Teppanyaki or Garden Grill for birthday dinner?

[ByJiminy]

I'm trying to pick a restaurant for DS's birthday. He will be turning 6, and we want a memorable meal, preferably in Epcot. Last year for his brother's birthday we ate at Biergarten, which was a great experience, but we want to do something different this time.

Has anyone done either Teppanyaki or Garden Grill for a birthday meal? Do they make any fuss over the birthday person?

Our kids' favorite restaurant is a local hibachi grill, so we had originally thought Teppanyaki might be a good choice. However, one of the things the kids love about it is the fried rice, which I know they don't do at Teppyaki. Also, our local place has some *dud* chefs, and the meals just aren't much fun when we don't have a really interactive chef. So, when I think about a boring chef and steamed rice, I start wondering if there might be a better option, LOL. WDW has so many great, unique dining choices, it almost seems a shame not to take advantage of something else. Garden Grill is a restaurant we haven't taken the kids to, and I think they'd enjoy it.

Any suggestions are welcome, although Epcot would be our first choice of location, MGM would probably work also as we're staying at BCV.

Thanks for any advice!

Laura B.

 

[Carl]

Garden Grill has as much character interaction as you could possibly want. I don't know if they do anything special for people's birthdays. My guess is that they would.

 

[molly213]

Teppanyaki is one of my family's favorite places but for a 6 year olds birthday, I wouldn't suggest it. We have never seen anyone make a fuss over anyone at this restraunt. It is fun to watch the chefs but it is fairly mild entertainment. For a 6 year old I would try one of the character meals like Chef Mickeys or Crystal Palace. I'm sure you will enjoy it much more for a celebration meal. Try Teppanyaki for another meal.

 

[Belle5]

My kids LOVE Teppanyaki! Garden Grill does make a fuss over birthdays. You get some kind of cake/ dessert thing and a card signed from all the characters and some special character interaction. If you call Disney Dining they will give you the exact details. For a 6 year old I think it would be great!

 

[Vlahakis2001]

Teppanyaki hands down. My entire family loves it. Including a teen and an 8 year old.

 

[ByJiminy]

Thanks for all the input. I think we'll pass on Teppanyaki, it doesn't sound like it would be any more memorable than our local place, and if they don't acknowledge birthdays at all I'm sure that would be a letdown since our experience at Biergarten was so special last year!

At Biergarten Chef Ernie dressed the kids in chef gear and helped them decorate a cake, and he was just really, really great with them. They got to keep the chef hats, which he autographed, and also got Magical Moments certificates, not to mention the cake was delicious with mounds of grated German chocolate! The pictures are priceless, it was just a very special experience. I wondered if any other places did anything special, but I guess not!

I sort of feel that soooo many people do the character meals for birthdays that it's pretty routine, but it would be better than no recognition at all!

Thanks everyone! Laura B.

 

[KMH1]

We just ate at Teppanyaki for my husband's birthday, and they brought out a whole cake for him that they cut into 8 pieces to share with our table after we sang "Happy Birthday."

They serve white rice, but all of the chefs in our room were quite entertaining and energetic. It's not the same as character interaction, but it was still a great night and delicious food!

 

[Minniespal]

Garden Grill without a doubt.