sleepydog25
Been here awhile
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 8,540
My DW, DD4, and I just finished a wonderful trip to WDW last week where we stayed at VWL, our home away from home. Though we don't dine as extensively as many others on this board, we did manage visits to several restaurants to sample their gustatory talents (or lack thereof). The establishments are rated on a Mickey Scale, with 5-Mickey the highest rating.
Monday, 11 Apr
WHISPERING CANYON CAFE
This was our second attempt at WCC (last August was the first), and once again we were left wanting in terms of service, quality of food, and value. We showed up around 6 pm w/o a PS but were seated within 5 minutes. Our server approached us quickly, but that was the last good service we received. She occasionally checked by after receiving our order, but I had to remind her we never received the cornbread with our all-u-care-to-eat skillet meal, had to ask for water after sitting with an empty glass for 10 minutes, and had to flag her down to ask for the check. She smiled and chatted a little, but we received none of fun attention for which WCC is noted, other than the moment she tossed straws at us when serving our drinks. The same thing happened on our last visit--we got a real sourpuss server, and we're a very fun-loving, energetic family. It was my DW's birthday to boot, but our server barely mentioned it. In fact, the whole restaurant was more subdued than in the past, it seemed, with little of the fanfare and ribaldry that has characterized it in the past. Perhaps the fact we were hitting the parks after spring break and before the summer season had something to do with it.
The food was, just like last time, very mediocre: overdone ribs, greasy chicken, cold corn, and lousy beans were the deal breakers, though the brisket and potatoes were pretty good in all fairness. Though the restaurant was only operating at about 75% capacity, we still waited 25 minutes to receive our food--an interminable wait when you aren't having fun. We didn't have a very good experience last August, so we had decided to give WCC another chance as we were staying right there at VWL. It will be the last chance they get from us. GRADE:
Tuesday, 12 Apr
BROWN DERBY FANTASMIC PKG
The latest PS we could get that day was 4 pm, and the place was crowded, of course. But, we were seated within 5 minutes at a very nice table. Our server was very good, though halfway through the meal he almost disappeared due to being stuck with a party of 25. I blame the mgmt. for allowing such a large party but without giving him much backup. He later came over and apologized for ignoring us for so long which scored some points in my book. Overall, the service was quite personal minus that one 20-30 minute period.
DW - Salad with spicy pecans, feta cheese, and cabernet vinaigrette followed by the pan-seared grouper, and topped off with the choc. hazelnut crunch cake w/muscat ice cream. She enjoyed them all.
DD4 - Grilled cheese. . .how can you go wrong?
Me - Stone ground mustard crust rack of lamb cooked to perfection (medium rare). I preceded that entree with the crab cake which was decent, and topped it off with a wonderful roasted strawberry creme brulee.
The food was good, though my lamb portion could have been slightly bigger (there were four ribs), and despite the lack of service in the middle of the meal, we were favorably impressed by the place and will go back. My one caution is the noise. It's a cavernous room and with parties of 25, 16, 12, and 9 nearby, the din got a bit too loud at times. GRADE:
Wednesday, 13 Apr
SAN ANGEL INN for lunch
We wanted a fairly quick bite to eat and this place was nearby. As many have noted, the atmosphere is quiet, relaxed, and possibly romantic if you're in the mood. Service was solid but not distinguished, like a chain restaurant tends to be. I had the Sopa Azteca which was decent, while the DW had the Tacos al Carbon--they were a bit dry, too smoky, and had little spice to them. My magarita was absolutely awful, tasting more like KoolAid than a real drink. I couldn't finish it. Overall, we weren't impressed by the food, but the ambience is okay. GRADE:
ARTIST POINT
We had two guests join us for our 6:15 pm PS, and we were seated promptly. I'll say from the outset that this is our favorite dining experience at WDW. It was in August and remained so this trip. The food is superb, the service outstanding, and the ambience the best we've found on property. Even better, DD4 was able to spend the three hours we were at AP in the Cub's Den there at VWL, so we knew she was having fun.
Appetizers included the smoky portabello soup which is divine, and the venison spring rolls which are very good. DW had the buffalo sirloin over sweet potato gratin while one guest and I had the grilled beef tenderloin--all three were cooked to perfection and tasted heavenly. I'm a big fan of bison, and AP does it right. The other guest had the signature cedar plank salmon that is great way to enjoy that fish (having lived in Alaska for four years, I know good salmon). As we were celebrating my DW's birthday all week, I had called the day before to order a special chocolate birthday cake which was brought out at the appropriate time--surprising my wife who had ordered the AP berry cobbler--and it had her name written across it wishing her a happy birthday. The server had surreptitiously let me know earlier in the meal that the cake was, indeed, ready when we wanted it. The service at AP is one of their hallmarks and deservedly so.
I'd be remiss not to note their excellent Northwest wine list. (Trust your server if you're unsure about what to order.) We had two bottles of the Amavi Syrah and it was silky smooth, with velvety tannins, and a robust berry finish. It was an excellent wine with all the entrees, though the salmon might have been better served with a pinot noir. AP prices are a little higher than most other WDW restaurants, but between the service, the food, and the exceptional ambience (you can even take a stroll around the quiet lodge after you eat), the extra money is worth the splurge. This is a must eat experience every time we come to WDW. GRADE:
Thursday, 14 Apr
CORAL REEF
Once again, we had 6 pm. PS for our last night at WDW. We asked to be seated next to the viewing glass, so had to wait 15 minutes, though we had been advised the wait might exceed half an hour. But, we're glad we waited, as the experience of being up close and personal with the fish and divers was worth it. Once again, the service was topnotch, ranking right up there with our AP server. The ambience, though a bit noisy to be considered as good as other places, was still very good in large part due to the allure of the giant tank.
DW - Started with a delicious creamy lobster soup, followed by grilled mahi over roasted garlic mashed potatoes w/ a ****ake sauce. She finished the meal with the signature chocolate wave which was very good.
DD4 - Went for the pasta, but didn't want either the alfredo or marinari sauce on it. Our server put the alfredo on the side, added a little more butter to the elbow macaroni, and even brought out some shredded parmesan for our daugher to sprinkle. That's what I call good service. She finished with the build your own sundae which was as much fun to do as it was to eat, I think.
Me - I began with the arugula salad with grilled sweet Hawaiin sausage and kalamati olives--excellent! My entree was the blackened catfish served over pepper jack cheese grits drizzled with 8-yr old balsamic vinegar glaze and a smoked tomato compote. It, too, was superb.
We had a bottle of an Aussie shiraz with the meal that was good but served too warm--it was room temp (70-72F) when it should be served around 60-65F tops. But, that's a minor annoyance and doesn't detract from the overall experience. We truly enjoyed our meal there and will definitely go back. If you have the time, request a table near the glass--it's worth the extra wait. It was also a fine way to end our trip to WDW. GRADE:
Monday, 11 Apr
WHISPERING CANYON CAFE
This was our second attempt at WCC (last August was the first), and once again we were left wanting in terms of service, quality of food, and value. We showed up around 6 pm w/o a PS but were seated within 5 minutes. Our server approached us quickly, but that was the last good service we received. She occasionally checked by after receiving our order, but I had to remind her we never received the cornbread with our all-u-care-to-eat skillet meal, had to ask for water after sitting with an empty glass for 10 minutes, and had to flag her down to ask for the check. She smiled and chatted a little, but we received none of fun attention for which WCC is noted, other than the moment she tossed straws at us when serving our drinks. The same thing happened on our last visit--we got a real sourpuss server, and we're a very fun-loving, energetic family. It was my DW's birthday to boot, but our server barely mentioned it. In fact, the whole restaurant was more subdued than in the past, it seemed, with little of the fanfare and ribaldry that has characterized it in the past. Perhaps the fact we were hitting the parks after spring break and before the summer season had something to do with it.
The food was, just like last time, very mediocre: overdone ribs, greasy chicken, cold corn, and lousy beans were the deal breakers, though the brisket and potatoes were pretty good in all fairness. Though the restaurant was only operating at about 75% capacity, we still waited 25 minutes to receive our food--an interminable wait when you aren't having fun. We didn't have a very good experience last August, so we had decided to give WCC another chance as we were staying right there at VWL. It will be the last chance they get from us. GRADE:
Tuesday, 12 Apr
BROWN DERBY FANTASMIC PKG
The latest PS we could get that day was 4 pm, and the place was crowded, of course. But, we were seated within 5 minutes at a very nice table. Our server was very good, though halfway through the meal he almost disappeared due to being stuck with a party of 25. I blame the mgmt. for allowing such a large party but without giving him much backup. He later came over and apologized for ignoring us for so long which scored some points in my book. Overall, the service was quite personal minus that one 20-30 minute period.
DW - Salad with spicy pecans, feta cheese, and cabernet vinaigrette followed by the pan-seared grouper, and topped off with the choc. hazelnut crunch cake w/muscat ice cream. She enjoyed them all.
DD4 - Grilled cheese. . .how can you go wrong?
Me - Stone ground mustard crust rack of lamb cooked to perfection (medium rare). I preceded that entree with the crab cake which was decent, and topped it off with a wonderful roasted strawberry creme brulee.
The food was good, though my lamb portion could have been slightly bigger (there were four ribs), and despite the lack of service in the middle of the meal, we were favorably impressed by the place and will go back. My one caution is the noise. It's a cavernous room and with parties of 25, 16, 12, and 9 nearby, the din got a bit too loud at times. GRADE:
Wednesday, 13 Apr
SAN ANGEL INN for lunch
We wanted a fairly quick bite to eat and this place was nearby. As many have noted, the atmosphere is quiet, relaxed, and possibly romantic if you're in the mood. Service was solid but not distinguished, like a chain restaurant tends to be. I had the Sopa Azteca which was decent, while the DW had the Tacos al Carbon--they were a bit dry, too smoky, and had little spice to them. My magarita was absolutely awful, tasting more like KoolAid than a real drink. I couldn't finish it. Overall, we weren't impressed by the food, but the ambience is okay. GRADE:
ARTIST POINT
We had two guests join us for our 6:15 pm PS, and we were seated promptly. I'll say from the outset that this is our favorite dining experience at WDW. It was in August and remained so this trip. The food is superb, the service outstanding, and the ambience the best we've found on property. Even better, DD4 was able to spend the three hours we were at AP in the Cub's Den there at VWL, so we knew she was having fun.
Appetizers included the smoky portabello soup which is divine, and the venison spring rolls which are very good. DW had the buffalo sirloin over sweet potato gratin while one guest and I had the grilled beef tenderloin--all three were cooked to perfection and tasted heavenly. I'm a big fan of bison, and AP does it right. The other guest had the signature cedar plank salmon that is great way to enjoy that fish (having lived in Alaska for four years, I know good salmon). As we were celebrating my DW's birthday all week, I had called the day before to order a special chocolate birthday cake which was brought out at the appropriate time--surprising my wife who had ordered the AP berry cobbler--and it had her name written across it wishing her a happy birthday. The server had surreptitiously let me know earlier in the meal that the cake was, indeed, ready when we wanted it. The service at AP is one of their hallmarks and deservedly so.
I'd be remiss not to note their excellent Northwest wine list. (Trust your server if you're unsure about what to order.) We had two bottles of the Amavi Syrah and it was silky smooth, with velvety tannins, and a robust berry finish. It was an excellent wine with all the entrees, though the salmon might have been better served with a pinot noir. AP prices are a little higher than most other WDW restaurants, but between the service, the food, and the exceptional ambience (you can even take a stroll around the quiet lodge after you eat), the extra money is worth the splurge. This is a must eat experience every time we come to WDW. GRADE:
Thursday, 14 Apr
CORAL REEF
Once again, we had 6 pm. PS for our last night at WDW. We asked to be seated next to the viewing glass, so had to wait 15 minutes, though we had been advised the wait might exceed half an hour. But, we're glad we waited, as the experience of being up close and personal with the fish and divers was worth it. Once again, the service was topnotch, ranking right up there with our AP server. The ambience, though a bit noisy to be considered as good as other places, was still very good in large part due to the allure of the giant tank.
DW - Started with a delicious creamy lobster soup, followed by grilled mahi over roasted garlic mashed potatoes w/ a ****ake sauce. She finished the meal with the signature chocolate wave which was very good.
DD4 - Went for the pasta, but didn't want either the alfredo or marinari sauce on it. Our server put the alfredo on the side, added a little more butter to the elbow macaroni, and even brought out some shredded parmesan for our daugher to sprinkle. That's what I call good service. She finished with the build your own sundae which was as much fun to do as it was to eat, I think.
Me - I began with the arugula salad with grilled sweet Hawaiin sausage and kalamati olives--excellent! My entree was the blackened catfish served over pepper jack cheese grits drizzled with 8-yr old balsamic vinegar glaze and a smoked tomato compote. It, too, was superb.
We had a bottle of an Aussie shiraz with the meal that was good but served too warm--it was room temp (70-72F) when it should be served around 60-65F tops. But, that's a minor annoyance and doesn't detract from the overall experience. We truly enjoyed our meal there and will definitely go back. If you have the time, request a table near the glass--it's worth the extra wait. It was also a fine way to end our trip to WDW. GRADE:
As for the Mickey rating system, help yourself! I haven't copyrighted it yet. . . 
And I appreciate all the nice comments I get from those who read my posts. 
We love their lobster bisque! 
Give it another try; I almost always think an establishment gets at least two chances to please before I dismiss it (see my WCC review!). Thanks for your kind comments!
