Garden Grill - 3/23

[quest4dl]

Before I made any ADRs I asked DS10 what characters he most wanted to see. His choice: Chip and Dale. So Garden Grill was a definite ADR and it was one we had enjoyed in the past. I was puzzled by some recent reviews - the menu looked even more interesting but there were repeated comments about the food being just okay. Since I knew the veggies would come from The Land, I had high expectations in this area too. I crossed my fingers that recent feedback would continue to be wrong - and I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!

We did have to wait a few minutes past our ADR time but once seated we were served in a timely manner without feeling rushed. We started off with warm rolls complimented with a delicious maple butter - a hearty salad including a sliced boiled egg followed soon after. Then came groaning trays laden with sliced beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes, turkey with gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, and crumbed mahi fillets over swiss chard. We polished off one tray and asked for more of just some items but they brought out another entire tray. We especially loved the swiss chard - so fresh, so tasty - I think sauteed with garlic. All the meat and fish were tender and flavorful and the sides well-prepared. The apple crumble at the end was hot and topped with ice cream - mmmmm!

The characters came around more than once and had plenty of interaction. Highly recommend this character meal! The only minor complaint is they brought out yet another tray of food when we didn't ask for it and they don't pack up leftovers so we felt it was alot of wasted food. Perhaps they are over-compensating now in response to some complaints in the past about servers not bringing seconds?

 

[KCSherri]

Hee...looks like your ADR's are a lot like the ones DD12 and I have scheduled on our upcoming Mother/Daughter trip this August...as we have this ADR scheduled, as well...purely to meet Chip 'n Dale, although I thought the menu looked pretty good, as well!

I got hungry just reading your descriptions of the food...I think we're going to enjoy this restaurant, as I go into a Disney ADR knowing I'm eating at DISNEY and not a 5-star restaurant! I expect decent service and palatable food - and I'm usually not disappointed!

What other characters were there besides Chip 'n Dale? I've heard it's Pluto and possibly Mickey?

 

[bjscheel]

Sounds awesome! I just decided yesterday I would rather do GG than Teppan Edo, and this helps confirm it. Of course I can't find an ADR...yet. The food just sounds exactly what we like!

 

[wintershawl]

I was a little apprehensive about having put GG on my ADR list. Based on what you have to say... I can't wait!! The food sounds yummy, and my DH and I love character meals. We are insane that way. I think 5 of my 9 TS ADRs are at character meals.... there's a kid in us all!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

thanks for the post. This is a character that I wanted to try but undecided b/c of the food. Glad to read your review.

 

[quest4dl]

What other characters were there besides Chip 'n Dale? I've heard it's Pluto and possibly Mickey?

Mickey is definitely there in farmer attire. All the characters come around several times and really try to interact. It's much more relaxing than the buffet character meals where you have to worry that they will visit your table while you are getting food.

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

We did Garden Grill as part of our Candlelight Processional package for the first time in Dec 2007 and it has been a fave of our since. Even our party of 5 adults on one visit got a lot of "face time" with Chip & Dale and the characters. Food is plentiful and quite good all-around, with CMs being attentive and quick to bring seconds each of our visits. The slower paced atmosphere is relaxed and it offers us much needed mid-day break. We enjoy it.

 

[squirrel]

Does anyone know what the children's meal is like? Does it still come in a skillet like the adults?

Does the adults have the gravy on the turkey? or seperate.

The menu here says strawberry rubarb crumble is that what you had?

I need more information before considering this restaurant.

 

[lilandvisma]

I hate to concur....but our meal there on 4/1 was AWFUL. It was the worst service and food we had on our trip. We will never again do this. We had to beg the servers to find Chip and Mickey...it was ridiculous.

That being said I'm glad you had a good experience there. I wish we would have as well.

 

[carol-lamb]

My son and I ate at the Garden Grill last Wednesday for the first time and enjoyed it. The food was good and the character interaction was really good and we were two adults! I just want to add that the dressing has been replaced with rice pilaf - our server said the change had just taken place last week. Unfortunately, the mahi mahi was served on top of the pilaf and I don't like seafood so I never tried it. I'm sure I could have asked for some on the side, but the mashed potatoes were so good that I was satisfied with them. We also had the apple crumb cobbler for dessert and it was delicious. My son loved the salad. I really liked the turkey and cranberries.

 

[quest4dl]

The turkey is now served with rice instead of dressing?! Seems an odd change. Pity the mahi wasn't over the swiss chard. It seems like they possibly ran out of something as the different entrees shouldn't have been over the same side.

 

[carol-lamb]

The turkey is now served with rice instead of dressing?! Seems an odd change. Pity the mahi wasn't over the swiss chard. It seems like they possibly ran out of something as the different entrees shouldn't have been over the same side.

The turkey with gravy was served over the mashed potatoes, the beef tenderloin was served over the swiss chard (or maybe next to it) and the mahi mahi was over the rice pilaf. The cranberries were right next to the turkey.

 

[ChrystalUnicorn]

Does anyone know what the children's meal is like? Does it still come in a skillet like the adults?

Does the adults have the gravy on the turkey? or seperate.

The menu here says strawberry rubarb crumble is that what you had?

I need more information before considering this restaurant.

We ate here Sept 2010 the kids meal came out on three different dishes. There was roasted chicken drums, mac & cheese and sweet potato fries. The fries were the best. They had mickey mousse for dessert.

Gravy was on the turkey and the adult dessert was strawberry rhubarb crumble with cream.

Hope this helps.

 

[realhousewife]

Is all the food on one tray? I don't eat seafood, so this could be a problem. Would they skip the seafood or put it on a separate tray?

 

[carol-lamb]

Is all the food on one tray? I don't eat seafood, so this could be a problem. Would they skip the seafood or put it on a separate tray?

Yes - all the food is served on one long platter. I am sure you could request that the seafood be served separate from the other items. I wish I would have requested this since the fish was served on top of the rice pilaf and I don't like seafood either so I never tried the rice.

 

[squirrel]

Not sure what I would eat at GG.

Bun
Salad-no dressing, unless it is a vinegrette
Turkey-without the gravy
Beef tenderloin-as long as it isn't Flank steak, I will eat it.
Mahi Mahi-never tried
Rice Pilaf-what is that? rice with veg?-if so I won't eat (I like raw veg)
Even the dessert isn't something I would like-not a fan of rhubarb.

The only thing from the kid's menu I would eat is the sweet potato fries and dessert.

 

[carol-lamb]

Not sure what I would eat at GG.

Bun
Salad-no dressing, unless it is a vinegrette
Turkey-without the gravy
Beef tenderloin-as long as it isn't Flank steak, I will eat it.
Mahi Mahi-never tried
Rice Pilaf-what is that? rice with veg?-if so I won't eat (I like raw veg)
Even the dessert isn't something I would like-not a fan of rhubarb.

The only thing from the kid's menu I would eat is the sweet potato fries and dessert.

You seem to be rather set in what you would eat, but I still think you might enjoy the Garden Grill:

You would like the rolls.

You would have to have the salad without the dressing because it is a ranch/buttermilk type of dressing.

I'm positive you could order the turkey without the gravy. You also get mashed potatoes and cranberry relish.

When I ate there two weeks ago - it was beef tenderloin, not flank steak.

Mahi Mahi - I don't like seafood and I didn't eat this.

Rice Pilaf is just rice usually cooked in butter, chicken broth and water - no vegetables in it. I didn't eat it at Garden Grill because it had the mahi mahi on top, but I make it at home often and it is delicious.

On the night we ate there, the dessert was an apple crisp and it was very good.

So even though I didn't eat the mahi mahi or the pilaf, I still left very full and enjoyed the meal very much.