Mission Resort + Club offers exceptional value and experience for Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining
French chef, restaurateur, and culinary writer Auguste Escoffier summed it up perfectly: “Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.”
Well, if you are a foodie who has not yet experienced the abundance of eating options at Mission Resort + Club in Central Florida, then this year’s Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining will provide the ideal opportunity for you to find happiness.
La Margarita is one of the luxury destination resort’s four restaurants and one of the participating restaurants in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, which runs from August 16 until September 30. Through Visit Orlando, every participating restaurant will feature three-course, prix-fixe dinners at exceptional prices, and every meal served will support a deserving charity.
Mission Resort’s La Margarita, which overlooks the captivating Plaza de Las Palmas and is a haven for al fresco dining with a refined bar and a cozy patio lit by fire pits, will offer a tantalizing $40 three-course menu.
The appetizer options include Coastal Coconut Shrimp, Lump Crab, and Corn Chowder, while the main course selections will include Chimichurri Bistro Grilled Filet, Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi Mahi, and Drunken & Stuffed Chicken.
Diners with a sweet tooth will have a difficult choice to make: will the end result be White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie or Molten Chocolate Lava Cake?
La Margarita is already known for its diverse menu, which includes artisanal pizzas, exquisite prime cuts, and fresh seafood. The recent arrival at Mission Resort of a new executive chef and a food and beverage director has led to an even wider assortment of flavors and culinary trends.
Executive chef Charles Anderson brings more than 25 years of experience to the resort, while certified sommelier James Pyles, the Director of Food and Beverage, boasts an impressive track record, including leadership roles at Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort and Maple & Ash in Chicago.
“Chef Anderson’s leadership in the kitchen fosters an environment brimming with collaboration and precision, resulting in a remarkable dining experience for each guest,” said Mission Resort + Club general manager Cindy Staley. “I cannot wait to elevate and evolve our resort’s dining offerings, drawing inspiration from seasonal ingredients and local produce.”
In Pyles, Mission Resort acquired a seasoned hospitality professional who helped Maple & Ash become the fourth-highest revenue-generating eatery in the United States during his time there as managing partner and general manager.
“James’ track record proves a keen ability to drive growth, further demonstrated at renowned properties like South Seas Island Resort and The Don CeSar,” said Staley.
Apart from La Margarita, Anderson and Pyles have three other restaurants under their watch at Mission Resort.
El Conquistador specializes in elegant cuisine in a refined atmosphere, while Nicker’s, located in the clubhouse, serves lunch, dinner, and a Saturday Night Prime Rib and Seafood Buffet in a more casual environment. Then there is La Hacienda, with its views of the golf course and the Spanish colonial plaza, which offers the perfect backdrop for breakfast, lunch, or a lavish Sunday Champagne Brunch.
Whether guests desire a relaxed dining atmosphere or a more formal candlelit experience, Mission Resort has you covered with superb service, innovative entrees and plentiful portions in all four restaurants.
If your desire for good food has led you to Mission Resort, then it is well worth exploring some of the other entertainment options available at this tranquil location in the rolling hills of Central Florida’s Lake County.
The resort is home to two championship golf courses. The El Campeón (The Champion) layout, built in 1917 by George O’Neil, is one of the oldest courses in the South. Its classic design features unusually sharp elevation changes in the typically flat central Florida terrain. It has played host to multiple high school, college, and state professional tournaments.
In contrast, Las Colinas (The Hills) was created in 1992 by former PGA Tour winner Gary Koch. It lives up to its name, with wide fairways rolling over gentle rises. Both courses feature undulating greens surrounded by tropical vegetation and incorporate large water hazards on many holes.
The El Campeón layout hosted the Epson Tour’s Inova Mission Inn Resort & Club Championship from 2020-2023 and later this year, from December 9-12, the course will host the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf, which returns to Florida for the first time since 2017.
If golf is not your ‘thing,’ there is no shortage of diversions to keep you busy or stay ultra-relaxed while visiting Mission Resort.
Other recreational amenities include tennis, pickleball, beach tennis, jogging and cycling trails, volleyball courts, an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a marina offering bass boats and pontoons for eco-touring.
As Escoffier so accurately said, “Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.” Mission Resort just happens to have multiple good food options and an abundance of other recreational pursuits. It’s no surprise, then, that happiness is guaranteed if you plan a visit to this beautiful part of Central Florida, in the tucked-away town of Howey-in-the-Hills.
