Reservations-Suggestions? Your Favs

[Satye1]

This will be my families 4th Disneyland/DCA visit from WA State. Definitely not a veteran Disers more of a beginning Diser with some experience-LOL.
Our family would love to take an late lunch or early dinner break as family of 4 (kids ages 12 & 10). I prefer to have our evening table service, with RESERVATION.

Would love suggestions on your favorite places (DL/DCA/DTD) to make Reservations??

We have 2 favorites of our own from past trips: Blue Bayou & Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. But looking to broaden our families horizons with our sit down reservations. Any of your top restraunt suggestions welcome with RESERVATIONS!!

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

We like Cafe Orleans for evening sit down, especially if you can get a patio seat. It's great to people watch.

Depending on your kids, Rainforest Cafe can be fun too.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I second Cafe Orleans. We went to Disneyland for years before we tried CO and now we do it every trip! And I also agree with Raiforest Cafe for kids. You can catch the monorail into DtD, it will drop you right next to the restaurant. But, the food is nothing to write home about, you're paying for the experience.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

^^^this. The food is meh. Not horrible or anything. Actually, one thing I love about Rainforest Cafe - they have a visual menu for kids, so they can point to what they want, pasta or sandwich or veggies, etc. The fries, however, aren't shown. They're written in small letters at the bottom for the parents saying kids can get fries if they want too. I thought that was pretty smart.

 

[Satye1]

I second Cafe Orleans. We went to Disneyland for years before we tried CO and now we do it every trip! And I also agree with Raiforest Cafe for kids. You can catch the monorail into DtD, it will drop you right next to the restaurant. But, the food is nothing to write home about, you're paying for the experience.

We have eaten at Rain Forest years ago (when kids were younger). I agree food not great, but it was fun for kids at the time. Really hoping to find places that where food is delish this time around.

 

[rentayenta]

We like Carnation Cafe. We liked Rainforest at that age too. Naples in DTD is another good choice. Golden Vinery is nice but your kids might not like it. Stay away from The Uva Bar. Our service the last two times has been horrible. How about Storytellers at the GCH? Its still one of our families favorite for dinner.

 

[Angel141925]

We went to carnation cafe for lunch on our trip and it was amazing!!! My husband had the burger and I've never tasted a burger so good.

 

[Aladora]

I differ from many others here in that I hate Cafe Orleans and will not go back. The meal we had there was the worst one I have ever had at Disneyland and my meal was sent back and I was not charged for it.

In Disneyland, we really like Carnation Cafe. In DCA we have always enjoyed Carthay Circle and as I have posted on a bunch of threads like this, our top meal at Disneyland has been the chef's counter at Napa Rose.

 

[5forMickey]

We like Carnation Cafe Naples in DTD is another good choice.

My family loves Carnation Cafe so much for Breakfast that we haven't gotten to try it for lunch or dinner but I would really like to, it's a fun location also.

The DDIL's talked us into trying Naples last trip and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. They have a nice large seating area upstairs and the food was good.

We have had bad luck at storytellers (though I think I'm in the miniority on this one) as it got the three strikes and is now out for us.

Wine Country Tratoria in DCA -- half the family didn't care for it (Italians are hard to please at an Italian resturant) half did I was in the camp that liked it. The shrimp & polenta appetizer was especially good.

So many places to try.....hopefully you find a few new ones you like, enjoy your trip.

 

[lunaland]

We really like Carnation Cafe. Good food and the prices are very similar to quick service. We had a bad experience at Cafe Orleans a few years ago and my travel buddy refuses to go back. I liked the food there, though.

 

[DizMe]

My family does NOT like Cafe Orleans at all. The service there has been horrible for us (we've tried multiple times). The food is ok but I'm not keen on dining on the patio because we always seem to be in the way of the servers and other patrons, plus the prices and service make it a no-go for us. We would much, much rather eat in Blue Bayou. That is not what many others say, but that has been our experience. Rude servers, terrible service, and high prices. We are a family of 5 which seems to have something to do with it. If you're going to go to BB, then I wouldn't try CO as the menu is very similar.

We also love Jazz Kitchen! You might try Napa Rose. We love to go there, especially for dessert

 

[Malcon10t]

We love Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe. Add to it Steakhouse 55 for dinner or breakfast. And Storyteller's or PCH Grill for dinner.

 

[Nevada Jen]

If you like Ralph brennans. You might like Cathay circle. The food is definitely more unique. I notice that the people who love carnation generally don't like carthay. For us its always the best meal in the park.

 

[5forMickey]

If you like Ralph brennans. You might like Cathay circle. The food is definitely more unique. I notice that the people who love carnation generally don't like carthay. For us its always the best meal in the park.

That's kind of a funny observation, but if I think about it I always wanted to try Carthay but the food is a little out there for me (unique is a perfect word). At the Jazz Kitchen I order the kids meals because the food is too spicy for me, but DS LOVES the Jazz Kitchen which is why we have to go and (most of the party is just okay with it), he always wants to try Carthay but no one else will go because the food is so "unique". The only flaw would be that he also loves CS or I would say your theory is right on point.

Most of our family is pretty sheltered when it comes to eating out, especially at really upscale restaurants. When we are not on vacation we never eat out, maybe five times a year, but the same DS lives in the "city" and likes finer dining. Maybe it's an exposure thing. If I look at the OP it says they like BB and Jazz Kitchen so for all those reasons (it's late and I'm rambling) I'm gonna agree with you that they should try Carthay.

 

[Satye1]

That's kind of a funny observation, but if I think about it I always wanted to try Carthay but the food is a little out there for me (unique is a perfect word). At the Jazz Kitchen I order the kids meals because the food is too spicy for me, but DS LOVES the Jazz Kitchen which is why we have to go and (most of the party is just okay with it), he always wants to try Carthay but no one else will go because the food is so "unique". The only flaw would be that he also loves CS or I would say your theory is right on point.

Most of our family is pretty sheltered when it comes to eating out, especially at really upscale restaurants. When we are not on vacation we never eat out, maybe five times a year, but the same DS lives in the "city" and likes finer dining. Maybe it's an exposure thing. If I look at the OP it says they like BB and Jazz Kitchen so for all those reasons (it's late and I'm rambling) I'm gonna agree with you that they should try Carthay.

I am thinking "so far" my list includes:
1. Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen-will watch for holiday gift-card promo
2. Naples Pizzeria-use Patina coupon
3. Carthay-prob do lunch here

 

[Malcon10t]

That's kind of a funny observation, but if I think about it I always wanted to try Carthay but the food is a little out there for me (unique is a perfect word).

Our family has similar issues. That said, we eat at Carthay with friends because friends really like it. The positive side is there is always a steak on the menu. And you can get it without "unique" sauces on it. And the biscuits are GREAT.

 

[Rmagical2nd]

For this upcoming trip we are taking advantage of birthday rewards since my birthday is in November. We have booked:
1) Cafe Orleans is always on our reservation list. Have to get our Monte Cristo fix!
2) Naples (have the $30 off the bill birthday reward from the Patina group)
3) Rain Forest Cafe (have the $25 off birthday reward)

 

[chaysmom]

We love Blue Bayou...but we are trying Cafe Orleans next trip based off all the recommendations!

 

[tzeitel]

We just got back from DLR and tried Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe for the first time. We loved CO - DH had the chicken muffuletta, DD and I shared a Monte Cristo (since they are huge!), plus we had the pomme frites. The service and the food were great, it was a nice break for lunch. The patio seating is nice and cool. Carnation Cafe was a bit of a disappointment. We went for dinner on our first day and it was loud, service was basically nonexistent, food was ok. I had the sourdough bacon cheese melt (it was good), DD (kid version) and DH (regular) both had the chicken fried chicken. DH said it was ok but the portion (chicken) was tiny. I think it was mostly the service that made us not love it. It felt a bit like a cs with servers to me (crowd/noise/atmosphere).

In DCA (and really in all DLR) my favorite is Carthay Circle. Loved the food - I am not fancy by any stretch of the imagination (my other favorite food in DCA is Cozy Cones!) and I found tons of great choices. The restaurant is beautiful, and it feels like one of those places where you can relax and enjoy your meal. We have done the Wine Country Trattoria and were not impressed. especially if you get an "inside" table. The food was average.

In DtD this trip we did ESPN and RFC. RFC was pretty bad, seriously bad. I am a Landrys member and DH wanted a TS meal, with the landrys card we do not have to wait too long for a table which is the only reason we went. We have gone a few times before (never at DLR though) and it had been fine. This time it was greasy and (I felt) a waste of money. ESPN was fine. we do ESPN every time we got to WDW and their restaurant is so much nicer (DH was one of the opening chef's there so we are kinda bias). It felt like you were having dinner in a movie theater - huge building, black walls, no windows, had that "sticky" feel to it. The food was fine - love the boneless wings and the chili cheese fries! We really enjoyed Ralph Brennan's from previous trips.

We go back in May and I am already figuring out what TS to do next. Thinking Storytellers (keep hearing good things about it), Steakhouse 55, and River Belle Terrace (just to do all the DL TS). Will probably do Carthay again (for my birthday) and Cafe Orleans.

 

[DizneeRailFan62]

Well you certainly have stirred the pot, pun intended, with this thread! One thing you have that my family doesn't (now), are young children, who can be picky eaters and I've witnessed dinners ruined over it. We have over thirty years experience , including raising a girl who has been with us in the park(s) since she was 3 yrs old, so for what its worth, my recommendations:
Inside Disneyland: Cafe Orleans (Pomme frittes, French Onion Soup, 3 Cheese Monte Cristo) and Carnation Cafe (Chili)...we have done BB, but like the ambiance more than the service or the food (my own opinion, of course).
Inside DCA: Carthay Circle, even though it is expensive for 4, the food is amazing and a little culture never hurts anyone.
DTD and Resorts: Our must have is Steakhouse 55, again expensive, but we are foodies and the wife loves her lobster. They have a great menu for the kids too. Catal in DTD hase nice food as well.
On a budget? We are, except for dinner (couldn't you guess?), but if we can't have the aforementioned, then dining with or without reservations at Riverbelle Terrace is a nice option now in DL, and the Plaza has okay quick service with inside dining, if you can get it. At DCA we like Flo's V8 Cafe and the Mediterranean Garden up on the Boardwalk, for salads, pasta, flatbreads, etc.
Hope this helps.