Specific restaurant help Ralph Brennan's vs Wine Country

[kikismom]

I have one last choice to make for dining. It's Ralph Brennan's vs Wine Country Trattoria. We go to RB's every trip and love it. They brought back my favorite steak so that's even better. I've never been to WCT but the menu and reviews intrigue me. Every other meal is set solidly and I only have room for one more. At WCT I would most likely order the chicken parmesan. The salmon looks good but I am very spoiled with salmon, if it isn't wild caught Pacific I'm not eating it.

Ralph Brennan's I'd get old trusty and order the medallions. For the kids they most likely get the chicken strips at RB's and the pizza at WCT.

Our other meals are Cafe Orleans, Storytellers, Naples, Goofy's Kitchen, and Minnie's breakfast plus some other quick service.

I am struggling and need to get it figured out soon. What would you choose?

 

[starlite_]

Ralph Brennan's. I was not impressed by WCT. It is ok food, but nothing special, you can get good italian food anywhere.

 

[DizMe]

I agree with starlite_. RB's is always wonderful when we go while we find WCT just mediocre. I love the seating choices at Ralph Brennan's, especially the courtyard and balcony. I'll be sad when they remodel it, and maybe that's a good reason to go with that one since they're going to redo it into modern and take out the New Orleans look.

 

[starlite_]

I agree with starlite_. RB's is always wonderful when we go while we find WCT just mediocre. I love the seating choices at Ralph Brennan's, especially the courtyard and balcony. I'll be sad when they remodel it, and maybe that's a good reason to go with that one since they're going to redo it into modern and take out the New Orleans look.

They will what? Now I'm sad hahaha.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I’m a big believer in trying everything once, so I would say WCT since you’ve never been there. Food is fine, but it’s the atmosphere that really makes it; outside with all the hustle and bustle of the park around you, it’s like the DCA equivalent of eating at Café Orleans. I usually have the lasagna and have never been disappointed.

 

[kikismom]

I agree with starlite_. RB's is always wonderful when we go while we find WCT just mediocre. I love the seating choices at Ralph Brennan's, especially the courtyard and balcony. I'll be sad when they remodel it, and maybe that's a good reason to go with that one since they're going to redo it into modern and take out the New Orleans look.

Oh I forgot about the remodel! We've been going there for so long,. I have pictures of my daughter by the fountain when she was so little. I may have to go there and get an updated picture.

It's so hard. I love trying new things, we've never been to Naples before so that's a new one for this trip.

I would rather have good food over ambiance. This is why I didn't book Blue Bayou even though I really, really wanted to. I swear there were reviews that raved about WCT. I have until Friday morning at 5:55 to make my decision!

 

[evilmommie]

I've always had really good food at RB and decent food at WCT. We use WCT as an event dinner place before OBB or watching WOC. The specialty cocktails are fun and festive at RB's as well. And, live music most nights!

 

[DizMe]

Oh I forgot about the remodel! We've been going there for so long,. I have pictures of my daughter by the fountain when she was so little. I may have to go there and get an updated picture.

It's so hard. I love trying new things, we've never been to Naples before so that's a new one for this trip.

I would rather have good food over ambiance. This is why I didn't book Blue Bayou even though I really, really wanted to. I swear there were reviews that raved about WCT. I have until Friday morning at 5:55 to make my decision!

I didn't meant to make it sound like it's bad; it's actually a nice place in a neat location. I just can't rank it anywhere near Jazz Kitchen, though. But then, I'm not a huge fan of Lamplight Lounge, and most people seem to love it.

 

[Lisa24jks]

I have one last choice to make for dining. It's Ralph Brennan's vs Wine Country Trattoria. We go to RB's every trip and love it. They brought back my favorite steak so that's even better. I've never been to WCT but the menu and reviews intrigue me. Every other meal is set solidly and I only have room for one more. At WCT I would most likely order the chicken parmesan. The salmon looks good but I am very spoiled with salmon, if it isn't wild caught Pacific I'm not eating it.

Ralph Brennan's I'd get old trusty and order the medallions. For the kids they most likely get the chicken strips at RB's and the pizza at WCT.

Our other meals are Cafe Orleans, Storytellers, Naples, Goofy's Kitchen, and Minnie's breakfast plus some other quick service.

I am struggling and need to get it figured out soon. What would you choose?

I'm one of the ones that really likes WCT. I'm a big fan of their bolognese and the chicken parm is great too. (Can't vouch for the salmon as I do not eat seafood.) My mom isn't much for Italian, but she loves their ribeye and the garlic potatoes that come with it are also excellent. It's a nice location and we've always had great service and food there.

That said, it might be your last chance to enjoy Ralph Brennan's in its current form. They have already started part of the remodel, and based on the artist rendering's, a lot of the current charm will be gone. (Also, while there's been no info on the menu, I would guess a new menu to match the new look is bound to happen. Like, I'm sure they'll still have the beignets, but who knows what else will survive??)

So if you want one last chance at RBs before it changes, I say go with that. WCT probably won't change much in the near future, so you could always do that on a future trip, but WCT is still a solid choice in my opinion.

 

[DLgal]

OMG, Ralph Brennans. It's not even close.

I've only had the chicken parmesan at WCT. It was barely edible, to be honest. It was so dry I could hardly swallow it. The cheese was one solidified clump, basically. I make this dish at home often and I was pretty mad at how much I paid for it. It was a WOC dining package with friends that I tagged along on at the last minute, and certainly not a place I would ever choose to eat at again. Everything about the meal was mediocre. Olive Garden is better, honestly.

 

[kikismom]

OMG, Ralph Brennans. It's not even close.

I've only had the chicken parmesan at WCT. It was barely edible, to be honest. It was so dry I could hardly swallow it. The cheese was one solidified clump, basically. I make this dish at home often and I was pretty mad at how much I paid for it. It was a WOC dining package with friends that I tagged along on at the last minute, and certainly not a place I would ever choose to eat at again. Everything about the meal was mediocre. Olive Garden is better, honestly.

I married an Italian and I will say I make really good spaghetti (his families old recipe) and also make fabulous chicken Parm. Italian is probably what I cook best. I believe this post may have sealed the deal. I'll try WCT someday when it's for an event or something.

 

[Aurora0427]

We ate at WCT before Covid and it was great. I had the chicken parmigiana and it was delicious. My husband also liked what he had, and the kids were happy. We also liked the ambiance. It was actually one of the best meals we’ve had at Disneyland…. But we find the table service restaurants to be lacking for the most part.

I don’t care for RB…. But I’ve been going to New Orleans my entire life and find their menu to be lacking. It’s all personal preference.

 

[blabbermouth]

I know you've already decided, but in case anyone pops in here. We went to WCT as part of the world of color package and it was actually pretty good! I went in with low expectations, but I really liked the salad, the wine (duh), and I thought the chicken pamesan was good. Surprisingly the one thing I didn't like was the world of color dessert! The portions were good, I would have liked for my daughter to share with me, but it doesn't work that way for the packages. She had salmon and broccoli and seemed to like it as well - it was nice for her to have something healthier that she liked.

 

[kikismom]

Thanks for the update. One of these trips I am going to try it. I am such a creature of habit and tend to go to the same places over and over.

 

[Aurora0427]

I know you've already decided, but in case anyone pops in here. We went to WCT as part of the world of color package and it was actually pretty good! I went in with low expectations, but I really liked the salad, the wine (duh), and I thought the chicken pamesan was good. Surprisingly the one thing I didn't like was the world of color dessert! The portions were good, I would have liked for my daughter to share with me, but it doesn't work that way for the packages. She had salmon and broccoli and seemed to like it as well - it was nice for her to have something healthier that she liked.

Thanks for the recent review…. My dad wants to eat here when they come at the end of November, so I booked it. I’m glad y’all had a good experience.