Narcoossee's? and Which Signature Dining Would You Choose?

[Danislee]

My husband and I are headed to Disney in mid September. We are on the regular dining plan (1S, 1QS, 1TS.) We were thinking of trying one Signature Dining Restaurant this trip. I don't eat a lot of meat, and if I do it is usually fish. However, I am not averse to eating meat. I am the more adventurous eater of the two of us. As far as finer food, my husband likes filet. (Thankfully I've gotten him away from ordering it well done.) He will eat other things, but that is his favorite. He's particular about his steak in that he doesn't like a lot of fat.

He is interested in Narcoossee's for our 1 Signature Meal. I did manage to get a reservation for 9:15. We only made this decision a few weeks ago. I had hoped if we arrived a little early we might get seated in time for some of Wishes. I also heard they give out a personalized menu, "Happy Whatever, nothing too personal, but still a nice touch. " I'm not big on souvenirs, so I thought that would be a neat one. However, after reading some of the information on the boards, I've heard about people blocking the view of the fireworks or people from other tables getting in the way. And of course, there's no guarantee, especially with our reservation time, of being anywhere near a window.

How is the atmosphere here? I'm not anti-kids, after all it's WDW, and I think kids can be really well behaved in restaurants. But I am hoping that this will be a romantic way to end our anniversary trip. Do they allow the people to just get up and walk to the windows? What about the other signature restaurants? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance.

**Wishes is not necessary for us, just thought it would be a nice perk**

 

[guitarob]

I have to say, if your husband is only going to want the filet (or some kind of red meat) you may want to look elsewhere. Narcoossee's filet isn't the greatest. I was very unimpressed. It was a horrible cut, overcooked, and doused in some kind of sauce. Now, don't get me wrong, everything else we had there was excellent, and the atmosphere is great, but the filet was a huge disappointment.

Here's a pic:

They did give us "personalized" menus:

Check out the California Grill if you want to stay in the area for Wishes. The filet I had there was excellent. I cut it with a butter knife. They usually have great seafood choices as well, and their sushi is the best I've ever had.

Here's a couple pics of the filet (sorry about the fact that they're post-eating):

I haven't seen Wishes from Narcoossee's but I can say that depending on where you are seated, you may not see it at all. I don't know about leaving your table to go out on the deck though.

Here is a pic of the view from our table, it's facing the monorail, but you get the idea:

At the California Grill, they will cover your food and let you go out on the roof deck for an unbelievable view of the show.

The California Grill is our Anniversary spot (for the actual day of our Anniversary). It's a wonderful and romantic meal, with an unbeatable view.

Here is a (blurry photo of) our view from our table there:

Hope that helped

Have a safe and magical trip!

 

[shaun&miranda]

Narcoossee's has a great atmosphere for couples. That and the Cali Grill are my two favourite restaurants on property.

Narcoossee's is smaller and cosier, and I would say feels more adult. The Cali Grill is way brighter, bigger and louder, with more kids, but still upmarket - it's not like a buffet restaurant or anything!

I have had great filet and bad filet in both places. I think the previous poster was very unlucky. Last year I had a filet at the Cali Grill that I sent back and refused to pay for it was such a poor piece of meat. But I put that down to luck of the draw as much as anything - if they serve thousands of meals a day, one will not be perfect, sadly that day it was mine!

At Narcoossee's at Wishes time, there is a balcony that runs around the outside of the restaurant. People do go and sit/stand there, and it is in front of the windows. I have had window seats there and had great views, had a window seat and had no view due to the crowd, and been on the balcony myself trying to keep out of people's eyelines. I have never personally seen people crowding up to the inside windows, but I'm sure they might.

If seeing wishes is the most important thing, then go to the Cali Grill, or go see Wishes and then go to a restaurant. But if a romantic atmosphere and food are more important, choose Narcoossee's.

One more point, you mentioned you are more inclined toward fish than meat - the fish at Narcoossee's is top notch too!

Hope this helps
Miranda
(Going to Narcoossee's twice in Dec, and Cali Grill once)

 

[Luv4Disney]

We went to Narcoosee's for our 1st year anniversary. It was lovely. We did get the personalized menu's and our server gave us free champagne and dessert. Our anniversary is in September. It actually wasn't too busy and pretty quiet. We weren't there for the fireworks because DH surprised me with a Wishes cruise!

 

[Pakey]

I think Narcoosees and Ca Grill are the worst two signatures for adults only, romantic restaurants. Both have terrible acoustics which lend themselves to being noisy in general. Additionally, these two are hugely popular for family dining due to the view of the fireworks. On top of that, Narcoosees is my least favorite for food out of the signatures on Disney's dining plan. Our last two dinners here have been very disappointing. And while I enjoy the sushi at Ca Grill, the entrees are not near as good as the appetizers.

My favorite is Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. It's also noisier due to the open kitchen but the fish here is far superior to Narcoosees and the filet on the menu is very good. And it's fun to stroll the boardwalk afterwards.

Citricos, Jiko and Artist Point will probably be your quietest meals if that's important to you. You'd have to look at the menus to see if your husband would be satisfied at any of these. There is also the Yachtsman with a large selection of steak entrees but there's not much else there. I think there's one fish entree on the menu but I've never tried it.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Our two other faves are Artist Point and Yachtsman.

 

[guitarob]

I also really enjoy the Yachtsman. It's a must do for us on every trip. But seeing Wishes is completely out of the question from there, unless you eat early and get over to the MK in time.

 

[vettegirl]

Yactsman is a fantastic restaurant with a very nice atmosphere. It was very quiet when we dined there. I also love the wine room at the CG, the views are out of this world.

 

[glennatwell1]

My wife and I always prefer Narcoossees #1. We have never had a BAD meal there though admittedly some have been better than others. Their seafood is creative without being crazy, the lobster is excellent, and the calamari is awesome! I have travelled the world and never had better more consistent service than there. Cali Grill is second for us, their service is usually excellent but not always (at Christmas we had horrible service and then in July, with the same waiter, it was excellent). They have the most creative dishes between the two while also having something that will please everyone. For people that complain about children, this is Disney World. There are children and families present in both, moreso in Cali Grill than Narcoossees. I expect to see and hear children everywhere I go, it is part of the charm, and we do not go anywhere without ours either. The signature children's desserts at these places are on the menu for a reason and are my 6 year old's favorites (S'mores at Narcoossees and Kid Sushi at CG). Thanks to going to Disney, they know even more how to act in a nice restaurant because they get that much more practice.

 

[rlovew]

I would have to agree with many that say that both Narcossee's and california Grill will be too filled with children for you to consider it an intimate or romantic dinner for your anniversary. We have had an anniversary dinner at CG but it was definately noisy and if you are going to be there when the fireworks are going off it is even worse. if you really want a quiet dinner and a fireworks view I suggest getting a very early CG reservation and requesting the wine room. You can go back up before the fireworks but your dinner time will at least be queiter.

Otherwise I would have to say that Jiko, Artist Point, and Citricos are at the top of my list for a dining plan signature that is romantic and quiet.

If you want to use your credits for something else and have a really nice dinner and possibly see fireworks than get a Bistro de Paris reservation (although I think they have venison instead of steak and my DH thought it was amazing).

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We have eaten at Narcoossee's a couple of times and food is very good but if you are looking for a romantic place...I would go for Citricos b/c its clamer. Everytime we ate Narcoossee's there was alot of kids around, we have truely enjoyed are meals there and my son loves it too.