Favourite restaurants outside of WDW?!

[Debs Hill]

WE want to try a few different places on our next trip and are looking for recommendations of nice places to eat! We've heard Bahama Breeze is nice, has anyone tried that?!
All suggestions gratefully received!
Debx

[Goofyish]

Only one I've been in outside WDW in Orlando is the Ponderosa Steakhouse on southern I-Drive :)

We enjoyed it, great value for money, but not exactly fine dining :)

[Claire L]

Been to

Red Lobster - great seafood
Tony Roma's - mmmmm ribs
Cheesecake factory - great selection of food and very tasty
TGI Friday's - good American food
Pizzeria Uno - lovely pizza
Ruby Tuesday - great burger and salad bar
Hard Rock Cafe - great for music and food
Pastamore - fab Italian
Nascar Cafe - good burgers and Nachos
Sizzler - brekkie mainly these days if we want a quick and cheap meal

All are good restaurants :)

Claire ;)

[fizz13]

I like Race Rock for fun, great food and the collections of bikes, dragsters, giant 4 x 4s. If you have a petrol head/ race enthusiast in your clan then get yourself down there, has to be seen. Try the exploded onion!

[Graeme]

I'm a Race Rock fan as well. Loaded Fries are a must. A big plate of chips with mayo and bacon smothered in melted cheese. It looks a bit tatty if you go during the day but it's OK at night!!

[Amyrlin]

For 'Nice' meals
Texas de Brazil
Fishbones
Arthurs 27

Others that are good include
Macaroni Grill
Steak 'n'Shake
Red Lobster
Hooters (for OH)
Golden Corrall
Denny's for breakfast and IHOP for breakfast
Boston Lobster Feast
Outback

[Shooby doo]

Bennigan's
Outback Steakhouse
Olive Garden
Tony Roma's
Kobe japanese steakhouse
Denny's for breakfast
Chicago Uno
Darryls

Going to try Texas de Brazil & Bubba Gump Shrimp
SD :thumbsup2

[gilld]

Sweet Tomato

[Deedee]

I love the turkey dinner and the strawberry milkshakes at friendlys. Thats where we will be eating on the 21st!!!!

[Queenie]

Golden Corrall is my favourite, Bennigan's is fantastic for a slightly more pricey meal too. Also love Ponderosa, try them out for breakfast as well as dinner - they do an all you can eat buffet brek for $3.99 (or they did last year!) Dunkin' Donuts is our favourite for breakfast.

[nibby]

Bahama Breeze is excellent. Landry's Seafood much improved since we last went there. We love eating at the Teppanyaki table at Kobe.

[Debs Hill]

I knew you guys would be able to help!!!!

OK, some more specifics!! Where are Red Lobster and Pastamore?

What sort of food is Texas de BRazil, Fishbones, Bennigans and Sweet Tomato?

We would like to go out for one 'posh' meal, something on a par with California Grill or Victoria and Alberts, where would hit the spot?

Then we love Italian and Seafood............but we also have a 6 yr old boy to please!!!!

Any links to menus?

Debsxx

[paulfoel]

I'm a Race Rock fan as well. Loaded Fries are a must. A big plate of chips with mayo and bacon smothered in melted cheese. It looks a bit tatty if you go during the day but it's OK at night!!

I've always avoided Race Rock because 'some' of the outside theme restaurants can be a bit ropey...

Is it worth a visit then? What are the food prices like?

I've got a three year old who loves cars and stuff....

[paulfoel]

WE want to try a few different places on our next trip and are looking for recommendations of nice places to eat! We've heard Bahama Breeze is nice, has anyone tried that?!
All suggestions gratefully received!
Debx

Where is Bahama Breeze ? What sort of food?

[Claire L]

OK, some more specifics!! Where are Red Lobster and Pastamore?

Then we love Italian and Seafood............but we also have a 6 yr old boy to please!!!!

Any links to menus?

Debsxx

Red Lobster at Crossroads (http://direct.where2getit.com/redlobster2/geoproc.cgi/redlobster2?action=fieldquery&qfield=BusinessID&qvalue=0452&country=US&dist=3.98%20miles&addr=&place=&state=&zip=lake%20buena%20vista%2C%20florida) and their menu (http://www.redlobster.com/discover/default.asp).

Pastamore (http://www.universalorlando.com/cw_dining.html#pastamore) is at Citywalk in Universal. Menu at Pastamore (http://www.allearsnet.com/uni/menu/men_pasc.htm).

Claire ;)

[andip1967]

Has nobody mentioned Wild Jack's on I-Drive, well good steakhouse, even got a shandy when I was there in Feb.

[ERICS MUM]

Sweet Tomatoes is a salad buffet restaurant, more interesting than it sounds! A great place for people wanting a change from burgers/ribs/steak/fries type dinners.

Its near the top of International Drive, on the corner with Kirkman Road, a couple of minutes past Wet n Wild.

Linda

[Frances999]

Emeril's at CityWalk is excellent. Extremely comprehensive menu and mouth-watering desserts! Great for children, too (the children's menu is a breath of fresh air compared to many of the WDW restaurants).

[martinrmn]

Has anyone tried Don Pablo's Mexican restaurant on I Drive opposite Best Western Plaza? We went there in 2004 and had a fantastic time!! We can't wait to go back in Dec this year. When you ask for lager/beer it came in glasses that resembled goldfish bowls!! Stunning!! :thumbsup2 :goodvibes

[arieljasmine]

I am a big fan of Race Rock too, the portions are huge, theming is great, staff friendly, and it has a good atmosphere. I have usually eaten so much I am unable to walk when we leave there!

I also love the Hard Rock Cafe for good food (Cobb salad is amazing and huge) and good old fashioned rock n roll. I cannot leave without buying something in the shop :rolleyes1

ArielJasmine princess:

[Lizzybear]

We loved Cheesecake Factory. Not just for cheesecake either.. bf hates the stuff and I know he'll still have masses of choice *** the menu is so huge it has adverts inside :rotfl:
iHop was another favourite for breakfast and dinner, very reasonably priced, tasty food and pleasant service.
I'm not overly keen on a lot of the buffet places.. We liked Sizzler as they had a lovely salad selection but weren't impressed with Ponderosa or Golden Corral.

[Steve and Sarah]

I've always avoided Race Rock because 'some' of the outside theme restaurants can be a bit ropey...

Is it worth a visit then? What are the food prices like?

I've got a three year old who loves cars and stuff....


Have been to Race Rock quite a few times, food is good and prices very reasonable. If your three year old is in to cars he will love it, also from experience the waiters usually give children a couple of free tokens to play the arcade machines dotted around the resturant.

[Disney owl]

We enjoyed Race Rock too

[castanea1985]

We always visit:
Hard Rock Cafe - for the atmosphere and the hanging pink caddilac!!
Olive Garden - suits the whole family, and is scrumptious food - I always go for the seafood pasta (don't eat meat), and you get free starters and bread. Its got a more 'up market' feel than quite a lot of the other places. I love going at twilight when the little fairy lights start to twinckle!
TGI Fridays - again great atmosphere and wow - the Jack Daniels salmon with cheese and onion mash potato is to die for!!! Yum! (We had a 3 day break at the Forest of Arden recently due to DS playing in a National Golf Comp, so we went to a local TGI's - the Jack Daniel wasn't a patch on the one at the LBV TGI's.)
Enjoy.........

:p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

[nibby]

I knew you guys would be able to help!!!!

We would like to go out for one 'posh' meal, something on a par with California Grill or Victoria and Alberts, where would hit the spot?


Any links to menus?

Debsxx

If you want to do a seriously 'posh' meal in the sense of a taste of fabulous food, well prepared and beautifully presented in a 'grown up' environment (but not too stuffy) I would highly recommend 'The Dining Room' upstairs at Wolfgang Puck in Downtown Disney but, specifically, the Chef's Tour - this is a link to the menu http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_wpu.htm
The meal cost $75 and the wine tour to accompany it another $35 - we eat out regularly in some upmarket restaurants in London and Home Counties and this was as good as, and even better, than many of them for the price. :thumbsup2

[juliebro]

Another great place for a 'posh' meal is Todd English's 'bluezoo' at the Dolphin hotel. Mainly fish dishes - but absolutely superb. Very stylish restaurant too - especially at night when you get the full impact of the lighting. You can see the menu on

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_bz.htm

We also liked Bahama Breeze very much - never been until our most recent trip - but were very impressed by the food quality.

Julie

[richard_andmel]

We would like to go out for one 'posh' meal, something on a par with California Grill or Victoria and Alberts, where would hit the spot?



What about Tchoup Chop or Emerils? Emeril Lagasse is a famous American TV chef... Both of his Orlando restaurants are at Universal (not in the parks)


http://www.emerils.com/restaurants/orlando_tchoupchop/
http://www.emerils.com/restaurants/orlando_emerils/

[UKDEB]

Here are some of the places we've enjoyed for a 'posh' meal:

* Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Palms. If you've never been to the Gaylord Palms, you're in for a treat before you even set foot inside the restaurant. The hotel is highly themed (very Vegas) and this restaurant is in the Everglades section. It's designed like a shack and the interior is divided into several intimate areas. This is a top-end steakhouse, so not cheap, but one of our favourites.

http://www.gaylordhotels.com/images/Everglades-Atrium_Large.jpghttp://www.gaylordhotels.com/images/75832702.jpg

* Salt Island Chophouse and Fish Market on I-Drive. This is a stunning restaurant and quite incongrous amongst the strip malls of north I-Drive. Menu here (http://www.saltislandrestaurant.com/menus/dinnermenu.pdf).

http://www.saltislandrestaurant.com/images/featured/investment.gifhttp://www.saltislandrestaurant.com/images/featured/groupdining-trans.png

* Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on restaurant row, West Sand Lake Road (just of I-Drive near Universal). The unassuming exterior in a new strip belies a sumptous interior. Again, not cheap, but unbelievable steaks cooked in ovens heated to 1800 degrees. Can't find any photos of the Orlando location.

* Norman's at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes. This is a top end restaurant on a par with V&As. Menu (http://69.94.33.202/menus/orlandoFrame.htm).

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resources/orlando_82_pt_th.jpg

We haven't eaten at Emeril's (at CityWalk) for years, but enjoyed it when we did. We loved Tchoup Chop (Royal Pacific Resort) the first time we ate there (shortly after it opened), but were very disappointed the second. The service was unacceptably slow and they didn't seem to be looking after the place - a pity because it's stunning. We've also enjoyed several meals at The Palm (steakhouse at Hard Rock Hotel), but again, it's a while since we last ate there.

[UKDEB]

I've just thought of a couple more :teeth: :

* Primo (Italian) at JW Marriott, Grande Lakes.

http://www.luxurydisneyguide.com/IMAGES/primo2.jpg

* David's Bar at the Omni Championsgate (upscale clubby sports bar).

http://www.omnihotels.com/upload/images/hotels/mcocha/property_photos/408/mcocha-pro-6.jpg

[Debs Hill]

I'm getting some great ideas here!!! So, where and what is the Olive Garden that a couple of people have mentioned?
Debs

[paulfoel]

We loved Cheesecake Factory. Not just for cheesecake either.. bf hates the stuff and I know he'll still have masses of choice *** the menu is so huge it has adverts inside :rotfl:
iHop was another favourite for breakfast and dinner, very reasonably priced, tasty food and pleasant service.
I'm not overly keen on a lot of the buffet places.. We liked Sizzler as they had a lovely salad selection but weren't impressed with Ponderosa or Golden Corral.

Where is cheesecake factory?

So it does 'proper' good not just cheesecakes then ?

[Claire L]

Where is cheesecake factory?

So it does 'proper' good not just cheesecakes then ?

Here is the menu (http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm) and they are at the Mall of Millenia :) Can't wait to go there been to the San Francisco CF and twice to the CF in Las Vegas :banana:

Claire ;)

[Lizzybear]

Where is cheesecake factory?

So it does 'proper' good not just cheesecakes then ?

Oh yeah loads.. Be warned though the portions are enormous. You can get 'lunch size' ones before 5 and they're still big enough for 2 adults to share IMO.

[paulfoel]

Here is the menu (http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm) and they are at the Mall of Millenia :) Can't wait to go there been to the San Francisco CF and twice to the CF in Las Vegas :banana:

Claire ;)

Wheres the Mall of Millenia? Thats not the Florida Mall is it?

[jna]

Wheres the Mall of Millenia? Thats not the Florida Mall is it?


No, two different sites.

Florida is the older of the two and is on the corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road, i.e. about half-way between I-Drive and the airport (MCO that is).

Mall at Millenia is only abour four(?) years old and is just off the I-4 up past Universal Studios. Perhaps the more up-market out of the two?

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.mallatmillenia.com/luxurious/luxurious.htm

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=139

[blademankev]

Golden Corral is very good for eat as much as you want, both breakfast & dinner - one or 2 of them on the 192. Also on the 192 is a place called TJ's which did the hottest buffallo wings I've ever tasted. Has anyone else ever been here? It's 4 years since my last visit, so things could have changed, but we were never disappointed with these two choices.

[Cinderella@CK]

I think this is the link to the Olive Garden (http://www.olivegarden.com/default_f.asp ) we had a lovely meal there on our last night in Orlando and we wished we had went there before so we could have gone twice or more! We also enjoyed Don Pablo's (http://www.donpablos.com/home/p_home.cfm), TGI's, Race Rock, Dan Marinos (http://www.danmarinosrestaurant.com/) (I'm not sure if this is still open?)...

[paulfoel]

No, two different sites.

Florida is the older of the two and is on the corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road, i.e. about half-way between I-Drive and the airport (MCO that is).

Mall at Millenia is only abour four(?) years old and is just off the I-4 up past Universal Studios. Perhaps the more up-market out of the two?

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.mallatmillenia.com/luxurious/luxurious.htm

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=139

OK. Always go to the Florida Mall but might have a look at the Mall at Millenia this year as well then.

[lexie32]

ok here's mine!!!

Outback, Red Lobster, Fishbones, Charlies steak house, Tony Romas and TGi's ( much better than at home) must say we were very dissaponted with Chill's last year it wasn't nearly as good as the one in Reading!!

Alex

[Debs Hill]

Bump!!

[stubb]

hi

big thumbs up for the golden coral there will be 7 in our party and there is so much choice a tip here is to get a voucher book as this saves a few dollars. Margeretaville at universal is a must you have to have a portion of nachos. The dragon court chineses buffet at crossroads is excellant very good value during the day and early evening. Sweet tomatoes is great. There is so much choice!!!
How about a thread for places to avoid? I would not go to jungle jims again

michelle

[MikeyF]

Hey, here's our must do's when we're there:

Red Lobster, Tony Romas, Kobe, Tgi Fridays and Bennigans are all visited more than once on our trips for dinner. Darryls would've been mentioned but that wasn't there when we went last year (the one on 192 was closed a few years ago i think but the one on I-drive had gone to). We found a new favourite to replace Darryls called Smokey Bones, it's just off the 192 next to the publix on the road with the Lake Buena Vista Outlets, and i cannot recommend it highly enough. It was very good value like Darryls and served the same type of food. I think its relatively new as well(may have passed it the year before but didn't try it).

When we get up early enough or for shopping days we head for Ponderosa or Sizzler for their all you can eat breakfast buffets. I prefer Sizzler but other family members like ponderosa more.

[rpbert1]

we ate at Margaritaville at citywalk and meal was very good, IHOP was not bad, [but had to get them to turn off the AC as DW was freezing]
Like Michelle said, avoid Jungle Jims, not a place i will be visiting again