Off site restaurant advice

[MsMoneyPenny]

Hi, this is my first post, I've been 'lurking' here for a little while but have just plucked up the courage to post. Although it's not my first trip, from looking on the boards I've found out so many things I wasn't aware of before. I'm off in December (it'll be my first time at that time of year) and was wondering if anyone could recommend a very nice off site restaurant?

 

[UKDEB]

Hi MsMoneyPenny

It depends on what you mean by a very nice restaurant/where you are staying/whether or not you will have a car.

The West Sand Lake Road area (right near Universal Studios) has some nice restaurants all located in a couple of newish strips. We haven't tried many of them, although we keep threatening that we will! We love Ruth's Chris (steak) - it doesn't look much from the outside, but it's very upscale inside (although not at all stuffy) and you might feel more comfortable dressed up a little bit. We tried the Samba Room for lunch in July and, whilst the restaurant itself was lovely, the food was just OK. Others there include Seasons 52, Moonfish, Antonio's, Thai Passion and The Melting Pot.

Another of our favourites is the Gaylord Palms hotel which is literally <i>just</i> off property at the junction of the Osceola Parkway and South International Drive. It has three restaurants - Sunset Sam's Fish Camp is partly set on the sailboat in the Key West section of the hotel. We've eaten there for lunch, but from what others say, dinner is better. Villa de Flora is a mediterannean themed buffet (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in 'St Augustine'. We've only eaten lunch here, but it's very good as buffets go. We love the Old Hickory Steakhouse (Everglades section) and ate there for the third time a few weeks ago. Both the setting and the food are outstanding, but it isn't cheap. The Gaylord Palms is worth a visit, even if you don't want to eat there.

There are so many, it's hard to know where to stop. Bahama Breeze (there are several, but those nearest to WDW are at Lake Buena Vista and on I-Drive) gets rave reviews, but I thought the food was mediocre at best. The atmosphere is good if you like busy places and don't mind a long wait. Race Rock on I-Drive is a one-off themed restuarant - one we've done to death and are unlikely to return to. Carrabbas (Italian) on the 192 is very popular.

The Mall at Millenia also has some great restaurants. We love the Cheesecake Factory which has a gargantuan menu - something for everyone. We've also eaten a couple of times at Brio Tuscan Grill which was very good. This time we tried McCormick and Schmicks and loved it - we'll definitely be going back.

 

[2 Point]

Charley's Steakhouse on the 192, outstanding food and service. Not cheap but cheap for the quality.

Peebles at the Crossroads, excellent food and a setting like it was plucked from a Bond movie.

UNO's (Italian Chicago Pizza/Steak type place), excellent value and good wholesome food without the grease.

Buffet in the Omni Rosen International Drive is excellent, we were there for Xmas Day in 2001, food to die for.

 

[vernon]

It does depend on the area you're looking at and quite how "nice" you're looking for.

On I-Drive for top of the range food you'd struggle to get better than Emeril's or it's sister restaurant Tchoup Chop (both are on Universal property). I've eaten at a Ruth's Chris steakhouse before ( not that branch) and I thought it was very good. I've always enjoyed the food at Bahama Breeze and think it's a great place for a night out.

If you're looking off site in the 192 area there are a lot of perfectly adiquate TGI type restaurants but not many that are what I'd call a "quality" restaurant. I like Carrabbas ( west of WDW on 192) , I had a very good steak at Key Okools in the same area.

Around LBV area The Outback restaurant ( NOT THE CHAIN) in the Wyndham Palace was first rate http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/wpal.html . Benehana's (japanese tepanyaki) at the Hilton in the same area is also very good. Don Shula's steakhouse in the Swan/Dolphin is also a very high class steakhouse.

 

[MsMoneyPenny]

Thanks everyone - definitely lots to choose from!

 

[KayleeUK]

Just wanted to say Hi MsMoneyPenny

Welcome to the DIS

 

[Shropshire Saint]

For relatively cheap decent food with a laid back atmosphere try Chili's. A pitcher of bud with some chicken fajita nacho's is the the way to go! ( It must be getting closer to lunch time!)

 

[MsMoneyPenny]

Thanks for the welcome Kaylee - all this talk of food is making me very hungry lol

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Hello Glad you plucked up the courage to post!!!!!!!!

We love Sweet Tomatoes on I-Drive and Friendlys on East 192 and at the bottom end of I drive.

Cath