The Nauti Lobstah Story
2020… what a great year for three friends… Christine, Cara and Mike. Call us crazy but we took ownership of a restaurant. While Cara and Mike have been talking about opening a restaurant for many years, it wasn’t until December 2020 when we all got really serious about it and pulled the trigger. And so… The Nauti Lobstah was born!
We stumbled upon The Catfish Place in Apopka, a restaurant that has been around for 38 years with an extraordinary foundation and incredible community support. Luckily for us, there was an instant connection with the owners! In fact, of all those interested in purchasing the restaurant, we were hand-picked as our wish was to continue the legacy of the existing restaurant and simply enhance it with Chef Mike’s New England specialties! After all, that’s where our Chef Mike was born and raised. He knows a thing or two about that delicious seafood fare!
So… we hope you’ll come soon to enjoy our warm and friendly home and taste some of the greatest seafood around. We are sure The Nauti Lobstah will soon become “Your Seafood Place”.
Chef Mike
As a graduate of Johnson & Wales Culinary University in Providence, Rhode Island, Chef Mike’s experience has taken him not only to New England but Europe, Texas, and Central Florida. For the past 15 years, he was the Executive Chef at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. Chef Mike also opened the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and has 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 over 15 nieces and nephews, Chef Mike has always loved to prepare food for his friends and family. While growing up in New England, Chef Mike spent his days digging for clams in Narraganset Bay, eating lobster rolls in Newport, or finding the best clam cakes and chowder at Rocky Point Shore Dinner Hall. His love for seafood was born there and has continued throughout his career. Chef Mike believes some of life’s greatest moments happen at the kitchen table. At The Nauti Lobstah, guests will feel that same family atmosphere that was always on display at The Catfish Place!
Christine
Christine grew up in New York and her love for the hospitality business began at an early age, having been exposed to the world of hotels through family friends.
Her career in the hospitality industry expands 40 years in the USA and Europe. Her various leadership roles at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City exposed her to fine dining and elaborate events such as Presidential visits, dignitaries, movie shoots and conferences, all while providing the highest level of service imaginable. Her ten years at the Waldorf=Astoria prepared her for her next positions as Director of Events & Catering in New York, Honolulu, Spain and right here in Orlando at the Rosen Centre Hotel and Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.
Christine brings years of high–level customer service to The Nauti Lobstah and enjoys welcoming and chatting with all the long–time loyal guests, all the wonderful new guests and all the future guests!
Cara
Cara began her hospitality career at the age of 19 at the 5-Star, 5-Diamond Boca Raton Resort and Club. Over the years, she has also held positions in New York City with Planet Hollywood in New York’s Times Square and China Grill Management, a restaurant group featuring some of the city’s most popular spots.
In Orlando, Cara was employed by Rosen Hotels & Resorts where she worked closely with clients to plan all aspects of their conferences. Her most recent opportunity was with Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.
Cara brings her years of experience in the service industry to The Nauti Lobstah where she is passionate about providing the absolute best experience for guests. In the end, it is not only what you do for people, but how you make them feel and she hopes that guests will feel welcome and at home when they visit.
