Signature Dining!

[MinnieMaddie]

Hi all! I have been to WDW many times, but have never eaten at a Signature Restaurant before!

If you could choose two of these three choices, what would you choose and why? If you have other suggestions, I'd love those, too!

THANKS, GUYS!

Jiko
Narcoosees
California Grill

 

[daisy112878]

Jiko's hands down. We ate here for the first time in december and loved it. We had great food, wine, and service. We planned on going back for trip in June and September.

Cali Grill was good but it wasn't great and to us wasn't worth the money. It was extremely crowded and loud. The service wasn't that great and food was just so-so.

Narcoosees was about the same experience as Cali Grill. It was okay. The food was decent but our server was horrible. I just felt we have better seafood places here in atlanta.

 

[crisi]

My favorite is Flying Fish

California Grill is very good

My husband likes Jiko - I had bad food and really lousy service. The food was my own fault, I ordered wrong.

Narcoosee's wasn't very good last time we went.

My husband likes Artist Point, I haven't been yet.

 

[Paul in CT]

Our favorites in approximate order are:
Narcoossees for the food and view of Wishes and Electrical Water Parade
Flying Fish for the food and BW location
Artist Point for the atmosphere, food and service (get a seat by the window)
California Grill for the food but very noisy
Jiko -eclectic menu, (we like Boma better and it's less expensive)

 

[Lindamary123]

I've only been to Calif Grill and Narcoosees but both were wonderful with great service as well. The views of the MK from both were great; it's hard to pick a favorite.
I guess that didn't help much...

 

[Quicklabs]

Been to all of them--Artist Point is my favorite!

 

[MinnieMaddie]

for your ideas. I've already made reservations for Jiko and Narcoosees, but I'm not sure if we'll change them. We're on the dining plan, and we can definitely do two signatures, but not more than that. I'm never satisfied, though - I want to try the delicious food at EVERY restaurant. I need to go to Disney for like a month!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Jiko and Narcoossee's hands-down should not be missed. The food is exquisite and service and atmosphere just wonderful. Definitely check these two places out!

 

[MinnieMaddie]

That made me feel happy about my original choices!

 

[davinakb]

Really like all three places, really depends on what you want out of a signature dining experience.

Jiko: more extensive menu IMO; African inspired dishes, so the most unique food, great SA wine list. Nice, elegant for a refined evening.

CaliGrill: variety of items, including sushi that are Cali-inspired, what I call American Experimental. Big wine list. View of fireworks from balcony is nice. FYI: it is usually crowded and a bit on the loud side, so it may not be that relaxed, quiet evening kind of place for you.

Narcoosee's: dined there once, going back soon. Menu more seafood, but other items too. This is the most "basic" or normal food (I guess New England themed) but very good. Nice view, fireworks show a nice bonus like at CaliGrill.

My advice: Check out the menus here and other sites, see what appeals most to you and you won't go wrong. FWIW.

 

[Uncleromulus]

California grill and JIko. We've had service issues at Narcoossee's in the past and it's near the bottom of our Signature favorites.

 

[Dana49]

Jiko and Narcoossee's. We actually enjoy Flying Fish along with Jiko, but since it's not one of your choices...

 

[tmws66]

California Grill and Jiko would be my two choices. At Jiko the Filet with mac and cheese is to die for. Also one of our top choices is Citricos. We have eaten there a half a dozen times and have had excellent service, food, and wine each time.

What ever you choose they are are great!

 

[timandlesley]

So has anyone down Brown Derby and enjoyed it. We are doing deluxe dining and want a few signatures but have kids so we didn't want to do a super formal one and wanted one in the parks, I didn't see it mentioned here though and am starting to worry.
Lesley

 

[davinakb]

So has anyone down Brown Derby and enjoyed it. We are doing deluxe dining and want a few signatures but have kids so we didn't want to do a super formal one and wanted one in the parks, I didn't see it mentioned here though and am starting to worry.
Lesley

We've enjoyed it our last few trips, good food but not wow. I think the biggest knock against it is that it's expensive for park food (but that's WDW, YMMV). Check out the menus here and here and if they appeal, go for it. FWIW.

 

[tink fan]

Are there only a few tables where you could see the fireworks from Narcoosees, or the whole restaurant. How long before wishes should you schedule your ADR and where should you reqest to be seated?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Basically, only the tables at the window have a really good view of the fireworks. BUt--because the outside deck is level with the floor inside, when folks from the rest of the restaurant go out on the deck to watch the fireworks, they may block the view from the window tables inside. Consequently, even those folks may have to go outside in spite of their table location.
Once in awhile it may not be crowded and there won't be many people on the deck. If so, you may be able to see the show from inside. But every time we've gone to Narcoossee's (and that's 8 or 9 times at least) it's been a crowd on the outside deck.
Time-wise we usually get our reservations about an hour before the show. That's worked out well every time

 

[Paul in CT]

Another option if you don't mind dining late is to make ADR's for after Wishes. You can watch it from the dock at the GF before dining. There are benches there and you can also see the Electrical Water Parade as it floats by.

My DW and I did this in December. You get a great view of both and the restaurant is less crowded and easier to get a window table that is just as enjoyable AFTER the fireworks.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Jiko, Narcoosees.

 

[babiebelle]

So has anyone down Brown Derby and enjoyed it. We are doing deluxe dining and want a few signatures but have kids so we didn't want to do a super formal one and wanted one in the parks, I didn't see it mentioned here though and am starting to worry.
Lesley

We've done Brown Derby for lunch plenty of times. We have DDE and usually split an entree (Cobb salad is HUGE). It's not our favorite TS, but it's a nice reprieve from the parks, and has a great vibe. Check out the menu on all ears to see if it suits your fancy. I think lunch there is a better value, but there seems to be a lot more choices for dinner.

As for my top signature restaurants.

1. Flying Fish - Consistently the best food/service on WDW property. Plus, it's on the boardwalk, which makes it that much better. LOVE the wood burning grill!

2. CA Grill - Had a couple lousy meals here, but they seemed to have stepped up their game. One of the only restaurants to serve foie gras. Great, albeit expensive wine list. It's loud, kids are obnoxious, but the food and view are usually great.

3. Artist Pointe - Gary is the best server on disney property. Hands down. I just wish they would change their menu a bit more. When copper river salmon is in season, you are in luck. Don't even think of ordering anything else. Can't go wrong with Buffalo or Filet here as well.

As for Jiko, it is our LEAST fave signature restaurant, but please try it since everyone else seems to love it. We've had 4 bad experiences (food and service) there and figured we'd given them enough tries.