Orlando Convention area...urgent!

Any help ASAP would be greatly appreciated on a restaurant appropriate for a client dinner near what I recall as a bit of culinary wasteland WITHIN a culinary wasteland (the Orlando Convention Center area.....International Drive and thereabouts)..

Clearly, culinary excellence is not likely...but even a decent, somewhat upscale chain would suffice....but of course, a local seafood option would be optimal..

I know this is a tall order.....but I have to arrange this for Sunday night...

Thanks in advance!

I had some good meals in Orlando back in June(but then again I am just a regular guy), check out this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17235

Oceanaire Seafood is a chain close to the convention center that specializes in seafood. It's a higher end place with entrees in the high $20 to $40 range.

I had an excellent meal there four or five months ago while visiting on business. The centerpiece for me was a wonderfully cooked blackened amberjack served over carmelized onions with a nice dollop of blue cheese butter. The heat of the fish and the coolness of the butter played well off of each other as did the spiciness of the rub and the richness of the onions and butter. The service was excellent.

In this particular restaurant, you'll find some unique local options that are related to their proximity to the gulf such a grouper cheeks and a heavy dose of amberjack.

Like most places these days, the price of cocktails had a strange disproportionate relationship to the price of our entrees. So, caveat emptor where liquor is concerned.

Oceanaire Seafood Room
9101 International Drive
Orlando, Orlando, FL 32819
407-363-4801
http://www.theoceanaire.com

Orlando and Disney aren't the culinary wastelands they used to be. There are some terrific restaurants in both places. In Orlando, I ate at Primo in the Grande Lakes Marriott and it was outstanding Italian. In the same complex is a Ritz with Norman's, but I actually enjoyed Primo more for less the price. I have no clients but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate to dine here.

http://www.grandelakes.com/Primo-78.html

Yeah, it really does have to be very near the convention center area...pressure is on, becuase client specifically requested we go to a "nice place...but nearby"....which means we have to balance her desires with our company's (ever more strict) entertainment budget..

Oceanaire seems to fit the bill...although prices are pretty high....if there was something similar and just a tad cheaper, it would be perfect.....but in the end, this is probably where we will end up....

Thanks for the help!

Parker, keep in mind that, if cost is an issue, Oceanaire has a nice three course fixed menu for $30.

Thanks Your Pal....went to Oceanaire and client was highly impressed.....great meal and impeccable service.....great reccomendation.....

Glad it went well. Since I made my original response to you, I was invited to dinner at Oceanaire here in Atlanta. The service was excellent the food was good. The only thing missing were the local fish on the menu since lake Lanier doesn't hhave much to offer.

Hiya! Any good recommendations near the Orange County Convention Center?

Thanks!

Pie Lady wrote:Hiya! Any good recommendations near the Orange County Convention Center?

Thanks!

Just get some oranges and orange juice. You are in grove country and it is really good. Nothing else there is good from my last trip.

My best recommendation is to get an uber out of that area and head to Winter Park. Lots of good options--my last trip in December we went to Ravenous Pig and loved it.