I had made so many "requests" regarding this reservation based on so many things I had read on this board, that I was so afraid that we would show up and they would think we were crazy or demanding or both.
We had the earliest reservation - 5:30 - and were so happy to have it because when I called 6 months ago the date of our 30th anniversary - February 26 - was already filled, so I had to settle for the 27th, until I called about 3 weeks ago and was able to change to the 26th.
We were the first people to arrive, and my husband was given a lovely loaner jacket that I had requested (it was the only "suit" place on our trip, no sense lugging your own when we have found most fine restaurants provide them). I had made a laundry list of paranoid seating requests - in the main room with the harp player, not under the dome...and we were given the first table just beyond the door to the "other" room, on the other side of the doorway from the harp player. We usually don't like to be that close to the front, but knowing they complied with every one of my requests, we didn't say anything...and as a matter of fact, the table turned out to be perfect. Several large parties were seated in the back so our table was very quiet, it was fun to see everyone coming and going, and we did have a wonderful position to softly hear the harp player (who was able to play "our" song from memory, a VERY VERY oldie - she said she had not had that requested in years, but did a wonderful job).
Our servers were wonderful - two names that started with "B" - Bill and Barbara? Bob and Brenda? Brad and Beverly? I'm sorry I don't remember, but they were great. I know a meal like this for some people is a "once in a lifetime thing", but we're older and very lucky that we've dined in many, many fine restaurants, so are very comfortable with the whole experience. I also had mentioned in my reservation that I thought we would want to do the Tasting Menu in the dining room, but when we got the menu we really didn't like every single thing on it, so ended up each choosing a different selection from each course, which we quite discreetly shared, so we really had the best of all worlds.
Everything was delicious. The wines complemented each course perfectly.
I know the menu changes all the time so what we had might be irrelevant to your upcoming trip, but I also know I loved hearing what other people had before we went, so:
ME: Lemongrass poached gulf shrimp with cabbage slaw and sesame seed tuille
DH: Seared Colorado buffalo tenderloin, braised fennel, radishes and Satsuma tangerine Vinaigrette
ME: Pan roasted foie gras and Fuji apple tart with Mostarda di Cremona
DH: Long Island Duck with roasted Chiogga beets and turnip kraut
ME: Dungeness crab timbale with Salsify and Violette Moustard sauce
DH: John Dory over roasted butternut squash, Styrian pumpkinseed oil
ME: Japanese "Kobe" strip loin with oxtail jus (which I asked for on the side, glad I did, it was too rich for me...this also came with some shredded short rib meat in a small cup - delicious)
DH: March Farms veal with tomato jam, cippoline onions and prosciutto vinaigrette
BOTH OF US: Cheese plate: Comte Saint Antoine, Fourme d'Ambert, and Flixer
ME: Grand Marnier Souffle (one of the best I've ever had)
DH: Caramelized Banana Gateau
It wasn't just the food that made this night wonderful, but how everyone treats you. Israel, the host, overhead us telling our waitress where we were from, and he came running over to tell us he had recently been in our town attending a wine seminar!
They sent us on our way with a loaf of Date Orange cake that we enjoyed for breakfast a day or two later.
We also had the luxury of spending that one night at the Grand Floridian (which I have reviewed recently on the Resorts board) - a very nice way to spend a special occasion.
It was really a great experience. Go!
We had the earliest reservation - 5:30 - and were so happy to have it because when I called 6 months ago the date of our 30th anniversary - February 26 - was already filled, so I had to settle for the 27th, until I called about 3 weeks ago and was able to change to the 26th.
We were the first people to arrive, and my husband was given a lovely loaner jacket that I had requested (it was the only "suit" place on our trip, no sense lugging your own when we have found most fine restaurants provide them). I had made a laundry list of paranoid seating requests - in the main room with the harp player, not under the dome...and we were given the first table just beyond the door to the "other" room, on the other side of the doorway from the harp player. We usually don't like to be that close to the front, but knowing they complied with every one of my requests, we didn't say anything...and as a matter of fact, the table turned out to be perfect. Several large parties were seated in the back so our table was very quiet, it was fun to see everyone coming and going, and we did have a wonderful position to softly hear the harp player (who was able to play "our" song from memory, a VERY VERY oldie - she said she had not had that requested in years, but did a wonderful job).
Our servers were wonderful - two names that started with "B" - Bill and Barbara? Bob and Brenda? Brad and Beverly? I'm sorry I don't remember, but they were great. I know a meal like this for some people is a "once in a lifetime thing", but we're older and very lucky that we've dined in many, many fine restaurants, so are very comfortable with the whole experience. I also had mentioned in my reservation that I thought we would want to do the Tasting Menu in the dining room, but when we got the menu we really didn't like every single thing on it, so ended up each choosing a different selection from each course, which we quite discreetly shared, so we really had the best of all worlds.
Everything was delicious. The wines complemented each course perfectly.
I know the menu changes all the time so what we had might be irrelevant to your upcoming trip, but I also know I loved hearing what other people had before we went, so:
ME: Lemongrass poached gulf shrimp with cabbage slaw and sesame seed tuille
DH: Seared Colorado buffalo tenderloin, braised fennel, radishes and Satsuma tangerine Vinaigrette
ME: Pan roasted foie gras and Fuji apple tart with Mostarda di Cremona
DH: Long Island Duck with roasted Chiogga beets and turnip kraut
ME: Dungeness crab timbale with Salsify and Violette Moustard sauce
DH: John Dory over roasted butternut squash, Styrian pumpkinseed oil
ME: Japanese "Kobe" strip loin with oxtail jus (which I asked for on the side, glad I did, it was too rich for me...this also came with some shredded short rib meat in a small cup - delicious)
DH: March Farms veal with tomato jam, cippoline onions and prosciutto vinaigrette
BOTH OF US: Cheese plate: Comte Saint Antoine, Fourme d'Ambert, and Flixer
ME: Grand Marnier Souffle (one of the best I've ever had)
DH: Caramelized Banana Gateau
It wasn't just the food that made this night wonderful, but how everyone treats you. Israel, the host, overhead us telling our waitress where we were from, and he came running over to tell us he had recently been in our town attending a wine seminar!
They sent us on our way with a loaf of Date Orange cake that we enjoyed for breakfast a day or two later.
We also had the luxury of spending that one night at the Grand Floridian (which I have reviewed recently on the Resorts board) - a very nice way to spend a special occasion.
It was really a great experience. Go!
!
"Around the world, I've searched for you, I've traveled on when hope was gone, to keep a rendezvous, I knew somewhere, some why, some how, you'd look at me, and I would see, the smile you're smiling now...it might have been in County Down, or in New York, or Gay Paree or even London Town, no more will I go all around the world, for I have found my world in you..." Whew, that was embarrassing, glad we don't have sound computers!
. Maybe some people are squeamish about wearing someone's else's clothes, and I honestly can't tell you if they clean them between customers 
but these are NICE restaurants that do this, and we've never had a ratty jacket.
I will let my DH decide. Since we drive to WDW, it really is not hard for us to hang his suit in the car...and he really does not get an opportunity to wear his suit very often, so I am thinking he will probably want to take it.
