Finding a hotelwith an exceptional restaurant attached is a priority whether you're planning a vacation,staycation or just enjoy playing tourist for a few hoursin your hometown.To make the task of searching for a perfect hotel restaurant combo in Daytona Beach, I researched for you.
To my surprise, finding a hotel with a restaurant worth dining at is more challenging than I thought. Some hotels, such as the newMax Beach Resort, only allow hotel guests to dine in their restaurants. And then after trying many restaurants within hotels open to the public here in Daytona Beach, my list includes just three that have succeeded in food, drinks and ambience.
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Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse at Hilton Hotel
100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-226-9844, hydeparkrestaurants.com
If looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or just craving a premium cut of beef, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse is easily among Daytona Beach's top destinations. Located on the ground floor of the Hilton Hotel nearOcean Walk Village and the Daytona Beach Bandshell, diners can enjoy allHyde Park has to offer while also experiencing the ocean views and perhaps a live band performing at the historic amphitheater. A national chain started in Cleveland in 1988, Hyde Park's Daytona location offers fine-dining inside as well asmore casual seating on the outdoor terrace.
The menu is comprised of the standardmeat and seafood options that you'd expect to find at an upscale steakhouse, but Hyde Park givesthese classics fresh and exciting flavors. The large serving of thecalamari appetizer, for instance,is tossed in a chili glaze that makes sweet and savory one perfect note ($21). And then the pan-seared Chilean sea bass with a lemon crystal citrus sauceis so fresh and delicately cooked it falls apart on your fork ($47).
For those wanting to skip the seafood and proceed straight to the main attractions,Hyde Park offers a selection of cuts all aged for 28 daysand named after famous racecar drivers. Starting at $50, the steaks can be served withsauces such as roasted cabernet, cognac peppercorn bordelaise ($5 each) as well as add-ons likejumbo crab ($14) and petite lobster tail ($19).
Sides such as the lobster mac and cheese ($24)and the potatoesgruyère gratin ($13) are all large enough to share.co*cktails are handcrafted and poured into your glass at the table. If you have room, Hyde Park's intriguing dessert menu has the classic creme brulee, bananas foster and bourbon bread pudding. Looking for a good deal? Happy hour at Hyde Park is4:30-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar only with options such as small plates starting at $5 and co*cktails for$7.
Blue Flame at The DaytonaHotel
1870 Victory Circle, Daytona Beach; 386-323-9777, experience.thedaytona.com
You don't have to love cars for Blue Flame restaurant and bar to rev your engine, but it might be a good start. Blue Flameis in the lobby on the second floor of the Daytona Hotel which is part of the Autograph Collectionin Victory Circle. With views of the Daytona InternationalSpeedway, the restaurant captures the NASCAR theme in anelegant way with history-rich race cars and menu items named after the city's signature sport. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menus have something for everyone. Blue Flame keeps presentation as a priority with creative ways of displaying the cuisine.
Fun appetizers includetheBlue Flame nachos ($15)and jumbo pretzel ($13), with both benefiting nicely from the restaurant's beer cheese. Entréeoptions please the entire crowd with crispy flatbread-style pizzas ($15), sandwiches such asthe well-seasoned blackened mahi-mahi ($17) and classic traditional dishes like the pan-seared filet ($38).The drink menu offers handcrafted co*cktails as well as signature "moonshine drinks," a sly reference toNASCAR's outlaw heritage.The restaurant also offershappy hour from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with deals on beer, wine and select co*cktails. For anyone seeking a dining and drinking experience near the racetrack, which can also be budget-friendly, be sure to visit Blue Flame.
Sessions Restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel
918 N. Atlantic Ave., 386-947-7300,hardrockhotels.com/daytona-beach/sessions.aspx
Located on the shores of Daytona Beach, Sessions Restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel has sleek decor,breathtaking views, refreshing co*cktails and perfect beach bites that should all feed your inner rock star.The menu has various options to share with the band,crew or perhaps to just take on as a solo project. The bold-flavored bowls and baskets includethe pineapple shrimp served with edamame, corn, jasmine rice and chipotle aioli ($19) as well as theteriyaki chicken served with broccolini, peppers, onions and jasmine rice ($16).
The fresh spicy tuna poke salad comes with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, fried onions, seaweed, avocado, honey poke sauce and sriracha aioli andis a perfect meal after performing on the beach ($17). The Asian BBQwings ($16) have a kick and are the perfect opening act to the burger topped with a blueberry barbecue sauce ($16).
If you like fruity co*cktails, try the show-stopping handcrafted drinks such as the "beach babes" with coconut rum, Disaronno, orange juice andgrenadine;or a simple "Hard Rock mule" of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice that they happily can add fresh muddled fruit. Sessions restaurant is the ideal place to celebrate a chart-topping success on the Daytona Beach coast.
Caroline Hebert, The Daytona Beach News-Journal's restaurant and dining writer, can be contacted at chebert@news-jrnl.com.Support local journalism by subscribing.
