If we want to try something different, where would you suggest?

[Alice777]

Probably this type of question has been asked before but we want to try something different...

Here some info about us.

1. We are two adults (Mom and Son) going back for the 2nd time this year. Staying at Pop so no car.
2. First time we had CS so we tried most of the CS recommended by board here.
3. We decided we are not going to do Dining plan this time because it was just too much food credits for us.
4. We are going during Food & Wine (because of F&W 1/2 Marathon).
5. We were at WDW during F&G so we tried many kiosk recommended by board here.
6. We live near Los Angeles, California so we live in melting pot area so Japanese, Chinese, Korean food are very easy access for us so Asian food does not appeal to us.
7. We go to Las Vegas all the time and have best buffet all the time so typical "American" buffet does not appeal to us.
8. I don't like going to "high end" restaurants - mainly because of dress code and really don't want to spend too much money (since my son is paying for our trip).
9. We also have really good Persian food so can get kabob, shawarma, falafel anytime (didn't like Tangierine Cafe).
10. We normally don't eat Italian food but my son always eat "pasta" to get carb before his 1/2 marathon so any good Italian restaurant would be nice. (We ate at Wolf Gang in April for Dark Side 1/2 marathon for his pasta. He liked it but I wasn't too impressed with the food - ate there because they accepted CS.)

Now, with this criteria, if we want to try different experience, what would you recommend?

I already know I want to try 50's Cafe (I love fried chicken), Sci Fi (no reservation available right now for November), Sanaa because I read so much about the "bread service" (and what else? Been reading about butter chicken? What is that?).

Past April trip was all about doing all the rides since it was our first trip (needed Vacation after I came back from WDW vacation!) so with November trip, it's going to be about "dining", taking photos, and relaxation!

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

 

[shortnsassy730]

Lol I was going to suggest Sanaa. Their bread service is amazing. Butter chicken is chicken cooked in an Indian tomato cream sauce but you don't really taste tomato at all. It very tender and quite good. The thing to remember most about Disney is that all of their restaurants are very Americanized versions of ethnic foods which is probably why you weren't big fans of Tangerine Cafe. I thought Sanaa was a good stepping stone for Indian food. Raglan Road at Disney Springs is a lot of fun. The food is just your standard Irish pub food but its really well done and the live entertainment in the evenings is great! I know you said no buffets, but Boma's breakfast is very very good and it has more options that just standard American fare.

 

[addiln]

As the pp stated Sanaa is a great place to go. We went there on an adults only trip and loved the bread service and the other food options there. The other place that we enjoy is Boma. We think that it is the best buffet on property. Either one of those is a great choice in my opinion. The other benefit is the resort. If you have some time you should check in out and see all the animals they have there in the savannah.

 

[iloveeeyore]

'Ohana and Hoop Dee Doo Revue come to my mind as different and unique to WDW, though both are a bit pricey, but worth it to try the experience!

Via Napoli and Biergarten are great for carb loading!

 

[Alice777]

I know you said no buffets, but Boma's breakfast is very very good and it has more options that just standard American fare.

Actually I am open to buffet, just don't want "American" buffet.

Been reading about Boma so I might be tempted to try.....

Oh, forgot to mention, my son doesn't like breakfast food. He can eat anything in the morning as long as it's not "breakfast" food.

Sorry, we are picky.....not crazy about Hawaiin food...too sweet. Also, we did Hawaiin cruise so did all the "Hawaii" things such as laua....

 

[aprincessatlast]

Lol I was going to suggest Sanaa. Their bread service is amazing. Butter chicken is chicken cooked in an Indian tomato cream sauce but you don't really taste tomato at all. It very tender and quite good. The thing to remember most about Disney is that all of their restaurants are very Americanized versions of ethnic foods which is probably why you weren't big fans of Tangerine Cafe. I thought Sanaa was a good stepping stone for Indian food. Raglan Road at Disney Springs is a lot of fun. The food is just your standard Irish pub food but its really well done and the live entertainment in the evenings is great! I know you said no buffets, but Boma's breakfast is very very good and it has more options that just standard American fare.

Good post as you bring up thoughts I have had about that place.

I see Sanaa restaurant get recommended so much and often wondered what the food was really like. Do people love it because they don't often eat Indian food or was it just really fantastic Indian. The naan bread service seems to get rave reviews but was wondering if it is because it extra special or because people don't eat this often. We eat it almost weekly. Tikka Masala and butter chicken are my go to easy meals all the time. I was tempted to book there but went with Boma as we wanted to eat at AKL and it had more diverse items it seems.

 

[ElizabethG]

There aren't many places we choose because of the food. It is mostly for the experience (we do a lot of character meals). I really like Ohana and Sanaa for the food.

Good post as you bring up thoughts I have had about that place.

I see Sanaa restaurant get recommended so much and often wondered what the food was really like. Do people love it because they don't often eat Indian food or was it just really fantastic Indian. The naan bread service seems to get rave reviews but was wondering if it is because it extra special or because people don't eat this often. We eat it almost weekly. Tikka Masala and butter chicken are my go to easy meals all the time. I was tempted to book there but went with Boma as we wanted to eat at AKL and it had more diverse items it seems.

I love Tikka Masala and naan. When I order the bread service there, I always ask for the bread to be dry. Once it was literally dripping with ghee. I'm not an expert on Indian food, but I think Sanaa is very good.

 

[loves to dive]

Wow, you have really ruled out a lot of places. Personally, we didn't like Sanaa, which is a sin on these boards but there you go. My son and then DIL lived in Chicago (actually Great Lakes, he was Navy) at the time and they had a number of African/Indian fusion places there that were just better. I like the main restaurant in Morocco and love Spice Road since it has something from a lot of different cultures. There is a pretty decent Italian place at the Dolphin, easy walking distance from Epcot and HS. We like Skipper's Canteen at MK, but from what I understand they are changing the menu there. The new place at AK looks interesting but we haven't tried it, I can't remember the name.

 

[Alice777]

Sanaa tempted me because I think it's been over 20 years since I had Indian food and I think my son only tried it once so it'll be difference experience for us.
Boma is tempting me because I never had "African" food before eventhough it's buffet.
As for character dining experience, it doesn't tempt us because we are adults and we live close by Disneyland so we can go to Disneyland anytime if we want "character dining".
We are not really picky eater (real picky eater is staying at home this time)...we just want to "experience" something we don't usually get here.

 

[Anonny]

For a non-American buffet, you can't go wrong with Boma or Tusker House. Tusker House is good for you Animal Kingdom day. Boma (or Sanaa) is trickier because of transportation to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've done it two ways. Pop - Animal Kingdom - Animal Kingdom Lodge. Eat and reverse. Last trip, we took Uber from Pop to AKL and back. About $10 each way and great savings in time. Be sure the Uber driver knows to ake you to Animal Kingdom Lodge, not Animal Kingdom!

If you go with Boma or Sanaa, both offer late afternoon culinary/cultural tours. We toured the Boma and Jiko with samples in both restaurants in April, very good, free activity.

http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/02/27/free-tour-series-culinary-tour-at-animal-kingdom-lodge/

 

[Alice777]

I think I read Boma and Tusker House has almost same food? Tusker House is more expensive because it's character dining?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For Italian that isn't on the pricey side, I would recommend Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk. It's casual and the food is very good. Il Mulino at the Swan is excellent, but tends to price out higher than Trattoria.

 

[betrent75]

For Italian Tutto Italia is good, and Trattoria Al Forno is good too (At the Boardwalk- if you don't have a car it will be a pain to get there).

 

[Alice777]

What would be the best way to get to Trattoria Al Forno from Pop? or from any of the park?

 

[tomatecerise]

You have to Go at Tambu Lounge just for the bread pudding (if You don't want to Go at 'Ohana)

Be our guest lunch for french Food (the braised pork is very very good).

Do You like mussels? They make It at dinner at Pop And They are awesome! You have to wait because They make them just for You (not under the heat)

Biergarten is very fun! Beer, good food, good ambiance. It is A buffet but is german Food. Love It!

50's Prime Time Cafe is lot of fun. Don't try to put your elbows on table. When we was there the blue Plate special Was osso bucco. Mmmmmm!

 

[tomatecerise]

To Go to Boardwalk is far more easy to take the Boat at Epcot between France And England. I suggest Mama Melrose for A good italian restaurant In Hollywood Studios.

 

[rjcurry]

My fiance and I are going to Disney for our honeymoon. Do any of you have a recommendation for a good "splurge" restaurant experience one night?

 

[Disneypapa]

My favorite two places at WDW are Ohana and House of Blues (the Shrimp and Grits are especially good)!

 

[Alice777]

My favorite two places are WDW are Ohana and House of Blues (the Shrimp and Grits are especially good)!

Is the Shrimp/Grits like the one from F&G? That was my favorite food when I was there in April. Who has them? House of Blues?
Thank you

 

[ahutton]

What would be the best way to get to Trattoria Al Forno from Pop? or from any of the park?

It would be a great choice on a park hopping day if you do one between EPCOT and the Studios. If no park hopping, from the hotel I would take the bus to the Studios and then boat to Boardwalk. If too late to use the Studios bus to get back to POP you could easily UBER there for minimal cost.