Great, creative entrees in WDW?

[sipnride]

I feel like it's really hard to find great, unique entrees on property. Appetizers, deserts, cocktails even, no problem. But you see very few entrees on Disney best lists, and way too often endorsements of a restaurant lavish praise on the creativity of the other courses, while mostly complimenting the kitchen for managing to cook a piece of steak or fish well. And in my own experience I have found that entrees with creative description, more often than not, fall flat.

For me, the best entree I've had at WDW was the North African-spiced Tofu which when I had it was served with fresh peas. The dish is out of this world both in flavor and texture, and gave me new appreciation for cooking with tofu, and for that matter, peas.

What other entrees have folks had at WDW that matched some of Disney world's best apps & deserts (e.g. the pork belly at flying fish or grapefruit cake at brown derby) in terms of creativity while also delivering the goods in terms of flavor, texture, presentation, etc?

 

[FCDub]

It’s a family vacation destination. I’m not sure why anyone would expect world-class dining except at like, Victoria and Albert’s.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I agree with FCDub. When I go to WDW (or any theme park for that matter), I don't expect any of the food to be world class and out of this world amazing. Even when the food is good, it is in no way worth the prices that they charge at some of the signature restaurants. I just tend to enjoy it for what it is and try to go to places that have more unique offerings (ex. Jiko is probably one of the best restaurants on property in my opinion).

 

[R&RsMom]

duplicate post

 

[R&RsMom]

I would not expect to find the “world’s best” entree at Disney World either. That speaks Michelin many stars to me. That said, i found Tiffin’s whole fish and beef short ribs very delicious.

 

[john7994]

Tend to agree with previous posters, and also very subjective. As an example, I found Jikos to be "meh" in comparison to other meals on property.

 

[sipnride]

It’s a family vacation destination. I’m not sure why anyone would expect world-class dining except at like, Victoria and Albert’s.

The expectation I tried, but miserably failed, to communicate was that some of these restaurants deliver an entree that matches their other courses. And really what I was hoping to get were recommendations for creative entrees that people liked. Never meant for it to be interpreted as an expectation for world class, Michelin star dining, but again I clearly failed because the only responses that came back seemed to have taken it that way.

I do just want to note though that normal amusement parks and family vacation destinations don't require 60 ADR, nor do they have message boards dedicated to discussing them, so I don't feel like the question, even if interpreted that way, is that out of line.

 

[john7994]

I feel like it's really hard to find great, unique entrees on property. Appetizers, deserts, cocktails even, no problem. But you see very few entrees on Disney best lists, and way too often endorsements of a restaurant lavish praise on the creativity of the other courses, while mostly complimenting the kitchen for managing to cook a piece of steak or fish well. And in my own experience I have found that entrees with creative description, more often than not, fall flat.

For me, the best entree I've had at WDW was the North African-spiced Tofu which when I had it was served with fresh peas. The dish is out of this world both in flavor and texture, and gave me new appreciation for cooking with tofu, and for that matter, peas.

What other entrees have folks had at WDW that matched some of the world's best apps & deserts (e.g. the pork belly at flying fish or grapefruit cake at brown derby) in terms of creativity while also delivering the goods in terms of flavor, texture, presentation, etc?

I think the confusion stemmed from this part of your original post...

 

[FCDub]

I think the confusion is you said “the world’s best apps and desserts” but meant “Disney World’s best apps and desserts” not the entire world.

In that case, there’s a discussion to have here!

 

[sipnride]

I think the confusion stemmed from this part of your original post...

TY and fixed

 

[sipnride]

I think the confusion is you said “the world’s best apps and dishes” but meant “Disney World’s best apps and dishes” not the entire world.

correct, that was the world I was referring to there

 

[john7994]

To that end, I think some that come to mind from my last trip in May (as I don't know how often the menus change) - and totally subjective to me: The soups at Citricos and Topolinos both in taste, presentation (Poured into a nice presentation bowl at your table), and overall quality.

 

[SteveH]

I think some of the dining experiences you'll have will be at the signature restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin near Epcot, both Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Kimonos would give you what you're looking for I think, but even BlueZoo and Shulas would deliver too.

 

[sipnride]

I think some of the dining experiences you'll have will be at the signature restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin near Epcot, both Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Kimonos would give you what you're looking for I think, but even BlueZoo and Shulas would deliver too.

We almost went to il mulino last time we were out. We were staying at the Boardwalk for part of the trip and the plan was to try a couple of the places at the Dolphin and Swan, with il mulino standing out as the most appealing. We never wound up setting foot in either hotel. Not making that mistake again this time.

 

[SteveH]

@sipnride I don't think you will be disappointed. If you listen to Pete's dining reviews at all you'll know he's a big fan of il mulino and I'd say most of the reviews put it at the top of the "best of" lists. Have a great trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The best meal I had that was unique was at Sanaa. I had the Salad Sampler, then Kheer for dessert. I noticed just now that the Salad Sampler is listed as an appetizer, but it made a full meal for me.
I also enjoyed the beef short ribs at Jiko.

 

[sipnride]

The best meal I had that was unique was at Sanaa. I had the Salad Sampler, then Kheer for dessert. I noticed just now that the Salad Sampler is listed as an appetizer, but it made a full meal for me.
I also enjoyed the beef short ribs at Jiko.

I can get full at Sanaa off the bread service alone so finding something to make a full meal is easy peasy. I've never had their salad sampler, but I'm going to make a point of doing so next time. I find their official entrees to be good not great but also overkill as no matter what intentions I have going into a meal at Sanaa I will have certainly eaten enough bread to serve sacrament to the Vatican on Easter Sunday by the time the hot food comes to the table.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Basically everything I had at Jaleo was notches above anything Disney is offering

The wild boar tenderloin app at Jiko was a stand-out the last time we ate there several years ago