Can’t decide where to Magically Dine? Hit the OS Foodies’ critic’s picks
Henry Moso, multiyear James Beard Award semifinalist — this past year a finalist for Best Chef, South — is arguably one of the best-known chefs in Orlando’s formidable roster of culinarians. His Kabooki Sushi locations, on East Colonial and Sand Lake, are among Orlando’s Michelin Guide-selected.
Even before this national and international fame, though, Kabooki was on a multitude of Orlando A-lists. Including mine.
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Yet Moso, whose venues have participated in Magical Dining for the past several years, is back on the dine-for-a-cause roster. He doesn’t need exposure but rather hopes to bring in customers who have thought all the hype means Kabooki is beyond their reach. To welcome new folks into the fold.
“I love having the opportunity to host people who feel like our restaurant might be at a price point that’s too high to have the experience of Kabooki,” says Moso. “Magical Dining gives them that.”
Not surprisingly, there are more than a dozen Orlando Sentinel Foodie Award alums from recent years’ Critic’s Picks on the roster, including Luke’s Kitchen + Bar (Restaurant of the Year, 2021), Cuba Libre (Best Chain, 2020), The Back Room Steakhouse (Best Steakhouse Runner-Up, 2021 and 2023). And of them, Moso says the same thing.
“Three courses for $40? That’s a deal, right?”
Indeed. Even the $60 price point, as this year’s offerings have two pricing tiers, is value-driven, as many participating restaurants would yield far higher checks from a la carte guests.
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At Kabooki, it’s a good deal for staffers, too. The program, originally inspired to boost hospitality businesses into the black during notoriously slow months, still does just that. Even in places you’ll find in the Michelin Guide. That’s part of Moso’s reasoning, too.
“It’s a slower season. Often restaurants have no choice but to cut hours this time of year. It’s a regular practice, but I’d rather make sure they stay busy and can keep working.”
After nearly 20 years, Magical Dining still gets butts in the seats. Of course, when there’s torched salmon with truffle paté to be tasted (this is part of Kabooki’s “Leche de Tigre” appetizer offering) it’s even easier to get them there.
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Other OS Foodie Awards recipients in this year’s Magical Dining selection include BACÁN (Best Burger and Best Hotel Restaurant, 2023), Bites & Bubbles (Best Burger, 2022), Sushi Pop (Best Sushi, 2021 and 2022), Wa Sushi (Best Japanese, 2020, 2021), as well as 1921 Mount Dora, The Ravenous Pig, VINIA Wine & Kitchen and more.
Many are already offering a selection they believe best represents their brand to newcomers, but Moso’s willing to take it a level deeper.
“I love that classic hamachi carpaccio as a first course. It’s my favorite: light, fresh, refined. It primes your taste buds. Then the one roll and a few pieces of nigiri will give you nice variety and for dessert, it’s always about the C4 for me, that chocolate cake with the vanilla ice cream.”
The dessert inclusion is extra nice at Kabooki, where they happen to be exemplary.
Moso loves the way Magical Dining injects some excitement into the dining scene, inspiring people to get out and sample.
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“People see the list and say, ‘Let’s try that restaurant!’ It’s a wave of energy that gets people eager to have something new.”
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns on Aug. 18 and runs through Oct. 1.
Want to reach out? Find me on Twitter, TikTok or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. Join the conversation at the Orlando Sentinel’s Facebook food group, Let’s Eat, Orlando.
