RESTAURANTS
| Fine
Dining |
California
Grill
"The Mouse can cook, baby!"; this Californian
on "top of the world" (or on the 15th floor of Disney's
Contemporary Resort, anyway) again is voted Orlando's Most Popular
restaurant; "gifted" chef Clifford Pleau continually reinvents
his "unique seasonal menus", creating "divine"
dishes paired with an "equally eloquent wine list"; add
"impeccable" service and "spectacular" views of
the park and its fireworks, and the result is truly "great dining"
-- "tourists" in "shorts and Mickey Mouse ears"
not withstanding.
Location: Disney World
Contemporary Hotel
$41 |
Christini's
"A treasure among restaurants", this "buttoned-up" Northern Italian
"standby" in the Dr. Phillips area of South Orlando produces "feasts"
of near-"perfect" execution, complemented by a 450-label wine list;
among its many "charms" are "exquisite service", ornate, "beautiful"
decor and "strolling musicians" who complete the "romantic" picture;
just bear in mind that such "very special" dining doesn't come cheap
-- the prices are "high" even by "expense-account" standards.
South Orlando 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
$52 |
Hemingways
The Hemingway-at-Key-West decor (rods and reels, a stuffed marlin,
nautical trinkets) at this "lovely" Lake Buena Vista hotel seafood
house makes you feel like you've spent the day fishing with Papa;
"a nice place to bring clients" or to celebrate "special occasions",
it impresses with dishes like "great coconut shrimp" and "yummy" paella.
Lake Buena Vista 1 Grand Cypress Blvd.
$41 |
Morton's
of Chicago
Superlative beef and sides in a discreet locale. Average User Rating:
It would be hard to find a more old-school steakhouse than Morton's
of Chicago. As you descend into the "romantic" darkness, past the
clouds of cigar smoke, you'll find incredible steaks-at equally incredible
prices. And don't forget the equally expensive side dishes. If price
is no object to a good meal, you've found the place. When was the
last time you've had beef so tender and full of flavor that you have
to remark after every bite? While the steakhouse is particularly close
to the Central Florida theme parks, it is tucked away in the quaint
Doctor Phillips Marketplace, a respite of sorts from nearby tourist
hangouts. The clientele is one part Orlando executive, two parts Orlando
business traveler. They are all here to drink martinis and sink their
teeth into the juicy porterhouse, sirloin and Maine lobster. As for
side dishes, don't pass up the specialty, potatoes Lyonnaise.
Location: 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
$60 |
Venetian
Room
An upscale, fine-dining restaurant that strives to offer an elegant
experience of the highest level.
The menu is under the supervision of chef de cuisine Khalid Benghallem,
a former sous chef at Emeril's and the opening chef at Shula's Steakhouse
in the Dolphin Hotel. The fare features all the standards you would
expect to find in such a place - foie gras, crab cake, lamb rack,veal
chop, etc. But the preparations are anything but standard, and some
are downright inspired.
Now, we may as well get this bit of business out the way right now:
This place isn't cheap. Appetizers range from $14 to $17, and six
of the seven entrees are more.than $30
Location:
Caribe Royal Hotel 8101 World Center Drive |
Vito's
Chop House
"Classy without being stuffy", this upscale
International Drive yearling has already become a favorite steaks-and-chops
choice for carnivores who rave they're "the best I've had in a long
time"; the "high-quality" beef is "cooked exactly as requested" and
presented by "attentive servers" who can also recommend "excellent"
selections from the ambitious 800-plus bottle wine list.
International
Drive 8633 International Dr.
$33 |
| Better
Dining |
| |
Bahama
Breeze
Island cuisine at its best.
Bahama Breeze is much like that restaurant you stumbled across during
your last visit to the beach. You know the place, with its bustling
outdoor patio with a guitarist strumming tropical tunes, a mile-long
bar that serves by the gallon tropical drinks with little umbrellas
and an atmosphere with lots of beautiful people. However, at Bahama
Breeze-in the middle of landlocked Orlando-the people are fully clothed.
No bikinis here. The biggest difference? The food. You'll find island
cuisine at its best. For appetizers, try the tostones con pollo, fried
plantains topped with spiced chicken, mushrooms and cheese. For dinner,
try fish in a bag, an unusual entree of mahi-mahi sealed in parchment
and baked in natural juices with strips of peppers, mushrooms and
celery with sprigs of thyme. Paired with yellow rice, the entree is
an explosion of fresh flavors. Other standouts include coconut curry
chicken and the jerk chicken pasta. In a city overrun by chain restaurants,
it is unlikely that the latest concept from the company that brought
us Red Lobster and Olive Garden would cause so much excitement. However,
Bahama Breeze is not your typical chain restaurant. There is one thing
that remains sadly typical: the long wait... and this chain doesn't
accept reservations.
Location: 8849 International
$20 |
| |
BB Kings Restaurant & Club
Delicious comfort foods are served in generous portions. The menu items are tantalizing and standouts from the ordinary. The rub-downed ribs are of the highest quality, tender, meaty. The barbeque sauce adds an accent flavor and a luscious finish. The rotisserie split chicken is moist, topped with tasty crispy fried onions; an excellent marriage of two distinct flavors. The soul sampler's Memphis wings are honestly hot, a zesty treat. The fried dill pickle chips are an unexpected pleasure, surprisingly a good delicacy.
Pointe Orlando International Dr.
$20 |
Cafe
Tu Tu Tango
Truly an "original in the middle of tourist-trap" International Drive,
this "avant-garde" Eclectic's "cool" "bohemian" setting comes complete
with "artists at work" regulars suggest "go with a group, order lots
and share", because the kitchen "does tapas right" and the "prompt"
staff keeps the pitchers of sangria coming; just "bring your earplug"
- the festive action can get noisy.
International
Drive 8625 International Dr.
$22 |
Le
Peep
With its throngs of tourists looking for a good start before visiting
the theme parks, you'll often find quite a wait for breakfast in Orlando.
To say LePeep is the restaurant where locals eat breakfast, is important.
Located a few blocks from Universal Studios Escape, LePeep has yet
to catch on as a tourist hangout. And, frankly, Orlando locals like
it that way. The wait is usually long enough without the theme park
masses. If anything, LePeep offers variety with about 40 breakfast
items. LePeep claims that it invented the trendy "skillet breakfast"
way back in 1972, and has eight varieties to choose from, including
the Tex-Mex Desperado, featuring potatoes, chorizo sausage, green
chilies, onions and salsa, capped with cheese and two basted eggs.
Omelets shine, including the heavenly Seafarer with seafood, spinach
cream cheese, fresh mushrooms and Hollandaise sauce. Be sure to start
with the fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Location:
4666 Kirkman Rd.
$14 |
Pebbles
Restaurant
This local chain is something of an Orlando institution. It's where
locals go when they want a casual atmosphere with sophisticated food.
Pebbles is a perfect place to take guests from out of town, as the
atmosphere screams "Florida." Try the Mediterranean salmon, a sauteed
filet accompanied by artichoke hearts, Mediterranean salsa, and feta,
served alongside roasted pecan couscous; or the Florida citrus chicken,
a breaded breast in a lemon-orange sauce also served with the pecan
couscous and julienne vegetables. Among salad lovers, the ahi tuna
on Mediterranean pasta has made Pebbles famous with its seared medium
rare tuna over fresh mixed greens tossed into pasta blended with feta
cheese, hearts of palm and artichokes. A true Floridian will order
Pebble's perfect Key lime pie for dessert. But who can resist the
chocolate bread pudding, served warm with vanilla ice cream and Kahlua
white chocolate sauce? Pebble's is located near the Downtown Disney
hotel plaza in the CrossRoads of Lake Buena Vista shopping center.
Location: 12551 State Rd. 535
$22 |
Too
Jay's
Although Orlando lacks much of the culinary sophistication of bigger
cities, O-town has a gem of a deli that can beat just about any in
New York City. After taking one bite of their colossal corned beef
on rye, you'll know that you're in sandwich heaven. But Toojay's is
much more than a sandwich shop. It's also a Jewish deli, a diner,
a bakery and a home-cooking restaurant all rolled up in one. You'll
be hard pressed to make a decision when presented the menu. You can't
go wrong with the sandwiches, made on fresh bread-the rye is incredible.
But don't ignore the entres, especially the stuffed cabbage, potato
pancakes and turkey. Check out the dessert selections before you are
seated and you'll surely leave room. They are as good as they look.
$15 |
| |
Le
Coq Au Vin
"Quaint, intimate and charming", this South
Orlando French bistro is a "perennial favorite that's holding up well"
and continues to prove that "fine things come in small packages";
so devoted is chef-owner Louis Perrotte's following that regulars
claim to have the "phone number programmed on their cell phones",
and why not? -- the "simply excellent" menu "caters to the connoisseur"
by "changing seasonally, so each visit is a delicious new experience"
(but always "finish with a souffl").
South
Orlando 4800 S. Orange Ave.
$34 |
| |
Passage
to India
is a wonderfully authentic Indian restaurant that does much more than
simply serve great Indian food. This restaurant also provides its
clientele with a true taste of India, from the decor reflecting painstaking
attention to detail to the strains of exotic East Indian instruments
and voices weaving an intoxicating tapestry of music to accompany
your dining experience. The staff here is friendly and accomodating,
the owner, Uday Kadam will usually greet you at the door and take
personal pride in seeing that your dining experience is a memorable
one. And Uday has much to be proud of. The food here is wonderfully
authentic and delicious. And now that they have a lunch buffet from
11:30am - 1:30pm, the value here is an even greater bargain!
Give this charming Indian restaurant a try and you'll want to book
a Passage to India everyday!
$18
More Info |
| |
Bergamo's
Italian Restaurant
features a magical combination of excellent cuisine and musical entertainment.
The finest pasta, seafood, veal and certified Angus steaks are served
up by the most talented singing waiters anywhere.
$33 |
Carrabba's
Italian Grill
Unless you go very early or very late, you'll always stand in line
for a table at Carraba's, but it's worth the wait for well-prepared
Italian specialties. The casual dining room is a favorite for families,
sharing plates of pasta and hearty entrees like the pollo Rosa Maria,
a fire-roasted chicken breast stuffed with fontina cheese, prosciutto
and topped with mushroom basil butter sauce. They grill a surprisingly
good sirloin over a wood fire, topped with mushrooms and prosciutto
in a marsala wine sauce. For a seafood fix, ask for the day's special
and have it grilled, or try the linguine pescatore with mussels, shrimp
and scallops in a spicy marinara sauce. Wines are mostly Italian;
the house red is a decent Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. For dessert we
can recommend the tiramisu or dessert Rosa, a sweet concoction of
butter cake with pastry cream, bananas, strawberries, pineapple and
whipped cream.
Location: 1001 Sand LakeRd.
$20 |
| |
Kobe
"Entertaining" "teppanyaki chefs put on a show" at this Japanese steakhouse
chain that boosters say provides a "consistently fun dining experience";
it's also "a good place for the novice sushi eater", and the daily
early-bird special delivers "a lot of food for the money"; be forewarned,
however, that service can be "slow and unenthused."
$24
|
| |
Don
Pablo's
It is no coincidence that stepping into Don Pablo's is like entering
a village plaza in some border town. But forget the decor and try
the enchiladas, as they are convincing enough. Skip the starters and
stick with the chips and salsa along with one of the many variations
of margaritas. You'll need one if you opt for the salsa macho, an
extremely hot version of Don Pablo's house salsa. Try the chicken
Tampico, a grilled breast topped with a roasted poblano pepper and
Tampico cheese sauce. If you are looking for a light dining option,
Mama's Skinny Enchiladas have only 4.5 fat grams per enchilada-three
corn tortilla chicken enchiladas with a red ranchero sauce topped
with cheese, served with low-fat charra beans and Spanish rice. Looking
for a quick meal? The house salad is better than average and the tortilla
soup is heavenly.
Location: 8717 International Dr.
$16 |
| |
Fish
Bones
"Make a reservation or you'll have a long wait"
at this "hopping" seafood house in the International Drive "tourist
zone", popular for its "tasty", "large portions" of "fresh fish done
quite well" and "excellent" steaks; the ocean-faring decor (think
nautical maps on the tabletops, fishing poles on the walls) is just
what you'd expect at this kind of surf 'n' turf.
International
Drive 6707 Sand Lake Rd. (International Dr.)
$30 |
| |
Charley's
steakhouse
Steaks so tender you can "cut them with a fork" are the province of
this steakhouse minichain where "incredible slabs of meat" are "cooked
to perfection" over a "hardwood fire" emerging thick,juicy, and exceptionally
flavorful you are in beef lovers paradise.
Numerous
locations.
$36 |
Outback
may be the best family style chain restaurant steakhouse
$20 |
| Orlando Restaurant Coupons
|
| Orlando
restaurant reviews have been culled
from various references including gayot.com & zagat.com.
We recommend you visit their sites to
learn
about other restaurants in Orlando and other cities.
The Orlando restaurant guide includes
a listing of fine dining, steakhouses, seafood restaurants, Indian
restaurants, Mexican restaurants, Latin restaurants, Japanese restaurants,
Italian restaurants, buffet restaurants, family restaurants,all
you can eat restaurants, french and casual restaurants can be found
in this Orlando dining guide.
Prices subject to change without notice.
Orlando Car Rental Code
|
 |
Our website is constantly being
updated. Please be sure to click the"refresh" button of your browser to
ensure you are getting the most up-to-date information.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
