O'hana for dinner?

[laughinplace199]

Can someone please tell me what O'hana is like for dinner? If you had a night out with your spouse, would you choose this restaurant?

We will be at WDW with our children (preschooler and toddler)and my parents. My parents will babysit so DH and I can go out to dinner somewhere and we are trying to decide where to eat. What do you think? Would this restaurant be a good choice for the two of us or would it be better for the whole family?

TIA!

 

[wdwrich]

DW and I had dinner two times at 'Ohana. The first time it was just the two of us, and the second time (just a couple of months later) it was with our entire family (10 people). Both meals were very enjoyable, so it will work for you either way. If you will have a car we highly recommend Boma at AKL for your night out dinner.

 

[KMH1]

Ohana is definitely one of our favorite dinners...the appetizers, meat skewers, and pineapple with caramel sauce are all DELICIOUS!

 

[barbeml]

If you're looking for a break from kids in general, you might consider somewhere else. 'Ohana has activities for kids during dinner--coconut races, hula hoop contests, etc. We don't have kids and we loved it, and are looking forward to eating there in November with a group of 9.

 

[CamColt]

I havent been to Ohana, but plan to in Dec. From what Ive heard about it, it is very kid friendly. I would prefer to go there with the kids and go to place we wouldnt normally take the kids to when given the chance.
We will have this opportunity for our anniversary next year and have it narrowed down to either Palios or Yachtmans Steakhouse.

 

[dvcgirl]

We ate at O'hana recently, and IMHO it was just Okay. They cook the beef, shrimp, turkey and pork on these huge skewers over an open fire. You see the skewers piled up on the grill when you enter the restaurant. The problem is that the meat stays on the grill too long and really dries out. When we went the beef and pork were so tough and dry that it wasn't very enjoyable...barely edible really. Turkey and shrimp were not too tough, but still on the dry side. So if you're like us and enjoy your meat on the medium to medium rare side, this isn't the place for you. If you like medium well to charred....eat here!! ;o). The apps that they bring out were better than the main event.

If it was just me and my hubby out for a meal I'd never go here. If you want to dine at the Poly, the Kona Cafe is much better. If you are looking for something a bit more special with some more atmosphere, you might try the California Grill, Flying Fish, or Artist Point. They are much more upscale and offer much better food.

 

[SuBeat]

'Ohana is one of our favorites, but not the place I would pick for a grown ups only meal. We've eaten there twice and have loved it both times. While the turkey might be a little dry, the steak and shrimp have been just right (we don't eat much of the pork). I love all the sides, while DH makes a meal out of the steak. The pineapple with caramel dipping sauce is the perfect finish.

Mmmmm.....now I'm getting hungry!

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm thinking we might go elsewhere for our grown-ups only meal and then go to Ohana on our next trip when the kids are a little bit older. Thanks again!

 

[sleepingbeauty92]

It is very fun now matter how old you are. If you stay there long enough you can see the MK fireworks(suggest u get a window seat if u wana see it)!It is fun if you like Poly things!What is even greater is the hotel I suggest if u go to Ohana's to go around and look at the hotel too!I can say the food is also as good as the surrondings. I dont want to give too much away but the dessert...(mmm, mmm good!)Its a good resturant as long as most the WDW res. and if u wanna know about more places to eat just contact me!And P.S. have a GREAT time at WDW hope u have fun!!

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by KMH1
and pineapple with caramel sauce are all DELICIOUS!

We had the pineapple with caramel when it first opened. I haven't seen it on the menu on Deb's page in quite a while, is it still offered?

steve

 

[smfnj]

I agree with CamColt, on one restaurant anyway. If I was taking just my wife out for a nice dinner I'd opt for Portobello Yacht Club or Palio's. We had been meaning to try Portobello for several years, last year we finally went. It was one of the best meals I've had at WDW, very quiet atmosphere as well.

steve

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by smfnj
We had the pineapple with caramel when it first opened. I haven't seen it on the menu on Deb's page in quite a while, is it still offered?

steve

We had it for dessert in June. YUM!!!!!!!!

 

[Vlahakis2001]

Ohana is very fun. You'll definetly enjoy it. Portobello is not that bad either.

 

[Jynohn]

We went to 'Ohana's twice on our last trip, once was just my husband and I, and once was with children. When it was just the two of us, I think they assumed that we'd want a quiet table, so we were sat away from all the action in a corner. It was an enjoyable meal, but I felt like we were missing out on the fun. The second time around, we had a wonderful window seat, and had a great time. We had the same experience at Whispering Canyon, when we were alone we were sat away from all the action, but when we were with kids, we were right in the middle of it all.

I guess it depends on what you and your DH would like, but if you really want to enjoy the atmosphere and fun of the restaurant, ask to be seated where everything is going on, instead of at a quiet table. If you're just looking for a nice meal away from the kids, I'd suggest another restaurant, as all the noise and excitement from the kids is half the fun at 'Ohana's.

 

[cindyfan]

The first time we went to Ohana's....we all loved it.
This past week.....not so great!
The steak and pork were so tough....I sent the server back twice to get a different skewer. Those had to be the worst cuts of meat I have ever had at a restaurant.
As he took it off the skewers, he stayed to see if it was okay....I tried desperately to cut it and it was so bad he literally grab it off the table and said "this is just UNACCEPTABLE"!
He finally brought a couple pieces that were okay.
I did enjoy the turkey!!
My DH loved the shrimp.
Like another poster said.....the appetizers were better than the meats!
Also....the Lapu Lapu (sp?) drink that comes in a pinapple...IMHO....YUK. It tasted like pure alcohol. I will never get that again!! couldn't even finish it because it was so strong!!

Back to the original question......I would skip Ohana's as a "couple's night"....it is very kid-friendly.

 

[figment95]

I love O'Hana but if you're travelling with kids, take them and you will all have a great time. For a night out with just adults I love Artist Point at WL. I hear California Grill at CR is also great for adults. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

 

[goeagles]

We ate there on October 4th and found it to be average or below average. All of my meats were tough and not worth even trying to cut or eat. My DH and brother said their's were ok but not great. My 8, 6, and 3 year olds ate a little but were relieved that the CM brought over mac and cheese just in case.........

I wish I had known about the pineapple dessert (which was included in the per person price) because we all ordered dessert. We were full by the time the pineapple arrived, and it would have been plenty. The CM also offered smoothies to the kids, which of course they wanted and cost $5/each.

I would not go here w/o kids and probably wouldn't consider going back w/kids. The 2 games they played were cute but certainly not enough to make up for the cost or quality of the food.

We talked to other people throughout the week that had similar experieces.

 

[cindyfan]

All of my meats were tough and not worth even trying to cut or eat.

We must have had your left overs on the 7th!!!
I was really surprised the cuts of meat were so BAD!

 

[Live4Dis]

Our family, DH, DDs (17, 12 & 10) ate at O'hanas for the first time in Jan. We loved it!! I'm disappointed to hear that recent diners had such a bad experience. DH and I are planning another trip for Jan '04 (15 yr anniversary) sans children and I was looking forward to going back because the food was so good.

I'll have to keep my eyes open for more threads and track diners experiences in the near future.

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by goeagles
All of my meats were tough and not worth even trying to cut or eat. .......I wish I had known about the pineapple dessert (which was included in the per person price) because we all ordered dessert.

Goeagles, welcome to the Dis. BTW, I don't have a very good feeling about todays game. Their offense seems completelt clueless.

They do tend to overcook the meat and shrimp. The pineapple dessert is very good, they did stop serving it a few years ago, glad to see it's back.

So, your first trip to WDW with the family at the Poly. Our first trip was also at the Poly, we've been back there 15 times since and will be checking in Nov 7 for 4 nights, then 5 nights at BWI. The Poly is very addictive.........

steve