Midway through its multi-weekend SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival, the aquatic animal-centered theme park has added several Latin-inspired foods and drinks. On two of the dates, May 7 and May 14, complementary (and complimentary) entertainment will be part of the experience.
Gorgeous, right? This is the pincho de pollo (or may it's the cerdo?) con tostones -- in other words, a chicken or pork kebab platter served with fried green plantain, rice and bread.
I got to taste some of the foods and liked what I had. I am most enamored with the churrasco -- grilled steak topped with chimichurri sauce. Read the photo captions for details about each dish.
No kidding, I would seriously consider returning to the SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival just to get more of this marinated and grilled steak topped with chimichurri sauce. It's called churrasco ($13). That's rice to the left, sweet plantains to the right.
You can buy a platter, which is a full meal, or what Executive Chef Hector Colon called sampler "liners" that are sold for $5, $10 and $15.
This is lechón asado ($11) -- traditionally roasted pork. That orange spicy mayo on the tostones (fried green plantain) adds zest. I'd request extra.
You'll find the foods of 11 other nations at kiosks scattered around SeaWorld Orlando. For access, simply buy a park ticket.
Here's more.
Hear Executive Chef Hector Colon talk enthusiastically about the menu.
Empanadas, stuffed with meat (see below). Chef Colon said these may be his favorite. "They get bigger every year."
This is what the empanadas look like inside. The savory meat makes this a one-dish meal.
This is the Latin-food area of the SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival. You get to see the chefs cooking. It's worth stopping buy just for the aromas.
Sweet plantains
Dessert
Souvenirs