Orlando 8

Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in Orlando

See map p. 139. 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. % 407-345-8770. www.christinis.com.

Reservations recommended. Main courses: $18–$45 (many under $27). AE, DC, DISC,

MC, V. Open: Daily 6–11 p.m. Jackets suggested for men and dresses for women.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

$$–$$$ Magic Kingdom AMERICAN

Ornate murals of colored tile line the castle walls leading to the restaurant’s

entrance where the Gothic interior, which includes leaded-glass windows

and a spiral staircase, transport you to a time of knights and kings. Your

meal is delivered by servers who address you as “M’Lord” or “M’Lady.”

You can order from a menu with fancy names (the Grand Duke, for example),

but it boils down to roasted chicken, crusted salmon, and a New York strip.

The location and ambience are what makes this restaurant so popular, but

the food is reasonably good, too. (For information on the character break-

fast held here, see “Dining with Disney Characters” later in this chapter.)

See map p. 130. Inside Cinderella Castle on Main Street. % 407-939-3463. www.

disneyworld.com. Advanced Dining Reservations highly recommended. Main

courses: lunch $13–$16; dinner $21–$26. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily

11:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. until 1 hour before park closing.

Citricos

$$–$$$ Walt Disney World Resorts FRENCH

The chef of this bright and airy restaurant makes a statement with French,

Alsatian, and Provençal cuisine with California and Florida touches.

(Whew!) Depending on when you visit, the menu may include basil-crusted

rack of lamb, pan-seared sea bass with shellfish bouillabaisse, or grilled

salmon with fennel ravioli and Swiss chard. The Old World–style dining

room filled with wrought-iron railings, mosaic-tile floors, and flickering

lights, features a show kitchen and spectacular views of the Seven Seas

Lagoon and Magic Kingdom fireworks. The wine cellar is well stocked; you

can add a three-course wine pairing for $25.

See map p. 130. 4401 Floridian Way, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. % 407-

939-3463. www.disneyworld.com. Advanced Dining Reservations recommended.

Main courses: $21–$45. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Wed–Sun 5:30–10 p.m.

Coral Reef

$$–$$$ Epcot SEAFOOD

Seafood rules at this very popular restaurant, which offers fabulous views

of the Living Seas aquarium and a dash of classical music to help set a

romantic tone. The menu, unfortunately, is less imaginative than the ambi-

ence. Entrees include grilled mahimahi with wasabi-mashed potatoes and

collard greens, and Florida snapper, with a decent selection of landlubber

fare as well. The Reef serves wine by the glass. Note: Diners get fish-

identifier sheets with labeled pictures so they can put names on the faces

swimming by their tables.

138 Part III: Settling into Orlando

See map p. 136. In the Living Seas Pavilion. % 407-939-3463. www.disneyworld.

com. Advanced Dining Reservations recommended. Main courses: lunch $13–$24;

dinner $16–$32. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. until

park closing.

Dexter’s at Thornton Park

$–$$ Downtown Orlando INTERNATIONAL

This popular cafe and neighborhood bar is just a few blocks from Lake Eola

in the center of downtown. The creative fare features such fun foods as

Cuban grilled swordfish topped with lime cilantro and blue crabmeat (talk

about a taste explosion); and Thai-spiced filet mignon served with mashed

potatoes and asparagus. Many of the seats are stools at high tables; if

that’s not for you, you may have a long wait. There’s a modest wine list.

See map p. 147. 808 E. Washington St., at the corner of Hyer. % 407-648-2777. www.

dexwine.com. Reservations not accepted. Main courses: lunch $7–$12 ($5–$9

salads and sandwiches); dinner $15–$21. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Mon–Sat 11 a.m.

to midnight; Sun 5–10 p.m.

Dux

$$$ International Drive Area INTERNATIONAL

Think posh with a capital P — that’s what comes to mind when you slip

inside these walls. The restaurant’s name honors the mallards that splash

all day in the marble fountains in the Peabody’s grandly formal lobby.

(Staffers assure us that birds of the quacking variety will never appear on

the menu.) Candlelit tables surround a large chandelier, and textured gold

walls are hung with watercolors of the various duck species. Its eclectic

menu changes with the seasons. Possibilities include a tender veal chop

roasted medium rare with an artichoke-basil fricassee and garlic au jus; or

steamed red snapper in tomato fricassee and fennel. Choose a wine from

one of the best wine lists in the city. The service is impeccable; for most

people, however, the prices make Dux a choice only for special nights or

expense-account meals.

See map p. 139. 9801 International Drive in the Peabody Orlando, across from the

Orlando Convention Center. % 407-345-4550. www.peabody-orlando.com.

Reservations recommended. Main courses: $26–$45. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open:

Mon–Sat 6–10 p.m. Jackets suggested for men and dresses for women.

Earl of Sandwich

$ Downtown Disney AMERICAN

In the spring of 2004, The Earl of Sandwich (the famous edible was

invented by said earl in 1762 when he was too busy playing cards to eat a

real meal) made its debut in Downtown Disney. It’s a collaboration

between Robert Earl, founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood, and John

Montagu, the real 11th Earl of Sandwich. The eatery offers a great selection