Inside Tchoup-Chop

Emeril’s Tchoup Chop is an asian/polynesian dining experience in the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios. The atmosphere is chic and contemporary with bright colors and exotic flair. The restaurant itself is actually quite beautiful and sets the mood nicely for a Pacific Islands dining experience.

The servers are choreographed to bring out and set food onto the table as if in a theatrical production, but I thought the service left something to be desired. I started with the Homemade Dumpling Box, which had a wonderful sake-soy dipping sauce, and Tchop Chop Crunchy Shrimp. The main course was Black Pepper Grilled Niman Ranch Black Angus Rib Eye with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Applewood Smoked Kurobuta Bacon Reduction Sauce and Ginger Buttered Asparagus. The meal finished with a Bitter Sweet Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Cream Layered Kahlua Chocolate Cake Served with Banana Foster Sauce, Pecan Pralines and Sweet Cream.

Overall, the experience and food were not bad. You will find better food and service for less in Orlando but this is a decent option when dining in the area around Universal Studios.

The details:

Location: 6300 Hollywood Way Orlando, FL 32819 (Inside the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios). Phone: 407-503-2467. Reservations Recommended. Business casual attire. Lunch courses start at about $20 and dinner courses start at about $25. Lunch: Mon-Sun, 11:30am-2:00pm. Dinner: Sun-Thu, 5:30pm-10:00pm, Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-11:00pm.