Crescent Lake area restaurants

[MuleDog]

My family and I are going to be staying at Beach Club in an upcoming trip and we’re wonderinf what dinner experiences people have had with the Crescent Lake area resort restaurants. Young kids so no signatures.

Particularly wondering about dinner at Trattoria al Forno, Ale & Compass, Big River Grill and any non-signature restaurants at the Swan or Dolphin.

Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

We had dinner at Ale & Compass this past week and really enjoyed it. It was our first experience there but it is definitely on our list to repeat.

 

[DLgal]

Ale & Compass was a dud for us, but the kids liked their food. Our service was terribly slow...was a 90 minute lunch. Food was only okay, not great.

We have always enjoyed Big River Grill. Had several great meals there and their kids menu is awesome!

We also like Picabu at the Dolphin. They have great tacos/nachos there and serve them in a fun taco truck holder, which my kid loved. It's also open 24/7 and an easy walk from the BC/YC. The Fountain is also great. Blue zoo is a Signature, but we LOVE IT. They have typical kids menu food there too, and it's not overly fancy.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm wondering the same thing. Staying at BCV in September. I ate dinner once at Cape May and really enjoyed it but I was thinking of trying others. Yacht Club has a nice CS location, the Marketplace at Ale and Compass, but occasionally I'd like to branch out to somewhere else.

 

[shoreward]

If your visit is before 8/26/19 or about the end of the year, Beaches & Cream at the BC is a must. B&C will be shut down starting August 26, into winter, due to a refurbishment project. ADRs normally book up quickly, but you sometimes can land a spot the day before, due to last minute cancellations. They also usually can seat stand-bys at the counter, with a short wait. The menu is the usual casual dining, so not full dinners, but fairly good food and lots of fun.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/beach-club-resort/beaches-and-cream-soda-shop/menus/dinner/
The ESPN Club on the Boardwalk is okay, and they have a kids' menu.

 

[Ginger R]

We have eaten at Trattoria a few times for dinner and really enjoyed it. (We've also eaten there for the character breakfast a well which was cute and they have some unique breakfast choices as well as regular favorites just an FYI in case you are interested) We've also eaten at Big River Grille and thought that was a decent choice as well as a convenient choice.

 

[Ecomommy09]

Isn't it funny that we have a Big River Grille near us, so I have no interest in eating there. It's fine, but it's nothing spectacular. Maybe it's the management....

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

We have eaten at Trattoria two times and enjoyed both dinners. Our youngest has a food allergy and the one chef offered to make her a special pasta dish that wasn't on the children's menu. That was one of the best highlights of her vacation.

 

[loves to dive]

We have enjoyed Big River Grille when we've eaten there, nothing fancy but decent food and being two adults, we enjoy the craft beers. There is a Beaches and Cream type place at the Dolphin, we prefer it to B&C, not as crowded and the food is pretty good. I know you said no signatures but if the kids like fish, Flying Fish is very kid friendly and they might enjoy that.

 

[MuleDog]

Great feedback - much appreciated. I think Trattoria al Forno has been added to the dinner list. Thanks!

 

[Wild4Walt]

We did lunch at Ale and Compass in early June. We had a reservation for the start of lunch hour. The food and service were very good. I'd recommend the fish and chips.

 

[Best Aunt]

If you are looking for desserts, the gift shop on the Boardwalk has a bakery case and the selection is different from Boardwalk Bakery.

There is a pizza window on the Boardwalk and a kiosk which has take out food. Not a lot of tables to eat at, though.

Kiosk menu:
http://allears.net/dining/menu/boardwalk-to-go/all-day/