Frontera Cocina Mexicana by Rick Bayless – Disney Springs Orlando

Hummus

Frontera Cocina Mexicana Disney Springs

Frontera Cocina Mexicana specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern interpretation, serving dishes inspired by Chef Rick Bayless and delivered on site by Executive Chef Christian Torres. For this restaurant, pull all the adjectives out of the book, Authentic. Fresh, Amazing, Refreshing, Passionate. We could go on and on.

Over the past few years Disney has been adding quality food operations to its portfolio of dining options in and around the parks and Frontera Cocina stands out and deserves mention as one the best to grace any Disney property.

Chef Rick Bayless, the eight-time winner of the James Beard Foundation Award is renowned for being the Chefs Chef, in that his passion for food and originality is second to none, and it is that passion that has inspired some of the amazing dishes we sampled at our recent visit to Frontera Cocina. Chef Christian Torres and his team deliver the whole menu with skill and passion using local ingredients, truly authentic items from Mexico and the best of produce available. With house made tortillas using specially imported Mexican masa flour and made from scratch salsas and sauces.

The food and beverage inspiration comes from many parts of the Mexican regions from Oaxaca and Ciudad de Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula and beyond, bringing interesting, diverse and sometimes unique authentic dishes back to Orlando.

With a Disney back story of being an old foundry turned into a restaurant, the light and airy casual space, featuring an open kitchen and a family friendly, lively atmosphere is perfect for diners to either catch a bite before continuing shopping or staying longer and just relaxing with a Margarita or a Pacifico beer. The wrap around patio gives a perfect view of the springs and is great to just people watch.

These are some of the fantastic dishes we tried on recommendation from Chef Christian.

Toasted Pumpkin Seed Hummus – Creamy Yucatecan pumpkin seed-habanero dip, crispy cucumber and jicama sticks with warm tortilla chips. Pumpkin seeds have been cultivated on the Yucatan Peninsula for over 4,000 years, but this dish is bang up to date and a real surprise in taste and texture. Well balanced heat from the habanero and super crunchy (and healthy) Jicama and Cucumber sticks. House made tortilla chips completed a perfect appetizer. We loved it!

Cochinita PibilAchiote marinated slow roasted tender pork, black beans, poblano rajas, pickled red onion, served with habanero salsa. Another amazing dish that originated from the Yucatan Peninsula. Marinating the pork in Achiote gives both flavor and color, the poblano rajas are a perfect compliment. Combine these in a corn tortilla and you are in Taco Heaven.

Pulled Pork

Shrimp Mojo de Ajo – Pan roasted Florida Pink Shrimp with mojo de ajo, plantation rice, grilled calabacitas, served with warm corn tortillas. The mojo de ajo which is a combination of slow cooked garlic, olive oil, lime and chipotle coats the shrimp without disguising the flavor, served on a bed of the calabacitas squash makes for a unique dish.

Shrimp

Oaxacan Red Chile Chicken – Crispy half chicken, Oaxacan red mole, plantain rice served with warm corn tortillas. For us, the star of the meal. This mole is outstanding! Every Mexican Abuela has their own and very complex recipe for mole and this one is no exception, complex yes, outstanding Most Certainly. Don’t visit without trying this dish.

Mole

Carne AsadaGarlic and red chile marinated Creekstone Natural Black Angus steak, black beans refritos, queso fresco, caramelized plantains, crema and Cotija cheese, served with tomatillo salsa and warm tortillas. Creekstone Farms provide only the finest Premium Black Angus beef and the garlic and chile marinade compliments every tender bite. We just found out we love caramelized plantains!

Carne

As you would expect, Frontera Cocina has an extensive range of Cocktails, Margaritas, Mexican & Domestic Beers, Tequila and the drink of the moment, Mezcal. These are too numerous to mention but a shout out to the Watermelon Pink Flamingo – Avion Blanco Tequila, watermelon juice, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur and tagine chile powder. Play with FireYour choice of Tequila from Montelobos, Joven Mezcal or Casa Noble Blanco, cucumber, jalapeno, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and hibiscus salt rim.

The team at Frontera Cocina Mexicana treat the quality ingredients with respect and serve them with passion, so whether you are an Orlando local or visiting Florida, make sure you head on over to Disney Springs and please get to know the delights of authentic Mexican food at Frontera Cocina Mexicana.

You can also meet the Frontera Team and sample some of their delicious food at the Mexican Food Festival at Gaston Edwards Park Ivanhoe Village on March 24th. We will be posting the Frontera Festival Menu next week, watch out for updates.

Poster

 

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