raglan road

[hmp2z]

We like Raglan Road. We get the Smokie City app, which is good, and then we usually split an entree (last time it was the fish & chips) and a dessert (we had the Banoffi Beauty).

When we get fish & chips, I ask for the chips to be cooked American style, because I like my chips crispy. The first time we went there, they were soggy & some were even partly raw - the potato was still kind of crunchy, not soft. Our server told us that was Irish style, so we just request American style chips.

The scallops app is also delicious - very light - but I don't think that 6 scallops count as an appetizer for two people.

And speaking of provocative dress, we were there on Christmas day, and the hostess was wearing a teeny, tiny little elf costume. I seriously think it was a negligee from Frederick's of Hollywood.

They did have dancing, but we luckily got seated in one of the side rooms, and the noise didn't bother us. We were able to enjoy a dinner with a volume low enough for us to converse comfortably. If you don't like noise, I'd suggest getting there early, around 5 pm, and asking to be seated at a distance from the performers.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[BillSears]

For those wondering here is a picture I took of the dancer after she had stopped dancing. As an unknowing tourist type, not that there's anything wrong with that , I thought she was good. Of course I've never been involved in competitive Irish dancing.

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

How is the atmosphere for small kids....3 & 5? It sounds like it would be loud enough that, even if they were a bit loud they wouldn't disturb anyone.

 

[hmp2z]

It depends on when you go, where you sit, and what kind of loud they're being. If you're going during a busy time, when the restaurant is naturally loud, and ask to be seated in the center area near the dancer, I don't think that two kids getting excited & a bit loud about the entertainment would be a problem. There were plenty of drunk people getting a bit loud about the entertainment when we were there Christmas day.

If the kids are screaming & crying, I would think that would disturb anyone, no matter where you're seated. So it depends on the kind of loud your kids get. We had a family near us whose child kept shrieking and shrieking throughout dinner. The restaurant was loud, but this noise was exceedingly unpleasant. There's a big difference between loud music and the loud wailing of an unhappy child.

We've also been there during slow times (5 pmish), when there were very few people in the restaurant, and, in that case, I think anyone getting loud would be heard throughout the restaurant.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

glad to see there are a lot of positive responses. We are trying this place for the first time...we couldn't squeeze it in last 2 trips right after it opened. We are very excited, plus it is our last meal before our late night flight home and I don't do well with flights so I can drink a few (or so, besides who counts) pints of Guinness and DW will be happy that I'm not freaking out on the plane

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

We definatly make it a stop on every trip. And usually a couple trips to the Cookes of Dublin on the outside.

 

[JamesMom]

I am excited to see the positives about this place. Hope to get an ADR after 6pm Cirque Show. Just gotta remember
1. fish & chips - American style
2. expect it to be loud.
Got it!

Thanks!


BTW - GoofyFreak love the siggie list - LOL!!

 

[kt-scarlett]

For those wondering here is a picture I took of the dancer after she had stopped dancing. As an unknowing tourist type, not that there's anything wrong with that , I thought she was good. Of course I've never been involved in competitive Irish dancing.

Thanks for the dancer's pic, Bill and for the description of the dancing, SassyLassy. Let's just say my daughter's step dance costume looks absolutely *nothing* like this one. Hers has quite a bit more material and is made of heavy velvet with long sleeves and a cape. I don't think it would draw the crowds like this dancer's dress.

SassyLassy, yes, DD Molly is still dancing at age 15 and hopefully will continue into college. Irish dance is not as widely popular here in RI as it is in the Boston area so she didn't grow up surrounded by it as you did. Lucky you!! (Aside to SL, why isn't this dancer's hair curled and why is she wearing a bracelet?!?! )

DD, DH and I will be eating at Raglan Road next month for the first time. I hope we get to see and hear the entertainment that evening. I can't admit to being as excited about eating 'Irish Cuisine', I must admit. To me, born and bred of Irish grandparents, and where the running joke was that a six-pack and a potato is a 7-course meal, Irish Cuisine has always been the original oxymoron. I hope I am surprised.

Mary

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I just got back from the World and will be posting a complete dining trip report very soon.

In the meantime...keep a few things in mind...

Raglan Road is *NOT* Disney owned or operated.

There is only ONE Raglan Road and that is at DTD.

Staff at the restaurant are not employed or trained by Disney.

Our experience there was horrendous. More to come.

 

[Laurafoster]

I have to say that i found Raglan Road to be a lot more authentic than some other the other Irish Pubs i have encounted in Florida. I visit Ireland Frequently, especially Dublin and Belfast and there are many pubs like this there. The only major thing that is not particularly authentic is the size - Irish pubs tend to be a lot smaller and thus darker.

 

[oybolshoi]

Like any restaurant anywhere, there are good and bad responses from people based on the experiences they have. So...taking that into consideration, my DH and I loved our dinner at Raglan Road - service, food, atmosphere, entertainment, and portion size were all very good in our opinion.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we plan on giving it another go in May.

I hope you have as much fun as we did.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Raglan Road reminds me of The Dubliner in Jury's at Ballsgate. It's dark(ish) and has some wonderful wood and other features.

The food is pretty run of the mill. It's not fantastic, and it's not terrible. If you want fish and chips do not order them inside. Order your fish and chips from Cookes of Dublin (the counter service). The portions are large, and the food is cooked properly.

I've never heard of Irish chips being cooked improperly. Some of the best chips I've ever had in my life were in pubs in Ireland, and yes they were cooked through and not greasy.

The music is like the food. OK. If it's true pub music (NOT Irish Rovers) then it's fine. It's not always though.

The dancer? Weelllll, she's not traditional in the least.

I love the atmosphere, when I go there with friends. Order some nice bits off the appetizer menu (that's were the better food resides) and keep the Guinness flowing and you'll have a grand time.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

We also love Raglan Road and have been there several times and never had a bad experience. I love the music and the dancing and - of course - the food! If you're going to get the fish n chips though, it's definitely a better value at the counter service place nextdoor. Stick with the other entrees if you eat inside!

 

[MJMcBride]

For those wondering here is a picture I took of the dancer after she had stopped dancing. As an unknowing tourist type, not that there's anything wrong with that , I thought she was good. Of course I've never been involved in competitive Irish dancing.

hmmmm. I may have to re-think my previous criticisms. hubba hubba

 

[hmp2z]

I've never heard of Irish chips being cooked improperly. Some of the best chips I've ever had in my life were in pubs in Ireland, and yes they were cooked through and not greasy.

I didn't say they were cooked improperly; they were just soggy & too undercooked for our taste. I had them and my MIL had them, and we both agreed they weren't crispy at all. On our next visit, I asked the server whether I could request crispy chips, and he was the one who told me that they made them soft on purpose, because that was the Irish way. I don't know whether that's true or not, but that's what the server told us Raglan Road does. All I know is that, when I request American style crispy chips there, I get them, and when I just request chips, I get soggy ones.

So if you like your chips crispy, you will probably have to specially request them at Raglan Road.

On another note, my husband had the Not Bleeding Chowder, and said it was great: very creamy & delicious. Our favorite is still the Smokie City.

Cheers!
Heather W