Define a "GREAT Restaurant"

[LENNON500]

It seems like most folks here agree that the food at Disney is "okay" but no one really steps up and says it's "great". What do you consider to be "great food'?
For example, the food at Chilli's blows away the food at San Angels Inn (cheap chicken thigh meat instead of breast, Tostitio's instead of real tortilla chips, etc), but this is a theme park and we're mainly there for the unique atmosphere of the numerous and varied eateries.
Does anyone believe there is a truly "great" food experience anywhere on property?

 

[Pakey]

It seems like most folks here agree that the food at Disney is "okay" but no one really steps up and says it's "great". What do you consider to be "great food'?
For example, the food at Chilli's blows away the food at San Angels Inn (cheap chicken thigh meat instead of breast, Tostitio's instead of real tortilla chips, etc), but this is a theme park and we're mainly there for the unique atmosphere of the numerous and varied eateries.
Does anyone believe there is a truly "great" food experience anywhere on property?

Victoria & Alberts is always great. Bistro de Paris and bluezoo can be great.

 

[MickeyNicki]

These are fantastic, incredible dining experiences:

Cali Grill
The Wave
Jiko
Flying Fish
Tutto Italia
Chefs de France
Bluezoo
Boma breakfast
Kona breakfast


All the rest are good but nothing like the ones I mentioned

 

[wezee]

Shula's!

 

[MouseMomx2]

It seems like most folks here agree that the food at Disney is "okay" but no one really steps up and says it's "great". What do you consider to be "great food'?
For example, the food at Chilli's blows away the food at San Angels Inn (cheap chicken thigh meat instead of breast, Tostitio's instead of real tortilla chips, etc), but this is a theme park and we're mainly there for the unique atmosphere of the numerous and varied eateries.
Does anyone believe there is a truly "great" food experience anywhere on property?

This is so subjective. What is "great food" to one person might be barely edible to another. For example, we love the food at San Angel and find Chili's to be "eh". My mole poblano was a solid chicken breast, not "cheap thigh meat" and the duck taco appetizer was a hit with my whole family. Different strokes, right?

I believe that there are many "great food" experiences on property. We've had great experiences on all levels of the food spectrum. From the cupcakes at the Wilderness Lodge to the quick service meals at the Tangerine Cafe to Tutto Italia, Wolfgang Puck and Le Cellier. We've had "great food" experiences all over property. We're looking forward to trying The Wave on our upcoming trip. A "great food" experience is one that fulfills your need...whether that be upscale dining or the perfect snack.

 

[madalex]

These are fantastic, incredible dining experiences:

Cali Grill
The Wave
Jiko
Flying Fish
Tutto Italia
Chefs de France
Bluezoo
Boma breakfast
Kona breakfast


All the rest are good but nothing like the ones I mentioned

This is far from a definitive list. I might scratch a couple on the list above and would add Citricos, Il Mulino, Artist Point and Yachtsman Steakhouse.

 

[MickeyNicki]

This is far from a definitive list. I might scratch a couple on the list above and would add Citricos, Il Mulino, Artist Point and Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Ha, I have not been to those yet...so I was just going based off of my personal experiences....but I will say that DH was not happy with YM at all, the ribeye was horrid and the filet was better at Jiko than YM

 

[jemgumby]

OK I am a food snob. It is a horrible way to be because eating at places like O'Charley's, Chili's, Ruby Tuesday's, etc. is just not appetizing at all to me. For me eating out is a nightmare because the food I find is just not good to me. I would rather eat at home then eat out at most restuarants. I do have exceptions like a great fondue place called The Melting Pot and I LOVE to eat there. Also when I am at Disney World I am soooo happy cause of the yummy good!!! Some of my truly "great dining experiences" have been at Yachtsman and Narcoosee's. I also was pleasantly surprised by Kona and Grand Floridian Cafe. So I would have to say I have had some great food at Disney!!!

 

[smylie1]

It's all relative. It totally depends on your taste and what you consider "great". I hear how incredible Boma is on here all the time. My whole family hated it. Everything was sweet! Le Cellier is good. Great? Eh, depends on if you have a husband who knows how to slather a ribeye with everything in the kitchen and grill it so that you literally want to savor for hours! I just didn't realize so many people went to DW looking for the best meal of their lives.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It seems like most folks here agree that the food at Disney is "okay" but no one really steps up and says it's "great". What do you consider to be "great food'?

1) You will get a lot of ideas and opinions on this question.
2) And, from the answers, you will see most folks do not know "Great Dining".
3) Great Dining includes
. . . innovative and creatively plated food
. . . attentive waiters, not merely "servers"
. . . fantastic atmosphere
4) Since DDP, all three of these have greatly suffered at DDP eateries.
. . . menu items have been standardized, with unique food items removed
. . . service has suffered
. . . the atmosphere went downhill by folks who don't know how to act
. . . the eateries are more noisy due to uncontrolled kids and unruly adults

5) To answer you question, the few remaining Great eateries are
. . . V&A
. . . Bistro de Paris
. . . Shula's
. . . Il Mulino
. . . Citricos (usually)

NOTE: Has anyone noticed that WDW waiters introduce themselves as your "server", and people at WDW do not seem to mind. This is a huge step down from having a waiter or waitress. Even the connotation is vastly different. We have significant interest in two eateries, and would never hire or continue to employ a "server". Almost anyone can serve food, but few can actually wait upon a guest. Being waited upon at dinner can make the difference between a good meal and a fantastic experience. Before we hire a waiter, we have them serve us. We want to make certain that we are treated like an honored guest and not just a customer.

 

[2manypets]

I must have lower standards. I think any place that cooks for me and the waiters aren't rude, it's great dining. Saying that, I think that Narcoossee's and DH thinks Le Cellier is great dining. They both have incredible waitstaff (in my experience) and pretty darn good food.

 

[smylie1]

I must have lower standards. I think any place that cooks for me and the waiters aren't rude, it's great dining. Saying that, I think that Narcoossee's and DH thinks Le Cellier is great dining. They both have incredible waitstaff (in my experience) and pretty darn good food.

DH says if the waitstaff can keep up with how often his drink needs refilled, it's been a pretty great experience.

 

[Kricketnp]

I agree that it's SO subjective to each individual...what one person deems "great" could be deemed as horrible by someone else. I've had what I considered "great" meals all over WDW, and if I mention at what places, I'm sure there will be people who agree and disagree. It's all a matter of taste! (pun intended )

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I must have lower standards. I think any place that cooks for me and the waiters aren't rude, it's great dining.

. . . Golden Coral?
. . . Shoneys?
. . . Ponderosa?
. . . IHOP?

 

[scojos]

I think any restaurants staff (and I include kitchen and greeting staff) can make a meal memorable by treating you as an individual and not just another customer.
We had excellent service at LeC - food was very good, but not outstanding, service was amazing. As a Hospitality Teacher (years of hotel/restuarant service, graduate member of the HCIMA, masters degree in Hospitality Management), I feel suitably qualified to say, it is each to their own, we have very high standards, dh is an ex head chef and now a catering teacher, and he has very high expectation of the food we are served, so between us we have it covered, kids are also very concious of what they get and how they get it too
Also bear in mind, that whilst the service you get at the IHOP is obviously not the same as you would get at Vand A, you can still get very good service in a cheaper restaurant.
We also had amazing service at Boma (dinner, bfast was so-so) and we got very good service at CM (i have food allergies and the staff bent over backwards to deal with them, including going to the wave to get my meal as they couldnt guarantee the food on the buffet. that is going "above and beyond" for me.
thats just my honest opinion, and i agree, everyone has a different opinion of what "excellent" is.
Tracy

 

[2manypets]

. . . Golden Coral?
. . . Shoneys?
. . . Ponderosa?
. . . IHOP?

Never been to Shoneys, Ponderosa or Golden Coral, but don't like the service at all with our local IHOPs so we don't go there anymore.

 

[palavra]

For me, great dining is just as much about the ambience and serving staff as it is about the food. Of course, if the food is truly awful it won't be great dining. However, using San Angel Inn as an example, I truly thought it was a great dining experience. The ambience was incredible, the serving staff good (not great), and I really enjoyed that food. No, it's not Victoria and Albert's great, and the food certainly couldn't compare to some of teh whole in the wall places where I've eaten great Mexican food, but overall, it was great to me.