Another call for Orlando recs

I'm going to Orlando for work this week. I read through previous posts, but I thought I'd ask for any new suggestions for restaurants. Please, help me redeem this trip in some way. I'm looking fo moderately-priced, non-gimmicky places.
Thanks

Orlando is tough, but I had some success a year ago. Here's the link http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2581&highlight=orlando+chicken

That visit yield Pio Pio, highly recommended, meets all your requirements. Forget Dixie Chicken (see link)

And an excerpt...
"Orange Blossom Trail, south of Sand Lake Road, extending to Kissimmee, is fertile chow turf. While looking for Pio Pio the first day, I had a hard time not veering into newly opened El Caridad which on its grand opening sign announces: El Rey del Mofongo! Tons of places to check out, and from extensive pre-trip research this area is not covered well either on the internet or by the local press."

Please report back.

Moderately-priced and non-gimmicky is often hard to come by in the land of the mouse.
A somewhat-gimmicky but quite good and well-priced restaurant on I-Drive, Cafe TuTuTango, is my go-to when I'm entertaining people in Orlando (I grew up a few hours east and return home often to visit friends and family). It is tapas-style, but the food has a definite Floridian bent-- lots of seafood, citrus, and southern-style small plates.

Cafe TuTuTango
8625 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819

Phone: (407) 248-2222
Fax: (407) 352-3696

In terms of the gimmick aspect, the restaurant often has artists, craftsmen and performers stationed in various areas outside of the restaurant and inside. You can ignore them if you want, or take a walk around and check out their wares. It's a fun place for a large group and they have a lot of things that kids can enjoy, if that's an issue.


In terms of fine dining, I have had several memorable dinners at Dux restaurant, in the Peabody Hotel, which, IMHO, is also the best hotel in Orlando. Check out www.peabodyorlando.com for more details. Not really "moderately" priced, but a great experience nonetheless.

Orlando is pretty much chain restaurant hell.

If you have access to a car, I'd suggest going to nearby Winter Park . It is a pretty little area (looks more like Carmel, CA than Orlando), with a few nice local restaurants on (South) Park Avenue. I ate at 310 S. Park Ave., which had decent food and a chic but comfortable atmosphere. The bistro-y place across the street from there (can't remember the name) looked really good.

LTE wrote:Orlando is pretty much chain restaurant hell.

If you have access to a car, I'd suggest going to nearby Winter Park . It is a pretty little area (looks more like Carmel, CA than Orlando), with a few nice local restaurants on (South) Park Avenue. I ate at 310 S. Park Ave., which had decent food and a chic but comfortable atmosphere. The bistro-y place across the street from there (can't remember the name) looked really good.

i was actually just there sunday... winter park is one of the nicer areas we've found in the orlando vicinity... dining-wise, i haven't had any really exceptional food, but its always been a fun experience (they have good shopping, too).


we ate lunch at "East of Paris" which is a bistroesque place that has sidewalk seating as well as indoors.. (its actually closer to 310 *north* park ave). the food was ok, nothing too specatular but good for a light lunch... they had a decent wine selection, though the bottle of champagne we ordered was described as extra dry and when it came it was not only not dry but was sweet and fruity.. we told the waitress but didn't ask her to take it back or anything... she ended up only charging us for a glass of it, yet by the time we knew that we were already annoyed.. the service wasn't that exciting either. but i'd go back if i was looking for a slow, light lunch.

in the past i ate at a place that is just south of east of paris, just north of where jacobson's is.. i can't remember the name, but its the only other place on that block that i can remember with streetside tables... it was just OK and iirc a little overpriced for what it was.

btw, the place you were talking about might be "R Bistro"


... if you want an "interesting" somewhat upscale area, look at Celebration Florida... if you're going to disney, its really close by in car. there are a few nice restaraunts there... we ate at an italian place right across the street from "the lake" ... it was pretty good, but the name escapes me (though its the only italian place i remember, it was on a corner, across the street from a diner type place). celebration is supposed to be a "perfect "looking town, where all of the houses are one of 3 or 4 colors, with white picket fences... very desperate housewives meets stepford.. so in that sense its gimmicky, but its definately worth going to at least once.

... our waitress at east of paris told us about a neighborhood in orlando that is somewhat up and coming and trendy.. she said there is a great wine bar there... i have no idea what the name of the 'hood is, which is not very helpful, but maybe someone else here knows?

There is an outpost of Columbia in Celebration that is okay - not as good as the original in Ybor, even, which is a touristy overblown Cuban place, but better than most places in Orlando. It is not terribly pricey - you can get quite a substantial meal for under $20 in a pretty nice room.

For good food, if you have a car, keep going at Winter Park and drive to Tampa or Tarpon Springs. I know that probably is not practical, but it seems the only solution.

Thanks for the recommendations.
I had seen Steve's previous post so Pio Pio was actually my first stop off the airplane. I offer my most effusive thanks for that find. I used to get take out from the NY branch when I lived up there. The International Drive, Orlando outpost cheered me up quite a bit. I had a half chicken dinner with maduros, excellent soupy/smokey beans over rice and arepas. Muy rico! I plan to go one or two more times, maybe try the snapper special.
I'm going to hit Tu Tu Tango tonight.
I probably won't have time to get out of Neon strip mall hell (i.e. International drive).
I ate at Thani Thai last night which was expensive, yet actually half-way decent thai food in a space that sort of reminded me of Epcot center.
2 days down, 3 to go.
If anyone has anymore suggestions, I'm all ears!

You could always try Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be a Redneck BBQ". Also, while I was trying to find an address for this bastion of un-pc redneck humor and fair to middlin' BBQ, I cam across this:

NN Smoke House
6642 Old Winter Garden Road
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 532-2111

I have no idea if this has any relation to the now shuttered Chicago establishment, but if they're serving Larry Tucker's ribs, it might be worth checking out.

thaiobsessed wrote:Pio Pio was actually my first stop off the airplane. I offer my most effusive thanks for that find. ... plan to go one or two more times...

Marooned amidst the Orlando chain food/tourist/conventioneer hell, I found Pio Pio most comforting too what with its real food and real people. Glad to have helped.

I wish folks might 'chart' what else is in that area, as its rife with tantalizing chow spoor.