Is there an "amazing!" restaurant I'm missing?

[chocolatemint]

Hi all! We had to postpone our first family trip due to work and are now planning for the fall.

After too many hours of reading menus and reviews on the boards, the only restaurants I've booked reservations for are:

CRT (ambiance; early park admission)
BOG (ambiance; heard it's a decent lunch)
Sci Fi (ambiance; only going to have dessert)
San Angel Inn (ambiance; and because I used to gaze longingly upon this restaurant when I was a kid but never got to go-- NOT expecting good food)
Ravello (good food and characters!)

I would have included LTT but it will be closed. I'm also considering Morimoto or The Boathouse when reservations open.

I briefly considered Raglan Road, but DH has spent a lot of time in Dublin, so I'm afraid he'd find it lacking.

Is there anything I'm really missing? I am not willing to waste precious park time for a less-than-stellar meal, unless the ambiance is special enough to make up for it. Honestly, from what I've seen and read, there's no food on site that's better than (or even on par with) what I can make or buy at home. That said, we realize this is a theme park, and we're willing to sacrifice meal quality for the kids' enjoyment...but that only goes so far .

Thanks for any input!

 

[Pygmypuff07]

everytime we go to Disney, we always book a Le Cellier reservation. The food is expensive, but the food is amazing (pretzel bread with maple butter and filet mignon) and the cast member that work there are always so nice and make dining there a phenomenal experience. If you want to see fantasmic while you are in HS, you can book a dinner package at the Hollywood Brown Derby. Their salads are amazing and so is the filet of beef. We also make plans to wait in line at earl of sandwich and the Ghiardelli soda fountain and get a sundae at DTD even though it is not table service and the lines can be long.

 

[chocolatemint]

everytime we go to Disney, we always book a Le Cellier reservation. The food is expensive, but the food is amazing (pretzel bread with maple butter and filet mignon) and the cast member that work there are always so nice and make dining there a phenomenal experience. If you want to see fantasmic while you are in HS, you can book a dinner package at the Hollywood Brown Derby. Their salads are amazing and so is the filet of beef. We also make plans to wait in line at earl of sandwich and the Ghiardelli soda fountain and get a sundae at DTD even though it is not table service and the lines can be long.

Thanks for the response! We plan to do the EOS/Ghiradelli thing too! I had looked at the Fantasmic dining packages but have heard so many bad things about HS restaurants that I wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Hadn't even considered Le Cellier -- is it really better (food and/or ambiance) than what I can get offsite? We are staying in Reunion and will have a car.

 

[FairyPrincessMerida]

I liked Raglan Road and lunch at BOG was awesome. Also really liked Tusker House breakfast and Boma for an early dinner. I enjoyed Spice Road Table for being laid back but having good food. My daughter doesn't let us get by w/o a trip to Ohana's.

 

[JZCubed]

No restaurant(s), other than CRT and BOG or any of the Characters, says 'Disney Ambiance' more than the view from CA Grill (or possibly while viewing fireworks).

Uniquely Disney spots like Sci-Fi & San Angel are also fun. We all have our preferences and for a host of reasons.

You might give a second-look at Sanaa - good lunch and dinner with daylight view of animals on the Savannah in possibly the best themed resort at Disney. Curry is not for everyone, but there is something for everyone on the menu. Great spot for consideration on your no-park day (if you have one).

While I have not yet been to the newly opened Four Seasons nor any of the restaurants here, Capa may be the room with a better view over Ravello (Ravello offers Character breakfast??). I am not familiar with the transportation to/from Four Seasons from Disney resorts/parks and this could be an issue for some people.

A non-Park Character breakfast is not a way to maximize Park time - unless you have evening plans or have a non-Park day planned.

Swan & Dolphin Signatures are also places that are an escape from Disney for those needing a break. These places are not part of Disney Dining (but do take Tables in Wonderland) and, therefore, seemingly have fewer children and better food and ambiance, albeit in aging hotels designed by the recently departed Michael Graves. Added benefit to parents - evening 'Camp' for children is provided for free (**some restrictions will apply). Short walk into Hollywood Studios and a bit longer stroll along Boardwalk to Epcot, with Disney boats puttering about too.

Raglan Road does get good reviews in DtD for both food & fun - we've never been. We chose to go to House of Blues for quick meal before heading over to Cirque de Soleil. We also do the sandwich/Ghiradelli combo sometimes (my family has a 'thing' for chocolate shakes and fresh whipped cream). Many of us are anxiously awaiting the new spots like Morimoto & Boathouse (looks like 2016 vacation for my family).

 

[Disneylover99]

I hope you are pleasantly surprised by the food at San Angel. We had excellent meals and excellent service on our last two visits. The atmosphere was a bonus.

 

[rwdavis2]

California Grill booked around the time Wishes goes off.

 

[UnderTheRialto]

The pork dish at SAI was absolutely amazing. I annoyed my table mates with all of my sighing with each bite. Note that the food is not cheesy American "Mexican" food. But the pork was in my top 2-3 meals of a 2-week trip.
(We also got a same-day reservation for noon for 6.)

 

[Frozen2014]

Boma breakfast

 

[joannjoe]

Thanks for the response! We plan to do the EOS/Ghiradelli thing too! I had looked at the Fantasmic dining packages but have heard so many bad things about HS restaurants that I wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Hadn't even considered Le Cellier -- is it really better (food and/or ambiance) than what I can get offsite? We are staying in Reunion and will have a car.

Yes Le Cellier is better!!!! Beer Cheese soup!

 

[Shells9]

We like Le Cellier, but also had WONDERFUL steaks at Rose & Crown. We felt they were better than the steaks we had at Yachtsman. Love the lunch at BoG, too!

 

[Fratthouse]

We love San Angel Inn - of course the ambiance can't be beat (request a table by the water). And our food has been REALLY GOOD. I guess it's hit or miss, because I do see lots of negative reviews. I took two first-timers to WDW last fall and this was one of their favorites - second only to...

Ohana! This is consistently a favorite. The food is wonderful (you will see some negative reviews here, but that is because people are comparing to what it used to be. They've changed the menu up, and some people don't love it, but other people do! It's still a favorite for us). The ambiance for the restaurant itself is nice, but you also get to check out the newly-renovated Poly Resort, which is supposed to be amazing. And can watch Wishes from the beach.

Via Napoli has really great pizza. Atmosphere isn't going to blow your mind compared to other disney restaurants, but still very good.

Sanaa is FABULOUS. Go during daylight hours (we made the mistake of doing a late dinner and couldn't see anything). Ask for a table by the windows and watch animals roam the savanna. Then spend a little time checking out the AKL - which is unbelievable. The food is also wonderful - we aren't adventurous eaters, and I don't like curry, but we loved it.

 

[atisikitabasket]

We Love Raglan Road I don't think he would find it lacking for entertainment. They have Irish bands playing and Irish dancing. Our DS11 and DD5 love it there. We think the food is awesome. Sometimes all the food start tasting the same at WDW but we know whenever we eat there it is going to be something different. All the recommendations look great you will have a wonderful time!

 

[Pygmypuff07]

Thanks for the response! We plan to do the EOS/Ghiradelli thing too! I had looked at the Fantasmic dining packages but have heard so many bad things about HS restaurants that I wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Hadn't even considered Le Cellier -- is it really better (food and/or ambiance) than what I can get offsite? We are staying in Reunion and will have a car.

Yes. Le Cellier is a must do at least once. It's a neat experience that you won't find anywhere else. As for the HS, definitely agree with you that most of the restaraunts there are not that great but Hollywood Brown Derby is the exception for us. For the price you get with the package, it turns out to be a pretty good deal.

 

[tinkerhon]

Would say "Sanaa" and "Boma" (dinner) --- and "BoG" (dinner)

 

[autumnpalm]

Hi all! We had to postpone our first family trip due to work and are now planning for the fall.

After too many hours of reading menus and reviews on the boards, the only restaurants I've booked reservations for are:

CRT (ambiance; early park admission) We have eaten at CRT once. It wouldn't be something we would do again, but we did it for the experience. Early park admission is nice, and the castle is neat. Is it overpriced for the quality? Yes. But I think it's fun to do once.
BOG (ambiance; heard it's a decent lunch) We had a great lunch here, we ordered the quinoa salad and the slow-cooked pork. Better than we expected for a QS and eating in the West Wing was a lot fun!
Sci Fi (ambiance; only going to have dessert) So much fun, the food is good if you stick to the basics (love their burgers and shakes). It's a great spot to escape the heat for a little while and truly a unique "Disney" restaurant.
San Angel Inn (ambiance; and because I used to gaze longingly upon this restaurant when I was a kid but never got to go-- NOT expecting good food) We actually LOVED our food here in August 2013. I absolutely recommend the Pollo a las Rajas if they still have it. It was delicious! One of the highlight meals of our trip, we would definitely return.
Ravello (good food and characters!) Haven't eaten here but have heard great things!

I would have included LTT but it will be closed. I'm also considering Morimoto or The Boathouse when reservations open.

I briefly considered Raglan Road, but DH has spent a lot of time in Dublin, so I'm afraid he'd find it lacking.

Is there anything I'm really missing? I am not willing to waste precious park time for a less-than-stellar meal, unless the ambiance is special enough to make up for it. Honestly, from what I've seen and read, there's no food on site that's better than (or even on par with) what I can make or buy at home. That said, we realize this is a theme park, and we're willing to sacrifice meal quality for the kids' enjoyment...but that only goes so far .

Thanks for any input!

The other experience I would truly recommend would be California Grill if you can time it with Wishes! Probably our overall favourite Disney dining experience.

 

[branfam]

We also like Narcoosee's. It's expensive but I have never regretted going there. The cheese cake is awesome. Earl of Sandwich is a favorite (DTD). Be sure to sign up for their club online a week or so before you go to get a free sandwich coupon.

We started family trips to WDW when our oldest child was 2 (he is 26 now) and continued regularly over the years. We are going back in June this year as a family (23 yo ds and 19 yo dd). (I told the married 26 yo he would have to pay this time if he and his wife were going.....so far they aren't ) My 23 year old would be devastated if we don't go to Pecos Bills and Columbia Harbour House. They are counter service and both are fine to me but my boys especially have loved them both over the years. If I asked them the one place they wouldn't skip it would be Pecos Bills. Growing boys just loved the toppings bar. I was able to get BOG lunch reservations for our first park day in June. We always go to MK for the first day and always eat at Pecos Bills. I haven't yet broken the news to him that we are changing plans this year. I will be in trouble..... Maybe for supper the first day..... You family may love some of the counter service restaurants.

We also love the food court at The Land at Epcot AND LOVE Flame Tree BBQ at AK for less expensive options.

 

[eastendlights]

Yak & Yeti in AK has great food. We eat there twice a trip, try different items, and have not had anything that was less than delicious. It also has a very exotic atmosphere with lots of really interesting décor.
Shula's at The Dolphin has some of best steak I have ever eaten in my life, better than some of the great steak houses of NYC.

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

If you want a great meal, try Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. It is pricey, but very well worth it. We have replaced Le Cellier, with FF. The food, decor, and over all experience are wonderful, and don't forget the adult drinks too. After dinner you could head back to Epcot or spend some time exploring the Boardwalk area.

 

[albuhay]

We loved Sanaa for a late lunch when we were in AK. We took the latest lunch seating possible and found that the animals were quite active and the food was delicious. It was also nice to take a break from the park and relax around the hotel which is really lovely.

Another favourite we had which I haven't seen mentioned was Citrico's in the GF. The food was divine and the service was great. We enjoyed touring the GF after dinner as well and watching the Electrical Parade and Wishes from the resort.