Palo's overrated?

[spyhill]

I'm wondering if we're the only people who think Palo's is overrated. We actually thought Triton's was better, though I certainly would suggest going to Palo's anyway just for the experience.

A few complaints: The appetizer in the reception area consisted of unseasoned, overcooked shrimp and Wonder bread-quality plain bread. The antipasto tray was about what you'd expect at Bertucci's. A fish soup tasted like a bowl of cream, with no complexity. The lamb chops were fine but relatively insipid and tasteless. The filet was tasteless as well (we had the wine sauce, gorgonzola is supposedly better). The service was friendly but slow and amateurish.

The chocolate souffle was good, not surprisingly, since it consists of chocolate, eggs, and sugar and is hard to ruin unless you mistime. The coffee was the Disney special--Nescafe.

On the other hand we had two excellent meals at Triton's--delicious duck, a very fine filet, and wonderful appetizers.

Perhaps we just had a bad night at Palo's? It was the only disappointment in an absolutely spectacular cruise.

 

[4u2dream]

On our last cruise, We found the food fabulous, I would imagine everyone has different opinions and also the servers are probably very unique too. The service we had, was second to none. Very impressive, yes we found it slower paced, but I think it is intentional as to not want you to feel rushed. I personally believe Palos is a notch above the rest, not taking anything away from Tritons, our food was also good at Tritons, and our servers were excellent. Palos is just an overall unique dining experience that you will not find on just any ship. This is only our opinion, maybe try it again on your next trip, and hope you will be able to join our feelings. I have not heard very much negitive on this forum about Palos.

 

[ducklite]

Palo's brunch was the best meal we had onboard. Dinner was good, but not "fabulous". We didn't have any bad meals, but the food wasn't the highlite of our trip, execpt brunch. But Palo's was better than any of the other meals we had.

Anne

 

[Werner Weiss]

I'm sorry to hear that spyhill was disappointed.

We thought our brunch and dinner at Palo on the Magic were both excellent. The food, service and ambience were memorable. The meals were expertly prepared and presented. Kristjian (at brunch) and Zita (at dinner) provided service with a perfect blend of professionalism, friendliness and efficiency. The room is elegant, without being either stuffy or pretentious.

I expected a better overall dinner experience than in the main dining rooms, and Palo delivered. I did not expect the best dinner of my life, but one that would be comparable to dinner at a deluxe hotel, and again, Palo delivered.

I expected an excellent brunch, but Palo delivered beyond my expectations!

By the way, it's Palo -- not Palo's or Palos.

 

[rae519]

Werner Weiss - Your site is absolutely wonderful! What a walk down memory lane! Thank you!

Regarding Palo - brunch was excellent with very good service. I will definitely do that again!

Rae

 

[ducklite]

Sorry, it is Palo.

Anne

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by ducklite
Sorry, it is Palo.

You have no reason to say "sorry." As part of the phrase "Palo's brunch," the possesive form of Palo is correct.

But some people mistakenly think the name of the restaurant is Palo's or Palos, perhaps confusing the name with Palio's at the Walt Disney World Swan.

 

[SweetSpot]

spyhill:

My DH and I were also not really impressed with Dinner and Brunch at Palo. The food was good but more average than I expected from what I had read here. Our servers were very nice and very attentive (even a bit over attentive) but we found the fake enthusiasm and over use of adjectives describing everything annoying. It is a very nice restaurant with average food (at least our meals) that we enjoyed because it was a time we were able to spend alone. I found the food during regular rotaions to be the same quality if not better. I am glad I experienced it but when I go next November I won't bother going again. So few people have posted here saying that they weren't overly impressed with Palo so I know I am in the minority. I wanted to post so that you wouldn't think you were the only one.

 

[inkkognito]

Interestingly, when we first ate at Palo (had to be in 1999, because we didn't do it on our first Magic cruise in 1998), I remember that I wasn't overly impressed. Of course, that was back in the days when the food in the regular restaurants tended to be more "gourment"...it has since been toned down to a more meat-and-potatoes style. But now, I LOVE Palo. For hubby and I, it's on a par with the better restaurants at WDW. But although dinner and lunch are excellent, my favorite experience is high tea (I know, I'm weird).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[MelissaE1]

I found some things on the cruise to be not what I expected, but luckily not Palo. Maybe it depends on what you eat? Our server, Erika, suggested the special, which was lasagna. I figured I could eat lasagna anywhere, and wanted to order something else, so she brought me both. Well, the original entree remained nearly untouched while I savored something that was so good there are not words to describe it. I am ashamed to say that the chocolate souffle that everyone raves about was not properly appreciated as I was still reeling from the lasagna. I will never forget that meal! Sorry your experience wasn't as good.

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy Palo a lot, but I didn't bother to go again on my last cruise. The meal I had there was excellent, but I am pretty wow'd by all the food served in the sit-down restaurants.

The big reason I think I didn't make an effort on my last cruise is because I think Palo is geared more for couples and this is just my opinion of course, but since it is alway just me and friends on cruises, we didn't see the need for the romantic atmosphere (if I had a man, I think I would like it a lot more). I also enjoy socializing with the other people at dinner, and when you don't have date.. why dine alone.

I did have a wonderful meal there, and it's something I think you should at least experience once. When I did go last time, we skipped the Cabaret show, and had a 6pm ressie, and still made our regular dinner seating! Boy was I full that night! Needless to say, I would certainly reccommend it at least one time, and I think if you are traveling with someone special, it would be even nicer, since it is private meal in a beautiful location on the ship.

 

[Chattyaholic]

We enjoyed our dinner there, but won't make a reservation on our next cruise. My stomach was a bit queasy so didn't want to overeat, even though everything was delicious. If we go on another 7-night cruise I would want to try to eat there again though, but on the 4-night (my parents will be with us) we won't bother. We did enjoy being able to have dinner alone at a table for two at Palo, and not have to worry about making small talk with our tablemates.

 

[ppiew]

I have enjoyed meals at Palo on several occasions. I think some of the previous posters touched on a major reason - you eat at your own table as a couple, foursome, whatever - not the 'group' dining as in the other restaurants. This makes the dining experience more 'normal' for upscale dining - hence we tend to equate the meal itself with high end stuff. Still the food IS excellent and the menu is varied. I have certainly dined at better restaurants, but on the DCL cruise hubby and I have thoroughly enjoyed our evenings at Palo, and would do it every night of the cruise if we could!! But to say that is the best meal ever - no - it is not.

 

[rae519]

Another point is that I enjoy the dining mates I have on my rotation, and my servers. I highly recommend making getting with another "family" or "couple" prior to cruising and link your dining reservations together, that way you will have "friends" with things in common when you sit down to your meal.

Rae

 

[howardk613]

WOW -

"fish soup with no complexity"
"insipid (what does insipid mean) lamb chops"
"slow and amateurish service" (back to Disney University for retraining)

We go on vacation very often and always at very nice places (just lucky in business, not necessarily good) including 3 criuses with the DCL all 3 of which were in the royal suite. At home we eat at the best restaurants as well as Burger King and McDonalds. In all our travels I can honestly say that the food on the Disney ships is among the best we have had. We loved Palo and every other restaurant including Pluto's. The food is only one small part of the entire cruise experience that makes it a terrific vacation. The ship itself, the accomodations, the decor, the shows and the amazing
service all make a Disney cruise terrific.

 

[smchan]

Now you have my attention. I'm not a food snob by any stretch of the imagination but do enjoy new experiences and a variety of cuisines. Using Disney restaurants as a measuring stick, my best experiences have been at Victoria & Alberts in the GF, Bistro de Paris in Epcot, and the Romantic Cooking class at DI, though all are beat by Fearrington House in North Carolina.

I like meat and potatoes - especially mom's country fried steak, mashed potatos, and biscuits - but I was hoping for more of a nice, gourmet experience at Palo. Something like I'd find at Bistro de Paris. Should I lower my expectations?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[spyhill]

Sounds like we need to make a road trip to NC!

Here's what I think. First, some people will object to anything remotely critical about the cruise or anything else Disney-related. It's worth noting that all the cruise guidebooks pan the food on the Disney cruise line. We actually thought it was good overall, especially at Triton's. But it's uneven, particularly the breakfasts.

This is just one person's opinion based on one meal, but it would be ludicrous to put Palo in the same category as V & A or Bistro de Paris. They're not even close. But I still would suggest going to Palo, only because it's a beautiful room and, as others have pointed out, just an all-around fun experience.

 

[ducklite]

Howard--I noticed that too. I think the poster might have been trying to say uninspired. The chef might have been "insipid", but it would be difficult for a pork chop to be so.

Insipid is one of my favorite words.

BTW--When are you cruising again?

Anne

 

[spyhill]

My dictionary says insipid means "lacking in flavor or taste"--so I think it would actually be hard for a chef to be insipid and more likely for a pork chop.
:=)

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by spyhill
Sounds like we need to make a road trip to NC!

The Fearrington House is a special place. Last time I ate there, I had a second course dish that amounted to seared tuna with a pineapple sauce and confederate caviar. The chef brought it out personally and remarked that he wanted to call it redneck caviar but was over-ruled! He also mentioned the pineapple sauce required *3* pineapples to make. This particular dish gave me a rare "food high". BTW, confederate caviar is black grits.

Here's what I think. First, some people will object to anything remotely critical about the cruise or anything else Disney-related. It's worth noting that all the cruise guidebooks pan the food on the Disney cruise line. We actually thought it was good overall, especially at Triton's. But it's uneven, particularly the breakfasts.

I think you're right. I've known many couples traveling to Disney who refuse to spend the cash to eat at V&A's despite my begging. (Why go there when you can get 5-6 meals at Olive Garden for the price of 1 at V&A?) It is always one of the best vacation experiences, in my opinion. I'll never forget my wife and I walking around MK after eating at V&A. We were both dressed up, she was a bit tipsy (and very loving), and we were muching on popcorn waiting for the fireworks to start. People thought we were insane, I think.

A common wedding gift to Disney World-bound honeymooners from me is a meal at Bistro de Paris. If I were wealthy, it would be a meal at V&A. I believe that much in a good meal being a part of the vacation experience - especially for couples.

I think some will reject anything gourmet out of hand as well. Again, I'm not a food snob, but I really like the taste of gourmet food. I like a lot (as in quantity) of food as well (a common argument against gourmet restaraunts) but I've never felt hungry after a multi-course meal.

This is just one person's opinion based on one meal, but it would be ludicrous to put Palo in the same category as V & A or Bistro de Paris. They're not even close. But I still would suggest going to Palo, only because it's a beautiful room and, as others have pointed out, just an all-around fun experience.

Well, my expectations have been lowered, which is probably a good thing. I'll be less likely to be disappointed. Maybe I'll surprise my wife with a meal at V&A the night before the cruise as a special surprise.

Thank you for your help.

Sam