Disappointed in Carthay Circle

[Mom of three]

I had such high hopes for Carthay Circle when we made the reservation but we were really disappointed. Reservation was for 3 people at 7:00pm. I randomly got a text message at 6:35ish saying our table was ready. Huh?? I hadn't even checked in yet, luckily we were near and went straight to the podium. He confirmed my name saying "I have you down for a party of 2", I corrected him that it was actually a party of 3. He said I requested a party of 2. Umm...no. I pulled up my reservation on the app and showed it to him, party of 3.

We were seated outside, handed menus and didn't have anyone acknowledge us for almost 20 min. No water, nothing. There were several other tables that appeared to have the same issue.

Im not quite sure what I expected with the menu, but portions were extremely small. We actually went through the app trying to find a place to eat after we were done. Food was okay. We saw a couple entrees/plates brought out to another table that we did not see on the menu. When we asked our server he said some items are under different categories. For instance, the charcuterie plate is under "desserts". One family actually got up and left shortly after getting their food and some words were exchanged between them and the staff. It was obvious they were expecting something else as well, their food was barely touched.

I really wanted to love it, just wasn't there for me this time.

 

[StormyCA]

Yeah, I've never eaten there simply because the portions look skimpy in pics I've seen plus the menu has always been a bit too 'chi-chi foo foo' for me. I enjoy a gourmet meal as much as the next pseudo-gourmand but not at those prices.

Their drinks are fab, tho!!

 

[Mom of three]

Yeah, I've never eaten there simply because the portions look skimpy in pics I've seen plus the menu has always been a bit too 'chi-chi foo foo' for me. I enjoy a gourmet meal as much as the next pseudo-gourmand but not at those prices.

Their drinks are fab, tho!!

YES!! We didn't order alcoholic drinks (maybe I should have lol) but the lemonade was AMAZING!

 

[wishing4PA]

I had such high hopes for Carthay Circle when we made the reservation but we were really disappointed.

I really wanted to love it, just wasn't there for me this time.

Wow! This is the one reservation that I most wanted but couldn't get (hasn't been available.)
I'm rethinking my "wants" now.

 

[GeneralTso]

I truly think they are struggling at this point, like many of the restaurants in Disney. My daughter recently snagged a reservation there and said it was underwhelming. The menu is limited, they sat outside and service was sparse. Not the wonderful Carthay Circle experience of the past. I think it'll return to that, just not right now.

 

[bwvBound]

We felt similarly after our visit in early May. We won't be back until the menu returns to "normal." I felt it was a very poor (yet pricey) experience.

 

[avalon451]

You know, I think this is a big problem in many places, not just DLR. Here in Seattle, people are so excited about going out for nice meals again that it’s unusually difficult to get reservations, and when you do, they are understaffed and food quality sometimes suffers. They just can’t find staff and train them fast enough. It’s going to take awhile to get back to previous levels of staffing, training, supplies, and efficiency. I’m hopeful for the future.

 

[StormyCA]

YES!! We didn't order alcoholic drinks (maybe I should have lol) but the lemonade was AMAZING!

Next time, just go to the lounge and order a Sparkling Mare (if it's still on the menu). It was YUMMY. I can't remember what BFF had (possibly the 'Tequila Daisy'?) but she loved it too.

I've been trying to locate the actual recipe (not just the ingredients) for the Sparkling Mare but so far no luck.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I have eaten there pre-COVID and post-COVID. The experience is NOTHING like pre-COVID but I enjoyed my meal. Portions are small and expensive but our food was very good. Atmosphere was so so. I much more enjoyed my recent meals at Lamplight for both food and ambiance.

 

[DLgal]

You know, it's not the same restaurant right now. It's listed as "Carthay Circle LOUNGE- alfresco dining."

Alfresco literally means "outside." It's not meant to be a full meal and I think a lot of the recent disappointment centers around misunderstanding that.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Wow! This is the one reservation that I most wanted but couldn't get (hasn't been available.)
I'm rethinking my "wants" now.

As sort of noted by others - it's not the regular restaurant that's open. It's just an outdoor lounge with a limited menu - mostly apps. I get that it's confusing if you've just heard people talk about "Carthay" pre-covid, but that's not what's actually open now. (I do imagine this is due to staffing and such, but it's not like the regular restaurant experience is open and suffering from low staffing... the regular restaurant experience is simply not open.)

We have eaten at Carthay Circle restaurant (and in the downstairs, indoor lounge) many times pre-covid. We also ate at the outdoor lounge twice when it was open and the parks weren't yet. All have been good experiences for us, but it's not remotely the same thing.

We've booked Lamplight Lounge when we've been back at DCA (most recently yesterday - donuts are back! ) - you might be happier there, depending what you're expecting/looking for.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Menu might be limited, but what the OP explained sounds like a customer service failure on several accounts.

 

[VandVsmama]

that sounds like a pretty terrible dining experience if you ask me! I would have been really disappointed and frustrated by that. It definitely would not make me want to go back any time soon.

 

[fly girl]

Wow, I am sorry you had a bad experience. Before you even sat down it was a mess, hard to recover esp when you were ignored for so long. Such a bummer.

We went July 3rd for lunch and said it was our best meal of the trip. Granted, we sat inside at the lounge high top table, didn't want a full meal as it was hot outside, and knew going in it wasn't the same as regular Carthay Circle. No doubt the prices are very high, but that has always been the case with CC and any signature Disney dining for that matter. DD had the ceviche which was the same portion size pre-covid. I had the spring rolls, dd had the tortilla soup. We all shared the cheese board afterwards. Enjoyed it all. Our server was very sweet and attentive. She had the bar concoct a non alcoholic drink for my dd and she absolutely loved it!

We have been to CC many times, and never had a poor experience. I know OP, at their price point it is hard to give them another try. If you can wait it out and be willing to try again when it opens fully as just Carthay Circle I would do it.

 

[Winnowill]

Next time, just go to the lounge and order a Sparkling Mare (if it's still on the menu). It was YUMMY. I can't remember what BFF had (possibly the 'Tequila Daisy'?) but she loved it too.

I've been trying to locate the actual recipe (not just the ingredients) for the Sparkling Mare but so far no luck.

My BFF and I experimented and came up with something that we think is close - it's a 1:2 elderflower liqueur:Aperol ratio, then fill with the champagne (which can be done to taste, really).

 

[Neurodude84]

Try it again once the actual restaurant opens next week.

 

[BayGirl22]

Agree people should try the real restaurant when it reopens. This seems like an anomaly with the temporary "alfresco" version and low staffing.

We ate there several times before Covid and always left satisfied. The portions are not huge - they are the typical single serve size upscale restaurants offer (as opposed to oversized American style or buffets). We usually went for the WoC package which is prix fixe and left full. Great service too, even with kids.

Really hoping they get things closer to normal when we're there in October. I would go even without the package.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

We spoke with a waitress when we ate there last night and she said that everybody has been called back now and they should be back to full staffing in the next couple of weeks. By the way, we had drinks and appetizers and they were excellent! And our waitress was lovely.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We spoke with a waitress when we ate there last night and she said that everybody has been called back now and they should be back to full staffing in the next couple of weeks. By the way, we had drinks and appetizers and they were excellent! And our waitress was lovely.

We enjoyed our light meal there, too. We had the three mini tacos, duck comfit empanadas, and the spring roll, plus drinks. Food was delicious to us.

 

[emmybee]

OP, I'm very sorry about your disappointing experience. We have never had a bad experience at CC, and the service has always been top-notch. We went in June, and we were very pleased. I don't remember if we were given the choice to sit inside, but we were sat in the corner by the elevator. The menu was limited, but we made it work. In general, I wouldn't order tortilla soup because it just sounds boring to me, but I did, and I should have known that CC doesn't disappoint! I had a beautiful Manhattan that makes other restaurants' drinks pale by comparison. I will definitely do my darndest to snag another ressie when we go in Sept.