dinner advice please..

[scojos]

hi, want some advice we are staying onsite at hrh for 4 nights in august and would like some advice on best places to have dinner with 3 small kids of 8 6 and 3.
they are used to eating out as hubbie and i are foodies, he is French and a head chef and i teach food in a high school.
so, we do you suggest, also we are your opinions on the bracelets, more for the kids than for us, are they worth it, and as they are only in certain locations are the lines really long?
also, i would really love to go and have a nose behind the scenes in the hotels, have a look at the kitchens and visit some of the fancy suites, it would be great to show the pictures to my students when i get back, does anyone know if this is possible and how i could arrange it?
thanks
tracy
xx
ps what about charcter dinning, which is the best and which charcters are there? kids love spiddy and dora if you can help

 

[LEO_Magic]

Last year my fiance & I did the character breakfast at Confisco Grill. We took pics w/ Spiderman, Cat in the hat, Thing1 & Thing2. Uhm, other good places are: Mythos, NBA City, MargaritaVille, & for a quick bite to eat awsome burgers, Captain America in Marvel Land! Also the other 2 on site hotels have character dinners. You might have to check when you get there. Have a fun trip

 

[babieemelly]

Mythos is absolutely delicious. It's loctaed in Islands of Adventure, in the Lost Continent area of the park, and was the best food we have ever had in a theme park. The atmosphere was amazing, and the food was even better. I highly reccommend it!

 

[lindalinda]

At Hard Rock Hotel, at the Kitchen, one night a week they have a kids cooking night. (I'm not sure what they call it) Anyway the kids get to put on chefs hats and make their own pizzas. My kids had a great time doing that.

 

[scojos]

thanks, lynda that sounds like fun, do you know what night? we are there friday-monday nights
tracy
doea anyone know about goign back of house at the hotels?

 

[lindalinda]

I would call the hotel directly and ask them. When we went it was tuesday but that was 14 months ago so it may have changed. I'd ask about a behind the scenes look then too.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

if you really want to be blown away, Emeril's in Citywalk has a kitchen table. it's not listed or promoted in any way, but it's there and it's outstanding.

 

[scojos]

mr mcbean, i really would love to blown away, how can i organise that, any info on costs menus etc?
thanks
tracy

 

[patster734]

Here's a list of the restaurants at Citywalk. Some of the names will take you to a menu list by clicking on them.

http://www.allearsnet.com/uni/cw/cw_rest.htm

 

[Sylvester McBean]

mr mcbean, i really would love to blown away, how can i organise that, any info on costs menus etc?
thanks
tracy

you need to call the restaurant directly... 407-224-2424 and request the kitchen table to see if it is available. the menu changes nightly, and the price depends on if you want wine pairings and the menu of the evening.

 

[sha_lyn]

Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific is amazing and very child friendly. It was the highlight of our last trip. In fact we went back 2 days later for dessert. Their menu appeal to us more than the Emeril's in City Walk. http://www.emerils.com/
Mytho is another favorite of ours. We usually eat lunch there every day of our trip, even if we have to comute from US, the hotel or city walk.

not far from US/IOA is Fishbones, a very good, highly rated seafood restaurant.
http://www.tomhoran.com/seafood4.asp

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree with the above suggestions. We're going in July, & already have reservations for Emeril's. We actually think Emeril's is much better than Tchoup Chop though. I suppose it's just a matter of personal taste. Mytho's is another "must do" for us. Our DS(14) loves eating there.

I came to this thread hoping for other suggestions for our trip. We're considering The Palm Restaurant this time. I have 5 dinners to fill & only 2 "must dos" so far. I'll be reading with interest.

I almost forgot. Another very good restaurant is The Latin Quarter @ CW. Now that I thought of it, I may add that to my list. Of the casual dining places @ CW, we prefer Pat O'Brien's. We enjoy dining on the patio there. Most people probably think of it as a bar, but they have really good food compared to the other chains @ CW. Also, we think Motown Cafe is a little better than Margarittaville, Bob Marley's, & the other Cafe's.

Sylvester McBean,
It sounds like we would really enjoy the kitchen table at Emeril's. I can't believe I didn't even know about it. Is it appropriate for a 14 yr. old boy, who is also a foodie? How far ahead do they book up? I'll call tomorrow, but would rather prepare myself to deal with the disappointment, if they're full.

 

[scojos]

thanks for all you advice, how does theV&A compare with emerils, which is better as they both do chefs tables?
thanks
tracy

 

[tarheelmjfan]

if you really want to be blown away, Emeril's in Citywalk has a kitchen table. it's not listed or promoted in any way, but it's there and it's outstanding.

I can't find anymore info. on a Kitchen (Chef's) Table at Emeril's. Any idea where I can find it? TIA

 

[tarheelmjfan]

thanks for all you advice, how does theV&A compare with emerils, which is better as they both do chefs tables?
thanks
tracy

While Emeril's has top quality food, it's much more casual & very loud. Perfect for families with discerning palates. V&A, on the other hand, has a much more upscale feel. There's very few kids who dine there, & those that do are accustomed to this environment. This includes a drawn out, relaxing meal, where voices are kept low & the atmosphere leans more toward romantic. Kids need to be able to sit still & have quiet (adult) conversation for 3 hrs. You could put together a meal at Emeril's that would somewhat rival V&A, if you were willing to order that many individual courses. However, the atmosphere & dress code are very different. I'm anxious to hear more about the Chef's Table at Emeril's. That may more closely resemble a meal at V&A.