USAswimmer626
I may love swimming, but I love Disney more!!!
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2008
- Messages
- 543
Here is the second installment in my "The Truth About" series. I hope this review can help clear up any confusion you might have regarding Kona Cafe.
Atmosphere - My first comment would be that the restaurant is very loud, but I'll talk about this later. The decor is very nice, but definitely not overpowering in any sense. The high ceilings and Polynesian ornaments make for a nice feel.
Menu - Nice variety, so anyone should be able to come here multiple times without feeling the need to order the same thing just to be safe. Many meat and seafood dishes, but also some alternatives, so there is something for everybody.
Appetizers - Here are probably some of the stand-out starters in Disney World. The Sticky Wings are outstanding, the Pot Stickers are good, and the Lump Crab Cakes are delicious. Soups and salad are also offered.
Entrees - The only entree I've ever ordered here is the Teriyaki-Style New York Strip. It is served over mashed Yukon gold potatoes and with a side of stir-fried broccolini. I absolutely recommend it! The Shrimp and Scallops were a bit dry when they arrived at our table, but perhaps that was just our specific experience. The Pomegranate Barbecued Pork Chop also sounds enticing, as does the Tuna Oscar, but I'll stick with my steak on my upcoming trip.
Desserts - The Kiluea Torte, a chocolate lava cake, served with a side of ice cream, is very good. But there are several restaurants that do it better. The Coconut Cream Kiki Tart sounds good, but I'm probably going to stay with something I can trust being good.
Portions - The appetizer portions are fair, but the entrees are huge. I have never finished my steak or potatoes. The desserts are a very decent size too, probably big enough to share after a full meal here.
Service - It has been inconsistent here, as in many other Disney World restaurants. We have had fantastic service, and "why am I here"-style service.
Cleanliness - Nothing to complain about here. All the Disney restaurants seem to be very clean, and this is no exception.
Value - I'd say some of the food is definitely overpriced, but you're at Disney, so who cares. If you're worried about getting the best value when dropping $100 for an Out Of Pocket meal, this is probably one of the better choices. On the Disney Dining Plan, eating here is a no-brainer.
Location - This is where I am going to come back to the loudness topic. Since Kona is located on the second floor of the lobby in the Grand Ceremonial House of the Polynesian, it can be very loud. Not only do the people in Kona and the waterfall make noise, but the people waiting for O'hana can be very loud too. The Polynesian is very easy to reach by bus from any Disney part. The resort is also on the monorail for easy access from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
That's it for this review. Hope I've helped some of you make up your minds about getting a reservation here. If I had a 10-day vacation and could eat anywhere I wanted, this would definitely make it onto my list. I highly recommend Kona Cafe.
Thanks for reading! This is the second review in my "The Truth About" series. If you wish to read more, please visit my profile and look for the links under my signature. Also, please leave any questions about Kona or comments about my review. If you would like to suggest a restaurant for a future review, please ask me. I'd be more that willing to write one up.
Atmosphere - My first comment would be that the restaurant is very loud, but I'll talk about this later. The decor is very nice, but definitely not overpowering in any sense. The high ceilings and Polynesian ornaments make for a nice feel.
Menu - Nice variety, so anyone should be able to come here multiple times without feeling the need to order the same thing just to be safe. Many meat and seafood dishes, but also some alternatives, so there is something for everybody.
Appetizers - Here are probably some of the stand-out starters in Disney World. The Sticky Wings are outstanding, the Pot Stickers are good, and the Lump Crab Cakes are delicious. Soups and salad are also offered.
Entrees - The only entree I've ever ordered here is the Teriyaki-Style New York Strip. It is served over mashed Yukon gold potatoes and with a side of stir-fried broccolini. I absolutely recommend it! The Shrimp and Scallops were a bit dry when they arrived at our table, but perhaps that was just our specific experience. The Pomegranate Barbecued Pork Chop also sounds enticing, as does the Tuna Oscar, but I'll stick with my steak on my upcoming trip.
Desserts - The Kiluea Torte, a chocolate lava cake, served with a side of ice cream, is very good. But there are several restaurants that do it better. The Coconut Cream Kiki Tart sounds good, but I'm probably going to stay with something I can trust being good.
Portions - The appetizer portions are fair, but the entrees are huge. I have never finished my steak or potatoes. The desserts are a very decent size too, probably big enough to share after a full meal here.
Service - It has been inconsistent here, as in many other Disney World restaurants. We have had fantastic service, and "why am I here"-style service.
Cleanliness - Nothing to complain about here. All the Disney restaurants seem to be very clean, and this is no exception.
Value - I'd say some of the food is definitely overpriced, but you're at Disney, so who cares. If you're worried about getting the best value when dropping $100 for an Out Of Pocket meal, this is probably one of the better choices. On the Disney Dining Plan, eating here is a no-brainer.
Location - This is where I am going to come back to the loudness topic. Since Kona is located on the second floor of the lobby in the Grand Ceremonial House of the Polynesian, it can be very loud. Not only do the people in Kona and the waterfall make noise, but the people waiting for O'hana can be very loud too. The Polynesian is very easy to reach by bus from any Disney part. The resort is also on the monorail for easy access from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
That's it for this review. Hope I've helped some of you make up your minds about getting a reservation here. If I had a 10-day vacation and could eat anywhere I wanted, this would definitely make it onto my list. I highly recommend Kona Cafe.
Thanks for reading! This is the second review in my "The Truth About" series. If you wish to read more, please visit my profile and look for the links under my signature. Also, please leave any questions about Kona or comments about my review. If you would like to suggest a restaurant for a future review, please ask me. I'd be more that willing to write one up.
