Let’s just ignore the irony of a place with Tavern in its name that does not serve alcohol (following the annoyingly out of date dictate of Walt Disney that the Magic Kingdom not serve even beer and wine). There are few choices inside the Magic Kingdom for full-service dining. This is one, but just like the others, the food is rather mundane and doesn’t rise much above utilitarian. Here, the fare is served family-style on platters for you to dish out yourself.

This is the oldest restaurant in Central Florida, in operation since 1947. It remains a favorite of locals, though it’s somewhat of a mystery to some. Maybe it’s the diner-like attitude of the servers, or the family-style décor. But it’s probably that the steaks are consistently good, if not great, and they still come with a side of pasta. Note: closed Sundays following Father’s Day until October.

Maggiano’s Little Italy is the sort of place that makes restaurant critics cringe when they hear one is coming to town. One has come to Orlando. First, it’s immense. Then there’s the issue of it being Italian, which in itself is not a cringe producer. But when you’re talking about an Americanized version of Italian food, and then factor in the mass production of a large restaurant, you can just start to picture the plates of spaghetti with sauce from an institutional sized can with meatballs that bear more than a couple of similarities to an eight ball. And it’s loud. And it plays Frank Sinatra virtually nonstop.
But it’s actually a lot of fun, and the food is decent.
So don’t let a critic’s jaded bias keep you away. Go with a group and order from the family style menu. Choose the pot roast for one of your choices, and have the tiramisu for dessert.

A new food hall in downtown Avalon Park with myriad food vendors, including Brazas, NOLA, Cheese to Share, Pico de Gallo and Rosso Specialty Coffee. Joining them are Bowigens Beer Company; BBQ50 with conventional ‘cue; KBBQ, from the originators of the Korean BBQ Taco Box, one of Orlando’s original food trucks; Sip ’N Roll ice cream; and Lemon Shark Poke.

Narcoossee’s has always been something of a disappointment to me. I always left it wishing it had been better than it was, which was mostly so-so.

But now the restaurant is on a new path. The chef has refreshed the menu, and it seems the kitchen has a renewed interest in turning out more exciting dishes. If you’re really adventurous, try the crispy whole snapper, presented as though swimming on your plate. If that’s too graphic, have the togarashi-spiced tuna and jumbo prawn. If the roasted beet salad is available, grab it.

Now serving a very pleasant waterfront brunch. Read about that here: http://goo.gl/ZVqxjb

The LaCommare family is back in business, this time with son Leo at the stove, but mom and dad Marie and Stefano are always on hand.

Pammie’s Sammies is a rockin’ little sandwich shop a half block off of Plant Street. The rockin’ part (more classic than hard) comes from the musical theme of the decor and overall ambience. The walls are decorated with guitars and band posters mixed among such eclectic miscellanea as wooden chairs nailed upside-down to the ceiling, a bank of unconnected beer taps (also upside down), and sundry works of local art.

A quick-serve restaurant that not only serves a decent slice of pizza pie but also has very good sandwiches.

After a year-long renovation, Planet Hollywood has been refurbished to resemble a large observatory to better fit in with the Disney Springs backstory. (Never mind that it’s really a planetarium.) Inside, it’s a little like dining in an IMAX theater, with massive projections of music videos that stretch the three-story auditorium/dining room.

Food Network star Guy Fieri contributed to the new menu. Food is impressive mostly in the size of the portion.