Best Signature Restaurant???

[tinkjess3]

I want to surprise my husband with a really nice meal while we are down in Disney. We are on the dining plan but I want to include one really nice place. We are in our mid twenties. We have never dined in a signature place so need suggestions!!! Thanks ahead of time! :)

[msujroot]

If money is no object, I would take him to Victoria and Albert's. My DW and I went there on our honeymoon 5 years ago, and we will never forget it. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the food is wonderful. You will leave feeling like you just did something special together.

If you are looking for something on the dining plan, I would recommend getting fireworks viewing at California Grill or a window seat at night at Narcoossee's. Both of those restaurants also have the "special" feeling that you are looking for.

Also (and I'm not sure if you are like my wife and I were...please don't be offended if you aren't), my DW and I did not have any experience with "fine dining" before we went to WDW on our honeymoon, and we were pretty intimidated. The lesson...DON'T BE!!! We made a committment to ourselves to try one "new" thing each day to expand our horizons a bit, and I can honestly tell you that we have never been disappointed.

Good luck!

[AuroraBeauty]

We just came back from WDW and we ate at Jiko, Narcoosee's and Citrico's for our signature meals.

To me Narcoosee's felt like a fancy Red Lobster. The food was about 20 times better than any Red Lobster but it wasn't very high end from my perspective. Citricos had that white glove feeling and felt more intimate. Both are beautiful restaurants and the food is wonderful at both. But for me Narcoosee's lacked the ambiance and 'special touch'.

Jiko was excellent, both food and service. The atmosphere is intimate and quiet also. The food is not that crazy. It was an excellent meal and the flavors they use are recognizable but unique.

I've heard that California Grill is lovely and with the view it's terrific, if you can get the view.

On some of the 'other review sites' Brown Derby doesn't fare well. I've eaten at the original in LA so I won't even try this one b/c nothing will ever be as good as the original in my mind.

I've heard good things about Artist's Point, except for the desserts. Always great compliments on the food and ambiance but from what I've read many seem to think the desserts are an afterthought.

But, as the PP stated, if you can do V&A you will not be disappointed. It will be an experience you will talk about for a lifetime -- or until you go to V&A again.

Best wishes to you!

[cdrn1]

We just ate at California Grill and it was a wonderful experience! We had a 9 pm reservation, checked in at 8:40 and were given a pager and went out on the observation deck. The view was amazing! We got paged at about 5 minutes till, and when we were seated our waiter came and asked us if we were interested in seeing Wishes. Of course we were, so he directed us to a less-crowded observation deck and said he would come back after the fireworks and answer any questions we had about the menu. We watched the show, then proceeded to have an amazing dinner. The service was impeccable and the food was top-notch.

[Tricia1972]

Our favorite so far is Jiko. It's very adult, even though it accepts the DDP.

[Markstudy]

We just got back..... here's how I rate them

Rated #1
California Grill - Great meal, Best staff, Great view, loved the decor and feel of this place. Fireworks and view have best WOW factor!

Rated #2
Jiko- great food, great atmosphere, and I really enjoyed my view of the little water pool in front of the resturant. Also uniquely QUITE (you don't find that very often at Disney)

Rated #3
Narcoosee's- Great food, restaurant is built on stilts over the water which is very cool. But inside decor was just boring. Fireworks too far away for me to really enjoy (I like to be closer to the action). Electric water parade...we couldn't see it, just a glancing view.

Rated #4
Artist Point - Great meal, loved the buffalo! Nice view, decor was too plain for me. Lobby had a better Wow! factor.

Haven't tried V&A or Citrico's yet.

[jeepgirl30]

I really enjoy California Grill, Jiko and Flying Fish. All have a very upscale atmosphere but with their own touches. CG seems big, fancy and has an awesome view. Jiko is warm and inviting with wonderful smells! Flying Fish is on the boardwalk but the interior is decorated very high end. The food at all is amazing.

Narcoossee and Foltons to me just seem over priced without atmosphere. The food is good at Narcoossees but I was surprised how limited the wine list seemed compared to the others above.

[disneyfreak71]

No doubt, V&A is the nicest if you have no price range. The harp, service, food, atmosphere....

Where do I stop!!! A once in a lifetime.

And if you thank the server she says "There is no need to thank me sir."