REVIEW: We're Trying a $59 Meal in Disneyland

Planning a trip to Disneyland and not sure where you should eat while you’re there? That’s where we come in!

Here at AllEars, we know all the ins and outs of Disneyland restaurants — including where you should definitely eat, and where you should skip. We recently stopped by Carthay Circle at Disney California Adventure and are bringing you our FULL review! Just a note, these items are no longer on the menu as they have switched to summer offerings. Hopefully these will be back on the menu next Spring.

Background

Carthay Circle Restaurant occupies the second floor of the recreation of the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. The original Carthay Circle Theatre was built in 1926 and played a pivotal role in Walt Disney’s life. His first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered there in 1937!

The design and décor reflect the romance and glamour of the era, including showcasing rare artifacts and references to the early Disney era. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Courvoisier cels hang on the walls, and the charming pastoral scene from the movie is painted on the ceiling of the main dining room.

Here’s what you need to know about dining at this restaurant.

Atmosphere

Elegant is definitely a great way to describe the vibe of this restaurant, but you won’t feel out of place in your theme park attire. If you’re looking for a spot you can truly sit down and relax for a little while in the AC, this is a good restaurant to do it!

But enough about that, what are we eating?!

Food & Drinks

We tried out their 2-course Prix Fixe menu offering, which is $59 and includes drinks and a dessert. For our drink, we grabbed the Bloody Mary, which is Hanson of Sonoma Habanero Organic Vodka, Bloody Mary Mix, Barbecue Bitters, and Dill Pickle Brine, garnished with a locally grown Organic Dill Sprig and a dehydrated Horseradish-crusted Tomato Slice. Regularly, this is $20.50.

This was an interesting take on a Bloody Mary. Our reporter preferred more of a classic tomato taste, and this drink just had too many flavors. The spice was good, but what threw us off was the dill sprig and barbecue taste. It was a good drink, great pour on the vodka, but it’s not something we’d get again.

This meal also comes with bread service, which is the Cheddar Parker House Rolls, and it also comes with Calabrian Chili-Pine Nut Romesco Butter.

The roll is served as a loaf and arrived warm! It was soft and fluffy, the baked cheddar adds a great salty flavor, and the butter is the star of the show! It’s zesty, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s not spicy, but does have the flavor OF spices, which we adored.

For our starter, we chose the Wild Blue Lump Crab Toast, which is Brioche, Asparagus, Citrus Crème Fraiche. This is such a beautiful plate, and it tastes amazing too! The citrus crème fraiche is light and refreshing and not overly citrusy. The brioche is toasted to perfection and is still super moist and fluffy. The grab has a wonderful crab flavor without being overly fishy. Not only was everything delicious on their own, but together, they were incredible as well!

We also grabbed the Angus Beef Tri Tip marinated with Ginger and Soy Glazed Chilled Soba Noodles, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Macadamia Nut Furikake. This was fantastic, but beware, it is a bit spicy! The sauce is where the spice is coming from, so if you don’t like heat, maybe ask for it on the side. The steak is cooked to perfection — the meat is tender and pairs so well with the soy and ginger glaze. The glaze does have heat, like we said, but it is also sweet and tangy. The chilled soba noodles are a good addition, and they’re cooked well, not al dente, but not overly mushy.

For dessert, our only option was the Mickey Hazelnut Crunch Pop — this is ice cream rolled in white chocolate and hazelnut with chocolate Mickey ears. Not only does this look adorable, but it tastes delicious. The white chocolate hazelnut shell is a perfect thickness to ice cream ratio and the taste is incredible!

The vanilla ice cream is creamy and pairs perfectly with the decadent shell. It’s rich, sweet, and a great size — we think it’s easily shareable between two people.

Magic or Tragic?

This Disneyland restaurant is a must-visit if…

You’re looking for a nice sit-down meal
You want a great meal at a price that won’t break the bank
You’ve got a more expansive palette

You should skip this Disneyland spot if…

You’re a pickier eater
You don’t have 1-1.5 hours to spend on eating a meal
You’re not already spending the day in DCA

Overall, we were really impressed with our meal here! We loved each and every part of our meal (save for the drink, but that was likely due to more personal preference), and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. If you’re looking for a nice table service restaurant that won’t completely ruin your wallet, this is a great spot to consider.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disneyland and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more!