Raglan Road -- Big Disappointment!!!

[calypso*a*go-go]

We tried Raglan Road just a few nights ago and were extremely disappointed. DH had Shepards Pie which was ground beef/lamb with mashed potatoes on top. Nothing spectacular...just a big 'ol pile of meat and potatoes. I had Kevin's Kudos which was basically ham w/mashed potatoes and cabbage that was mixed with mushrooms, onions, etc. Flavor was good but food was served lukewarm. Kids had sliders which were two hamburgers about the size of a silver dollar. DS had his served on small buns...DD's was on bread (must have run out of buns?). All in all, none of the entrees were very filling. No salad or bread came with the meal. Biggest waste of money were the kids' meals @ $8.99 each. Both our kids were starving just a short time after eating.

Also, a word of caution...we used one of the Clear Channel $50 certificates. Our server would not bring out an itemized receipt once she saw we were using the certificate, just told us what the balance was over the $50. Afterwards I went through the prices and feel she added a gratuity into the balance she gave us, and was therefore, double-tipped. I don't know if the servers are being burned by people only tipping on the balance instead of the entire bill or what. I know I should have been more insistant about getting an itemized receipt but didn't want to wait around any longer. So, just make sure you double-check your receipt.

 

[trampslady]

This news really saddens me as hubby and I are eagerly awaiting our visit on November 22. Sounds as if more care and attention is needed in the food and service departments if this establishment is to be successful.

We will still go as we also have the Clear Channel certificate. By the way, did they allow you to purchase alcohol with the certificate?

 

[KFISCHER]

I don't doubt the poster didn't care for RR, but my wife and I were there a few weeks ago and loved it.

The restaurant is beautiful inside. Our food and service were very, very good, and the manager came out several times to talk to us.

These DIS boards are great, but I've said it once and I'll say it again with no disrespect to anyone..............all too often someone mentions a badd experience at a place, and suddenly there's reply after reply stating they were going to try a restaurant but now they're not so sure becase someone else didn't like it. You have to try and judge for yourself. Do not cancel or adjust plans because of what yoiu read here. You might be missing out on a really nice time!

 

[trampslady]

Very good point, KFISCHER! Some of our favorite places are the same ones others wouldn't dare set foot in. I'm truly hoping that this place does well as it's nice to have a unique addition to the Downtown Disney scene!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I agree that everyone should try it and form their own opinion (which is exactly what we did). The restaurant is beautiful but I think it will be far more successful as a pub than for any of the food they are serving. It really is more for adults as I don't think the kids' menu is anything special, but the prices are quite high for what is received. The other thing I forgot to mention was that our ADR's were for 7pm and they had already run out of a few items on the menu. I'm sure they will be much better prepared after they have been open a few months.

 

[jann1033]

These DIS boards are great, but I've said it once and I'll say it again with no disrespect to anyone..............all too often someone mentions a badd experience at a place, and suddenly there's reply after reply stating they were going to try a restaurant but now they're not so sure becase someone else didn't like it. You have to try and judge for yourself. Do not cancel or adjust plans because of what yoiu read here. You might be missing out on a really nice time!

i was just reading the beaches and cream thread and thinking the same exact thing..a good review gets tons posts of the same ,a bad gets tons of posts the same .

so basically ignore any and all reviews

 

[Eeyore7]

We ate at Raglan Road on the 23rd - also used the clear channel certificate. And yes, you can purchase alcohol with it in addition to the food. We had the appetizer ribs (good flavoring!) a cottege pie, and an order of fish & chips. A couple of old-fashioneds. And for dessert - a Bailey's "mousse that came with two large cookies, and a delicious chocolate something or other. Food was great, services was wonderful, and the atmosphere was definately Irish. Live music & stepdancers!

 

[d-r]

I'm wondering about the beer - was it just the standard guiness and harp, or was there anything more interesting?

 

[crisi]

Calypso - have you had Irish food before and do you like it? Or was this bad compared to other Irish food.

See I'm not fond of food from the British Isles and Ireland. To me its all tasteless, far too much potatoes and cabbage and organ meats (without the spicing of German food - which is also potatos and cabbage and organ meats). The best food in Britian is to eat Indian (they have great Indian restaurants) or breakfast. So I could go to Raglan Road and hate it even if it were great Irish food. Its the reason I've never eaten at Rose and Crown - great British food is - to my mind - still bad. Much of what you are describing - lack of salad, lukewarm - sounds very authentic from my British travels.

 

[lynn71092]

Are there any of the Clear Channel certificates still available and do you have the website?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Honestly, I haven't had Irish food before. Maybe my expectations were too high. Most of the problems we experienced were probably due to the "newness" of the restaurant.

When the hostess was trying to seat us, there were already people at the table we were assigned. She then put us at a table and told us we were really lucky because our table was at the center of the action...what she didn't say was that the action was starting for another two hours.

Also, I'm sure our server could have changed the experience by giving us recommendations instead of starting out with "here's what we're out of". When I did ask her about some of the selections she told me the Pie In the Sky (?) was too runny and Keith's Kudos was too salty (which through the process of elimination, I tried anyway). You have to admit, that would probably put anyone off. And then, the fact that I think she padded our bill was the icing on the cake.

If we ever go to Raglan Road again, it will be for a drink and appetizers, late enough in the evening to enjoy the live entertainment.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm sorry you had a bad exp =(

We had a late dinner there last week and while we enjoyed all our food and had good service, we were amazed at how expensive it was for the tiny portions! We LOVED the atmosphere - course it was 10pm and the band was winding up, the dancers were there, LOTS of adults enjoying themselves, etc and will def return in the future for drinks only. But not for dinner, too pricey for what you get.

 

[canwegosoon]

Calypso - have you had Irish food before and do you like it? Or was this bad compared to other Irish food.

See I'm not fond of food from the British Isles and Ireland. To me its all tasteless, far too much potatoes and cabbage and organ meats (without the spicing of German food - which is also potatos and cabbage and organ meats). The best food in Britian is to eat Indian (they have great Indian restaurants) or breakfast. So I could go to Raglan Road and hate it even if it were great Irish food. Its the reason I've never eaten at Rose and Crown - great British food is - to my mind - still bad. Much of what you are describing - lack of salad, lukewarm - sounds very authentic from my British travels.

Crisi...I'm Irish(American), and I have to agree with you...my family in Ireland are not know to be the "BEST" chefs. I know recently Ireland has had a push to come to the cullinary forfront, but their traditional foods are not really great. I think I will Give RR a try on our next trip and see for myself. There's always bound to be bumps in the beginning of any new restaurant...hopefully things will improve.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We ate at Raglan Road on the 23rd - also used the clear channel certificate. And yes, you can purchase alcohol with it in addition to the food. We had the appetizer ribs (good flavoring!) a cottege pie, and an order of fish & chips. A couple of old-fashioneds. And for dessert - a Bailey's "mousse that came with two large cookies, and a delicious chocolate something or other. Food was great, services was wonderful, and the atmosphere was definately Irish. Live music & stepdancers!

What time did you eat? We are hoping for LIVE entertainment and even a sing a long!!!

 

[Sarnia]

We tried Raglan Road just a few nights ago and were extremely disappointed. DH had Shepards Pie which was ground beef/lamb with mashed potatoes on top. Nothing spectacular...just a big 'ol pile of meat and potatoes.

That's what Shepards pie is, basically minced lamb with mashed potatoes on top. Like most British food, if cooked well it can be fantastic, real comfort food, but if it's not done well then it can be pretty horrible.

 

[Forever42]

I'm wondering about the beer - was it just the standard guiness and harp, or was there anything more interesting?

That's about it - the beer selection is pretty average.

Calypso - have you had Irish food before and do you like it? Or was this bad compared to other Irish food.
.

We eat at an Irish restaurant in Winter Park pretty often, and we found the food comparable. The higher prices, no DDE discount, and poor beer selection will keep us going to our Winter Park one.

The food was good... I just didn't feel like we were getting anything above and beyond, for the prices.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

The food was good... I just didn't feel like we were getting anything above and beyond, for the prices.

This is exactly how we felt. It was so-so, and the kid's meal was a total rip-off. If we ever brought our kids here again, I would either order something off the appetizer menu or get an adult entree and have them split it.

 

[michelewdw]

I'm a Raglan Road fan, dined there on October 21st and really enjoyed it. We had ADRs for 8:45 and the band and the dancers started about then. As far as the beer choices, I did find a new favorite Stella I believe is the name and it was wonderful.

Michele

 

[patiruss]

I'm a Raglan Road fan, dined there on October 21st and really enjoyed it. We had ADRs for 8:45 and the band and the dancers started about then. As far as the beer choices, I did find a new favorite Stella I believe is the name and it was wonderful.

Michele

Michele,

I am also a fan. I was there the same night as you. We were right in front of the band. I was with my two sisters, one of them.. a blonde in a wheelchair. My son and daughter-in-law were with us for awhile, but left early because they had to work the next day. We had a great time!

 

[Forever42]

This is exactly how we felt. It was so-so, and the kid's meal was a total rip-off. If we ever brought our kids here again, I would either order something off the appetizer menu or get an adult entree and have them split it.

Yep, we'll go again to use our certificates, but I think we may stick to appetizers and burgers. And hey, they can't really mess up Guinness too much besides overcharging for it (my Irish pub charges $4.50 ).