Disneyland recommendations?

[key2ursoul]

I just signed up for Tinkerbell Half Marathon in January 2014, and I've never been to the West Coast park/resorts? Anyone have any good restaurant recommendations? Going solo as well, so keep that in mind Thank you!

 

[purple figment]

Among our favorites:
-Breakfast (CS): Riverbelle Terrace - Mickey Mouse Pancakes!

-CS: French Market - we've enjoyed everything we've tried. And adjacent to the FM is the mint julep window for mint juleps and beignets. Not as good as the beignets from the Jazz Kitchen (see below), but they are Mickey shaped.

-CS: Bengal Barbecue - Bacon wrapped asparagus

-TS Family Style: Big Thunder Barbecue Ranch

-TS Blue Bayou: Probably the best known eatery in DLR. Inside the Pirates ride.

-TS in DCA: Carthay Circle: Excellent food, elegant surroundings. Try the cheese biscuits.

-In DTD: Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (TS) Another place where everything we've had is great. Their beignets are much better, but aren't Mickey shaped. Next door is the Jazz Kitchen Express with a limited menu, but it's CS.

I'm from California so I thought I would answer, but this board is actually for restaurants in Disney World so you'll probably have more responses if you post on the DL board. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

 

[Fairyjen1]

Disneyland is my home park. I've eaten at almost all of the restaurants at the resort except the newest.

My favorite's are.

Disneyland -

Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square - TS - you can get the same Monte Cristo here you get at the Blue Bayou. It's is soooo good! I guess it's more this restaurant has my favorite food. If you walk up there is usually a wait, but walk ups are available most times. You can make an ADR, I've gone at very busy times and have been able to do it a couple days ahead and get the time I want.

Blue Bayou - TS - for the ambience, across the walkway from Cafe Orleans - This is one of the few restaurants I recommend an ADR for as they will turn away walk ups in busy times. I've always gotten away with making it a week out when I wanted to dine here. If you are willing to wait, ask for a table by the water.

Rancho del Zocalo - CS - Mexican food in frontier land. I really like their citrus grilled chicken and , when they have them, their blue corn tamale's. However this is one of those places that you will get a lot of varying opinions on. I love it and so do the people I usually go with, other's can't stand it.

Jolly Holiday Bakery - CS - On main street. Fairly new. They have a great selection of pastries. I like their 'Practically Perfect lunch' - Which is a toasted (grilled) cheese sandwich and tomato soup!


DCA -

(disclaimer, I haven't made it out to DCA since Carsland and Buena Vista street opened and there are a lot more options now I haven't tried)

Lucky Fortune Cookery - CS - In the Pacific Wharf area. It's a great place to eat a bit healthier. They serve rice bowls where you pick your meat and sauce. I like the chicken with teriyaki, my boyfriend likes beef with Curry. Very tasty! We seem to always end up here.

Downtown Disney -

Naples Ristorante - Pizza and italian.

Rainforest Cafe - it's a lot like the ones in WDW (at least the AK one, I haven't been to the DTD one). I've been to several rainforests in other locations and they are all similar. Again, I like it, but other's don't.

Catal - TS - Right by the UVA bar, upstairs. This is a pricer option more for a nice night out. I have never had a problem walking in here with only a bit of a wait, I think people miss it. Its Mediterranean food and I find it to be very tasty. You can get a limited view of the fireworks from some seating areas and the waiters have recommended I come back for just dessert when they have the fireworks going.

Hotels -

Storyteller's Cafe - TS - In Disney's Grand Californian. It's a bit on the pricier side but it's very good and I don't feel ripped off. They have a buffet, or you can order off the menu. I love this place for breakfast. They have a character breakfast buffet, but you can order off the menu instead and Chip and Dale will still visit your table. We make it a point to visit here once a trip. I have never made reservations and have either had no or a no more than 30 minute wait for dinner. I've never had a wait for breakfast, but I get up early!

Trader Sams - Lounge - at the Disneyland hotel, They do have appetizers that are very tasty as well as a selection of alcoholic and exotic non-alcoholic beverages. I like this place for the drinks and atmosphere and usually head over here for a night cap!

There's also Disney's Garden walk which has chain restaurants such as PF Chang's , California Pizza Kitchen and Cheesecake Factory. I haven't eaten over there as much because it mostly has chains I can eat at while I'm at home.

The only place I avoid at DLR is Red Rocket's pizza port in Tomorrow land. Some love it, but I find it pretty nasty, and I'm not very picky! There's much better pizza in DCA and DTD. Kids seem to like it.

I also don't know what is on the DDP at DLR because I have never used it and don't know anyone who has. I don't think DDP's are as popular with DLR guests. It's pretty easy to go off site and grab food so you are not as locked into food at the resort so it doesn't make as much sense.

Hope this helps. These are just my opinions. Others will hopefully come along with advice about the newer eateries. Then I can learn too!