To Find One Restaurant For All of Us

[disnut8]

OK - here's the challenge and I promise to take each response with good humor if necessary. Our party makeup:

Female, age 76 - says she prefers not to eat meat anymore
Male, age 51 - eats meat like there's no tomorrow
Male, age 50 - total vegetarian (not vegan and prefers not to have to use a fork)
Female, age 49 - eats both meat and veggies but prefers meat
Female, age 36 - eats both meat and veggies (trying to cut down on calories)
Male, age 29 - eats both meat and veggies (trying to cut down on calories) but prefers meat
Female, age 13 - eats both meat and veggies but has a bird-like appetite
Male, age 5 - eats both meat and veggies but prefers meat and eats like there is no tomorrow.

Rules - no dinner shows, no buffets and nothing inside the parks (the vegetarian does not like Disney World but is there for his family).

Yep - that's my dilemma. I would love responses for this diverse group. Normally, I would just pick a place and have everyone deal with it but that's not going to happen this trip. And if I can't find one place that will satisfy us all, then I won't do one big family meal. But I thought it would be interesting to get opinions.

 

[vllygrrl]

Word on the street is that Ohana has an excellent vegetarian option. The meat lovers in the group will be well satisfied, and the veggies brought to the table are outstanding!

 

[Quin]

Too bad about the 'no buffets' rule because buffets give you the most choices for food types as well as quantities. And with your other qualifiers, my number one pick for you would have been Boma.

Every TS at WDW has one vegetarian option on the menu. You may have to read through a lot of the menus to see which ones appeal most/least to your group, though. Most often it's a pasta dish with the meat/fish left off.

OK, one thing that is throwing me for a loop: what the heck is a non-vegan vegetarian who won't use a FORK? Do yo mean he's a raw foodie who only eats crudites? That may be an insurmountable barrier.

I guess my suggestions would be Kona or GF Cafe, or maybe The Wave.

If all else fails, ditch the family dinner and meet up at Beaches & Cream at BC/YC instead for a family dessert party. They do have frozen yogurt and no-fat, no-sugar added ice cream as well as the good stuff. Then take the boat across to the Boardwalk and enjoy the street performers.

 

[somethingblue]

I would highly recommend Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge if your family is willing to try slightly adventurous flavours.

The menu offers a variety of appetizers and entrees, many of which are vegetarian or relatively healthy.

For instance, appetizers include bread service, potato and pea samosas, or roasted cauliflower (very good for calorie counters). There are also quite a few types of soup.

Main courses include things as simple as steak and fish and things as extravagant Cornish game hen and lamb chops.

Check it out!

If you're willing to spend more money Artist Point might be a good pick with their more standard American fare. Options range from salads and soups to seafood and pasta. I think everyone in your party would be able to find something to eat there as well!

 

[KTJAY]

Too bad you can't do a buffet because I would highly recommend Cape May Clambake. I booked this for our group of 8 last year and we had non-seafood eaters, picky eaters, big meat eaters, etc. and everyone really liked it. I thought they had great salad selections for a disney buffet usually I only like their cesar salad.

I would find a restaurant you think most of the meat eaters would like and then ask at the podium about vegetarian dishes-they are usually very accomadating about food issues.

Good Luck

 

[si-am]

No advice, but I'm really curious about the no-fork thing too.

 

[CarrieR]

Ohana was my first thought, but also, Jiko has specific veg menus.

Don't worry too much about the veggies. There are plenty of options for vegetarians at WDW, and they don't bat an eye at being asked to modify a dish for you. I just had a number of wonderful meals that were totally meat-free, it was a breeze.

 

[kollerbear]

Via Napoli!!! DELICIOUS pizzas and pastas, fun atmosphere, multiple vegetarian options, which is very rare in WDW. It's a people-pleasing kind of place where meat-eating folks can share. The pepperoni pizza pics look like pepperoni with a side of pizza, the meatballs are well loved... it's just really a good fit.

AND, it's just fancy pizza, he doesn't have to use a fork on his pizza with artichokes/truffle oil or roasted veggies.

 

[goofyintoronto]

NO buffet and NO restaurants in the parks??? WOW! Good luck with that. Lol! I agree with Kollerbear about Via Napoli. Great option for both meat eaters and vegetarians and for the one who doesnt wanna use a fork!!
I would honestly try a buffet. As others have said, you have a huge variety for picky eaters. Boma at the AKL comes to mind.
As for non-buffet resort restaurants, i would recommend GF Cafe or the Wave.

 

[sharonabe]

Wolfgang Puck Cafe at DTD. This is the TS, not the QS. They even have some apps and pizza for your non-fork user.

 

[pumba]

sounds like the group that went with us one year..
Our 80 year old MIL
two of us were in our fifties.
two were on weight watchers..
one vegetarian..
four that will eat ANYTHING...but that would
have to include two more of the fifty year old ones..

We went to three buffets and we did fine....

sorry about your choices that cannot include buffets..

 

[kollerbear]

Oops. Missed the not in parks rule. Wolfgang Puck in DTD. Good variety, but mixed reviews on service. Kona, Sanaa (depending on the adventurousness of your palette), or The Wave are all okay options, too, but require forks.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

My first thought was 'Ohana as well. The specially made vegetarian options make me actually want to tell them I am one! Seems like there may be something for everyone there

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Captain's Grille!
or
Ohana!

 

[DaisyMaisie]

Pepper market?

 

[disnut8]

Thanks for all the options and I misspoke about the fork thing. He doesn't want to have to cut his food so I should have said fork AND knife. Anything that has to be cut up and contains meat.

I looked at Ohana and the price is way too much for us so I think that's out. I should have mentioned that half our group thinks $20 is too much for one person's dinner.

However, I LOVE the idea of desserts. Not very many carnivore desserts out there. But, we'd have to do a resort place or Downtown Disney.

And this isn't a make or break point with us - if we can get all eight (and maybe 10 now) into one place would be great but if not, I tried.

 

[gigi1313]

what kind of transport will you have? you might want to consider some place off-site...

or i know it's a buffet, but trail's end is very reasonable and accommodates all palates... or how 'bout takeout from trail's end and picnic together on the beach?

or, how 'bout a pool party at one of your resorts and do CS meals, each on his/her own... maybe order from gardengrocer.com some adult bevs, salsas/chips, cheese/crackers and then supplement w/food court choices or pizzas (delivery even?)...

maybe skip a group meal and do a fireworks cruise instead?

the new movie theatre/restaurant (then you don't have to talk to all these picky people! LOL!)

rainforest cafe or planet hollywood? there is food suited for all tastes and budgets and if staying onsite w/a package there is likely a coupon!!!

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

Your transport is going to be a deciding factor as well --- but , I will list my non-buffet , outside the park options for you...

1 ) Grand Floridian Cafe - at Grand Floridian
2 ) The Wave - at Contemporary
3 ) Kouzzina - at Boardwalk
4 ) Earl of Sandwich -- Downtown Disney

Also , all restaurants will have options for vegetarians , and they will work with any dietary restrictions , allergies , preferences ...etcetera. The chef can work with you , to make sure everyone is happy !