Quiet Romantic WDW (sig?) Restaurant?

[drj898]

First off...big apologies for the huge post/thread starter. Anyway...

I'm looking for a restaurant to take my girlfriend to for her birthday on July 9th. We'll be staying in either WL, BC, or BWI for July 7th to 13th. We're both in our 20's and I know what she likes...so it's easy to make her birthday dinner amazing. ( I think..lol).

Right now I have reservations made for San Angel Inn...I know she loves mexican food, and it's been known as being romantic on some other sites around on the internet. But here's the thing: I'm looking for quiet. And i'm looking for a (semi)secluded table. I really don't wanna be in arm's reach to the diners next to us. We went to Cheesecake Factory up here in New York last week on a Friday night, and well...I can imagine it'd be THAT packed in WDW 2nd week of July. And it was a disaster. The food was great, but the tables were literally right next to eachother...the tables had just enough room to walk in between and it was so loud, my girlfriend and I couldn't even hear each other, and I'm terrified of a similar scenario in WDW for her birthday dinner. The other dinners during the week....eh...I can deal lol. But her birthday dinner should be special. I might even propose to her that night...*hint hint*.

Now...as for cuisine! Seafood is basically out. Narccoosee's (spelling? ...) and Citrico's is out because of that...I mean if it's a restaurant with some seafood, that's cool because then she still has options. California Grill looks pretty good, with the flatbreads and stuff, but that..along with Artist Point's menus look pretty intimidating. The items look like something my girlfriend..I don't think...would eat. She'll eat steak, but not choose it if she had other choices. She'll eat salmon, and shrimp. But no other fish or shellfish. If it's some sort of chicken, pork, or beef, she'll eat that.

I know i know....it's complicated. But I really cherish you guys' opinions!!

I'm a guy (AKA steak man lol). Even though it's her special day..maybe I can talk her into Yachtsman, Shula's, or Le Cellier! hehe...

Thanks guys!

 

[TiggerDad3]

Personally since Narcoosees is out, I would probably go with California Grill... Book your reservation around 9pm (check the schedule for magic kingdom) that way you can be there for wishes... you can request a Window table.

You could pop the question when the lights dim and the fireworks begin at your table, or take her out to the observation deck. You could probably talk to the cast members and they may even help to make it extra special!

However.. I don't think Le Cellier is very romantic and I found it to feel a bit crowded ( maybe just me ). I have never eaten at Shulas in Disney, but I have at the one in Indianapolis and it was AWESOME... the service was great and we felt like VIP's and definitely not crowded, maybe someone can help with their Disney area experience there?

At any rate, whatever you choose... hope you have a magical evening with the one you love and your life is filled with happiness!

 

[Pakey]

If you are not limited to dining plan places, you will find the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin to be more upscale and quieter than WDW signatures. I highly recommend Il Mulino and second Shulas.

Le Celliers tables are so close you will know your neighbors by the end of your meal and most WDW signatures are crowded and loud.

 

[tigger536]

Another vote for Cali Grill. Propose to her on the observation deck just after wishes.

 

[ashenbiez]

I know you said Narcoossee's was out, but it might be worth rethinking.

Its very romantic! We actually ate there right before my fiance proposed last year. Its right on the water, and the tables are very well spread out.
I know that my fiance got one of the best steaks either of us have ever tasted!

It's also just a quick trip to the Magic Kingdom if you don't pop the question during dinner - you can do it at the park in front of the castle (be sure to do so in front of a photopass photog!)

Honestly, though, if you propose, neither of you will really care WHERE you are... wherever it happens will probably become your instant favorite place in WDW

 

[Pakey]

Another option is private dining on the balcony at Grand Floridian. My son did his proposal dinner with this option.

 

[catheren]

V & A's is the most romantic you can get at WDW. No children under 10 allowed. Just my opinion, while all the PP's suggested great sig restaurants, they will be LOUD, close tables, and lots of kids.

 

[drj898]

Ashenbiez.......where did you stay when he proposed to you last year??


I think I'm going to go with Il Mulino. It looks spectacular, it has the menu I'm looking for, and since it's inside a "sort of resort", I'm kind of expecting it to be on the less than crowded side. Hopefully lol.

Thanks everyone!!

PS: V&A's is wayyyy too luxurious. She has a hard time eating normal shellfish like mussels and clams. Think caviar is an option? ......mmm...caviar... lol

 

[ashenbiez]

oh you're opening a can of worms by asking a woman about her DISNEY proposal story... lol

here's the rundown...
we were going for our 4th anniversary (since we try to find a "reason" for our yearly trips to WDW haha)
we stayed at Coronado Springs and it was fantastic. I loved it. We were right next to a bus stop - and I gotta say, napping in those lake-side hammocks was a highlight of our trip.
we had planned (and saved our dining credits) for a fancy anniversary dinner in the middle of our trip on our actual anniversary. Since MK had EMH until 2am we wanted to do a MK resort for dinner. Originally wanted Cali Grill, but the only reservation available was around 4:30 - definitely not a romantic meal time!

I actually asked about a million folks here on the DIS for their advice and finally booked Narcoossee's for around 7:30pm. It was delicious!

After dinner we headed over to MK and got into the park just as the Electrical Parade was starting. We had planned to stalk photopass photographers since we were all gussied up from our dinner. As we looped towards Tomorrowland, Bob suggested we try to get our photo in the Rose Garden since there's always a line. Miraculously, because the parade, it was deserted.
The photographer took the normal 3-4 shots, then Bob said "could we have just one more?" Which I thought was weird since he HATES pictures.
He did an awkward little spin, then was on one knee with a ring box in hand
Obviously, the photog caught the whole thing (see my avi!) and it was truly magical.

So that's the whole story. He kept the ring in the in-room safe and I was completely oblivious. He played it cool and didn't seem nervous at all - in fact he said he WASN'T nervous! haha

Just make sure that this isn't the last night of your trip! You want to be able to get the "just engaged" buttons and wander around the parks in your newly-engaged glow Plus all the congratulations from complete strangers is super exciting and fun!

 

[ElizabethB]

Il Mulino has delicious food but it most definitely is not quiet -- more like a busy, bustling trattoria. We did manage a somewhat quieter table on our last visit -- we were in one of the side rooms. Still, it is not romantic or quiet.

And, don't do San Angel Inn. The table are so close together, we were constantly pulling our chairs in just so the waiter could go by. Really, all of the Epcot restaurants are bad choices, given what you are looking for.

Really, the only place for the kind of dinner you are describing is V&A. It's the utmost in romance and a perfect place for a proposal. Let Israel Perez know ahead of time that you are planning a proposal. He and his staff will make it truly memorable.

Anything else at WDW is going to be crowded, noisy and not even remotely romantic. This was not always the case, but since the advent of DDP and of free dining, this is the way it is.

California Grill is one of the worst -- kids all over the place, noisy patrons, everybody in park clothing, huge crowds at the bar waiting for tables. I don't care that there is a view. I would never pick it for romance. Sometimes, it can be a bit quieter in the wine room -- but not always. We have been in the wine room with large family parties seated in there.

Same for the wine room at Jiko. It can be a bit quieter -- but not always. We once had toddlers in the wine room doing somersaults across the floor. Only when they started pulling on the beaded drapes did a manager tell the parents that the kids needed to sit down.

The night we dined at Citricos it was terribly crowded, busy and noisy. It's one of the better signature restaurants these days, but I have heard awful stories about unruly children there.

One thing that can help a little is if you dine late -- preferably after 9 pm. No guarantees, though. The family in the wine room at Jiko came in with 5 babies and toddlers and it was after 10 pm.

Bistro de Paris was a nightmare on our last visit there -- worse than Chef Mickey's for noisy kids and general confusion.

Artist Point can be a bit quieter than most places if you go late and specifically ask for a quiet table perhaps by a window.

Narcoosee's also might be okay if you go after the fireworks are over. You could see the fireworks from the deck outside the restaurant and then eat dinner after that.

Overall, if you want a quiet, romantic dinner with spectacular food and wonderful wine -- go to V&A. The food is delicious and if you don't like seafood they won't serve you any.

That's all.

 

[DEA]

If V&A is too over-the-top (the Queen Victoria Room would give you the kind of space you're talking about, no problem), I would suggest a late dinner at Jiko. I think it's a very romantic restaurant, you can steer clear of seafood, and the wine list is very nice.

Good luck, and congratulations!

ETA: I'd also suggest calling the restaurants to explain what you are looking for, to see if they can accommodate your wishes for this dinner to your satisfaction. I've found that the Disney folks are willing to do a lot for special occasions, but it helps if you let them know your plan and let them work with you to make it happen. So, maybe the tables in the restaurant are kind of close together, they may have a spot that maximizes the space between tables that they can stake out for you. You might have a slightly longer wait if they have to wait for that table to clear, but the physical setup would be more to your liking.

 

[nickymaria]

If you're not adventurous eaters then V & A's is not going to work though it is the quietest, most intimate place to eat (except for private dining) - We ate at Il Mulino twice on our last trip and it was pretty bustling, but perhaps if you call ahead and arrange a table off to the side or in a corner? The one place we ate that was pretty quiet was Shula's - we were there during spring break and it honestly was not very crowded at all. You might want to consider that instead if you're really going for quiet...

As as the PPs have said - no matter where you propose it will become your favorite place!!

 

[shpdem]

I vote Yachtsman's as you can go walk the boardwalk after dinner

 

[Uncleromulus]

I did notice the last time we were at Il Mulino that they did have tables off to the side--looked to be sort of in alcoves (?).

 

[ElizabethB]

At Il Mulino, we found the separate side room we were in (there are several of them on both sides of the main dining area) to be slightly quieter than the main dining area, although there was one drunk woman in the main dining area whose voice carried right into all the side alcoves. And, the main dining room is always very busy.

We have been to Shula's when it was quiet and when it was really noisy. It depends on whether conventioneers are dining that night. If so, it devolves into several tables with lots of noise and drinking and loud tales of great deals, old football games, and what not. If not, it's okay for quiet and romance. It helps to ask for a table in the back room where some pretty decent tables for two are located.

Blue Zoo seemed somewhat quieter than most places when we dined there, but it is mostly seafood so that probably won't work too well. We used to like Grand Floridian Cafe for a rather quiet dinner, but of course with DDP that's no longer possible.

Basically, for quiet and romance at WDW, it's pretty slim pickings these days.

If you have a car, you could drive over to Bice, which is wonderful. Also, The Venetian at the Caribe Royale is supposed to be very nice, but we have not tried it so don't know for sure. With a car, there are no doubt some nice possibilities at the Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek. Can't really think of any other decent options.

 

[figment_jii]

Any restaurant at Disney is bound to have children. You can probably minimize (but not eliminate this) by eating late (try for ADRs after 8 pm), avoid in-park dining, and go for places not on the DDP.

 

[saintstickets]

V&A would be my first choice but it is pricey. My next choice would be a late reservation (after 8:00) at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion at EPCOT. There is not a children's menu at Bistro so that discourages many families with small children. If you wait until later at night, most any other tables with children will have already gone. That will pretty much take care of the noise level that many have experienced earlier in the day. The menu does have seafood but it also specializes in veal, lamb and filet mignon. Get the crepes duo for dessert and they will flambe it for you at your table. Also request a window table and you will get a partial view of the fireworks during your meal if you have a later ADR. DW and I really enjoyed our dinner there.

 

[D&R love Disney]

Shula's is a wonderful option, it's dark and usually pretty quiet. Very few children and any that I've seen are so well behaved.

I got engaged there 10 years ago and the staff was wonderful!

If you want California Grill, ask to be seated in the wine room, it's in the back with a wonderful view of Bay Lake and only about 6-8 tables.

 

[Tara]

A friend of mine eats no seafood and V&A's did a lovely job of accommodating her dietary needs. For romantic atmosphere, quiet, and a truly memorable experience, there is no match on property this restaurant.

 

[Brandis]

I think V&A is the most romantic place, especially for a proposal. Live harp music, quiet, elegant. And delicious. If there is a course where you don't find anything you like, they can prepare something you do like and there is always a separate vegetarian menu from which you can substitute menu items from the main menu.