After V&A, what is the best top non-park dining experience

[branv]

DH and I are trying to decide where to eat on our first night since we won't be going into the parks. Where would you choose to eat?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am huge Citrico's fan, but any of the first 5 that you have listed are good.. just depends on what kind of food you are looking for..

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mackey Mouse is right-- any of those first five are good, as are Flying Fish and Yachtsman Steakhouse. I voted for the California Grill, but Jiko and Citricos are not far behind.

 

[Lewisc]

My preference would be for whichever restaurant is in your resort, or walking distance/monorail from your resort.

It's a lot nicer not to have to worry about driving, or having to take Disney transportation, from one resort to another resort.

If you're staying in a moderate or value resort my suggestion would be one of the monorail resort restaurants such as Citricos. Bus transportation to/from the MK works.

Since you posted the poll I assume you don't have a food preference.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

None of the above - the next best is Shula's.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Puck as of a couple years ago.We rotate thru so many it's hard to get to the same one multiple times but NY Eve at V&A is a must do for us.CG is awesome but the atmosphere isn't as posh.Flying Fish has the best pasta dish with thier ravioli.On the other side Tchoup Chop and Bice rock.

 

[pilferk]

Jiko's, hands down.

I've eaten in ALL the others you list, except WGP (no real interest), and IMHO Jiko's is tops. It's the 2nd best meal on property to V&A's....and not by much. It's also a very unique experience....they serve things I've NEVER seen offered anywhere else, and things you'd expect to see on any menu but served in a very unique way (the filet on mac and cheese, for example). Combine that with the opportunity to check out the BEAUTIFUL (and also unique) AKL and it's setting, and you've got a winner.

We have had 2 horrid experiences at CG, which will skew my perspective, with bad food prep and worse service. Others rave about it, so maybe we caught the place on 2 bad nights, years apart. Anyway, t's been a 2 time loser for us (and my wife and I have vowed not to return on our dime). In addition, the vaunted "fireworks" viewing can be like winning the lottery or else necessitate you REALLY lingering over dinner (2 or 3 hours). You could, I suppose, while waiting for your table (turnover gets REALLY slow as the fireworks approach) head out to the observation deck to watch...you'll almost assuredly get your table right afterwards. In any event, it wasn't, in and of itself, worth it for us.

Narcosees and Citricos are good, to be sure, but as good as they are neither really screams "unique" to me. And they're not stellar. They're VERY well done, and certainly earned their reputation, but just not what I would consider "tops".

AP would be my 2nd choice. The food is consistently stellar. The service has always been top notch. The atmosphere of the WL is very nice....laid back and a bit casual, but elegant at the same time. We really liked it.

 

[tigger2esq]

Jiko gets my vote. its our favorite. the food is amazing as is the wine. that said--the most memorable dining experience we had was at california grill. the food was very good but the atmosphere (when they dimmed the lights, piped in the park music and we got to watch the fireworks over the castle) had me all teared up. it was one of my happiest disney magical moments (next to seeing my DD hug cinderella for the first time!)!

we loved the food at V&A but the atmosphere was a bit too stuffy and formal for me (I am not a fan of a restaurant where I feel compelled to whisper when talking to my DH).

 

[BCV23]

California Grill got my vote although I agree that any of the first 5 are good choices. But CG is the only one of the top 5 that has never had a miss for our family. The others are usually great but at each we've had at least one so so experience.

We've only had dinner at WP Dining Room once. It was good but not enough better than the Cafe to justify the price IMO.

 

[buckylarue]

Jiko's, hands down.

I've eaten in ALL the others you list, except WGP (no real interest), and IMHO Jiko's is tops. It's the 2nd best meal on property to V&A's....and not by much. It's also a very unique experience....they serve things I've NEVER seen offered anywhere else, and things you'd expect to see on any menu but served in a very unique way (the filet on mac and cheese, for example). Combine that with the opportunity to check out the BEAUTIFUL (and also unique) AKL and it's setting, and you've got a winner.

We have had 2 horrid experiences at CG, which will skew my perspective, with bad food prep and worse service. Others rave about it, so maybe we caught the place on 2 bad nights, years apart. Anyway, t's been a 2 time loser for us (and my wife and I have vowed not to return on our dime). In addition, the vaunted "fireworks" viewing can be like winning the lottery or else necessitate you REALLY lingering over dinner (2 or 3 hours). You could, I suppose, while waiting for your table (turnover gets REALLY slow as the fireworks approach) head out to the observation deck to watch...you'll almost assuredly get your table right afterwards. In any event, it wasn't, in and of itself, worth it for us.

Narcosees and Citricos are good, to be sure, but as good as they are neither really screams "unique" to me. And they're not stellar. They're VERY well done, and certainly earned their reputation, but just not what I would consider "tops".

AP would be my 2nd choice. The food is consistently stellar. The service has always been top notch. The atmosphere of the WL is very nice....laid back and a bit casual, but elegant at the same time. We really liked it.

What they said! I haven't had the bad experiences at CG they have, but the menu there just doesn't appeal to me. Jiko is my favorite restaurant anywhere, and AP is also excellent. I also like Narcoossee's but agree it isn't quite in the same class.

 

[3for Me]

Have to second what someone said about CG. Our last experience was waaayyyy disappointing. Way too many people "milling about" waiting for the fireworks, LOUD (and we had kids with us!), and very mediocre service.

The food remains outstanding in our opinion so we'll give it another try, but...my vote goes to Narcooosee's.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

For us it would be a tie between California Grill & Jiko.

 

[Wigit12]

Yachtsman Steakhouse would be our choice.
California Grill would be second.

 

[cdtommie]

I voted for the California Grill. While I think the food is probably better overall at Jiko and FF, going to the CG just feels like an big event...maybe due to the 2nd floor check-in, the view and the great suishi although I'm not in love with their entrees.

I'd be pretty happy at any of the signatures except for Narcoossee and Yachtsman (simply since we can't get too excited about eating steak on vacation...not a big deal for us although we have been there a few times and have enjoyed our meals).

 

[Papillon]

Hey OP, how about "My hair, my hair!" or "You're just a geographical oddity, you're two weeks from everywhere!" for your signature?

 

[JenLynn]

I gotta add a write in vote for ...
BlueZoo

DH and I had an amazing meal here and loved it .... it was definately my favorite all time meal of any we have had in WDW!!!

 

[Pakey]

I've also eaten at all of the ones you listed and I would pick them in this order: JIKO, Ca Grill, WGP(Upstairs only), Artist Pointe, Narcoosies and last would be Citricos.

I have not tried bluezoo but it does get excellent critical and diner reviews so it's on the list for next trip.