**** (4 stars)

This is the main restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, since Normans (which I’m not fond of) is independently operated. So this is the main place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some people list it as a steak house, but when you first walk in it looks a bit more like an upscale coffee shop dining room. I’m sure it has a very different atmosphere at various times of day, but I’ve always gone for dinner, when it transforms into a fairly upscale experience.

I’ve found all of the entrees to be reliable, but for me the highlight is the wine list (not surprising, given the restaurant’s name). The trick is to look beyond the least expensive selections, because the pricier wines are listed at a fairly reasonable markup for a restaurant in such a fancy environment.

The wine manager here is very friendly and knowledgeable, and can give you some guidance as to food pairings. We live in Orlando, yet make it a regular stop on the way back from the airport if we’re picking someone up, so that says a lot for a hotel restaurant.

The Vineyard Grill
4012 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 393-4648
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-vineyard-grill-orlando