Epcot Dining Help Please!

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Trying to plan our Epcot day and really torn about ADR for dinner. I've made a 12:00 ADR at Beaches & Cream so our family can share a Kitchen Sink! That will be lunch---can't imagine having it as dessert after anything else.

We'll be spending the day in Epcot, no park hoppers. So looking to book something at World Showcase for dinner. It's me, DH, DS14 and DS12, regular dining plan. DS12 is pretty picky and likes basic food. Will eat steak, chicken, pasta, ribs, etc. but nothing too "out there". We did Teppan Edo last year and loved it. But want to try something else.

So for now I booked Marrakesh, but having second thoughts. Biergarten doesn't appeal to any of us. Want to keep it at 1 TS credit, so that eliminates a couple. Didn't book Via Napoli because we're doing Mama Melrose another night and thought we should do something different. Now I hear rave reviews but there's nothing available. Keep checking for cancellations though!

HATED Garden Grill--won't be going back there. Did Coral Reef many years ago and it was okay. I know we could go to on the area resorts, but since we're leaving for lunch, thought I'd try to keep it right in Epcot for dinner.

So suggestions/recommendations?

 

[Disney Diva Mom]

Have you tried Chefs de France? We really enjoy it. Check out the menus for all the TS on allears.net. That will give you ideas if items will work for your picky eater.

 

[emilie2013]

I agree, chefs de France is a good one, maybe rose and crown?

 

[shyjade]

DD16 is a VERY picky eater...she won't even eat most meats so I always struggle where to dine TS with her. I have picked Chefs de France for our upcoming trip. Last time we ate at Tutto's and we both really enjoyed that, too.

 

[vicb]

I think Chefs and R&C are good choices but.... I would stick with Marrakesh! I have been there three times, twice with my kids. They enjoyed the food and the belly dancer. I think they ordered kebobs for their entree which isn't too exotic but we ordered some appetizers which were out of the norm and they enjoyed trying and critiquing them. We wandered around the bizarre area, saw Jasmine and Aladdin. If you check the Steve Soares website for entertainment maybe you can catch Mo'Rockin performing before or after dinner.

We always told our kids vacation was a time to try new things... my DS used to be as picky as they came. I walked around with ketchup and peanutbutter packets in my purse to help him out at restaurants for a long time But now as an 18 yo I am amazed at how adventurous he has become. So I always say "encourge but don't force".

Good luck!!

 

[slncdogd]

Rose and Crown....outdoor seating if you can....

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I think Chefs and R&C are good choices but.... I would stick with Marrakesh! I have been there three times, twice with my kids. They enjoyed the food and the belly dancer. I think they ordered kebobs for their entree which isn't too exotic but we ordered some appetizers which were out of the norm and they enjoyed trying and critiquing them. We wandered around the bizarre area, saw Jasmine and Aladdin. If you check the Steve Soares website for entertainment maybe you can catch Mo'Rockin performing before or after dinner.

We always told our kids vacation was a time to try new things... my DS used to be as picky as they came. I walked around with ketchup and peanutbutter packets in my purse to help him out at restaurants for a long time But now as an 18 yo I am amazed at how adventurous he has become. So I always say "encourge but don't force".

Good luck!!

That's really kind of how we are too! Last year when we went, we made a family pact that we wouldn't go to any TS places that we'd ever been to before. Had to try absolutely all new places. Forced us all out of comfort zone a bit but we loved it!! We went to Boma, Mama Melrose, Trail's End, T-Rex, Teppan Edo, and Tusker House. Found some new favorites! We've always told the boys at least give it a try. If you don't like it, that's okay. We're not going to force anyone to eat anything. But don't turn up your nose without at least trying! My older son is much more adventurous--always has been with food--and the younger one is starting to get there.

I thought Marrakesh would be fun, but then started seeing so-so reviews. I'm keeping it for now, but seriously considering Chefs now, too!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Rose and Crown....outdoor seating if you can....

I'm sorry, but this made me laugh. We're going the end of August, last thing I want to do is eat outside in that heat!!!! I'm sure other times of year, it's lovely, but one of the big perks of TS meals is sitting in the air conditioning for an hour or so!

 

[Hopefully]

I am a meat and potatoes kind of girl and I love Restaurant Marrakesh. I usually order either the chicken or the beef kebab. It is good and not too out there. The restaurant is beautiful, the food is good, the service is delightful and the entertainment is fun.
If you are still worried I would second Rose & Crown

 

[Kimmers127]

My DH is a pretty picky eater - he practically lives on chicken, pizza, pasta and potatoes. Does not eat seafood, does not eat beef really except for burgers. Rarely eats pork. Honestly some of his favorite meals are at WD restaurants. Off the top of my head:

I'm going to go against the grain and recommend AGAINST Rose & Crown for a picky eater. It's a kind of small menu, and not the kind of place to fall back on chicken breast, pasta, ribs, etc... We ate there once and DH struggled. There were also a lot of people around us sending food back.

Marrakesh: we have both loved this in the past, DH usually gets chicken kabobs - last trip the chicken was really not of good quality and that was off putting. We aren't eating there on our next trip. But, it was good several times in the past so we may have just experienced an off day.

Tutto Italia: love this place, plenty of great choices. Can be tough to get the day and time that you want, and we have almost never succeeded in walking up (but we don't like to eat super early. Sometimes a 430 walk up was offered.) I think this would be a very safe choice. We've never had a bad meal here.

Chefs de France: maybe less choices here for a picky eater, but the food is very good. DH likes the chicken dish a lot. There is a fancy Mac and cheese option too. When we eat here, I get a cheese plate and the French onion soup. Both are excellent.

La Hacienda de San Angel: Oh my god, this place! We love this restaurant, usually eat here twice per trip. We share the mixed grill soft tacos (not sure if that's what it is called). It's a platter of grilled veggies, corn, rice, beans, and seasoned meats with soft corn tortillas. I think it comes with chicken, beef and sausage. When we get it, we ask for all chicken and that's never been a problem. There is also a chocolate mousse dessert here that is to freaking die for. This doesn't seem to be on people's radar yet, we have walked up many times with no problem.

Via Napoli: this is another must do for us, and we often eat here twice. The pizza is always excellent. I can't speak to the pasta because we always do pizza here but we both love it. The gelato is great too.

Good luck!!

 

[jaulty]

We loved Marrakesh! The food was very good, the lamb shank was amazing! And there is entertainment - belly dancing and music. I thought it was a really good time and I would go back.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Another vote for San Angel. Great atmosphere. Share some entrees and appetizers...great adventure.

 

[vicb]

That's really kind of how we are too! Last year when we went, we made a family pact that we wouldn't go to any TS places that we'd ever been to before. Had to try absolutely all new places. Forced us all out of comfort zone a bit but we loved it!! We went to Boma, Mama Melrose, Trail's End, T-Rex, Teppan Edo, and Tusker House. Found some new favorites! We've always told the boys at least give it a try. If you don't like it, that's okay. We're not going to force anyone to eat anything. But don't turn up your nose without at least trying! My older son is much more adventurous--always has been with food--and the younger one is starting to get there.

I thought Marrakesh would be fun, but then started seeing so-so reviews. I'm keeping it for now, but seriously considering Chefs now, too!

Good for you for trying new places. The other thing I would sometimes do is give my kids a small snack before we went to a new/different restaurant (like a yogurt, or granola bar) so they wouldn't be starving. I never was a part of the "no dinner = no dessert" parenting either, if they honestly tried we didn't with hold. My DD discovered creme brulle at WDW so even dessert can be a chance to try a new item.

Les Chefs is really good too, DH and I have done dinner there twice and we took the kids for lunch once. They actually requested dinner there this trip. Someone mentioned San Angel Inn, we like that too but the menu might be a bit harder. DS once ordered a "deconstructed" quesadilla there and by golly they brought it- a plate with a tortilla, pile of chicken, pile of cheese, dollop of sour cream. Haha.

 

[Nicnic]

Rose & Crown or Via Napoli would be my choices