Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
127
than the other Japanese steakhouses in the area. For Chinese cuisine, head to
Ming
Court
(
&
407/351-9988
), which offers a menu as impressive as its elaborate sur-
roundings.
Emeril's Tchoup Chop
(
&
407/503-2467
) takes your taste buds on a
tour of the Pacific Rim islands, while its chic and trendy decor is among the most
inviting around.
•
Best Barbecue:
Follow your nose to
Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ
(
&
407/628-1212
)
after catching a whiff of the tangy hickory smoke. It tastes as good as it smells.
•
Best Italian Cuisine:
It's a toss-up between
Bice
(
&
407/503-1000
) at Universal's
Portofino Bay Hotel, with its chic yet elegant atmosphere, and the more casual
Paci-
no's Italian Ristorante
in Kissimmee (
&
407/396-8022
).
•
Best Seafood:
Of the area's many seafood restaurants, the best around is
Ocean Prime
(
&
407/781-4880
), which combines a lively Sinatra-inspired supper club atmosphere
with a menu filled with fresh ocean fare and service that is simply unsurpassed.
Ful-
ton's Crab
House
(
&
407/934-2628
) offers a creative menu and a rich wine list.
Todd English's bluezoo
(
&
407/934-4644
) blends a unique atmosphere with cre-
ative seafood dishes to great success.
•
Best Tapas: Café Tu Tu Tango
(
&
407/248-2222
) takes the tapas concept to another
dimension, serving items ranging from Cajun egg rolls with blackened chicken to
alligator bites in a fabulous artist-loft atmosphere.
•
Best Steakhouse:
The Capital Grille
(
&
407/370-4392
) serves up a menu of dry-
aged steaks, chops, and seafood (all prepared to perfection) combined with an award-
winning collection of over 400 wines in an elegant upscale atmosphere. Dining at
Texas de Brazil Churrascaria
(
&
407/355-0355
) is an experience not to be missed,
as melt-in-your mouth cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken are served up tableside at
this upscale eatery.
•
Best Late-Night Dining:
The trendy
B-Line Diner
(
&
407/345-4460
) at the Pea-
body Orlando is open around-the-clock for eclectic fare ranging from steaks to falafel
sandwiches to grits and eggs. You won't be able to pass up one of their decadent
desserts.
•
Best Spot for Celebrating:
Emeril's
at Universal's CityWalk (
&
407/224-2424
) and
Tchoup Chop
at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort (
&
407/503-2467
) are great
choices for a high-end special occasion. For the pure party factor, you can't beat
Jimmy
Buffett's Margaritaville
(
&
407/224-2155
) at CityWalk.
•
Best Outdoor Dining:
The terrace at
Artist Point
(
&
407/939-3463
), the premier
restaurant at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, overlooks a lake, waterfall, and scenery
evocative of America's national parks. The
Rose & Crown
Pub & Dining Room
at
Epcot (
&
407/939-3463
) delivers a front-row seat for the IllumiNations fireworks
display.
•
Best Sunday Brunch: La Coquina
at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort,
(
&
407/239-1234
) serves a champagne brunch in a sun-drenched atmosphere that
overlooks a lake. Items change, but the menu usually features such treats as quail,
duck, lamb chops, Cornish hen, clams, mussels, snapper, sea bass, sushi, a selection
of breakfast favorites, and much more. For a themed brunch, the
House of Blues
(
&
407/934-2583
), at Disney's West Side, has a down-home gospel brunch featuring
live foot-stomping music and an array of Southern/Creole vittles. The food is so-so—
the same quality as at a dinner show, which this is, morning-style. But the entertain-
ment makes it a certifiable winner.
5
