I visited this quaint establishment when I was celebrating my parent's anniversary. Upon arrival I did miss the parking lot because the drive way into the lot is pretty small but managed to quickly turn around and park on the gravel lot. The outside patio is beautifully decorated with lights, tables and chairs and greenery with foliage to create that natural outdoor vibe. When you enter, it's like walking into a small home where you greeted and seated by a hostess or server. There's a main great room and 2 smaller rooms that have seating as well and ambiance lighting throughout for intimate gatherings. The bathrooms are clean and fully stocked with necessities. As for the food, I got the Brussel sprouts salad without goat cheese which was delicious . It was about the size of my fist for $13. I assumed it was more of a tasting menu. My mother got the gnocchi which was described as delicious but lukewarm in temperature. She loved the beet salad however and the side of sour dough bread. My dad got a 13oz steak with potato purée. His steak was good in flavor however he described it as a bit too tough, and could have been more tender. Since he is a retired chef of 40 years I value his input. My other family members ordered the egg yolk ravioli which seemed a bit of a strange combination but certainly worked out in flavor. The labneh that was with the beet salad was also paired and eaten with the sourdough bread which seemed to be a great idea. Unfortunately the bolognese pasta was not tender enough for my family's liking. If you like pasta that way then you should be just fine. Over all it was fine dining and good. If you would like to go to a place where the portions are a bit larger I would suggest another place. But this is a nice casual dining intimate place for any special small occasion. Last but not least, Beth our server was kind and sweet. She was patient and very accommodating with great table manner and should certainly be recognized for her gracious nature and hospitality. read more

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I recently visited Nutwood with co-workers for lunch and tried the Open Faced Steak Sandwich. Crisp toast was topped with a creamy aioli, crisp arugula, tangy pickled red onion and tender nicely salted steak. The side of chips were nicely crisp and salty. Overall, it was a quality lunch. read more

Nutwood - Open Faced Steak Sandwich - New American Near Me - Winter Haven, Florida

Chef owned and all FRESHLY prepared food! On the spot! The Buratta and Heirloom tomato salad was exquisite. My cheeseburger with bacon and pimento cheese was delicious and their arugula was like fresh picked. Dessert was chocolate pot au creme which was rich , smooth with a crunchy layer on top. Get there if you are in town! The service was not too intrusive and the patio was lovely. Even in the 80°range the fans kept Us cool. read more

Was not expecting to find something like this on our trip to Legoland. We live in Atlanta and love fine dining; this could easily compete with some of our favorite restaurants for the food, ambiance, prices, and service. Everything was great. read more

Nutwood is a gem! Farm to table dining in an old house with charming ambiance. We had the raviolo and ricotta toast as a starter and they were delicious. The gnocchi was pillowy and light. Our server was helpful and attentive. It was a great experience. read more

Such a sweet spot in a charming old house. It was too cold to sit outside, but the patio looked beautiful. Delicious food, excellent service, and a really lovely experience overall. read more

Stopped here for a weekend brunch, and what a score. Fluffy waffles and yummy avocado toast. The cute restaurant off the main road was tricky to find but GPS never fails. Restaurant is in a house turned eating establishment. I always seem to notice that restaurants like this alway produce excellent good. Great service and top notch eats. My kind of place. Will definitely return. read more

Nutwood - Chicken and waffles with maple bourbon syrup. Poached eggs on the side - New American Near Me - Winter Haven, Florida

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This is a wonderful little fine dining venue in the heart of an unlikely residential area in Winter Haven. We know the chef's former restaurant in California, as it was one of our favorites when we lived there, so it was fun to try this place that he owns. We had lunch, where they serve a limited menu of salads and sandwiches. Everything we tried was delicious. We were particularly impressed with the number of house-made ingredients, including the sauces, sorbets, and ice creams. Service was extremely friendly, and we enjoyed chatting with the chef. We will definitely come back here to try their dinner menu. read more

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My entree was extremely over salted which ruined the dish. Also the food is overpriced compared to the quality of the food.

We loved ricotta toast, skirt steak, and the bread pudding! Very friendly staff! The ambience on the patio is romantic with the lighting!

Great service, loved the ambience and food was fantastic! Will definitely come back when in the area. For starters, we had the stuffed dates which were the best I've ever had. The beet salad and the Barada cheese salad were also good. My husband got the Piri piri chicken, he said it was the perfect blend of spices. I ordered the market fish in the red curry sauce and it was amazing. You won't be disappointed. read more

I've been going to Nutwood since it first opened. I've enjoyed seeing the process of the restaurant grow and the menu evolve into what it is today. I've most often been to Nutwood for dinner. The kale salad, egg yolk raviolo, and specials are always lovely. For lunch, I crave their rice bowl! It's SO good - even to go! Beth has been on the wait staff for so many years. She is incredible! She is kind, warm, attentive and knowledgeable to help you choose your perfect meal. Today I visited for Sunday brunch. The adorable house is charming for romantic meals, but I love to take advantage of the chance for a nice brunch outside on the front porch during days with beautiful weather. That's something you can't find many places in WH. My order: Chorizo Tostada DELISH! It was super fresh and flavorful. At my table, chicken & waffles, the burger, and brioche benedict were ordered and all were enjoyed! Such a hidden gem in Central Florida! Chef Steven Rojas is a highly acclaimed chef. My only hope is that they would put the burger on the dinner menu. read more

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This is one of those places that I don't get. The food was underwhelming but the service was pretty good. I will not be back here, based on the current pricing, menu, and taste. read more

The service was great. The food was amazing. The stuffed dates and tomato burrata salad was great. Everyone in our group loved their entree! It was a nice hidden gem of a restaurant. read more

The absolute best restaurant in the area if not the state. The food is beyond great. Michelin rated Chef owns the restaurant The dishes are well thought out and are delicious. Service by Emil was exemplary. Cool atmosphere indoors and out. Just go already. You won't be disappointed! read more

Way too expensive stake was not tender seasoning was poor pate was good not my kind of restaurant

Chef Rojas carefully curated menu uses the freshest of ingredients and every course is a culinary delight. Friendly, knowledgeable, attentive servers are guiding you through the meal and their descriptions of Chefs specials for the day are mouthwatering. They will help you find the perfect wine or crafted beer from Grove Roots. Don't forget to save room for one of the amazing desserts, there is something for everyone. The upgrades to the patio are wonderful, the pergola is now fully covered, they have new tables and chairs, new lighting, and fans, great add ons! A must if you are in downtown Winter Haven. read more

If you haven't tried this place already you need to because it is very good. I love the atmosphere. I love the food. I love the different variety of meals you could choose from and the customer service was great. read more

Good food in cozy ambiance, reasonable prices and great service. Highly recommended.

Great food, great ambience. What a special gem in winter haven. The chef is fantastic. Definitely worth the drive from Lakeland!! read more

I dream about the Grilled Octopus sometimes -- it's really that delicious. In a city full of chain restaurants and fast food, Nutwood is a small business treasure. The menu is fresh and sustainable, the food is beautifully and thoughtfully prepared, and the atmosphere and service are absolutely perfect. We love sitting outside on a nice evening; the hanging lights and gorgeous oak trees create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere. If you choose to sit outside, you can even bring your dog! Inside seating is much more limited, but more private, if that's what you're looking for. My favorite dish here is the Grilled Octopus -- it's always beautifully prepared and presented; the flavors are light, lovely, and balanced. Chef Steven Rojas is a talented chef and you can see his passion reflected in each meal and menu he creates. The Fresh Milk Ricotta small plate is also a favorite; it's such a simple dish, but every ingredient just shines. We loved it so much, we literally bought sourdough, honey, ricotta, and sea salt the next day to make it at our house; it's become a breakfast staple in my family. Thanks for the inspiration, Chef! The Large Plates are also fairly portioned and tasty as well. I've always enjoyed everything I've eaten, but the Small Plates, in my opinion, are the stars of the show. Brunch here is ok, but I didn't find myself enjoying the brunch menu as much as the dinner menu. My only big critique is the parking. Because the property used to be a residential house, there isn't a huge parking lot. It's also not paved so, on busy nights, you just have to hope that people are parking considerately, because otherwise, things can get pretty cramped and precarious very easily. read more

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Went here thinking white table cloth fine dining would mean a delicious meal. Were we ever wrong. The food was over priced and the cooking was way off. To start we ordered the deviled eggs with pork belly for $13 and we got 3 halves. For $13 you would think we would at least get to full eggs as we were a couple. Then we ordered the heirloom tomato salad for $14. It actually came out after our entrees and it was made with cherry tomatoes no heirlooms on the plate. My wife ordered the roasted chicken and it had no flavor and was under cooked. We bought this to our waitress attention and she offered to take it back but at this point my wife was over it all. I got the 16 oz. New York strip special for $43 and there was at least 6 oz of fat on the steak. It was ordered medium rare and it came out well done. It had roasted onions and crispy potato straws on it. Differently not a $43 dollar dish. The restaurant was nice and cozy for a good date night location,but the food was way overpriced. The owner needs to have a heart to heart with the chef, because if food keeps coming out like this people will not return. read more

Went in unexpectedly. The food was amazing. The wine was great. The service wonderful. Quiet. The chef was amazing.

Very professional service and friendly! We love eating here and enjoy the food and service! Great but different menu ideas, delicious!

Nutwood is a hidden gem in Central Florida! My husband & I had our rehearsal dinner here 5/11/23 and it's an evening we'll never forget. Terry & his crew are a dream and our friends & family are still raving about the food!! And service! We love Terry! Living in Manhattan, you get accustomed to unique restaurants... Nutwood blows them all away. Every flavor and dish was expertly crafted and so much of what they serve is locally sourced! We were seated outside under their pergola and market lighting. It's a very cozy, laid back atmosphere and certainly a night we'll never forget! read more

Nutwood - Adorable pergola with market lighting! - New American Near Me - Winter Haven, Florida

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I did enjoy the food, even though it was a tiny small salad for the cost was not worth it, my friend did have a burger and I did have a bit of that. It was delicious. That was well worth the price. read more

If you're looking for a cozy, romantic, hidden gem place to visit. This is the place. This place hold a special place to my heart. Their menu changes all the time and they are unique in their own ways. Each plate has their own unique taste that blends out so well with the sides. The food brings so much happiness and love. Everyone there is very welcoming and friendly. They make sure your dinner is perfect and give you the best service. Thank you. read more

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We are so glad our neighbors took us to Nutwood for dinner last night. It's beautiful restaurant in a converted home in Winter Haven. The food was exquisite! The service was extremely attentive. We had Green eggs for shareable, I had kale salad that was from out of this world. I never thought I would enjoy kale. I fell in love with how they prepared it. I followed that by chicken that was not just delicious, it was sumptuous. The presentation of the dishes made us feel very very special. We were so impressed that all four of us are going back to Nutwood again in the near future. read more

Nutwood - Chicken and garbanzo bean sticks. Out of this world! - New American Near Me - Winter Haven, Florida

Amazing food, ambiance is quaint and service is impeccable! Definitely recommend this place! Can't beat it, the experience was more than expected! read more

Such good food- terrible location and ambience! While the food and service is very good, the atmosphere is not great. The rooms have visible signs of possible mold, peeling paint, and my allergies definitely flared while there. The room noise was not well dispersed. Very disappointing because on the right location this food and service was so good it could bring in much more money. Alas with how bad my allergies flared and the dinginess of the location for the price I won't be returning soon. Hope they find a new location or can invest in really rehabbing the current location. I know it was formally a house so I understand the level of transformation needed. read more

Great place for dinner! This place is classy, not like full on black tie but when you pull up and the parking lot is all Lexus and Mercedes, no F150's it lets you know this is not your local chain restaurant. Once inside that is definitely reinforced. When I visited, the women here were increases and the men in khakis. I'm pretty sure I was the only one in jeans. None of this should be perceived as a bad thing, purely observations. The service was fantastic! Incredibly friendly and helpful. I ordered a porkchop and it was great. Definitely recommend this place. Much better atmosphere and food than your chain restaurants. My hat is off to them, great place and great service! read more

Nutwood - New American Near Me - Winter Haven, Florida

Outstanding service and food! My husband and I visited for brunch to celebrate our 29th anniversary. He had the blue pointe oysters as an appetizer and eggs Benedict (served on brioche) as his entree. I ordered the crab avocado wraps as an appetizer (scrumptious), and the snapper for my entree. The snapper was amazing! It was so flavorful and grilled perfectly and serve on a bed of short grain rice and a carrot-coconut curry sauce. I wanted to lick the plate! The ambience was nice. It was too hot to sit outside under the pergola, but we plan to go back and dine al fresco on a cooler evening. I would suggest to the owner that he could make it feel more cozy by bringing in some plants, inside and out. They could hang some plants from the pergola, giving it a more garden vibe, much like I remember the restaurant that used to occupy this place 20 years ago (Shady Oaks). I would recommend making a reservation. Service by Beth was exceptional. read more

Excellent dinner tonight in the outside patio. The red snapper was best we've ever eaten. Also loved the brussel sprout shaved salad. Yum. Bread pudding for dessert was also outstanding. Beth, our server, was pleasant and helpful. Kitchen is small so be patient. read more

First Impressions... Nice (European-style) outside seating greets the arriving guests. The inside seating, although given to tight spacing and small (2-seat tables), was eclectic in design and atmosphere; with three rooms, each accommodating approximately 8 persons (the main a bit more) Customer Service/Greeting... Warm and friendly, with noticeable excitement when discussing menu options. Our Hostess/Waitress, Mandy, was quite personable. Brunch Menu/Bill of Fare... The selections were good for a brunch-time seating, with numerous/ interesting, if not different options being made available; this, to include items not on the menu (i.e., Biscuits-n-Gravy, french toast, etc.). Unfortunately, for me, the biscuits -n-gravy were quite bland (requiring the use of salt and pepper). As well, my wife's selection of french toast was exceedingly sweet (which she left behind). Lastly (on the list of dislikes) were the potatoes; which, as per our request, were crisp to perfection; however, there was a seemingly bitter after-taste -that we couldn't put our finger on? Now, on the UP-side... the sausage links that were served were some of the BEST sausage links that we've ever had... simply delish! And the bacon was very good to boot! As well, we couldn't leave Nutwood without trying their bread pudding; of which was worth not only the wait, but a great way to end the brunch! Now, despite the disappointing experience with our entrees, and in all fairness to this restaurant, we agreed that it appeared worthy of us making a return visit to sample their dinner menu -which we will in the near future. Two final points that need to be highlighted here are: 1st: That you might find it best to make an advanced reservation before simply showing up. 2nd: As we find it definitely relevant (important even to so many), we always like to denote which restaurants recognize military/veterans, unfortunately, Nutwood does NOT. read more

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Wow, I am speechless. I just had what I believe was a Michelle Star rated meal in Winter Haven. I must thank my wife for discovering this place. We started with the grilled octopus which left me wanting more because I had to share with the rest of my family and we also ordered the mussels, which was one of the specials of the day. I must say my wife and I love mussels and have tried mussels all over the world. These mussels blew me away. The broth they were in was like no other I've had anywhere. AMAZING!! My wife ordered as a main course the chicken (which I'm kind of tired of chicken) and it was delicious. I ordered the Ricotta gnudi (which I was hoping for gnocchi and I'm glad they didn't have it because I was able to try something new) and another AMAZING dish. I had to pinch myself because I couldn't believe I was eating this amazing food in this town (not trying to insult Winter Haven but it's not the type of food you expect here). Trying to find something to criticize we decided to order dessert thinking "ok, this will probably just be so so because they can't get everything perfect" and was I wrong!! Again they were both AMAZING!! To mention other things about the restaurant, the service was excellent. Beth was super nice and made us feel welcome and at home. The place is a small house turned into a restaurant with outdoor seating which is where we ate because the night was great with a nice breeze and beautiful sunset. We went in to see the inside and it was very quaint. Indoors or out, it's a very nice atmosphere. To sum it up, I wish I could put this restaurant in my pocket and bring it home with me. Side note, Legoland should give this restaurant commission because I'm not fond of Legoland but will be back just so I can come back to this restaurant!!! Cheers read more

Nutwood - Here is the sunset I mentioned. Sorry, forgot to take pictures of the actual restaurant. But will in the future. - New American Near Me - Winter Haven, Florida

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We went for brunch last Sunday and were delighted. It's basically an old house turned into a lovely bistro. The food was superb. The staff was attentive. I would 100% recommend. Due to the size of the place, I would also recommend a reservation. read more

We visited Winter Haven to take our mom to brunch. We were so happy with Nutwood. I had the Benedict, my mom had the traditional breakfast and my sister had chicken and waffle. They were all so delicious. We can't wait to go back!! read more

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Service and atmosphere was great ! The people there are very much friendly and wholesome, the atmosphere is intimate and delightful. BUT the food is really not worth the money, the portion is small and the flavor isn't bad but it isn't something memorable. Also, no vegan options- very limited in options ! read more

The place was absolutely amazing, it was such a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The food was better than I could have ever expected, I reordered some dishes because I couldn't get enough! Beth was our server and she was very sweet and made great recommendations for our meal as well! read more

cui·sine /kwzēn/ a style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment. The cuisine at Nutwood is an extraordinary combination of farm fresh ingredients from the Winter Haven area farms and markets, created into dishes way above the bar, served to you in a modest, cozy, family styled restaurant. As a restaurant critic, I have met many chefs over the years but rarely get the pleasure to meet culinary artists that are responsible for the superb dining experience we had as the super hero duo of Chef Steven Rojas and Chef Blake Jones. Both Chefs went thru their own journeys and battles to find their dream at Nutwood. ***I've included their bios at the end so you can experience and appreciate their stories as well! The food here is a passionately inspired menu of a diverse array of small bites to share, starters and large plates with desserts and a nice array of wines (including a Chefs Wine selection ) and beers from local brewery's. They also have non-alcoholic choices, Haven Coffee Roasters and Mexican Coke. (Yes the Coke with the good sugar!) Our large group of jolly foodies started out with a good selection of shares and starters to sample of "Pickled Beet Carpaccio" which was a sensational medley of goat cheese, candied nuts, arugula with a light sumac vinaigrette. "Burrata" with caponata with a petite salad along side sourdough bread. The Champion dish was the "Grilled Spanish Octopus" perfectly done with the salsa bravo aioli, Potato and Carrizo cake with greens and a touch of smoked paprika! Honorable mentions go to the "Duck Pate" , "Ricotta toast with honey" and the "Tomato Salad". At this point we were elated at the taste sensations we were experiencing and could hardly wait for our large plate orders. I must at this point take a break from the food and comment on what a spectacular server we had. Beth, was a master at describing each and every dish to us with such detail and passion, you could tell she really appreciated the cuisine as well and loved working here. Our dinners arrived and each one of them were plated beautifully and looked exquisite! The thing that impressed me most about every creation was the thought that went into each one of the flavor marriages. From the farm fresh ingredients to the sauces to the seasonings used, they complemented each other so well and lent for a magical dining experience! I need to confess I was a little jealous that I could not taste the "Seared Market fish special" of the Corvina due to my coconut allergy. Everyone at the table raved about this dish and the amazing red curry broth over shrimp rice cakes adorned with radish, cilantro and lime. But I quickly got over my envy when I received the special of the evening of short ribs which was so tender and flavorful I finished the whole dish! The "Flat Iron Steaks" with the Au Poivre sauce and potato rosti and petit salad was roasted perfectly. The pasta special of cheese tortellini with a delicate Gorgonzola sauce and topped with duck confit and candied nuts was a perfect portion of decadence! We were a very happy group of friends enjoying all the delights of the evening and of our talented and charming Chef hosts and wanted it to continue with dessert. (It was amazing we still had room!) The "Warm Bread Pudding" was hands down the winner with berry compote and caramel with vanilla bean ice cream! But the "Affogato" was a charmer with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, caramel and expresso! Our chefs are always changing up the menu with the seasonal shares of local farmers markets and ideas! When I'm back I need to do the brunch that they have on Sundays which is also a varied nirvana of choices! Either dine inside or on their beautiful lit front porch to have the dining experience to remember! ***Now a must read of our stars... on our original review on Facebook and Instagram read more

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