Orlando is famous as a tourist destination, but did you know that there is actually a great local nightlife as well. Although Disney is a tourist Mecca, I find that Universal City Walk caters to tourists and locals when it comes to nightlife, clubs, and entertainment. Universal City Walk has it all--restaurants, clubs, karaoke, and oftentimes outside entertainment for passersby.
The clubs span all genres from reggae at Bob Marley's to Latin rhythms at the Latin Quarters. Most people will be able to find a club or bar that they can be themselves, have a good time and enjoy themselves. However, Bob Marley's is a must, whether you like reggae or not. It is an open air club that actually reminds you of the islands and is quite enjoyable and usually they have a live band performing reggae, soca, and island rhythms to keep you moving all night. Universal City Walk also has a cinema multiplex for those that are not into clubs and that has the latest movies for patrons viewing pleasure.
All of this great entertainment is in one location at a great price. Visitors can come to Universal City Walk for free (after paying parking), however, each club has its own cover charge. My suggestion is to get the club hopper pass from customer relations that will gain you admission to most of the clubs for less than $15.00. City Walk is definitely a place you can spend all evening and really have a good time!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
310 Lakeside-Good Food, Beautiful View
There is nothing better than a good meal with a beautiful view. 310 Lakeside located at 310 East Pine Street in downtown Orlando is just that--good food, beautiful view. The Cobb Salad is a gracious serving and is simply delicious. If you have an adventurous palate, patrons can enjoy the gator bites as an appetizer and indulge in the happy hour Sangria (one of my favorites!). This place is great American cuisine at reasonable prices.
Equally impressive is the view. Located right across from Lake Eola in downtown, the patio dining offers a calm, relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the company of friends or simply to enjoy the view. The atmosphere is always inviting and the staff is professional, courteous and friendly. If you are looking for a place to start off your evening, or to end it, 310 Lakeside is the place for you.
Equally impressive is the view. Located right across from Lake Eola in downtown, the patio dining offers a calm, relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the company of friends or simply to enjoy the view. The atmosphere is always inviting and the staff is professional, courteous and friendly. If you are looking for a place to start off your evening, or to end it, 310 Lakeside is the place for you.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Amway Arena Offers More Than Basketball
The Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida is by far the best athletic complex in the United States. However, surprisingly, it is also a state of the art entertainment complex. This arena surpassed all of my expectations with its design and the multi-purpose use. From basketball (Go Magic!), to concerts, to hosting corporate events--this arena does it all in style! Orlando could not have gotten a better entertainment complex to complement the growth in downtown and industry.
The design of the Amway is amazing. The seating in the Amway allows for even the upper level seats to have great views of the court. Not only are there great views inside, but outside as well. The Amway has two outside pavilions that are open to fans on game nights before and after the game. With great weather, a beautiful skyline, you can have a happy hour with friends before actually going in to the game, which makes your ticket a two for one deal. The upstairs lounge is named the Grey Goose Lounge and has a full service bar and DJ to keep the electric atmosphere going on after the game has ended.
The Amway also has several eating areas with views of the game, where patrons can eat various types of food and enjoy a drink, all while watching the game live or looking at one of the many flat screens for viewing pleasure. The Magic Team has also taken the liberty to entertain fans from beginning to end with bands and vendors prior to entry and a team of hype people to keep the fans involved throughout the game, not to mention Stuff, the Mascot.
Tickets to the Magic are no longer just to see a basketball game (Go Magic!), but the Amway offers an experience. One can begin the night enjoying the terrace outside, have dinner while watching the game, and end the night enjoying the sounds of house, hip-hop, and rhythmic notes in the Grey Goose Lounge. In plain terms, the Amway is awesome!!
The design of the Amway is amazing. The seating in the Amway allows for even the upper level seats to have great views of the court. Not only are there great views inside, but outside as well. The Amway has two outside pavilions that are open to fans on game nights before and after the game. With great weather, a beautiful skyline, you can have a happy hour with friends before actually going in to the game, which makes your ticket a two for one deal. The upstairs lounge is named the Grey Goose Lounge and has a full service bar and DJ to keep the electric atmosphere going on after the game has ended.
The Amway also has several eating areas with views of the game, where patrons can eat various types of food and enjoy a drink, all while watching the game live or looking at one of the many flat screens for viewing pleasure. The Magic Team has also taken the liberty to entertain fans from beginning to end with bands and vendors prior to entry and a team of hype people to keep the fans involved throughout the game, not to mention Stuff, the Mascot.
Tickets to the Magic are no longer just to see a basketball game (Go Magic!), but the Amway offers an experience. One can begin the night enjoying the terrace outside, have dinner while watching the game, and end the night enjoying the sounds of house, hip-hop, and rhythmic notes in the Grey Goose Lounge. In plain terms, the Amway is awesome!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Great Places to Eat in the Orlando Area
There are a few things that I like to do and one of those things is--EAT!! There are quite a few restaurants in the Orlando area that I will recommend highly to those that are visiting. If you can manage to find them and stop by, it will be worth going a little out of the way and into the city.
CAPITAL GRILLE, Orlando, International Drive--I love Capital Grille. The food is so elegant and delectable, especially the vanilla bean creme brulee. I am a dessert girl! The steaks are also good, especially the filet mignon. Not only is the food good, but the service takes the cake. Capital Grille is one of those places where I like to celebrate an occasion or just enjoy a great meal! It is definitely a great place to have a great dinner.
HILLSTONE (formerly Houstons), Winter Park--Just outside of Orlando, Hillsides is a great place to start out your evening or spend your evening. When the weather is perfect, the patio is a simply breathtaking as it sits on a private lake and seems to transport you out of the city. The food is equally impressive as the view. My favorites are the smoked salmon appetizer, the Saturday Chili, and the beef au jus (this sandwich is to die for!). My suggestion is to ensure you make a reservation, but if not, enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait.
KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE, Orlando, Kirkman Road (not too far from Universal Studios)--This restaurant combines entertainment and great food into one, all for a great price. Not only is it a great price, but it is a lot of food! For approximately $30.00, patrons receive soup, salad, hibachi prepared vegetables, fried rice, noodles, and a selection of hibachi prepared meat. The chefs are entertaining as they prepare your meal right in front of you and it is simply delicious. This is definitely a great place for a family vacationing at Universal Studios and wanting to enjoy a great meal!
If you eat at one of these places, you are guaranteed to have a great meal and a great experience. I frequent all of these restaurants and have not had a negative experience as of yet. Capital Grille is the place to have some great couple time, Hillstone is a great place to really see Orlando outside of the tourists area, and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse is recommended for some family fun. Bon Appetite!
CAPITAL GRILLE, Orlando, International Drive--I love Capital Grille. The food is so elegant and delectable, especially the vanilla bean creme brulee. I am a dessert girl! The steaks are also good, especially the filet mignon. Not only is the food good, but the service takes the cake. Capital Grille is one of those places where I like to celebrate an occasion or just enjoy a great meal! It is definitely a great place to have a great dinner.
HILLSTONE (formerly Houstons), Winter Park--Just outside of Orlando, Hillsides is a great place to start out your evening or spend your evening. When the weather is perfect, the patio is a simply breathtaking as it sits on a private lake and seems to transport you out of the city. The food is equally impressive as the view. My favorites are the smoked salmon appetizer, the Saturday Chili, and the beef au jus (this sandwich is to die for!). My suggestion is to ensure you make a reservation, but if not, enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait.
KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE, Orlando, Kirkman Road (not too far from Universal Studios)--This restaurant combines entertainment and great food into one, all for a great price. Not only is it a great price, but it is a lot of food! For approximately $30.00, patrons receive soup, salad, hibachi prepared vegetables, fried rice, noodles, and a selection of hibachi prepared meat. The chefs are entertaining as they prepare your meal right in front of you and it is simply delicious. This is definitely a great place for a family vacationing at Universal Studios and wanting to enjoy a great meal!
If you eat at one of these places, you are guaranteed to have a great meal and a great experience. I frequent all of these restaurants and have not had a negative experience as of yet. Capital Grille is the place to have some great couple time, Hillstone is a great place to really see Orlando outside of the tourists area, and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse is recommended for some family fun. Bon Appetite!
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