FOOD&DRINK RECOMMENDED EATING
Restaurants AFRICAN
NILE ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT
7048 International Drive, Orlando 407-3540026. nileorlando.com The flavors at this 14-year mainstay remain a dazzling discovery, with beef, chicken and vegetable dishes enhanced by otherworldly spices like cumin, coriander, nutmeg, fenugreek and sacred basil. There are many enticing choices, but owner Abeba Gonetse makes it easy with the Chef’s Special Combination for two featuring delectables like chicken doro wat stew in red pepper sauce, beef alicha in turmeric, yellow kik split peas, and gomen cabbage cooked in garlic and ginger. Coffee service is special: The beans are roasted in a pan over hot coals and the brew is served in small cups in a ceremony of friendship and respect. $$
SANAA
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista 407-939-3463. disneyworld.disney.go.com Sanaa’s focus on the foods of East Africa makes for a mouthwatering trip. Flavors of India, Portugal and Europe infuse the menu, with many dishes served as multi-item samplers. Pair the short ribs or the smoky, mildly spicy perfection of tandoori chicken with little-known wines from Indian vineyards. $$$ Ẃ
AMERICAN
%AMERICAN KITCHEN BAR & GRILL
1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. 407828-2828. bhotels-andresorts.com Winner of the Critic's Rising Star Award for 2020. Chef Venoy Rogers says his restaurant, at the B Resort & Spa, is “all over the place’’—Italian, French, Asian, deli, you name it. And that approach works well. Dishes he defines as American include the Truffle Chicken Alfredo and the East-West Pasta, the latter featuring Space Coast royal red shrimp in squid ink fettuccini and crowned with a dollop of uni. Then there’s the Knuckle Sandwich—aged Wagyu beef knuckle marinated for four days, smoked, steamed like uber-pastrami, then layered on a challah bun with Wagyu beef fat aioli. $$$-$$$$ Ẃ
%BETH’S BURGER BAR
25145 S. Orange Ave., Edgewood 407-8881190; 9938 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407203-8100; 223 Wheelhouse Lane, Lake Mary 407-716-2272. bethsburgerbar.com Winner of the Dining Awards’ Readers’ Choice for Best Local Burger the past five years. Owner Beth Steele and her crew offer an impressive array of delicious creations in an informal, welcoming atmosphere. The sizes go up to triple patties and "beyond" and the toppings are also endless: peanut butter, pineapple jalapeno, and cheddar mac & cheese, to name a few. And if you dare, order the Double D Challenge—a four-patty burger featuring eight slices of bacon and five different cheeses. Win a T-shirt if you finish it in 10 minutes! $-$$
%CHEF’S TABLE AT THE EDGEWATER
RUSSELL'S ON LAKE IVANHOE
99 W. Plant St, Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstable-attheedgewater.com Kevin and Laurie Tarter’s restaurant has ruled the chef’s table category for more than a decade and 2020 was no exception, as it captured the top pick from our readers, as well as the Best Kept Secret award. Kevin Tarter’s culinary vision shines through with plates of lowcountry perloo, New Orleans-influenced fish, and fork-tender osso buco. $$$$ Ẃ
%DELANEY’S TAVERN
1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-849-0801. eatdt.com At this recent SoDo District addition, winner of the Critic's 2020 Award for Best Hotel Restaurant, Chef Anthony Albino offers a variety of creative American fare, from sandwiches and soups to beef and seafood. Must-tries are the blue crab beignets, rock shrimp salad, and the corned beef sandwich, with meat that spends 10 days in brine and is then roasted in beer. For breakfast, try the Swine Frittata, with chorizo, bacon, ham, roasted mushrooms and smoked gouda cheese. $-$$$
%THE GLASS KNIFE
276 S. Orlando Ave, Winter Park 407-5002253. theglassknife.com Winner of the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Desserts, this is a sleek yet approachable haven for those in search of both sweet and savory. Start the day with doughnuts, an avocado and egg toast, or a cheddar biscuit sandwich. Lunch standouts include the turkey bacon club and the berry bacon spinach salad. In the evening, enjoy Southern red velvet or carrot cake, and Europeanstyle pastries along with fine wines, craft beers and champagne. $$
1414 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-601-3508. russellsorlando.com With commanding views of Lake Ivanhoe and comfortable, chic surroundings, Russell’s offers upscale casual dining with an innovative and fresh menu. Indulge in fresh starters such as tuna or beef tartare before moving on to mains like crispy duck confit, grilled spiny lobster tails and a variety of steaks, chops and pasta dishes. The M-F happy hour offers small plates and drink specials; weekend brunch dazzles with a fresh array and breakfast and lunch specialties as well as bottomless mimosas and sangria. $$$$ Ẃ
SE7EN BITES
617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-203-0727. se7enbites.com Baker and pie maker Trina Gregory-Propst likes to push the limits of food as you know it, and her neighborhood breakfast and lunch destination packs in the patrons. Se7en Bites’ creations include hand-made moonpies, cupcakes, luscious biscuits and gravy, statuesque cakes and a chicken pot pie with a perfect crust. The salted caramel chocolate pecan pie is a thing of beauty. $
%SWINE & SONS PROVISIONS
669 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-6367601. swineandsons.com Lexie and Rhys Gawlak, 2020 inductees into Orlando magazine's Dining Hall of Fame, are the proprietors of this grocery-eatery, providing housemade sausages, terrines and bacon, along with sandwiches like the Southern Cuban (with candied collards) and hot chicken. A variety of smash burgers are also on the menu. $-$$
ASIAN
%GREENS & GRILLE
4104 Millenia Blvd. #114, Orlando 407-7701407 greensandgrille.com Voted Best Salads by our readers in the 2020 Dining Awards, this popular spot in a strip center next to the Mall at Millenia offers an abundance of signature salads, from the Summer Sweets (Romaine, spring mix, cucumbers, slices apples, orange segments, candied almonds and dried cranberries) to The Fall (spring mix, sweet peas, grilled onions, diced beets, roasted potatoes and goat cheese). You can also “make your own.’’ There's a wide selections of sammies available too. $
%HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE
1103 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0606; 9100 Conroy Windermere Road, Windermere 407-583-6334. eathawkers.com Winner of the dining critic's Empire Building Award for 2020. Chefs specializing in cuisines from Vietnam, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong put a modern twist on family recipes to create tasty fare like basil
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%MAXINE’S ON SHINE
337 N. Shine Ave., Orlando 407-674-6841. maxinesonshine.com This casual bistro is full of quirky charm, with a menu ranging from bar snacks to full entrees emphasizing seafood. Outdoor seating, live music, an interesting wine list and the presence of delightful proprietors add up to everything you should expect from a local restaurant. Winner of the 2020 Readers’ Choice for Brunch. $$-$$$. Ẃ
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2020 Dining Award winner Reservations recommended Extensive wine list Preferred Dining Partner
FOOD & DRINK | JULY 2021 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 93
