There is nothing more delightful than the opportunity of going out to eat at a fine restaurant.
Orlando is especially a nice place to go and look for such dining experiences and I've done my best to put together a list of my favorite restaurants. The ones that have web pages or pages devoted to them I've listed here. Hops Bar and Grill - This is technically a brewery but for those of you who don't like beer (such as myself) they also have draft root beer on tap as well. I really enjoy the ambiance of this place, plus their food is really great. I highly recommend the Jamaican Top Sirloin although it's one of the more expensive dishes they have. They also offer unlimited honey butter croissants that are to die for. (Expect to pay about $10 per person)
East Side Marios - Cheaper that Olive garden and much cooler inside. The interior of this restaurant is made out in a New York theme with clotheslines hanging from mocked up brick apartments built into the walls, a model of the statue of liberty, and an open kitchen so you can see your food get cooked up. As far as dining goes they're still on the pricey side, but still much cheaper than other Italian restaurants in its class. Alas, the only one near me has closed. (Expect to pay $8-$11 per person)
China Jade - Home of the giant momma cow buffet. It's a Mongolian BBQ restaurant, which means that one of your eating options is to pick out various types of veggies, noodles, sauces, and meats from a buffet cart and then hand it over to a fellow who cooks it all in front of you. If you don't like veggies or certain types of sauce you can pick and choose. They also have a Chinese food buffet, a salad bar, a dessert bar, and an ice cream bar. Most Mongolian BBQ ends up costing me about $15 a person, this place is MUCH more reasonable and although they've had their times where the food's been off, for the most part I'm rather pleased with this restaurant. If you dine in the evening and opt for dinner prices you have access to mussels and shrimp as part of the buffet choices. (Lunch expect to pay about $7 per person, dinner about $10)
The Melting Pot - From time to time I feel the need to indulge in something fancy. The Melting pot is a restaurant specializing in fondue. The two types this one offers are the traditional oil fried fondue and one consisting of broth. I'm more partial to the broth as it doesn't leave my stomach with the feeling that I've just swallowed a cup of oil. This is particularly nice for a romantic dining experience for two, but can also be nice for a group of friends who want to share a few hours together over something different. You start out with a salad (if salad's your thing, it's not for me) and a cheese fondue with veggies, fruits, and bread to dip in your choice of Swiss or cheddar cheese melted with various seasonings... and the main course is a grouping of veggies and meats. Most of your time is spent with your fork in the fondue pot while you wait for your food to cook... which makes it all the more intimate as you make the minutes go past by talking to your loved one. Should the appetizer and main course not fill you up there's also a dessert made of melted chocolate, nuts, caramel, and marshmallows with fruit and pound cake to dip. Not something to do regularly lest you ruin the experience (and your pocketbook), but still something to treat yourself to every so often. (Costs approximately $25-$35 a person)
Siam Orchid - A Thai food restaurant I have only visited twice, but each time was a delight. They have this amazing drink called a 'That Lime Drink' that I've yet to find the recipe for. It's nonalcoholic but tastes like pure sour heaven. Thai food in itself is a treat for me, but at a restaurant with a lakeside view and traditional kneeling tables (only if you want one... otherwise you can eat at a normal table) really adds to the ambiance. (Costs approximately $20-$30 a person)
Cheap food Gen likes Fancy stuff aside, there's times when I only have a couple of bucks and want something cheap that I don't have to cook myself. When that's the case my choices of cheap food are the following: Burger King - I like them better than McDonalds, although that's not saying much. Boston Market - Rotisserie chicken. I lack a rotisserie grill of my own so I have to buy it off these folks instead. they make nice home-cooked style meals that don't leave me with the urge to scrape off the roof of my mouth at the end of everything.
Publix deli sammiches - Better than subway IMHO, when I just want a nice sammich these people are happy to oblige with exactly what I want. Usually one of their subs can feed me for two days. Papa John's Pizza - I used to work at Pizza Hut. Having worked at Pizza Hut I really like Papa John's Pizza. I've never gotten a bad pizza and the help has always been great to me. Plus they give you these cool dipping sauces with the pizza. Nummers! Cici's Pizza - For when I'm REALLY broke, their $2.99 buffet usually hits the spot as does their extremely cheap take-out pizzas. Although they're cheaply made, they're still always clean, the restaurant makes a point of hiring only extremely polite and hygienic people (from what I've observed), and I've yet to have a bad experience there beyond the crowds.
Krystals - The food is terrible, the staff is terrible, the restaurant itself is terrible... but there's just SOMETHING about that makes you crave it every now and then Back to hobbies -- Back to main | 
