Best of Orlando - January 2013

Well, the last time we did one of these we were still getting posts 11 months later and have racked up over 120 replies, so I thought that the beginning of a new year was a good time to refresh the topic and allow the varied "experts" on here to provide an overview of the Orlando dining scene as of a point in time - specifically January 2013.

Feel free to either use my categories either to comment or build your own lists or to create your own unique categories. It's been a slow year in the local dining scene so not too much has changed since our last lists, but this should be easier to navigate and see the latest opinions.

Best Fine Dining / Special Occasion Place (>$125 for two with drinks)

1) The Table
2) Chatham's Place
3) Chef's Table
4) Victoria & Albert's
5) Christner's

Best Upscale ($75 - $125 for two with drinks)

1) Ravenous Pig
2) K
3) Luma on Park
4) Tasting Room
5) Cedars
6) Cask & Larder
7) La Luce
8) Rusty Spoon
9) Hanamizuki
10) Dragonfly

Casual (< $75 for two with drinks - with servers)

1) Pio Pio (cheap eat)
2) Memories of India
3) Pho 88 (cheap eat)
4) Nagoya
5) Lac Viet
6) Beewon Korean
7) Nile Ethiopian
8) Cafe Tu Tu Tango
9) Taquitos Jalisco (Winter Garden)
10) Thai Silk (formerly Red Bamboo)

Cheap Eats/Fast Casual (counter service)

1) Yellow Dog Eats
2) Border Grill (Kirkman/Vineland)
3) Taco Palenque
4) Tako Cheena
5) Press 101
6) 4 Rivers
7) Harry and Larry's
8) Greens and Grills
9) Beefy King
10) Burger 21

Best Food Truck

1) Big Wheel Provisions
2) Crooked Spoon
3) Korean BBQ Taco Box
4) Yum Yum Cupcake Truck
5) Monsta Lobsta

Best Opening 2012

1) The Table
2) Cask & Larder
3) Border Grill
4) Tako Cheena
5) Peperoncino (lunch)

Best Place to Take Out of Town Guests

- With Kids - Cafe Tu Tu Tango
- Foodies - Ravenous Pig
- Business meal - Luma on Park

Places I'm Excited to Try in 2013

1) Prato (2012's big opening I missed)
2) New place from The Table's owners (a la carte with a strong cocktail program - opening soon I belive)
3) Raga
4) Sushi Pop (long drive)
5) Cress and Spanish River Grill (longer drives)
6) East End Market
7) Peperoncino (dinner)
8) Hawkers
9) fresh.
10) Hot 'n Juicy Crawfish

Places I Need to Re-visit (been too long)

1) Le Coq Au Vin
2) Norman's
3) Primo
4) California Grill
5) Antonio's La Fiamma