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ORLANDO_FOOD_AND_DRINK
Orlando has come a long way from burgers and fries.
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| It's not just mouse crumbs and Pluto kibble |
| Orlando now offers that and, if you want it, world-class cuisine |
By J. Joshua Placa
At first glance — and for that matter, at second and third glance — Orlando would appear to be the world nucleus of the fast food industry. On seemingly every thoroughfare, in and around every theme park, mall and neon neighborhood, they are there, locked in a burger-to-burger face-off, vying for attention with millions in marketing dollars. From chintz to cheeseburgers, they await those who want a quick meal that will challenge neither belly nor budget.
While there are few who would argue that Orlando is one of the great culinary centers of the hemisphere, it has come a long way since its earliest days when gourmet food meant barbecue on a china plate. Lured by the phenomenal success of this theme park capital of the Sunshine State, some of the world's top chefs have whisked their names into Orlando's gourmet roster, among them Los Angeles' Wolfgang Puck and Louisiana's Emeril Lagasse.
It also helps that Central Florida has many of the ingredients needed to whip up fine dining. While the region's famed citrus groves have shrunk in the face of determined development and urban sprawl, Orlando is still surrounded by vast groves that produce several varieties of oranges and grapefruits, limes, lemons and kumquats which play an intriguing part in sauces, garnishes and a bevy of tropical drinks.
Sugarcane, a wealth of winter vegetables and abundant seafood resources mean that chefs here have all the makings to create top-quality cuisine, and in recent years they have been doing just that. Toss into that mix a community whose prosperity has lured hundreds of thousands of every nationality—from Asian to European, Caribbean, Polynesian, Latin American, and Canadian—bringing with them the spices and flavors of their native lands.
Orlando's vast numbers of large hotels have created some outstanding dining rooms, and each of the two major parks—Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida—has a resident super-chef; Wolfgang Puck at WDW and Emeril Lagasse at Universal.
Two standouts among the masses are Maison & Jardin and Chalet Suzanne.
Maison & Jardin is an Altamonte Springs dining institution that occupies a sprawling antique mansion snuggled into a grove of massive oaks. Known by locals as the "Mason Jar," the restaurant glows with candlelight and offers sound American fare in an elegant atmosphere.
The eccentric Chalet Suzanne Country Inn & Restaurant showcases the founder's hodge-podge of antiques and collectibles, which provide handsome yet eclectic adornment. One of the region's most award-winning dining spots (its romaine soup even traveled to the moon with the astronauts), lovely Chalet Suzanne is set in an orange grove overlooking a tiny lake and serves multi-course lunches and legendary dinners.
Morton's of Chicago may have gotten its start up in the Windy City, but it's now an institution in Orlando; outfitted in dark woods and crisp white linen, it serves up top-notch steaks.
Theme Dining
If you're traveling with children or want to tap into a little of the child that lurks in us all, themed dinner entertainment is an intriguing option. At these events, the food is basic American fare but the entertainment is lots of whimsical fun. You can read more here about the themed evenings, which range from pirates to Wild West shoot-outs, England's King Henry and thoroughbred horses.
Sea World not only offers you a look at sharks, Shamu and cuddly penguins, but you can also wiggle and sway with talented Polynesian dancers at the nightly Makahiki Luau Dinner & Show, capped by a Samoan fire dance.
Walt Disney World rolls out its characters from Chip 'n Dale to Mickey and Minnie at numerous dining opportunities from early morning on throughout the day and also features a variety of revues, complete with uncomplicated dining, at various locations within the parks.
Nearby Dining
Winter Park has earned its dining stars as the home of a number of outstanding restaurants including Park Plaza Gardens, which offers diners a carefully orchestrated array of selections amidst greenery, under a glass roof.
An hour's drive or so west toward Tampa will bring you to another unusual dining spot in the farming village of Thonotosassa: Branch Ranch. A working ranch that's now also working in the restaurant business, this spot serves family-style dinners; that means the food comes out of the kitchen and onto your table in big bowls just like at Grandma's house. Patrons dine on wooden tables in a high-ceiling barn with a massive fireplace and plenty of farm memorabilia. Hearty home-cookin' American style is the lure here, where the prices are moderate but the portions are definitely not. Loosen that belt a notch! |
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Road trips around Orlando
CHOOSE KISSIMMEE! WHAT’S NEW
Kissimmee is just outside of Orlando. Give it a whirl!
A MOTHER/DAUGHTER GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY
Shopping, a spa, and a fun night out doing girl stuff!
Sponsored by
For details see article on: 
KISSIMMEE - FAMILY FUN, LEARNING,and MORE FUN
Sponsored by
For details see article on:
ORLANDO - FAMILY TRIP
Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios - Everyone in the family will have a blast!
For details see article on:
ORLANDO - EDUCATIONAL
Make a Theme Park Trip, a visit to Kennedy Space Center and a look at Sea World educational and fun!
ORLANDO - RELAXATION
Three days of great Orlando golf will send you home recharged!
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