REVIEW: We Need Everyone to STOP Underestimating This Restaurant Right By Disney Springs

We love having food at Disney World, but there are some other hidden spots in Orlando that you need to check out!

Renaissance Orlando Resort

Here at AllEars, we love checking out Disney restaurants and other spots in Orlando — including where you should definitely eat, and where you should skip. We recently stopped by Renaissance Orlando Resort to check out American Kitchen Bar & Grill, and are bringing you our FULL review!

Background

American Kitchen Grill is one of four restaurants at the hotel, but it is the main one that people choose to eat at, as the other three spots are the AK Bar, The Grove Cafe & Brew, and the Agave Fresco Pool Bar.

There’s something unique about this restaurant that you may not expect to experience, though!

Atmosphere

When you dine here, you actually may find yourself eating at a communal table, meaning you could be seated with other parties! Private booths are also available, and some tables are small enough to just fit 3-4 guests, meaning it’s less likely you’ll share, but it can happen!

But enough about that, what are we eating?!

Food & Drinks

First up, we grabbed the AK Smoked Bacon “Clothesline” for $17, which is Signature Smoked Pastrami-Spiced Nueske’s Bacon, Hung and Torched, Served with Horseradish Mustard Aioli. This clearly could be a crowd pleaser — the bacon was high-quality meat and prepared very well, as the spices came through in a way that made it super flavorful. We did feel the sauce was a little mayo heavy, as well as being a bit too thick and bland, but we were pleasantly surprised that the horseradish and mustard, both of which are typically very strong flavors, were a bit lighter.

We also grabbed the Pork Belly Bao Bun for $16, which is Braised Pork Belly, Pickled Red Cabbage, Pork Rind Dust, and Cilantro Aioli. These were extremely well prepared with tender pork belly and a great balance, thanks to the pickled red cabbage. They were absolutely loaded up, though, which made them a bit tricky to eat without making a mess.

We also tried the Vegetarian Bao Bun, which didn’t suffer in quality at all, as the meaty trumpet mushroom provided ample filling and a satisfying texture, and the avocado added a delightful creaminess.

The Red Pepper Gouda Bisque for $11 and, made with Roasted Pepper, Tomato, and Gouda, may have been our favorite thing we had. It was super creamy and had tons of awesome red pepper flavor. It was elevated while still being super comforting.

The Crispy Chicken Gnocchi Mac & Cheese is $24 and made with Crispy Chicken, Gnocchi, Smoked Gouda Sauce, and Sun-Dried Tomato Parmesan Foam. This was SUPER indulgent, so much so that we feel it’s very shareable. The chicken was super super crispy with a thick batter on it, and the gnocchi was COVERED in heavy, creamy Gouda sauce. Again, it felt elevated, but it is also comfort food, and we loved that combination.

To drink, we picked up the Espresso Martini for $16, which is Siesta Key Coffee Rum, Siesta Key Toasted Coconut Rum, Espresso, and Kahlúa. This was very well executed! It was super balanced, and we loved that it was actually made with espresso. The coconut is a great touch that adds a nice nuttiness on the back of the palate without taking you too far from a classic espresso martini.

We also grabbed one of the mocktails, the Pineapple Wings for $12, which is made with Monin Vanilla Syrup, Pineapple Juice, and Red Bull Sugarfree.

This was a pretty, sweet, and unique mocktail. Red Bull has such a unique flavor, so it really gives it its own personality. We could definitely taste a bit of that sugar-free aftertaste, but otherwise we thought this was a fun, fizzy, sweet mocktail.

Magic or Tragic?

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

You’re staying at Renaissance Orlando Resort and need a restaurant with lots of options to appease many different people.
You’re a big fan of classic American-style dining, but with a slightly upscale flair
You want a great meal without paying an arm and a leg — these prices are really reasonable!

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

You’re not staying near/at Renaissance Orlando Resort — it’s a good spot, but not worth completely going out of your way for
You want a menu that has more unique options, especially ones from around the world
You’re looking for a super quick meal. This is a sit-down spot, so it’s going to take up some time!

We 100% think this is a super solid spot, and a great place to go if you’re staying at the hotel or nearby. It won’t let you down — at least, nothing we had gave us that impression!

We’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more!