Visitors to Central Florida's theme parks have been conditioned to expect the standard fare of assembly line burgers and fries, but one attraction is taking visitors back to a time when dining was an event to be savored, and fresh, homemade, non-processed foods were not the exception, but the rule.
The Compass Rose Diner, located at Fantasy of Flight, Central Florida's premier aviation attraction, has long been a draw among locals for its glamorous 1930s, Art Deco style and its delicious diner fare, but a new chef is taking the diner's appeal to a higher plane with a renewed commitment to fresh ingredients and healthy foods. Fantasy of Flight recently welcomed Chef Cory Reynolds, who has hung onto traditional diner favorites, put a new spin on others and loaded the menu with fresh, locally grown ingredients.
Chef Cory spent two years under the direction of the award-winning chef David Tallent at Restaurant Tallent in Bloomington, Ind. and received an Associate's degree from the Chef's Academy in Indianapolis, Ind. Throughout his chef training, he learned the importance of using fresh foods and using locally secured ingredients, not only for better taste, but also to stimulate the local economy.
"We all want to make a difference in the world, even if it's a small thing," said Reynolds. "And cooking with the freshest local ingredients makes for better tasting food. It's historically more natural to how people have cooked. It's my way of hopefully making a difference."
The Compass Rose Diner still offers the staples that locals have come to love ̶ such as burgers, chili cheese hot dogs, grilled ham and cheese, onion rings and steak fries ̶ but those looking for healthier options now have more choices. Under Chef Cory's direction, the house salad is now slightly more upscale with a combination of iceberg and green romaine lettuces topped with goat cheese, candied walnuts and homemade orange balsamic vinaigrette. The traditional BLT is now offered as a little healthier option, made with fresh sliced turkey. Wraps have also been added to the menu, including a spicy grilled chicken with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos. Perhaps one of the biggest draws are Chef Cory's fresh homemade soups, which sell out almost daily. His soup specialties include Tomato Chicken Bouillon with meatballs and ravioli, Chicken Gnocchi and Italian Wedding. Daily specials also offer patrons a chance to eat sensibly. Among the specials are a Chicken Salad Sandwich made with freshly cooked chicken and low-fat mayonnaise.
Chef Cory's Fantasy SaladDesserts are seasonally based to make the most of fresh, locally grown fruits, so diners are treated to a variety of choices including blueberry pie, peach crisp and apple crisp with homemade caramel sauce. Throughout July, the Compass Rose Diner will offer a traditional Strawberry Shortcake with homemade biscuits, strawberries and fresh whipped cream. Chef Cory is also known for his Cream Cheese Brownie Sandwich, a play on the traditional ice cream sandwich with cream cheese added to the brownie mix, ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce in the middle.
A family man with three small children, Chef Cory left a career in the greeting card industry to become a chef because he has always believed in the power of the Sunday dinner and the ability of food to brings families together. He is committed to serving high-quality foods to his own family, and is enjoying the opportunity to provide Fantasy of Flight visitors with the same benefit.
"One of the great things about this job is that many of our guests at Fantasy of Flight are families," said Reynolds. "It's a wonderful feeling to know that they are enjoying this incredible attraction and then coming to the Compass Rose Diner to enjoy a great meal together."
The chef's philosophy toward fresh, healthy foods and quality family dining is one that Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks has long embraced.
"Fantasy of Flight is here to inspire and set dreams in motion, so it only makes sense that the meals we serve here should also inspire, energize and unite our guests of all ages," Weeks said. "We all know that some of our best memories are set around the family dining table, and we hope to create some special memories for our guests right here at the Compass Rose as well."
As if the menu were not inspiring enough, the ambiance of the Compass Rose Diner is uplifting in itself. Named for the flower-like, circular design on a compass that indicates north, south, east and west, the diner features curved architectural lines true to its art deco style and a large compass rose design in the center of the terrazzo floor, made up of tiles in cream, green, rose and gold. Much like the corner soda fountains that were so popular in the World War II era, the diner features a long bar with twirling barstools, as well as booth and table seating. A circular bank of floor-to-ceiling windows provides breathtaking views of the Flight of the Day at 1:30 p.m. each day, as well as biplane rides and other activities on the tarmac. Even the wait staff is true to the era, with 1930s diner uniforms and caps.
The Compass Rose Diner is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no admission charge to dine.
Fantasy of Flight offers a number of special events throughout the year, including the popular "Legends & Legacies Symposium Series." The final symposium, "The Great Escape: Heroes Underground," takes place Oct. 14-15. Symposiums are included with daily general admission and are free for all Annual Pass holders. Call 863-984-3500 or go to
www.fantasyofflight.com for more information.
While Cocoa Beach holds the title of "Orlando's Closest Beach," about a half an hour south of Cocoa Beach the public beaches of Melbourne Beach and the nearby municipalities offer the same waves for surfing and boogie boarding, without the crowds usually found at Cocoa Beach or even New Smyrna Beach to the north of Cocoa.
