Is Askersus Gross? Should we cancel Prin Storybook Dinner?

[itsreally4mommy]

Our first night reservation is the Princess Storybook Dinner at Askerskus (sp?) in Epcot. Upon looking at the menu and a few articles it sounds really gross. I also worry about DH, as he can't have anything with cured meat (msg and nitrites).

I considered switching to Liberty Tree, although I doubt I could get a character sitting, do you think I could get a regular meal sitting? I have also read that is a favorite for Thanksgiving, when I tried to reserv. it was for the character meal and I didn't ask about regular. Do you think they'd have any reg. left, or should I just stick with Prime TIme on THanksgiving?

 

[maggs]

Akershus has always had one of the best ratings in The Unofficial Guide and it has again this year. I, along with my kids are very healthy eaters and were in despair on our first visit - not knowing where to eat and only smelling burgers wherever we went.
However we had been told about Akershus and went. We were in heaven - lots of cold fish dishes and salads - yum, yum.
The food was so good. Up until the princess lunches and dinners started I barely ever saw a bad review. That was because like minded people went for the food and the food only!!!!! However now there are people going (knowing perfectly well what the food is going to be) who really go for the princess experience. They then complain about the food is since they didnt like fish to start with. I absolutely adored this oasis in Epcot before the Princesses. I am sorry to say I wont be going back to what is now a noisy and overpriced restaurant, even though they have reinstalled the buffet. The food has always been good and is anything but gross. By the way the desserts are yummy.
If you dont like fish and salads I would strongly advise you not to go. It is wonderfully healthy tasty food but if it isnt your thing I wouldnt risk it.

Maggs

 

[DW mouser]

I was so surprised that Disney choose this restaurant to use for Storybook!! We ate there once, not really knowing what kind of food it was (before it was storybook) and out of 7 of us, my DH was the only one that liked it!! There are a lot of people that don't like pickled herring and goat cheese!! Wish there was something on the menu more that children would like!! Someone said they do have a children's menu, but I bet it's not too much different! Guess I should check it out just in case.

 

[Claire L]

From memory little food in Akershus is cured meat, that is more likely to be Germany. We love Akershus as the food is so fresh and makes a change to the usual fries and burgers. Having said that we haven't been since Oct 2004 and won't be going again now that the Princesses are there as it ruins the lovely tranquil adult atmosphere that used to be there for the dining experience to be really memorable
Claire

 

[angel's momma]

We did PSB dinner in Sept. I'm a very picky eater & was concerned that I wouldn't find anything to eat, but figured I could always trade for DD's kids meal - she'll eat almost anything. I was pleasantly surprised, and liked several items (no I didn't like the goat cheese & didn't even taste the herring). The fish & salads is just the appetizer part, so don't let that deter you. I had a meatloaf type dish that has a Norwegian name that I can't spell, and DH had lamb (which we had never tasted before) - both were very good.

DW mouser, the kid's menu is typical wdw fare - I don't remember exactly what was offered, but DD had chicken breast, potatoes, and corn. Seems there was a turkey wrap with grapes, and a few other choices. Even the adult menu offers pasta & chicken breast among the choices.

 

[rie'smom]

I'm probably one of the pickiest eaters ever. We scheduled the Princess Lunch for my DD and her friend this last June and I decided that I should be a good sport and try the food. All I can say is YUMMY. The food was so good-even the pickled herring. We were all so pleased including DH. The appetizer foods were delicious as was the main course.Our server was so sweet-he recommended the rice cream and again yummy. You must try this at least once. The food was fresh and soooo much better than Cinderella's meal.

 

[LaLa]

DH and I had gone back in 95 before they had the Princess Dinner and absolutely fell in love with the place. The food was our favorite meal that entire trip. We just returned with our 2 kids in tow and did the PSB last month before MNSSHP. I don't know what they have done with the food there, but I was really disappointed. The appetizer bar was okay. They have a pretty large selection of cold seafood, cheeses, salads, etc. I think that was the best part of the meal. I thought I would play it safe and order the chicken pasta as my entree and it was awful. I could only eat a few bites. DH had the lamb. He was also unimpressed. The kids menu actually did look pretty good to me. DD4 got the turkey wrap, which came with grapes and cheese I think. DS7 loved his corn dog. Or was it a hot dog? Can't remember. Anyway, the kids liked theirs, the adults didn't. And I do say that with regret, because I still love this place and I really did want to like the food. The building is really cool and the characters are great. DD absolutely loved all the princesses coming around, especially Belle. She had donned her lovely Belle ball gown for the occasion. DS would not even look their way without turning 3 shades of red. Very cute. The dessert I could take it or leave it. I liked the chocolate mousse. Not a fan of the Rice cream. However, DH loved it.

Having said that, I guess if you really want to try it but are hesitant about the food, just go for it. You'll never know unless you try it. You may really like it. Like I said, the appetizer bar is pretty large and I'm sure you'll find something you like. After all, I may not have had my best meal in DW there, but I will always have this:

 

[erikthewise]

I'm sure many people would call it "gross". I love the food there but I can understand if you don't. You can eat pretty well there without touching the fish, but if you like seafood it is heaven.

I was concerned about the goat cheese, but if you can get past the name and the appearance, it is wonderful! Mild and smooth and creamy. I could fill up on just goat cheese and lefse (flatbread kind of like tortilla).

Before it "went princess" this was the best value in Epcot. If you are looking for a princess meal and are willing to try something a little different, this is the place.

 

[anty30]

The breakfast is the best ever.

 

[lorik]

DS, 14, has got to be the world's pickiest eater. On top of this he is also a huge eater. We need to eat at places that have specific types of food and large quantities of it. Askershus fits the bill perfectly. We ate there on the spur of the moment years ago before it was a Princess meal and the whole family loved it. This time we chose it so that DD, 9, could have a Princess meal. However,if there hadn't been something on the menu that I was sure they would eat, we wouldn't have gone. DD had the kid's ravioli and DS had the pasta with grilled chicken. In fact, he had 3 servings of it. DH and I also loved the food here. It is on our list of must-do's for next time.

 

[LiteBrite]

LaLa, I had to comment just because your little girl looks so much like my daughter did at that age, it really caught me by surprise! She just had her 18th birthday this week, and here's what she looks like now:

 

[itsreally4mommy]

OK, I feel better now. I am not big on fish (I like Talapia and breaded cod, and that's about it) but we really like seafood! I feel better knowing they offer some other mainstream items. As long as it is edible I am good, its the atmosphere that I'm really going for. Heck, I've stayed in plenty of Mexico All Inclusives to be flexible on resort food, LOL!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Hubby had the salmon here for lunch in Sept. and felt really sick afterwards. I had the pasta dish and did not have a problem. BTW, I'm vegetarian and didn't find very much here to eat -- buffet or menu. It is a meat and fish eaters type of place.

The buffet appetizers are very different than the standard buffet. I thought the desserts were awesome.

IMO, I think this place is worth it for the atmosphere with the princesses alone. Do not expect a lot in terms of the food, though.

 

[Caramia01]

Some of the main entrees didn't sound too bad. Allearsnet listed beef/chicken kababs. That sounds safe. Is it? And can anyone describe the chicken/pasta dish everyone keeps mentioning? Thanks!!

 

[scrump]

We used to love this place pre-Princess. It was always a must-do for our trips becaue the ambience was so great, and the food was yummy. We will not be going back this year, we wish they kept at least one meal as a non-Princess meal.

 

[LaLa]

Some of the main entrees didn't sound too bad. Allearsnet listed beef/chicken kababs. That sounds safe. Is it? And can anyone describe the chicken/pasta dish everyone keeps mentioning? Thanks!!

It's a grilled chicken breast over some sort of green pasta. I honestly can't remember what type of sauce it had, if any. Now that I think back, I don't think there was any sauce on the pasta. I wanna say there were maybe some veggies thrown in as well. I remember zuchini and squash. My friend ordered the same entree and was equally disappointed. I just think our chicken was overcooked, hence the disappointment. A different cook may not make the same mistake. Our husbands had the lamb and venison. According to friend's hubby,(or is is FH??? ) the venison dish was really good. Sorry, none of us tried the kabobs.

 

[heather31]

I scheduled the lunch without looking at the menu and then realized what the menu consisted of and yeah........I cancelled it. My family would have been very upset with me! I cancelled the lunch and scheduled the breakfast instead, that way we still get the experience, but my family gets to eat foods they are familiar with.

HOWEVER, I have heard from several people that the food is really good and most of the people that I know were pleasantly surprised that they liked the food.

 

[BonnieA]

We used to go there at least once a visit. Will not go back now unless the princesses leave.

 

[winniedapooh]

The food was so good. Up until the princess lunches and dinners started I barely ever saw a bad review. That was because like minded people went for the food and the food only!!!!! However now there are people going (knowing perfectly well what the food is going to be) who really go for the princess experience. They then complain about the food is since they didnt like fish to start with. The food has always been good and is anything but gross. By the way the desserts are yummy.
If you dont like fish and salads I would strongly advise you not to go. It is wonderfully healthy tasty food but if it isnt your thing I wouldnt risk it.

Maggs

I agree with this. We have always found this restaurant to be a hidden treasure that not many went to eat at. I have never, even during Christmas week, needed ADR. Until the princesses that is, lol! When DH & I went alone in Sept. I had forgotten about the princesses and I did not bother to make ADR and yikes , what a huge wait. I think we finally got to eat one night at 8PM and the people that were walk-ups, we at least had called from the resort to make ADR, they were miserable. One lady kept yelling at the poor CM that her daughter had a right to see the princesses and why didn't she just seat them??? Lesson learned for me. These were the first ADR's I made for our upcoming Christmas surprise. And it is not for the princesses either!

 

[LaLa]

LaLa, I had to comment just because your little girl looks so much like my daughter did at that age, it really caught me by surprise! She just had her 18th birthday this week, and here's what she looks like now:

LiteBrite, I hope my DD turns out to be HALF as beautiful as your DD.

I crack myself up.

No, seriously, I think your computer cut off part of your photo. What I can tell, though, does kind of resemble my DD. She actually looks a LOT my sister. How weird is that? We may be related down the line somewhere, LiteBrite!

Sorry for the joke, I just couldn't resist. She is very beautiful.