
Beyond the resorts, the city's center lures visitors with fine dining, an expanding nightlife scene, and new accommodations. Here's a look at four venues worth checking out.
1. Since opening in the South Eola neighborhood in April 2007, Graze Orlando has become a go-to spot for high-end eating downtown. The restaurant features a sleek silver interior, and chef Jephanie Foster’s fusion menu is focused on “grazing platters” loaded with exotic items like foie gras skewers in mango-candied star fruit gastrique. The 200-seat dining room is available for full buyouts. The restaurant, located in the swank Sanctuary apartment building, can also cater events in the 150-person penthouse, which includes an 1,800-square-foot terrace.
2. A few blocks away is Patti Schmidt’s popular Dessert Lady Café, which opened in January 2008. Locally famous for her flourless chocolate torte and key lime pie, Schmidt added cheese platters, entrées, and a lengthy cocktail list. The 80-seat café is available for full buyouts and seats 25 in a private room.
3. Just a few doors down, the Old West-themed Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House reopened in February 2008 after an extensive renovation. The three-story venue holds 1,100 guests and features five full bars as well as a smokers’ balcony that holds 30. Additionally, the poker room next door offers nine card tables with space for 100. In-house restaurant Cody’s Barbeque serves dinner.
4. The Lexington Orlando CityPlace converted to the Crowne Plaza Orlando in July 2008. The 227-room hotel overlooking Lake Concord is adding 1,500 square feet of meeting space, bringing its total to 6,500 square feet by spring 2009. The 3,870-square-foot ballroom seats 250 banquet-style.
This information was previously published in the 2009 BizBash National Venue Guide.