Brown Derby, Le Cellier, or Narcoossee's?

[Wendy31]

I seem to have a daily question on this board...

I think we have decided to *gasp* skip Fantasmic! during our upcoming trip.

Which means a FDP at the Brown Derby is not really needed, of course.

W/ that in mind, I could then switch some things around.

For our EPCOT (Future World) day, we were going to eat dinner at Cape May. But I could switch Cape May to our DHS day now - of course, this means we won't get fried shrimp at Cape May since we'll be going there on a Tues instead of a Fri, but, as we all know, it never all works out exactly right!

And then I could do a different restaurant on our EPCOT day - I'm thinking either Le Cellier or Narcoossee's. We've been to Le Cellier & really liked it. We've never tried Narcoosee's, but I've always wanted to. Additionally, it seems to be the most "casual" of the signature restaurants which will work nicely since we'll have a 2-year old.

So, for our DHS day - Sci-Fi for lunch & Cape May for dinner.

And for our EPCOT day - GF Cafe for breakfast, Seasons for lunch & either Le Cellier or Narcoossee's for dinner.

I just have never been too keen on using 2 TS credits for Brown Derby. I'm excited to see what reviews Le Cellier will get after it goes to 2 credits. I think our kids would enjoy Narcoossee's. However, we're already visiting the GF Cafe for breakfast.

So, w/ all that in mind, where would go? Leave Brown Derby? Le Cellier? Narcoossee's? Or Somewhere Else?

Thanks, again, for any advice, suggestions, or opinions!

 

[Pakey]

I like Brown Derby better than both Narcoosees and Le Cellier so I'd stick with that.

 

[goofy4prez]

Narcoossee's is one of my favorite restaurants at WDW and always make an ADR when we are there. The steaks are excellent. I'm not a fan of the Brown Derby; and it's tough to say how Le"Cellier is going to be. If they use the same quality of beef they have been using when they go signature, then forget it. However, if they improve the quality of the cuts then we'll see. If they still offer the same quality cut of beef, slap some mushroom sauce on it and place it on a bed of risotto and it's now a 2ts no way.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I'd stick with Brown Derby. I think the food quality is better than Narcoosees and if I was going to be in HS anyway...more convenient. If I was only having 1 table service at Hollywood Studios, I'd pick 50s Prime Time... I just like the food, the milkshakes, and the fun theme.

For seafood... and a signature restaurant, I'd pick Flying Fish Cafe over both Brown Derby and Narcoossees. If you're looking for dinner while at Epcot, Flying Fish at the Boardwalk Inn is a very short and pleasant walk. The seafood dishes I had at Flying Fish were just a LOT better.

I liked Narcoossees... enough to go back this most recent trip. It's also nice if you are there for dinner when MK has early fireworks. We had a 7:30pm ADR and watched the fireworks at 8pm, and the lighted boat parade that passes by at 9pm. We also enjoy the Grand Floridian lobby with the really great decor (especially the new character floor tiles) and the orchestra and piano player during the evenings.

Reviews of all of these restaurants are at the dining review link below.

 

[pharmgirl69]

We were not happy with Brown Derby at all! Probably one of our worst meals (along with Coral Reef) however, the grapefruit cake is good . With that said, our top three favorites are California Grill, Narcoossee's and LeCellier. As a PP mentioned, its hard to say about LeCellier with a new menu coming out so I would recommend Narcoossee's....great steak, great lobster and an almond crusted cheesecake to DIE FOR!!

 

[mjp12831]

HBD was ok - but if you don't need to do it for the F! package then I wouldn't deem it worthy of burning 2ts credits, so I'd change the schedule.

Something you do not mention that's a possibility becuase of it being between HS and E and actually walkable from the WS entrance of E is Yachtsman - had a great meal there. We had a party of 7 adults and 5 kids and they put the kids at their own kids table, so it was very kid friendly.

We liked LC as well, so I don't think you can go wrong there. I'd say that was worthy of 2ts credits, but if comparing LC and Y, I'd give the nod to Y.

 

[alexedan]

Another vote for Narcoose's. We do this every trip. Esp love the cheese plate and Wishes during dinner from the porch of the restaurant!

 

[Wendy31]

Ay yi yi!!! I don't know!!! I still can't make up my mind!

Brown Derby - I've read some really good reviews for Brown Derby. In a way, it would be nice to just stay at DHS & not have to leave since it closes at 7:00 pm that day. This way, I wouldn't feel like we were rushing out before we were "through" at DHS at 5:00 or so to get to restaurant.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to use 2 TS credits at Brown Derby. I was okay when we were using it for the FDP, but now...

Additionally, I've read some reviews where it's one of the least friendly for children. My older children are very well behaved in restaurants, are used to eating in restaurants, & we've received many compliments. So far, my younger DS is good in restaurants as well. But I don't know how he'll be after being in a park all day at a lengthy dining venue. I always book our dinners for between 5:00 & 6:00 pm, so we're eating earlier, but still...

Narcoossee's - I've wanted to eat here for a while. Last time, we tried California Grill & enjoyed it, & I think we'd enjoy Narcoosssee's. Plus, it just seems more kid-friendly. (Although, I've read some recent less-than-stellar reviews at allears.) Plus, on the day in question, we're eating breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe - another place I've wanted to eat for years! So, I just think visiting another resort/area would be better.

Le Cellier - DH has said, unless the menu changes, he doesn't want to use 2 TS credits.

Yachtman's Steakhouse/Flying Fish - Yes, I've thought of these. Flying Fish is on my list of places to try actually. Yachtman's, to me, doesn't have the same kind of theme-ing/atmosphere as some of the other signatures do though, at least to me be. I know the food gets really good reviews though.

I'm also considering just not doing a signature & either going back to Kona or Garden Grill or trying Rose & Crown.

I'm also seriously considering putting the whole thing in DH's lap & saying, "This night is your choice!"

I just want a really nice dinner w/ a nice atmosphere that both DH & I AND our kids will enjoy.

Honestly, in all the years we've been to WDW, I've never had this much trouble!!

 

[lilandvisma]

Id try Narccoossee's or FF...We are doing both next month It sounds to me as though you really want to try something new anyway! GL lol.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Derby worries me because it sounds like you will have the entire day in the park. I really find that my 2 year old needed some down time before he sat down to eat or he was over excited. Most days we took him out to nap, but we found that even days that we just "traveled" some place else it seemed to help him adjust more quickly. We had bad luck at restaurants that we had to do in parks after being there all day. Just something else to add to your thinking!

I'd go FF or Narcossi's. We love Yatchsman.... but I understand what you mean about themeing... Although I don't find that really any of the signatures have great "themeing." They seem to have less themeing and more "quality of food" w/ maybe the exception of Jikos (having themeing)

 

[vinotinto]

We went to all 3 last September and liked all of them. However, if Fantasmic is only a few nights per week when you are going, I would choose LeCellier or, even better, Narcoossee's. Fantasmic is attracting large crowds to DHS on those days and chances are HBD will be pretty swamped. Unless you are there specifically to see Fantasmic, I would entirely avoid HBD and DHS on a Fantasmic day. Narcoossee has a nice atmosphere and the food was good (nor great, but solid). Kids' dinners, especially dessert, were better than most restaurants.

 

[baler31]

Our whole family loves Citricos but also enjoys Narcoossee's.

 

[psac]

For seafood... and a signature restaurant, I'd pick Flying Fish Cafe over both Brown Derby and Narcoossees. If you're looking for dinner while at Epcot, Flying Fish at the Boardwalk Inn is a very short and pleasant walk. The seafood dishes I had at Flying Fish were just a LOT better.

+1 for this! I was going to write basically the same thing. Great seafood at FF, nice to enjoy the boardwalk, I would say (without kids, but from observation) it is kid friendly, and FF also has an incredible steak as well. Better steak than Le Cellier.

 

[Wendy31]

Thank you all!!

I still haven't decided!

I think Brown Derby is out. The menu looks good, & I've been wanting to try the grapefruit cake. But I've started to worry that's less appealing to kids than some of the other restaurants. Narcoossee's has also been on my list to try - simply because of the decor/theme. (Confession: I'm more of an "atmosphere" girl than I am a "food" girl.) And the kids' menu looks good at Narcoossee's.

Right now, I'm thinking about the following:

DHS Day - Sci-Fi (lunch) & either Cape May (dinner) or Narcoossee's (dinner)

and

EPCOT (Future World) Day - Seasons (lunch) & either Cape May (dinner) or Kona Cafe (dinner) or Rose & Crown (dinner)

We drive to DHS, so, after our DHS day, we'll either drive to the Beach Club or drive back to the WL (& freshen up & change) & then boat to MK & boat to GF.

If we go to Narcoossee's on our DHS day, we'll do Cape May on our EPCOT day (through the Int'l Gateway).

If we decide not to do Narcoossee's & go to Cape May on our DHS day, we'll either monorail to Kona Cafe or just go to Rose & Crown on our EPCOT day.

(*Rose & Crown is strictly my choice - DH says the menu doesn't really "do anything" for him.)

I'd like to try Narcoossee's, but I also like Kona Cafe.

And DH is absolutely no help!! "Whatever you decide, dear, will be fun, I'm sure!"

So, I still don't know!!!!

 

[Heather H]

I'd try Narcoossees - especially if it's a nice night - beautiful view.
HBD is fine after a day at DHS but I like the food better at Nar.
My kids really liked it when we wee there at C'mas. Good atmosphere for kids.

 

[csmommy]

Flying Fish!

 

[Kudrah]

I guess it depends on if you want to stick around EPCOT and see Illuminations or not!! If that's a possibility, then stick w/ an Epcot restaurant! Biergarten is really fun and your 2 year old might like the ooompah band, lol! Teppan Edo is also nice and my little ones always enjoyed watching the 'chop chop' chef (what they called it, lol). If you are set on a signature than you could also try Yachtsman if you don't want to do Le Cellier.

We did Narcoosee's last week and it was really nice, but I wouldn't say it was the best meal I've ever had or anything. We also ate at HBD w/ my 4 year old and she did great there, they brought her a white paper bag with a glow cube and some confetti in the bottom that had 'My bag of Pixie Dust' written on it with a marker and she thought that was the coolest thing ever. We loved the food at the Derby and if it weren't for the busy park location I would definitely say the food we got was worth 2 credits. It was well prepared, nicely seasoned, and delicious.