Trying to decide about 20th anniversary dinner

[hookedup]

Hello,
On our next trip (haven't been since 2006) we are celebrating our 20 wedding anniversary. I am thinking about where to have dinner on that night.
We are staying at the Dolphin and I have never eaten at Shula's and was looking at that because ds (9) could use the kids club there while we ate.

I really have always wanted to try California Grill and if we did that we would probably take ds with us since I don't want to leave the hotel property without him. Ds is quite experienced with fine dining - as an only child we have included in many of our special meals over the years and he does appreciate it more than the average kid - but it is our anniversary (and an adult only meal would be nice ) so I am torn about what to do.

Or any other venues we should consider?

 

[mtdevine615]

Shula's I think is much more romantic and a heck of a lot less noise. One of the best steaks I've ever had.

 

[Pygoplites]

Another fine dining spot in your hotel is Todd English's bluezoo. Their menu looks pretty impressive. I haven't eaten there yet, but will next week. Their menu lists a dry-aged steak from Four Story Hill Farm, which produces some of the best meat in the country. I've had their meat at some of the top-tier restaurants in Chicago and it is vastly superior to almost any steak I've ever eaten (except maybe real Kobe beef from Japan).

Shula's is good, but if you have access at home to any of the other major steakhouse chains like Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Capitol Grille, etc., you may not find Shula's all that special (ie, very good, but not especially different than "the usual suspects").

California Grill is LOUD, but still one of my favorites and kids seem to do fine there for the most part.

 

[MAGGIED]

I am surprising my DH with dinner at Victoria and Alberts for our 24th wedding anniversary... which happens to be on Valentines Day. And our DS is coming with us... he is in on the plan.... while is will be 17 then he is plenty old enough to stay on his own... but he is a foodie so I thought he would enjoy it. I can't wait... he will be so shocked!!!

We celebrated DS 16th birthday at California Grill last January... we sat in a little room at the back of the rest. overlooking the lake (not the Magic Kingdom side)... there were only 4 or 6 tables in there and the doors closed... it was wonderful... not sure if you can request that or not but it was really nice!! I think it was the Wine Room....

 

[Forever Fairy]

What about the Italian Restaurant, Il Mulino? That could also be a nice option and is just across from the Dolphin.

You can't do V&A with a 9yr old. They have an age limit of no kids under the age of 10.

I agree with MAGGIED - if you can get a secluded table - great. However, my last 2 times at the Cali it was very loud with a lot of teenagers and I wouldn't have considered it very romantic.

If you like fish, I'd also recommend the Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. They have booths you could request or a table by the window. Food and service is excellent.