4 ladies in Orlando, $40.00 each for dinner?

[Ally Cat]

Going to a conference in Orlando in May. We are staying at the Walt Disney Marriott. I don't think we'll have a car, but could take a 10-15 minute taxi. Our expense account is $40 per person, but I'm sure we could kick in a few extra bucks if necessary.

Looking for good food, nice atmosphere (doesn't have to be "hjp", but something interesting). I think I'd like to stay away from Thai and Chinese, but Cuban, French, up-market American, Seafood, etc. are fair game. I don't want chains that I can go to up here (Boston) like high end steak houses.

I did do a search, but as you know, we can't search by date anymore, so it was tough. Also, since I don't know anything about the geography, I could not tell if a restaurant was close to Disney.

Thanks all!

[Bob Mervine]

First, spend a little time looking at what is in your hotel, which is not the Marriott Walt Disney, it's called the Orlando World Center Marriott.

Their italian restaurant, the Ristorante Tuscany, is a branch of a family-run restaurant in Genoa, if memory serves, with another well knowm outpost in Atlanta called, again working with my memory here, La Postica. The Asian and steakhouse are not bad, but the Italian is outstanding.

The WDW Dolphin and Swan have a new Italian place called Il Mulano, a branch of the one in Greenwich Village, which is quite nice. Also Todd English (Boston, right?) has a place called BlueZoo, featuring seafood, which is quite good, in the Dolphin. Il Mulano is in the Swan.

Disney has a grand Irish Pub called Raglan Road in Downtown Disney that offers a nice take on classic Irish food.

Other Disney restaurants I suggest would include California Grill--upscale fresh foods
Jiko--African-inspired, Artist's Point, Pacific Northwest food & great pinot in the cellar.

Others a bit more downscale, and less expensive, are in Kissimmee, the closest town other than Disney, Key W. Kool's is good for steak -- 7725 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee -- 407-239-7166. I also like the owner's other restaurant, it's Italian, called Rosario's, 4838 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746 [phone].

There's also good authentic Mexican place called Azteca in downtown Kissimmee, if that is to your taste.

There is a branch of the Columbia restaurant (Ybor City) located in Celebration. The restaurant in Tampa is 74 years old and the menu is loaded with quality. The food here in comparable without the atmosphere.

Try Le Crepe, 8289 Champions Gate Boulevard, Davenport 33896 407.397 2020. It's thoroughly country French food/. The website is <http://www.lacreperestaurant.com/index>

Bob

[Ally Cat]

Thanks for the great ideas. I had assumed most restaurants in WDW would not be great, but apparently I was wrong! I'll forward your suggestions to my colleagues, we now have plenty to chose from.