Napa Rose Chefs Counter - dining report

[Aladora]

I debated whether to post this here or in the Disneyland Trip Report section, mods please move if you think it should be elsewhere!

We just got back from our 20th anniversary trip and one of the things we did was to eat at the Napa Rose chefs counter. DH and I have eaten there twice before but this was our son's first time. He just turned 14 so we felt he was old enough to not only enjoy it but also to appreciate it.

Warning, lots of pics to post!

We did the 5pm seating and DH and I both did the wine pairing. (My notes are not the best and there is one course that I have ZERO idea what DH had other that the protein served.

For anyone who is not familiar with the counter set up, there are 3 counters with 4 seats each. Facing the kitchen, there are two counters facing in and on the right side there is the 3rd counter at a 90 degree angle facing the dessert area. We were seated at the middle counter facing in. Chef Gloria was expediting that night but approximately 30 minutes after we sat down, Chef Sutton came and worked at the station right in front of us and chatted to us the whole rest of our meal. He was working on a new dish that I wish we could have tried! This was Wednesday night and he was going to test the new dish out Friday, a few hours after we left Anaheim. He was trying out a few different preparations of a Cuban inspired pork dish that looked yum! It was really lovely to be able to chat with his the whole time, all of us love to cook so this was a great treat for us.

Okay, on to our meal!

Bread basket:


My amuse bouche - vegetarian spring roll


DH and DS amuse bouche - Shrimp ceviche with red pepper coulis


My 1st course -Zucchini Blossom filled with lemony Ricotta Cheese and Zucchini Pine Nut Relish


DH 1st course - Swordfish and ???


DS 1st course -Grilled Diver Scallop with Whipped Potatoes and English Pea Coulis with mushrooms



More in the next post!

 

[Aladora]

My 2nd course -Smiling Tiger Salad with Spicy Beef, Asian Greens, Lobster Shrimp Fritters, and Coconut Vinaigrette (I've had this all 3 times I have been at the chefs counter and it is my favourite dish there!)


DH's 2nd course -Tomatoes and goat cheese panna cotta



DS's 2nd course -Summer's Best Watermelon Salad Coraline Endive and Lime Yogurt


My 3rd course - Chicken breast with Prosciutto-wrapped Summer Peaches, Nectarine Relish and Cornbread Stuffing



DH's 3rd course - Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks Baked with Herb Dumplings



DS 3rd course - Stuffed Quail with Prosciutto-wrapped Summer Peaches, Nectarine Relish and Cornbread Stuffing



Palate cleanser - Lemon Cucumber Sorbet - sorry no pic!

Final dishes in the next post.

 

[Aladora]

My 4th course -Creekstone Farms "Prime" New York Steak
Grilled with Scallion-Green Peppercorn Chimichurri, Buttered Artichoke Hearts and White Asparagus


DH's 4th course - Grilled Colorado Lamb Porterhouse with Merguez Sausage, Sun Flower Root, Mint Pistou, Fava Beans, and Roasted Red Pepper Essence



DS's 4th course - Skillet Roasted Angus Beef Filet Mignon with New Potatoes, Petite Green Beans and Summer Vegetables



My 5th course - Grilled Angel food cake, hibiscus ice cream, pistachio cream, fresh raspberries



DH's 5th course - Pineapple upside down cake



DS's 5th course - Chocolate pate with smoked chocolate ice cream and cherries



Whew, that was a lot of pictures (and a lot of food!)

 

[avalon451]

Thank you so much for posting this! We are going in less than two weeks-- Sept. 12th. Our family of 6 will be seated at the dessert side.

I've done it 3 times before-- once with DD, 13 at the time (perfect!), once alone (I was sort of ignored by the chefs, although one of the sous chefs eventually warmed up... and my waiter tended to forget about me-- but the food was terrific!) , and last time with DH (again, food was great, but we had second seating, and the pastry chef was pretty noncommunicative-- I think she was tired). Also the last couple of times the waiter seemed to figure I was a dumb soccer mom and would not know the difference of whatever wines he brought for the wine flight. I had to politely refuse a few before they caught on and started bringing decent pours. ("Thank you, but I really don't care for sweet wines, and unless that Vouvray is a 2015 Domaine Huet, please don't pour it for me.")

Our waiter last time was awesome. Funny and kind. Hoping to get that good experience again.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Thank you so much for posting your pics. How much does something like this cost per person and how do you make reservations?

 

[Aladora]

Thank you so much for posting your pics. How much does something like this cost per person and how do you make reservations?

For the 3 of us including 2 wine pairings, tax and tip was $520.00 US (an eye watering amount when converted to CAD). I *think* it is $100/person plus $55/wine pairing? To make reservations for this you have to call Napa Rose, I've always called the GCH and asked to be transferred over.

 

[SeattleTink]

Great report. I did this for the first time in May and had the best time. I was solo and all of the chef's and the sommelier were amazing! Yes it is $100 for the dinner and $55 for the wine pairing - and honestly, to me, worth every penny! I love that you took a picture of the bread basket - I forgot and it is some really good bread!!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your pix. I’m vegetarian, well, I eat some fish, so I’ve always been hesitant to pay this much when I don’t have refined taste. Your first pix.

 

[mouschievous]

Stuffed squash blossoms are too die for a i had no idea anyone served them at restaurants! What a wonderful meal you had. Happy anniversary!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Looks like a very nice meal. Do they still talk to you ahead of time about likes/dislikes/dietary concerns?

 

[Aladora]

Looks like a very nice meal. Do they still talk to you ahead of time about likes/dislikes/dietary concerns?

Absolutely and it was obvious from the dishes that they listened to everything we said.

 

[2 Pinks]

We will be eating there for the first time next Sunday at the 5pm seating. My teenage girls are super excited after seeing the offerings! And so am I!

 

[Version 6]

I think I know the answer to this already - but is the Chef's counter something you could do with a 7 year old and 5 year old?

My 5 year old will eat anything - by 7 year old, not so much...

 

[Aladora]

I think I know the answer to this already - but is the Chef's counter something you could do with a 7 year old and 5 year old?

My 5 year old will eat anything - by 7 year old, not so much...

You could but I am not sure that I would. It is a 2 1/2-3 hour meal and even our 14 year old was finding that a bit much to get through.

Maybe try them out in the main dining room first?

 

[Version 6]

You could but I am not sure that I would. It is a 2 1/2-3 hour meal and even our 14 year old was finding that a bit much to get through.

Maybe try them out in the main dining room first?

Didn't realise it was such a long sitting - we will stick to the main dining room.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[AndrewC]

Just adding that Disney Dining is unable to book this on the phone, you must call Napa Rose directly at 714-300-7170....

 

[DisneyDoc5]

amazing, the scallop, the zucchini blossom, I just gained 10 lbs looking at these pics! Thank you for sharing!

 

[AndrewC]

NICE! With it being so limited I totally thought it would be booked up for Oct 20th but I was able to get the Chefs Counter for 1 at 5pm!

Is there a likely chance I’ll be able to get back into the park for fireworks after dinner... without rushing the meal?

 

[ten6mom]

NICE! With it being so limited I totally thought it would be booked up for Oct 20th but I was able to get the Chefs Counter for 1 at 5pm!

Is there a likely chance I’ll be able to get back into the park for fireworks after dinner... without rushing the meal?

I am not sure what time fireworks are but plan to be dining for at least 2.5 hours. I think the next seating is likely at 8.

Don't forget to allow time to get back in and find a place to watch.

 

[avalon451]

NICE! With it being so limited I totally thought it would be booked up for Oct 20th but I was able to get the Chefs Counter for 1 at 5pm!

Is there a likely chance I’ll be able to get back into the park for fireworks after dinner... without rushing the meal?

I should think you'll be fine, fireworks aren't till 9:30. Also, in my experience solo dining went faster. I don't think I was there for more than 1 1/2 hours when I was solo.

Anyway, I hope that will be fine, we have Savi's reservations to build lightsabers at 9:10 the night we're doing Chef's counter at 5.