Please rate the restaurants

[RUDisney]

My DH believes that the quality of a vacation does not lie in the fun that we can have as a family, but the quality of the meals he eats when he's on vacation.

Yeah, I know...

He said that he doesn't like the selection of restaurants at Universal or any of its hotels.

Please tell me how any of them will stack up to Shula's, the Yachtsman's Steak House, The Flying Fish, the restaurants in World Showcase, and the like. We haven't been to Victoria and Alberts because he doesn't want to take a jacket and tie on vacation. Can't blame him on that one. He's definitely not a counter service guy and cringes when we're at AK because that's all they really have other than the RFC. He doesn't eat at the water parks because of this. He'd rather wait until dinner.

He complained last night that Universal doesn't have a good steakhouse.

Please tell me that there is hope for getting this food snob to agree to this vacation.

 

[morningstar]

The Hard Rock Hotel has The Palm Restaurant. Don't know of a better steakhouse than that. Also, have not been to Emeril's, but that certainly ranks as one of the best in the area. I personally think Universal food is much better than WDW. Also, for good italian, try the Bice in Portofino.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Tchoup Chop has a steak to die for and Emeril's has a great buffalo steak.

 

[RUDisney]

Ooh, the Palm is one of our favorites! But, not in NYC, that honor goes to Smith and Wolensky's.

I can't wait to tell him what you guys are saying! It gives me hope for our March trip!

 

[robvia]

Honestly, I'd suggest you rent the car and visit an offsite restaurant. If you're not renting the car, then hire the limo.
The universal places are great, but considering the amount of people they serve every day, you may be let down.

The ideas mentioned above will probably be fine, but those are the top of the line restaurants at Universal and charge the most. So if the food isn't perfect, you'll be frustrated you paid so much. It would ruin your trip if things are not perfect. But if you visit an off site restaurant, it will be seperate from the parks.

There is an Outback, Carrabas, Orlando Ale House, and a Japanese steak house called Kobe' near the parks. Check my pages here to see them.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/AcrossUSF2005.htm

If you travel down I-Drive, there is a Black Angus Steak house across from WnW, Ausse Steak House, and at the south end near SWF, is Steak N' Ale.
http://www.nogodforme.com/touridrive.htm

 

[yaytezIOA]

For the price, and the service, Mama Della's at PBH was very good, as well as the Latin Quarter. But the more affordable route would be like robvia said....take it off-site.

 

[RUDisney]

Price is not an object when my DH is selecting a restaurant. He would not go to an Outback in Orlando because he could go to one here. He's looking for top notch restaurants.

There is no such thing as a "cheap trip" when my DH is with us. What I might save us in accommodations, flights, and park tickets, he will spend, and then some, in food.

 

[dischick4778]

Both of Emerils restaurants are amazing. Personally, I liked Tchoup Chop better. But both are very good. Make sure you get reservations though.

 

[BosLAD]

I second the thoughts on Tchoup Chop.
Outstanding food. Great Service. Great Atmosphere.
Its not a meal - its an experience.

 

[Figment22]

As for restaurants in the parks, where he doesn't like counter service, Mythos at IOA is the number one theme park restaurant in the world and has been selected as such for three consecutive years! Disney has NOTHING in any of its parks that can even come close.

Emeril's (CityWalk), Tchoup Chop (RPR) and The Palm (HRH) are world class restaurants.

Universal is certainly no slouch in the good restaurant department.

 

[ChrisFL]

Also in Universal is Lombard's Landing which is a sit-down seafood restaurant. I haven't been there for a long time though, so I don't know their menu selections currently.

 

[gschmerl]

I agree with Mythos. It is one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. We also love Tchoup Chop.

 

[Cass]

We mostly ate at Margaritaville and had some good meals.

As for in the parks we only tried Mythos and I had an awesome balsamic chicken dish.

The last morning we had breakfast at the The Kitchen" just off the lobby of the Hard Rock and that was very good.

I can't imagine your DH not finding a decent meal at City Walk, there are a ton of restaurants.

 

[MIB999999]

if hubby is a steak and potatoes guy then then go to one of the hotels. If he is into a flavor sensation then he needs to try MYTHOS. The risotto of the day is on the menu as just that. I avoided it for a long time till i had tried everything they had and even got to be one of the first to try some of thier experimental dishes.
One day i asked Keirn about it and she said it was great but she knew i thought a rice based dish was not what i considered exciting so she was hesitant to suggest it. Well i tried it and have ordered little else since that day. It changes daily and may be tuna, beef, pork, salmon, or other meat based, but what they do with it from a taste bud awakening experience is really wonderful.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Tchoup Chop is better by far than Mythos(Busch Gardens Williamsburg is voted "best grounds theme park" every year,ever seen it).Mythos is less expensive,but convenient as it's in the park.Risotto of the day and a bowl of bisque=a meal for most folks.
Mama Dellas is good but pretty expensive for Italian you can get in any Northern city.
Bice is a chain and available elsewhere.
Best steaks are@Peter Luger.In NY.Period.

We Travel with Zagats in my baggage and we read every review prior to travel.There is nothing in USO land to compare to Victoria and Alberts.Les Chefs de France is our Disney favorite.Universals resturants are much easier to get into.If your husband is as discriminating as he sounds you'll be better served by the resturants in the hotels vs.Citywalk .If a little travel doesn't bother you www.maison-jardin.com may suit you.We often spend as much on food in a day as lodging and park entries.

 

[ksdave]

I'm a native NYer and travel a ton for business, so I get to eat out alot. I really am not a fan of the counter restaurants either.
Here is my list of UO restaurants I like:
Mama Della's (eating there in 2 weeks)
Mythos (also eating there in 2 weeks)
Tchoup Chop
Emeril's
Lombard's
Margaritaville

Have not tried The Palm but hear it is excellent. Ate at the restaurant that has now been replaced by Bice (forget the name) at PBH and, even being a native NYer, the prices shocked me. Dinner for just the wife and I was almost $400!

If you like brick oven pizza, also try Sal's Market Deli at PBH. Very tasty!

 

[RUDisney]

If you like brick oven pizza, also try Sal's Market Deli at PBH. Very tasty!

That's a high praise coming from a NYer. We in the northeast know good pizza.

Every Palm Restaurant in which we've eaten has been wonderful. You should try it next time you have the chance. It's loud, but that just adds to its charm.

This is my big selling point to my DH. That, and I stopped by his office this morning to bring up Tchoup Chop on his PC so he could look at the menu.

He has until tomorrow morning to make up his mind. If he doesn't give in tonight and say that we can go, I'm booking the trip without his blessing. It's not the first time I had to give him a deadline. He'll be mad at first, but will then have a wonderful time once he's there.

Thank you all for your responses! After reading up on the resorts, I think we'll be staying at PBH and dining at very fine establishments.

 

[ksdave]

Thank you all for your responses! After reading up on the resorts, I think we'll be staying at PBH and dining at very fine establishments.

You will absolutely love PBH! If you can, get there early for check-in (before the parks open) on the first day of your reservation and request a room in the west wing. This is the area that has the Beach Pool, the Villa Pool, the boat dock, etc. We have stayed there four times and had a room in that wing evertime. It is very convenient. Your kids will love the slide at the Beach Pool and you'll love the hot tubs with the waterfalls and the pool bar. If you are going at a busier time, make your reservations for Mamas and Tchoup Chop as soon as possible. Check out my webpage for some pictures of PBH (the last two links). (Someday I'll get motivated and put up the rest of the trips.)

Have a great time!!

 

[Amyrlin]

Tchop Tchop is great,. also if you venture of Univerial land, you are not far from Texas De Bazil on International Drive with is also an excellent resturant.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Texas de Brazil is AWESOME! Expensive, but excellent.

If you choose to venture to the area surrounding Universal, know that the two roads you need to remember are Sand Lake Road and International Drive.

Sand Lake has Fishbones, Moonfish, a fondue restaurant, and several others.

International Drive has: Texas de Brazil, Charley's, Vito's, Ming Court, and several others.