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<font color=green>On a quest for lime green duct t
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Ive written some brief reviews of the restaurants we visited during our early June trip to Walt Disney World and St. Augustine Beach.
Resort Restaurants:
The Pepper Market at the Coronado Springs Resort
We visited the Pepper Market on our first day, after checking in at the Yacht Club and taking our traditional monorail ride. The atmosphere and décor is what you would expect for a food court. This restaurant is a departure from the food courts at the other moderates or at the mall. At other food courts, you pick up your food at one or more counters and then stand in line to pay before you sit, or make individual purchases from separate counter service restaurants. At the Pepper Market, you are seated by a hostess, and a server takes your drink orders. The server also explains how the restaurant works, and gives you a card to track your food purchases, for checkout as you exit. There are several food stations, where you pick up your food, and have your card stamped. Choices include pizza and pasta, deli sandwiches and salads, soup, Mexican, a Wok station with stir-fry, a grill station w/ burgers, carved meat of the day, steaks, and rotisserie chicken, the usual kid choices, and a bakery/dessert station. Each day there are several specials. The food was freshly prepared, with many choices. The prices were about what we expected at Disney, and the service was good. (We were there at lunch during a non-peak week, with half the tables empty. Food service might be slower during busy season or at dinner.) There was always a line at the grill station, but it moved quickly, and the wait wasnt long. We found this to be by far our favorite choice among the moderates, and we returned for a second lunch later in our visit.
Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
We arrived at Boma about 5 minutes before our 7:00PM PS time on Saturday evening, and we were seated at 7:25. The décor is nice, with an African theme, and includes an open kitchen behind the buffet. This restaurant was among the noisiest we found at Disney World. We were given a brief overview of the buffet, by our server. At this restaurant especially, but also at Akershus at Norway in Epcot and at Biergarten at Germany in Epcot, we were disappointed that the buffet has no labels. Even for items our server identified, my memory didnt always cooperate 10 or 15 minutes later. I had read that there would usually be chefs stationed at the pods to explain the food, but this was not the case during our visit. The food was mostly very good, but not as exotic as we had expected. My favorite unusual item was the Watermelon Rind Salad. As is usually the case with buffet food, some of the items were dried out (especially the Durban Chicken), but there was no problem with things running out. We enjoyed the food at Boma, and we will probably return, but we wouldnt rate it as one of our favorites at Disney.
Spoodles on the Boardwalk
We spent most of one day at Blizzard Beach, and then ate dinner at Spoodles on the Boardwalk. We arrived shortly before our 7:00PM PS, and were seated immediately. The décor is casual wood-paneled, with an open kitchen. On the way to our table, I smelled lamb cooking, which narrowed my choices significantly. We started with the Roasted Garlic and Four Cheese flatbread, which was excellent. This was the beginning of a new Disney tradition for our family, as thereafter we ordered at least one flatbread at every restaurant that offered one. The only lamb entrée was a stew, served over couscous, so that was what I ordered. The stew was good, with lamb and potatoes, but somewhat plain. Both boys (13 and 17) ordered the Oak Grilled Pork Porterhouse with goat cheese polenta, and were pleased with their choice. Mom had the Gratin of Scallops, which she found to be very good. Overall we thought that the food was good, but somewhat overpriced. We may return Spoodles because of its convenience to the Epcot resorts, but it will not be on our must list.
Ohana at the Polynesian
We had a very early PS for Ohana (6:00PM), in order to be sure that we would get back to the MK in time to get a good location for Spectromagic and the Fireworks. After we checked in at Ohana, we went to wait in the bar chairs out in the atrium. The boys got their first Villains Series pressed pennies while we waited. Then, as my older son went to sit down, his leg was scratched by a nail or staple sticking 1/4" out of the chair. We told the waitress, and she instantly summoned the manager, and he offered first aid. We accepted some Neosporin, and he promised to bring it to our table, which was ready. Then he carried the chair to the back, and we went to our table. When the manager came to our table with the Neosporin, he also brought the nail that he had pulled out of the chair, so my son could see it. He was very apologetic, and bought both boys a non-alcoholic frozen drink. We felt that the incident had been handled very well, from the waitress not hesitating to call the manager, his immediately getting the chair out of use until repaired, first-aid for a minor scratch, and appropriate compensation offered without being asked.
Our table was 2 rows from the windows facing the MK, right along the main walkway, at the corner. This was an excellent table for watching the coconut races, because turning a corner while sweeping a coconut can be quite an adventure. We enjoyed watching the coconut race and hula-hoop contest, and when the second coconut race was announced, both of my boys, (13 and 17,) decided to participate. Of course, they were the only teenagers in the race, but they werent trying to win. They just wanted to get out and play with the little kids.
The starters were good, but not really anything special. I liked the honey-lime salad dressing, and the wings were different. We all agreed that our sons wings are better (our 13 year-old enjoys cooking). The other items were unremarkable. The skewers are what this restaurant is really about, and they were very good this time. On our last visit about 6 years ago, most of the skewer meat was dry or overcooked. I did feel that the marinades on the shrimp and pork were overpowering, and the turkey marinade almost so. We were much more impressed with this restaurant when we had never been to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian churrascaria in Atlanta (and other major cities). Of course, Fogo de Chao also costs almost twice as much as Ohana, so we should expect more. While not our favorite WDW restaurant, its fun atmosphere, reasonably good food, and convenience to the Magic Kingdom, will probably bring us back to Ohana on our next trip.
Clambake at the Cape May Café
Our dinner at the Clambake at the Cape May Café is always one of our most enjoyable at WDW. I cant really say why this is, because the food has certainly never been anything special, there isnt any special entertainment, and it is not a character meal. I suppose it must be the cheerful décor, relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. Dont get me wrong, none of us has ever left hungry. It just isnt the food that brings us back. The only thing that has ever come close to drawing a Wow! from me has been the New England clam chowder, which was excessively salty this visit. In addition to the salty clam chowder, offerings included small, dry, overcooked mussels; dry clams; undercooked ribs; prime rib which wasnt as tender as you expect prime beef to be; and a dish which was supposed to have baked salmon, but was empty the entire time we were there. The dessert bar had a number of very nice desserts, including cheesecake, raspberry mousse, and a number of small cakes and tarts. Our server was attentive, but there was no opportunity for conversation, because his English was inadequate. All in all, it was a mediocre meal which we enjoyed very much, and the Cape May Clambake will definitely be on our list next trip. (Strange review, eh?)
California Grill
We had never been to the California Grill before, but decided to try it this trip. We had a mid-afternoon PS (5:30PM), because it was E-Ride night, and we wanted to be in the Magic Kingdom by 7:00PM. This turned out to not be a great time to eat here, because one thing that the California Grill is not, is fast. We made it to the MK at about 7:10, so it wasnt too bad. The service was excellent, and our server was friendly and attentive. As is our new tradition, we ordered the Triple Cheese and Garlic and Roasted Portobello and Spinach flatbreads. The cheese and garlic was very good, and the Portobello and spinach was exceptional. One of the boys considered ordering another as his entrée. For our entrees, the boys had the pork tenderloin, I had the grouper with mushroom risotto, and mom had ?. All were excellent! The California Grill is definitely one of our favorite restaurants at WDW, and I am sure that we will eat there on every trip.
Cape May Café Character Breakfast
We had decided that on our last morning, we would try the character breakfast at the Cape May Café, since we had never been to a character breakfast. We have always liked the bright and upbeat décor of this restaurant, and it is well suited for a breakfast buffet. The selection was good, with a lot of variety. Everything was kept fresh, with very few items overcooked or dried out, as buffet food tends to be. There were also no empty pans, as we had encountered at the Cape May Clambake. The service was excellent, and several servers had to be commended for this. Apparently, just before our arrival, our server had a coffee pot gush hot coffee out of the back, at the button which is supposed to open the spout. She had to disappear at intervals to apply ice to her scalded hand. During these times, her tables were very well covered by the other servers in the area. We were impressed that she remained friendly and cheerful under these adverse conditions. She even made an extra effort to find my son a pin he had been seeking. During the meal, Goofy, Chip, and Dale, were making the rounds, with Chip and Dale visiting our table once each, and Goofy visiting twice. Minnie Mouse appeared from time to time at the front of the restaurant, with a character greeting line like at the parks. If you were to see her arrive, you would be able to meet her without waiting in line, but the line builds fast. Since this was our first character breakfast, I am unable to compare to others; but we enjoyed the Cape May Character Breakfast very much, and will almost certainly return.
Beaches and Cream
Even though we stayed at the Yacht Club, we didnt get to Beaches and Cream until our last day, except for drink refills. We found adequate burgers and fries; good ice cream, but with very limited choices; and great atmosphere, except that it is way too small. Because the restaurant is so small, the hostess stand is outside the door. The hostess isnt always very good at greeting people before they enter, and so ends up chasing them into the restaurant saying Excuse me! Excuse me!. This definitely cuts into the atmosphere if you are seated near the door. Disney needs to expand Beaches and Cream into part of the area formerly occupied by Aerials.
Jiko
Our last meal of this trip was at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The atmosphere at Jiko is almost a polar opposite of Boma, which is right across the hall. Boma is noisy, Jiko is quiet (for Disney); Boma is busy, Jiko is calm; Boma is rushed, Jiko is relaxed. We enjoyed Jiko very much, although on this visit, we had eaten a very late lunch, so we never made it to the entrees. We tried the Duck and Pork Firecracker spring rolls, the Crispy Cinnamon Spiced Beef Roll, the Kalamata Olive and the Artichoke and Spinach flatbreads, and the Maize Tamales. All of these items were very much what we had expected, and all were very good. We also tried the Roasted Warm Octopus, because while octopus is not our favorite sushi, we had never had it cooked. It is also not our favorite cooked seafood. We had planned to split a couple of the entrees, but none of us were still hungry by this time. Jiko was an excellent choice for our last Disney meal of this trip, and I am sure that we will return to try some of the entrées on our next trip.
Park Restaurants:
Restaurant Akershus at Norway in Epcot
Formerly a traditional buffet with non-traditional food, recent changes have made this restaurant more like a prix fixe dinner. While retaining the cold bar, they now require hot items to be ordered from a menu. While still technically all you can eat, the time delay to receive ordered entrees makes multiple and repeat selections impractical. While we still like Restaurant Akershus, it would no longer appear in our Top 5 list.
As is always the case when they have not run out, the Norwegian Ringnes draft beer was excellent. Our introduction to the cold buffet by our waiter was interesting. When we asked what was in the meat salad, his answer was meat. When we persisted, asking what kind of meat, his answer was not fish. Had this been Norway, rather than Epcots Norway pavilion, I would have assumed that he didnt think we would want it if we knew what was in it. This being Epcot, however, Im sure he just didnt know. When he pointed out the Norwegian brown cheese, we asked what it is called. His answer was brown cheese. The Norwegian name for it is actually gjestost, it is brown because it is cooked, and it is a big favorite of moms. The selection of cold seafood salads and smoked and cured fish is very nice, and probably the most exotic food served in Epcot. There was also a pot of dishwater, surrounded by bowls and spoons. There were Norwegian breads, and the flat, crisp one went very well with the brown cheese. The entrées are much less exotic, and take a fairly long time to order. Among those we tried were a good but not great venison stew, a good but ordinary baked salmon, and some fairly bland meatballs. My favorite entrée was a selection of three very small pieces of sausage, including rabbit, venison, and pork. While the sausages were tasty, the portions were extremely small, with all three pieces combined not large enough to make up a single sausage. It was ironic that the only meal we had in 10 days where we were not satisfied with the amount of food received, was supposedly an all you can eat dinner.
While we are not happy with the new format, we will probably still return to Akershus, because it is as much of a departure from American cuisine as you are likely to find at Walt Disney World.
Rose and Crown at the United Kingdom in Epcot
The fare at the Rose and Crown is always hearty and plentiful. My older son was quite happy with his Bangers and Mash. Mom and younger son enjoyed the Cottage Pie, and my Guinness Stew was nicely seasoned, and I recommend it. The afternoon was not too hot, so we dined on the side patio, under the ceiling fans.
Biergarten at Germany in Epcot
We arrived at the Biergarten exactly at or PS time. We asked at PS check-in for a table close to the buffet, since my wife is only able to walk a very limited amount. In this restaurant, all the tables are a pair of 4 tops pushed together. If you are a party of 4 or less, you are expected to share with another family. The show and atmosphere at this restaurant is very upbeat and makes you feel good, and the food is pretty good as well. Choices on the buffet include assorted sausages, some of which are very good, sauerbraten, rotisserie chicken, roast pork, chicken schnitzel, spaetzle with brown gravy; and assorted salads, vegetables and desserts. My favorite item on the buffet was the sauerbraten, which was very tender and had excellent flavor. Some of the sausages were very good, and the roast pork was good, but a little dry. The biggest disappointment was the chicken schnitzel. I was told by the German girl tending the buffet that Its supposed to be veal, but a lot more Americans will eat it if we use chicken. Its also cheaper to use chicken. Weiner Schnitzel is not my favorite way to prepare veal, but chicken schnitzel is just a joke. I was also disappointed in the beer. Sold in liter and half-liter mugs, the only choices are Becks light and Becks dark. I believe that it is not unreasonable to expect the beers served at Epcots German pavilion to be choices not found all over the US. (Dont get me wrong, I enjoyed my liter of Becks dark very much.) Because of the atmosphere, and the buffet, my 17 year-old son rates this restaurant as his favorite at Disney World. We will definitely be returning on our next trip.
Cinderellas Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom
Lunch in Cinderellas Castle is a family tradition which started on our honeymoon. We have eaten at other MK restaurants, but none of the others has merited a return visit. On this visit, we arrived a few minutes late for our PS, and were taken right upstairs. While waiting to check in, I overheard the hostess tell a walk-in to try again in a couple of hours. As we passed through the lobby, we saw Princess Jasmine holding court on the throne. We were seated on the second row from the windows, which gave us views of both Fantasyland, and the domed ceiling in the castle. The food, as we have come to expect, is not the best we encounter at WDW, but is entirely acceptable. My wife had a pasta special, and the boys selected the turkey foccacia sandwich, and the chicken pasta. I had the Major Domos Favorite Pie, and was surprised at how fresh and fluffy the pastry was. We were all well pleased with our choices. The service was cheerful and attentive, and the kitchen was fast. I would rate this as our most successful visit to Cinderellas Castle. The atmosphere alone is enough to make a visit to this restaurant a good choice.
Restaurant Marrakesh at Morocco in Epcot
While not as adventuresome as we might like to see, Restaurant Marrakesh is definitely a departure from typical American food. We recommend trying an assortment of items from the appetizer and entrée sections of the menu. We found the Beef Brewat rolls to be the most unusual item we tried, and they were very good. We also enjoyed the Lamb Meshoui and the Chicken Kabobs. The lamb was very tender and well seasoned, and the chicken was moist and fairly tender. Mom had a Moroccan mint tea, and I enjoyed a Moroccan beer. Your lunch or dinner will be accompanied by live Moroccan music, and a belly dancer. The décor is very elegant, with high ceilings and beautiful and elaborate tile work. We always enjoy this seldom crowded restaurant, and recommend it for anyone who is willing to try something a little different.
Le Chefs de France at France in Epcot
We have dined at Le Chefs de France several times in the past, and while it has never rated as one of our favorites, we have always been satisfied with the food and the service. On this trip, however, the food at Le Chefs de France left a lot to be desired. All four of us decided to order The French Menu, which includes onion soup, chicken cordon bleu, and crème brulèe for dessert. The onion soup was well flavored, and had a very large amount of Gruyere cheese on top, which made it difficult to eat. The Chicken Cordon Bleu was dry and overcooked. This was our most disappointing entrée of the entire trip. The crème brulèe was also disappointing, with the custard overcooked and under sweetened, and the caramelized sugar so thin that it was almost non-existent. While the food was disappointing, the service was very good, and the wine was very nice and not overpriced (by American restaurant standards).
Flame Tree Barbeque at Disneys Animal Kingdom
The ribs were small, but the portions were large. The ribs were done to almost fall-off-the-bone tenderness, without being dry. There was only one choice of sauce, and it was very bland. We rate these ribs as very good, and would have rated them excellent if a spicy sauce had been available. The grilled chicken sandwich was of average size and good flavor, served on an ordinary hamburger bun. The corn on the cob was sweet, but overcooked, as heat-lamp corn tends to be. We purchased the Meal Plus certificate, which included a counter-service entrée with beverage, and then a soft drink or bottled water and an ice-cream from any cart or counter in the park. This was a good deal with the chicken sandwich, and a very good deal with the ribs. This was our first visit to the Flame Tree, and we rate it as one of the top counter-service restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Lottawatta Lodge at Blizzard Beach, Backlot Express and ABC Commissary at Disney-MGM Studios
Mediocre, overpriced burgers and fries, typical of Disney basic counter service restaurants. The Cuban sandwich at the ABC Commissary was a pleasant surprise. It was a very nice toasted sandwich, and the chips served with it were plantain chips, which was not mentioned on the menu board.
Summary:
Overall we were very pleased with the food at Walt Disney World this trip. Notable exceptions were Le Chefs de France in Epcots French pavilion, the new format at Restaurant Akershus in Epcots Norwegian pavilion, and the small size of Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. Our favorites were California Grill, and Jiko for mom and dad; and Biergarten and the Cape May Character Breakfast for the boys.
St. Augustine Restaurants:
Sunset Grill
Good burgers and sandwiches, at reasonable prices. Youll find lots of locals eating at the Sunset Grill.
Gypsy Cab Company
Under its first chef, Gypsy Cab Company was my favorite restaurant in the entire world! Now, while I wouldnt rate it as one of my all time favorites, it is still worth a visit on most trips to St. Augustine. The garlic and ginger house salad dressing is still the best anywhere, and they still use a good bit of garlic. (Although not the 75 lbs. per week they used to use.)
A1A Aleworks
A1A Aleworks is home to some very nice craft brewed ales, as well as food that accompanies them very well. Dont miss the Ale and Cheese soup! If the weather is nice, wait for a table on the outside balcony. We always make it to A1A at least once each trip.
Saltwater Cowboys
Better food than a typical Florida seafood restaurant, and fabulous atmosphere keep me coming back! Saltwater Cowboys is located in an old building built out over the salt marsh, with a huge deck for those waiting for a table. When the weather is nice, it is a truly wonderful experience to watch the sun set over the marsh while sipping a cold draught fermented malt beverage. For this reason, Saltwater Cowboys is one of my favorite restaurants. If you are feeling adventuresome, try the Florida Cracker combo appetizer, with frog legs, cooter (turtle), and alligator. Or stick with the classics, such as shrimp or oysters. I wouldnt mind going to wait for a table even if I wasnt planning to eat there!
Creekside
Sister to Saltwater Cowboys, Creekside is set by the water, under hugh oaks, in an old house. Southern seafood cooking and live entertainment on the deck are the highlights here. The specialty of the house is plank cooking. Fish, chicken, or steak cooked on an oak plank. I never miss the Plank Fish the catch of the day, seasoned, baked, and served on an oak plank.
Conch House
The most upscale of the restaurants reviewed here, the Conch House is also a waterfront restaurant. With a large marina only 1000 yards from the St. Augustine Inlet and the intracoastal waterway, the Conch House attracts locals, tourists, and boaters to its decks and thatched roof dining cabanas. If the weather is nice and you arent in a hurry, wait for one of the tables in its own little hut out over the water! This restaurant has very good food, but it is the atmosphere that attracts. We were disappointed that the wait for a table was too short this trip!
Sharkeys Shrimp Shack
A counter service restaurant with low prices and shrimp prepared more ways than in Forrest Gump. Theres nothing fancy about the décor or the atmosphere, but the shrimp is definitely worth a visit to Sharkeys.
The Oasis
At night, with live entertainment and 24 beers on tap, the World Famous Oasis is a lively bar, but at lunchtime it is a pleasant and laid-back place to have lunch. Offering excellent burgers and sandwiches, including a good selection of less common seafood sandwiches, there will always be a good crowd of locals eating here.
Osteens
We didnt make it to Osteens this trip, but I wanted to mention it anyway. If fried shrimp is your thing, then Osteens is your restaurant. My favorite here is the slightly spicy Minorcan Clam Chowder.
Let me know where you agree or disagree with my opinions!
Trip Report: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=402805
Resort Restaurants:
The Pepper Market at the Coronado Springs Resort
We visited the Pepper Market on our first day, after checking in at the Yacht Club and taking our traditional monorail ride. The atmosphere and décor is what you would expect for a food court. This restaurant is a departure from the food courts at the other moderates or at the mall. At other food courts, you pick up your food at one or more counters and then stand in line to pay before you sit, or make individual purchases from separate counter service restaurants. At the Pepper Market, you are seated by a hostess, and a server takes your drink orders. The server also explains how the restaurant works, and gives you a card to track your food purchases, for checkout as you exit. There are several food stations, where you pick up your food, and have your card stamped. Choices include pizza and pasta, deli sandwiches and salads, soup, Mexican, a Wok station with stir-fry, a grill station w/ burgers, carved meat of the day, steaks, and rotisserie chicken, the usual kid choices, and a bakery/dessert station. Each day there are several specials. The food was freshly prepared, with many choices. The prices were about what we expected at Disney, and the service was good. (We were there at lunch during a non-peak week, with half the tables empty. Food service might be slower during busy season or at dinner.) There was always a line at the grill station, but it moved quickly, and the wait wasnt long. We found this to be by far our favorite choice among the moderates, and we returned for a second lunch later in our visit.
Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
We arrived at Boma about 5 minutes before our 7:00PM PS time on Saturday evening, and we were seated at 7:25. The décor is nice, with an African theme, and includes an open kitchen behind the buffet. This restaurant was among the noisiest we found at Disney World. We were given a brief overview of the buffet, by our server. At this restaurant especially, but also at Akershus at Norway in Epcot and at Biergarten at Germany in Epcot, we were disappointed that the buffet has no labels. Even for items our server identified, my memory didnt always cooperate 10 or 15 minutes later. I had read that there would usually be chefs stationed at the pods to explain the food, but this was not the case during our visit. The food was mostly very good, but not as exotic as we had expected. My favorite unusual item was the Watermelon Rind Salad. As is usually the case with buffet food, some of the items were dried out (especially the Durban Chicken), but there was no problem with things running out. We enjoyed the food at Boma, and we will probably return, but we wouldnt rate it as one of our favorites at Disney.
Spoodles on the Boardwalk
We spent most of one day at Blizzard Beach, and then ate dinner at Spoodles on the Boardwalk. We arrived shortly before our 7:00PM PS, and were seated immediately. The décor is casual wood-paneled, with an open kitchen. On the way to our table, I smelled lamb cooking, which narrowed my choices significantly. We started with the Roasted Garlic and Four Cheese flatbread, which was excellent. This was the beginning of a new Disney tradition for our family, as thereafter we ordered at least one flatbread at every restaurant that offered one. The only lamb entrée was a stew, served over couscous, so that was what I ordered. The stew was good, with lamb and potatoes, but somewhat plain. Both boys (13 and 17) ordered the Oak Grilled Pork Porterhouse with goat cheese polenta, and were pleased with their choice. Mom had the Gratin of Scallops, which she found to be very good. Overall we thought that the food was good, but somewhat overpriced. We may return Spoodles because of its convenience to the Epcot resorts, but it will not be on our must list.
Ohana at the Polynesian
We had a very early PS for Ohana (6:00PM), in order to be sure that we would get back to the MK in time to get a good location for Spectromagic and the Fireworks. After we checked in at Ohana, we went to wait in the bar chairs out in the atrium. The boys got their first Villains Series pressed pennies while we waited. Then, as my older son went to sit down, his leg was scratched by a nail or staple sticking 1/4" out of the chair. We told the waitress, and she instantly summoned the manager, and he offered first aid. We accepted some Neosporin, and he promised to bring it to our table, which was ready. Then he carried the chair to the back, and we went to our table. When the manager came to our table with the Neosporin, he also brought the nail that he had pulled out of the chair, so my son could see it. He was very apologetic, and bought both boys a non-alcoholic frozen drink. We felt that the incident had been handled very well, from the waitress not hesitating to call the manager, his immediately getting the chair out of use until repaired, first-aid for a minor scratch, and appropriate compensation offered without being asked.
Our table was 2 rows from the windows facing the MK, right along the main walkway, at the corner. This was an excellent table for watching the coconut races, because turning a corner while sweeping a coconut can be quite an adventure. We enjoyed watching the coconut race and hula-hoop contest, and when the second coconut race was announced, both of my boys, (13 and 17,) decided to participate. Of course, they were the only teenagers in the race, but they werent trying to win. They just wanted to get out and play with the little kids.
The starters were good, but not really anything special. I liked the honey-lime salad dressing, and the wings were different. We all agreed that our sons wings are better (our 13 year-old enjoys cooking). The other items were unremarkable. The skewers are what this restaurant is really about, and they were very good this time. On our last visit about 6 years ago, most of the skewer meat was dry or overcooked. I did feel that the marinades on the shrimp and pork were overpowering, and the turkey marinade almost so. We were much more impressed with this restaurant when we had never been to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian churrascaria in Atlanta (and other major cities). Of course, Fogo de Chao also costs almost twice as much as Ohana, so we should expect more. While not our favorite WDW restaurant, its fun atmosphere, reasonably good food, and convenience to the Magic Kingdom, will probably bring us back to Ohana on our next trip.
Clambake at the Cape May Café
Our dinner at the Clambake at the Cape May Café is always one of our most enjoyable at WDW. I cant really say why this is, because the food has certainly never been anything special, there isnt any special entertainment, and it is not a character meal. I suppose it must be the cheerful décor, relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. Dont get me wrong, none of us has ever left hungry. It just isnt the food that brings us back. The only thing that has ever come close to drawing a Wow! from me has been the New England clam chowder, which was excessively salty this visit. In addition to the salty clam chowder, offerings included small, dry, overcooked mussels; dry clams; undercooked ribs; prime rib which wasnt as tender as you expect prime beef to be; and a dish which was supposed to have baked salmon, but was empty the entire time we were there. The dessert bar had a number of very nice desserts, including cheesecake, raspberry mousse, and a number of small cakes and tarts. Our server was attentive, but there was no opportunity for conversation, because his English was inadequate. All in all, it was a mediocre meal which we enjoyed very much, and the Cape May Clambake will definitely be on our list next trip. (Strange review, eh?)
California Grill
We had never been to the California Grill before, but decided to try it this trip. We had a mid-afternoon PS (5:30PM), because it was E-Ride night, and we wanted to be in the Magic Kingdom by 7:00PM. This turned out to not be a great time to eat here, because one thing that the California Grill is not, is fast. We made it to the MK at about 7:10, so it wasnt too bad. The service was excellent, and our server was friendly and attentive. As is our new tradition, we ordered the Triple Cheese and Garlic and Roasted Portobello and Spinach flatbreads. The cheese and garlic was very good, and the Portobello and spinach was exceptional. One of the boys considered ordering another as his entrée. For our entrees, the boys had the pork tenderloin, I had the grouper with mushroom risotto, and mom had ?. All were excellent! The California Grill is definitely one of our favorite restaurants at WDW, and I am sure that we will eat there on every trip.
Cape May Café Character Breakfast
We had decided that on our last morning, we would try the character breakfast at the Cape May Café, since we had never been to a character breakfast. We have always liked the bright and upbeat décor of this restaurant, and it is well suited for a breakfast buffet. The selection was good, with a lot of variety. Everything was kept fresh, with very few items overcooked or dried out, as buffet food tends to be. There were also no empty pans, as we had encountered at the Cape May Clambake. The service was excellent, and several servers had to be commended for this. Apparently, just before our arrival, our server had a coffee pot gush hot coffee out of the back, at the button which is supposed to open the spout. She had to disappear at intervals to apply ice to her scalded hand. During these times, her tables were very well covered by the other servers in the area. We were impressed that she remained friendly and cheerful under these adverse conditions. She even made an extra effort to find my son a pin he had been seeking. During the meal, Goofy, Chip, and Dale, were making the rounds, with Chip and Dale visiting our table once each, and Goofy visiting twice. Minnie Mouse appeared from time to time at the front of the restaurant, with a character greeting line like at the parks. If you were to see her arrive, you would be able to meet her without waiting in line, but the line builds fast. Since this was our first character breakfast, I am unable to compare to others; but we enjoyed the Cape May Character Breakfast very much, and will almost certainly return.
Beaches and Cream
Even though we stayed at the Yacht Club, we didnt get to Beaches and Cream until our last day, except for drink refills. We found adequate burgers and fries; good ice cream, but with very limited choices; and great atmosphere, except that it is way too small. Because the restaurant is so small, the hostess stand is outside the door. The hostess isnt always very good at greeting people before they enter, and so ends up chasing them into the restaurant saying Excuse me! Excuse me!. This definitely cuts into the atmosphere if you are seated near the door. Disney needs to expand Beaches and Cream into part of the area formerly occupied by Aerials.
Jiko
Our last meal of this trip was at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The atmosphere at Jiko is almost a polar opposite of Boma, which is right across the hall. Boma is noisy, Jiko is quiet (for Disney); Boma is busy, Jiko is calm; Boma is rushed, Jiko is relaxed. We enjoyed Jiko very much, although on this visit, we had eaten a very late lunch, so we never made it to the entrees. We tried the Duck and Pork Firecracker spring rolls, the Crispy Cinnamon Spiced Beef Roll, the Kalamata Olive and the Artichoke and Spinach flatbreads, and the Maize Tamales. All of these items were very much what we had expected, and all were very good. We also tried the Roasted Warm Octopus, because while octopus is not our favorite sushi, we had never had it cooked. It is also not our favorite cooked seafood. We had planned to split a couple of the entrees, but none of us were still hungry by this time. Jiko was an excellent choice for our last Disney meal of this trip, and I am sure that we will return to try some of the entrées on our next trip.
Park Restaurants:
Restaurant Akershus at Norway in Epcot
Formerly a traditional buffet with non-traditional food, recent changes have made this restaurant more like a prix fixe dinner. While retaining the cold bar, they now require hot items to be ordered from a menu. While still technically all you can eat, the time delay to receive ordered entrees makes multiple and repeat selections impractical. While we still like Restaurant Akershus, it would no longer appear in our Top 5 list.
As is always the case when they have not run out, the Norwegian Ringnes draft beer was excellent. Our introduction to the cold buffet by our waiter was interesting. When we asked what was in the meat salad, his answer was meat. When we persisted, asking what kind of meat, his answer was not fish. Had this been Norway, rather than Epcots Norway pavilion, I would have assumed that he didnt think we would want it if we knew what was in it. This being Epcot, however, Im sure he just didnt know. When he pointed out the Norwegian brown cheese, we asked what it is called. His answer was brown cheese. The Norwegian name for it is actually gjestost, it is brown because it is cooked, and it is a big favorite of moms. The selection of cold seafood salads and smoked and cured fish is very nice, and probably the most exotic food served in Epcot. There was also a pot of dishwater, surrounded by bowls and spoons. There were Norwegian breads, and the flat, crisp one went very well with the brown cheese. The entrées are much less exotic, and take a fairly long time to order. Among those we tried were a good but not great venison stew, a good but ordinary baked salmon, and some fairly bland meatballs. My favorite entrée was a selection of three very small pieces of sausage, including rabbit, venison, and pork. While the sausages were tasty, the portions were extremely small, with all three pieces combined not large enough to make up a single sausage. It was ironic that the only meal we had in 10 days where we were not satisfied with the amount of food received, was supposedly an all you can eat dinner.
While we are not happy with the new format, we will probably still return to Akershus, because it is as much of a departure from American cuisine as you are likely to find at Walt Disney World.
Rose and Crown at the United Kingdom in Epcot
The fare at the Rose and Crown is always hearty and plentiful. My older son was quite happy with his Bangers and Mash. Mom and younger son enjoyed the Cottage Pie, and my Guinness Stew was nicely seasoned, and I recommend it. The afternoon was not too hot, so we dined on the side patio, under the ceiling fans.
Biergarten at Germany in Epcot
We arrived at the Biergarten exactly at or PS time. We asked at PS check-in for a table close to the buffet, since my wife is only able to walk a very limited amount. In this restaurant, all the tables are a pair of 4 tops pushed together. If you are a party of 4 or less, you are expected to share with another family. The show and atmosphere at this restaurant is very upbeat and makes you feel good, and the food is pretty good as well. Choices on the buffet include assorted sausages, some of which are very good, sauerbraten, rotisserie chicken, roast pork, chicken schnitzel, spaetzle with brown gravy; and assorted salads, vegetables and desserts. My favorite item on the buffet was the sauerbraten, which was very tender and had excellent flavor. Some of the sausages were very good, and the roast pork was good, but a little dry. The biggest disappointment was the chicken schnitzel. I was told by the German girl tending the buffet that Its supposed to be veal, but a lot more Americans will eat it if we use chicken. Its also cheaper to use chicken. Weiner Schnitzel is not my favorite way to prepare veal, but chicken schnitzel is just a joke. I was also disappointed in the beer. Sold in liter and half-liter mugs, the only choices are Becks light and Becks dark. I believe that it is not unreasonable to expect the beers served at Epcots German pavilion to be choices not found all over the US. (Dont get me wrong, I enjoyed my liter of Becks dark very much.) Because of the atmosphere, and the buffet, my 17 year-old son rates this restaurant as his favorite at Disney World. We will definitely be returning on our next trip.
Cinderellas Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom
Lunch in Cinderellas Castle is a family tradition which started on our honeymoon. We have eaten at other MK restaurants, but none of the others has merited a return visit. On this visit, we arrived a few minutes late for our PS, and were taken right upstairs. While waiting to check in, I overheard the hostess tell a walk-in to try again in a couple of hours. As we passed through the lobby, we saw Princess Jasmine holding court on the throne. We were seated on the second row from the windows, which gave us views of both Fantasyland, and the domed ceiling in the castle. The food, as we have come to expect, is not the best we encounter at WDW, but is entirely acceptable. My wife had a pasta special, and the boys selected the turkey foccacia sandwich, and the chicken pasta. I had the Major Domos Favorite Pie, and was surprised at how fresh and fluffy the pastry was. We were all well pleased with our choices. The service was cheerful and attentive, and the kitchen was fast. I would rate this as our most successful visit to Cinderellas Castle. The atmosphere alone is enough to make a visit to this restaurant a good choice.
Restaurant Marrakesh at Morocco in Epcot
While not as adventuresome as we might like to see, Restaurant Marrakesh is definitely a departure from typical American food. We recommend trying an assortment of items from the appetizer and entrée sections of the menu. We found the Beef Brewat rolls to be the most unusual item we tried, and they were very good. We also enjoyed the Lamb Meshoui and the Chicken Kabobs. The lamb was very tender and well seasoned, and the chicken was moist and fairly tender. Mom had a Moroccan mint tea, and I enjoyed a Moroccan beer. Your lunch or dinner will be accompanied by live Moroccan music, and a belly dancer. The décor is very elegant, with high ceilings and beautiful and elaborate tile work. We always enjoy this seldom crowded restaurant, and recommend it for anyone who is willing to try something a little different.
Le Chefs de France at France in Epcot
We have dined at Le Chefs de France several times in the past, and while it has never rated as one of our favorites, we have always been satisfied with the food and the service. On this trip, however, the food at Le Chefs de France left a lot to be desired. All four of us decided to order The French Menu, which includes onion soup, chicken cordon bleu, and crème brulèe for dessert. The onion soup was well flavored, and had a very large amount of Gruyere cheese on top, which made it difficult to eat. The Chicken Cordon Bleu was dry and overcooked. This was our most disappointing entrée of the entire trip. The crème brulèe was also disappointing, with the custard overcooked and under sweetened, and the caramelized sugar so thin that it was almost non-existent. While the food was disappointing, the service was very good, and the wine was very nice and not overpriced (by American restaurant standards).
Flame Tree Barbeque at Disneys Animal Kingdom
The ribs were small, but the portions were large. The ribs were done to almost fall-off-the-bone tenderness, without being dry. There was only one choice of sauce, and it was very bland. We rate these ribs as very good, and would have rated them excellent if a spicy sauce had been available. The grilled chicken sandwich was of average size and good flavor, served on an ordinary hamburger bun. The corn on the cob was sweet, but overcooked, as heat-lamp corn tends to be. We purchased the Meal Plus certificate, which included a counter-service entrée with beverage, and then a soft drink or bottled water and an ice-cream from any cart or counter in the park. This was a good deal with the chicken sandwich, and a very good deal with the ribs. This was our first visit to the Flame Tree, and we rate it as one of the top counter-service restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Lottawatta Lodge at Blizzard Beach, Backlot Express and ABC Commissary at Disney-MGM Studios
Mediocre, overpriced burgers and fries, typical of Disney basic counter service restaurants. The Cuban sandwich at the ABC Commissary was a pleasant surprise. It was a very nice toasted sandwich, and the chips served with it were plantain chips, which was not mentioned on the menu board.
Summary:
Overall we were very pleased with the food at Walt Disney World this trip. Notable exceptions were Le Chefs de France in Epcots French pavilion, the new format at Restaurant Akershus in Epcots Norwegian pavilion, and the small size of Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. Our favorites were California Grill, and Jiko for mom and dad; and Biergarten and the Cape May Character Breakfast for the boys.
St. Augustine Restaurants:
Sunset Grill
Good burgers and sandwiches, at reasonable prices. Youll find lots of locals eating at the Sunset Grill.
Gypsy Cab Company
Under its first chef, Gypsy Cab Company was my favorite restaurant in the entire world! Now, while I wouldnt rate it as one of my all time favorites, it is still worth a visit on most trips to St. Augustine. The garlic and ginger house salad dressing is still the best anywhere, and they still use a good bit of garlic. (Although not the 75 lbs. per week they used to use.)
A1A Aleworks
A1A Aleworks is home to some very nice craft brewed ales, as well as food that accompanies them very well. Dont miss the Ale and Cheese soup! If the weather is nice, wait for a table on the outside balcony. We always make it to A1A at least once each trip.
Saltwater Cowboys
Better food than a typical Florida seafood restaurant, and fabulous atmosphere keep me coming back! Saltwater Cowboys is located in an old building built out over the salt marsh, with a huge deck for those waiting for a table. When the weather is nice, it is a truly wonderful experience to watch the sun set over the marsh while sipping a cold draught fermented malt beverage. For this reason, Saltwater Cowboys is one of my favorite restaurants. If you are feeling adventuresome, try the Florida Cracker combo appetizer, with frog legs, cooter (turtle), and alligator. Or stick with the classics, such as shrimp or oysters. I wouldnt mind going to wait for a table even if I wasnt planning to eat there!
Creekside
Sister to Saltwater Cowboys, Creekside is set by the water, under hugh oaks, in an old house. Southern seafood cooking and live entertainment on the deck are the highlights here. The specialty of the house is plank cooking. Fish, chicken, or steak cooked on an oak plank. I never miss the Plank Fish the catch of the day, seasoned, baked, and served on an oak plank.
Conch House
The most upscale of the restaurants reviewed here, the Conch House is also a waterfront restaurant. With a large marina only 1000 yards from the St. Augustine Inlet and the intracoastal waterway, the Conch House attracts locals, tourists, and boaters to its decks and thatched roof dining cabanas. If the weather is nice and you arent in a hurry, wait for one of the tables in its own little hut out over the water! This restaurant has very good food, but it is the atmosphere that attracts. We were disappointed that the wait for a table was too short this trip!
Sharkeys Shrimp Shack
A counter service restaurant with low prices and shrimp prepared more ways than in Forrest Gump. Theres nothing fancy about the décor or the atmosphere, but the shrimp is definitely worth a visit to Sharkeys.
The Oasis
At night, with live entertainment and 24 beers on tap, the World Famous Oasis is a lively bar, but at lunchtime it is a pleasant and laid-back place to have lunch. Offering excellent burgers and sandwiches, including a good selection of less common seafood sandwiches, there will always be a good crowd of locals eating here.
Osteens
We didnt make it to Osteens this trip, but I wanted to mention it anyway. If fried shrimp is your thing, then Osteens is your restaurant. My favorite here is the slightly spicy Minorcan Clam Chowder.
Let me know where you agree or disagree with my opinions!
Trip Report: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=402805
