Looking for a fantastic meal....

[PinkPrincess]

Hi :wavey:

I am looking to take dh for a really nice meal whilst in Orlando, but it will have to be child friendly as ds6 will be coming along to. Dh likes his meat.... but i'm a real fish lover.

Any ideas?

[Leanne1977]

The Flying Fish really caught my eye and it gets great reviews. We are hoping to try it next Aug as we already have enough ADRs for this next trip.

I can certainly recommend the Yachtsmans Steakhouse and my personal favourite is California Grill.

Narcoossees may suit you all with the food preferences you mentioned.

To be honest I don't think you will go far wrong with the Disney signature restaurants.

Coral Reef is another good one, this is inside Epcot.

I am not so sure about off-site dining.:wave:

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Since you are at Universal have you looked at The Kitchen (http://www.hardrock.com/locations/hotels2/orlando/bar.asp?menuid=6) at the Hard Rock?

Take a look at their menu and see if that might be good for all of you.

I believe you can get a water taxi from Portofino to Hard Rock. I know you can certain do that from each hotel to City Walk so you may just have to make a switch but they can answer that (or a fellow Dibber can) for you.

[FLGirl-UKNow]

I thought I would also add some off site restaurant information for you. All of these restaurants are close to the area you are staying so if you didn't have a rental car you could get a taxi at a reasonable rate. Most are Sand Lake Road options but a couple are International Drive.

From a previous thread:

I live around restaurant row on Sand Lake and I would recommend any of these restaurants. Seasons52 is a great/trendy option and Melting Pot is good for something different.

I did a search and got this info for you (from TripAdvisor) and think it should give you an idea of what is around that area. All of these restaurants would be within 10 minutes from International Drive/Sand Lake Road intersection.

1. Chatham's Place
http://www.chathamsplace.com/
A restaurant that has become an institution in Orlando, and is also very pricey. Is located in Phillips Place on Dr. Phillips Blvd, across from Dr. Phillips Marketplace; can also see the marquee from Sand Lake Rd. near The Fountains at Bay Hill (on the far west side).

2. Christini's Ristorante Italiano
http://www.christinis.com/
Upscale Italian restaurant where spending over $200 on two is not unheard of. Last I saw, jacket was required here. Proposed to my wife here; it remains a nice memory to her. Located in Dr. Phillips Marketplace on Dr. Phillips Blvd.

3. Mortons The Steakhouse
http://www.mortons.com/
This is the upscale steakhouse chain whose Orlando location received the 2006 Orlando Foodie Award for Best High End Steakhouse (Critic's Choice). Located in Dr. Phillips Marketplace on the very south side which faces Sand Lake Rd. and is near the Office Depot.

4. Bonefish Grill
http://www.bonefishgrill.com/
A seafood chain (last I heard it was owned by Outback) with other locations in Florida. It has a nice interior and is a lively place. I would not call the food "exceptional", but for an "upscale" type restaurant it is a good value. I like the "Bang Bang Shrimp", which is an appetizer, but can be turned into a meal. Located on Sand Lake Rd. by Little Sand Lake, right by the Barnes and Noble bookstore.

5. Amura Sushi
An upscale sushi place with several locations in the Orlando area, and has won awards for "Best Sushi" by the Orlando Sentinel. On Sand Lake Rd. between Bonefish Grill and Roy's.

6. Roy's
http://www.roysrestaurant.com/
A branch of the international chain founded by chef Roy Yamaguchi, which specializes in "Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine" inspired by the flavors of Hawaii he remembered from his youth, and is known for its pan-Asian cuisine. Previously was Orlando Leisure Magazine's pick for the "Best of Restaurant Row." I had the best ribs I remember having here. Located on Sand Lake Rd.

7. Cedar's Restaurant
http://www.cedarsoforlando.com/
A Lebanese restaurant (the Bible refers to "the cedars of Lebanon") with outdoor seating overlooking Little Sand Lake as well as indoor seating. On Saturday night they have belly dancing there. On Sand Lake Rd. near Seasons 52.

8. Seasons 52
http://www.seasons52.com/
This is a new Darden Restaurant Group chain (others include Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and Bahama Breeze) which is more upscale than their usual chains. The name refers to their using seasonal menus, and they also advertise that their entrees are all under 500 calories. Won Foodie award for "Most Romantic in Orlando" from the Orlando Sentinel readers. On Sand Lake Rd. (coming from International Drive, take a left at the Dr. Phillips Blvd light and it is directly in front of you).

9. The Samba Room
http://www.sambaroom.net/
Located in the parking lot of Plaza Venezia (where the Publix is, but this is on the far east of the parking lot, away from Publix, by Timpano Chophouse), this is an upscale Latin flavored place as the name suggests.

10. Timpano Chophouse
http://www.timpanochophouse.net/
This is an upscale steakhouse located next to The Samba Room at the east end of the Plaza Venezia parking lot on Sand Lake Rd. According to its website, it is trying to recreate the feel of the "big city" steakhouse. It also features The Starlight Lounge.

11. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
http://www.ruthschris.com/
One of three Orlando locations of the noted steakhouse chain, which also now has its headquarters in the Orlando area. Located in The Fountains at Bay Hill on the northside of Sand Lake Rd.; Ruth's Chris is at the very eastern end of The Fountains.

12. MoonFish Restaurant
http://www.fishfusion.com/
Having perhaps the most interesting exterior of all the restaurants in Restaurant Row (it has a fake waterfall on the exterior of the restaurant), MoonFish Restaurant is a seafood restaurant with an Asian themed accent. It serves what it calls "Fish Fusion" cuisine. The butterflied shrimp was a popular entree when my family went a few years ago. Located on Sand Lake Rd. in The Fountains at Bay Hill on the east end.

13. The Melting Pot
http://www.meltingpot.com/Orlando/home.html
One of three locations of the national fondue serving restaurant chain in Orlando. Located in The Fountains at Bay Hill on Sand Lake Rd.

14. Jeffrey's Restaurant and Piano Bar
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/dining/orl-dining0807apr0...
Another fine dining restaurant in The Fountains at Bay Hill on Sand Lake Road, to the right of Moe's (the Tex-Mex eatery). Haven't eaten there, but did see the inside and the menu; it has entrees in the high $20's and $30's, with one "mixer" entree about $55. Opened in 2006. The above web page has a dining review of this establishment.

15. Ayothaya Thai Cuisine
http://www.ayothayathaicuisineoforlando.com/
A Thai restaurant in The Fountains of Bay Hill on Sand Lake Rd., which advertises its "Award Winning Ayothaya Pad Thai" noodle dish.

16. Antonio's Ristorante
http://www.antoniosonline.com/AntoniosSandLake.asp
Part of a local Italian upscale restaurant chain (the original is Antonio's La Fiamma in Maitland), this is located on the second floor of The Fountains at Bay Hill on Sand Lake Rd.

17. Carrino's Lakefront Restaurant
http://www.restaurantrow.com/moreinfo.cfm?code=851684
Family style Italian restaurant in Plaza Venezia, to the left of Publix, on Sand Lake Road. Menu's are at the above webpage (the street address they have is wrong, though; they say its on Turkey Lake Rd., which it isn't).

A personal favorite that isn't listed here but certainly deserves to be is a family owned business called Cariera's (http://www.carieras.com/DrPhillips/drphillips.html) and it is an Italian resturant. It is BRILLIANT and has a very local feeling to it. It isn't a dressy place but the food certainly is. My DH is a chef and this is one of the places we go to on special ocassions and is a favorite to him.

If you want something completely different and enjoy listening to show tunes and a bit of opera give Bergamo's (http://www.bergamos.com/) on International Drive a try. There is a baby grand piano that is played nearly 100% of the time that you are there and both the player and the wait staff sing songs. It is a place that you could dress up for and make a nice evening of it. It is located outside of Festival Bay.

Texas DeBrazil (http://texasdebrazil.com/) has been mentioned and is another good option. You could sign up before you come over and receive a voucher for a celebration dinner (typically M-T during set hours) when you give them your anniversary or birthday details. This is a place that you would want to go to very hungry as it is a lot of food. I suggest that you have breakfast and a very light snack at the lunch hour so that you can enjoy this restaurant as it is meant to be experienced.

Hope that helps!

:wavey:

[PinkPrincess]

Wow....... thanks everyone :thumbs-up.

I shall definatly try and work my way through them;)