With the opening of a new hotel at Universal Orlando means new eateries to indulge in. Aventura Hotel is the newest hotel to join the fleet and if you’re a foodie, you need to pay a visit. Bar 17 Bistro has amazing globally themed food and drinks which can be enjoyed on its rooftop bar and grill on the 17th floor. Complimenting your food are 360-degree views of Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort. Or, stay on the first floor and enjoy Urban Pantry. Both menus pack a big punch in the flavor department and are worth checking out.
If you’re looking for a new adventure and a night out, check out some of the top options from Bar 17 Bistro.
Bar 17 Bistro
First up to try are the bao buns. Stuffed with different unique fillings, these soft fluffy Chinese buns are a specialty item on the menu. Served as either a main dish or an appetizer, the choice is yours. Choose from Mongolian beef with Asian pear, duck confit with turmeric citrus aioli, or the tasty braised pork belly with ginger sesame and pickled cucumbers. If you’re wanting a drink to pair with the bao buns, I suggest the “Botanical”. This freshly frozen drink mixed with dry gin, orange juice, lemon juice, and strawberry balances perfectly with the buns.
Two other great options worth considering at Bar 17 Bistro are Grilled Spanish Octopus and the Summer Beet and Glazed Fig Salad. The Spanish Octopus is complimented with grilled broccolini, confit potatoes, smoked chili, almond romesco topped with tasty herb oils. The colors and flavors are a great combination. If you’re in the mood for salads, order the Summer Beet and Glazed Fig Salad. Served seasonally, this scrumptious salad is filled with local burrata cheese, hazelnut crisp, pickled red onions, topped with balsamic vinaigrette.
Urban Pantry
Located on the first floor of Aventura Hotel, Urban Pantry serves cuisine themed from Asia to Europe. Everyone can truly find something on the menu to quench their hunger. Unique to Urban Pantry is the four different stations to choose your meal from. Choose from Roast, Burger, Pizza and Wok & Sushi.
Starting out the rotation is the Wok & Sushi station. Pick from fresh sushi, build your own dinner from the wok, or ramen-style bowls. Personalize your meal with lots of fresh choices such as baby bok choy, skirt steak, chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Add in your choice of noodles and top it with a ramen broth. Cooked immediately on the wok, this packs a punch for flavors.
Perhaps sushi is more your thing. If so, order the Volcano Sushi. Prepared with soy marinated salmon, fried tempura shrimp, topped with my favorite, wasabi mayo, and a ponzu drizzle. Stop by the tap station and pair your meal with the draft Sapporo.
If you’re wanting to compliment your meal with a beverage, you’re in luck. All four stations offer wine and beer on tap paired to compliment the flavors and cuisines.
Moving over to the pizza station, have your fresh pizza on the wood-burning oven cooked to perfection. The prosciutto pizza comes highly recommended. This masterpiece is cooked with shaved American prosciutto and mozzarella and ricotta cheese. It’s then topped with a pinch of arugula and sea salt along with a light drizzle of garlic olive oil.
Urban Pantry also offers a Vegetarian Pizza. Loaded with tomato sauce, mushrooms, artichoke, roasted peppers, olives, mozzarella and parmesan, this pizza is dreamy.
Next, head to the Burger Station if you’re craving a more traditional option. Take your pick from The Urban, served with bacon and roasted mushrooms or The Impossible Burger. Also worth trying are the Chicken Sandwich and the West Coast Turkey Burger. Not to be missed is the All Day Breakfast Burger, which comes topped with a fried egg, cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions.
The final station is the Roast station. Top recommendations here are the grilled steak, seared salmon, and the rotisserie chicken infused with citrus brine, garlic herbs and a pinch of salt.
Lastly, no meal in our house is complete without dessert. Take your pick from over a dozen unique gelato flavors such as Nutella pistachio or honey peach. If you’re looking for a more daring option, try the dessert sandwich known as the gelato panini. Just like it sounds, this dessert comes with loads of gelato and pressed panini-style.
Don’t miss out on either of these two amazing choices at Aventura Hotel. I’m convinced everyone can find plenty of delicious choices on the menus. So what’s your choice going to be for dinner tonight? Dinner with a view at Bar 17 Bistro, or station hoping at Urban Pantry? Both are definitely worth making a trip over to Universal Orlando, or the perfect way to end your day after being in the parks.
Source: Universal
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