Top Five Dinner Restaurants for a Honeymoon in October!

[2infinityandbeyond]

If I were Disneymooning and was picking 5 places, I'd choose:

V&A Chef's Table
Artist Point
Jiko
California Grill
Flying Fish

That would be my list, too. All of these places should make a foodie happy.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

We enjoy the sushi at Wolfgang Pucks, but since it's a Disneymoon, maybe try the upscale sitdown upstairs there (although I've read a blah post of the downstairs restaurant, I've heard nothing bad about the upstairs, and I'm biased on the buildng b/c it's where I took DW for our 2nd date)....

I would second Upstairs at Wolfgang Pucks. My wife & I dined there a few years ago, and the food (especially if you order the special gourmet menu) is certainly a very, very close second to V&A. (V&A beats it for atmosphere though)

If you like sushi, Kimonos is excellent - and they serve sashimi too. Go early to avoid the Karioke! Last time we went, they allowed smoking, but I believe that is banned now.

My wife & I absolutely love Flying Fish (which is walking distance from the Swan). They both serve excellent fish, but I like the atmosphere better in FF. Maybe it's just me, but I find Blue-Zoo too clinical and cold. It seems to try too hard to be trendy. Maybe there a just too many 'business suits' eating there!

When we first started staying on-site at WDW, my wife & I rated Chefs de France & Bistro de Paris as amongst the very best, almost as good as eating in France (the real France). But that was best part of ten years ago. I now rate them OK-but not great.

Narcooses is also good. On two separate ocassions, my wife & I have been seated one table away from Roy Disney. Once was at Flying Fish, once at Narcooses. I don't know if that says anything about their food!

Andrew

 

[Jen80370]

As much as I would love to stay at AKL (or any of the other deluxes)Swan works for us because of its location and the fact we can use our Stawood points there. I definitely would book an early dinner at Jiko and spend the evening puttering around though...

I had heard the Paris restaurant in Epcot was still good, but not as great as it once-since I've never been there...it may not be an issue. I figure I will wait and hear from people who have been there recently.

As for the "trying to be trendy" aspect of Bluezoo...THAT is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for. THANK you! I love a place that is so good...it doesn't have to toot its own horn or be pretentious. Great unique food, warm servers and a nice ambience (if it is too loud I hate spending a lot of money) and I am in. The more I hear about Flying fish...the more I cannot wait to try it.

Thank you all so much! This information is invaluable!

 

[mousepotato]

If you want something really romantic Narcossee's is a great choice. My wife and I ate there the night I proposed to her. We both ate the surf and turf. After dinner we walked along the Grand Floridian beach to the polynesian where we watched wishes from the beach. Right before the fireworks went off I popped the question. There are beach chairs that you can cuddle in and if available there are hammocks as well. Hope this helps.

 

[eapgourmet]

If I had to choose five (in no particular order):
BlueZoo
California Grill
Jiko
Artist Point
Citrico's

BlueZoo is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Orlando - my husband and I went there on our anniversary and during the Food & Wine Festival (got to see Todd English) last year.

 

[TigerKat]

As for the "trying to be trendy" aspect of Bluezoo...THAT is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for. THANK you! I love a place that is so good...it doesn't have to toot its own horn or be pretentious. Great unique food, warm servers and a nice ambience (if it is too loud I hate spending a lot of money) and I am in. The more I hear about Flying fish...the more I cannot wait to try it.

I didn't have that experience at all at Blue Zoo. It didn't come across as pretentious whatsoever. The place is beautiful and the staff was very knowledgable and attentive. The food was the most unique array of seafood I've ever seen. It was one of the finest dining experiences we've ever had. Never saw a suit the entire night either.

As the PP said it's a local favorite, the night we were there Joey Fatone and Drew Lachey were there and chatted with us and took pics, it's Joey's favorite restaurant.

I am a huge Flying Fish fan and have been there many times and will continue to go, but Blue Zoo is just in a class by itself.

 

[Jen80370]

Hooray for no suits!

 

[tomu570]

I understand your view about eating at Italian restaurants while away from home. We're kind of spoiled with all the good restaurants here in the north east. Il Mulino's has 10 locations throughout the U.S. including New York. I live in NJ myself and know the area restaurants well. But when we want great Italian food we venture into the city and go to Il Mulino's. Do yourself a favor and try the one in Manhattan before you leave for vacation and I'm sure you'll agree. It's not just another Italian restaurant. The last time we were there Michelle Pfeiffer was at the table next to us. The time before that Chaz Palminteri was there. Il Mulino's has that good of a reputation.

 

[Quiksilvr]

Earlier you asked whether you should mention your honeymoon when you make reservations. I didn't see whether anyone had responded to that. I would definitely tell them it's your honeymoon. They record it into the system. You don't have to wear mouse ears necessarily; we didn't, we just had these "Just Married" pins they gave us. We got much better seating placement because we were on our honeymoon. At Coral Reef they had personalized menus for us, at California Grill they decorated our table and gave us a great up-front view of the fireworks, at 'Ohana they gave us the best table in the restaurant, etc., etc.

So, if you haven't made your reservations, make sure to tell them you're on your honeymoon when you do make the reservations. If you've already made the reservations, call them back and have that added to each of your ADRs. It's worth it.

 

[iluvpluto27]

I'd choose Citricos over Narcoosees, it's quieter and a more elegant restaurant with fantastic food.

My top five would be

Citricos
Jiko
Artist Point
Flying fish
California Grill

 

[Hopefully]

Just a few thoughts.
Jiko is my favorite restaurant at WDW. Beautiful restaurant, excellent food, great wine list, warm attentive service. It is one of the quieter WDW restaurants. In October I didn;t see any children the night we were there. It was very romantic and we enjoyed a bottle of wine recommended by our server from their wonderful wine list.
I would choose Narcoossee over Citrico, but I agree that Citrico is probably quieter and more romantic. The food at Narcoosee appeals to me more. You can see Wishes from Narcoosee, but it can be noisy.
I thought Flying Fish was excellent. I haven't been recently, but I definitely will return there.
After a couple of tries we will not return to the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Our meals were just not good. We were 3 adults, we ordered 3 different entrees and we all were disappointed.
We love the food at Teppan Edo in Japan. But you sit at tables for 8 and are entertained by the chef as he grills your dinner right at your table. You will be seated with strangers if that is an issue for you.
We found the food at Marrakesh (sp?) to be very good, but we do not know "authentic" Morrocco food. It is a beautiful restaurant, with good food and warm attentive servers. The belly dancer and band are fun too.
DH does not like French food so we have not eaten in either of these restaurants.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and have fun planning!

 

[tomu570]

Besides V & A. Do any of the restaurants mentioned in this thread prefer you NOT bring children under 10?

 

[SoundDude]

Jen

We will be in WDW for our 10-year anniv and chose Artists Point to celebrate. Check out the menu online. It's terrific.

DEFINITELY tell them you are celebrating your honeymoon when you make the rez. The CM that took my rez made sure I understood that she was making a special note on the rez itself and suggested that we arrive 15 minutes early to request a table near the windows. Thats the kind of stuff that they don't always tell you but is worth asking about and making sure that they know its a special occaision.

California Grill - do it if you can, or even just grab a cocktail at the bar some evening when you are on the monorail.

Enjoy your wedding. Soon enough you'll be making landmark anniversary plans yourself!

 

[NejTheLion]

1) Victoria and Albert's - AAA 5 Diamond restaurant (not very many of them in the world)

2) Jiko - great food, interesting and romantic atmosphere

3) Bistro de Paris (this is the restaurant ABOVE Chefs de France in Epcot) - very romantic and excellent food

4) California Grill (but only on a night with no fireworks) - I know everyone goes there to see the fireworks, but it always seems crowded, noisy, and lots of kids. I don't mind kids at all, but 9:00 is just too late for little ones to be out after a long day in the parks. The view of the Magic Kingdom is great on its own without any fireworks.

5) Coral Reef - unique and romantic (particularly if you're a fan of the ocean)

It's hard to just pick 5. Those would be mine, based on a mix of food quality, atmosphere, and interesting dining experiences.

 

[NejTheLion]

And if you're going in October, I'd keep the Food and Wine festival in mind. The schedule should be out around the end of July. There are some amazing dining opportunities during the festival: Exquisite Evenings, Signature Dinners, Party for the Senses...

 

[Ron from Michigan]

My 5 choices would be,

California Grill
Jiko
Flying Fish
Il Molino
Cinderella's Royal Table.

 

[Jen80370]

I live in NJ myself and know the area restaurants well.

Where in NJ? I'm in Point Pleasant!

We will definitely check out the location in NYC!

 

[tomu570]

Rockaway Township in Morris County. We rent a house in Sea Girt every now and then and always hit up the boardwalk in Point Pleasant. My kids love the train that circles the ride area and the massive pizza slices at Martell's. It's a small world after all.........

Can you imagine the popularity of Martell's Pizza at Disney? Today you just can't get an edible pizza anywhere on property.

 

[princess angel]

the idea for the romantic private dinner at the GF is a great idea!
especially since you do not want to go to V&A's (understandably) and the chefs table is not romantic at all - i wouldnt suggest the chefs table for a romantic honeymoon dinner

artist point, yachtsman, flying fish, citricos, jiko
all good choices

love the private romantic dinner option - have never done that at WDW, but have in hawaii several times, it is certainly perfect for your honeymoon

go to crystal palace if dh loves Tigger, my dh loves Tigger too , so we always go to crystal palace

we honeymooned in WDW 10yrs ago

 

[Jen80370]

Martell's would make a FORTUNE! Great! Now I'm going to have to brave the Benny traffic and go get some.

These are all amazing ideas! Thank you so much for them!

Has anyone else done the private dinner on the beach at GF? What restaurant did you order from?

I think at this point I am leaning towards: Artist Point, private dinner at GF, Jiko, either Shula's or BlueZoo (still debating), California Grill and either upstairs at Wolfgang Puck's or upstairs at Bistro de Paris.

Any other input is always appreciated!