Resort Dining?!

[Ncrnation]

In February i'm going to be staying at Hard Rock for two nights and want to know a good place to eat at any of the resorts.

I've already figured we'll hit Margarhitaville on citywalk and Mythos for lunch one day, but where should we eat at one of the hotels?

Let me hear your thoughts and your favorite dishes tried!

thanks!

 

[wendypooh]

We stayed at the RPR this summer, and we really enjoyed Jakes. The food was awesome!!!! It was more casual than Emerils, and with 2 teenage boys and a 3 year old......... we felt more apropo.... Also, we had heard a lot of reports here that Emerils was a let down........ and others who thought it was great???? I can't say, since we didn't go. Mythos is NOT to be missed, you'll love it. So, while this probably didn't help at all.......
Have a good time!!!

 

[wendypooh]

MY mistake...... it is not Emerils...... it is tchoup chop that is at the RPR......... the next messages offer info on it.......

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Mama Della's at Portofino is wonderful. Great italian food and great atmosphere!

 

[wendypooh]

I have to agree.......... it is good.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I was not crazy about the Palm at HRH. I enjoyed Tchoup Chop at RPR. I am looking forward to trying The Kitchen which recently opened at HRH.

 

[JessicaR]

I have 2 favorites when we dine at the hotels.

Mama Della's at Portofino is wonderful! I enjoy the mussels in white wine and garlic or the Calamari Fritti for starters. Their huge salad bowl is terrific and has a delicious dressing. For an entree their Veal Parm is excellent but my favorite is Costata di Manzo Toscano- Grilled & sliced sirloin of beef with caramelized onions and roasted potatoes in a wonderful wine reduction sauce! Oh how I cant wait to have that again!! For dessert try Fruit & Berries with Zabaglione. They serve it in a pretty candy lace basket. YUM!!!

My other favorite is Tchoup Chop at RPR. For starters I like Tchoup Chop's Crunchy Shrimp or Panko Crusted Oysters with Ancho. Both are very tastey. Entree either The Clay Pot of the day or Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop with Ginger Roasted Sweet Potatoes. The service, presentation and fresh food quality makes this a home run for me every trip! Dessert - One of each!! They are ALL good! My fav's are the banana cheesecake or the pineapple upside down cake. OH! The chocolate covered strawberries too!

Start it all off with a Mai Tai! Perfect meal for sure.

Okay...now I'm hungry...

Oh yeah, just read Wendy's post...Jakes is a MUST also! Those ribs are the BEST ever.

ImGonnaBe40....Cant wait till we try the Kitchen in December also!! Hope I can add that to my list!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

JessicaR--Looks like your family will be visiting UO about 2 weeks ahead of my family. (Sorry that we'll miss each other! My son is always looking for buddies to play in the pool with.) I'll be looking forward to your report on the Kitchen and your whole Universal experience. I'm sure others will too! Less than a month to go for you!

 

[Ncrnation]

I'll see if i can find some menus for Mama Della's and Jakes... i would like to check out the other resorts!

Anyone eaten at The Kitchen? How was that?

Jenn

 

[Cantw8]

The Palm in the HRH had the best steak and the best crabcakes I have ever had. The steak, honestly, melted in my mouth.... can't wait to go back, in 5 days!!!!!!

 

[wendypooh]

Jessica......... we had the ribs too ..........at Jakes, and they were probably the best ribs I've ever had!!! They were awesome. We will be going again to Jakes in a couple of weeks........... I can hardly wait!!!!!!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Jess,

Your post is making me hungry!!!!!

 

[JessicaR]

IMGONNABE40!,

Seems like everyone will either be there before or after me! I would have loved to meet up! You know I will be giving The Kitchen a try and will report back for sure.

Wendy, enjoy Jakes! Have something yummy for me too!


Ncrnation,

Have a look here for the menus.

Spidey...I hate when I do that to myself! At least you can just take a quick ride to indulge!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I will have a marshmallow shake in your honor!!!!!

 

[JessicaR]

Oohhhhh yes, please do! That way you get the calories and I don't! LOL

 

[wendypooh]

I know...... I can hardly wait!!! We will be there the first week in dec. the week after t-giving. I am going to eat everything I can get my hands on.......... after reading this thread, and thinking about those ribs........ I'm starving!!!!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Here's my two cents:

I'm a big fan of Jake's. Just remember that it has a limited menu. Don't leave Jake's without taking some time to look at all the "memorabilia" telling the sad tale of Jake's career. It's all made up and clever as all get out.

I haven't been that impressed with the Kitchen, but then they were still in shakedown mode when I was last there.

Some restaurants not mentioned yet...

The Trattoria del Porto at PBH has a new chef and the food has improved noticeably. It's probably the best of the "moderate" restaurants at the resorts.

Two restaurants at the highe end are worth considering. Delfino Riviera at PBH is by far the classiest and most romantic restaurant there. A great choice for an anniversary or other spcial occasion. Bring lotsa money.

The Islands Dining Room at RPR is also excellent if rather pricey. They do have a bargain priced kids menu, though.

 

[JessicaR]

Excellent info Kelly! I always appreciate your view of things.

I love Jakes and the great tale behind it as well. I love how the staff portrays the tale and so do my kids. We get a big kick out of it!

I am sad to hear you havent been impressed thus far with The Kitchen. I am in hopes when we give it a try in December that things may have shifted for the better. I am in constant hopes of duplicating the experiences we had dining at Sunset Grill in its early days. The food and service rocked! Since I'm not a fan of The Palm it doesnt leave us with any other choices for dining at HRH and really has a bearing on why we dont stay there as often as the other 2 on-sites. Do you remember what you had to eat there?

We love the Trattoria at Portofino! Always had great food and service but last few trips just didnt make it in since RPR opened with some great dining choices! I will be going back next trip for sure now to check out that new chef! Thanks!

 

[Ncrnation]

JessicarR - Will definitely be checking out those menus

Can you make a PS or reservation? How do i go about doing that?

Thanks again for all the responses!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Originally posted by JessicaR
I am in constant hopes of duplicating the experiences we had dining at Sunset Grill in its early days.

The original chef at Sunset Grill (can't remember her name) was brilliant. HRH lured her away from Jiko at WDW. But I think her menus, especially at dinner in the evening, proved a little too "challenging" for many hotel guests. I don't think (and this, you understand is just my theory) that HRH expected it would become the kid-friendly place it became. I think they were initially expecting a more middle-aged ex-rocker whose tastes had expanded along with his/her income. When young families started jamming the place, they switched to a whole different concept.

At any rate, the original chef went back to Disney after just a short time. [Sigh]