During my stay in Walt Disney World earlier this month, I was able to visit many restaurants and experienced many delights… and the occasional low-light. These bits and bites are based mainly based on this trip only, your experience or even mine in the future may be different.
To try and sum it up for you, here are my Dining Bits and Bites!
BEST NEW ITEMS
Kouzzina Breakfast Skillet! Savory eggs on top of sweet potato hash and topped with arugula salad – Super Yummy. The funny thing was I had been to Kouzzina early in my trip and breakfast was the menu I had grown to know and love. When I went back several days later, I couldn’t figure ou what had happened to the menu! Finally asked the server and she explained it was brand new. While I will miss the breakfast flatbread and open faced omelet, the new breakfast skillet is a winner! I will be back next trip.
Whispering Canyon Caf̩ РCheddar Cheese Soup $6.99 Рwith candied bacon and popcorn Рwow!!!! We got to sample a small portion of the soup while dining at Artist Point and all 4 of us LOVED it!
PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
Looking for a last-minute dinner can be very difficult, even for two. But in the Epcot resort area, we knew someplace had to have a table open.
I have often gone to the Captain’s Grille at the Yacht Club for lunch, but finally tried out dinner. We had a great meal. Linda had the Grilled Rib-eye which she said was tender and flavorful. I had the Pan-Seared Chicken with white beans and smoked bacon – it was yummy! The only odd thing was that both of our knives seemed incredibly dull. We talked to the manager and he assured us the knives are sharpened on a regular basis. We suggested he take a look at the two we were using. The server was great and overall we were pleased! We will return!
BIGGEST SURPRISES
Biggest Surprise #1 – Dinner at Boatwrights Port Orleans Riverside.
While we got off to a slow start with our server, eventually everything picked up and we had a wonderful dinner. We enjoyed the Grilled Pork Chop ($21.99), Tenderloin Medallions ($27.40), and the Prime Rib ($27.99).
I suggest making an evening of it – dine here then go see the YeeHawBob’s show!
Biggest Surprise #2 – Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge has a flight of SAKE and it’s $15! Believe it or not, a place in Oregon makes SAKE!
LOVING MORE AND MORE
Il Mulino (Swan) – best Italian food on Disney property! The Carpaccio Di Tonno – Thinly Shaved, Center-Cut Tuna served with Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fresh Lemon Juice $14 – melts in your mouth! Really enjoyed the well aged Parmigiano Reggiano (listed as an appetizer), or as I like to say dessert, for $8.00. If you are looking for a great red Italian wine, try: Antinori guardo al tasso – Brusciato with cabernet, merlot and syrah 2008 for $79.
BEST OF THE BEST
Flying Fish (Boardwalk) continues to provide an outstanding dining experience in terms of service and food. Fresh Breakfast (Dolphin) wonderful, Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge), Jiko – awaiting a new chef (Animal Kingdom Lodge) !
DISAPPOINTMENT
Coral Reef – I so wanted to have a great experience here. The reviews we get are always mixed. Our food was good, however the server was far below average and made a couple huge mistakes that put a damper on the whole experience. The good news – there was a sea turtle was swimming by and hanging out through most of our dinner. You can’t beat the atmosphere.
SAME OL’
Big River Grille on the Boardwalk – Nothing fancy or special here. Consistent average pub food. The highlight is the microbrews and the option to dine outside and watch everyone strolling the boardwalk.
BEST KEPT SECRET
Best Kept Secret: Garden Grove (Swan) for non-character breakfasts and lunch. Food was consistently above average as was the service.
The breakfast buffet including Strawberries and Blueberries – my favs! Also, eggs made to order plus yummy bran muffins with raisins. Of course, all the usual breakfast foods are here as well.
For lunch, try the French Dip OR Mahi Fish Tacos.
FUTURE DINING
I’m in search of an excellent theme park dining experience that combines food, theming, and service on a consistent basis. What do you recommend and why??!! Leave your comment below.
Photos from the DisneyFoodBlog.com are here with permission.
Our favorite restaurant used to be Le Cellier, not anymore. Yachtsmen is by far the best. Their steak, lobster bisque, and service is awesome. Also love breakfast at Crystal Palace.
We have always had great experiences at The California Grill and Flying Fish Cafe. Both are 5-star quality restaurants with excellent service, and a fresh, varied menu.
Inside the parks, San Angel Inn is always at the top of the list for theming. I like the food, but I know others who feel it is just average.
We always have to have brunch at 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian, adults love the selection and kids have their own buffet….love the orange juice that keeps on coming, can’t wait for our December visit!
Eating at Teppan Edo was a wonderful experience for me and my family. When we were seated, the waitress was very prompt and our cook came out shortly after and was very interactive with us. She put on a great show and kept all of us entertained. We have 2 young children and they were very amused by the whole experience. No matter what age, it can be entertaining and very tasteful.
Hiya Deb, Ive never been to boatwrights but think I may give it a try. Ive never heard of yee ha Bob so do you know what time he is on and we can maybe combine what you said and see the show, thanks
ALL EARS:
Here is an article on Bob Jackson: http://allears.net/ae/issue602.htm
Bob Jackson can now be seen four nights a week, Wednesday through Saturday, at the River Roost Lounge, at what is now known as Port Orleans Riverside Resort, next to the restaurant Boatwright’s.
The show starts around 8:30pm (pls check on that) but be sure to arrive a good 45 minutes early for a seat in the lounge!
I enjoy the Biergarten in Germany at Epcot. We usually try and get there shortly after they open when it’s not busy yet. Food is served buffet style and we have always found it to be very good – a nice selection and plentiful. We also love the fact that you are seated at longer tables with other guests. It’s a great way to get to know people from other parts of the country or world. The service has always been excellent. The cast members keep the beverages coming!
We dined at Sanaa for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was phenomenal. One of the best meals I have ever had at Disney World. I am still drooling over the bread service and I can’t wait to dine there again.
Our new favorite theme park dining is La Hacienda de San Angel. We always ask for Sergio too! If you dine here tell him that Dale and Jeff sent you. The pork medallions and shrimp tacos are delish, along with the margaritas!
Our latest “wow” restaurant is The Wave in the Contemporary. We’ve only gone for breakfast, but that was the most scrumptious breakfast! The Sweet Potato pancakes with Macadamia nut butter were heavenly!
On every trip, we dine at Mama Melrose at least once. There are only a few outstanding items, but they keep us coming back time and again–bruschetta, tuscan bean soup, fruiti de mari pasta, flatbreads, sangria.
Artist Point food never disappoints, but it’s always at least 3 hours long–too long after spending a long day at the parks. I wish they’d open for breakfast as I heard they did many years ago when they first opened.
Liberty Tavern for pot roast–best ever, although, since I have the recipe, we tend not to eat there any more.
Fish & Chips at Rose & Crown–gotta do it every visit. So good.
Mexico restaurant–our first visit a hundred years ago was wonderful. Every time since then–big disappointment, so we haven’t returned. Beautiful abmience but food is terrible.
We used to go to California Grill every visit, but didn’t last time–same old tired menu, too bright, too many kids running around. We dined at Yachtman’s Steakhouse instead and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, although we were on the dining plan–pretty steep $ if you are not.
Deb, we dine at 50’s Prime Time Cafe every trip, and have never been disappointed. While the servers may not play around with you as much if you are an adult only party (though don’t have your “radio” out!), it is still fun watching the playfulness with the younger guests in the area. Food has always been tasty, and you can’t beat the theming! We usually don’t make an ADR either. We just go there when it first opens, and ask if Mom has room for us. Never been turned away no matter what day or how busy!
In August, we had dinner at Kouzzina’s by Boardwalk. Our waitress made all the right suggestions since we were not that familiar with Mediterranean food. The food was amazing.
We were also pleased with the service and breakfast buffer served at the Captain’s Grille at the Yacht Club. We wanted a quiet breakfast without characters and this fit the bill.
We ate at Le Cellier for the first time. I had heard raves reviews about the restaurant. Our findings were split. My small steak was excellent as were the accompanying sides. However, others in my party said their steaks were grizzled. A man at the adjacent table complained also. Service were good.
Our first experience at the new Mexican restaurant at Epcot was wonderful. We timed our dinner to occur during Illuminations. Food was excellent as was the service. They even let us linger a little to watch the show.
Although I have heard mixed reviews from other people, I have never had a bad experience at San Angel Inn at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. I love the atmosphere, have always found the cast members to be friendly and attentive, and always enjoy my meal!
We have dined at Garden Grill in The Land at Epcot several times, and have always had such a great experience here. The food is outstanding, comfort food…the service has always been top-notch…and you cannot beat gliding around as Living With the Land passes by below. The characters themselves are always a treat, as the meal never seems rushed, and the characters spend a decent amount of time with diners. It took us long enough to find this gem…and now we wouldn’t miss it!
Hey Deb, I love all the news and updates on this website. I was hoping you can help me answer a Disney dining plan question. I was reviewing the 2012 dining plan and it seems to me Disney took off some restaurant that where available on the 2011 dining plan. Is this true or am I missing something. It looks like they took off a restaurant in Epcot and most of the restaurants in Downtown Disney.
Deb: When the list for the coming year is released it is usually minus several restaurants – typically the participant dining (3rd party run, not Disney run). These contracts take a bit longer to formalize for the Dining plan… A more complete list will come out close to 2012.