Chef T's Garden Grill & Restaurant

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Chef T's is located in this historic home in Lakeland.

The historic Chiles House in Lakeland is now a hot spot to go for lunch or dinner. It was once the home of the Aunt and Uncle of Florida's famous Governor and Senator Lawton Chiles.

Chef Terry Doner had been the executive chef at several respected restaurants, and received formal training at Peter Kump’s Cooking School in New York, now known as the Institute of Culinary education.

He dreamed up Chef T’s Garden Grill & Restaurant and made that into a reality in Polk county.

See restaurants on TV!

Tampa Bay On Demand
Channel 340
Food section
On Dining category

Doner kept much of the interior architecture and layout intact. Most of the first floor rooms are set up as intimate dining rooms. Chef T’s also makes good use of the patio area, where pleasant weather increases the dining area choices.

Mirrors inside make the space look larger, and Mike Reeves even thought he saw a guy who looked quite a bit like him.

One of the most raved about dishes at the restaurant is the chicken Marsala.

Compliments of Chef Terry!

Chef Terry told Tampa Bay On Demand’s Mike Reeves, “We use fresh herbs, the chicken is fresh. We cook everything to order and use several different types of wild mushrooms.”

Entrees including side dishes run from $18 - $25, and cost about half that for lunch. The establishment is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.