Condorman
& Laser Lady
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2004
- Messages
- 811
This gets rather lengthy, so I'll give you a quick rundown of where we went and when we ate. If these places appeal to you, keep reading. Otherwise, spare yourselves and your stomachs:
Liberty Tree Tavern - Dinner
50's Prime Time Cafe - Lunch
Marrakesh - Dinner
Flame Tree Barbecue - Lunch
Boma - Dinner
Coral Reef - Lunch
Le Cellier - Dinner
Kona Cafe - Lunch
Artist Point - Dinner
Nine Dragons - Lunch
Cinderella's Royal Table - Dinner
Still there? Let's roll...
After reading these threads for months, I wanted to share my experiences upon our return. It was only my wife and myself, no kids, so I can't comment on the "younger" experience. However, we did see plenty of children at all of these venues.
Before we embark, let me mention one thing about service: It was incredible. Always. Everywhere. Never once did we have a surly, grumpy or disgruntled server. They were all personable, social, agreeable and outgoing. I know it's WDW, but we began to think we truly were in another world. We normally tip 15-20% for decent service. We tipped 25%+ for what we received during this trip. I will not mention names as I feel that's inappropriate, and you may never get that server anyway.
Another thing that amazed us: We were always seated on time. No matter how busy it was or how early we arrived, we never waited more than a minute or two at the check-in stand before we were being whisked away to our table. This may have something to do with it being early December and a generally slower time.
Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner prior to MVMCP. This seems to be the trendy thing to do. I think Liberty Square is my favorite area in all of MK. The restaurant is a pleasant throwback to colonial times though the restrooms on the second floor need some renovation. Character interaction was great. Everyone came by several times, though I suppose if you sat in one of the "pocket" dining rooms you might get left out. Saw Chip or Dale wipe out going up a couple steps but they recovered nicely. As a bachelor I lived on Stouffer's microwavable turkey dinners for three years. I could spot this meal a mile out. Still, the turkey was good, flank steak very tasty, ham so-so. The mashed potatoes were thick and real, the stuffing standard fare, mac 'n cheese run of the mill, etc. The meal was nothing extraordinary, but it was filling and all-American, and we expected that much. The standout: the warm rolls and honey-butter were worth the price of admission alone. They could sell those things at a kiosk and do better than the popcorn. Liberty Tree Tavern: B
50's Prime Time Cafe for lunch was a bustling affair. It was packed and they were booked solid for the day. This place is like eating in the living/dining room of the Brady Bunch. Our server was friendly but didn't do many antics. That was fine. We enjoyed the shtick of the other servers in the area. We had the chicken noodle soup which was acceptable and the onion rings -- a plentiful helping that was slightly greasy but invitingly acceptable. Our entrees included the pot roast and the fried chicken, both of which were excellent. We washed it all down with Cokes and milkshakes, which came in their own mixing tins -- always a nice touch. 50sPTC: B+
Marrakesh for dinner was a very quick meal. It wasn't intended to be, but it was a Saturday and they were packed and in a hurry. The hosts run this place like a Persian bazaar and in a way I guess that's exactly what it is. You'll notice the hosts are male, the escorts to the tables are female and the servers are all male. This is true to Moslem customs. The belly dancing and music were a lot of fun. We were seated at the far perimeter so it was difficult to see but entertaining nonetheless. We both had the Royal Feast which had a little of everything on the menu. The seafood bastilla was good, but the chicken bastilla was a little dry and bland. The salad was fresh and full of vegetables. The lamb fell right off the bone, much like the pot roast at 50sPTC. The crepes were very sweet but delicious. If I had to do this place over again, I would get the seafood bastilla, the salad, and split the full lamb dish and couscous with my partner. NOTE: There is nothing overly spicy about the food here. It should have been spicier, but this is WDW and the restrooms couldn't handle that. It wasn't genuine Moroccan food, but it was genuinely good. Marrakesh: B
Flame Tree Barbecue is always a good stop for lunch. We keep wanting to try Tusker House but the gluttons in us say BBQ can't be beat. We had the ribs which were sweet with sauce and tender, and the beef sandwich with beans, corn and a side of fries. We were satisfied as usual. Next year, I promise, Tusker Hou... Flame Tree Barbecue. Darn! NOTE: Be sure to walk down to the very lowest seating level -- a little enclosed hut by the water that looks across the lake to Expedition Everest. Nobody ever seems to find this lonely, lovely place. It can be all yours, and with a great view of something wonderful to come.
Boma for dinner was fantastic. Yes, it's a buffet and in the end they can only be so good. Unlike Marrakesh, there were various attempts on this menu that challenged the ordinary and for that it scores high marks. The bobotie was like a ground beef-laden quiche. The prime rib was sliced at your desired thickness and cooking temp. But what really won our hearts were the soups -- carrot ginger which was so sumptuously creamy and sweet it could have substituted for a dessert. The crab soup was also a deliciously hearty endeavor. The zebra domes everyone raves about were Kahlua-injected and good but not extraordinary. I say skip the standards and go for the exotic. And get there early as the lines to each serving pod will pick as the evening progresses. Boma: A-
Coral Reef for lunch has a beautiful setting, and the antiquated Living Seas is almost unworthy of it.
We were seated in the second row of tables on the floor away from the tanks. You're given a card that details the aquatic life you may see inside. The torment the fish receive in watching you consume their brethren is apparently not a concern here. The creamy lobster soup was fantastic and even had chunks of the crustacean. We had a crab cake as well, very large with good texture and paired with a corn relish. Entrees involved a glazed mahi atop Israeli couscous in an intoxicating broth and a shrimp stir-fry which was the special of the day. Both were very much enjoyed. We skipped dessert as that seems too much for lunch. We were stuffed. Coral Reef: A-
Le Cellier for dinner was the litmus test. Knowing how popular it is, I asked our server if this was the #1 restaurant in all of WDW and she stated it was #2. #1 is the Yachtsman Steakhouse. I found this hard to believe as throughout the evening there were several tables empty. Still, when we checked in the host stated they were booked solid through February. Anyway, the cheese soup was decent but did not live up to all the raves. It had crisp bacon and a hint of Moosehead beer, but was otherwise a shoulder-shrugger. My wife had the vegetable risotto and I had the filet over mushroom risotto which was cooked to specification. I added on a lobster tail for $12.99 and it was good for about four bites. The maple creme brulee was tasty as well. This was the most expensive meal of the trip, and while worth it, not the best steak I would have. Keep reading. Le Cellier: B+
Kona Cafe for lunch was a pleasant diversion away from the chaos of a midday MK. It is an open, cheery spot right off the second floor of the Polynesian lobby and has an viewable kitchen for action. We had the crab cakes, which were all crab but deep fried and thus too crunchy and not as authentic as Corel Reef's. We also had the Kona chowder and the Asian chicken stir-fry between us.
The stir-fry was good and served in a very nice dark broth, but I was wearing a white shirt and that scared me. Kona Cafe: A-
Allow me to clarify something at this point. I love soups and had them at every stop I could. Here is a guide to my order of preference:
1.) Carrot-ginger - Boma
2.) Kona chowder - Kona Cafe
3.) Creamy Lobster - Coral Reef
4.) Smokey Portabello - Artist Point
5.) Crab soup - Boma
6.) Wonton Soup - Nine Dragons
7.) Cheese Soup - Le Cellier
Artist Point for dinner was a wonderful experience. The prix fixed meal is the way to go. The smokey mushroom soup was extremely smokey and unlike anything you've ever had. The frisee salad was a winner as well -- you can't argue with candied pecans. My wife had the salmon, which is their signature dish and did not disappoint. I had the buffalo filet which was charred on the outside and tender-moist within, making it one of the better pieces of meat Ive ever had. The sweet potato gratin was all right, nothing great. The berry cobbler won high praise. Artist Point: A
Nine Dragons for lunch was a nice surprise. We had not expected much, but the decor was wide and impressive with good views over the promenade for people watching. The meal turned out to be just as appealing. We had the lunch sampler for two. In the future, skip the seven vegetables dish. But the honey chicken was great as was the Happy Family. And the soup, while wonton, had an addictive chicken broth with large pork dumplings. Nine Dragons: B+
Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner turned out to be the highlight of the trip. We were seated right on time at the back windows just as Wishes began. We saw the entire show as though it was being performed just for us. When that was over we ordered the seafood spring roll perched upon a chili sauce that made it a creamy yet spicy entry. The shrimp cocktail came with three jumbo shrimp, dollops of cocktail sauce and it was worthwhile. My wife had the smaller cut of prime rib which she liked very much. But the filet of beef blew me away. It was literally the size of a box of Pop-Tarts. I have never in my life seen a filet that big, and it tasted even better. It was out of this world. The waitress even sold us on a side of garlic mashed potatoes decked with onions and bacon -- a treat in itself. For dessert we shared the key lime creme brulee with a graham cracker biscotti. It was a fantastic experience that will never be duplicated. Cinderella's Royal Table: A+
All in all, the dining was exceptional -- better than I thought it ever could be. While table service does take you away from the parks for longer periods of time, I suppose our fascination with this board on the DIS is that while very little changes at WDW, our ability to enjoy a new and different meals is what keeps bringing us back.
I'd be happy to answer any questions. There are many details I left out as I didn't want to slow down the network server. But whether or not I hear from you, I hope your dining goes as well as ours.
Enjoy!
Liberty Tree Tavern - Dinner
50's Prime Time Cafe - Lunch
Marrakesh - Dinner
Flame Tree Barbecue - Lunch
Boma - Dinner
Coral Reef - Lunch
Le Cellier - Dinner
Kona Cafe - Lunch
Artist Point - Dinner
Nine Dragons - Lunch
Cinderella's Royal Table - Dinner
Still there? Let's roll...
After reading these threads for months, I wanted to share my experiences upon our return. It was only my wife and myself, no kids, so I can't comment on the "younger" experience. However, we did see plenty of children at all of these venues.
Before we embark, let me mention one thing about service: It was incredible. Always. Everywhere. Never once did we have a surly, grumpy or disgruntled server. They were all personable, social, agreeable and outgoing. I know it's WDW, but we began to think we truly were in another world. We normally tip 15-20% for decent service. We tipped 25%+ for what we received during this trip. I will not mention names as I feel that's inappropriate, and you may never get that server anyway.
Another thing that amazed us: We were always seated on time. No matter how busy it was or how early we arrived, we never waited more than a minute or two at the check-in stand before we were being whisked away to our table. This may have something to do with it being early December and a generally slower time.
Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner prior to MVMCP. This seems to be the trendy thing to do. I think Liberty Square is my favorite area in all of MK. The restaurant is a pleasant throwback to colonial times though the restrooms on the second floor need some renovation. Character interaction was great. Everyone came by several times, though I suppose if you sat in one of the "pocket" dining rooms you might get left out. Saw Chip or Dale wipe out going up a couple steps but they recovered nicely. As a bachelor I lived on Stouffer's microwavable turkey dinners for three years. I could spot this meal a mile out. Still, the turkey was good, flank steak very tasty, ham so-so. The mashed potatoes were thick and real, the stuffing standard fare, mac 'n cheese run of the mill, etc. The meal was nothing extraordinary, but it was filling and all-American, and we expected that much. The standout: the warm rolls and honey-butter were worth the price of admission alone. They could sell those things at a kiosk and do better than the popcorn. Liberty Tree Tavern: B
50's Prime Time Cafe for lunch was a bustling affair. It was packed and they were booked solid for the day. This place is like eating in the living/dining room of the Brady Bunch. Our server was friendly but didn't do many antics. That was fine. We enjoyed the shtick of the other servers in the area. We had the chicken noodle soup which was acceptable and the onion rings -- a plentiful helping that was slightly greasy but invitingly acceptable. Our entrees included the pot roast and the fried chicken, both of which were excellent. We washed it all down with Cokes and milkshakes, which came in their own mixing tins -- always a nice touch. 50sPTC: B+
Marrakesh for dinner was a very quick meal. It wasn't intended to be, but it was a Saturday and they were packed and in a hurry. The hosts run this place like a Persian bazaar and in a way I guess that's exactly what it is. You'll notice the hosts are male, the escorts to the tables are female and the servers are all male. This is true to Moslem customs. The belly dancing and music were a lot of fun. We were seated at the far perimeter so it was difficult to see but entertaining nonetheless. We both had the Royal Feast which had a little of everything on the menu. The seafood bastilla was good, but the chicken bastilla was a little dry and bland. The salad was fresh and full of vegetables. The lamb fell right off the bone, much like the pot roast at 50sPTC. The crepes were very sweet but delicious. If I had to do this place over again, I would get the seafood bastilla, the salad, and split the full lamb dish and couscous with my partner. NOTE: There is nothing overly spicy about the food here. It should have been spicier, but this is WDW and the restrooms couldn't handle that. It wasn't genuine Moroccan food, but it was genuinely good. Marrakesh: B
Flame Tree Barbecue is always a good stop for lunch. We keep wanting to try Tusker House but the gluttons in us say BBQ can't be beat. We had the ribs which were sweet with sauce and tender, and the beef sandwich with beans, corn and a side of fries. We were satisfied as usual. Next year, I promise, Tusker Hou... Flame Tree Barbecue. Darn! NOTE: Be sure to walk down to the very lowest seating level -- a little enclosed hut by the water that looks across the lake to Expedition Everest. Nobody ever seems to find this lonely, lovely place. It can be all yours, and with a great view of something wonderful to come.
Boma for dinner was fantastic. Yes, it's a buffet and in the end they can only be so good. Unlike Marrakesh, there were various attempts on this menu that challenged the ordinary and for that it scores high marks. The bobotie was like a ground beef-laden quiche. The prime rib was sliced at your desired thickness and cooking temp. But what really won our hearts were the soups -- carrot ginger which was so sumptuously creamy and sweet it could have substituted for a dessert. The crab soup was also a deliciously hearty endeavor. The zebra domes everyone raves about were Kahlua-injected and good but not extraordinary. I say skip the standards and go for the exotic. And get there early as the lines to each serving pod will pick as the evening progresses. Boma: A-
Coral Reef for lunch has a beautiful setting, and the antiquated Living Seas is almost unworthy of it.
We were seated in the second row of tables on the floor away from the tanks. You're given a card that details the aquatic life you may see inside. The torment the fish receive in watching you consume their brethren is apparently not a concern here. The creamy lobster soup was fantastic and even had chunks of the crustacean. We had a crab cake as well, very large with good texture and paired with a corn relish. Entrees involved a glazed mahi atop Israeli couscous in an intoxicating broth and a shrimp stir-fry which was the special of the day. Both were very much enjoyed. We skipped dessert as that seems too much for lunch. We were stuffed. Coral Reef: A-
Le Cellier for dinner was the litmus test. Knowing how popular it is, I asked our server if this was the #1 restaurant in all of WDW and she stated it was #2. #1 is the Yachtsman Steakhouse. I found this hard to believe as throughout the evening there were several tables empty. Still, when we checked in the host stated they were booked solid through February. Anyway, the cheese soup was decent but did not live up to all the raves. It had crisp bacon and a hint of Moosehead beer, but was otherwise a shoulder-shrugger. My wife had the vegetable risotto and I had the filet over mushroom risotto which was cooked to specification. I added on a lobster tail for $12.99 and it was good for about four bites. The maple creme brulee was tasty as well. This was the most expensive meal of the trip, and while worth it, not the best steak I would have. Keep reading. Le Cellier: B+
Kona Cafe for lunch was a pleasant diversion away from the chaos of a midday MK. It is an open, cheery spot right off the second floor of the Polynesian lobby and has an viewable kitchen for action. We had the crab cakes, which were all crab but deep fried and thus too crunchy and not as authentic as Corel Reef's. We also had the Kona chowder and the Asian chicken stir-fry between us.
The stir-fry was good and served in a very nice dark broth, but I was wearing a white shirt and that scared me. Kona Cafe: A-
Allow me to clarify something at this point. I love soups and had them at every stop I could. Here is a guide to my order of preference:
1.) Carrot-ginger - Boma
2.) Kona chowder - Kona Cafe
3.) Creamy Lobster - Coral Reef
4.) Smokey Portabello - Artist Point
5.) Crab soup - Boma
6.) Wonton Soup - Nine Dragons
7.) Cheese Soup - Le Cellier
Artist Point for dinner was a wonderful experience. The prix fixed meal is the way to go. The smokey mushroom soup was extremely smokey and unlike anything you've ever had. The frisee salad was a winner as well -- you can't argue with candied pecans. My wife had the salmon, which is their signature dish and did not disappoint. I had the buffalo filet which was charred on the outside and tender-moist within, making it one of the better pieces of meat Ive ever had. The sweet potato gratin was all right, nothing great. The berry cobbler won high praise. Artist Point: A
Nine Dragons for lunch was a nice surprise. We had not expected much, but the decor was wide and impressive with good views over the promenade for people watching. The meal turned out to be just as appealing. We had the lunch sampler for two. In the future, skip the seven vegetables dish. But the honey chicken was great as was the Happy Family. And the soup, while wonton, had an addictive chicken broth with large pork dumplings. Nine Dragons: B+
Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner turned out to be the highlight of the trip. We were seated right on time at the back windows just as Wishes began. We saw the entire show as though it was being performed just for us. When that was over we ordered the seafood spring roll perched upon a chili sauce that made it a creamy yet spicy entry. The shrimp cocktail came with three jumbo shrimp, dollops of cocktail sauce and it was worthwhile. My wife had the smaller cut of prime rib which she liked very much. But the filet of beef blew me away. It was literally the size of a box of Pop-Tarts. I have never in my life seen a filet that big, and it tasted even better. It was out of this world. The waitress even sold us on a side of garlic mashed potatoes decked with onions and bacon -- a treat in itself. For dessert we shared the key lime creme brulee with a graham cracker biscotti. It was a fantastic experience that will never be duplicated. Cinderella's Royal Table: A+
All in all, the dining was exceptional -- better than I thought it ever could be. While table service does take you away from the parks for longer periods of time, I suppose our fascination with this board on the DIS is that while very little changes at WDW, our ability to enjoy a new and different meals is what keeps bringing us back.
I'd be happy to answer any questions. There are many details I left out as I didn't want to slow down the network server. But whether or not I hear from you, I hope your dining goes as well as ours.
Enjoy!
Thanks for posting. I enjoyed reading your reviews.
