By Kate Cohen
Dining at Everglades Restaurant is always an experience, but this fall, you can join us for a real treat: the 2024 Magical Dining event.
Available for six weeks beginning August 16, the prix-fixe three-course menu offered at $60 is the perfect reflection of the restaurant’s more expansive Florida-inspired menu.
Plus, you’ll be supporting the local Orlando nonprofit The Mustard Seed of Central Florida as you dine.
Here’s a look at what you can expect from your Everglades Magical Dining experience.
Appetizers
If you’ve never had the chance to try alligator, this is your opportunity!
The Alligator Bay Chowder is a specialty at Everglades, made with Florida farm-raised alligator. The meat itself has a heartier texture and a subtle flavor that some describe as a combination of fish and chicken. The soup is prepared with flavorful applewood smoked bacon and the perfect blend of seasonings and spices.
Those with a more classic palate will love starting their meal with the Everglades Caesar Salad. Freshly chopped romaine is lightly tossed in a house-made Caesar dressing. Shredded parmesan cheese adds salty, savory flavor that takes this salad to the next level.
The Burrata Salad is the best kind of salad, with fresh, healthy ingredients and a rich serving of burrata cheese. This ball of mozzarella has a firm outer layer and a creamy, spreadable interior. It’s perfectly paired with salty prosciutto, tangy arugula, and a flavorful basil aioli for the perfect combination of flavors.
You can also opt to take your Burrata Salad up a notch with the addition of a robust sweet-and-tangy 100-year-old balsamic vinegar for an additional charge.
Main Courses
Whether you prefer steak or seafood, your taste buds will be delighted by your entree choices from the Magical Dining menu.
The Grilled Angus Filet is the finest cut of meat, and at Everglades, it’s been perfectly char-grilled for a flavorful sear. This tender steak is served with a colorful selection of roasted fingerling potatoes and baby vegetables. The entire dish is topped off with a rich Pinot Noir demi that will keep your mouth watering from start to finish.
For a little extra, you can splurge and add the Key Largo topping to your steak, piling it high with succulent jumbo lump crabmeat and decadent Bearnaise sauce. It’s the perfect way to transform your steak into the ultimate surf-and-turf experience.
The other two main course options are both incredible seafood dishes, each a celebration of Florida’s proximity to the ocean. The first is a mouthwatering Chilean Sea Bass. This buttery fish has a tender, flaky texture that is complemented perfectly by a delicate olive crust. Served with a side of artichoke and roasted tomato risotto, it’s an amazing fusion of fresh Florida ingredients and Mediterranean flavors. 
Red snapper has a mild, nutty flavor, and you’ll get to taste it in its prime with our Grilled Red Snapper dish. This aromatic fish is paired with forbidden rice, a dramatic-looking black grain that is packed with antioxidants and flavor. The dish is then topped with a burst of tropical flavor in a bold pink pineapple tequila sauce.
Dessert
One of the best parts of Magical Dining is that you’ll never have to decide whether or not to have dessert, since it’s already built into the prix-fixe menu!
At Everglades, you can choose between three divine desserts. It doesn’t get more classically Florida than a refreshingly sweet and tangy slice of Florida Key Lime Pie. Ours is packed with even more citrus flavor with the addition of a key lime curd that will keep you coming back bite after bite.
The Chocolate Marquis is every chocolate lover’s dream. This rich double chocolate cake is absolutely savor-worthy, made with silky chocolate mousse and a decadent layer of smooth chocolate ganache. 
Guests over the age of 21 can enjoy a specialty dessert made in honor of Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ 50th Anniversary: the Espresso Panna Cotta Martini. Dip your spoon into a martini glass of rich Italian custard flavored with the bold tastes of espresso and vodka for the perfect end to a special meal.
Magical Dining for a Great Cause
For the past 19 years, the Magical Dining Event has united Orlando area restaurants to support local nonprofits. For every Magical Dining menu ordered at participating restaurants, up to $2 is donated to a local nonprofit that serves the greater Orlando area.
This year, proceeds from Magical Dining will go to The Mustard Seed of Central Florida. This organization helps families and individuals rebuild their lives after natural disasters, homelessness, or personal tragedy by providing clothing and furniture. Their environmental efforts are equally admirable, as they recycle and repurpose thousands of items every year with innovation and intention
When you choose to dine from a Magical Dining menu at a participating restaurant like Everglades, you’re helping to support the Central Florida community, as well as our local dining establishments!
Enjoy a Magical Dining Experience at Everglades Restaurant
From the moment you walk into the restaurant, you’ll know you’re somewhere special. You may be seated beside a larger-than-life alligator sculpture or beneath a manatee and her calf suspended in the air overhead. Colorful murals, tall moss-covered trees, and native Everglades birds complete the immersive environment that will transport you right into the heart of the Florida wetlands.
Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to a memorable three-course dining experience at Everglades Restaurant. For just $60, you’ll get to enjoy a variety of fun, fresh flavors that celebrate local Florida ingredients and flair. Click here to make your reservations online or give us a call at 407-996-2385.
