Magic has long been associated with both good and evil. It is often portrayed as a force that can be used for malevolent or benevolent purposes. Malevolent magic refers to the use of magic with ill intent or for negative outcomes, while benevolent magic is the use of magic for positive or beneficial purposes. In many cultures, malevolent magic is often associated with dark or black magic. It is rooted in the idea of using supernatural powers to cause harm, manipulate others, or seek revenge. Malevolent practitioners may use curses, hexes, or spells to bring misfortune, illness, or even death upon their targets.
Elegant dining at Condado Vanderbilt Hotel's 1919 Restaurant.
I remember when it was the Winter Park Mall, as well, and then I remember when it switched to the Winter Park Village, the first iteration, which was OK, he said. The restaurant from Pagán, known for competing on Food Network s Next Iron Chef and his acclaimed establishment that carries his name in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the latest upgrade in a 50 million transformation of the shopping and dining complex.
Malevolent practitioners may use curses, hexes, or spells to bring misfortune, illness, or even death upon their targets. It is believed that these malevolent practitioners draw their power from negative energies and often engage in dark rituals to strengthen their abilities. On the other hand, benevolent magic is tied to white magic or light magic.
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Chef Mario Pagán, left, and business partner David Tyson enjoy a moment in front of Chayote, the new restaurant they’re opening in the renovated Winter Park Village, Friday, October 13, 2023. Pagán is a renowned restauranteur in Puerto Rico and appeared as a contestant on Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef.” (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
By Austin Fuller | [email protected] | Orlando Sentinel PUBLISHED: October 13, 2023 at 3:36 p.m. | UPDATED: October 17, 2023 at 12:05 p.m.WINTER PARK — TV celebrity chef Mario Pagán will soon start serving what he calls “my way of thinking about Latin food” at a new restaurant named Chayote in Winter Park Village.
The restaurant from Pagán, known for competing on Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef” and his acclaimed establishment that carries his name in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the latest upgrade in a $50 million transformation of the shopping and dining complex.
Pagán and co-owner David Tyson expect Chayote to open in the next few weeks. It has taken over the space that was once home to Crispers across from the Cheesecake Factory.
The massive investment in Winter Park Village’s makeover helped secure the high-end restaurant, Tyson said.
“We’re a modern Latino experience, and we want to be in a modern center that has a great, warm, modern feeling, not tired,” Tyson said.
Most of the facade and street work will be finished in the next few weeks, said Brett Hutchens, president of Casto Southeast, which owns Winter Park Village with the Nikitine family.
Work on the Regal movie theater will likely take until Thanksgiving, and a remodel of the Cheesecake Factory space also is being planned.
“We’re on the two-yard line,” Hutchens said, or “certainly the five-yard line.”
Construction continues at the Regal Winter Park Village movie theater during the renovation of Winter Park Village, Friday, October 13, 2023. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
A few more new businesses also are still on the way, including the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar that Hutchens said could open in January.
The 5,500-square-foot Chayote will offer up a menu of high-end Latin cuisine done Pagán’s way. It is the chef’s first restaurant in Florida, but Pagán and Tyson emphasize that even though Pagán is from Puerto Rico, Chayote is not a Puerto Rican restaurant.
“I love authentic Latin food, but this is not that. This is my interpretation of my way of thinking about Latin food,” Pagán said. “It’s a very French-based way of cooking, but putting all these Latin flavors into play.”
As one example, the menu will include an angus ribeye with corn macaroni and cheese.
“We went a little bit Mexican on that with the mac and cheese,” Pagán said. “We have some cotija cheese in there and some fresh corn.”
There will be croquetas with coconut shrimp, guava and avocado. And there’s also his sea bass, which Pagán calls his “staple item.”
“It’s been with me for 20-something years,” he said. “People are going to ask for it, so might as well have it on the menu.”
Chayote, the new restaurant from Mario Pagán is opening in the renovated Winter Park Village (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Chayote will initially only be open for dinner, with late night hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday, but will eventually add Sunday brunch, Tyson said.
Another factor in Pagán opening a restaurant in Winter Park Village was his friendship with Vadim Nikitine.
The Nikitine family business, a real estate investment company also from Puerto Rico, bought the Winter Park Mall in the 1980s before partnering with Casto Southeast in the 1990s to turn the mall into Winter Park Village.
“[Vadim Nikitine] called me up, out of the blue during COVID, and he told me, ‘Listen, someone told me that you’ve been around Winter Park looking for a space. I have one for you,'” Pagán said. “That’s how it all started.”
Chef Mario Pagán in front of Chayote, the new restaurant opening in the renovated Winter Park Village, Friday, October 13, 2023. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Pagán noted other high-profile chefs opening restaurants in Orlando, including plans for a Disney Springs restaurant from “Chopped” judge Maneet Chauhan, who Pagán competed with on “Next Iron Chef.”
“Orlando has a lot of growth,” Pagán said.
Other changes at Winter Park Village include the Ruth’s Chris Steak House moving last year across the parking lot to a new restaurant with a white and gray brick exterior featuring slick red and black elements.
New eateries such as Crisp & Green and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams have also opened up.
Construction over the last couple of years did hurt sales at The Hangry Bison restaurant, which opened there in 2018, said owner Joe Liguori. But he is positive about the outcome.
“It was long and it was hard, and we had to adjust our operations to accommodate it, but most of us are smart enough to see what is coming, what’s about to get launched here,” Liguori said.
He noted the expanded greenspace and new stage near his business.
“I think the landlord’s got guts,” Liguori said. “I think he did what was necessary for the property.”
One of the Hangry Bison’s customers, Lake Mary resident Mike Lodge, also liked how things turned out.
“I remember when it was the Winter Park Mall, as well, and then I remember when it switched to the Winter Park Village, the first iteration, which was OK,” he said. “There were a number of restaurants and so forth, [but] this I think is great. … It really looks good.”
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Any juicy burger with lots of cheese.
It is focused on using magical abilities for healing, protection, and personal growth. Practitioners of benevolent magic aim to bring positive change, help others, and promote harmony in the world. They may use spells, rituals, or enchantments to bring love, luck, or happiness to themselves and those around them. Benevolent magic is often associated with purity, goodness, and the use of positive energies. The main difference between malevolent and benevolent magic lies in the intentions and outcomes sought by the practitioners. While malevolent magic seeks to cause harm and negative outcomes, benevolent magic aims for positive and beneficial results. The motivations behind using malevolent magic are often driven by revenge, jealousy, or a desire for power, while the motivations behind benevolent magic come from a place of compassion, love, and a desire to help others. Overall, malevolent magic and benevolent magic represent the two sides of the magical spectrum, with one being associated with darkness and negativity and the other with light and positivity. The choice between using malevolent or benevolent magic ultimately depends on the intentions and moral compass of the practitioner..
Reviews for "A Clash of Forces: Exploring the Differences between Malevolent and Benevolent Magic"
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3. Emily - 2.5 stars - I found "Malevolent Magic vs Benevolent Magic" to be a mediocre read. The concept was intriguing, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was choppy and lacked cohesion, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it hard to empathize or connect with them. The plot felt predictable and I was left wanting more complexity and depth. Overall, it had potential, but it failed to impress me or leave a lasting impact.