Birnbaums Best

[Uncleromulus]

Just ran across their restaurant recommendations in the 2016 issue--

Don't even mention Shulas as a top steakhouse.

Don't even mention Blue Zoo as a top seafood spot.

Chose Via Napoli over Il Mulino as best Italian.

Named Wave as best all-around restaurant.

And worst of all--had a "best crabcake" category!!

Oh well--it is their publication----

 

[steves100]

From what I have heard Il Mulino is the best Italian on property my family likes Tutto

 

[OhThePain]

Well? Don't leave us hanging. Who does indeed have the best crabcake? I'm on pins and needles here.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Answer is--NOBODY at WDW has a good crabcake!!

At least as compared to a genuine Md crabcake.

To even include such category given what is available at WDW is misleading folks into thinking that some of them are actually good!!!

 

[Allison]

Birnbaum's is the official guide for WDW. They aren't going to name restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin as the best restaurants.

 

[Uncleromulus]

They named a couple of them as runners up--plus Picabu Lounge, Fultons, Kimonos, Boathouse all got voted best in certain categories.. all non-Disney spots

 

[Tozzie]

Just ran across their restaurant recommendations in the 2016 issue--

Don't even mention Shulas as a top steakhouse.

Don't even mention Blue Zoo as a top seafood spot.

Chose Via Napoli over Il Mulino as best Italian.

Named Wave as best all-around restaurant.

And worst of all--had a "best crabcake" category!!

Oh well--it is their publication----

Not everyone thinks your picks are the best on property, I don't think Blue Zoo has that great of a menu as for Shula's I would love to try it but their portions of what I like are way to big and won't go there. Il Mulino to me was Italian nothing that special .

It is all about your tastes not anyone else's I personally don't like your top picks Apparently I am not alone.

 

[L&Lfan]

I love bluezoo, Il Mulino and Shula's and I think they're the best seafood, Italian and steakhouse on site, but I haven't tried the Boathouse yet. I think Birnbaum's names Flying Fish Cafe as having the best crab cakes on site.

 

[OKW Lover]

Shula's is a bit over-rated for us. We are pretty happy with the Filet at Yachstman, at a lower price than Shula's.

OTOH, for a really good steak (better than YSH or Shula's), head a short way off property to the Waldorf Astoria in Bonnet Creek. The Bull & Bear there is outstanding!

 

[tomatecerise]

I think you have to Try yourself to make your idea. My plans (If i had enough money) is to Try all of them. I dream come true. Exit the prince, bring the food! I let My stomach talk for me before My heart

 

[JimmyV]

I don't think Blue Zoo has that great of a menu...

But what about the quality of the food that is on the menu? What seafood restaurant at WDW prepares better dishes than bluezoo? And are there enough such restaurants such that bluezoo doesn't deserve a mention in a list of "bests"? As a restaurant critic making a list, one has to get past whether they like the menu and instead focus on the quality of what is coming out of the kitchen, at least to some degree. One might detest swordfish, for example. But if that person is going to be a respected critic or source of research the way Birnbaum is, it isn't sufficient to say: "This restaurant stinks because it serves swordfish." Such individual bias has to be put aside. That is why critics typically dine in groups of 4 or 6. That way, they can say: "While I am not a fan of swordfish, one of the members of our party is, and she tried it and enjoyed/didn't enjoy it." It may seem counterintuitive, but the idea that "there isn't anything on that menu that looks appealing to me" is not a fair way for a restaurant critic to go about his/her business. It is perfectly fair for an individual diner. But Birnbaum's mission is broader than that.

Il Mulino to me was Italian nothing that special .

That's fair. But put it in perspective of what came in first. Is Tutto Italia something special? If it is, I am missing the allure. Or Via Napoli? I'd give that props for best pizza, but not best Italian.

 

[Planogirl]

Is there a way to see this list?

I like all of the places mentioned here to one degree or another. Except that we haven't tried the Wave. (I really should correct that.)

 

[Jennasis]

One man's meat is another man's poison.

 

[Micca]

I remember when Birnbaum's was the only WDW guide out there. A while later came the Unofficial Guide,and then many to follow. Other than the nice photos and ride descriptions, the Birnbaum guide was never really a good strategic guide, just a travelogue. At this point in time, the Birnbaum guide can be dismissed as anything other than a pictorial book(and with the internet, what's the use of that?) With the Disney stamp of approval, it has no value as a critical resource.

 

[Uncleromulus]

But what about the quality of the food that is on the menu? What seafood restaurant at WDW prepares better dishes than bluezoo? And are there enough such restaurants such that bluezoo doesn't deserve a mention in a list of "bests"? As a restaurant critic making a list, one has to get past whether they like the menu and instead focus on the quality of what is coming out of the kitchen, at least to some degree. One might detest swordfish, for example. But if that person is going to be a respected critic or source of research the way Birnbaum is, it isn't sufficient to say: "This restaurant stinks because it serves swordfish." Such individual bias has to be put aside. That is why critics typically dine in groups of 4 or 6. That way, they can say: "While I am not a fan of swordfish, one of the members of our party is, and she tried it and enjoyed/didn't enjoy it." It may seem counterintuitive, but the idea that "there isn't anything on that menu that looks appealing to me" is not a fair way for a restaurant critic to go about his/her business. It is perfectly fair for an individual diner. But Birnbaum's mission is broader than that.


That's fair. But put it in perspective of what came in first. Is Tutto Italia something special? If it is, I am missing the allure. Or Via Napoli? I'd give that props for best pizza, but not best Italian.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Forgot to write my message!! Which is that Via Napoli was given 'Best Italian"--and as noted it's mostly a good but glorified Pizza Parlor.

 

[disnut8]

One man's meat is another man's poison.

Which is exactly why I don't read reviews about restaurants or resorts. *I* know what *I* like, *I* know what *my* family likes, and *we* make the decisions. Words on a piece of paper or on a PC screen mean nothing when those people who wrote them won't be dining or staying with us.

 

[happymommy]

Birnbaum is the "official" tour book for Disney, though. They are sponsored by Disney. As such, they also say NOTHING bad about Disney. Period.
It's nice for someone who knows absolutely nothing at Disneyworld, and has pretty pictures.
They really shouldn't even charge for it. It's one big advertisement for the parks.

 

[cigar95]

When Steve was alive and produced the book himself, he always made it clear that he was free to "tell it as he saw it". And his early books certainly were not afraid to be critical. If things have changed since Steve's passing, that's unfortunate. But as far as I know, it's still an independent publication.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Apparently, the Captain's Grille has fantastic crab cakes. At least my dad seemed to think they were the best he'd ever had at WDW and some of the best he's ever had, period. I'll try them in March.