Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Dining Out in Orlando - From Budget to Fine Dining

One of the pleasures of any vacation is trying out the cuisine of a particular locality. If Orlando is your vacation destination then you will have a wide choice of restaurants to choose from. It would never be possible to give a complete survey of the dining possibilities in Orlando or any city in only one article but here is a sampling of low budget and high budget restaurants that have proven popular with visitors to Orlando.

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Since I am writing this during a time of economic recession let me start with the low budget restaurants. These are places where you can get a good meal but not dent your wallet too much.

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Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Cue Ribs

Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Cue Ribs are the main dish here, and this restaurant has been voted as Central Florida's best barbecue restaurant by readers of the Orlando Sentinel. The food is cooked on an open pit and there is more than just spare ribs on the menu. You can also get barbecued chicken, lamb and smoked turkey. Beware of the special hot sauce that is served here, it is really hot! You can find this barbecue restaurant at: 5818 Conroy Rd., Orlando, FL 32819

Thai Thani

The food here is not native to Central Florida, but it is authentic Thai food served up in an atmosphere that will transport you to Thailand. If you are already a fan of Thai food then you will want to dine at this restaurant, and if you would like to try out Thai food to see what it is all about, then this is a great place to do it.

Hard Rock Cafe Orlando

If you have been to the other Hard Rock Cafes around the world then you will know what to expect here, reasonably priced food in a rock 'n' roll themed environment. Orlando's Hard Rock Café is located in the Universal Studios CityWalk area and it is the biggest café of this worldwide chain and also has the largest collection of rock memorabilia in the entire chain. If you like munching on a hamburger and gazing at an original guitar from one of your rock heroes, then be sure to visit Orlando's Hard Rock Café.

Now let's look at some of the higher-end restaurants that are popular with local residents and visitors alike.

Hemingways

As long as you are in Florida then you might as well get into the magic of one of Key West's most famous residents, the writer Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway's is decorated with the rods and reels, stuffed trophy fish and nautical trinkets of the writer who gave us the classic "The Old Man and the Sea." The cuisine is regional and includes coconut shrimp and paella. A typical meal will cost you about . The restaurant is located at Lake Buena Vista 1 Grand Cypress Blvd

California Grill

If you want to go to a restaurant voted as Orlando's most popular, then this is the place for you. You can find it on the 15th floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort. The cuisine is supervised by a famous chef, Cliffor Pleau, who is constantly at work creating new dishes. In addition to fine dining you also get a bird's eye view of the entire Disney theme park. The attire is strictly informal and you can dine in your shorts and Disney tee shirts. The price of a typical meal is .

Christini's

As long as we are talking about high-end dining let's finish with a restaurant where the prices are high even by expense-account standards. This restaurant is known for elaborate meals and its huge wine list. The dining takes place in an extremely romantic setting with musicians strolling about. You will think that you having a night out in Italy. If you want to impress someone and can afford to spend around for a meal, then head on out to South Orlando 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.

Take note of these restaurants and give them a try when you visit Orlando, choosing according to the ones that best fit your taste and your budget

Dining Out in Orlando - From Budget to Fine Dining

Mark Whichard is an Orlando tourism expert and writes frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. He is the proprietor of Quality Villa Rentals and you can get great deals on Orlando Vacation Homes and villa rentals at this website http://www.qualityvillarentals.com

ORLANDO

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Budget Dining in Orlando Florida

Who says that you have to spend big bucks to get a good meal? If you are vacationing in Orlando you can try out a number of local restaurants that serve good food at prices that won't break your budget. Here is an introduction to some of my favorite budget restaurants in the Orlando area.

orlando florida

Bennigan's Grill & Tavern (Many Locations)

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Bennnigan's boasts of offering 100 types of beer and other drinks as well, making its alcoholic menu greater than its food menu. The food is served in a loud, lively atmosphere. Some specialties include the fire-roasted salsa shrimp, charbroiled and basted in a smoky sauce, the Monte Cristo, combining ham, turkey, and Swiss and American cheeses on wheat bread that has been dipped in batter and deep fried. If you are watching your weight there are several healthy, low calorie "Health Club" dishes.

Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Cue 5818 Conroy Rd. Orlando, FL 32819

Bubbalou's is considered by local residents to be one of the best rib restaurants in the area. You can order at the counter, get a drink and then sit down at a picnic table. You can try the chopped pork sandwiches and the "Texas caviar," cold black-eyed peas in a spicy vinaigrette. In addition to the ribs you can choose from the chicken, lamb and smoked turkey. All of these cooked over an open-pit fire. Be careful for their "killer" sauce, it can destroy your taste-buds! The restaurant has been voted Central Florida and Orlando's Favorite BBQ Restaurant and BBQ Catering Service by the readers of the Orlando Sentinel

IHOP (Many Locations)

This chain has been serving mouth watering breakfasts for over 40 years. They've got a wide variety of pancakes to choose from, including Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Banana Nut Pancakes, Buttermilk Pancakes, Country Griddle CakesSM, and fruit-topped pancakes. They also serve a selection of Crepe Style International Pancakes and French Toast.

Thai Thani

This restaurant is known for its authentic Thai cuisine and the Thai Thani Restaurant is a must-visit destination for lovers of Thai food. In addition to the authentic food, it has a décor to match. Thai artwork and furniture contribute to an ambience that makes you feel like you are dining at a palace in Bangkok.

Hard Rock Cafe Orlando

Located at Universal Studios Orlando in the CityWalk entertainment complex, this Hard Rock Cafe is the biggest HRC in the world and boasts more pieces of rock 'n' roll memorabilia than any other location.

These are just some of the places in Orlando where you can eat to your heart's content and still stay within your budget. Try them out when you come to Orlando.

Budget Dining in Orlando Florida

Mark and Susan Whichard are Orlando tourism experts and write frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. He and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Orlando's Finest Vacation Homes and you can get great deals on Orlando Vacation Home Rentals at this website http://www.orlandosfinest.com.

ORLANDO

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Orlando Vacation Homes - Luxury Accommodations on a Budget!

Luxury accommodations on a budget may sound like a contradiction, but when you are talking about Orlando vacation homes, it is a fact. If you want to enjoy a vacation in Orlando without breaking your budget, then the best way to do it is to get a vacation home rental rather than book hotel rooms. In case you are not familiar with the advantages offered by vacation home rentals, let me walk you through the main points.

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Let's start with luxury and comfort. I have always said, "You don't cram together in one or two rooms at home, so why do it on your vacation?" The vacation homes in the Orlando area range from two bedroom condominiums right up to seven bedroom villas. You will not be limited to one or two rooms rather you will have an entire home to enjoy.

ORLANDO

The homes are all fully furnished and well equipped with amenities that you probably do not have in your own home. All the homes have full air-conditioning and heating, TV with cable connections, DVD, furnishing and fully equipped kitchens. Many of the vacation homes have private pools, spas, game rooms and additional TVs in each room.

Think about what this means when you are on vacation. You can give your children their own room or rooms and they can sleep soundly. You can come back from a park or attraction and enjoy a leisurely barbeque right beside your own private swimming pool. You combine all the comfort of home with the pleasures of resort living.

If you are worried about location, then I have good news for you. These vacation homes are located within minutes of Disney World and other key attractions of the Orlando area. You won't have to spend a lot of time in your car and you can be more flexible. Go out to Disney World in the morning, come back "home" to rest and relax, go back to the parks in the afternoon. When you are within ten or fifteen minutes of Disney World, then all of this is possible.

I am leaving the best part to last. Let's talk about price. If you think you have to pay through the nose to get your own luxury vacation home or villa with a next-to-Disney location, then you will be happy to know that you are wrong. How much would you pay for 1500 square feet and three bedrooms if you were staying in a hotel? You would certainly pay a lot more than 0 per night, which is the starting price for a three bedroom vacation rental 15 minutes from Disney World.

With prices like this the Orlando vacation homes provide extraordinary possibilities for saving money. In addition, if you combine your vacation with friends or relatives then the savings are increased. For example you can get a luxury eight bedroom villa starting at 0 per night. Get your calculator out and you will see that if you have between 8-14 people in your party the per-person costs are truly attractive.

So, take a look at Orlando vacation homes featured on this website and reserve the home that is best for you.

Orlando Vacation Homes - Luxury Accommodations on a Budget!

Mark Whichard writes frequently about Orlando tourism. He is the proprietor of www.orlandosfinest.com. Visit his website for great deals on Orlando Vacation Homes.

ORLANDO

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Orlando Vacation on a Reduced Budget

Do you want to take a vacation in Orlando but are worried about the cost? Well, an Orlando Vacation on a reduced budget is not such the unobtainable goal that you might think. Want to know why? Read on.

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A vacation in Orlando always seems like a perfect dream come true. Unfortunately so many times in our lives our dreams do seem completely dependent on money which then makes the dream vacation not quite so perfect. Of course, a perfect dream would be an Orlando vacation where money wasn't always an issue but even so, it is possible to have a great time in Orlando even if you are on a reduced budget. To have an Orlando vacation on a reduced budget takes a lot of planning and here are a few tips on how to get more for less.

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Orlando Vacation on a Reduced Budget - Tip #1.

Walt Disney World is the major attraction in Orlando and the best time to visit happens twice a year, in May and September. The reason is simple; fewer folks travel in those two months and that means it is easier to get really good deals at those times of year.

Orlando vacation on a reduced budget - Tip #2.

Instead of staying in an expensive hotel room try a vacation home rental instead. You get far more for your money and you'll enjoy the extra space. Vacation rental homes have nice sized living rooms, several bedrooms, a full sized kitchen, and a private swimming pool. You can save money by buying groceries from a local store rather than dining out every meal time and you'll also save because you won't feel the need to go out all the time like you do in a cramped hotel room.

Orlando vacation on a reduced budget - Tip #3.

Go as a larger group. Yes, if you team up with your friends and family you can save big style. Large vacation homes and villas are available for rental at low costs. If you travel in a large group, with friends, relatives and family, costs definitely come down giving the phrase "the more the merrier" a very pertinent meaning.

Orlando vacation on a reduced budget - Tip #4.

One thing that hinders the concept of an Orlando vacation on a reduced budget is the expense incurred visiting the various attraction parks. The theme parks can prove to be very expensive and the savings you made in the accommodation will be spent here if you're not careful. Orlando is not just about the Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World theme parks, there are many other parks, lakes, camping and hiking spots to enjoy, completely free of cost. Of course, you should enjoy a great day at one of the major attractions but mix in a few of these low or no cost attractions and you'll soon see how you can save on your budget.

Orlando vacation on a reduced budget - Tip #5.

Travel is always a major cost so make sure you check out the major travel web sites to get the best flight prices. Check out the low fare airlines such as Jet Blue, Southwest, Air Tran, Spirit and Frontier to get the lowest prices. Renting a car is the cheapest way to get around and this makes it much easier to get to those great low or no cost places.

Orlando is the place to go for the most fun per square foot and if you follow these simple steps you will get the biggest bang for your buck. An Orlando vacation on a reduced budget is very attainable and you can have the time of your life while saving money. It can indeed be the vacation you always dreamed of.

Orlando Vacation on a Reduced Budget

About Nigel Worrall:
Nigel Worrall is President / CEO of Florida Leisure Vacation Homes & Total Real Estate Solutions. He is regularly sought by the media as a vacation home and real estate expert and has featured on NBC, ABC, Fox, CBS. He has also featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Newsweek, Chicago Sun Times, Washington Post, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal and several other publications. Nigel is also the best selling author of "Big Ideas For Your Business" (Advantage Media).

About Florida Leisure:
Florida Leisure Vacation Homes is the leading vacation home company in the Orlando, Fla. - Disney area, offering 3-7 bedroom private vacation homes near to all the Orlando area attractions. Each home has it's own fully equipped kitchen, 3-7 bedrooms, lounge, dining room, laundry, 2 car garage and best of all, private swimming pool. http://www.FloridaLeisure.com

ORLANDO

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Chicken Cordon Bleu That Will Blow Your Mind, Not Your Budget

Chicken is a versatile meat that is not only fun to cook but makes a healthy choice in cooking as well. The best thing about chicken recipes is that you do not have to be a world-class chef to serve up a classy meal. Take chicken cordon bleu for example. This dish is served up in classy restaurants all over the world, yet this is also an incredibly easy and delicious dish to cook right at home in your very own kitchen.

cordon bleu price

I am by no means a professional cook. While I can cook up a nice meal for the family and I am very confident in the kitchen, I do not get the opportunity to make many formal dishes and have never been through any kind of formal training.

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However, I so wanted an easy chicken cordon bleu recipe to make and this one fit the bill. If you are missing some tools like a meat tenderizer, you can always do it this way. Simply put the chicken in a Ziploc bag and pounded it with a regular hammer. Then when it comes time to roll up the chicken make sure to leave the outside end of the chicken at the bottom of the dish if you do not have toothpicks either so it will stay rolled up while it bakes.

Here is how to make a fantastic chicken cordon bleu dish that is sure to satisfy all your guests:

Chicken Cordon Bleu

What You Need

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 6 slices Swiss cheese 4 slices cooked ham 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 package Bleu cheese crumbles Parsley to garnish (optional)

How To Make It

First, you will need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a 7 x 11 inch long baking dish with cooking spray or cooking oil. Next, you will want to place the chicken breasts in saran wrap or a Ziploc bag and pound them with a meat tenderizer or a hammer until they are 1/4 an inch thick.

Once the chicken breasts are flattened, sprinkle them with some salt and pepper then add a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on top of each one. Roll each chicken breast up and secure it with a toothpick (or place it in the dish so that the outside end is facing the bottom of the dish). Put the chicken breasts in the baking dish and sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked completely through. Next remove the dish from the oven and place 1/2 a cheese slice on each piece of chicken. Return the dish to the oven and allow it to bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is thoroughly melted.

Finish up by removing the toothpicks and slicing each piece in to three pieces. Garnish with parsley and bleu cheese crumbles as desired. This dish tastes great with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables on the side.

See how easy it is to make a scrumptious chicken cordon bleu? The best thing about this dish though besides how great it tastes and how easy is to make is how much time it takes to make this. At the very most, you will find yourself in the kitchen for an hour. So happy cooking and happy eating!

Chicken Cordon Bleu That Will Blow Your Mind, Not Your Budget

If you are looking for a selection of wonderful chicken recipes like chicken cordon bleu or maybe something a little more ordinary like baked chicken rice recipe you can find these and many more at our website.

BonelessChickenRecipe.com - Chicken so delightfully moist, you can almost smell it through your monitor.

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