Category Archives: Orlando

BRAVO! Cucina Italiana

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*** (3 stars)

Bravo offers the standard Italian restaurant chain fare, but it has one of the best outside dining venues in the city, a large patio high above Sand Lake Road, Orlando’s restaurant row. Since there isn’t really any great Italian food in the area, it’s as good a choice as any, and if you want to dine outdoors, this is an excellent choice.

BRAVO! Cucina Italiana
7924 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-5880
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bravo-cucina-italiana-orlando

Bento Cafe

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*** (3 stars)

This place is okay, but I don’t get the concept. Why do I have to order at the counter when the rest of the place is run like a regular table service restaurant? If you want an assortment of sushi, it’s awkward to have to decide on everything while in line. Quality of the bento boxes is fine, but I’d rather just go to a sushi bar.

Bento Cafe
7335 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-2277
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bento-cafe-orlando-2

Stonewood Grill & Tavern

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***** (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

Peach Valley Café

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**** (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

Le Café De Paris

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***** (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

Saffron Indian Cuisine

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**** (4 stars)

This place faces a lot of competition, with Orlando’s favorite Indian place just up Turkey Lake Road, and an expansive new gourmet Indian restaurant upstairs across the street. The food here is good, and some interesting accompaniments are available at lunch (although service can be a bit too slow for an hour lunch). I wish they would get rid of the ugly display case at the back of the room, which ruined the ambiance of the previous restaurant in this space, too.

Saffron Indian Cuisine
7724 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 674-8899
http://www.yelp.com/biz/saffron-indian-cuisine-orlando-2