{"id":392743,"date":"2026-09-07T10:36:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T10:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/392743\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T10:36:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T10:36:17","slug":"orlando-restaurants-look-forward-to-magical-dining-to-stay-busy-in-slow-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/392743\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando restaurants look forward to Magical Dining to stay busy in slow season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Orlando restaurant Kaya<\/a> is the front door to Filipino food for many who have never tried it before.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really do see ourselves as ambassadors of that experience, and we want people to leave loving Filipino food so they can go support more Filipino businesses and grocery stores and restaurants,\u201d said Jamilyn Salonga Bailey<\/a>, the restaurant\u2019s general manager.<\/p>\n

The food incorporates a mix of flavors and techniques from Spain, China, Indonesia, Japan and elsewhere while also borrowing \u201cfrom that ethos of there\u2019s nothing more Filipino than eating what\u2019s in the backyard,\u201d Bailey said.<\/p>\n

The truffle adobo risotto is topped with fresh herbs picked from Kaya\u2019s front yard garden. For dessert, chewy mochi donuts are ube flavored.<\/p>\n

\u201cFilipino food is simultaneously very familiar and very comforting, but also something that\u2019s different from anything you\u2019ve ever had,\u201d Bailey said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Kaya is part of Orlando\u2019s growing food scene<\/a> that\u2019s gaining national attention and helping grow tourism beyond the theme parks.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also one of the restaurants featured in Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining<\/a>, a program known as the best eat-out deal in Central Florida of the year.<\/p>\n

Running through Sept. 30, all participating restaurants are offering a three-course, prix-fixe meal for $40 or $60.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Magical Dining is unique: \u00d4mo by J\u00f4nt in Winter Park<\/a> is the first true Michelin-starred restaurant to participate in the promotion.<\/p>\n

In addition, Magical Dining also has 14 other restaurants, including Kaya, also recognized by the Michelin Guide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Magical Dining started 21 years ago when local restaurants were struggling during the slow season. Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej<\/a> said \u201cthe secret sauce\u201d of Magical Dining was later adding a charity component and sending $1 or $2 from every meal to help a different charity every year.<\/p>\n

This year, the main charity beneficiary is OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability<\/a>), a nonprofit that helps people with autism and disabilities by offering camps, Special Olympics training, therapies and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now have restaurants that are like, \u2018This is a good cause and because it\u2019s a good cause, I want to participate,\u2019\u201d Matej said. \u201cMagical Dining is such an amazing recipe of helping small businesses and having residents and visitors enjoy great meals and then giving to a charity.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, a record-high 188 restaurants are participating in Magical Dining, which runs throughout Central Florida. New restaurants this year include a rooftop restaurant overlooking Epic Universe at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel and a restaurant in the private pickleball club Hamlin House. Another restaurant at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek is on the roof and offers a good view of Disney World fireworks.<\/p>\n

Kaya is located in the trendy Mills 50 neighborhood near downtown Orlando.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Kaya. Image via Gabrielle Russon<\/p>\n

Visit Orlando takes Magical Dining so seriously, they train restaurants and look over the menus to make sure visitors are getting normal full-size portions \u2014 even though they are only paying $40 or $60, Matej said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to make sure that you\u2019re actually getting above the value,\u201d Matej said.<\/p>\n

At Kaya, the special promotion is welcomed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love Magical Dining,\u201d Bailey said. \u201cMagical dining just gives the local community a reason to go out and support local independent restaurants. And so we think about it as our opportunity to welcome a whole new group of people as well as our regulars into the fold.\u201d<\/p>\n