Non WDW fan's one night visit; where to eat?

[ems_mom]

My sister just informed me that she may be able to join me for one night on my solo trip in May. I can't tell you how excited I am because she is most definitely not a fan. But her one other trip was multi-family, off-site, and stressful.

So her youngest is 12 and she feels she can leave him with Dad for a night to join me on my first solo trip to VWL. (If I'd known she might come I'd have gotten 2 studios...maybe I'll ckeck on that possibility tomorrow).

So, where to eat? Of couse if she's there one night we will be going to the parks both days (depending on her arrival/departure times). So we could dine in a park or at a resort.

I'm partial to Epcot as the Flower and Garden Festival will be going on and she is a major gardener. So where in Epcot to impress? Or if her arrival time is late, what resort restaurant will make her want to come back for another trip?

 

[kiwicassie]

I think the atmosphere at San Angel Inn can't be beat and can get under the skin of any Disney cynic

 

[Pumbaa_]

Epcot is a great one

Although, if you want to impress her, I would head out the back door and head over to Flying Fish or Yachtsman and have a signature dinner

(San angel - unless you are trying to have a romantic dinner, can't recommend the place)

 

[bjakmom]

We've had awesome meals at Artist's Point at VWL If you want to be in Epcot, our absolute fav there is Le Cellier. Either one should be a bit more 'non-park' and more adult, quieter, than most.
When my BFF joined me for a night(she had never been to WDW), we had a lovely dinner at California Grill and she really enjoyed watching the fireworks from there without any crowds.

 

[Sorceress_Minnie]

I have heard great things about Le Cellier.

 

[ems_mom]

I love CG but I think I might be too late for getting a reservation; same with Le Cellier.

But Tutto might be possible as well as Citricos or Artist Point. But I haven't been to any of these restaurants...

I'm thinking if she comes too late in the day for a park we should do a signature restaurant. I've been to Narcoosees, Flying Fish, Yachtsman's, California Grill, Brown Derby and Jiko.

CG, BD and YS were my favorites, but I know all restaurants can have an off day.

She's not exactly a "foodie" but she is health conscious. She has traveled throughout Europe with her family (married to a pilot who flys internationally) and I know she is willing to try new things.

 

[Princess Polamalu]

Im a bit partial to the Coral Reef as I am a former Cast Member. But what could be better than a meal in the seas capped off with Illuminations.

 

[Princess Polamalu]

BTW...depending on when you arrive in May some ressos may still be available for CG. I was able to secure a resso just yesterday for my stay May23-June 2. On the other hand LeCellier is booked solid.

 

[tinkandpan]

If she is health conscious, she might enjoy Tokyo Dining- i find it one of the nicer lighter meals in Epcot. Otherwise, in Epcot- we like Tutto or Bistro de Paris.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Another location in Epcot which tends to be easy to reserve is Marrakesh in the Moroccan Pavilion. Most of the food there is not heavy. Just make sure that you don't reserve after 7:30 which will allow you to dine and still easily get out before IllumiNations.

 

[Flossbolna]

I like the idea of Flying Fish or Jiko. We just had excellent meals at both restaurants. At FF you can explore the Boardwalk and the Beach Club area and at Jiko AKL. So both restaurants have a bit more atmosphere/attraction than just a pretty hotel around them.

As a European I would say to stay away from the "European" restaurants at Epcot if she has travelled a lot to Europe. I don't want to say they are in any way not good restaurants, but I think if she is not a fan, she might only notice where these fall short of being truly authentic. And you don't want her to have any basis for further criticism in Disney!

Toky Dining and Marrakesh sound like great Epcot choices to me, though!