Orlando 7

Part III: Settling into Orlando

Atlantis

$$$ International Drive Area SEAFOOD/STEAKS

Although a tad pricey, this small and elegant restaurant offers some of the

better seafood in Orlando. The atmosphere is intimate with dark woods,

chandeliers, and booths separated by etched glass. The periodically

changing menu offers treats such as a Mediterranean seafood medley

(Florida lobster, black grouper, shrimp, and scallops), and grilled sea bass.

But the champagne Sunday brunch served in the Renaissance Orlando

Resort’s huge atrium is the real crowd-pleaser. Themes change, but the 100-

item menu includes quail, duck, lamb chops, Cornish hen, clams, mussels,

snapper, sea bass, and sushi. A reservation for brunch is recommended,

given the crowds.

See map p. 139. 6677 Sea Harbour Dr., in the Renaissance Orlando Resort at

SeaWorld. % 407-351-5555. www.renaissancehotels.com. Reservations rec-

ommended. Main courses: $24–$36; Sunday brunch $32 adults, $16 kids. AE, DISC,

DC, MC, V. Open: Daily 6–10 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Bice

$$–$$$ Universal Orlando ITALIAN

The newest restaurant on the scene at Universal Orlando is located in the

romantic Italian setting of the Portofino Bay Hotel. Replacing the Delfino

Riviera, the restaurant serves Italian fare in an upscale atmosphere, though

it’s a bit more down-to-earth than its predecessor. Bice is a family-owned-

and-operated restaurant with several other locations throughout North

America, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The menu includes

items such as a Belgian endive salad in a light Dijon mustard dressing with

gorgonzola cheese and toasted walnuts; spaghetti with Maine lobster,

cherry tomatoes, and braised green onions; and veal chops in a porcini

sauce. You can choose to dine inside with views that overlook the water-

ways along the piazza of the hotel, or at a table on the piazza itself.

See map p. 139. 5601 Universal Studios Blvd., in the Portofino Bay Hotel. % 407-503-3463

or 407-503-1415. www.universalorlando.com. Reservations recommended.

Main courses: $18–$49. AE, MC, V. Open: Daily 5:30–10:30 p.m.

B-Line Diner

$–$$ International Drive Area AMERICAN

Sink into an upholstered booth or belly up to a stool at the counter of this

restaurant, whose décor is straight out of the ’50s. Gleaming chrome,

black-and-white tile, and red leather create a vision of yesterday’s road-

side diners in this informal and friendly gathering place. Dig into hearty

portions of comfort foods, such as chicken pot pie, roast pork with apples,

or a ham-and-cheese sandwich on a baguette. Health foods and vegetar-

ian specials also are available.

Although this is a diner-style restaurant and there is a kids’ menu, it’s not

a good spot to take young children as it’s located at The Peabody, a very

upscale hotel.

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Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in Orlando

See map p. 139. 9801 International Drive, across from Orlando Convention Center. In

Peabody Orlando Hotel. % 407-345-4460. www.peabody-orlando.com.

Reservations not accepted. Main courses: breakfast $4–$16; lunch $7–$18; dinner

$9–$26. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily 24 hours.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall

$–$$ Walt Disney World Resorts NEW ORLEANS

A family atmosphere (lively and noisy), good food (by Disney standards),

and reasonable prices (ditto) make Boatwright’s a hit with Port Orleans

Resort guests. Most entrees have a Cajun/Creole spin. The jambalaya is

sans seafood, but it’s filled with veggies, rice, chicken and sausage, and

it’s got a kick. Vegetarians will appreciate the vegetable medley or four

cheese ravioli; other entrees include bayou seafood stew, bourbon glazed

chicken, glazed pork ribs, and a hearty pot roast. Boatwright’s is modeled

after a 19th-century boat factory, complete with the wooden hull of a

Louisiana fishing boat suspended from its lofty, beamed ceiling. Most kids

like the wooden toolboxes on every table; each contains a saltshaker that

doubles as a level, a wood-clamp sugar dispenser, a pepper-grinder-cum-

ruler, shop rags (to be used as napkins), and a little metal pail of crayons.

See map p. 130. 2201 Orleans Dr., in Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. % 407-939-3463.

www.disneyworld.com. Advanced Dining Reservations recommended. Main

courses: breakfast $7–$11; dinner $14–$20. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily 7–11:30

a.m. and 5–10 p.m.

Bob Marley — A Tribute to Freedom

$ Universal Orlando CARIBBEAN

This combination club and restaurant is housed in a replica of the late

singer’s home in Kingston, Jamaica, complete with red-tile roof and green

shutters. Live reggae plays nightly, but the decibel level doesn’t get as high

as at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (reviewed later in this chapter). The

small menu has modestly priced light fare, including a jerk snapper sand-

wich served on coca bread with yucca fries or a tomato-based fish chowder.

Of course, most folks don’t leave without sipping a Red Stripe — Jamaica’s

beer of champions.

1000 Universal Studios Plaza. In CityWalk. % 407-224-2262. www.universal

orlando.com. Reservations not accepted. Main courses: $6–$10. AE, DISC, MC, V.

Open: Daily 4 p.m.–2 a.m.

Boma

$$ Walt Disney World Resorts AFRICAN

Follow your nose to the wood-burning grill and open kitchen at this

African-influenced eatery inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The

large wood tables remain in the shape of the tree trunks and colorful ban-

ners hang from the thatched roof. The selection and variety here are vast

and often unique. Adventurous diners can expect such treats as Moroccan

134 Part III: Settling into Orlando

seafood salad (mussels, scallops, shrimp, and couscous) and curried-

coconut, seafood stew, alongside more familiar favorites at the restaurant’s

breakfast and dinner buffets. Kids have their own station serving up

chicken, pasta, and mac ’n’ cheese. Chefs are on hand behind the open

buffet to answer questions about the cuisine. The wine list features an

array of South African offerings.

See map p. 130. 2901 Osceola Pkwy., in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. % 407-939-

3463. www.disneyworld.com. Advanced Dining Reservations recommended.

Breakfast buffet: $15 adults, $8 ages 3–11; Dinner buffet: $25 adults; $11 ages 3–11.

AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily 7–11 a.m. and 5–10 p.m.

Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ

$–$$ International Drive Area AMERICAN

You can smell the hickory smoke emerging from the chimney of this

restaurant for blocks. This is, hands down, some of the best barbecue

you’ll find anywhere. And, if nothing else, you have to love the name. The

atmosphere is extremely informal, but watch the sauces. Even the mild

may be too hot for tender palates; the killer sauce comes with a three-

alarm warning — you may not be able to taste anything else for days. If

you can eat the night or day away, go for “The Big-Big Pig” platter (beef,

sliced pork, and turkey with fixins). And it wouldn’t be a barbecue without

plenty of brew on hand.

See map p. 139. 5818 Conroy Rd. (a few blocks north of Universal Orlando at the inter-

section of Kirkman and Conroy). % 407-423-1212. www.bubbalous.com.

Reservations — you’re kidding! Main courses: $4–$13. AE, MC, V. Open: Mon–Thurs

10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Café Tu Tu Tango

$$–$$$ International Drive Area INTERNATIONAL

This colorful eatery with the flair of an artists loft features treats from Latin

America, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the United States. It’s

an ideal spot for sampling different dishes; every order comes in a minia-

ture size. The roasted pears on pecan crisps — topped with Spanish bleu

cheese and a balsamic reduction — are a must. Chocolate fiends will not

want to pass up the dessert of handmade truffles — truly to die for. Guests

frequently see an artist bringing a canvas to life. You can also buy wine by

the glass or bottle. Note: Although, individual tapas are relatively inex-

pensive, ordering several tapas and drinks can easily turn this meal into a

$$$ restaurant.

See map p. 139. 8625 International Drive (just west of the Mercado Shopping Center).

% 407-248-2222. www.cafetututango.com. Reservations not required. Main

courses: Tapas (small plates) $4–$11 (even those with small appetites will want two

or three). AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Sun–Thurs 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11:30 a.m.

to midnight.

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Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in Orlando

California Grill

$$–$$$ Walt Disney World Resorts AMERICAN

The 15th-floor views of the Magic Kingdom and environs are stunning, and

the food is pretty good, too. The Art Deco dining room features an exhibi-

tion kitchen with a wood-burning oven and rotisserie. The constantly

changing menu features fresh market fare, as well as pizzas and pastas.

Highlights may include seared yellowfin tuna that arrives rare, soft-shell

crabs with corn salad, or black grouper with mushroom risotto. The Grill

also has a nice sushi and sashimi menu (Dungeness crab, eel, tuna, and

more), ranging from appetizers to large platters. The restaurant sports a

grand wine list and some excellent vegetarian options.

See map p. 130. 4600 World Dr., at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. % 407-939-3463 or

407-824-1576. www.disneyworld.com. Advanced Dining Reservations recom-

mended. Main courses: $20–$35; sushi $10–$22. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily

5:30–10 p.m.

Les Chefs de France

$$–$$$ Epcot FRENCH

Three famous French chefs — Paul Bocuse, Roger Vergé, and Gaston

LeNotre — concocted the menu at this restaurant, which serves

respectable fare that’s far better than the usual theme park offerings. The

Art Nouveau interior is agleam with mirrors and candelabras, and etched-

glass and brass dividers create intimate dining areas. Dinner entrees

include Mediterranean seafood casserole (grouper, scallops, and shrimp

dusted with saffron and then allowed to swim in a mild garlic sauce) and

grilled tenderloin of beef with a Bordeaux wine sauce. The sauces tend to

be on the lighter side than at most traditional French restaurants. The

restaurant also offers a substantial wine list.

See map p. 136. In France Pavilion, World Showcase. % 407-939-3463 or 407-827-

8709. www.disneyworld.com. Advanced Dining Reservations suggested. Main

courses: lunch $10–$18; dinner $14–$30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily noon to

3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. until 1 hour before park closing.

Christini’s

$$–$$$ Dr. Phillips Area ITALIAN

The numerous awards and trophies on the walls attest to restaurateur

Chris Christini’s high standard of service. The fact that he’s been around

since 1984 shows he’s a survivor. Count on his restaurant for a possible

peek at show-biz celebrities from down the road at Disney–MGM and

Universal. A tender broiled veal chop seasoned with sage and served with

applesauce is one of the headliners. Another good choice is the pan-seared

Chilean sea bass over shrimp-and-lobster risotto. The food is quite good,

and the wine list is definitely a winner. The atmosphere is somewhat

formal, making it a good spot for a romantic night out.