**** (4 stars)
This Flipper’s is a bit nicer than some of the others, and the food is identical. Pizza and salads are good, but my favorites are the calzones. Try them with extra ricotta. Service is prompt, although the kitchen can be slow at lunch time. The lunch prices are incredibly low for a complete meal with a drink.
Flippers Pizzeria
7339 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-2213
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flippers-pizzeria-orlando-11
*** (3 stars)
This little end spot on a strip mall used to be a counter service Indian Place, but now it’s Middle Eastern, and offers table service. There’s a lot of nearby competition, from Bosporous and Cedar’s, so I’m not sure what differentiates it, other than they have a few outside tables that are pleasant. Lunch service is “leisurely” to put it in the best light.
Flame Kabob
7536 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 248-2280
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flame-kabob-orlando
**** (4 stars)
This is the third location for this long-time favorite, and the first time they haven’t been in a dying mall. Although the space is fairly new, the decor already looks a hundred year old, complete with dust and cobwebs. But for an English pub I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. The food and drink are quite authentic, and in fact the fish and chips are better than any I’ve ever gotten in London. A good choice for lunch, or for hanging out and doing those things one does in a pub.
Cricketer’s Pub & Eatery
7563 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 730-2111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cricketers-pub-and-eatery-orlando
*** (3 stars)
Morton’s is the oldest steakhouse on restaurant row. In fact, they basically invented the chain steakhouse concept. It’s much imitated now, so there isn’t a lot to differentiate it from the copiers. And it’s the noisiest dining room on Sand Lake Road (which is saying something). I had a business dinner here once and literally couldn’t communicate with the client! However there is one great thing about Mortons, and that’s the bar. It’s cozy, and there’s an amazing happy hour menu at great prices. Moreover, smart locals know that the bar is the place to have dinner. You can get the full deal, in a relaxed environment where you can talk. If I have to have steak on restaurant row, that’s where I go.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 248-3485
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mortons-the-steakhouse-orlando-2
*** (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
*** (3 stars)
Yet another restaurant row steakhouse. The way the dining room is divided up into smaller spaces makes this a somewhat more pleasant environment than Flemings and Mortons, but it otherwise is very similar. A good choice for business dinners after a convention but locals might be better off to head up to Christner’s (del Frisco) for a local–and better–steak.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
7501 Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 226-3900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ruths-chris-steak-house-orlando-2
*** (3 stars)
I find the sushi here quite expensive compared to other choices nearby, and not really any better. Amura seems like it’s aimed more at the tourist market, with its proximity to I-Drive and the convention center. It’s okay, but not worth the premium.
Amura Japanese Restaurant
7786 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-0007
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amura-japanese-restaurant-orlando-2
*** (3 stars)
Yet another restaurant row steakhouse. Prices are high, and steaks are good, but nothing extraordinary. Happy hour in the bar is a good deal. But Flemings has the stingiest wine pours in town. Despite the high prices per glass, they must be stretching a bottle at least to six pours, maybe more. There are better choices within two blocks.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
8030 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-5706
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flemings-prime-steakhouse-and-wine-bar-orlando
**** (4 stars)
Good sushi in a trendy upscale environment that seems more like LA than Orlando. I’ve had better robata in Tokyo, but the sauces served with it here are fantastic. We like to sit in the bar, which is a bit more intimate than the bustling restaurant, and still offers the full menu.
Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi
7972 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-3359
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dragonfly-robata-grill-and-sushi-orlando
**** (4 stars)
This is a big old cavernous place that does a lot of good stuff with fresh seafood. It can get really loud, so if you don’t want that ask to sit in the back room. Sushi isn’t their strong point, but they do offer some, along with oysters and other shellfish. I really like the salads and fish dishes. Good bread, too. Reasonably priced wines, unlike most of the other restaurants in the area.
Big Fin Seafood Kitchen
8046 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 615-8888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/big-fin-seafood-kitchen-orlando