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I dine out EVERY other day. I consider myself a major foodie and I have spent almost $25k on dining out last year. Currently, I reside in Orlando and have been here for 4 years. Let me start by saying: Orlando Cuisine in general is HORRIBLE. It is nowhere near as diverse as other cities I've live in. Way too many cookie cutter establishments, chains , and franchises who serve identical cuisine. BUT. I have found some bright spots. Recommendations: -Chinese AND Sushi Jade Bistro in College Park on Edgewater Dr This place was mentioned a few times by some of you already..and I must agree this is a "must try" in Orlando. Jade is really sort of an anomoly in Orlando. Most asian restaurants who try to do both Chinese Cuisine and Sushi fail miserably at it but Jade Bistro truly stands out. Their sushi is not as flashy or inventive as some others, but the owners actually care about what they serve and they spend a few extra bucks to offer not only some of the freshest sushi in town, but they splurge on a higher GRADE of fish as well (You didn't know there were different grades of sushi fish did you?). Jade is one of only a handful of places I will ever eat raw sushi in Orlando. And lastly, the level of hospitality-- Nearly every single time I walk in Jade, the door is held open for me and I am welcomed with a smile--and every time I leave, I am also graciously thanked for my business. Obviously you can't eat hospitality, but that extra perk makes you feel that they are also trying to impress you in the kitchen as well. Do not go on friday nights, they are packed. Sunday and the other weeknights are a good bet. Try the Tuna tataki, honey garlic chicken (make sure to request XTRA garlic), and Jade's Perfect Match. Their tom yum soup is better than most thai restaurants in the area also. -Italian Babbos Italian in College Park Edgewater Dr Very eclectic. Very Italian. So Italian that even the servers and host exude that Italian attitude which might come off as rude if you are not careful to notice it. You feel like you are dining at a friend's house rather than a restaurant. The portions are generous and everything has a homemade feel to it. The appetizers are excellent. They have a beef carpaccio that is to die for. Honestly, if you are thinking of dining here, skip your lunch that day. (You know they are italian since they have a picture of a red Ferrari hanging in their bar area.) -Sushi Sushiman in Dr Phillips off of sand lake Chances are you never heard of this place. You cannot see this restaurant while driving down the road. You cannot even see this restaurant when you are parked. You must walk down a hallway in order to spot the entrance and restaurant sign. But once you get there, it is usually packed with locals who reside in Dr Phillips. Their sushi is high quality and the owner who is also the sushi chef insists on preparing every sushi order himself. Their beef tataki appetizer is reason for visiting this place alone. And their california roll--even though some do not consider that true sushi, they will prove to you that not all cali rolls are the same. Be prepared to wait for a table though. They only have a handful of seating as the dining area is quite small. The last half a dozen time I went, the place was full to the brim. Their servers seem to be all young college students so try not to penalize them on service alone. The food more than makes up for it. Udon noodle soup, mussle appetizer in ponzu sauce, and age dashi tofu is also worth trying as well. -Korean Shin Jung in downtown on Colonial Dr Outside looks horrible. the decor is gaudy and sticky. There is a huge billboard where birds hang out to poop on your car in the parking lot. The servers speak horrible english and the dining room is always packed and stuffy. Why am I recommending this place? This is the best place in town where you can pretend you are in your backyard bbq'ing without actually cleaning/scrubbing the grill, buying lighter fluid, or being bitten by mosquitos. There is a bbq grill in the middle of the table and you end up satisfying your inner caveman's need to char some delicious korean/soy marinated meat. Skip the apettizers as they give you about half a dozen complimentay "tapas" style korean dishes to try. Order the "kal bi" (korean short ribs), "bul go gi" (beef), and pork "bul go gi" (pork). If you like grilling, you will absolutely be satisfied here. -Steak Houston's of Winter Park This is the only chain on my list of reccomendations. the decor is classic contemporary, the tables appear to resemble a wooden butcher block symbolizing what is to come on your plate, the view of the lake during dusk is fantastic, and the servers seem to be better trained here than most other chain restaurants. Just like I said before, you cannot eat their hospitality--but it sure does help to know they appreciate you being there. You must try the hawaiin glazed steak? (I think that is the name?)...the marinated peace of dead cow is absolutely amazing (substitute the side of veggies for some beefsteak tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and dressed with basil). And you also cannot go wrong with their shrimp cocktail--they are super fresh and the size of two of my thumbs which are way way up. -Thai Thai House in downtown on Colonial Dr This place is so consistent. I've gone here numerous times throughout my years in Orlando and regardless of going there on a weeknight or a weekend night, or winter, or summer, or when it rains, or when it is hot, the food tastes exactly the same way--excellent. The papaya salad is prepared the same as if your mother is a thai female raised in a thai village. The heat level is painfully hot in the salad and you shouldn't have it any other way. Their satay is pretty good and their pad thai and curry dishes are better than most, but I really just go here for the excellent papaya salad and a tall glass of thai iced tea. For as long as I can remember, I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here before. If you try my recommendations, you will have an excellent meal in Orlando 9 out of every 10 times. If I were to dine at one of these places today, where should I dine? hmmm..tough one there. But I would have to say it would be a toss up between Jade Bistro and Houston's for me tonight.