Sunday, December 8, 2024



Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month – September – Incl. Luma on Park, K Restaurant, many others

Orlando’s top restaurants are offering $33 three-course dinners throughout the entire month of September during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month (OrlandoMagicalDining.com).

I recently had the opportunity to preview one of Magical Dining Prefixe menus at one the restaurants participating this year, Luma On Park.

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Recently, Luma on Park and Prato – both on Winter Park’s Park Avenue – were the sighting of a few celebrities in the culinary world. James Beard Award nominated Executive Chef Brandon McGlamery, along with Luma’s Chef de Cuisine Derek Perez, Prato’s Chef di Cucina Matthew Cargo, and team were invited to cook specially for a private dinner with guests including Daniel Boulud and Paul Bocuse – who were both in town for a charity event. Instagram photos ensued…

Chef Brandon McGlamery and Chef Matthew Cargo of Luma on Park w Chef Paul Bocuse and Daniel Boulud
Chef Brandon McGlamery and Chef Matthew Cargo of Luma on Park w Chef Paul Bocuse and Daniel Boulud  – Courtesy @PratoWP on Instagram
The team at Prato with Chef Bocuse
The team at Prato with Chef Bocuse – Courtesy @MatthewCargo on Instagram

Some people might think that the new trend these days is to have all the up and coming chefs decked out in tattoos all over their arms…but many people probably don’t realize that Chef Paul Bocuse – arguably the first “celebrity chef,” whose namesake Bocuse D’or competition is the “Olympics” of the culinary world – was also one of the first chefs to sport a tattoo on his arm.

The tattoo is of a Gallic Cock, the official emblem of the Traditions et Qualité Association – Les Grandes Tables du Monde – where Chef Bocuse is a member- represents French cooking and traditions. Chef Bocuse had it done in the 1960s, over 40 years ago.

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Chef Paul Bocuse proudly displays his tattoo along side Chef Matthew Cargo and the team at Prato and Luma – Courtesy @DerekPerez1 on Instagram

 

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Now, on to the menu at Luma – they actually offer their own prix fixe menu here weekly on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings for $35, but the Magical Dining Menu will be available every night all September for $33.

$1 from each meal will go to the Ronald McDonald House charity.

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As expected, the meal was quite exemplary, starting with Anson Mills Crispy Grit Cake (fried polenta-style in sticks) with fresh royal red pickled shrimp, little bits of tasso ham, and a tasty green tomato chutney salad.

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Anson Mills Crispy Grit Cake, royal red pickled shrimp, tasso ham, green tomato chutney salad.

My entree was the Pompano Beach Swordfish (the fish changes depending on availability and seasonality) topped on forbidden black rice, anson mills red sea peas, serrano butter sauce and pickled sweet peppers. The swordfish was cooked to perfection – I’ve had experiences where it had been slightly dry in the past at other restaurants and this was the first time I could remember and savor the delicious taste and texture of the swordfish. Chef Derek Perez and team really know what they’re doing in the kitchen with seafood.

SONY DSC Pompano Beach Swordfish, forbidden black rice, anson mills red sea peas, serrano butter sauce and pickled sweet peppers.

For dessert, I had Pastry Chef Brian Cernell’s Malted chocolate sponge cake with peanut caramel, milk chocolate cremosa, and maldon salt – very good and rich…just a great and sweet way to end the meal and all three courses for just $33.

SONY DSC Malted chocolate sponge cake with peanut caramel, milk chocolate cremosa, and maldon salt

On my way out, I had a celebrity sighting of my own at Luma, catching up with former Florida Governor and US Senator Bob Graham on his way out from an “absolutely delicious meal at Luma” – he happily obliged a photo request, taken by a staffer from his daughter Gwen Graham‘s upcoming congressional campaign.

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With Former Florida Governor and US Senator Bob Graham

Returning in its eighth year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month features more than 60 restaurants and several packages pairing dinner for two with a one-night hotel stay. Diners can find a full list of restaurants and hotel packages on the mobile-friendly website OrlandoMagicalDining.com.

With James Beard-nominated chefs and celebrity chef restaurants, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month serves up the best of Orlando’s emerging culinary scene, including:

Celebrity Chef Restaurants:
Emeril’s Orlando, Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, La Luce by Donna Scala, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, Todd English’s bluezoo

Nationally-Recognized Chefs:
James Beard-nominated chefs: Brandon McGlamery of Luma on Park and Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant
Award-winning pastry chefs: Laurent Branlard of Todd English’s bluezoo and Il Mulino New York Trattoria (Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin) and David Ramirez of A Land Remembered and Cala Bella (Rosen Shingle Creek)

New to Magical Dining Month:
Bohemian Bar and Grill, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Ruth’s Chris Steak House (3 locations), Siro Urban Italian Kitchen, Hamilton’s at The Alfond Inn, The Capital Grille at Mall at Millenia, The Melting Pot Longwood, Maxine’s on Shine, Jack’s Place

Visit Orlando is also giving visitors a way to extend the savings and the fun with new Magical Nights packages, including:

  • Bohemian Hotel Celebration – Standard Guest Room and dinner for two at the Bohemian Bar & Grill, starting at $219 per night
  • Caribe Royale – Standard Double Queen Suite, complimentary valet and dinner for two at The Venetian Room, starting at $155 per night
  • Hilton Orlando – Standard Guest Room and dinner for two at Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops, starting at $174 per night
  • Rosen Shingle Creek – Deluxe Room and dinner for two at A Land Remembered or Cala Bella, starting at $165 per night
  • More information about Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, including a complete list of participating restaurants, menus and hotel packages, is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com.

The month-long event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, with $1 from every meal donated to the organization. In 2012, more than $67,000 was raised for the partner charity organization. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families. For more information visit rmhccf.org/.

For more information about vacation experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary vacation planning kit that includes a comprehensive Official Visitors Guide and Orlando Magicard® or to purchase discount attraction tickets, visitors can log onto Orlando’s official website at VisitOrlando.com or call an Official Travel Counselor at 1-800-551-0181 (United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. For real time updates, follow us at Twitter.com/VisitOrlando and Facebook.com/VisitOrlando.

 

CONVENTION AREA
A Land Remembered – Rosen Shingle Creek Steak & Seafood
Cala Bella – Rosen Shingle Creek Italian Cuisine
Capriccio Grill- The Peabody Orlando Steak & Seafood
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Latin, S. American & Caribbean Cuisine
Everglades Restaurant – Rosen Centre Hotel Steak & Seafood
Fiorella’s Cucina Toscana – Westin Orlando Universal Blvd. Italian Cuisine
Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse Steak & Seafood
Funky Monkey Wine Company – Pointe Orlando Continental Cuisine
Jack’s Place- Rosen Plaza Hotel Steak & Seafood
Kobe Japanese Steak House Japanese & Sushi
Ming Court Asian & Pacific Rim Cuisine
Napa – The Peabody Orlando California Cuisine
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops – Hilton Orlando Steak & Seafood
The Capital Grille Steak & Seafood
The Oceanaire Seafood Room Seafood
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar Steak & Seafood
DISNEY/LAKE BUENA VISTA
Deep Blu Seafood Grille- Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Seafood
Hawk’s Landing Steakhouse- World Center Marriott Steak & Seafood
Hemingway’s- Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Steak & Seafood
Il Mulino New York Trattoria- Walt Disney World Swan Italian Cuisine
La Luce® by Donna Scala – Hilton Bonnet Creek Italian Cuisine
Mikado Japanese Steak House – World Center Marriott Asian & Pacific Rim Cuisine
NINE18- Villas of Grand Cypress Steak & Seafood
Siro: Urban Italian Kitchen- World Center Marriott Italian Cuisine
The Venetian Room – Caribe Royale Hotel Continental Cuisine
Todd English’s bluezoo – Walt Disney World Dolphin Seafood
DOWNTOWN
Citrus Restaurant American Cuisine
Funky Monkey Wine Company Continental Cuisine
Maxine’s on Shine American Cuisine
The Boheme – Grand Bohemian Hotel American Cuisine
RESTAURANT ROW
Big Fin Seafood Kitchen Seafood
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine Med, Greek & Lebanese
Dragonfly – Robata Grill & Sushi Japanese & Sushi
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Steak & Seafood
Morton’s The Steakhouse Steak & Seafood
Ocean Prime Steak & Seafood
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Steak & Seafood
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Steak & Seafood
Seasons 52 American Cuisine
The Melting Pot Fondue
UNIVERSAL/CITYWALK
Bice Ristorante – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Italian Cuisine
Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando Cajun, Creole & Louisiana Cuisine
Emeril’s Tchoup Chop – Loews Royal Pacific Resort Asian & Pacific Rim Cuisine
Islands Dining Room – Loews Royal Pacific Resort Asian & Pacific Rim Cuisine
Mama Della’s Ristorante – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Italian Cuisine
The Kitchen – Hard Rock Hotel American Cuisine
The Palm Restaurant- Hard Rock Hotel Steak & Seafood
Trattoria del Porto- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Italian Cuisine
WINTER PARK AND NORTH
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine Med, Greek & Lebanese
Chez Vincent French Cuisine
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Steak & Seafood
Hamilton’s Kitchen- The Alfond Inn American Cuisine
Luigino’s Restaurant Italian Cuisine
Luma on Park American Cuisine
Mitchell’s Fish Market Seafood
Park Plaza Gardens Continental Cuisine
Rangetsu Japanese Restaurant & Bar Japanese & Sushi
Ruth’s Chris Steak House- Lake Mary Steak & Seafood
Ruth’s Chris Steak House- Winter Park Steak & Seafood
Seasons 52 – Altamonte Springs American Cuisine
The Melting Pot- Longwood Fondue
SURROUNDING AREAS
Bohemian Bar and Grill- Bohemian Hotel Celebration American Cuisine
K Restaurant American Cuisine
Le Coq Au Vin French Cuisine
The Capital Grille- Mall at Millenia American Cuisine








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