Zagat founders Tim and Nina Zagat and Danielle Courtenay, chief marketing officer for Visit Orlando, has announced the release of the Orlando City Guide covering 360 restaurants, 75 nightspots, 152 shops and 57 sites and attractions.
Zagat has announced the release of its 2013 Orlando Survey covering 360 restaurants, 75 nightspots, 152 shops and 57 sites and attractions. The results are based on the opinions of 5,614 local consumers and are available today as a printed guidebook in local bookstores and for free when using Google Search, Maps and Google+.
Taking honors for best food in Orlando is the eclectic Cress, which won a 29 rating on Zagat’s signature 30-point scale. Victoria & Albert’s won for top service, while Sharks Underwater Grill was rated No. 1 for decor. This year’s Best Buy is the “relaxing” Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen.
This year’s Top 10 restaurants are: Cress – Eclectic; Victoria & Albert’s – American; Nagoya Sushi – Japanese; Chatham’s Place – Continental; Norman’s – New World; Christner’s Del Frisco’s – Steak; Viet Garden – Thai/Vietnamese; Jiko – African Fusion; Texas de Brazil – Brazilian; and Lee & Rick’s Oyster – Seafood.
Top-rated restaurants by cuisine are: American (New) – Victoria & Albert’s; American (Trad.) – J. Alexander’s; BBQ – 4 Rivers Smokehouse; Eclectic/New World – Cress; Italian – Prato; Japanese – Nagoya Sushi; Mexican – Taquitos Jalisco; Seafood – Lee & Rick’s Oyster; and Steakhouse – Christner’s Del Frisco’s.
The locavore movement continues to gain steam in Orlando as evidenced by Winter Park newcomers Prato and gastropub Cask & Larder, which join other spots like Luma on Park, the Rusty Spoon and Ravenous Pig in their seasonal-focused approach. The Mills 50 area is abuzz also welcomes the arrivals of two dining hot spots: Tako Cheena, dispensing tacos with a blend of Asian and Pan-Latin flavors, and Yum-mì, turning out Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches. Mills 50 also welcomed BART bar.
Zagat founders Tim and Nina Zagat and Danielle Courtenay, chief marketing officer for Visit Orlando
The Walt Disney World Resort dining and drinking scene saw some notable changes, with Epcot’s Bistro de Paris currently closed for renovations (it’s due to reopen in December 2012) and the California Grill reportedly set to undergo a revamp starting in January 2013. Epcot Italian Tutto Italia recently reopened with a menu designed by celebrity chef Joachim Splichal and a new adjacent wine cellar.
Winning Nightspots (with Atmosphere ratings) are: Rising Star; Martha’s Vineyard; Wine Room; California Grill; Latitudes; Bob Marley: Tribute; Red Coconut Club; Savoy Orlando; B.B. King’s Blues Club; and Jellyrolls. Orlando’s winning shops include: for top quality, Chanel, Southeast Steel, Timothy’s Gallery, Apple Store, and Cavallari Gourmet; and as favorite shops, World of Disney, LEGO Imagination, Art of Disney, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and Disney’s Pin Traders.
The 2013 Orlando City Guide was edited by Emily Rothschild and local editors Rona Gindin and Rebecca Kinnear. Ratings and reviews are available in guides wherever books are sold, and for free across Google search, maps and Google+.
Zagat is a source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, Zagat rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other leisure activities. Zagat content is integrated throughout Google, including Maps, Search, Google+ and mobile. Guidebooks are also available at all major retailers. In September 2011, Zagat was acquired by Google Inc.
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