Address	8081 Turkey Lake Road
City	Orlando
Phone	407-354-0010
Price	$$
Scott's Review

When people talk about chain restaurants in a negative way, I think they’re talking about chains like O’Charley’s. The restaurant, one of more than 230 across the country, opened recently in the center directly behind the Whole Foods store at the corner of Sand Lake Road and Turkey Lake Road. It’s the first Central Florida O’Charley’s from the Nashville-based company. If they’re all like this one, let’s hope it’s the last. This is the sort of place that has a scent of beef juices constantly in the air, the kind of restaurant where the laminated menu with colorful photos of the dishes can still be stained. The sort of place where the servers can be perky and blissfully clueless to their incompetence.

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Address	5101 E. Colonial Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-802-4800
Price	$$
Scott's Review

As the name implies (the Taproom part, anyway), craft beers are a forte -- 40 are featured on tap -- and the extensive list will undoubtedly be a draw to those looking for unusual brews to try. Not sure I’m game for the one called Creme Brulee, but it seems as though Stone Ruination IPA might go with the theme of the place.

What’s surprising is the roster of food, which is more ambitious than you might expect. Burgers are the mainstay and they are offered in a variety of combinations with sometimes logical and sometimes confounding names. Most are done quite well (which is not to say well done, if that's not how you want it, although my burger was a tad overcooked). 

I chose the Hog Wild, which featured a beef burger topped with chopped pork, because, really, the best garnish for meat is more meat. It also had bacon, which is a bonus. Caramelized onions, onion rings and cheddar cheese, all served on a fairly fresh brioche bun, completed the burger.

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Address	7339 W. Sand Lake Road
City	Orlando
Phone	407-781-4880
Price	$$$$
Scott's Review

An upscale seafood (Ocean) and steak (Prime) supper club (live music) in the vein of The Oceanaire Seafood Room. The main dining room features warm wood walls with huge five-foot portholes that look through to the lounge area. (The dining room has its own bar for more intimate imbibing, a nice touch.) Touches of blue neon and a soft glow from drumlike light fixtures offer romantic notes, and white tablecloths and candles with frosted shades add a touch of elegance.

A “surf n turf” appetizer had lovely sea scallops and boneless short ribs plopped together in a smallish bowl with way too mashed potatoes. Good scallops, good ribs, bad presentation.

Onion soup was distinguished by a near lack of broth under heavy cheese; she-crab soup had a slight astringency and was not nearly as rich as it should have been.

Service was professional and thorough, and once the kitchen makes the right improvements, Ocean Prime will be a good choice.

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Address	Pointe Orlando 9101 International Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-363-4801
Price	$$$$
Scott's Review

The promise of a good seafood restaurant has sailed into Central Florida aboard The Oceanaire. The Oceanaire Seafood Room is meant to take you back in time, with its interior that suggests a 1930s ocean liner.

Sample some of the fresh fish selections after you enjoy the crab cake appetizer. On one visit, my companion had the wahoo, or ono, a mild fish similar to the mackerel. On another visit, there was a monkfish from Georges Bank. It had the characteristic texture that mimics lobster meat but was a thick steak cut with the center cord intact. Not the prettiest presentation, but quite good.

It’s a bit pricey, but quality is worth paying for.

The Oceanaire brand was recently purchased by the Landry's Seafood organization, but so far it seems the quality is being maintained.

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Address	6000 W. Osceola Parkway Gaylord Palms
City	Kissimmee
Phone	407-586-1600
Price	$$$$
Scott's Review

The setting is a large shack, perhaps in the Everglades, but since you're really inside the atrium of the Gaylord Palms you don't have to worry about mosquitos. Although it is primarily a steakhouse (make that prime-arily) and prepares steaks with a beautiful charred crust, Old Hickory is positioning itself to be an all-around restaurant, with very good seafood selections as well. Be sure to experience the cheese cart at the end of the meal. Or at the beginning, because you may be too stuffed after.... Read more

Address	113 S. Palmetto Ave.
City	Sanford
Phone	407-548-6964
Price	$$$
Scott's Review

The Old Jailhouse is legitimately housed in a small building that was the Seminole County Jail from 1914 until 1959. Before that, it was a blacksmith and wagon shop from 1890, the year it was constructed, until 1895, and it was the E.E. Brady Livery Feed and Sales Stables from 1910 until it became the jail. More recently it was home to Sanford Dry Cleaners and, here’s irony for you, the Seminole County Health Department. Old Jailhouse’s opening represents the return of Bram Fowler to the local restaurant scene. Fowler made his mark at Journeys in the Longwood Village Shopping Center. Here, Fowler serves as the director of operations and executive chef.... Read more

Address	2700 S Rio Grande Ave
City	Orlando
Phone	407-422-7288
Price	$
Scott's Review

Pleasant place with a good blend of Southern/Soul and Caribbean style cuisine.... Read more

Address	3400 Edgewater Drive
City	Orlando
Phone	407-999-8934
Price	$$
Scott's Review

Let’s be clear: Ollie’s is primarily a bar, albeit one that happens to serve food. I wouldn’t come here specifically to have dinner. But if I were here and enjoying a beer with friends, I might order something to eat. Beef on weck is a good sandwich choice. Ask for the pickle jar.... Read more