Just Back and here is where we ate!

[dmen]

Just got back from 10 glorious days in WDW! We had a great time and tried a lot of new restaurants this trip. I have tried to break them down in order of favorite to least favorite for each meal. Our snacks is listed under a separate thread since this one was so long...

Dinners:

-California Grill: This was not our first time at the California Grill, but it is still my favorite. I just love this place. We took the mororail over from the GF; were able to hear and watch the fireworks; had great food and wine including the infamous goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli and sushi; had a fabulous waiter! My only complaint is that the Contempory was ridiculously busy and it took us 10 minutes to be able to push ourselves onto an elevator finally to take us up!

-Jiko: First time here. We had salads and the infamous tenderloin and mac and cheese and curry shrimp. Delicious! Excellent food. We loved what we ordered--not as exotic as one might think! And our waiter was great. Will definitely be back!

-Yachtsman Steakhouse: First time here. Loved it. Food was very good (although not comprable to Peter Lugers, Mortons or many other steakhouses I've heard it compared to). Loved the room. And our server, Ricardo, was very, very sweet.

-Narcoose's: Loved the casual elegant atmosphere. Great location on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Prime for fireworks and water pageant. Great wine choices.

-Citrico's: Food was good. Had the tuna. It is done very, very rare. Also had the crabcake appetizer. Unlike any crabcake I"ve ever had before but was good--very crispy and deep fried. Loved the dessert--banana chocolate torte.

-Teppanyaki (Japan): First time there. Went as part of the CP package. It was good and a good value depending on what you order. I had the shrimp appetizer; lobster and tenderloin and sherbert for dessert. The package basically gave me tax and tip for free. Our cook was very funny. I would rate it about the same as Benihana. I've been to a few that were better and some that were worse. Probably would try another restaurant in Epcot next time just to be different.

-Palio in the Swan. First time there. HATED IT! I had heard very good reviews for it on these boards, so we tried it. We were very disappointed. I ordered one of the specials--rack of lamb with sweet potato gnocchi. I asked the waiter what he recommended and he mentioned that the lamb was his favorite. As I love rack of lamb, it was an easy choice. Well, the lamb was inedible. All fat and very gamey and the gnocchi had no taste whatsoever. I also tried hubby's risotto. I have never had risotto like that. Tasted like Uncle Ben's with tomato paste and seafood. Dessert was ok, but nothing special. As for the place itself, good for a group but despite strolling musicians, not romantic and very noisy. OUr server was very nice, but I felt terrible for him since he had too many tables and never stopped running around all night.

Lunches:

50's Prime Time: 1st time there. Had pot roast. Hubby had fried chicken. And we had a sundae. Liked the food a lot. LIked the idea of the place. Lots of fun. Just a little crowded though.

Captain Jack's: At Downtown Disney. First time there. Walked right in despite major crowds in DD. Food was pretty good and excellent value. Had Manhattan Chowder and tuna salad on croissant combo for $7.99. GOOD DEAL!

Coral Reef: YUCK YUCK YUCK. Will never go back. I only have myself to blame for this one. Everyone says it is bad. But I wanted to see it and didn't listen. Place is adorable. Service was great. Food was horrendous. Inedible. Don't do it to yourself.

Breakfasts:

GF Cafe: Excellent breakfast. Crowded. But food is really good.

Donald's Breakfastsaurus: My first character breakfast in 20 years. Cute. Food so-so. Very greasy and heavy. Good character interaction. A little disorganized and very crowded.

Meals we missed:
-Princess Breakfast in Norway due to Tornado warnings and the fact that we had been at MVMCP the night before in the most horrible torrential rain I have ever seen.
-Cinderella's Royal Table: flights got pushed up 2 hours and missed lunch there. HAd been there before though.
-Portobello Yacht Club: Friends had never seen Fantasmic and Osborne Lights so decided to skip our dinner there to stay at MGM! Will definitely try next time!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Fine reviews!!
I know what you mean about those elevators at the Contemporary--closet sized, and oh-so-slow!!
If I had any hand in getting you to try Palio--sorry. Our meals there have been just the opposite--and it's been virtually empty.

 

[Penny12]

Interesting reviews...seems like you had a bit of variety on the good and bad stakes though

I've heard mixed things about the Coral Reef, though I've never eaten there myself (and actually haven't totally ruled out eating there in the future - just a bit low on my list of places to try). Can I ask what food you ordered that tasted bad?

 

[Krissalee]

Thanks for the reviews! You had several fine meals! I do like to read the good with the bad, and read about different experiences and opinions.

 

[leahgmac]

It's funny how reviews go I agree with you 100% on everything but Palio's we had great food there (he had chicken I had fish) Thanks for the reviews. Coral Reef was better 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[DisOrBust]

That closes Coral Reef for me. I to have been wanting to try it despite the reviews. Yikes! We are planning on Palios...maybe not now.

 

[JulesMom]

Thanks for the reviews!

 

[Rneighh]

So glad I opted to not to Coral Reef and to Teppanyaki instead on our upcoming trip in feb.

Renee

 

[dmen]

well, this has been one fun thread! i guess it was more fun to experience.

uncleromulus-you are too sweet! you definitely do not have to apologize for the palio support! i view these boards as friendly advice. i choose to take it or not. and i wanted to try palio. you did recommend it, and i usually agree with your dining reviews, but it was my decision. i am well aware that every restaurant has good and bad nights and a big part of restaurant's appeal is what you order, and i may have ordered the wrong thing. i, in know way, blame anyone for liking a restaurant that i did not. i do, however, want to kick myself for the coral reef thing! when everyone says don't do it, and i do it and hate it, then i can be mad at myself thank you for your reviews though. they are always helpful!

disneymad-i hate that i hated the food because coral reef is a cool looking restaurant. the bread was very good. but everything else wasn't. i know i probably ordered the wrong thing. i had the infamous seafood ravioli. there was a thread awhile ago with a big debate regarding whether it was good or not and what was in it. well, i read that entire thread before going. in fact, the person that liked it even took a picture of it. what i got, was not the picture though. i knew what fish were supposed to be in the ravioli, still the only one i could identify was the salmon. the others were a big guess. so maybe i got myself into this one too! i had the king crab appetizer. it was fine, but i felt low quality crab. hubby got the ahi. he said it had not taste and was rubbery.

krisalee-yes, i agree with you. i never believe anyone who likes everything or hates everything!!!

leahgmac-i know. i heard a lot of positive things about palio. that is why i am beginning to think we just hit a really bad night. if others wanted to go there, i would give it another try. just there are too many other places for me to try or return to that i liked a lot to choose to go there for me.

Disorbust-don't give up on palio's yet. wait to see what other recent reviewers say to see if i had a fluke of an experience or the quality has actually gone down hill recently. but do stay away from coral reef!!!!

Julesmom-you are welcome!

Rnneigh-i think you made a good choice. the Japanese restaurant is always packed whenever i am in epcot--although this was my first time eating in it. i thought it was good and different than other restaurants in epcot! have a good time.

 

[Misti]

Thanks for the review! I've always wanted to give Coral Reef a try--maybe not now!