Special 3-Course $30 Menu heats up the kitchen at Emeril's Orlando in June and July: Review

Beginning June 1, diners at Emeril’s Orlando may take a culinary tour through one of Chef’s Emeril’s cookbooks. For the months of June and July, the restaurant is featuring a $30, three-course dinner menu, featuring classic recipes from two of Emeril’s cookbooks, From Emeril’s Kitchens (featured in June) and Emeril at the Grill (featured in July).

 

I recently got a chance to sample the 3 for $30 June menu a few days early and I wasn't disappointed.

 

I started with the Poached Oysters. These plump, poached beauties were served in a herbsaint cream and topped with black pepper crème fraiche and flash-fried spinach. For my taste, it's easy to overdo the anise in a herbsaint cream, but this dish was perfectly balanced.

 

For the main course, I sampled both the Poached Salmon and the Braised Beef Short Ribs. Please note that only one main course is served with the $30 promotion.

 

The Poached Salmon was very moist and flaked easily. Topped with a mango salsa, the fish was quite a tender treat. Served with a delicate coconut rice pilaf and a black bean sauce, the dish took on a Latin flair, especially with the side of smashed avocado and tortilla chips.

 

The Braised Beef Short Ribs weren't quite as tender as the salmon, but close. There's a southern spin to this dish, with the ribs served on a plate of cheddar polenta and topped with a moist, sweet cole slaw. This was my favorite dish of the two.

 

For dessert, The White Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake with Strawberry Sauce was light, and not-too-sweet to the tooth as you might expect.

 

The 1999 opening of Emeril's was the biggest event to hit the Orlando dining scene in many years, and the restaurant still holds its place as one of Orlando's top dining destinations. The upscale, warehouse-inspired décor is still fun and the service has remained impeccable.

 

If you've never tried Emeril's Orlando, make a point to visit in June or July for this fantastic $30, 3-course dinner. It's a great way to sample several dishes, and whet your appetite for a return.

 

Here are the menus for each month of the promotion:

 

3 for $30 June Menu

 

Featuring recipes adapted From Emeril’s Kitchens cookbook.

 

Appetizer

Poached Oysters in Herbsaint Cream, Black Pepper Crème Fraîche, Flash Fried Spinach

 

Entrees

Choice of One

 

Poached Salmon, Mango Salsa, Smashed Avocado, Coconut Rice Pilaf, Black Bean Sauce, Tortilla Chips

 

Braised Beef Short Ribs, Cheddar Polenta, Cole Slaw

 

Dessert

White Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake, Strawberry Sauce

 

*Tax and gratuity not included.

 

 

3 for $30 July Menu

 

Featuring recipes adapted from Emeril at the Grill cookbook.

 

Appetizer

Watercress, Avocado, Mango Salad

 

Entrees

Salmon, Peach-Tamarind Barbecue Sauce

 

Chicken Paillards, Arugula, Roasted Peppers, Parmesan Cheese, Lemon

 

Dessert

Grilled Peaches, Mascarpone, Local Honey

 

*Tax and gratuity not included.

Note: I dined compliments of Emeri's Orlando.

4.5 BAMS! out of 5