2018 M&C Attendee Guide - 25

DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

Retail, Dining
&Entertainment

Looking to indulge in an over-the-top
dessert - a hand-dipped milkshake with
a slice of cheesecake perched on top?

Or would you prefer to take a walking tour
of celebrity-chef-run restaurants? Perhaps
you'd like to grab the gang and head out for
a cold brew and some live music at a locals'
favorite? Whatever you're seeking, you'll have
virtually unlimited options at one of Orlando's
five dining and entertainment complexes
within minutes of the Convention Center.
Check these out while you're in town:

International Drive/Convention District

If you're in the mood to go bar-hopping or
grab a bite in a relaxed atmosphere, head to
the Convention District in the heart of
International Drive, where you'll find two
popular retail, dining and entertainment
complexes - Pointe Orlando and I-Drive 360.
Pointe Orlando features 19 restaurants and
a range of lively entertainment. Cuba Libre
Restaurant & Rum Bar, is a favorite for
appetizers - we recommend the crab
guacamole and Cuban sandwich spring rolls
- and late-night salsa dancing. Other hotspots
include Lafayette's Music Room, with live
music seven nights a week, and Minus 5 Ice
Bar, where you can sip beverages made from
ice glasses amidst a winter wonderland.
(There is no need to dress warmly - parkas
are included!) Continue the fun by enjoying
a nightcap at Blue Martini, which serves
hand-crafted cocktails like "Fly Me to the
Moon"- a concoction made with Van Gogh

Blue vodka, watermelon liqueur and pineapple
juice.

For a fun, family experience with lively dining,
head down the road to I-Drive 360, the city's
new, $250 million retail, dining and entertainment complex. It features the Coca-Cola
Orlando Eye, a 400-foot-tall observation
wheel offering 360-degree views of the
destination in the comfort of an air-conditioned
passenger capsule. You can also rub elbows
with your favorite celebrity at Madame
Tussauds Orlando, or let the kids walk through
the ocean (in a 360 degree tunnel) at SEA
LIFE Orlando Aquarium. One of its newest
options is Mango's Tropical Cafe, where
modern cuisine gets an island-style flare with
one of the longest lists of cocktail options in
the country.

Sand Lake Road Area/Restaurant Row

If you're a foodie at heart, head to Restaurant
Row, an upscale dining and entertainment
district just a short ride from the Convention
Center on Sand Lake Road. The area features
14 top-flight restaurants within a mile-long
stretch. There you'll discover several familiar,
upscale steakhouses and other high-end
eateries, as well as one-of-a-kind venues.
One not-to-miss spot is Rocco's Tacos and
Tequila Bar, where you can nosh on fish tacos
and sweet plantains. Another favorite is
Roy Yamaguchi's Roy's Restaurant, a
Polynesian-themed eatery serving favorites
like lobster potstickers, filet yakitori and
Szechuan-spiked ribs.
OrlandoMeetingInfo.com 25
http://www.OrlandoMeetingInfo.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2018 M&C Attendee Guide
