Every restaurant has a bad review now and then. Whether it truly is founded or based on a personal bias, I always operate under the "I'm going to try it myself and see" rule. Sometimes I agree with the opinions I've seen and sometimes I don't. All in all, I like to make up my own mind.
With that said, I can offer you my experience at Spoodles which is hands down my favorite restaurant. Chances are, if you liked the menu, you will be further impressed with the atmosphere and the food. I posted this the other day on another thread about a Spoodles menu change, but it's a great opportunity to say again how great this place is.
We've eaten in some wonderful places. But, I have to say out of all the restaurants we visited, Spoodles was the ultimate in food for my tastebuds.
A look at the menu shows tribute to the warm flavors of the Meditteranean (tastes I just love).
We started off with the appetizer I knew I was going to order three months out. The Grilled lamb skewers with tzaziki sauce and pita bread. Tzaziki sauce is basically yogurt with lots of garlic and lemon. This appetizer came with the lamb skewers, the tzaziki sauce, toasted pita wedges, and a sampling of flavored green and kalamata olives. It lived up to the anticipation. The lamb was tender and perfectly cooked, the tzaziki sauce cool and refreshing with a well-seasoned garlic bite, pita wedges had that great slightly charred flavor that hit it off with the sauce, and the olives were flavorful seasoned with fennel seed. Can't say enough about this!
In addition to the lamb skewers, we also ordered the Bruschetta flatbread. This was phenomenal! Pizza dough charred in their oven, topped with olive tapenade, the freshest, ripest red and yellow tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella cheese, garnished with young sprouts. Fabulous!
In short, I would trek from one end of WDW to other to get to this restaurant just for these two appetizers.
I must mention a few incidentals which added to this experience. First, the sangria. I enjoy sangria, having it in many places including Barcelona. When enjoying Meditteranean food, why not have a beverage that will complement the flavors of the region? The sangria used dry red wine, triple sec to sweeten it up just a tad, and then pieces of orange and a cherry for garnish. Great flavors!
Also, the bread and seasoned olive oil was wonderful to enjoy before the appetizers.
DH and I shared the Rigatoni which was mixed with a mild sausage and mushroom sauce. It was perfectly tender, creamy and just as good as everything else.
The server really enjoyed hearing our comments about the food and mentioned to the chef how we were enjoying it. Chef Dan appeared at our table and talked to us about the restaurant. He even likes it so much he will come on his day off and read the paper in the corner and have a bite to eat! He enjoys working there and it definitely shows. He was smiling and waving at little children the whole time.
By dessert, our server was sharing what he liked on the menu and went with his recommendation. The Mocha Creme Brulee is a dark complex chocolate coffee custard with a sugar crust. Presented in a coffee mug, it is topped with whipped cream and a chocolate coffee bean. Fabulous!
DS8 went with cheese flatbread and ate everything, and DS5 went with the PB&J with goldfish crackers. Our family gave Spoodles an A++++++++++++.
I have often heard other posters talk about a place that becomes a family tradition. This is our place!
I told Chef Dan we'd be back. He said he'd be there.
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Please give Spoodles a chance to impress you. The food is absolutely outstanding.
