TASTES & EXPERIENCES

“Calling Capa a steakhouse is like saying flamenco is just a dance,” says the Michelin Guide. “This stunning spot, reigning from the 17th floor of Four Seasons Orlando, is big on drama (and that’s before the unrivalled views of the nightly Disney World fireworks show). From the subtle design nods to the menu, there is a clear Spanish influence here.” Capa features a medley of expertly wood-fired prime cuts, New Basque-inspired small plates and fresh Florida seafood. Specialty drinks include the Capa Gintonic with Caorunn gin, Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic, gala apple, juniper, key lime and botanicals.

dining distinction

The Michelin Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa recently announced 34 nods for Central Florida restaurants. Capa, Knife & Spoon (Ritz-Carlton Orlando), Kadence and Soseki share the prestigious one-star accolade. The Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction was awarded to The Ravenous Pig, Swine & Sons, Domu, Strand, Z Asian, Papa Llama and Bombay Street Kitchen. Among others included in the guide are Orlando Meats, Prato, The Pinery, Hawkers, Black Rooster Taqueria, Tori Tori, Maxine’s on Shine, Se7en Bites, Sea + Sear, Ravello, Primo, California Grill, Citricos, Four Flamingoes, Morimoto Asian and Kabooki Sushi. guide.michelin.com

UnReserved:

INTERNATIONALLY INSPIRED

by Kate Slentz UnReserved Food Bazaar, at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, recently unveiled its highly anticipated dinner service and we were invited to try the new menu at the food hall-style restaurant that had previously only been open for breakfast and lunch.

Led by Chef Peter Kunstek, the dinner menu creates an interactive, tapas-like dining experience with a medley of personally inspired dishes incorporating flavors from around the world, like pizza from the Josper, a custom-made charcoal oven imported from Spain that combines the techniques of grilling and roasting in one; sushi from a new raw bar; and fresh fish from locally sourced purveyors.

UnReserved also offers an extensive local craft beer and wine list, as well as vibrant, European-style cocktails, such as the Limon Blú — vodka, limoncello, blueberry puree, fresh thyme syrup – and the Cucumber Spritz — botanical vodka, St. Germain, lime juice. Both were crisp and refreshing.

Some of our standout shareables included whipped spicy feta cheese with marinated olives and pita bread, and Josper grilled mussels. Other notable dishes from the evening’s tastings included beef cheek ragout with pan-seared gnocchi, crimini mushrooms and rainbow chard; and salt and pepper St. Louis style ribs, cooked in the Josper oven, and served with a housemade raspberry Guajillo barbecue sauce that was the perfect combination of sweet heat. Many dishes incorporate herbs harvested from the resort’s new JW Garden designed by celebrity landscape artist Lily Kwong.

We finished the evening with a sampling of desserts, including a blueberry crumble cheesecake, berry cobbler, and a twist on carrot cake, as well as a Barrel Aged Old Fashioned — the restaurant is set to receive a barrel’s worth of Buffalo Trace Bourbon but on this evening, we enjoyed it with barrel-aged Knob Creek.

UnReserved will be participating in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining and will be offering some of these signature dishes on its multi-course menu. Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, celebrating its 17th anniversary, takes place August 26 – October 2. More than 100 of Orlando’s most popular restaurants, including Michelin Guide honorees, will be serving three-course, prix-fixe dinners for just $40 per person. For a full list of participating restaurants and to make reservations, visit MagicalDining.com.

DOWNTOWN’S ICON GETS A FACELIFT

It’s been a beautiful mainstay in the center of the city for more than two decades, and the pre- and post-show hot spot for those headed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Locally owned and grown Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando is undergoing an $18 million transformation that will modernize the property without losing any of the elements of its original European-inspired aesthetic.

THE PROPERTY IS ALREADY IN PHASE 1

OF THE PROCESS that began with the Starbucks and Bösendorfer Lounge. Once those are complete and open, The Boheme will be next. Renovation of the public spaces will ultimately include the lobby, ballrooms, meeting rooms, gallery, and more with work expected to be complete by late fall. The former gallery space will become another private dining room accessible from the lobby and the lounge. On the 6th floor the pool is being reimagined with an additional outlet — a poolside lounge and restaurant that is not just for hotel guests.

“We had planned to have a big 20th anniversary celebration this year, but we knew the renovations were coming. So, we decided to hold off until we could show everything that is new. This is the first real significant physical change — and it is everything. The project has been in the works a little more than two years between the design and honoring the past while keeping the Bohemian vibe alive,” says Jason Johnson, Director of Sales and Catering.

The floor-to-ceiling redesign will include entirely new color schemes, flooring, furniture, artwork, fixtures, and all the details in between. The guest rooms will be meticulously remodeled as well, with an anticipated completion of May 2023.

Don’t despair if you want to meet at The Bohemian for cocktails as there is a lounge located on the 15th floor in the former concierge lounge. kesslercollection.

com/bohemian-orlando/

Rich jewel tones, exquisite artwork and interesting details will continue to be at the forefront of the design. A new bar will highlight the lounge’s makeover. The lobby will be lightened and brightened while The Boheme will go from reds to teals.