Rick's Travelicious: Orlando, FL – more misses than hits

Mickey Town
More Misses than Hits in Orlando
June 27, 2011 Orlando is one of those cities for me like St. Louis where I visit several times in a year. Therefore, this past weekend, I decided to try something different and explore parts and places in Mickey and Minnie Town which I have never experienced before. Bad idea. I tend to see the positive in everything, yet this Thursday thru Sunday weekend had far more misses than hits for me. I write as a matter of prevention for your next visit to Central Florida not because I’m a pissy blogger. My college friend Susie and I checked into Loew’s Portofino Hotel at 10pm on the Universal grounds after I arrived late on Thursday to Sanford Airport via Allegiant Air. From the vast well-appointed bathroom in our room, it is easy to see why this Italian-inspired getaway earns a Four Diamond AAA rating. It was the first bathroom I have had in all my travels with a his and his (or hers and hers) sink…very nice…as was the individual pod coffee maker with lots of choices and the view of the bay from the room. The grounds of the hotel wreak of Italy…albeit a bit theme park like, including the permanently mounted Vespas and gondolas which were more art than practical. This I didn’t like. What I liked far less was that for a tourism destination, there wasn’t a restaurant at the hotel or adjoining Universal CityWalk that served food after 10pm!!! Room service was adequate for humans, seemingly better suited for canines and felines who are welcomed at Loew properties as the menu had dry and wet foods in different brands and flavors available by the ounce! So if you travel with your pet, check in and check it out! I did enjoy a bit of time at CityWalk on the next morning, however, when I met my dear friend Fani who worked for me when I owned B&B’s and bistros in Hannibal, MO. Fani is from Bulgari and now lives in Orlando with her husband…so great to see her and meet her new baby boy, Anthony!
Trying to make up for the lack of a great tasting meal, Susie and I met our friend Charlie on Friday night and went bananas over the lack of good service at Bananas Diner in the “gay area” of Orlando on North Mills Avenue. Our waiter, Shawn, was as equally gorgeous as all the waitstaff, but there was little to personality to back the beauty (and I am surprise, why?). Two of our three entrée choices were brought out wrong and all of the side dishes were not what we ordered. Our Malbec was served in champagne flutes because, according to Shawn, “our other restaurant next store steals all our glassware because they have a better wine list.” One thing Shawn did well, though, was split our check…down to the penny, splitting the wine and shared appetizer in equal parts. Dare I say, in love, my lesbian friends would be very most happy here! There is a great drag show here each week, too, which most of my lesbian friends, I know, would not really enjoy. Still on a quest for a fine dining experience, the three of us took on the other gay-owned restaurant next store, Funky Monkey, looking for better wines and stemware. Anoop, the manager, host, waiter, sometimes chef, chronic talker and obvious control freak, selected a bottle of Shiraz for us called TIK TOK. Any wine that pays tribute to my girl Ke$ha is fine by me…and it was. The dinner however was NOT! A three hour experience included us having to move tables mid meal because Anoop needed ours to adjoin to another for a party of 20 which never showed up. For our move, desserts were to be “on the house,” which only happened after Anoop recalculated the check three times! Where was Shawn from next store when you needed him? So there is something to be said to being loyal to your favorite places when you return somewhere on vacation! My picks in Orlando are on the quaint shoppers mecca known as South Park Avenue in the Winter Park area by Rollins College where my dear friend Leanza Cornett, Miss America 1993 and AIDS activist attended: Bosphorus for the “to die for” lavas (hollow) bread, baked per table, served steamy with wonderful sesame seed crust and Eola Wine Company for its weekend brunches that features a flight of bagels and champagne…after trying five kinds of mimosas, you pick your favorite and it IS on the house (that is providing Anoop doesn’t come work there). Nearby you must visit the Louis Comfort Tiffany Collection at Morse Museum and the Orlando Museum of Art with a great outdoor collection of sculpture! Night life is something I love in Orlando although I still mourn the loss of the wonderful wonderland known as Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney (ever get dizzy on the revolving dance floor at Revolver there?). Going with the plan to try something new, on Friday we checked out Sak Comedy Lab for improv in the active Central Business District downtown…it was a delight! I highly recommend you go: great space, fun performers who can also sing, no two drink minimum required…really nice! We followed the laughs by hitting the bar at Savoy on N. Mills. With nightly drink specials and underwear only clad dancers and bartenders, the place is always easy on the eye and on the pocket book. We met several of the Saks performers there. I was bummed I had to head home on Sunday afternoon, breaking our tradition of going there on Sunday evenings for the $1 Long Island Ice Teas, all night long. Those of you who have been to Orlando would also agree with me, I am sure, that Parliament House or dancing is a must….you can even dance around the pool where drag shows and concerts are held. This coverted motor lodge has the perfect mix of kitsch and class. Of note for those that love this landmark club, despite recent forclsure proceedings, its owners are moving ahead with a million dollar renovation and are launching a three-story, lakefront time share. Check out Allegiant Air in a city near you for a cheap fare to Orlando. Sanford Airport is small and easy to manage and not that far away really. If you are going to Daytona, it is actually the more convenient airport to fly. I’m booking my next trip now for mid-July. You know it will include no new restaurants and for sure, a Sunday overnight.]]>