ORLANDO, Fla. – Four more Orlando-area restaurants have been added to the coveted pages of the Michelin guide.
The new additions to the guide are Coro, Sorekara, UniGirl and Ômo by Jônt.
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The announcement was made on Wednesday and brings the total number of Michelin-recognized restaurants in the greater Orlando area to 52.
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The Michelin Guide, put out by the French tire manufacturer, first came to Florida in 2022.
The guide was first put out as a way for drivers to help plan their trips, according to the company, thereby increasing tire sales. In the 1920s, the guide started including information on restaurants, and the company began awarding stars in 1936, according to its website.
Michelin stars have since become among the most sought-after awards in the restaurant industry.
The Orlando area restaurants and notes from the Michelin Guide are:
- Coro located at 3022 Corrine Drive in Orlando
- “Chef Tim Lovero has fashioned a singular take on the neighborhood gem at this contemporary spot in Audubon Park. Step inside and feel instantly at home, thanks in part to a warm, first bite from the kitchen delivered moments after arrival. It’s just the beginning of an enjoyable meal crafted from their ever-changing, shared plates-style menu. Warm potato naan is served with whipped chicken skin butter and marmalade; impossibly tender lamb shoulder is even better with butternut squash purée and sautéed greens; but dessert is the scene stealer, taking the classic fries and a milkshake combination and turning it on its head with panna cotta, crispy sunchoke, cocoa nibs, and diced French fries.”
- Sorekara located at 4979 New Broad St. in Orlando
- “In a world of uniformity, Sorekara proudly forges its own path. This Baldwin Park restaurant is unlike anywhere else you’ve been, offering a surprising and delightful culinary journey that revels in turning expectations on their head. Chef/owner William Shen’s tasting menu highlights Japan’s 72 micro seasons with highly original dishes infused with a sense of whimsy (note the course designed to mimic a 7-Eleven snack run or the “nigiri”). Whether it’s madai sporting a distinctive riff on tradition or a deeply savory bowl of kegani sourced from Hokkaido, there is an elegance and refinement threaded throughout the meal, which progresses through multiple rooms across several hours. Another hint that this is far from typical? Sorekara is open for one seating, only a few nights a week.”
- UniGirl located at 1110 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando
- “Set within the Mills Market, this casual concept from Chef/owner William Shen (and named for his pup, Uni) draws a line before it’s even open. It’s no wonder, as everyone is here clamoring for a taste of their onigiri, on offer until they sell out. The menu is a moving target, with ever-changing availability alongside a host of daily specials like a Japanese curry hash brown (if you’re lucky). Made and served in sealed bags, the classic triangles are best eaten immediately while the filling and rice are still warm. It’s all spot-on, whether filled with a crispy fried chicken thigh or tuna enlivened with mustard. Unagi is a fan favorite, with cubes of barbecued freshwater eel enhanced with a sweet sauce complemented by the well-seasoned rice.”
- Ômo by Jônt located at 115 E. Lyman Ave. in Winter Park
- “Chef Ryan Ratino’s lauded D.C. restaurant, Jônt, is more than just the inspiration for this offshoot. This Winter Park restaurant echoes that spirit and sensibility (think classic French techniques married with pristine Japanese ingredients), albeit with a few Florida touches. The larger space allows for discrete moments at each meal, while three tasting menus run the gamut from tightly edited and more affordable to loaded with luxury ingredients. No matter the selection, expect refined dishes punctuated by the seasons, as in chawanmushi with an autumnal twist of braised sweet potato, kombu, and brown butter sauce. Scallop prepared two ways demonstrates the kitchen’s deft hand while chocolate and hazelnut kakigori is an elegant tribute.”
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