My husband and I will be going to Orlando for a week in March with another couple. We are all late twenties/early thirties. We would like to go to a nice, fun, non-chain, non-themed restaurant. Price doesn't really matter. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

Try Hemingway's at the Hyatt Grand cyrpus resort. It has very nice - if not great food (great for Orlando), moderate prices and a beautiful location in the grounds of the resort. Be sure to explore them before or after dinner.

Ming Court Wok & Grill on International Drive just past the convention center. Very good food ("fusion" Chinese and also a decent sushi bar). Nice decor, live background music (not intrusive). Voted best restaurant on International Drive in 2005.
We were there with several others last week and the meal was excellent. FYI, we tried and shared quite a variety of different dishes and the general vote for the best main course (among those we ordered) was the chicken in a light wine sauce with walnuts.

Well, they are part of large corporations but I like the Emeril's at Universal's City Walk for lunch- lots of local business folks there while I dined and Albert and Victoria's at the Grand Floridian for a great overall dinner experience.

Try Sam Snead's on Hiawassee Dr ( outstanding) or Pebbles down on 535 near Disney. If you want elegant the Peabody Hotel on International Drive has the Duck Walk about 4 - 5pm and a couple of highly rated restaurants. Thers also an Italian place On Hwy 50 out near Winter Garden called Postano's that's good.

Well for fun, I'd pick Cafe Tu Tu Tango. There are a few other locations, so it's a "chain" but a small one. It is definitely a fun change of pace from usual restaurants.

Luma on Park

there was an article in the Altanta paper, that mentioned this restuarant

here is the link:

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/livi...staurants.html

I'd vote for California Grille.

I love Bongo's in Downtown Disney. It is Cuban food, owned by Gloria Estefan. The food is great, as is the music.

Moonfish in the Sand Lake area is delicious. People also like Roys - - also in Sand Lake.

I'm a big fan of Pebbles. Sophisticated food at good prices, and not a Disney character in sight.

How about the restaurant at the Park Plaza in Winter Park? Very romantic. I'll try to find the name.

The Park Plaza is an old hotel in the town of Winter Park that is just on the edge of Orlando off I-4. Winter Park is a lot of fun as well, there is plenty there to make a day of it.

http://www.parkplazagardens.com/page...zaGardens.html

I thought that particular Roy's was terrible.

Roy's terrible? Gosh, that's hard to imagine.

Season's 52. Gorgeous restaurant, great service, super wines, unique concept. While it may be a chain someday, it is not at this point. The brain child of the former Chef of the California Grill.

On Sand Lake in the Dr. Phillips area. Tons of restaurants in this area. This area is where the townies go for dinner. They avoid the International Drive circus like the plague. LMF

Not sure I'd put it in the "fun" category but definitely a very good non-chain restaurant on Dr. Phillips is Christini's. Exceptional Italian food and great wine list. Photo's adorn the walls with all the celeb's who have dined there over the years.
You said price is no object which is good because Christini's is very pricey.

We just stayed at the Omni in Orlando this past weekend, will post a review later this week. But we really enjoyed their Asian restaurant, Zen. For $38/person, they bring you small portions of EVERYTHING on their menu. If you don't like it, put it aside. If you want more, they bring you more. I thought the food was excellent - not the absolute best pan-Asian fare I've ever had, but overall very well done. Getting to taste about 10 different appetizers and 15 different main course items was a total blast. The atmosphere is very nice and the service was impeccable.

We have been to Emeril's Tchoup Chop (across from Universal) in the Royal Pacific Resort a few times and have always been pleased with the experience. The coconut creme brulee was AMAZING - my husband had tears in his eyes. The Hawaiian Style Dinner Plate was great food and lots of it. Have a great trip!

I "second" either Hemmingway's at Grand Cypress Hyatt (their coconut fried shrimp is absolutely incredible) or California Grille at the Contemporary. Both are excellent and "fun." Cool atmosphere at Hemmingway's and evening fireworks visible at Calif Grille. Afterwards, there's always lobby lounge entertainment at the Grand Cypress Hyatt, or take the monorail from Contemporary over Grand Floridian for shopping or entertainment.

There are also some good restaurants around the Boardwalk. Schula's Steakhouse (grilled specialties), Flying Fish (seafood), or Spoodles (casual tapas) come to mind. Take a bicycle built for four around the boardwalk area!