I need restaurant help!!!

[baggies]

Hi all! I need help picking a restaurant. My wife and sister got to pick Le Chefs de France for the Candle light processional, so its my job to pick the next one. We are going the first full week of december. Its me, my wife and our 3yr old and 7mo old daughter, and my sister going. The night I'm picking is our Animal Kingdom night. I was looking at the resorts and downtown disney since we don't have a park hopper. We do have free dining and need to find a regular table service place. I'm looking for menu not buffet. I'm also very interested in the whole dining experience not just the food. Any recommendations on a good place? I was thinking the Maya Grill or Captains Grille.

 

[pooch]

Hi all! I need help picking a restaurant. My wife and sister got to pick Le Chefs de France for the Candle light processional, so its my job to pick the next one. We are going the first full week of december. Its me, my wife and our 3yr old and 7mo old daughter, and my sister going. The night I'm picking is our Animal Kingdom night. I was looking at the resorts and downtown disney since we don't have a park hopper. We do have free dining and need to find a regular table service place. I'm looking for menu not buffet. I'm also very interested in the whole dining experience not just the food. Any recommendations on a good place? I was thinking the Maya Grill or Captains Grille.

We are eating there on our AK night. Its a short bus ride from AK to the Animal Kingdom.. I know you said menu not buffet but AKL is such a beautiful resort and your kids can go watch the animals on the savannah before dinner. I'm told the buffet is fabulous. This is the meal I am most looking forward to on our trip (2 weeks to go!!!)

 

[dvcHammer]

If you are at AK, consider Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge / Kidani Village.

Maya Grill? Not my favorite, It's good, just not to my liking.

Capt's Grille is very good, but the menu is similar to many other food choices. But they do it well.

At Downtown, my favorite place to eat is Ragland Road.

 

[DianeW]

Boma at AKL is great for all the ages you listed. Some fun exotic new foods for the adults to try, plus lots of staples for the kiddos. It is a buffet, but not your typical buffet experience. I think you'd all enjoy it.

 

[westonkamom]

Boma at AKL or Ohana (if you can get in) would be my top 2 choices. Also, Whispering Canyon is a lot of fun too. Where are you staying b/c that may determine a better choice. Also, are you driving or using Disney transportation. It can sometimes be a pain to get from a resort dinner back to your resort. Good luck!

 

[minnie mum]

OP: Just so you are aware: Mara is the counter service place at AKL, not TS.

We love all of the restaurants at AKL. Jiko is a signature and quite adult in its atmosphere, so maybe not the best choice for your little one.

Boma has, in our opinion, the best buffet on property. We've always enjoyed our dinners there.

Sanaa, at Kidani, is a regular TS a la carte restaurant with African/Indian cuisine that we think is fabulous. Wonderful atmosphere, great views out the windows to the animals if you are there before dark. Great service. Just depends on whether anyone has a really timid palate. Very good kids menu too.

 

[baggies]

To update my previous post, my sister says that we will actually be at Hollywood Studios not Animal Kingdom that day. Our AK day is our Magic Kingdom Christmas Party. Does this change recommendations? I will do some looking into the AKL buffet. It actually sounds kinda neat. We are staying at Pop Century and exclusively using Disney Transportation.

 

[Rumpletinker]

The sister (moi) suggested Shutters or Raglan Road

 

[ccgirl]

To update my previous post, my sister says that we will actually be at Hollywood Studios not Animal Kingdom that day. Our AK day is our Magic Kingdom Christmas Party. Does this change recommendations? I will do some looking into the AKL buffet. It actually sounds kinda neat. We are staying at Pop Century and exclusively using Disney Transportation.

If you are going to be at DHS, I would look at one of the Boardwalk/YC/BC restaurants. It is an easy walk from DHS and you don't have to worry about waiting for and getting on/off the transportation. What about Cape May buffet? THat was great with my kids. They got to color right on the tables (they cover it with paper). Mama Melrose at DHS is also pretty good.

 

[pilferk]

Hi all! I need help picking a restaurant. My wife and sister got to pick Le Chefs de France for the Candle light processional, so its my job to pick the next one. We are going the first full week of december. Its me, my wife and our 3yr old and 7mo old daughter, and my sister going. The night I'm picking is our Animal Kingdom night. I was looking at the resorts and downtown disney since we don't have a park hopper. We do have free dining and need to find a regular table service place. I'm looking for menu not buffet. I'm also very interested in the whole dining experience not just the food. Any recommendations on a good place? I was thinking the Maya Grill or Captains Grille.

I have a few suggestions:

1) Boma (yes, I know...not menu) at AKL-Jambo House
2) Sanaa at AKV-Kidani Village
3) Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge (which is DEFINITELY an experience...though you'll have to decide for yourself if it's the kind of experience you're looking for)
4) Raglan Road at Downtown Disney

and, with your edit that you're at DHS, I'd add:

5) Kouzzina by Cat Cora at the Boardwalk

 

[minnie mum]

On a DHS day, and limited to a 1 TS meal, I'd vote for Mama Melrose or 50s PTC in the park, or Cape May Buffet or Kouzzina's in the Boardwalk area.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you are willing to leave i think the Raglan Road suggestion is better then the options at DHS. Another good option might be to go to the Boardwalk area. Kozzina as others suggested

Shutters is not really worth the trip IMHO.

 

[baggies]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I checked out Boma and it definately piqued my interest. Next I'll check out Kozzina and Mamma. I've eaten at PT 50's twice already so I'd like to try something else. Raglan road looked like an interesting place. How was the food there? Would it be good for our 3 yr old?