Best place to spend $50 on dinner for 2?

[hurleysweety]

Any suggestions at any place in the parks, DTD, or the resorts? We're not huge dessert people and don't have to have an appetizer. Mostly looking for suggestions from others to get an idea of where our around $50ish budget could be well spent?

PS. Spent hours looking at allears.net menus and prices, but having a hard time realistically seeing how much a dinner would cost. THANKS!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Depends on what you like to eat, the atmosphere,etc. I would do RFC, Brennans, or ESPN Zone. We like Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose for that special dinnerbut they are budget blowers.

Have a great dinner where ever you decide,

Jack

 

[disheadz]

Brennans, very good food and nice atmosphere.

 

[Boo Bear]

I love Rainforest Cafe but it isn't really textbook romantic. I thought it was romantic! We spent a little over $50 but we had a couple of tasty adult beverages though.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Wine Country Trattoria in DCA. Nice patio atmosphere. Although, if you are going to be there on the dates for the Food and Wine Festival, I would do the newly expanded Wine Lounge on the 2nd level of the Golden Vine Winery - above the Trattoria. New tapas menu exclusive to the Festival and tons of great wines!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I would say Wine Country Trattoria or Cafe Orleans.

 

[mechurchlady]

How about splitting a plate at Blue Bayou. Person A orders a dinner and then Person A and Person B is each given their own salad or soup, and side dishes. The only difference is that there is half the meat on the plate. It can be quite romantic and dimly lit. I am not sure what the current prices are for split plate but you could do the Blue Bayou for half price. Pick up a tub of popcorn for a snack later on or share a tigger tail.

 

[fairycat]

I would agree with WCT. Good food and the prices are pretty reasonable. I do a salad, sandwhich and a glass of wine for around $20 and leave with the whole sandwhich to eat later for dinner in a bag. You get a good share there

 

[hurleysweety]

Wow, I didn't even think of a couple of the places listed. Thanks for all the tips, everyone! Not sure what kind of meal it will be, romantic, or otherwise. Depends on what kind mood I'm in, I guess, since its a gift card I'll be using from my birthday. Kinda like a birthday dinner, but a month late!

Also, great recommendation about the food and wine festival. I'll have to check the dates to see if that will work fo us!

 

[ballarinamom]

I totally agree with WCT if you are at DCA. It's a must do for us. If you get there around an hour before the parade, ask to sit outside and try to get a table with a parade view. We did this and it was awesome. If it's your birthday, they give you a yummy sorbet. Not heavy but nice and refreshing after a great meal. They have a yummy ceasar.

I also agree with Blue Bayou. It is an amazing experience especially if you go during the day. The effect of going into the "night" after being out in the sun is really calming. The food is really good too. The Monte Christo is definately too big for one person when you consider it comes with a salad or cup of soup. Our you can have one person order a meal and the other order an appetizer. The crab cakes are awesome. The wedge salad is really big and easy to split. You can get double veggies with the entre and give one of them to the person with the appetizer. If it's your birthday, they give you a cup of chocolate mousse

 

[Sherry E]

Wine Country Trattoria is great, as everyone has said. Carnation Cafe in DL is good too. I also agree with the previous suggestions of ESPN Zone (for a lively, loud, non-romantic dinner but with great food) or Rainforest Cafe. I also really liked Naples (not Napolini, but Naples) and I think it is a good atmosphere for couples, too (nice outdoor dining), but Naples gets very mixed reviews on food. People either really like it or they really hate it! I have always has good experiences at Naples. I also really like Storytellers Cafe in the GCH for their non-character lunches and dinners. It is a really cozy, warm atmosphere and I like the food.

I hear that Steakhouse 55 and PCH Grill in the PPH are great (I am eager to try both).

 

[gr8leg8]

since its a gift card I'll be using from my birthday.

Be aware the Fun card won't work for restaurants...
(Did you get a fun card instead of free admission on your birthday?)

Have a great dinner

 

[hurleysweety]

Nah, the gift card is a amex gift card from my parents for my birthday. But DH will be getting a fun card on his bday. Didn't know you couldn't use it at ANY of the restaurants - just thought certain locations wouldn't accept it. Better use in on our souveniers then!

Also, we are planning to go to ESPN zone for DH's bday dinner. Should be awesome for him. Plus food looks good and I've been there before so I know what to expect. Also looking forward to all the yummy snacks all over the park. Maybe my $50 will just go to all those yummy drinks and tiger tails and dole whips and such instead

 

[Sherry E]

Nah, the gift card is a amex gift card from my parents for my birthday. But DH will be getting a fun card on his bday. Didn't know you couldn't use it at ANY of the restaurants - just thought certain locations wouldn't accept it. Better use in on our souveniers then!

Also, we are planning to go to ESPN zone for DH's bday dinner. Should be awesome for him. Plus food looks good and I've been there before so I know what to expect. Also looking forward to all the yummy snacks all over the park. Maybe my $50 will just go to all those yummy drinks and tiger tails and dole whips and such instead

ESPN Zone has great food! As long as you know what to expect and that it won't be a quiet meal at a mellow restaurant, then you're fine!

I could be wrong, but I thought the Fun Card was good for certain birthday things beyond just merchandise, like PhotoPass and other random items - mostly merchandise. I knew it couldn't be used at the regular DLR restaurants (like you couldn't walk into Storytellers and use it) but I guess it cannot be used at Celebration BBQ either (which seems silly to me since the Celebration BBQ is full of people celebrating their birthdays)??? Or maybe you are only allowed to use the Fun Card on the special PhotoPass pictures (in the special packet they try to sell you for $30+) at the BBQ. Hmmm..... something to ponder.

 

[mechurchlady]

If you go to the ESPN Zone they have the barcoloungers where you sit in a fancy recliner and have a giant wall of screens and can set the audio so you hear the screen of your choice. They serve you dinner and drinks there. The lady's restroom has television screens so you will not miss your sports fix. I wonder if the men get televisions also.