Help!

[elizabethnoel]

My family LOVES Disney. We've been several times, but this year we are going late Sep.-early Oct. and the only difference is, my boyfriend is coming. I agreed to swap nights watching kids with my sister so her and her DH can go out to eat at a nice place with no kids! (When I say “family”, I mean my sister and her DH, her 3 kids and her Father in Law).The only thing left to decide is where my boyfriend and I are going to eat. I’m trying to pick a really great place for us to eat that is not a character meal. I’m almost 20 and my bf is 24 and not exactly a “Disney boyfriend”. He actually despises the idea of going there at all, so I’m trying to find fun, calm things for us to do that aren’t so “Disney” while in WDW. I love the parks mostly and before I went for the first time, I had to be “dragged” there as well, but he has never been so I want his first time to be enjoyable if not absolutely spectacular. I don't think we will have any dining credits left to use on our meal since our "sit down" meal everyday will be breakfast. I didn't want to go anywhere too expensive, yet I realize this IS WDW and it isn't going to exactly be CHEAP unless we do a counter service. I was wondering what restaurant everyone would recommend. I want to eat somewhere I’ve never been, so here is a list of where I’ve eaten while in WDW (“Sit Down” meals only) :
Hollywood and Vine
Cape May Café
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Crystal Palace
Liberty Tree Tavern
‘Ohana
1900 Park Fare
Planet Hollywood

I’ve heard a lot of good things about California Grill, The Coral Reef (I think it is absolutely gorgeous inside from the pictures), Tony’s Town Square, & Mama Melrose’s just to name a few. I’m really leaning towards seafood, or Italian or maybe French (Le Cellier?) So, what is the best place for a couple like us to go out to eat in WDW? I care about food quality more than setting, but setting is nice too. Also maybe someone can recommend things for us to do together that aren't in the parks.

 

[lizerbug]

You could try House of Blues at Downtown Disney. AWESOME food. And I got a $25 gift certificaate on Restarant.com for $3.00 (sign up on their web site and you'll get all kinds of gift certificate specials). I got one and I'm going in mid September. Have fun

 

[Jenngoofys]

I would personally go for Coral Reef for the atmosphere and they take their time serving you so you can enjoy your meal. Le Cellier The food is amazing we go there every time we go to Disney. It is a bit faster service and crowded but thats because everyone wants to eat there. We wouldnt give it up it is our favorite.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I suggest Whispering Canyon Cafe, Le Cellier, & Coral Reef. They all have really great food without being 'in your face' Disney. Also, you may want to pay out-of-pocket for breakfast one morning & keep that credit for dinner to save money (our 1900 Park Fare breakfast was only $21/person, but Le Cellier & Coral Reef were about $40/person). If you're doing the dining plan, you should get a voucher from Disney for mini-golf & I highly recommend that. DH & I did the Winter Summerland course last week & had a blast. They also have beer there & we enjoyed sipping some cold ones while we were playing.

 

[Shmily1]

I agree on HOB. That is great food and great atmosphere! They have a large variety of foods to choose from and maybe you could find a menu on thier website. Then, after a nice dinner, you could walk around check out the shops at DTD or go to Disney Quest if he likes games. I took DS20, DD19, and DD's BFF and they loved it!! Either way, it's a nice evening and not too Disney-fied.

As for stuff to do, how about renting a surry at BW or walking around the BW in the evening, go to the ESPN club, rent a boat (those are fun!), do a Segway tour. I think he would love all of those! If he loves animals, you could go horseback riding too or fishing. If you really want to blow the budget, he could go to the Richard Petty Experience (most guys like to go fast!!)

 

[elizabethnoel]

Thanks for all the input you guys. I think I'm still leaning towards Le Cellier or Coral Reef, but I'm so indecisive! I guess I have awhile to figure it out.

 

[Hopefully]

Le Cellier is not French as you mentioned in your opening post. It is a Canadian Steakhouse and one of the hardest ADR's to get. It is perceived to be a great value on the DDP.
We like Le Cellier, but be forwarned it is dark and the tables are very close together.

 

[elizabethnoel]

Thanks for the correction. I wasn't aware. I'm kinda new to this. Every other time we've been I didn't get to pick the restaurants, so this is my first time actually looking into all of this. Everyone keeps saying its very crowded and hard to get into so I think I'm just going to stay clear of it.

 

[AmberLuvsWDW]

I would also recommend checking out the menus that are available online. If you click on the dining link, it will give you a list of all of the restaurants on WDW property. This can guide you as far as what each restaurant offers as well as prices. If you think you know when you'll be eating, be sure to make reservations at any TS restaurants. It seems like your bf would be very frustrated if you couldn't get in anywhere. Good luck!

 

[Minnie824]

you said italian was an option....what about Tutto Italia? The food there is so good and its a nice setting.

 

[JJsmama]

I would go somewhere on the World Showcase, especially since you will be spending most of the other times with kids. Biergarten is fun, so is the Japanese restaurant. Since you don't want to spend too much money, I think you could do a nicer counter service at any of the WS countries. Especially CHina, Japan, Morocco.. You could make it more about the experience than about the food. Have a stroll through WS, find dinner somwhere, stroll some more, then get a dessert at another country. Sounds like a nice date to me.

 

[elizabethnoel]

I never thought about that. Actually, I don't think I've even heard of the place, But I will look into it. & Thank You!

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

I would suggest Flying Fish at the Boardwalk or Yachtsman Steakhouse which is near there as the activities at the Boardwalk are a lot of fun If you want a little cheaper, we really liked Big River Grille and they have a lot of variety of seafood, steaks, burgers, etc. IMHO, it's one of the most overlooked restaurants on WDW property.

Or, if you did DTD, maybe look into Wolfgang Puck's. You could do the regular restaurant or do the Express one as a CS credit.

You might want to save your breakfast Table service credits though for your dinner and pay one breakfast OOP. Breakfast can sometimes run $10-15 or more cheaper than dinner and might save you major $$ (unless you love appetizers at dinner). Just a thought

 

[1971DBday]

I know it's not on your list, but Jiko's not only has breath taking design and views but the food is WOW! Very grown up atmosphere (even though we did bring our kids).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest Bistro de Paris as first choice. It is upstairs in France. It is fine dining compared to Chefs du France mass dining. And it does not have a children's menu so children are not encouraged.

Another option would be Jiko in AKL. This is one of the better signatures and you are less likely to have out of control children there.