Best Offsite Dining experience please?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by wanye

this would be my suggestion too. one of the best meals i've *ever* eaten was their 10th birthday event a couple of years ago (it was also my birthday)

i find it amusing when people ask for something unique, and end up getting a bunch of chain restaurants for suggestions

anyway, heres my award winning independents POI map, have a browse in the area you are staying, see what else is nearby

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=898832

See more...

I agree that Season 52 and Eddie V's are part of a chain but its pretty spread out across the US and both are pretty much unique in Florida and offer high quality food and service.

Would you say Gordon Ramsays restaurants are "a chain" - he has a number all over the world!

Its all a question of what type of place the OP wants as there are plenty of independants that are absolute garbage!

[greekgranny]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I agree that Season 52 and Eddie V's are part of a chain but its pretty spread out across the US and both are pretty much unique in Florida and offer high quality food and service.

Would you say Gordon Ramsays restaurants are "a chain" - he has a number all over the world!

Its all a question of what type of place the OP wants as there are plenty of independants that are absolute garbage!

See more...

Can't say I have ever been to an independent restaurant that was garbage, a bit of a sweeping statement IMHO.

[wanye]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I agree that Season 52 and Eddie V's are part of a chain but its pretty spread out across the US and both are pretty much unique in Florida and offer high quality food and service.

Would you say Gordon Ramsays restaurants are "a chain" - he has a number all over the world!

Its all a question of what type of place the OP wants as there are plenty of independants that are absolute garbage!

See more...

i include *some* restaurants that are chains, both s52 and eddie v's are on my map and have been since day one. as i said in the POI thread...

as well as a bunch of places i've been to myself over the years. I try to avoid chain restaurants in general, and whilst some of these may technically be chains (seasons 52 for example) they are about as far away from the likes of red lobster you'll get.

See more...

[2point]

Originally Posted by greekgranny

My three were independents! Most people don't want to travel from the tourist area though

See more...

We visited in March Grills after seeing your recommendation. Loved it, had the fish tacos, they were excellent. Good prices and nice view off the deck.

Thanks

[greekgranny]

Your welcome, glad you enjoyed it. It's one of our favourite places and the views over the lake are lovely.

[DonnyDuck]

Longhorn Steakhouse for us !

[cornishfrogboy]

I think some make a great play on whether a restaurant is independent or not. We are all different. Chains are often great value because of their purchasing power. You also have an extremely good idea of what you are going to get.

When on vacation, I don’t want a mix of disappointments and pleasant surprises. I want consistently good meals and using chains that I am well acquainted and familiar with whilst playing the menu works well for us. Other than R F Cafe, we never eat in or adj to parks and always eat out in the evening. Consequently, after 10 visits, I have been offsite eating a fair bit.

In addition, I also have compiled a comprehensive spreadsheet of all ‘happy hours’ as well as what they are offering before my arrival. We tend to eat early before doing something in the evening (return to theme parks), so happy hours are great news in our case. IMHO, Chains provide the majority of the good ‘happy hours’.

The above clearly affects my list of “off site’ restaurants.

If you like Steak, you won’t go far wrong with Longhorn or Outback and the prices are excellent.
Yardhouse for a great menu and vast assortment of beers and ciders.
Bahama Breeze for Caribbean, Coconutty stuff and similar.
Cheesecake Factory (after visiting P F Chang’s first)... because I love good Cheesecake.

In earlier years another Darden chain, Olive Garden would have figured. Unfortunately I have had 3 poor meals on the trot and they are now off my list!

[bronny]

Teak neighborhood grill was great and Yellow Dog Eats. The Melting Pot is on my must visit for next trip.

[Firsttimer2017]

Bahama breeze

[Disney Planning]

Originally Posted by FloridaNuts93

Cafe D’Antonio in Celebration.

See more...

We too like Cafe D’Antonio. We were there again in January (which seems like ages ago) and had a really good night. The service was brilliant.