Bpca Magical Dining is a highly anticipated annual event in Orlando, Florida. It is a unique opportunity for food lovers to experience the city's diverse culinary scene at a discounted price. Bpca Magical Dining is organized by Visit Orlando and features over 100 participating restaurants. During this event, which usually takes place in late summer, patrons can enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu at each participating restaurant for a set price. The menu options include appetizers, main courses, and desserts, allowing diners to explore different cuisines and flavors. One of the highlights of Bpca Magical Dining is the opportunity to savor dishes from renowned chefs and popular establishments.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant – Waterford Lakes
529 Alafaya Trail
Strolling Magician at MyPi Amaze and marvel at the slight-of-hand, and magical tricks as our strolling magician charms and delights with his hocus-pocus repertoire, while you casually dine with the family. Standout menu items include house-made tagliatelle with fresh scallops, Bonnet Creek Dragon Rolls sushi, tender beef cheek ragout and a sweet-treat of dulce de leche molten cake.
One of the highlights of Bpca Magical Dining is the opportunity to savor dishes from renowned chefs and popular establishments. From upscale steakhouses to trendy seafood joints, there is something for everyone's taste buds. The event not only celebrates Orlando's culinary offerings but also supports local charities.
La Luce by Donna Scala – Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek – Orlando Magical Dining Month
It’s that time of year again and Orlando Magical Dining Month is upon us. During the past 10 days or so, I’ve seen more friends post photos of their great looking food from their Orlando Magical Dining experience, more than ever before. I think Orlando is embracing the love for food and is proudly showing it. You can join in the dining action too and experience some of Central Florida’s top restaurants for a $30 pre fixe menu. A great deal for a 3 course meal and available all month of September.
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For my first trip out for Orlando Magical Dining this year, I got to try La Luce by Donna Scala inside the Bonnet Creek Hilton resort for the first time. I joined a few local media friends at this modern Italian restaurant, which serves in-house made pastas and tries to use as much local and seasonal ingredients as possible. They also feature wines from Italy, olives from spain, breads and pastries created by an in-house bakery located inside of the hotel. The pastas are made in-house everyday, for that day only. Very labor intensive, but you can taste it in the quality of the pasta. I sampled fellow diners’ pasta dishes and they were great.
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The space itself is very contemporary and stylish. As I was entering, I felt like I was going into a nice Vegas resort restaurant. Walking in you see a sophisticated looking bar and a open kitchen of sorts, with a machine to slice up quality ham, and a flame oven firing up pizzas and various dishes.
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The dining room feels very modern with it’s furniture and artsy light fixtures. While looking fine dining inside, the restaurant keeps a casual and comfortable tone. You can dress up for a nice dinner for two if you would like or you can keep it casual with the family. The restaurant has a nice view of the sunset if you time your meal accordingly.
The pre fixe menu includes 3 courses and La Luce gives a few options to choose from. One of the chefs came out and explained that they really try to use local ingredients. Greens for some of the salads came from Apopka and the chicken in one of the entrees is from a local farm. Scanning through the menu, I actually wouldn’t mind trying one of each. Our group agreed to share a few bites with each other, so here’s what I ordered:
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Ligurian Halibut Crostini w/ tuna sauce, green peppercorn, radishes
The appetizer was light and refreshing, with a good crunch from the crostini. It was a light appetizer and the fish was gentle on the palate. It was a good start to the meal.
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Pollo Arrosto – Roasted half chicken, polenta, grilled corn, red pepper butter
I normally do not order chicken, but when I asked if the chicken was good and if it would impress me, our server said it would. So I ordered it and out came the roasted half chicken. It was tender and juicy, with a slightly crispy skin which I liked. The chicken was better than I expected. The corn polenta underneath was a good accompaniment with its soft texture and crisp edges. The grilled corn on the cob highlighted it’s natural sweetness with a touch of smoke from the grill. The corn used in this dish was sourced locally too.
As mentioned, I had a few samples from fellow diners’ entrees. I tried the Trottoloni Amatriciana that had a rich sauce with bacon and a house-made pasta. It was hearty and had a touch of spice, a dish I’d like to order. Another dish I tried was a Ravioli filled with lemon cream that was really great. The lemon gave it a nice brightness and made an often rich dish very refreshing. The raviolis were made from scratch and you could tell by their bouncy texture. I would definitely order this dish next time.
It’s important to note, that each course was paired with a good wine. I don’t have all of the names, but I’m sure they can recommend a glass to go with each course that you choose.
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Butterscotch pudding with toffee
This dessert was a smooth and sweet Butterscotch pudding. The piece of chocolate covered toffee was a nice touch in both sweetness and crunch. I could have eaten another piece of toffee too!
It’s hard to decide if this was my favorite dessert over the taste of the Tiramisu I sampled. The Tiramisu (not pictured) had a great balance of coffee and sweetness, with a light texture. Both desserts are worth trying if you can order them.
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La Luce has artwork that appears to be paintings that are the centerpieces of the dining area, but they are actually pieces created with chalk by artists and are redone once a month (from what the staff told me). Yet another fun fact in this stylishly decorated restaurant.
The dining experience overall was a great one with quality food. Modern Italian highlighting local ingredients and making fresh pastas from scratch sounds like a good choice to me. The menu at La Luce would be good for those looking to try something new during Orlando Magical Dining month. Dining here feels like you are not in Orlando and it would be a good try for any local who wants to get away for a stay-cation. The restaurant validates valet parking, which is a major plus with dining at any resort restaurant.
Go out there and explore some of the restaurants located in some of the nicest resorts in the area. Resorts are not only for tourists, but for locals too. You may just find your next favorite restaurant. All of the restaurants participating in Orlando Magical Dining Month can be viewed with their menus at www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/restaurants
La Luce
14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln
Orlando, FL 32821
407-597-3600
www.laluceorlando.com
Words and photos by Julius Mayo Jr.
All content and photos © Droolius.com 2012
Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to attend a media preview dinner for Orlando Magical Dining month. I was not compensated to write this post and all opinions are always my own.
One dollar from each meal sold during Bpca Magical Dining is donated to a select organization. This initiative allows diners to contribute to worthy causes while enjoying a delightful dining experience. Bpca Magical Dining is a perfect chance for both residents and visitors to Orlando to indulge in a gastronomic adventure. It gives locals the opportunity to explore new restaurants and promote their city's vibrant culinary scene. For tourists, it is a great way to immerse themselves in the local culture and try dishes that are unique to Orlando. To make the most of the experience, it is advisable to make reservations in advance, as popular restaurants tend to fill up quickly. It is also recommended to check the official website for a list of participating restaurants and their menus to plan accordingly. Overall, Bpca Magical Dining is an eagerly awaited event that showcases Orlando's culinary talents. From mouthwatering appetizers to decadent desserts, this event offers a magical dining experience that shouldn't be missed..
Reviews for "Bpca Magical Dining: A Feast of Fantastical Delights"
1. John - 1 star - I had a terrible experience at Bpca Magical Dining. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was unbelievably slow. We waited almost an hour for our main course to arrive, and when it did, it was underwhelming. The flavors were bland and the portion size was small. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.
2. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my visit to Bpca Magical Dining. The ambiance was nice, but the food fell short of my expectations. The menu sounded promising, but the execution was lacking. The dishes were not as flavorful as I had hoped, and the presentation was subpar. Additionally, the service was lackluster and unattentive. I expected more from a restaurant that markets itself as "magical dining."
3. Sarah - 2 stars - Bpca Magical Dining did not live up to the hype for me. The menu options were limited and the food we ordered was just average. It lacked flavor and creativity. The service was slow and inattentive, making the overall experience quite underwhelming. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in the area.
4. Mark - 1 star - My experience at Bpca Magical Dining was far from magical. The food was overpriced for the quality and portion size we received. The flavors were bland and unexciting, leaving me dissatisfied. The service was also lacking, with long wait times between courses and unresponsive staff. I expected much more from a restaurant with such a promising name. I would not return nor recommend this place to others.