WDW Signature Restaurant Suggestions...

[NHdisneylover]

We enjoy Jikko and love, love, LOVE Artist's Point

I will add yet another opinion that Coral Reef is not even edible (we gave it three tries which was three too many).

We have only tried ohana once (we learend from out Coral Reef mistakes) but must have gotten one of those "miss" nights--slow and rather rude service (totally not Disney-like) and overcooked food

We really enjoy Le Cellier, but prefer it for lunch (we are not steak eaters so we never get anything "fancy" there).

We aslo really liked Yak and Yeti and found the food very tastey.

 

[Tony-NJ]

Plus the bartender there makes killer Mint Juleps!

And a killer Cosmo too!

There are many goos signature restaurants. Juko is a favorite, so is Yachtsman, Flying Fish, Citricos LOL! Oh man - I say Jiko.

 

[wallyb]

And a killer Cosmo too!

I'd like to survive my cocktail ... thank you!

 

[Tony-NJ]

I'd like to survive my cocktail ... thank you!

whimp

 

[wallyb]

How are you posting
from the grave?

I thought you were killed
by a Cosmo?

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Thanks for starting this thread. We're going to the World in Sept to celebrate my big five-oh! (GASP!) on free DDP. DHB and I are traveling with two friends, one of whom has never been to WDW. Here's what I was thinking for table service:

• CRT birthday dinner (2 TS)
• Hoop-De-Doo (2 TS)
• Fantasmic/Mama Melrose
• Chefs de France (gotta see Remy....how's the food?)
• Boma
• Le Cellier

Passed this list by Minnie at SmallWorld and she had the following suggestions:

• Skip Boma. Food's decent but there's always lines and it's just not a pleasant experience (although she also admitted it's her husband's favorite restaurant). Go to Jiko instead (although we're already doing 2 signature events)
• Have alternative plans for CRT & Fantasmic (esp. Fantasmic as with a limited number of shows and not large restaurants this goes fast)
• Le Cellier is just as good at lunch as at dinner, so consider using TS for something else
• Whispering Canyon is the best of the table service buffets that are wild & wacky

So far, I've seen lots of positive for Yachtsman, but is this any different from the national high-end steakhouse chains? Other than being able to stroll to epcot/bw afterwards, how is this different from eating at a Ruths Chris that happens to be in the Yacht Club?

Because we have a first-time visitor with us (and we don't often get to WDW ourselves), we basically want the things you would only find at disney while avoiding bad or average food. All thoughts/suggestions appreciated. tia.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks for starting this thread. We're going to the World in Sept to celebrate my big five-oh! (GASP!) on free DDP. DHB and I are traveling with two friends, one of whom has never been to WDW. Here's what I was thinking for table service:

• CRT birthday dinner (2 TS)
• Hoop-De-Doo (2 TS)
• Fantasmic/Mama Melrose
• Chefs de France (gotta see Remy....how's the food?)
• Boma
• Le Cellier

Passed this list by Minnie at SmallWorld and she had the following suggestions:

• Skip Boma. Food's decent but there's always lines and it's just not a pleasant experience (although she also admitted it's her husband's favorite restaurant). Go to Jiko instead (although we're already doing 2 signature events)
• Have alternative plans for CRT & Fantasmic (esp. Fantasmic as with a limited number of shows and not large restaurants this goes fast)
• Le Cellier is just as good at lunch as at dinner, so consider using TS for something else
• Whispering Canyon is the best of the table service buffets that are wild & wacky

So far, I've seen lots of positive for Yachtsman, but is this any different from the national high-end steakhouse chains? Other than being able to stroll to epcot/bw afterwards, how is this different from eating at a Ruths Chris that happens to be in the Yacht Club?

Because we have a first-time visitor with us (and we don't often get to WDW ourselves), we basically want the things you would only find at disney while avoiding bad or average food. All thoughts/suggestions appreciated. tia.

I think your plans look pretty good I do want to point out that Whispering Canyon Cafe is not a buffet. It is regular table service (well, with a lot of fun and noise mixed in--we love it there). They do have an all you can eat skillet which may be where you got the buffet idea from (they also have--or at least still had as late as last September--all you can drink milk shakes)
Oh, and I agree about Le Cellier being good for lunch.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Great thread.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

They do have an all you can eat skillet which may be where you got the buffet idea from (they also have--or at least still had as late as last September--all you can drink milk shakes)

Agreed, I think I got mixed up the skillet with an AYCE. And now I remember that Minnie mentioned the all you can drink shakes. Hmmmm, might have to use this as one of my backups if Fantasmic doesn't come through. Thanks.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Skip Boma. Food's decent but there's always lines and it's just not a pleasant experience (although she also admitted it's her husband's favorite restaurant). Go to Jiko instead (although we're already doing 2 signature events)

Boma and Jiko are two of my favorite restaurants, but the ambience is night and day different. Boma is very loud, but the food is really good, this is coming from a person who HATES buffets. Jiko on the other hand is much quieter and very relaxing with really good food.

Personally, we eat at both places on a trip.

 

[MonorailMan]

So far, I've seen lots of positive for Yachtsman, but is this any different from the national high-end steakhouse chains? Other than being able to stroll to epcot/bw afterwards, how is this different from eating at a Ruths Chris that happens to be in the Yacht Club?

Because we have a first-time visitor with us (and we don't often get to WDW ourselves), we basically want the things you would only find at disney while avoiding bad or average food. All thoughts/suggestions appreciated. tia.

Take this with a grain of salt: I've never eaten at Yachtsman Steakhouse, but I wasn't overly impressed by the atmosphere when I saw it last year. If I'm going to be spending that much I want to go all out and have a "magical Disney dining experience". I'm sure the food is great, but if the atmosphere doesn't say "Disney" and it's a TS restaurant, 9 out of 10 times I'll more than likely skip it.

It looks like a nice place, but it seems like an ordinary non-Disney restaurant. That's just my 2 cents.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Agreed, I think I got mixed up the skillet with an AYCE. And now I remember that Minnie mentioned the all you can drink shakes. Hmmmm, might have to use this as one of my backups if Fantasmic doesn't come through. Thanks.

If you have a serious sweet tooth they will let you count the shake as your drink and then still get dessert (yes, my DH does this)

 

[rpmdfw]

Take this with a grain of salt: I've never eaten at Yachtsman Steakhouse, but I wasn't overly impressed by the atmosphere when I saw it last year. If I'm going to be spending that much I want to go all out and have a "magical Disney dining experience". I'm sure the food is great, but if the atmosphere doesn't say "Disney" and it's a TS restaurant, 9 out of 10 times I'll more than likely skip it.

It looks like a nice place, but it seems like an ordinary non-Disney restaurant. That's just my 2 cents.

We've only been there once, but I'll tell you it WAS a "magical Disney dining experience"! Hands down! The food was amazingly good, the service was spot on perfect, the atmostphere was intimate and refined without seeming forced or over-done. Yeah, the lights might have been brighter than you'd expect, but somehow it didn't matter to us.

As to SeattleRedBear's question about how it's different from a Ruth Chris type of steakhouse. That's a toughy. I've been to Ruth Chris a couple of time, and this is definitely different. And I think it's better, while not offering the range of selection that a Ruth Chris does. Yachtsman struck me as more "fine dining" than "high-end steakhouse" if that makes any sense.

And of course, that's just my impression. Your mileage may, of course, vary.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

If you have a serious sweet tooth they will let you count the shake as your drink and then still get dessert (yes, my DH does this)

DHB does have a serious sweet tooth (and the waistline to prove it!) He will absoolutely love this!

 

[bhencey]

We've avoided suggesting California Grill since that was the original request for this thread; because you are open to all ideas - I think CG needs to be on your list.

 

[Tony-NJ]

I would not classify Yachtsman with the average staek house like Ruth. Yachtsman is much more intimate and less fast paced. I've eaten at Flemmings and the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle and the chop house in Chicaho - all top steakhouses in the country. The food is just as good but the srevice is better really because it's more intimate - if that makes sense.

I always feel like it's a big production when at some other steak houses - at Yachtsman - it's much more relaxing.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

If I'm going to be spending that much I want to go all out and have a "magical Disney dining experience". I'm sure the food is great, but if the atmosphere doesn't say "Disney" and it's a TS restaurant, 9 out of 10 times I'll more than likely skip it.

Thanks MM. You've articulated what I'm looking for...atmosphere! And I don't mean fine dining or relaxing (sorry, Tony), but something that is unique to WDW. Of course, this is a personal judgment and what is 'unique' or 'disney' or 'special' to one person won't be to another (every month I play music in a greek restaurant that has a belly dancer...Marrakesh is the last place I would want to use a TS).

We've avoided suggesting California Grill since that was the original request for this thread; because you are open to all ideas - I think CG needs to be on your list.

Yes, I have hijacked this thread ("You will take me to Cuba, now!") but it's at least a little related. And I agree, I had originally overlooked CG but CG does have the atmosphere element (Top of the World) that Yachtsman Steakhouse seems to lack. If I don't get CRT, seems like the next best place to celebrate an important birthday.

 

[NHdisneylover]

DHB does have a serious sweet tooth (and the waistline to prove it!) He will absoolutely love this!

Glad to be of assistance in satisfying the tooth I like the vanilla shakes the best (but you can cahnge flavours with every refill too)

 

[PghLybrt]

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!

I do not think I ever really looked at this place. I looked up the menu, it looks good! Thanks (even though it was not me asking for a suggestion) I think I am adding it to the list to try next time.

 

[rpmdfw]

I do not think I ever really looked at this place. I looked up the menu, it looks good! Thanks (even though it was not me asking for a suggestion) I think I am adding it to the list to try next time.

I think the menu on allearsnet.com is out of date, but it's still a very good place to eat. Their calamari appetizer is out of this world!