Citricos vs. Narcoossee

[John's Mom]

We will be vacationing at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Nov. 1-8 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We have been to several restaurants at the resorts and would like to eat at one we haven't yet tried. I have narrowed the list down to Citricos and Narcoossee.

Please give me your opinion on which restaurant has the better food.

 

[sotoalf]

Both serve excellent meals, but the combination of service, attention to detail, quiet setting, plus superb cuisine make Citricos the better restaurant - and I think WDW's best restaurant. The service in particular is on par with anything I've gotten in a 4-star restaurant in a big city; they really pamper you and make you feel comfortable.

Narcoosee's is wonderful, but the atmosphere seriously detracts from the experience. Thanks to a hardwood floor and the presence of kids it can get pretty loud in there. The problem gets worse when Wishes starts; then it seems like everyone at the Grand Floridian wants to get out onto the dock at once.

Also, Narcoosee's seems overpriced - you pay more for what you get, which I don't feel is the case at Citricos.

If I was having a romantic night out, I'd stick with Citricos. However, Narcoosee's is fine too - just lower yoru expectations. That said, I'll be in WDW in two days and we have a PS for Narcoosee's on Friday night!

 

[Rhonna]

We were able to stay at GF three years ago. We looked in at Narcoosees' but decided to eat at Citricos.

Citricos edges out Jiko's as my favorite WDW restaurant.

The atmosphere is gorgeous! French/Mediterranean themed restaurant decor.

Everything, and I mean EVERY item was fabulous! I was blown away by the duck dinner. It was like a superb steak. I couldn't believe I was eating fowl. No oiliness, stringy meat - just an awesome steak. (The waitress said it was mallard when I pressed her for info. But, not a WDW duck she claimed.) lol

We were really impressed and it was not crowded either.

Rhonna

 

[Rhonna]

Hi again,

I found the notes I took from 2001:

Crabcake appetizer (shared)

Citrus-infused maritini (me)

Veggie soup (my sis)

Arugula salad w/proscuitto ham and parmesan cheese (me)

Duck breast in pomegranate glaze (shared)

Warm chocolate banana torte w/coffee ice cream (shared)

Everything was fantastic!

Rhonna

 

[surf2di4]

john's mom

i have to agree with everything about atmosphere that sotoalf said
but to me the food is a toss up, Narcoossee has alittle more of a seafood menu the citrico's, which may be why it just edges out citrco's for me, but just barely. i am going to be doing V&A chef's table in jan for the first time.

hope this helps
karl

 

[ILUVDXL]

We were going to try Narcoossee this trip, but I've read so many reviews about the noise level being so loud we decided to to try BlueZoo instead.

 

[PamNC]

all the way.

We love Narcoosees - excellent service, great views, and the food is absolutely perfect. Tuna is delicious - steak is fantastic.
Great desserts.

Citricos - we tried it once. We were very disappointed. We had to send my husband's lamb back 3 times and they never really got it right. Overcooked. I had to send my steak back twice. We were so excited about trying Citricos - and were we ever disappointed.

We did stop by there during our last trip for dessert only - sat in the lounge area. They have a delicious chocolate dessert that explodes in your mouth - kind of like the famous lava cake from Flying Fish.

PamNC

 

[ducklite]

I've eaten at both about a half dozen times. Citrico's has a more romantic and elegant stmosphere with lots less kids.

Citrico's has better service by a long shot. In fact after the last time I ate at Narcooses, it's going to be awhile before I go back due to the service That wasn't a one time thing either, we always seem to get barely adequate to poor service there. At Citrico's it has ranged from great to supurb.

Both have great food. Chef TJ reinvented a tired menu at Narcooses, although I think I prefer the food at Citrico's by just a bit.

Anne

 

[hmp2z]

Based on changes to the Narcoossee's menu, I would definitely suggest Citricos. We used to love Narcoossee's, but it seems like every time we've been there, it's gotten noisier, and the service has gotten worse. They had removed my favorite appetizer, the cornmeal fried oysters with smoked applewood bacon, from the menu on our last trip, so I opted for the crabcake instead. It was full of shell - I picked at least 6 or 7 pieces out, one piece more than 1/2 inch long, so it was very noticeable.
Narcoossee's has a lovely view, but even with a window seat, other people rush out to the deck during the fireworks and stand right in front of the windows, so that you end up having to go outside, too!
We won't be returning on this next trip, but are definitely going back to Citrico's. It has a much quieter, more romantic atmosphere, though the fireworks view is somewhat obstructed.
Cheers!
Heather W