Chef's Table - Napa Rose

[Teaching in NV]

Taking my daughter to celebrate graduation from College (YAHOOOOO!).

I have read many rave reviews about dining at the chef's counter. Does anyone have any advice or warnings about this experience? ooooh .. also, I have some Disney Reward dollars saved - I know Napa Rose honors those, but do they honor them for the chef's counter as well?

 

[oc_tony]

We loved our experience at the NR chef's counter. I wrote a blog about it for the DIS. Click here if you're interested in reading about it. It includes pics of what we ordered.

Your bill at the chef's counter is no different than if you ate in the main dining room, so you should be fine using Rewards Dollars.

Enjoy your dinner there. It's one of our favorite places.

 

[Pygoplites]

Dining at the chef's counter is a great experience! In fact, I just made a reservation last night for my Memorial Day weekend vacation. You'll feel like a judge on a fine-dining cooking show.

You can order off of the regular menu, but it's a lot more fun just to turn yourself over to the chef. You'll be asked if you have any dislikes, food sensitivities, etc., and then you'll be rewarded with a great multicourse meal. If there are specific dishes on the menu that you want to try, feel free to ask that they be included.

One of the best parts is that you and your daughter will be served different dishes. In order to get a taste of everything, I like to eat half of each dish and then switch plates with my dining companion.

They will also do a wine pairing, with different wines for each course. I think it's around $50 or so extra; however, if you're feeling really extravagant you could ask if they'll do an upgraded pairing. They've done it for me a few times. I don't recall what I paid, but it was less than I expected.

NR has far and away the best food in the immediate area (this is based on MANY meals there) and pretty near the top of all Orange County restaurants.

I don't know what you meant about any "warnings," but I will say this: Despite the cost, the ambiance is fairly casual and it can be loud. If you're looking for a fancy, quiet meal (like at a Michelin 2- or 3-star place), then NR may not fit the bill. But if you want a fun and interactive experience, you should be thrilled.

Be sure to share your experience with us!

 

[Teaching in NV]

Thank you .. both of you. I am really excited about this - I have been to DLR many many times .. but never had a truly great meal (though the corn chowder at Storyteller's was fabulous!)

I really want to do something special with DD - just the two of us. She (well .. to be honest .. WE) are Disney addicts and its difficult to find something new she has never done. I am a wine snob, and DD is learning so the pairings sound like fun. No problem with the place being loud - I was glad to hear there's no real dress code. No "little black dress" means one less thing I have to pack! I will post our experience after we get back

But shhhh its a surprise. She thinks she is taking me to dinner as an early Mother's Day gift

 

[Pygoplites]

NR is a haven for wine snobs! If you would rather choose your own pairings, they have a huge selection by the glass, including high-end stuff not often offered in single pours. Plus, they'll let you taste before you commit to buying the glass and will happily get you something else if it's not to your liking.

They also have some good half-bottle selections. However, their wines are "aggressively priced" (in favor of the house and not the diner), but not out of line for a high-end resort hotel.

 

[DahliaRW]

Ask for seats 5 and 6. As for rewards dollars, we used ours to pay part of our bill no problem!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We enjoyed our experience, kinda the once in a lifetime, but we don't tend to eat high-end, fancy foods......so that was one thing we couldn't prepare for. Some of it was very good.....some of it was not our thing. Our Amuse Bouche was chicken liver & I thought my dining experience was going to be over.........yuck!

My hubby did the Vintner's Meal & I did the Chef's Choice. They ask your likes & dislikes.....but he wasn't listening......he pretty much served me nuts & mushrooms in every dish & those are 2 big dislikes for me.

Our seating was at 5:30pm & we left the restaurant at 8pm.....so be prepared for a longer dining experience.

With our 2 dinners & 2 cocktails with tax & tip was $252 for the 2 of us. I've never spent that much for a meal.....ever!! I'm glad we did it.....checked it off the bucket list....but really have no interest in going back.

 

[rosiep]

With our 2 dinners & 2 cocktails with tax & tip was $252 for the 2 of us. I've never spent that much for a meal.....ever!! I'm glad we did it.....checked it off the bucket list....but really have no interest in going back.

YIKES!!!

Is this the average price for a meal here?

DD and I are dining at the Chef's table and I will be asking for a tasting menu...

 

[toocherie]

YIKES!!!

Is this the average price for a meal here?

DD and I are dining at the Chef's table and I will be asking for a tasting menu...

First, it's the Chef's Counter, not table.

Second, the Vintner's menu (which changes weekly) is $90 per person plus $45 per person if you want the wine flight.

If you choose to put yourself in the hands of the Chef, it is also $90 per person plus $45 for the wine flight. So food for two people is $180 and if you add the wine flights for each person that is another $90 for $270 plus tax and tip.

 

[ArchOwl]

Yep, it is very pricey. Hubby and I sat at the Chef's Counter in February and we both let the Chef choose for us. This is the same price as the Vintner's, $90 pp. Then we split the wine pairing, which was $45. With tax and before tip, the bill was $244.69.

This was easily the best meal we have had in Orange County and rivaled some of the meals we have had in Vegas and SF (which were similarly priced). So if it is in the budget, I would say go for it! We had an amazing meal and the interaction with the chefs is so much fun.

For pics of meals and other tips see: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2656163&highlight=chef+s+counter

Have fun!

 

[rosiep]

First, it's the Chef's Counter, not table.

Second, the Vintner's menu (which changes weekley) is $90 per person plus $45 per person if you want the wine flight.

If you choose to put yourself in the hands of the Chef, it is also $90 per person plus $45 for the wine flight. So food for two people is $180 and if you add the wine flights for each person that is another $90 for $270 plus tax and tip.

Thanks for the clarification. I knew you sat at a counter, I just thought it was called "table"

My daughter is a foodie and I know she's going to love it here...I'll start mentally preparing myself for the bill now!

 

[rosiep]

.

For pics of meals and other tips see: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2656163&highlight=chef+s+counter

Have fun!

Thanks! I loved seeing these pics. While daughter is a foodie, I tend to eat very light. I love that the portions are small.

 

[DahliaRW]

We enjoyed our experience, kinda the once in a lifetime, but we don't tend to eat high-end, fancy foods......so that was one thing we couldn't prepare for. Some of it was very good.....some of it was not our thing. Our Amuse Bouche was chicken liver & I thought my dining experience was going to be over.........yuck!

My hubby did the Vintner's Meal & I did the Chef's Choice. They ask your likes & dislikes.....but he wasn't listening......he pretty much served me nuts & mushrooms in every dish & those are 2 big dislikes for me.

Our seating was at 5:30pm & we left the restaurant at 8pm.....so be prepared for a longer dining experience.

With our 2 dinners & 2 cocktails with tax & tip was $252 for the 2 of us. I've never spent that much for a meal.....ever!! I'm glad we did it.....checked it off the bucket list....but really have no interest in going back.

When we went the chef served the lady next to use something she disliked. She tried it, and then told the chef she didn't care for whatever it was she disliked. He took the dish back and made her a new one. So if that happens just tell him and they will fix it. No need to eat something you don't like!

 

[Mama Who]

I'll just sit here quietly being jealous. Have a great time!

We've wanted to do this for years but with a new baby it won't be any time soon.

 

[christine*]

If you see things you want to try on the regular dining menu one of you can do the chef's counter and one of you can order the stuff off the regular menu. My DBF and I did this last time. It worked at great because we didn't get as much food as we would have gotten if had both done the chef's menu and we got to get our favorites as well as try new dishes. Just let the waiter know ahead of time that you're both planning to share. When we were shared dishes we would just trade plates and the sous chef kept asking us if everything was okay and we kept saying everything was fine. We heard him asking our waiter what was wrong and why we kept on changing plates. I guess he was just parinod we didn't like the food?

 

[DizNee Luver]

When we went the chef served the lady next to use something she disliked. She tried it, and then told the chef she didn't care for whatever it was she disliked. He took the dish back and made her a new one. So if that happens just tell him and they will fix it. No need to eat something you don't like!

The head chef was not there the night we went, the Sous Chef was in charge & was more interested in chatting with the couple next to us. He seemed to know the gentlemen & getting his attention didn't seem to work. Really wish Chef Sutton would have been there.....it probably would have been a better experience. It was still fun to do it, but a little disappointing.

 

[disneydave2005]

I'm excited about going to Disneyland in August and wanted to know if anyone's ever been on the dining plan and used your plan for Napa Rose. I know you can use it there but I wanted to know if my dining plan would be shot after eating here or if we should just pay out of pocket?

 

[DahliaRW]

The head chef was not there the night we went, the Sous Chef was in charge & was more interested in chatting with the couple next to us. He seemed to know the gentlemen & getting his attention didn't seem to work. Really wish Chef Sutton would have been there.....it probably would have been a better experience. It was still fun to do it, but a little disappointing.

Ah, yes. I would make sure that Sutton is there when booking. He is fantastic!

I'm excited about going to Disneyland in August and wanted to know if anyone's ever been on the dining plan and used your plan for Napa Rose. I know you can use it there but I wanted to know if my dining plan would be shot after eating here or if we should just pay out of pocket?

I would think you could use the value of your voucher towards it. But really, the DL dining plan is not a good value. You're usually better off paying out of pocket for all your meals.

 

[disneydave2005]

My sister and I don't really go outside of beef, chicken, ham, or shrimp... Would it be worth it to go to Napa Rose? I'd LOVE to go but if it's only lamb, fish, or critters we're not used to, I'm not sure I'd like it. (I'd be willing to have lamp or maybe even pheasant)

 

[christine*]

My sister and I don't really go outside of beef, chicken, ham, or shrimp... Would it be worth it to go to Napa Rose? I'd LOVE to go but if it's only lamb, fish, or critters we're not used to, I'm not sure I'd like it. (I'd be willing to have lamp or maybe even pheasant)

I still think it would be worth it for you guys to go. Just order lamb or fish off the regular menu to make sure you get something new.