ducklite
<font color=teal>Take the Poly, it's fabulous!<br>
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
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A mixed grill
We recently spent some time at WDW, and ate at both some tried and trues as well as expirimenting with a couple of new (to us) restaurants. We had some very mixed results.
Wednesday, 8/21
California Grill
We've eaten at the California Grill several times in the past, and have always found it enjoyable. The menu had changed quite a bit since our last dinner there back in January. Regretfully they no longer offered my favorite, the chicken with Basmati rice. Bummer. DS started with a sushi sampler, and I had the mixed field greens. The greens were very tender, and the vinagrette was perfect, slightly tart and sweet at the same time.
For our entrees, DS opted for the BBQ Glazed Chicken with fontina and caramelized onions. It was a very pungent dish, and deceivingly filling. DH and I both chose Spit Roasted Chicken with corn spoonbread souffle and smoked tomato broth. It was OK, but not what I was expecting. DH enjoyed it, and very much liked the cornbread souffle. The server, Steve, was very good, possibly the best we've had at the California Grill where service has been spotty over the years. I asked about the chances of them bringing back the chocolate raspberry souffle, and was told that the reason they had to remove it from the menu was that simply, it was too popular. They would get orders for up to 80 per evening, and their souffle oven just didn't have the capacity to prepare them all. We were full after our entrée's, and didn't have any dessert. The meal was somewhat disappointing, mostly because I had my heart set on an item no longer on the menu. Dinner for three with tax and tip was $129. Food 3 stars, service 4 stars.
Thursday, 8/22
High Tea at the Garden View Café
I've wanted to try this for quite some time, and was finally able to talk DH into it by telling him that yes, you can get a beer there. The room is the perfect size for a quiet afternoon repast, and was fairly full. He had a beer and the pound cake, which he said was very rich, moist and heavy. (The cake, not the beer, but it would also describe the beer, I'm sure.) I had English Breakfast tea and Sally Lund bread, with Apricot spread. It was absolutely delicious! I was tempted to ask for more! After the bread I had strawberries and cream, which was decadent. My hips will never forgive me! Tea for two with tax and tip was $25.50 Food 4 1/2 stars, service 4 stars.
Citrico's
We hemmed and hawed about eating at Citrico's. We've heard some many differing reviews, and frankly the menu always seemed a tad eclectic and not too appealing (we're steak and potato people, and not terribly adventurous in general). We almost cancelled this dinner in favor of "something" else. I'm very glad we didn't.
DS had gone off to eat junk food at Disney Quest, leaving DH and I to "fend for ourselves". The written information I had gotten from the Polynesian Concierge gave a dress code for Citrico's as "Collared shirt prefered for gentlemen. No tank tops, t-shirts, cut offs or jeans." I was surprised at how many diners were there dressed in theme park casual, sweat stains on the t-shirts and all. But I digress.
We were seated by a window overlooking the manicured grounds of the GF. Our server, John, took our drink order while DH and I pondered the menu. I explained my nut allergy, and asked for guidance, as I hadn't eaten there before. Our server answered our questions, then went off to let us ponder for another few moments. He returned with some bread, but told me I couldn't have any, as there was a considerable cross contamination issue. He then told me that he was going over to Victoria and Alberts to get bread for me from there, as it would be nut free. That made my night!
When he returned, we were ready to order. I chose the Salad Maison with balsamic vinaigrette to start, and then chicken with red rice. DH decided on the Paprika and Honey-Marinated Pork Tenderloin. The salad was very tasty, and the perfect size to whet my appetite without filling me up. I was somewhat disappointed with the chicken. It wasn't as moist as I was hoping it would be, and the rice was a little undercooked it seemed. It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong. Just not quite what I had expected. For dessert we shared the sorbet trio, which was absolutely heavenly. That alone is reason to dine there again. The service was perfect, polished, polite, attentive but not intrusive, and another reason that we go back again. They also had a very nice wine list. Dinner for two with tax and tip was $111.00. Food 3 1/2 stars, service 4 1/2 stars.
Friday, 8/24
50's Prime Time
We didn't have a lunch reservation, but we were in MGM Studios, and DH decided he wanted to try to get into 50's Prime Time. They were able to seat our party of five with a minimal wait.
We've eaten here many times before, and know the menu well. It hasn't changed much in the last year or so. Richard was our server, and he was efficient and friendly, but not all that into the whole scenario, which was fine with us.
I had the fried chicken, which was as always excellent. Grease dripping, finger licking good. DH ordered the chicken sandwich, which was OK, but as he said, "Not really what he had been expecting." DS got the meatloaf, and didn't come up for air, so I'm assuming he enjoyed it. We were joined by two friends, one of whom got the fried chicken and loved it, another who got the Caesar salad and said that it wsa very tasty, especially the dressing. DS also got the requisite PBJ Shake. Lunch for five with tax and tip was around $100 (I dont have the final receipt..sorry) Food 4 stars (as comfort foods go), service 3 stars.
Jiko
This is our very favorite WDW restaurant. We love the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about it. We didn't stray from the tried and true, and ordered the beef roll as an appetizer, which DI and I split. It was good, although next time I think I might try something else. For dinner, all three of us ordered the Filet. They all arrived on the bed of macaroni and cheese with the red wine reduction, which is simply perfect. My glass of Backsberg Merlot complimented the dinner perfectly. I've reviewed this restaurant several times in the past, and really have nothing new to add. It was exactly as it has always been, a wonderful meal with excellent service. We were very full after dinner, and skipped dessert. Dinner for three with tax and tip was $150.00 Food 4 1/2, service 4 1/2
Saturday 8/31
After getting off the Disney Magic, we wanted something very light, and not rich for lunch. We headed for the Yakitori House in Japan. I got Kushiyaki and shared the beef with DH, and DH and DS each got an order of Yakitori. We did find out something though. They sell Dasani in the 20 ounce (rather than 24 ounce) bottles for $2.00. They do not have the sports top. At first it would seem that they are less expensive than the Dasani sold from the carts. But once you add in the tax, they are actually slightly more expensive per ounce. The food was predictably good, but exactly what we needed after a week of very rich food. Lunch for three with tax was $24.09 Food 4, service N/A
Artists Point
This was another restaurant we hadn't tried before. I was a little reluctant, as I won't eat game meats. But DH really wanted to give it a go, so we went. We were seated immediately, the restaurant was quite empty. Susie was our server. She was a bit to talkative for our tastes. DH took her advice and ordered the Mixed Grill of Lamb Chop, Venison and Rabbit Sausage. The venison was fabulous, not at all gamey. The rabbit was OK, and the lamb was very tender. I had the tenderloin. I ordered it MR, on the rare side, and it came out well done. I didn't even need to cut into it and I could see it was burned. I immediately sent it back (The server also agreed it was much more than MR). The next one came out a little better, but not by much. It was cooked medium, on the MW side. At this point I didn't want to wait any longer, so I just ate it. It was very tough, I was really wondering if it wasn't buffalo. We finished our meals, paid the bill, and left. I'm not sure we'll go back. The dining room is very pretty, but the kitchen obviously has some problems. Dinner for two with tax and tip $117 Food 2, service 3.
Sunday, 9/1
Restaurantasaurus
We were a little bummed as our favorite server (and personal friend) Neil wasn't working. My fault, I should have called him to find out his schedule. The food was as usual, quite good, and they still have the Krispie Cream donuts. Yeah! I did notice one thing that was pretty gross, as our server was pouring our juice, I noticed a girl drop a sausage from the buffet on the ground, then pick it up with her fingers and put it back on the buffet. I told the server who shrugged her shoulders and said "Yeah, these things happen sometimes." YUCK! I don't eat pork, but told DS and DH not to take anything from there. THe characters made their rounds. This is still the only CB you can meet Donald at. Breakfast for three with tax and tip $65. Food 4, service 2
Cape May Café
This is another old standby. It's DS's favorite WDW restaurant, as he can eat all the shrimp and steamers he'd like to. When you're 16 with a hollow leg, that's a lot of food! The buffet was pretty much the same as always. Service was fine, desert buffet was tasty. There's nothing gourmet here, just classic New England clambake food, served buffet style. This is an exceptional value for the dollar if you enjoy this type of food! Dinner for three with tax and tip $98.00 Food 3 1/2, service 3 1/2
Monday 9/2
Le Cellier
We love eating at Le Cellier. DH and I have both spent a lot of time working and travelling in Canada, and enjoy the people and culture of that land very much. We also love their food
We all started with the Cheese Soup, which was as always very good. I had asked about the possibility of getting a filet, and our server checked with the chef, but they weren't ready yet. DS ordered the BBQ beef tips which he pronounced "delicious". DH had the chicken sandwich, which was tender and tasty. I had the burger with pasta salad. I must say that I've had the apsta salad a few times at Le Cellier, and it is absolutely fabulous! The pasta is cooked to perfection and the dressing is light and just right.
For desert I had the creme brulee, and DH had the kids moosehead, which he loves. The cake is particularly moist. DS passed on dessert.
As expected, our meal was great and the service was casual yet prompt and gracious. Lunch for three with tax and tip $102.00 Food 4, service 3 1/2
All and all our experiences were pretty positive, in some cases fantastic. Although my food was just OK at Citrico's, the srevice alone was enough to make me want to try it again. Several of our old standby's as usual wree very good, and Jiko still remains our favorite WDW restaurant.
Anne
We recently spent some time at WDW, and ate at both some tried and trues as well as expirimenting with a couple of new (to us) restaurants. We had some very mixed results.
Wednesday, 8/21
California Grill
We've eaten at the California Grill several times in the past, and have always found it enjoyable. The menu had changed quite a bit since our last dinner there back in January. Regretfully they no longer offered my favorite, the chicken with Basmati rice. Bummer. DS started with a sushi sampler, and I had the mixed field greens. The greens were very tender, and the vinagrette was perfect, slightly tart and sweet at the same time.
For our entrees, DS opted for the BBQ Glazed Chicken with fontina and caramelized onions. It was a very pungent dish, and deceivingly filling. DH and I both chose Spit Roasted Chicken with corn spoonbread souffle and smoked tomato broth. It was OK, but not what I was expecting. DH enjoyed it, and very much liked the cornbread souffle. The server, Steve, was very good, possibly the best we've had at the California Grill where service has been spotty over the years. I asked about the chances of them bringing back the chocolate raspberry souffle, and was told that the reason they had to remove it from the menu was that simply, it was too popular. They would get orders for up to 80 per evening, and their souffle oven just didn't have the capacity to prepare them all. We were full after our entrée's, and didn't have any dessert. The meal was somewhat disappointing, mostly because I had my heart set on an item no longer on the menu. Dinner for three with tax and tip was $129. Food 3 stars, service 4 stars.
Thursday, 8/22
High Tea at the Garden View Café
I've wanted to try this for quite some time, and was finally able to talk DH into it by telling him that yes, you can get a beer there. The room is the perfect size for a quiet afternoon repast, and was fairly full. He had a beer and the pound cake, which he said was very rich, moist and heavy. (The cake, not the beer, but it would also describe the beer, I'm sure.) I had English Breakfast tea and Sally Lund bread, with Apricot spread. It was absolutely delicious! I was tempted to ask for more! After the bread I had strawberries and cream, which was decadent. My hips will never forgive me! Tea for two with tax and tip was $25.50 Food 4 1/2 stars, service 4 stars.
Citrico's
We hemmed and hawed about eating at Citrico's. We've heard some many differing reviews, and frankly the menu always seemed a tad eclectic and not too appealing (we're steak and potato people, and not terribly adventurous in general). We almost cancelled this dinner in favor of "something" else. I'm very glad we didn't.
DS had gone off to eat junk food at Disney Quest, leaving DH and I to "fend for ourselves". The written information I had gotten from the Polynesian Concierge gave a dress code for Citrico's as "Collared shirt prefered for gentlemen. No tank tops, t-shirts, cut offs or jeans." I was surprised at how many diners were there dressed in theme park casual, sweat stains on the t-shirts and all. But I digress.
We were seated by a window overlooking the manicured grounds of the GF. Our server, John, took our drink order while DH and I pondered the menu. I explained my nut allergy, and asked for guidance, as I hadn't eaten there before. Our server answered our questions, then went off to let us ponder for another few moments. He returned with some bread, but told me I couldn't have any, as there was a considerable cross contamination issue. He then told me that he was going over to Victoria and Alberts to get bread for me from there, as it would be nut free. That made my night!
When he returned, we were ready to order. I chose the Salad Maison with balsamic vinaigrette to start, and then chicken with red rice. DH decided on the Paprika and Honey-Marinated Pork Tenderloin. The salad was very tasty, and the perfect size to whet my appetite without filling me up. I was somewhat disappointed with the chicken. It wasn't as moist as I was hoping it would be, and the rice was a little undercooked it seemed. It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong. Just not quite what I had expected. For dessert we shared the sorbet trio, which was absolutely heavenly. That alone is reason to dine there again. The service was perfect, polished, polite, attentive but not intrusive, and another reason that we go back again. They also had a very nice wine list. Dinner for two with tax and tip was $111.00. Food 3 1/2 stars, service 4 1/2 stars.
Friday, 8/24
50's Prime Time
We didn't have a lunch reservation, but we were in MGM Studios, and DH decided he wanted to try to get into 50's Prime Time. They were able to seat our party of five with a minimal wait.
We've eaten here many times before, and know the menu well. It hasn't changed much in the last year or so. Richard was our server, and he was efficient and friendly, but not all that into the whole scenario, which was fine with us.
I had the fried chicken, which was as always excellent. Grease dripping, finger licking good. DH ordered the chicken sandwich, which was OK, but as he said, "Not really what he had been expecting." DS got the meatloaf, and didn't come up for air, so I'm assuming he enjoyed it. We were joined by two friends, one of whom got the fried chicken and loved it, another who got the Caesar salad and said that it wsa very tasty, especially the dressing. DS also got the requisite PBJ Shake. Lunch for five with tax and tip was around $100 (I dont have the final receipt..sorry) Food 4 stars (as comfort foods go), service 3 stars.
Jiko
This is our very favorite WDW restaurant. We love the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about it. We didn't stray from the tried and true, and ordered the beef roll as an appetizer, which DI and I split. It was good, although next time I think I might try something else. For dinner, all three of us ordered the Filet. They all arrived on the bed of macaroni and cheese with the red wine reduction, which is simply perfect. My glass of Backsberg Merlot complimented the dinner perfectly. I've reviewed this restaurant several times in the past, and really have nothing new to add. It was exactly as it has always been, a wonderful meal with excellent service. We were very full after dinner, and skipped dessert. Dinner for three with tax and tip was $150.00 Food 4 1/2, service 4 1/2
Saturday 8/31
After getting off the Disney Magic, we wanted something very light, and not rich for lunch. We headed for the Yakitori House in Japan. I got Kushiyaki and shared the beef with DH, and DH and DS each got an order of Yakitori. We did find out something though. They sell Dasani in the 20 ounce (rather than 24 ounce) bottles for $2.00. They do not have the sports top. At first it would seem that they are less expensive than the Dasani sold from the carts. But once you add in the tax, they are actually slightly more expensive per ounce. The food was predictably good, but exactly what we needed after a week of very rich food. Lunch for three with tax was $24.09 Food 4, service N/A
Artists Point
This was another restaurant we hadn't tried before. I was a little reluctant, as I won't eat game meats. But DH really wanted to give it a go, so we went. We were seated immediately, the restaurant was quite empty. Susie was our server. She was a bit to talkative for our tastes. DH took her advice and ordered the Mixed Grill of Lamb Chop, Venison and Rabbit Sausage. The venison was fabulous, not at all gamey. The rabbit was OK, and the lamb was very tender. I had the tenderloin. I ordered it MR, on the rare side, and it came out well done. I didn't even need to cut into it and I could see it was burned. I immediately sent it back (The server also agreed it was much more than MR). The next one came out a little better, but not by much. It was cooked medium, on the MW side. At this point I didn't want to wait any longer, so I just ate it. It was very tough, I was really wondering if it wasn't buffalo. We finished our meals, paid the bill, and left. I'm not sure we'll go back. The dining room is very pretty, but the kitchen obviously has some problems. Dinner for two with tax and tip $117 Food 2, service 3.
Sunday, 9/1
Restaurantasaurus
We were a little bummed as our favorite server (and personal friend) Neil wasn't working. My fault, I should have called him to find out his schedule. The food was as usual, quite good, and they still have the Krispie Cream donuts. Yeah! I did notice one thing that was pretty gross, as our server was pouring our juice, I noticed a girl drop a sausage from the buffet on the ground, then pick it up with her fingers and put it back on the buffet. I told the server who shrugged her shoulders and said "Yeah, these things happen sometimes." YUCK! I don't eat pork, but told DS and DH not to take anything from there. THe characters made their rounds. This is still the only CB you can meet Donald at. Breakfast for three with tax and tip $65. Food 4, service 2
Cape May Café
This is another old standby. It's DS's favorite WDW restaurant, as he can eat all the shrimp and steamers he'd like to. When you're 16 with a hollow leg, that's a lot of food! The buffet was pretty much the same as always. Service was fine, desert buffet was tasty. There's nothing gourmet here, just classic New England clambake food, served buffet style. This is an exceptional value for the dollar if you enjoy this type of food! Dinner for three with tax and tip $98.00 Food 3 1/2, service 3 1/2
Monday 9/2
Le Cellier
We love eating at Le Cellier. DH and I have both spent a lot of time working and travelling in Canada, and enjoy the people and culture of that land very much. We also love their food
We all started with the Cheese Soup, which was as always very good. I had asked about the possibility of getting a filet, and our server checked with the chef, but they weren't ready yet. DS ordered the BBQ beef tips which he pronounced "delicious". DH had the chicken sandwich, which was tender and tasty. I had the burger with pasta salad. I must say that I've had the apsta salad a few times at Le Cellier, and it is absolutely fabulous! The pasta is cooked to perfection and the dressing is light and just right.For desert I had the creme brulee, and DH had the kids moosehead, which he loves. The cake is particularly moist. DS passed on dessert.
As expected, our meal was great and the service was casual yet prompt and gracious. Lunch for three with tax and tip $102.00 Food 4, service 3 1/2
All and all our experiences were pretty positive, in some cases fantastic. Although my food was just OK at Citrico's, the srevice alone was enough to make me want to try it again. Several of our old standby's as usual wree very good, and Jiko still remains our favorite WDW restaurant.
Anne
Krissy
