Universal Orlando Resort revealed a selection of limited-time holiday food items available at Epic Universe this season.
Atlantic in Celestial Park
Seafood restaurant Atlantic has five holiday delights. Your holiday wreath doesn’t just have to hang on your door — it can sit on your plate, too. Atlantic chef Brian Lamparski says that was his thought process when creating the House Seasonal Salad. This dish is made with candy cane beets, watercress, honey-glazed pistachios, Florida citrus, and goat cheese crema.
You might be wondering who’s having Smoked Salmon Rillette during the holidays. Soon, you! But growing up? Chef Brian. “Growing up in Chicago, my father and I would always go to this place to get smoked trout, smoked sturgeon, smoked salmon — and it was one of those things we would always have on Christmas Eve,” he says. “So, this was my homage to growing up in the city with my father.” This in-house smoked salmon is tossed in a yuzu aioli and served with salmon roe and chive coral on focaccia bread.
On the inverse, the history behind the hearty Duck Breast at Atlantic actually stems from Chef Brian’s wife’s side of the family and their holiday traditions. Inspired by the feast enjoyed in a classic holiday movie Chef Brian and his family watch with his in-laws annually, the Duck Breast is seared and seasoned with Chinese five-spice powder while served with a honey carrot puree, sweet thumbelina carrots, fungi jon mushrooms, and a side of apple lacquer.
Chef Brian likes his surf & turf with a little bit of whimsy, he says, which is why when creating the holiday Surf & Turf at Atlantic, he decided to switch things up a bit. This 8 oz. premium, char-grilled Black Angus filet is served with Maine lobster mac & cheese and garnished with fine herbs.
“It’s kind of funny because I tell these guys at work that I feel that cheese and seafood just don’t match,” Chef Brian says. “But when you add mascarpone cheese to it, it makes sense, you know, instead of having cheddar. It’s a little bit more of that lighter side to where it complements the lobster more as opposed to covering it up.”
Nothing is more comforting during the cold holiday season than a nice, warm stew — especially of the seafood variety. The Seafood Stew at Atlantic is filled with seared diver scallops, mussels, jumbo shrimp, roasted marble potatoes, confit tomatoes, and a side of sauce rouille, a traditional Spanish accompaniment for toast.
Bonus Holiday Treats in Celestial Park
Your first stop is at Celestial Snacks, where you’ll stumble upon the ever-tasty Holiday Churro. This gingerbread churro features a peppermint marshmallow topping, holiday sprinkles, and is garnished with an adorable white chocolate Santa.
Over at Frosty Moon awaits the Chocolate Peppermint Soft Serve, which couples peppermint-flavored ice cream with creamy chocolate for a sensational combination of holiday flavors. Believe me, you’ll want to make sure your holiday plans include trying both!
Isle of Berk Snoggletog Cone
Though not officially announced, Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel and Spit Fyre Grill in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk have the special Snoggletog Harvest cone. This is a creamy mac and cheese cone with pulled maple glazed turkey, spiced lingonberry drizzle, roasted sweet potatoes, sage chimichurri, and crispy stuffing crumbles.
The first holiday season at Epic Universe also includes Christmas decorations in Celestial Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
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