Moving to Downtown Orlando – Mid 2015 (for rent, how much, neighborhoods)

[The Saab]

Originally Posted by Pete C

You also asked about bars and restaurants. Here you go:

Restaurants - Winter Park and Dr Philips have better restaurant scenes, but here are the best ones downtown:

Mingo's
Artisan's Table
Ceviche
Kres Chophouse
Rusty Spoon

Bars - there are loads of them downtown...most of which lean young, but if you want a more mature/professional crowd, here you go:

The Courtesy
The Woods
Ember
NV Art Bar (& Hanson's Shoe Repair speakeasy on 3rd floor)
Vanity (club)

There are so many in the CBD that you can just hop from one to the next to check them out. Wall St is fun especially during their events.

Pete,

I had great meals at The Ravenous Pig and Cask and Larder in Winter Park. Are there those types of dinner/date places in downtown ORL?

[idr591]

Originally Posted by The Saab

Pete,

I had great meals at The Ravenous Pig and Cask and Larder in Winter Park. Are there those types of dinner/date places in downtown ORL?

Yes!

Kres
Kasa
Rusty Spoon
Artisans Table
Shari Sushi
K Restaurant

Not necessarily in that order.

[Crane's Rooster]

Downtown dinner/date places would be Kres, Kasa, Rusty Spoon, Spice, Dexters, City Fish and Shakai.

[Pete C]

Winter Park is much more established in terms of local, upscale, chef-owned restaurants like Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder. Prato, Luma, and Scratch in Winter Park are also must-do, and K in College Park. That is my A-list. I don't think any of the downtown restaurants are quite on that level. However, the restaurant scene downtown has gotten much better over the last year with Artisan's Table, Kasa, and Mingo's opening and garnering solid reviews. I haven't been to Kasa or Mingo's yet, but recommended them based on the reviews/hype. Kres is an established and very good chophouse. Rusty Spoon has been around for a few years now and is very nice. Ceviche has a nice atmosphere with the live spanish music in the bar area. There is something that should be really good on the horizon in Thornton Park in the old Hue space from a respected area chef that will open in the next few months as well.

[The Saab]

Originally Posted by Pete C

You also asked about bars and restaurants. Here you go:

Restaurants - Winter Park and Dr Philips have better restaurant scenes, but here are the best ones downtown:

Mingo's
Artisan's Table
Ceviche
Kres Chophouse
Rusty Spoon

Bars - there are loads of them downtown...most of which lean young, but if you want a more mature/professional crowd, here you go:

The Courtesy
The Woods
Ember
NV Art Bar (& Hanson's Shoe Repair speakeasy on 3rd floor)
Vanity (club)

There are so many in the CBD that you can just hop from one to the next to check them out. Wall St is fun especially during their events.

Originally Posted by Pete C

Winter Park is much more established in terms of local, upscale, chef-owned restaurants like Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder. Prato, Luma, and Scratch in Winter Park are also must-do, and K in College Park. That is my A-list. I don't think any of the downtown restaurants are quite on that level. However, the restaurant scene downtown has gotten much better over the last year with Artisan's Table, Kasa, and Mingo's opening and garnering solid reviews. I haven't been to Kasa or Mingo's yet, but recommended them based on the reviews/hype. Kres is an established and very good chophouse. Rusty Spoon has been around for a few years now and is very nice. Ceviche has a nice atmosphere with the live spanish music in the bar area. There is something that should be really good on the horizon in Thornton Park in the old Hue space from a respected area chef that will open in the next few months as well.

Thanks, Pete. In a matter of four hours, you’ve helped me pick out my neighborhood, my date night dining options, and now all I need is the date:

25-35, 5’6” to 5’10”, blonde or brown hair, amazing smile, laid back personality, and looks great in a sun dress. Can you help me? LOL

[EditorJul]

Originally Posted by The Saab

EditorJul,

I commute from Arlington to Gallery Place/Chinatown via Metro, and while it's only 4 stops on the Yellow line, it can be...well...exhausting. You know the drill...lol

My two commutes on Metro over the years were Southern Avenue to Dupont Circle and Greenbelt to Dupont Circle, and just trying to get around Gallery Place/Chinatown to transfer…I can sympathize dealing with that.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by The Saab

Thanks, Pete. In a matter of four hours, you’ve helped me pick out my neighborhood, my date night dining options, and now all I need is the date:

25-35, 5’6” to 5’10”, blonde or brown hair, amazing smile, laid back personality, and looks great in a sun dress. Can you help me? LOL

Haha!

[Indecisive_Explorer]

Living downtown definitely sounds like the place you should be. Baldwin park is a little to "pleasantville" for me, but I could see it being a great place for a young couple. Baldwin has a nice Publix and CVS that are very convenient. The area is very bicycle and pedestrian friendly.

Downtown is also great because you can walk to Publix, the bars, and etc.

I live in Winter Park - and I think the food selection is fantastic, but I think Downtown has great places too. Check out the Mills/50 area (Tako Cheena!) for good food and great asian good. Plus if you live downtown, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, and College Park are all within 15 minutes or so. And being Florida - driving anywhere is pretty easy.

I definitely recommend Downtown Orlando, especially for a new resident. Look into Post Parkside Apartments - I was considering those apartments but am now looking into purchasing a condo at the Grande.

Goodluck!

[The Saab]

Originally Posted by Indecisive_Explorer

Living downtown definitely sounds like the place you should be. Baldwin park is a little to "pleasantville" for me, but I could see it being a great place for a young couple. Baldwin has a nice Publix and CVS that are very convenient. The area is very bicycle and pedestrian friendly.

Downtown is also great because you can walk to Publix, the bars, and etc.

I live in Winter Park - and I think the food selection is fantastic, but I think Downtown has great places too. Check out the Mills/50 area (Tako Cheena!) for good food and great asian good. Plus if you live downtown, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, and College Park are all within 15 minutes or so. And being Florida - driving anywhere is pretty easy.

I definitely recommend Downtown Orlando, especially for a new resident. Look into Post Parkside Apartments - I was considering those apartments but am now looking into purchasing a condo at the Grande.

Goodluck!

Thanks, Indecisive_Explorer. I felt the exact name way about Baldwin Park. As a single guy, I don't think it would be the best fit, but I did love the look of the townhomes there.

I will add Post Parkside to my list of possible rental properties. Thanks!

[cdmco]

My daughter just purchased a condo in The Grande after living there for two years. Loves it, affordable for a young person and it is very well maintained with nice amenities. Post Parkside is gorgeous!