Question for those living in the GTA re: Disney restaurants

[peacefrogdog]

For those like us living in the GTA, I feel lucky having so many restaurant options in our city (especially ethnic foods), and good quality ones at that.

My wife and I like to choose one restaurant to dine at by ourselves without the kids, and would like your feedback on which ones are truly worth it for the food. When going to Disney World, are there restaurants that you're impressed with food wise (i.e. not for the atmosphere)? In particular, do you find any of the Epcot restaurants in World Showcase to be better than what you could find in the GTA or any other large city in Canada?

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Well, I don't live in the GTA but I do live in Kingston where some of the restaurants have won "The best place to eat in Canada " award, many times over. I don't think where you live can really gauge the quality of a resaurant, because one persons opinion can vary quite a bit to the next.

I haven't eaten at all the restaurants in Epcot , but have tried Germany , France, Morocco, and Mexico. We have also eaten at most of the resorts restaurants, and all the MGM and Magic King table service restaurants. We have found the food at all of the above good, sometimes OK and sometimes great, we still have more to try at Epcot, yet for what you are looking for, I think you may find at the California Grill at the Contemporary resort. I really found it a step up from anything at any of the parks.

Yes, you can view wishes from here, but that is a bonus. I realize that is not what you are interested in. My DH and I has an awesome meal here, and would highly recomend it. Check out the menu , not sure when you are going,
but the menu changes seasonally. Good Luck!!

 

[misslissa]

We enjoy California Grill more than we enjoy Truffles at the Four Seasons

Saying that, I would still pick Ohana as my favourite restaurant not only in the "world' but in the world!!!! Quite a bit more casual...

 

[tmli]

Another vote for California Grill, although I am not from the GTA I have been lucky enough to experience some nice restaurants. I would rate it up there with some of the best!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'll throw in my vote for the California Grill as well - the food and service there are fantastic. The atmosphere reminds me a little of Canoe. Some of my other favourites are Kona (breakfast), Boma (dinner), Tangerine Cafe and Beaches and Cream.

I've also read that Artist Point at WL is really good too but haven't had a chance to try it yet.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Boma impressed us the most by far. Artist Point was fancier but we enjoyed the total Boma experience more.

Norway was a bust. Fun if you have kids that want to see the princesses but don't go for the food.

I was delighted by the food at the Cantina in Mexico and I am a Mexican food snob. (BTW, anyone in Durham Region tried Mexico Lindo? Wow!)
We went before Illuminations and it was truly breathtaking viewing - as opposed to a couple of nights before that when we staked out at Rose & Crown a couple hours before (& the fish & chips didn't agree w/ me - I'll say no more) and the viewing was no where near as good.


However we cancelled the San Angel ADR after taking the boat ride through Mexico - DH said, oh, I see the atmosphere, let's skip it. So as always it's a personal preference.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Jiko is one suggestion.

As well, Artist Point is great.

And third - you can't go wrong with California Grill

We also enjoy Chef du France if you are looking for an Epcot restaurant.

 

[Kurby]

ohhhh very good question.

we live in scarborough - east side of toronto and don't seem to have many good restaurants here that aren't the "sports bar" type.

casey's, jack astors, montana's, etc seem to be the norm around us.

they are building a Baton Rouge near the town centre so we'll have to give that a try.

that said - every time we go to disney we always have a different restaurant every night dining out white table cloths at home can be very expensive (mortons, cn tower's 360 etc) we're actually looking for restaurants in the middle that aren't sports bars around us. they all seem to be downtown and travelling with a 3 year old just for dinner isn't a top priority at home as we head to Jacks or mickey d's LOL.

haven't been to cali grill or chef de france yet but they are both on our list for the spring.

Rose and Crown was very good
Coral Reef had good food but losy service (back in 2006 but we're giving it a second chance in the spring)
Italy was really good but I think there are new owners or a different restaurant now so i'm not sure.

 

[usetheforceluke]

In particular, do you find any of the Epcot restaurants in World Showcase to be better than what you could find in the GTA or any other large city in Canada?

No.

At best, the Epcot restaurants are 'different' because of the locale, and the quality of the meal ranges from 'pig swill' to 'actually not that bad'.

Our 'hobby goal', if you will, has been to eat at every counter service and every table service establishment in WDW, and other than one or two establishments, we've eaten at every one of them at all of the parks. There are about five or six in the resorts that we haven't eaten at, but we're getting there.

Jim.

 

[disneynuts777]

Cannot go wrong with California Grill. But Narcoosee's has been my favorite.

 

[dsneygirl]

We had an outstanding meal at Jiko in Sept. Food, service and atmosphere were all top notch.

 

[misslissa]

I also wanted to add that character meals usually have awful food!!!!

I was delighted by the food at the Cantina in Mexico and I am a Mexican food snob. (BTW, anyone in Durham Region tried Mexico Lindo? Wow!)

Good to hear that Cantina in Mexico is good. We took our whole Spanish family to San Angel Inn last year and it was a disaster. The food was awful...
But, I have to agree, we live in Durham and go to Mexico Lindo all the time!!!!!!! It is fabulous!!!!!!

we live in scarborough - east side of toronto and don't seem to have many good restaurants here that aren't the "sports bar" type.

We recently moved from Scarborough to Durham and when we were in Scarborough... we regularily went to Milestone's and Canyon Creek at the STC... both are very good.

 

[mommylo]

Ditto to all the other recommendations. I also like Le Cellier and Teppan Edo as well. If you are on the Basic Dining plan, some of these restaurants use 2 Table Meal credits, like California Grill, Jiko and Artist Points. Although I think they are really good, there are the others which only take 1 credit, therefore giving me more chances to try different restaurants during my stays.

 

[peacefrogdog]

While I like a good steak, why is Le Cellier so popular? As Canadians, is it any better than a good steak house we can find in any reasonable size Canadian city?

I've been to Jiko twice in the past two years - that is one restaurant that if in Toronto, I would try to go to quite frequently.

Has anyone been to Flying Fish or Citricos?

 

[MECH8T7]

I would definitely recommend Flying Fish. The food was good and the atmosphere is a little cozier than Cali Grill. Also, the Boardwalk location offers an interesting pre- or post-meal distraction. If you time your meal right, you can stroll over to Epcot and catch Illuminations.

 

[Meeska Mooska Mom]

If you are in MK try the Plaza - at least for lunch. Its small, fairly quiet and unassuming. We really enjoyed our lunch there. Its nothing fancy but the food was good!

I'm in Durham as well. I wish we had more independent restaurants out here. I'm tired of the chains.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I also wanted to add that character meals usually have awful food!!!!

Good to hear that Cantina in Mexico is good. We took our whole Spanish family to San Angel Inn last year and it was a disaster. The food was awful...
But, I have to agree, we live in Durham and go to Mexico Lindo all the time!!!!!!! It is fabulous!!!!!!


We recently moved from Scarborough to Durham and when we were in Scarborough... we regularily went to Milestone's and Canyon Creek at the STC... both are very good.

Have you had the shrimp and cactus dish at Mexico Lindo? I am ADDICTED.

Character meals, I do love Crystal Palace. My all around favorite for location, setting and of course characters!

 

[hematite153]

I'm not in the GTA at the moment, but, I did live there for 17 years.

In terms of worthwhile disney restaurants, I'd recommend:
- Boma...I've never eaten anywhere like it elsewhere
- Artist Point...I really recommend the potato pot-stickers (it was the best restaurant meal I've had in years)
- Flying Fish...ask for recommendations based on your general food preferences; I ate something I'd never have ordered and it was fabulous
- Narcoosee's...same experience of good recommendations
- Jiko (?) ...still has a good wine selection, but, I like the vegetarian dishes less lately than I used to...my DW says that the steak is still fabulous.
- Raglan Road...this one makes the list for a single dish only (and possibly the beer flights)...Goat's Town has the most interesting flavour combinations I've ever encountered in a salad.

 

[misslissa]

While I like a good steak, why is Le Cellier so popular? As Canadians, is it any better than a good steak house we can find in any reasonable size Canadian city?

I've been to Jiko twice in the past two years - that is one restaurant that if in Toronto, I would try to go to quite frequently.

Has anyone been to Flying Fish or Citricos?

I don't remember having steak at Le Cellier, I think my husband did. We put off going to Le Cellier for such a long time too 'cause we are Canadian! Why go to a Canadian themed restaurant that serves stuff like Maple Glazed Salmon?! How cliche!

However, we did happen to drop by the Canada booth one year at the Food and Wine festival and sampled some of the Beer & Cheddar soup, Icewine, and Maple Creme Brulee and I fell in love... The apps and desserts do include a few unique items that are just delicious. Some people just go for the bread. So, while I don't go back regularily and I don't remember my entree... I still try to make my own versions of the soup and would highly recommend Le Cellier to anyone who hasn't been before.

 

[TashaRVT]

delighted by the food at the Cantina in Mexico and I am a Mexican food snob. (BTW, anyone in Durham Region tried Mexico Lindo? Wow!).

Oooooh... do tell! I haven't been able to find a Mexican place worth a second visit since we moved out this way (11 years ago)!
Where is Mexico Lindo? Is it that tiny little "new" (not really THAT new, I guess) place at the corner of Taunton and Gerrard?