I strolled into Primo feeling that excited blur—kids happily winding down back at home, me eager for a grown-up night out tucked inside JW Marriott at Grande Lakes. You know the one: 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando—easy drive, worth the parking fee—I dropped in around dinner, hours are 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly. Good to know if you’re planning your evening adventure.
I knew they were big on farm-to-table—produce, eggs, honey from their garden and Whisper Creek Farm, fish from Florida waters, pork, chicken, ducks from nearby local farms. All very Insta-worthy and high garden-glory. I was ready to belly up.
Here’s what came out:
Enormous arancini so pretty it seemed ashamed to get eaten—but oh, the flavor? Just kinda there, like it forgot to show up. The tortelloni with beef rib and lobster looked chef-swanky, propped on a plate like it was posing for a magazine. Tasted like it spent too long getting its photo taken. The pork saltimbocca had a plush vibe, but the mashed potatoes? Blah without garlic.
Now, service. Ten out of ten. I kid you not, every time my water dipped the server refilled. “Need anything?” “More bread?” “Another bite while you think?” Felt downright pampered.
But the food… well. Some dishes shine, like the bolognese or pizza folks keep raving over online, but on my night it skated by. It’s like looking at a beautifully dressed model who forgets she’s supposed to say something smart too.
Prices are, let’s just say, up there—like the yellowtail snapper is $72—meaning you wanna be wowed, or at least pleasantly surprised—and I almost felt let down that I wasn’t giggling with flavor.
It wasn’t bad—there were slices of “this is nice.” And if you’re wanting a place that feels upscale, soft-lit, and polite, service-wise it’s a dream. But your taste buds might sit there tapping their foot, waiting for something to happen.
My kids would’ve said: “Mom, why’s the food so quiet?” That’s it. It just talked in a whisper. My tongue craves a shout.
I keep thinking the space and the idea are lovely, the people truly lovely, but the punch is missing. I might try again, but next time I’ll order like I’m feeding a toddler—bold flavors only.
That’s me, at the bar with cocktails that look green and fresh but taste polite. Maybe the garden is prettier than what’s on the fork.