***** (5 stars)
I positively love the ambiance at Stonewood. Tables are far appart, it’s fairly quite even when full (as long as you avoid the bar) and it’s… dark! Remember when restaurants used to be intimate? This one still is. Excellent steaks and fish, friendly service, good wines by the glass. I just wish they were still open for lunch.
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
5078 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 297-8682
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stonewood-grill-and-tavern-orlando
**** (4 stars)
It’s really hard to find good places for outside in Orlando, and this is a hidden gem. The large outside patio offers a quite, shaded environment for breakfast any time of day. But my favorites are their salads, particularly the ones with salmon or fruit ingredients. Light and refreshing.
Peach Valley Café
5072 Dr. Philips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 522-2601
http://www.yelp.com/biz/peach-valley-caf%C3%A9-orlando-4
***** (5 stars)
Café De Paris provides one of the more authentic French experiences in town. Sandwiches just like you’d get in Paris, and they have excellent croissants and coffee. The savory crepes are about the best I’ve had.
Now newly expanded, there is plenty of seating indoors and out. When the weather is nice, it’s pleasant to eat on the sidewalk, an authentic Paris sidewalk cafe experience, and it’s even away from the street, so it’s better than that!
The owners are very hands-on, which is reflected in the food and service.
Le Café De Paris
5170 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 293-2326
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-caf%C3%A9-de-paris-orlando-2
*** (3 stars)
A small mom and pop Chinese restaurant with just okay food. It might satisfy a craving, but it won’t be memorable. A better bet for lunch than dinner. Service is generally good, because the place is seldom crowded.
Lotus Garden Chinese Restaurant
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 363-7221
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lotus-garden-chinese-restaurant-orlando
** (2 stars)
Orlando doesn’t really have a great Chinese restaurant, but this one is below par even for here. Lots of overcooked, under-seasoned food, and fried items tend to be greasy. The TV doesn’t add to the dining room ambiance, either.
Dragon China Restraunt
7538 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 226-8818
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dragon-china-restraunt-orlando
**** (4 stars)
Three years have passed since I first tried Saffron, and it has definitely improved. The ugly display case at the back is gone, and the food quality is top notch. They serve an excellent lunch, with well-seasoned versions of all the standards such as korma, shakuti and tikka masala. Lunch comes with an excellent samosa, rice, soup, and a rice-based dessert, plus papadums and naan bread. Service is efficient, although it takes a while to serve everyone in large parties due to limitations in the kitchen.
I’m less enthusiastic about Sunday brunch, which is a buffet, and suffers from the usual buffet food quality issues.
Saffron Indian Cuisine
7724 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 674-8899
http://www.yelp.com/biz/saffron-indian-cuisine-orlando-2
***** (5 stars)
After a good, but not inspired lunch, I returned for dinner and was quite impressed. The lemon grass chicken appetizer had a delightful sear to the outside, but was extremely moist and tender. Probably the best chicken tikka-like dish I’ve had, and the price was very reasonable. The Kachumber salad was also great if you like lime, as I do. Mushroom Jalfreezi were fabulous: many layers of flavor, succulent and piquant. Vegetable korma was also good. The bread sampler was fun, but I think garlic naan is the way to go in the future. The restaurant was very busy on a Saturday night, but service was still very attentive. The long narrow room across the front is my favorite spot, because it’s quite, and you can watch the tourists down on Sand Lake Road. I’d have to say this place has edged out Kohinoor and Memories of India as best Indian food in Orlando, because it has more complexity, and more of that London-ish international flair. However I still think Memories of India is probably a better lunch choice because of the assortment that comes with the thalis.
Raga Restaurant
7559 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 985-2900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/raga-restaurant-orlando
**** (4 stars)
Being from the West originally, I’d never heard of Red Robin, but there was much excitement at the office when this place opened. Instant success, very crowded. I was impressed by the professionalism of the staff, even shortly after opening day. The bacon cheeseburger is exactly the recipe I like: lettuce, tomato, mayo, so I’m happy. On a second visit I tried the onion rings, which are excellent and incredibly bad for you. Substitue the salad for the fries that come with the burgers and pretend it’s health food.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
3310 Daniels Road
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-0626
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-robin-gourmet-burgers-winter-garden
** (2 stars)
The staff here is quite nice, but they’re combatting the same flavorless recipes as other Papa John’s. The most distasteful items are the fake tasting containers of sauce. Fast service.
Papa Johns Pizza
7315 State Rd 535
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 654-7209
http://www.yelp.com/biz/papa-johns-pizza-windermere
***** (5 stars)
Very friendly and well run Publix. Nice to have one in the neighborhood. The adjoining liquor store is a bit uninspired.
Publix
7880 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786