Now that MICHELIN released the MICHELIN Guide Florida, things have gotten even more marvelous during Magical Dining in Orlando. Not only can you dine at some of the best restaurants around town at a fraction of the price, you can now experience Magical Dining at Michelin Restaurants in Orlando. We're sharing the Orlando restaurants featured in the latest MICHELIN guide that also participate in Magical Dining!
Keep reading to see which MICHELIN Guide restaurants are offering Magical Dining menus, and details on this special experience.
Understanding the MICHELIN Guide
As defined on its website, “a MICHELIN Star is awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking. We take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.”
Here’s some food for thought… The MICHELIN Guide was created as a business strategy for the tire making company. MICHELIN wanted to steer consumers toward more hotels and restaurants in hopes that customers would drive more miles. Consequently, tires would wear out faster and, thus, increase tire sales. Restaurants were first honored back in 1926 and, of course, the MICHELIN Guide has shifted gears quite a bit to the delight of foodies. Now, nearly a century later, the annual MICHELIN Guide is revered as the legit authority of identifying superior restaurants, including romantic spots that are worth the drive.
Here’s the MICHELIN star distinctions:
- One MICHELIN Star: Awarded to eateries using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavors are prepared to a consistently high standard.
- Two MICHELIN Stars: Bestowed when the personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes; their food is refined and inspired.
- Three MICHELIN Stars: Presented for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession; their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics.
MICHELIN’s Other (Less Prestigious) Mentions:
- Bib Gourmand (aka the MICHELIN Man): The proper name of MICHELIN’s mascot is Bibendum, or Bib for short. “Bibs” are given to establishments that offer “good quality and good value.”
- MICHELIN Recommended: This means that the restaurant cuisine is above average, exemplified by quality ingredients that are well-cooked.
Magical Dining at Orlando’s MICHELIN Restaurants
Magical Dining is Friday, Aug. 16 through Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. This annual celebration of Orlando eateries offers a three-course, prix fixe menu for just $40 per person, and a new upper tier for $60 per person.
- AVA MediterrAegean ($60 – Recommended)
- BACAN ($60 – Recommended)
- Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen ($60 – Recommended)
- Kabooki Sushi (East Colonial location) ($40 – Recommended)
- The Pinery ($40 – Recommended)
- The Ravenous Pig ($40 – Bib Gourmand)
- Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen ($40 – Bib Gourmand)
2024 Menus
AVA MediterrAegean ($60)
APPETIZERS
Hummus
tahini, crispy chickpea, olive oil, served with warm pita
Salata Horiatiki
pdo aged-feta, campari tomato, persian cucumber, red onion, mountain oregano, kalamata olive
Tuna Tartare
white soya, lemon juice, avocado, cilantro
MAIN COURSE
Black Truffle Risotto
seasonal mushroom fricassée, kefalograviera, chives
Grilled Faroe Island Salmon
green wheat “tabbouleh”, tahini yogurt, roasted tomato vinaigrette
Creekstone Farm Prime Hanger Steak
charred eggpplant mousseline, sundried tomato, shishito pepper
DESSERT
Chocolate Fondant
molten chocolate lava cake, caramel, almond crumble, mastiha liquor gelato
Vanilla Crème Brûlée
Sorbet & Ice Cream Daily Selection
please inquire with your server for daily selection
BACÁN ($60)
APPETIZERS
Smoked Pork Belly “Al Pastor”
gooseberry, salsa verde, compressed pineapple
Tuna Crudo
aji panca soy, chili crunch, tobiko, radish
Kale And Lime Salad
Vegetarian
endive, arugula, green apple, cranberries, pumpkin seed, cancha corn, champagne vinaigrette
MAIN COURSE
Branzino A La Plancha
pea and mint, wild rice, preserved lemon, crispy purple kale
Birria Short Ribs
colombian arepa, queso oaxaca, spring onion
Carne Asada
8oz skirt steak, roasted hominy and pico, pickled mustard seed, smoked romesco sauce
DESSERT
Chocolate Tres Leches
dulce de leche ice cream, almond chocolate streusel
Caribbean Passion
coconut panna cotta, passion caviar, banana olive oil cake, banana passion sorbet
La Morada
queso fresco churro, roasted pinapple, chicha morada sorbet
Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen ($60)
APPETIZERS
Goat Cheese Brûlée
nasturtium, seasonal fruit, pine nut
Grouper Ceviche
tiradito style, lemongrass leche, bubu arare, sweet potato
Spiney Lobster Bisque
pineapple lobster salad, datil oil
MAIN COURSE
Shrimp & Grits
Canaveral brown shrimp, New Orleans bbq, stone ground grits *vegetarian option available
West Indian Chicken
Caribbean curry, coconut rice, collards
Black Grouper
creamed yucca, seafood beurre blanc, basil & paprika
DESSERT
Chocolate Mole
milk chocolate cheesecake, warm mole rojo, sesame, pepitas
Passionfruit Crème Brûlée
mojito madeleine
Dragon Fruit Tiramisu
chinola dipped lady fingers, mascarpone mousse, pitaya dust
Kabooki Sushi East Orlando ($40)
APPETIZERS
Karaage
Japanese style fried chicken, pickled peppers, kaffir lime aioli, curry ketchup, mixed herbs
Leche De Tigre
torched salmon, truffle paté, kizami wasabi, aji amarillo, smoke trout roe, sunchoke chips
Hamachi Carpaccio
japanese yellowtail, yuzu tobiko, ponzu, kaffir lime oil, yuzu kosho, serrano peppers
MAIN COURSE
Kasai Don
scattered sashimi, house made tamago, house cured ikura, ohba, cucumber
Berkwood St Louis Sticky Ribs
braised then crispy tempura, tossed in smoked chili hoisin sauce
Double Tekka
spicy tuna, takuwan, ohba, topped with tuna, house infused tosa, kizami wasabi
DESSERT
C4
chocolate lava cake with dulce de leche, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache sauce
Ice Cream and Sorbet Trio
chef's choice of daily ice creams and/or sorbets
Mochi Trio
chef's choice of daily flavor ice cream mochi
The Pinery ($40)
APPETIZERS
Seared Yellowfin Tuna
citrus slaw, orange horseradish sauce
Steak Tacos
arugula, chimichurri, pickled red onions, cotija cheese
Watermelon Gazpacho
cucumber, tomato, mint, creme fraiche
MAIN COURSE
Old Florida Perloo
marinated Key West pink shrimp, chorizo sausage, congaree & penn rice, stewed tomatoes, datil pepper
Fresh Catch
calamondin gastrique, orzo, petal honey glazed carrots
Pork Chop
napa cabbage and apple slaw, creamy dijon sauce
DESSERT
Brown Butter Cake
chantilly cream, powdered sugar, fresh berries
Crème Brulee
candied orange zest, turbinado sugar
Chef's Croissant Bread Pudding
served with Kelly's homemade ice cream
The Ravenous Pig ($40)
APPETIZERS
Gatherer Salad
baby greens, avocado, pickled beets, radish, goat cheese, walnut granola, herb vinaigrette
Pork Belly
makhani sauce, raita, sumac onions, spiced cashews, cucumber
BBQ Octopus
black bean, pickled onion, potato chip
MAIN COURSE
Steak Frites
porcini marinated filet mignon, truffle fries, garlic aioli, bordelais
Rock Shrimp Carbonara
tagliatelle pasta, pecorino, black pepper, bacon, garlic
Redfish
greek stew, shaved fennel, black olive sauce
DESSERT
Smores
chocolate custard, smoked caramel, graham streusel, toasted marshmallowm
Olive Oil Cake
praline mousse, peach jam, bayleef crumble
Artisanal Cheese Selection
with seasonal accompaniments
Z Asian – Vietnamese Kitchen ($40)
APPETIZERS
CHIM CÚT CHIÊN BƠ (Quails)
pan-fried quail marinated in house sauce. served with z asian signature salt and pepper dipping sauce
CÁNH GÀ CHIÊN NƯỚC MẮM (Wings)
chicken wings topped with vietnamese tangy sauce
CHEM CHÉP NƯỚNG MỠ HÀNH (Mussels)
grilled mussels in house sauce top green onion and peanut
BOK CHOY XÀO TỎI (Garlic Bok Choy)
stir-fried bok choy in garlic sauce topped with toasted garlic
MAIN COURSE
SƯỜN CỪU NƯỚNG (Lamb Chops)
grilled lamb chops with garlic, herbs marinated in house sauce and served with flavored rice and vegetables
CÀ RI TÔM HÙM (Lobster Tail)
lobster tail, curry spices blended in a hot chili paste with carrot, onion, bell peppers in coconut milk and served with jasmine rice
BÒ KHO (Beef Stew)
pot-roasted beef stew, fragrant with lemongrass, ginger, carrots, onion in house sauce and served with jasmine rice
DESSERT
CHÈ BA MÀU (Tri-Color Dessert)
layers of sweet mung beans, soft kidney beans, bouncy pandan jelly, topped with ice, coconut milk and toasted peanuts
RAU CÂU LÁ DỨA (Coconut Jelly)
pandan coconut jelly dessert is a refreshing treat that combines layers of pandan flavors with creamy coconut milk
PANNA COTTA CHANH DÂY (Passion Fruit)
passion fruit panna cotta infused with tropical flavors of cream and passion fruit
Tampa MICHELIN Guide
Our I-4 neighbors in Tampa Bay have some bragging rights too. Check out MICHELIN Star Restaurants in Tampa Bay.