Last year we LOVED our BOG dinner. The ambiance was great. The place didn't feel overly packed. Our server was able to give us a lot of attention, chatted with us, etc. The food was very good, though on the salty side. The whole meal felt really special.
This year, we ate dinner there twice and very nearly cancelled our second dinner. The first dinner felt like a cafeteria experience. We were packed into the ballroom where it seems they have added many tables since last year. The place was loud, crowded, and busy. Our server had zero extra time to spend with her tables. The food was still good but salty. I loved my scallops, shrimp, and lobster over pasta, though. DH thought his steak was so-so. DD is a vegetarian who doesn't like eggplant or mushrooms, so her choices were very limited. She had the potato leek soup and bread from the bread basket, though our server did offer some alternatives that were not on the menu. Dessert was good. DD and I each had the grey stuff and liked it much better than last year's grey stuff dessert. DH changed his dessert out for the chef's salad selection. He wasn't too keen on it, so that wasn't a good choice. Overall, while fine, this meal just didn't live up to our first experience there.
We ended up keeping our second dinner reservation, and I'm glad we did because that experience was much better. We were seated in the West Wing, which was quieter and much, much less crowded. That helped a ton! I would suggest mentioning that you would like either the West Wing or the Rose Gallery when you check in. We didn't request anything specific, so we just lucked out that time, but I have been told that you can make a request at check in. You just might have a longer wait. Our server was still very busy the second night, but he checked in more often than the other. The manager came out and visited tables that night, so that was a nice touch. DH tried the steak again and said it was much better than the first night. I'm surprised he tried it again but glad he did since he liked it more the second time. DD took our server up on one of the non-menu alternatives and very much enjoyed her meal. I chose the seafood pasta meal again, though debated getting the salmon that was the catch of the day. If the pasta hadn't been so good the first time, I would have changed up. DD had the grey stuff dessert again. I had the triple chocolate cupcake, and it was wonderful but so rich! Great fix for a massive chocolate craving. DH had the lemon meringue cupcake and loved it. I tried a bite and agree it was really good.
If any of you like lemonade or fruit punch, the Odwalla drinks with the fruit foam toppers are so good! Yum!
It is nice to get pics with the Beast, and this is the only place to do it. Unlike Akershus where you meet Belle before being seated, here you meet Beast after dinner, and it's up to you to remember to do so. The lines vary depending on how many people are finishing up dinner at the same time.
I hope your first meal at BOG is as wonderful as our first one was! The castle is beautiful, the food is generally good, and I think the staff does try its best. They could stand to reduce seating back a bit, though.
