restaurants offer a three-course menu at either $30 for fine dining or $20 for casual. As I mentioned at the beginning of this magical month o’ dining, some restaurants seem oddly placed in the $30 “fine dining” category.But Highland Manor, the excellent Apopka restaurant I reviewed several weeks ago, may be the most oddly placed restaurant of the group in that it is lumped in with the $20 eateries. And that might just make it the most magical dining deal of all.
HM’s MagDngMo menu offers a choice of soup, salad or mozzarella sticks for a starter, followed by a choice from among four entrees, including the wonderful buttermilk fried quail I had when I dined there. There are three dessert choices, including hummingbird cake, which contains no avian ingredients.
AS I said in my review, I’m not crazy about the ambience, which is a bit too impersonal and banquet-hall-like. But I think executive chef John Mooney is very talented, and I suggest you take advantage of this opportunity to sample his food. (By the way, Mooney is one of the chefs I selected to give a cooking demonstration on the ScottJosephOrlando.com Cooking Stage at this weekend’s Orlando Home Show; come out and see us.)
Here’s a link to Highland Manor’s page at Orlando Magical Dining Month, and here’s a link to MagDngMo’s home page where you'll find lots of other bargains.
Highland Manor is at 604 E. Main St., Apopka. The phone number is 407-886-6226. Reservations are always a good idea, and be sure to ask for the Magical Dining Month menu when you’re seated.
