Tried new places and....

[vicb]

Just back tried a bunch of places that were new to us if it's helpful to anyone planning, we were a family of four adults:

-La Hacienda: good drinks, nice booth facing water, good dinners, chips and salsa included
-Mama Melrose: don't know why we waited so long, good flatbreads, salads, hot rolls with herb olive oil
-Yak and Yeti: atmosphere just so-so, maybe it was our table location but good dumplings and chicken teriyaki and salmon
-BOG breakfast: so-so, not really the atmosphere I expected, kind of a loud free for all, hard to find any open table to sit at. Food was decent, pastries good. Would not return.
-Trader Sams: YES! Fun, fun, fun plus good food (Thai flatbread, lettuce cups...) and the drinks are awesome. And yes you do need to get there early, people line up.
-Boathouse: This place was a zoo and the waiter said it was a slow night! Luckily we were seated way in the back where is was quieter. Long wait to dine outdoors. Food was good but they were out of two dinners we wanted to order . DH loved his lobster roll. Had a reservation through Opentable, did not have to wait despite crowd there. Probably a one and done for me.
-Rose and Crown lunch: awesome. Good waiter, everything we ordered at our table was good, sat on patio in shade, awesome view, good drink menu, this was a winner. Used Disney Visa 10% discount there.
-HDDR: expensive but the show is really fun and hey the food is not too shabby. Loved the corn bread, baked beans and fried chicken. DD ordered a veggie meal that she liked. Strawberry shortcake was yummy and beer included.
-Cabana pool bar lunch: bucket of 5 craft beers $30- a bargin. Caesar salads and burgers good too. Can use AAA 20% discount there.
-Pineapple Promenade at Epcot: Frozen violet lemonade and frozen pineapple softserve so good!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Glad you had a good trip food wise. The wife and I shared the big steak at Boathouse. What a great experience.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Welcome home!

Sounds like you had good dining experiences and a nice trip.

 

[Cloe Colton]

I felt the same about Boathouse when I went, it was super busy and loud and tbh the food was just okay especially for the price we were paying. Plus we had a gorgeous view of the sunset that was blocked by everyone and their brother running out to take photos. i just dont get the rave reviews this place gets but c'est la vie!

Looks like a lot of great dinners though!

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

Just back tried a bunch of places that were new to us if it's helpful to anyone planning, we were a family of four adults:

-Mama Melrose: don't know why we waited so long, good flatbreads, salads, hot rolls with herb olive oil
-Yak and Yeti: atmosphere just so-so, maybe it was our table location but good dumplings and chicken teriyaki and salmon
-BOG breakfast: so-so, not really the atmosphere I expected, kind of a loud free for all, hard to find any open table to sit at. Food was decent, pastries good. Would not return.
-Trader Sams: YES! Fun, fun, fun plus good food (Thai flatbread, lettuce cups...) and the drinks are awesome. And yes you do need to get there early, people line up.
-Rose and Crown lunch: awesome. Good waiter, everything we ordered at our table was good, sat on patio in shade, awesome view, good drink menu, this was a winner. Used Disney Visa 10% discount there.
-HDDR: expensive but the show is really fun and hey the food is not too shabby. Loved the corn bread, baked beans and fried chicken. DD ordered a veggie meal that she liked. Strawberry shortcake was yummy and beer included.

Glad to hear your takes on Mama Melrose, Rose & Crown, and Trader Sam's. Like you, we've put off Mama Melrose for seven years, but we're finally making it there this time! Same with Rose & Crown. Went to Trader Sam's at DL Hotel, and I'm hopeful Trader Sam's at Poly is just as awesome!

I agree with your Yak, BOG, HDDR assessments. Spot on with my thoughts!

 

[heidijanesmith]

Great review!

Totally agree with Trader Sams, so much fun

 

[DespinaVictoria]

Mama Melroses is underrated in my opinion, we had decent meals there a couple years in a row. And Hoop dee doo is hands down my fave thing to do while in Disney, great show and food! It's a must do in my opinion

 

[Kelli Pooh]

Happy you enjoyed your trip! Glad to hear good things about La Hacienda because it will be new for us this trip. Plus we are hoping to make it to Trader Sam's for the first time also. Thanks!

 

[disneyvoice]

My DH and I have found the best way to enjoy The Boathouse is to sit at the bar out on the water. They will serve the full menu there (at least they did the last time we were there) and it typically isn't crowded even when the restaurant is packed. A lot of people without ADRs don't even know the outside bar is there so they check the inside bar and if it is full they turn around and leave. We have never had a problem walking right in and getting a seat at either the inside or outside bar. It probably helps that we typically aren't trying to find a seat at the height of dinner time.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Thanks for taking the time to write up your observations.

 

[NYCgrrl]

My DH and I have found the best way to enjoy The Boathouse is to sit at the bar out on the water. They will serve the full menu there (at least they did the last time we were there) and it typically isn't crowded even when the restaurant is packed. A lot of people without ADRs don't even know the outside bar is there so they check the inside bar and if it is full they turn around and leave. We have never had a problem walking right in and getting a seat at either the inside or outside bar. It probably helps that we typically aren't trying to find a seat at the height of dinner time.

Good to know about the bar and walk up possibilities.
We've eaten at Boathouse 3 times and I can't say I found the place particularly noisy however twice we sat out on the patio near the glassed in musicians' stand and once later at night (10:30 PM ADR) in the back area just in front of the patio. I should also point out that I live in a noisy environment so maybe I just don't "hear" background noises the same way others might.
Another lover of their Porterhouse steak to share and quite credible raw bar offerings.

 

[gharter]

Great review. Always fun to try new places.
Loved Trader Sams. Definitely a repeat for our next trip. So much fun!