View Full Version : Good (and bad) restaurants
mistiblu
05-09-2004, 20:01
Hi all,
Prob going to get more and more questions off me as we countdown (6 days to go - weather permitting!). I have been rounding up a list of restaurants, based on comments from this forum. If I give a list can anyone give their recommendations?
Good Not so good
Race Rock - I drive Bongos
Pizzeria Uno Dennys
Golden Corral Ponderosa
Stevie Bs Captain jacks
Crazy buffet Black Angus - 192
Cheesecake factory China Garden
The Butchers shop Captain Nemos
Sizzlers - I drive
Perkins
IHOP
Cracker Barrel
PF Changs
Bahama Breeze
Cattleman - 192
Could you let me know if I have the above right and are there any which stand out on the 'Good' side?
Zoe
mistiblu
05-09-2004, 20:04
[:I]Sorry that went a bit wrong, that was my "Good" list and here is my "not so good" list:
Bongos
Dennys
Ponderosa
Captain Jacks
Black Angus
China Garden
Captain Nemos
Also I get the impression that we should avoid any buffet style restaurants, is this about right?
Hi we have just returned and we used the Golden Coral on the 192 quite a bit, it was very busy especially on a Sun after church, Food was OK and at least you could try things and then some!! our son loved the ice - cream machine!!
I've got a soft spot for Dennys so would say that should go in the 'Good' list.
Sure it's cheap and cheerful but that is also it's selling point.
We've always felt it was good value and pretty decent fare when we have ventured in.
I'd also add Olive Garden (192), Wild Jacks(I Drive) and Chillis(I Drive) to the 'Good' list.
Brizzle.
You could add Bennigans and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville to the "good" list.
If you like Mexican, I would add Chevy's on the 192 to the 'good' list also
Nostromo
05-09-2004, 22:58
As I have said before, Bongos Cuban Cafe is the worst restaurant that I have ever been. My GOOD list would include
Chefs de France (best food and wine in Orlando by some distance)
Coral Reef Restaurant
Olive Garden
Bahama Breeze
Rainforest Cafe
Cheesecake Factory (for the food)
Fulton's Crab House
Latin Quarter
Try 'The Olive Garden' for a lovely (and reasonably priced) meal.
It is Italian themed, but not exclusively so.
A big favourite with our family.
bellaepovera
22-09-2004, 13:41
Yes, I have to say Olive Garden is one of my favs. You receive a unlimited salad bowl with each meal. Also Maccorrini Grill is another lovely Italian Rest and the prices are very good also.
parrot 2
22-09-2004, 16:20
Ah please dont talk about Olive Garden, Its my fave restaurant out there and now sitting at my desk in London i sooooo want some of that salad, wish they done it here. Have to wait until christmas when i go i suppose [msnsad]
Ray&Sarah
22-09-2004, 20:03
The Olive Garden is great, we always have to pay them a visit whilst in Orlando.[msnsmile2]
Sweet Tomatoes on I drive is fabulous and definetely worth a visit. We went after someone else recommended it and the salad is amazing. More on a vegetarian theme but something for everyone. Very reasonable prices too.[:I]
We love LOGAN's on the 192 opposite Old Town or just off the Sand Lake Road, next to the Walmart Superstore.
Never had a bad meal yet, and even the children like it.....:D
Kare
We liked Dennys too, but loved the Cheesecake Restaurant - quite a wait for a table but well worth it. Mind you we were so full up we couldn't manage the desserts but they looked just yummy!:D
Lisi
The best dining in Orlando is Victoria & Albert's at the grand floridian if you dine here you must ask for the chef's table. We also like Fulton's Crab House.
poohbear
06-12-2004, 17:06
sizzlers is great too
Ann-Marie
06-12-2004, 17:34
Chilis on the 192 - good for me:D:D
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
06-12-2004, 18:08
We used to like Chilis but went last week and they have dropped 3 of the 4 veggie options off the menu. We won't be going again [msnsad]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ann-Marie
Chilis on the 192 - good for me:D:D
[/quote]
We have the Black Angus steak house (the one next to the Econo Lodge?) on our good list. We really enjoyed the steaks there and they were cooked to perfection.
linda allen
06-12-2004, 22:47
I'm a chilis fan, but my favourite is crabby bills. There is one on St Pete's beach and one on 192. However the one on the 192 is presently closed for refurbishment.
We had an awful meal at Logans, on 192, when we were there in November.
I'll add Jimmy Buffets to my good list too.
The food was a different quality and a really nice atmosphere to eat in with stilt walkers making balloon hats for everyone.
Brizzle.
Nostromo
07-12-2004, 00:00
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by WR1
The best dining in Orlando is Victoria & Albert's at the grand floridian if you dine here you must ask for the chef's table. [/quote]
This is probably true for atmosphere, but for sheer gourmet's delight, there is nothing to compare with Chefs de France in all of Orlando (and probably Florida)
Cruella DeVilla
07-12-2004, 00:09
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by WR1
The best dining in Orlando is Victoria & Albert's at the grand floridian if you dine here you must ask for the chef's table. [/quote]
This is probably true for atmosphere, but for sheer gourmet's delight, there is nothing to compare with Chefs de France in all of Orlando (and probably Florida)
[/quote]
I hope it as good as you say as Rosie and Al are having their 25th Wedding Anniversary there on the 22nd December and have kindly invited us along.
Is it really nice? Would we be out of place dressed up say in cocktail/black tie?
CDV, Cocktail/Black tie is appropriate for Victoria and Albert so you won't feel out of place. Have a great evening, enjoy the food and try the wine pairing..:)
espritdave
31-12-2004, 00:34
Saw some pretty ropey run of the mill chains on these lists.
Lower end - IHOP, Ponderosa, Sizzlers etc - just awful. Processed, re-heated frozen food. OK as a filler of the kids I guess, but basically junk food.
Mid price range - Chilli's is very good, as are a few of the others mentioned like the Black Angus.
But as with all things, you tend to get what you pay for. If the steaks (or whatever) on the menu seem cheap, there's a good reason for it.
And it must have been an oversight that no-one has mentioned the steaks at www.ruthschris.com yet. Monumental, historic....
Also, can't believe that the Peabody Sunday Buffet isn't on any of the Good lists.......
It could well be the best value "high end" meal in the city.
dave
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
We have the Black Angus steak house (the one next to the Econo Lodge?) on our good list. We really enjoyed the steaks there and they were cooked to perfection.
[/quote]
We do as well,never had a bad steak here,can reallt reccommend the 'ranch cut' it is soak it garlic:D,but then again if you dont like garlic, the ranch cut is not the one to chose[msnwink]
orlandobabe
15-02-2005, 22:56
Villa di Flora at the gaylord palms.
Been 3 times and have not been disappointed yet.
I do like the peabody and the renaissace champagne brunches-but don't drink-so I think this is the next best option.
The food is good and scrumptious-and the buffets rotate on a daily basis from french/italian/north african/spanish.
Sunday brunch is $28 -but the daily one is only $18.
First class in my opinion.
We took our 20 month old grandson-who ate for free-and it was embarrassing the amount of salmon he put away-and a huge plate of tiramisu!
Don't bother with Fioni's on 192 (opposite junction to Celebration), we went there night before last after a friend's recommendation, couldn't get served - after 30 mins still not offered as much as a drink, our waiter was nattering with neighbouring table. When he finally deigned to come to our table got in a strop with us because we complained very mildly at not even being offered a drink during this time. He walked off and ranting at which point I thought and they want us to pay 15% on top for this sort of service, so we walked out, told the couple waiting on the way in in vain for someone to notice them so they lost the opportunity to feed 6 people. Shame as the food looked good and the prices are very reasonable. Cannot believe in the land of service to get treated like that. Have 1 daughter working at a restaurant which is owned by a chef with a 3* michelin, and the other funds her uni working in a restaurant, they were both staggered at the reception and both say they would have been sacked for treating a customer like that. In fact they were more miffed than we were!!
On the plus side, wonderful meal at Antonios at Celebration, not cheap, but excellent food and excellent service.
Cruella DeVilla
21-02-2005, 16:00
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by fiona
Don't bother with Fioni's on 192 (opposite junction to Celebration), we went there night before last after a friend's recommendation, couldn't get served - after 30 mins still not offered as much as a drink, our waiter was nattering with neighbouring table. When he finally deigned to come to our table got in a strop with us because we complained very mildly at not even being offered a drink during this time. He walked off and ranting at which point I thought and they want us to pay 15% on top for this sort of service, so we walked out, told the couple waiting on the way in in vain for someone to notice them so they lost the opportunity to feed 6 people. Shame as the food looked good and the prices are very reasonable. Cannot believe in the land of service to get treated like that. Have 1 daughter working at a restaurant which is owned by a chef with a 3* michelin, and the other funds her uni working in a restaurant, they were both staggered at the reception and both say they would have been sacked for treating a customer like that. In fact they were more miffed than we were!!
On the plus side, wonderful meal at Antonios at Celebration, not cheap, but excellent food and excellent service.
[/quote]
That's terrible! Drop them a line voicing your disappointment, they should not be able to get away with service like this!
LiesaAnna
22-02-2005, 11:49
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by fiona
Don't bother with Fioni's on 192 (opposite junction to Celebration), we went there night before last after a friend's recommendation, couldn't get served - after 30 mins still not offered as much as a drink, our waiter was nattering with neighbouring table. When he finally deigned to come to our table got in a strop with us because we complained very mildly at not even being offered a drink during this time. He walked off and ranting at which point I thought and they want us to pay 15% on top for this sort of service, so we walked out, told the couple waiting on the way in in vain for someone to notice them so they lost the opportunity to feed 6 people. Shame as the food looked good and the prices are very reasonable. Cannot believe in the land of service to get treated like that. Have 1 daughter working at a restaurant which is owned by a chef with a 3* michelin, and the other funds her uni working in a restaurant, they were both staggered at the reception and both say they would have been sacked for treating a customer like that. In fact they were more miffed than we were!!
On the plus side, wonderful meal at Antonios at Celebration, not cheap, but excellent food and excellent service.
[/quote]
didnt think people behaved like this in our beloved florida!!!
hope it dont happen to us.....
flyrr100
01-03-2005, 18:52
Ruth's Chris
Need I say more?
We always find the food great at The Outback on the 192.
Cruella DeVilla
03-04-2005, 02:15
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jpj
We always find the food great at The Outback on the 192.
[/quote]
We think the Outback is awful having had two bad meals in the place, most recent two weeks ago in the one you mention and shall never ever go there again. 2 of the partys steaks were drastically under cooked, ours were dry and unappatizing, horrible dry, cooked twice chips too.
Funny how we all like different things!
TOP PLACE IN FOR SEAFOOD HAS TO BE 'JOE'S' - There is one in LBV and another along the 192 just before you get to Old Town heading East. The coconut prawns are to die for!!
lizmcg100
12-04-2005, 22:07
our 2 favourites have to be Cracker Barrel + Longhorns,
cracker barrel for a sunday to get the traditional homestyle chicken and longhorns just give out so much food we were almost full after our entrees and starters!
Thorogoods
13-04-2005, 01:43
I'd also add Carrabba's to my good list.
The food is just great there and the kids love it especially the pizza dough they are given to make things with while waiting for the food to arrive.
Just back and followed up on recommendations from the forum:
Outback(192 at Formosa Gardens) - great coconut shrimp and steaks
Red Lobster - as well as the fish, the cheese biscuits just melt in your mouth!
Olive Garden - all the recommendations here were spot on!
Fultons Crab House - this was the only disappointing meal we had. The location was great, but the quality of the food was poor particular as it was not cheap.
We also found:
Chevys(192 but also elsewhere) - Mexican food, v. cheap and plentiful. Columbia at Celebration. Spanish and upmarket but still reasonably priced. There was also a Japanese restaurant at Celebration where we had a lunch box, also to be recommended. The restaurants at Celebration were noticeably less busy than those on 192 with no queues at all when we were there.
Looking forward to trying them all again when we are back later this year.
Byron
Has anyone tried Steak Co East Highway 192 Quarter a mile west of Turnpike. Fantastic steaks. Not cheap but worth a try.
PaulAndRoss
08-06-2005, 04:45
We found Charlie's steakhouse to be superb great Steak's can't wait till August to go back...
luckylady
08-06-2005, 13:02
Just arrived home
tried 4 different restaurants this time to add to the list of must go again
Sweet Tomatoes ,very good the soups was excellent
Orlando Ale House Very good certainly value for money
The Cheese Cake Factory was out of this world my mouth waters when I think about it
Texas Brazille was a fantastic experience I ate food there I have never tried before
The service and presentation was excellent, by far the most expensive but well worth every dollar
Barbara