Vegetarian and carnivore on I-Drive!

[Nubbedy]

Hi, am looking for some restaurant suggestions for I-Drive. We are going to venture out of the safe confines of Disney this time , and would like to know wheres nice to eat.

Not too worried about cost, but I am a vegetarian (no fish either), and DH is drooling at the thought of some steak, chicken and ribs combo style thing!

Is there anywhere you can suggest that would suit us both? Probably only going to eat off-site once, maybe twice, so would like to know it's going to be somewhere nice!

Thanks in advance,
Sara.

 

[AlanUK]

Hi Sara,

This sounds remarkably similar to DW and I and I have to confess that I really haven't come across anywhere that suits both our needs.

From a vegetarian standpoint I think Sweet Tomatoes is excellent and DW reallt likes it here, however you wont find much steak on the menu

Conversely if we go somewhere that caters for the carnivore in me, then the vegetarian option is somewhat limited to say the least.

I would also be intersted in any potential eateries that would suit us both.

 

[wayneg]

I am the worlds biggest meat eater, I eat meat and leave everything else but even I love Sweet Tomatoes. The Salad bar is the best in Orlando. Always about 6 homemade soups (Mushroom is best in the world, think its on menu Mondays) 3 Pasta dishes cooked in front of you, fresh baked breads and muffins always coming out of the oven. Then desserts like chocolate lava cake, icecream etc.
Its not fine dining, but it fresh and tasty, we love it,
Register on their website with you birthday (TIP:-your birthday is day you go on holiday) and they email you a buy one get one free voucher. Brought cost for us down to $20 for all 3 of us including drinks.
Everywhere does steaks and ribs this is a change. Do meat another night and try here.
I sound like I work for them

 

[Nubbedy]

Thanks - sounds like Sweet Tomatoes will be perfect for me. Now I just need to find a good meat-fest for DH!

Sara.

 

[wicket2005]

Most of the chains on IDrive will do steak meals eg Ponderosa, Golden Corral and the like. You pay for your meal before you go in, then have free range over a buffet that has salad and the like. I cannot remember anything being remotely vegetarian in these places other than salad. You cannot just say you want the buffet either so you would have to pick an entree.

Sweet Tomatoes is supposed to be the best. Each year I promise myself a visit but each year we are never in the right place at the right time.

There are good restaurants in a couple of the hotels down South IDrive, the Rosen Centre has the Everglades (didn't try it when we stayed there) and the Peabody. I would hope these would have a good range of vegetarian options but mostly I think IDrive just caters for the fast food, meaty type dinners.

Everglades is on the internet on the Rosen site so you could check menu though I believe it is an expensive place (shirts/ties and the like).

 

[Nubbedy]

Thanks Wicket, I guess I'd be able to get pizza or Caesar salad in these meat mad places, would I?

Is the Peabody hotel the one with the ducks? My DM was keen to see them, she read about them in the Brits Guide and wants to make a special trip! Perhaps if we could eat there she would be happy.

Sara.

 

[wayneg]

Thanks Wicket, I guess I'd be able to get pizza or Caesar salad in these meat mad places, would I?

Is the Peabody hotel the one with the ducks? My DM was keen to see them, she read about them in the Brits Guide and wants to make a special trip! Perhaps if we could eat there she would be happy.

Sara.

Do the Peabody have Duck on the menu? Sorry

 

[castanea1985]

Do the Peabody have Duck on the menu? Sorry

Oh Dear!!!!

Seriously, Sara,
We have the same problems, DH is a big meat lover, and I'm vegatarian, so I do sympathise!
We love the Olive Garden, if you both like vegatarian...you'll like this place! My DH loves a meaty lasagne, and there are plenty of non meat pasta's etc on the menu.. take a look.

http://www.olivegarden.com/default_f.asp

There really aren't many places that you both get a great menu choice.
Tracy

 

[Nubbedy]

Do the Peabody have Duck on the menu? Sorry

If there is, DH will probably eat it!

Tracy, will go and have a look at Olive Garden menu - thanks.

Sara.

 

[Minniespal]

We went to Sweet Tomatoes last week. DH is a vegan and there was plenty of things on the menu for both of us.

Not strictly on I-Drive but we also visited The Cheesecake Factory at the Mall of Millenia. The menu is very extensive and had a wide range of food to chose from for both of us.

Cheesecake Factory

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Wicket, I guess I'd be able to get pizza or Caesar salad in these meat mad places, would I?

Is the Peabody hotel the one with the ducks? My DM was keen to see them, she read about them in the Brits Guide and wants to make a special trip! Perhaps if we could eat there she would be happy.

Sara.

I cannot remember them offering pizzas at the restaurants I mentioned or Caesar Salad. I spent one year eating Caesar Salad again and again and started to feel like a rabbit with all that lettuce. Anyway the restaurants always have a big board showing what they are offering before you go in so you will be able to see. They are definitely catering more for the meat eaters though. Think you could get macaroni cheese.

The Peabody does have the daily duck parade and the restaurant is supposed to be nice (expensive).

 

[UKDEB]

You could consider Texas de Brazil. On the face of it, it seems like a strange choice for a vegetarian given that it's basically a meat fest, but it has a fabulous salad and sides bar. Sign up online and you'll get regular emails offering discounts.

 

[Lizzybear]

Slightly OT but Caesar salad isn't usually vegetarian (anchovies in the dressing and sometimes on their own in the mix) My bf is veggie and we can convert most meaty recipes using meat replacers (fake chicken etc) but we've given up on Caesar salad as that flavour is so hard to replicate.

Anyway.. I found the buffet type places like Sizzler had nice salad bars with different types of beans, cottage cheese and other filling things along with the veg.. I think you could make a reasonable meal out of the different bits for sure As far as places that cater well for vegetarians we have Olive Garden, Sweet Tomatoes, Bahama Breeze, Sweet Tomatoes and Cheesecake Factory on our list. A lot of meat dishes can be made without it if you ask too, i'm sure you'll be fine

 

[steve_rob]

Another vote for Sweet Tomatoes, and this is coming from the carnivore's carnivore! I hardly eat any salad, but there's still plenty of stuff they do that I like (numerous pasta dishes, soups - especially their chicken noodle, loads of different types of breads), so I don't think anyone could have a problem with that.

Olive Garden is also good as they give you a free salad and unlimited breadsticks when you order any main course anyway (careful not to fill up on these first though - been there, done that!)

 

[juliebro]

Olive Garden is also good as they give you a free salad and unlimited breadsticks when you order any main course anyway (careful not to fill up on these first though - been there, done that!)

So have we!

Julie

 

[wayneg]

Just had email from Sweet Toms, It's Strawberry month, Not sure about the Strawberry salad.
http://www.fishbowl.com:80/clt/grfrsh/pc/200705/1/strwbrrs_sweet.htm

Last month was best for me, Lemon month the Lemon lava cake was delicious.