DD - WHERE would you dine?

[Viki]

I'm taking friends to WDW in December - for the trip of a lifetime (one of them says this is it, one trip, no more - and I'm stumped about where to recommend we eat dinner when we're at DD - in between DQ for the afternoon and Pleasure Island for the evening. So many of the restarants seem mediocre at best. For example, here's where my research has taken me:

Planet Hollywood - eaten there many times, love the desserts,
am not impressed by entrees
House of Blues - My favorite
Wolgang Puck - visited once, was not impressed
Fulton Crab House - never been, mixed reviews
Rain Forest Cafe - always fun, food mediocre
Bongos - never been, mixed reviews
Portobella Yacht Club - never been, mixed reveiws

We definitely want to sit down and have a nice meal in between our two bursts of activity. What do you recommend?

Thanks all!

 

[Viki]

Hi, friends, I really could use some help here. I'd be glad to hear anyone's opinion. Thanks again.

BUMP

 

[benjyt]

Viki, I agree - it seems that the DTD restaurants leave a lot to be desired. On the day we arrive for our trip in October, we plan to spend a little time at DTD, but I can't think of a good spot for a meal.

Last summer, we ate at Earl of Sandwich. The sandwich was good, but nothing about the experience was that great.

I'll look forward to other input on this, too.

 

[disnut8]

If you are going from Disney Quest to Pleasure Island, take off Rainforest Cafe completely. You'll have to walk a mile just to get there and then a mile back.

Why don't you go with your favorite, the House of Blues? Print off the menu and ask your friends if that would do.

 

[allshookup]

I don't know why Portabello gets mixed reviews? It is a must do everytime we go so we've been at least a dozen times and NEVER a bad meal.The Vino con Fruita (Sangria) is awesome! They bring crunchy bread to start with roasted garlic to spread. We always order seconds because my kids can't get enough! My DH gets the parmesan encrusted steak everytime & it is always cooked perfect. I usually get the shrimp & pasta in a creamy garlic sauce & it has never disappointed. Last time we went & sat outside & watched the sun set. It was a perfect evening! We almost didn't go but honestly after eating one mediocre meal after another (not usually the case but we had some disappointing experiences last trip) we decided to hit our old favorite on our last evening & we were so glad we finished off our trip there. Just MHO!

 

[Kaycee]

I see more positive than negative reviews for Portobello and every restaurant gets at least a few negative reviews. But if you have your doubts about it, I'd say stick with House of Blues. You already know you like it, so you can relax and enjoy the day without worrying about whether you chose the right place to take your friends.

 

[CarolB]

I would stick with your favorite - at least you know it's good. Personally I had an excellent meal at Fulton's last month and would recommend it - but I have read mixed reviews as well. I am sure you can find a bad review or 2 about any restaurant however.....that said....stick with your sure thing.

 

[Viki]

This is great "you all." Please keep the positive reviews for restaurants I'm not so sure about coming. Just this morning I read a very mixed review of a meal at Portobella's (on another site), so it's good to hear the other side.

As for House of Blues, I like it a lot, but I'm afraid my friends have already voiced a preference for trying Bongos, about which I hear VERY mixed reviews.

 

[joyjoy]

I have never been disappointed with Wolfgang Puck Cafe. It was one of our best meals.

 

[wen774]

We had a fabulous meal at House of Blues last week...thats my pick!

 

[allshookup]

Well like others have said...you will always get negative reviews no matter what restaurant you choose, but like another poster said, Portabello gets more positive than negative here. It is all a matter of preference I guess, but some do get more negative reviews than others. I have been afraid to try Fulton's because of some of the reviews on this board, but one of these days I will be daring and try it. I have also heard some fantastic things about some of the same restaurants over and over again and we ended up being less than thrilled with them. Perhaps going with the crowd might be the better idea, because then YOU won't get blamed for making the choice if it doesn't turn out to be a hit! Good Luck with whatever you decide, but please post a review when you get back!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Well, I ate at the House of Blues last April and was so disappointed! I ordered chicken and it came with fries. It tasted like the fries were put in the oven for about 5 minutes, they were soggy and would just kind of bend over when you would pick it up. The chicken was ok, nothing fantastic. I would have much rather of tried somewhere else.

***edited***Sorry, this wasn't a positive review We did eat at the Earl of Sandwich and that was yummy

 

[Pooh Pal]

My DW and I have had lunch at Fulton's three times and enjoyed every meal. That would be my choice.

 

[Tinkerbell's Mom]

I know the walk to Rainforest Cafe would be a long one, but I just don't think you get better atmosphere then there, as opposed to the other restaurants you have to choose from. We have been there many times and absolutely love it and have always had great food. We are really upset that this trip, we are doing the Dining Plan and Rainforest Cafe is not included We also ate a Planet Hollywood and were extremely disappointed there Hopefully you find a place you are all happy with

 

[michellejed]

My DD and I went to Bongos and loved it! We tried different apps and split and had one entree and split, also had 2 desserts, sevice was great!

DH, DD and I did Fultons, the lobster was perfect , DD had crab and loved that, we thought it was a tad noisy with whinny kids but that could have been any restaurant, sevice was also great and not rushed.

 

[Viki]

My DD and I went to Bongos and loved it! We tried different apps and split and had one entree and split, also had 2 desserts, sevice was great!

OK! Now that's the first truly positive post I've read about Bongos. I read one this morning which said it might have been the best meal they had at WDW and then they proceeded to negatively deconstruct it item by item (one thing was too spicy, one thing had no taste).

Since the other members of my party seem to want to try it, perhaps I should post on just that question. Did you eat there? What was good?

Thanks, again, to all who have been discussing this with me. I very much appreciate it.