Thanks for all the reviews. We really were looking foward to trying it out, but since we only will have 4 or 5 opportunities to have supper, we want to be certain we don't "waste" any. Not just the money, but when you have had an excellent day at Universal, you really want to end it with a great meal and relaxing evening on CityWalk. . . right?
I re-read Kelly Monaghan's review of the place and he gave it pretty high ratings, but it was conflicting with the reviews I read elsewhere, which were pretty much mostly negative. Again. . . most people will post negative experiences, though, and not bother to post a great experience at all.
I knew I could count on homies who routinely go there to stop in and let us know what you really thought. I think, at this point, we will keep NBA on our schedule. We really do want to eventually give every restaurant on CityWalk a try.
We thought NASCAR Cafe was good, both times we were there, so we should love NBA City. DH has agreed to give NASCAR Cafe a miss this time
scared1
, however, so we can repeat our two favorite places (Margaritaville and Emeril's) and still try several other places we missed last time.
The arcade and other sports bar stuff won't bother us. It keeps our kids interested in what is going on so they don't get impatient and in a hurry to move along. Sometimes, though, too much stuff going on can bother DD17 and she could get upset, but I suppose we can try for a table away from the arcade and even bar area. That way she can get up and go check things out on her own terms and retreat to a "quiet corner" when she's had enough.
Is there such a critter as a "quiet corner" available? I truly don't mean someplace really quiet, as in not much noise, but an area that is not next to the bar or arcade? This does become a question/perhaps concern as I think this through. I know when we went to NASCAR Cafe, we sat at the same table both times,and it was right by the shop and the stairs AND the bar. After we came home and I was writing my trip report about the meal where DD17 ordered the HUGE salad and REFUSED to share even a little bit with anyone. . . we were thinking maybe she already felt out of control with all the activity surrounding her and not giving up her salad was her tiny way of taking back some control, even though she really did know she would never be able to eat the entire thing by herself. The second visit was much shorter, she ordered a child size meal and we had a better experience because everyone was happy.
Soooooo, in my long and rambling style, I've been processing not only reviews of the restaurant itself, but wondering if it is a good setting for our daughter as I remember other places we went and her comfort level in certain environments. Margaritaville was very busy and loud, but she sat on the way inside of the booth, and the booth backs are very high, if I recall correctly, which gave her some protection since she had a wall on her right, a high booth at her back, and two sisters between her and the outside of the booth. She was pretty "protected" there, and not so much at most of the other places, where we sat at tables in the wide open. Hhhhmmmmm. . .why didn't I think of this before. It's all coming together now (where's that dang light bulb smiley when you need it. . . . . )
