It's Dinnertime!

[JacksMama]

Now that the most important meal o'the day has been settled, we're picking our dinner spots.

We have 6 dinners to choose from. I've looked at the menus at these places and they're reflective of what we generally like, so if you think there's somewhere else we should consider, throw it in!

The only two decided are:

* Victoria & Alberts for our parent's night out while the lil' one is at Never Land
* Hoop De Doo Review

We need to narrow the following down to four choices so I need to knock out three. Right now I'm leaning towards getting rid of Spirit of Aloha and we'll only do one of the seafood spots.

No buffet recs for dinner, please. DH is anti buffet and we're already on the buffet train for many of our breakfasts.

Also, if any of these will be particularly special for our little guy's bday dinner, i.e. fabulous dessert and the option to bring a cake in, please advise.

Our dinner choices, need to pick 4 out of 7.

1. Jiko
2. Restaurant Marrakesh - some friends told us they loved it, sounded fun
3. Le Cellier - our plan would be to do the Candlelight package and dine here
4. Spirit of Aloha - torn on this one, gets mixed reviews. Too long for a 4 year old to sit through?
5. Narcoossee's - we're doing one night at the GF, this may be a good option to view the fireworks.
6. California Grill - this is recently added, menu and view look fantastic.
7. Flying Fish - it's a tossup between this and Narcoossee's as we don't need two seafood spots.

 

[lilandvisma]

Now that the most important meal o'the day has been settled, we're picking our dinner spots.

We have 6 dinners to choose from. I've looked at the menus at these places and they're reflective of what we generally like, so if you think there's somewhere else we should consider, throw it in!

The only two decided are:

* Victoria & Alberts for our parent's night out while the lil' one is at Never Land
* Hoop De Doo Review

We need to narrow the following down to four choices so I need to knock out three. Right now I'm leaning towards getting rid of Spirit of Aloha and we'll only do one of the seafood spots.

No buffet recs for dinner, please. DH is anti buffet and we're already on the buffet train for many of our breakfasts.

Also, if any of these will be particularly special for our little guy's bday dinner, i.e. fabulous dessert and the option to bring a cake in, please advise.

Our dinner choices, need to pick 4 out of 7.

1. Jiko
2. Restaurant Marrakesh - some friends told us they loved it, sounded fun
3. Le Cellier - our plan would be to do the Candlelight package and dine here
4. Spirit of Aloha - torn on this one, gets mixed reviews. Too long for a 4 year old to sit through?
5. Narcoossee's - we're doing one night at the GF, this may be a good option to view the fireworks.
6. California Grill - this is recently added, menu and view look fantastic.
7. Flying Fish - it's a tossup between this and Narcoossee's as we don't need two seafood spots.

Flying Fish, Cali Grill, Narcoossee's and Jiko. We are actually planning on going to all of these this coming week. I've started a dining review and intend on finishing it once we get down there


SOA seems just too long and too boring for that age range IMO. We were going to do it but the food just didn't appeal to me. Too many other great places to try in WDW in my opinion. Narcoossee's would be great for his bday because you can get a cake delivered to you while you are dining and he could see the water pageant and fireworks if you time it just right as well. Same for Cali Grill.

For info on cakes here is a whole thread dedicated to info

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413710&highlight=cake

 

[livvylivvie]

We went to the Flying fish cafe when my son was 3, for dessert, he got the COOLEST dessert!! It was white chocolate puzzel pieces with a paint brush, and "paint" to paint his puzzel pieces. (strawberry sause, chocolate sauce, and another sauce of some sort) Also with it he got a cupcake!
That was sooo much fun!

 

[Cafeen]

1. Jiko
2. Restaurant Marrakesh - some friends told us they loved it, sounded fun
3. Le Cellier - our plan would be to do the Candlelight package and dine here
4. Spirit of Aloha - torn on this one, gets mixed reviews. Too long for a 4 year old to sit through?
5. Narcoossee's - we're doing one night at the GF, this may be a good option to view the fireworks.
6. California Grill - this is recently added, menu and view look fantastic.
7. Flying Fish - it's a tossup between this and Narcoossee's as we don't need two seafood spots.

And instead of Narc... since you want either or for Flying Fish, I'd look into Citricos.

As far as Le Cellier, I'd rather do CG or Narc than Le Cellier, but I'd also keep Le Cellier for the CP package if that was something I was interested in.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

Now that the most important meal o'the day has been settled, we're picking our dinner spots.

We have 6 dinners to choose from. I've looked at the menus at these places and they're reflective of what we generally like, so if you think there's somewhere else we should consider, throw it in!

The only two decided are:

* Victoria & Alberts for our parent's night out while the lil' one is at Never Land
* Hoop De Doo Review

We need to narrow the following down to four choices so I need to knock out three. Right now I'm leaning towards getting rid of Spirit of Aloha and we'll only do one of the seafood spots.

No buffet recs for dinner, please. DH is anti buffet and we're already on the buffet train for many of our breakfasts.

Also, if any of these will be particularly special for our little guy's bday dinner, i.e. fabulous dessert and the option to bring a cake in, please advise.

Our dinner choices, need to pick 4 out of 7.

1. Jiko
2. Restaurant Marrakesh - some friends told us they loved it, sounded fun
3. Le Cellier - our plan would be to do the Candlelight package and dine here
4. Spirit of Aloha - torn on this one, gets mixed reviews. Too long for a 4 year old to sit through?
5. Narcoossee's - we're doing one night at the GF, this may be a good option to view the fireworks.
6. California Grill - this is recently added, menu and view look fantastic.
7. Flying Fish - it's a tossup between this and Narcoossee's as we don't need two seafood spots.

From your list I would go with:
1. Flying Fish - There's absolutely no comparison between it and Narcoossee's. In fact, I don't go to Narcoossee's anymore. The food keeps getting progressively worse. It's still better than your average Disney restaurant, but it's one of the few signatures I truly feel is overpriced and kind of undeserving of the "signature" title. Flying Fish, on the other hand, is fabulous
2. Jiko - Very reliable. Good food, good service.
3. California Grill - The appetizers are better than the entrees lately, but the sushi is very good. Also, the Wishes view is great if you're interested in eating that late. Also probably a good option for having a cake brought in. FYI, there's a whole thread about cakes with all the info you'll need.
4. - Probably the CP package at Le Cellier. I haven't been since the menu change. Unless they've done something spectacular with it, I don't think it deserves signature status, but I do like it.
*As a side note, I would definitely skip Spirit of Aloha. It's probably too long for a 4 year old to sit through and enjoy, and the food is just kind of blah. It's not inedible, but it wouldn't be my top pick. Also, Marrakesh can be fun. The entertainment is good, but the food is mediocre and extremely overpriced for what it is. Go with Tangierine Cafe. It's an excellent CS option on an Epcot day, and the food is every bit as good as Marrakesh for 1/3 the price.
**If you decide to veer away from the seven options you listed, I would still keep Flying Fish and Jiko, but my other top suggestions would be Citricos, Bluezoo and Il Mulino.
Enjoy Victoria & Albert's. It's fabulous!

 

[wdwislife]

Definitely do the Le Cellier CP package if your interested in seeing the CP.
I hear the food is delicious there (we're going on our next trip) and the CP was just beautiful when we did the package last year!
Plus, you get a reserved viewing spot for IllumiNations!

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

We also love Restaurant Marrakesh: The food is very good. They invite the little ones up to dance. Our son is in a wheelchair, and the last time we were there the belly dancer really made over him, and took a moment for a picture. It's a lot of fun.

At CG you can have Chef Brian make a special birthday cake. The cake thread has some amazing pictures. Your DS might love the pirate cake.

We've never eaten at FF, but we've eaten at the other restaurants. I would choose FF, because I've heard that it is very good.

We've been to SoA twice and we love it, but I agree that your DS may get a little restless. You will love HDDR.

Enjoy V&A. The food and wine are wonderful. We will be doing it again this year as well.
Have lots of fun. I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices.

 

[JacksMama]

Everyone's replies have been so helpful!

I am very excited about CG because I think that's where we'll have DS's birthday dinner, and I've heard epic things about Chef Brian's cakes!

I've moved Marakkesh to a lunch option since I think our son would get a kick out of the belly dancers.

The feedback on SoA was just what I was looking for. DH wasn't thrilled with the limited menu, and I'll go with y'alls opinions that it would be too long of an event for DS to sit through.

We're keeping bluezoo on backup because we're TE fans and I feel really comfortable with what we've chosen!

Our final choices are:

HDDR
V&A's
Jiko
Le Cellier for Candlelight package
California Grill for birthday boy's dinner (he looooves sushi)
Flying Fish

I'll likely make two alternate ADRs in case we decide to change things at the last minute.

Thanks again, you guys rock!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

We LOVED Cali Grill Sushi !

Snake in the Grass

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

 

[JacksMama]

Ohmygosh, food porn and I haven't even had breakfast- looks DELISH! Now I really can't wait.

 

[Catie.Hiltz]

Spirit of Aloha is fun!

I haven't been in quite a while, but we went several times when I was younger-the food was always great (I specifically remember a mickey ice cream sandwich!) and it was interactive for the kids-there are pics of me doing the luau with the hula girls and a bunch of other kids.

As for is it too long for a 4 year old to sit through? possibly...I was older, 8-11 ish, but I found it very stimulating, flame throwers and hula girls...it was great! I wasn't bored at all, more like mezmerized! but it depends on the person...some might be bored/antsy