Any recent dining experience at Bull and Bear?

[Tgoody]

Just another update. Being local, my wife and I like to eat at B&B about once a month. Since my last post in December we've eaten there 3 three times with another scheduled for a couple of weeks from now.

We've been very happy with our experiences at B&B since they reopened. They are very careful with social distancing and precautions (masks, etc) and none of that has affected the quality of the food and service.

Our usual practice is to go over to the Waldorf-Astoria about 45 minutes before our reservation time and have an adult beverage in the Peacock lounge first. The lounge is nice - a great place to people watch. (did somebody say judge?) Anyway, the lounge is operating normally except that there is not a electronic, or even paper, menu. If you're looking for something specific they will be happy to make it for you. My only quibble is that I'm a single-malt scotch drinker and without a list of scotches (and their price) its difficult to make a choice. The servers will encourage you to go up to the bar and look at the various options. There are many choices, but the failing is that you don't know what the price is for your selection.

Beyond that though I'd still say that the experience in the restaurant itself is great. We have almost a standard order (which our favorite server knows) of Pasta Explosion, Corn Soup, Chateau Briand for two, along with side orders of creamed corn and mac'n cheese. Dessert is usually either the beignets or creme brullee. There is also a desert that is unique to the restaurant - they make a strawberry ice-cream at your table. Its an interesting process involving dry-ice and fresh strawberries. Fun to watch.

Being a bourbon drinker I know your pain when it comes to menus and trying to decide on what to have a pour of.
I am going back in November and plan on booking a reservation. Thanks for the insight!

 

[hedberg1661]

I agree with OKW Lover on his menu choices. For anyone who hasn't been there before, and even if you have....get the Pasta Explosion. It is a MUST for us each time. So good. You can't go wrong with B&B.

 

[OKW Lover]

At the risk of repeating myself, I'll go ahead and do it anyway.

My wife and I ate there last night (5/21) and again had a wonderful meal. Our reservation was for 6 pm which is when the restaurant opens. We decided to Uber over and back so we wouldn't have to worry about the drive home afterward.

Our usual practice is to get to the Waldorf about 45 minutes early and have an adult beverage in Peacock Alley which we also did on this occasion. Again, the full bar menu isn't yet available but they did have paper versions of the specialty cocktails and the bar food offerings. We settled for just a glass of Pinot Grigio. They still do not offer the complimentary dish of mixed nuts. Hopefully that will come back soon.

A few minutes before 6 we headed for the restaurant. There was quite a line waiting for the doors to open. Perhaps 8 different parties? But everybody was quickly seated. We had a nice 2-top at the window overlooking the pool area. Again service was excellent and we were quickly offered water and our waiter consulted us about our wine choice for the night. We weren't in a hurry and let the waiter know that. We had a nice relaxing meal which took about 2 hours. That time included an appetizer (pasta explosion - a must!), soup (corn), main course (Chateaubriand for 2) with side dishes of creamed corn and lobster mac & cheese. We passed on desert bu did indulge in a decaf cappuccino.

 

[Tgoody]

At the risk of repeating myself, I'll go ahead and do it anyway.

I wish we had a place like this nearby to enjoy monthly. Bull and Bear is at the top of my list for november.

 

[hedberg1661]

At the risk of repeating myself, I'll go ahead and do it anyway.

My wife and I ate there last night (5/21) and again had a wonderful meal. Our reservation was for 6 pm which is when the restaurant opens. We decided to Uber over and back so we wouldn't have to worry about the drive home afterward.

Our usual practice is to get to the Waldorf about 45 minutes early and have an adult beverage in Peacock Alley which we also did on this occasion. Again, the full bar menu isn't yet available but they did have paper versions of the specialty cocktails and the bar food offerings. We settled for just a glass of Pinot Grigio. They still do not offer the complimentary dish of mixed nuts. Hopefully that will come back soon.

A few minutes before 6 we headed for the restaurant. There was quite a line waiting for the doors to open. Perhaps 8 different parties? But everybody was quickly seated. We had a nice 2-top at the window overlooking the pool area. Again service was excellent and we were quickly offered water and our waiter consulted us about our wine choice for the night. We weren't in a hurry and let the waiter know that. We had a nice relaxing meal which took about 2 hours. That time included an appetizer (pasta explosion - a must!), soup (corn), main course (Chateaubriand for 2) with side dishes of creamed corn and lobster mac & cheese. We passed on desert bu did indulge in a decaf cappuccino.

Always a favorite of ours. And we all agree...the pasta explosion is an absolute must!

 

[Harmacist]

I'm staying at the Waldorf in 4 weeks, we have a reservation at B&B set for tuesday a 6pm. That's a MK day for us but was about the only early reservation we could get at B&B. Hoping to keep it but may press my luck with walk up at 6pm another night.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm staying at the Waldorf in 4 weeks, we have a reservation at B&B set for tuesday a 6pm. That's a MK day for us but was about the only early reservation we could get at B&B. Hoping to keep it but may press my luck with walk up at 6pm another night.

Hope that worked out for you.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

They seem to be booked months in advance. Lots of 21.30 tables in December. Do they normally do two sittings? Perhaps while people are still socially distancing?

 

[Tgoody]

They seem to be booked months in advance. Lots of 21.30 tables in December. Do they normally do two sittings? Perhaps while people are still socially distancing?

I believe they stagger times and try and flip tables twice.

 

[OKW Lover]

They seem to be booked months in advance. Lots of 21.30 tables in December. Do they normally do two sittings? Perhaps while people are still socially distancing?

I believe they stagger times and try and flip tables twice.

We were there last night (9/1) and the restaurant was at maybe 1/3rd capacity. Just not a lot of people wanting to dine on a Wednesday nigh I guess.

In the past when I've tried to make reservations on open table it has been difficult to get an early time. We prefer to arrive about 6:00-6:30. However, calling the restaurant directly may work better. Just call the Waldorf general number and ask to be connected to the podium at B&B, but you'll need to wait until after 6 pm since there ins't anybody there to answer the phone beforehand.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

We were there last night (9/1) and the restaurant was at maybe 1/3rd capacity. Just not a lot of people wanting to dine on a Wednesday nigh I guess.

In the past when I've tried to make reservations on open table it has been difficult to get an early time. We prefer to arrive about 6:00-6:30. However, calling the restaurant directly may work better. Just call the Waldorf general number and ask to be connected to the podium at B&B, but you'll need to wait until after 6 pm since there ins't anybody there to answer the phone beforehand.

Thank you for this suggestion. How was your meal? I have booked for the evening before my son’s 23rd birthday. Bar crawl planned for day of birthday.

 

[Tgoody]

We were there last night (9/1) and the restaurant was at maybe 1/3rd capacity. Just not a lot of people wanting to dine on a Wednesday nigh I guess.

In the past when I've tried to make reservations on open table it has been difficult to get an early time. We prefer to arrive about 6:00-6:30. However, calling the restaurant directly may work better. Just call the Waldorf general number and ask to be connected to the podium at B&B, but you'll need to wait until after 6 pm since there ins't anybody there to answer the phone beforehand.

You cant say you went and not tell us what you had or how the food was! haha

 

[OKW Lover]

How was your meal?

The meal was excellent. As usual!

Looking back on this thread I see I've posted several times about dining there. Each has been a great experience. Being local we go about once a month, occasionally missing one. Its our go-to restaurant for special celebrations.

 

[Tgoody]

The meal was excellent. As usual!

Looking back on this thread I see I've posted several times about dining there. Each has been a great experience. Being local we go about once a month, occasionally missing one. Its our go-to restaurant for special celebrations.

Yeah it seems like you are the resident expert. If I cannot get a Cali Grill reservation for our trip in 2 months I plan on making a B&B reservation.

 

[matthewthompson87]

Yeah it seems like you are the resident expert. If I cannot get a Cali Grill reservation for our trip in 2 months I plan on making a B&B reservation.

Having just done both B&B and California Grill in July… I would strongly recommend prioritizing a trip to B&B over California Grill.

If the allure for Cali Grill is fireworks and view, just go visit the Cali Grill Lounge early in the evening, retain your receipt, and return just before the fireworks.

Maybe the snobbiest thing I’ve ever written: California Grill’s food tasted like it was created by someone in the 90’s who had never been to the west coast. Weirdly mismatched flavors. Overdone plating. And of course: everything feels rushed and impersonal because they push high volume.

Not to belabor the point… but truly, the entire Contemporary felt hugely neglected and in disrepair. Like an old convention hotel in a second tier convention town. Stained carpets, elevators making weird sounds, lightbulbs flickering, trash cans overflowing, and dirty. Thank goodness they are renovating the main building now… the walk through the lobby and up the ancient elevators was totally robbing the California Grill of what ambiance it has left.

In comparison, from the moment we stepped into the Waldorf lobby, service was immaculate, personalized, and unrushed. Ironically, way more “magical”.

 

[Tgoody]

Having just done both B&B and California Grill in July… I would strongly recommend prioritizing a trip to B&B over California Grill.

If the allure for Cali Grill is fireworks and view, just go visit the Cali Grill Lounge early in the evening, retain your receipt, and return just before the fireworks.

Maybe the snobbiest thing I’ve ever written: California Grill’s food tasted like it was created by someone in the 90’s who had never been to the west coast. Weirdly mismatched flavors. Overdone plating. And of course: everything feels rushed and impersonal because they push high volume.

Not to belabor the point… but truly, the entire Contemporary felt hugely neglected and in disrepair. Like an old convention hotel in a second tier convention town. Stained carpets, elevators making weird sounds, lightbulbs flickering, trash cans overflowing, and dirty. Thank goodness they are renovating the main building now… the walk through the lobby and up the ancient elevators was totally robbing the California Grill of what ambiance it has left.

In comparison, from the moment we stepped into the Waldorf lobby, service was immaculate, personalized, and unrushed. Ironically, way more “magical”.

I visited CG in November and can agree with parts of your response but not all. The pace of the meal was very leisurely. I believe we arrived at 7:45 to our table and paid our ticket at 9:40.
This was out first time at CG and I really enjoyed it. Looking back on some of the dishes and plating I will agree that it is a bit dated.

I am wanting to do CG in November again in hopes of a new experience for the 50th. In my mind that makes it justified versus going to Bull and Bear.

 

[Tgoody]

The meal was excellent. As usual!

Looking back on this thread I see I've posted several times about dining there. Each has been a great experience. Being local we go about once a month, occasionally missing one. Its our go-to restaurant for special celebrations.

You will be happy to know that we have a reservation for Bull and Bear on Nov 7th for dinner. I had checked open table and there wasnt any availability. Ended up calling the restaurant and the hostess was able to find us a table. We are pretty excited for this meal.

 

[OKW Lover]

Looking forward to our next experience at B&B on Friday. Have a group of 6 of us that are celebrating birthdays and an anniversary!

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

I booked weeks ago for my son’s birthday but the only table I could get was at 21.30. Even by European standards that is late! I keep checking OT but nothing earlier has appeared. I wonder if they keep some tables back for hotel guests.
On some of the clogs, Holy moly, Trackers and WDW couple the service looks very theatrical and food seems to sit around while the waiters launch their spiel. Is it really like that?

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Looking forward to our next experience at B&B on Friday. Have a group of 6 of us that are celebrating birthdays and an anniversary!

Have fun.