dining off site

[Britchick]

due to bad reviews and the kids are much older and cost a lot more to feed we are looking at eating off site more. We've been to sweet tomatoes a few times and like it so that would be a cheaper meal for one night. what about other places you have tried and liked?

thanks:thumbsup:

[lisaw]

Haven't tried it yet but we are going to go to Bahama Breeze this time, them menu looks really nice and it seems to get good reviews :yes: reasonable prices compared to onsite as well, Oh and my Daniel will still be a 'child' (up to 12 I think). Not quite Sweet Tomatoes cheap but not expensive.

The Cheesecake Factory at Mall at Millennia was really nice and huge portions so you can easily et a few dishes to share. For lunch we shared 3 appetisers between the four of us and still had to take the desserts with us as we were so full :D

[Britchick]

that's the sort of thing i'm thinking of Lisa:thumbsup:

[Dizneyblonde]

You'd love CiCi's Julie...

[Britchick]

You'd love CiCi's Julie...

i've been elsewhere but not in Orlando:thumbsup: and you're right :lol:

[Keith]

We feel the same way although we havent tried much offsite through lack of transport

BUT I can give definite thumbs up to:-
Cheesecake factory at millenia mall
PF Changs also at the mall
Charley's steakhouse
Ruths's Chris (although all things considered, we preferred Charleys)

[Britchick]

do you have to book for any of these places?


I still plan a few meals on site and we will probably eat counter service a whole lot more.

[Keith]

do you have to book for any of these places?


I still plan a few meals on site and we will probably eat counter service a whole lot more.

Well Ruth's chris and to a slightly lesser extent Charley's would probably appreciate a booking but the answer is not really to be honest

[Dawn]

I like that Mexican place at The Crossroads whose name I can never remember. :lol:

Not Taco Bell.

[daveann]

i think charlies is more expensive before tip for 2 was $111 that was just steak and soda's no desert or starter. the experience was great and the truffle oil chips were divine. service is second to none

[Johnie]

I like that Mexican place at The Crossroads whose name I can never remember. :lol:

Not Taco Bell.

Chevy's. They are very good.

I also love Sweet Tomatoes. I don't particularly like buffets but they do a nice job.

I also love Bahama Breeze. They have this wood grilled chicken that is TDF. Cheesecake Factory is definately one I love. Portions are HUGE so definately share unless you have somewhere you can keep leftovers.

You can go to www.restaurant.com and get gift certificates for restaurants as well. I can usually get a $25 gift certificate for $3 (google discount codes). I've had a lot of luck with places here.

[Dawn]

Chevy's!!! The fajitas are awesome. :D

I loved Jungle Jims too but they closed down. :(

[Britchick]

I like that Mexican place at The Crossroads whose name I can never remember. :lol:

Not Taco Bell.

:point: good job you said that :evil:

[Britchick]

i think charlies is more expensive before tip for 2 was $111 that was just steak and soda's no desert or starter. the experience was great and the truffle oil chips were divine. service is second to none

that sounds good! i have truffle oil that i add to mushrooms and courgettes yummy

[Britchick]

You can go to www.restaurant.com and get gift certificates for restaurants as well. I can usually get a $25 gift certificate for $3 (google discount codes). I've had a lot of luck with places here.

that's great Johnie thanks, have found some for some places in charleston too!

[Johnie]

Yep, they have offers for all over the states. Check back periodically too because the offers can change. Also if there are places that are very popular, they do sell out and new offers will be up at the beginning of the month.

[Britchick]

do the vouchers expire?

[Johnie]

A year from purchase.

Oh yes and make sure you read the offer. Some are good anytime. Some are good Sun-Thurs. Some you have to spend a certain amount of money, et.

[Tink]

Many folks really like Golden Corral. If you choose to try it, be certain to only go to the one by Bahama Breeze on Vineland (heading for the Premium Outlets).

Mimi's Cafe at Mall at Millenia (not in it, but in the general vicinity of the parking area) is a good basic restaurant for "American" food (whatever that is). :D

I like Ruth's Chris just a tiny bit better than Charley's :wink: but both are excellent places. :yes:

Melting Pot (near Ruth's Chris) is a nice place too. Oh, Ruth's, Charley's and Melting Pot are in the more pricey (than Bahama Breeze, etc.) category.

Season's 52 is in the general location of Ruth's and Melting Pot. It's across the highway in the Publix plaza area.

We don't often eat in the immediate offsite/Lake Buena Vista area as the prices are higher and the service seems to be lesser. :sorry:

For example, there is a Long Horn Steakhouse on 192 east (just east of Celebration). It's more expensive, and the service is rudimentary compared to the one much closer to us near the Winter Garden Village.

If you like Olive Garden, or Red Lobster they are pretty easy to find throughout the general area. Carrabbas is part of the Outback Steakhouse family, and both can be found on 192 west.

There is an Applebee's on 27 south (west to 192 and south for a short distance on 27).

Chevy's may be the Tex Mex place Dawn is referring to at Crossroad's. There is a Chili's on 27 north now, too. (Very short drive from 192 west/27 intersection).

The Ale House can usually be counted on for decent food with huge portions. There is one located at the intersection just beyond Crossroad's (heading AWAY from I-4). They have about a gazillion beers on tap, too. :D

If you want to venture downtown, we really enjoy Ceviche on Church St. Parking is under the I4 overpass (will be a fee) and it's just steps from there.

Do you feel adventurous? Winter Park (head for Park Avenue, find a place to park and then stroll) has many places to dine. Some are pricier than others, as with all small villages.

I hope that helps a bit? :unsure:

[Britchick]

wow loads of places!!! thanks


any recomendations for good freshly made to order sushi?

[Tink]

Yes. Ran Gitsu. It's on I Drive (one of the few places we'll actually eat on I Drive).

Wasabi in Winter Park has good reviews but we've not eaten there.

Oh! Texas de Brasil at the end of I Drive and there is (FINALLY) an Ethiopian restaurant in Orlando, also on I Drive. It's wicked to find though. :( You sort of have to know it's there to get there.

Sorry for the repeat of Chevy's info! :sorry: I totally missed the posts on this page just above mine. :spring:

[Johnie]

I can tell you that Texas de Brazil is FABULOUS! We've been to the one here and it is just phenonmenal. I was an opponent at first because it is very pricey. However, you can sign up for their free e-club and get BOGO coupons all the time.

[Tink]

Yes! Another good point! You can easily get discount coupons for that restaurant. It's definitely for hungry carnivores though. :yes:

[Johnie]

Oh yes, they have tons and tons of meats. They also have a salad bar with lots of yummy things on it as well. They also have some soups (they had lobster bisque when we went). Go hungry if your going!

[Britchick]

cool, i ate in the texas de brazil in Dallas and have already signed up lol

[Taja]

Perkins at The Crossroads is an option for good, coffeshop style food. We prefer it to Denny's. The menu is more extensive.

Pricing is similar to Denny's or IHOP.

[Tink]

Those are the three that I can't bring myself to go to, Taja. :sorry: I know loads of folks like them, but I've found the Crossroad's Perkins to have some of the most unpleasant servers. :sorry: I won't eat in a Denny's, period. Old story.

The last time we ate in an IHOP, I was sick for two days. My body clearly doesn't like the quality of the food they serve there. :sorry:

[Dawn]

but I've found the Crossroad's Perkins to have some of the most unpleasant servers. :sorry:

And we found some of the nicest ones there. :lol:

You clearly need to breakfast with us. :D

[Johnie]

We tried Perkins a couple of trips ago. It reminded me of Shoney's without the buffet part. I hear they have really good pies but we are usually too full to ever consider dessert.

[Tink]

:D We haven't been there in years, true. Could be they've improved their staff. The Red Lobster that is over that way had some nasty servers too once upon a time. :eek:

See? With locals? If you treat us badly, we simply don't return. Doesn't hurt the establishment at all, but keeps us from being abused. :lol:

Of course, with the downturn in the economy, those places would do well to be decent to all customers, never knowing who is a local, eh?

Locals carried WDW through thin times before. Something that should be in the forefront of managers memories. :wink:

Breakfast with the Dawn Crew? Sounds like a very lively affair! :D :D

[Taja]

And we found some of the nicest ones there. :lol:

You clearly need to breakfast with us. :D

We did too! Both at lunch and dinner! :lol:

We really need to learn to have breakfast occasionally! :rolleyes: