Dining top 5

[stampinshauna]

It's time to make some dining ressies for my upcoming trip and I'd love some opinions. We love to try different restaurants and don't mind taking some time out of the day for a good meal. We'll be in DL for several days, so I'm looking for opinions especially on sit-down (in DL, DCA, and resort hotels) as well as counter service meals. We will be dining with a 9 month old and 3-1/2 year old.

What are your top 5 places to eat (and why do you like them)?

 

[HydroGuy]

It's time to make some dining ressies for my upcoming trip and I'd love some opinions. We love to try different restaurants and don't mind taking some time out of the day for a good meal. We'll be in DL for several days, so I'm looking for opinions especially on sit-down (in DL, DCA, and resort hotels) as well as counter service meals. We will be dining with a 9 month old and 3-1/2 year old.

What are your top 5 places to eat (and why do you like them)?

We are still discovering the DLR restaurants after I converted from a skimpy-DLR diner (SoCal resident philosophy) to an integrated dining philosophy (sort of like WDW).

In any case, here is our list

1. Rainforest Cafe - we pretty much have one not-to-be-missed restaurant and this is it

2. Blue Bayou - when we have time and can fit it in

3. Plaza Inn - great for shorter lines and surprisingly good food

4. Redd Rockett's Pizza Port - our "go to" place at DL when we are in a hurry

5. Ariel's Grotto at DCA when we want to sit down - we eat outside and love it!

6. Taste Pilot's Grill at DCA when we are in a hurry

7. Tortilla Jo's - in DTD - when we need a place outside the parks and have already done Rainforest Cafe

Sorry I cannot count to five so listed seven...

 

[JosieGirl71]

We like Rainforest Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, Plaza Inn and breakfast at Riverbelle Terrace (decent food and a great place to sit). We ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen on our last trip and while I really liked, DH is a pickier eater and didn't. We also like to go over to Garden Walk as we love Cheesecake Factory and Bubba Gump's.

 

[helenb]

My big one is Cafe Orleans. I MUST go there for garlic fries and Monte Cristos every trip. Yummy!!!!!

Storyteller's Cafe is wonderful, and the buffet at night is worth the cost. Kids love the 'make your own pizza'.

Carnation Cafe is just 'okay' for adults, but for kids, the 'make your own PB&J' entree is awesome and worth the visit!

After that, there are good places and not-so-good places, but nothing else that stands out to me as 'spectacular' for a meal.

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies love love love La Brea Bakery Cafe for breakfast. Mr. Dobie loves the home fries and eggs, Dobie Brat loves the bacon and THEY HAVE MIMOSAS!!!

The Dobies traditionally have had dinner at Storytellers the last night of our trip, but this year, as the Brat (who is now 21 and way too cool for us) is not coming along, we will be trying out Napa Rose for our splurge. However, Storyteller's is nice because it is very civilized, the food is very good, you can relax and sit which is nice after a week on your feet, and it is dark inside which helps everyone feel pretty even though they are tired and on the verge of end of trip crankiness. Plus you can order booze.

I love Carnation Cafe because I like to sit in the little courtyard in the middle of things, but the other Dobies think the food is just ok. I like their cheese sandwich on pretzel bread.

Ariel's Grotto and the Trattoria are just (meh) to us. We like the food at Taste Pilots, but parents tend to undersupervise their kids there and there are usually way too many grubby little hands in the condiments bar.

Corn Dogs from DCA are a total must. Big and corny and doggy. And on a stick.

Riverbelle Terrace is fun for breakfast because you can sit outside and eat your pancakes and it just don't get much better than that.

The baked potatos over at Troubadour Tavern are tasty and there is a nice outdoor seating area and sometimes you can get lucky and see a silly princess show. Plus, you can get corn on the cob there.

I guess I can't count, either.

 

[DangerMouse]

Not necessarily all Table Service, but here's my 5 must have's.

1. White Water Snacks - beef nachos or chicken sandwich. The "getting away from it all" ambiance in this quiet little corner helps our family refuel for more park time.

2. Riverbelle Terrace - the Steamboat breakfast plate of pancakes, eggs and sausage while people watching across the Rivers of America.

3. Carnation Cafe - loaded baked potato soup and a kiss on the cheek for Chef Oscar. What a sweet Disney treasure!

4. Pacific Wharf Cafe - love the soups and salads in a sourdough breadbowl. I like to ask for my soup or salad separate from the bowl. (they seem to give you a little more).

5. Storyteller's Cafe - for breakfast we like to order off the menu instead of the buffet. I love the banana stuffed french toast. And my dh loves the huevos rancheros. We prefer to go to the earliest breakfast seating, request a table near a fireplace and enjoy a quiet restaurant. Then we use our receipt to use the private GCH entrance into DCA.

My "must try" on our next visit is the new menu at The Hungry Bear. I want to try that fried green tomato sandwich and sweet potato fries! drool!!

 

[Mabel67]

Where is Whitewater Snacks? I know that it is in the GCH, but where?

It gets so many rave reviews, that I would like to try it, but I don't recall having seen it along the way.

We would also like to try the walk-up window at Ralph Brennan's....that potato salad sound fabulous!

Also, do you require a reservation, in August, for breakfast outside at Riverbelle Terrace?

Thanks!

23 days.......

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

My top 5:

Napa Rose: Truffled "Mac & Cheese" Orecchiette Pasta - with Parmigiano-Reggiano---this alone makes it worth it. I cannot express how much I truly love this dish. It is amazing.

Carnation Cafe: I've seen Oscar there quite often and he is so very friendly! The service is good, the Loaded Baked Potato Soup is delicious, and the Chicken Pot Pie is my favorite. Oscar always recommends the Cafe Steak Melt and I agree that this is very tasty as well. Good serving size, too.

Tangaroa Terrace: This is one of the newest places to eat. It's by the DLH pool. I really like this item:Angus 1/3 lb. Hawaiian Cheeseburger - Ground Angus Burger with Teriyaki Sauce, Fresh Grilled Pineapple, Havarti Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato on a Multigrain Bun with choice of Sweet Potato Fries or Green Papaya Slaw
--the hamburger is juicy and the pineapple is fresh, It is pretty big but it's delicious flavor will surely leave you with nothing on your plate by the time you are done. Ordering is a breeze with the computer screens you order from. Take your slip to the cashier to pay and then seat yourself. Prices are decent, food is brought to your table, and their are free refills on drinks. Service is good and I can assure you that I will be dining there again this weekend.

Steakhouse 55: Service is excellent and they cook your steaks perfectly to order. It has a nice comfortable atmosphere and I did see families with small children dining there as well the last couple times I went.

Cafe Orleans: I enjoy sitting outside people watching while I have my Pomme Frites. These garlic and parmesan french fries are very tasty as is the remoulade dipping sauce. You gotta love the Mickey shaped Beignets! Don't inhale too deeply when you take a bite, though, or you will get a lung full of powdered sugar dust! LOL. The 2 different dipping sauces are quite good. I can never make my mind up over which one is better. One is a berry sauce the other tastes like melted vanilla bean ice cream to me.

 

[DangerMouse]

Where is Whitewater Snacks? I know that it is in the GCH, but where?

It gets so many rave reviews, that I would like to try it, but I don't recall having seen it along the way.

We would also like to try the walk-up window at Ralph Brennan's....that potato salad sound fabulous!

Also, do you require a reservation, in August, for breakfast outside at Riverbelle Terrace?

Thanks!

23 days.......

From the private entrance into the GCH from DCA, turn left at the end of the long corridor past the security table. Last door on your left is WWS.

Riverbelle Terrace is counter service, so no ressies required.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Also, do you require a reservation, in August, for breakfast outside at Riverbelle Terrace?

Unless something has changed, Riverbelle Terrace does do not dining reservations.

My favorites (in no particular order):

Carnation Cafe (only been for breakfast)- everybody in our party is always pleased, and they are not over priced IMO for a theme park.

Blue Bayou- always fantastic, if have the time, wait for a water side table

Bengal BBQ- great for a quick bite

Plaza Inn- great, filling food. The chicken pasta is soooo yumm!

Goofy's Kitchen (only been for breakfast)-the character interaction is great. When my oldest DS was still afraid of characters, he hid under the table when he saw Goofy. Goofy saw him do this, and went under the table with him until he came out

 

[TLPL]

How about places that serve veggie options? I eat meat but can't go to places that do not have veggie items because my better half is vegetarian.

 

[rentayenta]

Not necessarily all Table Service, but here's my 5 must have's.

1. White Water Snacks - beef nachos or chicken sandwich. The "getting away from it all" ambiance in this quiet little corner helps our family refuel for more park time.

2. Riverbelle Terrace - the Steamboat breakfast plate of pancakes, eggs and sausage while people watching across the Rivers of America.

3. Carnation Cafe - loaded baked potato soup and a kiss on the cheek for Chef Oscar. What a sweet Disney treasure!

4. Pacific Wharf Cafe - love the soups and salads in a sourdough breadbowl. I like to ask for my soup or salad separate from the bowl. (they seem to give you a little more).

5. Storyteller's Cafe - for breakfast we like to order off the menu instead of the buffet. I love the banana stuffed french toast. And my dh loves the huevos rancheros. We prefer to go to the earliest breakfast seating, request a table near a fireplace and enjoy a quiet restaurant. Then we use our receipt to use the private GCH entrance into DCA.

My "must try" on our next visit is the new menu at The Hungry Bear. I want to try that fried green tomato sandwich and sweet potato fries! drool!!

Same! Callie did a great job here, no need for me to differ.

 

[Mama Who]

Storyteller's
Ariel's
Taste Pilot's
Cafe Orleans
Boudin

We also enjoy the skewers at Bengal BBQ and the character meal at Goofy's Kitchen.

 

[DisSarahK]

Carnation Cafe ~ Honestly, I'd eat here for lunch everyday. I love it! Yum!

Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn ~ Our favorite character meal. Decent food and fantastic character interaction.

That's all I have for must-do restaurants. (My daughter would say Ariel's, but I hate it! We still go there...but I really do dislike the food.) We do eat at Whitewater Snacks as well, but we eat there because it is inexpensive and low stress...not because it is a "must do" type of place.

Clearly we need to try more places!

 

[Heymy]

I only get to pick 5?

1. Carnation Cafe for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast offers eggs benedict on croissants, it is amazing! And they serve you a fish bowl for a mocha. Lunch, the potato soup is amazing, but it does a number on my tummy. But any place that can keep my kids entertained for more than 30 minutes is a gold mine! They go crazy for the Peanut Butter Pallette!!

2. Goofy's Kitchen - I've been going here for 20 years (in various locations) and there's just something about it for my family. We usually do dinner and think there's great variety (satisfies picky DH), so it's winner...but we save it for special occassions (birthday dinners).

3. Steakhouse 55 - I would have said Napa Rose a year ago, but we had a less than stellar experience when we didn't sit at the Chef's Counter. DH is a total carnivore and he really enjoyed his slab of beef. I thought it was a great setting, wonderful food and impecable service.

4. Tortilla Jo's - Margaritas are my happy place and so it's hard to beat a good mexican joint. They have a wonderful chili relleno that I get each and every time. The kids are thrilled when we go at dinner time so they can get princess balloon figures.

5. Ariel's Grotto - We haven't been since World of Color debuted, so I think I may have liked it better before since the kids got to have their princess fix while we ate a wonderful meal. Not sure I'd want to eat that much during lunch. Again, great beef (tri tip) for DH and lots of options for me, which have all been yummy. We went for breakfast 3 years ago and the food was so so. Nice that you could have all you want...but I have a hard time gorging in the morning.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Love, love, love Ralph Brennen's in DTD!!! I also really like Cafe Orleans (pommes frittes mmm) and Storytellers.

 

[mousterpiece]

I was starting to get worried scrolling through the first page of this thread, and then NikkiBell said what I was about to: Ralph Brennan's in DTD is amazing. It has become our favorite restaurant in all of Disneyland. We can't go to the parks without walking through DTD and filling up on jambalaya and beignets.

Other restaurants that we always stop at include Pacific Wharf (though, because we go for the bread-bowl soups, you could also go to the Harbor Galley in DL); Plaza Inn (I like the food, though I wish it was a wee bit cheaper), Tortilla Jo's, Wine Country Trattoria, and Cafe Orleans (those fries are incredible).

 

[Zoemakes5]

top 5 sit down:
Jazz Kitchen
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria for lunch
Rain Forest Cafe
Naples for dinner (they do balloon animals in the evening, great for the kiddos, and I love the food)

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Rainforest Cafe is like a over-salted version of Applebees. Yes, it is that bad--I am not kidding! I can't even fathom anyone liking the food there! I mean, yes--nobody eats here because they really expect the food to be good, but more for the Tikiroom-esque decor, but once is enough for even a glutton for punishment. I almost didn't say anything, but I just felt too guilty not pointing this out. It is over-priced, over sodiumed food served by disgruntled teenagers in a faux-jungle atmospere. Only you can decide if that is a good thing or not!

 

[Doc Goofy]

I'm sorry to hear about the bad food at Rainforest. I've been to the ones in Orlando, Las Vegas, and San Antonio and have always had surprisingly delicious food. I had expected a place with so much "showmanship" to worry little about the quality of their food and have been pleasantly surprised. This last time in San Antonio, the fries were hot and crunchy and the chicken tenders were both crunchy and juicy (not like the little bricks I've had so many places). I actually had steak and shrimp at the one in Las Vegas and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this more upscale offering as well!