Orlando Business Trip-Dining Help
 

Hi, I am attending a trade show in Orlando in two weeks and need suggestions on top-notch restaurants to take a client, preferably located in the vicinity of the convention center (although driving a short distance is OK if worth it). Cost is not an issue, and it doesn't have to have a "stuffy" atmosphere. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions?

Emirl's over at Universal City / Studios is good. PS- admission to the parks not necessary to go to restaurant (just outside entrance).

Try the Bahama Breeze. It is within a couple of blocks of the Convention Center. It is a fun place with great food/drinks and usually has live reggae music. Opens at 4:00 p.m.

I 2nd Bahama Breezes. Great food, fun atmosphere. And super close to convention center, on International Drive. Probably best food we ate on our 2 week trip to Florida!

Yup Bahama Breeze is very convenient to the Convention center has everyone has mentioned, and the food is very good. Order the conch fritters, and enjoy. <BR> <BR>Also you might want to go to the Peabody Hotel for dinner or drinks, or to see the "duck march", yup Ducks hang out in the lobby fountain all day and are "marched" back to their quarters in the evening with great fanfare (pardon the pun). <BR> <BR>There are several other good restaurants right in that area, so you shouldn't have a problem finding one that suits your needs. <BR> <BR>Enjoy Orlando.

Unfortunately, Zagat's gives Bahama Breezes a less than glowing review, and the boss won't OK booking there. Anyone have any other suggestions? How about Louis' Downtown, Del Frisco's? Other? <BR> <BR>Marlena

We had quite a nice dinner at a place called Chatham's a few years ago.

Marlena, check with your hotel for other suggestions, but if Bahama Breezes is out try the Peabody Hotel there is a lovely restaurant there, good food and service and very close to the Convention Center.

I'm confused--isn't the Peabody Hotel with the ducks in Memphis? Or is this a direct rip-off?

<BR>If you want to impress a client with ambience and food go to "Manuels on 28". Or try "Lee's Lakeside". These are not touristy.

<BR> <BR>Anne: <BR> <BR>The Peabody Orlando is not exactly a "direct rip-off," though one might question a company's motivation for creating this hotel. The corporation owning the Memphis version built an ultramodern tower in Orlando. It has the same duck thing.

Try the Chicago Tribune travel archive; they did an Orlando fine dining report about a month ago. <BR> <BR>Personally, I wouldn't go to Bahama Breeze for a business dinner. Much too loud and funky, I think. Don't rule out restaurants affiliated with the theme park companies just on principle, many of their hotels have outstanding restaurants.

I have no idea where this is in relation to the Convention Center, and I'll preface these remarks by saying my husband works for Hyatt, though not in Orlando. <BR> <BR>Hotel dining rooms generally have a bad reputation and more often than not, it's a fair evaluation, but we had an exceptionally fine dining experience at La Coquina restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. It truly was one of the better meals I've had in FL (which may not be saying much :&gt;). <BR> <BR>They have 4 or 5 restaurants in that hotel, and this one is the "fine dining", overlooking a small lake on property. If anyone else has eaten in La Coquina, I'd be interested in hearing how you liked it--they knew us so our experience may not have been typical, but I would think it was--hard to fake the ability to prepare and present food as exceptionally as they did that evening. We were with another couple, who hunt down gourmet restaurants and had had their hearts set on a restaurant in Winter Park until the weather turned sour. They were as delighted as we were. Anyone else?

If you're looking for a special place, Maison et Jardin in Altamonte Springs, not far from Orlando. Check out the Zagat reviews. Relatives and friends who know food rave about this place. Great wine list as well. Interesting owner - ask him about his history before he bought this place decades ago. By all means reserve - 407/862-4410. Ciao. ::&gt;&gt;)) Nods of approval.