2018 M&C Attendee Guide - 26

DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

Walt Disney World® Resort /
Lake Buena Vista Area

You never know who you'll be rubbing elbows
with at Disney Springs™, Orlando's largest and
most popular retail, dining and entertainment
complex. The foodie scene here is unmatched,
as celebrity-chef restaurants are virtually
everywhere. For quick eats, hit up counterservice kiosks like B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co.
or Yesake, or try one of the delectable food
trucks. For a sit-down meal, go to The Polite
Pig at Disney Springs™, sister restaurant of
The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, led by
local celebrity chefs James and Julie Petrakis;
Planet Hollywood featuring a classic Guy
Fieri menu (the decadent, hand-dipped
"Supernova" milkshakes are Instagramworthy); and The Edison at Disney Springs™,
an industrial, gothic-style hotspot for classic
American cuisine, craft cocktails and unique
entertainment. (If you're arriving after 10
p.m., check their dress code.)
Other celebrity-chef restaurants in Disney
Springs™ include Morimoto Asia, run by Iron
Chef Masaharu Morimoto and serving
pan-Asian dishes like whole Peking duck;
Raglan Road, founded by famed Ireland chef
Kevin Dundon and serving modern Irish fare;
and Homecomin' Florida Kitchen, where
celebrated chef Art Smith dishes up southern
food like "Bee Haven Bay Fried Green
Tomatoes." For an out-of-this-world dining
experience, try Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar, a
venue based on the movie Raiders of the Lost
Ark. The menu items and craft cocktails are
inspired by some of Indiana Jones' greatest
adventures. Or experience the flavors of
Spain at Jaleo by Celebrity Chef José Andrés,
opening in 2018.

Universal Orlando Resort™/
CityWalk™ Area

Universal's CityWalk showcases popular
restaurants like Emeril's Orlando, which
provides an amazing view of the CityWalk™
26 OrlandoMeetingInfo.com

lagoon area. Notable newcomers at
CityWalk™ include The Cowfish sushi
burger bar, Antojitos Mexican eatery,
and NBC Sports Grill & Brew.
After dining, visitors should plan on staying
for the evening to take in a show at Blue Man
Group at Universal Orlando Resort™ or
Hard Rock Cafe & Live Orlando. You can
also hit the dance floor at Red Coconut Club
and the groove, or sing along at Bob Marley
- A Tribute to Freedom, Margaritaville or
CityWalk's Rising Star karaoke bar. If you're
in the mood for something sweet, head to
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium &
Savory Feast Kitchen™, which has a crazily
impressive array of dessert offerings.

Local Delights

In search of more local flavor? Take time to
venture downtown, where urban eateries
and craft breweries meet culture with the
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Several new surrounding restaurants with
eclectic menus have arrived on the scene,
including DoveCote Brasserie, which is a
modern homage to the classic French
brasserie. You'll also find the famed Church
Street, with popular foodie hot spots like
The Rusty Spoon, headed by James Beardnominated Chef Kathleen Blake. In the mood
for a burger? Check out Hamburger Mary's
Bar & Grille, one of the few locations in the
world where you can enjoy an uproarious drag
show and an extensive bar selection with your
gourmet burger.
Just north of downtown, the historic Winter
Park area is hopping with award-winning wine
bars and restaurants, such as The Ravenous
Pig. Stroll up and down scenic Park Avenue in
Winter Park to explore area boutiques and
upscale patio dining. Before you leave, take a
one-hour scenic boat tour on a pontoon boat
through the Winter Park chain of lakes. Be
sure to bring a camera: If you're lucky, you'll
spot a large crane swooping by the waterside.
http://www.OrlandoMeetingInfo.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2018 M&C Attendee Guide
