Disney Springs is getting ready to welcome back one of the first restaurant brands to truly transcend the dining experience and incorporate the best parts of the entertainment industry. Planet Hollywood Observatory has just revealed its new menu for the transformed Orlando Flagship location. New dining options will highlight Planet Hollywood’s classic dishes; introduce savory selections by dynamic chef, restaurateur and television personality Guy Fieri; and add a lineup of over-the-top sweets.
The restaurant is currently targeting a fall 2016 reopening, but looking at the state of the restaurant construction, I suspect that will be more realistically winter 2017.
“We’ve spent an enormous amount of time developing new menu offerings for Planet Hollywood Observatory and striking a balance with keeping our favorites in place,” said Robert Earl, Founder and Chairman, Planet Hollywood International. “We’re excited to offer even more options for our guests, ranging from appealing starters, to light and healthy salads, to indulgent steak and lobster—and everything in between. And they really must save room for dessert—I always do!”
Longtime Planet Hollywood diners will embrace the return of classics such as World Famous Chicken Crunch with Creole mustard sauce playfully plated in a chicken-shaped dish; Nachos Grande piled high with chipotle chicken, cheese and black bean sauce, cruda salsa verde, pico de gallo, queso fresco and sour cream; L.A. Lasagna a fried take on this comfort food favorite with Bolognese sauce, roasted garlic cream and tomato basil sauces; and the epic High Roller Platter, a celebration of “best-ofs” with the Chicken Crunch, Texas Tostados, Buffalo Wings, Cheesy Spinach Dip, Peri-Peri Shrimp served in a uniquely designed Ferris-wheel dish.
For those drawn to delicious indulgences, head straight for Fieri’s new “Big Bite Burgers” and “Knuckle Sandwiches.” The six burger choices, which are not to be missed, include Fieri’s award-winning Bacon Mac-N-Cheese with applewood smoked bacon, six-cheese mac-n-cheese, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, crispy onion straws, Fieri’s signature Donkey Sauce, garlic-buttered brioche bun; The Mayor of Flavortown seasoned pastrami, swiss cheese, caraway slaw, pickles, Dijon mustard and Donkey Sauce on a garlic-buttered pretzel bun; and the Prime Time American Kobe with American-style kobe beef, smoked gouda, cheddar, caramelized onion jam, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, crispy onion straws, Donkey Sauce, garlic-buttered brioche bun.
A Lobster Feast Fra Diavolo, a spaghetti favorite served in a whole lobster shell and a Sesame Ginger Salmon with cilantro rice are two of eight gussied-up specialty offerings. Steak and rib selections – including the 20 ounce, bone-in NY Strip Steak for two served with roasted garlic and herb butter, steak fries and green bean blend – can now be upgraded to “surf & turf” status with the accompaniment of a whole steamed lobster.
Vegetarians will rejoice with Fieri’s take on the scratch-made Morgan’s Veggie, a burger of black and white beans, chickpeas, oats, artichokes, roasted red pepper with cilantro aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, toasted wheat bun and a Pimento Grilled Cheese six-cheese mac-n-cheese, pimento cheese, garlic-buttered sourdough. Healthy options for guests include a selection of five fresh salads like the Citrus Kale, a combination of kale, julienned broccoli, slivered Brussels sprouts and cabbage, feta, grapefruit, oranges, cranberries, sunflowers seeds, agave dressing; and Spinach & Berries with candied walnuts, bleu
cheese crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette.
For a sweet finish “Hand-Dipped and Whimsical Milkshakes” include Chocolate Comet and Strawberry Borealis. The dessert menu is filled with goodies such as the Cosmic Cream Challenge, a blind tasting of 12 flavors of house-made ice creams and sorbets; Planet Melt Down, a chocolate hardshell dome, melted tableside by hot chocolate sauce to reveal double chocolate fudge cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream; and Brownie Sundae Martini, 12 decadent chunks of freshly baked brownies layered with six scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream with toppings.
Relax amongst the stars and enjoy live music in an all-new Stargazers Lounge. A dedicated menu is focused on Florida craft beers from breweries like Funky Buddha, Bold City, Cigar City and Swamp Head and has hand-crafted cocktails made with local fresh ingredients, like the Cosmic Mule New Amsterdam vodka, Limoncino Bottega & Real ginger-infused syrup. Keeping in theme with Planet Hollywood’s whimsical nature, spirits are given equal attention with monstrous beverages served in souvenir vessels including the Halley’s Comet served in a 45 oz. Planet-bowl and the Planetary Punch Monkey served in a 21 oz. Comet Glass.