Carthay Circle Lounge or Wine Country reservations?

[kittyklawz]

Looking to make a reservation for lunch at one of the two places to eat with my husband and my two children on our first day at DCA. We haven't eaten at either one yet. Which would you say has better food and drinks? Do people look at you funny if you have kids in the lounge? My children are both autistic ages 3 and 7. They also do have a few reservations available for the Carthay Circle Restaurant that day as well...

 

[LKing]

You can take children anywhere at DLR without getting judgmental looks. Did you look at both menus? Between the Lounge and Trattoria, I think the children's menu at Wine Country Trattoria might be more kid friendly. The CC Restaurant is a different experience. Think old school white linen dining. It is fine to bring kids, but would they get antsy if it was a more formal, leisurely meal?

 

[kittyklawz]

You can take children anywhere at DLR without getting judgmental looks. Did you look at both menus? Between the Lounge and Trattoria, I think the children's menu at Wine Country Trattoria might be more kid friendly. The restaurant is a different experience. Think old school white linen dining. It is fine to bring kids, but would they get antsy if it was a more formal, leisurely meal?

What about the atmosphere in the lounge? Is it more laid back than the restaurant? I have looked at the menus for all of them and there is stuff they would eat.

 

[fly girl]

My initial instinct would be WCT with that age range. Kids menu. Enough said.

The lounge inside is very small, but you can be seated outside as well. The offerings are not mainstream so I would check the menu to see if it is something your entire family would like. And the tables in the lounge can be high top or big lounge chairs with a low coffee type table in the middle.

Carthay Circle itself, is a slower fine dining service.

If I were in your shoes, I would pick WCT.

 

[LKing]

What about the atmosphere in the lounge? Is it more laid back than the restaurant?

Indoor for the lounge is like sitting in a bar. Not at the bar, but at small tables in a bar like setting. They also have a small outdoor patio. For lunch, it might be in the shade, so cooler

 

[kittyklawz]

Thanks y'all. The drinks at Carthay Circle sound really good but I think I might go with WCT. My son loves pasta and it looks like they have that at both places but not sure about the vibe lol.

 

[Sarahelizabeth]

I prefer CC because I love the old Hollywood vibe. WCT is fine but I like the ambience at CC. Have you looked at Lamplight Lounge? If your kids are Pixar fans that’s a good option too. We always try to eat there once on a trip.

 

[julesann]

If you are going for the food, I'd pick CC sitting outside for lunch. I second Lamplight Lounge over WCT (although I heard they changed their menu recently so I'd double check) for ambiance for kids. Fun to sit where you can see the Incredicoaster.

 

[Chili327]

I think inside the lounge is all hi-top tables so that may not be good, but the lounge has outside seating as well.