Birthday dinner: Blue Bayou or Napa Rose?

[TillyMarigold]

Hi all, I'm a WDW vet and my DH and I are going to DLR for the second time this summer. We'll be there for 3 days (Thursday evening through Sunday evening) in late July for my birthday and also for a sort of "babymoon" as we're expecting our first mid-September.

We're serious foodies--always do the dining plan at WDW--and we want to limit ourselves to one nice table service meal at DLR (let me say, the quick service food at DLR is so much better than WDW!). As it's probably the last expensive dinner out we'll have for several years, price isn't a factor. We will probably never go back to DLR as we're hoping to move back to the East Coast in the next year or so, and my best friend who used to live in LA now lives in Toronto.

So, here's the problem: Napa Rose is exactly the sort of restaurant we'd normally love, food-wise. It gets fabulous reviews and of course has California wines (DH is a big wine snob--so am I normally, but of course not this trip). I'm not a huge fan of Cajun food (it's okay, but not my favorite) and Blue Bayou's reviews are decidedly mixed.

But ... eating inside Pirates of the Caribbean? For real?

That's really the whole debate. I'm sure I would absolutely love Napa Rose and Blue Bayou might be disappointing, but it's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean. Which just happens to be in the top 3 of our favorite rides.

Please tell me, is the atmosphere awesome enough to make Blue Bayou worth visiting instead of Napa Rose?

 

[kathie859]

Hi all, I'm a WDW vet and my DH and I are going to DLR for the second time this summer. We'll be there for 3 days (Thursday evening through Sunday evening) in late July for my birthday and also for a sort of "babymoon" as we're expecting our first mid-September.

We're serious foodies--always do the dining plan at WDW--and we want to limit ourselves to one nice table service meal at DLR (let me say, the quick service food at DLR is so much better than WDW!). As it's probably the last expensive dinner out we'll have for several years, price isn't a factor. We will probably never go back to DLR as we're hoping to move back to the East Coast in the next year or so, and my best friend who used to live in LA now lives in Toronto.

So, here's the problem: Napa Rose is exactly the sort of restaurant we'd normally love, food-wise. It gets fabulous reviews and of course has California wines (DH is a big wine snob--so am I normally, but of course not this trip). I'm not a huge fan of Cajun food (it's okay, but not my favorite) and Blue Bayou's reviews are decidedly mixed.

But ... eating inside Pirates of the Caribbean? For real?

That's really the whole debate. I'm sure I would absolutely love Napa Rose and Blue Bayou might be disappointing, but it's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean. Which just happens to be in the top 3 of our favorite rides.

Please tell me, is the atmosphere awesome enough to make Blue Bayou worth visiting instead of Napa Rose?

INHO, no. I'd go with Napa Rose if you're in a one or the other predicament.
Blue Bayou was decent--it's just so darn dark OTOH, Napa Rose has a lot going for it and my meal there was very good.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Well if wine is a deciding factor, from what I understand you can't get any alcoholic beverages from Disneyland restaurants (except 33). You do make a good point about being in the middle of POTC

 

[TillyMarigold]

INHO, no. I'd go with Napa Rose if you're in a one or the other predicament.
Blue Bayou was decent--it's just so darn dark OTOH, Napa Rose has a lot going for it and my meal there was very good.

I have these new glasses that are awesome and, basically, make you able to see in the dark. Something about better light diffusion. Eating in the dark is almost a bonus.

Well if wine is a deciding factor, from what I understand you can't get any alcoholic beverages from Disneyland restaurants (except 33). You do make a good point about being in the middle of POTC

Well, it is my birthday dinner, and I won't be drinking at 32 weeks pregnant. It's a factor, but it's not the only one.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

No doubt, Napa Rose for a nice dinner with wine pairing. Then early lunch at Blue Bayou-- maybe even a split plate with water side seatting. Make sure to note on reservation that you will wait for waterside seating or they might seat you way in the back. No matter your choice-- HAVE A GREAT TRIP IN CELEBRATION OF THE NEW BABY.

 

[BeccaG]

Carthay Circle is an amazing in park option at DCA. Be sure to go inside and ask if they are taking walkups. Our group of 8 and anther group that came in with us got seats yesterday evening that way. Although they are booked up, they seem to be getting cancellations and that message does not always make it to the front door.

 

[limace]

I think you'll be disappointed by BB. I sure was-and we love good food. I'd do Carthay or Napa Rose, and then grab dessert only one day at BB if you really want to eat inside.

 

[Cinderpamela]

If you really must choose, I would say do Napa Rose. You said you guys were foodies and Napa Rose is amazing... maybe you should even try for the chefs counter.

Both Napa Rose and BB are on my family's must do list when we head down to DLR, we go for lunch at BB 11:30 first seating, so we can get right by the water. I would say that NR is a great spot for a celebration dinner.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

We LOVE Blue Bayou!! We try to go sans children each time we take a trip to Disney! We particularly adore the Braised short ribs. Holy yum! So, soooo good! We always do the split plate too, as two full sides and entrees with bread would be WAY too much food! This time, however, we'll be there on my Birthday for the first time ever and I am trying to decide the same thing!! De rigueur, Bleu Bayou or Napa Rose?? It's been a dream to try Napa forever. My husband is worried about it feeling too fancy or stuffy and feeling uncomfortable though....just not sure for us. lol But, yes, if you do choose Blue Bayou, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all.

 

[ArchOwl]

Napa Rose Chef's Counter for a blow out dinner. Hands down the better "foodie" choice. Then either do lunch or dessert at Blue Bayou. The food at BB is nothing special. Enjoy the ambiance with a cheaper meal and save your money for NR. Have you seen the Napa Rose Chef's Counter thread? If not, here it is: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2656163

Carthay Circle Theater in DCA just opened and has been getting very good reviews as well. Chef Sutton from NR is also heading up that place. I haven't eaten at CCT yet, but will the next time I am there for sure. Lots of good options!

 

[Mackie Mouse]

No doubt, Napa Rose for a nice dinner with wine pairing. Then early lunch at Blue Bayou-- maybe even a split plate with water side seatting. Make sure to note on reservation that you will wait for waterside seating or they might seat you way in the back. No matter your choice-- HAVE A GREAT TRIP IN CELEBRATION OF THE NEW BABY.

I will ditto the idea of Napa Rose for dinner and then just doing Blue Bayou for lunch and splitting some food. That's our plan for doing the Blue Bayou next March - I'm going to try to avoid feeling like I'm overpaying for the experience there while still getting the experience!

 

[DizMe]

I LOVE BB. I just love it. I think the surf and turf is excellent and I follow it up with creme brulee for dessert. The surf is lobster tail (yummy!) and the turf is a filet mignon (also yummy!!). You get either soup or salad (both excellent IMO), bread, veggies and potatoes au gratin. Wait for a waterside table (they'll tell you the wait is 45 minutes but it's really much less than that--usually about 10). It's so much fun! We love to have a mint julep or coffee or whatever and just enjoy being there. The kids' menu turns into a pirate hat and we usually end up wearing one (aren't we all kids at DL?).

Napa Rose is an outstanding restaurant. I've done the chef's table with wine pairing and the food and drink were way beyond what you'd get at BB. It also cost me a whole lot more and you know what? I was very disappointed. There was little interaction, the service was good but not particularly friendly, and although it was an amazing meal, I could have been anywhere. I had been told that the chef's counter was this whole interactive experience and it was to a small extent. They asked us what we liked/didn't like and based the courses on what we'd said. If we didn't like what was brought out, they took it away and brought something else. But no one talked to us. We tried to engage the chefs (who were right in front of us!) and the wait staff but they pretty much stuck to clipped responses. We tried to be fun but apparently our efforts were lacking . It probably would have been a lot more fun if we hadn't been the only ones at the counter--if we'd been able to share with others.

If food is your main interest, then Napa Rose offers a 5-star experience and you won't be disappointed in the meal. If you want something unique and Disney, go for Blue Bayou!

 

[Angrypenguin]

You sound like my wife and I. Napa Rose and Blue Bayou are different classes of restaurant. Napa Rose by far. If you want to know what the Blue Bayou is like, just vomit a little in your mouth. Kind of tastes like that

The Blue Bayou quickly loses its novelty, and soon you're just in a really dark restaurant room with bad food.

 

[Cinderpamela]

My husband is worried about it feeling too fancy or stuffy and feeling uncomfortable though....just not sure for us. lol But, yes, if you do choose Blue Bayou, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all.

Tell him not to worry! All of the times that we have gone to Napa Rose you see folks that are dressed up, and then you see others in theme park attire (tee's and shorts).... it runs the gamut and they all fit in just fine.

On each trip we have taken our children have dined with us, on the first visit they were 4 and 8 and everyone was super kid friendly, not at all stuffy.

The wait staff has always been warm and attentive and very friendly for us, didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

You guys should definitely give it a try!

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

Tell him not to worry! All of the times that we have gone to Napa Rose you see folks that are dressed up, and then you see others in theme park attire (tee's and shorts).... it runs the gamut and they all fit in just fine.

On each trip we have taken our children have dined with us, on the first visit they were 4 and 8 and everyone was super kid friendly, not at all stuffy.

The wait staff has always been warm and attentive and very friendly for us, didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

You guys should definitely give it a try!

Thanks so much Pam!

 

[SplashMo]

Napa Rose Chef's Counter hands down...

 

[pixiewings71]

I would and will always go with BB just because you are eating INSIDE PotC. Of course Pirates is my favorite ride so that helps. I also enjoy the food at BB very much, others don't but I do! So my vote goes to PotC.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'd go to the Blue Bayou. I ate there for the first time and I loved it.

 

[minniecarousel]

Napa Rose!

We ate there last Tuesday evening and had a wonderful experience and the food was excellent! Our server was Wendy and she was friendly. Ambience wasn't "stuffy" at all.

I agree - see if you can get a mid-afternoon reservation for dessert only at the Blue Bayou. I understand the appeal to the atmosphere, but the food isn't worth it.

 

[msteddom]

Based on my last few meals there, I will not eat at Blue Bayou again. The combination of high prices, poor food and poor service borders on offensive.

I adore the Napa Rose and eat there whenever possible, even if it just an appetizer and a glass of wine in the lounge.

I am going to echo the praise of previous posters for the Carthay Circle at DCA. The food is outstanding, the wine list is extensive, and the service is amazing. I can't wait to go back!!!!


Melissa