Dining questions Ariels & Ralph Brennens and a few others

[granismith]

Does anyone know what time the latest is we can have lunch at Ariels with the princesses? I can't find the hours anywhere.

Also Ralph Brennens lunch, is it pretty good? Are the Cajun fries anything like the ones at Cafe Orleans?

Oh and while I am at it, how is Rainforest Cafe these days? I have heard rumors in the past that it wasn't that great but we always enjoyed it in Vegas and WDW.

Storytellers Cafe, Buffet or ala carte menu? Is the corn chowder as good in the buffet as the ala carte menu?

We ate at all our top choices last year and now I want to try some new ones.

Bummed though that Carnation Cafe wont be open as it is my number 1 favorite.

Trying to decide weather to go back to Cafe Orleans or try Ralph Brennens. The only thing I am craving from Cafe Orleans is the fries. I wwish I could just get some of those to go.

Thanks for any opinions & suggestions

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Our family really enjoys Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen for lunch. We haven't tried dinner yet since the prices are a bit much for us. I have had both the Cajun fries and the garlic fries at Jazz Kitchen and found them both tasty although I like the garlic ones better. The filet mignon burger was really delicious, and DH has tried a couple of the lunch items there and enjoyed them. Can't help you with your other questions.

 

[pixiewings71]

Love me some RB! I like the lunch, I had a shrimp po'boy, it was delish!!! It came with Cajun Slaw (which is better than regular slaw but not as good as the Big Thunder BBQ slaw) so I don't know about the fries. It was good tho. We've done dinner as well, I like both to be honest, the dinner is a lot more expensive tho.

I don't know what time the last lunch seating is, probably around 3-4 somewhere I would assume, you can call the Disney Dining number to find out.

 

[QueenBeeMB]

Does anyone know what time the latest is we can have lunch at Ariels with the princesses? I can't find the hours anywhere. Good question, I would just call the 1-800 Dining number and ask.

Also Ralph Brennens lunch, is it pretty good? Are the Cajun fries anything like the ones at Cafe Orleans? I vote for Ralph Brennens, we LOVE the food there. The quality is amazing, and the service is is much better.

Oh and while I am at it, how is Rainforest Cafe these days? I have heard rumors in the past that it wasn't that great but we always enjoyed it in Vegas and WDW. I have been to the one in DTD 2 times. Each time I leave saying the same thing, "why did we do that?" If you have eaten there before, at any location, I say it is not worth it. IMO the food/drinks/service is not worth half of what they are charging. And if it is the "show" you want, ride the Jungle Cruise, at least there is humor on the ride.

Storytellers Cafe, Buffet or ala carte menu? Is the corn chowder as good in the buffet as the ala carte menu? I think the buffet is better than the ala carte menu, but I have never tried the corn chowder.

Good luck planning, I can see you have the same attention to detail in meal planning that I do.

 

[granismith]

Glad to hear Brennens is good!!

 

[figment_jii]

I had lunch (and brunch) at Brennan's last weekend. The food was excellent. I just posted pictures over on the "My Disneyland dining reviews, with pictures" thread. I would highly recommend Brennan's to anyone!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888&page=196

 

[granismith]

I had lunch (and brunch) at Brennan's last weekend. The food was excellent. I just posted pictures over on the "My Disneyland dining reviews, with pictures" thread. I would highly recommend Brennan's to anyone!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888&page=196

I saw those right after asking this question and I am sold!! Going to RB!! Thanks!! "group hug 'cause everyone likes Ralphs!!

 

[pixiewings71]

I wanted to say that IMO RFC is good, and it's a good value. BUT DBF and I almost always share when we eat there so that helps keep the cost down. We get the Maya combo and he eats the coconut shrimp, (I love shrimp, but not coconut shrimp) I eat the chicken and we share the ribs, we usually share an appetizer as well. But if I had to chose between RFC & RBJK, I'd go to the Jazz Kitchen every time.

 

[granismith]

I wanted to say that IMO RFC is good, and it's a good value. BUT DBF and I almost always share when we eat there so that helps keep the cost down. We get the Maya combo and he eats the coconut shrimp, (I love shrimp, but not coconut shrimp) I eat the chicken and we share the ribs, we usually share an appetizer as well. But if I had to chose between RFC & RBJK, I'd go to the Jazz Kitchen every time.

Yes I have always liked it fine at other places WDW Las Vegas & Seattle. I mean it isn't the greatest food but it isnt bad!! The atmosphere is fun for the kids and mine havn't been there yet. I just was a little worried about the one there in DL because of the bad reviews awhile back. I think I will stick with my decision to go. I am DEFINITELY going to RBJK though and looking forward to a great meal.

Thank you!

Still wondering about the meal times at Ariels though, I guess I will just call.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Oh and while I am at it, how is Rainforest Cafe these days? I have heard rumors in the past that it wasn't that great but we always enjoyed it in Vegas and WDW. I have been to the one in DTD 2 times. Each time I leave saying the same thing, "why did we do that?" If you have eaten there before, at any location, I say it is not worth it. IMO the food/drinks/service is not worth half of what they are charging. And if it is the "show" you want, ride the Jungle Cruise, at least there is humor on the ride.

Oh my goodness, thank you for saying that. It's hard for me to see so many people telling others to go to RFC when I think it is so overpriced in general, but especially considering how lackluster the food is. Considering you're already at DLR, there are so many great entertainment options, so I'd rather see someone eat at McDonald's, because I think the food is better than at RFC , and then catch a show or a ride like Jungle Cruise. Save money and eat better. Or for a nicer dinner, choose from dozens of DTD and park options. Just not RFC.
The best part of RFC is something I've recreated at home: Build a brownie "volcano" with ice cream in the middle, stick a dollar-store sparkler in it, light up and enjoy!

 

[coaches24]

Oh my goodness, thank you for saying that. It's hard for me to see so many people telling others to go to RFC when I think it is so overpriced in general, but especially considering how lackluster the food is. Considering you're already at DLR, there are so many great entertainment options, so I'd rather see someone eat at McDonald's, because I think the food is better than at RFC , and then catch a show or a ride like Jungle Cruise. Save money and eat better. Or for a nicer dinner, choose from dozens of DTD and park options. Just not RFC.
The best part of RFC is something I've recreated at home: Build a brownie "volcano" with ice cream in the middle, stick a dollar-store sparkler in it, light up and enjoy!

Yea Im not a fan of RFC either. I havent been to the one down by DL but I went to the one in San Francisco and was not impressed with any of it. The ambience wore off quickly. The food wasnt great and I felt like someone stole my wallet when all was said and done. I have no desire to ever go back.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh my goodness, thank you for saying that. It's hard for me to see so many people telling others to go to RFC when I think it is so overpriced in general, but especially considering how lackluster the food is. Considering you're already at DLR, there are so many great entertainment options, so I'd rather see someone eat at McDonald's, because I think the food is better than at RFC , and then catch a show or a ride like Jungle Cruise. Save money and eat better. Or for a nicer dinner, choose from dozens of DTD and park options. Just not RFC.
The best part of RFC is something I've recreated at home: Build a brownie "volcano" with ice cream in the middle, stick a dollar-store sparkler in it, light up and enjoy!

there is no way in heck you can even begin to compare RFC to McDonald's.....I don't even understand how you make that connection.

Yea Im not a fan of RFC either. I havent been to the one down by DL but I went to the one in San Francisco and was not impressed with any of it. The ambience wore off quickly. The food wasnt great and I felt like someone stole my wallet when all was said and done. I have no desire to ever go back.

Well, again, we never feel robbed but we share a meal. And I can tell everyone with 100% assurance that one of the BEST things to have on a hot So Cal summer day is a Margarilla from RFC....it's tequila and orange sherbert and it's so good! I'm not a fan of sherbert but I love me a Margarilla!!

 

[limace]

I agree-rainforest is a very poor value, IMHO. The food is better than McDs, but not many times better, and it's horribly overpriced.