 Rivers was the route I was going to go. The Beef Brisket with Chipotle Dusted Fries turned out to be excellent, leaving me both satisfied with the quality and quantity of food. The scene is somewhat pretentious, what with long tables full of white women decked out in jewelry, make-up and high heels giggling and chit chatting in what seemed like social clubs. Service is friendly and the waitress was more than knowledgeable and attentive. This place was great, but not on my list of places to frequent...One and done!
(3)
Charles L.
I was welcomed to a cozy modern restaurant and sat at the bar as I was solo. The bartender was quick to recognize me and suggested a nice IPA, I think his name was Michael. I looked over the menu and ordered a few apps, lamb meatballs and smoked chicken wings. Both very above great and showed time consuming cooking preparation. I finished the night with an espresso coffee liquor drink suggested by the bar manager, she demonstrated great knowledge of whiskey and the bar business as a whole. Excellent experience altogether, as I could tell the staff was knowable and the food was fantastic.
(5)
Maurice H.
I decided to have two appetizers, so my first one was their rendition of mussels. They are prepared with a slightly sweet and jalapeno flavor. Not the typical red or white sauce or thick broth. It was an unusual combination and was delicious. I can't tell you how much bread I used to slurp up the sauce. I then had shrimp and grits. I like this dish and was pleased that it was not the typical low country recipe, but was a flavorful preparation with 4 shrimp and a mound of sticky grits that grabbed the flavor of the spice and shrimp mix. Delightful. Dining partners had steak and lamb. Both looked and were reported to be excellent. Oh, the orange cake was sweet, light and fluffy, but they only gave me a taste. I will go without them next time to have a whole piece.
(4)
Matthew J.
Awesome! Best Desserts ever!
(5)
William D.
Eat here a lot.....Good Drinks. Soups are always good. Fish, and Lamb excellent. Good Salads. Service Good. Lunch and Dinner a winner
(4)
R W.
This was not my first visit to Citrus, in all honesty I'd been here once or twice years before but left feeling underwhelmed. It was fair, yes but didnt have anything noteworthy to report or review about. I then did not get the hype. That being said, my team and I paid a return visit this past week. Happily I can report that things have turned around, we ordered various items including apps and deserts. ( You can not go wrong with the Scallops here, trust me on this one) Definitely a noted improvement and change and happy to say that I'll definitely return. Good Job Citrus Team
(4)
Colleen B.
Located on the outskirts of downtown, Citrus has a pretty good location. It is around a couple of good restaurants and has a pleasant outdoor area. This is actually one of a family of downtown restaurants: HUE, Kres Chophouse and Cityfish. Out of that family it is probably my least favorite but is still pretty good. That would be a good family to be in =) Attended a birthday dinner here with a few girlfriends and we sat outside. It was packed outside so the ambiance was nice and lively. Everything was lovely inside the restaurant as well. The decor was very dark and natural which you would think would have a heavy feel but it was surprisingly not a heavy feeling. The lighting was soft which set a nice, intimate feeling in such a large place. The drinks were great, especially the mojitos - just lovely. The food however, was more visually stimulating that taste bud stimulating. Maybe I just made too basic of a choice going with baked chicken. Overall, I will absolutely try this restaurant again because I love all the other restaurants in the family and I know to try something more daring than chicken =)
(3)
Dominic B.
Swanky spot brought to you by the team behind Kres, CityFish and Hue... (Urban Life Management). I've eaten here once or twice before as I live downtown and it's a little out of the way from the CBD, however it's worth it. Living in Thornton Park, it's probably not walkable so you'll have to go for a short drive, but we're talking 5 mins max.... Just got back from a wonderful dinner about 30 mins ago. The staff is very good and we really loved our bartenders as well as our waiter, as usual. Quite personable and chatty in a good way. We sat outside which was really nice with nice low key chill music playing the background and a great breeze. The food this round was OUTSTANDING! Do not miss their short rib gnocchi... it's devine and be ready for leftovers. My staple here was the scallops, which come over a cucumber risotto - and these are also wonderful. However, the short ribs just blew me away tonight and I want more already!!! My other half got the special striped bass on a sweet pepper risotto, and that was also top notch. Also, they have a nice wine list with some pretty odd finds, and it's not incredibly overpriced. Valet parking is $5 but you can self park in the attached garage for free and ride the elevator back down to the 1st floor (entrance is on Park Lake St.). Worth a nice meal out.
(4)
Joel S.
I've lived here in O'town for two years, but had never made it to Citrus before. Parking in the attached garage was easy and free. The only negative is that the parking spaces are designed for hobbit-mobiles and not a normal sized car like, oh, a VW Golf. What's with that? We arrived about an hour early for our reservation so we could have a drink at the bar and meet up with our group as they arrived. The space is very nice... dark colors, but very open and airy. The martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives were tasty! Once our party was assembled it was time for our reservation and our table was waiting for us. Our waiter introduced himself and also another person (assistant?). One of our party had brought wedding invitations to share and those were laying on the table. Mine had my name and my partners name while the other envelope only had one name. The waiter couldn't have known, but the party with one name on the envelope had lost his partner to cancer just a few weeks ago. The waiter booms out "why doesn't his envelope have a second name on it?". We all just looked at each other and I looked at the waiter and quietly said "let it go" and we didn't make a big deal about it. We've all been in those situations where we said something wrong and really didn't intend it to be cruel, but I would have thought the waiter would have known better than to say something like that. We shared a couple appetizers... the Domestic Cheese Plate and the Beef Carpaccio. We almost laughed when they set the $21 cheese plate on the table. It had little, tiny pieces of cheese scattered around with some nuts, figs, etc. There was a hell of a lot more plate than there was cheese... maybe $2 worth of cheese on the plate. If I'd ordered it I would not have been happy. I had the Chimichurri Hanger Steak. The waiter suggested I order it rare to medium because it'd get tough if it was cooked longer. Well, I ordered it medium-rare and it was still tough as hell. The flavors were great, but it was like chewing a tire. My partner had Shrimp and Grits and while I only got a small taste it was very good. One member of our party had a pretty significant portion left and asked for a box. They took the plate away to make the move to the box in the kitchen. When the server returned she informed her that they'd accidentally dropped the 1/2 of the steak in the floor, but they cooked her an entire new one. I was impressed that they would do that and it was a nice touch. All total we spent about $160 for two of us including drinks and tips. I do not feel like we got our money's worth. It was OK, but on several occasions we felt like we were left alone too long and with the issues with the portion size and tire tread steak, I'm not sure we'll be making it a regular stop.
(3)
Steven K.
Ate there Monday night as I was staying at hotel within walking distance. Sat at the bar. Not too busy so service was quick. It's an upscale place, but not overly so. Food was fantastic. I had the redfish. Loved it. Had one manhattan. Well made. A bit pricey I think for the area.
(4)
Rachel B.
I just left here and the food was great- although beware some of the things they have on the yelp menu or urban spoon are a part of a sample menu- they recreated one item I specifically went there for that was just a part of the sample- The bartenders and servers were both attentive and knowledgeable- and the better part is that I walked there from my hotel and it began pouring down rain- the sweet staff offered me an umbrella and the back way out of the kitchen just to save me a little rain!! I will definitely return!!
(4)
Philip R.
We decide to celebrate our 26th anniversary at Citrus. We have celebrated and dined in many a restaurants over time. This was a wonderfully exquisite experience. We were first enthusiastically greeted at the front door by a team of hostesses who recognized why we where there and wished us a happy anniversary. One of them quickly brought us to a "quiet" area that I had requested but I felt it was in the hallway and saw the opportunity to sit outside on a beautiful night. It wasn't set for service (so I assume it was a closed area) but the hostess did not hesitate and made it available for us. We settled in and Jordan made his appearance right away asking if we would like to start with a drink, but the manager actually stepped in and offered a couple of glasses of champagne on the house to celebrate instead. We declined letting her know that we had been drinking Veuve Cliquot throughout the afternoon (it was a celebration day after all). We thanked her as that was a really thoughtful gesture. We had decided to try out the Magical dining menu which is available at various restaurants throughout Orlando at this time of the year and for a $30 "prix fixe" is a great way to experience some of the more expensive menus without over spending. We may be in love but the budget is always a concern these days. Based on the menu we selected, we chose to go with the ZD Chardonnay. The wine list is not over the top but a good varied selection to please pretty much anyone. This was the only little hitch as Jordon seemed a little uncomfortable opening a bottle, however he did make up with his warm and attentive service throughout dinner. We both started with the Fried greens Tomatoes with lobster, rock shrimp and crab creole ravigote. It was timely, very hot and the dish was perfectly balanced. Luckily the portion wasn't to big as we decided that the P.E.I mussels, although it was not included in the MD menu, we had to have them because of the description. Jordan was once again accommodating and added them to the order. We are so glad we did because they were so wonderful. The bread that was served along side of them was perfectly seasoned to let us enjoy every drop of the broth which had just the right kick. We were served the entrees at the appropriate amount of time and view the last minute switched, I have to say, well done Jordan! My wife had the Idaho brook trout and I enjoyed the Shrimp and grits. Both flavor profiles (as we obviously had to share) were spot on and delicious. Dessert was just as perfect and I tried the Warres Optima which complemented the Flourless Chocolate torte while my wife had the key lime Sabayon a interesting twist on a Key lime pie. The manager visited us several times to ensure we were having a great time and it was with genuine true hospitality. Definitely on our must go back list of restaurants and we will not need a special occasion to do so.
(5)
Mariacristina R.
I felt like we got a lot of bang for our buck with the Magical Dining menu. In the past, I've experience more sampling portions than full meals so my husband and I ordered another appetizer since we were anticipating tiny portions. But Citrus didn't hold back and we were treated to a wonderful dinner. The waiter was extremely attentive and informative. We ordered mostly seafood dishes and were really pleased with our meal. Nice to know the desserts are made in house (except for the orange cake).
(4)
Chris R.
Citrus Restaurant is on North Orange near Colonial. Their motto is "Eat, Drink & Be Local" I've always walked right past Citrus because it's next to one of my favorite lunch places The Virgin Olive Market. Since Scott Joseph recently offered a $40 for $20 deal on Citrus I went ahead and bought a certificate to give them a shot and I'm real glad I did. We were seated next to a well dressed large group that was celebrating a graduation and at times they were very loud. A couple times I had to almost yell to even hear myself but besides that the experience was excellent. The chairs are very soft & comfortable, something that important to me I dislike sitting in hard wood or plastic chairs. There were a number of items I was eyeing on the online menu before hand. Black Bean soup with Chorizo, avocado sour cream, chopped sweet vidalia onion($6), the pasta, Salmon, Scallops, and Risotto. A couple different twitter friends had said to get the Shrimp & Lobster Fritters which are made with shrimp, maine lobster, roasted sweet corn, grilled jalapeno, pineapple salsa, avocado crema($13). In the end I shared the Shrimp and Lobster Fritters and the Smoked Chicken Salad. The Fritters were not too crunchy like fritters tend to be, they were just right, I loved the avocado crema the fritters were served with. The salad was filled with chunks of 4 Rivers Smokehouse chicken breast, mixed baby lettuce, pears, pecans, Gorgonzola and covered with a cranberry vinaigrette($14). The perfectly sliced pears made this salad excellent! For my main course I had the Pomegranate Glazed Grilled Atlantic Salmon with wax beans, green beans and peruvian blue potatoes served with a pomegranate-port molasses ($19) In a few of the dishes they used a very tangy and tasty Pomegranate port reduction sauce, sometimes drizzled on the plate sometimes mixed in the dish. I also tried the Tangerine Macadamia crusted Idaho Brook Trout, with a very tasty meyer lemon risotto, steamed broccolini ($22). To top it all off I had to order the cup--cake desert which was not a cupcake at all but a bowl filled with cake and a rich ganache and topped with Edy's vanilla bean Ice Cream & real cream. On Fridays for happy hour they have a $5 flatbread pizza special.
(5)
Marcus S.
Citrus is in an odd location on the North fringe of the downtown area. Parking is an issue but nothing to get overwhelmed about. My experience here was less than satisfying and i wish it were better because Citrus has so much potential. My party had a business lunch setup for Citrus. I was dismayed when i arrived that no indoor table options were available. The hostess said something about sitting at the bar area but refused to allow us entry because the bar tables "only seat 2" while we had a party of 3. Ok so be it, but a little odd...the hostess actually appeared disappointed when i said we would take a table outside. Not a great start to the meal. Fast forward to the food. Why is there 4 Rivers Brisket on the menu at Citrus? To me it seems inherently flawed to have another restaurant's food on your menu...just something to think about. I had the Chicken Avocado sandwich with slaw. The chicken was overcooked and the avocado was not fresh; nothing too much to whine about but a little disappointing. However, the slaw was almost inedible. It looked and tasted old and watery. I seriously question whether the slaw should have been on the plate. Overall, i was disappointed in Citrus. I truly believe if a few of the issues discussed were ironed out then my review would have gone the other way. Until i hear differently if i have a business lunch in the downtown area i going to head over to Kres.
(2)
Sandi W.
Glad we came here for dinner. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful atmosphere unlike the first place we chose for the night... Those Shrimp and Lobster Fritters... Oh yum!!! I could have just ate those for dinner alone! Two of us had the Chimichurri Skirt Steak and substituted the Boniato Mash for risotto instead. Both were so good. The risotto was full of garlicky goodness. Another friend had the FL Shrimp and Grits. She thought it was ok, but that the grits were not creamy at all like she was expecting. Great choice for dinner. Good food and wonderful service!
(4)
Patricia R.
Went tonight with a group of around 20 friends to celebrate. We were seated near the window to the right which was nice but the ones who had to sit near the windows seemed a bit tight. Drinks were ordered and brought out - one of my friends got a Park Lake which was raspberry vodka, champagne, frozen raspberries and something else - it was tasty and potent. I ordered light with only an appetizer: calamari with yucca fries and arugula salad. And then we waited for the food. And waited. And waited. It seemed to take an unusually long time considering that only one person ordered the steak.. which he got really rare so it really didn't need a lot of cooking. My calamari ($15) was tasty, dipped in buttermilk, four thin yucca fries and two sauces for dipping. I asked for some bread... which NEVER arrived even though my server mentioned twice that it was on its way. The whole thing was seriously overpriced (I guess trendy menus means you'll pay a lot to eat little) - their menu is very small with what they offer for eating - there were no sides of fries or anything. There was a chef's menu had a choice of pick one of two for an appetizer, a main course and dessert for $35.
(3)
Kent M.
First time in for dinner last nite. I had app of Fish Tacos for $11. They were very good. 2 Blue Corn tortillas with spicy and flavorful fish/salad filling. For main dish, I had Blackened Scallops. 4 nice size and perfect done scallops. That main dish was more of an app however, in my opinion. And cost $30 alone. Service was just right. Nice and modern decor throughout. Though the food was very good, I left feeling a bit 'ripped off' because of portion size/cost of main dish. I prob would not go back.
(4)
Erica J.
My husband and I went to Citrus for dinner last night. We had the fried green tomato appetizer..fried green tomatoes, rock shrimp, crab..it doesn't get any better. They also have great Friday specials from 5pm-7pm. I had the Italian Sausage Flatbread. It was amazing and only $5...Wow..what a bargain.
(4)
Sean H.
Been here a few times and each experience has been wonderful. I would recommend this place for drinks and appetizers as they offer many different types of apps. The mussels are wonderful as well as the Kobe beef carpaccio. If it is not woo hot outside I highly recommend sitting on the patio.
(4)
Rob W.
I love this place for their outdoor patio dining, its a really nice experience. They have a nice varied menu of upscale items and my wife and i always find something we like. The bar is usually loud and lively on the inside if you want cocktails before you eat. Service is generally excellent, but was lacking once on a holiday evening.
(4)
Sebastian T.
Went on a business dinner. The service was kind of spotty from the beginning. We sat at the bar since it was my partner and I and we wanted a good view of the TV for the Monday Night Football game. Actually took five minutes for the bartender to offer us a drink we were promptly forgotten for the next twenty minutes and we actually had to ask to see a dinner menu. She didn't even think to ask us at the beginning if we were just having drinks or going to to dine with them tonight. The food was a the high point of the night. I had the black bean soup which was great, topped with fresh diced onion and creme fresh. We had the Tuna Tatake which was seared perfectly and was accompanied with some greens and a buttery slices of avocado which were perfectly ripe. I had the Grilled salmon with smoked tomato "couscous" it was not couscous it was more like orzo, but the flavor more than made up for the anomally it was easily the best thing on my plate. the salmon was cooked beautifully , was moist and flaky and crispy on the outside but not seasoned adequately. I would have like to try dessert but the portion size was a bit large which I'm not saying is bad. The other vegetables on the the plate which were grilled baby carrots and giant asparagus were treated very well with olive oil, sea salt and the grill! over all a pleasant experience but it could have been better.
(3)
Lynda F.
Just OK. Like others have stated the ambiance is wonderful and the service was good. Had the chicken sandwich at lunch but would not be in a hurry to go back for the same. Nice presentation but just nothing special for the price. We shared the lobster fritters and I loved the sauce but the fritter itself was something again that I wouldn't care to repeat only because I don't care for the flavor of typical Florida style crab cakes and that's what it reminded me of. Lunch at Citrus is not worth the price IMHO.
(3)
Jerry V.
Attended a business Christmas dinner with 50+ people on 12/5/2012. Service was fair at best. The server was either having a bad day or is just a miserable person; it was embarrassing. Food came out of the kitchen sporadically and was only lukewarm. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)
Matt F.
Great martinis and service. They had chorizo stuffed pork loin as a special when we were there - freakin great!
(5)
Krista J.
I work right next to Citrus so I often go here for lunch. This place is owned by the group that made Kres and Hue & Cityfish, so I knew it had to be a decent place to eat! The atmosphere is contemporary, with a bar that has a few HD TV's - definately eat outside if the weather permits. Some of the dishes here are new american with a latin twist on them. Instead of regular bread rolls, they give you rolls and fried plantains w/ seasoned butter. They also serve yuca fries with some of the dishes, which are a nice alternative to the normal french fry. The Black Bean & Chorizo soup and Butternut Squash soup is yummy and so are the flatbreads. Beware of ordering a salad as an appetizer - they are pretty large in size. B/c I go here for lunch a lot I usually end up getting the CAB burger or the chicken avacado - both are very good and filling. The crowd that usually frequents this place is the business crowd - just about everytime I am there I see a group of people having a business lunch or bring clients out for drinks to blow off some steam.
(4)
emely j.
Citrus is a great restaurant in town. It has been around for a few years about and I even celebrated a birthday there a couple years back. I particularly like the vibe and atmosphere of the place. I usually sit at the bar or the high-tops but it still has that wood, earthy, dim-lit feel. Staff is friendly and can give you recommendations. Mikey is a Citrus staple. I like many of their appetizers like the shrimp and lobster fritters or the amazing blue crab cakes (which have a friend tomato underneath). My favorite dessert is the Cafe con Leche Creme Brulee. A total must have.
(4)
Michael M.
This is a great place to have a nice meal in downtown Orlando. The steaks and flatbreads are really good. And the service is really friendly.
(5)
Amy B.
Do you like citrus flavor? I hope so because almost every dish has a lemon lime or orange flavor. Let's start at the beginning.. At first arrival I was impressed with the decor. It felt comfortable and welcoming. I sat at the bar to wait for my boyfriend. They had a nice wine selection and a few half bottle options.I got a glass of wine which they offered to let me taste vs just pouring ,which was nice. When we were seated service was quick and proficient. She wasn't overly helpful but still no complaints. We ordered 2 apps based on other reviews. The steak flat bread and lobster shrimp fritters. Flat bread was great,it had this almost BBQ taste on it. the fritters not so much. The pinapple mint and avacado sauce was a weird combo.And I tasted the corn more than any shrimp or lobster. Next we split the Cesar salad and scallops with risotto and asparagus. The Cesar Salad was good. Pretty Traditional but with an extra squeeze of lemon. Scallops were cooked perfect and might have been some of the best Ive had if not for all the additional lemon juice they were surrounded in. The lemon was overwhelming in the risotto as well. I think whoever was on garnish that night went a little over the top when adding the lemon to the plate. There was also an orange reduction that added to the intense flavor. We were also given "bread". Which was sourdough an plantains with a lime butter. Served at the same time as the main Meal. I should have expected all the citrus but it was a little too much. I think things would have been better if they mellowed out on the theme a little more. There ingredients were fresh so I think if they cut some of the literal citrus out and based it more a Florida flavor it would be much better. That being said everyones dish around us was clean so maybe it was just what we got. On the way out my boyfriend grabbed a "mint" which he said also had the lemon lime taste. I think if we go back it will be for flat bread and wine.
(3)
Hani B.
A welcome new addition to Orlando's fine diining scene, Citrus, is a good place to go eat whether its for lunch or dinner. The menu offers an interesting new take on many dishes. My favorite appetizer here has to be the Lobster Fritters, highly recommend it. As for the entrees I especially enjoyed the Filet Mignon and the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. Good place to take people to impress with your knowledge of the Orlando dining scene.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I throughly enjoyed eating at this restaurant. There was an awesome wine list and great cocktail list. Im a vegetarian, and there was nothing vegetarian on the menu except for salad. The waitress had a combination of all the vegetables and pastas made for me. My boyfriend ate a filet and he said it was excellent. I would reccommend this place for a nice date, anniversary or special occassion because it pricey.
(4)
Chad R.
I was staying in Orlando for a show downtown at Backbooth and as a foodie I had heard great things about Citrus, so I thought I'd check it out. I enjoyed the selection of some of the small vineyard wines they offered. I ended up going with the Mia's Playground because I'm a fan of most of Russian River Valley Pinots and it was well priced. I would love to tell you that the entree's are great, but we didn't get that far because of all the great starters we had. I would absolutely recommend the steak flat bread and the Wagyu Burger with truffle fries. As simple as it sounds, the habanero ketchup they serve with the burger was amazing. The ONE DO NOT MISS is the Orange Cake for desert.
(4)
Wendy m.
An average resturant. I live walking distance to Citrus but don't go there to often. I much rather walk the mile to lake eola and get not only more bang for my buck but also higher quality. I gave it 3 stars because appetizers are tasty and drinks are strong.
(3)
Courtney E.
Great salad! Busy lunch crowd. Very healthy menu as well. The couches outside are a great place to sit and enjoy the meal.
(4)
Scott G.
Very good meal. Service was attentive, food excellent. Can have a conversation.
(4)
monica s.
This place has really amazing food. It's right across the street from my condo. It's set in a really beautiful location. I loved my meal! The service was excellent as well. I would love to go back really soon.....Once i go back home to Florida, this will be my first stop.
(5)
Andre C.
Great service, good wine, great music, food....so so. Caprese salad was great but I've had way better mozzarella from Costco. Lobster/shrimp fritters, ok but oily. Doesn't live up to it's vision. Pity.
(2)
Nicole G.
I recently went to Citrus for the first time. I have been hearing amazing things about this place so i thought i would go and try it out myself. My good friend and i went together and sat on the patio for dinner. It was so nice out there. The food was amazing(I had the salmon) as well as the serves, our waitress was Breanna. The inside of the restaurant was amazing as well. the decor was very nice and i really liked the bar area. The bar area is a great place to hang out with some friends and have some drinks. Everything about citrus was amazing, even the bathrooms were very nice. (The hand soap smelt so good. ) I will diffidently go back again soon!!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Marci M.
Citrus is a quality restaurant, with easy parking and nice decor. I have been there for lunch, dinner, drinks and a couple of restaurant buyout parties. I have never been overly impressed with the service. No specific bad experiences, it just has never "wowed" me. Most recently we sat at the bar. There is typically a large "pre-magic game" crowd there. We were greeted and given menus. It took a bit for the bar tender to get back to us for our orders. We shared the BBQ chicken flatbread and sweet potato fries. Delicious! We both had wine and it was reasonably priced and we were able to try a couple of different types before we committed (nice touch!). We also had the Cup Cake which was rich and fantastic! You can valet or park in the parking lot behind the building, or even street parking. So it makes it a convenient alternative from the downtown restaurants with tough parking situations. I like the food and its very close to my house, so I will go back, but I will bring some patience!
(3)BrentandMichelle W.
Been wanting to try this restaurant for a year since we moved to Orlando. It didn't excite us to want to go back. We started off with the beef capprcio(spelling) which was pretty good especially the roasted garlic pieces. However, Brio's is better. I had the Chimmi Churri Steak with asparagus and butternut squash risotto. The risotto was awesome, but the steak was tough. My hubby got the recommended pork chop which he said was "eh". The dessert citrus hazelnut creme bruise was to orangey , but the hard sugar top was yummy. Since Hot Olives and Ravenous Pig were closed this night..Monday we should have gone to the K restaurant instead.
(3)D K.
Reasonable place for lunch as most items are under $10. Their take on a salad is kind of "interesting" as it's just a huge slab of lettuce thrown on your plate (with sauce and what not). They've got mussels for lunch as one of the main events, so try those if you're there at that time. They make a good burger with bacon and cheddar or blue cheese (no bacon) but it's what you would expect for this tier. I can't give it a solid rating until I go back and try other items, however...
(4)Mark W.
Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Food: 2 stars Caesar salad --- gloppy, overdressed, mangled lettuce Bean soup --- over-seasoned, nothing special l/o/b/s/t/e/r/ crab fritters --- fried dough balls in a sea of ketchupy tartar sauce chili-glazed salmon --- not seasoned well, uninspiring Great location, beautiful decor. Needs a new chef.
(3)Lucy W.
Tired of quesadillas, fries and other Orlando touristy/chain food, I went off the beaten path by following some Yelp advice- best decision I made so far on my Orlando trip. Great ambiance and decor, good sized bar. Most importantly, the food and drinks were delicious...I had a salad with lime marinated chicken, cilantro, black beans, corn and plantains with a mojito-like drink with mint and sugar cane called "Broadway". They complimented each other beautifully and the lime flavors were perfect on a hot humid night. There is valet or garage parking, but I was able to secure a free spot on the street easily.
(4)Kent M.
First time in for dinner last nite. I had app of Fish Tacos for $11. They were very good. 2 Blue Corn tortillas with spicy and flavorful fish/salad filling. For main dish, I had Blackened Scallops. 4 nice size and perfect done scallops. That main dish was more of an app however, in my opinion. And cost $30 alone. Service was just right. Nice and modern decor throughout. Though the food was very good, I left feeling a bit 'ripped off' because of portion size/cost of main dish. I prob would not go back.
(4)Erica J.
My husband and I went to Citrus for dinner last night. We had the fried green tomato appetizer..fried green tomatoes, rock shrimp, crab..it doesn't get any better. They also have great Friday specials from 5pm-7pm. I had the Italian Sausage Flatbread. It was amazing and only $5...Wow..what a bargain.
(4)Sean H.
Been here a few times and each experience has been wonderful. I would recommend this place for drinks and appetizers as they offer many different types of apps. The mussels are wonderful as well as the Kobe beef carpaccio. If it is not woo hot outside I highly recommend sitting on the patio.
(4)Rob W.
I love this place for their outdoor patio dining, its a really nice experience. They have a nice varied menu of upscale items and my wife and i always find something we like. The bar is usually loud and lively on the inside if you want cocktails before you eat. Service is generally excellent, but was lacking once on a holiday evening.
(4)Sebastian T.
Went on a business dinner. The service was kind of spotty from the beginning. We sat at the bar since it was my partner and I and we wanted a good view of the TV for the Monday Night Football game. Actually took five minutes for the bartender to offer us a drink we were promptly forgotten for the next twenty minutes and we actually had to ask to see a dinner menu. She didn't even think to ask us at the beginning if we were just having drinks or going to to dine with them tonight. The food was a the high point of the night. I had the black bean soup which was great, topped with fresh diced onion and creme fresh. We had the Tuna Tatake which was seared perfectly and was accompanied with some greens and a buttery slices of avocado which were perfectly ripe. I had the Grilled salmon with smoked tomato "couscous" it was not couscous it was more like orzo, but the flavor more than made up for the anomally it was easily the best thing on my plate. the salmon was cooked beautifully , was moist and flaky and crispy on the outside but not seasoned adequately. I would have like to try dessert but the portion size was a bit large which I'm not saying is bad. The other vegetables on the the plate which were grilled baby carrots and giant asparagus were treated very well with olive oil, sea salt and the grill! over all a pleasant experience but it could have been better.
(3)Lynda F.
Just OK. Like others have stated the ambiance is wonderful and the service was good. Had the chicken sandwich at lunch but would not be in a hurry to go back for the same. Nice presentation but just nothing special for the price. We shared the lobster fritters and I loved the sauce but the fritter itself was something again that I wouldn't care to repeat only because I don't care for the flavor of typical Florida style crab cakes and that's what it reminded me of. Lunch at Citrus is not worth the price IMHO.
(3)Jerry V.
Attended a business Christmas dinner with 50+ people on 12/5/2012. Service was fair at best. The server was either having a bad day or is just a miserable person; it was embarrassing. Food came out of the kitchen sporadically and was only lukewarm. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)Matt F.
Great martinis and service. They had chorizo stuffed pork loin as a special when we were there - freakin great!
(5)Krista J.
I work right next to Citrus so I often go here for lunch. This place is owned by the group that made Kres and Hue & Cityfish, so I knew it had to be a decent place to eat! The atmosphere is contemporary, with a bar that has a few HD TV's - definately eat outside if the weather permits. Some of the dishes here are new american with a latin twist on them. Instead of regular bread rolls, they give you rolls and fried plantains w/ seasoned butter. They also serve yuca fries with some of the dishes, which are a nice alternative to the normal french fry. The Black Bean & Chorizo soup and Butternut Squash soup is yummy and so are the flatbreads. Beware of ordering a salad as an appetizer - they are pretty large in size. B/c I go here for lunch a lot I usually end up getting the CAB burger or the chicken avacado - both are very good and filling. The crowd that usually frequents this place is the business crowd - just about everytime I am there I see a group of people having a business lunch or bring clients out for drinks to blow off some steam.
(4)emely j.
Citrus is a great restaurant in town. It has been around for a few years about and I even celebrated a birthday there a couple years back. I particularly like the vibe and atmosphere of the place. I usually sit at the bar or the high-tops but it still has that wood, earthy, dim-lit feel. Staff is friendly and can give you recommendations. Mikey is a Citrus staple. I like many of their appetizers like the shrimp and lobster fritters or the amazing blue crab cakes (which have a friend tomato underneath). My favorite dessert is the Cafe con Leche Creme Brulee. A total must have.
(4)Michael M.
This is a great place to have a nice meal in downtown Orlando. The steaks and flatbreads are really good. And the service is really friendly.
(5)Amy B.
Do you like citrus flavor? I hope so because almost every dish has a lemon lime or orange flavor. Let's start at the beginning.. At first arrival I was impressed with the decor. It felt comfortable and welcoming. I sat at the bar to wait for my boyfriend. They had a nice wine selection and a few half bottle options.I got a glass of wine which they offered to let me taste vs just pouring ,which was nice. When we were seated service was quick and proficient. She wasn't overly helpful but still no complaints. We ordered 2 apps based on other reviews. The steak flat bread and lobster shrimp fritters. Flat bread was great,it had this almost BBQ taste on it. the fritters not so much. The pinapple mint and avacado sauce was a weird combo.And I tasted the corn more than any shrimp or lobster. Next we split the Cesar salad and scallops with risotto and asparagus. The Cesar Salad was good. Pretty Traditional but with an extra squeeze of lemon. Scallops were cooked perfect and might have been some of the best Ive had if not for all the additional lemon juice they were surrounded in. The lemon was overwhelming in the risotto as well. I think whoever was on garnish that night went a little over the top when adding the lemon to the plate. There was also an orange reduction that added to the intense flavor. We were also given "bread". Which was sourdough an plantains with a lime butter. Served at the same time as the main Meal. I should have expected all the citrus but it was a little too much. I think things would have been better if they mellowed out on the theme a little more. There ingredients were fresh so I think if they cut some of the literal citrus out and based it more a Florida flavor it would be much better. That being said everyones dish around us was clean so maybe it was just what we got. On the way out my boyfriend grabbed a "mint" which he said also had the lemon lime taste. I think if we go back it will be for flat bread and wine.
(3)Hani B.
A welcome new addition to Orlando's fine diining scene, Citrus, is a good place to go eat whether its for lunch or dinner. The menu offers an interesting new take on many dishes. My favorite appetizer here has to be the Lobster Fritters, highly recommend it. As for the entrees I especially enjoyed the Filet Mignon and the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. Good place to take people to impress with your knowledge of the Orlando dining scene.
(4)Stephanie S.
I throughly enjoyed eating at this restaurant. There was an awesome wine list and great cocktail list. Im a vegetarian, and there was nothing vegetarian on the menu except for salad. The waitress had a combination of all the vegetables and pastas made for me. My boyfriend ate a filet and he said it was excellent. I would reccommend this place for a nice date, anniversary or special occassion because it pricey.
(4)Chad R.
I was staying in Orlando for a show downtown at Backbooth and as a foodie I had heard great things about Citrus, so I thought I'd check it out. I enjoyed the selection of some of the small vineyard wines they offered. I ended up going with the Mia's Playground because I'm a fan of most of Russian River Valley Pinots and it was well priced. I would love to tell you that the entree's are great, but we didn't get that far because of all the great starters we had. I would absolutely recommend the steak flat bread and the Wagyu Burger with truffle fries. As simple as it sounds, the habanero ketchup they serve with the burger was amazing. The ONE DO NOT MISS is the Orange Cake for desert.
(4)Courtney E.
Great salad! Busy lunch crowd. Very healthy menu as well. The couches outside are a great place to sit and enjoy the meal.
(4)Scott G.
Very good meal. Service was attentive, food excellent. Can have a conversation.
(4)monica s.
This place has really amazing food. It's right across the street from my condo. It's set in a really beautiful location. I loved my meal! The service was excellent as well. I would love to go back really soon.....Once i go back home to Florida, this will be my first stop.
(5)Andre C.
Great service, good wine, great music, food....so so. Caprese salad was great but I've had way better mozzarella from Costco. Lobster/shrimp fritters, ok but oily. Doesn't live up to it's vision. Pity.
(2)Wendy m.
An average resturant. I live walking distance to Citrus but don't go there to often. I much rather walk the mile to lake eola and get not only more bang for my buck but also higher quality. I gave it 3 stars because appetizers are tasty and drinks are strong.
(3)Nicole G.
I recently went to Citrus for the first time. I have been hearing amazing things about this place so i thought i would go and try it out myself. My good friend and i went together and sat on the patio for dinner. It was so nice out there. The food was amazing(I had the salmon) as well as the serves, our waitress was Breanna. The inside of the restaurant was amazing as well. the decor was very nice and i really liked the bar area. The bar area is a great place to hang out with some friends and have some drinks. Everything about citrus was amazing, even the bathrooms were very nice. (The hand soap smelt so good. ) I will diffidently go back again soon!!!
(5)Philip R.
We decide to celebrate our 26th anniversary at Citrus. We have celebrated and dined in many a restaurants over time. This was a wonderfully exquisite experience. We were first enthusiastically greeted at the front door by a team of hostesses who recognized why we where there and wished us a happy anniversary. One of them quickly brought us to a "quiet" area that I had requested but I felt it was in the hallway and saw the opportunity to sit outside on a beautiful night. It wasn't set for service (so I assume it was a closed area) but the hostess did not hesitate and made it available for us. We settled in and Jordan made his appearance right away asking if we would like to start with a drink, but the manager actually stepped in and offered a couple of glasses of champagne on the house to celebrate instead. We declined letting her know that we had been drinking Veuve Cliquot throughout the afternoon (it was a celebration day after all). We thanked her as that was a really thoughtful gesture. We had decided to try out the Magical dining menu which is available at various restaurants throughout Orlando at this time of the year and for a $30 "prix fixe" is a great way to experience some of the more expensive menus without over spending. We may be in love but the budget is always a concern these days. Based on the menu we selected, we chose to go with the ZD Chardonnay. The wine list is not over the top but a good varied selection to please pretty much anyone. This was the only little hitch as Jordon seemed a little uncomfortable opening a bottle, however he did make up with his warm and attentive service throughout dinner. We both started with the Fried greens Tomatoes with lobster, rock shrimp and crab creole ravigote. It was timely, very hot and the dish was perfectly balanced. Luckily the portion wasn't to big as we decided that the P.E.I mussels, although it was not included in the MD menu, we had to have them because of the description. Jordan was once again accommodating and added them to the order. We are so glad we did because they were so wonderful. The bread that was served along side of them was perfectly seasoned to let us enjoy every drop of the broth which had just the right kick. We were served the entrees at the appropriate amount of time and view the last minute switched, I have to say, well done Jordan! My wife had the Idaho brook trout and I enjoyed the Shrimp and grits. Both flavor profiles (as we obviously had to share) were spot on and delicious. Dessert was just as perfect and I tried the Warres Optima which complemented the Flourless Chocolate torte while my wife had the key lime Sabayon a interesting twist on a Key lime pie. The manager visited us several times to ensure we were having a great time and it was with genuine true hospitality. Definitely on our must go back list of restaurants and we will not need a special occasion to do so.
(5)Mariacristina R.
I felt like we got a lot of bang for our buck with the Magical Dining menu. In the past, I've experience more sampling portions than full meals so my husband and I ordered another appetizer since we were anticipating tiny portions. But Citrus didn't hold back and we were treated to a wonderful dinner. The waiter was extremely attentive and informative. We ordered mostly seafood dishes and were really pleased with our meal. Nice to know the desserts are made in house (except for the orange cake).
(4)Chris R.
Citrus Restaurant is on North Orange near Colonial. Their motto is "Eat, Drink & Be Local" I've always walked right past Citrus because it's next to one of my favorite lunch places The Virgin Olive Market. Since Scott Joseph recently offered a $40 for $20 deal on Citrus I went ahead and bought a certificate to give them a shot and I'm real glad I did. We were seated next to a well dressed large group that was celebrating a graduation and at times they were very loud. A couple times I had to almost yell to even hear myself but besides that the experience was excellent. The chairs are very soft & comfortable, something that important to me I dislike sitting in hard wood or plastic chairs. There were a number of items I was eyeing on the online menu before hand. Black Bean soup with Chorizo, avocado sour cream, chopped sweet vidalia onion($6), the pasta, Salmon, Scallops, and Risotto. A couple different twitter friends had said to get the Shrimp & Lobster Fritters which are made with shrimp, maine lobster, roasted sweet corn, grilled jalapeno, pineapple salsa, avocado crema($13). In the end I shared the Shrimp and Lobster Fritters and the Smoked Chicken Salad. The Fritters were not too crunchy like fritters tend to be, they were just right, I loved the avocado crema the fritters were served with. The salad was filled with chunks of 4 Rivers Smokehouse chicken breast, mixed baby lettuce, pears, pecans, Gorgonzola and covered with a cranberry vinaigrette($14). The perfectly sliced pears made this salad excellent! For my main course I had the Pomegranate Glazed Grilled Atlantic Salmon with wax beans, green beans and peruvian blue potatoes served with a pomegranate-port molasses ($19) In a few of the dishes they used a very tangy and tasty Pomegranate port reduction sauce, sometimes drizzled on the plate sometimes mixed in the dish. I also tried the Tangerine Macadamia crusted Idaho Brook Trout, with a very tasty meyer lemon risotto, steamed broccolini ($22). To top it all off I had to order the cup--cake desert which was not a cupcake at all but a bowl filled with cake and a rich ganache and topped with Edy's vanilla bean Ice Cream & real cream. On Fridays for happy hour they have a $5 flatbread pizza special.
(5)Marcus S.
Citrus is in an odd location on the North fringe of the downtown area. Parking is an issue but nothing to get overwhelmed about. My experience here was less than satisfying and i wish it were better because Citrus has so much potential. My party had a business lunch setup for Citrus. I was dismayed when i arrived that no indoor table options were available. The hostess said something about sitting at the bar area but refused to allow us entry because the bar tables "only seat 2" while we had a party of 3. Ok so be it, but a little odd...the hostess actually appeared disappointed when i said we would take a table outside. Not a great start to the meal. Fast forward to the food. Why is there 4 Rivers Brisket on the menu at Citrus? To me it seems inherently flawed to have another restaurant's food on your menu...just something to think about. I had the Chicken Avocado sandwich with slaw. The chicken was overcooked and the avocado was not fresh; nothing too much to whine about but a little disappointing. However, the slaw was almost inedible. It looked and tasted old and watery. I seriously question whether the slaw should have been on the plate. Overall, i was disappointed in Citrus. I truly believe if a few of the issues discussed were ironed out then my review would have gone the other way. Until i hear differently if i have a business lunch in the downtown area i going to head over to Kres.
(2)Sandi W.
Glad we came here for dinner. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful atmosphere unlike the first place we chose for the night... Those Shrimp and Lobster Fritters... Oh yum!!! I could have just ate those for dinner alone! Two of us had the Chimichurri Skirt Steak and substituted the Boniato Mash for risotto instead. Both were so good. The risotto was full of garlicky goodness. Another friend had the FL Shrimp and Grits. She thought it was ok, but that the grits were not creamy at all like she was expecting. Great choice for dinner. Good food and wonderful service!
(4)Patricia R.
Went tonight with a group of around 20 friends to celebrate. We were seated near the window to the right which was nice but the ones who had to sit near the windows seemed a bit tight. Drinks were ordered and brought out - one of my friends got a Park Lake which was raspberry vodka, champagne, frozen raspberries and something else - it was tasty and potent. I ordered light with only an appetizer: calamari with yucca fries and arugula salad. And then we waited for the food. And waited. And waited. It seemed to take an unusually long time considering that only one person ordered the steak.. which he got really rare so it really didn't need a lot of cooking. My calamari ($15) was tasty, dipped in buttermilk, four thin yucca fries and two sauces for dipping. I asked for some bread... which NEVER arrived even though my server mentioned twice that it was on its way. The whole thing was seriously overpriced (I guess trendy menus means you'll pay a lot to eat little) - their menu is very small with what they offer for eating - there were no sides of fries or anything. There was a chef's menu had a choice of pick one of two for an appetizer, a main course and dessert for $35.
(3)TDawg T.
Menu limited, food great. Home made blueberry vodka with a splash of agave, great. I will return especially if they TURN DOWN THE FRIG AC! Are you guys hanging meat n there?
(4)Kwan-Yin C.
My husband surprised me by bringing me here for Valentine's Day and we were extremely surprised on the top notch service and food that we received. Our waiter explained that all their dishes are made from fresh ingredients, most which they grow themselves. First they had a special menu which included some of their staple dishes and some new ones incorporated for the holiday. My husband had never tried oysters and had their oyster appetizer which he LOVED. I had the Filet Mignon which was so tender you could cut it with a butter knife, mashed potatoes were flavorful and fluffy. For dessert we had the Florida Strawberry Pound cake with fresh strawberries from Plant City. The pound cake is made fresh and grilled on a pan to caramelize the sugar and topped with a freshly made Grand Marnier whipped cream... It was HEAVENLY!!! I highly recommend Citrus and can't wait to go again and try out something different .
(5)Doug G.
Citrus' logos say "Eat, Drink and Be Local." The restaurant is supposed to reflect central Florida's heritage, with their own interpretation of Floridian flavors. Hence the name. The aforementioned descriptor as well as the stellar reviews on yelp convinced me that Citrus was a required stop on my frequent trips to Orlando. So I went. I walk into every restaurant thinking the same way many teachers do about their students, in that everyone starts with an "A". Well, Citrus, as with all other dining establishments, got it's start at 5 stars and away we go... I was cool with the wine selection. I got a 2005 Rioja Crianza, priced at $7, which in real life for the average consumer is $12-$14 a bottle, so the price was acceptable. Also, the bartender allowed me the traditional taste, which I appreciate very much when ordering by the glass. 5-stars in tact. After placing my order, the bartender asked if I wanted bread. I responded in the affirmative, and was promptly provided with a breadbasket of plantain chips and a whole-wheaty/oatey bread. Both were executed extremely well, although I didn't really "get" the lemon/lime butter, other than the fact that citric acid is a required ingredient in everything in here. Hmm... 4.5 stars. I ordered the Citrus Salad, consisting of baby greens, gorgonzola, plantain chips, orange and an orange vinaigrette. The salad was very good. Not great or outstanding. I went into this salad already knowing that I hate fruit in a vegetable based salad. Still holds true, however the "idea" of orange flavoring does work in this salad. It's just that the oranges themselves do not work. For me. So... 4.0 stars. I ordered the Idaho Brook Trout for my entree. Here's why: I wanted fish, and there were three options, Swordfish (which I'm not big on), Salmon (which I just had last weekend) and Idaho Brook Trout which I don't think I've ever even had. So I went with it. The trout had what Citrus calls a "tangerine macadamia crust." It was quite an interesting dish. The fish was extremely dry, not what I was expecting at all. I found myself squeezing the lemon (more citric acid) as hard as I could to moisten the fish, which made it better. It also helped to take each bite of the fish with a mouthful of the risotto. Yes, the "lemon risotto". The vegetables served with the fish were pretty good. Uhhh, 3.5 stars? Overall, this place didn't quite live up to the hype by the time I was done with my meal, because it certainly wasn't cheap. I enjoyed the meal on the whole enough to call it "A-OK", but I think I might not return (unless someone else is paying).
(3)Jeff J.
Citrus has such potential to excel, but it falls short. The waitstaff is extremely friendly--Brianna made our experience wonderful. However, the food didn't have enough flavors. The tuna tartare was dressed beautifully, but it severely lacked acidity. After eating it, I noticed there was a lime wedge that would have done wonders... but the chef really should just give us that lime juice in the tartare rather than giving us the option to spray it. My entree was a special-- pan seared triple tail. I have to give the restaurant kudos for cooking the fish perfectly. However, it was severely under-seasoned, and most of the flavor was coming from the two purees on the plate. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough puree to overcome the lack of seasoning. Finally, for dessert we had a key lime pie (explained to be a custard-- but sabayon is not custardy). It was a nice take on key lime pie, and I certainly enjoyed it. It was the one bright spot in an otherwise flavorless evening, and saved Citrus from a 2 star review. The dishes are beautiful-- some more acid on the tartare and some more salt on the fish would've bumped this up to 4 stars.
(3)Tim M.
Had a business dinner here. Food was outstanding, service was impeccable. Price was very reasonable. Can't go wrong here.
(5)Justin I.
I am a fan of Citrus Restaurant. I've only been one time for lunch and I had a good experience. Started with soup and had a trout dish for the main deal. The food was good and the service was great. The place was packed for lunch but the seating was comfortable and it wasn't too loud. All in all, Citrus is a solid restaurant that is worth checking out.
(4)Billy O.
Great location and fun atmosphere. I've been to this place about 3 times already and the food and service just keeps getting worst. and worst The later you come, the worst it gets. Its like they get sloppy or angry if you come 1 hour before they close. Ahaaa...get all your frustration out on the food. lol The first time I came here the food was great and the drinks were pretty good also. However, the food is always inconsistent each time I go; and for the worst. For the price, I'm very disappointed. The waiters just seem to keep getting our food orders wrong, late, or not the proper order. They try to play it off like the appetizers are suppose to be desserts or something. lol No visit number 4 for me. Maybe in a year or 2. :/
(2)D S.
I've been to Citrus 3 times. Always satisfying, never disappointing. The food stands out because it's consistently superior to and more interesting than anything I can make and better than most comparable restaurants in town. The service is solid; decor is inoffensive. The overall atmosphere is comfortable. It's a bit pricey, but it's a reliable choice for a really nice meal that will impress your date.
(4)Mark G.
Had the blackened grouper special. It was served with pork which tasted more like steak. It was excellent. Bread and plantain chips were tasty too. Awesome service. Drink I had was a little bland and definitely overpriced. Will return if I'm ever stuck in the area again for business. Pricey for what they serve but definitely worth it.
(5)Morgan C.
Last night i went to Citrus with a group of friends. I was really impressed. I started with the wedge salad with apple wood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese. I was so good i passed it around the table. For my entree i ordered the scallops which came blackened on a bed of asparagus and risotto. We were all so dazzled by our meals. They have a great wine and cocktail list and superb outdoor seating. This being said, our waiter was awful. He was maybe 18 and very confused. He took our orders before our drinks came out. He stumbled around on questions on the menu and looked like he might cry when we asked him to split a bottle of wine two ways. Bless his heart. I think it is hard to find good wait staff, or so it seems for Orlando restaurants. I will definitely be returning to Citrus.
(4)Annette G.
I came back and had yet another great meal. That said, my meal was actually not as good as everyone elses at the table, but it was still pretty good. I ordered a fish special and it was good, but it was over a bed of broccoli rabe that was so over salted, I nearly spit it out. Still though, I love this place. The food is sure thing, for the most part. Service can be hit or miss, so that's why I stay with 4 vs 5 stars.
(4)David K.
Fellow Yelpers, This dinner was a sad dinner as my heart's flag was a half mast. I'll tell you why...my girlfriend, whom I absolutely adore (refer to my previous white knight comments in my other amazing reviews [cheap plug, I know]), was so upset with me. I won't get into details, but this made the dinner experience not so great and this review will not feel the same as my others, as its tone will be one of a man in love...feeling the burden of a lingering issue due to his own absent mindedness... Therefore, my loyal readers and fans, I'm not as perfect as I may seem because I do make mistakes (not very often though ;-D). Alright enough self-pity and flagrant cockiness. I screwed up bad with my love and I deservingly went through the necessary consequences. In spite of me being upset, the one whom I adore still manages to inspire me to write tales of food outings...yes, my balls...still in her purse. Also, no check ins or pictures...I left my phone in the car. Onto the restaurant, Its location is awesome, it is tucked away on the beginning of Orange Avenue a few lights before arriving in the major party section of Downtown. The atmosphere is great, it was dark and romantically lit (too bad it was a night where the pendulum swung way outside the equilibrium). I reserved this through Open Table and they hooked me up with a nice booth at the end of the restaurant. This allowed for some coziness for us, but the shield around her was at full force, my love lasers could not penetrate them. We ordered the Artesanal American Cheese Plate as an appetizer. This was smaller than I expected for the price of the actual dish. The cheeses were delicious, the figs were very good. The olives were a bit off for me, the almonds were great and the toast was just too big for the ketchup bowl in which they were placed. It looked like someone placed 5 baguettes into a midget paper bag. Awkwaaaaard... My bothered girlfriend (who looked OH SO BEAUTIFUL) ordered a steak. I'm not sure if it was the Filet Mignon or another type. Nevertheless, the steak was very tender and tasted great! It's even more delicious when she feeds me pieces even though she was mad at me. I don't recall the exact sides she got with her dish, I do know one of them was the Risotto (that bastard keeps coming back to claim her heart at every meal). It tasted very good, almost as she put it, like a chicken noodle soup. I ordered the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. I got the Roasted Potatoes and the Mixed Vegetables as sides (Tip: you can switch sides on any dish, just ask the server!). The Salmon was the best I have had in Orlando thus far. The Pom really made it taste sweet and it was so flaky...delicious. The Potatoes were mixed in the Pom sauce which also gave them a sweet round-house Chuck Norris kick into amazingness. We ordered drinks too and this place really knowns how to pour them. My Vodka on the rocks with a lime was just the right amount and her Cocktail (don't remember the name, although it tasted peachy) was very refreshing. I ordered a dessert to end the night, the choice was between the Chocolate Cupcake and the Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream. We went with the Apple dessert. It was very good. A nice finishing touch to a great meal (all emotional bubbles aside :( ). Overall, I highly recommend it. I hope to redeem myself at some point and take her back here when she isn't so upset with me so as to enjoy this place the right way. Together. Happy. I almost feel gross reviewing this because it just doesn't feel right when the mood was so off with us...However, I'm trying to 'Yelp' you guys out in your decisions on where to eat during the weekend. So there you go, I'm so selfless I should be rewarded! Take Care and here is a tip: Always show your woman affection and how much you love them all the time, never skip a beat...don't scratch the Vinyl record of love...ever!
(4)Andy G.
My wife and I split the Blackened scallops entrée. It was excellent. The chef knew how to cook scallops perfectly! Lots of flavor,cooked through, but not over cooked. The sweet potato risotto was a great touch. Creme Brûlée was also delightful. Server made a mistake on my drink order but was quick to fix and acknowledged it right away.
(5)Becky M.
Great outside patio on a nice nice with comfy couches. Excellent menu and the service is fast. This is also a great location to grab a drink. I have done the "power lunch" as well and that also works well when you don't have much time, but want a good meal.
(4)K S.
Very nice restaurant. The University of Florida had a MBA informational session here. The food was decent. The setting had a trendy ambiance to it. Parking wise- the restaurant only had valet parking or metered around the area.
(4)Robert M.
Very impressive. I had a skirt steak w/ chimichurri that was cooked to perfection, along with sweet onions that kicked it up a notch. Came with Fennel whipped mash that had great flavor, and steamed veges. Eat on the outdoor patio if possible. Wine list is decent, but beer selection needs major work. However, our waiter suggested 'Sessions Beer' (a lager) to me after I rambled off a list of beers I wanted that they didn't have. He saved the day. It could be one of the best tasting beers I've ever had....maybe the best. Smooth. Their bread also needs work. I believe it was supposed to be a sweetbread but it wasn't sweet, and it was also dry. Plaintain chips were o.k. but I've had much better, seemed a bit stale or something. Work on the beer and bread, and it's a winner!
(4)Jeanette D.
Service and the food is always excellent. Great place for a business lunch and a large group.
(4)Chris S.
Citrus is one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando. We have eaten at the location twice and have been impressed with the service and quality of food. My wife loves the shrimp and grits and I usually get the scallop dish. This is truly a gem for Orlando and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)Frances F.
Great new place! The lunch menu had plenty of options and surprisingly big portions. Avoid dining during peak hours, as it gets very noisy inside. I recommend the roasted corn and bean burger with that awesome cole slaw salad. I only wish they had a better happy hour.
(4)Elizabeth D.
The jicama slaw was fantastic. The server kept forgetting my lemons for my water, but she remembered eventually. I like the patio outside with the tables and couches. The bathrooms were nice and clean and the hand soap smelled very nice. It's the little things that make a place stand out, right?
(4)Kat E.
DON'T ORDER TO GO!!!! How anyone can cook a med-rare filet in 15 minutes while preparing an appetizer and another entree is beyond me. $31 dollars for a small filet, burnt asparagus and a spoonful of mashed potatoes is sooooo not worth it. The shrimp and grits were ok-ish. The delicious, and flavorful, goat's milk, cheddar grits were covered with more burnt vegetables concealing most of the flavor. Despite the 4 shrimp that were included being quite big, it was not worth $25 for the meal. I've read reviews that the shrimp and lobster fritters are amazing, so we ordered them. Didn't taste any lobster, but make sure you eat them right away. After about 5 minutes they are cold and soggy. In conclusion, the food was over priced and over cooked. I'm sure dining at the restaurant would be a much better experience since the food would be fresh (even though I live across the street) and I would be able to send it back. But it will be a very long time till I dine here again.
(2)Ian G.
I ended up going there twice in a single day. I sat at a table for lunch and then went again with some other friends and sat at the bar. The menu was good and decently executed. I tried (while sharing) the kobe carpaccio, whihc was really good, the mussels which had good flavor, the escargot, the buffalo mozzerella salad and the grits and shrimp. The latter two tasted like someone had dumped salt on them. Everything else was good, not great. Everyone I was with loved their food, but it is my review so I am tellign you what I think. Things were not executed to a higher level. It seemed more like trendy ingredients then great dining. The atmosphere was very good, a great and reasonable and wine list and the SErvice was fantastic. The bartenders were entertaining friendly and attentive. I will go back, probably for apps and drinks.
(3)Brenda D.
I've only been to this restaurant 3 times on my various trips to Orlando and it's always good food and I like the outdoor lounge area. I started with the wedge salad - the smoked bacon made this salad over the top great. Next, I tried the Black Bean Soup. What a great combination. I want that recipe.
(4)Joshua J.
First of all.. you can get 4Rivers BBQ here (of course it is more expensive than it would be if you actually go to 4 Rivers to get your grub on)!!! Beyond that, their fish is notoriously known for being very fresh. The staff is courteous and attentive. My only complaint is that it is generally quite loud in here. IMHO it isn't a great place for an intimate date setting.
(4)Marie B.
When I used to live in Orlando with my boyfriend (at the time), he lived right across the street from Citrus. We used to meet up here for post work drinks and eats. The lobster fritters, flat breads, and orange cake are delicious. I live in NY now and have yet to find an orange cake as good. It has a subtle orange flavor complimented by a cream cheese icing, topped with nuts. So moist. 'So. rich. So good. Mmmm. This restaurant is owned by the same people who own Hue, so the service, food, and wine is top notch. Citrus is highly recommended of all Orlando's restaurant's downtown.
(4)gregory s.
pricey, beautiful, excellent food I went a few months ago, need to go back and enjoy more of it
(4)Chris E.
Came in on 9/11 for a first time visit...Sat at the bar and was greeted warmly and promptly by the bartender Jen. She walked me through the menu (much more reasonably priced than I imagined) as well as offering me a secondary special event menu. I asked her several questions about my selections, somewhat difficult as I am sticking to a diet, and she helped me select the best possible option. The food itself (Orlando Farms Chicken) was superb. The kitchen's temperatures were spot on, the service impeccable, and overall one of the more pleasant experiences I have had in the North Quarter of Orlando. Handling corporate accounts like I do I am certain to bring clients here, and look forward to my next meal. The ONLY unfortunate feeling I have is that Jen won't be able to serve us if we are not at the bar...That being said, I am certain that the rest of the operation's staff will be more than capable! I highly recommend for a quiet, pleasant meal where one can enjoy food, company and service.
(5)Blair A.
I am giving it two stars because the food was quit good, however the service was horrible. I came in with 5 other friends all in our mid twenties. The server was very rude from the very beginning. You could tell he wasn't pleased that he had a table of young people. Everything came on time and tasted great, but after he took our order we didn't see him again until after we all finished our meals. During this time we saw him go to other tables multiple times to check up on them throughout their visit. When he dropped back off our checks he didn't say anything to us. I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant because of my age. Needless to say I will never come back.
(2)Amber W.
Definitely one of my all time favorites in Orlando. We go often for happy hour, too. The staff are amazing (Heidi is fabulous) and helpful. I always feel comfortable asking questions and the food is literally some of the best I've had. We enjoy taking friends, clients and out of town guests here as often as possible. The menu changes with season and on a day-to-day basis. The chef is incredible. Sit outside on cooler evenings. The north quarter scene is relaxed but classy. For dinner, try the mussels, brussels sprouts, any of the fish dishes, filet, pork and any seasonal dishes. The manhattan is a favorite along with the cosmopolitan. For lunch, everything is healthy and has decent protein.
(5)Candace T.
Citrus is one of my favorite restaurants.. Now that I'm not living in Orlando, I try to come here at least once per visit, even if just to sit at the bar by myself (great place for that). My favorites are always the black bean soup (the bowl comes with plantain chips) and the wedge salad, but they have tons of great items, so I usually opt for one of those to go with an app or meal, or a daily special. They have great bread and plantain chips here too! The black bean soup is Awesome! Not vegetarian.. Has bacon and chorizo in it, plus chunks of onion and peppers.. Nice kick to it also! Then I had the lamb sandwich special, which was sinfully delicious! Buttered crispy bread, shredded lamb, gooey cheese, and a nice olive tapenade. They have a new taste to their fries which I love.. some African spice. Lastly, an espresso.. always a plus. The service is great and the staff is very friendly. I love sitting at the bar here - extra friendly and fantastic service. The atmosphere is lovely, light music in the background without being too loud inside. This is my number 1 business lunch choice in the area, but it's also great for drinks at the bar, casual lunch outside, or date night.
(5)M. G.
Enjoyed a Magical Dining Month meal here. The server was excellent and attentive. This place has a nice vibe: classy but relaxed. The drink menu looked interesting and the regular menu was very tempting. The magical dining month menu had some yummy choices. The shrimp and gits was flavorful with a bit of heat. The swordfish with mofongo had good flavor but was a bit dry. I like to craft the "perfect bite" and this didn't quite work that way. The desserts were outstanding (a melty fudgy brownie and a key lime chiffon). Definitely interested in returning here some other time. It is a bit pricy, so it will be have to a special visit.
(4)Ly N.
If you're looking for a nice date night, you should try this place. It's a bit pricey but well worth it. I had the duck here and it was phenomenon. Cooked perfectly and tastes just as perfect! If you like heat, there's a homemade habanero sauce that you can try upon request. It makes a great pairing with any type of meat dish.
(5)Nay J.
Bitter short haired blond bartender... Ruined my last experience. My clients were let down also.
(4)Francisco M.
Had lunch today at Citrus and it was ok. The place was packed and the service was very good. My disappointment comes from the food. I was expecting a lot more from my $25.00 Hanger Steak dish. The steak is not very big and the only sides you get are fries and arugula salad so for $25.00, you feel a bit cheated. Hanger steak is not an expensive piece of meat in general and at other restaurants, you can get a ribeye or NY strip for that price. I ordered it medium rare and it was still tough to cut because it had a lot of fat. I didn't have an appetizer or dessert so I am basing my review on the entree and the service which was the highlight of the visit.
(3)Travis C.
Took my wife here on a date. If you're looking for a nice, cozy atmosphere, look no further. The bartenders were awesome while they served us when we were waiting for our table, the drinks were incredible, although expensive. The bar menu is great, but it's pricing surprised me. They have some awesome signature drinks, but they'll cost you as much as a decent appetizer. If it were me, and I did it again, I would just buy a bottle of wine. The food was incredible, although the menu they had online was very different from the one in the restaurant, and they were out of the only dish that my wife wanted. However, they comped us a dessert because of it. Our waiter was awesome. He was attentive, conversational, and knew the menu inside and out. When he heard that the menu differed from the one online, he comped me a drink from the bar, and gave us a free choice of dessert. Needless to say, those costs went into his tip. The food was incredible. I honestly can't think of a restaurant in downtown that can measure up to the food here. And there are a LOT of great restaurants in Orlando. If the drinks were a couple dollars cheaper (I used to tend bar, so cost / contents is something that I pay close attention to), the website had been up to date, and the dish my wife ordered had been in stock, this would have been a 5 star review. because I try not to judge on first time experiences, i plan on revisiting Citrus in the next few weeks to give them another fair shot. Bravo Citrus. I'm a fan.
(4)Mia B.
The signature cocktails were amazing!! We ordered the Yuca appetizer, while waiting for the food there were a couple fruit flies trying to join us. Our appetizer arrived and looked as amazing as it tasted! Loved it! But because of the persistent fruit flies we were turned off to eating or drinking more. Otherwise a 5Star review would have definitely been made. Service was equally as amazing.
(3)Chris W.
Come to Citrus and experience truly unique, farm-to-table dishes. Fresh. Fantastic. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. The place has plenty of seating but is a popular place among the locals. Get here early or make reservations or you're gonna wait in line. There's outdoor seating to enjoy the Florida weather and there's a banquet room too. The food is the draw. Without the culinary expertise if what the chef is making, it would just be another restaurant. This is not so with Citrus. Enjoy
(5)Ron H.
Excellent in every way. The place was brimming with life. Went on the recommendation of my nearby hotel. Yelp said it was a bit pricey. It was, but well worth it. The fresh mahi (told it was caught the night before and flown in) was outstanding. The clams were fine and the interesting portion and combination of vegetables all in a clear broth were great. The mahi was coated in a very spicy seasoning. Loved it. Good wine selection. Excellent service. Might try it another night to see what else is good. Highly recommend it if you're in the downtown Orlando area.
(5)Joshua S.
Citrus ranks up with one of the best, if not THE best food that I've ever had. To go along with that the customer service is phenomenal and you actually get treated like a valued customer and not just another guest willing to pay a high dollar for mediocre food as you can find in a lot of restaurants that tack on the "fine dining" pin around town. Stopped in here back in November while we were aimlessly driving around downtown trying to find a place to live so we could escape from North Dakota. I was ready to buy a pop-up tent at Dick's and conceal it under the docks at Lake Ivanhoe by the time we arrived in the North Quarter. We had heard about the apartments next door and after being skull-numbed from listening to complexes sell their luxury of paper thin walls accompanied with a nice pool, we decided to stop in here for a glass of wine and lunch. We were immediately sat outside on the patio on a perfect sunny Central Florida afternoon. I'll admit, I'm a cheeseburger and fries kind-of-guy so the menu did seem a little foreign to me at first. Thankfully the server was out with ice cold water immediately and before I could get done fanning myself from the geographical shock of being in a city that wasn't covered in ice, he was explaining how everything at Citrus is made in-house and fresh. He literally explained how they made everything from scratch and the things that they couldn't make were locally sourced. I ended up going with the Angus Cheeseburger, which consisted of American cheese, shaved sweet onion, house pickles, local Kaiser and Rosemary fries. It was TO DIE FOR. Stopped back in the night we moved to the neighborhood at the end of November. After talking to the wait staff and explaining our jaunt from frozen hell (ND) down to Orlando, she and the manager brought out a complimentary Fried Green Tomato appetizer to welcome us to town. I thought that was above and beyond an ample welcome. We were impressed. I was a little intimidated by the concept of a green tomato (hello, North Dakota=completely sheltered) and I kept thinking it has to be good if there's a movie with the same name. Anyways, it was excellent. I could've gorged on a few more. They were breaded perfect and tasted like heaven. I ended up going with the "Filet Mignon Flatbread" for dinner. This beauty consisted of filet mignon pieces (obviously) with caramelized onions, roasted tomato, gorgonzola, cheddar, and manchego cheese. It's hard to even type that without salivating. Needless to say, it was stunning. I chased it down with a stiff Crown on the rocks and overall it was a perfect meal. Excellent menu, dynamic customer service, and a wonderful location out of the charlie foxtrot of downtown.
(5)David K.
One of our favorites. Service is great and the young chef is outstanding! A hang out for us! I recommend it highly.
(4)Marie H.
Great food, great staff. We came from Houston and really enjoyed our meals. The Octopus was amazing!! We will return!
(5)Greg L.
I had not been back to Citrus in over a year and I had friends in town that wanted to go back there since they remembered their last visit. I checked the Yelp website and saw a lot of good/great reviews so we went. We were all majorly disappointed! Citrus no longer has the flatbreads, like the fantastic steak and bleu cheese appetizer, as they are now a farm to table restaurant and the menu changes regularly. We went this past Wednesday night and there was not much on the menu that we liked. We almost ordered drinks and left but decided to give it a chance. The Grey Goose Cosmo martinis used to be the bomb here; now, not so much. They used to be strong, lightly pink with small shards of ice on the top. This time, the drinks were still strong, more dark red and too sweet. My friends switched to white wine after the first drink. We noticed the table lines had an unusual smell to them. (My friend described it as a damp smell; maybe the lines were not completely dry when they folded the silverware into them. Trying to decide on appetizers was difficult given the limited choices. The fried green tomatoes were nothing to write home about and the lamb tartar on Texas toast (or something like that) was ok. I had the wedge salad which was probably the best thing I had that night-great flavor and taste. I then tried the scallops and they were quite good, but the celery paste concoction that came with it nearly spoiled the taste of the scallops themselves. (Price: $34!) I shared the scallops with one of my friends and the other person got the chicken, which he thought was good, but not great. I will say the service is still very good, which is one of the reasons we used to come here on a regular basis. At least the table service at Citrus remains in top form. Finally, to end the evening, my friends noted the valet parking was now $5 when it was free the previous times we went there. Obviously, things have changed and not for the better in all three of our opinions. We have taken this restaurant off our list. It appears a number of people truly enjoy the "new" Cirtus, but do not count the three of us on that list. I suggest you use this review to balance against the others when making your final decision. Maybe we just hit a bad night, but we will not be back to determine if that was so.
(3)Ryan B.
Great date spot with tables or an upscale bar. Food has been great every time I've eaten here (going on 6+ times) just don't go if you want a cheap meal. Menu changes which is nice if you go every few months. Free parking in the attached garage, I always find it easiest to go up to the second floor from the entrance on the side street.
(5)Joel M.
Always a great meal. We have been on multiple occasions and keep going back. They change their menu up frequently. The fried green tomatoes are se of the best I've had, (outside of Georgia), and the steaks are always good and flavorful. My fiancé says the fried chicken is the best she's ever had. Service is always excellent.
(5)Diana S.
I've seen Citrus on the lists for Magical Dining Month the last few years, and the restaurant always looked inviting. I went with a group on a saturday night and I must say, I was really surprised at the lack of people at the restaurant. Considering they locally source some of their stock, I expected it to be as busy as restaurants like K or Prato, but the dining room was largely empty except for one big party attending a birthday dinner. The magical dining menu was alright, but offered little outside of sea food options. I think the biggest issue with the overall menu at Citrus is an overly ambitious chef trying to include too many ingredients in a single dish. They sound great in theory, but fall short in execution because nothing is able to stand for itself. I ordered the ribeye, served with chimichurri, grilled onions, and brown butter potatoes. The ribeye was cooked perfectly but the quality was lower than I expected, there was a lot of fat and gristle that I had to cut around, and I think I spent more time cutting my steak than eating it. The potatoes were perfect, I could eat them, probably, until I exploded. The chimichurri was good, but I did wish it was served on the side of my steak instead of on top, it didn't really add much to the flavor of the steak. I split a dessert with a friend, a chocolate cake cake with peanut butter ice cream, some pistachios sprinkled on top, and a tart berry jam. It was good...but I don't think I'd order it again. After a bite or two I was underwhelmed and can't say I'd order dessert there again. My group sat chatting and ordering more drinks and wine, so I was surprised when it was close to 11 and our waitress hadn't let us know that they were closing. They had just started closing the restaurant and putting everything away until we felt awkward and left. Overall, I'd consider going again, but I don't know that the experience is worth the amount when I know I could receive better elsewhere.
(2)Digital B.
i was surprised at how good the food was here. i used to work downtown and many of the restaurants were over priced dumps, but citrus was a nice change of pace. don't misunderstand me, the quality was higher but so was the cost. we had dinner for three with only one appetizer and no desert or drinks and the cost was over $120 (and that was with a kid meal and tip). The appetizer was the fish nachos and my main meal was the scallops. The scallops were perfect and the garlic broccoli was awesome. The other main dish was the smoked salmon which was also very good. I was disappointed in the kids pizza which was a flat bread with no red sauce. Yes it was tasty but what kid wants pizza with out red sauce? Over all it was worth the visit and would be a good place for a date if you are trying to impress. Also good for business dinners or if you want to hang out at the bar after work. I want to go again to try some of the other items on the menu. Citrus is a cut above the rest.
(4)Bruce E.
Look. Citrus was like A roller coaster. Under seasoned., Over seasoned, novelties like fried gator.... They may have it right now. Experienced staff at the bar, incredible Brussels Sprouts, Grilled octopus and zesty mussels. Local crowd as well. Well done ....
(4)Jennifer D.
Love Citrus & used to eat there all the time when we lived in Orlando! The food is delicious & the mussels are the best in town! Great flatbreads too! Fabulous wine list. The service is always great! Sexy restaurant & great patio!
(5)Tracey M.
I love this place! It's great for business, dates, happy hour, and that night out where you just want dinner, no nightclub. This is the first place I think of when asked to meet up downtown. It's not a big happening area, per say, but then again, I'm 43. I want to park ( I always find parking ) enjoy my time eating, drinking and being merry then go home. We sat at the bar, which has become my favorite location. Our bartender, Mike, was great. Made my friend his Old fashioned properly and a nice gin basil grapefruit martini ( okay numerous ones), for me! Their cocktails are always spot on. Great selection of wines and beer. For dinner we chose to split several appetizers. Hands down my favorite is always the mussels. The bread they bring is evil addictive to soak up the yummy broth. We also tried the blue crab cakes which were delicious . As well as the Tuna which was also amazing but was not served with wasabi. It had garlic and a bunch of other flavors going on. I'd get it again but it was a lot of garlic! We stuffed ourselves on apps and alcohol we skipped an actual meal. Other great menu items: black bean soup, any fresh catch sandwich rocks, the scallops are out of this word too.
(5)Tee S.
If this is the model of culinary fineness in Orlando, I would say Orlando does not have a good foodie scene. It seems a bit more of a trendy hangout. Drinks were spot on. Salad spot on. Entrée. Hmmm. What I had ordered came out looking like a train wreck. The risotto overkilled in a very unpalatable salty broth. After addressing our server about it. "Oh well." He turned to look at my husband. "Is your food bad too?" He laughs and walks away. Eventually the manager did take this meal off of our tab, however never ever had such a clueless rude server!
(2)Nisim H.
Good honest food and good service. Fish and meat were very good and the it was quiet, enjoyable. The menu was short but to point.
(4)Toft W.
Just ate dinner at Citrus with a large group of old friends. We were all blown away by the experience. We sat at the chefs table and enjoyed a variety of unbelievable dishes. The service was perfect, the decor was inviting and the food was exceptional. I recommend this place to anyone seeking a fine dining experience with in Orlando. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)Frank C.
Good but not excelent first experience here, will give it another try soon. Service was excelent. Food and drink timing is perfect. Portions great. Food... Was expecting more.
(4)Amber H.
Citrus is in a great location for meeting friends after work. The flatbread appetizer came out perfect and I truly enjoyed every bite. My main course did not perform as highly. I had the pecan crusted trout with mashed potatoes and green beans. It seemed the plate had been sitting in the window a while since the mashed potatoes were all dried out on the top. The trout was well crusted and had a great flavor but was a little over cooked. However, the orange cake made for a nice finish to the meal.
(3)Carla T.
I went here to meet with a fairly large group of friends. When I got there the valet commented that my car was not allowed to be parked on the street past 6. I thought it was a little weird because it was 4:55 but hey he was just doing his job so I ended up moving my car to the parking garage behind the restaurant which was free so it turned out okay. I was one of the first in my group to get there and wasn't able to stay more then an hour so I placed my order right away. After everyone had been served I still hadn't seen my food and had prompted the waiter twice for it. He finally told me he had forgot to put it in. When it finally came out it just wasn't very good. I had gotten the filet Mignon flatbread. It seemed soggy to me and the steak seemed to be reheated for 14 dollars it was just totally meh. Besides forgetting my order he was pretty attentive to everyone else even though I never got a soda refill. Overall all I would never go back.
(2)Kathleen C.
Good appetizers, nice wine, decent service. I'll go back. Ãœber clean bathroom. The valet guy was wonderful.
(4)Ashlei S.
Carpaccio to start was good. Scallops with plantains were delicious and our server did an excellent job recommending a pinot noir. Key lime pie was a great finish. Service (even outside on the patio) was superb.
(4)Jamie H.
my colleague and i went to the citrus restaurant for lunch and found the menu to be very appealling, the space modern and "power lunch" friendly, and the food to be pretty good overall. we started with the mussels, which were the best part of the meal. it was a very large plate that was (almost) more than enough for the two of us. each mussel was opened, so it was nice that none were wasted. the broth was amazing - it was thick with chorizo, red pepper, jalapeno, and onions. the buttered crostini on the side was an excellent way to sop up the remaining broth after the mussels were gone. i decided to order the pepper dusted tuna salad, which came with spinach, squash, fennel, cooked cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and the seared tuna. the squash came in small diced pieces and was delicious. i thought that the tuna was fresh but under-seasoned. the lime vinaigrette was too citrusy for my taste, so i was glad i got it on the side. my coworker ordered the duck meatball sandwich (special) and rosemary fries. she seemed to like the first few bites, but then realized the sandwich was extremely salty, too salty to finish. she thought it could have either been the duck itself, the bacon, or the sauce. the fries were very good though, and while they had the rosemary truffle oil taste, they were not too oily.
(4)L. D.
Actual visit 3/6/14. Filet, broccolini, mashed potatoes. Filet was super tender, bread was soft n fresh. I will go here again.
(4)Greg S.
This place was very accommodating when it came to service! We called prior to arriving because we were stumped as to where we could park. There was valet but we don't usually carry cash. After calling, the host advised that the parking garage could be used from the 2nd level up. We spent an hour prior to the dinner reservation at the bar, seeing what they had to offer. Two martinis later, we were hooked. Bleu Cheese stuffed olives and all, and not at a price that would bankrupt you! At dinner, some of the party ordered appetizers. The only bad thing I will give this restaurant is that the cheese appetizer was WAY overpriced with what you receive, portion-wise. For $10, I can see that as a fair amount, but I promise you, if you order it, when it comes out you'll be cocking your head to the side in disbelief. Ok ok, back to the good stuff. Went for the shrimp and grits and it......was.....delicious, like lick-the-bowl-delicious. I was so taken by dinner that I had to order dessert even after being full. The bourbon bread pudding was also nothing short of amazing. And both of these, well worth the price, hands down. I wish I could remember our bartender's name, she was really sweet and told me about the "rock, paper, scissor" thing with Session Lager's caps. Who knew? I didn't! Don, our waiter, really chatted the group and kept everyone entertained. All in all, a really great evening there!
(4)Shon R.
Bottom line - slow service held back an ultimately great meal. Citrus is a great all around restaurant for business or a nice date. The overall atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. I also like that it is located a bit away from the busier the parts of downtown, making it a nice choice for those who don't want to get caught up in the late night scene. As others have noted, the drinks were fantastic. They offer a nice selection of old favorites and new cocktails to try. The food was also very good. Well prepared and seasoned, every dish I have had here has been tasty. Unfortunately, the service here, while very friendly, can also be a bit slow. Don't gulp down that water too quickly, because it may be a while before your waiter comes back around. I thought this was an isolated thing, but the overall service has been a bit slow on 3 out of 4 visits so I have to knock them down a bit for that especially given the prices. Overall though, I still enjoy Citrus and recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal and nice night out.
(3)Bree G.
We hosted an event at Citrus, and called the day of to confirm. They had no record of the event and the woman we spoke to was extremely rude. Since we already had people coming, we went anyhow. Doug, the manager, understood our predicament and made room for us. He gave us private indoor/outdoor space and it was PERFECT! The servers were GREAT! The food was tasty although overpriced. Overall, it was a successful event.
(4)Cathy K.
Food presentation and taste were outstanding! tuna and Steaks were perfect. The service was helpful and great. The desserts looked better than they tasted we had the Key lime pie and Orange cake they were good bout not outstanding like the rest of the food and appetizers. Try the duck meatballs for a starter. wow!
(4)Chelsea W.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Citrus before! I honestly really love this restaurant and Im surprised by the mixed reviews. My first visit was a couple of years ago on Valentines day and everything about the visit was great. Service was excellent, food was melt in your mouth delicious and I only wished the prices were a little lower so that I could come back again. My husband and I visited many times since this visit, sometimes sitting inside, sometimes outside, sometimes full meals and sometimes just appetizers and drinks and i literally have not had a single Item that I did not like. The menu changes seasonally so theres usually at least a few new items each time. Service has always been attentive and more than willing to explain items on the menu and give suggestions. I would trust the servers enough to not even look at the menu and tell them to bring me whatever they recommend and I know it would be a great meal. Citrus is one of my favorites for a special meal out and I highly recommend it!
(5)Molly C.
Let me preface this by saying that I'm writing this review based on a business luncheon that I both organized and attended. There were 18 attendees and I selected a set menu of 2 appetizer options, 4 entree options, and chef's choice dessert. The organization process was simple; I worked with Vanda (who is Citrus' group coordinator) and she started off by sending me a few different price point options-- we customized the menu from there based on my budget and the group's known dietary restrictions (eg-- I added a hot vegetarian option) She sent over a contact which I sent back complete with credit card information. It eliminated the need for me to mess with a check at the end of our event and simply walk out when we finished-- it was wonderful being able to tell my boss, "No worries, we're good." The gentlemen that were our servers were wonderful and attentive. Our glasses were never empty and they were both good humored and friendly. Most impressive is that they kept an eye on me and watched for cues-- my boss was telling a story and they waited for my "okay" nod to gently interrupt and begin taking orders. Everyone enjoyed their food-- it was well-prepared and tasty but nothing too exotic or overly interesting.. which can actually be a good thing when you're trying to accommodate close to 20 people. In short, Citrus handled my group in a friendly and professional manner from start to finish and exceeded my expectations... and my group was happy to get away from the Millenia area for once. I will be adding them into my regular "luncheon spot" rotation.
(4)Carson I.
A decent spot for drinks if you're in the area. Is perhaps a good drop in spot to start a date. Not a big fan of the food and think it is overpriced for what you get. The atmosphere is good when enough people are around. It's not in the heart of downtown though, so you have to go a little out of your way.
(3)Scott M.
Underwhelming. Bad food, mediocre at best service. But, the atmosphere is great. Please someone, save this place! Note to owners, sit down and eat the food and see for yourselves, train your service staff, and turn up the treble. Hearing nothing but the bass is super annoying.
(1)Rhea P.
Kudos to the chef! Most amazing meal I have had in a LONG time! Perfectly roasted vegetables with delectable, yes, I said delectable risotto cake, accompanied by asparagus and zucchini. Brilliant stuff going on in the kitchen ! Outside of the kitchen is an issue, however. The service needs to be more proactive to say the least. We actually had to request menus, ask to order and all throughout the meal had to move it along ourselves. The service unfortunately did not measure up to the quality of the restaurant and dishes being served. The decor is comfortable, intimate, and sexy. Jazzy tunes play in the background--it's loud enough to enjoy, low enough for conversation. Classy place for an elegant and well prepared meal. A definite gem of a restaurant that I will certainly plan on visiting again soon!
(3)Mike C.
I never thought that when I walked in to the Citrus Restaurant I would be eating 4 Rivers Smokehouse. But alas, I looked over the menu and decided that 4 Rivers was the route I was going to go. The Beef Brisket with Chipotle Dusted Fries turned out to be excellent, leaving me both satisfied with the quality and quantity of food. The scene is somewhat pretentious, what with long tables full of white women decked out in jewelry, make-up and high heels giggling and chit chatting in what seemed like social clubs. Service is friendly and the waitress was more than knowledgeable and attentive. This place was great, but not on my list of places to frequent...One and done!
(3)Charles L.
I was welcomed to a cozy modern restaurant and sat at the bar as I was solo. The bartender was quick to recognize me and suggested a nice IPA, I think his name was Michael. I looked over the menu and ordered a few apps, lamb meatballs and smoked chicken wings. Both very above great and showed time consuming cooking preparation. I finished the night with an espresso coffee liquor drink suggested by the bar manager, she demonstrated great knowledge of whiskey and the bar business as a whole. Excellent experience altogether, as I could tell the staff was knowable and the food was fantastic.
(5)Maurice H.
I decided to have two appetizers, so my first one was their rendition of mussels. They are prepared with a slightly sweet and jalapeno flavor. Not the typical red or white sauce or thick broth. It was an unusual combination and was delicious. I can't tell you how much bread I used to slurp up the sauce. I then had shrimp and grits. I like this dish and was pleased that it was not the typical low country recipe, but was a flavorful preparation with 4 shrimp and a mound of sticky grits that grabbed the flavor of the spice and shrimp mix. Delightful. Dining partners had steak and lamb. Both looked and were reported to be excellent. Oh, the orange cake was sweet, light and fluffy, but they only gave me a taste. I will go without them next time to have a whole piece.
(4)Matthew J.
Awesome! Best Desserts ever!
(5)William D.
Eat here a lot.....Good Drinks. Soups are always good. Fish, and Lamb excellent. Good Salads. Service Good. Lunch and Dinner a winner
(4)R W.
This was not my first visit to Citrus, in all honesty I'd been here once or twice years before but left feeling underwhelmed. It was fair, yes but didnt have anything noteworthy to report or review about. I then did not get the hype. That being said, my team and I paid a return visit this past week. Happily I can report that things have turned around, we ordered various items including apps and deserts. ( You can not go wrong with the Scallops here, trust me on this one) Definitely a noted improvement and change and happy to say that I'll definitely return. Good Job Citrus Team
(4)Colleen B.
Located on the outskirts of downtown, Citrus has a pretty good location. It is around a couple of good restaurants and has a pleasant outdoor area. This is actually one of a family of downtown restaurants: HUE, Kres Chophouse and Cityfish. Out of that family it is probably my least favorite but is still pretty good. That would be a good family to be in =) Attended a birthday dinner here with a few girlfriends and we sat outside. It was packed outside so the ambiance was nice and lively. Everything was lovely inside the restaurant as well. The decor was very dark and natural which you would think would have a heavy feel but it was surprisingly not a heavy feeling. The lighting was soft which set a nice, intimate feeling in such a large place. The drinks were great, especially the mojitos - just lovely. The food however, was more visually stimulating that taste bud stimulating. Maybe I just made too basic of a choice going with baked chicken. Overall, I will absolutely try this restaurant again because I love all the other restaurants in the family and I know to try something more daring than chicken =)
(3)Dominic B.
Swanky spot brought to you by the team behind Kres, CityFish and Hue... (Urban Life Management). I've eaten here once or twice before as I live downtown and it's a little out of the way from the CBD, however it's worth it. Living in Thornton Park, it's probably not walkable so you'll have to go for a short drive, but we're talking 5 mins max.... Just got back from a wonderful dinner about 30 mins ago. The staff is very good and we really loved our bartenders as well as our waiter, as usual. Quite personable and chatty in a good way. We sat outside which was really nice with nice low key chill music playing the background and a great breeze. The food this round was OUTSTANDING! Do not miss their short rib gnocchi... it's devine and be ready for leftovers. My staple here was the scallops, which come over a cucumber risotto - and these are also wonderful. However, the short ribs just blew me away tonight and I want more already!!! My other half got the special striped bass on a sweet pepper risotto, and that was also top notch. Also, they have a nice wine list with some pretty odd finds, and it's not incredibly overpriced. Valet parking is $5 but you can self park in the attached garage for free and ride the elevator back down to the 1st floor (entrance is on Park Lake St.). Worth a nice meal out.
(4)Joel S.
I've lived here in O'town for two years, but had never made it to Citrus before. Parking in the attached garage was easy and free. The only negative is that the parking spaces are designed for hobbit-mobiles and not a normal sized car like, oh, a VW Golf. What's with that? We arrived about an hour early for our reservation so we could have a drink at the bar and meet up with our group as they arrived. The space is very nice... dark colors, but very open and airy. The martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives were tasty! Once our party was assembled it was time for our reservation and our table was waiting for us. Our waiter introduced himself and also another person (assistant?). One of our party had brought wedding invitations to share and those were laying on the table. Mine had my name and my partners name while the other envelope only had one name. The waiter couldn't have known, but the party with one name on the envelope had lost his partner to cancer just a few weeks ago. The waiter booms out "why doesn't his envelope have a second name on it?". We all just looked at each other and I looked at the waiter and quietly said "let it go" and we didn't make a big deal about it. We've all been in those situations where we said something wrong and really didn't intend it to be cruel, but I would have thought the waiter would have known better than to say something like that. We shared a couple appetizers... the Domestic Cheese Plate and the Beef Carpaccio. We almost laughed when they set the $21 cheese plate on the table. It had little, tiny pieces of cheese scattered around with some nuts, figs, etc. There was a hell of a lot more plate than there was cheese... maybe $2 worth of cheese on the plate. If I'd ordered it I would not have been happy. I had the Chimichurri Hanger Steak. The waiter suggested I order it rare to medium because it'd get tough if it was cooked longer. Well, I ordered it medium-rare and it was still tough as hell. The flavors were great, but it was like chewing a tire. My partner had Shrimp and Grits and while I only got a small taste it was very good. One member of our party had a pretty significant portion left and asked for a box. They took the plate away to make the move to the box in the kitchen. When the server returned she informed her that they'd accidentally dropped the 1/2 of the steak in the floor, but they cooked her an entire new one. I was impressed that they would do that and it was a nice touch. All total we spent about $160 for two of us including drinks and tips. I do not feel like we got our money's worth. It was OK, but on several occasions we felt like we were left alone too long and with the issues with the portion size and tire tread steak, I'm not sure we'll be making it a regular stop.
(3)Steven K.
Ate there Monday night as I was staying at hotel within walking distance. Sat at the bar. Not too busy so service was quick. It's an upscale place, but not overly so. Food was fantastic. I had the redfish. Loved it. Had one manhattan. Well made. A bit pricey I think for the area.
(4)Rachel B.
I just left here and the food was great- although beware some of the things they have on the yelp menu or urban spoon are a part of a sample menu- they recreated one item I specifically went there for that was just a part of the sample- The bartenders and servers were both attentive and knowledgeable- and the better part is that I walked there from my hotel and it began pouring down rain- the sweet staff offered me an umbrella and the back way out of the kitchen just to save me a little rain!! I will definitely return!!
(4)TDawg T.
Menu limited, food great. Home made blueberry vodka with a splash of agave, great. I will return especially if they TURN DOWN THE FRIG AC! Are you guys hanging meat n there?
(4)Kwan-Yin C.
My husband surprised me by bringing me here for Valentine's Day and we were extremely surprised on the top notch service and food that we received. Our waiter explained that all their dishes are made from fresh ingredients, most which they grow themselves. First they had a special menu which included some of their staple dishes and some new ones incorporated for the holiday. My husband had never tried oysters and had their oyster appetizer which he LOVED. I had the Filet Mignon which was so tender you could cut it with a butter knife, mashed potatoes were flavorful and fluffy. For dessert we had the Florida Strawberry Pound cake with fresh strawberries from Plant City. The pound cake is made fresh and grilled on a pan to caramelize the sugar and topped with a freshly made Grand Marnier whipped cream... It was HEAVENLY!!! I highly recommend Citrus and can't wait to go again and try out something different .
(5)Doug G.
Citrus' logos say "Eat, Drink and Be Local." The restaurant is supposed to reflect central Florida's heritage, with their own interpretation of Floridian flavors. Hence the name. The aforementioned descriptor as well as the stellar reviews on yelp convinced me that Citrus was a required stop on my frequent trips to Orlando. So I went. I walk into every restaurant thinking the same way many teachers do about their students, in that everyone starts with an "A". Well, Citrus, as with all other dining establishments, got it's start at 5 stars and away we go... I was cool with the wine selection. I got a 2005 Rioja Crianza, priced at $7, which in real life for the average consumer is $12-$14 a bottle, so the price was acceptable. Also, the bartender allowed me the traditional taste, which I appreciate very much when ordering by the glass. 5-stars in tact. After placing my order, the bartender asked if I wanted bread. I responded in the affirmative, and was promptly provided with a breadbasket of plantain chips and a whole-wheaty/oatey bread. Both were executed extremely well, although I didn't really "get" the lemon/lime butter, other than the fact that citric acid is a required ingredient in everything in here. Hmm... 4.5 stars. I ordered the Citrus Salad, consisting of baby greens, gorgonzola, plantain chips, orange and an orange vinaigrette. The salad was very good. Not great or outstanding. I went into this salad already knowing that I hate fruit in a vegetable based salad. Still holds true, however the "idea" of orange flavoring does work in this salad. It's just that the oranges themselves do not work. For me. So... 4.0 stars. I ordered the Idaho Brook Trout for my entree. Here's why: I wanted fish, and there were three options, Swordfish (which I'm not big on), Salmon (which I just had last weekend) and Idaho Brook Trout which I don't think I've ever even had. So I went with it. The trout had what Citrus calls a "tangerine macadamia crust." It was quite an interesting dish. The fish was extremely dry, not what I was expecting at all. I found myself squeezing the lemon (more citric acid) as hard as I could to moisten the fish, which made it better. It also helped to take each bite of the fish with a mouthful of the risotto. Yes, the "lemon risotto". The vegetables served with the fish were pretty good. Uhhh, 3.5 stars? Overall, this place didn't quite live up to the hype by the time I was done with my meal, because it certainly wasn't cheap. I enjoyed the meal on the whole enough to call it "A-OK", but I think I might not return (unless someone else is paying).
(3)Jeff J.
Citrus has such potential to excel, but it falls short. The waitstaff is extremely friendly--Brianna made our experience wonderful. However, the food didn't have enough flavors. The tuna tartare was dressed beautifully, but it severely lacked acidity. After eating it, I noticed there was a lime wedge that would have done wonders... but the chef really should just give us that lime juice in the tartare rather than giving us the option to spray it. My entree was a special-- pan seared triple tail. I have to give the restaurant kudos for cooking the fish perfectly. However, it was severely under-seasoned, and most of the flavor was coming from the two purees on the plate. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough puree to overcome the lack of seasoning. Finally, for dessert we had a key lime pie (explained to be a custard-- but sabayon is not custardy). It was a nice take on key lime pie, and I certainly enjoyed it. It was the one bright spot in an otherwise flavorless evening, and saved Citrus from a 2 star review. The dishes are beautiful-- some more acid on the tartare and some more salt on the fish would've bumped this up to 4 stars.
(3)Tim M.
Had a business dinner here. Food was outstanding, service was impeccable. Price was very reasonable. Can't go wrong here.
(5)Justin I.
I am a fan of Citrus Restaurant. I've only been one time for lunch and I had a good experience. Started with soup and had a trout dish for the main deal. The food was good and the service was great. The place was packed for lunch but the seating was comfortable and it wasn't too loud. All in all, Citrus is a solid restaurant that is worth checking out.
(4)Billy O.
Great location and fun atmosphere. I've been to this place about 3 times already and the food and service just keeps getting worst. and worst The later you come, the worst it gets. Its like they get sloppy or angry if you come 1 hour before they close. Ahaaa...get all your frustration out on the food. lol The first time I came here the food was great and the drinks were pretty good also. However, the food is always inconsistent each time I go; and for the worst. For the price, I'm very disappointed. The waiters just seem to keep getting our food orders wrong, late, or not the proper order. They try to play it off like the appetizers are suppose to be desserts or something. lol No visit number 4 for me. Maybe in a year or 2. :/
(2)D S.
I've been to Citrus 3 times. Always satisfying, never disappointing. The food stands out because it's consistently superior to and more interesting than anything I can make and better than most comparable restaurants in town. The service is solid; decor is inoffensive. The overall atmosphere is comfortable. It's a bit pricey, but it's a reliable choice for a really nice meal that will impress your date.
(4)Mark G.
Had the blackened grouper special. It was served with pork which tasted more like steak. It was excellent. Bread and plantain chips were tasty too. Awesome service. Drink I had was a little bland and definitely overpriced. Will return if I'm ever stuck in the area again for business. Pricey for what they serve but definitely worth it.
(5)Morgan C.
Last night i went to Citrus with a group of friends. I was really impressed. I started with the wedge salad with apple wood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese. I was so good i passed it around the table. For my entree i ordered the scallops which came blackened on a bed of asparagus and risotto. We were all so dazzled by our meals. They have a great wine and cocktail list and superb outdoor seating. This being said, our waiter was awful. He was maybe 18 and very confused. He took our orders before our drinks came out. He stumbled around on questions on the menu and looked like he might cry when we asked him to split a bottle of wine two ways. Bless his heart. I think it is hard to find good wait staff, or so it seems for Orlando restaurants. I will definitely be returning to Citrus.
(4)Annette G.
I came back and had yet another great meal. That said, my meal was actually not as good as everyone elses at the table, but it was still pretty good. I ordered a fish special and it was good, but it was over a bed of broccoli rabe that was so over salted, I nearly spit it out. Still though, I love this place. The food is sure thing, for the most part. Service can be hit or miss, so that's why I stay with 4 vs 5 stars.
(4)David K.
Fellow Yelpers, This dinner was a sad dinner as my heart's flag was a half mast. I'll tell you why...my girlfriend, whom I absolutely adore (refer to my previous white knight comments in my other amazing reviews [cheap plug, I know]), was so upset with me. I won't get into details, but this made the dinner experience not so great and this review will not feel the same as my others, as its tone will be one of a man in love...feeling the burden of a lingering issue due to his own absent mindedness... Therefore, my loyal readers and fans, I'm not as perfect as I may seem because I do make mistakes (not very often though ;-D). Alright enough self-pity and flagrant cockiness. I screwed up bad with my love and I deservingly went through the necessary consequences. In spite of me being upset, the one whom I adore still manages to inspire me to write tales of food outings...yes, my balls...still in her purse. Also, no check ins or pictures...I left my phone in the car. Onto the restaurant, Its location is awesome, it is tucked away on the beginning of Orange Avenue a few lights before arriving in the major party section of Downtown. The atmosphere is great, it was dark and romantically lit (too bad it was a night where the pendulum swung way outside the equilibrium). I reserved this through Open Table and they hooked me up with a nice booth at the end of the restaurant. This allowed for some coziness for us, but the shield around her was at full force, my love lasers could not penetrate them. We ordered the Artesanal American Cheese Plate as an appetizer. This was smaller than I expected for the price of the actual dish. The cheeses were delicious, the figs were very good. The olives were a bit off for me, the almonds were great and the toast was just too big for the ketchup bowl in which they were placed. It looked like someone placed 5 baguettes into a midget paper bag. Awkwaaaaard... My bothered girlfriend (who looked OH SO BEAUTIFUL) ordered a steak. I'm not sure if it was the Filet Mignon or another type. Nevertheless, the steak was very tender and tasted great! It's even more delicious when she feeds me pieces even though she was mad at me. I don't recall the exact sides she got with her dish, I do know one of them was the Risotto (that bastard keeps coming back to claim her heart at every meal). It tasted very good, almost as she put it, like a chicken noodle soup. I ordered the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. I got the Roasted Potatoes and the Mixed Vegetables as sides (Tip: you can switch sides on any dish, just ask the server!). The Salmon was the best I have had in Orlando thus far. The Pom really made it taste sweet and it was so flaky...delicious. The Potatoes were mixed in the Pom sauce which also gave them a sweet round-house Chuck Norris kick into amazingness. We ordered drinks too and this place really knowns how to pour them. My Vodka on the rocks with a lime was just the right amount and her Cocktail (don't remember the name, although it tasted peachy) was very refreshing. I ordered a dessert to end the night, the choice was between the Chocolate Cupcake and the Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream. We went with the Apple dessert. It was very good. A nice finishing touch to a great meal (all emotional bubbles aside :( ). Overall, I highly recommend it. I hope to redeem myself at some point and take her back here when she isn't so upset with me so as to enjoy this place the right way. Together. Happy. I almost feel gross reviewing this because it just doesn't feel right when the mood was so off with us...However, I'm trying to 'Yelp' you guys out in your decisions on where to eat during the weekend. So there you go, I'm so selfless I should be rewarded! Take Care and here is a tip: Always show your woman affection and how much you love them all the time, never skip a beat...don't scratch the Vinyl record of love...ever!
(4)Andy G.
My wife and I split the Blackened scallops entrée. It was excellent. The chef knew how to cook scallops perfectly! Lots of flavor,cooked through, but not over cooked. The sweet potato risotto was a great touch. Creme Brûlée was also delightful. Server made a mistake on my drink order but was quick to fix and acknowledged it right away.
(5)Becky M.
Great outside patio on a nice nice with comfy couches. Excellent menu and the service is fast. This is also a great location to grab a drink. I have done the "power lunch" as well and that also works well when you don't have much time, but want a good meal.
(4)K S.
Very nice restaurant. The University of Florida had a MBA informational session here. The food was decent. The setting had a trendy ambiance to it. Parking wise- the restaurant only had valet parking or metered around the area.
(4)Robert M.
Very impressive. I had a skirt steak w/ chimichurri that was cooked to perfection, along with sweet onions that kicked it up a notch. Came with Fennel whipped mash that had great flavor, and steamed veges. Eat on the outdoor patio if possible. Wine list is decent, but beer selection needs major work. However, our waiter suggested 'Sessions Beer' (a lager) to me after I rambled off a list of beers I wanted that they didn't have. He saved the day. It could be one of the best tasting beers I've ever had....maybe the best. Smooth. Their bread also needs work. I believe it was supposed to be a sweetbread but it wasn't sweet, and it was also dry. Plaintain chips were o.k. but I've had much better, seemed a bit stale or something. Work on the beer and bread, and it's a winner!
(4)Jeanette D.
Service and the food is always excellent. Great place for a business lunch and a large group.
(4)Chris S.
Citrus is one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando. We have eaten at the location twice and have been impressed with the service and quality of food. My wife loves the shrimp and grits and I usually get the scallop dish. This is truly a gem for Orlando and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)Frances F.
Great new place! The lunch menu had plenty of options and surprisingly big portions. Avoid dining during peak hours, as it gets very noisy inside. I recommend the roasted corn and bean burger with that awesome cole slaw salad. I only wish they had a better happy hour.
(4)Elizabeth D.
The jicama slaw was fantastic. The server kept forgetting my lemons for my water, but she remembered eventually. I like the patio outside with the tables and couches. The bathrooms were nice and clean and the hand soap smelled very nice. It's the little things that make a place stand out, right?
(4)Kat E.
DON'T ORDER TO GO!!!! How anyone can cook a med-rare filet in 15 minutes while preparing an appetizer and another entree is beyond me. $31 dollars for a small filet, burnt asparagus and a spoonful of mashed potatoes is sooooo not worth it. The shrimp and grits were ok-ish. The delicious, and flavorful, goat's milk, cheddar grits were covered with more burnt vegetables concealing most of the flavor. Despite the 4 shrimp that were included being quite big, it was not worth $25 for the meal. I've read reviews that the shrimp and lobster fritters are amazing, so we ordered them. Didn't taste any lobster, but make sure you eat them right away. After about 5 minutes they are cold and soggy. In conclusion, the food was over priced and over cooked. I'm sure dining at the restaurant would be a much better experience since the food would be fresh (even though I live across the street) and I would be able to send it back. But it will be a very long time till I dine here again.
(2)Ian G.
I ended up going there twice in a single day. I sat at a table for lunch and then went again with some other friends and sat at the bar. The menu was good and decently executed. I tried (while sharing) the kobe carpaccio, whihc was really good, the mussels which had good flavor, the escargot, the buffalo mozzerella salad and the grits and shrimp. The latter two tasted like someone had dumped salt on them. Everything else was good, not great. Everyone I was with loved their food, but it is my review so I am tellign you what I think. Things were not executed to a higher level. It seemed more like trendy ingredients then great dining. The atmosphere was very good, a great and reasonable and wine list and the SErvice was fantastic. The bartenders were entertaining friendly and attentive. I will go back, probably for apps and drinks.
(3)Brenda D.
I've only been to this restaurant 3 times on my various trips to Orlando and it's always good food and I like the outdoor lounge area. I started with the wedge salad - the smoked bacon made this salad over the top great. Next, I tried the Black Bean Soup. What a great combination. I want that recipe.
(4)Joshua J.
First of all.. you can get 4Rivers BBQ here (of course it is more expensive than it would be if you actually go to 4 Rivers to get your grub on)!!! Beyond that, their fish is notoriously known for being very fresh. The staff is courteous and attentive. My only complaint is that it is generally quite loud in here. IMHO it isn't a great place for an intimate date setting.
(4)Marie B.
When I used to live in Orlando with my boyfriend (at the time), he lived right across the street from Citrus. We used to meet up here for post work drinks and eats. The lobster fritters, flat breads, and orange cake are delicious. I live in NY now and have yet to find an orange cake as good. It has a subtle orange flavor complimented by a cream cheese icing, topped with nuts. So moist. 'So. rich. So good. Mmmm. This restaurant is owned by the same people who own Hue, so the service, food, and wine is top notch. Citrus is highly recommended of all Orlando's restaurant's downtown.
(4)gregory s.
pricey, beautiful, excellent food I went a few months ago, need to go back and enjoy more of it
(4)Marci M.
Citrus is a quality restaurant, with easy parking and nice decor. I have been there for lunch, dinner, drinks and a couple of restaurant buyout parties. I have never been overly impressed with the service. No specific bad experiences, it just has never "wowed" me. Most recently we sat at the bar. There is typically a large "pre-magic game" crowd there. We were greeted and given menus. It took a bit for the bar tender to get back to us for our orders. We shared the BBQ chicken flatbread and sweet potato fries. Delicious! We both had wine and it was reasonably priced and we were able to try a couple of different types before we committed (nice touch!). We also had the Cup Cake which was rich and fantastic! You can valet or park in the parking lot behind the building, or even street parking. So it makes it a convenient alternative from the downtown restaurants with tough parking situations. I like the food and its very close to my house, so I will go back, but I will bring some patience!
(3)BrentandMichelle W.
Been wanting to try this restaurant for a year since we moved to Orlando. It didn't excite us to want to go back. We started off with the beef capprcio(spelling) which was pretty good especially the roasted garlic pieces. However, Brio's is better. I had the Chimmi Churri Steak with asparagus and butternut squash risotto. The risotto was awesome, but the steak was tough. My hubby got the recommended pork chop which he said was "eh". The dessert citrus hazelnut creme bruise was to orangey , but the hard sugar top was yummy. Since Hot Olives and Ravenous Pig were closed this night..Monday we should have gone to the K restaurant instead.
(3)D K.
Reasonable place for lunch as most items are under $10. Their take on a salad is kind of "interesting" as it's just a huge slab of lettuce thrown on your plate (with sauce and what not). They've got mussels for lunch as one of the main events, so try those if you're there at that time. They make a good burger with bacon and cheddar or blue cheese (no bacon) but it's what you would expect for this tier. I can't give it a solid rating until I go back and try other items, however...
(4)Mark W.
Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Food: 2 stars Caesar salad --- gloppy, overdressed, mangled lettuce Bean soup --- over-seasoned, nothing special l/o/b/s/t/e/r/ crab fritters --- fried dough balls in a sea of ketchupy tartar sauce chili-glazed salmon --- not seasoned well, uninspiring Great location, beautiful decor. Needs a new chef.
(3)Lucy W.
Tired of quesadillas, fries and other Orlando touristy/chain food, I went off the beaten path by following some Yelp advice- best decision I made so far on my Orlando trip. Great ambiance and decor, good sized bar. Most importantly, the food and drinks were delicious...I had a salad with lime marinated chicken, cilantro, black beans, corn and plantains with a mojito-like drink with mint and sugar cane called "Broadway". They complimented each other beautifully and the lime flavors were perfect on a hot humid night. There is valet or garage parking, but I was able to secure a free spot on the street easily.
(4)Chris E.
Came in on 9/11 for a first time visit...Sat at the bar and was greeted warmly and promptly by the bartender Jen. She walked me through the menu (much more reasonably priced than I imagined) as well as offering me a secondary special event menu. I asked her several questions about my selections, somewhat difficult as I am sticking to a diet, and she helped me select the best possible option. The food itself (Orlando Farms Chicken) was superb. The kitchen's temperatures were spot on, the service impeccable, and overall one of the more pleasant experiences I have had in the North Quarter of Orlando. Handling corporate accounts like I do I am certain to bring clients here, and look forward to my next meal. The ONLY unfortunate feeling I have is that Jen won't be able to serve us if we are not at the bar...That being said, I am certain that the rest of the operation's staff will be more than capable! I highly recommend for a quiet, pleasant meal where one can enjoy food, company and service.
(5)Blair A.
I am giving it two stars because the food was quit good, however the service was horrible. I came in with 5 other friends all in our mid twenties. The server was very rude from the very beginning. You could tell he wasn't pleased that he had a table of young people. Everything came on time and tasted great, but after he took our order we didn't see him again until after we all finished our meals. During this time we saw him go to other tables multiple times to check up on them throughout their visit. When he dropped back off our checks he didn't say anything to us. I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant because of my age. Needless to say I will never come back.
(2)Ryan B.
Great date spot with tables or an upscale bar. Food has been great every time I've eaten here (going on 6+ times) just don't go if you want a cheap meal. Menu changes which is nice if you go every few months. Free parking in the attached garage, I always find it easiest to go up to the second floor from the entrance on the side street.
(5)Amber W.
Definitely one of my all time favorites in Orlando. We go often for happy hour, too. The staff are amazing (Heidi is fabulous) and helpful. I always feel comfortable asking questions and the food is literally some of the best I've had. We enjoy taking friends, clients and out of town guests here as often as possible. The menu changes with season and on a day-to-day basis. The chef is incredible. Sit outside on cooler evenings. The north quarter scene is relaxed but classy. For dinner, try the mussels, brussels sprouts, any of the fish dishes, filet, pork and any seasonal dishes. The manhattan is a favorite along with the cosmopolitan. For lunch, everything is healthy and has decent protein.
(5)Candace T.
Citrus is one of my favorite restaurants.. Now that I'm not living in Orlando, I try to come here at least once per visit, even if just to sit at the bar by myself (great place for that). My favorites are always the black bean soup (the bowl comes with plantain chips) and the wedge salad, but they have tons of great items, so I usually opt for one of those to go with an app or meal, or a daily special. They have great bread and plantain chips here too! The black bean soup is Awesome! Not vegetarian.. Has bacon and chorizo in it, plus chunks of onion and peppers.. Nice kick to it also! Then I had the lamb sandwich special, which was sinfully delicious! Buttered crispy bread, shredded lamb, gooey cheese, and a nice olive tapenade. They have a new taste to their fries which I love.. some African spice. Lastly, an espresso.. always a plus. The service is great and the staff is very friendly. I love sitting at the bar here - extra friendly and fantastic service. The atmosphere is lovely, light music in the background without being too loud inside. This is my number 1 business lunch choice in the area, but it's also great for drinks at the bar, casual lunch outside, or date night.
(5)M. G.
Enjoyed a Magical Dining Month meal here. The server was excellent and attentive. This place has a nice vibe: classy but relaxed. The drink menu looked interesting and the regular menu was very tempting. The magical dining month menu had some yummy choices. The shrimp and gits was flavorful with a bit of heat. The swordfish with mofongo had good flavor but was a bit dry. I like to craft the "perfect bite" and this didn't quite work that way. The desserts were outstanding (a melty fudgy brownie and a key lime chiffon). Definitely interested in returning here some other time. It is a bit pricy, so it will be have to a special visit.
(4)Ly N.
If you're looking for a nice date night, you should try this place. It's a bit pricey but well worth it. I had the duck here and it was phenomenon. Cooked perfectly and tastes just as perfect! If you like heat, there's a homemade habanero sauce that you can try upon request. It makes a great pairing with any type of meat dish.
(5)Nay J.
Bitter short haired blond bartender... Ruined my last experience. My clients were let down also.
(4)Travis C.
Took my wife here on a date. If you're looking for a nice, cozy atmosphere, look no further. The bartenders were awesome while they served us when we were waiting for our table, the drinks were incredible, although expensive. The bar menu is great, but it's pricing surprised me. They have some awesome signature drinks, but they'll cost you as much as a decent appetizer. If it were me, and I did it again, I would just buy a bottle of wine. The food was incredible, although the menu they had online was very different from the one in the restaurant, and they were out of the only dish that my wife wanted. However, they comped us a dessert because of it. Our waiter was awesome. He was attentive, conversational, and knew the menu inside and out. When he heard that the menu differed from the one online, he comped me a drink from the bar, and gave us a free choice of dessert. Needless to say, those costs went into his tip. The food was incredible. I honestly can't think of a restaurant in downtown that can measure up to the food here. And there are a LOT of great restaurants in Orlando. If the drinks were a couple dollars cheaper (I used to tend bar, so cost / contents is something that I pay close attention to), the website had been up to date, and the dish my wife ordered had been in stock, this would have been a 5 star review. because I try not to judge on first time experiences, i plan on revisiting Citrus in the next few weeks to give them another fair shot. Bravo Citrus. I'm a fan.
(4)Mia B.
The signature cocktails were amazing!! We ordered the Yuca appetizer, while waiting for the food there were a couple fruit flies trying to join us. Our appetizer arrived and looked as amazing as it tasted! Loved it! But because of the persistent fruit flies we were turned off to eating or drinking more. Otherwise a 5Star review would have definitely been made. Service was equally as amazing.
(3)Joel M.
Always a great meal. We have been on multiple occasions and keep going back. They change their menu up frequently. The fried green tomatoes are se of the best I've had, (outside of Georgia), and the steaks are always good and flavorful. My fiancé says the fried chicken is the best she's ever had. Service is always excellent.
(5)Francisco M.
Had lunch today at Citrus and it was ok. The place was packed and the service was very good. My disappointment comes from the food. I was expecting a lot more from my $25.00 Hanger Steak dish. The steak is not very big and the only sides you get are fries and arugula salad so for $25.00, you feel a bit cheated. Hanger steak is not an expensive piece of meat in general and at other restaurants, you can get a ribeye or NY strip for that price. I ordered it medium rare and it was still tough to cut because it had a lot of fat. I didn't have an appetizer or dessert so I am basing my review on the entree and the service which was the highlight of the visit.
(3)Joshua S.
Citrus ranks up with one of the best, if not THE best food that I've ever had. To go along with that the customer service is phenomenal and you actually get treated like a valued customer and not just another guest willing to pay a high dollar for mediocre food as you can find in a lot of restaurants that tack on the "fine dining" pin around town. Stopped in here back in November while we were aimlessly driving around downtown trying to find a place to live so we could escape from North Dakota. I was ready to buy a pop-up tent at Dick's and conceal it under the docks at Lake Ivanhoe by the time we arrived in the North Quarter. We had heard about the apartments next door and after being skull-numbed from listening to complexes sell their luxury of paper thin walls accompanied with a nice pool, we decided to stop in here for a glass of wine and lunch. We were immediately sat outside on the patio on a perfect sunny Central Florida afternoon. I'll admit, I'm a cheeseburger and fries kind-of-guy so the menu did seem a little foreign to me at first. Thankfully the server was out with ice cold water immediately and before I could get done fanning myself from the geographical shock of being in a city that wasn't covered in ice, he was explaining how everything at Citrus is made in-house and fresh. He literally explained how they made everything from scratch and the things that they couldn't make were locally sourced. I ended up going with the Angus Cheeseburger, which consisted of American cheese, shaved sweet onion, house pickles, local Kaiser and Rosemary fries. It was TO DIE FOR. Stopped back in the night we moved to the neighborhood at the end of November. After talking to the wait staff and explaining our jaunt from frozen hell (ND) down to Orlando, she and the manager brought out a complimentary Fried Green Tomato appetizer to welcome us to town. I thought that was above and beyond an ample welcome. We were impressed. I was a little intimidated by the concept of a green tomato (hello, North Dakota=completely sheltered) and I kept thinking it has to be good if there's a movie with the same name. Anyways, it was excellent. I could've gorged on a few more. They were breaded perfect and tasted like heaven. I ended up going with the "Filet Mignon Flatbread" for dinner. This beauty consisted of filet mignon pieces (obviously) with caramelized onions, roasted tomato, gorgonzola, cheddar, and manchego cheese. It's hard to even type that without salivating. Needless to say, it was stunning. I chased it down with a stiff Crown on the rocks and overall it was a perfect meal. Excellent menu, dynamic customer service, and a wonderful location out of the charlie foxtrot of downtown.
(5)David K.
One of our favorites. Service is great and the young chef is outstanding! A hang out for us! I recommend it highly.
(4)Marie H.
Great food, great staff. We came from Houston and really enjoyed our meals. The Octopus was amazing!! We will return!
(5)Greg L.
I had not been back to Citrus in over a year and I had friends in town that wanted to go back there since they remembered their last visit. I checked the Yelp website and saw a lot of good/great reviews so we went. We were all majorly disappointed! Citrus no longer has the flatbreads, like the fantastic steak and bleu cheese appetizer, as they are now a farm to table restaurant and the menu changes regularly. We went this past Wednesday night and there was not much on the menu that we liked. We almost ordered drinks and left but decided to give it a chance. The Grey Goose Cosmo martinis used to be the bomb here; now, not so much. They used to be strong, lightly pink with small shards of ice on the top. This time, the drinks were still strong, more dark red and too sweet. My friends switched to white wine after the first drink. We noticed the table lines had an unusual smell to them. (My friend described it as a damp smell; maybe the lines were not completely dry when they folded the silverware into them. Trying to decide on appetizers was difficult given the limited choices. The fried green tomatoes were nothing to write home about and the lamb tartar on Texas toast (or something like that) was ok. I had the wedge salad which was probably the best thing I had that night-great flavor and taste. I then tried the scallops and they were quite good, but the celery paste concoction that came with it nearly spoiled the taste of the scallops themselves. (Price: $34!) I shared the scallops with one of my friends and the other person got the chicken, which he thought was good, but not great. I will say the service is still very good, which is one of the reasons we used to come here on a regular basis. At least the table service at Citrus remains in top form. Finally, to end the evening, my friends noted the valet parking was now $5 when it was free the previous times we went there. Obviously, things have changed and not for the better in all three of our opinions. We have taken this restaurant off our list. It appears a number of people truly enjoy the "new" Cirtus, but do not count the three of us on that list. I suggest you use this review to balance against the others when making your final decision. Maybe we just hit a bad night, but we will not be back to determine if that was so.
(3)Chris W.
Come to Citrus and experience truly unique, farm-to-table dishes. Fresh. Fantastic. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. The place has plenty of seating but is a popular place among the locals. Get here early or make reservations or you're gonna wait in line. There's outdoor seating to enjoy the Florida weather and there's a banquet room too. The food is the draw. Without the culinary expertise if what the chef is making, it would just be another restaurant. This is not so with Citrus. Enjoy
(5)Ron H.
Excellent in every way. The place was brimming with life. Went on the recommendation of my nearby hotel. Yelp said it was a bit pricey. It was, but well worth it. The fresh mahi (told it was caught the night before and flown in) was outstanding. The clams were fine and the interesting portion and combination of vegetables all in a clear broth were great. The mahi was coated in a very spicy seasoning. Loved it. Good wine selection. Excellent service. Might try it another night to see what else is good. Highly recommend it if you're in the downtown Orlando area.
(5)Diana S.
I've seen Citrus on the lists for Magical Dining Month the last few years, and the restaurant always looked inviting. I went with a group on a saturday night and I must say, I was really surprised at the lack of people at the restaurant. Considering they locally source some of their stock, I expected it to be as busy as restaurants like K or Prato, but the dining room was largely empty except for one big party attending a birthday dinner. The magical dining menu was alright, but offered little outside of sea food options. I think the biggest issue with the overall menu at Citrus is an overly ambitious chef trying to include too many ingredients in a single dish. They sound great in theory, but fall short in execution because nothing is able to stand for itself. I ordered the ribeye, served with chimichurri, grilled onions, and brown butter potatoes. The ribeye was cooked perfectly but the quality was lower than I expected, there was a lot of fat and gristle that I had to cut around, and I think I spent more time cutting my steak than eating it. The potatoes were perfect, I could eat them, probably, until I exploded. The chimichurri was good, but I did wish it was served on the side of my steak instead of on top, it didn't really add much to the flavor of the steak. I split a dessert with a friend, a chocolate cake cake with peanut butter ice cream, some pistachios sprinkled on top, and a tart berry jam. It was good...but I don't think I'd order it again. After a bite or two I was underwhelmed and can't say I'd order dessert there again. My group sat chatting and ordering more drinks and wine, so I was surprised when it was close to 11 and our waitress hadn't let us know that they were closing. They had just started closing the restaurant and putting everything away until we felt awkward and left. Overall, I'd consider going again, but I don't know that the experience is worth the amount when I know I could receive better elsewhere.
(2)Digital B.
i was surprised at how good the food was here. i used to work downtown and many of the restaurants were over priced dumps, but citrus was a nice change of pace. don't misunderstand me, the quality was higher but so was the cost. we had dinner for three with only one appetizer and no desert or drinks and the cost was over $120 (and that was with a kid meal and tip). The appetizer was the fish nachos and my main meal was the scallops. The scallops were perfect and the garlic broccoli was awesome. The other main dish was the smoked salmon which was also very good. I was disappointed in the kids pizza which was a flat bread with no red sauce. Yes it was tasty but what kid wants pizza with out red sauce? Over all it was worth the visit and would be a good place for a date if you are trying to impress. Also good for business dinners or if you want to hang out at the bar after work. I want to go again to try some of the other items on the menu. Citrus is a cut above the rest.
(4)Bruce E.
Look. Citrus was like A roller coaster. Under seasoned., Over seasoned, novelties like fried gator.... They may have it right now. Experienced staff at the bar, incredible Brussels Sprouts, Grilled octopus and zesty mussels. Local crowd as well. Well done ....
(4)Jennifer D.
Love Citrus & used to eat there all the time when we lived in Orlando! The food is delicious & the mussels are the best in town! Great flatbreads too! Fabulous wine list. The service is always great! Sexy restaurant & great patio!
(5)Tracey M.
I love this place! It's great for business, dates, happy hour, and that night out where you just want dinner, no nightclub. This is the first place I think of when asked to meet up downtown. It's not a big happening area, per say, but then again, I'm 43. I want to park ( I always find parking ) enjoy my time eating, drinking and being merry then go home. We sat at the bar, which has become my favorite location. Our bartender, Mike, was great. Made my friend his Old fashioned properly and a nice gin basil grapefruit martini ( okay numerous ones), for me! Their cocktails are always spot on. Great selection of wines and beer. For dinner we chose to split several appetizers. Hands down my favorite is always the mussels. The bread they bring is evil addictive to soak up the yummy broth. We also tried the blue crab cakes which were delicious . As well as the Tuna which was also amazing but was not served with wasabi. It had garlic and a bunch of other flavors going on. I'd get it again but it was a lot of garlic! We stuffed ourselves on apps and alcohol we skipped an actual meal. Other great menu items: black bean soup, any fresh catch sandwich rocks, the scallops are out of this word too.
(5)Tee S.
If this is the model of culinary fineness in Orlando, I would say Orlando does not have a good foodie scene. It seems a bit more of a trendy hangout. Drinks were spot on. Salad spot on. Entrée. Hmmm. What I had ordered came out looking like a train wreck. The risotto overkilled in a very unpalatable salty broth. After addressing our server about it. "Oh well." He turned to look at my husband. "Is your food bad too?" He laughs and walks away. Eventually the manager did take this meal off of our tab, however never ever had such a clueless rude server!
(2)Nisim H.
Good honest food and good service. Fish and meat were very good and the it was quiet, enjoyable. The menu was short but to point.
(4)Toft W.
Just ate dinner at Citrus with a large group of old friends. We were all blown away by the experience. We sat at the chefs table and enjoyed a variety of unbelievable dishes. The service was perfect, the decor was inviting and the food was exceptional. I recommend this place to anyone seeking a fine dining experience with in Orlando. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)Frank C.
Good but not excelent first experience here, will give it another try soon. Service was excelent. Food and drink timing is perfect. Portions great. Food... Was expecting more.
(4)Amber H.
Citrus is in a great location for meeting friends after work. The flatbread appetizer came out perfect and I truly enjoyed every bite. My main course did not perform as highly. I had the pecan crusted trout with mashed potatoes and green beans. It seemed the plate had been sitting in the window a while since the mashed potatoes were all dried out on the top. The trout was well crusted and had a great flavor but was a little over cooked. However, the orange cake made for a nice finish to the meal.
(3)Carla T.
I went here to meet with a fairly large group of friends. When I got there the valet commented that my car was not allowed to be parked on the street past 6. I thought it was a little weird because it was 4:55 but hey he was just doing his job so I ended up moving my car to the parking garage behind the restaurant which was free so it turned out okay. I was one of the first in my group to get there and wasn't able to stay more then an hour so I placed my order right away. After everyone had been served I still hadn't seen my food and had prompted the waiter twice for it. He finally told me he had forgot to put it in. When it finally came out it just wasn't very good. I had gotten the filet Mignon flatbread. It seemed soggy to me and the steak seemed to be reheated for 14 dollars it was just totally meh. Besides forgetting my order he was pretty attentive to everyone else even though I never got a soda refill. Overall all I would never go back.
(2)Kathleen C.
Good appetizers, nice wine, decent service. I'll go back. Ãœber clean bathroom. The valet guy was wonderful.
(4)Ashlei S.
Carpaccio to start was good. Scallops with plantains were delicious and our server did an excellent job recommending a pinot noir. Key lime pie was a great finish. Service (even outside on the patio) was superb.
(4)Jamie H.
my colleague and i went to the citrus restaurant for lunch and found the menu to be very appealling, the space modern and "power lunch" friendly, and the food to be pretty good overall. we started with the mussels, which were the best part of the meal. it was a very large plate that was (almost) more than enough for the two of us. each mussel was opened, so it was nice that none were wasted. the broth was amazing - it was thick with chorizo, red pepper, jalapeno, and onions. the buttered crostini on the side was an excellent way to sop up the remaining broth after the mussels were gone. i decided to order the pepper dusted tuna salad, which came with spinach, squash, fennel, cooked cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and the seared tuna. the squash came in small diced pieces and was delicious. i thought that the tuna was fresh but under-seasoned. the lime vinaigrette was too citrusy for my taste, so i was glad i got it on the side. my coworker ordered the duck meatball sandwich (special) and rosemary fries. she seemed to like the first few bites, but then realized the sandwich was extremely salty, too salty to finish. she thought it could have either been the duck itself, the bacon, or the sauce. the fries were very good though, and while they had the rosemary truffle oil taste, they were not too oily.
(4)L. D.
Actual visit 3/6/14. Filet, broccolini, mashed potatoes. Filet was super tender, bread was soft n fresh. I will go here again.
(4)Greg S.
This place was very accommodating when it came to service! We called prior to arriving because we were stumped as to where we could park. There was valet but we don't usually carry cash. After calling, the host advised that the parking garage could be used from the 2nd level up. We spent an hour prior to the dinner reservation at the bar, seeing what they had to offer. Two martinis later, we were hooked. Bleu Cheese stuffed olives and all, and not at a price that would bankrupt you! At dinner, some of the party ordered appetizers. The only bad thing I will give this restaurant is that the cheese appetizer was WAY overpriced with what you receive, portion-wise. For $10, I can see that as a fair amount, but I promise you, if you order it, when it comes out you'll be cocking your head to the side in disbelief. Ok ok, back to the good stuff. Went for the shrimp and grits and it......was.....delicious, like lick-the-bowl-delicious. I was so taken by dinner that I had to order dessert even after being full. The bourbon bread pudding was also nothing short of amazing. And both of these, well worth the price, hands down. I wish I could remember our bartender's name, she was really sweet and told me about the "rock, paper, scissor" thing with Session Lager's caps. Who knew? I didn't! Don, our waiter, really chatted the group and kept everyone entertained. All in all, a really great evening there!
(4)Shon R.
Bottom line - slow service held back an ultimately great meal. Citrus is a great all around restaurant for business or a nice date. The overall atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. I also like that it is located a bit away from the busier the parts of downtown, making it a nice choice for those who don't want to get caught up in the late night scene. As others have noted, the drinks were fantastic. They offer a nice selection of old favorites and new cocktails to try. The food was also very good. Well prepared and seasoned, every dish I have had here has been tasty. Unfortunately, the service here, while very friendly, can also be a bit slow. Don't gulp down that water too quickly, because it may be a while before your waiter comes back around. I thought this was an isolated thing, but the overall service has been a bit slow on 3 out of 4 visits so I have to knock them down a bit for that especially given the prices. Overall though, I still enjoy Citrus and recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal and nice night out.
(3)Bree G.
We hosted an event at Citrus, and called the day of to confirm. They had no record of the event and the woman we spoke to was extremely rude. Since we already had people coming, we went anyhow. Doug, the manager, understood our predicament and made room for us. He gave us private indoor/outdoor space and it was PERFECT! The servers were GREAT! The food was tasty although overpriced. Overall, it was a successful event.
(4)Cathy K.
Food presentation and taste were outstanding! tuna and Steaks were perfect. The service was helpful and great. The desserts looked better than they tasted we had the Key lime pie and Orange cake they were good bout not outstanding like the rest of the food and appetizers. Try the duck meatballs for a starter. wow!
(4)Chelsea W.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Citrus before! I honestly really love this restaurant and Im surprised by the mixed reviews. My first visit was a couple of years ago on Valentines day and everything about the visit was great. Service was excellent, food was melt in your mouth delicious and I only wished the prices were a little lower so that I could come back again. My husband and I visited many times since this visit, sometimes sitting inside, sometimes outside, sometimes full meals and sometimes just appetizers and drinks and i literally have not had a single Item that I did not like. The menu changes seasonally so theres usually at least a few new items each time. Service has always been attentive and more than willing to explain items on the menu and give suggestions. I would trust the servers enough to not even look at the menu and tell them to bring me whatever they recommend and I know it would be a great meal. Citrus is one of my favorites for a special meal out and I highly recommend it!
(5)Molly C.
Let me preface this by saying that I'm writing this review based on a business luncheon that I both organized and attended. There were 18 attendees and I selected a set menu of 2 appetizer options, 4 entree options, and chef's choice dessert. The organization process was simple; I worked with Vanda (who is Citrus' group coordinator) and she started off by sending me a few different price point options-- we customized the menu from there based on my budget and the group's known dietary restrictions (eg-- I added a hot vegetarian option) She sent over a contact which I sent back complete with credit card information. It eliminated the need for me to mess with a check at the end of our event and simply walk out when we finished-- it was wonderful being able to tell my boss, "No worries, we're good." The gentlemen that were our servers were wonderful and attentive. Our glasses were never empty and they were both good humored and friendly. Most impressive is that they kept an eye on me and watched for cues-- my boss was telling a story and they waited for my "okay" nod to gently interrupt and begin taking orders. Everyone enjoyed their food-- it was well-prepared and tasty but nothing too exotic or overly interesting.. which can actually be a good thing when you're trying to accommodate close to 20 people. In short, Citrus handled my group in a friendly and professional manner from start to finish and exceeded my expectations... and my group was happy to get away from the Millenia area for once. I will be adding them into my regular "luncheon spot" rotation.
(4)Carson I.
A decent spot for drinks if you're in the area. Is perhaps a good drop in spot to start a date. Not a big fan of the food and think it is overpriced for what you get. The atmosphere is good when enough people are around. It's not in the heart of downtown though, so you have to go a little out of your way.
(3)Scott M.
Underwhelming. Bad food, mediocre at best service. But, the atmosphere is great. Please someone, save this place! Note to owners, sit down and eat the food and see for yourselves, train your service staff, and turn up the treble. Hearing nothing but the bass is super annoying.
(1)Rhea P.
Kudos to the chef! Most amazing meal I have had in a LONG time! Perfectly roasted vegetables with delectable, yes, I said delectable risotto cake, accompanied by asparagus and zucchini. Brilliant stuff going on in the kitchen ! Outside of the kitchen is an issue, however. The service needs to be more proactive to say the least. We actually had to request menus, ask to order and all throughout the meal had to move it along ourselves. The service unfortunately did not measure up to the quality of the restaurant and dishes being served. The decor is comfortable, intimate, and sexy. Jazzy tunes play in the background--it's loud enough to enjoy, low enough for conversation. Classy place for an elegant and well prepared meal. A definite gem of a restaurant that I will certainly plan on visiting again soon!
(3)Mike C.
I never thought that when I walked in to the Citrus Restaurant I would be eating 4 Rivers Smokehouse. But alas, I looked over the menu and decided that 4 Rivers was the route I was going to go. The Beef Brisket with Chipotle Dusted Fries turned out to be excellent, leaving me both satisfied with the quality and quantity of food. The scene is somewhat pretentious, what with long tables full of white women decked out in jewelry, make-up and high heels giggling and chit chatting in what seemed like social clubs. Service is friendly and the waitress was more than knowledgeable and attentive. This place was great, but not on my list of places to frequent...One and done!
(3)Charles L.
I was welcomed to a cozy modern restaurant and sat at the bar as I was solo. The bartender was quick to recognize me and suggested a nice IPA, I think his name was Michael. I looked over the menu and ordered a few apps, lamb meatballs and smoked chicken wings. Both very above great and showed time consuming cooking preparation. I finished the night with an espresso coffee liquor drink suggested by the bar manager, she demonstrated great knowledge of whiskey and the bar business as a whole. Excellent experience altogether, as I could tell the staff was knowable and the food was fantastic.
(5)Maurice H.
I decided to have two appetizers, so my first one was their rendition of mussels. They are prepared with a slightly sweet and jalapeno flavor. Not the typical red or white sauce or thick broth. It was an unusual combination and was delicious. I can't tell you how much bread I used to slurp up the sauce. I then had shrimp and grits. I like this dish and was pleased that it was not the typical low country recipe, but was a flavorful preparation with 4 shrimp and a mound of sticky grits that grabbed the flavor of the spice and shrimp mix. Delightful. Dining partners had steak and lamb. Both looked and were reported to be excellent. Oh, the orange cake was sweet, light and fluffy, but they only gave me a taste. I will go without them next time to have a whole piece.
(4)Matthew J.
Awesome! Best Desserts ever!
(5)William D.
Eat here a lot.....Good Drinks. Soups are always good. Fish, and Lamb excellent. Good Salads. Service Good. Lunch and Dinner a winner
(4)R W.
This was not my first visit to Citrus, in all honesty I'd been here once or twice years before but left feeling underwhelmed. It was fair, yes but didnt have anything noteworthy to report or review about. I then did not get the hype. That being said, my team and I paid a return visit this past week. Happily I can report that things have turned around, we ordered various items including apps and deserts. ( You can not go wrong with the Scallops here, trust me on this one) Definitely a noted improvement and change and happy to say that I'll definitely return. Good Job Citrus Team
(4)Colleen B.
Located on the outskirts of downtown, Citrus has a pretty good location. It is around a couple of good restaurants and has a pleasant outdoor area. This is actually one of a family of downtown restaurants: HUE, Kres Chophouse and Cityfish. Out of that family it is probably my least favorite but is still pretty good. That would be a good family to be in =) Attended a birthday dinner here with a few girlfriends and we sat outside. It was packed outside so the ambiance was nice and lively. Everything was lovely inside the restaurant as well. The decor was very dark and natural which you would think would have a heavy feel but it was surprisingly not a heavy feeling. The lighting was soft which set a nice, intimate feeling in such a large place. The drinks were great, especially the mojitos - just lovely. The food however, was more visually stimulating that taste bud stimulating. Maybe I just made too basic of a choice going with baked chicken. Overall, I will absolutely try this restaurant again because I love all the other restaurants in the family and I know to try something more daring than chicken =)
(3)Dominic B.
Swanky spot brought to you by the team behind Kres, CityFish and Hue... (Urban Life Management). I've eaten here once or twice before as I live downtown and it's a little out of the way from the CBD, however it's worth it. Living in Thornton Park, it's probably not walkable so you'll have to go for a short drive, but we're talking 5 mins max.... Just got back from a wonderful dinner about 30 mins ago. The staff is very good and we really loved our bartenders as well as our waiter, as usual. Quite personable and chatty in a good way. We sat outside which was really nice with nice low key chill music playing the background and a great breeze. The food this round was OUTSTANDING! Do not miss their short rib gnocchi... it's devine and be ready for leftovers. My staple here was the scallops, which come over a cucumber risotto - and these are also wonderful. However, the short ribs just blew me away tonight and I want more already!!! My other half got the special striped bass on a sweet pepper risotto, and that was also top notch. Also, they have a nice wine list with some pretty odd finds, and it's not incredibly overpriced. Valet parking is $5 but you can self park in the attached garage for free and ride the elevator back down to the 1st floor (entrance is on Park Lake St.). Worth a nice meal out.
(4)Joel S.
I've lived here in O'town for two years, but had never made it to Citrus before. Parking in the attached garage was easy and free. The only negative is that the parking spaces are designed for hobbit-mobiles and not a normal sized car like, oh, a VW Golf. What's with that? We arrived about an hour early for our reservation so we could have a drink at the bar and meet up with our group as they arrived. The space is very nice... dark colors, but very open and airy. The martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives were tasty! Once our party was assembled it was time for our reservation and our table was waiting for us. Our waiter introduced himself and also another person (assistant?). One of our party had brought wedding invitations to share and those were laying on the table. Mine had my name and my partners name while the other envelope only had one name. The waiter couldn't have known, but the party with one name on the envelope had lost his partner to cancer just a few weeks ago. The waiter booms out "why doesn't his envelope have a second name on it?". We all just looked at each other and I looked at the waiter and quietly said "let it go" and we didn't make a big deal about it. We've all been in those situations where we said something wrong and really didn't intend it to be cruel, but I would have thought the waiter would have known better than to say something like that. We shared a couple appetizers... the Domestic Cheese Plate and the Beef Carpaccio. We almost laughed when they set the $21 cheese plate on the table. It had little, tiny pieces of cheese scattered around with some nuts, figs, etc. There was a hell of a lot more plate than there was cheese... maybe $2 worth of cheese on the plate. If I'd ordered it I would not have been happy. I had the Chimichurri Hanger Steak. The waiter suggested I order it rare to medium because it'd get tough if it was cooked longer. Well, I ordered it medium-rare and it was still tough as hell. The flavors were great, but it was like chewing a tire. My partner had Shrimp and Grits and while I only got a small taste it was very good. One member of our party had a pretty significant portion left and asked for a box. They took the plate away to make the move to the box in the kitchen. When the server returned she informed her that they'd accidentally dropped the 1/2 of the steak in the floor, but they cooked her an entire new one. I was impressed that they would do that and it was a nice touch. All total we spent about $160 for two of us including drinks and tips. I do not feel like we got our money's worth. It was OK, but on several occasions we felt like we were left alone too long and with the issues with the portion size and tire tread steak, I'm not sure we'll be making it a regular stop.
(3)Steven K.
Ate there Monday night as I was staying at hotel within walking distance. Sat at the bar. Not too busy so service was quick. It's an upscale place, but not overly so. Food was fantastic. I had the redfish. Loved it. Had one manhattan. Well made. A bit pricey I think for the area.
(4)Rachel B.
I just left here and the food was great- although beware some of the things they have on the yelp menu or urban spoon are a part of a sample menu- they recreated one item I specifically went there for that was just a part of the sample- The bartenders and servers were both attentive and knowledgeable- and the better part is that I walked there from my hotel and it began pouring down rain- the sweet staff offered me an umbrella and the back way out of the kitchen just to save me a little rain!! I will definitely return!!
(4)Philip R.
We decide to celebrate our 26th anniversary at Citrus. We have celebrated and dined in many a restaurants over time. This was a wonderfully exquisite experience. We were first enthusiastically greeted at the front door by a team of hostesses who recognized why we where there and wished us a happy anniversary. One of them quickly brought us to a "quiet" area that I had requested but I felt it was in the hallway and saw the opportunity to sit outside on a beautiful night. It wasn't set for service (so I assume it was a closed area) but the hostess did not hesitate and made it available for us. We settled in and Jordan made his appearance right away asking if we would like to start with a drink, but the manager actually stepped in and offered a couple of glasses of champagne on the house to celebrate instead. We declined letting her know that we had been drinking Veuve Cliquot throughout the afternoon (it was a celebration day after all). We thanked her as that was a really thoughtful gesture. We had decided to try out the Magical dining menu which is available at various restaurants throughout Orlando at this time of the year and for a $30 "prix fixe" is a great way to experience some of the more expensive menus without over spending. We may be in love but the budget is always a concern these days. Based on the menu we selected, we chose to go with the ZD Chardonnay. The wine list is not over the top but a good varied selection to please pretty much anyone. This was the only little hitch as Jordon seemed a little uncomfortable opening a bottle, however he did make up with his warm and attentive service throughout dinner. We both started with the Fried greens Tomatoes with lobster, rock shrimp and crab creole ravigote. It was timely, very hot and the dish was perfectly balanced. Luckily the portion wasn't to big as we decided that the P.E.I mussels, although it was not included in the MD menu, we had to have them because of the description. Jordan was once again accommodating and added them to the order. We are so glad we did because they were so wonderful. The bread that was served along side of them was perfectly seasoned to let us enjoy every drop of the broth which had just the right kick. We were served the entrees at the appropriate amount of time and view the last minute switched, I have to say, well done Jordan! My wife had the Idaho brook trout and I enjoyed the Shrimp and grits. Both flavor profiles (as we obviously had to share) were spot on and delicious. Dessert was just as perfect and I tried the Warres Optima which complemented the Flourless Chocolate torte while my wife had the key lime Sabayon a interesting twist on a Key lime pie. The manager visited us several times to ensure we were having a great time and it was with genuine true hospitality. Definitely on our must go back list of restaurants and we will not need a special occasion to do so.
(5)Mariacristina R.
I felt like we got a lot of bang for our buck with the Magical Dining menu. In the past, I've experience more sampling portions than full meals so my husband and I ordered another appetizer since we were anticipating tiny portions. But Citrus didn't hold back and we were treated to a wonderful dinner. The waiter was extremely attentive and informative. We ordered mostly seafood dishes and were really pleased with our meal. Nice to know the desserts are made in house (except for the orange cake).
(4)Chris R.
Citrus Restaurant is on North Orange near Colonial. Their motto is "Eat, Drink & Be Local" I've always walked right past Citrus because it's next to one of my favorite lunch places The Virgin Olive Market. Since Scott Joseph recently offered a $40 for $20 deal on Citrus I went ahead and bought a certificate to give them a shot and I'm real glad I did. We were seated next to a well dressed large group that was celebrating a graduation and at times they were very loud. A couple times I had to almost yell to even hear myself but besides that the experience was excellent. The chairs are very soft & comfortable, something that important to me I dislike sitting in hard wood or plastic chairs. There were a number of items I was eyeing on the online menu before hand. Black Bean soup with Chorizo, avocado sour cream, chopped sweet vidalia onion($6), the pasta, Salmon, Scallops, and Risotto. A couple different twitter friends had said to get the Shrimp & Lobster Fritters which are made with shrimp, maine lobster, roasted sweet corn, grilled jalapeno, pineapple salsa, avocado crema($13). In the end I shared the Shrimp and Lobster Fritters and the Smoked Chicken Salad. The Fritters were not too crunchy like fritters tend to be, they were just right, I loved the avocado crema the fritters were served with. The salad was filled with chunks of 4 Rivers Smokehouse chicken breast, mixed baby lettuce, pears, pecans, Gorgonzola and covered with a cranberry vinaigrette($14). The perfectly sliced pears made this salad excellent! For my main course I had the Pomegranate Glazed Grilled Atlantic Salmon with wax beans, green beans and peruvian blue potatoes served with a pomegranate-port molasses ($19) In a few of the dishes they used a very tangy and tasty Pomegranate port reduction sauce, sometimes drizzled on the plate sometimes mixed in the dish. I also tried the Tangerine Macadamia crusted Idaho Brook Trout, with a very tasty meyer lemon risotto, steamed broccolini ($22). To top it all off I had to order the cup--cake desert which was not a cupcake at all but a bowl filled with cake and a rich ganache and topped with Edy's vanilla bean Ice Cream & real cream. On Fridays for happy hour they have a $5 flatbread pizza special.
(5)Marcus S.
Citrus is in an odd location on the North fringe of the downtown area. Parking is an issue but nothing to get overwhelmed about. My experience here was less than satisfying and i wish it were better because Citrus has so much potential. My party had a business lunch setup for Citrus. I was dismayed when i arrived that no indoor table options were available. The hostess said something about sitting at the bar area but refused to allow us entry because the bar tables "only seat 2" while we had a party of 3. Ok so be it, but a little odd...the hostess actually appeared disappointed when i said we would take a table outside. Not a great start to the meal. Fast forward to the food. Why is there 4 Rivers Brisket on the menu at Citrus? To me it seems inherently flawed to have another restaurant's food on your menu...just something to think about. I had the Chicken Avocado sandwich with slaw. The chicken was overcooked and the avocado was not fresh; nothing too much to whine about but a little disappointing. However, the slaw was almost inedible. It looked and tasted old and watery. I seriously question whether the slaw should have been on the plate. Overall, i was disappointed in Citrus. I truly believe if a few of the issues discussed were ironed out then my review would have gone the other way. Until i hear differently if i have a business lunch in the downtown area i going to head over to Kres.
(2)Sandi W.
Glad we came here for dinner. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful atmosphere unlike the first place we chose for the night... Those Shrimp and Lobster Fritters... Oh yum!!! I could have just ate those for dinner alone! Two of us had the Chimichurri Skirt Steak and substituted the Boniato Mash for risotto instead. Both were so good. The risotto was full of garlicky goodness. Another friend had the FL Shrimp and Grits. She thought it was ok, but that the grits were not creamy at all like she was expecting. Great choice for dinner. Good food and wonderful service!
(4)Patricia R.
Went tonight with a group of around 20 friends to celebrate. We were seated near the window to the right which was nice but the ones who had to sit near the windows seemed a bit tight. Drinks were ordered and brought out - one of my friends got a Park Lake which was raspberry vodka, champagne, frozen raspberries and something else - it was tasty and potent. I ordered light with only an appetizer: calamari with yucca fries and arugula salad. And then we waited for the food. And waited. And waited. It seemed to take an unusually long time considering that only one person ordered the steak.. which he got really rare so it really didn't need a lot of cooking. My calamari ($15) was tasty, dipped in buttermilk, four thin yucca fries and two sauces for dipping. I asked for some bread... which NEVER arrived even though my server mentioned twice that it was on its way. The whole thing was seriously overpriced (I guess trendy menus means you'll pay a lot to eat little) - their menu is very small with what they offer for eating - there were no sides of fries or anything. There was a chef's menu had a choice of pick one of two for an appetizer, a main course and dessert for $35.
(3)Kent M.
First time in for dinner last nite. I had app of Fish Tacos for $11. They were very good. 2 Blue Corn tortillas with spicy and flavorful fish/salad filling. For main dish, I had Blackened Scallops. 4 nice size and perfect done scallops. That main dish was more of an app however, in my opinion. And cost $30 alone. Service was just right. Nice and modern decor throughout. Though the food was very good, I left feeling a bit 'ripped off' because of portion size/cost of main dish. I prob would not go back.
(4)Erica J.
My husband and I went to Citrus for dinner last night. We had the fried green tomato appetizer..fried green tomatoes, rock shrimp, crab..it doesn't get any better. They also have great Friday specials from 5pm-7pm. I had the Italian Sausage Flatbread. It was amazing and only $5...Wow..what a bargain.
(4)Sean H.
Been here a few times and each experience has been wonderful. I would recommend this place for drinks and appetizers as they offer many different types of apps. The mussels are wonderful as well as the Kobe beef carpaccio. If it is not woo hot outside I highly recommend sitting on the patio.
(4)Rob W.
I love this place for their outdoor patio dining, its a really nice experience. They have a nice varied menu of upscale items and my wife and i always find something we like. The bar is usually loud and lively on the inside if you want cocktails before you eat. Service is generally excellent, but was lacking once on a holiday evening.
(4)Sebastian T.
Went on a business dinner. The service was kind of spotty from the beginning. We sat at the bar since it was my partner and I and we wanted a good view of the TV for the Monday Night Football game. Actually took five minutes for the bartender to offer us a drink we were promptly forgotten for the next twenty minutes and we actually had to ask to see a dinner menu. She didn't even think to ask us at the beginning if we were just having drinks or going to to dine with them tonight. The food was a the high point of the night. I had the black bean soup which was great, topped with fresh diced onion and creme fresh. We had the Tuna Tatake which was seared perfectly and was accompanied with some greens and a buttery slices of avocado which were perfectly ripe. I had the Grilled salmon with smoked tomato "couscous" it was not couscous it was more like orzo, but the flavor more than made up for the anomally it was easily the best thing on my plate. the salmon was cooked beautifully , was moist and flaky and crispy on the outside but not seasoned adequately. I would have like to try dessert but the portion size was a bit large which I'm not saying is bad. The other vegetables on the the plate which were grilled baby carrots and giant asparagus were treated very well with olive oil, sea salt and the grill! over all a pleasant experience but it could have been better.
(3)Lynda F.
Just OK. Like others have stated the ambiance is wonderful and the service was good. Had the chicken sandwich at lunch but would not be in a hurry to go back for the same. Nice presentation but just nothing special for the price. We shared the lobster fritters and I loved the sauce but the fritter itself was something again that I wouldn't care to repeat only because I don't care for the flavor of typical Florida style crab cakes and that's what it reminded me of. Lunch at Citrus is not worth the price IMHO.
(3)Jerry V.
Attended a business Christmas dinner with 50+ people on 12/5/2012. Service was fair at best. The server was either having a bad day or is just a miserable person; it was embarrassing. Food came out of the kitchen sporadically and was only lukewarm. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)Matt F.
Great martinis and service. They had chorizo stuffed pork loin as a special when we were there - freakin great!
(5)Krista J.
I work right next to Citrus so I often go here for lunch. This place is owned by the group that made Kres and Hue & Cityfish, so I knew it had to be a decent place to eat! The atmosphere is contemporary, with a bar that has a few HD TV's - definately eat outside if the weather permits. Some of the dishes here are new american with a latin twist on them. Instead of regular bread rolls, they give you rolls and fried plantains w/ seasoned butter. They also serve yuca fries with some of the dishes, which are a nice alternative to the normal french fry. The Black Bean & Chorizo soup and Butternut Squash soup is yummy and so are the flatbreads. Beware of ordering a salad as an appetizer - they are pretty large in size. B/c I go here for lunch a lot I usually end up getting the CAB burger or the chicken avacado - both are very good and filling. The crowd that usually frequents this place is the business crowd - just about everytime I am there I see a group of people having a business lunch or bring clients out for drinks to blow off some steam.
(4)emely j.
Citrus is a great restaurant in town. It has been around for a few years about and I even celebrated a birthday there a couple years back. I particularly like the vibe and atmosphere of the place. I usually sit at the bar or the high-tops but it still has that wood, earthy, dim-lit feel. Staff is friendly and can give you recommendations. Mikey is a Citrus staple. I like many of their appetizers like the shrimp and lobster fritters or the amazing blue crab cakes (which have a friend tomato underneath). My favorite dessert is the Cafe con Leche Creme Brulee. A total must have.
(4)Michael M.
This is a great place to have a nice meal in downtown Orlando. The steaks and flatbreads are really good. And the service is really friendly.
(5)Amy B.
Do you like citrus flavor? I hope so because almost every dish has a lemon lime or orange flavor. Let's start at the beginning.. At first arrival I was impressed with the decor. It felt comfortable and welcoming. I sat at the bar to wait for my boyfriend. They had a nice wine selection and a few half bottle options.I got a glass of wine which they offered to let me taste vs just pouring ,which was nice. When we were seated service was quick and proficient. She wasn't overly helpful but still no complaints. We ordered 2 apps based on other reviews. The steak flat bread and lobster shrimp fritters. Flat bread was great,it had this almost BBQ taste on it. the fritters not so much. The pinapple mint and avacado sauce was a weird combo.And I tasted the corn more than any shrimp or lobster. Next we split the Cesar salad and scallops with risotto and asparagus. The Cesar Salad was good. Pretty Traditional but with an extra squeeze of lemon. Scallops were cooked perfect and might have been some of the best Ive had if not for all the additional lemon juice they were surrounded in. The lemon was overwhelming in the risotto as well. I think whoever was on garnish that night went a little over the top when adding the lemon to the plate. There was also an orange reduction that added to the intense flavor. We were also given "bread". Which was sourdough an plantains with a lime butter. Served at the same time as the main Meal. I should have expected all the citrus but it was a little too much. I think things would have been better if they mellowed out on the theme a little more. There ingredients were fresh so I think if they cut some of the literal citrus out and based it more a Florida flavor it would be much better. That being said everyones dish around us was clean so maybe it was just what we got. On the way out my boyfriend grabbed a "mint" which he said also had the lemon lime taste. I think if we go back it will be for flat bread and wine.
(3)Hani B.
A welcome new addition to Orlando's fine diining scene, Citrus, is a good place to go eat whether its for lunch or dinner. The menu offers an interesting new take on many dishes. My favorite appetizer here has to be the Lobster Fritters, highly recommend it. As for the entrees I especially enjoyed the Filet Mignon and the Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. Good place to take people to impress with your knowledge of the Orlando dining scene.
(4)Stephanie S.
I throughly enjoyed eating at this restaurant. There was an awesome wine list and great cocktail list. Im a vegetarian, and there was nothing vegetarian on the menu except for salad. The waitress had a combination of all the vegetables and pastas made for me. My boyfriend ate a filet and he said it was excellent. I would reccommend this place for a nice date, anniversary or special occassion because it pricey.
(4)Chad R.
I was staying in Orlando for a show downtown at Backbooth and as a foodie I had heard great things about Citrus, so I thought I'd check it out. I enjoyed the selection of some of the small vineyard wines they offered. I ended up going with the Mia's Playground because I'm a fan of most of Russian River Valley Pinots and it was well priced. I would love to tell you that the entree's are great, but we didn't get that far because of all the great starters we had. I would absolutely recommend the steak flat bread and the Wagyu Burger with truffle fries. As simple as it sounds, the habanero ketchup they serve with the burger was amazing. The ONE DO NOT MISS is the Orange Cake for desert.
(4)Wendy m.
An average resturant. I live walking distance to Citrus but don't go there to often. I much rather walk the mile to lake eola and get not only more bang for my buck but also higher quality. I gave it 3 stars because appetizers are tasty and drinks are strong.
(3)Courtney E.
Great salad! Busy lunch crowd. Very healthy menu as well. The couches outside are a great place to sit and enjoy the meal.
(4)Scott G.
Very good meal. Service was attentive, food excellent. Can have a conversation.
(4)monica s.
This place has really amazing food. It's right across the street from my condo. It's set in a really beautiful location. I loved my meal! The service was excellent as well. I would love to go back really soon.....Once i go back home to Florida, this will be my first stop.
(5)Andre C.
Great service, good wine, great music, food....so so. Caprese salad was great but I've had way better mozzarella from Costco. Lobster/shrimp fritters, ok but oily. Doesn't live up to it's vision. Pity.
(2)Nicole G.
I recently went to Citrus for the first time. I have been hearing amazing things about this place so i thought i would go and try it out myself. My good friend and i went together and sat on the patio for dinner. It was so nice out there. The food was amazing(I had the salmon) as well as the serves, our waitress was Breanna. The inside of the restaurant was amazing as well. the decor was very nice and i really liked the bar area. The bar area is a great place to hang out with some friends and have some drinks. Everything about citrus was amazing, even the bathrooms were very nice. (The hand soap smelt so good. ) I will diffidently go back again soon!!!
(5)