Kissimmee

Ataj Indian Restaurant

Address
City
Phone
Price

2901 Parkway Blvd.
Kissimmee
407-507-0072
$$

There’s no reason for us to get into a discussion of preconceived notions for restaurants in this part of town. Let’s just say that a disappointing number of businesses seem to ascribe to the theory that they don’t really need to try very hard to impress customers because, being in a tourist-dominated area, a new wave of customers comes in every week. It’s unfortunate, but it happens.

Happily, I did not get that feeling from Ataj. The place was fresh, clean and comfortable, and the staff were all welcoming.

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Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza

Address
City
Phone
Price

3216 Margaritaville Blvd.
Kissimmee
407-893-2625
$$

Part of the Promenade at Sunset Walk entertainment and dining complex, Capone’s is a second location of a Ft. Myers restaurant. Pizza is definitely a must here, though the meatball appetizer is pretty good, too.

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Charley’s Steak House

Address
City
Phone
Price

8255 International Drive
Orlando
407-363-0228
$

From local restaurant group Talk of the Town, Charley’s is a longtime steakhouse that specializes in fine cuts of meat cooked over hardwood fires. Very popular with the tourists, most locals know that it can be hit or miss. When it’s on the mark, it’s very good. Besides this location, there is a Charley’s on South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando and another in Kissimmee.

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Chuy’s

Address
City
Phone
Price

7913 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (192)
Kissimmee
407-787-3545
$$

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Eleven

Address
City
Phone
Price

7593 Gathering Road
Kissimmee
407-662-1170
$$$

The name refers to its location on the top floor of the Reunion Grande hotel. Great views of distant theme park fireworks, and good steaks to boot.

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Estefan Kitchen

Address
City
Phone
Price

3269 Margaritaville Blvd.
Kissimmee
407-828-0999
$$$

Beat the drums, this ain’t Bongos.

Estefan Kitchen has opened its first location outside of Miami, one of several restaurants at the new Promenade at Sunset Walk near Walt Disney World.

Gloria and Emilio are the Estefans of the name, she the renowned Cuban-American singer who along with Miami Sound Machine gave us the effervescently zingy “Conga” and other classics.

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MOOR

Address
City
Phone
Price

6000 W Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee
407-586-1101
$$$

MOOR is inside the Gaylord Palms Resort in the space that previously was Sunset Sam’s. There have been subtle changes to the decor, but the main scenery element — a tall ship “floating” in a waterway inside the resort’s massive terrarium of a lobby — remains.

Seafood is a forte here, and it’s all done well.

In fact, the restaurant’s new name is inspired by the connection that ties boat to land, although the menu also suggests an acronym that celebrates the regional cuisine: Mindful Of Our Resources.

Whatever, I’ll have some MOOR, please.

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Old Hickory Steakhouse

Address
City
Phone
Price

6000 W. Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee
407-586-1600
$$$$

The setting is a large shack, perhaps in the Everglades, but since you’re really inside the atrium of the Gaylord Palms you don’t have to worry about mosquitos. Although it is primarily a steakhouse (make that prime-arily) and prepares steaks with a beautiful charred crust, Old Hickory is positioning itself to be an all-around restaurant, with very good seafood selections as well. Be sure to experience the cheese cart at the end of the meal. Or at the beginning, because you may be too stuffed after.

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Salt & the Cellar by Akira Back

Address
City
Phone
Price

3001 Sherberth Road
Kissimmee
407-288-1919
$$$$$

I seriously don’t know what to make of Salt & the Cellar by Akira Back in the lowercased ette hotel in Kissimmee. On one hand, the food is as well crafted as you would expect from an internationally known chef, and it shows proof of the promised sourcing of fresh ingredients.

On the other hand… Well, there are several other hands.

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