Birthday Dinner

[Corrinne]

We will be in DisneyWorld for my 30th! I'm so excited and would love to do a special dinner just me and my husband but I have no idea which restaurant. We've only ever eaten counter service and we had the buffet at the Crystal Palace which to be honest I was not at all impressed with. I would love some suggestions! I want something table service, not just burgers, and a romantic atmosphere oh and we aren't staying on property so not something that requires a 180 day reservation to be able to get in. Thanks!

 

[geek+nerd]

Are you looking for signature or something a little less expensive? What kind of food do you like?

My favorite signature is Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge. My favorite non-signature is Sanaa at AKL. I would imagine you could get reservations fairly easily at either, especially if you were willing to go right when they open. At Sanna when you check in, you can tell them you'd like a window seat, and if you are willing to wait a little, you will probably get it. I love to watch the animals!

 

[johnsonet]

Jiko at AKL

 

[Corrinne]

Are you looking for signature or something a little less expensive? What kind of food do you like?

My favorite signature is Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge. My favorite non-signature is Sanaa at AKL. I would imagine you could get reservations fairly easily at either, especially if you were willing to go right when they open. At Sanna when you check in, you can tell them you'd like a window seat, and if you are willing to wait a little, you will probably get it. I love to watch the animals!

I'm not exactly sure on the difference of signature and not signature. Prolly looking around the $50/person price range.
I'm not super picky on food, just wanting something different like I said than typical burgers or something like that and no seafood. lol

 

[Disneypapa]

House of Blues, the Shrimp & Grits are awesome!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hopefully]

House of Blues, the Shrimp & Grits are awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Last I knew shrimp was seafood. OP said no seafood.
OP a few things
Everyone can make an ADR at 180 days, even if you are not staying on property. So that is not a concern.
At $50/person, you are definitely not looking at the Signature Restaurants as they would be more than that. And other than the Signature Restaurants I don't think much is very romantic. There are kids everywhere at Disney.
My favorite non Signature, with a romantic bend would be San Angel Inn in Mexico in Epcot. But it is not your traditional Americanized Tex-Mex food. Don't go expecting big burritos etc. or you will be disappointed.
Good Luck

 

[geek+nerd]

I recommend you look at the menus online to help you decide.

 

[alex9179]

I recommend you look at the menus online to help you decide.

I agree. If I were picking a moderately priced (for Disney standards) dinner I would choose Sanaa for an early ADR so that we could watch the animals, The Wave because it was so low-key and service was lovely and their dinner menu looks good, or one of the Swan/Dolphin places (Il Mulino?) for a little more money but more upscale/adult.

However, my personal preferences tend toward small plates and drinks. I'd be looking at the resort lounges for an adult evening like GF's Mizner's, CR's Wave lounge, WL's Territory lounge, YC's Crew's Cup, or S/D bar areas.

 

[brertoad]

I like Les Chefs de France, it's really pretty at night. It can be noisy in there though, typical of any table service restaurant at Disney. San Angel Inn has a romantic atmosphere, I like their food there too. If you want a really special dinner check out Artist Point's menu, it is a nice place, excellent service.

 

[Corrinne]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I have tried looking at menus but there's so much to go through that's why I thought I'd get some opinions then check on those and it seems like I have a great place to start!