Seasons 52's Summer Menu Features Beef, Tomatoes, Shrimp

Grass-fed beef, organic tomatoes and two new shrimp offerings are highlights of the summer menu at Seasons 52, which debuted June 19.

The 23-unit Darden Restaurants Inc. brand is featuring an 11-ounce, bone-in strip loin of Piedmontese beef, a breed of cattle that originated in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy and is known for its leanness and full flavor. Season 52's grass-fed version of the beef comes from Nebraska and is raised on an all-natural diet.

This is the first time the chain is serving the beef as a steak, although it has used it previously in other dishes, such as chili with black beans and cilantro sour cream.

The steak is served with a red wine reduction, cremini mushrooms, grilled jumbo asparagus and fingerling potatoes. The price varies depending on the location, but at the restaurant near Darden's headquarters in Orlando, Fla., it sells for $19.95.

Also new to the menu are:

• Organic Tomatoes with Warm Crusted Mozzarella, micro greens and a basil pesto vinaigrette, $7.95
• Chilled Lobster & Shrimp Spring Rolls with salsa verde, lemon grass and sweet-hot chile, $10.95
• Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Cavatappi Pasta with caramelized garlic, organic tomatoes and broccoli, $19.95
• Summer Vegetarian Tasting, featuring quinoa — called "grains of life" on the menu — vegetarian soft tacos, chile relleno, seasonal vegetables, cedar roasted tofu and mango chutney, $14.50
• Berry Cheesecake Mini Indulgence with raspberry sauce and graham cracker crumbs, $2.50

All prices are from the Orlando location.

Seasons 52 has also added a new wine to its "Drink These Before They Become Famous" list: Jam Jar Moscato 2011 from Western Cape, South Africa.

Seasons 52 changes its menu quarterly and tweaks it weekly with seasonal ingredients. None of its menu items have more than 475 calories.

Contact Bret Thorn at bret.thorn@penton.com.
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