| Fine dining in Orlando used to take place at a table. | | | | Emeril's |
| Not so now. In many of the city's restaurants the | | | | Perched in front of the exhibition kitchen are the |
| best seats in the house are to be had at the | | | | eight seats of the Chef's Food Bar. Pick from the |
| counter where a front row seat to the action in | | | | 2,000-bottle wine display (awarded the Wine |
| the kitchen along with food and drink is the order | | | | Spectator Best of Award of Excellence), then |
| of the day. | | | | kibitz with the chefs and catch the up close action |
| Jiko | | | | of this exciting restaurant. Make your dining |
| Nab one of eight counter seats facing the | | | | reservations up to six months in advance to |
| kitchen's giant, twin clay ovens at one of Disney's | | | | assure yourself a place. |
| most exciting restaurants. Nosh on the | | | | Tchoup Chop |
| off-the-menu sampler platter of appetizers, move | | | | At this gorgeous restaurant's ten-seat counter |
| on to the smoky wood-grilled pork tenderloin with | | | | guests may order off the regular menu or |
| sweet potato dumplings and a brothy mushroom | | | | choose the $48, 4-course Chef's Tasting Menu. |
| ragout, and don't leave without ordering the | | | | But those in the know set aside the second |
| unbelievably wonderful chocolate-filled beggars | | | | Saturday of the month for the 5-course |
| purses, one of Disney's best desserts. | | | | Teppanyaki Dinner where the lightning quick chef |
| California Grill | | | | provides the show. |
| This may be the most difficult ticket in town, but | | | | Flying Fish |
| Disney's legendary dining mecca located high atop | | | | Serious food devotees adore the whimsical |
| the Contemporary Resort offers two seats at | | | | surroundings at this Disney Boardwalk restaurant, |
| the kitchen counter, four seats in front of | | | | but a lucky few can observe the creativity center |
| Yoshie's sushi counter, and two facing the pastry | | | | stage at eleven seats around the bustling, open |
| counter (YUM!). You can request your preference | | | | kitchen. Dining choices include some of Disney's |
| when reserving a table, but nothing is guaranteed. | | | | most inspired seafood or even sizzling steaks and |
| Try to time your meal to see the Magic Kingdom | | | | chops. Like California Grill, the counter is only by |
| fireworks from the restaurant's observation deck | | | | request upon arrival. |
| afterward. | | | | |