The Michelin Guide has revealed that it has added 11 new Florida restaurants to its selection, including eight in Orlando, and three in Tampa.
This year’s Michelin Guide for Miami, Orlando and Tampa will be unveiled May 11 during an awards ceremony at Loan Depot Park in Miami, at the ceremony the foodie lovers guide will announce which restaurants have been awarded coveted Michelin Stars or Bib Gourmands.
“Florida’s finest flavors continue to impress the inspectors, who have enjoyed their visits to the Sunshine State,” said Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guides’ international director. “The restaurant teams are clearly inspired to serve the most delectable cuisine to food lovers, day in and day out. We are excited to celebrate their accomplishments and can’t wait to share those new discoveries with gourmets and travelers.”
Check out the new restaurants that have been added to the Michelin Florida Guide below.
Orlando
Founded by DOMU & Tori Tori proprietor Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, Edoboy is inspired from his and his wife’s travels through the streets of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. In Japan, standing sushi bars are a popular way to get high quality sushi, at reasonable prices, in an intimate, yet casual environment.
From the same team behind Tori Tori and Domu, this casual concept delivers something sleek and simple—a standing sushi counter. It's not a gimmick, it's designed to be fast and fun, and it's a perfect place to bring friends. Be sure to arrive promptly, since you're given a set time slot and you'll be whisked into the space at the start of yours. Once there you'll select a dozen pieces from the selection of nigiri, seared nigiri and hand rolls. Some of the best bites include a sweet Hokkaido scallop finished with briny uni from Tasmania; seared sea bream with uni butter, lemon and sea salt; and spicy Faroe Island salmon with edo sauce, cucumber and fried garlic rolled in crispy nori. Dinner is rounded out with miso soup made in house from the bones and trimmings of the day.
Korean American fine dining in the heart of Winter Park.
This Korean-American fine dining restaurant surprises with a modern and understated flair. The dining room features a more casual à la carte menu while the six-seat chef's counter offers an elevated 12-course tasting menu with seasonally changing themes.
A recent Joseon dynasty royal court cuisine menu featured the likes of Patagonian scallop tartare tossed in Peruvian uni and served with a fried cracker of seaweed. Grilled Wagyu with black garlic and Kaluga caviar is balanced by bright pear, but it's the hot pot that stands out with its savory broth bobbing with octopus, meatballs, tofu, pork belly, shrimp and vegetables. A hearty portion of hand-pulled noodles is served alongside for a fun family-style dish.
Juju is from the same folks behind Susuru, and it shares the same quirky dining room with an izakaya menu, but here they take it to another level with a seven-seat kappo bar that features something similar to kaiseki yet original. Seasonality reigns and diners choose from a wide menu of snacks and soup before selecting from the fried, grilled and dry-aged sashimi courses. Slices could include Japanese rock fish with citrus zest and skin-on goldeneye snapper, both aged a few days. Two-week-aged king salmon and four-week-aged otoro finished with Kaluga caviar are loaded with depth and prove that this spot is putting a different spin on sashimi. Steamed chawanmushi made with spiny lobster and mushroom is hit with a supremely creative lobster head dashi that packs on the flavor.
Lordfer Lalicon's Kaya has made the transition from pop-up to brick and mortar, occupying a small bungalow-style building in the Mills 50 district. Inside, there's a quirky charm along with views of the open kitchen. Diners enjoy a tasting menu served in multiple courses, some with more than one element. Expect a modern spin on classic Filipino dishes with local seafood and central Florida produce taking center stage. The menu changes but you may enjoy a bowl of sinigang, balancing sweet and sour with a tamarind-infused broth with star fruit dashi, bok choy and a rectangle of fried tilefish that surprisingly maintains some of its crunch. It will then be followed by a bounty of main dishes, but be sure to opt for the pitch-perfect garlic rice.
This tiny but oh-so-sweet space recalls the charm of Old Florida with its whitewashed brick walls and white tile floors. Billed as a neighborhood rum bar, Otto's High Dive is on point at every turn, from the genuine service to the unfussy but well-executed food. The kitchen delivers a concise edit of Floridian/Cuban fare with oodles of tropical elements. Begin with oysters before moving on to an array of cold and hot plates ranging from a shrimp cocktail that's all grown up with its thick "Bloody Mary" sauce to chicken mojo and ropa vieja with sides like rice and beans. Cinnamon bread pudding topped with a delightfully tangy cream cheese whip is a memorable sign-off.
Rum is all around, from the Cuba Libre on tap to the daiquiris available by the pitcher.
Situated on the 16th floor of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Toledo is quite the looker with lofty ceilings in bold colors and geometric tiled floors. Nab a table by the glass wall and you'll have a bird's eye view of the Epcot fireworks. Meanwhile, on the tables Spanish cuisine takes center stage. Tapas kick things off, and pan con tomate is a natural choice. Meat-forward mains include several steak options, as well as a ribeye for two, but the Rioja-braised chicken makes a compelling argument for choosing a different route. End on a sweet note with café con leche, a chocolate choux pastry filled with chocolate and coffee cream.
Though certainly not inexpensive, Toledo packs less of a punch to the wallet than other Disney restaurants.
It's not just pho, and they're not open 24 hours, but no matter, since this place is popular all the same. Expect to line up outside during busy hours, though the staff is very efficient and soon enough you'll be inside the black-and-white dining space. Peruse the broad noodle-based Asian menu that includes a stir-fried section in addition to appetizers and more. As the name suggests, there is indeed pho, and the broth is impressive. Go for the short rib pho to get a side of drama—the bone sticks out of the bowl—and falling-off-the-bone tender meat. From there, your meal might take a Korean turn with kimchi noodles or the Korean fire noodles, which despite their name, don't require a heat warning.
Nestled within Disney's crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant, with its plush carpeting and live harpist fits the part (is that "Part of Your World?" Why, yes, it is.). While it evokes a garden, its Victorian design keeps things grand. Reservations require patience to snag, but stay the course and you'll be rewarded with white-glove service.
Chef Matthew Sowers's tasting menus spotlight contemporary cooking with global touches and definitive Asian leanings. You may enjoy the likes of Danish hiramasa, a bright take on a Peruvian ceviche enhanced with Okinawa sweet potatoes or seared Colorado bison over a house made granola comprised of amaranth, cranberries and rolled oats and sided by a maple-glazed turnip and sweet potato purée.
Tampa
Situated in the sleek and oh-so-stylish Edition hotel, this concept from John Fraser is a popular spot with in-demand reservations. The small space has a sexy vibe, albeit not a stitch of lilac in sight.
Peruse the contemporary four-course prix-fixe with Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques. A meal might include luxe bites like a Diver scallop infused with rosemary smoke and dramatically served under a cloche to well-executed and flavorful lobster feuillantine. Main dishes include Ora King salmon with a Florida stone crab salad or Colorado lamb chop with tender leeks and house-made lamb sausage.
Cocktails and wine are on offer, but Lilac has upped the ante when it comes to tableside service with a champagne cocktail cart (yes, please!).
Restaurants pack this area just off Channelside Drive, but Noble Rice deserves your attention, and not just because it's a sister spot to Koya. Unlike most minimalist Japanese restaurants, this place has a lively, modern vibe.
There is an omakase on offer at a separate counter, but the real draw here is their à la carte sushi-focused menu with some izakaya and small plate options (think shrimp toast and karaage; skewers and ramen). Traditionalists should head for the king salmon nigiri sourced from New Zealand, while bold and creative flavor combinations are found in maki like the negi toro roll, with spicy fatty tuna, scallion, tobanjan kewpie in a black garlic soy sauce. Steer seasonal, as in the bright Dungeness crab salad.
Chef Christopher Ponte oversees the very grand eponymous restaurant located in midtown Tampa where a cream-and-white palette sets an elegant tone. This is a linen tablecloth kind of place where a comprehensive menu lists dishes with a contemporary and creative American flair.
Kick off this memorable meal with Champagne and pearls—oysters finished with a pink peppercorn mignonette foam—or opt for the salmon Wagyu set over crispy sushi rice. Discover an entire section of the menu devoted to steaks with different sauces, toppers and butters. It may read a bit showy, but it's exciting nonetheless and feels worthy of the price tag.
Cocktails are quite literally split down the middle, offering both a classic version of the usual suspects alongside modern takes.
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