Eating Out in Orlando

Our very own Rob likes his food. On a recent trip to Orlando he tried out the following three restaurants and recommends you do the same.

Pizzeria del Dio - This restaurant opened in Feb 2008 greet old at a new downtown Orlando location. It features the same specialty foods and pizza that thousands of customers have grown to crave along with the casual atmosphere and friendly service they've always been known for. Located at 3210 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. the restaurant is in the Colonial Landing Plaza (old Herndon Plaza), which includes Bed Bath & Beyond,PetSmart and Sports Authority. It is opposite Orlando's Fashion SquareMall.

Rob says, "I had the lasagna and it was the best I have had in years. I'll come here again on my next trip over Great food, lots of parking, prompt service".

Timpano Italian Chophouse - Reminiscent of the classic restaurants and clubs of Chicago and New York, Timpano Italian Chophouse revives the big city dining experience with big flavor steaks, chops and pasta matched by full-bodied red wines and sophisticated setting while intimate torch songs and ballads echo through the lounge and dining room. Upscale beef and snazzy pasta and fish: osso buco, fusilli with wild mushrooms and Gorgonzola, Tuscan seafood stew. Pay a la carte for soups, salads and sides like mashed potatoes or spinach. The seared sirloin is a fine choice, and spring a buck for the finish: al forno (garlic and Parmesan) or al balsamico (honey and vinegar). For a tasty vegetable ration, try the minestrone. Sop up the garlic-tomato broth(with the grilled grouper) with Timpano's excellent foccacia, one of the housebreads.

Rob says, "The 8oz filet was very good. The grilled vegetables were good, especially the tomatoes and peppers. The hot rolls were excellent. Complimentary valet parking was nice. The service was good, lots of trips for water, and friendly."

Samba Room - This restaurant offers all the jet-set glamour and romance of the Rio Havana holiday without the State Department hassles. Palm trees, sheer curtains, amber lighting, cool cocktails and intoxicating Latin rhythms provide a recipe for escape. The Latin cuisine includes dishes like Chilean seabass, redsnapper, steaks, mashed poatotes, salads and more. The dinner menu ranges from appetizers such as plantain chips or mango barbecued ribs to Cuban sandwiches to "large plates" of paella or sugar cane beef tenderloin with chipotle mashed potatoes. Order the grilled mussels to start, which you dip in coconut milk laced with sour orange. Don't let the "wine-habanero"syrup scare you away from the cachaca chicken, a delicious quarter of smoked chicken atop a colorful, fruity coconut rice.

Although Cuban bread is somewhat bland, the shredded beef sandwich packs plenty of flavour. Finish with the divine coconut creme brulee.

Rob says, "The food is very good with alot of flavor. Service was excellent. It isn't a place for intimate dining because there is alot going on but the food is reasonably priced for the quality."