Turf Club, Olivia's, or Grand Floridian Cafe

[buzz1121]

I have room for one more dinner in my family's upcoming WDW trip. I am interested in trying one of the lesser known places like Turf Club, Olivia's, or the GFC. Can anyone tell me about their experiences at any of these places? Are they worth a visit?

I have several signature restaurants booked already, as well as Kona Cafe and Ohana, but I guess the experimentation bug is tempting me.

Any thoughts?

 

[catne]

Turf Club. Olivia's is nice, but out of the way and not special enough for a trip unless you have a car & time to spare. Grand Floridian is also nice (love the dessert sampler for two...steaks are good.) Grand Flo is great if you need the ease of monorail transportation.

However, we just ate at Turf Club in May 2010, and really enjoyed our food there...it's very close to Downtown Disney if you're planning on spending some time there, too. Here's the photo highlights from Turf Club:
Drinks:

On the left is “Side Bet“, which is "Myers’s Original Dark Rum, Patrón Citrónge Liqueur, Orange Juice, and a splash of Lime $8.25" The greenish-blue beverage in the middle, is Three Minutes to Post Time“: Bacardi Razz Rum, Blue Curaçao, Beefeater Gin, Skyy Vodka, Sprite, and a splash of Orange Juice $8.25"
And on the right is “Mint Julep: Woodford Reserve Bourbon muddled with fresh Mint and Simple Syrup $10.25" All very good

Appetizers:
Turf Club bread & salted butter:

"Crab Cake with Sweet Mango Salsa and Chipotle Mayonnaise $10.49"

"Onion Rings with Dips $5.99" zesty mayo dip and a key-lime dip that was fabulous. Also here's the Fried Calamari:with Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise and spicy Marinara Sauces $9.99

 

[catne]

Entrees:
Grilled New York Strip: topped with Blue Cheese, Portobello Mushrooms, and Balsamic-Port Glaze served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes $27.99 Delish.

Same steak but topped with a crab topping instead of the bleu cheese & mushrooms (same sides with it) $27.99 each. Even more Delish with the crab.

Desserts:
“Individual Apple Pie à la Mode $6.49“ drizzled with caramel sauce. Was OK, not spectacular

Chocolate Espresso Torte with Raspberry Sauce and Vanilla-Port Wine Ice Cream $6..99 BEST.CHOCOLATE.DESSERT.EVER

ARE YOU HUNGRY NOW, LOL!!!

 

[IUHoosiers]

We have tried Turf Club and GFC - and we enjoyed both. In general, they are very similar in style, cost and menu.

We ate at Turf Club during our SSR stay and GFC during our GF stay so transporation/travel was not an issue. Turf Club/SSR is a little out of way (depending on where you are staying or which park you are at that day). However, for us - it was a nice relaxing dinner on our first night after a long day of travel.

An added bonus at GFC was the fact we were able to walk outside and enjoy the fireworks after dinner. Plus, GF is a great resort for visiting (nice shops, gorgeous/huge lobby, etc). Obvioulsy, if you plan to be at MK that day - easy access by monorail.

I can't speak for Olivia's but I would recommend Turf Club or GFC for a nice, no-frills/no gimics meal. I hope that helps!

 

[buzz1121]

May I just say that it is 12:45 am right now and I'm about to go to bed, but Cathy, those pictures make me think I could snack on those delicious looking steaks right now!

The pictures are great! Thank you so much for sharing them!

Right now, I'm really thinking Turf Club.

 

[winterman]

We've never done GFC but have eaten several times over several years at Olivia's. We always enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the service. In April, we went to Turf Club for the first time. DH and I both loved it. Food was great. Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. You have the choice of eating inside or out on a large deck. We will definitely go back again.

 

[Pakey]

We've eaten at all 3 and I would rank them:

Turf Club
Olivia's
GF Cafe

 

[SusieBea]

We have eaten at all three, Olivia's many times because we usually stay at OKW. I would choose the Turf Club or Grand Flo Cafe. You know, if you time your reservation right, you might be able to walk out to the pier by Narcoossee's after dinner to watch the MK fireworks and the water parade ....

 

[disneybass]

We have eaten at all three. I would say Turf Club is our favorite of the three.

 

[Missytara]

We have eaten at all three. I would say Turf Club is our favorite of the three.

Ditto for me; one of the world's best kept secrets. I tried it for the first time last year, and the second time and the third time the next two days.

It was wonderful.

 

[disfamily4ever]

GF Cafe gets my vote, for scenery and atmosphere.

 

[buzz1121]

Oh, wow, I really think Turf Club has it from the responses so far! Those pictures from Cathy got my attention last night!

Has anyone had the blackberry lemonade at the Turf Club? Those strip steaks look amazing and the chocolate torte has me drooling!

Is lunch at GFC good? I do have a lunch open as well.

Any thoughts?

 

[TiaMaria]

We love The Turf Club so much that we have chosen it for Thanksgiving dinner this year.

It has a great bar attached, with a pool table and a flat screen, and a beautiful Downtown Disney view. The inside of the restaurant is very "clubby" feeling. Dark wood and muted lighting. Or for a nice alternative, you can sit outside on the green and white striped awning-covered patio that overlooks the river, and has magnificient views of Downtown Disney. There are ceiling fans or portable heaters depending on the weather and need for them.

I always get the bleu cheese strip steak. For appetizers (although I don't have pictures) try the wonderful caesar salad or the tomato bisque with goat cheese and HUGE homeade flat garlic toasted croutons.

Simply a beautiful, comfortable restaurant with fantastic food.

Shhhhhhh, it's the best kept secret at WDW!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Turf Club all the way. To me its the best kept secret for a nice meal at WDW. I love eating outside on the patio.

Steaks are incredible!

I also love Olivia's, but Turf Club has been much better and much quieter. Olivia's is very noisy (tiled floor that just vibrates the noise).

 

[comicguy]

We have eaten at both TC and GFC that being said I would give the nod to the GFC.

Both are great but the atmosphere is what wins me over.

We are trying Olivia's on next weeks trip!!

 

[kbmaggs]

The blackberry lemonaide at the Turf Club is WONDERFUL!!!!!