Non-seafood restaurant between Orlando and Daytona?

cdscholz

We've been on vacation in the Daytona area for about a week.  We've hit a couple of the local "highlights" - the Chart House, The Cellar, etc. - but have mainly been cooking at the condo we're in.

Tomorrow we're going to the Food & Wine expo at Epcot tomorrow and are thinking we'd grab dinner either in Orlando or on the way back to Daytona, depending when we leave (and how hungry we are).

However, DH and I are seafood-ed out, having had tilapia, shrimp and mahi for dinner the last 3 nights in a row (oh, but the joy of having fresh fish...).

Any ideas/recommendations?  No national chains though, please (I asked on the cooking board and the only two recommendations so far are Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Changs... we can get those at home, tyvm).

cmeon_the_water

Hey, I know you! I hope you're enjoying yourselves! It hasn't exactly been good beach temps for US- but, I don't doubt there are some tourists in the water anyway!

I honestly don't think you'll leave the F&W festival with ANY room in your belly- and if you find yourselves hungry, you should really just eat at one of the EPCOT restaurants- I've NEVER had bad food there! But, there are plenty of options between the two places, too. What are you guys into- besides NOT being into seafood (or not for tomorrow)?

cdscholz

Hey cmeon.

We're up for anything, really.  We're not picky folk.

lisac_99

I agree, I think you will full from the F&W Festival..however here are my two suggestions

http://www.brickandfire.com/index.htm

http://www.eolawinecompany.com/

BridalKatie

I hope you don't have any room left after food and wine.  Everything is so fab there!  We've gone 4 times this year and there are still tons of things I haven't tried because I was too stuffed.

All of the restaurants in Epcot are wonderful.  My favorite restaurant in town is just off I-4 at the Sand Lake exit.  Season's 52.  You could hit it (and there are tons of other GREAT places out there ... it is dubbed "restaurant row) before heading back to Daytona. 

 

 

Diane_BN

I kind of agree with the others that it's hard to predict what you'll be in the mood for after Food & Wine because you'll be tasting so much different stuff, but I can still give you some recommendations of places I like.

One of the spots I always like to bring out-of-town guests to is Le Coq au Vin. As you might assume from the name, it's country-style French, and it's a long-time fave with locals.

I also second the "restaurant row" area on Sand Lake. I think my fave recommendation there is Roy's. Roy's actually is a chain, but they're not in that many places (mostly Southern California and Hawaii, I think), so it may still be a novelty. They're Hawaiian-Asian fusion, so pretty heavy on the seafood, but they're also known for their ribs, so that might still be an option. I also like Samba Room and Seasons 52 (also a chain, but worth a visit if you haven't been), and I hear Moonfish is awesome for sushi although I haven't been there.

If you're an Emeril fan, he has two restaurants by Universal Studios, both pretty good. Todd English also has a restaurant down by Disney, called Bluezoo. It is seafood, so probably not going to be on your list, but it's really, really excellent, so maybe worth a stop on a future visit.

Another thought, if you're looking for something lighter and more casual, would be Vietnamese food. We have an area just east of downtown that has numerous Vietnamese restaurants, and from what I've heard from people more knowledgedable than myself, they're really good, even compared to restaurants in other, much larger cities. My personal fave is Little Siagon, but everyone has a different favorite, so I don't think you'd go wrong with any of them.

Hope this helps! Have fun and enjoy your stay!

- Diane