P.F. Chang's - Mall at Millenia

So I' taking my daughter to the Mall at Millenia which isn't far from International Drive in Orlando to have dinner and she decides to try P.F. Chang's.  Didn't really know about except it has a good reputation and they sell a lot of frozen items at the grocery store so we decided to give it a try.

The atmosphere is typically Asian but really nice.  Very dark but I like dark restaurants so no problem.  We started with a shrimp appetizer and we each had sweat & sour pork with fried rice and sweet & sour chicken with chicken fried rice.  The food was delicious and the service was equally as good.

                       
          Dynamite Shrimp

             Sweet & Sour Pork with Pork Fried Rice





P.F Chang's has three full service bars, one by the street, one upstairs outside and one inside. The can serve a lot of drinks! They have tables and half booths with full booths for larger parties and the dining room is very comfortable.  We enjoyed dinner there very much. Prices are typical for Chinese cuisine.  Dinners ranged from about $11 to $25.  We added more to our bill by ordering fried rice ($8) because we didn't want the white rice that comes with the dinner.  They also have a good dessert menu although we didn't get anything because we couldn't finish what was on our plates.  They also have a $39.95 four course dinner that includes soup, appetizer, entree, and dessert.  Seems a little high but if you like course dinners this may be for you.

I wanted to post the menu here but it is too long.  Visit www.PFChangs.com to view the menu and see for yourself. If you like Chinese food or are a fan of P.F. Chang's you'll enjoy this dining experience.  More of a date restaurant than a family restaurant, it really is more for occasions than routine eating out but it is a great experience either way. I give them an "A". Food, service, cleanliness, and atmosphere are all definitely up there. This is a dinner to enjoy.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. - City Walk

Looking for a good dinner and  a cool dining experience?  You'll find it at Bubba Gump's Shrimp at City Walk in Orlando.  Fashioned after the iconic movie starring Tom Hanks, Bubba Gump's is a fun place to eat and see movie memorabilia.

Jambalaya - Great stuff!

                                                                                 Cajun Shrimp






The atmosphere is awesome and the service is warm and friendly.  The menu has everything from shrimp and craw fish to burgers with fries.  The place is clean, well-attended to, and has two full-service bars.  Reservations are recommended but not required.  You will enjoy it for it's ambiance and overall quality.  We go there frequently and always come away feeling satisfied.  I give it an "A".  If you have annual passes to Universal Studios they give you a 15% discount.  Everything about Bubba Gump's is positive. I can't say enough about what a wonderful dining experience it is!

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria -International Drive

Photo courtesy of Texas de Brazil

When visiting Orlando and you're looking for a fine dining experience, Texas de Brazil Churrascaria (steakhouse) is definitely one you don't want to miss. Located at the east end of International Drive and right across Interstate 4 from Universal Studios, Texas de Brazil will make you go away and look for a place to lie down!

When you enter you are greeted by a first rate wait staff who greet you and escort you to your seat. You can start with a drink from the full service bar or order table drinks.  I like to get a few bottles of sparkling water and iced tea.

You'll enjoy the refrigerated salad bar with over 60 items such as salmon, bacon, home made hard bread along with gourmet soups, vegetables, cheese, and more.  Dinner will be a long event as you work your way through the salad bar.  You'll want to take a few minutes break before moving on to the entree specials.  You'll flip your table card and the carvers will come to your table slicing gourmet meats such as beef, lamb, pork, and Brazilian sausage

Also included with your dinner are traditional side items like mashed or Au gratin potatoes, rice, and and house-baked Brazilian cheese bread.  They have every type of wine you can imagine and if you still have room you can choose from assorted desserts.  Or you can have a cup of espresso and a fine cigar. Any way you do it you might want to skip lunch before trying to conquer this menu.



Your manager will visit you and the service is second to none.  Prices are a little more than a family of four usually spends.  Children under 2 are free, children 2-5 are $5.00, 6-12, half-price, and adults are $46.99.  They give 10% discount for folks over 65 and 15% for military and veterans.

If you join their E club you'll receive discounts for birthdays and anniversaries.  I rate the dining experience at Texas de Brazil an "A".  Service, atmosphere, and food quality make this an awesome dining experience. Prices are a little high but we only go there with coupons or rare special occasions.  It's always "spot on" for enjoyment and I know you'll have a great time.

Possum Crossing - Melbourne

If you're in the Melbourne, Florida area and are looking for a great dining experience, try visiting the Possum Crossing restaurant.  This place is a great family experience that applies southern comfort with good food. Situated in the old Gators restaurant on Wickham Road in Melbourne, Possum Crossing was a cool experience.

I recently visited there with my family and we loved it.  The service was good.  Management was highly visible, and they made us feel at home.  The menu is southern/soul style food and prepared very nicely.   I had a platter that consisted of gator nuggets, frog legs, and catfish. It was awesome.  The rest of the family had burgers (see the size), catfish, and chicken. They also have a full service bar and lounge area.

The whole experience was fun.  I give the place an overall "A" for service, quality, and atmosphere.  The prices are a little high for a family.  We walked out of there for $92.00 with dinner and tip.  No drinks and one appetizer.  It might be a little much for an average family on a budget but the food was great.

Other than the prices it was a good experience.  We'll certainly go back but not often at those prices.  Otherwise it was a great experience.

Emeril's Orlando - City Walk

If you want a high class dining experience when visiting Orlando's parks make a reservation and enjoy lunch or dinner at Emeril's Orlando.  Created by the award-winning master chef, Emeril Legasse, this place is head and shoulders above any other restaurant at the parks.  Emeril's anywhere else would be a jacket & tie dining venue but since it's in a vacation area the dress is nice casual but the service and quality is excellent.

If you are a fan of Emeril and have seen him on TV, then you know he is a world-class chef and a great guy. He personally overseas and plans the menus at Emeril's.  Since he's such a famous brand, perfection is his only standard.

You won't get any deals here but, if you're willing to spend more for the experience you'll love it.  Lunch can be burgers, pizza, or steak and can range over $20 each. They also have a 3-course lunch with starters, entrees, and dessert.  Dinner goes from $32 to $50 for the 8 oz. fillet Mignon.  I recommend the sea scallops or the gulf shrimp pasta but only because I lean toward the seafood.  The last time we dined there my wife had a 2.5 lb Maine lobster that I should have on my wall.  

Service is A+, so is the food quality.  I won't rate the prices because at a place like Emeril's, it's not a consideration.  Bottom line, it's an occasion restaurant but for most of us, it's an experience of a lifetime. 

Enjoy, or as Emeril would say, "BAM"!

Murray Brothers Caddyshack

Murray Brothers Caddyshack on I-95 at St Augustine is a fun place to visit for a drink or a great meal.  Located at the World Golf Village, Caddyshack is a first class bar and grill. Inspired by the iconic 1981 film starring Bill Murray and Chevy Chase, you can see all kinds of golf memoribilia and memoirs from not only the film but of many pro golfers.

The place boasts a full bar and classy dining room.  The menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, seafood and steak. Pictured above is my favorite - the seafood platter - flounder, shrimp, clam strips, and crab cake served with fries, cole slaw, or any other side you wish for $16.95.   My son loves the burgers and my daughter's favorite is the scallops over rice.

When you visit enjoy a round of golf on world-class fairways or a movie at the Imax theater recently added to the complex.  The food is great, pricing is a little above what a normal dining bill is for a family of four but worth it from time to time.  The only down side to dining there is an unfriendly wait staff.  While they are efficient, any time we dine there they are cold and unwelcoming.  I don't know why but we've never been served by a cheerful server.

Food and atmosphere I definitely give an "A" but for customer service I give it a "C".  Nonetheless, we always like stopping there when we trek through Florida.  If you visit you will like it anyway so you be the judge.

Cafe Cubano - Downtown Disney

At Downtown Disney right next to Bongo's Cuban Cafe, you can have a sandwich or cup of Cuban Coffee at the Cafe Cubano.  It's a little express sandwich shop right next door.  A quaint, comfortable little nook right on the street where folks can sit and socialize and imagine old Havana.  It must be similar to Ernest Hemingway's "A Clean Well-Lighted Place".

Grab a cup or a Cuban sandwich and have a seat under the umbrella's while you just relax. It's even more tranquil at night.  It's a good place to go for a no frills lunch.  It's a short story but worth telling and certainly worth the mention.  Enjoy and thanks for reading.

Tony's Town Square Restaurant - Magic Kingdom

A couple of days ago we visited Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.  The crowds were moderate and we managed to see almost everything by 7:00 pm after which pass customers were escorted out and Mickey's Very Special Christmas began.  We made reservations (407-WDW-DINE) at Tony's Town Square which is a casual Italian restaurant just inside the park next to the train station.

The dining room is styled like a turn of the century restaurant such as the one in Lady and the Tramp.  Dinner for us was spaghetti, Shrimp Scampi, and Chicken Parmigiana.  Individual plates range from $15 to $35 but I think the most expensive on the menu was the New York Strip steak at $29.99.

Service was good but could have been better.  Wait time after arriving prior to our reservation time was over 20 minutes and it took another 10 minutes for a server to arrive.  Our server was affable and efficient but we didn't get anything but "cookie cutter" service.

Minus a few points I look for in a restaurant my family enjoyed the dinner.  I give the place a "B" overall.  It was very nice but I'm a little critical of theme park restaurants because I believe their standards are high.  I can't help but notice the dinners and service I experience at Epcot are much higher that at Magic Kingdom or any of the other Disney parks.  This may my perception but it's a consistent perception.  Nonetheless, it was a nice experience but I'm not in a hurry to return.

Raglan Road Irish Restaurant- Downtown Disney

Stopped by here last Saturday night.  The place was rocking with every table and chair full and people standing in the aisles. There is no other way to enjoy an Irish Pub.  The service and food was fantastic.  They do a stellar job of keeping up with a Saturday night crowd.

The dancers and musicians began about 8:00 pm and were still going strong several  hours later when we left.  we started with an appetizer called Dalkey Duo, (breaded sausages on forks). Dinner for us was lamb, burgers, Bangers & Booze, and chicken.

Needless to say you can have any drink you like or make something up.  Reservations come highly recommended because there is no room after 7:00 pm.  Call 1-407-WDW-DINE or go on line at www.disney.go.com.

Rain Forest Cafe - Animal Kingdom

It's always a great experience to visit the Rain Forest Cafe in Disney World.  We usually go to the one at Downtown Disney but last week we stopped in to see the one at Animal Kingdom.  The experience was just as fun.

The menu can be viewed on the Disney web site or off Google.  We had the spinach dip appetizer followed by the  chicken finger plate and Pastalaya which I always seem to get.  Not as good as the Jambalaya at the Cheese Steak Factory but very good nonetheless.

                                               Then there's the ever present gift shop!

You can make reservations at Disney.go.com or visit RainForestCafe.com to see the menu. I have never had a bad lunch or dinner and the atmosphere is spectacular. Our service was great and although the prices are up there ($58.00 for two of us) it's a memorable place to go especially when you go to Animal Kingdom.

They accept the Disney dining plan but what they don't tell you is that you get discounts for your annual pass as well.  I had to ask. Also ask if they give military discounts because the restaurants at the theme parks do at various times and it seems to me they do it sporadically.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - Universal City Walk

Remember this place?  At Universal Studios City Walk,  Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is the place to go for food and drinks with great atmosphere and fun.

Step into the world of Margaritaville, the imaginary play land Jimmy crafted way back in the 1970's.  The restaurant is a perfect depiction of his themed song.  You can enjoy some fantastic food while watching some entertainment.  Or sit out by the tiki bar on the lagoon that was built into the float plane from the book "Tales From Margaritaville".

Inside the restaurant you can have the "Cheeseburger In Paradise", a whopping patty with anything you would like topping it.  I always get this but you also have a good selection of steak and seafood.  There are also Caribbean-style dishes like calypso chicken pasta or conch fritters for starters.

If you want the nightlife and enjoy mixed drinks and good company, come down in the evening , sit outside, and enjoy the music.  It's like being at a concert but you'll feel like you're on your own private island far from shore where you can just relax and enjoy living.


If you're not in a hurry grab a pager and have a drink.  If you're like me reservations are available at 1-407-224-2155.

Hope you enjoy the experience!

Hard Rock Cafe Universal Studios Orlando

Want to visit the biggest and best Hard Rock Cafe in the world?  We have it right here in Orlando at Universal City Walk.  London to Amsterdam, Biloxi to Las Vegas, you won't find a bigger, better one anywhere but here.

Hard Rock Orlando is situated on the lagoon between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the famed City Walk.  Boasting three stories of food, entertainment, and music (including the largest gift shop anywhere) this place is not to be passed up when visiting Orlando.  Have a great lunch or dinner starting with the Hard Rock Nachos, hickory smoked chicken wings, or Santa Fe Spring rolls.  Do you like giant burgers?  Or would you rather have steak or seafood?  Their menu is explosive and the cooking is always top notch.

Service there is provided by an energetic staff of servers who know it's there job to not only take your order but to make you feel as though they want to party with you.  They move fast serving drinks and menu items as well as I've eve seen.  There is always music playing and you can view the impressive display of Rock and Roll memorabilia. It's almost like being in a museum except it's a lot more upbeat.

Step up to the round bar in the rotunda where there are TV screens everywhere showing all the rock legends in action and have a stiff drink.  Sit by the rotating Pink Cadillac and immerse yourself in the shrine to Rock music.

There is no casino here but Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa (75 miles west) has all the gambling if that's what you want.  Also consider staying at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal just a short boat ride from the Cafe.  It's always a good time so see for yourself.  You won't be disappointed except when you have to leave!!

Restaurant Marrakesh - Epcot

Epcot has wonderful restaurants and one of the most interesting is Restaurant Marrakesh at the Moroccan Pavilion.  Lunch is $27.95/person and dinners range from $15-$35.99.  Three are several sampler platters for about $36-38.00.  You can step into the world of Casablanca and forget where you are for a while.  The food is excellent, all served by a pleasant wait staff from northern Africa.

 Always hard to read I try to include the menu posted outside the restaurants.  There is a variety to choose from.  They have a large appetizer menu along with a full service bar.  My favorite is the couscous dinner which is a small semolina pasta with your choice of chicken, beef, lamb, or vegetables.  There is also fish, including salmon, chicken, and the shish kabobs are fantastic.

I rate this place an A for their charm, atmosphere, and food quality.  The staff is topnotch, and there is always somebody playing, singing, or dancing as pictured above.  The experience is unforgettable and Moroccan cuisine is very exotic.  Since I've never been to Morocco I can't talk to it's authenticity but to me it was awesome.  Prices are a little high but they do accept the Disney Dining Plan so it may be something you are interested in.

The Crystal Palace, A Buffet with Character

Dinner at the Crystal palace is a great experience both for the food and the atmosphere.  We made reservations at 1- 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463) and were seated promptly after reporting to the reservation stand at our appointed time.  The service was good. They seemed confused as to who our server was but once he arrived it went well.

The restaurant is a very nicely laid out buffet with a salad bar, entrees and vegetables, and a dessert bar.  The prices are a little high but it's Disney and to be expected.  The characters are in the dining room the whole time and do a wonderful job of enchanting the kids and posing for photos.  They are really skilled at playing with the kids without talking.  Hats off to the folks who can do this because it must be very difficult.

This place is built like an old Florida hotel with white painted walls, lots of plants, spacious walkways, and almost an ice cream parlor brightness to it.  The serving staff at the bar was very courteous and all the employees are pleasant to speak with.  Supervisors are conspicuously posted in and around the dining room and seem to pay close to details and service.

We were there almost an hour and a half because there was so much to eat and sample.  The salads were fresh and well-maintained and the entrees never ran out.  They had mussels, Spanish chicken, chicken tenders, roast beef, roast turkey, and a vegetarian medley pasta for vegetarian diets.  There are a variety more items but that was all I could remember. I especially like the cod and spinach casserole which I'd never had before but loved it.

Dinner was great and the characters made it a true Disney experience.  Service was a little confused and pricing was a little high.  I give the place a "B+" for the whole experience but it was really enjoyable.

Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom

This is a nice place to eat at Magic Kingdom.  Right on Main Street USA across from Casey's Corner you can dine in an early 1900's restaurant with excellent food.

You can make reservations at 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).  I'm not even sure they take walk-ins so I would make the call or go to m.disneyworld.com from your Verizon phone.  The menu is not heavy meals.  It's more like an old-fashioned soda fountain but very good.  We had a cheeseburger, club sandwiches, and a grilled chicken sandwich. The rest of the menu has a Reuben, vegetarian, turkey, cheesecake, and other selections. The only dinner-style plate they have is a meat loaf which none of us ordered but looked good.

 They also have a good selection of ice cream, fountain drinks, sundaes, shakes, floats, sundaes, etc.  The restaurant is collocated with the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor sponsored by Edy's Grand Ice Cream so if you're a fan of theirs you'll love the desserts.  The service was excellent and the food was great.  Prices weren't bad by Disney standards and you can use your Disney Meal Plan here.  It's a great place to eat with kids and we were able to watch one of the parades through the window since we sat so close to the street.  A fun experience.  I give It an "A-" but with no complaints.

Nine Dragons Restaurant - Epcot

When visiting Epcot at Walt Disney World it's always part of the experience to walk around the countries and visit their restaurants.  Recently we visited the Nine Dragons Chinese Restaurant and the experience was worth it.

We made reservations at Guest Relations earlier in the day and when we arrived we were greeted and seated promptly.  (Our server is the lady right behind the man walking out).  She was most gracious and her service along with her manners were excellent.  We started out with an egg roll appetizer and drinks. Our dinners came out perfectly timed and they were delicious.

My daughter ordered the Kung Pao chicken with white rice.  I had the fried rice with ham, pork, broccoli, and a skewer of shrimp.  All the food was masterfully prepared and very difficult to finish.  We actually could have done without the appetizer but we haven't eaten there before and wanted the whole experience!

It was my daughter's birthday (Big 13!) so they brought her a complimentary slice of birthday cake with a candle, sang her Happy Birthday, and also included a card with birthday wishes hand scribed in Chinese!  I've never received this type of attention, and so sincerely presented, that it made the whole experience priceless.

I know I went a little crazy with the photos but I was that impressed with the restaurant.  All the restaurants at Epcot have staffs who are actually from the countries they represent.  It enhances the ambiance and the tourists (and us) love it.  The prices aren't too bad.  Dinner ranges from $12.99 to $35.99 per person. Drinks not included.  Our ticket out the door was $50.00.  If you have the Disney Dining Card it can be used at all the Disney parks.

This time I was actually able to post a menu you can read.  We give the place an "A+" for management, service, cleanliness, atmosphere, and friendliness.  Prices are a little high but to be expected at theme parks.  If you go I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  Thanks.