Birthday trip - where to dine?

[Pixie_Dust]

Our first trip to DL, one day on DH's b-day. Recommendations for places to make ressies? Thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

In or out of park?

If he's a sports fan there is ESPN Zone in DTD, but you have to register for their membership thing online to make ressies (it's free for the first month or 2 I believe). In park, Blue Bayou seems to be a fave overlooking POTC.

 

[teatime]

so your very first time ever in disneyland and your going for only one day? then make it memerable if you can afford it and do blue byou, or save a ton and go to tony roma's across the street , good food for way less! ) if your only going one day I say save all that money and get him a very cute shirt to remember the park and have a bunch of goodies all day

 

[heatherleigh]

My favorite places in the park are not very fancy and I'm not sure what you're looking for. I would do Cafe Orleans, personally. They have a similar menu to BB, but they are more affordable. I'm specifically thinking of the monte cristo and pomme frittes. I have heard the GC has a delicious restaurant that would have a better couples atmosphere.

I also love Yamabuki, which is a Japanese restaurant in the PPH. I would probably do that if it isn't too inconvenient. Nevermind, it would be inconvenient since you probably won't want to go far from the parks.

 

[Sherry E]

As far as I know, I think Yamabuki closed or is just about to close, Heather. I think Disney is putting in another restaurant in its place eventually, but no one knows what yet! Maybe it will be something to fit in with the theme of the new Victorian pier area in DCA?

Things may have changed, but the last time I asked Disney Dining about ESPN Zone, they said they could take PSs for certain times and then ESPN Zone handled the other times. Like, for example, Disney Dining could take a PS for ESPN on weekdays up until 5 p.m. or something (that may not be the exact time, but you get the idea), and then ESPN Zone handled the PSs after that time. And Disney Dining could not make any PS for weekends, if I recall. Again, it could all be different now - this was last December when I asked them, but they could take some PS and not all of them had to be done through ESPN. The only restaurant Disney Dining could not take any PSs for at any time is Rainforest Cafe.

Blue Bayou would be a nice place to go for a meal - great, moody atmosphere. The upscale Napa Rose in the GCH is a big hit with critics and DLR visitors alike. Rainforest Cafe is always a fun place to go. If you want something in the parks that is a table service but not too expensive, Wine Country Trattoria in DCA is nice, or Carnation Cafe in DL. DTD has quite a few places to choose from besides Rainforest or ESPN - Naples, Catal, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, House of Blues, etc. Or are you interested in doing a character meal? Would your DH be up for that? There are 5 of those to choose from at DLR.

 

[disneynerd420]

As far as I know, I think Yamabuki closed or is just about to close, Heather.

Sherry, you are absolutely right. Yamabuki closed in the end of April if I remember correctly, but it is closed.


I have to agree with Blue Bayou. It has a wonderful atmosphere, and for a long time has been part of the quintessential disneyland experiance. You can check out the menu here...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/dining/menus-detail.cfm?restaurant.ID=517

For some reason, the monte cristo is not showing on the lunch menu, but to my knowledge, it is still on the actual menu for lunch.

Unless your husband is a big blues or Blues brothers fan, I would avoid House of Blues. The atmosphere is really cool for a blues fan, but the food is only ok. It is nothing to write home about.

I might also suggest a quiet dinner at Steakhouse 55 over at the Disneyland hotel... I have heard good things, but I have not been there myself. That will change in sept.

When you call to make your priority seatings, make sure to advise them that it is your husbands birthday, so they can do something special for him.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[heatherleigh]

Oh, wow, I haven't been on here in awhile! I'm sad to hear it's no longer there. I just came back to the boards after being on hiatus, since there is a new trip in the works.

 

[disneynerd420]

If your husband is a sports buff, try ESPN Zone. It is an amazing time.

The food is good, and the bar is flowing with lots of tasty beverages.

 

[Chris420]

I recommend Blue Bayou if its your first time there.

Its a nice quiet setting, amazing food, good service and the fact that it overlooks a ride is fun as well.

ESPN zone is also a good choice, but im assuming youll want something a bit more Disney exclusive for a first trip. The character meals are a good time as well, goofies kitchen for breakfast was one of the highlights of my last trip.

I need to stop reading food threads, im starting to crave food that isn't attainable for a few more months haha

 

[pixiewings71]

I'd say BB too, but you can't get alcohol there, if that is important then go off site to the ESPN Zone (altho I've never eaten I've heard good things) or to the Rainforest Cafe, they have good drinks there! If you want to dine in a Disney Park then go to Wine Country Trattatoria, they have alcohol there.