Steak Houses

[Debbied]

We are almost ready to make our ADR's on the DDP, think we have it sussed !!
this has got us thinking of our dining options for the rest of the holiday, we would like to try alternate places from the norm, we eat mainly steak, seafood and pasta and have come up with the following that we have no knowledge of: Charlies Steak house, Ruth's Chris Steak house and The Red Lobster, any info or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[MorningGlory]

We are almost ready to make our ADR's on the DDP, think we have it sussed !!
this has got us thinking of our dining options for the rest of the holiday, we would like to try alternate places from the norm, we eat mainly steak, seafood and pasta and have come up with the following that we have no knowledge of: Charlies Steak house, Ruth's Chris Steak house and The Red Lobster, any info or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Have a look at this thread Debbie, there are some great suggestions in there;

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1350846

Im really looking forward to trying the Kobe Steakhouses

 

[lookingforward]

Ruth Chris is heads and above most chain steak restuarants. It is expensive (all a la carte) but well worth the expense. Sides can be shared and their creamed spinach is amazing! Mortons is another upscale steak place (not sure if there is one in Orlando). Outback Steak House is one of our favorites for lower priced steaks...they have amazing onion blossoms and file mignon and really great salads. Can't miss with them and it will be at least 100 us cheaper than Ruth Chris. (but Ruth is still my favorite

Red Lobster is a chain that offers low priced seafood. They usually promote different specials, right now it is jumbo shrimp combos (they advertise a LOT on television here).They have AMAZING chedder biscuits and ceasar salad (that are complimentary with dinner) and yummy clam chowder. No need to dress up for this one, it is very casual.

Have a fantastic vacation!!

 

[Amyrlin]

Ruths Chris is great, not cheap, but very good, also I love read lobster.

Kobe is excellent, the Melting pot is also different - a fondue resturant http://www.meltingpot.com/Orlandofl/home.html , also how about the califirina Pizza co, they are good as well, and different form pizza over here http://www.cpk.com/menu/pizzas.aspx and one of my favourates is Texas de Brazil http://www.texasdebrazil.com/index2.php

 

[UKDEB]

Red Lobster is a chain and I would say is to seafood what Pizza Hut is to pizzas. We haven't been to one in Orlando, but we did try one near Charleston a couple of years back. Of its type, it isn't bad, but it probably helps to understand what you'd be experiencing - you wouldn't need to be donning your finest togs.

We really like McCormick and Schmicks (we've been to the Mall at Millenia location several times. There's also one at Winter Park.) It doesn't always get the best reviews, but I think some may be misinterpreting its position in the market. I wouldn't say its aiming to be a top-end place. It does have a very smart, 'expensive' look, but the prices aren't offensive - we find we don't pay any more than we do at The Cheesecake Factory next door. Due to its location, we tend to go at lunchtime and it's usually full of business people. Whilst no-one would bat an eyelid, you might feel a bit out of place in shorts and a t-shirt.

I've heard good things about Dixie Crossroads at Festival Bay, but we've yet to try it. My impression is of a casual eatery, but, by all accounts, the seafood is top-notch.

We absolutely love Ruth's Chris. As others have said, this is an upscale place and isn't cheap. We've eaten at the Sand Lake Road location several times - its unassuming exterior (in one of those strip-mall places) totally belies the opulence within. That said, it's not stuffy, but you would want to dress up a bit. The steaks are cooked in 1800 degree ovens and are sublime. They come dripping in butter, which I like but dh doesn't. If that's not your thing, ask for yours to be served without. They also do some delicious sides, but don't be tempted to order too many - the steaks (even the filet) are huge.

Another favourite is the Old Hickory Steakhouse at Gaylord Palms. Again, not cheap, but really good food in unique surroundings (the restaurant is in the Everglades themed area of the hotel and is styled along the lines of a shack).

Salt Island Chophouse and Fish Market does a good job of being both a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant. It's a bit incongruous in its location on I-Drive - its a stunning place and one to which we'll definitely return.

 

[Haworthfamily]

A steakhouse we really enjoy is 'Outback'. It's right near our villa on Emerald Island - if we weren't so lazy we could walk there! lol

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I think that there are at least 3 specific types of "steakhouse":
- the "upscale" steakhouse (like Shulas, Ruth Chris etc)
- the "mid-scale" steakhouse (like Outback)
- the "japanese" steakhouse (like Kobe Steakhouse and the Teppanyaki at Epcot etc).

Thyere are also non-steakhouses that do good steaks and probably a few other categories of steakhouse too.

The "upscale" steakhouse is where you go if budget isn't really an issue (i.e. a special meal), you don't mind dressing "smart casual" upwards (some people where jacket and tie, but it is florida so "smart casual" is more common) and you want the ULTIMATE steak - think HUGE, flavourful, hunk of meat. These places general sell simple food where the quality of the meat/ingredients is what gives you the flavour. As UKDEB says, don't order twoo many sides - they are HUGE!. Shulas at the Dolphin is fab.

The "midscale" steakhouse is an "everday" sort of casual place. No dress code, an American version of "Beefeater" (well a GOOD Beefeater restaurant...). Prices are very reasonable.

The "japanese" steakhouse is really not a steakhouse at all - althouigh they do sell steaks. You have a sort of set meal with a choice of entree. You have japanese broth followed by Japanese Salad, then your chef cooks the steaks/seafood/chicken, vegetables and friend rice on a huge hot plate in the middle of the table infront of you. The chef normally makes a show of juggling knives, catching shrimp tales in his hat etc.etc. It is quite fun. If you are a small party (like 2/4/6), then you will share a table with another party or parties. You wont get you steak in one "slab", it will be cut up into chunks (which you can pick up with chopsticks) for you. But the chef will cook the steak to your liking (i.e. medium rare or rare etc).

I like ALL of these types of steakhouse - they are all great in different ways

Boo

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Hello,
Charley's Steakhouse on I drivehas to be the one, rated the second best Steakhouse in the USA in 2006!

 

[Steve and Sarah]

Another one that must be tried is Logan's Roadhouse - this is on Sand Lake Road near Walmart on the way to the Florida Mall. Fanticstic steaks and 'rustic' feel with nut shells on the floor etc. Kids will love being allowed to be naughty and throw theirs on the floor. They also provide free bread rolls on arrival which are simply magic. Worth a visit for those alone.

Steaks are great - I personally recommend their 'Brewsky' steak.

Best thing is it is cheap as chips too....

We also recommend the Outback (Best one is next to Premium Outlets), Tony Roma's on I-Drive and also Lone Start at LBV (Doesn't look much from outside but food excellent).

It's making me hungry now.....ah well only 9 weeks now until we go back.

 

[lookingforward]

Red Lobster is a chain and I would say is to seafood what Pizza Hut is to pizzas. We haven't been to one in Orlando, but we did try one near Charleston a couple of years back. Of its type, it isn't bad, but it probably helps to understand what you'd be experiencing - you wouldn't need to be donning your finest togs.

We really like McCormick and Schmicks (we've been to the Mall at Millenia location several times. There's also one at Winter Park.) It doesn't always get the best reviews, but I think some may be misinterpreting its position in the market. I wouldn't say its aiming to be a top-end place. It does have a very smart, 'expensive' look, but the prices aren't offensive - we find we don't pay any more than we do at The Cheesecake Factory next door. Due to its location, we tend to go at lunchtime and it's usually full of business people. Whilst no-one would bat an eyelid, you might feel a bit out of place in shorts and a t-shirt.

I've heard good things about Dixie Crossroads at Festival Bay, but we've yet to try it. My impression is of a casual eatery, but, by all accounts, the seafood is top-notch.

We absolutely love Ruth's Chris. As others have said, this is an upscale place and isn't cheap. We've eaten at the Sand Lake Road location several times - its unassuming exterior (in one of those strip-mall places) totally belies the opulence within. That said, it's not stuffy, but you would want to dress up a bit. The steaks are cooked in 1800 degree ovens and are sublime. They come dripping in butter, which I like but dh doesn't. If that's not your thing, ask for yours to be served without. They also do some delicious sides, but don't be tempted to order too many - the steaks (even the filet) are huge.

Another favourite is the Old Hickory Steakhouse at Gaylord Palms. Again, not cheap, but really good food in unique surroundings (the restaurant is in the Everglades themed area of the hotel and is styled along the lines of a shack).

Salt Island Chophouse and Fish Market does a good job of being both a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant. It's a bit incongruous in its location on I-Drive - its a stunning place and one to which we'll definitely return.

Great explanation of the different offerings Red Lobster is owned by the corp that owns Olive Garden. For this Italian American (me)Olive Garden is not something I ever want to be seen eating in That said...my kids love it and I do eat there occassionally (my italian grandfather would not be happy, God rest his soul!).

Enjoy your trips to Florida. I love reading the UK trip reports so much. I am trying to convince my college friend that she should leave London and visit me! I have my fingers crossed!

 

[UKDEB]

I am trying to convince my college friend that she should leave London and visit me! I have my fingers crossed!

Good luck!

 

[Debbied]

Thanks for all the replies, will probably try Ruth's if smart casual means just shirt and trousers? the melting pot looks fun to, its difficult to juggle old favorites and add new ones as well, but this will be our last trip for a few years so may as well push the boat out

 

[UKDEB]

will probably try Ruth's if smart casual means just shirt and trousers?

You won't get turned away whatever you choose to wear, but you'll feel less conspicuous wearing the sort of thing you'd wear for a night out at home. So, yes, trousers and shirt will be fine. Even jeans, dressed up, wouldn't be out of place. You'll find a broad spectrum of clientele, from couples enjoying a romantic evening, to groups of conventioneers splurging on company credit cards.

 

[UKDEB]

its difficult to juggle old favorites and add new ones as well

So much food; too little time . It's my catchprase . In fact, I'd add it to my tag if I could do it without losing those kindly bestowed upon me by the Tag Fairy.

 

[Rain]

Debbie


Did you say you are on the DDP, some of the places mentioned are not on DDP.

 

[Debbied]

We are only staying on site for 5 days then we are staying at The Buena Vista Palace D.D. It was for this week that I was looking for different options than where we normally eat, I have pretty much decided on the dining plan if I get them, they are all places we have never been to, which made me start thinking of other options

 

[shagster330]

Hi

We just got back yesterday morning.

I can comment on the following three as we ate at all of them
Charleys - ate there on the last night - best meal I have ever eaten. Our table had a filet, a bone in filet and a porterhouse (24oz). All three were excellent
Kobe - Great meal as well, for a Japanese steakhouse thiswas the best one we ate at, we all upgraded to the filet steak
Salt Island Chophouse (I Drive) - Very good as well, had the 20oz filet and 20 oz Australian lobster tail to share, but not quite as good as Charleys


Hope this helps