Upscale or non-chain restaurants

[JeremyGNJ]

I skimmed some of the restaurant threads on this board for good off-site restaurants. However most of them list a lot of chain places like Macaroni Grill and Outback Steakhouse.

Being from New Jersey, I have ALL of these restaurants within 15 minutes of me (sometimes 2 of each!), and I prefer to dine at more unusual places when on vacation.

Last year, we went to Johnnie's Hideaway and I thought it was very good. Probably about the same price as upscale Disney places, but better food and service.

What other good places are there?>

 

[jaykorf001]

I skimmed some of the restaurant threads on this board for good off-site restaurants. However most of them list a lot of chain places like Macaroni Grill and Outback Steakhouse. Being from New Jersey, I have ALL of these restaurants within 15 minutes of me (sometimes 2 of each!), and I prefer to dine at more unusual places when on vacation. Last year, we went to Johnnie's Hideaway and I thought it was very good. Probably about the same price as upscale Disney places, but better food and service. What other good places are there?>

It is a chain, although upscale, but we love Capital Grille. I noticed there is one down off I Drive in the convention area. Stoli Doli and calamari are musts. I thought I'd throw that out in case you don't have them in New Jersey. We didn't eat there as we had our child with us but we frequent the one in KC.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Detailor]

A couple of other restaurants that are both in the same ownership group as Johnnie's and fairly good restaurants of their own standing, IMO...

Charley's Steakhouse - there are two or three in the general Orlando area, one on International Drive; and Fish Bones up on West Sand Lake Road.

There are several other interesting looking options on West Sand Lake Road, too.

Dick Taylor

 

[powellrj]

In the Dr Phillips area, there are lots of nicer places to eat.

http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=Dr.+Phillips,+Orlando,+FL

http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/26/47181/Orlando/Restaurant-Row-restaurants
http://sworlandoblog.com/2007/09/23/restaurant-row-in-dr-phillips/

 

[staceyrhood]

Cafe d Antonio's and Columbia, both are in Celebration and are VERY good, I highly recommend them.

 

[jm106]

I loved Cafe TuTu Tango for unique. http://www.cafetututango.com/
(I am from NJ but we have do not have chain places nearby. Not complaining though, I love local spots.)

 

[ncc1701]

I skimmed some of the restaurant threads on this board for good off-site restaurants. However most of them list a lot of chain places like Macaroni Grill and Outback Steakhouse.

Being from New Jersey, I have ALL of these restaurants within 15 minutes of me (sometimes 2 of each!), and I prefer to dine at more unusual places when on vacation.

Last year, we went to Johnnie's Hideaway and I thought it was very good. Probably about the same price as upscale Disney places, but better food and service.

What other good places are there?>

A few years ago we ate at Emeril's at City Walk in Universal.Great meal , we have also eaten at his Las Vegas restaurants and enjoyed them too.
As a fellow NJ resident I understand the bit about 15 minutes. In fact I think we have 3 to 5 of some in less than 30.

 

[KodakFigment]

A little off the beaten path but well worth it... The Chef's Table in Winter Garden. Small intimate dining room with customized price fixe menu. (Usually between $50 & $60/person) Incredible wine list.

The other half of the restaurant is called the Tasting Room at Chef's table. Tapas style smaller portions. Food is exceptional in both parts. Great Happy Hour in the Tasting Room with signature cocktails and specially priced small plates. Not talking bar food here. At our last visit to the Tasting Room we had Bourdain Balls, seafood arancini's, fried chicken livers, Asian filet mignon skewers and french fries fried in duck fat with artisan parmesan cheese.

NEVER have had a bad meal here. Live music on the weekends, too.

 

[mikehn]

I like Roccos Tacos. A chain in Florida, but soon to open one in Brooklyn.

 

[3Gsandme]

We ate at BJ's near the outlets. I don't know if it was THAT good, but after days of park food it was amazing. Apparently, it IS a chain, but we don't have any in our neck of the woods, so it qualified for our "no chain" rule. Dh liked the beers, they had a lot of specialty drinks, good appetizers and really good burgers. We were happy with it and would go back.

 

[cheerky]

I second the Columbia in Celebration. We ate there over Thanksgiving weekend and the food was excellent. Maggiano's is located on International Drive. Although its a chain, the food is pretty good (even by NJ Italian food standards- I grew up in northern Jersey-lol) and its always an enjoyable "family style" dining experience... with lots of leftovers too!

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

My favorite non-chain: Yellow Dog Eats... fabulous barbecue/sandwiches in a quirky atmosphere. It's about 20 or so minutes from Disney. Very casual.

Upscale non-chains in Dr. Phillips (15 min from WDW): Chatham's Place and Christini's
Although a small chain, Seasons 52 is a local favorite that's in the same area.

If you don't mind a bit of a drive, there are some fabulous restaurants in Winter Park. The Ravenous Pig, Luma on Park, Cask and Larder, and Prato are a few that come to mind.

As for hotel restaurants, I love Hemingway's at the Grand Cypress.

 

[pickles521]

These are a little bit of a drive, but I highly recommend both:

Maraya at Sabrinas http://www.marayarestaurant.com/dinner.php
The best falafel I've ever had, and I really loved the kibbeh. My dining partners loved the fish parisienne and the baklava. They also serve a nice Lebanese beer. The waiter was the owner and the cook was his wife. Wonderful people. It can get pricey, though.

Shin Jung Korean Restaurant. http://www.shinjungkorean.com/
The Dol Sot Bibimbap is my favorite. We always grill - kal bi and pork are fantastic. I've enjoyed the bulgogi and the samgyupsal (kind of like unsmoked bacon). I've also enjoyed the jap chae and the gochu pajun. I don't think I've had anything bad there - except I didn't like their ice tea, which isn't unusual for me.

 

[jtopicz1]

Really depends on what you like.

As other have mentioned, Talk of the Town Restaurant Group has Charley's, Johnnie's, Vito's Chop House, Fish Bones, Moon Fish, and others. They are good, but I feel the quality has slipped some over the past few years.

The Dr. Phillips / Resaurant Row area is also a good bet! Dragonfly Sushi and Robota Grill is excellent (perhaps our favorite) if you're into that sort of thing. Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine is also very good.

In Winter Park, as others have mentioned, there is Luna on Park, The Ravenous Pig, Carmel Cafe, and tons of others. Mostly independent, mostly good!

 

[Tagstime]

Texas De Brazil ...Amazing food and all you can eat. Sort of pricey but sign up for the e mail club for coupons. Very nice place Wines and Cigars and such can be $$$ really neat place.VERY clean and NICE.

 

[chalee94]

Charley's Steakhouse - there are two or three in the general Orlando area,

last week i finally got to the charley's at celebration (just off I-4 on 192) and really enjoyed it. good call.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Restaurant Row has a lot of unique choices. Might want to check out Pharmacy.

 

[DOOM1001]

I went to Hash House a Go Go once but the wait was almost an hour and we didn't have the time to wait,is the place worth it?

 

[Brian Noble]

You will probably find most of the interesting places in the "convention zone," particularly the Dr. Phillips area. Follow the business-travel expense accounts, and good food usually shows up. But, to avoid the chains, you have to travel a ways past the WDW borders. Nothing can survive that wasteland.

Edited to add: one other place to look might be the upper-end offsite resorts nearby. We're currently thinking of having Christmas dinner at deep blu in the Wyndham complex: http://www.deepbluorlando.com/

 

[Itinkso]

Oceanaire in the Pointe Orlando complex has excellent seafood. DD loves their oysters.

The Four Seasons looks like it has some nice food offerings.

Hemingway's at the Hyatt Grand Cypress is also very good.