Citrico's, Citrico's, Citrico's........WOW

[wintergreen]

We got a last minute reservation for 8 at Citrico's last Sunday (4 adults, 4 kids). While the food was good (not as good as Flying Fish or Blue Zoo, in my opinion, however), the service was TERRIBLE. Our waiter completely forgot about us. At one point we thought he might have even left. One member of our party skipped an appetizer, because she wanted to have dessert. By the time we got the dessert menus, however, (from our waiter, who magically reappeared about twenty minutes after we had all finished our entrees), we were all too tired for it. The waiter did bring us coffee in to-go cups while we paid our bills.

We did have a lovely table, with a lovely view (particularly since I only called one day in advance for the reservations). I might go back, but I'm not sure. Also, there were plenty of children in attendance, and no one seemed to be upset about that.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thanks for your post!

We are going to Citrico's for the first time in May. It's about time.

I echo the question on; fave menu items at this restaurant?

 

[gokenin]

does anyone know what time they open for dinner am trying to think of a place to have dinner the night we go down in late november for mickeys christmas party but dont want to eat in magic kingdom if i can help it

 

[ElenaP]

Also, there were plenty of children in attendance, and no one seemed to be upset about that.

Thanks, Alice! And we mean to book for quite an earlier time, 6.30, to be able to see Wishes, so it might be possible to go, after all

 

[Aimeedyan]

Count us into the crowd that loves Citricos. It's my new fave restaurant at WDW.

The filet was my choice entree and it was the best filet I've had before. Melt in your mouth - no knife needed. Fantastic, everything was, but I WILL be back for that filet. Beat the socks off the one at Yachtsman.

 

[ducklite]

Also, there were plenty of children in attendance, and no one seemed to be upset about that.

I've also seen children there, the ones who were welcome were school age quiet, neat, and well behaved. Of course I've seen a few little brats there that should have been removed immediately, of course they belonged to deaf and blind parents.

That said, Elana explained that her child is messy, and at an age where "inside voices" is not an understandable concept. IMHO it's highly inappropriate to bring a child to Citrico's, knowing full well in advance that they will be disruptive.

BTW--You can't see WISHES from Citrico's.

Anne

 

[ElenaP]

Hi Anne,

I know I can't see Wishes from Citricos, we plan on eating, then going outside to see it from the beach.
About my baby... maybe by saying "messy" I am using the wrong word? I don't mean he's noisy, I don't mean he screams or runs around, I wouldn't bring him to a non-family restaurant in that case. When he is at the table, he is very interested in food and he just eats. Being so little, he still has some problems with cutlery, of course, and he will use his hands quite a bit.

Thanks,
ElenaP

 

[Dana49]

Great review! You made us rethink our original dinner plans.

 

[Hopefully]

We have ADR's for Citroco's in April and I am glad for the review.
How dressy is it? Is a nice pair of slacks and a blouse appropriate?

 

[ducklite]

Hi Anne,

I know I can't see Wishes from Citricos, we plan on eating, then going outside to see it from the beach.
About my baby... maybe by saying "messy" I am using the wrong word? I don't mean he's noisy, I don't mean he screams or runs around, I wouldn't bring him to a non-family restaurant in that case. When he is at the table, he is very interested in food and he just eats. Being so little, he still has some problems with cutlery, of course, and he will use his hands quite a bit.

Thanks,
ElenaP

In that case, I don't think a toddler eating with fingers is a problem, as long as he's not throwing food or smearing it all over. Basically, if your child is used to eating out and can be quiet, then go for it--BUT if he begins to get at all noisy, you must remove him, even if it means having your dinner wrapped and finishing it later. And one parent should take the child and leave while the other tends to the check.

I would be there when they open, and have appetizer or dessert, not both. most toddlers can't spend 60-90 minutes quietly, so you'll need to move your pace along, and let your server know this in advance.

Anne

 

[beaker]

I love the sauteed shirmp and would go there just for that dish. My dh likes the raviolio to start with. I also like the salmon and the lamb sirloin. My dh has had the steak and liked it but thinks the Yachtsman's steak is better.

 

[ElenaP]

if he begins to get at all noisy, you must remove him, even if it means having your dinner wrapped and finishing it later. And one parent should take the child and leave while the other tends to the check.

I would be there when they open, and have appetizer or dessert, not both. most toddlers can't spend 60-90 minutes quietly, so you'll need to move your pace along, and let your server know this in advance.

I have to limit my food income anyway, as I am pregnant and at risk for gestational diabetes (risk=99%, as I had it for our first one...) so cutting off the dessert was already in the plans

We have started bringing him out when he was 4 month old (of course, he wouldn't not have eaten then), and here in Italy we have gone to all type of places, from family trattorie to upscale places. I can't count the times that DH or I had to leave the restaurant with the baby until he was calm again. I have always had "strong" feelings (and a bit of envy) for those parents who can eat their food happily while their kids wreak havoc around

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

One of the best parts of my meal last May was the foie gras ravioli; the whole meal was excellent, but this stands out in my mind.

I also arranged the slipper dessert in advance and the manager came out and joked with my wife that I had been calling every week for months to ensure that it would be delivered without a snag. It was a nice touch, especially after our 4th glass of wine! What was relly funny was that I hadn't told them any special reason for the dessert, but they asked my wife's name when I ordered it. When the dessert showed up it said "Happy Birthday Lisa," a nice touch, but 4 months early! We just took it in stride and looked at each other and smiled.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

We have ADR's for Citrico's in April and I am glad for the review.
How dressy is it? Is a nice pair of slacks and a blouse appropriate?

We were told when we made our ADR for Citricos that the dress was "business casual." So that should be appropriate. We are eating there in April as well, Easter Sunday we cannot wait!!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Sorry I have been so late getting back to this thread. I have been battling the worse case of bronchitis with asthma....I have never felt so lousy...

Anyhow, back to Citrico's....I am shocked at the treatment Wintergreen received at this restaurant. I mean I am shocked. I would write a letter as I think this restaurant prides itself on its service and meals...I do hope that some of the staff at Citrico's read these boards and maybe will see Wintergreen's review and will learn from it.

I had the chicken prepared in a new way, it was sort of fried in bread crumbs, very tender, they had changed the menu since the last time I was there. It was yummy. I tried the arancini for an appetizer, incredible...crunchy and just very tasty...for the life of me, I cannot remember what the others ate. I know one person had salmon and said it was good. I know one had the onion tart for an appetizer and said it was excellent..

We did have desserts and they were good, also French press coffee, which I just love. I also like that they work with you on what you like. My husband does not do anything with alcohol in it so they reworked his dessert with ice cream and berries and decorated his plate in chocolate with Happy Birthday...just those extras make it special..

I did notice that people do make the effort to dress in business casual....nice shirt for the men with khaki pants are ok, our friend was wearing a great Tommy Bahama shirt. I am a casual dresser so had on capris and a nice top, sandals, but not that casual....

The night we were there, there were lots of children. One child was crying and just not happy with sitting at the table, etc. as children will do from time to time. The mother got up from the table and walked with the baby for a while, the child calmed down and that was that. We all continued our meal in quiet and the mother handled the situation.

One more thought, Hi Mamu, and yes you should try this restaurant.

 

[WithFaith50]

I have to limit my food income anyway, as I am pregnant and at risk for gestational diabetes (risk=99%, as I had it for our first one...) so cutting off the dessert was already in the plans

We have started bringing him out when he was 4 month old (of course, he wouldn't not have eaten then), and here in Italy we have gone to all type of places, from family trattorie to upscale places. I can't count the times that DH or I had to leave the restaurant with the baby until he was calm again. I have always had "strong" feelings (and a bit of envy) for those parents who can eat their food happily while their kids wreak havoc around

Take your child and enjoy your meal (This is DISNEY). I'm sure he will be 'welcomed'. One person may say a child is too noisy, another person may say the same child is well behaved. If the restaurant staff is not asking you to leave, then you are fine. Are you really going to miss a meal (or rush it) because of some stranger dictating what children are 'welcomed' and when they must be 'removed'....

BTW...I have seen some very rude and big mouthed adults at restaurants...

 

[ducklite]

Take your child and enjoy your meal (This is DISNEY). I'm sure he will be 'welcomed'. One person may say a child is too noisy, another person may say the same child is well behaved. If the restaurant staff is not asking you to leave, then you are fine. Are you really going to miss a meal (or rush it) because of some stranger dictating what children are 'welcomed' and when they must be 'removed'....

BTW...I have seen some very rude and big mouthed adults at restaurants...

Just because it's DISNEY it's not an open invitation to parents to bring children who are tired, cranky and used to eating at McDonalds and Chuck-E-Cheese to the nicer restaurants and allow them to disrupt other diners.

We've seen far more RUDE parents with obnoxious kids (food throwing, ruinning around shreiking, crying because they are exhausted while the parents obliviously sip their cocoktail) than "big-mouthed" adults.

We did finally say something to management at Jiko one night after a couple allowed their child of about two to shriek non-stop for ten minutes--and then they ordered dessert. But unfortunately it shouldn't come to that.

I love seeing well behaved children dining out. They don't bother me when they talk and laugh. But they MUST stay seated at the table, not cry or fuss for more than a moment (and the parents must immediately attend to whatever their needs are), talk in inside voices, not throw food or dump it all over the floor around them, and not shriek, or they should not be welcomed. That's for their own safety as well as the comfort of other guests. It's also jsut good parenting and good manners.

Anne

 

[NMW]

I agree that having small children should not keep you from eating at a restaurant at Disney, except for V&A. My kids have been eating out on a regular basis since birth! When they were babies if one of them had a meltdown, one of us would take him/her outside. It was so rare, I can count on one hand the number of times this happened. The kids were well under 2 when this occured also. Some of our best meals at Disney have been at more "adult" places- Yachtsman Steak house, Flying Fish.

We have had Citricos on our list to try the last 3 trips and for some reason, we keep changing it. I think our problem is that we have too many "must-dos"

 

[ElenaP]

if one of them had a meltdown, one of us would take him/her outside.

I think this is the whole point: if you don't bring your babies out, they will never learn how to behave. BUT the parents must teach them. Any child can have a moment of "crankiness", but if mom/dad are there ready to calm him down, it won't disturb anybody (not more than a adult laughing aloud would).
The problem is with parents not caring about what their children do and letting them scream around without caring about the disturbance for others.
On this I agree with Anne, and I think it would be hard to disagree.

And I really can't wait until the babies are old enough to go to V&A... or to be left with a baby sitter while WE go!

Thanks for all your opinions!

 

[threeboysmom]

Sorry, I have to agree with Anne here. My DH and I are dining at Citricos in May and are looking forward to a quiet, romantic meal. I do NOT want to be seated near a crying/screaming child or one that is dumping food everywhere. Sorry, but I think that is VERY selfish and inconsiderate of the parents to allow that kind of behavior to go on just because *they* want to enjoy their meal despite what others think. I certainly don't mind a screaming child or a messy child if the parent DOES something about it. I have 3 boys who were young once and always took them out with us. But when a young child is going to disrupt other diners, you LEAVE ASAP in consideration of those around you.