Foodies take note:
Victoria and Albert's
Disneys Grand Floridian Resort, Orlando,
FL 32830 Tel:(407) 939-3463We're starting at the top of the culinary food chain here, folks. If you're on a budget, DO NOT make reservations here (well, I suppose it depends on the budget), because it's pricey, to say the least. Chris and I decided to splurge, however, after hearing a glowing review in several publications, so we mustered the strength to endure another evening with The Mouse and drove to the Disney Grand Floridian Hotel on the gounds of the Disney Polynesian Resort. The moment we stepped through the doors, however, we found ourselves in a dining atmosphere with a well-arranged Victorian motif. We chose a wine-matching dinner menu, which gave us a more limited selection of entrees, but matched each course with a glass of exquisite wine. After seven courses including dessert, six glasses of wine, and the after-dinner coffee, we hardly noticed having spent nearly $300 on dinner, but at least we can still remember dinner itself, which was indescribably good. If you've got spare cash and are in the area, we highly recommend this restaurant - treat yourselves, because you're worth it.
Maison and Jardin
Wymore Rd. South of I-4 & S.R. 436,
Altamonte Springs, Florida Reservations: (407)862-4410
http://www.maison-jardin.com/maison.html - not exactly a step down from Victoria and Albert's in most respects, and a step up in two important ways: price, and absence of six-foot rodents. The best way to describe it is a step sideways: the atmosphere is quite formal but with more of a garden theme, the food is equally heavenly, the waitstaff is equally helpful, and the alcohol seems to flow just as liberally (for a price, of course). We were so impressed when we had our wedding night dinner there that we returned for our six month anniversary (any reason is a good reason to celebrate being together, I say) We never spent $300 in a single evening, but we came close on our second visit. However, when you get an ostrich steak grilled to smoky perfection, or delicately savor the bouquet and essence of a marinated veal tenderloin with lobster and morel sauce, the price is well worth what you get. The wine selection is extensive, and some of the desserts they offer are so sinful you should have to pass through a confessional on the way out the door. Given the choice between this and Victoria and Albert's, if you've got the time and a good map, go to Maison and Jardin. If you're already staying at Disney World Resorts and don't have a rental car or anything, V&A's is the obvious choice. It's your call.
Epcot
Yes, it's The Rodent again, but the Pavilion of Nations
really is a wonderful place to visit. Of course it's an Americanized
version of the countries represented, and of course the prices are higher
than they should be - you're on vacation, so what's your problem? The
French pavilion has a wonderful restaurant, with an excellent treatment of
rabbit and a decent selection of wine (not to mention *sigh* butter shaped
like Mickey's head, which the waiter cheerfully offered to us, asking,
"Buerre du Mickey?") Morocco also has some fine food, as well as the
Japanese, English and Chinese pavilions. Be wary, however - many of the
pavilions have two restaurants, to cater to different wallet sizes. With
The Mouse, you get what you pay for, minus certain licensing fees, so if
you want better quality, more authentic ethnic foods, you should expect to
pay more.
The Melting Pot
500 East Horatio Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Tel:(407) 628-1134At first, the idea of a fondue restaurant struck us as just a tad odd, but once we were seated and were mesmerized by the bubbling pot of water in the center of our table, we decided it wasn't that strange after all. Fondue is as much an art form as a meal, as is evidenced by the fact that Mike ended up wearing as much as he ate. Still, you get a lot of food with your order. What makes or breaks a fondue is the dipping sauce or broth, and in this respect, the Melting Pot has got the right stuff. You can choose a cheese and bread appetizer fondue, then either an oil or broth main course, and of COURSE there's a melted chocolate fondue on the dessert menu for every tastebud (I believe we went with dark chocolate and Chambord liquer) Definitely worth a stop, if you're in the area.
Bakeley's
345 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Tel:(407) 645-5767Forget Denny's! This place has breakfast down to a science, and though we never found the time to try their lunch or dinner menus, we understand those were pretty good as well. Their cinnamon-roll french toast was a unique twist on an old favorite, and quite tasty. They feature freshly squeezed orange juice available at all times (hey, you're in Florida... I think there's a law or something...), and have a large selection of breakfast specialty dishes to choose from. You won't walk away from this place hungry, we guarantee!
Fiddler's Green
A very cozy Irish pub, located in the Winter Park
area on Fairbanks Avenue, Fiddler's Green has a good selection of imported
beers and ales, as well as their choice of hard cider. The Irish stew they
offered was delectable, and they even offered Irish soda bread with dinner
instead of the boring old rolls. Added to the friendly down-home
atmosphere, and we agree that it was definitely a place where you feel
comfortable kicking back and relaxing for the evening with a pint of ale
or three. (Address unlisted... you'll have to find it yourself)
Tijuana Flats
7608 University Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32792
Tel:(407) 673-2456 Definitely not for the faint of palate, the original establishment was a snug little Mexican eatery with a decent selection of menu items and a very distinctive twist: they offer a hot sauce bar with eight different brands of hot sauces from around the world. There are usually a few milder choices on the bar, but there are always a handful of sauces that test the kahunas of the die-hard chili-heads. The restaurant also sells some of the more popular hot sauces right in the store, and can provide a catalog of nearly 1000 more. We purchased what they playfully christened the "Death Pack," a box set of five of the hottest sauces available, including a bottle of "Pure Cap," which is nothing more than distilled capsiacin oil, and required a legal release form to purchase. It was here that Mike gradually converted Chris into a chili-head, one sauce at a time. We are happy to report that in recent years, Tijuana Flats has expanded to several new locations around the city, so more people can experience the mind-numbing heat of their hot sauce bar.
Cici's Pizza
Caveat Emptor! This pizza buffet has several locations, and features a rotating selection of common and not-so common pizza combinations, along with dessert pizzas. The price is cheap, which is why the majority of the teenage populace in the area spends considerable portions of their lives seated or in various other positions of repose around the establishment. There is a predominance of cheese on these pizzas, and grease is almost a major constituent of every pie. Every single time we ate there, Mike became ill within a half hour of leaving, and would spend a half hour of quality time behind closed doors, praying to whatever god appealed at the moment to grant him a quick death. If you're looking for quality pizza, this would not be the restaurant you should even consider.
