Chayote Barrio Kitchen, chef Mario Pagán’s Winter Park Village restaurant, quietly served its last plates on May 11 after just under three years in the plaza. In its place, Pagán is rolling out The Grove Bar + Kitchen, a Florida-forward, more laid-back New American concept he is aiming to open on May 25. The Grove is set to add lunch service, run seven days a week and bring in a private dining room that can host roughly 35-40 guests.
New menu and team
Pagán says The Grove will trade Chayote’s fine-dining Latin focus for Sunshine State flavors and comfort-driven plates that put local purveyors front and center. According to Orlando Weekly, the upcoming menu will include polenta-crusted green tomatoes with burrata, a crispy grouper sandwich on brioche with pineapple tartar, a Key West pink shrimp sourdough pizza, a double pork chop in sumac adobo, brisket lasagna and a warm croissant pastry cake with homemade dulce de leche ice cream.
Orlando Weekly also reports that Monica Ortiz will lead the kitchen as executive chef, while Amy Mejia, arriving from Death in the Afternoon, will curate the beverage program.
Renovations and service changes
The new restaurant’s website lists the Winter Park Village address and invites locals to join a launch email list while the team gives the dining room a refresh, updating upholstery, art and color to match the new vibe. The Grove Bar + Kitchen also highlights a private dining room that will seat about 35-40 guests for chef’s tastings and collaborations.
The site already offers a phone number and contact email for reservations and press inquiries, even as the final pieces of the build-out fall into place.
Why Pagán is pivoting
Pagán told Orlando Weekly that rising costs to bring in ingredients from Latin America and the Caribbean, a crowded local market and guest feedback all pushed him toward a change. “Chayote was very, very special to me,” he said, but framed The Grove as a way to stay both more approachable for Winter Park diners and more sustainable as a business.
The Grove is designed to reconnect Pagán with the Florida cooking that helped shape his early career while tightening up the day-to-day economics of the operation.
Chayote’s run and local context
Chayote opened in early 2023 and, during its run, picked up local accolades and press coverage that the restaurant cataloged on its own press page. The Winter Park Village directory previously listed Chayote among the plaza’s tenants, underscoring the space’s role in the center’s broader mix.
Pagán’s decision to transition the concept lines up with a broader trend of chefs simplifying menus, leaning into local suppliers and chasing a wider audience while trying to keep costs under control.
For now, Pagán is gathering signups for The Grove’s launch list and urging locals to keep an eye out for a soft opening once the last of the renovations are done. For opening details and email list access, check The Grove Bar + Kitchen for updates and contact information.
