One of the most magical times of the year is almost here! Celebrating 19 years, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining presented by Orlando Health returns this fall from Aug. 16 through Sept. 30 with a record-breaking 152 restaurants, including 25 new restaurants and nine recognized by the MICHELIN Guide.

Throughout the six-week run, restaurants will offer three-course, prix-fixe menus for $40 or $60, continuing the tiered menu system introduced in 2023.

Each year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining selects nonprofit organizations that impact the Orlando community as charity beneficiaries, with $1 for each $40 meal and $2 for each $60 meal going to the organization. This year’s beneficiary is The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, focused on helping residents and families recover from hardships while minimizing environmental impact.

Visit Orlando will also award a $3,000 donation to one local nonprofit that offers impactful approaches to creating thriving and sustainable communities in each of Orange County’s six commission districts.

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is the perfect opportunity to dine for a great cause, enjoy a date night or connect with family, friends and colleagues over a delicious meal.

Start browsing menus and booking dinner reservations at the new OrlandoMagicalDining.com website. You can filter by area or even specific neighborhoods, menu tiers, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary preferences.

Please spread the word that Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is back Aug. 16 and share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #MagicalDining.

New and Noteworthy Restaurants for 2024 

• Adega Gaucha — Kissimmee ($40)
• Armando’s — College Park ($40)
• Armando’s — Lake Nona ($40)
• Armando’s — Winter Park ($40)
• Braccia Ristorante ($40)
• Chayote Barrio Kitchen ($60)
• Chef’s Table at The Edgewater ($60)
• Chima Steakhouse ($60)
• Citrus Club ($40)
• Crocante Restaurant + Bar ($40)
• Cru Quarters at The Mayflower ($40)
• F&D Prime Modern Steakhouse ($60)
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill ($40)
• Helena Modern Riviera ($40)
• Nami ($60)
• Norman’s Orlando ($60)
• Pine & Oak Tavern ($40)
• Sophia’s Trattoria ($40)
• Summer House on the Lake ($40)
• Trabucco ($40)
• Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando ($40)
• Twin View Restaurant at Evermore Resort ($60)
• Wine 4 Oysters Bar and Bites — East Orlando ($40)
• Wine 4 Oysters Bar and Bites — West Orlando ($40)
• Yamasan Sushi and Grill ($40)

Nine participating restaurants are featured in the MICHELIN Guide: 

• AVA MediterrAegean ($60 – Recommended)
• BACAN ($60 – Recommended)
• Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen ($60 – Recommended)
• Kabooki Sushi (East Colonial location) ($40 – Recommended)
• Maxine’s on Shine ($40 – Recommended)
• Ravello ($60 – Recommended)
• The Pinery ($40 – Recommended)
• The Ravenous Pig ($40 – Bib Gourmand)
• Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen ($40 – Bib Gourmand)

Dine for a Cause  

Each year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining selects nonprofit organizations that make an impact on the Orlando community as charity beneficiaries, with $1 for each $40 meal and $2 for each $60 meal going toward the organization. This year’s beneficiary is The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, focused on helping residents and families recover from hardships while minimizing environmental impact.

In addition to providing household items for reuse, The Mustard Seed recycles unusable items to create a more sustainable community. Since 2011, their innovative recycling program has deconstructed over 160,000 mattresses, repurposing components and diverting nearly 4 million cubic feet of waste from landfills, significantly reducing environmental impact.

“We are excited to be the beneficiary of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining program,” said Kathy Baldwin, Executive Director, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida. “These funds will help us serve more clients in need of basic furniture for stability. Thank you for supporting a sustainable future for Florida.”

Visit Orlando will also award a $3,000 donation to one local nonprofit that offers impactful approaches to creating thriving and sustainable communities in each of Orange County’s six commission districts.

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining has raised more than $2.5 million for local organizations since 2009. Last year, the program donated $269,272 to charities supporting survivors of abuse in Central Florida, including organizations addressing human trafficking. With the funds raised, The Lifeboat Project hired a case manager, purchased vehicles for transportation services, and began constructing a safe house.

Ivan Del Barco, CEO of WineDos –  Some great wines to try this time of year, would be some that match the hot and strong climate that we’re currently in. Our “special June offer box” represents strong characteristic wines. Here is what we have about those wine on the website:

“June is here and we have selected 4 strong wines to pair with the month: 3 reds and an oak-fermented sparkling Cava! This is a great occasion to try the two most characteristic black grapes from Spain and Chile, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the case of Tempranillo, we have an aged Rioja from centenary vines to compare with a muscular Tempranillo from the hot and powerful denomination of origin Toro.

In the case of the Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the top of the line of a famous winery in the Colchagua Valley of Chile run by the famous French wine family Lurton. The oak-fermented sparkling Cava comes from one of the most celebrated producers in the Penedés, Augusti Torrello Mata, know known as Celler Kripta.”

The link for this is here:
https://winedos.com/wines/special-offer-box-june/

The most exciting thing coming up in the wine world is of course the harvest happening in August/September/October (depending on where you are).

Although, we are currently visiting Argentina wine producing areas, where harvesting has already happened, since it is now their winter months. This is quite interesting considering how different grapes have to adapt to different climates/regions.

Where I go for great wine in Orlando? Apart from the WineDOs website, obviously… I like to bring my friends to The Parkview in Winter Park, a bar/restaurant that is very understanding in their wine selection. They have a cellar and a very big wine shelf.

These wines come from all around the world, with a great understanding of the terroir, viticulture, vineyards, and winemakers that produce the wines.

For those that have never tried WineDOs before- I believe it is our mission to find the most unique and great quality wines in the world. We believe a wine that is unique is a wine that is made while having the terroir, climate, and region in mind while production is occurring. Letting the region, grape, and vine speak for itself is something that can not be found anywhere else. This also does not mean the wine has to be expensive. We have wines of all price ranges on our website.

The wines on our website are all hand selected by our academic director WSET level 4 certified Enrique del Barco. Take a look for yourself at www.winedos.com, where you’ll find videos and documentaries of each wine we provide. In these videos, you’ll find the winemakers/owners of each winery explaining each wine, and the history behind their region and winery. A truly exceptional experience.

This is something that no one else is doing!

For more information, visit winedos.com

Have you heard about the Aardvark – the SoDo District neighborhood convenience store that turned into a true neighborhood Florida gulf coastal-inspired gastropub with some of the finest seafood and burgers in Orlando? Visit our instagram for a special giveaway contest for dinner for two at The Aardvark.

Aardvark Beverage’s story goes back over 30+ years, starting as a local convenience store. In early 2020, new ownership changed to a full service restaurant – a true gastropub.

With the new ownership under Emmie Olivecrona, came new inspiration and a new menu with everything made in-house and sourced locally as much as possible – They source their brioche bread from Douce France Bakery in Winter Garden and fly in their po boy bread from New Orleans twice a week.

The Meatballs at The Aardvark

The Aardvark also offers a selection of sparkling, champagne , white, & red wine with hand selections from around the world. Beer lovers rejoice – there is also a rotating lineup of 22 beers on tap, many regionally sourced, and over 200 different beers offered in bottles or cans to enjoy in the restaurant or to take home.

Emmie Olivecrona tells us that the Aardvark is special because of the nostalgia of the neighborhood convenience store turned into a Coastal Inspired Restaurant with full service dining.

“It’s definitely not what you expect when you walk inside. The amount of fresh seafood we have I think really surprises people when they see our menu. We make all our sauces & pickles in house and have some of the freshest seafood around. We have a rotating selection of seafood for our Fish Monger’s Special & Anchors Aweigh Sandwich.”

“Our Butcher’s Blade Special rotates with different farmhouse meats weekly as well. Most importantly, people would not expect the Wine Selection we have such as Groth, Shafer, Orin Swift, & Louis M. Martini. It is not something you think you would find in an old convenience store in SoDo. We come out with a seasonal menu with the changing of the seasons, well, what “seasons” we have in Florida.”

For those brunch lovers, there is also a fantastic Brunch – Saturday, Sunday & Monday -10 am – 4 pm featuring $15 Unlimited Mimosas per Entree and frozen drinks.

They also have a happy hour menu happening Mondays through Fridays from 2pm-6pm including $5 wines, $5 Hacker-Pschorr, $1 off drafts, and a selection of Lucky $7 bites including The Kraut, Slaw Dawg, Southern Comfort Hot Dogs, Smokestack fries with smoked pork, and House fermented fresno honey crispy brussel sprouts.

The Aardvark
2610 S Ferncreek Ave, Orlando, FL 32806
(407) 894-9999
theaardvarkfl.com

BITE30 HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS DRIVING CENTRAL FLORIDA’S CULINARY SCENE.

During Bite30, participating restaurants offer special prix fixe menus that offer multi-course dinners at a set price of $35. Diners get the opportunity to try multiple dishes on the restaurant’s menu for about the cost of a single entree, and restaurants get to showcase their specialty dishes to the new customers attracted by their Bite30 menu! Restaurant-hop through the City Beautiful, experience delicious food, service and ambiance of the restaurants you really should know about.

310 PARK SOUTH

310 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL, USA

AMERICAN SOCIAL

7335 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

ANTICA PIZZERIA

249 FL-436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, USA

AURORA AT THE CELESTE

4105 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32826, USA

BAR KADA

957 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA

BITES & BUBBLES

1618 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL, USA

BLU ON THE AVENUE

326 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL, USA

BULLA GASTROBAR

110 Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL, USA

CAFÉ-BOUTIQUE PIANO

558 West New England Ave, Winter Park 32789. Ste 135

CRESS RESTAURANT

103 West Indiana Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720, USA

CRU QUARTERS AT THE MAYFLOWER

1776 Mayflower Court, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA

DEBONAIR

183 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

DELANEY’S TAVERN

1315 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL, USA

EOLA LOUNGE

100 South Eola Drive suite 104, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

FIXTION

15 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

FRONTERA COCINA

1604 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA

JACK & HONEY’S

808 East Washington Street, Orlando, Florida, United States

JACK’S PLACE

9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

KING CAJUN CRAWFISH

7637 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL, USA

MARLOW’S TAVERN

6889 Eagle Watch Drive, Orlando, FL 32822, USA

352 Mike Roberto Way, Oviedo, FL 32765, USA

547 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828, USA

MAXINE’S ON SHINE

337 Shine Ave, Orlando, FL, USA

MIA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

Mia’s Italian Kitchen, International Drive, Orlando, FL, USA

NEVEYAH THAI & SUSHI

100 S Eola Dr #105, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

OSPHERE GRILL & BAR

407 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

PEPES CANTINA

794 W Minneola Ave, Clermont, FL 34711, USA

3100 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo, FL 32765, USA

54 S Charles Richard Beall Blvd #3331, DeBary, FL 32713, USA

433 W New England Ave Unit A

PINE & OAK TAVERN

8600 El Prado Ave, Orlando, FL, USA

RUSTEAK RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

101 S Eola Dr suite 103, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

1681 Amazing Way, Ocoee, Florida, USA

SHIN JUNG KOREAN RESTAURANT

1638 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL, USA

SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

6327 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

STADIUM CLUB

8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

SUSHI SAINT

400 Pittman St suite a, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

THE DISTRICT GASTROBAR

534 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805, USA

THE DRAKE KITCHEN + BAR

361 N Rosalind Ave #1, Orlando, FL, USA

THE GARDEN GRILLE & BAR

580 E Main St, Apopka, FL 32703, USA

THE NAUTI LOBSTAH

The Nauti Lobstah – New England Seafood Apopka, South Forest Avenue, Apopka, FL, USA

THE PINERY

295 NE Ivanhoe Blvd suite a, Orlando, FL 32804, USA

THE STUBBORN MULE

100 S Eola Dr, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

THE WHARF

3274 Margaritaville Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

VINES GRILLE & WINE BAR

7533 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

VINIA WINE & KITCHEN

444 West New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL, USA

WINE 4 OYSTERS DR. PHILLIPS

1957 South Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828, USA

7645 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

“A Taste of… presented by Tasty Chomps x The Tap Room at Dubsdread” is a new secret menu for foodies to get a “Taste Of…” a local Orlando restaurant with a special pre-fixe menu (similar to Magical Dining) for dine in for a limited time.

Starting June 20 thru June 30th, 2024 guests can get a 3-course dinner at The Tap Room at Dubsdread for just $60 per person, plus tax and tip.

The Tap Room at Dubsdread may have one of the longest histories in Orlando.  Dating back to when the golf course first opened in 1924, it eventually became a hangout spot for officers during World War II and continued to be popular ever since. Politicians, celebrities, friends and families dine in for lunch, dinner and happy hour on the Verandah overlooking the historic 100-year-old Dubsdread golf course.  The connected ballroom has also served as the perfect venue for meetings, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, debutantes and many more special events throughout the years.

The Taproom at Dubsdread x Tasty Chomps

SECRET MENU

June 20-30th 2024

$60 ++

CHOOSE ONE FROM EACH COURSE

FIRST

– AHI TUNA POKE’ STACK –
Ahi grade tuna, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, arugula, wasabi crema, ponzu

– BEEF CARPACCIO –
Thinly sliced filet, fried capers, truffle oil, asiago, toast points

SECOND

– GROUPER FLORENTINE –
Fresh grouper topped with creamy Florentine sauce
over lemon-spinach risotto

– BEEF SHORTRIB RAGU –
Braised shortrib. house made ragu with rigatoni pasta

– COWBOY PORKCHOP –
Blackened lollipop porkchop, bleu cheese crumbles,
onion straws, balsamic glaze, Yukon mashed potatoes

THIRD

GLASS OF WINE
(your choice with a value up to $14)

BREAD PUDDING

SLICE OF KEY LIME PIE

Tap Room at Dubsdread
549 Par St.
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 650-0100
taproomatdubsdread.com

– AHI TUNA POKE’ STACK –
Ahi grade tuna, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, arugula, wasabi crema, ponzu

– BEEF CARPACCIO –
Thinly sliced filet, fried capers, truffle oil, asiago, toast points

– GROUPER FLORENTINE –
Fresh grouper topped with creamy Florentine sauce
over lemon-spinach risotto

– COWBOY PORKCHOP –
Blackened lollipop porkchop, bleu cheese crumbles,
onion straws, balsamic glaze, Yukon mashed potatoes

– BEEF SHORTRIB RAGU –
Braised shortrib. house made ragu with rigatoni pasta

I was honored this month to be invited to represent our Central Florida community at the White House to celebrate May as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

It was surreal – staring at the vibrant pink roses of the White House Rose Garden while actress Lucy Liu, Vice President Kamala Harris (who is also our nation’s first Vice President of AANHPI descent), and President Joe Biden spoke on the contributions of the AANHPI community to the fabric and story of America while also sharing their visions for America in the months and years to come.

Some special guests I met included:
* Cristeta Pasia Comerford the first Asian American and Filipina American to serve as White House Executive Chef including for both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations since 2005.
* Christine Ha, my idol, of Master Chef (@theblindcook)
* Hudson Yang of Fresh off the Boat (which was set in 1990s Orlando)
* Willi Xu, US Navy JAG and White House Social Aide

My parents left Vietnam as boat refugees in the 1980s to seek a better life for their future children, with nothing but the clothes on their backs and hearts full of dreams. Never in their wildest dreams did they ever imagine that one day their son would be invited to the White House.

Life wasn’t perfect growing up – what is? – but I am reminded that our journey would not have been possible without so many who helped us along the way – the Lutheran Church and other families in America who sponsored them, the teachers who helped our family adjust to life in America and taught me in public school as my parents worked third shift at the assembly lines at the local factory, and later on starting a local Asian market in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Whether it is a little boy or girl here in Orlando or Kissimmee or Gaza or Sudan, every child deserves to dream and play and live in safety.

Hopefully, we can lend our voices and strength to them all again and lead with love and compassion instead of fear and hate. This too is the story of the American dream and real strength of America. We know that when we come together, anything is possible.

Upcoming event at Orlando World Center Marriott!

Travel around of the World of Whiskey with us at the upcoming World of Whiskey – a beverage festival with a twist.

World Center’s Chefs pair up with vendors to create a unique tasting experience. Showcasing the top 30 selling whiskies, scotch and bourbon on the market today.

The event will be June 15, 2024 with tickets ranging from $100 – $150 .

General Admission begins at 6:00pm and the event runs until 9:00pm.

VIP Admission begins at 5:00pm and the event runs until 9:00pm. VIP Admission also includes tastings of allocated bourbons, special access to their private Speakeasy and a customized tasting glass.

Located in the North Tower – Harbor Beach

RSVP by scanning the QR code

• 80+ Multicultural Food Vendors & Trucks
• Various Music Artists
• Dance Performances
• Live DJ & Band
• Food Competition and Contests
• Kids Activities including Waterslide and Inflatables
• Raffles for chance to win BIG prizes

What is the Saigon Night Market like for those who have never been before?

The Saigon Night Market can be described in three words. Culture, Community, and Diversity. Through music, multicultural food, and entertainment, we highlight various Asian cultures, and provide a space in which anybody of any culture can enjoy.

How much does everything cost for attendees?

The festivals are very affordable. Entry is $10 per day, or $15 for both Saturday/Sunday. We provide convenient parking spaces at $20 per car if you are unable to find nearby parking. And vendors price their food very fair! For the experience we deliver, including Live Band, Lion Dance, Dance Performers, and Musical Acts, you can bet that it’ll be an experience worthwhile.

What kind of food will be available? What is unique?

The food options are endless. To name a few, we have Vietnamese, Thai, Lao, Korean, Filipino, and even Latino food vendors. You can spend the whole day and not eat the same food twice! A few unique bites that people may not have had the opportunity to taste would be grilled chicken feet, Balut, Lao sausage, and the savory Filipino desserts.

Tell us about the organizers?

The organizers consist of two Vietnamese friends. One being an entrepreneur, and the other being a music artist. We came together to do a fun project for the community without thinking much of it, but it eventually grew and became known as the Saigon Night Market. Along the way, we’ve met many people that we’ve been blessed to be able to share this journey with as one big family.

What type of vendors are you looking for?

The more diverse the better. Anybody and everybody is welcome to vend. At times, when we see we have too many vendors of a specific culture, we tend to focus on picking up different types of vendors to make sure everyone gets a chance to showcase their foods.

How can vendors / sponsors sign up? 

Vendors and sponsors can reach out via email (saigonnightmarketfl@gmail.com). 

How to buy a ticket?

Tickets are sold at the gate, or available on Eventbrite for pre-purchase. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/endless-summer-music-food-festival-tickets-907987895237

“A Taste of… presented by Tasty Chomps x At Siam” is a new secret menu for foodies to get a “Taste Of…” a local Orlando restaurant with a special pre-fixe menu (similar to Magical Dining) for dine in for a limited time.

Starting June 6 thru June 16th, 2024 guests can get a 3-course dinner at At Siam Thai Cuisine for just $38.99 per person, plus tax and tip.

At Siam is a locally owned, authentic Thai restaurant run by a Bangkok-trained chef on Orlando’s International Drive, with some of the best Thai yellow curry and wings I have had in Orlando!

At Siam Thai Cuisine was born in 2021 from Chef Maneerat’s vision of owning her own restaurant. Formerly a fitness and yoga instructor in Thailand at Fitness First at Mall Bangkapi in Bangkok, Maneerat’s dream has come true here in Orlando through At Siam Thai Cuisine restaurant.

Chef Maneerat, also known as Chef Amy, grew up in a small town Northeast of Bangkok, Thailand. She moved to Bangkok to attend her university and graduated with a bachelor’s of science in Physical Education with a major in Sport Sciences. Starting in 2014, Chef Maneerat began taking cooking classes in Bangkok getting training and perfecting the art of cooking Thai food.

At Siam Thai Cuisine x Tasty Chomps

SECRET MENU

June 6-16, 2024

$38.99 ++

CHOOSE ONE DRINK, ONE APPETIZER, ONE ENTREE, AND ONE DESSERT

DRINK

THAI ICE TEA OR THAI COFFEE

APPETIZER

SIAM CHICKEN WINGS

@ SIAM DUMPLINGS

CURRY PUFF PASTRY

ENTREE

Your choice of chicken, beef, pork, or tofu

with shrimp, calamari, shrimp & calamari, or scallops for an additional price.

CURRIES

Choice of Yellow, Green, Panang, Red, or Massaman Curry

NOODLES

Choice of Phad Thai, Lad Na,

Phad Se-Ew, Drunken Noodles, or Tom Yum Noodle Soup

STIR FRIED ENTREES

Choice of Siam Basil, Phad Ginger, Mixed Vegetables, Phad Broccoli, Param, Cashew Nuts, Garlic and Black Pepper,Sweet and Sour, or Volcano

JASMINE FRIED RICE

Choice of House Fried Rice, Combination Fried Rice,

Yellow Curry Fried Rice, Green Curry Fried Rice, Basil Fried Rice

SALADS

Choice of Laab, Beef Salad, or @ Siam Salad

HOUSE SPECIALS

Choice of Tom Yum Goong Fried Rice,

or Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice

DESSERT

BANANAS A LA MODE

MANGO COCONUT STICKY RICE

THAI DONUTS

ICE CREAM WITH COCONUT STICKY RICE RICE

THAI CUSTARD WITH COCONUT STICKY RICE

At Siam Thai Cuisine
8957 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 412-5260

This week, Visit Orlando also announced that the destination welcomed 6.13 million international visitors in 2023, an increase of 25% over 2022 numbers. The news was shared during a media event attended by over 300 domestic and international media at U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, the country’s largest travel trade show promoting international travel to the U.S.

Canada remains Orlando’s top international market, with more than 1.2 million visitors traveling to Orlando in 2023, the highest number from this market in Orlando’s history. The 2023 international visitation numbers represent 94% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels, with Canada, U.K. and Brazil remaining the top three international origin markets for Orlando.

Orlando’s international growth is a testament to the uniqueness of our unbelievably real destination, the support from our travel trade partners and our emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives to help drive visitation from our key international markets. Read more here: Visit Orlando Announces 25% Year-Over-Year International Visitation Growth in 2023.

Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Collections for the March 2024 TDT collection month were $40,550,000. March 2024 collections were higher than March 2023 collections by $1.6 million or 4%. This is also the highest monthly collection ever.

To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Visit Orlando also recently highlighted Sampaguita Ice Cream & Desserts on Instagram. In the video, co-founder Marie Mercado discusses popular Filipino ice cream options, including the ube brownie sundae and halo halo. She also mentions that Orlando has amazing chefs propelling the city’s culinary scene forward. Throughout May, we will feature more AAPI-owned businesses and eateries.

Did you know there is a locally owned, authentic Thai restaurant run by a Bangkok-trained chef on Orlando’s International Drive? We are partnering with them for a giveaway on Instagram!

Located in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive, At Siam Thai Cuisine offers an authentic taste of Thailand, rooted in passion and flavor.

It’s also got some of the best Thai yellow curry and wings I have had in Orlando!

At Siam Thai Cuisine was born in 2021 from Chef Maneerat’s vision of owning her own restaurant. Formerly a fitness and yoga instructor in Thailand at Fitness First at Mall Bangkapi in Bangkok, Maneerat’s dream has come true here in Orlando through At Siam Thai Cuisine restaurant.

Chef Maneerat, also known as Chef Amy, grew up in a small town Northeast of Bangkok, Thailand. She moved to Bangkok to attend her university and graduated with a bachelor’s of science in Physical Education with a major in Sport Sciences. Starting in 2014, Chef Maneerat began taking cooking classes in Bangkok getting training and perfecting the art of cooking Thai food.

At Siam’s menu features beloved Thai classics like Phad Thai, Papaya Salad, and Pad Se-Ew, each dish showcasing the vibrant flavors of Thailand, characterized by a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, with key ingredients like lemongrass and chili peppers.

Featured Dishes

CURRY PUFF PASTRY – Golden fried puff pastry stuffed with minced, chicken, potatoes, onions, and yellow curry powder

YELLOW CURRY – with potatoes, onions, and carrots in a mild yellow curry coconut milk stew

SIAM CHICKEN WINGS – sweet, sticky, spicy

TOM YUM GOONG FRIED RICE – Jasmine fried rice seasoned with a spicy tom yum paste, black tiger shrimps, onions, carrots, egg, bell peppers, and a touch of garlic

@ SIAM DUMPLINGS – Steamed minced pork and vegetables wrapped in wonton skin

SWEET AND SOUR PORK – Sautéed choice of your meat with pineapples, cucumbers, carrots, snow peas, bell peppers, and onions in a thai style sweet, and sour sauce

MANGO- COCONUT STICKY RICE

They also cater to vegans, and vegetarians and serve halal chicken and beef.

Monday- Sunday
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Daily lunch special offered on Tuesday-Friday. Lunch is served with soup or spring roll for $12.95

At Siam Thai Cuisine
8957 International Dr,
Orlando, FL 32819v
(407) 412-5260

Restaurant: Chuan Fu

Location: 1035 N Orlando Ave #105, Winter Park, FL 32789

If you are looking to add some spice to your life, from a food perspective, then check out Chuan Fu up in Winter Park.  The dishes are HOT, both figuratively and literally.  My wife and I went on a little lunch date and we ordered 3 things, the ShuiZhu Fish Fillet, the ChuanFu Short Ribs, and the Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle Soup.  Warning, we asked for everything to be on the milder side, and it was still pretty spicy.

The Spicy Beef Brisket Soup was really good. It’s the type of thing I would like to have on a rainy day at home.  It’s comforting and warm.  The Short Ribs were hot.  The flavor was solid, and the portion was enough for two people. BUT the star of the show was this fish.

The way to eat this is to have a bowl of rice, grab a piece, and douse it with some of the sauce.  It was absolutely great.  The fish was fresh and cooked perfectly.  The lightness of the fish paired with the spicy chilis made a mouthwatering combination.  The rice then cools down your palette so you aren’t overwhelmed by how hot everything is. This is something I think everyone should try.

So, if you are in the mood for something a little spicy and different, go check them out!

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