Favorite Signature Dining Experiences?

diznyfanatic

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What Signature Dining restaurants do you believe are really worth the extra money / credits and offer the best overall dining experience (food, service, ambience)?

We are planning a very special anniversary dinner for some family members and would love to hear any suggestions.

Thanks for the help! :)
 

Jiko.

We've dined at Brown Derby, Yachtsman, and Citricos as well. Would happily return to any of those as well but Jiko stood out.
 
Without a doubt, I have to say Bistro de Paris. DH and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in December. We had a family luncheon at Grand Floridian Cafe complete with Champagne and a wedding cake... all delicious and very enjoyable. But the best came later. That night, we continued the celebration with the latest seating at Bistro. Christoff put our intimate group in a small alcove upstairs... it was somewhat like a separate room in a corner with a large window overlooking the fireworks. We went with the wine pairings (expensive but very well worth it!!!!). Everything was delicious, the wait staff was funny and very knowledgeable, and the meal was relaxed. The evening drifted on, but no one urged us to rush... in fact, they did just the opposite. We did not end our evening until at least an hour after everyone else had left the park following the fireworks. That might have been the best part... wandering out to the front as a group, viewing the last "show" of the water ballet while the lights twinkled in that big beautiful fountain in the dark. It was absolute magic!
 
California Grill, Brown Derby, Narcoosees = but boy the poster sure made the Bistro sound good. I haven't tried it before, but will now~
 
I love the California Grill. The food is great--always has been, the wine list is fantastic--especially if you want a decent selection by the glass, and going outside to watch the fireworks in between your entree and dessert is about the best experience I can imagine. (Try to book it that way--make sure you check the timing of the fireworks on your particular evening)
 
Hmmm...I was under the impression that Bistro was not on the DDP. If that is not the case, I may have to try for a ressie on my next trip!! I always wanted to eat there.

I'm not a big fan of California Grill. We have been several times and have not taken it off of our list of "must do" eateries. The food was good but service was lacking - especially considering it's Signature designation.

I'm not a fan of the view of the fireworks from the observation deck. Being that high up distorts the illusion of the fireworks behind the castle. From the top fo the Contemporary, you can see that some of the fireworks are actually set off well behind the park.

My personal favorite Signature Dining Experience was Artist Point. If you go, ask if Izzie is working. He's the best!
 
My two favorites are Yachtsman Steakhouse and Artist Point. In both of those, I really felt like I was in a more upscale kind of restaurant. I had the best steak EVER at Yachtsman. Yum! I have been to CG, and it just didn't have the same ambience to me, even if it does have that spectacular view (I can actually see my house from up there during the daylight hours - maybe that's the problem!). If you do decide to go to CG, and are planning it around seeing Wishes, be advised that people tend to "camp out" at the tables from quite early ADR's, so it can be frustrating and difficult to get the table you want at the time you want. It's better to watch Wishes in the park, and visit CG on another night (preferrably one with no Wishes at all).
 
I've only been to Citricos and Artist Point (both twice). Yes, I think they are worth the extra money.
 
Thank you all so much for the suggestions! We were already kind of leaning towards either Jiko or Artist Point, but after reading LouisianaDisneyFan's incredible experience at Bistro de Paris, we would love to try that as well.

Wow, this is going to be such a tough decision! :)
 
We love the artist point!

This year for our anniversary we are celebrating with dinner at the California Grill (the first seating of the night with the best service in my opinion, not like the mad house that it becomes around fireworks time) and then the grand One yacht will be picking us up at the marina for a private viewing of Wishes from the seven seas lagoon.
 
Definitely Artist Point! We celebrated our 25th anniversary there, and the food, ambiance, and service were all excellent.
 
You can't go wrong at Jiko's, AP, Cali Grill, Flying Fish, Blue Zoo or Citricos.
 
FWIW, Bistro is not on the DDP. Also, you can't make ressies there until 30 days prior. So if you are in debate, it may be worth booking one of the other places first and then making your final decision when you hit 30 days.
 
For food I would say Yachtsman Steakhouse. I have dined there 4 times in the past 3 years and everything has always been amazing.

For atmosphere I would say CA Grill (and the fod is very good too). We like to book an early ADR so we see the sun going down, then return for the fireworks later in the evening. With your receipt you are let back up to watch them on the deck. :thumbsup2
 

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