Hi all, We spend President's week at WDW and I have a few personal observations on where we ate. Our experiences also have given us a "new favorite restaurants" list. We have, in the past, always made it a point to go to the following:
Jiko or Boma's
California Grill
Olivia's
Kona Cafe
All of these remain on our list except Jiko. This is the first time we have not enjoyed our dinner there. I think it had more do to with service than the food, but it has turned us off to Jiko. The night we went the restaurant was not overly crowded, yet service was VERY slow. The waiter was not attentive, did not clear dishes off the table, did not bring the usual complimentary flatbread and dip until we were done with our meal and, even when specifically asked, did not help us choose a wine that would compliment DH's pork tenderloin and my vegetarian dish. (Last time we were there, our waiter had us try a few wines before we decided.) I intenitonally did not finish my entree because I wanted to leave room for dessert and I thought it would make a good lunch for DH the next day who was staying at the resort. The waiter did not save it. No, we didn't complain - by the time dinner was over, we were too tired (it was the day we arrived) and just wanted to get home. The other thing that turned us off was the number of people who were dressed very inappropriately for a restaurant of Jiko's caliber, the number of young children who were not properly supervised and the number of people talking on cellphones.
I'm pleased to report that California Grill was up to its usual high standards of service and food. We were originally seated in the wine room, next to a table with two couples who had shared quite a few bottles of wine. They were talking very loudly and about sexual experiences that I didn't want my DS (or myself) to have to listen to. When I asked (very nicely at the front desk) to be reseated, it was done right away. We were seated at a great table and our waitress told us where to move our chairs to get a great view of the fireworks. CG definitely remains our favorite "high-end" WDW restaurant (although DH is leaning more towards Blue Zoo.)
Olivia's and Kona Cafe were terrific as usual. I finally got to have one Kona Cafe's desserts - the molten chocolate cake and it was delicious.
We tried two new restaurants this trip, both at the Dolphin: Fresh and Blue Zoo. We ate both breakfast and lunch at Fresh and I have to say that I would definitely go back for breakfast only. Most all of the breakfast items were made to order and everything was high quality and delicious. Overall it was a great meal. Lunch, however, was disappointing. There wasn't much of a variety and the only made-to-order items were the same items that had been available at breakfast!
Blue Zoo was fabulous. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Tables are not close together and the lighting was very calming. You could tell as soon as you were seated that the experience was going to be a good one. The food was fantastic - very fresh fish, interesting choices of sauces and side dishes, and very well-prepared. The service was a bit spotty at times, but I figure that was due to the fact that the restaurant was newly opened. Once our waitress realized that she had too much to handle at once, other servers started pitching in and things were fine. To make up for things, dessert was "on the house" and delicious. The only disappointment was the sampler appetizer. While everything was very good, I don't think it's worth the money. Next time we go, I am going to order individual items from the raw bar. For those who don't like fish, don't avoid this restaurant necessarily. They did have several meat and chicken entrees that are likely to be very good. DS was not particularly pleased with his choice of entree (which was delicious) - a whole fried sea bass done in an Asian style. He did, however, eat his entire salad (which is a big deal for him), wanted more shrimp from the sampler platter and is going to have the chicken entree next time.
I'd be curious to hear about other's recent experiences at Fresh, Blue Zoo and Jiko.
BTW, we had never been inside the Dolphin before - what a beautiful hotel!!! We're thinking of staying there and paying cash, rather than using points. I understand that at certain times of the year, you can get really good deals, especially if you fit certain categories - including government employees (which I am) and health care workers (which DH is).
Jiko or Boma's
California Grill
Olivia's
Kona Cafe
All of these remain on our list except Jiko. This is the first time we have not enjoyed our dinner there. I think it had more do to with service than the food, but it has turned us off to Jiko. The night we went the restaurant was not overly crowded, yet service was VERY slow. The waiter was not attentive, did not clear dishes off the table, did not bring the usual complimentary flatbread and dip until we were done with our meal and, even when specifically asked, did not help us choose a wine that would compliment DH's pork tenderloin and my vegetarian dish. (Last time we were there, our waiter had us try a few wines before we decided.) I intenitonally did not finish my entree because I wanted to leave room for dessert and I thought it would make a good lunch for DH the next day who was staying at the resort. The waiter did not save it. No, we didn't complain - by the time dinner was over, we were too tired (it was the day we arrived) and just wanted to get home. The other thing that turned us off was the number of people who were dressed very inappropriately for a restaurant of Jiko's caliber, the number of young children who were not properly supervised and the number of people talking on cellphones.
I'm pleased to report that California Grill was up to its usual high standards of service and food. We were originally seated in the wine room, next to a table with two couples who had shared quite a few bottles of wine. They were talking very loudly and about sexual experiences that I didn't want my DS (or myself) to have to listen to. When I asked (very nicely at the front desk) to be reseated, it was done right away. We were seated at a great table and our waitress told us where to move our chairs to get a great view of the fireworks. CG definitely remains our favorite "high-end" WDW restaurant (although DH is leaning more towards Blue Zoo.)
Olivia's and Kona Cafe were terrific as usual. I finally got to have one Kona Cafe's desserts - the molten chocolate cake and it was delicious.
We tried two new restaurants this trip, both at the Dolphin: Fresh and Blue Zoo. We ate both breakfast and lunch at Fresh and I have to say that I would definitely go back for breakfast only. Most all of the breakfast items were made to order and everything was high quality and delicious. Overall it was a great meal. Lunch, however, was disappointing. There wasn't much of a variety and the only made-to-order items were the same items that had been available at breakfast!
Blue Zoo was fabulous. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Tables are not close together and the lighting was very calming. You could tell as soon as you were seated that the experience was going to be a good one. The food was fantastic - very fresh fish, interesting choices of sauces and side dishes, and very well-prepared. The service was a bit spotty at times, but I figure that was due to the fact that the restaurant was newly opened. Once our waitress realized that she had too much to handle at once, other servers started pitching in and things were fine. To make up for things, dessert was "on the house" and delicious. The only disappointment was the sampler appetizer. While everything was very good, I don't think it's worth the money. Next time we go, I am going to order individual items from the raw bar. For those who don't like fish, don't avoid this restaurant necessarily. They did have several meat and chicken entrees that are likely to be very good. DS was not particularly pleased with his choice of entree (which was delicious) - a whole fried sea bass done in an Asian style. He did, however, eat his entire salad (which is a big deal for him), wanted more shrimp from the sampler platter and is going to have the chicken entree next time.
I'd be curious to hear about other's recent experiences at Fresh, Blue Zoo and Jiko.
BTW, we had never been inside the Dolphin before - what a beautiful hotel!!! We're thinking of staying there and paying cash, rather than using points. I understand that at certain times of the year, you can get really good deals, especially if you fit certain categories - including government employees (which I am) and health care workers (which DH is).
