Narcoossee’s or Citricos?

[PolyRob]

I will be staying at the Grand Floridian so I am interested in dining there a few times to try new things and for convenience. I need help deciding which dinner would be a more enjoyable experience. The night I am planning on having dinner at the resort is also the night of a MVMCP (I will not be in attendance this night) and the dinner will be 8:30/8:45pm. I am leaning towards Narcoossee’s since I will be able to see the electrical water pageant at 9:15pm and fireworks at 10pm from the restaurant or on the sidewalk outside. I have been reading posts and I have seen that some feel Narcoossee’s quality is declining while Citricos is still very good (I have not been to either of them). If I did do Citricos for dinner, I could also try to fit in the Narcoossee’s Sunday brunch (if it is worth the $69 price tag).

Do you prefer the seafood of Narcoossee’s or Mediterranean cuisine of Citricos? Or is the MVMCP show from Narcoossee’s a deal breaker?

Thanks!

P.S. I will be attending the MVMCP another night and seeing the fireworks from the park itself (possibly dessert party depending on reviews)

 

[Lisa F]

I am a fireworks girl and would do pretty much anything to see fireworks at night and I love the electric water pageant so I'd vote for Narcoossees. Also I feel like Narcoossees is a bit more casual, which is more my style lately (but then I always have kid in tow). I do not think the food quality has gone down there as much as people have been in a snit about the splitting out of the lobster tail from the steak as an accompaniment so it is no longer included as one meal on the DDP. That is the biggest complaint that I have seen and it's been on my radar. It IS more seafood heavy so if you are not a seafood lover I'd skip it. I'm planning to do it myself because even though I live in New England, I live in a touristy area and lobster is still an indulgence. I will have it on the DDP and treat myself.

The brunch looks good but the brunch at the CA Grill looks phenomenal. I know you wanted to stay at GF but if I could fit it in, I'd be at the CA Grill brunch in a new york minute.

 

[USCAnna]

Definitely Narcoosee's. Citricos is okay, but probably my least favorite of the signature dining experiences. Narcoosee's is awesome!!!

 

[sotoalf]

I've been twice in 12 years. On both occasions Narcoosee's proved it's got excellent service and mediocre food: items prepared without much imagination. Citricos, on the other hand, which we've visited a half dozen times in three years, has never stopped impressing us with excellent service and food. We even had a problem with a snobbish bartender that the manager handled with grace. We look forward to every visits.

 

[Linleedo]

With our experience, Narcoossee's is much better. Citricos service wasn't as attentive as Narcoossee's. The mussels, scallops, lobster bisque, lobster and fish were outstanding!

 

[alex9179]

You can't really count on reviews because there is so much At The Moment perception to take into account. I say try the one with the most enticing menu, for you. I read a glowing review of Narcoossee's brunch and another glowing review of California Grill's. I will read pans soon enough but, absolutely, try it for yourself. They sound wonderful.

I ate at Narcoosee's several years ago and loved the food and service. I found the restaurant noise level to be deafening, though. I had to yell at my dining companion across our tiny two-top. It was a loud and slightly claustrophobic experience, which has me looking elsewhere. This was in May and a later dinner to catch Wishes. Maybe an earlier ADR would be better for ambiance.

 

[alex9179]

You know what I would do, instead of a dinner and brunch thing at a couple of divisive signatures, is use the money to book at V&A's. There will be no regrets, no "what if I don't like it" worries. Just bliss for 3 hours of TRULY signature dining. Ambiance, service, and excellent food will...spoil you forever. It's a cross to bear.

I actually REALLY learned to cook after eating there. I couldn't bear the thought of mediocre all of the time. I'm a "good" cook because of our dinner at V&A's. One day I hope to make something unforgettable, like what we were served.

Edit: and throw the dessert party money toward it, too.

 

[Regan117]

You know what I would do, instead of a dinner and brunch thing at a couple of divisive signatures, is use the money to book at V&A's. There will be no regrets, no "what if I don't like it" worries. Just bliss for 3 hours of TRULY signature dining. Ambiance, service, and excellent food will...spoil you forever. It's a cross to bear.

I actually REALLY learned to cook after eating there. I couldn't bear the thought of mediocre all of the time. I'm a "good" cook because of our dinner at V&A's. One day I hope to make something unforgettable, like what we were served.

Edit: and throw the dessert party money toward it, too.

Yuck. Not everyone likes the food on the menu at Victoria & Albert's. I don't.

 

[alex9179]

I must have missed your review. I can honestly say that I haven't come across a negative one, but I'm sure they are out there on the Dis.

 

[Candycane83]

I think there's too much different opinions on which one is better so I think you need to decide based on which menu your group will like better. From looking at it, Narcoosee's seem to have better ambiance just in terms of the view and MVMCP fireworks is a plus. If you're looking for an experience then narcoosees would be my pick.

I'm doing the CG brunch and Narcoosee's dinner. I looked at Citricos as well as Artist point as choices. In the end, I think that the menu is better for me on the choices I have. I didn't look into experiencing the MVMCP fireworks because it just didn't fit with our current schedule. If I had time and money, I'd love to try all of them.

as for V&A, if you don't have kids below 10, then maybe that could be a consideration.

 

[alex9179]

as for V&A, if you don't have kids below 10, then maybe that could be a consideration.

Or can budget in a Kid's Club, like we did.

Man, I had talked myself out of dining there next year because of our longer stay. Now, I'm thinking about how to tighten the purse strings a little to make it easy! A thought regarding menu descriptions. What you read and what you eat may result in completely different judgements. For instance, I don't like beets. Really, really don't want to eat them. I ordered it at V&A's because I thought, "If chefs at a 5 Diamond restaurant can't make it taste good, then I'm never going to doubt that they're awful, again." I was SCHOOLED. The beet carpaccio dish was delicious and I wish I knew what they did so that I can have something similar at home. Maybe they'll have brussel sprouts or organ meat on the menu next time and I can, again, eat my words!
I see "it didn't sound like something we'd like but it was wonderful" all of the time on the review page. At WDW, it's usually very accessible and can be incredibly delicious.

I totally agree with choosing what will fit.

 

[hedberg1661]

I find Citrocos to be 4 much m u enjoyable experience than Narcossees

 

[PolyRob]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions!

I have been working on rearranging ADRs after switching my MVMCP night. I think the more "casual" signature dining may be better for my group, even though we are all adults. I have it planned now that my ADR at Narcoossee's would fall in line with both the Water Pageant and Wishes (my personal choice) and my ADR at Citricos which would leave enough time for my family and I to venture outside and enjoy both shows.

Brunch is still a possibility for me on my AK day. It will all come down to whether or not RoL happens and if I need a package meal at Tiffins. Guess only time will tell!

I think the final determination may have to come down to the menu selections (as many have mentioned). I would be delighted with either, but will need to survey my family! Being the (over obsessed) planner in the group is always tough