Gloria and Emilio Estefan Announce New Restaurant in Orlando

It was one hot May morning when Margaritaville Orlando Resort delivered a HUGE announcement to locally-based media.  Margaritaville Resort Orlando developer, Art Falcone, stood before a band of reporters, bloggers and vloggers and welcomed Cuban power couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jr.  The dynamic duo were there to announce that they were in the process of bringing their re-imagined dining experience, Estefan Kitchen, to the Margaritaville resort in Fall 2019!

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I was invited as media to this event.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.  This post does contain affiliate links.  Please see my Disclosure policy for more information.

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I kid you not, there was not a single cloud in the sky that morning at Sunset Walk, the ultimate up and coming shopping, dining and entertainment destination for tourists and locals alike.   There were small bites and mojitos waiting for us, as well as Florida’s infamous lovebugs (which I think outnumbered all media in attendance).  To those of us on the guest list, it was no secret whom we were meeting and what announcement was being made.  However, the excitement level among us could not be curbed as we all felt as if we were hearing the news for the first time.

Estefan Kitchen is Coming to Orlando

Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jr, are well known for their successful music career.  Gloria has earned herself a Grammy and her husband and business partner, Emilio, is the proud winner of a Latin Grammy Award.  Together, they have created a beautiful rhythm for decades that is the talk of #couplegoals.  However, their resume also includes 27 years in the field of hospitality.  With six restaurants and hotels, the couple have dedicated themselves to carrying out their passion of gathering people together in one place for a good time and good eats.

It was just over 22 years ago when the Estefans brought one of their first food and beverage endeavors to Orlando.  However, over the years, they have found themselves heading in a direction a little different than their long-time partner, so the decision to change course took on life.  Down in Miami, they had already re-branded with the opening of Estefan Kitchen and the couple felt that it was time to bring that newly re-imagined vision to Orlando.

What Will Be the Culture / Ambiance of the Restaurant?

The Estefans love a good cultural fusion, but obviously desire to bring their Hispanic heritage to the forefront.  They want to not only pull more of the local Hispanic community together, but expose all locals and visitors alike to the impact and wealth that exists with that culture.

That’s why music and dancing will be bold highlights to anyone’s visit there!

Of course, they know they will be entrenched in a very heavily tourist-populated area, one that has families coming and going on a regular basis.  Taking that into consideration, the Estefans are designing a restaurant that attracts multiple layers of guests throughout the day.

• For families, there will be a kid-centric corner with books personally written by Gloria Estefan (see below for more info).  There will also be a kid-friendly menu that will offer some of favorites.
• Rumor also has it that a café may be found inside the venue, giving guests the opportunity to grab a quick bite or espresso before heading out to one of the many Orlando attractions.
• Once the sun goes down and the littles go to bed, the versatility of the restaurant will transition towards millennials and those who enjoy dancing the night away.

The internal design will host a variety of seating arrangements, offering the versatility of date night or space for private parties.  VIP seating will also be available when the musical entertainment takes to the stage.

What will be on the Menu

Get ready to drool because Estefan Kitchen’s menu will showcase many Cuban favorites.  Emilio shared that options will include Cuban BBQ and rotisserie, as well as flatbreads topped with pork and plaintains.  Several dishes will also be centered around ceviche.  Each dish will be robust with flavor and will no doubt delight a variety of visiting taste buds.

Special dietary considerations? 

When asked if they will accommodate the pescatarian and meat-free crowds, both owners were confident that the new menu selection will deliver.  In fact, their daughter is a vegetarian.  So, the plan to offer options for those with dietary restrictions and choices was fairly non-negotiable.

Now, when it comes to food allergies in particular, I was unable to secure anything definitive in the moment.  Time ran out and I was not able to ask the two questions I had prepared.  No worries ~ I have every intention of asking when the opportunity arises again.  (wink, wink).   My guess, however, is that they should be able to accommodate as they intend to take other dietary restrictions and choices into consideration. 

Will there be entertainment?

Of course!!  In fact, GET READY TO DANCE!!!  The Estefans plan on bringing a LOT of music to the area and creating a night club atmosphere after the sun sets.  Each night, the stage will be graced by artists of diverse backgrounds and talents, living up to the belief that America is a country where anyone’s dreams can come true.

FUN TIDBIT: Various members of the staff will have opportunity to showcase their talent during their shift.  You may find yourself entertained by a singing bartender or a dancing server.

The Logo Reveal

With the introduction of the Estefans to the Margaritaville Sunet Walk community came the unveiling of the restaurant’s logo.

Gloria designed the crest herself, pulling together so many of the things and places that have influenced her in life.  She included two flags (Cuba and United States), dolphins, flamingos, coconuts, bongos, hibiscus and more.  She also included the phrase, “To Serve Mankind,” as it has been a prominent mantra for her throughout the years.  It’s a very personal design that she hopes catches the eye and captures the heart of all who visit.

Stay tuned for more to come

As more information is released, I will let you know.  In the meantime, don’t hesitate to check out Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando.  There are already some amazing venues opened to the public!  It’s the place to sip, stroll and savor your way around 200,000 square feet of pedestrian-friendly shopping.  In time, there will be more than fifteen food and beverage options, green space and a concert pavilion.  Yeah for live music and entertainment!  Right?  There is already a state-of the-art movie theater!

Locations now open include Bahama Buck’s, Bento Asian Kitchen & Sushi, Burger Fi, Ford’s Garage, IT’SUGAR, Rock & Brews and Skechers.  Later this year, an array of new dining and entertainment options will open including the above mentioned Estefan Kitchen, as well as B.B.’s World Famous BBQ, Blue Agave, Cold Stone Creamery, Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza, Café D’Avignon, GameTime, Lafayette’s Fish House and Music Hall, Paradise Spirits and Wine and Yeoman’s Cask & Lion.

So ~ where will you be able to find Estefan Kitchen this fall?

• Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando
• 3251 Margaritaville Boulevard
• Kissimmee, FL 34747

To learn more:

• To learn more about what’s coming to Sunset Walk, click here.
• For more information about Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, please visit here.

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