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Best of O-Town
Orlando may not be the largest, hippest city on earth but we have some great gems. Here are my favorites!
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16 Places
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Allison’s 5-star review: The Pig is my go-to place for special events. The food is delicious! I highly recommend the lobster tacos and gruyere biscuits. I agree wtih the other reviews about reservations. And yes, it can be pricey, but if you avoid drinking (the cocktails are steep) you can keep the costs to a pretty reasonable level. Everyone I've ever brought here always wants to come back. Big thumbs. Way up. -
Allison’s 4-star review: I have new favorite place for wine in my neighborhood! Aroma is a cute coffee shop/Italian restaurant/wine bar. Sometimes when businesses try to pack in so many functions you end up getting a weirdo mash-up. Not the case with Aroma--it's small size makes things automatically intimate and cohesive. The chilled out live music was awesome and perfected the classy yet mellow vibe. The food menu is not extensive, but both my panini (the Classico) and my friend's (the Italiano) were delicious and reasonably priced. The wine list was also great and represented a good value for the money. My favorite part is the huge dessert menu--there are just as many dessert options as entree options, if not more! The cheesecake with chocolate ganache is recommended. My only gripe is that the hours are pretty limited. It has taken me three tries to finally come when its open, but I'm glad I made it! -
Allison’s 5-star review: This place gets two big thumbs up from me. It was recommended by a Thai friend, who told me that the chef is from Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand, which has a great culinary tradition and a greater emphasis on savory dishes. My companion--the harshest critic of Tom Ka Gai you'll ever meet--and I went on a Sunday night when we were too lazy to cook. First off, props for convenient hours, staying open much later than I would have thought for Sundays. The food itself was consistently very good: the soups were excellent, as are many of the appetizers. My personal favorite is also a white girl favorite: the crab rangoons were superb. Decor was also a pleasant surprise. Despite its location in a dowdy strip mall, inside the restaurant is very chic and modern with low lighting and elegant furnishings. The best Asian food I've had in Orlando to date. -
Allison’s 5-star review: This place is my neighborhood go-to for good affordable food and fast service. I've been a number a times and always thought the food was tasty, but a few weeks ago I went while I was feeling under the weather. I had one thing on my mind: a curative soup. I went in, frumped out, placed my to-go order and five minutes later was back on my way home. The soup my friends was more than curative--it was MAGIC. I'm not joking, but within half an hour I felt 50% better. Within an hour I was 75% better. The next morning, I was back at 100%. I credit the soup! (#29 glass and egg noodle with wontons, pork, and shrimp) if you're curious and/or sickly. High marks also go to the waitstaff. A server my companion and I had had weeks ago recognized us, recalled our conversation, and asked us how the new apartment was. Pretty great stuff! I've now been to a number of the Vientnames places along Colonial, and I crown this one a winner. Go and heal fellow yelpers. -
Allison’s 5-star review: My update for Shin...now it has five stars!! I have officially claimed this to be the best sushi place in Orlando, after a quest that involved many failed attempts at finding better. Always fresh, great service, yummy rolls, and even better sashimi. The white tuna is to die for!! Also don't miss the red bean ice cream at the end. The place is always curiously empty, so Yelpers, I implore you to get your butts there and support this great business!! -
Allison’s 5-star review: **This review is for the dark and gorgeous bar on a weekend night, not the restaurant area** The bar at Ceviche is, hands-down, one of my favorite places in Orlando. The lighting is intimate but you can still read the menus, the architecture is stunning, and noise level is bustling without being overbearing. Scoring a table here can be difficult on a Friday or Saturday night but generally it's not packed to the gills and is still comfortable. Now on to the important stuff: drinks and music. Drinks are good, albeit on the pricey side, and generally the service is pretty decent. The sangria isn't the best I've ever had, but still plenty delicious! The live flamenco/spanish guitar performances here though are what makes this place stand out. I take everyone here I know when they come to town, and it's always a winner. It's also a great place to start a night out in downtown and catch up with friends before craziness ensues. -
Allison’s 5-star review: Love this place! I've been meaning to go here ever since I moved to Orlando, but only recently made it in there. Being from the northeast, it reminded me of home with its dark, small bar, stiff drinks, and eclectic clientele. Only bummer is that they don't take credit cards. This is, in my opinion, the best dive in the city. -
Allison’s 4-star review: Another good choice for a dive bar in town. This is more of an alcoholic's place than say Wally's, but it does the trick. Drinks are cheap (cash only!) and the people-watching is ALWAYS great, but if you're easily skeeved out I would steer clear. Be ready to play pool with strangers and get a bump from Drunk Bobby. -
Allison’s 4-star review: The atmosphere really makes this place great: It's a spacious place with little nooks and crannies and simple--but well-designed--touches. I loved the tables so much I asked where I could buy one...turns out the owner made them. The only reason it's not 5-stars is that the dessert case was rather luckluster, which is too bad for a good coffee shop. I've heard, however, that their "real" food is very good. -
Allison’s 5-star review: I'm a fiend for mid-century modern pieces, and this place is my own personal home shopping mecca. If I could, I'd furnish my entire place from here! In fact, I hesitate to post a review because I love it so much and don't want other people to snatch my future dresser... Prices are reasonable for what you get, and by and the large the pieces--especially the big guns like credenzas, dining room sets, etc--are in good condition. They also do much of their own reupholstering, so no grotty, suspect stains are on their couches and chairs. Delivery is free within a reasonable radius of the store, and you if you're real sweet you even get them to carry it up a few flights of stairs. Like another reviewer noted, you won't see the store name anywhere, just look for the big 1618 on the window. -
Allison’s 5-star review: Geek alert! I study and plan parks for a living, so I may get a bit long-winded on this one... Dickson Azalea Park is a beautiful gem of a place in downtown Orlando--yet many people have no idea that it exists! As Lori mentions, it's pretty tucked away...you really need to keep your eyes peeled for it on Robinson. If you're heading east, look for some stairs on your right and there you go. Once you journey down the stairs, you are transported to a tropical sliver of gorgeousness. There are two interlocking pathways that connect over a small creek (Fern Creek, actually...) via small wooden bridges. The creekside paths lead you to a small stage/performance area that you can rent for an obscenely cheap price, and eventually this trail of bridges and stone will lead you under the iconic bridge on Washington. Once through here you are treated to more tropical foliage and a (hopefully) babbling brook. You'll emerge at Langford Park on Central Avenue...be sure to try out the swinging bridge there before you leave! A few caveats: at certain times of year--mostly in winter, when we haven't had rain--the park is less than impressive. The plants are as lush, and the creek is barely running. Try to go after a few super rainy days. Also, I don't recommend coming alone after dusk or so--there are no lights, and I wouldn't feel safe in the dark jungle alone.... -
Allison’s 5-star review: For many months, I have rambled around Orlando, a hair nomad in search of a home salon. I did not find one until yesterday, when I tried out Lambs Eat Ivy in Thornton Park. I had always been intrigued by this little spot and passed it frequently when walking in my neighborhood. After reading some other Yelp reviews and thinking it was worth a shot, I made an appointment to get my color done. All I can say is: I'm home! The place is a real charmer, with quirky art and little nooks--definitely my style. They don't push products on you, but are happy to tell you about what they have. Jacqo did my color and was awesome. We talked a bit about what I was looking for, and despite my inability to articulate it she totally delivered. What I really liked was before we got started we talked about different options and I was given price quotes upfront so I knew what I'd be in for. I've never been really into my hair, but I'm in love with it now! Ask for Jacqo, she'll give it to you straight and you'll be obsessed with your end result. The process was long, but eased by the complimentary beverages (pomengranate mimosas!), decent music, and overall fun/convivial vibe of the place. Also, one thing I also liked since I'm easily grossed out is that they are constantly sweeping up--no Tabitha Takeover needed here! This is my go-to salon and I recommend it to anyone. -
Allison’s 4-star review: Ok, slight modification to my previous 5 stars. I've been a memeber for the gym for a few months now. I still thinks it's a good deal...but there a few things which bother me a bit about it. First off, I went the other week, got changed and ready to work out when I noticed a sign on the bathroom mirror saying the water was turned off because of some maintenance issue. I was there on my lunch break at work, not at some weirdo time like 3am...c'mon folks, the gym needs water! Showers...toilets...water fountain...this is sort of a necessity. A sign on the door would have been better to inform members of this--before they chagned into their clothes and started working out. Second gripe is minor...the lockers are genreally pretty busted up and difficult to open and/or use a padlock on - please invest in some that work! -
Allison’s 5-star review: I am shocked that there aren't already tons of glowing reviews on here for Kyle's! Super-friendly, very knowledgeable staff who are really helpful. Even if you a bicycle moron (like I am), they don't make you feel like one. I've only been in for small repairs and adjustments, but the shop also sells bikes (only used). Highly recommended for anyone who needs a tune up or general bicycle advice/know-how. -
Allison’s 4-star review: The Lone Cabbage is a must-do Florida experience, and is great for when you have guests in town. It's a real fish camp literally on the side of the road with nothing around for miles. When my friends came to town we came here for an airboat tour and saw saw mega-gators! Trolling around the wetlands was fun, and the price was affordable and fair. Afterwards we indulged in some fried catfish and beer--delicious!! But perhaps the best part was making friends with the locals. I don't think I've been touched by so many strangers in a bar per capita in my life...probably not for uptight city types, but a ton of fun if you can roll with it. -
Allison’s 5-star review: Absolutely lovely!! This place is a funky Florida classic. Tucked away just outside of the quiet town of Lake Wales, Chalet Suzanne is a rambling historic inn with a top gourmet restaurant. The building itself is quite playful: an interpretation of European architecture (think romantic, Germany-type stuff), but painted bright colors like blue and pink. Rooms are all different from one another and have their own names: some front onto little gardens, and almost all have patio space. There are a number of nooks and crannies to explore, and some unusual facilities on-site such as a soup cannery that dates from the 1950s! Be sure to try their "Soup that Went to the Moon". Staff are uniformly friendly, helpful, and go the extra yard to make your stay feel personalized. The restaurant overlooks a small lake and is very charming, if on the expensive side. Dinner is good, but breakfast--which comes with the room--is a better value. Don't miss the Swedish pancakes! Also be sure to check out the delightfully kitsch "Swedish Bar" right before the restaurant. For those that live in Orlando, Tampa, or even points further south, Chalet Suzanne is an awesome place for a quiet weekend getaway. Be sure to also check some nearby fun stuff like the Bok Tower and Spook Hill.
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