** (2 stars)
Orlando doesn’t really have a great Chinese restaurant, but this one is below par even for here. Lots of overcooked, under-seasoned food, and fried items tend to be greasy. The TV doesn’t add to the dining room ambiance, either.
Dragon China Restraunt
7538 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 226-8818
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dragon-china-restraunt-orlando
**** (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
**** (4 stars)
Orlando’s best venue for live jazz, and a good place for a drink. The food is somewhat pricey. I think you’re better off with appetizers in the bar than trying to eat in the large, usually sparsely populated dining room.
Vines Grille and Wine Bar
7533 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-1227
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vines-grille-and-wine-bar-orlando
*** (3 stars)
I keep trying this place periodically, hoping it will trip my trigger, because it’s close. But I’ve never had anything here that was really better than average. Noodle dishes tend to be overcooked, and the appetizers are mostly fried and oily. My dining companions on a recent trip found most of the current dishes somewhat one-dimensional. I think salads are the best bet here.
Ayothaya
7555 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 345-0040
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ayothaya-orlando
**** (4 stars)
Although some people (notably restaurant critic Scott Joseph) don’t like the build it yourself concept of this place’s order form-like menu, I love it. You can assemble whatever ingredients suit your fancy, and do something different on each visit. The burger was nicely cooked, juicy, and had just what I wanted. Fries were just okay.
Pine 22
22 E Pine St
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 574-2160
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pine-22-orlando-2
**** (4 stars)
Although it’s picked up a lot of competition lately in the category of gourmet hamburgers, Hamburger Mary’s is still one of my favorites. The burgers, shakes and fires are all good, and the drag queen atmosphere is fun, even if you’re not into that scene. Some of the best onion rings in town.
Hamburger Mary’s
110 W Church St
Orlando, FL 32801
(321) 319-0600
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hamburger-marys-orlando
***** (5 stars)
After a good, but not inspired lunch, I returned for dinner and was quite impressed. The lemon grass chicken appetizer had a delightful sear to the outside, but was extremely moist and tender. Probably the best chicken tikka-like dish I’ve had, and the price was very reasonable. The Kachumber salad was also great if you like lime, as I do. Mushroom Jalfreezi were fabulous: many layers of flavor, succulent and piquant. Vegetable korma was also good. The bread sampler was fun, but I think garlic naan is the way to go in the future. The restaurant was very busy on a Saturday night, but service was still very attentive. The long narrow room across the front is my favorite spot, because it’s quite, and you can watch the tourists down on Sand Lake Road. I’d have to say this place has edged out Kohinoor and Memories of India as best Indian food in Orlando, because it has more complexity, and more of that London-ish international flair. However I still think Memories of India is probably a better lunch choice because of the assortment that comes with the thalis.
Raga Restaurant
7559 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 985-2900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/raga-restaurant-orlando
**** (4 stars)
As a big Asian food fan I really enjoy the ability to choose between Japanese, Chinese, Thai and other cuisines at one place. And I particularly like the fact that even the non-Asian food fans in our group like Pei Wei. Plus they have those really cool programmable Coke machines (that were programmed by a guy who used to work with us). There’s nothing like a vanilla/cherry/lime Diet Coke. Be careful of the calorie counts at Pei Wei, though, because each of those dishes is TWO servings! That’s why I usually have the lettuce wraps.
Pei Wei Asian Diner
8015 Turkey Lake Rd.
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 241-3301
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pei-wei-asian-diner-orlando-6
**** (4 stars)
Being from the West originally, I’d never heard of Red Robin, but there was much excitement at the office when this place opened. Instant success, very crowded. I was impressed by the professionalism of the staff, even shortly after opening day. The bacon cheeseburger is exactly the recipe I like: lettuce, tomato, mayo, so I’m happy. On a second visit I tried the onion rings, which are excellent and incredibly bad for you. Substitue the salad for the fries that come with the burgers and pretend it’s health food.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
3310 Daniels Road
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-0626
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-robin-gourmet-burgers-winter-garden
**** (4 stars)
Menchie’s is my favorite yoghurt place. Great selection of exotic flavors that change often, and a nice place to sit outside and enjoy it. Helpful staff.
Menchies Frozen Yogurt
7339 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 601-7792
http://www.yelp.com/biz/menchies-frozen-yogurt-orlando