Help with Signature Dining

[tmclanton]

We will be at Disney in May. We are putting our DS in the childcare and having a night out!
I am trying to find a signature dining restaraunt to eat at, but am having a difficult time making up my mind. I want to get it set within the next week so that when I call to make my ADRs I can stop thinking about it.

So here is what I need help with:
We are staying at Wilderness Lodge, but location is really not an issue since we will have a car. A good wine list is a must, although I assume they all have one. I LOVE seafood, especially lobster! DH likes steak or lamb. Here are the 3 that I have narrowed it down to, although I am open for suggestions!

1. Artist Point
2. Narcoossee's
3. Victori and Albert's (Not sold on having to bring DH Jacket, but if the food is that good he will live!)

 

[chamonix]

well, if a good wine list is a must, you might want to re-think the car part, lol. So, that means either staying at AP, or using Disney transportation to the GF for your other choices. You can take the boat to MK and catch the resort launch to GF (possibly most romantic choice) or take resort launch to the Contemporary and get the monorail to GF. You can also use a cab. (quite reasonably priced)

So, back to the wine list.
Narcoossees has a good wine list, Artist Point's list is primarily (solely? can't recall exactly) northwest/american wines. Still has lots of good stuff, of course, but thought I would mention that.
I have not been to V&A so can't advise you there, but would assume it has a stellar list.

If looking to do a meal with no kids present, choose V&A. If you want seafood, have Narcoossees (which is romantic, but not as fancy as V&A, and there will be other kids there--though not many and probably well behaved). Narcoossees will have the best/most romantic view, and you could watch the fireworks and water parade from there as well. Of course, AP's view isn't shabby, but it's stuff you already will be seeing from your room, no doubt. I would choose one of the GF resorts to make it seem like a more special, different evening than the rest of your trip.

 

[tmclanton]

Chamonix~
Good call on the driving. However, I do not drink a lot. I should be fine to drive, but the boat ride from MK to GF sounds like a good plan. Would that take a lot of time?
Thanks!

 

[chamonix]

No, it shouldn't take much time at all. This is one of those times that driving is probably not that much faster (unlike the the bus). The boats that go from the WL to the MK are large and very frequent, and the resort launch (boat) from MK to GF (and on to the Poly) are also fairly frequent. You shouldn't have to wait more than 5 minutes for either one, and the distance across the water is quite short. Another bonus, the walk to the boat docks is much more romantic than the walk to/through the parking lot (on both ends).

To be safe, I would allow 45 minutes so you don't feel rushed, but you could easily make it in far less--say 20-25? It will depend on if you just miss or just make a boat. The boat dock at the GF is much closer to Narcoossees than the parking lot is, if you are going there, so also makes taking the boat faster.

 

[debloco]

I've only eaten at Artist Point once, and it was only okay. Haven't tried the other two on your list, but I would highly recommend the California Grill at the top of the Contemporary. Great view of the MK and if you time it right you can watch Wishes! out on the balcony.

You could take a romantic boat ride over to the CR from the WL. They use the much smaller and more open boats to go from resort to resort.

Not sure if the California grill has lobster though. A word of caution...I do remember reading that there are some restrictions at some restaurants regarding what you can order on the DDP. Usually they were the most expensive entrees or appetizers on the menu.

 

[Pakey]

I've eaten at every signature restaurant at WDW many times. No comparison, not even close by a little bit, Victoria & Alberts is far superior. In addition to an extensive wine list, they offer wine pairing with each course. Back in the day, they used to offer 2 wine pairings, one was domestic and for a bit more, the other was imported wines. Now they just have one offering and it's a combination of both domestic and imported. Additionally, you can tell them you only want reds or whites if you don't like both.

V&A is an adult restuarant. I've never seen children there. It's the only place (except for perhaps Bistro de Paris) that offers that quiet, intimate adult-only experience. There are perhaps a dozen tables and two servers per table.

IMO, you can have lobster anywhere, including at Red Lobster, a chain restaurant. What V&A offers is highly rated, high quality food combined with a dining experience.

 

[engle]

If you've never been to V&A's, you love food, you love wine, you owe it to yourself to EXPERIENCE THIS!! We had the BEST meal of our life (and believe me, we have eaten in MANY upscale fine dining est. throughout the world!) here at V&A's. We're going back for our anniversary at the Chef's Table....

Do it!!

 

[tmclanton]

Another bonus, the walk to the boat docks is much more romantic than the walk to/through the parking lot (on both ends)..

If we go to one of the GF restarants, I think we will definetely take the boat... maybe I can have 2 glasses of wine! OF course, we go to epcot first thing in the morning so I can't have too much!

Does anyone know how to find out what is not available on the DP? I assumed that everything was... If we go to Narcoossee's I want my "first date meal" as my husband calls it! (Surf & Turf!)

 

[tmclanton]

Is the meal at V & A on the DP?

Not to sound like an idiot, but how does the menu work there? I don't really understand what I see when I look at the menu on other websites. What kind of food do they serve? Everything on the menu looks foreign to this Texan! And explain more about the Wine Pairings! My husband knows a lot about this stuff since he owns a high end "Spirits" store... I on the other hand just drink what he gives me!

It sounds great and no kids would be a plus (not that I don't love everyones little angels!)

 

[kbmaggs]

Victoria & Albert's is SO the way to go if the cost isn't prohibitive. For each course you have several choices based on your likes/dislikes. Serving size of each course is smaller than you would expect, but there are so many courses, and each one is so incredible that you leave at the end of the evening totally satisfied! Treat yourself!
We just got the call tonight that we can eat at the chef's table when we are there in February.....

 

[kbmaggs]

The wine pairings at V & A's are second to none! You will be asked about your wine preferences, and the somolier (did I spell that even remotely right?)will serve you wines that not only compliment the course, but also run towards your tastes as well. My husband and I had several identical dishes, but because I like sweeter wines, while he enjoys yucky dry ones, we both were served wines that we fell in love with.

 

[Pakey]

V&A and Bistro de Paris are the two Disney restaurants NOT on the dining plan. They are both more upscale and expensive than the other signature dining places (and IMO, well worth it). Both of these are must-do's every trip.

 

[tmclanton]

Victoria & Albert's is SO the way to go if the cost isn't prohibitive. For each course you have several choices based on your likes/dislikes. Serving size of each course is smaller than you would expect, but there are so many courses, and each one is so incredible that you leave at the end of the evening totally satisfied! Treat yourself!
We just got the call tonight that we can eat at the chef's table when we are there in February.....

I am now leaning towards V&As. The pictures of the food look wonderful... and although I have had a few Fine Dining experiences, I don't think they compare to this!

I keep reading about the Chef's Table. Does anyone know if this is romantic or if being in the dining room would be more romantic? Something about being in the kitchen does not seem romantic!

 

[septbaby]

Narcoossee's was the best meal on our trip in August. It was our first night dinner and we saw Wishes and the Electric Water Parade while there. What a magical night. I had the Surf & Turf subbing scallops for the Turf. My mother had the special, grouper that night and we loved everything. The YOAMD dessert was awesome to the eye and the tummy.

If you've done this much research you already know that V&A's is not on the dining plan.

Finally, transportation. I'd take the boat launch from WL to MK then the launch from MK to GF. The boat from MK to GF let's you off right at Narcoossee's, couldn't be easier.

Have a magical time!

 

[Pakey]

I am now leaning towards V&As. The pictures of the food look wonderful... and although I have had a few Fine Dining experiences, I don't think they compare to this!

I keep reading about the Chef's Table. Does anyone know if this is romantic or if being in the dining room would be more romantic? Something about being in the kitchen does not seem romantic!

The Chefs Table is not as romantic as the main dining area but the amazing thng about the Chefs Table is that whatever you eat that night will be custom done for you, it will not be the menus that the main dining area has. For your special anniversary dinner, I would probably opt for the main dining area. Since you have not done a lot of Fine Dining experiences, you will not feel that you missed out by not having something especially fixed for you. Make you when you book your reservation, you tell them you are celebrating your anniversary. And if you like coffee, make sure to order some with your dessert; watching it brew at your table is great!

 

[tmclanton]

Well, I have narrowed it down to Narcossee's (how in the world do you say that???) and V&A. I would love V&A, but I have a feeling my husband would prefer Narcossee's. Plus, it sounds like the dinner at V&A would take a lot longer and I don't want to be out real late so that we can get DS in bed for a full day of Epcot in the morning! Does anyone know how long to allow for each of these restarants?

Of course, if they end up having the P&PP when we are there that will change all my plans anyway! At this point I am hoping they don't so that I don't have to change!

 

[septbaby]

Well, I have narrowed it down to Narcossee's (how in the world do you say that???) and V&A. I would love V&A, but I have a feeling my husband would prefer Narcossee's. Plus, it sounds like the dinner at V&A would take a lot longer and I don't want to be out real late so that we can get DS in bed for a full day of Epcot in the morning! Does anyone know how long to allow for each of these restarants?

Of course, if they end up having the P&PP when we are there that will change all my plans anyway! At this point I am hoping they don't so that I don't have to change!

For what its worth we took our 6yo there and he loved it. Kid of ruins the date nite theme, but if plans change he'd be welcome. Many cleaned their plates and all seemed well behaved. The staff seemed at ease with kids at Narcoossee's (NAR-KOO-SEES). Nothing was excluded on the DP, substitutions were allowed. I know you want wine, but there is a Mango smoothie there, oh la la. Maybe that's why I didn't have much room left for dessert?...lol

 

[Pakey]

V&A has two dinner seatings per evening. I think they are 6:30 and 9:00. It's a 2 hour dining event. You have to pick one of the two times. You also have a dress code here, all of the men will be in sports coats and most women will be in dresses although I have seen some women in slacks. When you reserve, you have to hold the table with a credit card and you will be charged if you do not show for dinner without cancelling 24 hours ahead.

Narcoosies is like any other restaurant--if you are going to have appetizer, entree, dessert, it will take you probably 60-90 minutes to dine. There is no dress code here. Well, they say there is but the only thing they exclude is bathing suits and beater shirts. I've seen people in shorts and t-shirts here and also lots of kids. I would not consider this place "fine" dining.

 

[tmclanton]

At V&A, would I have to wear panty hose??? I love to wear dresses and get dressed up, but panty hose are of the devil! I only wear them when I have to and would even consider not dining someplace if it was unappropriate not to. I know it is not in the dress code, but is it something that is appropriate?

 

[Pakey]

At V&A, would I have to wear panty hose??? I love to wear dresses and get dressed up, but panty hose are of the devil! I only wear them when I have to and would even consider not dining someplace if it was unappropriate not to. I know it is not in the dress code, but is it something that is appropriate?

Haven't pantyhose been outlawed for being cruel and unusual punishment No, you would be fine in dressy sandal type shoes. That's what I always wear and I've never felt underdressed.