For fun :) (and help) Your top 5 and why?

[djcandyrocker]

SO we are making our DVRs in 6 days! I cannot wait! WE have picked some great restaurants, and some of our faves... but we can get "stuck in our ways" of going to the same places

Would you mind sharing your top 5 and why?

You absolute favorite Character meal?

Thank you!!!

BTW...
we have heard so much about Le Cellier but have never gotten in! Is it worth really trying?

 

[PrincessKellen74]

I was just about to post a question similar to this!
I too find myself booking the same places, I am looking for some little known or not as popular places. We will be going Sept 24-Oct 2 of 2010, so I have some time.

Can anyone review Boatwrights for me as well?

 

[PoohsFan1]

Oh fun....Here is our top 5 restaurants:

1) California Grill- just love the atmosphere, especially eating dinner and watching Cinderella's castle, plus the food is amazing....a definate must do each trip.
2) Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway - just has become a tradition for us, except when we go in December (going to CRT because we haven't been in a few years)
3) Pecos Bills - this is not a TS but it is our favorite CS restaurant in MK
4) Sunshine Seasons - this too is not a TS but is our favorite CS in Epcot
5) Tony's Town Square - We love having a late lunch here because we like getting an outside table and watching the 3pm parade.

Now, when we go we also like to try out other restaurants that we have never done before....we make ADRs on 9/2 and I am hoping to get these as well....COME ON DECEMBER HOURS: They are

1) Le Cellier - praying and crossing my fingers that we get this, I have been wanting to try this for a really long time
2) Garden Grill - My DD8 has a passion for Chip and Dale and since they are a rarity these days, we thought we would surprise her with dinner with them
3) O'hana's breakfast with Lilo and Stitch - just another character meal we never had before....plus I heard many good things about it.
4) Yak and Yeti -the menu looks really good

 

[december14disney]

My Top 5, 1 being the best:

1. Le Cellier
2. Jiko
3. Yak and Yeti
4. Boma
5. Crystal Palace (breakfast)

My favorite character meal BY FAR is Crystal Palace breakfast.

 

[pozey]

Top 5 according to my family:
1. Whispering Canyon – our number 1 MUST DO. We have always had a great time here. Good food, fun atmosphere.

2. 50’s Prime Time – Exact same reason as above. Good fun, fun atmosphere.

3. Beaches and Cream – Another must do each trip. The burgers are very good and the malts/shakes/desserts are fantastic.

4. Kona Café – Our favorite non-character breakfast.

5. Tie between Narcoossee’s and Yachtsman Steakhouse – our favorites for a really nice dinner.

Character breakfasts:
We have 2 we REALLY enjoy – 1900 Park Fare and Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker House.

 

[TJA]

Our top 5:

1. Chef Mickeys. My kids LOVE this character meal, breakfast and dinner alike. It holds a special place for us because of how much our kids have loved it since they were babies.

2. Coral Reef. This is a family favorite as well. We love getting a cozy U-shaped booth and viewing the sea life. It's the best of both worlds because we love the atmosphere as well as the food.

3. Japan (Tepan Edo). We love the food here. My kids love watching the food prepared and the presentation. It's a win-win restaurant for us.

4. Sci-Fi. We love sitting in the cars and the kids love having the movie screen. I do wish the movie clips focused more on child-friendly clips, but I understand they are trying to fit the theme of Sci-Fi. As far as food goes, we finally found an entree we enjoy -- it took several tries -- the shrimp pasta meal is a winner with me. DH enjoyed the ribs.

5. LeCellier. We love the mushroom filet mignon, love it. DH tried a few other entrees and didn't care for them, so it's the mushroom filet all the way for both of us. We also like the atmosphere being that it's small and cozy.

 

[TDC Nala]

Jiko
Bluezoo
California Grill
Flying Fish
Citricos

I try to stay away from character meals.

 

[wheezy19]

My top 5:

1. California Grill - I can't say one negative thing about the food, the service, the wine list, anything. We had the best meal of our lives there. (That was the night the famous sentence, "We'll have all the desserts" was uttered. There were 4 of us, 5 desserts...we made it work.)
2. Le Cellier - Just good all around and you can't beat the beers.
3. Liberty Tree Tavern - I love comfort food and theirs was respectable. We also went when they still had the MNSSHP character dinner and it was a really cool atmosphere, which will be different now without the characters.
4. Ohana - Fun atmosphere and good food - especially the sauce for the bread pudding.
5. This was quite a few years ago, but we really enjoyed our meal at the Teppanyaki Grill (now called Teppan Edo, I think?) Much better than any Benihana or equivalent back home.

As for counter service, I had one of the best sandwiches ever at the Sunshine Seasons food court in the Land at Epcot. My favorite CS breakfast spot is the bakery on Main Street in MK. Favorite snacks are the funnel cakes at Sleepy Hollow between Fantasy Land and Liberty Square (I think) at MK, and the Kaki Gori (sp?) snowcones at the Japan Pavilion at Epcot.

I've only been to two character meals, breakfast at Crystal Palace and dinner at Liberty Tree, which is no longer offered as a character meal. I have no complaints about Crystal Palace, the food was good and the 100 acre wood characters were very sweet and interactive.

To the person who asked about Boatwrights - we give it a "meh." It was okay for what it was, and convenient since we usually stay at POR, but the food was mediocre at best. However, if you're in a bind, they usually can seat you without ADRs.

 

[4EvrSoarin]

Narcoossee's - Great atmosphere. They have the best cheese plate and the surf and turf is always a winner
California Grill - Awesome menu, goat cheese polenta - wow, some of the best sushi I've ever had and watching Wishes on the roof
Jiko - Great for something a little off the beaten path. The duck salad is one of the best salads I've ever had.
Artist Pointe - Another great menu. The Kiona ice wine is great.
Citricos - Always an enjoyable meal here. The goat cheese salad is very good. Anything with goat cheese is A-ok with me

 

[Mickeyfollowers]

We too always seem to eat at the same places. Next month we are trying two new places, Kona Cafe' and Planet Hollywood. Jan. 2010 when DH and I go without the kids we plan on trying some more new places. But here is our top 5.

1. La Celliar= DH loves the steaks and the bread sticks.
2. Ohana= great food, great fun, and can see the fireworks from MK.
3. 50's Primetime=great food, great fun, and love the desserts there.
4. Coral Reef=it's just ok on the food but the kids love that you can get beside the tank.
5. Mama Melrose=love the food and you can get a Fantasmic package there.

Making my mouth water thinking about the food. 22 more days and we get to go home again. BWV here we come, keep the light on! Have a great trip. Also welcome to DVC, nothing like hearing WELCOME HOME as you come into the resort. If you have not stayed at AKV before it is wonderful. We have stayed there twice before coming DVC members. DH and I are staying there in Jan 2010 for our parents only trip.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Would you mind sharing your top 5 and why?

Flying Fish, the food is insanely delicious
Tutto Italia, incredible for lunch or dinner
Jiko, the most flavorful filet with yummy mac and cheese
Boma breakfast, the best in all of WDW
Fulton's at DTD, to die for fried lobster tail


You absolute favorite Character meal?

Crystal Palace breakfast, puffed french toast and an empty park at 8am...perfect!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Would you mind sharing your top 5 and why?

1. Biergarten- We love the entertainment & food. This is DH's "must do" restaurant in WDW & it's the only way that I can get him to go to Epcot.
2. Boma- The food is awesome & AKL is one of my favorite resorts. I prefer their dinner menu, but breakfast is also delicious.
3. Coral Reef- The atmposhere at CR is amazing. Everyone in our large party really enjoyed watching the aquarium from our table & the service was flawless.
4. Whispering Canyon- We're bbq eaters & this place was perfect for us. We also had fun looking at the Christmas decorations at WL.
5. Le Cellier- The steak on my grilled steak salad was incredibly tender & they gave me a side of truffle butter for dipping- YUM! We also really enjoyed the cheese soup & pretzel bead.

Your absolute favorite Character meal?
Liberty Tree Tavern (when they had characters)



We really enjoyed our lunch at Le Cellier. Keep trying! I was able to get a great ADR time a few days before our trip.

 

[leelip1982]

1. Jiko- filet with mac n cheese
2. Boma- Breakfast- We loved everything and this was a last minute choice
3. Cape May- DFi favorite buffet
4. Crystal palace- Another DFi favorite ( He loves buffets)
5. Yak and Yeti- Steak and shrimp with jasmine rice

 

[jimmiej]

1. Boma- it's at the AKL (beautiful resort) & the food is great.

2. Le Cellier- Great food & great service.

3. Brown Derby- elegant!

4. Liberty Tree Tavern- comfort food

5. San Angel Inn- atmosphere

Favorite Character Meal- 1900 Park Fare breakfast
white chocolate bread pudding...yummy!!!

 

[PrincessPeanut]

1. Le Cellier - The staff was so incredibly nice, and the filet was delicious. Also, my favorite dessert of the week: coconut sorbet. So light and yummy.
2. Kona Cafe - All of the desserts looked delicious. It figures that after planning for months to get the Kona Kone, I was too full and ended up with the fondue. Still great, though.
3. Chefs de France - Loved the ambience. Great french onion soup, too!
4. 50's PT - Such a fun, unique place. Very Disney to me.
5. Character Meal: Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

1. Cali Grill-the filet is amazing, as is the service. Been three times.
2. Ohana-great atmosphere, incredible food. My only semi-negative is that they start bringing everything so quickly (I know, I shouldn't complain), the last time my DH and I literally started shoveling things in our mouths...we had to remind ourselves that just because our server was running around, we didn't have to hurry. Took a breath and slowed down and enjoyed our meal.
3. Whispering Canyon Cafe-love the fun atmosphere, finger-lickin' good BBQ!
4. Biergarten-fun atmosphere, love the band, great selection even for picky me (oh, the tomato salad...)
5. Cosmic Rays-CS but its very nostalgic to hubby since his dad took them there every year as kids (he passed in 1991). Great burgers and fixins bar, and a great 1/2 chicken meal with mashed potatoes and green beans.

We did Le Cellier once but were having issues with our cranky 9 month old so didn't get to enjoy it. Would love to try it again, along with Crystal Palace before MK opening!

 

[kenny]

Well with and without kids it would probably be two completely different lists, but foresake of this thread:

Cali Grill - As everyone has said great food, wine and atmosphere. My hands down favorite. Plus ate dinner there after proposing to wife at MK.

Ohana - good food and fun atmosphere

Artist Pointe - Great food and love the atmosphere.

Beirgarten - Just lots of fun.

Chef Mickey's - Wouldn't be a trip without breakfast here!

 

[gingerfeathers]

1. Le Cellier - amazing food from the pretzel breadsticks and cheese soup to the filet, strip, and cream cheese mashed potatoes.

2. Kona Cafe - loved the breakfast here!

3. Coral Reef - can't beat the atmosphere.

4. Chef Mickey's - Our favorite character meal!

5. Used to be Liberty Tree Tavern because the characters were great, but now.. not so sure. Haven't tried it since, and to be honest I'm a little scared to.

We may have a new top five in a few weeks. Yay!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Okay - you get a top four from me b/c the number five spot, well, about three or four restaurants would be in a dead heat and I can't single one of them out. So how about a top four and then our favorite character meal?

1. Cali Grill - the atmosphere is wonderful. So is the food. And the Lemon Drops (an alcoholic drink) are divine.

2. Le Cellier - for the Mushroom filet. This is my husband's MUST HAVE for every trip. (Admittedly, though, I find their dessert menu lacking.) I am a lover of the cheese soup, but I have to say that it is fairly easy to make at home and mine tastes just about the same.

3. 'Ohana - simply yummy all the way around. I am only troubled by the price, and tend to only eat here if we are on a dining plan.

4. Biergarten - again, atmosphere is great. My kids LOVE the band, the food is pretty decent and, one advantage, at least according to my husband, is the great big 'ol stein of beer. (It has never been a selling point with me - I don't drink beer.)

Favorite character meal: although a close call, I think I'd have to say Chef Mickey's dinner. Followed closely by Crystal Palace breakfast.

 

[Captjacksfamily]

1. Chef's table V&A, (never tried the dining room)
2. Fly Fish, Great relaxed feeling, good wine list, chef's bar
3. Jiko, Ostrich appetizer is fantastic
4. Chefs de France, Good food, great atmosphere (window seat during illuminations is a wonderful experience).
5. Nacrossees (sp?), nice bar, good food

Le Celliar is good, Cheese soup is great, seating a little cramped and felt a little more rushed than we would like.

Haven't tried Cali Grill yet
Will give the Blue Zoo a try during our trip to the food and wine this October.