Signature Resturant

[SophiesDad]

As we have the free dining next year , We are going to have a meal in a signature resturant ( As this is something we would not normally be able to afford ) Which one that you have been to would you say is the best.

 

[Amyrlin]

There are some very nice signature restruants. My fav is Califorina Grill, very good menu and a great view, also a great viewing sport for the fireworkls, best if you get out 5 mins before the fireworks start and walk about half way down the walkway.

Yahtsman Steakhouse is a close second, it does not have he views, but it is quieter and has a more exclusive feel.

I found Narcossess to be over rated, it is a steak and seafood resturant, again a good view of the fireworks, but the food is not that special.

Jiko is very good food, it is one of the more romatic resturants, it is an unusal menu, so worth checking out, also some very good African Wines.

Artist Point is usually very good, it is also one of the easier places to get an ADR, however, it is not as 'special', the signature dish is the Salmon, which is not that great, but the appitisers and dessert are to die for and the rest of the menu is very good.

Cinderellas Royal Table has a price that includes a photo, but it is not that good food, it is the experience fo eating in the castle. The queue to check in is also long.

In the parks Hollywood Brown Derby is also very good, but if you want to make the most of credits this is not the restruant to visit, also in a park means that it doesn't have such a spcial feel getting ready and then leaving.

I have not done Citricos or Flying Fish.

The menus are at www.allearsnet.com under dining, that may help

 

[gilld]

We hated California Grill and thought it very mediocre but absolutely loved Jiko's.

 

[UKDEB]

I have no idea which restaurants feature in the Dining Plan, so much of what I'm about to say could be irrelevant. The best restaurant at WDW, without question, is Victoria & Albert's. Of course, just because it's the best, it doesn't follow that it's everyone's cup of tea. The atmosphere is hushed (which, I guess some might find intimidating); the food is beyond comparison. The portions are small, but perfectly sized in view of the number of courses. It isn't just good by WDW standards, it's up amongst the best anywhere.

bluezoo and Shula's (both at the Dolphin) share joint honours. Jiko, Flying Fish Cafe, Citricos and Artist Point are all on a par in terms of food. Jiko probably has the edge for ambiance. California Grill, though, endures the test of time better than most. We've done them all to death, but CG never disappoints. However, it's very noisy and the whole fireworks thing makes for a less than stellar experience - folks don't want to leave their tables once they're ensconced, which can lead to longish wait times. There are insufficient tables in the bar area to relax and have a pre-dinner cocktail, so the whole area is always crowded with people standing waiting to pounce as soon as someone vacates. Once you do get to your table, though, the food always makes up for the shortcomings.

 

[#1MMFan]

We found The Flying Fish to be awful, and horrendously over-rated. Much prefer Artist Point; took the steak and it was the best cut I've had (on more than one occasion). Hmm, going back there in about 3 wks. Yum.

 

[Amyrlin]

I agree with Debbie re Victoria and Albert, Shulas and Blue Zoo, unfortunately none of these are on the dinning plan

 

[Phil Harris]

If you have any fussy eaters (or even people not really used to restaurant eating where everything is covered in sauce/marinade or just 'jus') then you really need to look at the menus first. California Grill food is good, but noisy and if you don't like balsamic vinegar or sushi you may not enjoy it very much The Yachtsman serves very good steak, but you can't see the Castle, and is probably not a very good choice if there are any vegetarians in the ground as you can see the hung steaks in the kitchen from the restaurant... Narcoossee's was very quiet when we went - I think it was only couples there - good view of the castle and the lagoon (so if you time it right you can see the water parade and the fireworks). When we went, CRT was only 1 credit for dinner, with no characters, and I would probably have begrudged paying for it if it wasn't free - that was probably our worst (in culinary terms) meal of the trip. To get the most from the experience, I agree that you should avoid the in-park ones, and take the time to go back to the hotel and change before you go - you may see some people in jacket and tie, but this isn't really necessary, although I think that you should really go for trousers rather than shorts just because it's all part of the experience! (linen trousers and a short sleeved shirt would be fine for men)

 

[CustardTart]

California Grill is a fab experience IMO - love the food, the wine pairings and the atmosphere. We try and get an ADR for around 9pm but arrive just before so we can enjoy Wishes with an aperitif. BTW they are now actively discouraging theme park casual here.

Citricos food was v good but, when we went, not so big on atmosphere.

I also loved watching Wishes from Narcoosees - can't remember anything about the food tho!

 

[SophiesDad]

Thanks for the replies,looks like its a case of looking through the menu's to see which one we prefer,at least the replies didn't highlight any in particular that should be avoided so whichever we choose should be a good night