Is it me, or does the DIS, as a group, pick restaurant "darlings"

[Harambe]

Glad to see others think along the same lines as me! I do love to read the reviews, but now I try to pick places that we (my family and I) will enjoy - sometimes it's an old favorite (Plaza, LTT, Garden Grill) and sometimes it's new (this trip, Alfredo's).

And I guess I should be careful what I say, too! My opinion could be totally opposite someone else's - and neither one of us would be wrong.

 

[crisi]

I came on the boards when everyone was raving about Boma so I was expecting great things from it. It was okay, but not nearly as wonderful as I expected. The zebra domes were good, but again, I didn't see what the big deal about them was once I'd had one.

I hadn't really heard much about Jiko, but it was the best meal we've ever had at WDW.

I think the signature venues don't get the traffic to turn them into darlings. Certainly amoung the gormonds on the board Jiko is really well respected and recommended....but most people look at the menu and prices (or two credits) and don't go.

 

[MeLaNie9]

We didn't like Boma (or zebra domes) and I figured we must be weird 'cause they were all the rage on this board. But that was two years ago. Seems like Le Cellier is it now.

We also didn't like Boma - at all. Neither food nor atmosphere. We had chosen to eat there based on recommendations from DISers and my DH's cousin. We also didn't care for Chef Mickey's, another recommended spot. It was way too crowded. We had to wait 45+ min. to be seated despite ADRs, the lines to get food were long, and lots of folks were cutting in line.
Luckily, we chose some other restaurants "on our own" and had some really great meals - specifically LTT for lunch, Garden Grill character dinner, and Kona dinner.

 

[PortieOwner]

There is at times some amount of "group think" here among the frequent posters.

 

[crisi]

There is at times some amount of "group think" here among the frequent posters.

And some contraryness as well.

I like Le Cellier, but ever since it became the darling, I feel like I've been posting negatives in an attempt to provide something resembling balance and manage expectations. I don't want anyone to expect "the best steak of their lives" if they are steak snobs and be disappointed.

 

[BlindTyldak]

Some of it definitely comes from the CM's though. I've called to tweak my ADR's several times and since I booked at 180 +10 at 7 AM (yeah, I'm anal) i got the primo seating times at every primo eatery, except one. Every CM I've talked to since has asked if I want to try to get a ADR at Le Cellier and push it as the most popular dining venue in the world when I say I'm skipping it this time around.

On the other hand, the menu at CR has also been scaled back the more popular the restaurant has gotten. anyone else remember the massive seafood sampler platters and the South African lobster surf and turf?

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I've notice that Boma is a "darling" but I just can't bring myself to make an
ADR for it! I've looked at the pics and looked at the menu and we are not very adventurous as far as the food goes! But a lot of people love it and that's great!!! For us the Sci-Fi is a must do and it seems to be the black sheep on the boards!!! But that is ok!! We like the atmosphere and we always book lunch so we can get "goof proof" food like cheeseburgers! I feel so Disney when I am there!! It's great that we all like different places or the "darlings" would all be like CRT breakfast!!!

 

[adrock1976]

...For us the Sci-Fi is a must do and it seems to be the black sheep on the boards!!! But that is ok!! We like the atmosphere and we always book lunch so we can get "goof proof" food like cheeseburgers! I feel so Disney when I am there!! It's great that we all like different places or the "darlings" would all be like CRT breakfast!!!

I agree...Sci-Fi always gets a bad rap, and I agree it is far from the best food you will ever eat, but I think you are paying for the theming; the expereince, and you can get nothing like this elsewhere...it is one of our must-dos as well.

 

[Cinders Mum]

I tend to shy away from the "darlings" when everyone was raving about Ohana, I was thinking .... yuuuck never again.....

we love le cellier, concourse, Kona, and Crystal Palace .... I am thinking the best thing to do is to avoid the "darlings" and we should be okay .... so please everyone start saying horrid things about the above restaurants ... pleaseee

Val
xx

 

[Micca]

I remember when Nine Dragons was the most reviled restaurant. Reviews are more kind now except most agree that it's too expensive.

I've never been especially impressed with LeCellier, but I'm not a steak eater.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I think we listen to other's opinions and maybe try the restaurant on what we have read but I have to tell you here LeCellier is not on my list at all....I tried it once.. no big deal as far as I was concerned.....Steak for me would be Shula's and I also thought the Yachtsmen was not good either..

Most of the restaurants that my husband and I like people do not seem too excited about...but then again we also go with the flow and do not make ressies till we get there.......which is also against the norm.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm laughing, because I read so much about the Earl of Sandwich, and dragged my family there for lunch on our last day. I must be in the minority, but this place is on the "Never Again List". It was okay, but I could not understand why the Hype. My family is still talkng about the chaos inside that place.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I hear you about the Earl....and have read the rave reviews.. I probably will never try it. At least you did try it. I do want to try though Raglan Road because of the Irish restaurant theme.. will I, I do not know. Sometimes I just stay with my favorites as whenever I venture out to try something new, it never quite works out.

I do love Citrico's though...great food, good service, although I think they have had a Chef change so now not sure.

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely right about 'board darlings'. When we first started going to WDW and had found the DIS, Sci-Fi was someplace a lot of people said to try. We did, and we won't be going back. Everyone love CG, we found it to be okay, but nothing special. However, we love Chef Mickey's...we go for dinner on our first night in WDW every single time, unless a hurricaine shuts it down!
LeCellier is a good restuarant, but after about 6 visits there, it's time to find a new 'favorite'. I'm trying to find a new place to eat each trip. I'm tryin Nine Dragons in Dec.
Loved Boma..hated zebra domes Go figure. It's all about personal preference. A friend talked me into going back to Alfredo's...I had had a really bad experience there. But, it was terrific when I tried it again in Dec...going back again this coming Dec.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Try Alfredo's for dinner, rather than lunch.. I just loved the accordian music and the singing....we had the best time.

 

[Silly Girl]

I've been so enthralled reading this thread that I thought I would put in my 2 cents. We just returned from our trip to WDW last week. I found the DIS boards in June right after we decided to go. My family has their favorites (Coral Reef & Brown Derby) so I booked them 1st. I really wanted to do the Fantasmic Package so we decided to try Hollywood & Vine. After stumbling onto the DIS board I have to say I was terrified I had made the wrong choice and kept asking my DH if I should change ADR's. Well much to my surprise the dinner was fine (it wasn't great but it wasn't horrible either). In fact, we had the best waitress of any TS. So I guess my thought on all of this is to just go with what you think is best.

 

[LindaR]

I think this is kinda funny! I have NEVER picked a place to eat based upon total stranger's opinions! When DD17 and I go to WDW we eat where WE want to eat regardless of others opinions. I am paying for this food and I am eating this food, not anyone else.......so why would I care what someone else thinks? My tastebuds are not someone else's tastebuds! We also base OUR choices on the service received, not just the food.
I pick my own clothes, buy my own cars................etc, all by myself. I don't ask others opinions because I don't care about their opinions! Sounds harsh, but I've been taking care of myself for a very long time and will continue to do so.
Perhaps alot of the folks the OP is talking about don't travel much or dine out much and don't have the confidence that a seasoned traveler has.

 

[CowboyCO]

My family didn't like BOMA. The food was much too "foreign" in it's preparation for us. We went there for a new experience, but when we discovered that the African Spices were not to our liking, there wasn't much left on the buffet that was more normal.

Here's my question-- If I did not like/appreciate Boma, would I like that CS restaurant in AK, Tusker House, that gets such raves?

We did love Le Cellier and have ADR's for Crystal Palace, Le Cellier, Coral Reef, Liberty Tree, Ohana, Whispering Canyon, & 1900 Park Faire.

We're considering trying to switch either Whispering Canyon or Coral Reek for Kona Cafe (If we can get an ADR for it.