World’s Magic gives I-Drive a global feel
World’s Magic Restaurant is featuring a different part of the world on Orlando’s International Drive. The oddly named eatery showcases halal Indonesian food in a shabby shopping center that also houses an Ethiopian restaurant, an Irish pub and an Egyptian hookah lounge.
What I would try a second time
Our server recommended ordering the chicken satay ($11.99) in addition to our entrees — and I’m so glad we took his advice. He delivered a steaming cast-iron skillet of skewered chicken sitting on onion strips. A mixture of peanut and soy sauces imparted a nutty yet sweet flavor to the meat. There was a somewhat intense discussion over the fair division of leftover satay later in the meal.
What I didn’t like
While I enjoyed the sauces coating the meats I tried, the texture of the proteins was tough.
What I would put on Instagram
Food was fairly spilling off the physical dish of my mixed plate entree ($17). A fried hard-boiled egg topped my tower of jasmine rice, which was surrounded by meats and sides.
Strands of coconut were very apparent in my chicken rendang, adding texture to the spice-filled stew. A bright salty-spicy taste coated my sambal chicken with soy sauce, while beef sambal with tahini offered a more velvety version.
The green beans in a creamy coconut sauce kept the same crunchiness as a raw version of the vegetable. Sambal fried potatoes lacked the spice expected from the chili paste. A side of elbow macaroni in a monotonous red sauce went uneaten.
Other eats
We started our meal by breaking open some chicken spring rolls ($3.99) and dunking krupk, an airy chip, into sambal or a peanut sauce.
My guest opted for sambal chicken with tahini ($12.99), a sweet-saltysavory entree. Bland basmati rice accompanied it.
How I was treated
Our server didn’t shy away from giving us tips and more information on a cuisine that was somewhat unfamiliar to us. He added a few “extras” to our meal such as an extra meat dish (the chicken rendang) and a strawberry ice cream with caramel sauce to ensure we tasted a full lineup of items.
My next visit
The beef or shrimp satays will have to be on our table, likely with a fish dish.
For bar-hoppers
Head elsewhere if you want an alcoholic beverage — maybe to the lounge next door?
For those with special diets
There are no meatless proteins on the menu, but there are a few vegetarian sides and appetizers available.