Restaurants continue to pop up all around the Orange County Convention Center. Yet there's an excellent one that's been sitting right inside the Rosen Plaza Hotel — Jack's Place.

The first thing you'll notice when entering the casually whimsical Jack's Place is the large collection of autographed caricatures hanging on the walls. From George Gershwin to John Wayne, the signed artwork serves as an added accompaniment to the satisfying meals dished up.

Harris Rosen, the owner of the hotel and restaurant, named Jack's Place after his father, Jack Rosen, who spent much of his adult life working in New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel as a safety engineer but won the hearts of many with his drawings of the famous people who stayed there.

The restaurant is billed as a steak and seafood restaurant, and it lives up to its name with a vast array of both that are perfectly prepared. For instance, surf-and-turf fans will love Jack's Key Largo, a pan-seared filet mignon and crab cake, topped with tarragon hollandaise and a port wine wild mushroom sauce.

Vegetarians will enjoy the Stuffed Red Pepper, filled with a three-cheese blend and veggies, and served with fresh tomato basil sauce and black bean fresca.

Check out Jack's Place the next time you're in the area. Better yet, make a special trip. It's worth it.

Jack's Place | 9700 International Dr., Orlando | 407-996-1787 | jacksplacerestaurant.com

-- Michelle Yoffee-Beard