WDW Signature Restaurant Suggestions...

[s2turk]

Ok, I should be working on my thesis right now, but I've got writers block... and these boards seem to be more fun than anything these days, so I'm requesting assistance from all my sisters and brothers!

So, we're decide to take our annual trip to WDW this year, as we're celebrating a multitude of things (birthdays, engagements, finishing school, etc etc etc!). We were lucky enough to get free dining, so I'm looking at taking my sweetie to a signature restaurant one night (may end up being two, depending on what I get here!).

I went to California Grill in 2006... with an ex, so let's not go back there, shall we! Where else would all ya'll suggest? Jiko? Aloha? Coral Reef? I'm leaning towards Jiko at this point, but I'm biased towards African food (been to Kenya three times, and love it!!!).

Help please!!!!

 

[rpmdfw]

Ok, I should be working on my thesis right now, but I've got writers block... and these boards seem to be more fun than anything these days, so I'm requesting assistance from all my sisters and brothers!

So, we're decide to take our annual trip to WDW this year, as we're celebrating a multitude of things (birthdays, engagements, finishing school, etc etc etc!). We were lucky enough to get free dining, so I'm looking at taking my sweetie to a signature restaurant one night (may end up being two, depending on what I get here!).

I went to California Grill in 2006... with an ex, so let's not go back there, shall we! Where else would all ya'll suggest? Jiko? Aloha? Coral Reef? I'm leaning towards Jiko at this point, but I'm biased towards African food (been to Kenya three times, and love it!!!).

Help please!!!!

I'm not sure how "African" the food at Jiko is, but it is EXCELLENT. I think it tends more toward the "world fusion with inspirations of Africa" in terms of actual cuisine.

I'd also suggest Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yachtclub. We were there for Valentines Day and had an amazing experience.

Artist's Point at Wilderness Lodge was also very good, but it's been a while since we've been there.

And if you've got a chance, we really like the Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort. It's not "signature" by any means, but the food and service have never failed to impress us. It's a very "upscale" menu at more "mid-range" prices and a more casual setting. We consider it a true "hidden gem". Plus the bartender there makes killer Mint Juleps!

 

[PghLybrt]

Well Congrats!

Out of your list I would do Jiko. I think it is great . Another one that we really liked was Artist Point.

I think we are continually dissapointed with the coral reef (except for the view).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Hands down Jiko. The restaurant carries an extensive wine list from African wineries, the food is more South African (which is influenced by Europe) but is amazing (Boma offers more traditional African).

The service has been great the times we've been, and was one of the reasons we made the decision to purchase our DVC at Animal Kingdom Villas. The others you mention, are alright, with the exception of Coral Reef, which is a HUGE disappointment, short of the view, there really is nothing exciting about this place.

As for you surfing the web instead of working on your school work, I know the feeling, I'm trying to finish up a paper due today, and I'm in the need of some mental down time.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Another vote for Yachtmans!

If you time your reservation right you can walk to EPCOT after dinner to catch Illuminations!

 

[s2turk]

Hands down Jiko. The restaurant carries an extensive wine list from African wineries, the food is more South African (which is influenced by Europe) but is amazing (Boma offers more traditional African).

The service has been great the times we've been, and was one of the reasons we made the decision to purchase our DVC at Animal Kingdom Villas. The others you mention, are alright, with the exception of Coral Reef, which is a HUGE disappointment, short of the view, there really is nothing exciting about this place.

As for you surfing the web instead of working on your school work, I know the feeling, I'm trying to finish up a paper due today, and I'm in the need of some mental down time.

Judging from the lightning fast responses, it looks like everyone is taking some "mental down time" right now!

I see you're from Syracuse... Go Orangemen! I spent a year in Clifton Park (south of Saratoga Springs, north of Albany)!

 

[bhencey]

I'd lean towards Yachtsman Steakhouse as well. I think Jiko is wonderful, but I like the location of YC, so you can walk around lake/boardwalk/Epcot after dinner.

 

[Jeff90]

Funny that this topic came up...

Jon and I went to Sunday Brunch today, I almost told Jon to start taking pics of food and posting on here for my dis food friends......anyway, it had me thinking of ADRs for our early fall trip.....so I've been relaying info back to hubby.....I've been teasing him about Ohana's.....not funny after our last experiece.

Im down for the Yatchmens, been thinking Jiko too.....we both liked Boma. For more "fun" time, I want Hoop de Doo again, I miss that gold shirt/blue pant boy.... and I like their fried chicken and cornbread.

What does everyone think of Le Cellier, I know I prob didn't spell it right....

 

[wallyb]

Jiko leaves all the current WDW dining in it's dust!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Jiko is very nice, but is as said, inspired by the flavors of the huge continent of Africa, not necessarily African food.

The starter, Tastes of Africa is wonderful if you do decide to dine there. Annette Grecchi Gray is no longer the executive chef there and we've not been back in awhile, but haven't heard of its falling off at all. They have an excellent wine list.

YSH is our all time, hands down WDW favorite place for "special." We've come to know some of the servers and they are all wonderful. The food is excellent, if you like beef. There are other choices, but I mean, why?

Avoid Coral Reef. Not a good idea if you are looking for upscale or even edible. (Total seafood snob here though, so keep that in mind).

Le Cellier isn't bad! It's not quite up to par with YSH, but a fun place to dine for all that.

We really enjoyed our experience at Bistro de Paris in France at the WS. We did the tasting menu with wine and had an outstanding meal and service. It's more intimate than any of the others too (well, maybe not YSH depending upon the table) and if you ask for a window seat you could see Illuminations while you dine.

Narcoosee's was a huge disappointment, as was the Wave (not exactly signature, but throwing in out there anyway) and Citrico's has just never had a menu that appealed to us.

Todd English's BlueZoo (at the Dolphin) might appeal to you. It's not on the DDP though... I was disappointed in the lobster... (see the snob thing again) but it's a neat restaurant ambiance wise.

Marrakesh can be fun, but I'd not call it signature, same with Japan's options, Germany's Buffet, and Mexico. Good places for lunch or "theme park" caliber dinners. Good enough! But not signature.

We don't like 'Ohana so can't comment on that one.

Does the DDP work at Victoria's and ALbert's? I don't think so...

At any rate, have a wonderful time wherever you go!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yachtsman is very good! We're planning to go there twice in August.

We also like Narcoosee's and Citrico's. Last year Narcoosee's was better, but we enjoyed both.

We have only been to Jiko once, and that was in 2006. We didn't love it.

We haven't been to Artist Point.

 

[MemoToMe]

My 2cents--

Best bets- Turf Club, Jiko, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Citrico's, Artist Point, Les Chefs de France, Brown Derby.

Ok, but a bit overrated-Le Cellier, Coral Reef

Restaurants I Liked, but haven't been to in ages--Narcoosee's, Flying Fish, Bistro de Paris

Avoid at all costs--O'hana and (from what I've been told) The Wave.

Restaurants I have no desire to step into because they are horribly overpriced-- Yak and Yeti, Tutto Itallia.

Must do if you have time during the day--Tea at the Garden View Lounge.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I just have to pass this along.

If you are a fan of Texas de Brazil in Orlando, you may have noticed they opened a copy cat place within walking distance on I-Drive.

Nelore Brazilian Steakhouse

Don't even think about it!

Just about every drink on the menu was $12.50 and up!

Service was blotchy at best.

Salad bar much smaller than Texas de Brazil.

Much smaller selection of meats, and most of them arrived cold.

The decor...well it used to be a Whistle Stop Junction, so you do the math!

And the price? Dinner for two, two waters.....$100.00!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Oh, we loved Flying Fish when we went last year! We are looking forward to returning there! Lovely meal, top notch service.

 

[disneydiva0729]

We get the deluxe d.p. every time we go and eat at the signatures every night... really really loved brown derby in mgm, Artist Point and Jiko's. As for Coral Reef, 1. its not signature, its reg. table service (1pt), but I don't recommend it at all. Yes it is awesome to be under water, but every time I've been, the food and service has been terrible. I've also heard that, although it is not a signature, Le Cellier in Epcot is amazing. I've never been able to get reservations, always booked, but its located in a dining room made to look like a wine cellar and is said to be very romantic.

I know how hard it is to make dining decisions so good luck!!



"All of this has happened before, and it will happen again" ~ Narrator, Peter Pan

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Restaurants I have no desire to step into because they are horribly overpriced-- Yak and Yeti...

Must do if you have time during the day--Tea at the Garden View Lounge.

I actually thought Yak and Yeti was pretty good considering what it was trying to be.

And Tea at Garden view, ABSOLUTELY! Not on the dining plan for those using it, but it is by far one of the best places for a lunch.

 

[ConcKahuna]

My favorite restaurant on property is Ohana, although it's not signature.

For signature restaurants, I like Yachtsman, Citricos, and Artist Point. Flying Fish was OK, but I dont like seafood (they had a so-so steak).

I also love The Wave, although it's not signature. Things were a bit bumpy there the first few weeks, but they've smoothed out all the wrinkles and now they have a great signature-level menu at moderate prices. They have great deserts too!

 

[PeterPan09]

I'm a big Narcosee's fan, never had a bad meal there. We liked Jiko a lot too, I think we would have liked it more if we were really into wine. I'm still fond of Brown Derby in DHS too.
We did California Grill in December, and we weren't as impressed as we had been in prior visits. Everything was good, but not to the level we had before and not to the level of what we thought a signature place should be.

 

[rpmdfw]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I just have to pass this along.

If you are a fan of Texas de Brazil in Orlando, you may have noticed they opened a copy cat place within walking distance on I-Drive.

Nelore Brazilian Steakhouse

Don't even think about it!

Just about every drink on the menu was $12.50 and up!

Service was blotchy at best.

Salad bar much smaller than Texas de Brazil.

Much smaller selection of meats, and most of them arrived cold.

The decor...well it used to be a Whistle Stop Junction, so you do the math!

And the price? Dinner for two, two waters.....$100.00!

Really? A friend of ours said he liked Nelore better than Texas de Brazil.

Personally, I can't imagine how you'd improve on TdB, and can't wait to go again! (one week from today! ). That said, I'm pretty sure that I'll be spending more than $12 for a drink. But I can't resist the caipirinha!

 

[rpmdfw]

Avoid at all costs--O'hana and (from what I've been told) The Wave.

Out of three visits to O'hana in the last year, we had two good experiences and one bad one. I'm not going to write it off forever, but it IS very "hit or miss" when it comes to the quality of the service. Plus you can't beat the Pina Coladas!

As for the Wave. I've heard some bad things, but a lot of that has come from people whose restaurant opinions I frequently disagree with. I might be willing to go with someone who REALLY wanted to, but don't really have the desire to try it.