hertamaniac
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2017
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Dining Review: Flying Fish
Took the boat across Crescent Lake to The Boardwalk for dinner at Flying Fish (FF). We stopped over at the Abracadabra Bar to use the restrooms, but I almost wanted to plant myself down for a drink. The decor and mystery in that bar is astounding to me. That is how you theme a unique lounge.
We had a veteran waitress and her shadow (in learning mode). I got a non-alcoholic cucumber spritzer which was so good. We ordered our entrees, and the bread came out. It was warm, but pretty flavorless. The pepper butter gave it some flavor, but this is not a high-quality bread service in my opinion (especially compared to others I recently experienced). The waitress went a little over-the-top of how FF is rated #1 signature dining restaurant at WDW. I couldn't let that go unchecked and, gently, asked if Chef Tim M. was still in the kitchen. She said they rotate chef's constantly and didn't really answer my question. I posed the V & A angle and was told that it's not a dinner, but more like a 3-hour dining experience as she was a waitress there for 6 years. It was a good recovery answer.
She described the fish entrees very well. The Chilean Sea Bass with morsels of crab meat was superb (so I was told although my one bite confirmed it was very high quality). I asked for blackened salmon. We reminded the lead waitress I like an almost crispy outside with a flaky inside (tough to do, but this was claimed to be the #1 eatery). My salmon was slightly under blackened to my liking, but the inside was done just right. The portion size was laughably small as well as the roasted vegetables that accompanied it. The vegetables were incredibly well seasoned and cooked and I could have easily eaten a double portion them (whole mushrooms, brussels sprouts and small red potatoes).
She offered dessert, but wasn't interested. It was a very good meal but felt a little down since our last visit. FF was very busy (~5:30 PM).
For my previous meal at FF, I still think it was the best steak on property (I knew Yachtsman was on the next night's itinerary, so I wanted fish at FF). The service was decent, but I felt it had a tinge of upsellitus (made that word up). She wanted us to do the add-ons, the sparkling waters and over-boasting of FF being #1. I'm confident it is a mandate from management to employ those adders, but it became a bore to me. Add to that my waitress actually commented on how I ate the "whole" salmon fillet trying to be funny. I'm not exaggerating, it was a comically small piece.
Now that I had time to re-evaluate our meal, I would score the quality of fish at an 8, preparation 7, drinks 8, service 4, value even with 20% AP discount, 2, theming 5.
Overall, for me: 5/10 factoring in the portion size of my alleged salmonappetizer entree. We should have drove over to our favorite local fish eatery.
Took the boat across Crescent Lake to The Boardwalk for dinner at Flying Fish (FF). We stopped over at the Abracadabra Bar to use the restrooms, but I almost wanted to plant myself down for a drink. The decor and mystery in that bar is astounding to me. That is how you theme a unique lounge.
We had a veteran waitress and her shadow (in learning mode). I got a non-alcoholic cucumber spritzer which was so good. We ordered our entrees, and the bread came out. It was warm, but pretty flavorless. The pepper butter gave it some flavor, but this is not a high-quality bread service in my opinion (especially compared to others I recently experienced). The waitress went a little over-the-top of how FF is rated #1 signature dining restaurant at WDW. I couldn't let that go unchecked and, gently, asked if Chef Tim M. was still in the kitchen. She said they rotate chef's constantly and didn't really answer my question. I posed the V & A angle and was told that it's not a dinner, but more like a 3-hour dining experience as she was a waitress there for 6 years. It was a good recovery answer.
She described the fish entrees very well. The Chilean Sea Bass with morsels of crab meat was superb (so I was told although my one bite confirmed it was very high quality). I asked for blackened salmon. We reminded the lead waitress I like an almost crispy outside with a flaky inside (tough to do, but this was claimed to be the #1 eatery). My salmon was slightly under blackened to my liking, but the inside was done just right. The portion size was laughably small as well as the roasted vegetables that accompanied it. The vegetables were incredibly well seasoned and cooked and I could have easily eaten a double portion them (whole mushrooms, brussels sprouts and small red potatoes).
She offered dessert, but wasn't interested. It was a very good meal but felt a little down since our last visit. FF was very busy (~5:30 PM).
For my previous meal at FF, I still think it was the best steak on property (I knew Yachtsman was on the next night's itinerary, so I wanted fish at FF). The service was decent, but I felt it had a tinge of upsellitus (made that word up). She wanted us to do the add-ons, the sparkling waters and over-boasting of FF being #1. I'm confident it is a mandate from management to employ those adders, but it became a bore to me. Add to that my waitress actually commented on how I ate the "whole" salmon fillet trying to be funny. I'm not exaggerating, it was a comically small piece.
Now that I had time to re-evaluate our meal, I would score the quality of fish at an 8, preparation 7, drinks 8, service 4, value even with 20% AP discount, 2, theming 5.
Overall, for me: 5/10 factoring in the portion size of my alleged salmon
Last edited:
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!
. Fortunately, the waiter came to check shortly after my taste and took them back to the kitchen where they re-appeared forthwith. Same lovely texture, same nutty color, now seasoned properly. 
