Our Birthday Trip on Free Dining 9/10-9/18

[MickeysMommy]

I’m a little late in writing this review and, alas, there is no food porn but I will try my best!

Mom and I went down for a Birthday trip 9/10-9/18. Mom’s birthday is the 14th and mine is the 16th. We were on the dining plan and tried a couple restaurants we hadn’t been to before. These are all table service ADR’s.

Restaurants we visited:

Planet Hollywood
Narcoosee’s (First Visit)
Rainforest Café (DTD)
Cali Grill (Mom’s bday & First Visit)
Hollywood Brown Derby
Garden Grill (My bday)
Le Cellier

9/10 Planet Hollywood: We had a 6:15 ressie and we arrived about 5:30 to get out of the rain…I wandered over to the check-in and told them we had a ressie but were *really* early. She took my name and told us to go right in. It really wasn’t that busy and I like the atmosphere here but I think I am done with PH. The last time we were here (2002) we had the most delicious burgers. I decided to try the burger again. I ordered the mushroom and swiss – MEDIUM – and Mom ordered the chicken fajita. She enjoyed hers but mine came out very well done. I do not care for burgers well done. While it was a good beef patty, had it been medium it would have been a great burger. I say try this place at least once just for the atmosphere.

9/12 Narcoosee’s: Again, we had a ressie around 6pm and only had to wait a few minutes. We were seated across from the windows which was fine and our server was really good. He brought out our drinks and the delicious bread and butter. Mom ordered the Surf-n-Turf and I ordered the Lobster. Now, I know there have been a few bad reviews here but I really think it is just “hit or miss” like every other restaurant. Our meal, however, was DELICIOUS. My lobster was wonderful and Mom said she could cut her filet with a spoon. For dessert she had the crème brulee and I had the gelato. We would definitely eat here again.

9/13 Rainforest Café: We were shopping in DTD and decided to do a “Lunner”…that’s Stacey Speak for Lunch/Dinner because it was about 3pm. We didn’t have an ADR here but I walked over to the podium and was told they could seat us immediately. Mom and I both really just wanted burgers and that is exactly what we ordered…the Rainforest Burger with Swiss Cheese, Medium. It was PERFECT. Hands down, one of the best burgers I have ever had. Of course, I have not had a bad meal here yet and this did not disappoint. Mom had the chips and I got the fries. You could have fed a family with the order of fries I got but they were really good - a little on the salty side but good nonetheless. I really like it here and this place is a definite must for us every visit.

9/14 Cali Grill (Mom’s Birthday): ADR for about 6pm. Checked-in and rode the elevator to the 15th floor. The view is amazing. We were seated about 5-10 minutes later over on the EPCOT side. We could see Spaceship Earth and Animal Kingdom from our table. One thing I have to say about this restaurant is that if we had had a different server I think it would have made it even more special. Our server was arrogant from the time he came to the table and it was so annoying. He took our drink order. Mom just wanted water and I ordered a Diet Coke. He brought regular coke. Not a big deal. Then he took our dinner order. Mom ordered the filet and I ordered the pork. He brought her steak knife to me and said rather grandly, “This is for you”. (Huh?) Brought out our meals and they were good but nothing that would knock your socks off. Mom didn’t like the sauce on her meat but thought that the meal was good anyway. My pork was good. We didn’t see him again till he came to take our plates away. He didn’t check on us or anything. I was dying for another soda but didn’t get one till my dessert. I told him “Diet” and again I got “Regular”. Again, no biggie but I prefer Diet. We ordered our dessert. Mom ordered the cheesecake and I got the banana thing. He did remember her birthday but put the candle and “Happy Birthday” on my dessert and placed it in front of her. We looked at each other and just rolled our eyes. Dessert was good. I would try this restaurant again but I don’t know if it’s a must.

9/15 Hollywood Brown Derby: One of my favorites! We arrived for a 6:30 ADR and waited a few minutes because I requested a table overlooking the dining “downstairs”. We started with the rolls and butter. Heaven. I love their rolls. Mom ordered the chicken and I ordered the rib-eye and we ordered the Cobb Salad. This meal was delicious and they never disappoint. The Cobb Salad is very finely chopped and you get a huge portion. The meals came and my steak was delicious as was my mother’s chicken. However she said she thought the rice with it was a little spicy. For dessert she ordered the Strawberry Cheesecake which she just raved over. And I had the Banana Toffee Tower. I love this dessert and tried to force the whole thing down as it is so good. I left about 2 bites. Can’t recommend this place enough!!!

9/16 Garden Grill (My birthday): We have not been to this place since 2002 but we really enjoy it. We had an ADR for around 6pm and this place was jam packed! I think we waited about 10-15 minutes. We were seated at the top part of the restaurant and our server immediately came over and took our soda orders. He brought our drinks and bread. The bread here is absolutely wonderful. I could’ve eaten it all by myself. He then brought out the most delicious salad I have ever had. While we were eating some salad the characters started to come around. I think the character interaction here is one of the best. Our server then brought out the platter of food for dinner. The fish was the Mahi-Mahi and while it was good, I really missed the Fried Catfish. Steak was a little well done but good. We both think the turkey was the best and I really enjoyed the stuffing. I enjoyed the characters and really came here for them The dessert was the blueberry buckle and he brought that out along with a chocolate cupcake for me for my birthday. Mom and I both thought the blueberry dessert was delicious but I know it has had mixed reviews. I love this place and will definitely be back!

9/17 Le Cellier: Our last night. We arrived for our 6pm ADR and had about a 15-20 minute wait. We were seated and Brendan “Our Canadian” was our server. He was really good! Mom had a raspberry smoothie and I had my requisite Diet Coke. Mom ordered from the “Chef’s Favorites” and started with the Mixed Field Greens and then had the Prime Rib. I ordered a cup of cheddar cheese soup and the Filet. Her salad was huge and looked really good and my soup was great. He gave us extra pretzel breadsticks to “dunk”. I enjoy it here but it does get quite loud at times. Our meal came and it was delicious. I loved the mushroom risotto that came with mine and my filet was cooked to perfection. Mom’s Prime Rib was HUGE although she said some portions of it were a little tough but quite tasty anyway. For dessert she had the Coconut Sorbet which she enjoyed and I tried the chocolate moose for the first time. While this was cute it was really rich. I will try something else next time. This place is a definite – if you can get an ADR for it !



Any questions, please feel free to ask. I am sure I left something out!

[natalielongstaff]

very good reviews, thanks for posting

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for your reviews!! Too bad about that dopey waiter at CG. I think Brown Derby will be on my list to try next time!

[NMAmy]

Hiya, pal! Been trying to read this for several days and I always get to the Cali Grill and some emergency happens. Luckily, no emergencies today.

It sounds fabulous! And a belated to you, MM!

I swear, I am going to have to get to the Brown Derby. You always make it sound so scrumptious. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy my beloved Chocolate Moose. He's just too cute not to love.

So...are you going to try your hand at writing a trip report? I want to hear all the gory details.

[LoveTheEars]

Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for the reviews. I am going to Le Cellier during our upcoming trip. Glad to hear your experience was memorable.

[MickeysMommy]

Originally Posted by NMAmy

Hiya, pal! Been trying to read this for several days and I always get to the Cali Grill and some emergency happens. Luckily, no emergencies today.

It sounds fabulous! And a belated to you, MM!

I swear, I am going to have to get to the Brown Derby. You always make it sound so scrumptious. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy my beloved Chocolate Moose. He's just too cute not to love.

So...are you going to try your hand at writing a trip report? I want to hear all the gory details.

Hi pal! Glad no more emergencies! You do have to try Brown Derby - *we* think it's so good!!! I am not sure on the trip report though...I am not as good as you. I'm jealous!

[NMAmy]

Originally Posted by MickeysMommy

Hi pal! Glad no more emergencies! You do have to try Brown Derby - *we* think it's so good!!! I am not sure on the trip report though...I am not as good as you. I'm jealous!

That's not why you're jealous. Maybe you'll send me a PM, then, and give me the highlights?

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Thanks for the reviews. What a great way for you and your Mom to enjoy your birthdays. No more catfish at GG? That is disappointing as it was something DS would eat. I agree with your opinion of the salad there. I think knowing that the vegetables were grown there in the Land made it seem so fresh.