Taking the kids to Disney this summer. It's also going to be the wife and I 20th Anniversary. Yes, bringing the in-laws to watch the kids for a night out. What are some nice restaurants for an anniversary dinner? Food preferences are steak and Italian. I've cruised the site for bottle shops and will probably hit the Total Wines and a couple others if I can do it. Any specific suggestions?
A nice beer dinner out in Orlando is Cask and Larder for sure, though it is sort of on the other side of town from Disney area. Worth the drive though...
I second Cask & Larder. If you're looking for a bit more formal check their sister resteraunt Ravenous Pig, it's one of the top in town (Both are in Winter Park, about 25-30 minutes from the parks but there is plenty to do in the area and Park Avenue is great place to check out for shopping/food/drink).
True as well, if you make the trip down there...a good after dinner spot would also be Redlight Redlight, which is only about 10 minutes from there. Frank and Steins also put a new location right across from Cask and Larder too, but I would always prefer Redlight.
upscale would be Fishbones or Charlie's steak house off OBT (dont go to the one on I drive b/c it does ala cart and not the original). Fishbones is same steak and cooked same way as Charlies, but also has some more seafood offerings. it is my goto place and has started to get some craft in there (the one in lake mary had black ops a few years ago). or, there is a nice steakhouse in mall at millenia that is superb as well called capital grill.
many of Orlando's best restaurants can be found on Disney's property... Todd English's Blue Zoo (Dolphin - sea food), Victoria & Albert's (in the Contemporary - only 5 star around), Il Mulino Trattoria (Swan - Italian), etc. The Dr Phillips area (Sandlake west of I-4) has TONS of great options and the ones mentioned above in Winter Park are further away but worth the gas/time.
Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder are excellent. C&L is also a brewery as well. Near them is Prato which is a good Italian place. Other side of town but you could make good trip out of it. Downtown winter park is nice to walk around, East End Market is a cool spot, and of course redlight. Closer to Disney is a place called The Pharmacy. Food is good and cocktails are great. If their menu doesn't appeal to you then it is the same parking lot as some high end chains (flemings, mitchells, etc.)
If you want something unique and local, here are my suggestions: Italian - Prato. Don't even consider anything else. Just go here. Enjoy walking around park ave before or after. Steak - Txokos. James Beard nominee chef, and literally 2 blocks from Redlight Redlight, the best beer bar in FL.
Charlie's on OBT has been closed for quite a bit. Fishbones and Charlies on Idrive/ Resteraunt Row I agree are tourist traps. Capital Grill is a chain so it's not something unique to Orlando like much of Sand Lake. So far I've found aside from the parks Winter Park has the best selection of local award winning chef's in a 2-3 mile radius and a great atmosphere to boot. For a great atmosphere and non-chain steak,Christner's Prime Steak & Lobster on Lee Road (formerly one of the original Del Friscos) is tough to beat.
Charlies on OBT is closed? what the hell happened? i loved that place and my parents did too until at my graduation, my parents did not realize the tip was already added on, so they double tipped the waitress and she did not disclose it had been added, so the girl got a 400.00 tip!
Gone to disney a lot chefs table at Victoria and Alberts is amazing but expect to drop a lot of money and damn good wine list
