Kona for dinner - why do you love it?

[copperbrick]

I'm debating about reserving Kona on the dining plan. I've never eaten there -- it looks a lot like a very plain breakfast and lunch style restaurant. Yet, I've seen a lot of posts about how good Kona is for dinner. Is it really that special?

If you're a Kona fan, what is it about the dinner menu / experience that you love so much?

Can't wait to hear!

PS: Not sure what I did to make the "red face" smiley appear in my title -- didn't mean to and can't figure out how to remove it. Gee . . . maybe I DO need to have a red face after all!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I dont really care for Kona dinner because it is so freaking loud it is hard to sit and relax but the bread it great, the wings are excellent and DH said the NY teriyaki strip is fantastic.

 

[catne]

As Nicki says, it can be loud in there if you're there when it's busy...but we thought the food made it worthwhile. Love that fresh, hot Hawaiian bread with macadamia nut butter. Agree that the teriyaki steak is delicious, the prime rib is also good. The desserts...the banana creme brulee is the best creme brulee in WDW, in my opinion (well, haven't actually had every WDW creme brulee, but have had at least 1/2 dozen different restaurant's versions.)

Click here for my Sept. 2008 review, with pictures, post #51
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1949596&page=4

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

We love the food at dinner. Delicious. Kona's is always on our list of "must do's".

 

[BriarRosie]

Hawaiian bread with macadamia nut butter. I'd be surprised if you don't consume a ton of this.

The steaks are fairly good, but the pomegranate pork chop bite I tasted made me regret not ordering it.

 

[onelilspark]

We went for my birthday. Part of the reason I chose it was because it would be more lively. I have a review in the dining review link in my signature. The food was spectactular. The tables are close together, but to be honest, it seems to be a standard complaint among Disney restaurants.

I would not hesitate recommending the restaurant or going back. VERY good.

 

[tiki23]

Our food was excellent at Kona on our 12/07 trip. The crab cake and sticky wings apps were really yummy as was the macadamia chicken, steak and pork chop. The creme brulee and the molten chocolate torte still get rave reviews at our house!

Most of the noise we heard in Kona came from Ohana...we've eaten at both and found that we liked Kona (better than Ohana!) and that the atmosphere was more intimate and relaxing then most of the Disney restaurants.

 

[carmie3377]

Okay, I just added Kona to our must do dinners for December. We had scheduled it last year but had to cancel when our plans changed. I won't be canceling it this year!

 

[B-Ride]

Hawaiian bread with macadamia nut butter. I'd be surprised if you don't consume a ton of this.

Agreed, we always get two loaves. Add to that some excellent appetizers. Even though they weren't included on the Dining Plan on our most recent trip, we ordered two - the Wings and the Pot Stickers. My 13 year old was looking forward to these for weeks. Add to that consistently excellent entrees and some tasty desserts and you know why we eat at Kona every trip.

Sure it is loud because you are almost sitting in the lobby but we love being part of the action. We are not at WDW for quiet, we are there for FUN!

 

[MGNA]

The Hawaiian bread was wonderful, DH enjoyed his Tuna Oscar, my ribeye was one of the best I've ever eaten. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious and fork tender. Our DS loved the Kona Kone. OH, I forgot about the sushi appetizer..delicious!

We were lucky & seated at a half booth/half table along the back wall. It did seem a lot less noisy in that area than the tables near the hostess desk.

We were a little apprehensive about Kona after having read mixed reviews. When I made this reservation I had to cancel an ADR for Ohana. Our apprehension increased when the CM asked "you sure about this change?". We had an ADR at Ohana for breakfast so I was pleased with the change.

I'm so glad I didn't second guess myself because Kona was one of the best meals of our trip!

 

[webprinter]

It is simple. The food was very good and the service was excellent.

 

[LAS321]

We've had a few dinners at Kona and really enjoyed the food there. The Pan-Asian noodles were great! We started going for breakfast and skipping dinner mostly because the menu was somewhat limited for us. We aren't beef eaters so that didn't leave much of a choice, but the food we did have was excellent.

 

[Flametamr]

For us Kona is a must do every trip now. We had a great waitress our first visit and she spoiled us. The food was all very good. I love the Terriaki Steak. It is very very good. I also love being at the Poly. It just makes me feel good. Some day I'm gonna stay there.

 

[mareed]

We love it for breakfast, and tried it for the first time for dinner on the dining plan last month and DH & had the pork and the teriyaki steak. The pork was OK, but the steak was just plain nasty. I typically only eat a filet for a steak, and I knew I was taking a chance, and that Kona steak definitely reminded me why I stick with a filet. I don't remember what cut of steak it was, but it definitely had yucky fatty parts of it that were difficult to cut around. The bread and butter was really the only enjoyable part of our meal. We won't be back for dinner!

 

[eventamy]

The TUNA OSCAR!!!!!!!!! Best entree EVER!!!

 

[copperbrick]

Noise aside, how is the ambiance? In photos, the restaurant looks a bit like a glorified diner. Thoughts?

 

[disneygirlinnj]

i agree with everyone...kona is a must do for us and since im not a fan of the MK TS's for dinner...that's where i'm having my bday dinner too. the pot stickers, teriyaki sirloin, and banana creme brulee are all heaven. I might stray and get the pork chop but i dont know if I can convince myself not to get the steak!

 

[disneyytraveler]

I have been to Kona a few times in my stay at disneyworld. the shrimp large and delish. i have ressees there this year. definitely try the kona cone! although--WATCH OUT... they didn't give us our cotton candy and i had to relieve my frustrations on the disboards

the asian dish was really gross.... either get the steak or get the shrimp, NOTHING ELSE... and of course, order the deserts!

 

[AirGoofy]

We liked Kona and whatever drink it was that came in the pineapple. We were there at a quiet time, so not much noise, but that could be a problem. The atmosphere is better at Ohana, but so are the prices.

 

[MinnieLee]

I am so glad to hear good reviews about Kona. I just made reservations for dinner there the same night at the MNSSHP so we would be close to MK and not have to worry about the busses from BCV. Did Ohana last year and loved the bread also. DH will probably get the steak but we are open to any recommendations.