Napa Rose advice?

[LizzyS]

I was luckily able to snag a Napa Rose dinner reservation for our anniversary (yay!), so I have just a few questions and clarifications I'd like to ask/get from those who have dined there previously.

1. What is the best way to get to NR inside the GCH? I've looked at a map of GCH and I can't really tell what way may be best and I've only been in there a few times. Will I be asked if I'm a guest or have a reservation at a GCH entrance?

2. I saw someone somewhere say "smart casual" is a good way to dress. Is this true?

3. I notice a lot of folks say the menu is quite limited now compared to pre-pandemic. Any recommendations? I know the food is fancy and small servings.

Any other tips are appreciated, TIA!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Anyone can enter the GCH from DTD or DCA at any time...only entrance restriction is the front doors of the GCH from the street...there you will need to be a resort guest or confirmed reservation holder (which you are).

All things being equal from the center of the esplanade to the GCH lobby it is the same about of time to walk through DTD as it is though DCA...so all depends on where you are coming from but we typically walk though DTD into DCA to get to Napa Rose and that area of the hotel.

There is no formal dress code but people tend to dress a bit nicer. While some get totally decked out I am 100% comfortable in a nice polo and golf type shorts...While you do not need to go formal, you also don't wanna look like you just got off Splash Mountain in a soppy T shirt and crocks.

While it is still good, the menu was MUCH better several years ago IMO.

 

[DLgal]

I was luckily able to snag a Napa Rose dinner reservation for our anniversary (yay!), so I have just a few questions and clarifications I'd like to ask/get from those who have dined there previously.

1. What is the best way to get to NR inside the GCH? I've looked at a map of GCH and I can't really tell what way may be best and I've only been in there a few times. Will I be asked if I'm a guest or have a reservation at a GCH entrance?

2. I saw someone somewhere say "smart casual" is a good way to dress. Is this true?

3. I notice a lot of folks say the menu is quite limited now compared to pre-pandemic. Any recommendations? I know the food is fancy and small servings.

Any other tips are appreciated, TIA!

The fastest route to NR is via the entrance from DCA. You walk through that entrance, hang right and its right there. But in general, it's easy to find. Just head out the lobby door that is near the gift shop and it's just down that outside corridor. No one will ask you why you are there unless you drive up in a car and need to park (and if that's the case, you get 5 hours of complimentary valet parking with a NR reservation)

2. Dress nice. While you will see people in there dressed in park clothes, it's a VERY nice atmosphere with the servers wearing nice pants and dress shirts with vests. There are tablecloths and fancy glassware and you get new utensils for each course. It's the kind of place you want to feel a bit dressed up for, but you don't need to go super fancy (although some diners do). I usually wear a dress or skirt, but last time I wore black trousers and a nice button down blouse and black leather ankle boots. My husband wore his fancy dark jeans and a button down shirt with a nice pair of leather oxfords.

3. The menu varies so often that it's hard to give firm recommendations, BUT we almost always order the filet/tenderloin option and it is always amazing. They do a great job with fish and pork as well. The starters are usually very good, and we usually go with the server's recommendation on that. For desserts, get the creme brulee option (creme brulee is one of their long standing specialty desserts and they do it flawlessly) OR get the option with whatever fruit is in season. The chocolate desserts, in my opinion, aren't their best work. If you like cocktails, the absolute hands down BEST cocktail is the Kate & Ella (and its backstory is great as well).

 

[whoever]

you get 5 hours of complimentary valet parking with a NR reservation)

Is this a new thing?

 

[DLgal]

Is this a new thing?

Nope. Always been a perk. We use it every time since we live 15 minutes away.

 

[whoever]

Nope. Always been a perk. We use it every time since we live 15 minutes away.

Great to know if we are ever in the area and not staying onsite. Thanks!

 

[whoever]

Menu is seasonal, so hard to say what they'll have. When it's just adults, we typically go for Chef's Counter. When the kids are along, we dine in the lounge or main dining room. The Scallops are always amazing, anything offered with Uni is a must-get too. The Lamb is always a treat. The pork, typically astounding. It's really hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. The Truffled Mac and Cheese is always a must get too.

For attire, Dresses for the ladies, I typically do a button down, sometimes with tie, sometimes not. Polo occasionally. It's a nice restaurant so I dress nice, but your mileage may vary.

 

[DLgal]

Menu is seasonal, so hard to say what they'll have. When it's just adults, we typically go for Chef's Counter. When the kids are along, we dine in the lounge or main dining room. The Scallops are always amazing, anything offered with Uni is a must-get too. The Lamb is always a treat. The pork, typically astounding. It's really hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. The Truffled Mac and Cheese is always a must get too.

For attire, Dresses for the ladies, I typically do a button down, sometimes with tie, sometimes not. Polo occasionally. It's a nice restaurant so I dress nice, but your mileage may vary.

The truffled mac and cheese (and all other sides) have not been on the menu since the reopening last year. We really miss the mac and cheese...

There is also still no bread service, which is a shame.

 

[whoever]

The truffled mac and cheese (and all other sides) have not been on the menu since the reopening last year. We really miss the mac and cheese...

There is also still no bread service, which is a shame.

That's depressing. Are they offering Chef's Counter at all? If all the sides are off the menu I'd rather do Chef's Counter than only have Entrees in the dining room.

 

[CharleneTheDM]

I had no idea guests could go through to GCH from DCA! It's that entrance across from Grizzly River Run, right?

I thought it was for hotel guests only!

 

[whoever]

I had no idea guests could go through to GCH from DCA! It's that entrance across from Grizzly River Run, right?

I thought it was for hotel guests only!

Hotel Guests only going into the park in the morning (I think it was like a 10-11am restriction). Anybody can leave the park through it or enter through it after the cutoff. It USED to be for entry only if you were a guest of the the GCH back in the early days if memory serves, but that hasn't existed for 15+ years or more).

 

[DLgal]

That's depressing. Are they offering Chef's Counter at all? If all the sides are off the menu I'd rather do Chef's Counter than only have Entrees in the dining room.

Yes, they are offering a very limited number of Chef's Counter seatings.

 

[DLgal]

That's depressing. Are they offering Chef's Counter at all? If all the sides are off the menu I'd rather do Chef's Counter than only have Entrees in the dining room.

Also, I noticed that without sides or bread, it's MUCH more expensive to have a filling meal. The starter we ordered last month was $24. It was 4 small meatballs. Our bill for 2 after tip was $300 and that was with sharing most courses. You pretty much have to order at least a 3 course dinner to leave full. We did a shared appetizer, starter, and entree. Each got a dessert. Ordered 4 cocktails total.

I'm sure this is by design. We used to be able to share an app, entree and dessert, order a side, and with the bread that was enough. Our bill is now $100 higher than it was pre pandemic.

 

[whoever]

Also, I noticed that without sides or bread, it's MUCH more expensive to have a filling meal. The starter we ordered last month was $24. It was 4 small meatballs. Our bill for 2 after tip was $300 and that was with sharing most courses. You pretty much have to order at least a 3 course dinner to leave full. We did a shared appetizer, starter, and entree. Each got a dessert. Ordered 4 cocktails total.

I'm sure this is by design. We used to be able to share an app, entree and dessert, order a side, and with the bread that was enough. Our bill is now $100 higher than it was pre pandemic.

I'll be curious to hear the OP post back with their experience and the current menu selections. Napa is probably our favorite restaurant on property (21 Royal is better, but I can't afford that every trip). I don't mind paying a lot for a great meal, but I expect a great meal for the price and limited offerings especially when they are things I always get is a big downer. I hope it's back to normal for my next trip this fall.

 

[DLgal]

I'll be curious to hear the OP post back with their experience and the current menu selections. Napa is probably our favorite restaurant on property (21 Royal is better, but I can't afford that every trip). I don't mind paying a lot for a great meal, but I expect a great meal for the price and limited offerings especially when they are things I always get is a big downer. I hope it's back to normal for my next trip this fall.

About a week ago, someone posted the current menu. It was SIGNIFICANTLY cut down from what we had on Dec 17.

It seems that, like everything else, Napa Rose is struggling with staffing and perhaps ingredient shortages due to Covid. The restaurant even cancelled several reservations for this month. Going there is currently a gamble. While they might have to cut back the menu, it does not seem like the QUALITY has been affected. Our 2 meals there last year were still fantastic, albeit more expensive than in the past, but that seems to be the case with all things Disney.

 

[DizMe]

Hey Matt,

My sister and I were there in Dec, I think it was the 14th. I concur with everything DLgal said. Our meal was excellent but not quite to the standard it was pre-Covid. There were a few minor complaints from 2 in our party due to the lukewarm temp of the appetizer (they'd ordered the same thing, which was, I think, a small pot pie or similar). They were sent another item in compensation. There were 7 of us and we all had dessert as well, which was stellar. Overall, it was an excellent meal with good service, and I'm willing to concede that some downgrades are acceptable at this point due to factors out of the restaurant's control. I just hope that we're not facing a time when things we used to expect are PERMANENTLY removed.

OP, I Usually opt for an appetizer, salad, and dessert for my meal. I'm not a huge eater, for one thing, and I consider dessert the best part of the meal so that system works for me. Sometimes, for me, the appetizer and salad are the same thing.

I always dress nicely for dinner at Napa Rose--slacks and a nice blouse or sweater--but I generally stay on site (DLH or GCH) so it's easier to change if I want to.

Have a great time!

 

[whoever]

Hey Matt,

My sister and I were there in Dec, I think it was the 14th. I concur with everything DLgal said. Our meal was excellent but not quite to the standard it was pre-Covid. There were a few minor complaints from 2 in our party due to the lukewarm temp of the appetizer (they'd ordered the same thing, which was, I think, a small pot pie or similar). They were sent another item in compensation. There were 7 of us and we all had dessert as well, which was stellar. Overall, it was an excellent meal with good service, and I'm willing to concede that some downgrades are acceptable at this point due to factors out of the restaurant's control. I just hope that we're not facing a time when things we used to expect are PERMANENTLY removed.

OP, I Usually opt for an appetizer, salad, and dessert for my meal. I'm not a huge eater, for one thing, and I consider dessert the best part of the meal so that system works for me. Sometimes, for me, the appetizer and salad are the same thing.

I always dress nicely for dinner at Napa Rose--slacks and a nice blouse or sweater--but I generally stay on site (DLH or GCH) so it's easier to change if I want to.

Have a great time!

Appreciate it Cheri. We were gonna be back this March, but that's off the books currently. October, we hope to live it up.

 

[wowsmom]

Hey Matt,

My sister and I were there in Dec, I think it was the 14th. I concur with everything DLgal said. Our meal was excellent but not quite to the standard it was pre-Covid. There were a few minor complaints from 2 in our party due to the lukewarm temp of the appetizer (they'd ordered the same thing, which was, I think, a small pot pie or similar). They were sent another item in compensation. There were 7 of us and we all had dessert as well, which was stellar. Overall, it was an excellent meal with good service, and I'm willing to concede that some downgrades are acceptable at this point due to factors out of the restaurant's control. I just hope that we're not facing a time when things we used to expect are PERMANENTLY removed.

OP, I Usually opt for an appetizer, salad, and dessert for my meal. I'm not a huge eater, for one thing, and I consider dessert the best part of the meal so that system works for me. Sometimes, for me, the appetizer and salad are the same thing.

I always dress nicely for dinner at Napa Rose--slacks and a nice blouse or sweater--but I generally stay on site (DLH or GCH) so it's easier to change if I want to.

Have a great time!

I wonder if I saw you there on the 14th.

If you want to dress up, go for it but if that's not your thing, you won't feel out of place. I've only ever gone in a t-shirt, shorts/jeans & sneakers because that's all I have/wear.

Prices are definitely higher and the menu smaller, but our food & service have been excellent each time we've gone.

 

[DizMe]

I wonder if I saw you there on the 14th.

Wouldn't that be funny! Our reservation was at 8 PM. We were seated at a large round table somewhere between the fireplace area and the wall of windows next to the entrance from the hotel side . I'm just not sure whether we went the 13th or 14th, ha ha!

 

[wowsmom]

Wouldn't that be funny! Our reservation was at 8 PM. We were seated at a large round table somewhere between the fireplace area and the wall of windows next to the entrance from the hotel side . I'm just not sure whether we went the 13th or 14th, ha ha!

We were there on the 14th at 7 pm, in the front room between the fireplace & the front window, at a 4-top with just 2 of us.