calling all foodies--advice please!

[MickeyNicki]

We are sorta foodies so here are our top choices

Bluezoo
Il Mulino
Citricos
Flying Fish
Fultons (sorry but the fried lobster and king crab claws are to die for)
The Wave

 

[AggieTexan]

We are sorta foodies so here are our top choices

Bluezoo
Il Mulino
Citricos
Flying Fish
Fultons (sorry but the fried lobster and king crab claws are to die for)
The Wave

Can you tell me more about The Wave? We are looking for good food and wine/drinks in a somewhat adult atmosphere. Right now I have reservations at Il Mulino, Shula's, Flying Fish, and Citrico's, but I'm not sure I want to do four signatures, especially since we're paying OOP.

I was thinking of keeping Il Mulino and Flying Fish, substituting the Wave for Citrico's, and picking up something at Epcot to replace Shula's. We're staying at the Dolphin, so with the exception of one night when we plan to eat at either Citrico's or The Wave, I'd like to stay in the Epcot area.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Can you tell me more about The Wave? We are looking for good food and wine/drinks in a somewhat adult atmosphere. Right now I have reservations at Il Mulino, Shula's, Flying Fish, and Citrico's, but I'm not sure I want to do four signatures, especially since we're paying OOP.

I was thinking of keeping Il Mulino and Flying Fish, substituting the Wave for Citrico's, and picking up something at Epcot to replace Shula's. We're staying at the Dolphin, so with the exception of one night when we plan to eat at either Citrico's or The Wave, I'd like to stay in the Epcot area.

We ate at the Wave in March and Aug 09 and both times the food was fantastic and the service was top notch. The avocado citrus salad is to die for! I had the rock shrimp pasta one time and the roasted pork another and both were delish! DH had the filet and the flank steak and he loved them too. Desserts are very good but stay away from the sugar free one, it isnt that great.

The meal took 2 hours, just like a signature place, and the ambiance was similar to a signature as well. I would sub it for Flying Fish but not Citricos as that place is the best we have ever been to!

We are staying at the Dolphin in 3 weeks and as much as I want to go to the Wave again we are going to stay around the resort as well....Il Mulino, Yachtsman and Cape May for us this time around

 

[xipetotec]

Hands down Jiko was the best place we've been for a nicemeal in a nice restaurant. The wine selection was fantastic too!

 

[AggieTexan]

We ate at the Wave in March and Aug 09 and both times the food was fantastic and the service was top notch. The avocado citrus salad is to die for! I had the rock shrimp pasta one time and the roasted pork another and both were delish! DH had the filet and the flank steak and he loved them too. Desserts are very good but stay away from the sugar free one, it isnt that great.

The meal took 2 hours, just like a signature place, and the ambiance was similar to a signature as well. I would sub it for Flying Fish but not Citricos as that place is the best we have ever been to!

We are staying at the Dolphin in 3 weeks and as much as I want to go to the Wave again we are going to stay around the resort as well....Il Mulino, Yachtsman and Cape May for us this time around

Thanks! I only have 5 months to get it figured out!

 

[tigger536]

Flying Fish - we liked this place so much that we changed our rehearsal dinner to it. We like to eat later in the evening so children weren't much of an issue when we were there.

California Grill - love the atmosphere, love the food, love the wine list.

Victoria and Alberts - I must do at least once for any foodie, if you can swing it. Try for the chef's table.

Narcoosee's

The Wave

Some I don't like:

Bistro de Paris. Tries to be sophisticated, but fails, in my opinion. Skip it for Le Cellier or Flying Fish on the boardwalk, or even Yatchsman Steakhouse.

Jiko. Used to be great. Flavors have been toned dowb for the masses. Not worth it anymore.

 

[alemap]

Victoria and Albert's-best by far. It is an experience in itself, and the food is divine. You don't even need the chef's table, though it is fantastic. Try the menu with the wine pairing, it is amazing. V&A is a must do if you can swing it.

Il Mulino-fantastic Italian (and the best Dirty Martinis w/ blue cheese stuffed olives I have ever had!)

This trip we are trying Bluezoo, and I can't wait. I have heard such wonderful reviews!!

For lunch, I loved Chefs de France,(the restaurant downstairs). I actually prefered it over the dinner we had upstairs.

Have a great trip!

 

[HelenParr]

Overall, I'm of the food snob opinion that Dining is secondary at Disney World. Very few Disney restaurants would make it in the real world as just a restaurant. But since you still have to eat:

Citricos (and consider trying eating in the bar for light meal, really good bar service)

Kimonos (ok, ok, I realize it's a sushi bar -- but it still has some great food)

BlueZoo (although found it a little off last time, not bad, but not spot on could have been a glitch, have had great meal there before)

 

[elbodans]

Overall, I'm of the food snob opinion that Dining is secondary at Disney World. Very few Disney restaurants would make it in the real world as just a restaurant. But since you still have to eat:

Citricos (and consider trying eating in the bar for light meal, really good bar service)

Kimonos (ok, ok, I realize it's a sushi bar -- but it still has some great food)

BlueZoo (although found it a little off last time, not bad, but not spot on could have been a glitch, have had great meal there before)

laughing at the 'since you still have to eat' comment!
that's kind of what i was afraid of. sigh. oh well--we had one very good meal last/first trip, and that was at yachtsman. one pretty good meal--flying fish (well, at least after i sent the first dish back...and i NEVER do that!) i think i've figured out the dining plans for the next trip(s)...about to post them for review.

 

[elbodans]

thanks for the input everyone! here's what i have for the next two trips, with reasons given for each...

note: trip 1 is a mostly-solo short trip (long story), and trip 2 is a trip with my mother for mother's day

trip 1:
Kona Cafe (lunch)--because i'm touring monorail resorts that day, and i don't want to have to eat in MK.
Bluezoo (dinner)--highly recommended above, also to avoid crowds post epcot/illuminations, and to keep drinking after the parks close
yak and yeti (lunch)--seems like the best bet inside of AK
les chefs de france (dinner)--can't think of anything else i'd rather have at epcot, though i'm considering changing to bistro based on comments here.
brown derby (lunch)--seems like the best bet inside of DHS
citricos (dinner)--dinner after a late night at MK, my last night there (this trip!)

trip 2:
brown derby (lunch. again.)--again, need to eat whilst in DHS
jiko (dinner)--comes with wanyama safari, also highly recommended here!
garden view lounge at GF for tea--mother's day
sanaa (dinner)--i love indian food and we're staying at AKL
yak and yeti (lunch)--same as above, need to eat in AK
california grill (dinner)--for wishes; mom's request
coral reef (lunch)--thought mom would like it, contemplating changing to?
kouzzina (dinner)--same as bluezoo above; walking there after illuminations

i'm open for suggestions. i really don't like that i have brown derby and yak and yeti twice, but those are both park-day lunches at inconveniently located parks. hmmm.

also--i'd love to do V&A, but i'd have to do it on my solo trip, and that seems rather selfish (as my husband sits at home and eats cold pizza!) my justification is that it would be half the price without him! so maybe i'll replace something with V&A...but what?

 

[drenalin'junkie]

As much as I love Disfood for a true snob there is only V&A,Jiko,Il Mulino and possibly Bistro.We have better places locally...in strip malls or town centers...not great atmosphere

That being said there is good food to be had the notables lately were

Bread service at sanaa,the food is OK
lamb shank at kouzzina,everything we've has has been great
the now missing ostrich at Jiko
the tenderloin and pork tenderloin at the wave,almost licked the plates
tuna at the GF cafe,Disfoods most under-rated eatery IMO

For fun we did 50's prime time and were blown away by the comfort foods there,simple fried chicken,meatloaf and pot roast on one platter with 3 sides

 

[JennyDrake]

I am also a foodie--I test recipes for two magazines. Here are my TS faves in no particular order: Jiko, Boma, Tusker House, Artist Point, Kouzzina, and more distantly The Wave and Kona. Counter service: Sunshine Seasons, Yakatori House, Tangerine Cafe.

I have not found anything at DHS worth eating, but I have not eaten at Mama Melrose.

Other than 1900 Park Faire, I have not eaten at the GF.

 

[elbodans]

I am also a foodie--I test recipes for two magazines.

best. job. ever?

 

[JimmyV]

best. job. ever?

Not really. Think about how any times you have to say: "This just didn't work. Yuck." Like being a restuarant critic (which I have done for several years). Sounds great. But not every restaurant is The French Laundry.

 

[elbodans]

Not really. Think about how any times you have to say: "This just didn't work. Yuck." Like being a restuarant critic (which I have done for several years). Sounds great. But not every restaurant is The French Laundry.

hmmm. i see your point. i do local theater reviews, and i've seen some TERRIBLE productions. at least i didn't have to eat them!

 

[laurainsem]

Here are just a few of our faves:

Yachtsman (by far our favorite)
Teppan Edo
Narcoosees
Hoop Dee Doo
Ohana

Those are truly just a few. We have loved just about everywhere we've eaten!

 

[cbg1027]

Sorry I posted 3 times....not sure how that happened?!?!?

cbg--i clicked on your dining report from the 2009 Wine and Food fest, and i just have to say--GREAT pictures! i'm drooling, and i just had breakfast!!!

Aw thanks!

We are sorta foodies so here are our top choices

Nicki and her hubby are totally foodies, she's just being modest. I trust her dining reviews!

 

[DEA]

thanks for the input everyone! here's what i have for the next two trips, with reasons given for each...

note: trip 1 is a mostly-solo short trip (long story), and trip 2 is a trip with my mother for mother's day

trip 1:
Kona Cafe (lunch)--because i'm touring monorail resorts that day, and i don't want to have to eat in MK.
Bluezoo (dinner)--highly recommended above, also to avoid crowds post epcot/illuminations, and to keep drinking after the parks close
yak and yeti (lunch)--seems like the best bet inside of AK
[
also--i'd love to do V&A, but i'd have to do it on my solo trip, and that seems rather selfish (as my husband sits at home and eats cold pizza!) my justification is that it would be half the price without him! so maybe i'll replace something with V&A...but what?

Weighing back in after a while away from this thread... I really like Tusker House in AK. We usually do it with the kids and get the priority seating for Finding Nemo, but it works better for me than Yak and Yeti.

Or, because Sanaa serves lunch, leave the park, go to lunch at Sanaa, then have your dinner at V&A's See? It's simple. I solve problems

Brown Derby is the best at DHS, but is also the only Disney restaurant at which I sent back an entrée for being horrible. The replacement entrée was very good, though. We usually eat at Fairfax Fare for counter service salads and BBQ.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Love this thread! And getting lots of ideas for our next trip. OP - I think I read your trip report on another board...we are both unlikely Disney fans. I haven't found any truly "foodie" worthy food at Disney, but haven't tried most of these yet. I think we would like Sanaa and Jiko... but we've only been twice and has seemed to difficult to get to AKL. Staying at the Swan next NYE - I think Il Mulino is in the cards.

I have found plenty of food to enjoy... and felt it was very good for theme park food - Marrakesh, Chefs de France (a good lunch, a mediocre dinner), Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe for counter service, Cobb salads and butternut squash soup for lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby

 

[elbodans]

i realize i've neglected this thread for a while now...not sure what happened...but...

Weighing back in after a while away from this thread... I really like Tusker House in AK. We usually do it with the kids and get the priority seating for Finding Nemo, but it works better for me than Yak and Yeti.

Or, because Sanaa serves lunch, leave the park, go to lunch at Sanaa, then have your dinner at V&A's See? It's simple. I solve problems

Brown Derby is the best at DHS, but is also the only Disney restaurant at which I sent back an entrée for being horrible. The replacement entrée was very good, though. We usually eat at Fairfax Fare for counter service salads and BBQ.

i did not know sanaa served lunch! that's a GREAT idea!

Love this thread! And getting lots of ideas for our next trip. OP - I think I read your trip report on another board...we are both unlikely Disney fans. I haven't found any truly "foodie" worthy food at Disney, but haven't tried most of these yet. I think we would like Sanaa and Jiko... but we've only been twice and has seemed to difficult to get to AKL. Staying at the Swan next NYE - I think Il Mulino is in the cards.

I have found plenty of food to enjoy... and felt it was very good for theme park food - Marrakesh, Chefs de France (a good lunch, a mediocre dinner), Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe for counter service, Cobb salads and butternut squash soup for lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby

yes, i'm one of the unlikely disney fans. i agree with the not really foodie food comment, though i did very much enjoy my meal at les chefs and at brown derby. i'm currently finishing up that trip report, complete with pics! i didn't get to as many restuarants as i'd planned--i ended up canceling blue zoo AND citricos...sigh. and my plans for my upcoming trip with my mom have changed ever so slightly...and continue to change, even though we're less than three weeks away from the trip!