ASIS 2016 Preview: Orlando Dining & Entertainment Scene, Plus Can’t-Miss Booths

A long-time Orlando resident, SSI Tech Talk Columnist Bob Dolph provides a wealth of information about the city’s food and entertainment venues. Also on tap, products you won’t want to miss on the show floor.

As with many webinar presentations there is only so much time to discuss and comment. So I thought it would be appropriate to review and add a few key items that I had personally discussed on Thursday (Sept. 1) during SSI‘s ASIS 2016 Show Preview Webinar (which you can replay for free!) Additionally I thought for your convenience you might enjoy the links to some of the material discussed in the presentation.

Without further ado, let’s have a look.

DINING IN ORLANDO
Since I live and work in the beautiful area of Orlando, I thought you might enjoy some suggestions my favorites places to dine and/or be entertained – both near and in the area of the Orange County Convention.

You will quickly notice there are some places close to the convention center and also located on the main drag, called International Drive, also known as “I-Drive”. (Not to be confused with the famous I-4 interstate the cuts through Central Florida.)

  • Maggiano’s – Great place for a good Italian dinner. If you have a small group they have the family-style meals. (Minimum of 4)
  • Cooper’s Hawk – I recently discovered this place. It’s great, especially if you are a wine lover.
  • Texas de Brazil – A rather unique Brazilian steak house where they bring the meat to your table on large, handheld skewers. You can eat all the steak you want until you cry uncle!
  • Taverna Opa – A really fun place if you like Greek cooking.
  • Bahama Breeze  – Many folks are not aware that Orlando is the corporate headquarters for Darden restaurants. This one is known for a nice selection of seafood and is just a few blocks from the convention center.

Off I-DRIVE DINING
Away from I-Drive are numerous eating places that are in local hangouts. You will need a taxi to get to them. Check them out online first to see if it is what you are looking for.

  • Seasons 52 (near I-Drive) – This is another Darden favorite of mine. A little upscale but everything is fresh, hence the title Season 52. I have yet to see anyone disappointed with this place.
  • Boston’s Fish House – Now we are getting up to the north side of the Orlando area. This is one of the local seafood restaurants. You might have to stand in line for a bit, but the wait is worth it. The owner originally had places in Boston, hence the name.
  • Bistro’s on Park Avenue– If you are staying here a few extra days and looking for an evening of just checking out some really nice restaurants all in a row, then you can make your way to Park Avenue in the beautiful old town of Winter Park.
  • Hillstone– A really nice steak house with a beautiful lake view in Winter Park. I recently went there and had one of the best New York Strips I have ever had. Great service.
  • 4 Rivers Smokehouses – One of the finest BBQ places in the country. There are several locations, both near downtown Orlando and on the north side.
  • Victorio’s Oyster Bar & Grille (Across from the Sanford Orlando Dog Track) – One of the webinar attendees reminded me of one of the better oyster bars in the area. He referred to it as Suzanne’s Oyster Bar, which may date him a bit. It has changed hands and is now called Victorio’s. I personally have not been there in a while, but from the local reviews it looks like it is holding up to Suzanne’s reputation. It is also a nice place to stop if you want to go to the dog track across the street.

ENTERTAINMENT & MORE DINING
As you would expect there are many establishments where you can dine and be entertained in and around the land of Mickey Mouse. Here are a few suggestions you might find interesting, and not break your pocket book.

  • Disney Springs / La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil  – If you’ve attended the ASIS conference in Orlando previously, you may remember Disney Springs as once being called Downtown Disney or Lake Buena Vista Village. They have done an amazing makeover. Many of the clubs are gone, replaced by restaurants and shops. This is a great place to get a taste of Disney and their souvenirs without doing the theme parks.  Entrance to the area and parking are free. The La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil performance is a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance and worth a special night out.
  • Universal City Walk / Pat O’Brien’s – This is a fun night out for anyone who enjoys clubs of which there are many. It is outside the theme parks, but you will have some cost for parking and club cover charges. (TIP: Get there before 8 p.m. and you miss the cover charges.) One of my favorites is Pat O’Brien’s, which is based off the famous New Orleans establishment. They have two pianos that play almost anything you request. The food is actually pretty good as well. A fun night and just off the main International Drive strip.
  • Sanford Orlando Kennel Club – Every been to greyhound racing? This is a popular entertainment and betting venue. You can either eat at the clubhouse or try Victorio’s Oyster Bar & Grille  just across the street.
  • The Mall at Millenia – Not all malls are the same. This is Orlando’s upscale mall with shops like Chanel, Prada, Gucci and Tiffany & Co. This is truly a destination mall, and not that far from I-Drive. Happy shopping.

ASIS 2016 EXHIBITOR HIGHLIGHTS
Again, during the webinar I only had a few minutes to go over some exhibitors that you might find interesting. As you know from my monthly “Tech Talk” column in SSI magazine, I love finding and exploring for new, exciting and useful products. Below are some that I picked for our webinar. Note the links if you would like to investigate further.

MSD Magneto Static Detector

  • CEIA USA / booth 3341
  • Detection of all cell phones and other ferromagnetic contraband concealed on the person or in body cavities, with or without batteries
  • Multizone targeting indication identifies location of contraband on the body<
  • Covert operation through use of Bluetooth headset.

GrateGuard

  • Harsco Industrial IKG / booth 2773
  • Just lo
    ok at the photo!

  • A nasty and durable patent pending, complete fencing system. 
  • The system has an imposing presence and high strength-to-weight ratio delivers a first-line deterrence against potential intrusion.

Inxpect Motion Sensor

  • Magnasphere Motion Project / booth 2572
  • Good example of early introduction of new product
  • This intriguing product debuts at ASIS 2016 (don’t miss the live demo)
  • Radar technology similar to smart sensors being used on latest cars
  • The “Inxpect” platform combines electronics and software to give intelligence to motion sensors
  • Compact: sensors as small as 1 cubic inch, 4-wire
  • Robust: zero maintenance, no need for alignment, impervious to dust, smoke, rain.
  • Scalable, modular design: 1D, 2D, 3D motion detection.

REDSCAN RLS20201

  • Optex / booth 3333
  • A new important detection tool for the alarm dealer
  • Indoor sensor using a new generation of laser
  • Detection for video activation
  • Provide a customizable ‘virtual’ wall or pane
  • A detection area up to 65ft X 65ft

Best’s Shelter Lock Down System

  • Stanley Security Solutions / booth 2001
  • School lock-down systems are HOT!
  • This BHMA Grade 1 lock with a 900 MHz transceiver is compatible with the Stanley SHELTER network.
  • In a lock-down situation, it transitions from classroom and storeroom function to ensure a door is locked on the outside and the lever is rigid.

These are some of my favorites and hope you find one you might like. Let me know if you are looking for something in particular and I will do what I can to guide you, accordingly. You can contact me at [email protected]. Also, make sure to comment below this posting. We really do get excited about your valuable feedback and suggestions.

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About the Author

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Bob is currently a Security Sales & Integration "Tech Talk" columnist and a contributing technical writer. Bob installed his first DIY home intercom system at the age of 13, and formally started his technology career as a Navy communication electronics technician during the Vietnam War. He then attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering and went on to complete a Security Management program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Since 1976, Bob has served in a variety of technical, training and project management positions with organizations such ADT, Rollins, National Guardian, Lockheed Martin, American Alarm Supply, Sonitrol and Ingersoll Rand. Early in his career, Bob started and operated his own alarm dealership. He has also served as treasurer of the Wisconsin Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and on Security Industry Association (SIA) standards committees. Bob also provides media and training consulting to the security industry.

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