Is there anywhere you recommend at Downtown Disney?

[DisneyHog]

We are going to be in WDW for the Food and Wine fest in Oct (4 adults) and plan go to Cirque on a Tuesday night. I thought it would be easier to eat at DTD than go elsewhere that night but nothing seems to have overwhelmingly positive reviews. We will be with people who are real "foodies" so I would rather eat at another location than be stuck with a mediocre meal at DTD. What would you recommend?

 

[tinkjess3]

I would recommend Wolfgang Puck Cafe if you are wanthing something in DTD. There are two in DTD you want the one that in the West Side Section. It is right down by Cirque.

 

[JD3419]

Earl of Sandwich is nice for something quick and simple. It's been awhile, but we enjoyed House of Blues.

 

[LAS321]

We really enjoyed Wolfgang Puck Cafe....the food was great!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Rainforest Cafe or Earl of Sandwich.

 

[KAYLI'S DAD]

House of blues is very good. That is usually where we go.

 

[pooch]

I would recommend Wolfgang Puck Cafe if you are wanthing something in DTD. There are two in DTD you want the one that in the West Side Section. It is right down by Cirque.

with the Express locations. There are 2 Wolfgang Puck Express (counter service) locations - one in the Marketplace and one near the Wolfgang Puck Cafe in the West Side. The Cafe is a table service location and I highly recommend it for dinner before Cirque. If, however, you are looking for a counter service, the Express is fabulous too!

 

[DisneyHog]

I am definitely looking for table service so it looks like WP cafe or House of Blues are the most rec'd so far. We ate at H of B a few years ago and enjoyed it but it isn't very upscale. I assume that WP cafe would be considered a more upscale dining experience for our foodie friends is that correct?

 

[tinkjess3]

I am definitely looking for table service so it looks like WP cafe or House of Blues are the most rec'd so far. We ate at H of B a few years ago and enjoyed it but it isn't very upscale. I assume that WP cafe would be considered a more upscale dining experience for our foodie friends is that correct?

Yes it is. It is owned by Wolfgang Puck who is on the food network and a highly well-known chef. I think that it would appeal very much to your foodie friends. Here is a link for the menu if you would like to check it out.

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_wpc.htm

 

[DisneyHog]

Thanks Tinkjess3! I think that answers my next question. It looks like the cafe is divided into upstairs and downstairs. You guys seem to be referring to the upstairs. The downstairs has a bad review on the DIS. Is this right?

 

[tinkjess3]

Thanks Tinkjess3! I think that answers my next question. It looks like the cafe is divided into upstairs and downstairs. You guys seem to be referring to the upstairs. The downstairs has a bad review on the DIS. Is this right?

I have always eaten at the downstairs one and have always had a great experience. I am not sure which one the others were talking about. We go every time and have never had bad food or service.

 

[DisneyHog]

great to hear!! Thanks so much! I will call for ADRs asap!

 

[tinkjess3]

great to hear!! Thanks so much! I will call for ADRs asap!

No problem. I hope you guys have a great time and I look forward to hearing about how the meal went!

 

[ChrisandDon'sMommy]

I read on the board that DISboards doesn't recommend Wolfgang Puck. I read that it was mediocre and overpriced.

 

[tinkjess3]

I read on the board that DISboards doesn't recommend Wolfgang Puck. I read that it was mediocre and overpriced.

Could be I am not sure what DIS recommends . I am just going off of personal experience. I have been there a number of time and had great experiences at all of them. I sure dont want to recommend something that would not be a good experience. So I am glad to know what DIS says! Thanks!

 

[lpberg]

We will also be going to see Cirque while there in September. I was planning on going to Wolfgang Puck *Express* before the show, since I think the Cafe would be too upscale for my kids (8 and 4). I wasn't aware that there were 2 *Express* locations - I was just going to bring everybody to the one in the Marketplace. Just wanted to reconfirm that there *is* an EXPRESS location nearer to Cirque. Thanks!

Lynne

 

[tinkjess3]

We will also be going to see Cirque while there in September. I was planning on going to Wolfgang Puck *Express* before the show, since I think the Cafe would be too upscale for my kids (8 and 4). I wasn't aware that there were 2 *Express* locations - I was just going to bring everybody to the one in the Marketplace. Just wanted to reconfirm that there *is* an EXPRESS location nearer to Cirque. Thanks!

Lynne

I cant answer that I am sorry! I think there are two locations one in the Marketplace and one in the West Side by Cirque but I am not for sure. I have never eaten at the Express before. I am sorry I can not be of more help there!

 

[mrswh]

Portobello Yacht Club is pricey but has great food and a great wine list - even good service! It's the only "fine dining" restaurant we have found at DTD. We had a great meal there and I would highly recommend it.

 

[checkwriter]

I think the Marketplace location would be quite far from Cirque -- you'd end up walking almost the entire length of the DTD-PI complex. The other location is in the same building as the cafe, which is much, much closer to Cirque. You can see it on this map here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/downtown-west-side.htm

Here is the Wolfgang Puck CAFE review from wdwinfo.com:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/Wolfgang-Puck-Cafe.htm

Note that when this was reviewed on the Dis podcast, the panel seemed to have nothing but good things to say about WP Express, even though the review of the Cafe was less than positive.

You can listen to a review of Portobello here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=92

I've heard good things from several sources about the food at House of Blues.

Finally, Raglan Road on Pleasure Island is another possibility if your kids' tastes run to hearty Irish fare.

 

[Lamandpercy]

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Wolfgang Puck cafe, and also at Raglan Road. Both have a few different things on the menu that make a change from the usual steaks etc.

I would not recommend Bongos though, we didn't enjoy that at all.