Signature Restaurants--try eating at the Bar!!

[Uncleromulus]

That's what we did almost exclusively. This trip we ate at the bar (full meals, not just bar snacks) at California Grill, Blue Zoo, Citricos , Flying Fish and Narcoossee's.
Also at Paridiso 37 in DD. Would have done so at Bistro D' Paris, except for the problem that they have no bar...
It's a great way to avoid the food throwing, tag-playing kids. And always great converstaion with the bartenders who, as your servers, are right there for food/drink orders.
Should note that the bar area at some of these spots (Citrico's in particular) is limited, so seat availability could be a problem. It wasn't for us as we always eat quite early and at Blue Zoo and Citrico's we had the bar completely to ourselves!!

 

[james'mommy]

With the prices we pay at signature restaurants I am sure as heck sitting at a table.

 

[John's Mom]

Thanks for the great advice, Brent. We'll try that in December.


Kathy

 

[oybolshoi]

While we didn't have a full meal in the bar at Bluezoo we certainly enjoyed their appetizer and drink selections and are planning to try it again on our upcoming trip.

I've heard good things from a lot of DISers about eating at the bar / open kitchen at Flying Fish, too.

Thanks for the advice, Uncleromulus; you are usually right on the money.

 

[Condorman]

There is a difference between eating at the bar and dining at the eat-in kitchens. Flying Fish, California Grill and Jiko all have eat-in kitchens, IOW, you sit on stools in front of the kitchens and watch the cooks do their thing.

Eating at the bar is what you do at Citricos, Narcoossees, and bluezoo (to an extent).

I cannot recommend eating at the bar at Citricos. Those are the most uncomfortable stools EVUH -- narrow iron armrests and short, stiff backrests. Those were not meant to be used for more than 20 minutes at a time.

Also, I feel CG gets a little too much foot traffic from guests and CMs shuffling about behind you. It's the same with most eat-in kitchens but it seemed a little more so there.

IMO, the best experience is at Flying Fish. You sit on regular chairs and the chefs are an outstretched arm away. Last time we went, they gave us free samples of risotto among other goodies and it was worth the price of admission alone. Only caveat: the grill at Flying Fish, because you are so close to it, can raise the temperature of the surrounding area 15-20 degrees F. On an already sweltering Floridian day, that isn't so nice.

 

[Uncleromulus]

At the FF they call the Chef's counter the "low bar" and the real bar (where we ate) the "high bar". Mostly because the chairs and counter are about a foot lower at the Chef's counter.
We did just fine at Citrico's--the added bonus there was that the nite we ate, the place had a lot more kids than we're used to seeing at Citrico's. All that noise was in the background!!!
And you're right about the Chef's counter at FF--the flames from that oak-fired grill are HOT.

 

[Pakey]

Thanks for the update Uncleromulus and welcome back. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on Paridiso 37.

 

[cammie810]

We just did that last week at Flying Fish. We ate at the high bar and had a great time. We could see the open kitchen perfectly...the seats were comfortable and since there were us and 2 other people sitting at the bar for the entire time we were there we had 2 bartenders right there for anything we needed. Highly recommended!!

 

[webray]

We always do this...it is the only way to go!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

This is exactly what I'm planning on my solo trip in December and glad to hear it worked for you.

I just cancelled my reservation at CA Grill and the CM seemed surprised. I told him I was just going for drinks and probably an appetizer and would be happy in the lounge area. I'd rather leave the 2 top table ADR for a couple who might want it for dinner.

I've always wanted to try Citricos and now that I know I can eat at the bar I may just have to do so.

There is a difference between eating at the bar and dining at the eat-in kitchens. Flying Fish, California Grill and Jiko all have eat-in kitchens, IOW, you sit on stools in front of the kitchens and watch the cooks do their thing.

Eating at the bar is what you do at Citricos, Narcoossees, and bluezoo (to an extent).

Actually, I have ordered food in the lounge area at CA Grill. It is not at the "open kitchen" counter. It is an area with low tables. I just had appetizers though, not a full meal.

 

[jillk]

We love eating at the "high" bar (with the bartenders, not the open kitchen) at FF. We have twice walked in without an ADR and sat there. It feels more "grown up" and we like talking to the bartender. We are wine fans and the bartender has given us small samples of wines to help us make up our minds!

 

[Halle]

I always thought you had to have ADR's to get into CG, is there a way to reserve a lounge table?

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

On our last evening, we ate dinner at the FF low bar. It was one of the best meals we've ever had (eaten at FF 3 times previously). Yes, it was warmer, but we adjusted (and dressed in anticipation of it). I think that the service was better, and more personalized. We got lucky, and were at the prep station closer to the door (than the oak grill). This meant more interaction with the staff, as there was no safety screen. Overall, it felt more like a fancy, adult meal.

We WILL request such seating again, whenever available.

 

[Lizziejane]

are there really that many food-throwing, tag-playing kids at the signature restaurants? We're going dxDDP in January because I figured the signature restaurants would be quieter.

 

[BCV23]

Ah, it's great to see a thread from the dean of DIS dining.

With just two, dining at the bar can be great fun. Not so much with more than that IMO.

I'm curious about your opinion of the food and ambience at Paradisio37. We walked in one night in Sept to make a reservation for later in our trip but were overwhelmed with the music blaring outside and by the podium so didn't make one. Did you find it loud?

How was Narcoossee's this trip?

 

[DebºoºS]

DS & I were walking by FF one night and decided to give the bar a try for dinner. It was great. I'll definately do it again. The bartenders were very attentive.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Lizziejane: Not many at all, but as we learned to our dismay several times before, all it takes is one such group to spoil a dinner. It can and does happen at the Signature spots. For us it's some insurance against it happening.

BCV23: Narcoosee's was good and this time I did not order Surf and Turf--the lobster last time was AWFUL. I'll be doing the reviews at some point.

Paridiso when we ate at lunch (twice in fact!) was not loud at all--nothing like when we ate at Bongo's for lunch. And the servers we saw seemed attentive, not dancing w/each other like at Bongo's. My guess is that a place like Paridiso at dinner will be louder than other places because they think most patrons like it that way....
In my review I'll be suggesting menu-wise it's great for lunch, but not sure if I'd do a full dinner there. The beer IS cold!! And the pork BBQ items are quite good.

 

[TDC Nala]

I always thought you had to have ADR's to get into CG, is there a way to reserve a lounge table?

You cannot reserve a lounge table, and you won't be allowed up to the restaurant to try and get one if the area is already too crowded. A lot of times these tables are taken up by patrons waiting for restaurant seating, so they move around often and you can snag a lounge table that way, assuming you can get upstairs (you will have best luck at opening and just after the fireworks end).

 

[IluvKingLouis]

But I wanted to add that my DD6 and I sat at the bar at Tune In Lounge (Part of Primetime Cafe). She ordered an children's ice cream sundae and I believe it was just $2.00! I couldn't believe it. Much cheaper then a novelty from a cart.

Plus mom got to enjoy a glass of wine

 

[waltskids]

are there really that many food-throwing, tag-playing kids at the signature restaurants? We're going dxDDP in January because I figured the signature restaurants would be quieter.

Yes, there are sadly. Since so many people do the DDP, the signatures have become much louder and less of a quiet experience. When our kids are with a sitter, DH and I avoid all the DDP signatures for our 'date nights' for this very reason. Bluezoo, Shula's, Bistro and V&A's (once in a blue moon) are some great choices with very few child diners (Bistro has no kids menu at all) and all are not on the DDP. We have also eaten at the bar before at various restaurants.