ALL ABOUT THE NAUTI LOBSTAH
Our Philosophy
YOU’RE A PART OF THE FAMILY!
The Nauti Lobstah is more than just a seafood restaurant. We are a family! We want everyone who visits to feel comfortably at home – whether you’re coming in for lunch to enjoy one of our scrumptious lobster rolls or celebrating a special occasion with our impressive 3 pound Maine Lobster and Creekstone steak dinner. “We’re doing more than just feeding people” says Cara.
“Our goal is to provide a delicious taste of home and all the favorites I grew up with in New England”, says Chef Mike. From the herbed dressing in the chilled New England Lobster Roll to the clam chowder with littleneck clams, entrees and desserts, everything is made from scratch, using the highest quality ingredients. Like the classic fish houses throughout the Northeast, you won’t find a better place for a favorite family dinner or romantic date night.
We love hearing from our guests that “The Nauti Lobstah is Orlando’s best New England seafood and steaks restaurant.” Our genuine passion for welcoming each guest with warm hospitality is why we opened The Nauti Lobstah in 2021.
“We are three good friends on an adventure!” says Christine. Come join us…
Cara, Christine and Mike
MEET THE OWNERS
CARA
“Early in my hospitality career I adopted the mantra I follow to this day: It’s not what you do for people, it’s how you make them feel. For us, it’s all about service. Meeting people we would have never had the opportunity to meet. Our guests have changed our lives and we are so grateful.”
CHEF MIKE
“My favorite memories growing up in Rhode Island were of the days spent digging for clams in the Kickamuit River and Narragansett Bay, eating lobster rolls in Newport, and finding the best clam cakes and chowder at Rocky Point Shore Dinner Hall. I want to share that with everyone who dines at The Nauti Lobstah.”
CHRISTINE
Chef Mike Rumplik
A Rhode Island native, Chef Mike Rumplik is a graduate of Johnson & Wales Culinary University in Providence. His love for seafood was born there and has continued throughout his career working in fine hotels and restaurants from New England to Europe, Texas, and Central Florida. Prior to opening The Nauti Lobstah, he was the Executive Chef at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando for 15 years. He opened the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and worked at the Peabody Orlando and the Peabody in Memphis (where one of the local favorites was catfish!)
As the oldest of six kids, dad of three and “Uncle Mike” to many nieces and nephews, Chef Mike has always loved to prepare food for his friends and family. He believes some of life’s greatest moments happen at the dinner table. He loves sharing that same warmth and hospitality with guests at The Nauti Lobstah.
We are proud Chef Mike Rumplik was named Best Local Chef in Orlando Weekly’s 2024 Best of Orlando Reader’s Poll. Orlando locals love his flavorful menu of New England seafood favorites, voting for The Nauti Lobstah as Best of Orlando finalist for Best Seafood Restaurant, Best Restaurant Overall, and Best Sandwich.
Christine Gonzalez
A native New Yorker, Christine Gonzalez’ love for the hospitality industry began at an early age. Her career trajectory spans 30+ years in leadership roles around the USA and Spain including the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, where she was immersed in the world of fine dining, elaborate events, hosting presidential visits, dignitaries, movie shoots and conferences. The Florida sun brought her to Orlando where she was Director of Events and Catering at the Rosen Centre Hotel and Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center before venturing out as an entrepreneur.
Providing the highest level of guest service and attention to detail are the foundation to her unwavering work ethic practiced daily at The Nauti Lobstah. She takes great pleasure welcoming and chatting with long–time loyal guests as well as meeting the many new guests who discover this local gem.
Cara Rumplik
Boynton Beach, Florida native, Cara Rumplik began her hospitality career at 5-Star, 5-Diamond Boca Raton Resort and Club. She held leadership roles in New York City with iconic Planet Hollywood in Times Square and China Grill Management, a restaurant group featuring some of the city’s most popular spots. In Orlando, she honed her management skills with Rosen Hotels & Resorts, working closely with high-profile clients to plan all aspects of their large group events and conferences. Prior to embarking on her entrepreneurial endeavors, she worked at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.
Cara is passionate about providing a family atmosphere for guests and staff alike. She is proud The Nauti Lobstah was named Best Wait Staff in Orlando in the Orlando Weekly’s 2024 Best of Orlando Reader’s Poll. She appreciates that guests have a choice of where they dine and hopes everyone will always feel welcome at The Nauti Lobstah.
The Nauti Lobstah Story
Our Apopka History And The Legacy Of The Catfish Place
This is The Nauti Lobstah story. Husband and wife, Mike and Cara had dreamed of opening a restaurant for many years. The pandemic prompted changes that would prove serendipitous. They decided to take the leap with their best friend, Christine, when they found a restaurant with deep roots and an avid following from the community.
“We discovered The Catfish Place in Apopka, a restaurant that had been around for 38 years with an extraordinary presence and community support. Each of us had an instant connection with the owners. Bob and Elaine Johnson generously shared their family recipes so we could continue their legacy by offering the most popular Catfish Place classic dishes.”
This is The Nauti Lobstah story. Husband and wife, Mike and Cara had dreamed of opening a restaurant for many years. The pandemic prompted changes that would prove serendipitous. They decided to take the leap with their best friend, Christine, when they found a restaurant with deep roots and an avid following from the community.
“We discovered The Catfish Place in Apopka, a restaurant that had been around for 38 years with an extraordinary presence and community support. Each of us had an instant connection with the owners. Bob and Elaine Johnson generously shared their family recipes so we could continue their legacy by offering the most popular Catfish Place classic dishes.”
The building that now houses The Nauti Lobstah has a long history in Apopka and was a gateway to Central Florida. It was a train depot in the late 1920s transporting oil barrels for Gulf Oil and Standard Oil. You’ll see homage to this in the decor including the toy train set built by Bob in the main dining room. In the 1970s it became The Yesteryear Tea Room and later Lee & Rick’s Oyster Bar. In 1983, The Catfish Place opened.
The Nauti Lobstah opened in September of 2021 with the goal of being “YOUR Seafood Place!” A welcoming neighborhood restaurant serving fresh Maine lobster, high-quality fish and seafood dishes for everyone in Apopka and the Greater Orlando area to enjoy, enhanced with Chef Mike’s New England specialties!
We invite you to learn more about The Nauti Lobstah and dive into the best seafood in Orlando!
In The News
ORLANDO FOODIES ARE TALKING ABOUT THE NAUTI LOBSTAH
ABIDE THE CLAW!
“You can be casually decadent, lazy even, at The Nauti Lobstah in Apopka. The Connecticut-style lobster roll is among the most popular. Served warm with drawn butter on a toasted brioche roll with homemade potato chips and slaw, it’s a dreamy way to celebrate the holiday.”
AMY DREW THOMPSON
ORLANDO SENTINEL
THE NAUTI LOBSTAH BRINGS QUALITY NEW ENGLAND SEAFOOD AND KITCHEN CRED TO APOPKA
“There are few New England dishes as iconic as clam chowder (spelled here as “chowdah,” of course), and Rumplik’s signature recipe makes most other versions of white chowder seem like bowls of hearty nothingness. With enough seasoning and herb notes to match the cream, the Lobstah’s chowder packs full, robust flavor.”
BAO LE-HUU
ORLANDO WEEKLY
13 HOTTEST RESTAURANTS IN ORLANDO RIGHT NOW
“Seafood lovers and homesick Yanks alike trek to Apopka to sink their chops into the wicked-awesome lobster rolls offered in New England and Connecticut varietals. Certainly, lobster gets a lot of play on Nauti Lobstah’s menu, but there are chowders and bisques, snow crabs and steamer clams, po’boys, and fish and chips, in addition to platters of fresh catch, frog legs, smelt, scallops and more.”
FAIYAZ KARA
EATER MIAMI
24 RESTAURANTS TO TOUR IN ORLANDO IN 2024
“The Nauti Lobstah serves lobster that is fresh and imported directly from Maine. They have the huge lobsters that you dream about dunking the claws into butter. The lobster bisque is particularly noteworthy with amazing flavor and large chunks of lobster. They also now have a 2-foot lobster roll that can feed a whole family. Worth the drive!”
CHRISTINA PETSOS
VISIT ORLANDO
