Good Upscale Restaurants off-site

[jlw29]

I was looking through this site and found alot of recommendations for family restaurants, and good deals, but we want a more upscale place along the lines of Disney's signature dining. We have to cancel our trip that included Victoria and Albert's Chef Table dinner because hubby has to go to a conference in Orlando a few weeks earlier than our planned trip. Neither of us can be away from work twice within a month so we're going to make a mini-vacation out of the business trip. Since we will be down near Disney over our anniversary, I wanted a nice dinner together to celebrate and make up for missing Chef's Table. Where would you guys recommend for a special dinner?

Thanks!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Some of the "upper" scale restaurants we like are in the Dr. Phillips area, not far from Disney at all. Without knowing your budget, I'll list some of our favourites and what we paid (average) last time we ate at each for two of us. All of these spots listed here are on what's known as 'Restaurant Row' in Dr. Phillips and are all within half a mile from each other. There are a lot of restaurants in this general area that you can check out just doing a few searches for the area on the internet. These listed below are just some of the ones we frequent and have enjoyed.

Eddie V's: Around $225 (with drinks)
Big Fin: Around $175 (without drinks)
Fleming's: Around $200 (with drinks)
Christini's: Around $400-$450 (with drinks)

Christini's is the type of restaurant that has no prices on their menu. It is what it is when the bill comes out for the most part. Very expensive (to me anyway) though very, very good. Second best meal I have had in Orlando after Victoria & Albert's Chef Table and probably in my top-10 best meals I have ever eaten.

If you want to get to Disney restaurant, I would say The Boathouse. We have eaten there at least five or six times for dinner since they have been open and enjoyed each meal and visit. More geared towards seafood of course and it is very good to us. Price can get u there with drinks as any place, though we paid around $150-$200 our last trip I believe.

 

[staceyrhood]

We LOVE Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Palms...it is wonderful! I highly recommend it. It used to be adult only (18 and up) I am not sure if it still is...very nice and quiet

Christini's is also very good and nice.

Have a great trip!

 

[Grumpy92]

Roy's, Emeril's, Flemings

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Bull and Bear

 

[Art 1]

Luma on Park.

 

[jlw29]

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll see what appeals to hubby.

 

[amt13]

I'm interested in this as well, I am from out of state and looking for some good "local food" to eat when I'm staying near the park. I like to try the local fair and not sure if Disney represents "Florida food". Thanks in advance!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

I'm interested in this as well, I am from out of state and looking for some good "local food" to eat when I'm staying near the park. I like to try the local fair and not sure if Disney represents "Florida food". Thanks in advance!

Florida food is where you are in Florida. Like elsewhere, Florida has different tastes in food & preparation. I lived on Pensacola Beach before moving to Orlando and what they call "fresh seafood" here is not what I was use at all use to living on the beach where my meal was probably swimming less than an hour before I ate it.

To me, Florida food is fresh Gulf Grouper, Flounder, Mahi & Blue Crabs. Hush puppies, grits, peel & eat gulf shrimp, new potatoes with corn on the cob, seafood gumbo and of course, sweat ice tea.

There are some decent representations of what I like here in the Orlando area. Unfortunately I know to get what I consider Florida seafood, what I like anyway, I need to hit the Gulf coast.

 

[baler31]

We enjoy Bull & Bear and Capa. Not the same atmosphere but we love the food at Bluezoo. We have dined at all of those multiple times andhave no complaints. Have also enjoyed Luma on Park and the Chef's Table at the Edgewater Hotel. We did not care for Christini's it seemed very dated and cluttered, did not care for the atmosphere at all. For atmosphere I would most likely give the edge to Capa.

Seasons 52 and Fleming's are good but to me they don't fall in the "special" category we have locations at home that we visit and Fleming's seems to be on everyone's list for business dinners so we eat there quite a bit.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

I can see the view on Christini's ... It feels that way at times to me as well. We do not frequent there, though when friends come in to town, they often want to at least try it one night. Plus, we live about 1/2 a mile from it so it's convenient for us

The whole "special" label can be subjective. The most special meals I have ever had were not always at the "upscale" spots you may think. We've eaten meals that cost upwards of $2,000 and had meals that were $40.00 and I enjoyed the $40.00 more due to the company, atmosphere, etc. So to me, that was a special meal.

Upscale does not always equal better that's for sure. Though more often than not, you will have a better experience, as they do cater to the diner more than say other "casual" style restaurants are going to do of course.

And every restaurant no matter the style, cost, atmosphere, etc. etc. is going to have an off night and that could unfortunately be your experience. So you may have had the best meal ever at [insert restaurant here] and someone takes your advice, goes, and has the worst experience they have ever had due to just the law of averages. It happens.

There are plenty of very good restaurants in and around Disney/Orlando that people can go on and on about for days. Good thing about having that many, is that your chances are much better of finding a great meal than not.

 

[baler31]

I can see the view on Christini's ... It feels that way at times to me as well. We do not frequent there, though when friends come in to town, they often want to at least try it one night. Plus, we live about 1/2 a mile from it so it's convenient for us

The whole "special" label can be subjective. The most special meals I have ever had were not always at the "upscale" spots you may think. We've eaten meals that cost upwards of $2,000 and had meals that were $40.00 and I enjoyed the $40.00 more due to the company, atmosphere, etc. So to me, that was a special meal.

Upscale does not always equal better that's for sure. Though more often than not, you will have a better experience, as they do cater to the diner more than say other "casual" style restaurants are going to do of course.

And every restaurant no matter the style, cost, atmosphere, etc. etc. is going to have an off night and that could unfortunately be your experience. So you may have had the best meal ever at [insert restaurant here] and someone takes your advice, goes, and has the worst experience they have ever had due to just the law of averages. It happens.

There are plenty of very good restaurants in and around Disney/Orlando that people can go on and on about for days. Good thing about having that many, is that your chances are much better of finding a great meal than not.

I don't have a problem with the low, we try to stay away from the middle. Special for us is somewhere unique regardless whether we love the food or not, really just an experience. We have very differing views on our favorites among our group but we all agree to stay away from any restaurant we have at home regardless of whether it is wonderful or not.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Yup. Have to agree there. No need to search and dine away from home when you can do that at home when you get back

 

[lborne]

As PP said - Dr. Phillips area has lots of good choices. Not too far from there is Citywalk with lots of choices. We also like the Winter Park area.

In the Dr. Phillips area, we like Vines Grille and Wine Bar and Chatham's Place.

 

[kathy884]

I don't know if this is something that would appeal to your or not, but I love the small plates place called Café Tu Tu Tango. They have some artist residing there, so it has a casual fun atmosphere. I did, though, think the food was excellent, and it's my new Orlando favorite. My nephew who lives and works in Orlando took me there. Here if their website: http://cafetututango.com/

Here are reviews on trip advisor to get other people's take which might help you decide if this is something you'd like:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...Cafe_Tu_Tu_Tango-Orlando_Florida.html#REVIEWS

 

[joannjoe]

We really liked Flemings

 

[k-wa]

We have been to Chef Melissa Kelly's Primo in Rockland, Maine, and loved it. I can only hope her Orlando location is just as awesome: http://www.grandelakes.com/jw-marriott/Primo-78.html?pid=78

 

[Woodview]

Now some of these eating places ...... seem way to expensive for most people.

So how about listing places with price range of $ 30 to $ 40 per person.

 

[Woodview]

Take a look at ( as mentioned ) The Gaylord Palms and eat at " Villa De Flora "

 

[GoBears 1980]

If you'd like a nice steak, Bull & Bear at the Waldorf Astoria is close and very good. The best steak in Orlando is probably at Christner's Prime Steak.

Luma on Park is great, but it is way up in Winter Park, where a lot of the best restaurants are. If you are willing to go that far, look at the Ravenous Pig, Cask & Larder, El Bodegon Tapas & Wine, and 4Rivers Smokehouse.

In the Dr Philips area I like Chatham's Palace and Ocean Prime. Seasons 52 is a chain, but does a nice job.

The Pointe Orlando has good chains Oceanaire Seafood and The Capital Grille. Good casual at the Pointe are Opa Taverna and Marlow's Tavern.