Food for Thought

Parliament House Resort’s Rainbow Cafe

The Parliament House Resort (410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando) truly is a place where you don’t have to leave the resort grounds for the duration of your trip. You can relax, you can swim, you can drink, and yes, you can eat. All three meals, in fact.

Now I’ve been a visitor at the Parliament House many times, and I love some good comfort food, and Parliament House’s Rainbow Café (just inside the main building, between the Footlight Theater and the Piano Bar/Icon Lounge) is the perfect place for anyone who’s hungry. Stepping into the café, one immediately notices that the space is very roomy; they can seat at least three dozen on a busy night. There are table linens on every available table, and alongside each place setting are flyers underneath the table glass, advertising special events coming up at the resort.

When I ate there for breakfast not so long ago, I ordered their three-egg ham and cheese omelet (with choice of home fries or grits, as well as toast, $7.95), which tasted delicious and was served hot and fast. One thing I love about eating at the Rainbow Café is that the portions are very generous. You will leave absolutely stuffed, and isn’t that how it should be at a restaurant? I stopped by again for lunch and ordered a hamburger with cheddar cheese and fries ($7.45). The burger was cooked to order and like breakfast, was very quick out of the kitchen. I recommend you pair it with the raspberry tea ($2, free refills in the café). I left all smiles.

Recently I had a chance to drop in on a Saturday night for dinner. I heard that the soup that day was lobster bisque ($2.95 for a cup), so I thought that would be a good thing to try. I was right; it was so good that I almost ordered a second one! But then I remembered that I came for the fried chicken dinner. I’ve ordered it before and it is by far my favorite dish. The fried chicken dinner includes two breasts, one leg and one thigh, all white-meat, with asparagus and mashed potatoes and gravy ($12.95). Not only was there quite a lot of food (which I love!), everything was all very flavorful. The breading on the chicken was a nice golden brown, and I didn’t feel like I had to add salt or pepper to the potatoes (and I do that almost everywhere). I was also very happy to see the asparagus — it’s my favorite vegetable! There was so much good food, there was a lot of it, and the prices can’t be beat — I’m a fan.

You can enjoy all of these dishes, plus many more, like burgers and pasta, at the café. Room service is also available for resort guests by dialing 711 from your room phone.

The Rainbow Café (inside Parliament House Resort)

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32805 (407) 425-7571
Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
parliamenthouse.com/rainbow-cafe

Mike Halterman

Mike Halterman has been the editor of Hotspots Central since its launch in July 2016. He joined the Hotspots Media Group family as editor of Hotspots' South Florida magazine in June 2013. A former "40 Under 40" honoree in The Advocate magazine, Mike lives in the Tampa Bay area.

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