clothesmindedmom
Mouseketeer
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So glad to hear you enjoyed Cali Grill - I just booked it this morning 
Foodie DxDP Family Reviews-- updated 6/22-Via Napoli
- Thread starter havoc315
- Start date
princess aleya
DIS Veteran
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Subscribing.. 
Colleen27
DIS Legend
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- Mar 31, 2007
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No worries, I know how that goes.
That right there is the reason Sci-Fi is always in the running for our DHS lunches - I adore a real cherry Coke, not the stuff from the bottle but Coke with cherry syrup, and they're one of only a couple places at WDW that serve it (Beaches & Cream is the other). Sure, the food isn't stellar but the burgers, onion rings, and shakes are good and I can get my cherry Coke fix.
Cinderella's Royal Table....
We started the evening at the BBB Boutique, where DS got the Knight's makeover and DD became a Diva Princess. They enjoyed it, and DD definitely was transformed, but DW and I started to think it was over-the-top, especially for a 4-year-old... hair extensions, makeup, etc. I'd think twice before bringing DD back.. at least until she was 8 or 9.
Okay... The Royal Table dinner experience.
We tried to check in about 20 minutes before our reservation, but were told to return 10 minutes later. It was a holiday weekend, but I suspect it is always a bit over-booked. After checking in, we waited a few minutes before the picture with Cinderella. As far as character interactions go, this was the briefest and most cursory. Won't say it was totally hurried, just did not match up to other character interactions.
After the picture, the lobby was a bit of a sardine can with families waiting for their table. Took 15 to 20 minutes before we were brought upstairs to our table.
Once seated, it was nice for the kids to get to meet each princess. They all graciously made their rounds. Service was friendly. Overall, the food wasn't bad. I wouldn't call it great restaurant food, but it was comparable to a good wedding banquet. It was far better than Chef Mickey's, the night before.
Some specifics...
DW started with the cheese plate, which she felt was "ok."
I started with the Shrimp cocktail.
I was slightly disappointed to find tiny shrimp as opposed to jumbo shrimp, but the tomato marmalade sauce was mixed with corn, and was very flavorful. Just the right amount of heat in the spice. It was a fairly good appetizer.
Kids each got a small bowl of grapes and cheese. A good starter for young children.
DW got the beef tenderloin. She had no complaints or praise, basically good banquet hall food.
I had the pork chop with butternut squash and apple-onion ragout. It was a thick-cut pork chop, well seasoned and properly cooked. The butternot squash was a good choice of vegetable, but slightly underseasoned and under cooked. The apple-onion ragout lent a nice flavor to the pork. It was perfectly adequate.
Kids had chicken nuggets and corn. Same as they ate the night before at Chef Mickey's, but this was actually edible. The corn at Chef Mickey's had absolutely no sweetness, no flavor whatsoever. This corn may not have been anything special, but it at least had the sweetness you would expect from corn. And the chicken nuggets were what you expect from a regular restaurant, as opposed to the nuggets that tasted like frozen nuggets from a box at Chef Mickey's.
Desserts were nothing special. A little ice cream sundae or a cupcake for the kids. Since it was DD's birthday, they brought her both.
The cupcake was weird -- Was basically a chocolate chip muffin (maybe left over from breakfast?) with purple frosting. I took a bite, it was dry. (As if left over from breakfast).
DW and I both had the trio of desserts.
All were edible, but nothing special. A small bite of an espresso mouse, a few berries, a tiny bite of a cheesecake. Nothing memorable.
Overall, it was a good chance to meet all the princesses, while eating an edible meal in the castle. Not sure I would repeat it, maybe for breakfast the next time if the kids really need to meet all the princesses again.
I know there is much debate about whether it is "worth" it. Considering that it includes tip, includes the photographs with Cinderella, a chance to meet all the princesses, and fair food, I don't feel it is a rip off. Don't go in expecting a $60 meal. But look at it as a fair $25 meal, with the rest of the price paying for princesses, photo, and tips.
Coming up next, Crystal Palace and Les Cellier.
We started the evening at the BBB Boutique, where DS got the Knight's makeover and DD became a Diva Princess. They enjoyed it, and DD definitely was transformed, but DW and I started to think it was over-the-top, especially for a 4-year-old... hair extensions, makeup, etc. I'd think twice before bringing DD back.. at least until she was 8 or 9.
Okay... The Royal Table dinner experience.
We tried to check in about 20 minutes before our reservation, but were told to return 10 minutes later. It was a holiday weekend, but I suspect it is always a bit over-booked. After checking in, we waited a few minutes before the picture with Cinderella. As far as character interactions go, this was the briefest and most cursory. Won't say it was totally hurried, just did not match up to other character interactions.
After the picture, the lobby was a bit of a sardine can with families waiting for their table. Took 15 to 20 minutes before we were brought upstairs to our table.
Once seated, it was nice for the kids to get to meet each princess. They all graciously made their rounds. Service was friendly. Overall, the food wasn't bad. I wouldn't call it great restaurant food, but it was comparable to a good wedding banquet. It was far better than Chef Mickey's, the night before.
Some specifics...
DW started with the cheese plate, which she felt was "ok."
I started with the Shrimp cocktail.
I was slightly disappointed to find tiny shrimp as opposed to jumbo shrimp, but the tomato marmalade sauce was mixed with corn, and was very flavorful. Just the right amount of heat in the spice. It was a fairly good appetizer.
Kids each got a small bowl of grapes and cheese. A good starter for young children.
DW got the beef tenderloin. She had no complaints or praise, basically good banquet hall food.
I had the pork chop with butternut squash and apple-onion ragout. It was a thick-cut pork chop, well seasoned and properly cooked. The butternot squash was a good choice of vegetable, but slightly underseasoned and under cooked. The apple-onion ragout lent a nice flavor to the pork. It was perfectly adequate.
Kids had chicken nuggets and corn. Same as they ate the night before at Chef Mickey's, but this was actually edible. The corn at Chef Mickey's had absolutely no sweetness, no flavor whatsoever. This corn may not have been anything special, but it at least had the sweetness you would expect from corn. And the chicken nuggets were what you expect from a regular restaurant, as opposed to the nuggets that tasted like frozen nuggets from a box at Chef Mickey's.
Desserts were nothing special. A little ice cream sundae or a cupcake for the kids. Since it was DD's birthday, they brought her both.
The cupcake was weird -- Was basically a chocolate chip muffin (maybe left over from breakfast?) with purple frosting. I took a bite, it was dry. (As if left over from breakfast).
DW and I both had the trio of desserts.
All were edible, but nothing special. A small bite of an espresso mouse, a few berries, a tiny bite of a cheesecake. Nothing memorable.
Overall, it was a good chance to meet all the princesses, while eating an edible meal in the castle. Not sure I would repeat it, maybe for breakfast the next time if the kids really need to meet all the princesses again.
I know there is much debate about whether it is "worth" it. Considering that it includes tip, includes the photographs with Cinderella, a chance to meet all the princesses, and fair food, I don't feel it is a rip off. Don't go in expecting a $60 meal. But look at it as a fair $25 meal, with the rest of the price paying for princesses, photo, and tips.
Coming up next, Crystal Palace and Les Cellier.
kelleigh1
<font color=purple>Disney Baby<br><font color=gree
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 7,693
Nice job! We're thinking of using the DxDP for our next trip and so far, everyplace you've been is one that is on our list of possibilities, so this is the perfect trip report for me.
I can't wait to read your Narcoossee review because we dined there last trip.
I can't wait to read your Narcoossee review because we dined there last trip.
englishrose47
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
- Messages
- 28,982
Do you know if they will substitute veggies and potatoes and if you can order the beef well done !!!For me your wife's beef looked perfect but the rest of the family like it well done and asparagus may be a fav. of mine it is not for the others !!!
As it's sliced tenderloin, I don't recall whether they asked her how she wanted her beef. As to substitutions, in general, we were able to substitute sides in most restaurants, but did not specifically ask as CRT. Choices are somewhat limited at CRT -- it's basically an ongoing banquet hall, not a true restaurant. But I'd dare guess that you could substitute any vegetable/potato that appears anywhere on the menu.
englishrose47
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
- Messages
- 28,982
I am hoping they will either burn the beef
or substitute sides as my family will not be eating much!!
Better late than never, time to continue the reviews....
Next up, Crystal Palace for lunch.
By far, in terms of quality of the food, this was the best buffet. Of all the character meals, this is the only one I would consider paying, for, even without the characters.
There was a diverse selection of fresh looking and tasting salads. The hot dishes were appetizing. Multiple desserts options seemed freshly prepared. As opposed to Chef Mickeys, where the dessert station looked like packaged cookies and left-over patries, here the dessert station was way too tempting.
Character interaction was good, but Winnie the Pooh and friends are not going to hold the same appeal for most kids as Mickey or Princesses.
But truthfully, given the limited dining options at Magic Kingdom, this is a meal I'd consider, even without characters.
My apologies for the lack of pictures on this one.
Next up, Crystal Palace for lunch.
By far, in terms of quality of the food, this was the best buffet. Of all the character meals, this is the only one I would consider paying, for, even without the characters.
There was a diverse selection of fresh looking and tasting salads. The hot dishes were appetizing. Multiple desserts options seemed freshly prepared. As opposed to Chef Mickeys, where the dessert station looked like packaged cookies and left-over patries, here the dessert station was way too tempting.
Character interaction was good, but Winnie the Pooh and friends are not going to hold the same appeal for most kids as Mickey or Princesses.
But truthfully, given the limited dining options at Magic Kingdom, this is a meal I'd consider, even without characters.
My apologies for the lack of pictures on this one.
diamondpixienc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2009
- Messages
- 1,486
Those pictures were awesome Now, do you know if you can request how you want your meat cooked at CRT? 
Now, do you know if you can request how you want your meat cooked at CRT? Les Cellier..... We dined there for dinner, just a couple of short weeks before it became a signature restaurant.
This is the restaurant I heard more about than any other. I didn't know whether to expect a fine steak house, or something on par with Outback.
We arrived a bit early for our dinner reservation, and had a long wait for the table. So perhaps things are colored by the fact that I had cranky, tired and hungry children by the time we got seated.
Once we got seated, we had the worst service we had at any restaurant at Disney. Long waits to bread sticks, long waits between courses, long waits for refills. The waitress was friendly, but didn't seem capable of handling her tables expeditiously.
Let me start with the world famous pretzel bread sticks. Our first batch was cold, as if they came out of the freezer. When we got some warm ones, they were definitely tasty. Nothing to be blown away with, but they were an appealing part of the meal.
DW started with the obligatory cheese soup...
I recall that she liked it, but she was not blown away.
My appetizer.. Roasted Duck Meatballs - with a carmelized onion tartlet and a cherry gastrique, was the highlight of the meal.
The onion tartlet was a light and fluffy pastry. The cherry gastrique gave just the right amount of sweetness without being sickenly sweet. The onion, cherry and duck all melded nicely together, for a rich flavor.
For main courses, DW and I both got the famous filet.
The waitress advertised the filet as being so tender that it could be cut with a spoon.
First off, in terms of simply the cut of meat, it was far from the best filet mignon I've ever had. It was a fairly average piece of meat. Filet mignon is a very lean and delicate cut of beef. Due to it's lack of fat, it relies on sauces for flavor (or sometimes some bacon). But, care must be taken that the sauce compliments the beef, instead of simply overwhelming the beef.
So how did this fare, in my very amateur foodie opinion? The mushroom rissoto was well-prepared, and the mushrooms lent a nice earthy flavor. But the truffle butter sauce.... All I could taste when I was eating the filet, was the truffle butter. It was as if I was eating a blah piece of meat soaked in this very earthy butter.
I don't want to sound like I hated the dish --- I didn't hate it at all. But overall, I can't say it was any better than "fair."
I would not go back to Les Cellier. I do like steak, but I often buy good cuts of meat and make excellent steaks myself, so I rarely pay inflated steak house prices. I did recently have a filet at Ruth's Chris, which was a far superior cut of meat, truly tender, truly melting in the mouth.
If I really wanted a steakhouse when I was in the Disney area, nothing can surpass Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. It is the finest steak house and wine celler restaurant I have experienced anywhere.
Let me finish up with the kids meal. Les Cellier does get A+ for kids options, in offering something besides chicken nuggets and Mac and Cheese.
Children's steak with green beans:
Children's pasta:
Desserts are fun, if a bit odd. Not fine dining desserts, more like a fun dessert you could assemble yourself at home.
The chocolate "moose" is fun, especially to show the kids. But none of the various elements were mouth watering good. Take some store-bought chocolate pudding, some cookie crumbs, M&M eyes, and you basically have the dessert.
The S'mores were okay, but very odd:
The point of S'mores is to eat chocolate, graham cracker, and marshallow together. Here, the marshmallow is served on top of a big skewer, so you are really eating the elements separately, defeating the purpose of a S'more. And again, it comes across as a combination of elements bought from the grocery store.
Overall, it was a bit better than Outback, but does not compare to any higher quality steak house. If you absolutely love any steak put in front of you, then go for it. But in the future, I would probably steer towards other Epcot restaurant destinations.
This is the restaurant I heard more about than any other. I didn't know whether to expect a fine steak house, or something on par with Outback.
We arrived a bit early for our dinner reservation, and had a long wait for the table. So perhaps things are colored by the fact that I had cranky, tired and hungry children by the time we got seated.
Once we got seated, we had the worst service we had at any restaurant at Disney. Long waits to bread sticks, long waits between courses, long waits for refills. The waitress was friendly, but didn't seem capable of handling her tables expeditiously.
Let me start with the world famous pretzel bread sticks. Our first batch was cold, as if they came out of the freezer. When we got some warm ones, they were definitely tasty. Nothing to be blown away with, but they were an appealing part of the meal.
DW started with the obligatory cheese soup...
I recall that she liked it, but she was not blown away.
My appetizer.. Roasted Duck Meatballs - with a carmelized onion tartlet and a cherry gastrique, was the highlight of the meal.
The onion tartlet was a light and fluffy pastry. The cherry gastrique gave just the right amount of sweetness without being sickenly sweet. The onion, cherry and duck all melded nicely together, for a rich flavor.
For main courses, DW and I both got the famous filet.
The waitress advertised the filet as being so tender that it could be cut with a spoon.
First off, in terms of simply the cut of meat, it was far from the best filet mignon I've ever had. It was a fairly average piece of meat. Filet mignon is a very lean and delicate cut of beef. Due to it's lack of fat, it relies on sauces for flavor (or sometimes some bacon). But, care must be taken that the sauce compliments the beef, instead of simply overwhelming the beef.
So how did this fare, in my very amateur foodie opinion? The mushroom rissoto was well-prepared, and the mushrooms lent a nice earthy flavor. But the truffle butter sauce.... All I could taste when I was eating the filet, was the truffle butter. It was as if I was eating a blah piece of meat soaked in this very earthy butter.
I don't want to sound like I hated the dish --- I didn't hate it at all. But overall, I can't say it was any better than "fair."
I would not go back to Les Cellier. I do like steak, but I often buy good cuts of meat and make excellent steaks myself, so I rarely pay inflated steak house prices. I did recently have a filet at Ruth's Chris, which was a far superior cut of meat, truly tender, truly melting in the mouth.
If I really wanted a steakhouse when I was in the Disney area, nothing can surpass Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. It is the finest steak house and wine celler restaurant I have experienced anywhere.
Let me finish up with the kids meal. Les Cellier does get A+ for kids options, in offering something besides chicken nuggets and Mac and Cheese.
Children's steak with green beans:
Children's pasta:
Desserts are fun, if a bit odd. Not fine dining desserts, more like a fun dessert you could assemble yourself at home.
The chocolate "moose" is fun, especially to show the kids. But none of the various elements were mouth watering good. Take some store-bought chocolate pudding, some cookie crumbs, M&M eyes, and you basically have the dessert.
The S'mores were okay, but very odd:
The point of S'mores is to eat chocolate, graham cracker, and marshallow together. Here, the marshmallow is served on top of a big skewer, so you are really eating the elements separately, defeating the purpose of a S'more. And again, it comes across as a combination of elements bought from the grocery store.
Overall, it was a bit better than Outback, but does not compare to any higher quality steak house. If you absolutely love any steak put in front of you, then go for it. But in the future, I would probably steer towards other Epcot restaurant destinations.
Colleen27
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2007
- Messages
- 24,190
Its funny, that's exactly the conclusion my son has arrived at about Crystal Palace. We've tried all the MK table service restaurants except Tony's, which I have planned for lunch on our first MK day. When I asked him which restaurant he'd like to repeat for the second MK day, fully expecting it to be LTT or The Plaza, he said Crystal Palace even though at 13 he is way past wanting to meet Pooh & friends.
DisGirlAllie
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2007
- Messages
- 22,844
I'm sorry you didn't have such a great time at Le Cellier, I promise it's usually much better. Though, it's possible that because people talked it up so much you expected better 
I know that happens to me all the time. Great reviews so far, they're fun to read!
I know that happens to me all the time. Great reviews so far, they're fun to read!
disneynanacat
Lovin' Disney Too!
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2007
- Messages
- 837
Enjoying your reviews! I've got CRT dinner & Crystal Palace lunch coming up in just a few days so I especially liked those.
It's just my 7yo DGD and I this trip so my ADRs are geared towards her this time. I've eaten at LeCellier several times and always enjoyed the mushroom filet. I'm not a "foodie" though, just know what tastes good to me.lol One thing I really loved there, not sure they still have it though, was the tomato stack. I love home grown tomatos but the ones at restaurants are usually pink/yellow/green hard cardboard. These were ripe, red, juicy and it was sooo good.
Thanks for sharing. I'll be looking in!
It's just my 7yo DGD and I this trip so my ADRs are geared towards her this time. I've eaten at LeCellier several times and always enjoyed the mushroom filet. I'm not a "foodie" though, just know what tastes good to me.lol One thing I really loved there, not sure they still have it though, was the tomato stack. I love home grown tomatos but the ones at restaurants are usually pink/yellow/green hard cardboard. These were ripe, red, juicy and it was sooo good.
Thanks for sharing. I'll be looking in!
gardengirl628
Help, help, a Herrible Hoffalump!
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Count me in!
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