Garden Grill--reviews...pics?

[harleyquinn]

Hi!
I'm thinking about trying the Garden Grill. We love the family style at Ohana.

I'm a major watcher of the food porn thread, but I don't remember hearing or seeing much.

So would you please share?

Thanks!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We were there on April 16, 2008 with a late lunch/pre dinner reservation. We were a party of 7 (3adults and 4 kids). We arrived a few minutes early and our wait was only 5-10 minutes. The hostess told us our server would be right over and he was. We were not rushed and the character interaction was good, not excellent. We did have a woman who kept coming over to us asking if each of the characters had come over.. And she did this for each and every character.. Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Goofy. Our server was very attentive but you could tell we were at the end of lunch and that they were preparing for dinner....

Our server brought the main meal and the childs meal over. (childs meal was placed on the kids table only) He also was attentive to the drinks and noticed if anything was low...

On to the meal critique...

Buttermilk biscuits and Yeast rolls with Honey-Orange Blossom Butter - Roll and bisquits were fresh but not warm.. I am a sucker for warm bread

Flank Steak with Mushroom Cabernet au Jus - very tender except for the end where it was sliced. They could have taken off the silvering here. I did it for the table. Don't get me wrong. The meat was seasoned perfectly and the meat was very tender. Everyone enjoyed it.

Rotisserie Turkey with Cranberry Relish - Uneventful as I can't even remember if this was on the plate at all... Wow I didn't even notice that til now.. Oh well, I didn't miss it at the time.

Fried Catfish - Enjoyed by the adults, kids thought the battering was too peppery.. I ate more than anyone and the kids thought it was funny to make sure "Mom got another plate"

Homestyle Potato Casserole - Very good. I would have carb overloaded if I didn't feel so guilty. DH ate a whole plate of them himself..

Selection of Fresh Vegetables - The selection was green beans... Not to soggy or crisp. Good but not very memorable.

Kids selections: From the mouths of my babes:

Chicken Strips - very good. (I personally think DS12 ate too many of these)

Macaroni and Cheese - good, the kids said it was the usual Disney Mac-n-Cheese.

Potatoes or French Fries - They ate both. Each child had there Fav's but all ate potatoes w/ their lunch.

Fresh Vegetables - Green Beans 2 picky kids (mine) didn't attempt them but the other young children who seem to enjoy green veggies liked them.

Dessert:

Very Berry Puff Pastry - Translation - puff pastry with vanilla pudding inside and topped with very fresh strawberries. Not enough of this on the table and by this time the never ending refills and begun to stop...

Young Gardener's Special Treat. Cupcake (chocolate or vanilla) with various toppings. The cupcakes were dry but the kids had fun decorating them and eating the icing...

Hope that this helps!

Sorry we are not food picture takers.. I tend to eat first then remember and well that makes for a nasyt pic... I have character pics if you wanted to see them.

 

[Melora]

We love this restaurant. Maybe its because I love the Living with the Land ride and look forward to it every time we eat there.

The above poster was pretty right on with her food reviews. I ADORE the flank steak, usually pass on the turkey but Ive yet to see someplace that makes a moist turkey. The potatoes and catfish are great.

The last time we were there the restaurant wasnt turning so they went out of their way to over compensate. They brought us a tray of ribs (special from the chef they said) and they sent the characters to our table all at once so we could take pictures.

We always have a great time here and next trip we have ressies on the day we arrive and the day we leave.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks! I guess it's so hard to eat here when there are so many great places in and near EPCOT.

Keep the info coming!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Ok, I know this is really dumb, but until just recently and after many many trips, I didn't know this restaurant rotates. What do you see on the full rotation? Is it really cool, worth going there just for that? Clueless I know

 

[harleyquinn]

Ok, I know this is really dumb, but until just recently and after many many trips, I didn't know this restaurant rotates. What do you see on the full rotation? Is it really cool, worth going there just for that? Clueless I know

I know from riding the Living with the Land ride that the resturant rotates to look out over the ride--the gardens and such...

 

[sandisuze]

we love the place- it had never been rushed to us and the characters have always been fantastic from "stealing" our food to coloring pics at our table-very interactive and silly .
we eat here a lot -like once a month- always for lunch- maybe we are getting well known we have had the same waitress the last 5 times. I have never had bad service here- but I don't think except for tusker house we've ever had bad service anywhere at Disney..
We have only had turkey one time- all the other lunch times were baked chicken.
I know this places gets some bad reviews- but we enjoy it- But then we like the crystal palace too-
The potatoes are to die for
Hubby likes the beer choices
DD loves that the characters pick on her 15 YO brother.

Epcot needs to be a place you can go and eat lots and never get full or gain an ounce!

 

[Nancyg56]

Tinker'n'fun could have written my review of the food. It was good, the turkey was okay but everything else was excellent. My DGD was able to eat the children's meals at that time and she enjoyed the Mac and Cheese and the chicken. I would have loved more dessert. I could have asked, and really do not remember if more was offered, but it would have been nice if the offering was larger in the first place. It was very good.

The character interaction was fun. It is more private than CM and the characters do not seem to be in any hurry. They circulated several times and played with my DGD each time and got my 22 YO niece into the action as well.