Drinks and entrees are a must, but don’t skip out on these yummy apps. If you are going out to eat, might as well go all out and order the appetizer too. Here are 21 of Central Florida’s best.
Lake Meadows “Red Devil” stuffed eggs from The Rusty Spoon
55 W. Church St., 407-401-8811
These protein bombs will sate hanger with Tabasco (hence the Red Devil part of the name), pickles, fresh herbs and oven-dried tomatoes mixed into the filling.
Photo via tomsartori/InstagramSeafood plateau at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
9150 International Drive, 407-351-5074
Go big or go home with this towering mountain of raw and steamed seafood for either two or four guests. On deck: Alaskan king crab legs, jumbo shrimp and crab claws. Add lobster cocktail or jumbo lump crab for a little extra.
Photo via chefgregthompsonofficial/InstagramSizzling roasted garlic at Eleven at Reunion Resort
7593 Gathering Drive, Kissimmee, 407-662-1000
A whole head of garlic on a plate, but don’t worry, it spreads like butter and smells like heaven alongside toast points, cambozola cheese (a hybrid of creamy camembert and piquant gorgonzola) and tomato jam.
Photo via reunionresort/InstagramPulled Pork tachos at The Porch
643 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-571-9101
This pile of heart attack is basically just a mound of tater tots covered in beer cheese, pulled pork, pico de gallo and a bunch of other spicy goodies.
Photo via lemonhearted/InstagramOysters at Cask & Larder
565 W. Fairbanks Ave., 321-280-4200
Wherever the briny bivalves are freshest, that’s where C&L will go to get them for an East Coast/West Coast mashup served with mignonette and cocktail sauce.
Photo via andrewhektor/InstagramWagyu steak tartare from North Quarter Tavern
861 N. Orange Ave., 407-757-0930
Scoop hefty spoonfuls of this high-quality raw steak onto toasts crisped with duck fat, then slathered with tarragon mayo and sauced by a rich, raw egg yolk.
Photo via sssaroh/InstagramFried green tomato at K Restaurant
1710 Edgewater Drive, 407-872-2332
This southern staple is topped with sweet yellow corn and crab salad, with a whole-grain mustard dressing to tie the components together.
Photo via bitemeorlando/InstagramTableside guacamole at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
7468 Sand Lake Road, 407-226-0550
Gargantuan portion sizes extend to the molcajetes full of avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and as much (or as little) jalapeno as you like, all prepared tableside.
Photo via emberlangley/InstagramWagyu ishiyaki from Seito Sushi Japanese Restaurant
4898 New Broad St., 407-898-8801
An interactive app where you’ll cook beautifully marbled, thinly sliced steak to your liking on a sizzling hot stone and then shovel it into your mouth. It’s fine dining, caveman style.
Photo via Jeremy H./YelpChar siu/roast duck combo appetizer from Tasty Wok
1246 E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-8988
Try both Cantonese BBQ specialties with this combo plate of both sweet-glazed roast pork (char siu) and unctuous roast duck. Just watch out for the bones; spitting them out isn’t rude here.
Photo via justageekboy/InstagramChoros a la chalaca from El Inka Grill
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., 407-930-2810
You’ve had Peruvian-style ceviche, so now give these steamed mussels on the half shell a try. They’re topped with red onion, spicy rocoto pepper, fresh herbs, lime juice and giant corn kernels called choclo.
Photo via jasonperlow/InstagramTuna at Tapa Toro
8441 International Drive, #260, 407-226-2929
Tuna with tomatoes, cucumbers blended with lemon, cilantro and olive oil in a coconut milk dressing.
Photo via centralfltop5/InstagramIrish Stout sharp cheddar chip from Dexter’s
Multiple locations
A hot bowl of sharp cheddar with Irish Stout beer, garlic, heavy cream served with toasted French bread.
Photo via tattoosandtruffles/InstagramMezze platter from The Greek Corner
1600 N. Orange Ave., 407-228-0303
With a little bit of everything, this combo has something for everyone at the table, including roast lamb, gyro, taramosalata, tzatziki and pita, roast chicken and stuffed grape leaves.
Photo via waltsapprentice/InstagramBaked feta at Artisan’s Table
22 E. Pine St., 407-730-7499
Mediterranean flavors are at the forefront when this warm cheese app comes to the table. Smear the feta on warm bread and top with olive oil, kalamata olives and confit tomatoes.
Photo via Artisan’s Table/YelpCharcuterie platter from The Ravenous Pig
1234 N. Orange Ave., 407-628-2333
Housemade cured meats, terrines, rillettes, pickles, jams and crackers on a wooden board. Selections rotate with the kitchen’s whim, but it’s always perfect for sharing.
Photo via slade5/InstagramHamachi tacos at Morimoto Asia
1600 Buena Vista Drive, 407-939-6686
Sushi-grade yellowtail served in fried gyoza wrappers (so cute!) and topped with cilantro, guacamole, olives and jalapeño.
Photo via patriciasari/InstagramHam croquetas from Black Bean Deli
Multiple locations
There’s really only one way to begin a Cuban meal, and that’s with these fritters filled with bits of ham and cheese, then fried to a crisp.
Photo via krisyounsonghan/InstagramFried calamari at Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster
729 Lee Road, 407-645-4443
A crowd-pleaser dipped and flash fried with light-as-air tempura batter, then topped with sweet chili sauce, cilantro and sliced Fresno peppers.
Photo via Sheri L./YelpPork and chive dumplings at Chuan Lu Garden
1101 E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-8966
Perfect pillows of ground pork, garlic, ginger and chives, served with Sichuan-style black vinegar. You can get them either pan-fried or steamed — we suggest the latter.
Photo via le_nahs/InstagramKama (hamachi or cobia collar) from Kabooki Sushi
3122 E. Colonial Dr., 407-228-3839
Even if you’re not sure which sushi roll or ramen you’re going to order, go ahead and tell your server you want this specialty — the thick cut of fish takes a bit of time under the broiler, but it’s worth it.
Photo via Greg S./Yelp
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