“L” is for the way you look at food, “O” is for the only dish I eat, “V” is very, very extra ready to feast, “E” is even more than any taste that you adore can love…or however that song goes. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s the start of a heartwarming season overflowing with love and a near-endless array of specialty dishes at some of the most flavorful spots Universal CityWalk has to offer. Whether you’re in need of date plans or you’re simply just madly in love with good food, your Valentine’s Day starts at Universal Orlando Resort.
Valentine’s Day at Bigfire
When I think of Valentine’s Day, I picture a lot of reds and pinks — and apparently so does Chef Elvin Correa Rios at Bigfire, which explains his choice of themed offerings. With a vibrant food line-up like this, you won’t just feel the love — you’ll taste it, too!
Start light and lovely with a fresh Strawberry Salad. Comprised of arugula, red watercress, frisée, goat cheese, and praline pecans with a raspberry-champagne vinaigrette, this salad is the perfect way to kick off a romantic night.
Earlier I mentioned red, and depending on how you like your steak cooked, this next dish fits the bill perfectly. The 32-ounce Rib Eye Tomahawk is served with a side of savory black truffle mac and cheese and broiled caulilini and dressed in red chimichurri and au poivre sauces.
The sweetness of Valentine’s Day is best accompanied by the sweetness of the Lychee Raspberry Cake at Bigfire. Made with a white chocolate mousse and berry gelee and garnished with a gold leaf and sugar pearls, this dessert is sure to ignite a fire within your love life.
Valentine’s Day at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is renowned for its French roots, and with a country whose capital is regarded as the city of love, celebrating Valentine’s Day with themed food is a no brainer.
Ring in the romance with something sweet like Penelope’s Red Velvet Waffle filled with chocolate chips and chocolate cookies-and-cream crumble and topped with whipped strawberry cream cheese.
Settle your sweet tooth with a savory Broiled Swordfish. This dish is made with a rich shrimp paté crust, braised festival cauliflower, and a tangy citrus-white wine velouté. Looks like romance isn’t the only thing the French are good at cooking up!
Because this is Toothsome we’re talking about, it’s no surprise that there are even more sweets in store for Valentine’s Day. Grab your lover (and two straws!) and share a romantic sip of Jacques’ Strawberry Love Potion Shake, blended with strawberries and candied pecans and white chocolate strawberry cheesecake and topped with chocolate balsamic dipped strawberries.
Valentine’s Day at VIVO Italian Kitchen
At VIVO Italian Kitchen, you’ll be doing a lot more than just sharing the love this Valentine’s Day — you’ll be sharing the wealth of good food, too! Here, a tantalizing three-course meal awaits that is sure to make you fall in love again and again!
Play a lighthearted game of “Love Me, Love Me Not” as you and your partner take turns picking apart the thoughtfully arranged Charcuterie board. This board has so much to choose from with its assortment of cheeses and salumi, savory eggplant caponata, olive tapenade, ripe strawberries, chocolate-covered almonds, and grilled sourdough.
I hope you’re ready to find out what heaven tastes like. The answer lies within the Valentine’s Day Broiled Chateaubriand at VIVO. This tender cut of beef is drizzled in a chianti wine reduction and served over parmesan orzo with sundried tomatoes and a side of charred broccolini.
Tiramisu is favored by many, but have you ever had White Chocolate Tiramisu? If you’re dining at VIVO this Valentine’s Day, you certainly will! This airy delight is rich with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, white chocolate mousse, and sweet cocoa powder.
Valentine’s Day at Voodoo Doughnut
That’s more than enough talk about dinner. Let’s get into everyone’s favorite part of Valentine’s Day: sweet, sweet dessert! I don’t just mean any dessert — I’m talking about the kind the masters of confection themselves at Voodoo Doughnut are baking up.
This year, the talented chefs at Voodoo are putting a little twist on their Valentine’s Day treat — a Love Twist, to be exact! Handcrafted by Briana Paul, a senior cook at Voodoo, this chocolate cake doughnut is topped with strawberry frosting, a strawberry velvet top swirl, sprinkles, freeze dried strawberries, and a dark chocolate heart. Do you feel the love yet?
What Valentine’s Day dish are you most excited to dive into at Universal CityWalk? Talk to us about it in the comments below!
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