From fried to pho and cheap ($) to pricey ($$$), we tasted it all in Orlando this year. But these aren’t just our highlights– this is EVERYTHING we filled our bellies with, for better or worse. Here are all of the reviewed Orlando restaurants of 2015.

SLATE 8323 Sand Lake Road | 407-500-7528 | slateorlando.com | $$$ Our experience at dinner has been far more positive, be it the service or the steak – a succulent flatiron ($24), to be specific – served on a tree-ring plate. Read more. Photo via Yelp
American Q 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista | 407-827-3080 | americanq.com | $$$ If you choose the à la carte option, you’d be well served by ordering the six-hour smoked beef ribs ($23). They’re an absolute highlight, with a wonderful bark that’ll have you gnawing ’til the cows come home. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Another Broken Egg 430 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park | 407-790-7868 | anotherbrokenegg.com | $$ While the de rigueur breakfast foods (toast, eggs, potatoes) are present, Another Broken Egg’s menu is rooted in Cajun and Creole cookery, which means flavor, flavor and more flavor (for the most part). Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Atlantic Beer & Oyster 358 N. Park Ave., Winter Park | 407-636-7021 | atlanticbeerandoyster.com | $$ So we pondered the options on AB&O’s limited menu, but not until switching from a wobbly-wheeled industrial-chic table to a more stable one. It made slurping the server-endorsed oyster shooters (one for $4; four for $15) with horseradish-infused vodka and gazpacho a little less precarious. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria 1468 Tuskawilla Road | 321-422-3600 | bavarospizza.com | $$$ The margherita ($13), the pizza that started this whole 126-year craze, was damn near perfect. A vision of the Queen consort of Italy – Margherita of Savoy – slow-clapping Bavaro’s pizzaiolo while voicing “Bravo” came to mind, then it dissipated and I finished off the pizza. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Boathouse 1620 E. Buena Vista Drive | 407-939-2628 | slateorlando.com | $$$$ Beneath the blast of an AC vent, we were seated in close proximity to the stage, where a couple of musicians were readying their set. The only thing more chilled than we were was the lobster cocktail ($18), served on ice. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Boca 358 N. Park Ave. | 407-636-7022 | bocawinterpark.net | $$$ Practical? Gimmicky? Edible art? Whatever the case, the Farm House salad ($12) employing panel-grown produce was remarkably fresh, and the roasted beets, farro, apples and Danish blue cheese splashed with lemon-pepper vinaigrette ran the gamut of textures and sweet-tart flavor combinations. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Boheme Restaurant 325 S. Orange Ave. | 407-581-4700 | grandbohemianhotel.com | $$$$ The escargots de Bourgogne ($10), served in a snail plate, show off Hollaender’s French roots. The half-dozen gastropods are covered in panko and baked in a buttery garlic aioli. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Braccia Pizzeria & Ristorante 153 E. Morse Blvd. | 407-636-9918 | bracciapizzeria.com | $$$ When the carpaccio ($13.50) is copiously drizzled with a honey-mustard “caper sauce,” and the accompanying mixed greens smell and taste like fish – that is a bad thing. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Capa 10100 Dream Tree Blvd. | 407-313-7777 | fourseasons.com | $$$$ Capa’s menu is a focused hybrid of modern takes on Basque and Spanish staples and USDA Prime cuts of beef. That said, Asian-inspired hamachi crudo ($12), nestled against slivers of clementine and flecked with grated horseradish, will start your meal off in superlative fashion, but you could say that about most any starter here. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar 6000 Universal Blvd. | 407-363-8000 | thecowfish.com | $$$ Alcohol abstainers can bask in a brainfreeze and the glow of a childhood flashback while sipping the P Double-B and J Shake ($6), an unctuous concrete of peanut butter, banana and jelly blended with vanilla ice cream. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Egg and I 2380 S. Orange Ave. | 407-244-5077 | theeggandirestaurants.com | $ “Viva la France” French toast ($8.79) came with two pieces of batter-dipped and griddled sourdough bread, two scrambled eggs, two chewy pieces of bacon and, yes, “warm syrup.” Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
El Patron Mexican Restaurant & Cantina 12167 S. Apopka Vineland Road | 407-238-5300 | elpatronorlando.com | $$$ I’m not talking Rick Bayless caliber here, but when was the last time you had a mole poblano with duck confit ($12.99) in this town? It didn’t exactly blow us away – the duck was a bit dry – but we appreciated the effort. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Five f(x) 688 N. Alafaya Trail | 407-930-7181 | facebook.com All you need to know is that they hand-fashioned a batch of honeydew ice cream ($4.99) with whole milk in a refrigerated pan right in front of us, and it was stellar. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Francesco’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 400 S. Orlando Ave. | 407-960-5533 | francescos-rist.com | $$ Beautifully plated penne Palermitana ($12.50) made a nice pasta course, the al dente noodles tossed in a zesty marinara with eggplant and basil along with mozzarella and ricotta salata cheeses. But much like the potholes that form during a typical Sicilian summer, we hit a few bumps on this proverbial road. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Gopal Ji Sweets 4642 S. Kirkman Road | 407-730-8800 | gopaljisweets.com | $$ A bracing spoonful of crackling bhel puri ($3.99) helped me forget the fact that there still aren’t any Afghani restaurants in the city, and by the time we polished off hearty potato-and-pea-stuffed samosas ($1.25 each), I was like Kabuli pulao whaa? Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Korea House 4501 Colonial Drive | 407-896-5994 | koreahouseorlando.com | $$ For $29.99, the AYCE (all-you-can-eat) affair is a relative steal, but, in order to prevent meat-sharing shenanigans, all parties at the table must order it (though servers can sometimes be persuaded otherwise if you’re on the up-and-up). Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mark’s Caribbean Cuisine 10034 University Blvd. | 407-699-8800 | healthyjamaicanfood.com | $ If you fancy yourself a connoisseur of jerk chicken ($8.99), then you’ll pat yourself on the back for making the trip to Mark’s. The kick-ass rub is a highlight, but it didn’t stop us from lavishing a bit of their house Scotch bonnet hot sauce on the bone-in chunks. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Meatball Shoppe 7325 Lake Underhill Road | 407-270-6505 | themeatballstoppe.com | $ The focaccia was served cold (a disappointment), and being served only three meatballs (by comparison, you get four meatballs for $8 at NYC’s Meatball Shop) will leave many diners feeling not quite satisfied. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
MYNT 535 W. New England Ave. | 407-636-7055 | myntorlando.com | $$$ Uttapham, the popular South Indian spiced lentil-rice pancake, takes a cutesy turn in the form of sliders ($8) filled with spiced potato. But try dipping it into the scaldingly hot (microwave-hot!) sambar, or scooping coconut chutney onto these wee buggers. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
North Quarter Tavern 861 N. Orange Ave. | 407-757-0930 | northquartertavern.com | $$ We enjoyed a smoked kielbasa ($16) over pumpkin-potato hash, accompanied with a cranberry mostarda, pickles, and a not-so-sour kraut. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Osprey Tavern 4899 New Broad St. | 407-960-7700 | ospreytavern.com | $$$ The mushroom tartine ($12), par exemple, comes beautifully adorned with pickled shiitake and hen-of-the-woods layered over fava-bean hummus, with tangy Spanish blue cheese (Valdeón) thrown in to counter the blasts of umami. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen 2603 Edgewater Drive | 407-930-6282 | outpostcollegepark.com | $$$ Three beautifully glazed, if skinny, short ribs are served with the “Radclyffe ribs” entrée ($18), flanked by grilled asparagus and a forgettable wild mushroom risotto. The arborio rice was properly al dente, but the risotto itself sadly clumped instead of spreading into a silky pool. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Paramount Fine Foods 8371 International Drive | 407-930-8645 | paramountfinefoodsusa.com | $$ When I asked [the waiter] what was in the cake, he said it was filed with ashta, a Lebanese clotted cream. ‘OK, let’s get that,’ I said, ‘as well as the four assorted mini-baklavas.’ Moments later, he came by to say that there wasn’t any ashta in the cupcake but, rather, it was filled with chocolate and raspberry sauce. However, it turned out to be better than the three (not four) un-crisp mini-baklavas. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Pharmacy 8060 Via Dellagio Way | 407-985-2972 | thepharmacyorlando.com | $$$$ The battered nuggets came served over a layer of creamy corn curry topped with microgreens. On paper, the grilled stone clams ($12) with Maryland blue crab and corn niblets seemed an intriguing choice, but the sambuca cherry ultimately undermined the flavors of the seafood – overpowered it, even. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Pho Curry Ford 3334 Curry Ford Road | 407-930-6267 | $ It was a good thing the pho tai ($7.95) lived up to expectations. Surpassed them, in fact. The rich, dark, aromatic broth is worthy of being served in Mills 50, and the add-ins (bean sprouts, Thai basil, jalapeños, spiky saw leaf and the like) were impeccably fresh. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Quickly Boba & Snow 3214 E. Colonial Drive | 407-270-4570 | facebook.com Meringue cookies come in a host of flavors, from pistachio to lavender to caramel, and while I absolutely didn’t care for the latter, the rose-lychee macarons were unstoppably addictive. [Owner Kimberly Bui] even employs larger, flatter macarons to make ice cream sandwiches. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Ra Sushi 9101 International Drive | 407-454-5600 | rasushi.com | $$$ When the creamy ginger-teriyaki dipping sauce upstaged the batter-fried “Ra”-ckin’ shrimp ($11.25), we got a sense of what lay ahead – we wound up dipping tame cream-cheese-heavy edamame wontons ($7.20) in the same sauce. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Red Lobster 3552 E. Colonial Drive | 407-896-3657 | redlobster.com | $$$ Perhaps no dish exemplifies the celebratory period more than the dueling Maine lobster tails ($27.99) featuring one roasted and topped with shrimp in a creamy garlic sauce, and one baked with a crab stuffing. Read more. Photo by Yelp
Red Robin 8167 International Drive | 407-574-2295 | redrobin.com | $$ Avoid the Chocolate Fruffles (cold, hard “brownie fries” that are more gimmicky than gimme) and instead finish off with a Towering Doh! Ring ($7.99), a stack of eight cronuts (but they can’t call them that) served with hot fudge and berry dipping sauces. Read more. Photo by Yelp
Rome’s Flavours 124 E. Morse Blvd. | 407-951-8039 | rmaed.it | $$ The velutata di patate ($5.90) was just as fun to say as it was to slurp, and the thick, creamy potato soup made a primo prelude to our mains, particularly on this cool evening. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Sammy’s Gelato & Waffles 3050 Alafaya Trail | 407-542-0540 | gelattoinoviedofl.com The batter for the griddle cakes is imported from Belgium – which, I suppose, is a good thing. It should yield a slightly sweeter and denser waffle, with a crispy surface. What disappointed us is the fact the waffles weren’t freshly made, but rather pre-made and warmed on the iron. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Seito Sushi 4898 New Broad St. | 407-898-8801 | seitosushi.com | $$$ Save for soft and mealy bigeye tuna, the moriawase (chef’s selection) of sashimi ($30) – gossamer slivers of branzino, Faroe Island salmon, Norwegian mackerel, hamachi, Deer Creek oysters and sweet tamago – otherwise proved to be a wise choice. Read more. Photo by Yelp
Soco 629 E. Central Blvd. | 407-849-1800 | socothorntonpark.com | $$$$ So while the flavors in many of [Greg Richie] dishes can get complex – the cassoulet of duck confit with boiled peanuts, andouille sausage, bacon and biscuit gremolata ($9), for instance – they certainly make for compelling dining. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Spoleto Italian Kitchen 12101 University Blvd. | 407-658-0593 | spoletoitalian.com | $$ Naturally, freedom comes with a price – $8, to be exact – with upgrades like the $3.50 meatball being extra. Said orb was dry, yet nicely seasoned; the noodles, not as al dente as I hoped, but the chicken broth and fresh ingredients meshed well. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Swine & Sons 595 W. Fairbanks Ave. | 407-636-7601 | swineandsons.com | $$ Only an 8 p.m. closing time precluded us from pecking, nibbling and munching on butcher sandwiches and sides well into the night: sandwiches like the house pastrami ($9), for instance. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Tom & Chee 12533 State Road 535 | 321-395-4930 | tomandchee.com | $ We love the Barbara Blue ($5.45), a griddled glazed doughnut with blueberry compote, ham and brie oozing out the sides. Heaven. Read more. Photo via Yelp
Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar 743 N. Magnolia Ave. | 407-270-4740 | twochefsseafood.com | $$ A wonderful roasted duck hash ($12) topped with a fried egg and drizzled with truffle oil brought us back to a more ravenous realm. It’s a starter, but a filling one. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Union Burger 9680 Narcoossee Road | 407-745-4510 | ubburger.com | $ I didn’t have any slathered on my fuego burger ($7.99), though – the gravy wouldn’t have meshed well with the copious amount of goat cheese. Additional toppings of jalapeños, chipotle sauce and onion rings couldn’t really rescue this burger from its dry, overdone patty. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Urban Tide 9801 International Drive | 407-345-4570 | hyatt.com | $$$$ There’s no bread service, though the aged cheddar biscuits ($3) with burnt onion jam and pimento spread gives your meal a Red Lobster feel. A pleasing wine list is marred only by its markup – yes, dining amongst conventioneers with hefty expense accounts has its drawbacks. Read more. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Yard House 8367 International Drive | 407-351-8220 | yardhouse.com | $$$ We ordered a VanderGhinste Oud Bruin (a 5.5 percent ABV Belgian sour, $9.25), a refreshing gin-based cucumber-citrus cocktail and the duck-fat “ripped potatoes” (a salt-and-peppery mix of fried potato chips and chunks served in a cast-iron skillet, $7.85), and settled in for some serious reading. Read more. Photo via Yelp