Sparrow

We dined at Sparrow during a recent trip to Orlando, and overall, we really enjoyed our meal. Before visiting, I had only read a handful of reviews, but I remembered one mentioning a less-than-ideal table tucked against a curtain in a small corner. Unfortunately, that was exactly where we were seated. We felt a bit cramped, and the table next to us was so close that they commented on our food throughout the meal. Thankfully, the food largely made up for it. The Endive Salad was excellent. I loved the flavors and the way it was served almost like lettuce wraps. The steak with blue cheese was cooked perfectly, incredibly tender, and full of flavor. The standout dish for me was the Cacio e Pepe Fries; I’ll be dreaming about them for a long time. The Lumache Alla Vodka was also delicious. The only dish that missed the mark was the Gambas a la Ajillo. The tableside presentation felt awkward and unnecessary. The server chopped the shrimp and egg with two spoons, poured a bowl of chips on top, and then crushed them into the dish. It almost felt like a joke, and honestly, I would have preferred the dish without the presentation. The flavors were also a bit too salty for our taste. For dessert, we had the Sparrow Chocolate Cake, which was very good. Next time, though, I’d love to try the cheesecake or one of the ice cream offerings. Despite the seating issue and one disappointing dish, we would absolutely return. Hopefully we'll get a different table next time and another order of those incredible Cacio e Pepe Fries.