Review: Plancha
We were invited to a very special luncheon at Plancha, located along the golf course at Four Seasons Orlando. It was a very intimate luncheon hosted by the resort. Chef Pedro told us all out the menu items and events coming to Plancha.
If you’re not familiar with Plancha, it features fresh Cuban-American cuisine. The restaurant has an all-day menu that is available from 11 am – 6 pm daily.
Ambiance
Plancha’s dining room features tables, a bar and a seating area for those looking to sit-back, relax and enjoy a refreshing cocktail. The tables are a rich dark wood with brown chairs. The ceiling is a bright white with candle chandeliers and the walls are a dark wood with one that’s a giant picturesque window overlooking the golf course. This gives a brightness to the warm dining room.
Sports enthusiasts will be happy to see that the bar has some TVs where you can catch up on your favorite sport.
There is also outside seating for those who want some fresh air while enjoying a meal or some thirst-quenching beverages. We think it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the company of your dining companions. One great thing about their outdoor seating, it’s covered so you don’t need to worry about getting too much sun.
Menu
The menu consists of soups, fresh salads, appetizers, sandwiches, hot entrées and delicious desserts. The menu is not extensive, but offers a wide variety of unique items and a twist on some classic favorites, like a Caesar salad with manchego cheese and hummus made with black beans and served with farm vegetables.
Everything here is made fresh and in-house, so the menu changes seasonally. Right now, they are offering their summer menu, but in December it will change to their winter one.
One their menu you’ll notice that you can purchase their vinegars. They offer a spicy and extremely spicy 5 oz. for 8 and 12 oz. for 12. It’s a nice way to experience a little bit of Plancha when you’re back home.
Food and Drink
Since this was a hosted event to tell us about their restaurant and menu, Chef Pedro came out and explained the various dishes that we would be trying.
To start off the meal, they brought us Beef Empanadas (10) served with mango and jalapeño jam, Guacamole (9) served with roasted corn relish and naan chips, and Tuna Ceviche (14) with avocado and ginger and coconut vinaigrette.
Everything was excellent, but this was my favorite. Creamy avocado topped with fresh tuna, micro greens, jalapeños, and drizzled with ginger and coconut vinaigrette. It was so good, I could have had a few more.
If you like empanadas, you must try the Beef Empanadas served with mango and jalapeño jam. They are really good.
The naan chips and roasted corn relish are a really nice twist to traditional guacamole. It’s different, but great. If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, try the lemonade.
For our entrées, we were able to choose from Casa (10) – baby mache with tomatoes, avocado, red onion and lemon vinaigrette; Plancha Burger (19) – chorizo and beef patty topped maduros, white cheddar, lettuce and heirloom tomatoes and served with a side of fries; El Chubano (17) – roasted pork, black forest ham, Swiss cheese and mustard, served with a housemade pickle; and NY Strip (26) served with mamposteao rice and classic chimichurri sauce.
If you like burgers, then give the Plancha Burger a try. It’s not your traditional beef burger, it’s a chorizo and beef patty topped maduros, white cheddar, lettuce and heirloom tomatoes and served with a side of fresh fries. The chorizo blended with the beef added a nice touch of spicy. And it was perfectly cooked!
The El Chubano sandwich is roasted pork, black forest ham, Swiss cheese and mustard, served with a housemade pickle. This sandwich had a lot of flavor.
If you’re a carnivorous steak eater, then you must try the one at Plancha. The NY Strip was perfectly cooked! The steak is served with mamposteao rice and classic chimichurri sauce.
Of course, you can’t have a meal without dessert! Chef Pedro presented us with four desserts: Piña with coconut helado and passion fruit (8), Guava Roll with crema de queso (7), Traditional Flan (8) with caña sugar caramel, and Tres Leches with dulce de leche and dulcey pearls (7).
The best dessert was the Tres Leches with dulce de leche and dulcey pearls. It was amazing!
If you’re a fan of the piña colada, then you have to try the Piña with coconut helado and passion fruit.
We also had the chance to try the Guava Roll with crema de queso. It was a nice and unique dessert.
If you like Mexican, Filipino or any other flan, then you’ll love the Traditional Flan with caña sugar caramel and fresh strawberry.
Service
The service was fantastic! However, it always is at the Four Seasons restaurants. The staff at all of their restaurants is always top notch. You’ll never have to worry about needing a drink refill here.
Overall
There is nothing but positive things that I can see about Plancha. The food is great! It’s relaxing and offers a great escape from the busy Disney parks. It’s definitely a hidden gem.
Great service, excellent food, fantastic atmosphere… what more can you ask for. Next time you’re at Disney, check out Plancha!
Download the Dining at Disney Podcast Ep. 17: Disney Raises Tables in Wonderland Prices and Four Seasons Plancha Review
3 Comments
Tony
Best Disney – Non Disney place for lunch with awesome food and service and air conditioning.
Suzanne risley
Can I get the guacamole recipe served at tranquilo golf club, orlando.
Outstanding
Dining at Disney
We haven’t seen the recipe anywhere, but if we do, we’ll make sure to share it. It is great!