Lyndsay Fogarty
Every year, restaurants from Southwest Orlando to Winter Park and beyond offer a three-course menu for $35 during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining. In 2019, foodies can feast from Aug. 23 to Sept. 30 at more than 120 restaurants, including 11 that are new to the list. There is something for everyone, including diners looking for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
The benefits of Magical Dining are two-fold: restaurants can fill empty seats during a notoriously slow time of year and support community causes. For every meal served, $1 is donated to a local nonprofit. As of press time, the 2019 beneficiary had not been announced.
“The expanding depth of options for diners this fall reflects Orlando’s thriving culinary scene found in all areas of our destination, from the tourism corridor and Restaurant Row to downtown Orlando, Winter Park and beyond,” Visit Orlando President/CEO George Aguel says.
Here are some of the restaurants we’re looking most forward to this year.
1921 Mount Dora
This restaurant is a bit of a hike, but the menu sounds like it’s worth the drive. A fusion of southern decadence and modern preparation, dishes like Nashville Hot Chicken Livers, Grilled Country Ribs and Grilled Shrimp & Pork Belly push the envelope in flavor and are sure to please.
Bites and Bubbles
New to Magical Dining, Bites & Bubbles is a downtown Orlando establishment that is described as “an American restaurant with a French kiss.” What we’re most excited about is the variety of dishes on its Magical Dining menu, which offer an equal mix of familiar and adventurous that appeal to diners of all types.
Boheme Restaurant
Located in the Grand Bohemian Hotel, this is a perfect Magical Dining spot to savor a meal before a show at the Dr. Phillips Center or Amway Center. The menu is filled with decadent seafood offerings as well as a good mix of entrees for the meat eaters.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
In addition to consistently stellar service and food quality, Del Frisco’s is one of the best bang-for-your-buck options that Magical Dining offers. The entrees alone have a price tag that’s higher than the prix-fixe menu pricing. Pro tip!: Spend those savings on the lobster macaroni and cheese side dish. You will not be sorry.
JALEO
Orlando foodies were happy to see the newest celebrity chef restaurant at Disney Springs on this year’s list. The bill can add up quickly when you dive into the traditional Spanish tapas and paella during a regular outing. The fact that you can try five in one Magical Dining sitting is quite magical.
The Capital Grille
Expect a traditional steakhouse meal from The Capital Grille, and for just over a week, you can pair it with another one of the restaurant’s most popular promotions. The Generous Pour, which runs through Sept. 1, pairs your meal with seven wines from California’s Jackson Family winemakers for just $28.
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