Ohana - And the debate goes on

[JodyLynC]

DH and I are debating on whether to go to Ohana on our next trip. When we lived in FL, we went to Ohana frequently. The menu changes a few years ago bummed us out, but we went anyway in Dec. 2005. We were okay with everything, but the timing of the food service. We felt rushed. When DDs were dancing, our meats were brought out. (No one was at the table at the time.) We returned to find cold food at our table.

We figured it was a fluke. The restaurant was rather busy. Right now, I'm not sure what to do so I thought I'd try to get more details from others as to what you did/didn't like specifically? Here are my questions:

1) When did you go? (date and time please)
2) How busy was the restaurant?
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)?
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow?
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected?
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids?
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why?
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this?

Thanks so much for your time!!

 

[pilferk]

DH and I are debating on whether to go to Ohana on our next trip. When we lived in FL, we went to Ohana frequently. The menu changes a few years ago bummed us out, but we went anyway in Dec. 2005. We were okay with everything, but the timing of the food service. We felt rushed. When DDs were dancing, our meats were brought out. (No one was at the table at the time.) We returned to find cold food at our table.

We figured it was a fluke. The restaurant was rather busy. Right now, I'm not sure what to do so I thought I'd try to get more details from others as to what you did/didn't like specifically? Here are my questions:

1) When did you go? (date and time please)
2) How busy was the restaurant?
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)?
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow?
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected?
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids?
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why?
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this?

Thanks so much for your time!!

1) About 2 weeks ago

2) Moderately busy. There were 2 large parties...one having a rehersal dinner for their wedding...and one who had just had their wedding eariler in the day. It wasn't their reception...that had been earlier in the afternoon.

3)Best seats in the house. Off to the side, in the Main room, up against the windows looking out over the MK.

4) Service was perfect. Attentive enough so we always got what we wanted (food, refills on drinks, etc) but not SO attentive that we felt like we were being rushed.

5) Nope. Our kids are the furthest thing from picky eaters on this planet. They (5,3,and 15 months) ate the regular menu. But our server did ASK, right from the get go, if they were going to need to order from the kids menu. We told him they'd be all set....which seemed to surprise him (pleasantly, I hope....especially considering how much they packed away).

6) The food was VERY good, IMHO. We did miss the wontons, though. But everything...from the coconut pineapple bread, to the sticky corriander wings (a family favorite!), to the grilled meats were perfect. Not overdone, not underdone, with good flavor. If I had to make ONE complaint, it was that our 2nd bowl of salad for the table was a bit "wilted"....it looked a little like it had been sitting out with the dressing on for a bit. But it was certainly edible.

7) They only offered us the bread pudding with banana's foster sauce, which is fine by us because we LOVE it. The kids (mostly...my wife and I helped a very little) devoured the first one and we actually ordered a second so my wife and I could have some.

 

[Nom]

I had a terrible experience at Ohana last October- it was just AWFUL and we will never go again. I used to be an Ohana regular (every year), but never again!!!

IMO if you already feel like Ohana was going downhill, you will see it even worse now. I think people who used to go back when it was WONDERFUL will be very dissapointed.

Anyway, here are the answers to your questions:

1) When did you go?
October 18 2007, around 5:45 pm

2) How busy was the restaurant?
Busy

3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)?
Right next to the dance floor, near the fire pit (high traffic area)

4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow?
TERRIBLE. Rushing to turn over the table, but then not brining us all the food. For some reason, the food delivery people never brought over steak or pork, even though we asked for it multiple times. Finally, after about 15 min of waiting, the busboy started taking our plates. I had to stop him and say, "You are not taking our plates until we get the other 1/2 of our meal!!!". Finally they brought the steak and pork. It's a good thing I knew we were supposed to get it, or we would have missed out!

4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected?
I did mention multiple issues to the server, and they were not corrected. Twice the the server specifically did what I asked her NOT to. First issue: DD is alergic to peanuts. I told the server and the seater about her allergy. Right after I tell our server, the food delivery man (for lack of a better term) plunks down the dipping sauces on our table, with the peanut sauce literally right in front of my daughter!!! I was stunned! If I had not seen that and known it was peanut sauce from previous visits to Ohana, this could have been a life-threatening 'mistake'!

Second issue: After we finally got all the food, the waitress came over and asked if we wanted dessert. Another show was starting, and my parents, daughter and I were getting up to join in. I told the waitress that we were all getting up, and to please hold the dessert until the show was over. We came back, and there was our dessert on the table, all melted and having sat there through the whole show I am sure. This was the final straw for me.

5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids?
Although I have a 3 year old, I was never offered a kids menu and did not know it existed. If I had known about it I would have used it

6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why?
The food was somewhat dry, as it has been over the past years, but the sausage took the cake. Wow, was that sausage or wood? I long for the days of salmon being an option. Also, the peel and eat shrimp was so appetizing when you looked closely and saw that it was not pre-cleaned (evident by the shrimp poop line intact within the shrimp). Yummy!

7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this?
We were not offered anything except bread pudding, but our server was beyond bad so I am sure that is why.

Hope this helps!

 

[JodyLynC]

For Post #2: I'm so glad you had a great time! I am wondering if you can request a server. If so, please share your server's name. Sounds like he/she was gold.

 

[pilferk]

For Post #2: I'm so glad you had a great time! I am wondering if you can request a server. If so, please share your server's name. Sounds like he/she was gold.

I'm not sure what his name was, but he was very good. I want to say Brandon, maybe?

I have all our receipts at home and I'm sure his name is on it. I'll check over the next day or so and share it with the group when I find it.

 

[SnowWtch]

1. We have been twice with the latest being Dec 2005 for a 7:30 ressie.

2. It was busy. We got there an hour early the first time we dined there and were seated right away. In December, they made us wait till our ADR time.

3. Both times we were seated at the same table. Off to the left side of the restaurant along the window a table away from overlooking the lagoon.

4. The appetizers and side dishes came out fast both times but after that the meats came out at a slower pace. The service was always good. The servers were very attentive and told us to slow down and take our time. They kept our glasses filled and made sure we got some of everything we wanted. They didn't bring dessert till they made sure we didn't want anything else and they did not stop by the table unless we were both there. In fact, our server in December told us to just sit and watch Wishes when we were done with our meal b/c it was about to start.

5. No kids with us.

6. The food was great except the sausage. Neither of us really liked the sausage. I loved the wonton chips with the peanut dip as well as the salad. I could make a meal just on that. The steak was sometimes a little tough but the turkey and pork were always good. The peel and eat shrimp were tasty and the wings were just ok. I could have done without the veggies and potatoes though. I skipped them entirely the 2nd time we were there and just ate lots of what I liked.

7. We've only ever been offered the bread pudding but that's fine with us. We love the stuff and are usually stuffed by the time it gets to us anyway.

 

[Luv4Disney]

1) When did you go? (date and time please) May 3, 2007
2) How busy was the restaurant? Lots of people waiting for a table, all the tables in the restaurant were full
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)? Back of the restaurant, along the walkway
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow? We had 2 servers, one who did the meats and cleared plates and the other who did everything else. Both were excellent.
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected? n/a
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids? no kids, sorry
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why? We loved the food! It was all hot when it came out and it was all stuff we really enjoy. The dipping sauces were very good and we had more than enough food for us to enjoy.
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this? I asked for regular ice cream and got it without a problem.

 

[wendy46001]

1)When did you go? (date and time please)
Nov. 9th, 7:30pm
2) How busy was the restaurant?
Full, our reservation was for 7
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)?
big long table, we were the large party
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow?
Started too fast, but we made it clear we would be there awhile
**disclaimer is we brought along some big drinkers, so I’m sure the wait staff didn’t mind them ordering all those 10 to 15 dollar drinks **
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected?
yup told them the above
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids?
Honestly it’s family style, I never thought you’d go to a restaurant and ask for food from someplace else…the kids ate the food on the menu…Not to be rude but the alternative kids menu comes from Kona’s kitchen so I’m always surprised when people say it wasn’t offered…Yes it available but the kids menu is grilled meat
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why?
Food was average, over cooked at times…I don’t do peel and eat shrimp…the salad is good…cheese potatoes don’t belong in an island themed restaurant IMO
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this? Just had ice-cream, I dont care for soggy bread

 

[dvcdisney]

DH and I are debating on whether to go to Ohana on our next trip. When we lived in FL, we went to Ohana frequently. The menu changes a few years ago bummed us out, but we went anyway in Dec. 2005. We were okay with everything, but the timing of the food service. We felt rushed. When DDs were dancing, our meats were brought out. (No one was at the table at the time.) We returned to find cold food at our table.

We figured it was a fluke. The restaurant was rather busy. Right now, I'm not sure what to do so I thought I'd try to get more details from others as to what you did/didn't like specifically? Here are my questions:

1) When did you go? (date and time please)
2) How busy was the restaurant?
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)?
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow?
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected?
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids?
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why?
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this?

Thanks so much for your time!!

1) The last time was Oct/07 for 7:15pm dinner.

2) Quite busy.

3) We were seated towards the left side in the middle. It was a table for maybe 6-8 (there were only 4 of us). It wasn't high traffic area.

4) We were fine with the service, I think he gave us time to eat and was quite attentive. He was one of the better waiters we have had. So we actually added tip to our DDP.

5) No we didn't order separate children's food. Our children love the food we get there. They don't like child's menu type food. BUT, our waiter actually came over to my husband and I and quietly mentioned that if we wanted to order something different for our kids, he could bring something different. I suppose he noticed our kids were smaller 8 and 2. But we told him that they love the food here. He smiled and said wonderful. But I don't think he believed us until he came over and saw my two children working their way through everything. We told him that if it was chicken fingers they would just play with it.

6) We loved the food. The appetizers were great except for the chips which I thought was too salty. The meat was great, I personally loved the turkey. We usually get the turkey, beef and pork. We didn't order the sausage (we don't eat that).

7) Bread Pudding (banana foster sauce)was the only dessert. They didn't give us an option. But even if they did, we'd still order the Bread Pudding. Although my children only ate a bit and my husband and I (well mostly me ) finished most of it.

However, I do notice that everyone has different experiences. We rather enjoyed our last visit to the restaurant than the one before. I think your experience will depend somewhat on the waiter/waitress. Which probably is not a good thing. We had a great table on our trip before this one, but the waiter or waitress (not sure because the person who said was our waitress did not come back and someone else started serving us. So we were a little confused on who we should ask for extra drinks.

 

[Crystal_27]

1) When did you go? (date and time please) December 8, 2007, 6:00 ADR
2) How busy was the restaurant? Packed! We had to wait 30 minutes past our ADR time.
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)? We were seated right off the main dining area, overlooking MK.
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow? We were ignored. It took approximately 30 minutes from the time we got our dessert until the time we left.
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected? N/A
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids? I really did find our food to be tasty and hot. My 3 year old DD ate what we ate, so I can't comment about any specialized kid's menu. The only issue was that it was difficult to get seconds on the meats
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why? Everything was good. See 5 above.
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this? DH and I were given bread pudding for dessert and DH and I were also given a cupcake for our anniversary; and DD was given ice cream, all without prompting.

Thanks so much for your time!!

You missed a number 8, though (LOL) - - Would you go back? My answer is yes we would (and are) going back. Although the service left a lot to be desired, it was still a good meal and my DD was really engaged with the entertainment. Hope this helped!

 

[wfloyd]

1) When did you go? (date and time please)12/22/07 5:15
2) How busy was the restaurant? Relatively busy but not unexpected.
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)? Close to the window in the main part
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow? Great, everything came when we wanted it.
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected? NA
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids? Ordered Mac and Cheese, came out with our appetizers and was hot.6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why? Food was great, sausage was a little dry but not bad.
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this? We were able go get ice cream for our kids.

1) When did you go? (date and time please) 1/13/08 5:10
2) How busy was the restaurant? Very busy
3) Where were you seated (in a high traffic area, off to the side, next to a large party, we were a large party)? Closer to the firepit and entrance just off to the side of the main part.
4) How was the service? Too fast? Too slow? Great, waiter talked to us about changes coming up and brought us everything we wanted.
4a) If you mentioned an issue to the server, was it corrected? NA
5) Did you order separate kids food? Did it come out in a timely manner? How was the quality/temp? What did you order for the kids? Ordered Mac and Cheese, came out quickly and was still hot, kids loved it.
6) How was the food? What did you like and why? What didn't you like and why? Everything was great, sausage was replaced with shrimp this time.
7) Is Bread Pudding the only dessert offering? I've heard that you can get ice cream or pineapple instead. Anyone experience this? Again we got ice cream only for the kids but we had bread pudding.