Address	Universal Studios
City	Orlando
Phone	407-224-3613
Price	$$

An Irish-American pub, the kind you might find on the streets of New York, which is why you will find this restaurant on the Streets of New York set of Universal Studios theme park. The menu has the usual Irish fare (and some British items): potato and leek soup; bangers and mash; Irish stew; shepherd's pie; corned beef and cabbage. Nothing is wonderful, but this is one of only two, with Lombard's Seafood Grill, full-service restaurants, so it tends to get crowded with people who don't feel like standing in another line just to get their food.... Read more

Address	Westin Imagine 9501 Universal Blvd.
City	Orlando
Phone	407-233-2950
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

After a shaky start, this casual Italian situated in a newish hotel behind the Orange County Convention Center is finally finding its way, thanks in no small part to Robert Mason, who took over the kitchen. Mason, formerly of the Boheme, has given the menu something it didn't have before: consistency.

The oven-roasted grouper was a thick fillet served on top of thick, round noodles. It had a delightful crisp crust and was topped with a stack of rich crab meat.

Filetto con Gorgonzola, a certified black angus tenderloin of beef, was grilled to a perfect medium-rare and finished with tangy blue cheese, accompanied by baked tomato, cipollini onions, asparagus and fingerling potatoes.

The setting is OK, but you never get over the feeling that you're sitting in a hotel, because you are. One irritating thing: there is no self parking, you must use the valet service, which is free (if you don't count the tip).

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Address	9801 International Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-345-4570
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

Fiorenzo, the Hyatt Regency Orlando restaurant formerly known as Fiorenzo Italian Steakhouse, has emerged from its monthslong renovation. Even though it shortened its name, it is still Italian and you can still get a good steak. With the reopening of the restaurant, Jared Gross, who made the hotel’s Urban Tide seafood restaurant a destination for locals, has taken the role of chef de cuisine at Fiorenzo. There wasn’t a thing wrong with the food here before, but with Gross’s direction I expect it to soar.... Read more

Address	1562 N. Mills Ave.
City	Orlando
Phone	407-581-9861
Price	$$
Scott's Review

Firebirds is a Charlotte, North Carolina, based chain started in 2000 by Dennis L. Thompson, who co-founded Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon. There are 34 locations (over two million dollars in bar inventory!); the Orlando restaurant is the company's first in Florida. The menu features little creativity yet tries to offer something for everyone. You've got your steaks, chicken dishes, various fish, burgers, meatloaf, five salads, distinguished from four others designated "Firebirds Signature Salads." (The "Soups of the Day" section has eight selections, so figure that one out.) Most everything I tasted was just fine, though nothing rose to a level of wonderful.... Read more

Address	1448 N. Alafaya Trail
City	Orlando
Phone	407-809-3447
Price	$$
Scott's Review

There are other locations of this popular breakfast and lunch spot in the area, but this one is unique in that it has a bar. Not a fully stocked bar, mind you, but a careful selection of appropriate cocktails. The food is good, too, with an emphasis on fresh cooking... Read more

Address	7005 County Road 46A
City	Lake Mary
Phone	407-581-3474
Price	$$$$
Scott's Review

The Lake Mary FishBones impresses first with its size and splashy décor. It is easy to believe the rumors that put the price tag for the new restaurant somewhere around $6.5 million. There are multiple dining rooms as well as a sushi bar, indoor lounge and outdoor bar with tables that feature personal gas fireplaces. There are numerous display aquariums with exotic marine life plus a live fish tank for your dinner selections. Among the upscale decorations and touches of classiness are numerous glass works by Tampa artist Duncan McClellan. Directly behind the host stand is an immense wood-fired grill, which is something of a trademark in various Talk of the Town restaurants.

The sushi selections are listed as bait, an unfortunate pandering to those who think of raw fish only in derogative terms.

This is a second location for a Sand Lake Road restaurant – sort of. The two really are quite different, and I don’t recommend the Sand Lake Road version. The Lake Mary restaurant is big and splashy, and steaks are treated with the same skillful deftness as seafood. Try any of the fresh fish and sample some of the sushi. One dessert will serve four people.

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Address	5406 Hansel Ave.
City	Orlando
Phone	407-674-7710
Price	$$
Scott's Review

If you can get past the name, you’ll find some pretty good food at FK Your Diet, a Fort Myers/Cape Coral restaurant that recently opened an Orlando location in SoSoDo. It’s a breakfast and lunch eatery that features conventional dishes with creative twists served in copious portions.... Read more

Address	933. N. Orlando Ave.
City	Winter Park
Phone	407-699-9463
Price	$$$$
Scott's Review

When it's on its game, Fleming's can produce steaks as good as anyone's. The atmosphere isn't quite as posh as a Ruth's Chris, and it isn't as clubby as Del Frisco's, but it's quite pleasant and relaxing. A newer location recently opened on Restaurant Row Orlando, at 8030 Via Dellagio Way. Phone 407-352-5706. If you don't want to commit to a full meal's calories or price, consider a meal in the bar area, where a burger (not available in the dining room) is the thing to order.

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