Trying to expand our culinary horizons

[jwhtewolfd]

Hey guys. I need opinions from the experts on our retaurant choices.
Last year we went to Yak and Yeti (ordered ribs and mahi mahi), Coral Reef (steak), Tutto Italia (steak and lasagna), Sci-Fi Dine-In (steak), and Garden Grill with Chip and Dale (family platter).

Obviously we didn't do too much experimenting food-wise. This year we don't want to play it so safe. We'll have 9 table service credits and decided to do Brown Derby out-of-pocket (since it smelled SO good every time we passed).

So far I have
1. Boma (new for us)
2. Coral Reef (need to try mahi mahi instead of steak, and amazing dessert)
3. Le Cellier (hey, we love steak! but couldn't get an adr last year)
4. Tutto Italia (DBF REALLY wants to go back, and the dessert is amazing)
5. Crystal Palace (new for us, I want at least one charcter meal, we love Eeyore and Tigger)
6. Brown Derby (as said, oop, and hopefully fantasmic package as well)

This leaves me with four more ts credits and five options:
1. Repeat Tony's (DBF is also Tony, so he's voting for this)
2. Garden Grill (we really loved the food and Chip and Dale)
3. O'hana (new to us, DBF really wants to try the skewars)
4. Kona (new to us, I really want to try the sticky wings, and have heard raves about teh desserts)
5. The Wave (new to us, easy to access from MK, new in general)

So, which one should I throw out? I'm mostly concerned about Kona and O'hana. Are they about the same that if you've eaten at one, you don't need to eat at the other? Are they both so good we shouldn't miss either? I suppose right now my bottom choice is Garden Grill simply because it's just us, no kids, and I think one character meal is probably enough.

I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.

FYI - DBF refuses to eat in the Castle and I'm not ready to venture off my known path to the Boardwalk yet, so basically I'm up for anything on the monorail line, AKL or in one of the parks. Thanks

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you really want wonderful food and service, go to Bistro de Paris and Victoria and Albert's. These are the best restaurants on property for both food and servie.

Of course they do not take the Dining Plan (I think, however, you can do them on the Platinum Plan).

 

[Tissa]

Skip Ohana, expand your culinary horizons with good food. I just tried Jiko for the first time and loved it.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

If you really want wonderful food and service, go to Bistro de Paris and Victoria and Albert's. These are the best restaurants on property for both food and servie.

Of course they do not take the Dining Plan (I think, however, you can do them on the Platinum Plan).

Thanks for the advice, but when I showed DBF the menus he made a face and said "I don't like all that FANCY stuff."

Ug. Next year I'm not asking his opinion. I'll just book whatever I want and he'll either like it or he can get some chicken nuggets after I finish my "fancy" food.

 

[Tine731]

I would keep Ohana, Kona and the wave and add the Grand Floridian Cafe.

 

[lady_hlh]

I would get rid of Ohana and keep Kona. The atmosphers/view at Ohana are cool but the food was just ehh. My meat loving DH said that he thought the skewers were bad and he didn't want me to book it ever again. On the other hand we had a very good meal at Kona a few years ago even though the atmosphere is not exciting, I'm thinking of booking it again this year. Crystal Palace is my current favorite buffet but we haven't tried Boma yet. If you like spicy food try the Cajun catfish at Coral Reef it is one of my favorite entrees at WDW.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I would choose between Ohana & Kona. Flip a coin, if nothing else. Then, I would drop Garden Grill & add Les Chefs de France.

 

[septbaby]

Spend 2TS at once and try Narcoossee's. It is a wonderful setting and if you book it at the right time you can step out onto the deck and see Wishes.

Citricos is another 2TS Signature restaurant at the Grand Floridian. The food will be more diverse and the atmosphere pretty adult.

I don't think you can go wrong with either place, though I have personal experience with Narcoossee's.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Forgot to add.... HBD is an excellent choice! It was by far our best meal in Oct.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would toss Garden Grill...BLECH and Boma if it is dinner, if it is breakfast keep it

 

[homedad]

go for CG and dump 2 ts meals kona and something....

 

[vicb]

Consider Biergarten for fun and a different type of buffet. I am not a huge buffet fan but my group did enjoy Biergarten last trip. Also consider Marakkesh in Morocco. The food is a bit different but you can get chicken or steak kebobs for your main entre. The restaurant is very pretty with all the tile work and the belly dancer is fun. I think the whole Moroccan pavillion is so pretty at night. We have also really enjoyed Japan.

A word about the BW, it is a really fun place at night. We have stayed at BWI twice and BC once. The evening buskers/entertainers are fun to see, do a little shopping for pins or souvineers and have a great meal. We always enjoy one dinner at ESPN followed by a dessert from the BWBakery. You can have a nice drink at the bar at the BWI or sit on the rocking chair balcony. Or walk over to Beaches and Cream for a yummy milkshake.... There are a lot of restaurants in the BW area so if you don't even consider it you are missing out on a lot.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Consider Biergarten for fun and a different type of buffet. I am not a huge buffet fan but my group did enjoy Biergarten last trip. Also consider Marakkesh in Morocco. The food is a bit different but you can get chicken or steak kebobs for your main entre. The restaurant is very pretty with all the tile work and the belly dancer is fun. I think the whole Moroccan pavillion is so pretty at night. We have also really enjoyed Japan.

A word about the BW, it is a really fun place at night. We have stayed at BWI twice and BC once. The evening buskers/entertainers are fun to see, do a little shopping for pins or souvineers and have a great meal. We always enjoy one dinner at ESPN followed by a dessert from the BWBakery. You can have a nice drink at the bar at the BWI or sit on the rocking chair balcony. Or walk over to Beaches and Cream for a yummy milkshake.... There are a lot of restaurants in the BW area so if you don't even consider it you are missing out on a lot.

DBF actually wanted to try Biergarten, but I can't stomach sausage. As far as the Boardwalk goes, I'll probably be venturing out there for our 2010 trip, when we can upgrade from the values!