This weekend, the missus and I are going to Orlando for a wedding. However, we will be left to our own devices on Friday night. This is close enough to my wife’s birthday that I want to surprise her with a birthday dinner while we’re there. I’ve been to Orlando a couple of times, but not enough to know my way around.
Can anyone recommend a romantic “splurge” kind of place in Orlando? We’re staying at someplace called The Portofino Bay Hotel, and I’d prefer not having to travel terribly far to get to the restaurant. Say, someplace within 30 minutes. We’re both vegetarians, so a steakhouse would not be the best place for us. We eat dairy and are ususally quite happy at Italian places or just someplace that has something on the menu other than the slab o’ meat.
I would prefer to avoid the various Disney/Universal complexes. I realize that might be hard in the area we’re in, but if there’s someplace quiet that the locals go on special occasions, that would be my first choice.
They’re on Sand Lake Road, aka Restaurant Row. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can do Fishbones, Timpano’s, Bonefish, or Seasons 52, all within spitting distance.
Thanks, ivylass. I’ve been leaning toward The Melting Pot. My searches haven’t turned up anyplace that made me go, “oooh, that’s it!”, and the Melting Pot is a good place. The other places you mentioned seem a little heavy on the meat and/or fish. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that fish dominates the menus at a lot of the places in Florida…
So, there is a place in Winter Park called “Jardins du Castillon” that looks about perfect – French place with vegetarian options, and a great setting. But the phone number on the website is apparently disconnected. Anybody know if they’re still in business?
Winter Park is a bit far for you if you’re over by Universal (that’s where the Portofino Hotel is). And I’d say if the phone is disconnected, it’s not a good sign.
Mapquest put it at about 14 miles/23 minutes, which didn’t seem too bad. But, yeah, I’m thinking I need to give up on them. Too bad, since they apparently won some “Best Of” awards from various publications. Damn the luck. So, I think that points me to your original suggestion of the Melting Pot. It *has * been a long time since I’ve had fondue. Mmmm.
I don’t particularly like the Melting Pot. I think they’re overpriced and the food quality isn’t all that good.
Go to Journey’s Restaurant in Longwood. Just a tad north of Orlando but well worth the drive. This not a chain, it is a small privately owned restaurant where I’ve eaten some of the best meals of my life (and I’m a bit of a food snob).
I’ve eaten at Jardin Du Castillon in Winter Park and it is also excellent though I haven’t been there in over a year and so don’t know if it’s still open.
At the Dopefest I attended we ate at Bosphorus in Winter Park on Park Avenue. Absolutely heavenly turkish food.
Park Avenue in Winter Park is a very romantic date spot. Many very fine restaurants and a beautiful avenue and park to stroll with your honey. You could just head to Park Avenue, park the car and stroll around until you find one that suits your fancy.
I realize that none of these is technically in Orlando but they’re all within 30 minutes of the Portofino Bay Hotel (ok Longwood might be 35 or so) and not far from I-4 so easy to find. Have fun!
It is a fun place for a group of people, but it’s very loud…I’m not sure if that’s what you’re looking for in a romantic dinner. Belly dancers, cariacture artists, painters, palm readers…that sort of thing.
I think they’re pretty good, but I was hoping to avoid a chain. Hell, there’s a Melting Pot not far from our house. But I was kind of resigning myself to it.
This still bums me out. Two days of searching till I find a cool-looking place, only to find they’re closed. I even emailed the Winter Park chamber of commerce to ask if they were still around, but no reply.
I just found a website for the Park Avenue business district. There’s a place called Pannullo’s that looks pretty good. They seem to have a lot of herbivorous options. I think strolling down the street in the evening sounds like fun. Then I can say, “Oh, hey, let’s stop in here” in my casual manner. (Which will fool no one. I am the least spontaneous person in the world, which is why I have to obsessively plan something as simple as a date with my wife.)
Here’s a list of vegetarian restaurants in Orlando. I myself am a carnivore and haven’t eaten at any of these restuarants, so I can’t speak to how good they might be.
Take a glance at Bravissimo Italian Cafe. It’s located in dowtown Orlando in the middle of a family neighborhood. It’s a nice, secluded little place. I’ve been there once and can vouche for their pizza.
Also, the Grand Bohemian hotel in Orlando I’m told has some rather tasty food inside and even has the occasional night set aside for romantics that include a wide variety of chocolates and fondue. Check www.orlandoweekly.com for details, or call them directly.
