Quick Review of THE WAVE

[MyGoofy26]

We just got back a week ago and The Wave was our best meal of the trip. Due to a conversation with the waitress, I thought I'd do a quick review.

We had originally planned this for our first night but after working late the night before, an early flight and exhaustion from running around all day we split some cheese fries from the food court and decided to make it an early night, cancelling this reservation. We had another day that we needed to find a place and ended up giving it another try.

We got to the Contemporary and quickly found the restaurant after taking the scenic route around the elevators. Oh! There it is!:rotfl:

We were a little early at this point, but no problems. We were seated within minutes. The restaurant wasn't very full. Maybe 1/3rd of the tables were being used. Our waitress was at the table quickly taking drink orders, making some recommendations and talking a little about the restaurant.

We both had the tenderloin. I'm a well-done kind of girl. I don't say this to get the foodies riled up about how I'm ruining a steak. I have a weak stomach, too much pink (or red, the horror!) reminds me too much of flesh and if I think like that then I could easily go vegetarian. So, as you can figure out, I'm used to slightly charred, tough and stringy steaks. That's the norm in my world. We weren't given steak knives. When the entrees came out, it was so tender that I could cut it with my butter knife! Easily! No fighting with it! This was one of the best steaks I have ever had in my life.

The waitress came back out a little later and asked how things were so we raved to her about how much we were enjoying it. I commented that I'd rate it higher than our meal at the California Grill. She seemed a little surprise and said she's so glad to hear that. She went on about how much trouble they're having getting noticed. Disney spent millions (I think she said 3.5 million?) to build this restaurant and refuse to do any marketing for it. She said they won't even put something in the rooms at the resort to let people know it's there, so the staff has had to deal with slow business. She asked how we heard about it and I mentioned reading reviews online shortly after it opened. She seemed pretty please that word is getting out somehow since Disney is leaving it up to word of mouth pretty much. That's what prompted me to make sure I wrote about it.

Once we cleaned our plates, it was time for dessert. We ordered creamy and decadent (mine!) and oh my goodness, if nothing else I recommend stopping in for dessert! I was so close to actually licking my dishes clean! SO good!


By the time we were done, the restaurant was about half full. It wasn't silent, but there wasn't a ton of noise like we experienced in other restaurants (Cali Grill for example again) and even the kids that were there were so well-behaved. It's a very soothing space to sit in and relax.

For the dining plan, it's a huge bargain. I think our bill came to around $90 for two and all we paid was tip. They allow you to get the large bottles of Evian or Perrier (maybe it was Pellegrino?) as your drink. I noticed many in the wait staff pointing out that they allowed that whereas most restaurants won't count that for the dining plan.

Everyone we encountered in there was nice. From checkin, to the hostess, our waitress and the random CMs we passed while leaving, everyone was pleasant and greeted you with a smile.

If I didn't know better, I would have been almost certain that this was a 2TS restaurant on the dining plan.

I'm SO not a fan of the Contemporary Resort so if I'm raving about something there, you know I'm serious! :rotfl:

[Rebelmom67]

I'm thrilled to hear such a positive review! We are going in December and I can't wait, I'm definitely getting the filet. However, my filet will be prepared RARE and I will sop up all the blood with the bread!!!:cool1:

I would have made a good caveman.;) :lmao:

[catne]

so glad you like it too...we were there 9/2 and also had the tenderloins (but you wouldn't have like to be at our table:scared1: ...we're rare, all the way.:rotfl: )

and those desserts...wow. Did you know you can actually substitute...they have the 3 grouped desserts, but you can actually pick & choose one from each of the 3 grouped if you like?

[catne]

I'm thrilled to hear such a positive review! We are going in December and I can't wait, I'm definitely getting the filet. However, my filet will be prepared RARE and I will sop up all the blood with the bread!!!:cool1:

I would have made a good caveman.;) :lmao:

You will be very pleased...as a fellow cave-person, I can tell you the filets were very well prepared. They know how to do rare!:thumbsup2

[Rebelmom67]

You will be very pleased...as a fellow cave-person, I can tell you the filets were very well prepared. They know how to do rare!:thumbsup2

That is wonderful to hear, I'm always on a quest for the perfect filet! I think that bolded part in my post needs to be our tag, maybe the tag fairy of the restaurant boards will take note.;) :p

[iluvpluto27]

Thanks for the positive review. I really fancy trying the wave, but just can't fit it into my schedule this time round. It will be a must try next time though!

[John's Mom]

Thanks for your great review! :goodvibes

[tebookie]

Thanks for the review. We have a reservation for The Wave later in the month and I've been looking forward to it.

[aim]

Great to hear!! We have a ADR for November 14 and now I really can't wait. I am sure it will be the filet for us too!!! (Rare that is!) Thanks for the review!

[hill6]

The more I read the more I can't wait. We are dining there Nov 15th.

[Minniespal]

Excellent:thumbsup2

[accountingbabe08]

I'm going to call later and see if I can get a ressie for the WAVE.

You have inspired me to try it . Sounds like you had a great experience.

[DisneyMom5]

Thanks for the review. We're always scared to try something new. Helps to have feedback! :thumbsup2

[daisy112878]

Good to hear. We're going in a couple of weeks to try it out for dinner before MNSSHP. Dh and I are also going to do a monorail bar tour. We've decided the Wave is one of the stops we'll be making.

[Northern_Julie]

I am anxious about this ADR for my trip. I am intrigued by the concept. I am surprised Disney is not willing to showcase it a bit more.

[dizneydiva2005]

Just ate there a week ago- LOVED it!!!! :thumbsup2

[rdsx28]

I am almost embarassed to ask but do they have chicken nuggets for kids ? My daughter is an extrememly fussy eater and that's all she really likes.:confused3 Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

[hill6]

I am almost embarassed to ask but do they have chicken nuggets for kids ? My daughter is an extrememly fussy eater and that's all she really likes.:confused3 Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

I found this

The Wave
Child's Menu



Lunch (Updated: 06/08)
Entree/Main Course

Grilled Fish of the Day - Served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies, and yogurt parfait. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice. Soft drinks available upon request. - $7.59
Pizza - Made with mozzarella and diced chicken (optional) served with veggies and brown-sugar apples. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice. Soft drinks available upon request. - $7.59
The Wave Kid's Picks - Choice of 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert. Appetizers: Garden Salad. Entrees: Linguini with marinara sauce and mozzrella cheese served with veggies, Chicken nachos with green apples, celery, and carrots, or Hamburger with potato wedges. Desserts: Fruit salad or Vanilla gelato sundae. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice. Soft drinks available upon request. - $7.59



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dinner (Updated: 06/08)
Entree/Main Course

Grilled Fish of the Day - Served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies, and yogurt parfait. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice. Soft drinks available upon request. - $7.59
Pizza - Made with mozzarella and diced chicken (optional) served with veggies and brown-sugar apples. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice. Soft drinks available upon request. - $7.59
The Wave Kid's Picks - Choice of 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert. Appetizers: Garden Salad. Entrees: Linguini with marinara sauce and mozzrella cheese served with veggies, Chicken nachos with green apples, celery, and carrots, or Hamburger with potato wedges. Desserts: Fruit salad or Vanilla gelato sundae. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice. Soft drinks available upon request. - $7.59

[MyGoofy26]

Haven't had a chance to check back in here.

I'm sure all you "cavemen" will love it :rotfl: If my steak was that good, imagine when it's done the way it's supposed to be?

Something else I meant to write but forgot is about the idea of this restaurant. I read a lot of the threads where people were, I guess put off by the concept and use of the word "sustainable" on the menus. Not everyone obviously, but I read quite a few posts where people thought it was too weird or too different for them. I can assure you that if you didn't know that the idea was to use local and "sustainable" foods, you would have absolutely no idea that this restaurant was different. I think for a lot of people, the idea of local and organic sounds bland and blah, but it's just food. Food that hasn't travelled thousands of miles. There's no difference except that the menu changes a little from season to season. So anyone that's worried about how this affects the meal, don't give it another thought. Once you take that first bite, you'll forget all about it.

[distherapy]

Thanks for the review!!! We're going but, sigh, not until January.

[catne]

Haven't had a chance to check back in here.

I'm sure all you "cavemen" will love it :rotfl: If my steak was that good, imagine when it's done the way it's supposed to be?

Something else I meant to write but forgot is about the idea of this restaurant. I read a lot of the threads where people were, I guess put off by the concept and use of the word "sustainable" on the menus. Not everyone obviously, but I read quite a few posts where people thought it was too weird or too different for them. I can assure you that if you didn't know that the idea was to use local and "sustainable" foods, you would have absolutely no idea that this restaurant was different. I think for a lot of people, the idea of local and organic sounds bland and blah, but it's just food. Food that hasn't travelled thousands of miles. There's no difference except that the menu changes a little from season to season. So anyone that's worried about how this affects the meal, don't give it another thought. Once you take that first bite, you'll forget all about it.

Agree 100%...it's all just put in there to fit the "concept" of this restaurant. Which is a nice concept and all, but a little silly, when you think about it. In fact, I found it very funny how often the menu used "organic" and "sustainable" and other such socially conscious and health-inspiring descriptions. Especially when they were talking about items like booze ("organic" beer flight; the tropi-glow cocktail with it's "x-fusion of "organic" mango liqueur" and so on...as if putting in the buzz words made these things healthier or better for you. C'mon, these are indulgent treats for people on vacation. Loved 'em, and enjoyed the imaginative creative writing that went into the menu.:rotfl:

[DisneyMomx7]

We tried the Wave for the 1st time in August. We liked it so much that we booked it again for both our October and February trips. I really think this is a great restaurant that hasn't gotten noticed yet.

I had the best soup ever there - a corn/crab chowder and the tenderloin was to die for, better than LeCellier. The desserts are great - especially since you can pick individual ones for the three mini desserts.

[CanadianPaco]

Awesome!

[GoofySon'sMom]

Add us to the list of those that loved the Wave. I agree that it was one of the best meals of our trip last month.

Here are some pics ...

The Restaurant (we arrived about 5:45 and it was fairly empty but it was full when we left)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1587.jpg

The Bread Basket

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1588.jpg

Soup of the day -- Potato Leek with a mini Brie grilled cheese

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1590.jpg

DS's Lamb

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1591.jpg

My Flank Steak

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1592.jpg

The Creamy & Decadent Desserts

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1597.jpg

Dessert menu

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1594.jpg

Teapots

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii210/vs6191/img_1596.jpg

This was truly an awesome meal! A must do for our next trip (whenever that may be!)

[Copper Queen]

We loved the Wave! We just got back and I'm planning to do a review. DH had the lamb - so good! I had the seafood pasta which was delish. And the bread! OMG - it was the best we had in Disney! Service was excellent and the ambiance was very nice and sophisticated. The four of us were seated in the banquet tables which were huge - we felt so lost with all the space but it was so much fun! We had an 8:10 pm ADR - arrived at 7:45 pm and they seated us right away. Would highly recommend it!

[Lowillian]

MyGoofy,
I like my meat like you - cannot be pink AT ALL. Can you assure me yours was not pink? I usually don't order filets at WDW - they never cook it enough for me!

Thanks for the review - we wanted to try it in August, but I hadn't heard much about it.

Thanks!

[wood145]

We just switched our ADR from Kona to the Wave. We're planning on catching Wishes that night at 8pm. The menu looks great!

[MyGoofy26]

MyGoofy,
I like my meat like you - cannot be pink AT ALL. Can you assure me yours was not pink? I usually don't order filets at WDW - they never cook it enough for me!

Thanks for the review - we wanted to try it in August, but I hadn't heard much about it.

Thanks!

I didn't see any pink at all in my steak anywhere.

[Lowillian]

Thank you MyGoofy!

[Krissalee]

I have been reading so many positive reviews about the Wave. I think I will be adding it to an upcoming trip. :goodvibes:

Thanks for sharing your review!!!:hippie:

[julierocks]

Do they offer a filet on the dining plan? The menu I found online didn't show one offered at all. All that was shown is below. I'd really like a filet instead!

Braised Lamb Shank - with bulgur wheat-lentil stew and red wine sauce $25.99

Grilled Beef Tenderloin - with oven-dried tomatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, cabernet sauce and local greens $28.99

Linguini - with Florida littleneck clams and rock shrimp with chunky tomato broth $21.99

Grilled Pork Tenderloin - with pineapple rice, wilted greens and black been sauce $21.99

Grilled Marinated Flank Steak - with seasonal vegetables, chimichurri and guacamole $20.99

Braised Chicken Pot Pie - with peas, mushrooms and carrots topped with thyme pastry $19.99

Seasonal Vegetable Stew- with multigrain rice $17.99

Today's Sustainable Fish - with corn and edamame stew served with cilantro chutney $20.99

[DisneyMom5]

Do they offer a filet on the dining plan? The menu I found online didn't show one offered at all. All that was shown is below. I'd really like a filet instead!

Grilled Beef Tenderloin - with oven-dried tomatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, cabernet sauce and local greens $28.99



Grilled Beef Tenderloin - with oven-dried tomatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, cabernet sauce and local greens $28.99

This is the filet. Looks good!

[julierocks]

Oh, I guess I didn't realize they were the same cut of meat...I'm no expert here. Thanks!

[DisneyMom5]

Oh, I guess I didn't realize they were the same cut of meat...I'm no expert here. Thanks!

Ok, dh says to do a disclaimer that they are NOT the same cut of meat, but very similar and located near each other on the steer. But I think they look the same, thus the confusion.

[EpcotSweetHrts0512]

We are going in January and can't wait to have my medium steak!!! :)

[lea25]

Just made my adr today for The Wave based on this thread! :)

Question...we'll have our 2 1/2 DS with us...will we be out of place with him there? The pics have it looking like a pretty fancy place even though it's nota signature restaurant.

[Letsbgoofy]

I'm so excited to eat there in December now that I'm hearing great reviews. I wanted to try someplace new as I'm taking my 19 year old DS who hasn't come with us to WDW in a few years. He went so often when he was younger that not much is "new" to him (I know, how sad right?) We are also trying Yak and Yeti and doing his favorite Marrakesh.

Will we feel out of place in our MK park clothes?

[catne]

Just made my adr today for The Wave based on this thread! :)

Question...we'll have our 2 1/2 DS with us...will we be out of place with him there? The pics have it looking like a pretty fancy place even though it's nota signature restaurant.

it's a nice place, and kind of contemporary "glam" decor but definitely kid-friendly. No one was dressed up when we were in there in September, and there were several family groups including babies in high chairs. Enjoy!

[PhilMo78]

:cool1:
We were a little scared of this ADR too, but....

It sounds wonderful, thanks for the review!

[tripplanner]

Thanks for reviewing this restaurant. I didn't have it on my list. I really miss the Concourse. Now, I'm excited about this restaurant and am excited about making an adr.