Review: Emeril’s Tchoup Chop Offers New Sunset Menu, 3 Delicious Courses for $35.00

Hi everyone!

We were invited to Emeril’s Tchoup Chop at Loews Royal Pacific Resort (located at Universal Orlando) to try out the new Sunset Menu that is available between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. This is our second dining review for this wonderful location (the first is here from 2014), which has become one of our favorites over the last couple of years. We have dined here on our own as well as Emeril’s at CityWalk. The menu is Polynesian-Asian Fusion, and the website says of the restaurant, “Emeril’s Tchoup Chop is a unique and exotic journey through the Pacific Seas”. Complimentary valet and self parking are available at the main entrance of Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Emeril’s Tchoup Chop is located downstairs near the pool and convention center.

Emeril’s Tchoup Chop has a relaxed vible, with a reflecting pool in the center. It isn’t usually as busy during this timeframe, not as it can be closer to the dinner hour. We were at the restaurant from 5 p.m. until maybe 7:30 p.m., and the podium had a line (and there were guests at most tables) when we left.

The lighting is subtle (fairly dark), with beautiful chandeliers.

Another highlight of the restaurant is the open kitchen.

The Sunset Menu is basic – guests can choose from one of two starters, one of two entrees, and one of two desserts. I can be a little picky since I don’t eat seafood and not much pork, but the menu offered 4 out of 6 items that I knew I could enjoy. I was a little unsure about the skirt steak because I generally prefer a tender piece of meat, but this was one of the best steaks I’ve had in a long time. This piece of meat was clearly marinated for quite some time, and we will talk about that in a bit.

I ordered a sangria from the bar. This is my drink of choice lately, and this one was fruity and strong.

Jeff started with a 1944 Mai Tai Roa AE, it is listed on the menu below. He’s ordered this one before and it is his favorite on the drink menu. This comes with 3 Star Barbancourt Rum, Myers Dark Rum, Orgeat Syrup, Orange Curacao & fresh lime juice.

Here is a look at the Handcrafted Cocktails menu.

We started with the shrimp chips. These are created in-house. I do not eat shrimp at all, but did eat some of these. They have shrimp flavor, but not overwhelmingly so and were quite tasty. Think of this like the bread in a restaurant, they are included with the meal price.

We ordered the menu, all 6 items. This was the Caesar. The popcorn is their answer to croutons. The surprise here was the chili-lime anchovy dressing. As a non-fish eater (except for an occasional can of tuna), I found the dressing not too “fishy” and a nice compliment to the salad.

The Kalua Chicken Eggrolls were delicious, I don’t know if I’ve ever had a chicken eggroll before, and they worked well with the orange chili dipping sauce.

Here is a look at both appetizers.

Jeff also ordered a Painkiller, which was another winning drink. This comes with Pusser’s Navy Rum, Cream of Coconut, pressed pineapple juice, fresh orange juice & nutmeg.

Jeff’s entree was the Hawaiian Style Local Mahi Mahi, with gai lan, mushrooms, ginger cilantro and sesame soy. Each item that arrived at the table was perfectly plated with decorative garnish. Jeff enjoyed this quite a lot, but the edge for him went to the skirt steak (which I shared with him).

The Hibachi Skirt Steak was the highlight of the meal. It was one of the best steaks I’ve had in recent memory. I ordered it cooked medium, and it was a little charred on the outside and extremely tender on the inside. Who knew? Skirt steak is not known as a tender meat, and I should have asked about the length of time marinating. I was told the marinade is a saki-soy marinade. It sat on a bed of Okinawa Purple Smashed Potatoes. I just can’t say enough about this exquisite dish.

For dessert, we also ordered both choices. The first, Homemade Tropical Sorbet. It is a terrific choice for a light dessert, though it wasn’t light on sorbet flavor. We were told that the flavors included Raspberry Grand Marnier and Watermelon Tequila Lime. The flavors are not listed on the menu, so that could change. The flowers on the dessert were a very nice touch.

This dessert option was also a hit, Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Salted Toffee Rum, and Caramel Popcorn. The popcorn wasn’t too different than say…Werther’s, but I the lava cake and ice cream were excellent and nicely plated. It is a much heavier option than the sorbet.

We were happy to see Chef Ryan Vargas again! He is often in the kitchen, and his history includes many years with Four Seasons hotels.

Check out our discussion about Emeril’s Tchoup Chop on our Mousesteps Weekly YouTube Show #176!

The address for Emeril’s Tchoup Chop is 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, FL 32819 and the phone number is 407-503-3340.

We highly recommend the Sunset Menu (or the regular menu) for a nice night out.

Incidentally, the convention center is close and has excellent wheelchair accessible restrooms (I had a broken ankle 2 years ago during my first visit here). There were many restaurants in and around the various theme parks that do not have easy access, this was one of my favorite restaurants in that regard during my time in a cast.