Citricos, Artist Point, or Flying Fish

[martinezmom3]

Ugh, who knew Disney planning would push me to ulcers! I've literally been up nights trying to decide on this one last Sig. Dining! Here's the deal,,,DH has a shellfish allergy and I'd hate to limit his app choices down to cheese platter (he has quite an adventurous palate, but he's new to wines and cheese, I've just started working on him), or salad. DD 10 is quite a gastronome herself for her age, but I don't want to push her too far outside of the box, she likes to try new things, but I don't want to overwhelm her.
We have nine days of DxDP and have 10 character meals planned to keep our DD 7 and DD 5 happy and the trade off for the endless buffet dining is to have a few nice meals for us older folks to enjoy My problem is, I don't really see much on the app menu at Artist Point that jumps out at me(the one thing i don't enjoy is mushrooms, so the soup's out), I don't see much on the Citricos entree list that jumps out either. Citricos seems to have more non-shellfish choices in apps for DH though. Flying fish again, looks great to me,,,but doesn't seem to offer much for DH. I did look at Jiko, but we'll be getting toward the end of the our trip, we have a reservation for Boma, and I think DD 10 might start to lose a little steam. Opinions PLEASE on these three choices. Also, will they accommodate DH to try to come up with a few app options, or is he out if luck with that? Thank you!!!

 

[Ro Z]

Never been to Citricos. Went to AP a couple years ago and got a wild boar app that looked like fancy feast cat food. I never tried it but the family said it tasted what they thought Fancy feast would taste like. I think we all got some kind of steak. I might have got something chicken? BUT the big problem was DS was sick from 4am that night for the next day and a,1/2. He finally got out of bed and very carefully tried to eat again. I have no idea if it was the food but it certainly turned us off. FF was ok. Dh and I ate there about 2 years ago. He got a calamari app that he liked but otherwise no seafood. Steaks I think or again I might have had chicken.
I think each place will work with your hubbys,allergy. What they can come up with!? IDK
Have you thought about Yachtsmen Steakhouse. It is one of our favs!

 

[martinezmom3]

Never been to Citricos. Went to AP a couple years ago and got a wild boar app that looked like fancy feast cat food. I never tried it but the family said it tasted what they thought Fancy feast would taste like. I think we all got some kind of steak. I might have got something chicken? BUT the big problem was DS was sick from 4am that night for the next day and a,1/2. He finally got out of bed and very carefully tried to eat again. I have no idea if it was the food but it certainly turned us off. FF was ok. Dh and I ate there about 2 years ago. He got a calamari app that he liked but otherwise no seafood. Steaks I think or again I might have had chicken.
I think each place will work with your hubbys,allergy. What they can come up with!? IDK
Have you thought about Yachtsmen Steakhouse. It is one of our favs!

We are doing Yachtsman, we'll actually be there the day I turn 33, yikes!!! But I kind of got amped up for Artist Point and the more I look at the menu, the less sure I am. I'm totally bummed that Cali Grill will be closed while we're there because that would totally solve this!

 

[jwfla422]

We had a nice experience not too long ago at AP. I had the cedar plank salmon and it was very tasty and did enjoy it. Not sure I'd be brave enough to order wild boar anything......but i can tell you that the one time dh ordered something that looked like fancy feast (and this was at YSH), he was sick the entire night LOL! Won't be doing that again, if it looks like fancy feast its going back!

We've actually been to all 3 restaurants (and I have reviews on all 3 on my website if you'd like to check it out just click on the link below and go to the RESORTS page and scroll down to each restaurant).

Citricos was good for us way back but not so in more recent times although a fellow DISer had a more positive experience. AP had struck a nerve some years ago and we stayed away until this year (which ended up being a good experience but ironically our server was the same "excellent" server we had some years back at Citricos when we still enjoyed it).

FF has always been "consistently" good for us regardless of servers so I'd vote for that one.

 

[Ro Z]

We are doing Yachtsman, we'll actually be there the day I turn 33, yikes!!! But I kind of got amped up for Artist Point and the more I look at the menu, the less sure I am. I'm totally bummed that Cali Grill will be closed while we're there because that would totally solve this!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are a baby. My DS is closer to 33 than I am! I thought about Fultons too. I liked it and I don't eat seafood. But I don't have an allergy and we weren't on any DDP. I am looking at Citricos and think that might be good for you! There sre some good looking apps for your Hubs. And a couple differant entres on the kids menu. And GF is gorgeous! Maybe you can plan your ressie so you can see wishes. IDK if you can see it from the restaurant but you can see it outside!

 

[Rileygirl]

I've done all three restaraunts. AP underwhelms me, FF is always good, but I love Citrico's, although its expensive. We make a point of going to Citricos, even when we are down for a couple of days because I think its the least 'dumbed down' restaraunt in all of Disney (well, not thinking about V&A- never been, its on the list, or cali grill which is excellent). REAL Flavour, choice and presentation. A couple of times, the chef has come to the table to inquire about our plates (our kids are adventerous eaters too). This is one of the few restaurants that I feel the chef IS a chef.
I would do Jiko over Boma in a heartbeat though, especially if cost is not an issue. I have eaten there several times, and only once got something sub par. Normally its outstanding. Another side note, I would do Sanaa over boma too. I like boma, its good. But Sanaa is a unappreciated diamond.

Everyone has thier own likes and dislikes, but Citricos is awesome in my opinion. I also take into consideration where I am staying when making my dining plans. If I am at AKL- I would hit Jiko and Sanaa. If we are on the monerail, then I am at Citricos, and Cali. Yacht and Beach club then its flying fish for sure.

HTH

Have fun on your trip, I think you are going to eat pretty darn good.

 

[martinezmom3]

I've done all three restaraunts. AP underwhelms me, FF is always good, but I love Citrico's, although its expensive. We make a point of going to Citricos, even when we are down for a couple of days because I think its the least 'dumbed down' restaraunt in all of Disney (well, not thinking about V&A- never been, its on the list, or cali grill which is excellent). REAL Flavour, choice and presentation. A couple of times, the chef has come to the table to inquire about our plates (our kids are adventerous eaters too). This is one of the few restaurants that I feel the chef IS a chef.
I would do Jiko over Boma in a heartbeat though, especially if cost is not an issue. I have eaten there several times, and only once got something sub par. Normally its outstanding. Another side note, I would do Sanaa over boma too. I like boma, its good. But Sanaa is a unappreciated diamond.

Everyone has thier own likes and dislikes, but Citricos is awesome in my opinion. I also take into consideration where I am staying when making my dining plans. If I am at AKL- I would hit Jiko and Sanaa. If we are on the monerail, then I am at Citricos, and Cali. Yacht and Beach club then its flying fish for sure.

HTH

Have fun on your trip, I think you are going to eat pretty darn good.

Thanks so much. I'm leaning toward Citricos at this point. We already have an 8:00 ressie and I think I may just leave it. There seems to be a better variety of apps to include DH, but also some apps that all three of our DDs would nibble on as well. I'd like our DD 10 to really enjoy her first trip with the adult menu and not feel overwhelmed. Also, Boma is a must for DH, (his first trip was in 2009), our first trip with our kids as well, we stayed at AKL and Boma just really stuck with him
We're hitting 10 character meals total,,CRT for breakfast and dinner, both 'Ohana meals, both 1900 Park and Fare meals... Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, Akershus, Cape May, and Tusker House for breakfast. Via Napoli and Chefs de France for lunch. BOG, Boma, Narcoossee's, Raglan Rd, Yachtsman, and this one last sig for dinner, so, at this point, I guess I should be more worried about the ten lbs I'll need to drop when we return! We're trying the Port Orleans this time, but we're renting a car to accommodate our eating schedule, it seems like relying of the bus system would never work for our plans. It's a trip that we've only made twice over the past ten years, so it's something that I always want to go all out for because we won't be back for a few years. Thanks so much

 

[wiigirl]

Citricos would be my suggestion...

 

[neodymm]

Citricos!!! We had an amazing experience there for my DH and FIL's bday dinner last year. We had one person in the group with gluten & yeast allergies, so we noted this on the ADR. The chef met us at our table as we were sitting down. He discussed menu options, what everyone would prefer to order, what he suggested and then he prepared an off the menu delectable meal for the person with the dietary restrictions! We had several apps, entrees, several desserts and wine. DD even approved of the kid's menu (she's a picky eater...more a salmon & couscous kid than chicken fingers). Food, service, ambience...all great IMO. We enjoyed Citricos more than Cali Grill. If you choose Citricos, note your DDs shellfish allergy on the ADR.

We are doing FF this October and still have not gone to AP. The reviews scare me, but we will try it eventually just to complete my dine at all Disney restaurants bucket list.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Flying Fish is always very very good!

 

[figment_jii]

I've also been to all three and I would highly recommend Artist Point or Flying Fish. Citricos is my least favorite of the Signature restaurants.

Artist Point has excellent appetizers and entrees. The ceder plank salmon is moist and delicious. The buffalo steak was interesting, but it's best when cooked medium rare, so it's a little too uncooked for me. The smokey portabello soup is excellent and doesn't have a strong mushroom flavor. The heirloom beet salad is also very good (and very pretty). The service is excellent and well paced, and the picture windows are stunning. This is one of my favorite signatures.

Flying Fish has excellent seafood (at least that is what I've had). The calamari and crab cakes are very good, but I suppose those are no-nos for you DH. The potato-wrapped snapper is very good. The service was excellent and the theme is very cute (boardwalk).

Citricos was another kettle of fish entirely. The food was okay (we had to send one dish back to the kitchen because it was served cold), but nothing outstanding. The service was markedly out of pace with the kitchen and the restaurant itself was very noisy. A three course dinner took over 2.5 hours. The wait between the dishes being cleared and the delivery of the next course averaged about 30 minutes. I keep saying we should give Citricos another chance, but with so many other good places at WDW and limited number of nights available, it hard to be willing risk another disaster and go back.

 

[martinezmom3]

I've also been to all three and I would highly recommend Artist Point or Flying Fish. Citricos is my least favorite of the Signature restaurants.

Artist Point has excellent appetizers and entrees. The ceder plank salmon is moist and delicious. The buffalo steak was interesting, but it's best when cooked medium rare, so it's a little too uncooked for me. The smokey portabello soup is excellent and doesn't have a strong mushroom flavor. The heirloom beet salad is also very good (and very pretty). The service is excellent and well paced, and the picture windows are stunning. This is one of my favorite signatures.

Flying Fish has excellent seafood (at least that is what I've had). The calamari and crab cakes are very good, but I suppose those are no-nos for you DH. The potato-wrapped snapper is very good. The service was excellent and the theme is very cute (boardwalk).

Citricos was another kettle of fish entirely. The food was okay (we had to send one dish back to the kitchen because it was served cold), but nothing outstanding. The service was markedly out of pace with the kitchen and the restaurant itself was very noisy. A three course dinner took over 2.5 hours. The wait between the dishes being cleared and the delivery of the next course averaged about 30 minutes. I keep saying we should give Citricos another chance, but with so many other good places at WDW and limited number of nights available, it hard to be willing risk another disaster and go back.

Such a conundrum! Flying Fish looks great to me, but would limit DH. DH would probably fare well at Artist Point, but I'm just not interested in their app choices. Citricos, while it would be our fourth meal in one trip at the Grand Floridian seems to have the most choices that our DDs would enjoy, but not quite as creative of an entree selection for DH and myself. I've got our schedule down to a fine tuned rhythm, I know how to plan for A-Z because as anyone with children knows, nothing ever goes according to plan when you want it to, but good grief, who knew my stress would come down to one reservation! Lol. Snagged 8-8:15's for Crystal Palace, Tusker House, and Akershus,, got both 'Ohana's when I wanted them, both CRT's when I wanted them, and BOG when I wanted it. Just this one last thing, lololol!

 

[figment_jii]

Such a conundrum! Flying Fish looks great to me, but would limit DH. DH would probably fare well at Artist Point, but I'm just not interested in their app choices. Citricos, while it would be our fourth meal in one trip at the Grand Floridian seems to have the most choices that our DDs would enjoy, but not quite as creative of an entree selection for DH and myself. I've got our schedule down to a fine tuned rhythm, I know how to plan for A-Z because as anyone with children knows, nothing ever goes according to plan when you want it to, but good grief, who knew my stress would come down to one reservation! Lol. Snagged 8-8:15's for Crystal Palace, Tusker House, and Akershus,, got both 'Ohana's when I wanted them, both CRT's when I wanted them, and BOG when I wanted it. Just this one last thing, lololol!

That's a lot to try and balance.

I know you mentioned eating at Boma so you were ruling out Jiko, but I would consider Jiko. It has a lot of really good items and not that much overlap with Boma (except they both have African influences). There are several non-shellfish entrees and appetizers that are very good. Plus the atmosphere is very nice, the service is excellent, and after (or before) dinner you can go see the animals.

 

[martinezmom3]

That's a lot to try and balance.

.

Lol, stay at home mom for the past 8 years. 3 girls, ages 9, 7, and 4, all three of them are in dance, gymnastics, and swimming. Our oldest has drum lessons, the middle has guitar lessons, and I teach the baby girls' preschool art class one day a week. We actually just had a five hour drive (each way) this weekend for our oldest daughter to compete at the state finals for the TeamQuest quiz bowl(4th place, yay!!) and my husband had to be back to work Sunday afternoon. He did eight years in the Army, and has been a police officer for the past seven years, and now he's also a full time student. None of us really has a chance to sit still throughout the day, not even really sure if we know how to sit still, but our reward for that is his days off when we can take our time, and sit at the table together and enjoy dinner. Typical dinner at home for all five of us is usually about and hour and a half at the table, so it is something that we take seriously because we really enjoy it! I think I'm actually looking forward to eating just as much as the parks!

 

[MomtoGKC]

We just ate at FF this weekend - it was incredible! I had been there before and liked it, but this time seemed even better. Some things we had that were not shellfish - the caprisi salad app (tomato & mozzarella), the mozzarella was so fresh and melted in my mouth - paired with red wine it was the best. The charred steak - it came out looking a little too charred for my liking but turned out to have the most delicious flavor. I actually got the surf & turf so got the steak and the potato wrapped snapper. I am not a bug fish eater but had remembered it was my mom's favorite - we all loved it. I might even order just that next time.

We had a super nice server named Bob who made the dinner even better.

 

[baldy6060]

My wife & I ate at AP last year for our honeymoon. I had the mushroom soup which was good but her salad was even better. I had the swordfish which was amazing. She had the salmon. I HATE salmon and I've had it several different ways in some nice restaurants. I took 1 bite of hers and thought it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Then for dessert we got the cobbler. Holy Cow, it was awesome! Easily one of the best meals I've had anywhere. Atmosphere, service, food, everything was perfect.

 

[Rileygirl]

Well, looks like everyone has a different experience! I suppose any of the three are a good choice.

I am sorry to mention this, I hate to add to the pot, but:

You are staying at Port Orleans with downtown Disney just a lovely boat ride away. I would have had wolfgang pucks on my bucket list if that was the case. Also, the Earl for a counter service lunch....... Yum.

Edited to add: Also, although some of your double ups are good places to eat, I personally would choose to do only one time at each restaurant, so I could experience different places. I just had to put that out there

One last note: To be fair to Artist Point, I have not eaten there for several years, so perhaps my imput on this restaurant is not a current valid point. I think the same thing happened to me as a previous poster: bad experience there, too many other good places to go to, so I havent been back.

 

[martinezmom3]

Well, looks like everyone has a different experience! I suppose any of the three are a good choice.

I am sorry to mention this, I hate to add to the pot, but:

You are staying at Port Orleans with downtown Disney just a lovely boat ride away. I would have had wolfgang pucks on my bucket list if that was the case. Also, the Earl for a counter service lunch....... Yum.

Edited to add: Also, although some of your double ups are good places to eat, I personally would choose to do only one time at each restaurant, so I could experience different places. I just had to put that out there

One last note: To be fair to Artist Point, I have not eaten there for several years, so perhaps my imput on this restaurant is not a current valid point. I think the same thing happened to me as a previous poster: bad experience there, too many other good places to go to, so I havent been back.

So funny, I did look at WP recently and decided to just back away and not add anymore ideas, lol! And the ones that we doubled up on were really for the girls to see the characters. I figured the two littles ones aren't huge eaters, they don't really care where we eat, they'll find enough, and the rest of us will just enjoy seeing them so excited. Our oldest DD(10) does have a bit of an adult appetite, she's just under five feet tall and a competitive swimmer, so she can pack in the calories, but she's a total mother hen, I think we'll all have a great time watching how real it is for the younger girls.

 

[Rileygirl]

Well, I think you have a good handle on things You are going to have an amazing experience at Disney, at least food wise!

Have a great trip,

 

[martinezmom3]

Well, I think you have a good handle on things You are going to have an amazing experience at Disney, at least food wise!

Have a great trip,

Thanks for all the suggestions! Still haven't figured out what the heck to do, I might pass this one off to DH and make him decide!