National Chocolate Day is celebrated on October 28, and Universal Orlando Resort has new chocolate dishes to indulge in for guests ready to celebrate.

National Chocolate DayToothsome exteriorToothsome exterior

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen in Universal CityWalk has four new chocolate dishes in honor of National Chocolate Day, which is celebrated annually on October 28.

Cocoa Chili Diver ScallopsTwo pieces of seared meat with edible flowers and saladTwo pieces of seared meat with edible flowers and salad

Toothsome’s Cocoa Chili Diver Scallops come with chocolate-covered bacon, strawberry fennel salad, and are topped with a chocolate stout balsamic marinade.

Sounds like an interesting combo, doesn’t it? Sous chef Armando Diaz Valerio says it takes a lot of trial and error:

We’re always trying to fuse flavors and use different kinds of chocolate — dark chocolate, cocoa powder — and trying to mix and implement them into the food. The only way to do this, sometimes, is just making and trying things, and that’s the only way we can get to a point when we can discover new flavors and new experiences for our guests.

Chocolate Pomegranate Barbecue Pork PorterhouseA gourmet dish with glazed meat, roasted veggies, and crispy garnishesA gourmet dish with glazed meat, roasted veggies, and crispy garnishes

This porterhouse pork chop comes complete with a side of Brie and Gruyere cheese truffle potato gratin, candied heirloom carrots, and cocoa chili pork chicharrones, which are just fried pork rinds.

There aren’t many places in Orlando, I’d say, that you can see as much of a combination of flavors with chocolate as the food that we have.

-Chef Armando

Chocolate Beef BourguignonA hearty brown plate of beef stew with carrots, mushrooms, and broccoliA hearty brown plate of beef stew with carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli

The traditional French stew with a chocolate twist is made with roasted mushrooms, broiled broccolini, and served with gruyere potato puree.

Toothsome chef Joseph Turner says that the bittersweetness of the dark chocolate in the Chocolate Beef Bourguignon helps cut down the rich red wine flavor that is present in a classic bourguignon.

7 Layer Chocolate Decadence CakeA slice of layered chocolate cake with shavings on a brown plate.A slice of layered chocolate cake with shavings on a brown plate.

For National Chocolate Day, Toothsome is highlighting a delectable classic: 7 Layer Chocolate Decadence Cake. It’s overflowing with chocolate ganache and topped with dark chocolate curls and chocolate popping candy.

Everybody is working together to make sure our guests get excited and are happy to try something different that they usually can’t find at other places.

-Chef Armando

Are you celebrating National Chocolate Day at Universal? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.

Alice Kennedy