Norwood’s had its humble beginnings in New Smyrna Beach, not as a restaurant, but disguised as a Pan Am gas station and general store in 1929. In the ensuing years the site served as a mosquito control center, piggy bank factory, and then again a general store.
Earl Norwood bought the building in 1946 and turned it into Norwood’s Seafood Restaurant, which he ran successfully until health forced him to retire. He sold Norwood’s (already a tradition in New Smyrna Beach) to Mr. and Mrs. Bulchunis in 1953.
After 19 years of growth and continued success, the Bulchunis’ sold Norwood’s to Marvin Age, who carried on the tradition of fresh seafood and fine dining. The restaurant stayed the same until 1985, when Age expanded the building. Don Simmons joined Norwood’s management team then, moving from Houlihan’s Restaurant in Atlanta.
Simmons was already familiar with Norwood’s, having worked in the kitchen while attending Daytona Beach Community College. He left to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, but Age kept track of his progress and after graduation, brought him back as a manager.Under leadership of Simmons and his carefully developed team, Norwoods has flourished and still features homemade sauces, salad dressings, filets locally sourced fish, and hand cuts aged steaks. When possible we source locally grown vegetables and seafood for our extensive menu.
Norwood's as continued to evolve into the restaurant it is today. Opening in 2015, the Treehouse Bar is a multi-level , 21+ bar setting perched in the branches of a historic oak tree out front.
The treehouse offers daily live music, craft cocktails , views of the foliage, and the same great menu offered in the restaurant. Initially planned as a viewing platform as Don and Pamela enjoyed a glass of wine out front of the restaurant in 2014, it expanded into a whimsical featured that reinvented the restaurant. The companion "Roots Bar" in located under the Treehouse Bar. This was added in 2019, as another great setting to enjoy a meal and drinks during your visit.
The current Owners Don & Pamela Simmons have maintained their tradition of fine dining with fresh seafood, hand - cut steaks and an extended wine list to perfectly pair with each dish. Their daughter Rebecca Zerrusen, serves as managing partner and Dennis Dolbow the head chef and managing partner overseas the day-to-day operations.
Dennis and Rebecca have both worked together to up hold Don and Pamelas high standards since 2015 and continue their tradition of from-scratch dishes and a fun and whimsical environment to celebrate with family and friends.
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Your hosts, Don and Pam Simmons. It'll be hard to catch a glimpse of Don, as he's usually up to his elbows in the kitchen or the wine cellar, but Pam often brightens the front of the restaurant and sets the tone for grace and competence at Norwood's.
Rebecca is our General Manager and Second- Generation Partner at Norwoods. She is the face to look for to help with all your special needs or events.
Dennis is our Head Chef and Managing Partner at Norwoods. Dennis is dedicated to bringing the freshest, from scratch dishes to your table. You won't see him out of the kitchen often except for every Saturday when he is in the Norwoods Smoke house making our homemade Bacon.
Alex is our In-House Sommelier. He is our wine expert and is always there to help you find that perfect bottle of wine.