Flying Fish Chef's Counter

[MikeRx]

Has anyone been able to schedule a Chef's wine dinner at the Flying Fish lately? We'd like to do this again, but don't see availability for anytime from now until December. The CM on the phone didn't see it in her system either. Has this gone away? I hope not as we've done it three times in the past (pre-refurb) and had a great experience every time. If anyone has any inside knowledge or found something I've missed in my search please let me know.

We'd like to schedule the 8pm seating on December 4th (we are in our 180 + 10 day window). We scheduled Artist Point as a back-up as we've never eaten there and it will be decked out for the Holidays!

Thanks
Mike

 

[NuJoy]

Not since the refurb has there been available to book the Chef Tasting Wine Dinner. I've been checking for this reservation periodically ever since they opened back up. Under the old team, this was the most stand out dining event I've experienced at WDW, including V&A. I do have some doubts about the execution under the new Chef & team based on the recent experience we had; but others really seem to like the new menu and execution.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I haven't been to the new Flying Fish since the menu is not enticing to me.

They did build a counter into the new place, but the photos make the restaurant look so formal that it doesn't seem to invite guests to drop by and try some appetizers, cocktails and a chance to chat with the chefs.

 

[NuJoy]

I haven't been to the new Flying Fish since the menu is not enticing to me.

They did build a counter into the new place, but the photos make the restaurant look so formal that it doesn't seem to invite guests to drop by and try some appetizers, cocktails and a chance to chat with the chefs.

The Chef Wine Tasting Dinner was a specially booked event, with seating for up to about 8 guests at the open kitchen. It was a set menu with wine pairings. Guests got an intimate experience with the chef and staff as they enjoyed at least a five-course meal.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My bad! I was talking about something different.

 

[MikeRx]

Not since the refurb has there been available to book the Chef Tasting Wine Dinner. I've been checking for this reservation periodically ever since they opened back up. Under the old team, this was the most stand out dining event I've experienced at WDW, including V&A. I do have some doubts about the execution under the new Chef & team based on the recent experience we had; but others really seem to like the new menu and execution.

We too found it to be the best meal experience in all of WDW including V&As. We liked it as much as the chef's counter at Napa Rose in CA. Too bad it hasn't come back. We had one of the last evenings with Chef Keating in 2015 and it was amazing. If it doesn't return for our December adults trip we will try something new for us (Artist Point). Regardless of location I know we will have a great time.
Thank you for the replies!
Mike

 

[Uncleromulus]

IF you mean the chefs Counter right as you go in and near the Chefs cooking area--it no longer exists. Instead they have a couple of tables right up against the counter..looking at it I think it would be hard to interact or even see much of anything.

 

[NuJoy]

IF you mean the chefs Counter right as you go in and near the Chefs cooking area--it no longer exists. Instead they have a couple of tables right up against the counter..looking at it I think it would be hard to interact or even see much of anything.

Correct, since the refurb, they have sadly placed tables blocking the counter, making it unusable for regular dining. They would have to rearrange tables if they were to ever offer the Chef Wine Tasting Dinner there again.

 

[seeshores]

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. We're both really sad it doesn't appear to be returning. For those of you who have been to V&A and the FF Chef's Tasting, how does it compare to the Queen Victoria Room experience?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I dined there a few months ago and was told they are planning to bring that experience back at some point once some other internal items were resolved. I sure hope so as I loved the event!

 

[NuJoy]

-For those of you who have been to V&A and the FF Chef's Tasting, how does it compare to the Queen Victoria Room experience?-

The V&A Queen Victoria Room has private dining with 4 tables. A set menu includes 10 courses; and wine pairing is an option at additional cost. The price for this experience is astronomical, even for 5 Diamond and even for Disney. The service back in 2010 actually included table-side preparations; but that has now gone away. If you have no other haute cuisine opportunities and don't mind overpaying, then I might recommend V&A. Otherwise, you may feel V&A is a bit tourist-y in comparison.

I felt Flying Fish offered very special attention to each guest in a professional, yet warm manner that made us feel appreciated, welcomed and relaxed, while maintaining its fine- dining integrity. The food was perfection and quite different from the main menu, a particular delight for any frequent Flying Fish diner. The wines with each course were all well paired. The 5 courses were the right balance between feeling you had splurged without the feeling of pure gluttony. The best part is the pricing was set right. And for us, in particular, bonus points for the simple luxury of being steps away from our room at the Boardwalk Villas.

 

[Nancyg56]

IF you mean the chefs Counter right as you go in and near the Chefs cooking area--it no longer exists. Instead they have a couple of tables right up against the counter..looking at it I think it would be hard to interact or even see much of anything.

It actually is not hard to interact with the Chefs from those tables. My friend and I were seated there in December, and that meal was one of our favorites.

 

[seeshores]

-For those of you who have been to V&A and the FF Chef's Tasting, how does it compare to the Queen Victoria Room experience?-

The V&A Queen Victoria Room has private dining with 4 tables. A set menu includes 10 courses; and wine pairing is an option at additional cost. The price for this experience is astronomical, even for 5 Diamond and even for Disney. The service back in 2010 actually included table-side preparations; but that has now gone away. If you have no other haute cuisine opportunities and don't mind overpaying, then I might recommend V&A. Otherwise, you may feel V&A is a bit tourist-y in comparison.

I felt Flying Fish offered very special attention to each guest in a professional, yet warm manner that made us feel appreciated, welcomed and relaxed, while maintaining its fine- dining integrity. The food was perfection and quite different from the main menu, a particular delight for any frequent Flying Fish diner. The wines with each course were all well paired. The 5 courses were the right balance between feeling you had splurged without the feeling of pure gluttony. The best part is the pricing was set right. And for us, in particular, bonus points for the simple luxury of being steps away from our room at the Boardwalk Villas.

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I guess I assumed that the cost of the QVR dinner was worth it since it's twice as many courses and wine pairings. But I could certainly see how the warm interaction is lost. Ten courses also might be way too much, as you mentioned. My wife and I really loved our experience at FF Chef's Tasting and I had hoped that QVR would give us an even bigger experience in its absence.

 

[NuJoy]

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I guess I assumed that the cost of the QVR dinner was worth it since it's twice as many courses and wine pairings. But I could certainly see how the warm interaction is lost. Ten courses also might be way too much, as you mentioned. My wife and I really loved our experience at FF Chef's Tasting and I had hoped that QVR would give us an even bigger experience in its absence.

In Flying Fish's absence, you might like to consider the Queen room at V&A. I'm not trying to suggest someone should not dine there if they want to. It is 5 Diamond after all, a level higher than Flying Fish, and a unique experience especially if you do not have other like opportunities. Vacation is a perfect time for splurging imo. DH and I have gone twice and I'm not sorry we did; but I don't think we'll go back. We have an even better restaurant close to us in NC that does special events whose chef defeated Cat Cora on Iron Chef. We attend these events pretty frequently. Coupled with that is the difference between our 2010 and 2015 trips that was kind of shocking with the substantial price increase, decreased presentation, and the seemingly green waitress (maid), who could not stop telling us over and over one of the courses was "all about the kumquats". I can't get that out of my head 2 years later.