The Pinery

The story

The Pinery – Orlando: Michelin-Recommended American Dining on Lake Ivanhoe

A Touchstone of Hospitality

On the shores of Lake Ivanhoe in Orlando, The Pinery brings together the warmth of Southern hospitality with a chef-driven approach to American cuisine. The restaurant’s mission is clear: to provide a guest-driven dining experience influenced by Florida’s natural surroundings and rich agricultural history. It’s a philosophy that earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended distinction in 2026.

The Woman Behind the Kitchen

The Pinery is the realization of a lifelong dream for founder Carol Sizer Holladay. With 26 years of hospitality experience across the South—from Boone, North Carolina, to Charleston, South Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana—she returned to her native Orlando to open a place where guests feel welcomed and well-fed, employees feel valued, and the community feels connected to the past. Her approach balances adventurous menus with approachable flavors, building a team that takes pride in quality, service, and hospitality.

Flavors of Florida

The menu reflects the region’s bounty. Starters like the Pinery Bread Service—southern fry bread, buttermilk biscuits, and jalapeño cornbread with pimento cheese and cinnamon honey butter—set a convivial tone. For heartier appetites, the Crab Stuffed Salmon (Faroe Islands salmon with blue crab and panko, citrus butter, and creamy risotto) and the Ivanhoe Short Rib (slow-braised with smoked pineapple and coconut jasmine rice) showcase the kitchen’s skill. The Shrimp n’ Grits—marinated shrimp, andouille, smoked gouda grits—is a Southern classic done right. Desserts are made in-house: the Brown Butter Cake with chantilly cream and fresh berries, or the Orange Crème Brûlée with candied zest.

Brunch is a weekend affair, with offerings like Carol’s Chicken Biscuit (sweet tea brined fried chicken on a homemade biscuit) and Chicken and Waffle with roasted poblano honey syrup.

A Thoughtful Drink Program

The bar program is equally considered. Cocktails like the Sunset on the Patio (Aviation gin, vanilla strawberry syrup, butterfly pea flower tea) and the Key Lime Martini (Licor 43, key lime rum cream) complement the food. A rotating selection of local Florida beers and an extensive wine list—from Prosecco to Napa Cabernet—ensure there’s something for every palate. Happy hour, dubbed “Golden Hour,” offers half-off well spirits and wine by the glass.

A Gathering Place

With indoor and outdoor seating, a fire pit, and space for private parties, The Pinery is designed to be a community touchstone. Whether for a weekday dinner, a celebratory brunch, or a drink at the bar, the restaurant delivers an experience that feels both refined and genuinely welcoming—a true taste of Florida hospitality.