Nona Blue Modern Tavern — Restaurant in Orlando

Do not eat here or bring large parties… food is great but the service and effort was atrocious the last couple times we have tried to come.

We have been to this location, many many times, and recommended it to everybody. We knew that was looking for a restaurant in the area. Whenever we would have out of town just visit, we would recommend that they go there and take them there ourselves. On a recent try to bring out of town guest to dine there, I tried to call to get an idea of how much time it would take to see a party of 10 once we arrived. The hostess, the answered the phone was very unhelpful, and kept dodging my question and saying she could not take a call ahead reservation when all I was asking was if we were there in person how long would the weight have been in that moment as we would’ve just driven from 10 minutes away knowing what the wait time would be.after having to explain it to her several times, she finally just threw what felt like a random time of an hour and a half out to us. Still wanting to dine there with my group after this frustrating conversation, I got in the car and drove down to put her name in knowing I would drive back to the house get everybody ready and return once the wait time was near past. When I arrived, I was told that we needed to go speak to a manager to see if they could accommodate our party at all that evening. The manager came over and asked if my whole party was there, and I explained the frustrating conversation and the 90 minute wait time I was told no more than 15 minutes earlier. He then proceeded to say that he could try to work on something if our whole party was there, but without the whole party there, he couldn’t do anything. I then tried to offer multiple options consisting of getting the party there within 10 or 15 minutes while they are getting the tables together, sitting at the tables myself, while the parties came in other vehicles, and beginning to order food, so it wasn’t just wasted time at the table, and there was actually a tab getting run out already, amongst other things. I got a whole lot of vague answers of when your party gets here. I’ll see what I can do But I’m not gonna sit you until they’re all here. When I further explained again that the hostess had given me a wait time, and I just wanted to put my name in, he refused to do so and kept repeating to get my whole party here and then he would see what he can do.

Overall, for repeat customers and people that bring tons of business to the place, it felt like the manager couldn’t care less to explore any the options. Other than “there’s nothing I can do for you now, and I might not even be able to do for anything for you later, but bring your people and then I’ll approach...

Orlando, FL. “We’ve had a tough weekend. This is a late anniversary meal. Tomorrow we fly out for a funeral. We need your best server, and we’re happy to wait for whoever that is,” I said to Mary (sp?) who was at the host desk. They looked at me kindly. I’m sure Steve and I looked exhausted and possibly even hangry.

Mary thought and said, “First, I’m so sorry for your loss.” “Thank you,” I said. “How many years have you been married?” “Thirty-five,” I smiled happily. “We can seat you now. Is a booth okay?”

We were seated in a quiet part of the restaurant. Soon Vanessa came over. “Have you been to Nona Blue before?” we were asked. “You haven’t been here before?! Thank you for choosing to celebrate your anniversary with us!”

So began one of the most restorative, comforting meals of our lives. The food was excellent, indescribably good because the flavors were delicious and I couldn’t figure out why (I can usually decipher which seasonings were used).

But most important, Vanessa and the staff at Nona Blue communicated great care for Steve and me, in every way.

The steak frites was incredibly tender and delicious!!! One of the best steaks of my life, up there with Morton’s. Zero gristle. Picky Steve loved the lemon chicken, the sauce that accompanied it, and the mashed potatoes. Making mashed potatoes is quite an art, and they, to him, were soul food. Every single thing was beyond perfect.

Now, for the fire-grilled artichokes!!! I craved artichokes when I was pregnant and one week I ate several. IYKYK. This was the first time I’ve had fire-grilled artichokes. They were to die for. What set these apart was the seasoning on them. The artichokes at Nona Blue are something I’d read about. The fire-grilled artichokes merit the hype. They are worth the drive. They were served with an in-house recipe remoulade that was exquisite, too.

Vanessa kept our drinks filled, cleared dishes, even took the bit of empty sweetener packet off the table. (Steve and I have been servers and that eye for detail is precious to us.)

At the end of our meal as we prepared to go, Vanessa brought our check and, here my eyes are tearing up again, she brought us a card signed by the staff wishing us a happy 35th anniversary.

What a treasure! I will save that card forever.

May I add Vanessa usually tends bar and serves only when needed. Yet they chose to have her serve us because we must have looked a bit in need of her big heart.

Please bless this establishment with your...

Four stars for good food and good service.. I guess this is the world post-covid, this place was packed, no social distancing at all! Some people used masks, others didn't, we did. There is a large bar area & drinks looked nice.

Since it was early, 6pm, only a 20min wait. We chose to sit in the back patio, in a corner with plenty ventilation. We requested a high chair for my nephew & the hostess bought it over immediately. We were a party of six & Enrique, our server, was good, friendly and attentive. He always made sure our water was glass was full. Apps: Mama's Meatloaf Sliders w/BBQ glaze & Caramelized onions. These were ok. The meatloaf was tender & the bun soft.

Buffalo Drums: Large hand cut drumettes/ Buffalo sauce/Blue cheese coleslaw garnish. These wings were good. Tangy buffalo sauce & refreshing cole slaw.

Fried Calamari: Seasoned rings/Lemon aioli/Thai chili sauce. Great calamari. Light coating. Seasoned well.

P.E.I. Mussels: Braised mussels/Garlic butter sauce/Grilled baguette garnish. These were yummy, fresh & tasty, buttery garlic flavor.

Entrees: The "Tavern" Grilled Chicken Salad: Mixed greens/Sliced chicken / Carrots / Red bell pepper/Tomato/Cilantro/Tortilla strips w/ Honey citrus vinaigrette. I stole a forkful of this from my dad, it is a flavor packed salad. You have the option of warm or cold chicken. He chose warm.

All American Burger: Three meat blend/ Pepper Jack cheese/Lettuce/Tomato/Red onion/Pickle/ Mayo/Mustard/Toasted brioche. My husband ordered this, he said it was good. The bun is the star.

Nona Blue Burger: Three meat blend/Crumbled blue cheese/Smoked bacon strips/Lettuce/ Tomato/Red onion/Pickle/Toasted brioche. This is a very big burger. It is a little bland. The blue cheese & bacon not enough to amp the flavor but it helped a bit. Bonus for great pickles on both burgers & fresh tomatoes and onions.

8 Oz. Barrel Cut Filet Mignon:Loaded baked potato/Béarnaise. My brother enjoyed it. Flavorful & tender.

Our sides, fries they give you a choice of regular or steak fries. I chose steak fries, the gave me regular, when I pointed it out they let us keep the regular & bought us the steak fries. The kids got a pizza & mac & cheese. Everything was piping hot, tasty and plenty. The service...