ORLANDO, Fla. – Inside The Moderne, the room makes a strong first impression. Rich colors, gold accents and sculptural curves give the Mills 50 cocktail lounge a glamorous, Art Moderne-inspired look, while upbeat music keeps the energy moving. Drinks arrive with the kind of drama that invites a second glance. Then plates of shareable tapas begin landing on the table, and the food makes it clear that this is not simply a stylish place to grab a cocktail.
The Moderne may look like a metropolitan late-night lounge, but its kitchen deserves equal attention.
That balance is part of the restaurant’s identity. The Moderne describes its bar program as an effort to deconstruct and rebuild classic cocktails, while its food takes a similarly playful approach to familiar ideas. The menu is served tapas-style and draws on Southeast Asian and Mediterranean foundations, with influences that reach much farther: Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Latin flavors all find room on the table…