STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

dc · Dooney & Bourke

orlando restaurants, etc

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

emeril has 2 restaurants there. I'd pick one of those for sure!!

theotherjess · Chanel

If you're going to be in the Disney area anyway, I recommend checking out the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant. It's a nice buffet with really great food. Not exactly posh but the food is amazing and they have these delicious chocolate mousse things for dessert. \

Hue is a restaurant that I pass by every day in a really cute area of town. It's pretty pricey IIRC, but there's always hip people eating there and the reviews are pretty good. Oh, and it's right next to this adorable boutique called Zou Zou that always gets written up in Lucky.

http://www.huerestaurant.com/

For lunch, I like to go to 903 Mills Market. It's a cute little deli type place with great food and a local feel to it. The owners are super nice and you can sit outside and enjoy the pretty weather. http://www.orlandoweekly.com/dining/place.asp?id=3807

If I think of any more, I'll edit later. PM me if you have any other questions.

ETA: A few more of the hot restaurants:

Le Coq Au Vin (French)

Kobe (Japanese--more of a fun restaurant, they cook the food right in front of you) (not sure if this is a chain or not...don't think so but it might be)

Lake Eola Yacht Club (more of a breakfast/lunch place)

I would try to stay away from International Drive. That whole area is pretty much crawling with tourists and can be a little overpriced.

The Park Avenue area in Winter Park has a bunch of cute little restaurants too, but again, more casual than chic.

-- Edited by theotherjess at 17:52, 2006-02-11

flknight24 · Dooney & Bourke

Unfortunately, IMO there really aren't any "must go" Orlando restaurants, most of the restaurants here are pretty commercial and generic (although I may be too harsh a critic having moved here from NYC). That said there are some fun places with pretty good food. Since you'll be at Disney I would recommend some of the restaurant on "Restaurant Row" which is a grouping of restaurants on Sand Lake Road, about a 5-10 minute cab ride from Disney, in an area called Dr. Phillips. The restaurants in this area are geared more toward the people attending the conventions at the convention center which is right down the road. So they're less "Disney".

Moon Fish - Asian fusion seafood and good sushi. Has a great modern atmosphere and a nice bar.

Christini's - I would call this fancy Italian. The restaurant is very Rococoesque and romantic. The food is good but probably a little overpriced.

Roy's - This is an upscale chain which you're probably familiar with. I'm not sure if there's one in DC but I know there' s one in Baltimore. Anyway, it's Asian Hawaiian inspired food, great deserts.

Bonefish - This is probably the most casual of the restaurants on this list. It's pretty basic seafood and fish. It's a nice atmosphere and good food. They have a great Parmesan crusted trout and I really like their ahi tuna as well.

Season's 54 - Another upscale chain. There's a nice view of the lake and the food is meant to be healthy. This is a nice place to eat or to just have drinks. The bar can get pretty crowded.

Timpano - An Italian chophouse. I really like the mushroom ravioli and they have good salad. You can also sit by the lake when it's warm.

Cedar's - This is a nice Lebanese restaurant and they have a heated porch so you can sit outside even when it's a little chilly (like this week). The food is good but I’'m a big fan of Lebanese Taverna (in DC) and it's never as good as there so I'm always a little disappointed.

Press101 - This is the most "local" of the places on the list. It's a sandwich and wine bar. It's pretty casual and the fare basically consists of soup, salad and sandwiches but the atmosphere is good and they have live Jazz on Friday nights.

If I had to choose one it would probably be Moonfish.

Like theotherjess mentioned, there are quite a few good restaurants downtown (Hue is one of my favorites) but downtown is about 20-25 minutes from Disney. Winter Park also has some great places as well but it's about 35 minutes from Disney, pm me if you want recommendations in those areas.

As for Disney restaurants, I really like California Grill which is at the top of the Contemporary Resort in Disney. The food is pretty traditional, they have anything from basic steaks to goat cheese ravioli to sushi but the best part is you can watch the Disney fireworks while you eat. I think the fireworks are at 9 so if you have a reservation between 8 or 8:30 it works out perfectly because you can order, then watch the fireoworks then eat. When you order you can request that they hold your food until the end of the fireworks.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Enjoy your trip.

-- Edited by flknight24 at 10:08, 2006-02-13

dc · Dooney & Bourke

You girls are AMAZING! I have only 3 nights and a million ideas - thank you! My coworkers will all be impressed with me.

Thanks again - citysearch.com is absolutely no match for you all.

flknight24 · Dooney & Bourke

flknight24 wrote:

I really like California Grill which is at the top of the Contemporary Resort in Disney. The food is pretty traditional, they have anything from basic steaks to goat cheese ravioli to sushi but the best part is you can watch the Disney fireworks while you eat. I think the fireworks are at 9 so if you have a reservation between 8 or 8:30 it works out perfectly because you can order, then watch the fireoworks then eat. When you order you can request that they hold your food until the end of the fireworks.

DC - I think I told you the wrong time. I'm pretty sure the fireworks are at 8 and 10. If you decide to do this definitely confirm the time. Also, it works out if you get reservations 45 minutes before whichever fireworks display you want to see. Sorry for the confusion.