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. $$
AMERICAN
AC ORLANDO HOTEL SKYBAR
333 S. Garland Ave., Orlando 407-635-2300. marriott.com Soar above Orlando at this bar located on the 18th floor of the AC Orlando Hotel, right in the heart of downtown. Serving lunch, dinner and tapa daily, this hotspot also offers its Elevated Brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Whenever you visit, you'll find contemporary American fare with Spanish influences—a nod to the AC's origins in Spain. The Cazuela is a must-have. $$$$
%BETH’S BURGER BAR
25145 S. Orange Ave., Edgewood 407-8881190; 9938 Universal Blvd., Orlando 407203-8100; 223 Wheelhouse Lane, Lake Mary 407-716-2272. bethsburgerbar.com Winner of the Dining Awards’ Readers’ Choice for Best Local Burger the past five years. Owner Beth Steele and her crew offer an impressive array of delicious creations in an informal, welcoming atmosphere. The sizes go up to triple patties and "beyond" and the toppings are also endless: peanut butter, pineapple jalapeno, and cheddar mac & cheese, to name a few. And if you dare, order the Double D Challenge—a four-patty burger featuring eight slices of bacon and five different cheeses. Win a T-shirt if you finish it in 10 minutes! $-$$
%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. $$
%CHEF’S TABLE AT THE EDGEWATER
99 W. Plant St, Winter Garden 407-230-4837. chefstable-attheedgewater.com Kevin and Laurie Tarter’s restaurant has ruled the chef’s table category for more than a decade and 2020 was no exception, as it captured the top pick from our readers, as well as the Best Kept Secret award. Kevin Tarter’s culinary vision shines through with plates of lowcountry perloo, New Orleans-influenced fish, and fork-tender osso buco. $$$$ Ẃ
%DELANEY’S TAVERN
1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-849-0801. eatdt.com At this recent SoDo District addition, winner of the Critic's 2020 Award for Best Hotel Restaurant, Chef Anthony Albino offers a variety of creative American fare, from sandwiches and soups to beef and seafood. Must-tries are the blue crab beignets, rock shrimp salad, and the corned beef sandwich, with meat that spends 10 days in brine and is then roasted in beer. For breakfast, try the Swine Frittata, with chorizo, bacon, ham, roasted mushrooms and smoked gouda cheese. $-$$$
%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
RUSSELL'S ON LAKE IVANHOE
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. $$$$ Ẃ
THE MONROE
448 N. Terry Ave, Orlando 407-734-2102. themonroeorlando.com Good Salt Group owners Jason and Sue Chin have brought this new comfort food concept to Creative Village, serving up dinner presently, with lunch and brunch plans in the works. Executive Chef Josh Oakley surprises and delights with fun spins on classic dishes, like Pastrami Corn Dogs. During the day, stop in for coffee and tea creations at the
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restaurant’s coffee bar, and stay through the evening for creative cocktails. Spacious seating and reliable WiFi make this a great spot for chats with your best friend or meetings with colleagues. Parking is available for a low fee at the neighboring UnionWest parking garage. $-$$$ Ẃ
THE PINERY
295 NE Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando 407-377-7576. thepineryorlando.com Located on picturesque Lake Ivanhoe, this new Orlando hotspot celebrates Florida's forgotten history as a top exporter of pineapples. While that's interesting for sure, the stellar cocktails and bites are what will keep you coming back for more. Tuck into a menu of comfort food-inspired dishes, like Smoked Peanut Soup, the Florida Grouper Rachael, and the Braised Short Rib. Wash it all down with inventive cocktails, such as the Snowbird, a combo of tequila, pineapple liqueur, and coconut. $$$$ Ẃ
SEAR + SEA WOODFIRE GRILL
JW Marriott Bonnet Creek, 14900 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando, 407-919-6383. marriott.com The takeaway from our experience at Sear + Sea: this is a team who cares. From the thoughtful sourcing of local ingredients, to the way plates are built, there’s an attention to detail that you might not expect from a resort hotel. From the OliveOil Poached Halibut and Branzino to the excellent woodfired steaks, you can't go wrong. $$$$
SE7EN BITES
617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando 407-203-0727. se7enbites.com Baker and pie maker Trina Gregory-Propst likes to push the limits of food as you know it, and her neighborhood breakfast and lunch destination packs in the patrons. Se7en Bites’ creations include hand-made moonpies, cupcakes, luscious biscuits and gravy, statuesque cakes and a chicken pot pie with a perfect crust. The salted caramel chocolate pecan pie is a thing of beauty. $
THE TAP ROOM AT DUBSDREAD
549 W. Par Street, Orlando 407-650-0100. taproomatdubsdread.com L-D daily. BR Sun. Nestled within the picturesque Dubsdread Golf Course, The Tap Room offers casual, yet sophisticated, American fare. Fresh fish, hand-cut steaks, pastas and the award-winning Tap Room Classic Cheeseburger are some of the College Park restaurant’s best menu items. You can dine inside or out on the veranda, which offers views of the golf course. $$-$$$ Ẃ
ASIAN
%HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE
1103 N. Mills Ave., Orlando 407-237-0606; 9100 Conroy Windermere Road, Windermere 407-583-6334. eathawkers.com
