Hannibal’s on the Square

Whether it’s dinner with a spouse, a relaxing lunch with co-workers or even an exclusive private party in the restaurant’s renowned wine cellar, Hannibal’s on the Square in downtown Winter Park, FL doesn’t disappoint. This month, I was lucky enough to be invited by a fellow Kennedy’s member and local restaurateur, Matthew Anderson, to experience what is quickly becoming a staple of Winter Park’s dining and social scene. Having never visited Hannibal’s before, I quickly accepted the invitation and was very happy I did. From the engaging staff that greeted my wife and I as we walked through the door, to the impeccable service and attention to detail, Hannibal’s didn’t just offer a meal, it offered a complete dining experience that masterfully coordinated food and drink service with live entertainment and just the right amount of privacy.

As it was my first time at Hannibal’s, I wanted to experience as much of the menu as I could and asked our host to walk us through each course as it was presented. The chef prepared a phenomenal menu for us that began with a diver scallop and shrimp gnocchi served in a vodka cream sauce with shallots. As a perfect compliment to this dish, our host added a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc, even further accentuating the flavorful sauce and succulent seafood.

The appetizer had certainly done its job… wetting our appetite and getting us even more excited about the courses to come. Our second dish was a well-portioned fresh Romaine Caesar Salad en croute served with a nectarous pouilly fuisse. While staying with the traditional Caesar ingredients, the chef was able to soften the typically defining flavor of anchovies and emphasized a refreshing citrus taste that was expertly matched with the chilled pouilly fuisse.

It was time for the entrée to be served, and just like the two dishes before it, each element of the meal continued to build on one another, stimulating a new area of the palate with each item served. A delectable mixed grill comprised of seared duck l’orange and center cut filet mignon in a cracked peppercorn cream sauce was presented without flaw. The accompanying full-bodied cabernet syrah blend intensified the rich flavor of the meat and left us satisfied beyond belief. And while I am usually too stuffed to eat anymore at this point, the chef’s skilled portioning combined with the shear flavor packed into everything we’d had thus far, resulted in us being more than ready for the crescendo, everybody’s favorite, dessert! Our host eloquently presented us with a raspberry and chocolate mousse in a mango coulis along with a champagne kir with fresh honeycomb. The soft chocolate mixed with the sweet flavors of the mango, raspberry and honey offered a magnificent culmination to a divine meal and overall enchanting experience.

In addition to Hannibal’s fantastic food, extensive wine list and unparalleled service that we enjoyed during our visit, the restaurant offers even more to it guests. With live music five days a week, a private wine cellar furnished with flat screen televisions for special events and a proprietary brand of vodka exclusively served at Hannibal’s (Enlightened Grain Spirits), the restaurant gives is customers a variety of ways to enjoy themselves.

“The idea is for our guests to be welcomed as if into their own home. Our staff maintains an exceedingly professional yet warm rapport with each person who passes through our doors, with the sincere desire that they will enjoy the restaurant as much as we do,” said general manager Matt Anderson.

Hannibal’s on the Square was founded by Executive Chef, Vincent Gagliano and his wife Teri in 2008 as a compliment to their already existing restaurant, Chez Vincent, which has remained one of Winter Park’s premier dining venues since its inception in 1997. Gagliano is a highly decorated chef, winning many local, national and international awards for his flavorful cuisine. He was the top graduating apprentice from culinary school in Clermont Ferrand, France, and continues to impress his customers with his commitment to providing only the most pleasurable dining experience.

You can visit Hannibal’s on the Square online for reservations or to view the menu and wine list at www.hannibalslounge.com.

Tony Zara is Executive Vice President of Mercantile Commercial Capital where he manages the financial underwriting and business development functions of the company. His expertise in sales and finance has enabled he, and his team, to grow Mercantile Commercial Capital’s loan production to over $100 million a year in a very short period of time. As Executive Vice President of Mercantile, Tony has also played an intricate role in developing and implementing the company’s ACE Correspondent Program that was rolled out during 2006. The Program has offered a partnership opportunity to mortgage brokers throughout the United States who wanted to not only share in the enormous income opportunities MCC has identified, but also realize the marketing power that the team at MCC has deployed so effectively in the past. Tony has been a key player in this MCC area development strategy with its correspondents and has been involved with the sale of over 35 territories in just 18 months.

Prior to joining Mercantile, Tony worked as a Business Analyst for American Express in London, England. While in London, he worked within Global Network Services and was responsible for the successful implementation of American Express Blue™ smart chip technology throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His day to day responsibilities included international government relations, business development, strategic planning, and financial analysis.

Tony is an active member in several national organizations such as the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG), Wharton Alumnae Association, Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Orlando Class 66, National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).
Tony earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. While there, he also played quarterback for the Quaker’s football team, which recorded 33 wins, only 7 losses, and 2 Ivy League Championships during his tenure. Tony is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf in his spare time. He and his wife Catherine live in Longwood, FL with their five year old son, Zachary.

As Seen In:

Join Our Mailing List