Dining at Zen inside the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate was an excellent experience. From…read moreattentive service and sophisticated ambiance to beautifully presented dishes, the restaurant delivers what you would expect from upscale resort dining.
Even the backlit menus were a nice touch in the softly illuminated dining room. We enjoyed a comfortable, quiet booth where conversation was effortless, despite the restaurant being packed during a weekday conference. This is where OpenTable comes in handy. I reserved ahead of time, which I highly recommend.
We began with the Tuna Tartare ($24), featuring tuna, crispy rice chips, yuzu kosho cream, and shiso microgreens. Beautifully presented and delicious, although the portion was surprisingly small, even by fine dining standards. A few additional bites would have made it more satisfying.
Next was the Chicken Wonton Soup ($11), finished with green onions. The broth was wonderfully flavorful, delicate yet satisfying, and easily the highlight. I genuinely wished there were more of it. Give me a pho-sized bowl of that broth and I could happily make an entire meal of it!
We also tried the Dim Sim Trio ($21), curiously spelled "Dim Sim" rather than "Dim Sum" on the menu. It included pork, chicken, and vegetable dumplings with traditional dumpling and peanut sauces. The dumplings were good, though not extraordinary. I'm normally a huge peanut sauce fan, but here it overwhelmed the delicate flavors. I'd recommend sticking with the traditional sauce. At $21, the value was questionable. Good? Yes. Worth ordering again? Probably not.
The Gochujang-Glazed Lamb Chops ($28) featured chargrilled marinated lamb with mint dumpling sauce. Nicely presented and another appealing addition to our shared dishes.
Then came the Signature Peking Duck ($29), featuring lacquered duck breast, hoisin sauce, pancakes, and fresh vegetables.
The duck was flavorful, the portion respectable, and I appreciated the generously sized pancakes. Although, when sharing, four pancakes instead of three would make more sense.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a single bite of genuinely crispy skin. For anyone familiar with properly prepared Peking duck, that's hardly a minor detail. It's arguably the entire point.
It's like ordering a Wagyu tomahawk and receiving a conventional sirloin. Both are beef, just as both preparations are duck, but they're hardly interchangeable experiences.
I'd prefer the restaurant simply describe it as roasted duck rather than promise a preparation it doesn't deliver. Enjoyable overall, but disappointing in execution.
Fortunately, the Black Cod with Miso & Sake Glaze ($48) was outstanding. Served with broccolini, yuzu foam, and daikon purée, this was among the evening's strongest dishes.
The portion was generous, and the fish was beautifully prepared, delicate, flaky, and practically melting in your mouth. The glaze complemented the cod's natural richness, while the broccolini provided a welcome contrast. Exactly how black cod should be prepared, and something I'd enthusiastically order again.
The Biscoff Crumble Cake was an unexpected revelation. With its buttery crumble, creamy ice cream, caramel-like richness, and unmistakable spiced-cookie flavor, it was extraordinary.
If you're even considering this dessert, don't hesitate. Just do it, like the Nike commercials, lol!
I'm generally more inclined toward chocolate desserts, but this was so good I'd happily pass up chocolate any day of the week. Well, depending on the chocolate, of course, but you get the idea!
The Key West Bar was equally impressive, a beautifully presented interpretation of classic Key lime pie. Its smooth citrus filling, contrasting crust, toasted meringue, and vibrant fruit accents made it refreshing yet indulgent.
If you love Key lime pie, you'll absolutely appreciate the Key West Bar. Choosing between the Biscoff Crumble Cake and Key West Bar would be genuinely difficult. Ideally, visit with a group and share both. Neither felt excessively heavy, though, so ordering your own is certainly reasonable!
Overall, Zen delivered a wonderful evening. The main shortcomings were the questionable value of the Dim Sim Trio and the missing crispy skin on the Peking duck, but those were exceptions in an otherwise impressive meal. The service was warm and attentive, the ambiance sophisticated without being overly formal, and the food largely excellent.
Most importantly, Zen maintained an intimate, relaxed atmosphere despite a packed dining room, something not every upscale restaurant accomplishes.
The experience reflects the quality and hospitality one hopes to find at an Omni resort. I'd happily return, explore more of the menu, and certainly leave room for dessert.
Highly recommended, with a few thoughtful caveats.