Carthay Circle, Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55

[Maddysdaddy]

My daughter will be turning 13 during our next trip down to DL and I'd like to take her out for a nice dinner.

She is very much a foodie and will try anything and everything - she's the kind of kid who has watched wayyyy too much Food Network, and will throw out phrases like "subtle undertones of..." when describing her dishes. She's also the kid who was less excited about her Coach Mickey Ear handbag for xmas than the new Alton Brown cookbook, and has never forgiven my wife and I for not figuring out a way to sneak food out of Remy when we last sailed on the Fantasy.

Any thoughts on which of the three I should try to book at, keeping in mind that we have never eaten at any of them.

Thx all.

 

[ParkHopper1]

For a foodie Napa Rose hands down IMO. Chef's Table if you can get it.

While Carthay and Steakhouse 55 are certainly good they are just a meal...Napa Rose has always been an "experience" for us...and I am usually pretty simplistic in my food preferences.

 

[SMD]

You could find links to info on the chefs and let her choose. If she's really into food TV shows she might like someplace like Red O in Newport Beach (Rick Bayliss) or Amar Santana, a finalist on Top Chef has a restaurant in Costa Mesa and Shirley from the current season has a restaurant in Irvine. There is also a Pizzeria Mozza in Newport, which is Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton (she started La Brea Bakery) that she might want to try.

 

[Aladora]

I second the chef's counter at Napa Rose if you can swing it. We've done it twice and have loved it both times! We were thinking of taking our 11 year old when we go down in april but I don't think he is quite ready for it yet...maybe in a year though!

 

[DLgal]

Napa Rose. No contest.

 

[sohryu]

It seems pretty unanimous already but just in case you needed another opinion: Napa Rose

 

[tinkcollector]

I have had the good fortune of eating at all three of your choices. I agree with the above posters that the “Chef’s Table” at Napa Rose would absolutely wow your daughter, not to mention you and your wife. If you are fortunate enough to dine when Chef Sutton is there he can make your experience OVER THE TOP! If he is there he will ask you if you want him to create something for you that is not on the menu, and if you agree he will ask you your likes and dislikes. If you get this chance….Oh Em Geee take it! You can’t go wrong with ordering from the menu as well, so enjoy.

Carthay is a wonderful restaurant, I have enjoyed eating there and their wine choices are the best. As far as an exceptional experience that I think you are looking for…you could be disappointed. It’s a busy, bustling restaurant.

In my humble opinion Steakhouse 55 (which I prefer to still call Granville’s) is on a higher level than the Carthay. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere more upscale. It is more nostalgic Disney in décor, and I have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered there.

If you can spring the $$$’s I would make reservations at the Chef’s Table at the Napa Rose for dinner, and breakfast at Steakhouse 55.

Good luck with “wow’ing” your little Princess, this will be a memory that she will never forget.

 

[Malcon10t]

Just to clarify, if you are doing Chef's Counter now, it is Chef's menu. No ordering from the menu anymore.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Thanks everyone. Sat down with the munchkin last night and we looked at the menus and watched YouTube videos from all three restaurants.

She decided that she wants to go to Steakhouse 55 for lobster (guessing the video we saw of the 24 layer cake probably played into the decision as well).

 

[Malcon10t]

That 24 layer cake is totally worth the trip. We are going the 18th. It's my favorite restaurant on site.

 

[goooof1]

Definitely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the 24 layer cake!!

 

[Disn3yVision]

Napa Rose is the best.... but also the most expensive :-/

 

[Malcon10t]

Napa Rose is the best.... but also the most expensive :-/

"Best" is subjective. I have a lot of people who would agree with you. I go every so often because they really enjoy it. My personal preference for "the best" is Steakhouse 55. I enjoy that the menu (like Napa) changes.

I can't wait to try both the new dinner menu and breakfast menu that just came out.

 

[rentayenta]

We took our daughter for her 18th birthday and she said it's the best dinner she'd ever had and DH is a fabulous cook.

I went to a dear friend's birthday dinner at Steakhouse 55. We had a custom menu created just for us and it was out of this world.

I have not been to Carthay Circle.

 

[Malcon10t]

I went to a dear friend's birthday dinner at Steakhouse 55. We had a custom menu created just for us and it was out of this world.

We've done similar things. This was the best ever.

Beef ribs smoked for HOURS with asparagus wrapped in bacon sauteed in Hennessey and brown sugar....

Pork ribs (there was truffled mac and cheese and scalloped potaotes too)

2 very happy kids with their "brontasaurs ribs"

Dessert was fresh made macaroons dipped in chocolate.

 

[Chiomaca]

Napa Rose is the best foodie restaurant of the three, but the cake a Steakhouse 55 is hard to top visually.

 

[lvdis]

That cake at Steakhouse 55 is absolutely wonderful! Last year we ordered it to go from the bar and took it back to our room with us. Three of us shared it over a couple of days with glasses of cold milk. I can't wait to have it again!