If you are looking for a special evening out, Orlando offers a number of exquisite fine dining options. Choices range from traditional steakhouses to modern and daring fusion cuisine. Here’s our rundown of a few heavenly houses of haute cuisine you need to check out when in town.
Norman’s
Located at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Norman’s is a modern cuisine destination that offers excellent food in an elegant setting. Enjoy healthful but indulgent fusion cuisine with influences from Latin, Asian, Caribbean, as well Florida’s own local dishes. No jacket is required, but you do need to dress up a bit to get in. Gentlemen must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Christner’s Prime Steak and Lobster
This Star Diamond Award Winner is widely considered one of the best steakhouses in the state, if not the country. All steaks are aged in-house and cut to order. Seafood lovers can enjoy cold water lobster tail, sesame-seared tuna, and house-made Cajun crab cakes. The wine list is extensive, with top offerings from all over the world. If you see yourself becoming a regular, you can also lease a space in their temperature-controlled wine lockers to bring your own vintage. Stop in a little before your meal or linger after in one of the restaurant‘s two lounges to enjoy elegant piano music or even a magic show.
Chatham’s Place
Chatham’s Place offers a more intimate fine dining experience. Dishes rotate seasonally and include Florida and Southeast favorites like grouper, Creole chicken, duck breast and others. Many of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs come from the owner’s own organic farm. Diners at this restaurant compare the experience to being invited into the chef-owners’ homes … which is definitely something you have to try!
Caribe Royale’s Venetian Chop House
Chops, steaks, and seafood are the specials at Caribe Royale’s Venetian Chop House. However, do not expect staid and traditional meals. Innovative appetizers include the gnocchi stroganoff, which pairs gorgonzola-crusted filet mignon with sun-dried tomato gnocchi and the fricassee of escargot. Dig into entrées such as the lamb porterhouse and the bison short ribs.
The Boheme
The sultry red decor makes this an elegant and romantic choice for an intimate meal. If you aren’t sure what you’d like, try The Boheme’s three-course prix fixe meal, which will give you a chance to enjoy a few choice samples. On Sundays, they host a jazz brunch that is the perfect, lazy way to spend part of your weekend. Be sure to take time to also check out the restaurant’s extensive art collection.
Victoria & Albert’s
Victoria & Albert’s is one of the best restaurants available within the Disney compound and has earned an AAA Five-Diamond designation. Eat your sumptuous seven-course meal at an intimate table; or, if you are feeling curious, choose the Chef’s Table, an experience that takes you behind the scenes to dine with the staff and get a look at what it takes to run this exciting restaurant. Be sure to pack formal clothing; a jacket is required.
From traditional to modern dishes, the Orlando area offers a wide range of options for people looking for a more refined dining experience. Did we forget to include your favorite upscale Orlando eatery? Let us know in the comments.
