Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month is back, giving all of us foodies an excuse to pig out on some really good, and sometimes budget-busting, food from restaurants all across town. Beginning Aug. 29, through Oct 2, select restaurants will offer prix fixe dinners for $33, and here are 26 dishes that we can’t wait to try and you shouldn’t either.
Grilled Meatloaf on Lobster Mashed Potatoes at Soco
Anyone with a soft spot for mom’s meatloaf will love this one, plus the lobster mash and andouille sausage gravy ups the dollar value for the prix fixe meal.
629 E. Central Blvd., 407-849-1800
Photo via socothorntonpark/InstagramConfit of Duck Leg at STK Orlando
Normally we’d say go for the gold-medal beef at this internationally acclaimed steakhouse, but it’s not often a dish as complicated and hearty as cassoulet with duck confit and gigante beans sees the light of day.
1580 Buena Vista Drive, 407-917-7440
Photo via centralfltop5/InstagramGrilled Baby Octopus at Cuba Libre
Baby octopus is not exactly an inexpensive ingredient, plus it’s marinated in truffles, which increases your buck bang.
9101 International Drive, 407-226-1600
Photo via cubalibrerestaurant/InstagramEscargots de Bourgogne at The Boheme Restaurant
It doesn’t get more classic than escargots, if you’re looking for a fancy French dinner to impress a date. Just be careful with those tongs. Them suckers are slippery AF.
325 S. Orange Ave., 407-581-4700
Photo via baByDream7/TripadvisorWhole Robata Grilled Ika (Squid) with Lump Crab Fried Rice at Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi
The super-hot robata grill is a perfect place to get a nice char on an ika, plus the jumbo lump crab fried rice is an indulgent side for a $30 dinner. ???
7972 Via Dellagio Way, 407-370-3359
Photo via Hector R/YelpChicken a la Oscar at Eleven at Reunion Resort
Another dual-meat, uber-classic preparation of “airline chicken” (just means that it’s still on the bone = more flavor) plus jumbo lumb crab meat, couscous salad and bearnaise sauce.
7593 Gathering Drive, 407-396-5290
Photo via Eleven at Reunion Resort/TripadvisorBerkshire Pork Chop at Everglades
The heritage breed chop (pricier than your run-of-the-mill pork) is brined and served with fried green tomatoes and whiskey-glazed apples.
9840 International Drive, 407-996-2385
Photo via Rosen Dining/FacebookChurrasco at Fogo De Chao
Choose from 12 different cuts of Brazilian-style rodizio meats, as well as appetizers like pao de queijo (puffy cheese bread) and sweet plantains, plus the salad bar. During MDM, the meal is $18 off the regular price.
8282 International Drive, 407-370-0711
Photo via mjmia305/InstagramFried Avocado at Itta Bena
The swank NOLA-themed spot is starting diners off with an avocado stuffed with lump crab meat salad, warm remoulade and piquant pico de gallo.
9101 International Drive, 407-757-2910
Photo via celebritychef4u/InstagramGrilled 12-oz. Tuscan Ribeye at Cala Bella
Steak is usually a good option if you’re looking to get your money’s worth, and this Tuscan ribeye is crusted in Gorgonzola cheese and herbs.
9939 Universal Blvd., 407-996-3663
Photo via kristineyoungin/InstagramChocolate & Peanut Butter Torte at K Restaurant
You have not had chocolate and peanut butter like this before. The peanut butter mousse is impossibly rich, plus the chocolate cookie crust provides plenty of crunch to foil that wonderfully fatty filling.
1710 Edgewater Drive, 407-872-2332
Photo via chefhollywog/InstagramMM Soda Float at Morimoto Asia
Worth it simply because you can’t get it anywhere else. The Japanese soda tops boba pearls, mixed berries and vanilla gelato, and it’s one of the Iron Chef’s signatures.
1600 Buena Vista Drive, 407-939-6686
Photo via orlfunandfood/InstagramPepper-Crusted N.Y. Strip Medallion at Artisan’s Table
Why this steak? The oven-roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. bone butter) that tops the cut, plus Gorgonzola cheese and demi glace. You won’t leave hungry.
22 E. Pine St., 407-730-7499
Photo via Amanda F/YelpPan-Seared Florida Mahi “Dynamite” at Oceanaire Seafood Room
Step back in time at this sleek seafood temple for a spicy lobster and crab-crusted slab of local mahi mahi served with, what else, “rooster” sauce.
9101 International Drive, 407-363-4801
Photo via laceymatherne/InstagramChocolate Mousse Cake at Osprey Tavern
Beyond the dark and white chocolate crumble and cherry chantilly cream, the Luxardo cherries, which go for about $20 for a 14-ounce jar) are an upscale addition to this dessert.
4899 New Broad St., 407-960-7700
Photo via klcarlucci/InstagramCarpaccio at Ravello at Four Seasons Orlando
Unless you’re on an expense account, MDM is the perfect time to try the epic(ally expensive) Italian eatery. The carpaccio of Piedmontese beef, cured mushrooms, pickled radish and watercress is a stand out.
10100 Dream Tree Blvd., 407-313-7777
Photo via rahwayemane/InstagramRoute 528 at RusTeak
Not just a cut of beef adorns your plate (points to the kitchen for choosing the flat-iron steak, which is super flavorful and underappreciated), it’s topped with local Canaveral shrimp and hollandaise.
2625 E. Edgewater Drive, 407-540-1100
Photo via floridafoodiegal/InstagramHeritage Pork Belly at Spencers for Steaks and Chops
Start off with this app that features two trends: heritage hogs and pork belly. It’s a sweet/savory combo of Gala apple, huckleberry, pecans and apple chips.
6001 Destination Pkwy., 407-313-4300
Photo via spencersforsteaksandchops/InstagramVegeterian Paella at Tapa Toro
Even with the added protein (chicken or shrimp for only $6 more), the vegetarian paella is a steal, when the dish usually skirts $30 on its own outside of MDM.
8441 International Drive, #260; 407-226-2929
Photo via zengrrl/InstagramSweet Boards at The Ravenous Pig
Worth it for really one reason: You get three desserts. RavPig started this dish during brunch and it’s been a huge hit. The MDM iteration (not pictured above) has chocolate-Nutella fudge, a chocolate chip fritter and an ice cream taco.
1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-2333
Photo via theravenouspig/InstagramHeritage Berkshire Farm Pork Shank at Urbain 40
The bold brasserie serves the serious shank with potato purée, blistered Campari tomatoes, charred asparagus and thyme-honey.
8000 Via Dellagio Way, 407-872-2640
Photo via stephanicastro/InstagramShrimp and Pork Belly at Canvas Restaurant and Market
The Latin-Southern fusion restaurant is going whole hog with a double-protein pairing of pork belly (butchered in-house from the whole animal) with cheddar grits, fried okra and a spicy sofrito.
13615 Sachs Ave., 407-313-7800
Photo via moquendoalvarez/InstagramPatbingsu Korean Style Shaved Ice at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop
t’s not every day that a celebrity chef restaurant serves such a daring dessert like patbingsu. The festival of colors, flavors, textures and temperatures are more like a post-dinner amuse bouche with sorbet, adzuki beans, berries, popping pearls and flan…
6300 Hollywood Way, 407-503-3340
Photo via dcambaxp/InstagramCoq au Vin at Chez Vincent
Braising chicken in red wine, mushrooms and bacon isn’t hard, necessarily, but it is labor intensive to get it right. If you’re looking for something tres traditionnel, you found it.
533 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-2929
Photo via kokocooks/InstagramVitello Involtini at Christini’s Ristorante Italiano
The star of this dish is the veal (found nowhere else on MDM menus) and the labor it takes to pull off the rollatini stuffed with fontinella cheese with prosciutto and spinach, plus the Madeira cream sauce.
7600 Doctor Phillips Blvd., 407-583-4472
Photo via christinisrestaurant/InstagramProsciutto-Wrapped Ono at Roy’s
You won’t find ono anywhere else: a giant, gorgeous pearly pink fish native to Hawaii and not found here regularly. Roy’s Hawaiian-fusion take pairs the pescado with lemon, ginger and soy beurre blanc.
7760 Sand Lake Road, 407-352-4844
Photo via johnmo71/Instagram
