Need Anniversary Dinner Suggestions

[WDWBOB1]

We had planned on dining at Blue Bayou for our 32nd wedding anniversary but we need an alternative now that we've found out it will be closed when we're there. Any suggestions? Perhaps something in Downtown Disney or the Anaheim Garden Walk? We are 'super' casual when we're on vacation so nothing too fancy please.

 

[smile4stamps]

I really enjoyed my Birthday dinner at Catal. The food is a little more fancy but I don't think you need to dress up at all.

 

[lapdwife]

We did Chef's Counter at Napa for ours this last year. We both really enjoyed it and plan on doing it again.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I really like Steakhouse 55, great atmosphere/great food. I would do Club 33 if I could get into it on my anniversary. Congrats on 32 years.

Jack

 

[Mama Who]

We really enjoyed the food at Ariel's (better than BB in our experience) and I like Ralph Brennan's quite a bit. Bananas Foster, FTW! Nothin' says lovin' like dessert catching fire.

 

[cyclenut]

Do you have transportation? Do you like seafood? There is an outstanding place in Los Alamitos (about 15-20 minutes away from Disneyland).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-original-fish-company-los-alamitos

Just go down Katella to Seal Beach Blvd and make a left. The place is just past the car wash on the corner. Call ahead as the wait can be long. They don't take reservations but they do call ahead seating. That will save you time.

Attire is casual.

There is also an excellent seafood place called Captain Jacks in Sunset Beach (which is a really small town between Huntington Beach and Seal Beach). You can see the inland harbor from the restaurant. It is a bit further from DLR, mostly because there is no direct route. But you can enjoy a drive down Pacific Coast Highway to get there.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/captain-jacks-prime-rib-and-seafood-restaurant-sunset-beach-2

They do take reservations and you can also feel comfortable here in casual wear. Note some of the Yelp reviews for this place are pretty low. It's a bit odd to see several 5 star followed by a 1 star reivew. I would give this one 5 star for every one of my visits, but I haven't been there in more than a year.

For a more unique and fun experience, try Benihana. We were there last month and really enjoyed it.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/benihana-anaheim#query:dinner

It isn't a "romantic" place but it's unique ambiance and food prepared at your table make it an experience worth doing if you haven't done this before. This one isn't far from DLR (probably about 10 minutes or less) right down Ball.

If you want something closer (walking distance maybe), take a look at some of the other suggestions. I'm not a big fan of the DTD locations for something like an aniversary dinner. I've had poor service at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, ESPN Zone and Rainforest are good but not much of an aniversary atmosphere.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would recommend:
Steakhouse 55
Catals (upstairs)
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

Steakhouse 55 is classier, but there are plenty of tourists who don't really get dressed up to go there.

I also agree with Mama Who on Ariel's Grotto. The rubbed tri tip is really delicious there. My daughter likes the Cioppino soup they have.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I second either Steakhouse 55 (for a little more casual) or Napa Rose if you want to make it a bit more fancy.

 

[PinkBudgie]

DH and I went to Steakhouse 55 for our 20th anniversary a few years ago. Loved it! Everything from the bread to salad to steak tasted very fresh. I told them it was our anniversary when I made the PS (and we were wearing our free Anniversary buttons) and they brought us a yummy chocolate dessert to share.

We didn't "dress up" but we did put on something nicer. I wore long black shorts and a blouse and DH had on shorts and a polo top. We didn't need to but we wanted to look a little better after dragging through the parks all day.

 

[pixiewings71]

I would do the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose.

 

[StarTink]

I enjoyed meals at both Catal and Napa Rose. If you want to go to Garden Walk Roy's Hawaiian Fusion is great. The butterfish is wonderful - best piece of fish I ever ate.

 

[mousterpiece]

I'd choose Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. The meal is appropriately filling, the ambience is great, and on the weekends, they have a great jazz band. The menu may not be for everybody, I suppose, but I've eaten here a few times with my wife, and it's as can't-miss for us as any of the park attractions.