We did a mix of buffets and table service. Sanaa was nice because if DD wanted to walk it was a short trip to go see the animals for a few minutes and then come back, but it was much more peaceful than a buffet.
Since you're at Yacht Club, Epcot and the Boardwalk are a nice walk. We've tried all of the Italian restaurants at Epcot and the one on the Boardwalk. Would recommend them all. Via Napoli, the pizza place, is very loud, though, so if your DD is not into that...A real surprise find was the wine bar (wine cave) adjoining Tutto Gusto in Italy - excellent food, more intimate atmosphere, quieter. Pretty much everywhere is accommodating to small kids- you know your DD and how she will sit in a restaurant. Also I suggest making your ADRs early (like 5 or 5:30) - more likely to be other families with small kids and so if there is a meltdown, no one really cares so much and the other diners are understanding. We never had an issue, since DD loves going to restaurants and "sitting like a 10-year old" (her words).
Coral Reef maybe a good choice too (I have never been, but we have friends with young twins and they go EVERY time) for seafood and with the big tank for your princess.
We also enjoyed California Grill - go when it's light out and your princess will love seeing the World at her feet! You can go back up later to see Wishes with your receipt.
Oh! Just saw that your trip is in 2018! You have lots of time to plan. But if you want to take your princess to any of the restautants, I think she is welcome everywhere except Victoria and Alberts. We taught our DD to be a good restaurant diner by taking her to very casual places from the time she was a baby, and got her used to it when the stakes weren't so high. We also treated going to a restaurant as a special occasion. Since you're foodies, expose her to a lot of tastes and smells from a young age and let her eat a wide variety of foods, she will love the different options at WDW!
Also - respect her schedule and needs. 2.5 is prime meltdown age and you can do everything you can to make sure she's well rested and not hungry and ... a meltdown can still happen. We missed out on our Wishes FP when DD was almost 3 because I went to ride space mountain, DD decided it would be fun to run away from DH in the dark, he got angry at her, and I finished Space Mountain to a crying toddler and a very frustrated DH. So we left the park. (Friends of ours call it "Shutting Down the Operation") Basically you need to be prepared to Shut Down the Operation if things go south (and they can very quickly), but not take it as a failure or missing out on plans. We took a very mellow day the next day and all was better. Plan on at least 1 non-park day, and leave blocks of time where your DD can just enjoy what she enjoys, whether it's riding the carrousel over and over and over and over (BTDT) or just dancing around on Main St. (One day on that trip she danced to the entrance music for half an hour, skipped around, and then didn't want to go any further into MK. We declared it a pool day.)
You will have a great time!
