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 underway now until Sunday, October 1, 2023. This annual celebration of Orlando eateries offers a three-course, prix fixe menu for just $40/person, and a new upper tier for $60 per person.
In May 2023, the MICHELIN Guide Florida was deliciously updated to include 46 Orlando restaurants.
There are seven restaurants recently recognized by the MICHELIN Guide that are participating in Magical Dining including AVA MediterrAegean ($60), BACÁN ($60), and The Pinery ($40) – all new additions to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining – as well as returning favorites Kabooki Sushi East Orlando ($40), Maxine’s on Shine ($40), The Ravenous Pig ($40) and Z Asian – Vietnamese Kitchen ($40).
AVA MediterrAegean ($60)
APPETIZERS
Horiatiki | Greek Salad
PDO aged-feta, heirloom tomato, persian cucumber, greek mountain aregano, kalamata olive
Sea Bream Ceviche
verjus aguachile, green tomato pico de gallo, levantine bread
The Greek Spread
hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, garden vegetables, warm pita
MAIN COURSE
Black Truffle Risotto
seasonal mushroom fricassée, kefalograviera, chives
Grilled Faroe Island Salmon
fennel salad, baby spinach, avgolemono dressing
Creekstone Farm Prime Flank Steak
green harissa, sun dried tomato, eggplant caviar
DESSERT
Chocolate Fondant
molten chocolate lava cake, caramel, almond crumble, mastiha liquor gelato
Baklava
layers of crispy phyllo dough, honey nuts, pistachio orange blossom ice cream
Sorbet & Ice Cream Daily Selection
please inquire with your server for daily selection
The Pinery ($40)
APPETIZERS
Cast Iron Blistered Shishitos
toasted peanuts, smoked chili butter, chives
Zucchini Fries
Parmesan panko encrusted, roasted garlic aioli
Caesar Salad
chopped romaine, Caesar dressing, Parmesan, seasoned house made brioche croutons
MAIN COURSE
Bison and Gnocchi
brown butter toasted gnocchi, roasted mushrooms in a garlic truffle cream sauce, arugula salad
Scottish Salmon
herb roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus, gremolata sauce
Sweet Tea Brined Fried Chicken
petal honey drizzle, red beans and rice, grilled watermelon
DESSERT
Dark Chocolate Pot De Crème
Cointreau noir infused whipped cream & mini beignets
Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee
fresh berries, candied pecans, turbinado sugar crust
Chef's Croissant Bread Pudding
served with Kelly's homemade ice cream
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
Double Tekka
spicy tuna, takuwan, ohba, topped with tuna, house infused tosa, kizami wasabi
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
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
Maxine’s on Shine ($40)
APPETIZERS
Caviar & Chips
chef select caviar, crème fraiche, potato chips
Beets & Arugula
goat cheese, oranges, pistachios, mint & white balsamic vinaigrette
Vegan Chili
tofu, impossible meat, vegetable medley, jalapeno, house sauce
Maxine’s Mushroom & Brie Soup
MAIN COURSE
Trout Gravlax
sugar & salt cured domestic trout, pan seared, tarragon mustard sauce, purple yams, braised bok choy
Lamb Ragout W/ Squid Ink Linguini
slow braised w/ mirepoix, pomodoro
10oz NY Strip Steak
choice plus, black angus, bearnaise or chimichurri, garlic butter mash, asparagus
Eggplant Zucchini Roll Ups
cast iron skillet, pomodoro, impossible meat, quinoa, shredded tofu
DESSERT
Pineapple Carpaccio W/ Mango Coulis
domestic, fresh cut daily, lemon zest
Kahlua Chocolate Mousse
dark chocolate cup, espresso bean, berries
Key Lime Pie
classic old Florida preparation w/ graham cracker crust, citrus whipped cream
Tiramisu
lady fingers, coffee, espresso whipped cream finish
The Ravenous Pig ($40)
APPETIZERS
Gatherer Salad
baby greens, avocado, pickled beets, radish, goat cheese, walnut granola, herb vinaigrette
Crispy Pork Belly
roasted peanuts, pickle slaw, jalapeño, soy glaze
Mongolian BBQ Octopus
eggplant confit, cauliflower puree, cashews
MAIN COURSE
Steak Frites
6oz tenderloin, truffle fries, garlic aioli, bordelais
Shrimp Scampi Tagliatelle
house made pasta, key west pink shrimp, green garlic butter, pecorino, breadcrumbs
Fort Pierce Swordfish (seasonal/local fish may change)
Greek stew, fennel slaw, saffron-Pernod broth
DESSERT
Mud Pie
chocolate brownie, chocolate custard, graham cracker, Chantilly cream
Pavlova
cherry meringue, lime, pistachio
Artisanal Cheese Selection
with seasonal accompaniments
Z Asian – Vietnamese Kitchen ($40)
APPETIZERS
Crispy Quails
pan fried quail marinated in house sauce
Sunrise Scallops
grilled scallops with house made cheese and top with house chili sauce
Lemongrass Hot Pot
clams steamed in lemongrass soup base with ginger and house sauce
Zelicious Mussels
grilled green mussels with spring onion tangy sauce
MAIN COURSE
Filet Mignon Pho
Vietnamese beef soup with Filet Mignon topped with green onions
Seafood Bird Nest
crispy fried egg noodle with protein and vegetables in house sauce *protein option: seafood or chicken
Beef Stew
pot-roasted beef stew, fragrant with lemongrass, carrots, and onions
DESSERT
Mango Mousse Cake
mango mousse cake
Chocolate Mousse Cake
chocolate mousse cake
Matcha Green Tea Cheesecake
matcha green tea cheesecake
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
Grilled Short Ribs
sweet potato, charred baby vegetable escabeche, crispy rice, tequila sauce
8oz Skirt Steak
hominy and pico, oregano, pickled mustard seed and romesco sauce
DESSERT
Flancocho
marzipan cake, coconut flan, cilantro and pineapple confit, meringue flambé with rum
Frutos Del Bosque
pure origin madagascar 64% chocolate mousse, blackberry compote, chocolate chili sorbet, cassis sauce
La Manzana
sour apple whipped ganache, honey apple and ginger confit, ginger sauce, white chocolate crumble
Tampa MICHELIN Guide
Our I-4 neighbors in Tampa Bay have some bragging rights too. Check out MICHELIN Star Restaurants in Tampa Bay.
