BEST Signature Dining (excluding shows and character meals)

[MapleGirl]

DH and I will be in the World for free dining in late September. This trip I want to try one of the signature restaurants. Which do you think is the best and why? Food porn is very much welcome here!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I was torn between Jiko and California Grill but eventually decided to vote California Grill.

I have been to CG 5 times and each has been an exceptional experience from food to service and ambience. Ask for Ron, he is fantastic

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Funny, I too debated between Jiko & Cali Grille. I loved both but think I enjoyed the food at Jiko just a bit more. But you can't beat the view & fireworks from Cali Grille!

Next trip we will be trying a couple more ... Definitely Flying Fish, probably Citricos, maybe the Yachtman!

 

[Pakey]

I've eaten at all of them several times and our current favorite is Flying Fish. CG has great sushi and Jiko has interesting appetizers but for an overall meal, I think Flying Fish and then Citricos would rank at top of my list right now.

 

[Tisha_PA]

I've only eaten at two: Yachtsman and Narcoossee's. We loved Narcoossee's - food was fantastic, we had a table right on the water looking at the castle, and our server was exceptional. It was the best meal we had all week. Yachtsman: I thought it was pretty good, DH didn't like it at all.

 

[jarrdisney]

Flying Fish hands down. We've been to all the restaurants 3+ times, and FF is the most consistent.

 

[GazerBeam]

I also had a hard time picking between Jiko and CG. Only been to Jiko once but it was fantastic. Have had four amazing experiences at CG. I gave the edge to the CG, because the whole experience is so good. As amazing as the AKL is, the views from the CG give it the edge (even if you aren't there to see the fireworks).

GB

 

[aesalsa]

The Flying Fish is the one that we enjoyed the most, although we have never tried California Grill (we'll be trying that one in May). We love the atmosphere there, and the menu strays from the standard Disney restaurant fare, IMO. The FF also serves the BEST Mojitos!

 

[Booyakasha]

I have eaten at all and if you are looking at food and service. FF is by far the best. Just got back a few weeks ago and did FF and Jiko on concurrent nights and it was no contest. California Grill's food is also good but I think it is an absoute mad house so I won't go.

Top 3
FF
Jiko
Artist's Point

B.

 

[madalex]

I answered Jiko, but Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Citricos and Artist Point are also in my top 5 (Cal Grill would be there, but the restaurant is just too loud and crowded for my tastes).

 

[MapleGirl]

Which is the most romantic/quiet/relaxing do you think?

 

[Pakey]

For me, most romantic atmosphere is Jiko. None of the WDW signature restaurants are all that romantic because you could experience a meal with tons of noisy families or an all adult drinking group dining around you. However, Jiko is consistently the quietest of the signatures and the lighting in there is dark and it changes which is kind of romantic. Next I would pick Citricos because if you hit it on a night where there are mostly adults here, the service and menu are more sophisticated. Artist Point is usually pretty quiet which lends an air of romance just for that reason but the decor is garage sale/cabin.

Least romantic is Ca Grill. The views are gorgeous but it's very noisy and lots of family dining going on here. Same with Narcoosees. Tons of children with wood floors in the place so noise echoes.

But I still like Flying Fish the best.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Both Jiko and Cali Grill are romantic. I would say Jiko is the quieter of the 2. However I think the food at CG has a slight edge on Jiko...very slight but still there.

What types of things do you usually order? Do you likr trying new things? Exotic cuisines? Do you like sushi? Would you prefer to look out over the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom, or be in a darker more serene environment with a spectaular "sunset wall". Jiko has a wall that wraps around the back of the restaurant that changes colours throughout the night to represent the sunset.

I'll post food porn later tonight when I get home from work

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

My favorite overall experience is California Grill: the sushi, flatbread pizzas, appetizers (my favorite is goat cheese ravioli), entrees, and desserts are all fabulous. The best part is the awesome view of Magic Kingdom, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Seven Seas Lagoon, Wilderness Lodge, and Bay Lake (as well as Expedition Everest, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, and Dolphin in the distance). Be sure to explore all 3 observation decks, and definitely watch the fireworks!

View from California Grill:

Although I didn't vote for it (because CG is my favorite), Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge is my second favorite. The atmosphere is really peaceful and calming, and I love the food. I'm sorry that I didn't have pics of CG's food, but here are some of my favorite Artist Point dishes:

This appetizer salad had strawberries, strawberry dressing, and little pieces of chocolate dust - it was a creative (and fantastic) salad!

This salad had bacon, poached egg, caramelized onion, and mustard dressing. Again, it was a great salad.

Seared boar with huckleberry sauce and mushroom bread pudding - I loved this appetizer, especially the bread pudding.

Duck confit with a little bit of duck prosciutto and pear - this was the best duck dish I've ever had.

Buffalo tenderloin with sweet potato and caramelized onions - this was a fantastic dish

Crispy roast chicken breast with root vegetable and green beans - the chicken was wonderfully cooked.

This peachy dessert was really nice when we had it back in August

My favorite part of Artist Point, I hope it never changes: the berry cobbler! It's the perfect way to end a meal: sweet, light, simple, and fresh.

 

[Quiksilvr]

I was torn between Jiko and California Grill but eventually decided to vote California Grill.

I have been to CG 5 times and each has been an exceptional experience from food to service and ambience. Ask for Ron, he is fantastic

My sentiments exactly.

We loved Flying Fish, but our last experience (our 3rd or 4th time eating there) wasn't the greatest. It was still good, but not great.

We like Jiko very much, but California Grille has the whole package.

 

[davinakb]

Jiko is my favorite, just not much else like it out there, though we have enjoyed many others. Noticed that V&A and Bistro were not on the list, though of course V&A is in its own class. FWIW.

 

[aesalsa]

Noticed that V&A and Bistro were not on the list, though of course V&A is in its own class. FWIW.

LOVE V&A, and I completely agree with your sentiments on it .

The last time we ate at Bistro de Paris (December 2008), they were OFF. We normally order the 5-course tasting menu (normally excellent), and only the Mussel and Saffron soup was delicious--everything else came out cool, underseasoned, or just plain PLAIN. We'll try it again in a couple of years. But I do find Bistro VERY romantic .

 

[WDisnut]

I would say it is close between jiko and Cal grill. When you ask to exclude shows, does being on top of the contemp resort count, great views, and fireworks count . Both are very clean and nice. Jiko is darker. And i loved the birds at jiko , but loved seeing the real ones flying by at cal grill. The food IMO is milder at Contemp resort and more fresh tasting. I had 3 differnet entrees and I would go cal grill. example I sampled both filets and the one at the contemp was far better. I also hated the mac and cheese used in jikos one. I was so looking forward to it all trip until having it. the thrid place in your running list right now is Narcoossee's, I don't know how . I will never go there again ... the food was bad , small portions and horrible exp all around . except the coffee. Our table wobbled , poor service, over cooked and bad tasting food. So cal grill and jikos are close but If I had to choose I would say cal grill.