Crowd Outlook

[Aluminum Falcon]

I don't think WDW does 'fine dining' particularly well. Some of the nicer places (Space 220, California Grill) are OK, but I can get better food at home for less. I think the best food is available at the 'mid-tier' places.

I agree, but i also don't think many people would go to Disney for fine dining so it makes sense

 

[Brian Noble]

That's an interesting question: What domestic destination would you pick if you were going for food?

Some obvious food cities: NYC, SF, or NOLA. You might talk me into Napa (French Laundry and whatever), but that's less clear. Las Vegas? Maybe, but that's more celebrity chef spots where the chef in question hasn't been seen since opening day five years ago. Maybe Chicago, but that's a little more narrow, IMO.

Once you get past those obvious places, what's next?

 

[fatmanatee]

That's an interesting question: What domestic destination would you pick if you were going for food?

Some obvious food cities: NYC, SF, or NOLA. You might talk me into Napa (French Laundry and whatever), but that's less clear. Las Vegas? Maybe, but that's more celebrity chef spots where the chef in question hasn't been seen since opening day five years ago. Maybe Chicago, but that's a little more narrow, IMO.

Once you get past those obvious places, what's next?

Los Angeles for a pretty wide variety of cuisine, Austin and the surrounding area for BBQ/Tex Mex.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Los Angeles for a pretty wide variety of cuisine, Austin and the surrounding area for BBQ/Tex Mex.

i would say that cultural epicenters drive people to them for food typically. Outside of those, i don't imagine people go to any other place for the food specifically

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

That's an interesting question: What domestic destination would you pick if you were going for food?

Some obvious food cities: NYC, SF, or NOLA. You might talk me into Napa (French Laundry and whatever), but that's less clear. Las Vegas? Maybe, but that's more celebrity chef spots where the chef in question hasn't been seen since opening day five years ago. Maybe Chicago, but that's a little more narrow, IMO.

Once you get past those obvious places, what's next?

Portland, ME

 

[NickC]

I agree, but i also don't think many people would go to Disney for fine dining so it makes sense

Probably not, but I wonder, though, if prices were lower, would more people say that WDW has great food options?

 

[Tigger's ally]

That's an interesting question: What domestic destination would you pick if you were going for food?

Some obvious food cities: NYC, SF, or NOLA. You might talk me into Napa (French Laundry and whatever), but that's less clear. Las Vegas? Maybe, but that's more celebrity chef spots where the chef in question hasn't been seen since opening day five years ago. Maybe Chicago, but that's a little more narrow, IMO.

Once you get past those obvious places, what's next?

Only place I really eat seafood is on the coast of Maine.

Steaks in the midwest (Gibsons, St. Elmo's), BBQ in Kansas City

 

[Tigger's ally]

Probably not, but I wonder, though, if prices were lower, would more people say that WDW has great food options?

I think some things are expensive and some things are relative. I go to Yachtsman and spend a little under $200 for my wife and I to each have a steak, shared truffles and mac and a couple drinks. It is a really good meal that I have no problem paying for. Is it as good as Bull and Bear, Gibson's or St. Elmo's? No, but those places would cost me a little more and not be IN the Disney bubble. Same goes for the Boathouse it is priced similar to Yachtsman but in a great location.

We spent many years staying value and eating on the dining plan or at QS places with maybe one big night out so to speak. Now, we are at a point in our life where we stay Deluxe and eat at the signatures for dinner most nights while piecing around during the day. That's is why I say it is great that they have every type of dining available.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Only place I really eat seafood is on the coast of Maine.

Steaks in the midwest (Gibsons, St. Elmo's), BBQ in Kansas City

Seafood in Maryland is the best anywhere, we know how to cook and season it. I won’t order any seafood outside the state

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Probably not, but I wonder, though, if prices were lower, would more people say that WDW has great food options?

Probably not, the 99 is cheap and they don't have great food haha

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Seafood in Maryland is the best anywhere, we know how to cook and season it. I won’t order any seafood outside the state

being from Massachusetts i feel personally victimized by your statement haha. You have us on crab cakes i'll give you that

 

[Brian Noble]

Los Angeles for a pretty wide variety of cuisine

I thought about LA. It's very spread out (minus), but it's also got a good food truck scene (strong plus). My son has ready access to the original Korean fusion taco truck in Westwood.

I don't think Places That Are Good At One Thing count in what I am thinking of--I am not traveling there for the One Thing, for the most part. I might enjoy the One Thing if I am there for other reasons, but that's not why I am going (and food is very important to me.)

 

[Tigger's ally]

Seafood in Maryland is the best anywhere, we know how to cook and season it. I won’t order any seafood outside the state

I kindly disagree. I am from the Midwest but travel a lot (spent 184 nights in a hotel last year and headed to break that this year) and have eaten at a lot of places in both states. Give me Maine.

 

[Brian Noble]

Portland, ME

Not one that would have come to me, so I am genuinely curious: What's on the menu?

Another place that might well qualify: Charleston, SC. Really great restaurant scene in town there.

 

[Brian Noble]

Seafood in Maryland

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Not one that would have come to me, so I am genuinely curious: What's on the menu?

Another place that might well qualify: Charleston, SC. Really great restaurant scene in town there.

Looks of seafood in Portland, the craft beer scene is also huge there, at least that's been my experience

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Not one that would have come to me, so I am genuinely curious: What's on the menu?

Another place that might well qualify: Charleston, SC. Really great restaurant scene in town there.

French, Spanish, BBQ, Sandwiches (Duckfat is a terrific joint), and of course, a diverse Seafood menu.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Washington DC also has a great food scene, especially if you love Asian cusine such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, etc.

Unfortunately I don't go there much because driving there is a living nightmare.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.commanderspalace.com/

The best restaurant we've ever been to, anywhere.

 

[Brian Noble]

Portland sounds interesting. And yes, DC should be on the list--partly as a hotbed of immigration. The Ethiopian there is out of this world.