Restaurant opinions needed please

[jjarman]

Here is my list of restaurants I want to go to. Opinions on the food quality, atmosphere, etc. It will be me and DS, almost 14. He is not a picky eater and will try new dishes but loves the standards as well.

Coral Reef
Boma
Chefs De France
50's Prime Time
Liberty Tree Tavern
Tony's Town Square
L'Originale Alfredo de Roma
Rainforest in Animal Kingdom


Thanks a bunch.

 

[jpmom97]

In your list the only places I have eaten are Tony's and 50's Prime Time Cafe. DH and I loved our waiter in Tony's. He was so sweet, I wish I remembered his name but he was Caribbean, what a sweety!! The food was good, not great nothing to write home to mom about . I thought it was a lot of money for spaghetti. But it was worth the service. Our waiter refilled our appetizer twice for us. It was really good, can't remember what it was. We loved the 50's Prime Time. Our waiter was Adrienne, and he was great!! Dh got in trouble for wearing his hat, and we both got in trouble for elbows on the table. He was funny but he didn't do overkill on the jokes. The food was good too!! Home cookin!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

My opinion on those which I've tried:

Coral Reef: I've never cared for the atmosphere nor the food. Many disagree. I just think it's over-rated and over-priced. And man, is it hard to eat seafood when they've got relatives swimming around.

Chef's De France: Never been, but I had to comment. I've never, ever seen a bad review on this place. It's on my "got to try some day" list.

50's PT: Our favorite. It's one of those places you either love or hate. I've seen people say the "theme" is horid and the food bland. Or I've seen people with my view: An incredible atmosphere, excellent "comfort" food (you must try the fries and gravy). Know the theme, be ready for it, enjoy it. The waiters/waitresses and bus boys will be going non-stop. But they're also very, very aware of people who aren't "into' it and will back off quickly. Personally, the highlight of my Disney life was having to sing "I'm a little teapot" in front of the entire restaurant after "Mom" caught me eating a fry off DW's plate.

Liberty Tree Tavern (had character dinner): We found the food excellent (save room for desert) and the entertainment level was very high. We didn't seem to see much of the characters, which was a bummer (too many people, too few characters, I guess). Even on a Wednesday in October, the place was packed and very, VERY noisy. But we'd do it again. Surprisingly good food. Again, I can't stress enough to save room for desert.

Rainforest Cafe (I've tried both AK and DTD, they're identical): I think the food is highly overpriced and just "good" rather than great, although definately not bad or marginal. Just "good." However, we'll stop in every time. We find the atmosphere unique. Walk the entire restaurant. It's a thrill. A real piece of Disney-style magic. It's really neat to be in there when it's raining outside, so you have thunderstorms inside and out.

 

[MHopkins2]

Coral Reef - I'm one of the fans. It is pricy, but IMO it's worth it. The lobster bisque is TO DIE FOR - the best I've ever had, and the atmosphere is incredibly soothing after trudging around in the sun and humidity.

Chefs de France - very good choice, although I slightly prefer the Bistro de Paris (if you're going at dinner). The cheese plate appetizer is a must if you're a "cheese person" - large portions of brie, blue cheese, and a couple others, it's actually enough to be a small meal in itself. Also a very pleasant atmosphere - they do a great job of selling the (indoor) "sidewalk cafe" theme.

50's Prime Time Cafe - ugh. If the theme is your cup of tea, by all means go for it. But if you have any hesitation whatsoever, do yourself a favor and skip it. I went because I was hungry and the wait was short, thinking "it won't be that bad." It was indeed that bad.

Liberty Tree Tavern - my favorite place for lunch at MK, but I have not ever had their character dinner. "Quaint" to the umpteenth degree, complete with waitresses in mob caps and Martha Washington dresses.

Tony's Town Square - another good respite at MK, particularly if you can sit near the Lady & Tramp fountain. Again with the cheese , but their "fried cheese" menu description doesn't do it justice. I was expecting standard mozzarella sticks and got balls of chevre very lightly coated with excellent tomato dipping sauce. The portion, again, was enough for a small meal by itself.

 

[HunnyPots]

The only one we've tried is 50's and we loved it. Wonderful fried chicken and pot roast. And such cool theming. I was back in my grandmother's kitchen! As far as the wait staff, they were so much fun. Nothing over the top or obnoxious. Disney at it's best!

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Originally posted by jjarman
Here is my list of restaurants I want to go to. Opinions on the food quality, atmosphere, etc. It will be me and DS, almost 14. He is not a picky eater and will try new dishes but loves the standards as well.

How cool your DS is not picky. I like that about my DH

We haven't eaten at the first 2 on your list (would love to hear reviews of Boma vs. AKL's fancier restaurant, personally). We went to a local RC but not the Disney one. It's probably worth seeing if not worth eating at. Of the other WDW restaurants I don't want to retype all my long reviews (they need to open their search function!), but I'll try to raise the red flag where necessary. Sorry, I know there are plenty of people on these boards who flame negative comments at the drop of a hat but better to hear all opinions I think.

Chefs: One beautiful lunch when it first opened and they really cared, but since then no true waiters, lots of rudeness, incompetence, and extremely overpriced no-thrill food. (You'd be shocked at the stuff they put us through.)

50s: Extemely bland and overpriced food and *no* playfulness from the waiters at ours or any other table

LTT: Thumbs up! Food sponsored by Swanson so think in terms of really good frozen dinners and you won't be disappointed. That's not a slam; I found the meal very satisfying. Add the characters and you probably won't be disappointed in the price either once you compare it to the other WDW food prices. Characters (and waiters) spent a lot more time at tables with kids, but we got some good pics In fact, perhaps the best character meal we've had, and we've tried a lot of them.

Tony's: Went there once with in-laws and could not understand why they picked it. The food had no Disney magic and that's all I remember other than thinking it was a waste of a chance to dine somewhere else.

Alfredo's: Refused our request for an outside table then seated the walk-ins after us outside literally one second after!!! Extremely rude waiter and four inches of space between our table and the next. "Original" alfredo dish was no thrill whatsoever. You can do better in your own kitchen.

I know you didn't ask for recommendations, but here's some in Epcot:

A really unique, well done, and at lunch good deal of a choice is Norway's Akershus.

A fun time is Germany's restaurant when their Oktoberfest show is on.

Used to like the Mexican restaurant but wasn't over-thrilled with the food lately. The twilight atmosphere is still very cool.

One I haven't tried but looked lovely when I ran in to use their facilities was the Canadian restaurant. A lot of people rave about their cheese soup.

Cheers

 

[AspiringCindy]

Coral Reef- we loved it! It is a little pricey, but found the food to be very good. The lobster Bisque is wonderful! The kids really enjoyed watching the divers feed the fish in the tank. It even kept our youngest entertained!

Chefs de France- Very pricey, but splurged to try it out. We did however put the kids in the Cub's Den so DH and I could have an adult dinner out. I had the Burgandy Beef that melted in my mouth. It was wonderful! The atmosphere was sophisticated and classy and the waiters were very attentive!

50's Prime Time- we generally always eat there on our visits to WDW. The food isn't the best, but it is good! It tastes very home-cooked! I always order the fried chicken platter and the Smores for dessert that we can never finish. If all else, the interaction and role playing that goes on is enough to keep you entertained and wanting to go back!

Boma-we will be definitely eating there on our next visit! My sister says it is one of the best places to eat in WDW. She even made it a point to eat there twice in 1 visit although she wasn't staying at AKL.

 

[daannzzz]

"Boma".... great selection of foods to try, some you will like and some not, plus some less exotic items too. A nice looking restaurant too though a bit loud.

"Chefs de France".... Nice looking place was cool inside and great service. I have tried twice and while the quality is good it is just not the kind of menu I like. A freind I took who loves eating out rates it as his best meal on his first trip to WDW.

50's Primetime Cafe".... Great atmosphere and loads of fun if you don't mind the interaction with the staff. Also a bit loud but is forgivable here! :0) I love the food. It is definately not exotic, fancy, neuveau (s) or eclectic. Everything I have had has been good.

"Liberty Tree Tavern" ... I have only been for lunch which is ala carte of the menue. The food has alway been good, service good and the atmosphere fairly quiet, pleasant and cool.

"Tony's Town Square" ...This was a pleasant place as well. The dark wood is nice looking and the Lady and the tramp fountain is cute. The Atrium room is nice looking as well. The spagehhti is a simple marinara sauce that hit the spot but in general is a bit bland. It comes with a giant half pound meat ball that was good. The pizza looked good. I would go back but understand if others are underwhelmed.