Are there any not to be missed resturants at DL/DCA?

[myfairygodmother]

We (2 adults) will be visiting DL/DCA for the first time May 28-31st. Are there any resturants on property that are spectacular and should not be missed? If so, do they take priority seating reservations in advance? Thanks so much for everyone's help!!

Liz

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Without a doubt...Blue Bayou!!! You can make PS ahead of time. Ask for a waterside table. If you're on a budget, there is a separate lunch menu with lower pricing than dinner.

 

[Amberle3]

Depending on your budget, Napa Rose at the Grand Californian. PS is recommended.

 

[Amy&Dan]

For an inexpensive counter service lunch or dinner my two favorite places are: In Disneyland, Rancho del Zocalo. They have pretty decent Mexican food and its a nice atmosphere. In DCA, we like Taste Pilot's Grill. They have great burgers, chicken sandwiches and the ribs aren't bad either. Also really enjoy going to the Golden Horshoe for a chilie bowl while watching Bill Hill and the Hillbillies show. I think they have fish and chips and chicken fingers too.

 

[got2travel]

Another vote for Blue Bayou. I always do lunch, either the earliest or latest seating. That way its either a late breakfast/brunch, or an early dinner, but still at lunch prices. The Monte Cristo is their signature sandwich and that's what I usually order.

Aside from BB, my favorite in DL is the French Market, which is counter service so no PS needed. I love southern food, and that's what they have. Every trip I have to have my jambalaya. Another good counter service is the Plaza Inn. Their fried chicken is oustanding and big enough to share.

There's not anything I have to have at California Adventure. But I have heard that the Vineyard Room is very good, although expensive. It does require PS. And you can enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.

I've also heard great reviews of Napa Rose, but again, haven't eaten there. Its located in the Grand Californian and PS are needed.

Finally, not a meal, but more of a treat. You can get preferred seating for Fantasmic. There is a limited number of seats available on the Disney Gallery balcony, and then more right down on the riverside. Along with the special seat, you get a dessert buffet and hot and cold drinks. Unlike WDW, DL's Fantasmic does not have a dedicated theatre, so folks are staking out seats 2 hours ahead of showtime. Its such a treat to just show up 1 hr prior, grab your seat, and munch on some goodies rather than seating on the ground squished in with everyone else. (The TN for this is different than for the dining PS, 714-781-4400).

 

[Pammy jo]

How much does the Fantasmic dessert seating cost? Thanks!

 

[Amy&Dan]

For the balcony it was $49 per person (kids and adults). There are only 18 seats up there so it is very intimate and nice. I believe the riverside seating is cheaper and you get a dessert box instead of the buffet.

 

[Snurk71]

We've really liked Hook's Point at DLH, Ralph Brennan's in DTD (amazing bread pudding), and Storyteller's at GC. Hook's and Storyteller's were very relaxing for being in a theme park resort.

And though not a restaurant, a not to be missed dessert treat is the brownies from Marceline's in DTD. So chocolately and fudgy...

 

[amyup]

I too would say Blue Bayou! We always do lunch and make a PS for the first seating. Then check in 10 minutes early so we can request a water table. Our main reason for going is the ambience of the POTC ride, the food is just the icing on the cake.

 

[dsnylndmom]

Another vote for Blue Bayou! We do lunch also, so my son can get a Monte Cristo he loves them!! I LOVE their crab cakes. We had my son's 6th bday meal there this past Nov. and the timing was great because we got to try some of the Fall desserts! The Jack Skellington Chocolate Mousse was SOOOO SINFULLY DELISH! Defintely try and get a water table!!

 

[tvguy]

1) Blue Bayou
2) ESPN Restaurant in Downtown Disney
3) Golden Horseshoe Review.

I do miss the old Tahitian Terrance restaurant. They changed it to Aladdin then closed it. Great food and a great show when it was the Tahitian Terrance, right next to the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Did the Fantasmic Dessert buffet last trip up on the balcony. Expensive, but worth doing once. We had to settle for tickets for the 11 pm showing. They had techinical problems and had to cancel the 9:30 pm showing, and if you book the buffet, there is NO refund if Fantasmic is canceled. Had a scare, since the show stopped 30 seconds after it began, but they got it going 5 minutes later.

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

Another Blue Bayou fan here

Definitely fun for lunch and a LOT cheaper than dinner!

I've also been to the Vineyard Room and it is nice. Food's good but as another poster said, expensive. We were able to get in without a PS, though this was a couple of years back. The little trattoria underneath the Vineyard has decent food too, and for less money

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

If I'm not a big fan of New Orleans style cuisine (I don't like spicy food), is there still food I will like at Blue Bayou? Are there menus online anywhere?

Thanks!!

 

[Amberle3]

I don't like spicy food either, but have enjoyed everything I've had at the Blue Bayou. Last time we had the prime rib, which was supposed to be served with a "cajun" sauce. I asked about not having the sauce and was told it was usually put on the side, but he just left it off the plate entirely.

You can find a menu online at http://www.mouseplanet.com/drr/drrnos.htm