Table service recommendation for foodie?

[pezpam]

Hello, all! I'm hoing for a little advice. I've been to WDW a few times, but always with DD. We tend towards certain restaurants and she loves the character meals. This fall, I'll be taking a friend of mine who has never been to WDW and who is a real foodie. We will have the dining plan, so I am looking for reviews/recommendations for table service meals for 2 adults. We're both pretty adventurous eaters, though I am vegetarian and she's not. (I know most places will accommodate me, plus I know/hope I'll be back, so that's not a big concern). She hates the idea of character meals, so those are out for now.

Soooo......

Two adults
Table Service, mainly for dinner, but maybe breakfast or lunch
No character meals
Good food, preferably something you'd think of as 'special'

Thanks!!!!

 

[majortom]

Do you want to stay on Disney property?

On property I would suggest Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Todd English's BlueZoo.

Off property I would suggest Emeril's Orlando and Tchoup Chop, both at Universal (CityWalk and Royal Pacific respectively).

/carmi

 

[pezpam]

Yes, sorry, on property. We won't have a car available......

 

[Alice Sr.]

We will have the dining plan

Using the DDP, I would say
Le Cellier (no real veggie entree so call ahead)
Spoodles
Cali Grill
Jiko's
Brown Derby (but I think it is overrated at 2TC credits)
L'Originale Alfredo (good veggie selection)
Mama Melrose

I could recommend these restaurants and I think they fit your qualifications.

 

[Christine]

All "foodies" should go to Artist Point (at the Wilderness Lodge). A very good "foodie" place. I like Citricos also--it is as good as Artist Point, but not as eclectic, I guess.

 

[tjmw2727]

In park we love LeCellier and Chefs De France as well as the upstairs in Japan, can't remember the name, sorry. Out of park but still in WDW proper we like Jiko, Artist Point and Concourse Steakhouse. I know my last choice isn't as popular but is been consistantly great for us.

Even though you have the dining plan if your doing a night out of the parks and don't mind spending some out of pocket $$ "Todd English Blue Zoo" at the Dolpin is IMHO well worth it. It is not on the dining plan but on property, you can walk or take a boat from Epcot or MGM to the Dolphin. Growing up in living in the Boston area until last year we are spoiled by Todd's restaurants. So now we visit Blue Zoo every time we visit WDW and its truly worth it.

Also be warned that getting from resort to resort is the tricky part of WDW transportation. We try and coordinate resort dining with the park we will visit that day and then often take a cab back to our resort if its not an easy transport. Usually its less than $20 and we don't have to do it all that often, well worth it when we do though. OT but wanted to be helpful.

TJ

 

[pezpam]

Thanks. You guys have mentioned a couple of places I was looking at, so it's good to know I'm not off-base there. The others look great, too. Any and all suggestions still welcome.

 

[crisi]

Flying Fish is good as well.

Most "foodie" meals are two credits. Personally, I'd see if the DDE makes more sense than the Dining Plan (particularly if you can justify the AP). The DDE gives you 20% off almost all sit downs - including liquor - and a few counter service. Particularly nice if you are the type of foodies who will drink a bottle of wine at dinner.

 

[pezpam]

I dont' suppose she could charge the meal to the DDP using her resort card and I could use my DDE card to buy the wine? Either way, we can always book some meals with the DDP and some with the DDE - whatever makes the most $ sense. I already have the DDE card, but we got in on the free DDP deal, so it makes sense to use the DDP for most of our meals.

 

[mickeysaver]

Oh....let me put in my 2 cents!

The afternoon tea at the Gardenview Lounge is our favorite "special" event.

Lunch at Rose & Crown.

Dinner at Raglan Road.

Breakfast at Maya Grill.

Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern.

Dinner at LeCellier.

These are a few of my favorite WDW meals. Maggie

 

[Alice Sr.]

I dont' suppose she could charge the meal to the DDP using her resort card and I could use my DDE card to buy the wine? Either way, we can always book some meals with the DDP and some with the DDE - whatever makes the most $ sense. I already have the DDE card, but we got in on the free DDP deal, so it makes sense to use the DDP for most of our meals.

Yes, I believe you can do that.