Here's our take on most of the World Showcase restaurants:
San Angel Inn (Mexico): Used to be our favourite, but the service is so bad now that we won't go back until we hear that management has done something about it. It's too bad because we really liked the food.
Akershus (Norway): Went here before the princess invasion. Even then, it was okay food, but nothing to write home about. We won't be back.
Nine Dragons (China): Everyone lambasts this place, but we loved it. Some absolutely delicious appetizers, and the main dishes were excellent too. Yes, it's pricey compared to your run-of-the-mill crappy Chinese buffets many people are used to, but we found that the prices were directly in line with the more expensive Chinese à la carte places back home. Definitely worth another try!
Biergarten (Germany): The standard to beat in WS in terms of food, ambiance, and service - if the restaurant is better than the Biergarten, it's awesome... If it's not, then it's not worth a return trip. Everything was very good here, and we had a whole lot of fun! Definitely recommended for a group (or for a couple who isn't afraid of interacting with strangers - like us!)
Alfredo's (Italy): Meh. Food was decent, I guess, but nothing to write home about. The fettuccini alfredo was very VERY good, but I wouldn't make a return trip just for that. I can get it prepared similarily at many restaurants in Montreal. We probably won't be back.
Teppanyaki (Japan): Great food, average service, and a lot of fun if you get a good chef! I would definitely recommend this restaurant for the middle of a vacation - its flavours seem to be very different from the others used in WDW, so it's a really nice change of pace. We had a blast, and will definitely be back.
Marrakesh (Morocco): Mmmmmmm... So good! The food was incredible, the entertainment (band and belly dancer) were great, and we enjoyed our service... Granted, once they found out that we spoke French and that we were very familliar with Middle-Eastern food, they prepared the dishes "the way the chef would at home" and so I found they were packed with authentic flavour.
Chefs de France (France): Okay, so I live in Montreal, right? Plenty of better French restaurants around here, although this one was very good. The waiter was incredibly snotty and mocked my accent, which was absolutely ridiculous. I can totally take being teased (spent 3 months in France - it happens), but he was being flat out insulting. So we probably won't be back... Although I would recommend this place if you don't have any decent French restaurants in your neck of the woods - the food was good.
Rose & Crown (UK): Awesome! Great food (for goood 'ol comfort food) great service, great ambiance! We went back for lunch twice and can hardly wait to do supper. Plus, DH fell in love with the Scotch flights...
Le Cellier (Canada): I went in with relatively low expectations, seeing as this place has gotten slammed lately with people saying it's not worth the hype. (Not that you can tell from this thread!!) We loved it, and we will definitely be back!! The steak was very VERY good, and DH loved their pork tenderloin. It was a beautiful meal from start to finish.
Note - A tip we got from our tour guide when we went on the Hidden Treasures of World Showcase tour was to ask the chefs to make the dishes "as they would if they were back home." The spices and flavourings have been toned down for the general public, so you'll get more of an "authentic" experience that way, if you're willing to be adventurous (this was especially true at Marrakesh - the only restaurant where we did this because we got the tip near the end of our trip). Plus, the chef comes out to talk to you, which is neat!
Sorry for the length of the post, but I hope it helps!!
in the Rose and Crown pub for a pint before our ressie.
