Signature Dining

[Avojeo]

I am wondering if you could jpick just two signature dining to go while at Disney, which two would you choose. My DH and I are going this December and would like to eat at two of the Signature Dining. However, no we are having a hard time to choosing. I would love to go to California Grill but not sure about this rest. My DH wants to go to Jiko's, Flying Fish, and Yachtsman Steakhouse. So I need some advice from the experts. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!!

 

[disnut8]

We;ve only eaten at two signature restaurants (we're burger and fries people). Those two were California Grill and Yachtsman Steak House.

We didn't care much for California Grill. It was noisier than we thought it would be. The food was good, the server was great. Our view was decent. But it just didn't do anything for either one of us. I'm glad we did it to experience it ourselves but now we know it's just a place for us.

Yachtsman Steakhouse is still the best meal I've ever eaten at Disney World. The food was great, the server fantastic and the atmosphere was quiet and a bit romantic. The steaks were cooked just the way each of us likes them (our tastes there are very different). The garlic spread for the bread was out of this world.

Those are my opinions only.

 

[AppleSister1]

I've done all four restaunts you are considering, and all are excellent. Do you have preferences in terms of food types? Atmosphere?

If I had to choose two of the ones you've listed, I'd probably go with Jiko and California Grill. But again, all are excellent.

 

[CamColt]

California Grill and Yachtsman Steakhouse

 

[Avojeo]

We;ve only eaten at two signature restaurants (we're burger and fries people). Those two were California Grill and Yachtsman Steak House.

We didn't care much for California Grill. It was noisier than we thought it would be. The food was good, the server was great. Our view was decent. But it just didn't do anything for either one of us. I'm glad we did it to experience it ourselves but now we know it's just a place for us.

Yachtsman Steakhouse is still the best meal I've ever eaten at Disney World. The food was great, the server fantastic and the atmosphere was quiet and a bit romantic. The steaks were cooked just the way each of us likes them (our tastes there are very different). The garlic spread for the bread was out of this world.

Those are my opinions only.


No I appreciate your opinion. We normally only do counter services and may eat at a few table services during our stay. However, our December trip we are celebrating a special event so we are going all out. That is why we do not know were to eat out at for our special occasion dinners.

 

[Avojeo]

I've done all four restaunts you are considering, and all are excellent. Do you have preferences in terms of food types? Atmosphere?

If I had to choose two of the ones you've listed, I'd probably go with Jiko and California Grill. But again, all are excellent.

As long as there is a good steak, I am happy. My husband is the one who likes to try new things. All we are looking for is somewhere romantic with good food. We are looking for a place to relax and just enjoy each other's company.

 

[Phedre]

Jiko and Yachtsmans! There will be good steak, there will be new things to try, there will be romance and good food. I think these are both much more relaxing choices when compared to the Cali Grill... that place gets a little hectic sometimes.

 

[wezee]

I agree on Yachtsman, but would prefer the surf and turf at Narcosee's.

 

[Prinny27]

I would say CA Grill and Jiko.

CA Grill is my favorite - the food is excellent and the view is amazing. It does get very loud in there, but that doesn't bother me as I'm very good at tuning out any type of background noise (this irritates DH as sometimes it's him I'm tuning out... ). If you ask to sit in the wine room it's MUCH quieter (although the view will be of WL and Epcot, not the MK). And their sushi is the best I've ever had.

Jiko has amazing food - literally everything on the menu is good. The ambiance is low key and romantic, and their wine list is huge.

 

[Avojeo]

I would say CA Grill and Jiko.

CA Grill is my favorite - the food is excellent and the view is amazing. It does get very loud in there, but that doesn't bother me as I'm very good at tuning out any type of background noise (this irritates DH as sometimes it's him I'm tuning out... ). If you ask to sit in the wine room it's MUCH quieter (although the view will be of WL and Epcot, not the MK). And their sushi is the best I've ever had.

Jiko has amazing food - literally everything on the menu is good. The ambiance is low key and romantic, and their wine list is huge.

I understand about tuning out the husband Actually here lately it is more him tuning me out since I am planning our trip that is "In December!!!"

How bad is the noise in California Grill?? That has been mention twice now. I do not think I want to go somewhere that I have to yell at my husband to have a conservation.

Also if I go to the wine room, will we still be able to watch Wishes from the deck?

Thanks everyone for your opinions!!! I really appreciate it!!

 

[Prinny27]

I understand about tuning out the husband Actually here lately it is more him tuning me out since I am planning our trip that is "In December!!!"

How bad is the noise in California Grill?? That has been mention twice now. I do not think I want to go somewhere that I have to yell at my husband to have a conservation.

Also if I go to the wine room, will we still be able to watch Wishes from the deck?

Thanks everyone for your opinions!!! I really appreciate it!!

For me, personally, the noise level isn't that bad. It's a big, open room, so all the conversations do seem to resonate in the air, but I've never noticed it so badly that I was needing to scream to my DH. Definitely wouldn't be able to whisper to each other, but you could have a normal conversation level. But you should definitely request the wine room if you choose to go there, because noise will not be an issue at all. And no matter where you're seated (wine room included), you are able to go out onto the observation deck when the fireworks start and watch them from there. They will hold your next course for you so it's brought out right when you are getting back to your table - they time everything perfectly there.

And don't worry about the planning for a Dec trip now - I do the same thing! DH used to think it was 'weird' but then he saw how much fun I had planning everything and now he does it to. He'll come home saying, 'I think we should eat HERE on the next trip.'

 

[Nancyg56]

My two would be California Grill and the Yachtsman Steakhouse. I have only gone to those two but we enjoy them so I go back. We have not been disappointed.

I did not find CG to be noisy. We have seven at dinner so we might just be tuning everything else out, but I saw couples who did not seem at all distracted by the noise...just each other .

 

[smep013]

I am thinking I'd like to try Yachtsman Steakhouse.

I know people may think this is crazy, but how much better is the steak there as compared to Le Cellier?

 

[Nancyg56]

I am thinking I'd like to try Yachtsman Steakhouse.

I know people may think this is crazy, but how much better is the steak there as compared to Le Cellier?

IMO, much better. I was not impressed with Le Cellier, although I know most people are. My SIL got one of the steaks offered and said that he enjoyed YS much better. We decided we need to stop going to YS so early in our trip, most meals pale after that.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I am wondering if you could jpick just two signature dining to go while at Disney, which two would you choose. My DH and I are going this December and would like to eat at two of the Signature Dining. However, no we are having a hard time to choosing. I would love to go to California Grill but not sure about this rest. My DH wants to go to Jiko's, Flying Fish, and Yachtsman Steakhouse. So I need some advice from the experts. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!!

I wouldn't pick two. Maybe if I was on the deluxe dining plan, but generally I don't think I'd do that either.

We liked Cali Grill, but we didn't think it was twice as good as the TS places we ate. Our server did his job, but wasn't great. He didn't go outof his way in any way to be particularly helpful and the meal was VERY SLOW....like two hours long. Allthe table around us had Disney pixie dust, so naturally my niece was disappointed that she didn't get any. We nicely asked if he could give us a little for her and he said, "Is it a SPECIAL occaission?" in a sarcastic tone. We actually were there to celebrate my birthday, but as we hadn't mentioned it when I made the ADR, I gather we didn't warrant any special attention...I dunno. So he begrudgingly gave us a little glitter, but nothing else. The table next to us got a birthday cake with a candle. Our server didn't ask if we wanted one. I mean I wasn't expecting anything special, but there was no magic at all. Several of our servers at other places were really amazing, by contrast - WITHOUT having to be asked. So maybe part of it was our server...


I LOVED Flying Fish the first two times I ate there. Other trips have been good, but not super great like it was in the past. I haven't tried it since DDP started. Nothing against it, we just haven't stayed over that way on our last few trips. We stayed many times at the Swan. Of the places you listed that I've tried, I'd say it is worth the credits!

I've not tried Jiko, but that's largely because Boma is one of my favorite places on WDW property! I've looked at the menu and nothing jumped out at me. I love AKL, but there are so many places to eat at WDW, that I don't really want to eat there twice. Well, some day, I'll eat breakfast at Boma...

YS looks really good. Samantha Brown's show did a spot on it a few years ago, and it looked amazing. For me though, I like steak, but kind feel like I can get good steak locally. I like to try more exotic things on vacation. Also, I usually go to WDW with my sister who is vegetarian, so I avoid anyplaces with steak in the name when I'm with her, especially ones that are really pricey.

So that's brings me back to Flying Fish. One thing that I recall about the Flying Fish was that the last time I went, we went as a large group - despite my feeling that it wasn't quite as exceptional as the first two trips (no choclate lava cake - boo hoo!) Everyone in our group found something on the menu that they enjoyed! My vegetarian sister had some amazing pumpkin ravioli! The raw tuna appetizer was great too, if you like sushi!

 

[snowbunny]

Artist Point
Flying Fish

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Good question OP!

We're doing the Deluxe DDP next trip so we'll be doing several 2 TS places and this has been interesting to read!

I have California Grill picked already (Love it!) and we're going to try Yachtsman Steakhouse.

I can't decide between Narcoosee's and Citricos and my sister wants to go to Jiko... Oh the choices!

 

[Avojeo]

Good question OP!

We're doing the Deluxe DDP next trip so we'll be doing several 2 TS places and this has been interesting to read!

I have California Grill picked already (Love it!) and we're going to try Yachtsman Steakhouse.

I can't decide between Narcoosee's and Citricos and my sister wants to go to Jiko... Oh the choices!

I know what you mean about the choices!! We thought about doing the deluxe DDP as well because we cannot make a decision!! That is why I had to ask the experts where to go!!

 

[Tricia1972]

I love, love, love Jiko!

Narcoosee's was good, but if DH is a steak man I'd go with Yachtsman's.

 

[VrBchJ]

Jiko is my favorite. I also like Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge. The dining room is beautiful. Jiko has an excellent wine list from So. Africa and Artist Point has a wine flight you can add to you dinner and their wines are from Oregon and Washington State.