gatordoc
hopelessly addicted...
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2007
- Messages
- 1,248
Just back from our usual October Boardwalk stay. While we spent a lot of time eating at Food & Wine, we always include several signature dinners on our trips. We were especially looking forward to the re-opening of Flying Fish, as well as the chance to try Tiffins.
Flying Fish has always been one of our favorites, and while we knew the decor had been updated, we were not expecting the jarring changes that awaited us. While it has some interesting, whimsical details, there are several competing color schemes that do little to create a unified space. And the furniture placement also seemed poorly thought out, with curved booths that don't match any of the other decor plopped in the center of the dining room, and tables placed far too close to the bar (I was jabbed in the back by waiters several times because there was not enough space for them to pass between our table and those seated at the bar).
Regardless, we were still looking forward to experiencing the restaurant's new menu. I will say that the cocktails were nicely done, and the pork belly appetizer is delicious, but sadly, the rest of the dishes were quite disappointing. The crab bisque had a harsh flavor, the lobster was tough (and compared especially unfavorably to the lobster we'd had the night before at Bluzoo), and the bison was so oversalted as to not allow any of the meat's true flavor to shine through. The desserts were a mixed bag at best - a few interesting flavors, but more than anything else they seemed to be more focused on gimmickry (foam, sand, etc.) - these are fine when used to enhance a dish, but should not do so at the expense of the whole.
So overall, while the service was excellent, we were otherwise disappointed, and probably won't look back. I'm sure this restaurant will be a hit with the corporate expense account crowd, and the unsuspecting on the dining plan, but there are far better choices in the Boardwalk area.
Fortunately, our experience at Tiffins was outstanding, that is, once we got past the snooty check-in staff. Once seated, we found the dining room interestingly decorated and enjoyed looking at all the details placed throughout. The bread service was excellent (both the bread choices and the dips), and our entrees were outstanding. I would especially recommend the duck and the pork (which included the best succotash I've ever eaten). We also enjoyed several different desserts, with interesting uses of different fruits as well as some decadent dark chocolate, and a delightful press pot of tea to end the meal. Our waiter was outstanding, and we enjoyed talking with him about his experience with opening the new restaurant. He was optimistic that their business would continue to grow, and related that he was also part of the opening team at Sanaa and that it was a couple of years before that location really hit its stride. We agreed that once Rivers of Light is up and running and Pandora opens, the location will become more of a dinner destination for park guests.
Flying Fish has always been one of our favorites, and while we knew the decor had been updated, we were not expecting the jarring changes that awaited us. While it has some interesting, whimsical details, there are several competing color schemes that do little to create a unified space. And the furniture placement also seemed poorly thought out, with curved booths that don't match any of the other decor plopped in the center of the dining room, and tables placed far too close to the bar (I was jabbed in the back by waiters several times because there was not enough space for them to pass between our table and those seated at the bar).
Regardless, we were still looking forward to experiencing the restaurant's new menu. I will say that the cocktails were nicely done, and the pork belly appetizer is delicious, but sadly, the rest of the dishes were quite disappointing. The crab bisque had a harsh flavor, the lobster was tough (and compared especially unfavorably to the lobster we'd had the night before at Bluzoo), and the bison was so oversalted as to not allow any of the meat's true flavor to shine through. The desserts were a mixed bag at best - a few interesting flavors, but more than anything else they seemed to be more focused on gimmickry (foam, sand, etc.) - these are fine when used to enhance a dish, but should not do so at the expense of the whole.
So overall, while the service was excellent, we were otherwise disappointed, and probably won't look back. I'm sure this restaurant will be a hit with the corporate expense account crowd, and the unsuspecting on the dining plan, but there are far better choices in the Boardwalk area.
Fortunately, our experience at Tiffins was outstanding, that is, once we got past the snooty check-in staff. Once seated, we found the dining room interestingly decorated and enjoyed looking at all the details placed throughout. The bread service was excellent (both the bread choices and the dips), and our entrees were outstanding. I would especially recommend the duck and the pork (which included the best succotash I've ever eaten). We also enjoyed several different desserts, with interesting uses of different fruits as well as some decadent dark chocolate, and a delightful press pot of tea to end the meal. Our waiter was outstanding, and we enjoyed talking with him about his experience with opening the new restaurant. He was optimistic that their business would continue to grow, and related that he was also part of the opening team at Sanaa and that it was a couple of years before that location really hit its stride. We agreed that once Rivers of Light is up and running and Pandora opens, the location will become more of a dinner destination for park guests.
