Downtown Dining

DodgerMessa

DdogerMessa
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
I don't see many things about the dining in downtown. I am curious of your thoughts of Fulton's, Portabello's and Paradis 37. I LOVE Raglan Road but I also am looking at places I have not tried yet. Any feedback would be appreciated.:)
 
Our Ratings of Fulton's (Lunch / Dinner): (rev 8/5/2012)
. . . food price value: B / C
. . . food quality: B / C
. . . food quantity per serving: B / B
. . . food prep speed: C / D
. . . food selection: B / B
. . . seating quantity: B / B
. . . seating comfort: C / C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B / B
. . . eatery convenience: C / C
. . . staff friendliness: C / B
. . . staff attentiveness: D / C
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Fulton's, as several other DTD eateries, like Portobello
and Wolfgang Puck, is part of the Levy chain. Most seafood is
quite good, but many think overpriced. The crab claws are
good, but pass the lobster or crab legs, as major disappointment
lurks. One would expect far better service considering the price.
However, the "riverboat" is a nice environment, but the staff does
not keep the place clean enough for our taste. Be prepared to give
CPR to your wallet when the bill comes, and try not to gasp too
loudly. If we stop for lunch we use it as a QS-type meal. I usually do
an appetizer (shrimp cocktail) and soup (either Lobster Bisque or
Clam Chowder) with a few libations. It makes a good/filling lunch and
doesn't injure the wallet or cripple the budget. We normally do not
do the sandwiches or specialties, as the pricing is too steep, so we
cannot vouch for them


****************************************************

Our Ratings of Portobello: (3/21/2012)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: C
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Portobello is owned by the Levy Group, along with Fulton's
and Wolfgang Puck's at Disney. The Italian is surprisingly well above
average for a WDW eatery. Good variety of pasta, and a good choice
of seafood and beef. I would skip the Chicken and the Osso Buco. Like
most of the Levy eateries, they are a little over priced for the quantity
and quality.


*****************************************************


Our Ratings of Paradiso 37: (rev 6/9/2012)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: C
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: D
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: D
. . . eatery atmosphere: D
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: n /a

NOTE: A major disappointment for an E-Brand chain
restaurant.Had great hopes, but the eatery does not
seem to improve. In fact, over the last year, seems to
have retreated. Additionally, the eatery is always much
too loud. Lunch was adequate. Dinner was seriously lacking.
 
DH and I love Paradiso 37. They have excellent drinks and everything we've had to eat there has been very yummy! We love to sit on the patio or by the windows overlooking it and watch the river and Saratoga Springs.
 


We were at Portobello this past September, and while the food was tasty and the atmosphere good it was nothing special. We would probably return one day, but not until hitting a ton of other places around The World.
 
We really like Fultons. My nephews ask for it every time. I know not everyone agrees, and I do feel it is overpriced for what it is, but we like the food. It's not necessarily "signature" experience, and we don't expect that. (Although it's priced that way. :confused3)

I tried Paradiso this last trip while waiting for my family to arrive. Loud. And the food (fish tacos) was pretty tasteless. It was oddly dry for a fish taco. The waiter brought me some hot sauce when he saw my expression, so likely I am not the first to feel that way. :) Nice wine selection. I mainly chose it because it was Christmas Day and PACKED everywhere else, and since I was alone I was able to grab a seat at the bar fairly easily.

Haven't done Portobello, but have heard good things. We really disliked T-Rex. Tried it a few years back when the boys were still into Dinosaurs. But when we walked past it this last trip, the younger one said "NOT eating there ever again!" :lmao: I didn't even think he remembered!

Rainforest is fine....it's chain food, and it's pretty chaotic. When the boys were young (really young) they enjoyed the ambience.
 
We've enjoyed Paradiso 37 on a few occasions, although I do agree it can be loud there. It seemed to get loud between the "live" music sets when the musician is on break. We have enjoyed the food there though and have always had good service.

Feel free to check out my review with photos:
http://disneydiningreviews.com/paradiso-37-dining.htm
 


Trex, RFC and Paradiso are some of our fav places. DS loves the filet at Paradiso, but it is only offered on the prix fix meal and is $$. None of us are thrilled with the other 2 courses, but they won't let him get the filet only. Luckily we have TIW and get 20% off. But this is something I don't like about Paradiso!! RR is great too. But you already know that!
 
I don't see many things about the dining in downtown. I am curious of your thoughts of Fulton's, Portabello's and Paradis 37. I LOVE Raglan Road but I also am looking at places I have not tried yet. Any feedback would be appreciated.:)

IMHO:

Fulton's - a better value at lunch than dinner. We do lunch here every trip. One of the better lunch options at DTD.

Portabello - Did it last year, won't be back this decade. Overpriced, quality lags behind even chef boy ardee. Also, only the pizza is baked. No chicken parm, eggplant parm, or lasagna options. Seating WAY too tight. Service was poor as well.

Paradiso - tried this in October. Surprisingly good. Menu is so diverse it can be confusing, but the food we had was solid. With the screwed up menu mess that HOB has become recently, this may be a new dinner stop for us in the DTD area.
 
Thank You everyone for all the great feedback. Catching the plane to WDW in 5 hours. So EXCITED!!!!!!:cool1:
 
Our DTD faves:

Ragland, Wolfgang Puck Express, T-Rex, House of Blues

Acceptable, better than Tutto Gusto but not as good as Il Mulino:

Portobello's

Rest. we skip or seldom eat there:

Paradiso, we live in S. Florida where we have so many wonderful Cuban rest. so we don't bother! The drinks however are good!

Wolfgang Puck Cafe, I prefer express!

Planet Hollywood, haven't eaten there in years, I can't even remember if we liked it or not at this point!
 

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