10 Places To Eat In Orlando During ISSA 2014

After eating trade show fare during the day, go out and treat yourself (and co-workers and colleagues) at some of Orlando's best and favorite restaurants. Here's just a sampling.

Chatham's Place
7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
www.chathamsplace.com
Found on "Restaurant Row," this intimate restaurant is a favorite with locals. The continental cuisine is prepared with herbs, vegetables, and fruits from the chef's own organic farm. Dishes include Florida black grouper with pecan butter, crab cakes, duck breast, filet mignon and rack of lamb, which has been rated best in the country.
Price: $25-$42

Rocco's Tacos
7468 West Sandlake Rd.
www.roccostacos.com
Located along Restaurant Row, Rocco's offers a true taste of Mexico with tacos, enchiladas, burritos and tamales. The steak or seafood molcajetes, a fajita baked and served in a lava rock bowl, can feed one or two people. Toast your dinner with one of the 225 varieties of tequila.
Price: $15-$25

Seasons 52
7700 Sand Lake Road
www.seasons52.com
As its name suggests, Seasons 52 changes its menu throughout the year to offer the freshest and tastiest items of each season. While ever-evolving, there's always something for everyone, from flatbreads to salmon to filet mignon. Besides being fresh, every dish is also healthy — each menu item is under 475 calories.
Price: $25

The Dessert Lady
7600 Dr. Philips Blvd #78
www.dessertlady.com
Skip dinner and head straight for dessert at The Dessert Lady. Patti Schmidt serves mouth-watering, award-winning desserts unlike you've ever tasted. Sample a slice of coconut brûlée cheese cake, key lime cake or tiramisu torte with home baked chocolate chip cookies in place of lady fingers. If you're feeling more traditional, the carrot cake remains a best-seller.
Price: $10

Primo
4040 Central Florida Parkway
www.primograndelakes.com
James Beard-winning chef Melissa Kelly uses farm-fresh produce, local meats and seafood, and even vegetables and herbs from Primo's own organic garden to craft contemporary Italian cuisine. Located in the JW Marriott, Grande Lakes Orlando, the restaurant features veal shank ravioli, grilled swordfish with hot Italian sausage, "Black and Blue" Duck Breast served with blackberries, black plums and pickled blueberries, among other dishes.
Price: $35

Lee & Rick's Oyster Bar
5621 Old Winter Garden Rd.
www.leeandricksoysterbar.com
For more than 55 years diners have been coming to this family-run restaurant for fresh Florida seafood. Patrons can grab a seat at the 80-foot shucking bar and watch the staff hand-shuck oysters. Besides oysters, diners can enjoy peel-and-eat shrimp, fried clams, stuffed flounder and more.
Price: $8-$20

Beefy King
424 North Bumby Avenue
www.beefyking.com
This sandwich shop has been an Orlando landmark for more than 40 years and a routine award winner. Diners can't resist the steamed roast beef, ham, pastrami and corned beef. Enjoy the hot and fresh sandwich with some beefy spuds (golden tator tots) and a handmade milkshake.
Price: $5

Ethos Vegan Kitchen
601-B S New York Ave
www.ethosvegankitchen.com
If there are vegetarians or vegans in your group, head to Ethos Vegan Kitchen. Many items are made from scratch and 50 percent of the ingredients are organic. The menu is 100 percent vegan and features hearty fare such as meatless lasagna and shepherd's pie. The pecan encrusted eggplant is a crowd favorite.
Price: $12

The Ravenous Pig
1234 N. Orange Ave.
www.theravenouspig.com
While it features a gastropub atmosphere with craft beers and some pub fare, the Pig also has an extensive menu offering fresh and local seafood, meats and produce. The menu changes with the season, but diners can always expect year-round favorites such as shrimp 'n grits, steak frites and decadent pig tails with chocolate espresso sauce for dessert.
Price: $20-$30

Prato
124 N. Park Avenue
www.prato-wp.com
Named top Italian by the Zagat Orlando Guide, Prato serves handcrafted Italian cuisine. The menu features inventive pizzas such as the Widowmaker with fennel sausage and eggs; first-course pastas include sweet potato gnocchi and shrimp ravioli; second-course meats include wood-fired trout and veal scaloppine. Be sure to save room for after dinner cheese or dessert.
Price: $15-30

posted on 2/19/2014