Downtown Disney dinner

[Deb]

We need a table service dinner at downtown disney. I have Tortilla Jo's reserved but I understand they are closing so quality as it gets closer to close date concerns me. Where would you choose to eat?

 

[DLgal]

Naples or Catal

 

[delmom18]

I wonder if one can see the fireworks from the rooftop at Ballast Point so I'm jumping into your thread about Downtown Disney dining.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

We chose Naples last visit. It was the best pizza on property. The gluten free person in our group also got eggplant parmesan with gluten free pasta and said it was one of the best gluten free meals she has had.

 

[ParkHopper1]

We always leave happy with Ralph Brennan Jazz Kitchen...everywhere else we always leave with just a "meh"...but have not been to Catal for dinner in a while...

 

[DLgal]

We always leave happy with Ralph Brennan Jazz Kitchen...everywhere else we always leave with just a "meh"...but have not been to Catal for dinner in a while...

I think Ralph's is closed right now. Not sure when it's gonna be done but there is extensive work being done and the upper floor is behind a scrim.

 

[DLgal]

I wonder if one can see the fireworks from the rooftop at Ballast Point so I'm jumping into your thread about Downtown Disney dining.

You cannot see fireworks from up there.

 

[AZMermaid]

Tortilla Jo’s is closing? That’s a bummer! Although we haven’t been there in a decade so I cant say we’ve helped it. But it was always a good solid back up plan.

We like Naples if we eat in DTD.

 

[DLgal]

Tortilla Jo’s is closing? That’s a bummer! Although we haven’t been there in a decade so I cant say we’ve helped it. But it was always a good solid back up plan.

We like Naples if we eat in DTD.

It's moving/being renamed. Not closing.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I think Ralph's is closed right now. Not sure when it's gonna be done but there is extensive work being done and the upper floor is behind a scrim.

We ate at Ralph's on Tuesday, October 18. The upstairs area was closed off, but they were serving inside on the first floor (which was full) and outside in the seating along the front of the restaurant. Not sure if they were using the outdoor courtyard area.

 

[DLgal]

We ate at Ralph's on Tuesday, October 18. The upstairs area was closed off, but they were serving inside on the first floor (which was full) and outside in the seating along the front of the restaurant. Not sure if they were using the outdoor courtyard area.

Good to know. I saw a photo the other day and it was completely empty, so I assumed it was already closed.

 

[DharmaLou]

Ballast Point is my favorite.

 

[Astylla]

It's moving/being renamed. Not closing.

Can you share a source on this and timeframe ? I was just there not too long ago and it was busy inside and I chose the bar because it was so nice outside.

Ballast Point is my favorite.

I wanted to like this place so much.
Went last month and honestly it was awful. From the host guy noninterest in greeting us or telling us where we could sit to three or four menu items not being available at the bar.

Does the dining room have a larger menu ? Because we basically had our choice of wings , nachos and something else I can't even recall. Also didn't realize it was just beer..so another let down but my fault for not looking ahead.

 

[DLgal]

Can you share a source on this and timeframe ? I was just there not too long ago and it was busy inside and I chose the bar because it was so nice outside.


I wanted to like this place so much.
Went last month and honestly it was awful. From the host guy noninterest in greeting us or telling us where we could sit to three or four menu items not being available at the bar.

Does the dining room have a larger menu ? Because we basically had our choice of wings , nachos and something else I can't even recall. Also didn't realize it was just beer..so another let down but my fault for not looking ahead.

The announcement was part of the overhaul of Downtown Disney. It SEEMS like Catal and Uva Bar will be closing and will be the new Mexican restaurant. Since both TJs and Catal/Uva are owned and operated by Patina Group, it makes sense. My guess is that the Tortilla Joe's location will become Din Tai Fung.

I don't have a timeline on any of this.

https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202204/8917/

 

[DharmaLou]

Does the dining room have a larger menu ? Because we basically had our choice of wings , nachos and something else I can't even recall. Also didn't realize it was just beer..so another let down but my fault for not looking ahead.

The menu is the same for inside and outside. I've had entrees at the bar and snacks inside. It's a brewery, so yes it's 90% beer but they do have seltzer, cider and wine also.

 

[Astylla]

The menu is the same for inside and outside. I've had entrees at the bar and snacks inside. It's a brewery, so yes it's 90% beer but they do have seltzer, cider and wine also.

Hmm okay..maybe we had a bad night.
Wanted the pasta entree as it sounded great , and they were sold out. Then tried to order two other things yup sold out.
Also happened to be out of most cider and beer..it was definitely off putting.

Now I live near local craft breweries so I enjoy good beer and I did have one , it was pretty run of the mill as well.
I could have sworn someone a year or maybe it was longer having a very extensive menu. Chances are I'm confusing it with Black Tap which I love.

 

[DLgal]

Can you share a source on this and timeframe ? I was just there not too long ago and it was busy inside and I chose the bar because it was so nice outside.


I wanted to like this place so much.
Went last month and honestly it was awful. From the host guy noninterest in greeting us or telling us where we could sit to three or four menu items not being available at the bar.

Does the dining room have a larger menu ? Because we basically had our choice of wings , nachos and something else I can't even recall. Also didn't realize it was just beer..so another let down but my fault for not looking ahead.

Yeah, there is a more substantial menu in the dining room. The outside patio is really just a walk up beer bar with some snacks.

 

[DizMe]

I wanted to like this place so much.
Went last month and honestly it was awful. From the host guy noninterest in greeting us or telling us where we could sit to three or four menu items not being available at the bar.

Does the dining room have a larger menu ? Because we basically had our choice of wings , nachos and something else I can't even recall. Also didn't realize it was just beer..so another let down but my fault for not looking ahead.

I really loved Ballast Point. Now I like Ballast Point. They scaled back the menu and my favorites disappeared. I still love the outdoor terrace upstairs, but unless the menu has improved since July, it's not what it used to be. It's still a nice place to hang out, have nachos and a beer or something, but it's not what it was prior to reopening and it wouldn't be on my list of places to have dinner unless I was looking for a beer and a burger.

I like Hearthstone Lounge in GCH, and I also like Tangaroa Terrace, as I love the island-inspired menu and the tropical vibe. I would have said hands-down Jazz Kitchen, but I'd be reluctant to try it right now with the renovations going on.

I personally am not a huge fan of Naples. It's good, but I don't consider it great, and it's fairly expensive. I took my daughter there last spring and we shared a small pizza and each had a drink. Nothing amazing about it whatsoever except for what we were charged. Yes, the drinks were good. Yes, the margherita pizza was good, but it was just basic stuff IMO. I had some kind of pasta there 3-4 years ago that gave me the same reaction; it was good, but it wasn't great. However, that time we had a fun group and a nice outdoor table in the evening which made it fun and I didn't have to pay the bill that time

 

[DharmaLou]

Sounds like an off night @Astylla - they do have some really good beers. My daughter and I both love the poke and she had a really good pasta dish during black history month. I also really liked the fish tacos.

 

[DLgal]

I really loved Ballast Point. Now I like Ballast Point. They scaled back the menu and my favorites disappeared. I still love the outdoor terrace upstairs, but unless the menu has improved since July, it's not what it used to be. It's still a nice place to hang out, have nachos and a beer or something, but it's not what it was prior to reopening and it wouldn't be on my list of places to have dinner unless I was looking for a beer and a burger.

I like Hearthstone Lounge in GCH, and I also like Tangaroa Terrace, as I love the island-inspired menu and the tropical vibe. I would have said hands-down Jazz Kitchen, but I'd be reluctant to try it right now with the renovations going on.

I personally am not a huge fan of Naples. It's good, but I don't consider it great, and it's fairly expensive. I took my daughter there last spring and we shared a small pizza and each had a drink. Nothing amazing about it whatsoever except for what we were charged. Yes, the drinks were good. Yes, the margherita pizza was good, but it was just basic stuff IMO. I had some kind of pasta there 3-4 years ago that gave me the same reaction; it was good, but it wasn't great. However, that time we had a fun group and a nice outdoor table in the evening which made it fun and I didn't have to pay the bill that time

You don't go to Naples to split a small pizza. You go there to split the GIANT pizza.

But seriously, you can get the small pizzas next door at Napolini for $12 (and yes, it's the same.size and same ingredients).

They also have great salads and apps at Naples and the drinks are always VERY good. This place is where we go to absolutely gorge on pizza and get a nice buzz.