Address	825 N. Magnolia Ave
City	Orlando
Phone	407-839-0235
Price	$$
Scott's Review

Small eatery in a former house (built before central air conditioning, apparently). The cuisine isn't trail-blazing, but good basic dishes may be had. Go on a cool day.... Read more

Address	13615 Sachs Ave.
City	Orlando
Phone	407-313-7800
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

Lakeside dining from the Tavistock Restaurant Group. Most people head to the outdoor deck, but there's a much better dining experience to be had at the food counter overlooking the cooks at the grill.... Read more

Address	10100 Dream Tree Blvd.
City	Lake Buena Vista
Phone	407-313-7777
Price	$$$$
Scott's Review

Despite the Four Seasons Resort location, this signature restaurant is not white-glove elegant, another indication that type of fine dining is fading. But the food here is excellent, and the surroundings are stylishly artistic. Out on the balcony you you watch fireworks every night.... Read more

Address	3401 S. Atlantic Ave.
City	New Smyrna Beach
Phone	904-423-8787
Price	$$
Scott's Review

Let’s go to the beach! Aw, come on, it’ll be fun; I’ll drive. Chases on the Beach is not a destination restaurant itself, but if the beach is your destination, Chases is a good place to grab a meal. The cheeseburger is fine for lunch. For dinner, try the grouper or the scallops. (Ask the cook to put the crab cake on the side).

Chases is named for the owner Chase Breiner (although there is no apostrophe in the name; go figure.) An old hotel was previously on the site. According to the restaurant manager, local laws say you can rebuild only on an existing foundation, so the restaurant complex has an odd look and shape, with various buildings and levels.

It serves as a sort of mini-play-ground/food and drink emporium. The food is a basic compilation of seafood dinners and beach-food sandwiches. I wouldnt make a special trip just to have the food. But this is a good place to grab a bite if your day involves a trip to New Smyrna Beach .

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Address	6967 Lake Nona Blvd.
City	Orlando
Phone	407-955-4340
Price	$$
Scott's Review

Another Lake Nona dining choice from Tavistock. Most items are "small plates" to encourage sharing. The lamb sliders are a standout. Note that service doesn't begin until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.... Read more

Address	861 N. Orange Ave.
City	Orlando
Phone	407-652-0600
Price	$$
Scott's Review

City Pub is the new restaurant and bar that replaced North Quarter Tavern. The bones of the place are the same, with the central bar and surrounding dining tables. But some decorating touches have been added — royal blue paint, wood wainscoting over a tufted banquette along the back wall — that give it a traditional pub mien. And the food is still above average, though not as creative as when NQT first opened. But then, in retrospect, that menu was probably too ambitious (and costly).... Read more

Address	151 Welbourne Ave. E.
City	Winter Park
Phone	407-790-7997
Price	$$
Scott's Review

It's refreshing that Cocina 214 doesn't claim to be authentic Mexican and try to hide its Tex-Mex roots. In fact, it's right there in its name: the 214 is a reference to the area code of Dallas. (That's not the city I think of when I think of Tex-Mex, but there you go.) I liked the huevos rancheros I had on a brunch visit, and the carnitas tacos were delicious on a dinner visit. I also like the big open atmosphere. It's nice to have the Tex-Mex flavor on Park Avenue. (Or just off Park.)... Read more

Address	649 Front St.
City	Celebration
Phone	407-566-1505
Price	$$$

Columbia is the oldest restaurant in Florida, but not this location. The original in Tampa's Ybor City has been around since 1903 (although, until recently, it was thought it was established in 1905). The Celebration restaurant has had its high and low moments in the past 15 years; lately it has been doing better. The menu is not as authentically Spanish as they would like you to believe. It's not even all that Cuban. But the creative stylings at least get the spicing right. Try the red snapper Alicante or the scallops Casimiro. Desserts are less satisfying.

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