Semi-live Naked Dining Review of Deluxe Dining

[sarobison]

Skipping the introductions etc since I'm doing this on the phone but the "essentials":

• DS9, DS6, DMom, DSis24, and me.
• First time in 15+ years for DMom
• First time in 11 years for DSis
• 4th trip in four years for DS's and I
• Done DDP and Deluxe on previous trips
• Mostly adventurous eaters.
• Not breakfast people.

Restaurants/Dining Experiences

• Mama Melrose's
• Ohana
• Chefs de France
• Restaraunt Marrakesh
• Sanaa
• Hoop De Doo Musical Revue
• Crystal Palace
• Liberty Tree Tavern (maybe)

Why semi-live? Well I've already eaten most of these meals since tomorrow is the last day of the trip. I hope to have time tomorrow to do the last two.

Why naked? 1. It attracts people. 2. Honest, no holds barred opinions. 3. No pictures (sorry- DW is the semi-pro photographer and had to work and couldn't make the trip. I can't being myself to take pictures if everything I eat).


Enjoy!!

 

[sarobison]

Mama Melrose's was a late add to our ADR's. I'd read so many negative reviews that I really didn't want to eat here but I didn't want to leave the park so we did it. What a choice! This has been one of our favorite's so far. Appetizers were tomato and mozzarella for me while mom had the bruschetta and sis had the minestrone. Everyone was happy. I was pleasantly suprised with very ripe tomatoes.

Entrees were Wood grilled tuna for mom, Chicken with vodka sauce for sis and chicken pipette for me. Mom really enjoyed the tuna (I tasted and agreed), sis thought hers was good, and mine was fabulous! None of us finished our entrees (a recurring theme) but only to save room for dessert.

Desserts were honey hazelnut ricotta cheesecake for me and truffle cake for mom and sis. Again, high marks all around! The cheesecake was amazing and I'm not a fan of ricotta or hazelnut.

Overwhelmingly we would recommend Mama's to anyone! A quick note that I'd make is to check the WDW site for menus. I know we all have our fav's but they have the most up-to-date menus you'll find.

 

[sarobison]

Ohana was the first ADR I made and the one I agonized over the most. I was really worried about some of the poor reviews but wanted to give it a try anyway. Well...it wasn't great but it wasn't bad.

First the good- the salad was really good, the potstickers amazing and the broccoli cooked to perfection. The pork was really good also.

The "okay"- the steak was good but there were several pieces we left on our plates because they were too done for us and some were charred beyond saving. The turkey was also good but the flavor took some getting used too. Apparently they season it with soy sauce so it's a little different. The chicken wings had so many mixed opinions that I'm putting them in the middle. I didn't like them at all but DS's loved them. The shrimp are also here but only because I like shrimp and it wasn't Over cooked so much as to be inedible but it was really close. The bread also was just okay. I would have enjoyed it more had sis not made the comment that it tasted like it had suntan lotion from the coconut taste. The dessert was also just okay for us but none of us really like bread pudding. I felt like if it was cooked more or was a flaky pastry I would have enjoyed it more.

The bad- the noodles were awful. They were impossibly sticky and had a bad taste. I don't think anybody had more than one bite.

Finally I have read some things about the service here. We did initially feel a little rushed once they (finally) started bringing good but after that we were given ample time to enjoy the meal. I was also disappointed that when they did the dance stuff for the kids they didn't make any effort to include the kids from the side area where we were seated.

Overall I'm glad we did it but I doubt we will return.

 

[pinkxray]

Great start! Love the title and you are definitely right about it attracting people

 

[sarobison]

We originally had ADR's for Coral Reef but due to some other changes we switched to Chefs at the request of my DS's (who wanted to see Ratatouille). We checked in 15 minutes early (as we did for all of the meals except one) and were seated promptly. The waiter told us since we were on Deluxe DDP the kids could order off of the regular menu if we wanted which was good for this meal since DS6 wanted "snails". For appetizers DMom had the Lobster Bisque, DS9 and DSis had the French Onion soup and DS6 and I had "snails". All of the apps were really good although DS9 didn't understand what he was ordering and was somewhat confused at the broth covered in cheese that he got. DSis said the soup was really good though. I tried the lobster bisque and found it to be pretty good. The flavor was not over the top at all. I love escargot (aka snails) and these never fail to disappoint. I think I had one that had some grit in it but otherwise it was excellent. DS6 liked his as well. When they put the plate in front of him the waiter peeked over a wall behind us to see DS eat his "snails" which I thought was cute.

For entrees DS6 had the chicken crepe, I had the vegetable lasagna, and DS9, DSis, and DMom had....the hamburger. DS6 didn't really get into is meal too much. I think he was mad that it came with a salad ("I didn't ask for a salad dad") but he did eat most if not all of the chicken out of the crepe. I think he would have been fine with the chicken strips off of the kids menu. Those who stayed in their comfort zone, aka the hamburger eaters, all liked their burgers but none finished them (gotta save room for dessert ya know). My entree, the vegetable lasagna, was outstanding. I had almost ordered the fish (I think) since it came with ratatouille and had decided on the lasagna at the last minute. I was the only one to finish my entree.

For dessert since there were five of us and five desserts on the menu we ordered one of each and they were all good. I had sorbet, DMom had the apple crepe, DSis had the profiteroles (creme puffs) with chocolate sauce, DS6 had the creme brule and DS9 ordered (didn't eat) the chocolate cake. I think at this point DS9 was starting to get to the point where it was getting to be a lot of food. He didn't want to order dessert but DMom and I wanted to try the chocolate cake so he ordered it for us. He did end up eating a few bites of my sorbets but didn't like the mango or kiwi. Again the desserts were all good, the cake was rich and creme brule smooth and creamy. As a table we finished everything except the creme brule.

The service was good although we were cramped around a table for 4. Drink refills were consistent and the plates were cleared after each course. It was somewhat loud but they were packed (as were all the restaurants except one this trip).

Oh...almost forgot the coolest part- the boys got to meet Ratatouille! We had just sat down and a waitress came over with a cart and took the lid off so they could see him. It was really cool! A lady at the table next to us came back from the restroom while he was there and I thought she was going to panic until she realized what it was.

Overall Chefs was one our better meals, in large part because of the option for the kiddos to order off of the regular menu.

 

[sarobison]

So the end of day two leads us to the Moroccan Pavilion at Epcot to search for Restaurant Marrakesh. After walking all the way to the back of the pavilion we find it. I have been to Morocco and find this pavilion and restaurant to be faithful representations of what I remember, at least in theming. Sorry kiddos, it's back to the wonderful Walt Disney World kids menu for most of this meal.

For appetizers DSis and DMom shared the Moroccan salad for two. I had the seafood bastilla. The salad is more of a sampler platter of various accompaniments (humus, etc) for toasted bread/chips. I tried a few of the things and found them all to be fairly good. DS's had some and they seemed to like it as well. The seafood bastilla (aka seafood egg roll) was really good but probably not worth the $10 it would have cost OOP. DS's had....carrots and (unsweetened) applesauce. I was kind of perturbed about this one because our waiter didn't explain the kids options at all. I asked our second server about kids appetizers and she is the one that told us it was carrots and applesauce. She mentioned we could get them something else if we wanted but by then it wasn't something I wanted to mess with.

For entrees DSis had the lamb meshoui, DMom had the chicken couscous and I had the lamb shank couscous. The couscous was well, couscous. There's not much too it. My lamb shank was good but it was just a plain lamb shank with little or no seasoning. The vegetables that came with the couscous were good though. DSis's lamb was a little better than mine but I suspect it was prepared the same way and then just had the sauce ladled over it before being served. DS's both had Moroccan pasta and meatballs. Nothing to write home about but they were satisfied.

For dessert the kids were allowed to order off of the regular dessert menu but DS9 just wanted plain ice cream. DS6 had the Moroccan symphony and enjoyed what he didn't share with us. DSis had the bastilla and seemed happy with it. DMom and I had the Marrakesh delight. The ice cream was good but I couldn't handle the orange blossom water that went with the fruit. This was the worst dessert I had, not that it was that bad, it just wasn't that great.

Overall I doubt we will return to Marrakesh. I've been to Morocco and did find the food to be fairly faithful representations of what I remember but there are so many other places at Disney and at Epcot specifically that I'd rather eat at. I didn't find the service to be all that great I felt rather rushed even though we had one of the later seatings (8:00) of the night. If I did go back it would be for the belly dancer. She was kind of cute (just don't tell DW I said that...).

 

[sarobison]

Might as well include this too. While DS's and DSis and DMom were riding the Nemo ride I went to grab fast passes for the Land and decided while I had time I'd grab a bite at Sunshine Seasons. The bakery counter always has good choices for a snack credit on the dining plan. As usual I had a slice of their strawberry shortcake. Not amazing but not a bad breakfast. Well after doing turtle talk with crush the rest of the family decided they were hungry too so I took them to the same place. DSis had the Fruit Tulip, DMom had the shortcake and DS's shared an orange bavarian. While they were eating I took the opportunity to make a pit stop and by the time I returned they were all done. I guess they liked it!

 

[sarobison]

Short review- Good (not great) food. Horrible service.

We arrived to Sanaa 15 or so minutes early for our 1:15 lunch ADR (note the time we got in, it's gonna matter later). There was basically nobody in the restaurant and we still waited 10 minutes to be seated. Wouldn't have noticed or bothered me if the service the rest of the meal hadn't have been so slow. The check in area has, like most areas at AKL, an area where you can sort of walk out into the savanna to look at the animals. DMom and DS's spent their wait time out there. When we finally got seated they sat us in a seat about as far from any window as you can get in this restaurant. We said something about it and the hostess just said "oh, well there isn't much out there since it's so cold anyway". Great start...

For appetizers DS6 had the parfait from his "complete meal", DS9 had tomato soup, DSis had Tomato soup, DMom and I ordered the sampler for two (potato and pea samosas, lamb keftas aka meatballs, and roasted cauliflower). DSis enjoyed her soup, said it was what she thought tomato soup should taste like. I thought everything on the sampler was pretty good. The samosas were really good, especially with the chutney. Were I to go back I'd probably just order the samosas as the appetizer.

For entrees DS6 had the sustainable fish of the day (atlantic char) which was amazing. DS9 had the meaty macaroni (wow, beefaroni...). DSis had the Tandori Chicken and DMom had the Tandori Shrimp. These two entrees are served as open faced sandwiches on naan bread and raita. They looked really good. I had the chicken and shrimp curries with rice AND ONLY RICE. I say that because even when I order curry from the Indian place at the mall I get naan. From what I gather naan is a staple in the Indian meal. Apparently not at Sanaa....I guess it's my fault for assuming that curry would come with naan even though it doesn't say so on the menu. So after getting my curry and realizing I wasn't getting any naan I ordered a side of it when I saw the waiter again 5 minutes later. About the naan- it's really good but it's a little thicker/fluffier than what I'm accustomed to. As far as the curries go they were both really good. The shrimp were a little on the overcooked side but not as nearly as at Ohana. The red curry had a better flavor than the green but they were both good. The rice was also good, but it's hard to screw up basmati rice in my experience.

For desserts DS6 had ice cream, DS9, DSis, and DMom had the chocolate cake, and I had the dessert sampler which has chocolate cake, chai cream, and passion fruit kulfi. The chocolate cake is actually eggless, something they don't tell you until after you start eating it. It doesn't matter-it's wonderful! The chai cream may have been a little better than the cake but it was really close. Kulfi is an ice-cream like dessert and it too was pretty good.

Overall food review- pretty good. We'd eat here again for the food. I probably try something other than the curry (not that it wasn't good) next time.

Now the service....well....after the "oh there's nothing to see anyway" comment it just went downhill. We certainly couldn't complain about feeling rushed here. Remember that our ADR was for 1:15 and we sat down pretty close to that time? Well my receipt has a time of 3:02 on it. And there was only one other table being served anywhere near us. Now honestly we could have probably been done and gone by 2:15 or 2:30 if our server had been a little more attentive. For the first part of the meal he basically just disappeared. When we were at the dessert stage he became totally occupied with the table about 5 feet away from us. Apparently he is a budding animator (working as a waiter at Sanaa) and Robert Walker, Disney animator and director of Brother Bear, was eating at the table behind us. Let's just say that I learned more about whatever school our animator, I mean waiter, should go to than anything else. Now the service issue wasn't Mr. Walker's fault. The waiter just kept asking questions and carrying on the conversation, even after the Walker party obviously wanted him to get their check and leave them alone. After just hanging out for about 10 minutes after finishing dessert I finally told DMom and DS's that they could go back outside and see the animals again (you see it wasn't too cold for them after all...). You would have thought this would have been a clue that we were ready to go. Nope. 5 minutes later I get the receipt. I had my card out ready to pay, but yet another 5 minutes before he comes back to take it (gotta talk to the animators...). We didn't put charging privileges on our KTTW so I asked about cash for the side of naan I had to order and he said "oh that's right, I'll just take it off so it goes through". All I could think was that's the least you could do after making me wait so long. Finally 5 minutes later I get the copy to sign so I can leave. Honestly, had DMom not already given me the cash for a tip I don't know that I would have left one. At all. Did I mention we never got drink refills? I probably would have noticed but I ordered the press pot coffee so I had enough but nobody else got refills.

This was undoubtedly the worst service I have ever gotten at a WDW restaurant. Had I not been on the dining plan I would have complained. As it was I wouldn't have had an opportunity to use whatever credits, etc they might have given me back so it wasn't a huge deal. Let's just say IF we go back and I get the same waiter I'll be asking for another right away...

 

[danalee]

nice reviews!

we had service like that at Rose-n-Crown years ago and havent returned yet