focus » Dining profile
The Goblin Market Eclectic Restaurant Serves Up Gourmet Cuisine Article by: Heather Graham Photos by: Bonnie Whicher
F
rom the moment you leave the alleyway to step inside the award winning restaurant you know you have crossed a threshold into something special. The Goblin Market’s ambiance alone is enough to intrique. With book lined walls giving it a cozy, library feel, mixed with an eclectic mix of homey accents, all displayed under low, romantic lighting, it’s easy to see why The Goblin has been a favorite of Mount Dora residents and visitors for the past fifteen years. Owners Vince and Janis Guzinski opened The Goblin Market in 1996 after discovering Mount Dora and falling in love with the quaint feel of the town. The restaurant started out small, with only eleven tables. They were able to buy the adjoining buildings and expand in 2001, now offering seating for 85, a lounge, and two outdoor areas. All of the dishes served up at The Goblin Market are created and executed by their talented culinary team, which is led by Head Chef, Brenton Hillman, who has been in the kitchen at Goblin for seven years and brings his Le Cordon Bleu training to the table with him, and Sous Chef Adam Cuevas, who has been a part of The Goblin family for six years. The entire team collaborates on the menu items and works together to develop the high-quality dishes the restaurant is renowned for.
30
December 2011 myfocustv.com
The Goblin Market is currently running three different menus; Lunch, Lighter Fare, and Dinner. Lunch offers a creative array of soups, salads, and sandwiches and wraps. The Lighter Fare menu offers diners a selection of smaller, lighter options, and also includes a “Small Plates” section which are full meals in smaller portions. This menu is available in the lounge nightly and in the dining room during the week. Their impressive Dinner menu includes delicious gourmet selections such as a New Zealand Rack of Lamb, or Sunflower Chicken Saute, or a Sole Roulade. One of their most popular appetizers on The Goblin Market’s menu is their Fried Green Tomatoes. Chef Hillman describes this as, “Not your typical fried green tomatoes,” and he is not kidding. When you order this at The Goblin, you get fresh green tomatoes which are thinly sliced and coated in panko bread crumbs and fried. They then layer the crispy slices with creamy goat cheese before finishing it off with a smoky tomatillo bacon drizzle and garnish with additional bacon. The tart, crispy tomatoes, combined with the richness of the goat cheese and the punch of the bacon dressing results in a party in your mouth! This is an appetizer which will leave you coming back for more! Even a simple salad at The Goblin Market is kicked up to a higher standard, delighting the eyes as well as the taste buds. The Apple
Walnut Spinach Salad debuts a generous sized bed of bright green spinach leaves topped with a colorful assortment of apple slices, walnuts, raisins, sun-dried cranberries, mushrooms, eggs, and alfalfa sprouts. The salad is served with their freshly made Honey Mustard dressing, which is smooth and creamy and an absolutely perfect compliment. For a classic dinner choice, the Chef recommends the Baked Chicken la Grande. This tender quarter roasted chicken breast is stuffed with a compilation of apricots, almonds, Grand Marnier, and sausage stuffing before baked to tender, juicy perfection before being topped with a fresh berry coulis, created from a blend of seasonal berries. The chicken is paired with a starch and vegetable, which can vary nightly. Complete your dining experience with one of their decadent homemade desserts, such as their Peanut Butter La Bette Noir (which means The Black Beast in French), or visit mixologist extraordinaire, Chris Ryan, in the upstairs lounge for one of his amazing concoctions. For the holidays, he is featuring specialty martinis such as Gingerbread Cookie, Candy Cane, and Tiramisu. Ryan has been recognized as “Bartender of the
Year” for his talents behind the bar. The Goblin Market has earned its reputation as one of the best restaurants in the area. From their intimate atmosphere to their exceptional service and unparalleled cuisine, The Goblin Market consistently provides a superb dining experience.
The goblin market 330 Dora Drawdy Lane Mount Dora, Florida 352-735-0059 www.GoblinMarketRestaurant.com Hours: Lunch Tuesday – Saturday 11am-3pm Sunday 11:30am – 3:30pm Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5pm – 9pm Friday & Saturday 5pm – 10pm Lounge open all day