Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is back for its 17th year, Aug. 26 through Oct. 2, 2022, and this year, six MICHELIN Guide restaurants are among the 110-plus participating. Book in and sup on a three-course, prix-fixe dinner $40, plus tax and tip. From every meal served, Visit Orlando will donate $1 to The Able Trust, The Able Trust, which has been working for 32 years to help expand employment opportunities in Florida for people with disabilities. Last year, nearly 300,000 people ate out during Magical Dining, raising $289,291 for Pathlight HOME and IDignity.
Read on to see which MICHELIN Guide restaurants in Orlando are participating, then start making your reservations.
Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen
This exciting concept from Chef Richard Blais is nestled in the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress property. Follow the footpath that leads over a bridge and towards the bright pink entrance, fronted by a waterfall. This retreat radiates a calming, coastal vibe with design details like plentiful windows, warm wood and pops of color. Fittingly, the menu is contemporary Americana meets the tropics. The chef's focus is on seasonal, bold and creative flavors, as in a tuna tostada crowned by an egg yolk that is, in reality, a bright passion fruit sauce. Big eaters know to save room for mains like swordfish, lobster and deliciously spiced mojo chicken. Couples rejoice, as this is a perfect place to splurge, celebrate and eat to your heart's content.
Kabooki Sushi
This freshly minted space wears all the contemporary touches that pepper our Instagram feeds. There are hexagonal tiles and a green "living" accent wall donning a neon sign that reads "Good Vibes Only." The marble bar hums with activity, not unlike the booths situated along the center. It may be billed as updated Japanese fare fused with inventive Pan-Asian elements, but make no mistake—this is not an average strip mall spot. This cooking is unbound by tradition. Sushi is de rigueur, but splurge on the omakase for a worthy venture with the likes of torched salmon with truffle pâté, smoked trout roe and aji amarillo. Other oceanic delights include a bluefin sashimi flight, hamachi nigiri with truffled caviar and uni rice with seared lobster.
Maxine's on Shine
In operation for more than a decade, Maxine and Kirt Earhart's Colonialtown charmer is everyone's favorite neighborhood hangout. Crowds spill out in front during the weekend for brunch, thanks to a host of comforting dishes that soothe and satisfy. Think plates of fried green tomatoes, flaky crab cakes and of course, chicken and waffles. Dinner follows suit with such familiar yet flavorful dishes as a half-pound burger, or skillet lasagna, which is available with roasted vegetables instead of beef. There are good vibes all round. The décor is eclectic and bears a whimsical slant by way of bold colors, lots of artwork, a dark, sultry bar, as well as tightly packed tables. Interior accommodations are supplemented by ample outdoor seating.
The Ravenous Pig
This Winter Park modern gastropub came to be thanks to the vision of noted restaurateurs James and Julie Petrakis. Housed right beside their eponymous brewery, the space exudes a moody, industrial vibe by way of charcoal hues, rustic wood accents and a gray ceiling marked by exposed ductwork. The open kitchen on the left has frosted glass panels that add a bit of mystery to the culinary proceedings. Chef Clay Miller's menu is a bona fide study of classic pub fare with creative Southern spins—to wit, ranchero sauce-dressed pork burnt ends over cornbread pudding or cured pastrami brisket with pickled cabbage purée and cauliflower giardiniera. The vegetable-forward melon, cucumber and farmer's cheese combo is in fact a rather complex denouement.
Strand
Alda Rees and her husband, Joe, are behind this corner spot nestled within an Art Deco building. Its menu, displayed on the front windows, invites passersby inside to a space that may be short on real estate but utterly captivates with mint-green walls and Mason jars that hang above the glossy tiled bar. The seasonal American menu brims with nostalgic Southern inspiration, and presentations are dialed back to let ingredients shine. From local tomatoes to fresh citrus, dishes exude a homey sense. To wit: chilled shrimp is a wonderful contrast against hot fried green tomatoes, while cobia with mustard sauce and Carolina gold rice requires little augmentation. Close out with a citrus olive oil cake along with a sip from the worthy wine list.Z Asian
This casual gem is beloved for its distinctively bold dishes and thoughtful design. The aura is Southeast Asian, not unlike the focused Vietnamese cooking. Dishes are flavorful, bursting with nuance and balance. Behold the simple yet sublime dia nho like sautéed bok choy with crispy garlic; and bánh xèo, fried crêpe with shrimp, thinly sliced pork and a tangy fish sauce. Phở tái brings nostalgia to the forefront with that classic beef broth, afloat with rice noodles, eye of round steak and scallions. Donning a host of aromatics (bean sprouts, lime and jalapeño), it is a riot of flavor.
Hero image: Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen
© Chris Regan/Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen
