The new headlining restaurant of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk is the second original concept dining establishment added to the Epicenter of Awesome. When Bigfire American Fare opened its doors in June 2019, the novel lake camp-inspired eatery had two pairs of mighty big shoes to fill.
Not only did Bigfire have to live up to the sky-high expectations of Universal Orlando’s inaugural original restaurant, the eclectic and continually, immensely popular Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, but the new original offering was taking over the prime real estate of CityWalk that belonged to Emeril’s Orlando since the dining and entertainment district had debuted in 1999.
I got my first taste of Bigfire the day before I ran in the inaugural Running Universal 10K, therefore, I regretfully was unable to sample any of their mature libations. Certainly, I must make a trip back to Bigfire Bar and enjoy one — or two, or three — of their signature takes on one of my favorite cocktails: The Old Fashioned.
For my dinner, I had the Hearthstone Seafood Bake:
Wood oven baked Northern whitefish, shrimp, cold water mussels, andouille sausage, fresh corn, red potatoes, lemon butter
The cast-iron pot contained a flavorful, buttery broth that held traces of all the mingled flavors of the meats and vegetables — perfect for a brisk late Fall or early Winter meal. The dish was mostly mussels and potatoes, the latter of which I found the star of the show. The potatoes soaked up the broth, and therefore the flavors of all the other ingredients, making each bite of potato a tasty explosion.
My other favorites from this dish include the spicy kick of the andouille, the juiciness of the fresh corn and the crunch of the grilled bread soaked with broth. The shrimp was a bit of a disappointment; they were the least plentiful and the least seasoned.
My lovely dinner companion ordered the Wild Salmon grilled over Bigfire’s signature wood blend (Off the Embers) with Au Gratin Potatoes and grilled asparagus.
This meal was even more delectable than my own. The seared flavors of the salmon were complex and pleasing, and the interior flakes were juicy and fresh. The au gratin potatoes had an incredibly unique blend of perfectly melted cheeses and were seasoned just right. The asparagus was undoubtedly fresh, however, I prefer my asparagus left on the grill a touch longer.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without enjoying Bigfire’s signature sweet: tableside DIY classic S’mores.
The tableside s’mores are served with each ingredient separated in compartments on a rustic, wooden lazy susan with a small fire — *chuckles* — safely contained in a cute, miniature cast-iron grill.
The ingredients include graham crackers, housemade vanilla and chocolate marshmallows, traditional marshmallows, Hershey’s milk chocolate bars, and Reese’s peanut butter cups. Yes, whole Reese’s peanut butter cups.
Diners are given tiny fondue forks to hold their marshmallows as they toast over the flames.
I found there were plentiful amounts of chocolate and marshmallows provided, yet not quite enough graham crackers. Perhaps, the restaurant might bring additional crackers at no extra cost; we didn’t ask, though because we were full before we could begin to even think about making more s’mores with the excess marshmallows and chocolate.
The housemade chocolate marshmallow was my favorite tableside s’more ingredient — it wasn’t too rich, treacly or dense, the perfect marshmallow with the right amount of chocolate touch. Also, I still cannot grasp the addition of full Reese’s cups. You’ve not lived until you’ve had a s’more made with a Reese’s cup.
While the food is phenomenal, I would submit Bigfire American Fare’s food is surpassed by its theme and decor.
See below some of the thematic elements & elegant ornamentation that make Bigfire a must-see destination, including the “bigfire” itself, the open-fire grill on which the signature menu items are cooked.
Austin Vaughn is a Columnist for Boardwalk Times
