Enjoy Florida's Coast

Written by Rori on 20 June 2011

Mikado at Marriott World Center is tasty, fun and a great place to enjoy an energetic and memoriable meal. Photo by Rori Paul

I love these places; the chef standing across the hot surface readying the food, diners spread around watching and ready for the flames… You’ve heard of them and seen them, maybe even dined at them, but Marriott World Center’s Mikado is truly worthy your consideration. Located in Orlando and near the Epcot entrance of Walt Disney World, Marriott World Center gets you into the heart of the Central Florida with a great dining experience.

Our dining at Mikado came after my social media and travel blogging drew attention to us (these were comped experiences from Marriott via a gift card). We had free reign on how we wanted to experience Marriott’s offerings and Mikado stood out. In fact, our first experience here was so good that with some bucks left on the gift card Marriott sent us, we decided to go back. You don’t trust a “free meal,” how about our liking it so much we returned?

(Many Photos Below)

The Japanese ambiance is here, with a slightly modern-American twist and light on its feet so as not to overwhelm. Photo by Rori Paul.

Marriott World Center is a large and sprawling compound, the Mikado restaurant located on the main level towards the pool area, an easy walk through a beautiful setting. You transition into the Japanese flavor with a short, outside (covered) walk to the restaurant’s entry – (be sure to get your valet ticket stamped changing the high-priced parking into a $4.00 expense that is easy to take) – and arrive in a comfy world flavored as any such a place should be.

Seatings are every 1/2 hour with a group gathering around the table-cooker, a u-shaped setting to allow everyone a very good show. You’re going to make friends and hopefully you’ll have a great group to enjoy this with – a dud group can make the whole thing feel a dud-ish, but we lucked out. Even with duds you’re likely to still truly enjoy the experience as we found out – 1/2 our second table hit the dud mark hard.

Your waitress takes your order including drinks, starters and main course, and soon the chef arrives, fresh meats and veggies piled high on trays. Our first visit went smoothly with quick transitions to each course, but the second, our chef seemed to find something with the shrimp he wasn’t happy about. We were impressed as he not only pulled up the entire serving of shrimp but took with him and replaced all the meats that had been together on the tray. He easily could have skimped and left the other meats, but he did not, earning he and Mikado our gratitude and admiration.

Our Gift Card is part of the Marriott Gift Card Program. We used ours at Mikado because it looked fun and returned because it was that and more. Thanks to Manager Kimberly for fixing the new card's issues. Photo by Rori Paul.

Dinner included the soup (we loved the chicken and mushroom), a salad (Laura truly enjoyed the ginger dressing while I loved the creamy mustard), and a shrimp starter of grilled shrimp (we both loved these as well). We also enjoyed a Teriyaki appetizer the second time that was light while rich, tender meats and a fresh pineapple to add a kick to the flavor.

For dinner I had the New York Sirloin and Shrimp both times while Laura had Filet Mignon and Sea Scallops first, Filet Mignon and Shrimp the second.

We had no idea you could “have your scallops done” a certain way – news to us.

We both loved both experiences.

The cuts of meat and seafood were tasty, flavorful and when cooked to perfection were flavor-filled. Amazing to watch the skills of the chef, but equally exciting was a meal that filled our expectations.

A special mention, the made-in-plain-sight fried rice. I quickly became addicted to it. Likely as easy for our chef to make as it is for most of us to boil water, the fried rice was something I tried some of Laura’s the first time, then literally had to have on our second go-round.

Bride-to-be Shelly and the girls added to the fun of our first go-round. Photo by Rori Paul.

Another special mention, the plum wine. Listed as Gekkeikan Plum Wine on the menu, this Japanese twist on a favorite was tempting and tasteful. We partake of the Plum Wines at Walt Disney World’s Epcot – and even pick it up locally at the stores around Orlando for home – but this was a great glass of wine.

Check Please
We truly loved our experiences at Mikado, both times. First time around we had a great table with a bride from Daytona and her friends, the second, a nice man from Clearwater and his girls all adding to the atmosphere for us.

We were impressed with the talents and attention of the staff, especially chefs – noting the second chef’s attention to our health and experience.

Prices are right on for such a place in such a place.

Food tempting, tasty and memorable.

I want to tell you something bad, just so you don’t think the “Free Food” us spoiling the fun, but I can’t. We loved both visits and if I had to complain, I’d say I didn’t have enough time to sit and talk with Laura as we enjoyed our dinners. There… not enough time to talk with the people you’re with – does that help?

The Mikado at Marriott World Center was everything we expected and more. They went above each time and from the valet to the manager at Mikado, looked out for our overall enjoyment and even health.

Special mention of thanks to manager Kimberly first time around: our gift card was part of a new gift card system. She worked diligently with the Marriott people to make sure it worked when the system wasn’t. It took a bit longer, but she was kind, helpful and apologetic.

We give Marriott World Center’s Mikado:

Our first chef was having a lot of fun and had a goofy side - loved it. Photo by Rori Paul

Chef #2 was a little more serious, but we appreciated and admired his attention to our health and enjoyment. Photo by Rori Paul

The meats and other foods were fresh and flavorful. Photo by Rori Paul

The setting is at once comfy and calm, filled with energy and excitement. Photo by Rori Paul.

The Creamy Mustard dressing was tasty and smooth. A rich and creamy texture, it did not overwhelm but rather had a highlighted flavor. Photo by Rori Paul.

Laura and I both found the Ginger dressing to be light and creamy, not too much for me who does not like a thick-tangy ginger flavor. Photo by Rori Paul

The excitement and fun of the flaming experience as your chef prepares your food in front of you. Photo by Rori Paul

Making the delicious fried rice. I became quickly addicted to this stuff! Photo by Rori Paul

The mushroom soup was delicios as well. Light, its a broth with tender mushrooms and large chunks of chicken. Photo by Rori Paul

Our starter offered tender meat with a sauce that was a light-tangy and a fresh pineapple. Photo by Rori Paul

Everyone enjoys a shrimp starter and for those who choose, the same shrimp is used in the shrimp only or combo. Very fresh, tasty and delightful. Photo by Rori Paul