Lamplight Brunch or GCH Grill Lunch?

[dreeger]

I am interested in both, but if you had to choose only one of those two options, which would it be and why? Thanks!

 

[Matrixleos]

I ate at both locations about two weeks ago and easily, without second thought, I'd go with Lamplight. I'd even go as far to say that Lamplight was also our favorite sit down restaurant at both parks. Best tasting meal we had at either park, plus we are HUGE fans of Pixar movies and loved how the restaurant is themed.

 

[Ladyslug]

I'd even go as far to say that Lamplight was also out favorite sit down restaurant at both parks. Best tasting meal we had at either park, plus we are HUGE fans of Pixar movies and loved how the restaurant is themed.

I'm so glad to hear this! I keep second-guessing my late lunch reservation for Lamplight since we've never been there before, but this makes it sound like it's the way to go!

 

[wildekatza]

Oooh! I chose LL as a kind of second thought because nothing else was avail for my late arrival and I am glad you said this. I had seen some not so good reviews on it so I am glad you said this. NOW I am excited to see it. I had read back when it first opened there was a "hidden bar" in it as well that you had to know the password for or something to get into, but I haven't seen anything on that in a while, so they may have gotten rid of it?

 

[Matrixleos]

Oooh! I chose LL as a kind of second thought because nothing else was avail for my late arrival and I am glad you said this. I had seen some not so good reviews on it so I am glad you said this. NOW I am excited to see it. I had read back when it first opened there was a "hidden bar" in it as well that you had to know the password for or something to get into, but I haven't seen anything on that in a while, so they may have gotten rid of it?

Not sure about a "hidden bar" but there is a "secret room" inside a bank vault type room. You have to have a large party to access it or special invitation. Room looks really cool and if you get lucky, you can have access to it for a full 2 hours. The room also have a private balcony that overlooks Pixar Pier. So it's best to take your drinks after your meal and sit out there and enjoy the view.

Here's a recent YouTube video on the "secret room" if you were curious about it....

 

[Matrixleos]

I'm so glad to hear this! I keep second-guessing my late lunch reservation for Lamplight since we've never been there before, but this makes it sound like it's the way to go!

We ate at several sit down restaurants and flavor wise\being tasty, our choice as a family was easily Lamplight. Then factor in the views and Pixar theming and it takes it over the top. We were there for a 7pm dinner reservation and this was out view from our table once the sun set and they opened up the blinds. Honestly, we just stared at that view and the Incredicoaster for the whole time, really fun.

 

[DLgal]

Lamplight Brunch by a MILE.

 

[dreeger]

Lamplight Brunch by a MILE.

Thank you! I'll keep my reservations at LL. We have eaten there previously (2 years ago) and had spotty service and thought the lobster nachos tasted fishy, so my husband is hesitant to go there again, but I have assured him brunch will be a different experience.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I liked my food at the Craftsman better than Lamplight. I got the chilaquilles at Lamplight and I normally like that type of dish but not here. I did enjoy my scream canister drink at Lamplight. I liked my charchutterie pizza and banana dacquiri at the Craftsman better. The view at Lamplight was better.

 

[Nonin]

Don't go to Lamplight with a kid if they don't like the sides. Absolutely NO accommodation was offered. I feel if you are going to have special meals for adults you should have more to offer kids. My daughter doesn't like hummus or fruit because she has texture issues. She will probably grow out of them as her palate becomes more sophisticated but is it too much trouble to have an option of fries with a burger? The inflexibility with no other option offered left a very bitter taste in our mouths and we had to waste a ton of our park time on bad customer service. My husband and I had a delicious meal but my daughters meal sucked.

 

[MonocularVision]

I ended up swapping my side with my children’s since I love hummus. But yeah, it is a really odd choice for kids IMHO.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I'm doing both! Lamplight brunch (super early..like 9am early...but it's fine!) on our DCA day, and Craftsman lunch on our Disneyland day. I want the double-baked nachos. i want the Crab and Potato Benedict. I want the cocktails. I want everything.

 

[DLgal]

I'm doing both! Lamplight brunch (super early..like 9am early...but it's fine!) on our DCA day, and Craftsman lunch on our Disneyland day. I want the double-baked nachos. i want the Crab and Potato Benedict. I want the cocktails. I want everything.

Good call!

It should be noted, also, that the entire GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill menu, essentially, is available via the quick serve location right there. They get the food from the same kitchen and you don't need a reservation to eat that food if you just want to check it out. You can also at any time, walk up to the outside bar and sit down and order drinks and food there. The reservations are only for the tables there.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

Good call!

It should be noted, also, that the entire GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill menu, essentially, is available via the quick serve location right there. They get the food from the same kitchen and you don't need a reservation to eat that food if you just want to check it out. You can also at any time, walk up to the outside bar and sit down and order drinks and food there. The reservations are only for the tables there.

Oooooo excellent tip! Because I'd rather not waste a ton of time on an ADR but seriously I want those nachos. Is there a good place nearby to sit and nosh?

 

[DLgal]

Oooooo excellent tip! Because I'd rather not waste a ton of time on an ADR but seriously I want those nachos. Is there a good place nearby to sit and nosh?

There's a good amount of seating inside and then just outside there are lots of tables similar to picnic tables, under cover in a little alcove. You can also mobile order from this location. The nachos are definitely on the menu! In addition, there are outdoor tables around the corner at Hearthstone you can use. If you sit there, you can walk inside and order drinks from that bar after 4pm when they open.

 

[avalon451]

Finally got into Lamplight with DD in mid June for late lunch/ early dinner. It was really good, they had decent gluten free options. And we loved the view.
(Those are lobster nachos and potato skins. Yum.)

 

[Matrixleos]

Finally got into Lamplight with DD in mid June for late lunch/ early dinner. It was really good, they had decent gluten free options. And we loved the view. (Those are lobster nachos and potato skins. Yum.)

Those potato skins were ridiculously good. We all loved them so much, we ordered a 2nd serving.

 

[Babybears]

We loved Craftsman grill! We were a party of 5 and found they had a much larger selection of items to choose from and we all tried something different and all of it was excellent. As other posters have said, there is plenty of seating, inside and out, and no reservations needed. It's more casual and has a fountain coke machine where you can pick lots of flavor combos, and and huge cooler with almost any drink you could think of. You order at a counter, pay and they give you a number and you find a place to sit. We had our food in 10 minutes or less. Now, if ambiance is your thing, there is no question that Lamplight has that hands down. But for a quiet, out of the way place with twice the options, and a good variety if you have picky eaters in your party, I would definitely recommend giving this place a try. It ended up being one of our hidden gems this past trip! BTW, the nachos are HUGE, completely sharable!

 

[wildekatza]

Not sure about a "hidden bar" but there is a "secret room" inside a bank vault type room. You have to have a large party to access it or special invitation. Room looks really cool and if you get lucky, you can have access to it for a full 2 hours. The room also have a private balcony that overlooks Pixar Pier. So it's best to take your drinks after your meal and sit out there and enjoy the view.

Here's a recent YouTube video on the "secret room" if you were curious about it....

Matrixleos, You are absolutely right. That is what I meant. Hidden room, not hidden bar. Thanks for the updated video. I had looked for one on it that was more recent and couldn't seem to find it. You are awesome!
I went ahead and kept my lunch res for this place since we have never been and everyone on here thinks it is pretty stellar. Now that I see the room, it is more for a group and not just 2 people so I guess we won't ask for it. I would love to sit out on the patio to eat anyway. I am all about the outdoor seating. Hoping we get the upstairs tables at Carthay lounge. We have eaten inside and at the lounge inside for less than 10 minutes waiting for our dining table upstairs to be ready but I am hoping to get a table on the balcony outside upstairs. OUR very first visit to DL 5 years ago, we walked in (no res) and the girls at the entrance found out it was our first visit. They seated us in the lobby to wait a few minutes for a table and about 10 minutes later, they come over with the regular free buttons "My 1st trip to Disneyland" but they had decorated them with jewels they glued on and wrote on the back the date with a sharpie while they were standing there at their station at the hostess podium! Where they got the tiny jewels and glue is beyond me. I was overwhelmed. WDW cast members never have time to do this stuff. They were so excited FOR us. We are not young and cutesy. We are like in our early 50s so it wasn't like we were a young honeymoon couple either. LOL!

 

[evilmommie]

I’m not a fan of LL at all and have given them plenty of chances. Bad service, late food…gross food on a couple of occasions. Stinky lobster nachos…uh, no thanks….

I’ll admit I’m biased of GCH grill because of the service I’ve received there on several occasions and it’s a much more relaxed setting. We LOVE Erick and Lisette at the bar. They give outstanding service. Up to the gold standard of Disney.