4 New Michelin Guide One Stars Awarded in Orlando

 

Orlando is now home to 7 One Stars and a total of 48 Michelin Guide recognized restaurants.

 

MICHELIN Stars are the highest accolade awarded by the inspectors to restaurants in the Guide. Stars identify restaurants that offer the best culinary experiences. Contrary to popular belief, they reward only the quality of the cooking itself.

 

The MICHELIN Star - there was only one to begin with - was created in 1926. Then, between 1931 and 1933, the system was extended, and three levels of Stars were introduced.

 

They stand for:

See the 4 restaurants and MICHELIN Guide’s points of view below.

 

 

 

4962 New Broad St., Orlando, FL 32814
Vietnamese, French

 

Chef Tung Phan has taken the pop-up and given it permanence at this space just off Lake Baldwin. It's boldly sleek with elegant touches (think wood accents and beautiful lighting). Seats at the counter feature the ten-course Vietnamese-French tasting menu, while booths offer an abbreviated version.

 

Rooted in French techniques, Vietnamese flavors are given a refined twist here. The Dungeness crab curry arrives with a tartlet shell, filled with crab meat and mixed with lime, served atop the lid, which when removed, reveals a deliciously hearty curry. Salmon over king trumpet noodles in a tamarind and pineapple sauce is creative, but the best may be saved for last. The sweet potato brioche topped with a "gold" chocolate ice cream and Vietnamese coffee sauce is an elegant finale.

 

 

 

At Natsu, there are just two seatings a night at this intimate omakase, where a ten-seat counter dominates a spartan-styled room. Meals begin with four dishes from the kitchen, including chawanmushi and truffle kampachi, served with crispy potato straws and a yuzu truffle vinaigrette for an unexpected flavor combination that is especially memorable. The sushi is impressive and doesn't gild the lily, as in skin-on barracuda with a dynamic char or soy-marinated salmon that finishes ever-so-sweetly. Supremely buttery toro needs no flourish and is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It all rounds out with a hand roll and ice cream.

 

 

 

Don't be fooled by its modest surrounds, as the interior is modern and cool. Leather chairs are especially inviting, and tables offer a view of the gleaming kitchen. Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Maria Ruiz prepare modern Peruvian cuisine full of bright ingredients with a bit of polish, and the multicourse tasting menu is an approachable (and affordable) way to sample their sincere cooking.

 

Nigiri kicks off the meal with a smart nod to the Peruvian tradition of Japanese fusion, delivering dialed-in flavors with confidence. Bok choy is elevated with bold, contrasting textures, while chicken thigh roulade with aji amarillo aioli is simply spectacular. For dessert, sweet potato donuts over a blueberry compote seal the deal. The natural wine program is impressive.

 

 

 

Nestled within Disney's crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant is by no means an easy reservation, but the reward is a kind of magic rarely seen these days. The setting is intimate, and the pacing is that of a leisurely, three-hour waltz orchestrated by a gracious brigade of veteran servers.

Chef Matthew Sowers cooks with contemporary verve and draws on influences spanning from Asia to the Nordics. Think delicate tarts set with New Zealand langoustine, striking “sandwiches” made with venison carpaccio and red cabbage, and bold sauces like cherry-cola bordelaise. Other details like water lists, an ornate coffee and tea service, and a serious wine program further impress.

 

3 Orlando restaurants retained stars from last year;

 

10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Orlando, FL 32836
Steakhouse, Spanish

 

955 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789 
Fusion, Sushi

 

1809 Winter Park Rd., Orlando, 32803, USA
Japanese, Sushi

 

Knife and Spoon did not retain their star, but remains as a recommended restaurant. Orlando now features a total of 48 restaurants on the Michelin Guide; 7 One Stars, 11 Bib Gourmand distinctions for good quality at a good value, and 30 selected for their recommended list.