Help me choose a third "country" to eat dinner!

[bangzoom6877]

Foodwise, I'd say Le Cellier is better than Tutto, especially for a New Yorker. The steaks are much better than the soup and breadsticks. I just ate at both last week. Feel free to look at my dining report.

Both DW and I both prefered Coral Reef to both Tutto and Le Cellier. How about strolling over the BW to try Kouzzina and you can taste Greece. I am looking forward to trying out this joint in October.

We're staying at BWV and will probably have dinner at Kouzzina another night, but that is a great suggestion! It's right there for us, we may actually go there on the first night!

 

[mitsybella]

I would say Akershus,especially if you are on the dining plan, I know you have 2 boys but my son loved it there (he was 2 last time we were there) the Princesses made a big deal about him, gave him big kisses on his cheeks and forehead, he was loving all the attention, and you get the picture package included with this meal. We enjoyed the food and felt there was a good selection, the buffet appetizers were great.

 

[ljcrochet]

I am still considering Garden Grill though. For those of you who have dined there, how is the food quality there? How would you compare the food quality to other WDW buffets? We have been to Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Fare (both for dinner), also to Biergarten and Boma for dinner (but these are more unique so I wouldn't compare), and to LTT at MK when it had characters (not buffet, but family-style). We enjoyed all of those meals (but DH thought 1900 Park Fare could have had more variety...but the quality was decent). I don't expect 5-star food at a buffet, but I still expect it to taste good...same thing at a family-style meal like Garden Grill. Are these the right expectations so we are not disappointed? Also, what is the children's dessert?

Food was okay at Garden Grill. Worse then LTT, but better then 1900 Park Fare. The character interaction was great when we went in December (we were there a night that the restaurant did not rotate).
The dessert for the kids was a make your own cupcake. I think they got gummy worms to put on top of a cupcake.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Tutto, Chefs and Beirgarten are the best in the countries...we love them and have never had a bad meal at these three

 

[movie77]

I would say Marrakesh or Le Cellier

 

[bangzoom6877]

I would say Akershus,especially if you are on the dining plan, I know you have 2 boys but my son loved it there (he was 2 last time we were there) the Princesses made a big deal about him, gave him big kisses on his cheeks and forehead, he was loving all the attention, and you get the picture package included with this meal. We enjoyed the food and felt there was a good selection, the buffet appetizers were great.

We will be on the basic DDP. I didn't know about the photo package being included. I know Akershus is a great deal on the DDP (the lunch is $30.99 per adult and $18.99 per child), but I just want to make sure it is right for us. Maybe my boys will enjoy it. My sister said the food there is excellent, and I definitely trust her judgment (we have pretty much the same taste!). So maybe we will go with that.

The only thing that may hold me back is that my sister wants to do a very late lunch, between 2 and 3 PM, and we like to take an afternoon break at the resort. But I guess since we wouldn't be going to a CS for lunch at 11 or 11:30, we would instead do more attractions and maybe at 12 or so we could walk back to Boardwalk Villas and take a break for an hour or so. Also, we like the break to get out of the heat at the parks, but we would be doing that anyway at an air-conditioned restaurant. So maybe we will go there.

Do you need to pay in advance for Akershus? Or is it just a CC guarantee?

 

[KnJ]

Marrakesh is one of our favorites. The menu is completely different from Tangerine Cafe.

 

[socratesjonson]

If you can get into Canada it is one of the best - otherwise the atmosphere at San Angel cannot be beat.

 

[itchin2go]

IMO Akershus is about the characters, not the food. The food is not as bad as I was led to believe, but it's not destination-dining. I thought the character interaction there was fantastic, and our service was top-notch. The food was ho-hum.

My first choice for you would be Rose & Crown. Second choice would be San Angel Inn. They are both heavy on atmosphere. The food at R&C is better than SA, but SA is better for atmosphere.

 

[bangzoom6877]

IMO Akershus is about the characters, not the food. The food is not as bad as I was led to believe, but it's not destination-dining. I thought the character interaction there was fantastic, and our service was top-notch. The food was ho-hum.

My first choice for you would be Rose & Crown. Second choice would be San Angel Inn. They are both heavy on atmosphere. The food at R&C is better than SA, but SA is better for atmosphere.

What is the atmosphere like at San Angel Inn? The only TS we did last summer at Epcot was Biergarten. We loved the atmosphere there because it felt like you were outdoors but it was inside...felt very authentic.

What dishes have you eaten at R & C and at San Angel? The only thing that is not too appealing at San Angel are the desserts. There are only 3 on the menu...I like flan but I am picky about it. Not all that important though...on a 10-night trip we will have 40 snack credits total so we could always get a pastry in France for dessert, using a snack credit!

 

[PatriciaH]

We really like Le Cellier, Tutto Italia, Chefs, Bistro and Teppan Edo (and I grew up in NY and lived in Boston-great Italian food.) I do not like Biergarten at all. R&C is OK. San Angel has some good dishes and nice atmosphere. Akershus is all about the characters now. Never was impressed with Marrakesh and Tangierine Cafe has gone way downhill. We used to eat there several times a month too-now no way. Have not gone to 9 Dragons since the change.

 

[Karlzmom]

I would choose Morrocco, as you have the belly dancers, dinner...a whole package. Add in that its food that isn't as "typical".....what more could you want?

 

[mitsybella]

We will be on the basic DDP. I didn't know about the photo package being included. I know Akershus is a great deal on the DDP (the lunch is $30.99 per adult and $18.99 per child), but I just want to make sure it is right for us. Maybe my boys will enjoy it. My sister said the food there is excellent, and I definitely trust her judgment (we have pretty much the same taste!). So maybe we will go with that.

The only thing that may hold me back is that my sister wants to do a very late lunch, between 2 and 3 PM, and we like to take an afternoon break at the resort. But I guess since we wouldn't be going to a CS for lunch at 11 or 11:30, we would instead do more attractions and maybe at 12 or so we could walk back to Boardwalk Villas and take a break for an hour or so. Also, we like the break to get out of the heat at the parks, but we would be doing that anyway at an air-conditioned restaurant. So maybe we will go there.

Do you need to pay in advance for Akershus? Or is it just a CC guarantee?

We only had to put a CC guarantee as long as you are on the DP, and we were on the basic DP (not the counter service one) and we had the pictures included at no cost (December of 08)

 

[dsneygirl]

Another vote for Marakesh, it was unique but not too different. We really enjoyed our meal last time.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I would pick either Le Cellier or Rose & Crown Pub. We have eaten at both many times over the years and always enjoyed our meals.

 

[itchin2go]

What is the atmosphere like at San Angel Inn? The only TS we did last summer at Epcot was Biergarten. We loved the atmosphere there because it felt like you were outdoors but it was inside...felt very authentic.

What dishes have you eaten at R & C and at San Angel? The only thing that is not too appealing at San Angel are the desserts. There are only 3 on the menu...I like flan but I am picky about it. Not all that important though...on a 10-night trip we will have 40 snack credits total so we could always get a pastry in France for dessert, using a snack credit!

Here's a link to a picture of San Angel Inn:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2678970730_cccdcd4922.jpg

When we ate there, I had the vegetarian platter: Flour tortilla burrito, filled with black refried beans, a medley of vegetables, covered with adobo sauce, corn tortilla enchillada filled with melted cheese, topped with sour cream and onions served with Pico de Gallo sauce.

My husband had the Pollo A Las Rajas: grilled chicken breast served over red peppers, onion strips, cream sauce, and fresh cheese.

Mine was tasty, but nothing special. My husband LOVED his. We did not have dessert, since we were STUFFED.

At Rose and Crown, we had a nice cheese plate and a good potato leek soup. I can't for the life of me remember what my husband had, but I had a vegetarian curry dish that was very flavorful. The atmosphere at R&C is nice, and having the option to view Illuminations is a bonus. I think we had a 7:30-ish reservation. At the end of our meal, the waitress told us they had picked our daughter to start the fireworks. We were confused, but went along with it. They took us outside and gave her a rainbow colored wand and told her to wave it in rhythm and then BOOM the fireworks started. My daughter was thrilled. Another little boy thanked her for starting the fireworks -- SO cute!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Here's a link to a picture of San Angel Inn:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2678970730_cccdcd4922.jpg

When we ate there, I had the vegetarian platter: Flour tortilla burrito, filled with black refried beans, a medley of vegetables, covered with adobo sauce, corn tortilla enchillada filled with melted cheese, topped with sour cream and onions served with Pico de Gallo sauce.

My husband had the Pollo A Las Rajas: grilled chicken breast served over red peppers, onion strips, cream sauce, and fresh cheese.

Mine was tasty, but nothing special. My husband LOVED his. We did not have dessert, since we were STUFFED.

At Rose and Crown, we had a nice cheese plate and a good potato leek soup. I can't for the life of me remember what my husband had, but I had a vegetarian curry dish that was very flavorful. The atmosphere at R&C is nice, and having the option to view Illuminations is a bonus. I think we had a 7:30-ish reservation. At the end of our meal, the waitress told us they had picked our daughter to start the fireworks. We were confused, but went along with it. They took us outside and gave her a rainbow colored wand and told her to wave it in rhythm and then BOOM the fireworks started. My daughter was thrilled. Another little boy thanked her for starting the fireworks -- SO cute!

WOW, San Angel Inn looks so beautiful! We may just end up there!

That's too cute that your daughter got to "start" the fireworks and that a little boy thanked her! Priceless!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh, one more question...is the food at San Angel Inn very different than the food at the Cantina (CS location in Mexico)? We are most likely going to go to the Cantina one day for lunch (a different day than San Angel though, if we choose San Angel for our third Epcot dinner). We do love Mexican food though. But do you think it would feel too repetitive if we go to both of them, but on different days?

 

[Stinky_Pete]

If you're looking for entertainment...

How old are the boys?
Pre-teen? Coral Reef
Teenagers? Restaurant Marrakesh (belly dancer...oh my!)

If you're looking for food, I love Restaurant Marrakesh. A little different than what you can usually get at home, but still familiar enough. Goodness sakes - they have Shish Kabob! Meat on a stick - how can you go wrong?

Plus it's usually pretty easy to get ADRs as many people seem to be intimidated by it.

The couscous it fabulous! So light! So fluffy! Why doesn't my couscous come out that way at home?

 

[bangzoom6877]

If you're looking for entertainment...

How old are the boys?
Pre-teen? Coral Reef
Teenagers? Restaurant Marrakesh (belly dancer...oh my!)

If you're looking for food, I love Restaurant Marrakesh. A little different than what you can usually get at home, but still familiar enough. Goodness sakes - they have Shish Kabob! Meat on a stick - how can you go wrong?

Plus it's usually pretty easy to get ADRs as many people seem to be intimidated by it.

The couscous it fabulous! So light! So fluffy! Why doesn't my couscous come out that way at home?

Our boys will be 3 and 5 when we go, still little to be *ahem* "TOO intrigued" by a belly dancer!

We do love the food at Tangierine Cafe in Morocco (I know the TS food will be different though), and we are fans of this type of food in general. I also love couscous! And shish kebob! And DH loves all that food too.

But, we also love Mexican food. And we are from NYC, so it's not like we are used to the best Mexican food in the country . If we were from Texas or California for example, we would probably not go near San Angel or the Cantina!!

Right now for me it's a toss-up between San Angel Inn and Marrakesh. DH may decide he wants to try to get an ADR for Le Cellier though. While I have read all the hype about Le Cellier, I have also read additional reports that it is overhyped. The other countries definitely appeal more to me.