WeNeed2Progress

Personally, I love the Globe for it's food and atmosphere, despite the many incarnations it's gone through. The same goes for Wai-Tiki. I just don't go there on their "club" nights. Planet Pizza just behind The I-Bar on Washington is good pizza, especially after bar hopping. Testa Rossa, the new chain from Europe in the Millenia outparcel has good paninis. Oysters? Lee & Rick's Oyster Bar on Old Winter Garden Road is an awesome dive. Chinese... there are a few great Chinese eateries in the area, but Jade Bistro in College Park is great. A little pricey on some things, but over all it rocks! French pastries-- the bakeries from Chefs du France outlet to Anaelle & Hugo (as well as their cart at The Orlando Premium Outlets) and Natura Coffee & Tea by UCF. The best chocolate croissants around. Also, check out their peach tart. Mmm... The Tap Room at Dubs Dread-- check out their burgers (so I've been told, don't eat beef) Tap Room Fries are amazing as well as their homemade chips with balsamic glaze. Oh yea, there's something that makes their chicken fingers really good too. Falafel Cafe by UCF-- great Falafel and Gyros. Anyone else know where else to find GOOD falafel around here? The Earl of Sandwich-- this concept from the chefs of Planet Hollywood needs to run with this concept and open other locations outside of Downtown Disney. The bread is unique on it's own, but their sandwiches... check out the All American (my favorite) with sliced turkey, ranch dressing, american cheddar and topped with cranberry sauce. Jockamo's-- I've not been to The Crooked Bayou, but Jockamo's is a dietary nightmare (in a good way)... so good, probably not good for me. The Po' Boys are outstanding, go for any combination. I usually do shrimp and gator. The fries have their own special seasoning (of which you can also purchase if asked) and the most unique thing I've ever been surprised by... fried pickle chips! They really are good! Aight, that's it for now. I have a few more "spots" on my list.

G-d, this is exactly why I loathe having ever grown up there... may Kissimmee fall into the cesspool of backwards filth that it is.

You guys are messed up!

Mmm... the Corner needs a 'Corner Bakery'. (random, I know... just hungry and want one in Orlando)

Definitely... I never thought about how much it would "loom" over the market. Thanks for the view TIM! By the way, does anyone know what became of that club from the 7th photo down on the right side? I remember seeing a girl dancing in the window cage overlooking Central and thought "cool!" Then a few weeks later the place is closed! Let's all buy it and make it the UrbanPlanet club to rival the University Club.

That's AWESOME! Though I do like the newer color scheme... before it seemed that the current "brown" color was more of a "pink" making 55W look like a birthday cake conquistador coming to ravage Orlando!

I whole heartedly agree with this statement. My friends and I have been saying this ever since Venezia went up. Not even The Samba Room, Timpano or Roy's really take advantage of the lake back there. The breezeway between the Italian restaurant and Barney's could have opened up to more retail and restaurants on the lake.

What a shame too. The project has already begun to be a beautiful and possible trademark of downtown Orlando. I cannot wait to see the sphere (I personally think it resembles an egg given that it is a hospital for women and children) completed. Was the sail/ spire going to be only that, or also part of the building that would have rooms/ offices? When I imagine a sail on a building, I imagine the Burj al Arab in Dubai. Speaking of the medical campus, has anyone seen the recently completed new entrance to ORMC on the backside? It's very nice and modern. The rennovations are coming along very nicely.

Such fear of development, especially in what appears to be a positive addition is precisely why I despise visiting the town I grew up in--- Kissimmee. As a family, we never went downtown because it was always a bit rundown. Don't get me wrong, I love nature and "greenery", however this shore of the lake is bordered also by utilities and such. So it isn't that picturesque.

Agreed... and thanks for the compliment. To think I was thinking of getting an eye exam soon.

If you look at the rendering closely, it actually reads "aquarium"... oooh, fishy eh?

If anyone saw the update of Citymark at Orlando on the OrlandoSkyscrapers page... did you go to EB Developers page? http://www.ebdevelopers.com/cityMark.htm# There's one new rendering with an 'Aquarium' in the foreground. Could this indeed be the Ripley's Aquarium in Orlando? (It's the glass building with a cylindrical entrance) Of course it's only conceptual, but hey... why not?

No no no... the Tree of Life is also a religious depiction of sorts in Judaism. Without going into too much detail, it represents life itself in many aspects. Infact, Animal Kingdom in its original conception had to change the name of the entry area of the park from 'Genesis Gardens' to 'The Oasis' because of the Biblical Content of Genesis and the Tree of Life. We would have had the Holy Land Experience deux. <- Oy gevalt!

Like maybe transform their tower into something a little more modern? Does anyone know if Star Tower changed their design before starting construction? I feel that it is one that is going to age very much and in a decade or two think it is about as attractive as Orlando Central Tower or Kinneret. While on the topic... what if downtown added a synagogue and/or mosque? It might attract more diversity and identity downtown! (Oooh... a Frank Gehry synagogue reflecting the Tree of Life or a menorah).

"But a key hotel leader praised Crotty on Friday after reading a copy of the letter, saying he was pleased that raising hotel taxes was off the table for now." Surprised it wasn't Rosen.

Maybe in 20 years downtown will spread south into the ORMC Medical park.

B) Very true, then perhaps I meant I'd much rather see a re-vised version of the Benchmark rise than a car dealership.

Ah... thanks for the clarification! I'd rather see the Benchmark go up instead of a car dealerhip. High end or not.

I'm sorry everyone--- where exactly was/is Benchmark slated to be?

I think it would contribute more to the city being downtown--- however seeing as it's Ripley's and this is Orlando, it may just go on I-Drive. Though, that would place it *very* close to SeaWorld Orlando. It's hard to say where they might put it--- as the other two are in Gatlinburg and Myrtle Beach. Both tourist areas. I agree with it being placed near the Science Center or visible from off I-4 near/in downtown.

Anyway, I know the owners of the company and complained every time I got bad service to give them a heads up in case the managers tried to hide that fact to preserve their jobs. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No no... Gino's East and maybe Maggiano's little partner, Corner Bakery! The Giordano's in LBV is dirty and their service is horrible. I left before even ordering.

very, very true

If only we were big enough for a Gehry building for the OPAC!