American Social Bar & Kitchen, Orlando

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | January 31, 2023

https://www.weekendnotes.com/american-social-orlando/

Hosted by General Manager, Dan Dixon, I was greeted like an old friend at American Social Bar and Kitchen, by Allison (Ali), one of the managers, and taken care of by Taylor, an awesome server with a great attitude.

Decorated with gorgeous chandeliers, shiny glassware, and beautiful bar fittings, you’ll enjoy this restaurant space both indoors and out. With the indoor, bar, and outdoor seating, on many beautiful days, you’ll enjoy your pick of the three. One of my favorite spots with the outside doors flung open were the comfy “Cirillo” or egg chairs with the cane backing forming a pretty frame around the belle of your ball with three chairs surrounding the flat dining space.

High-top tables line the outside fence, making great use of the area just in front of the parking lot.

The interior’s bright chandelier space and friendly approachable LIFE magazine posters allow you to walk through time as they display decades of our history and honor our predecessors. Most of these events happened long before you were born, but you’ve probably heard of every one of them.

Taylor introduced me to the menu, the social bites, the social plates, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, and then, of course, the larger plates which include a steak frite, Wagyu skirt steak with chimichurri and garlic parmesan fries, a Wagyu steak bowl, pan-seared salmon, seafood stew (shrimp, mussels, and mahi in a tomato clam broth) with a bowl of jasmine rice with lime and cilantro, or ribs and wings, a half rack of slow cook St. Louis style ribs with roasted wings in a signature buffalo sauce. It’s a good thing I brought my appetite!

Taylor explains that the goat cheese croquettes are probably the most popular of appetizers as the avocado toast with tuna is enjoying a resurgence. Their marinated Ahi tuna, smashed avocado, cucumber, and ginger soy aioli chili is delightful. They even have deviled eggs with candied bacon, as well as fried brussels sprouts, hummus, and baked pretzels for appetizers. I tried to resist the baked pretzels, but ultimately couldn’t.

He brought the pretzels quickly, fresh, and delicious, straight from the oven. They taste like butter has been brushed upon them just as they went into the oven, lightly salted, these pretzels were the perfect start to a wonderful meal.

AMSO’s social plates include grilled octopus, mac & cheese, chicken, wings, spinach and artichoke dip, chicken quesadilla, the signature St. Louis style ribs, buffalo chicken fries, Key West shrimp cakes, mahi tacos, pork belly tacos, pepperoni pizza, “all the meats” pizza, and meatball sliders.

Tough to choose between the blackened mahi tacos and AMSO burgers or sandwiches, (served with French fries or garlic Parmesan fries with the truffle aioli), I contemplated a Chicken BLAT (that’s a chicken breast with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and bacon), Mahi taco or AMSO burger.

All great choices,” Taylor confirmed.

With his encouragement, I chose the Mahi tacos for this visit, promising myself I’d try the AMSO burgers next time.

Their Florida Ruben includes kimchi and Havarti, and their Nashville hot chicken, Mahi sandwich, Wagyu truffle melt, and AMSO burger (a half-pound, AMSO beef blend, American lettuce, three American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, American Social sauce, on a brioche bun).

The Beyond Burger with horseradish may rival their AMSO Smash Burger but the East Coast oysters, tuna poke bowl, and old Bay peel-and-eat shrimp make it so hard to choose.

They recommend their soups, today’s soup of the day, a lobster bisque, or salads, including a Caesar salad, Garlic Salad, Chicken Cobb, Shrimp and Arugula, or a West Coast Salmon dish which includes quinoa, heirloom tomato, cucumber, edamame, roasted corn, red onion, and green goddess, bruleed lemon, and fried leeks.

Their side dishes include French fries, Caesar side salad, broccolini, or garlic parmesan fries with truffle aioli.

Check out the dessert menu each day. Taylor is the first server I’ve had in a very long time who asked if I wanted my dessert before or after the meal. I like that.

Today, the chocolate cake (with brownie-like filling) was already sold out. The chocolate cake is highly recommended but the doughnut holes, served with berry compote and a peanut butter toffee as dipping “sauces” won the day.

As with all venues, checking out the bathroom is a must. Sorry, guys, I can’t help you with what your side looks like, but I can tell you the Ladies’ restroom is spacious, clean, and looks ready for a party. With four regular stalls and one spacious handicapped stall with a sink included, it appears larger than many city studio apartments.