Address	8849 International Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-248-2499
Price	$$$

It will be interesting to see if Darden keeps backing this Islands concept, which for some reason has never quite caught on with the dining public. For the most part, the food is good  and the restaurants are attractive and lively, often with entertainment. And they’re a favorite outdoor dining destination for locals.

As for the food, my companion out-ordered me with tortilla soup and a ropa Joe sandwich. The soup had layer upon layer of textures and tastes, with pliant avocado cubes, chicken and strips of tortillas.

The sandwich was, as the name might suggest, a version of the classic ropa vieja specialty of shredded beef served on a Cuban roll. Lots of well-seasoned meat, some cheese, peppers and onions livened it up.

For my starter course, I chose a special of ahi tuna ceviche, which featured tiny cubes of tuna dressed with citrus juices served atop a platform supported by watercress. The watercress was more annoying than helpful. It was wadded onto the plate in long stems, and every time I tried to fork a little watercress with some tuna, a long vine would trail behind.

For my entree, I had another special of... Read more

Address	1188 Commerce Park Drive
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-960-1300
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

When I first reviewed Fig’s Prime, in November of 2017, when it was still new, I had a few issues but concluded that if the staff would pay more attention to details it could become a premier dining destination for the Altamonte Springs and Longwood community. Attention has been paid.... Read more

Address	The Village Shoppes 249 W. State Road 436
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-788-6004
Price	$$$

Named for one of the Crown Jewels, Kohinoor is indeed a gem. The lamb korma was wonderful. The yellow sauce was smooth and creamy and coated the tender bite-sized chunks of lamb. It was great spooned over a mound of fluffy basmati rice.

The vegetable biryani, a rice dish, was chock-full of such veggies as broccoli, cauliflower and green peas, plus some cashews and raisins. It was an ample and filling vegetarian alternative.

The naan, a thick, slightly leavened bread, was delicious.

The dining room is showing some signs of age and could use some updating, but the staff remains as friendly as ever.

... Read more

Address	800 E. Altamonte Drive
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-960-7582
Price	$$
Scott's Review

The menu is extensive – larger than it really needs to be – and does have some genuine Mexican dishes, though it is also chile-peppered with Tex-Mex and other Americanized versions. The food is good and is presented in startlingly large portions.... Read more

Address	985 N. State Road 434
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-917-8997
Price	$$
Scott's Review

I wonder if there is a time during the day, any day of the week, when Metro Diner isn’t overflowing. When I visited after 1 p.m. on a weekday recently, there were multiple groups of people, both inside and out, waiting for tables to open. Such, apparently, is the power of a popular television show like Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network. I’m not sure the Jacksonville restaurant’s reputation would have preceded it to its new location in Altamonte Springs without host Guy Fieri’s raves. Not that the raves are not deserved. The food is impressive and sincere, and the atmosphere leaves no question about the diner designation.... Read more

Address	1140 Altamonte Drive
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-260-8900
Price	$$
Scott's Review

The LaCommare family is back in business, this time with son Leo at the stove, but mom and dad Marie and Stefano are always on hand. ... Read more

Address	970 Sunshine Lane
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-600-2359
Price
Scott's Review

The Pass is a ghost kitchen tucked away in an industrial warehouse area in Altamonte Springs whose food is available only for takeout or delivery. The menu, once you find it (more on that in a moment), is supposedly Latin American but tends to hover more around Mexico and the southwest with sections for burritos, tacos, quesadillas and....ramen?... Read more

Address	1185 Spring Centre South Blvd
City	Altamonte Springs
Phone	407-960-2605
Price	$$
Scott's Review

An Altamonte version of the popular Mills 50 restaurant, except bigger and with better parking!... Read more