Vegetarian 30th Birthday Dinner Recs

[audrabolster]

We're taking a trip later this year for my 30th birthday and instead of celebrating my birthday now we are going to be doing it at the parks in December. I told my wife all I wanted is a nice dinner someplace but am getting slightly stumped.

My wife is vegetarian and I am not. She's also a fairly picky eater and is more of a fan of a veggie burger than some fancy plate. (for example the last time we went to Blue Bayou she thought the mushroom meal sounded horrific and ordered an adult version of the kids pasta)

What would you recommend would be a great place to celebrate my birthday in December that also has a decent amount of choices for a vegetarian?

I liked the idea of Carthay Circle but saw that the only veggie item on the menu is a vegetable risotto which she probably wouldn't like.

 

[lana772]

Fortunately all of the sit down restaurants will customize meals for you. We have had great success with this at BB and Storytellers. For a counter service meal I recommend the veggie burgers at Taste Pilots. I love their "do it yourself " condiment bar. For quick service my favorite is the veggie dog at Award Wieners.

 

[Altheda]

I had a fantastic experience at "Wine Country Trattoria". The view, ambiance and quality of food made for a really special dinner. We both had the "Broccolini Aglio Olio" and enjoyed it thoroughly! The deserts were also great!

 

[audrabolster]

Fortunately all of the sit down restaurants will customize meals for you. We have had great success with this at BB and Storytellers. For a counter service meal I recommend the veggie burgers at Taste Pilots. I love their "do it yourself " condiment bar. For quick service my favorite is the veggie dog at Award Wieners.

I will look into Storytellers, we have done BB before and I wouldn't mind doing it again but I want to maybe try something new and special for my birthday. It's good to know that all places will customize- it was nice when BB did this for her before.

We LOVE Taste Pilots. I've seen other people give it less than favorable reviews but we love it. I also love the do it yourself style. We went last February and we were a bit sad to see they don't have the waffle fries anymore. Those were tasty!

 

[audrabolster]

I had a fantastic experience at "Wine Country Trattoria". The view, ambiance and quality of food made for a really special dinner. We both had the "Broccolini Aglio Olio" and enjoyed it thoroughly! The deserts were also great!

Good idea. I think we went there once and she had a veggie lasagna. I think I remember hearing they do a WOC package? That might be a pretty fun way to celebrate.

We're also going to do the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, which we've wanted to do forever. So excited for a birthday trip

 

[SMD]

I'm not a picky eater and the mushroom meal at Blue Bayou is pretty horrific. The problem with DLR restaurants is most have 1 vegetarian item on the menu and that's it.

For counter service I like Village Haus, they have a veggie burger, cheese flatbread, and they'll make the BLT flatbread without bacon. I like to have choices. Also, the fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear is good, but reportedly has fish sauce, so not truly vegetarian.

You may have better luck at DtD. ESPN Zone has always been pretty accomodating. I like Ralph Brennan's for lunch, but I also eat fish, so have more options.

If you want a nice sit down meal, check out Roy's or McCormmick & Schmick at Anaheim GardenWalk. Maybe even Cheesecake Factory or Pf Chang's.

 

[audrabolster]

I'm not a picky eater and the mushroom meal at Blue Bayou is pretty horrific. The problem with DLR restaurants is most have 1 vegetarian item on the menu and that's it.

For counter service I like Village Haus, they have a veggie burger, cheese flatbread, and they'll make the BLT flatbread without bacon. I like to have choices. Also, the fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear is good, but reportedly has fish sauce, so not truly vegetarian.

You may have better luck at DtD. ESPN Zone has always been pretty accomodating. I like Ralph Brennan's for lunch, but I also eat fish, so have more options.

If you want a nice sit down meal, check out Roy's or McCormmick & Schmick at Anaheim GardenWalk. Maybe even Cheesecake Factory or Pf Chang's.

Good ideas, it sounds like the menu options at Village Haus are a little different from the last time we were there.

I'm really looking for something special for my 30th though- something I wouldn't be able to eat here in Seattle for example. I read in another thread about Napa Rose, so maybe I will look into there as well.

I really do just hate that each place only seems to have 1 vegetarian dish and it's too fancy for my lady I vented my frustrations a little bit and she's being so wonderful about it and told me to just pick wherever I want, so I'm thinking maybe I'll just go with Carthay Circle, but I want to make sure it's something we will both enjoy.

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

If you call Disney Dining at 72 hours in advance, ask them to connect you with the chef at the restaurant where you would like to eat, they should be able to accommodate you. I am a vegetarian out of necessity, and am lactose intolerant so I have very few choices myself. Disney is very good at helping people with strict diets.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also, the fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear is good, but reportedly has fish sauce, so not truly vegetarian.

From what I've read, they changed that pretty quick.

Now you do have to stay away from the cupcakes (gelatin! gah!), but not the sandwich.



From this year: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...isneyland-resort-chefs-share-their-favorites/

Chef Scott calls it a vegetarian option, and from what I know from talking to the chefs, they don't use that term lightly.


And in a Disney response to a response to an article specifically about vegetarian dishes: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...resort-chefs-cook-up-tasty-vegetarian-dishes/

Christoper – The fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear Restaurant does not contain anchovies.

OP have you ever looked at the menus at Paradise Garden Grill? I *love* the skewers with tofu, and there is plenty for you as well. It's counter service, sure, but it's tasty-goodness.

And Boardwalk pizza/pasta is counter service but they can modify things. I've gotten a pasta with a creamy tomato sauce that's supposed to have chicken made without that several times. They make it right there for you specifically, so it's easy.

 

[danijake]

I'm a vegan and so is my husband (although he is one very picky vegan indeed!). I'll eat anything vegan as long as it doesn't have mushrooms, and he pretty much hates all veggies! I'm visiting Disneyland for the first time in about a month, so I emailed one of the chefs to ask about meal options.

He recommended the following as the best options for vegetarians/vegans:
-Wine Country
-Ariel's Grotto
-Storyteller's Cafe

Wine Country (pasta with marinara or pasta with veggies)
Storyteller's Cafe (veggie burger, pasta marinara, grilled veggie plate, veggie stir-fry)
Ariel's Grotto (pasta primavera)

The chefs at Blue Bayou will also make pasta marinara or pasta primavera if you do not like their mushroom dish. They also said they may be able to substitute the mushroom for tofu if they have it available.

 

[SMD]

Another suggestion that just popped into my head: Trader Sam's. The cheese flatbread and panko green beans are vegetarian, and you can order the crispy tofu salad off the Tangaroa Terrace next door. I can't remember if they have an off the menu veggie burger or not.

Also, if Steakhouse 55 can make their mac & cheese without bacon, I think I might go there some day and just order sides. I can only sort of recommend PCH Grill because they've changed their menu since the last time I ate there. Also, I've never done Goofy's for dinner, but it's the only character dinner, and could be fun for a 30th.

 

[audrabolster]

He recommended the following as the best options for vegetarians/vegans:
-Wine Country
-Ariel's Grotto
-Storyteller's Cafe

Wine Country (pasta with marinara or pasta with veggies)
Storyteller's Cafe (veggie burger, pasta marinara, grilled veggie plate, veggie stir-fry)
Ariel's Grotto (pasta primavera)

The chefs at Blue Bayou will also make pasta marinara or pasta primavera if you do not like their mushroom dish. They also said they may be able to substitute the mushroom for tofu if they have it available.

Thanks! Since I've posted this I've chatted with her a bit and I think we've narrowed it down to either Carthay or BB. We've done Blue Bayou so I'm more partial to CCT since we've never done it before. I looked at some yelp reviews and saw that they also have kids meals that can be made in adult portions so she would likely be able to get the pasta. I just hate that it's so expensive for *just* pasta.

Ariel's might also be an option since we have premier coupons through Costco. We did on our last trip and really enjoyed it.

Another suggestion that just popped into my head: Trader Sam's. The cheese flatbread and panko green beans are vegetarian, and you can order the crispy tofu salad off the Tangaroa Terrace next door. I can't remember if they have an off the menu veggie burger or not.

Also, if Steakhouse 55 can make their mac & cheese without bacon, I think I might go there some day and just order sides. I can only sort of recommend PCH Grill because they've changed their menu since the last time I ate there. Also, I've never done Goofy's for dinner, but it's the only character dinner, and could be fun for a 30th.

We've been wanting to go to Trader Sam's for a while! We will probably go there the Thursday night we arrive!

 

[danijake]

Thanks! Since I've posted this I've chatted with her a bit and I think we've narrowed it down to either Carthay or BB. We've done Blue Bayou so I'm more partial to CCT since we've never done it before. I looked at some yelp reviews and saw that they also have kids meals that can be made in adult portions so she would likely be able to get the pasta. I just hate that it's so expensive for *just* pasta.

Yeah, I agree with you on that. I pretty much have pasta primavera whenever I go to a non-vegetarian place! The chefs just don't seem to know what else to make, but I'm grateful they will at least make something for me. My husband is probably just going to get refried beans & rice tacos and pasta marinara at every place we go to, lol.

 

[jeaneg]

I tried my son's pasta with marinara sauce at Carthay Circle, and it was incredibly bland. Neither of my kids would eat it, and they're normally big fans of pasta with marinara sauce. I didn't blame them, though; it was pretty awful. We're vegetarian.

 

[reader]

Get thee to trader sams's/tangaroa terrace! Romantic tiki torch nighttime atmosphere, fantastic drinks, lovely green bean appetizers and than order th addictive crispy tofu salad. Two thumbs up for the green papaya slaw as well. Lovely

And yes vegetarian hot dog from award weiners is better than average as are tofu skewers at paradise garden grill. And drop into th Starbucks and complain about the removal of sandwiches including a lovely vegetarian one from the menu

In Disneyland, jolly holiday bakery has a filling yummy vegetable grains salad and some other nice options. I've never had decent pasta except at wine county trattoria.

If you're looking for a splurge, most definitely napa rose or Cathay circle. I dream of being able to afford them

Ah well. At least some nice counter service options

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

And yes vegetarian hot dog from award weiners is better than average as are tofu skewers at paradise garden grill. And drop into th Starbucks and complain about the removal of sandwiches including a lovely vegetarian one from the menu



Ah well. At least some nice counter service options

Ooh, when did Award Wieners get a vegetarian hot dog? Every time I've been there, they've only been able to offer me a mushroom and grilled veggies on a bun. I'm definitely stopping in there this weekend for a soy dog!

 

[lana772]

Ooh, when did Award Wieners get a vegetarian hot dog? Every time I've been there, they've only been able to offer me a mushroom and grilled veggies on a bun. I'm definitely stopping in there this weekend for a soy dog!

The "mushroom dog" is the vegetarian hot dog.

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

Since no one else mentioned it, Carthay Circle will make you something off menu, if you ask for it. Last time we went I got a dish of fresh pasta with veggies in a lemon garlic sauce. It was delicious. The fresh pasta was perfectly tender. Our server asked me specifically what veggies I liked best and the chef came up with a wonderful and really unexpected combination. It was very reasonably priced, too.

I have to note, though, that it's important to be willing to ask for it. The first time we visited CC, we'd made a note on our reservation that one of us was vegetarian, and then told our server, and she didn't suggest much more than taking the meat off one of the salads. It was still really good, but I was much happier the next time, when I specifically asked about other possibilities.