Figuring out Dinner and Lunch

[milan15]

We'll be celebrating our 4th anniversary the way we have our previous 3, in the land of the mouse. We love, and I don't think this can be overstated, food like it's going out of style.

We will be there July 15-20. We arrive at about 2 on Sunday and need to leave at about 5 on Friday for flights.

We really want to try some new stuff while eating there, but still make sure to hit our favorites. Could you guys help me select the 5 places for dinner and the places we should probably hit for lunch? We aren't big breakfast people.

Musts:
Naples Ristorante
Carthey Theatre (WOC)
Blue Bayou
Cafe Orleans (lunch)

Never tried, but curious:
Goofy's Kitchen
Storyteller's
Tortilla Joe's
Carnation Cafe

Where would you guys suggest we go for dinner outside the 3 musts (2 needed) and where should we look to go for lunch?
Feel free to include anything not on the list, we're really open to anything.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[sonnyjane]

Gosh I would definitely do a dinner at Plaza Inn! It's a counter service, but their food is AWESOME with HUGE portions I love Hungry Bear for a counter service lunch. The fried green tomato sandwich with onion rings is yummmmmo.

 

[milan15]

Gosh I would definitely do a dinner at Plaza Inn! It's a counter service, but their food is AWESOME with HUGE portions I love Hungry Bear for a counter service lunch. The fried green tomato sandwich with onion rings is yummmmmo.

Does Plaza Inn have a buffet or is it just counter service menu?

 

[sonnyjane]

Does Plaza Inn have a buffet or is it just counter service menu?

In the morning they have a character breakfast buffet, but for lunch and dinner they are just a counter service restaurant.

If you haven't already seen these, here is a link to all the DLR menus: http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I second sonnyjane's Plaza Inn recommendation if you like fried chicken. Don't discount counter service places. There have been quite a number of menu improvements in the last couple of years. You might want to look over the counter service offerings at DCA too. Besides the tried and true soup bread bowls at Pacific Wharf Cafe, there are now a number of new counter service places worth a look including the Paradise Pier places and the yet untried restaurants planned for Carsland.

From your list of restaurants you are curious about, I would suggest Carnation Cafe. I've never been in love with the food, but I do really like the potato soup and for some reason eating in a restaurant on Main Street is just fun. The rest of my family enjoy more of the menu items than I do. Carnation Cafe is about to re-open with a changed menu, so I know we will go again soon, and I may find something more to my taste.

One of our favorite places to eat at the resort is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DtD. We prefer lunch, but the dinner menu looks good too.

 

[milan15]

I second sonnyjane's Plaza Inn recommendation if you like fried chicken. Don't discount counter service places. There have been quite a number of menu improvements in the last couple of years. You might want to look over the counter service offerings at DCA too. Besides the tried and true soup bread bowls at Pacific Wharf Cafe, there are now a number of new counter service places worth a look including the Paradise Pier places and the yet untried restaurants planned for Carsland.

From your list of restaurants you are curious about, I would suggest Carnation Cafe. I've never been in love with the food, but I do really like the potato soup and for some reason eating in a restaurant on Main Street is just fun. The rest of my family enjoy more of the menu items than I do. Carnation Cafe is about to re-open with a changed menu, so I know we will go again soon, and I may find something more to my taste.

One of our favorite places to eat at the resort is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DtD. We prefer lunch, but the dinner menu looks good too.

We tried Ralph Brennan's in the past and weren't impressed.
We do go to their quick place, though, and get beignets quite often.

We have a tenative plan to go to Flo's Cafe in Cars Land while there. It looks really good.

Between Storytellers and Goofy's Kitchen, which would you guys pick for dinner?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Between Storytellers and Goofy's Kitchen, which would you guys pick for dinner?

For me, probably neither. We go to Storyteller's for Thanksgiving and have never been disappointed, but some of the recent reviews of non-holiday Storyteller's buffet dinner don't sound overwhelmingly positive. Maybe if you ordered off the menu, that might be better. I have been to Goofy's Kitchen with my boys quite a number of times. They like it better than DH and I do. The food to me is just meh, and I'm not big on paying a premium for characters. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we'll never go back; it's just more likely to be because my kids want to go than because DH and I particularly enjoy it.

I've always wanted to try Steakhouse 55 for dinner. Does that interest you at all? I've also heard Tangaroa Terrace and the Trader Sam's bar at DLH are fun but haven't tried either. If it was me, I would probably try one of those places in the hopes of getting a better value for my money than I would expect to get at Goofy's.

BTW, my brother and my in-laws really like Tortilla Joe's. I haven't tried it since I eat enough Mexican food around home already and because no matter how many times I read ok reviews for the place on here, I just can't mentally get past one Diser's repeated warnings about having had a bad experience there.

 

[ZanderMan]

We'll be celebrating our 4th anniversary the way we have our previous 3, in the land of the mouse. We love, and I don't think this can be overstated, food like it's going out of style.

We will be there July 15-20. We arrive at about 2 on Sunday and need to leave at about 5 on Friday for flights.

We really want to try some new stuff while eating there, but still make sure to hit our favorites. Could you guys help me select the 5 places for dinner and the places we should probably hit for lunch? We aren't big breakfast people.

Musts:
Naples Ristorante
Carthey Theatre (WOC)
Blue Bayou
Cafe Orleans (lunch)

Never tried, but curious:
Goofy's Kitchen
Storyteller's
Tortilla Joe's
Carnation Cafe

Where would you guys suggest we go for dinner outside the 3 musts (2 needed) and where should we look to go for lunch?
Feel free to include anything not on the list, we're really open to anything.

Thanks in advance for any help

Might I suggest Corn Dog castle for lunch? Seriously! Located at DCA.
Plaza Inn chicken dinner amazing! (I don't normally like chicken!)
Also if you plan it right you can eat your chicken dinner and have a killer view while eating of the fireworks! We did this last trip, perfect!

 

[Briarrose1306]

I would definitely do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. It's my favorite of all the character meals and I've always thoroughly enjoyed it. Carnation Cafe is also a great place for lunch. Make sure you make reservations though!

 

[coaches24]

Might I suggest Corn Dog castle for lunch? Seriously! Located at DCA.
Plaza Inn chicken dinner amazing! (I don't normally like chicken!)
Also if you plan it right you can eat your chicken dinner and have a killer view while eating of the fireworks! We did this last trip, perfect!

Ok I am intrigued with this idea. Can you give some planning details of how to time this right? We are going in 11 days and may want to do this instead of trying to scope out a spot.

 

[xXtowerOFterrorXx]

Definately look into Rufinos Italian Restaurant. Its a small family owned Italian place but they have the best Italian food Ive ever tasted. Heres a link to their website so you can check out their menu and see if anything sparks your interest.

http://www.rufinos.net/oc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=28

 

[smiley_face2]

We have done Storytellers, Goofy's, and Steakhouse 55, they were all good, but for a buffet Goofy's has far more choice and the carving station is realllly good! the menu items at Storytellers are very good. Steakhouse 55 is just incredible but more expensive by the time you are done than either of the buffets. SH55 does have a prix fixe meal that we have had and we were extremely happy with both the food and the price! our waiter actually tried to get us to not order it, not sure why, but we were very happy. Maybe because it is quite a bit less expensive than ordering off the menu? (everything is charged seperately, your meat/fish/poulty option, the vegetable, the starch, any sides) it can get pretty pricey. It is a bit more of a grown up type restaurant, not many children in there and all the old photos of Walt with various celebrities are fun to look at. they have an awesome lounge too that mixes really good drinks and they have a small menu, the ahi tuna sandwich was soooo good!
me enjoying a glowtini at the Steakhouse 55 lounge

 

[DizFan13]

Plaza Inn chicken dinner amazing! (I don't normally like chicken!)
Also if you plan it right you can eat your chicken dinner and have a killer view while eating of the fireworks! We did this last trip, perfect!

Ok I am intrigued with this idea. Can you give some planning details of how to time this right? We are going in 11 days and may want to do this instead of trying to scope out a spot.

I agree, very intriguing. I don't know why I've never thought of this, or how I have missed it on the boards. We are going to try to see the fireworks tomorrow night; if the fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30, what time should we plan to be at the restaurant and where would you recommend we try to sit? We actually had it in our plan to try Plaza Inn for the first time this trip.

 

[ZanderMan]

I agree, very intriguing. I don't know why I've never thought of this, or how I have missed it on the boards. We are going to try to see the fireworks tomorrow night; if the fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30, what time should we plan to be at the restaurant and where would you recommend we try to sit? We actually had it in our plan to try Plaza Inn for the first time this trip.

Well let's keep it our secret! Last fall I was reading here on the boards about the fried chicken dinner served at the Plaza Inn. One night at the park my family was exhausted from the days events and we needed a quick fix for dinner. In trying to find a spot for the fireworks and not having any luck we decided to eat dinner instead. After ordering we placed our trays down and the fireworks began! Luckily for us we had a amazing view!*

So here is my suggestion arrive around 8:45 if the fireworks start at 9:30 and find a spot out side at the Plaza Inn. Then send in your other half to grab the food and your all set! We liked the right side as your facing the Plaza to enjoy the show. (I really dont think there is a bad spot to watch) I hope this helps!*

 

[larina]

What about Napa Rose? It's expensive, but it is worth it.

 

[xXtowerOFterrorXx]

This may help as well.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2915260

 

[SilentFeline]

My votes for the restaurants you're interested in are Storyteller's and Carnation Cafe. I ordered off the regular menu both times I went to Storyteller's on my January trip, and both meals were absolutely delicious. My boyfriend and I went for lunch both times and it will be on our must-do list from now on. Carnation Cafe's loaded baked potato soup is to-die-for. It makes a great lunch. I also recommend the Corn Dog Castle, Jolly Holiday Bakery, and Troubadour Tavern for lunch. JHB has some great sandwiches and excellent desserts, and Troubadour Tavern has delicious baked potatoes (I'm partial to the BBQ chicken one). My boyfriend and I also thoroughly enjoy White Water Snacks for an affordable lunch or dinner.

 

[abbie13_15]

Another vote for Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. If you go on Thursday nights they have dueling piano players...great time!

 

[milan15]

while its a bit upsetting (probably the wrong word, but all I can think of) that there isn't a consistent recommendation, it's also proof of how well disney has done with the food.

If we all just said "go to place x" then it would mean the separate restaurants aren't doing any better and/or that one place is far above the rest.

Thank you all for recommendations, keep 'em coming!

 

[milan15]

What about Napa Rose? It's expensive, but it is worth it.

I've heard they have a dress code, is that correct?
I don't pack anything but flip flops, shorts, and t-shirts when I go to Disneyland.
IT'S A VACATION