I’ve wondered about this for sometime. In the time frame you mentioned Stonewood was outstanding. We would drive up there from New Smyrna often when we were there on weekends. Went to the one in Lake Mary a few years ago (pre-pandemic) and really walked out thinking we would not be going back. I specified pre-pandemic because I realize how hard it must be in the restaurant business these days. There are a few places here in the Orlando area that are as good as ever but most are hurting to provide a great meal with great service.
Gale lemerand was one of the main backers of the original stonewood in Ormond, as in lemerand drive i.e. the old north south drive next to the stadium. I worked there as a server during their first years. We had to take a menu test and hand write all the ingredients to every dish as part of the test. They used to serve 2 sides and a salad with most meals. They had a policy if you walked by a table and saw there was no cocktail napkins on the table you had to immediately stop and greet the table and take a drink order regardless of who had that table. The idea was that every minute a table wasn't greeted felt like 5 to the customer so everyone gets greeted almost immediately. Also had a 2minutes/2 bite rule. Had to return to the table at 2 minutes or 2 bites to check if their food was satisfactory otherwise it would be too late. They took pride in even their chicken pot pie which while sounding absurd as an entree at a steakhouse was one of their popular dishes because it was damn good and made with chunks of chicken and served in a bowl. People always left with leftovers. Now it's processed thin sliced strips you'd find in a bag of frozen food. Also served on a plate and not a bowl in order to minimize portion while not looking ridiculous. Steak now comes with 1 side or salad. Prices have gone up substantially for tiny portions. Only think I'd go there for now is their chocolate bread pudding. I don't understand how people keep going to places that overtly short you on quality and quantity while increasing prices.
I had forgotten about that pot pie. Damn, that thing was good. Thanks for the memory jog. It’s too bad that they chose to become one of the many, rather than stay a destination restaurant. Hillstone in Orlando is one that still does a great job with excellent food and excellent service.
I just saw where the place is for sale. I used to work in the ADT corporate office in Boca and would go up to Jax to the big call center up there on Deerwood Parkway. One of the guys took me there and it was kind of a routine whenever I'd come up. It looks like Matthew and Irma did a number on the place. A shame.
Antny1, we had a Stonewood in Jacksonville Beach about 15 years ago. Went there when it opened and thought it was fantastic. Food and service was excellent. Unfortunately it went out of business a few years after opening. A couple years ago I discovered there was another Stonewood in Jacksonville so invited my daughter and her husband to join us for dinner there. Man was I disappointed. Your description of the unfortunate changes are almost identical to what we encountered. Food was average, small portions, one side, lousy service. Very disappointed and would never consider returning.
Anstro76, I can attest to your comments on Raintree as well. My wife and I used to love to dine at Raintree 20 years or so ago. Now, we enjoy the fried shrimp so much at O’Steens that we usually eat there when in St. Augustine. But about a year or two ago we decided to splurge and take the family to Raintree. Food was not nearly as good as I remembered and the room they had us in was rather musty smelling. I left thinking we should have gone to O’Steens!
