Orlando’s Magical Dining, offers a well-priced prix fixe menu at a plethora of top-tier restaurants throughout the entire region, running August 28th – October 4th. The famous Visit Orlando-organized program permits diners to partake in fine dining at an outstanding value while showing support for local businesses and helping to feed others in need. Talk about a win-win situation, huh? But this year’s event brings it to the next level, enticing you to put your money where your heart is by offering partakers the ability to visit SeaWorld Orlando for free!
The Food
Review menus of participating restaurants, make reservations, and see options for outdoor seating, takeout and delivery by visiting Orlando Magical Dining.
The Cause
Due to the large hit the travel and tourism industry faced this year, this year’s charity provides food for local residents in need. Feed the Need Florida will be feeding those who are struggling to access food during the COVID-19 crisis.
The effort is led by Orlando nonprofit 4Roots, plus public and private partners, to support Florida farmers, preserve and create jobs, and prepare nutritious meals to be served throughout Central Florida.
George Aguel, President and CEO of Visit Orlando:
“Visit Orlando originally started this program 15 years ago to support local restaurants during the off-season, and this year is literally the most significant and longest off season these businesses have ever faced. Supporting this program is a positive benefit for all – residents get to enjoy fine dining at great value, local businesses can put employees to work, and Central Florida residents in need will receive meals through this year’s charity recipient, Feed the Need.”
John Rivers, Founder and CEO of 4Roots & 4 Rivers Restaurants:
“We are honored to be a beneficiary of this year’s Magical Dining program. Although the COVID-19 crisis has shined a light on our efforts to feed those in need, the beautiful families and children we’re feeding today were hungry before COVID-19, and they’ll be hungry after COVID-19. We pray that others will join us in this cause, come beside us, and help make it happen.”
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining will run for 38 days, including six weekends for diners to experience some of Orlando’s best restaurants. One dollar from each meal will be donated to Feed the Need to support hunger relief in the community.
The Theme Park
Most of the restaurants participating in Magical Dining this year are located in stand-alone restaurants on public streets, but there’s one inside a theme park, Sharks Underwater Grill at SeaWorld Orlando.
If you’d like to dine there as part of Magical Dining, you’ll not only be let into the park without needing a ticket, but you can stay and enjoy the park after your meal. You don’t even have to pay for parking, according to the Magical Dining website.
For $35 per person, diners will receive a three-course, prix-fixe dinner, which includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert. One dollar from each meal served will go to “Feed the Need” to support hunger relief in the community.
Note: According to the Magical Dining website, parking is free!
Meal Options Are As Follows:
Appetizer
• Coconut Chicken Tenders served with spicy florida citrus marmalade
• Bleu Chips – crispy potatoes topped with bleu cheese fondue, bacon, balsamic glaze and green onions
• Caesar Salad
Main Course
• Filet Mignon, 8 oz – Their finest cut of beef, grilled and topped with a cabernet demi sauce
• Salmon topped with a lemon caper sauce, served with rice and vegetables
• Chicken Mushroom – Sautéed double breast of chicken with a creamy mushroom sauce served over angel hair pasta, accompanied with vegetables
Dessert
• Brownie Sundae
• Key Lime
• Cabernet Chocolate Cake
Of course, all of the Magical Dining restaurants have new safety measures, some with takeout and delivery options, and some also offer open-air and outdoor dining. Sharks do not have outside dining. It’s also not actually underwater, but you’ll feel as if you are with the large windows into the Shark Encounter aquariums. Also be sure to check out the bar, which features a tabletop aquarium.
Reservations are available Aug. 28 – Oct. 4. Head to SeaWorld.com/MagicalDiningMonth to make yours. For the full list of participating restaurants, head to visitorlando.com.
Safety
It has been reported that participating restaurants are going above and beyond with new safety measures, including letting diners know which venues offer open-air and outdoor dining.
Note: Due to limited seating capacity at participating restaurants, diners are strongly encouraged to make reservations in advance to ensure securing their preferred dates and times. Foodies are encouraged to check the website for new additions.
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