What Do You Expect From a Sig Restaurant Dining Experience?

[ThumperandLitenin]

Okay, enough threads have been corrupted by going off on tangents, that while making great discussions, have lead the mods to delete posts - and rightfully so as per the rules.

So, let's set the rules here - this one is open to what you expect, but also don't want to see, at a sig restaurant (including say, V&A and Shula's) meal. As OP I'd like to see this one wander wherever it wants as long as it's civil. I promise to behave myself Nala!

The purpose here is NOT to attack Free Dining, the DDP, or children in restaurants, although expression of opinions as to any being the source of a problem is fair game.

Let me start:

What I expect out of a meal at a sig restaurant is:

a quiet dining room:
an atmosphere befitting the resort; i.e. Artist Point, Yachtsman, V&A;
a varied menu that's a bit edgy;
a great wine list;
patrons dressed appropriately - business casual, with the dress code rigorously enforced;
well-behaved children more than welcome, but no concessions on the menu to accomodate - no chicken fingers, hamburgers, fries;
OOP only; and
outstanding service;

For the right experience, I have no problem dropping close to $200 on a good meal.

For the most part, I think I just described Napa Rose.

 

[MarkinNM]

What I expect.......................

Clean dining room
Great food
GREAT service
Varied selection of entries
Good selection of adult beverages
Clean bathrooms
Nice decor
REAL silverware and no paper goods
NO chicken nuggets on the menu
NO smoking


Not much.............

 

[goofy4tink]

I guess we have to remember that it is still WDW....and have to expect that what we might want in a true 'signature' restaurant is going to have to be less than what we would expect in 'real life'.
With that being said, we ate at Flying Fish last Monday. We both had the most wonderful meal. The restaurant itself was very pleasant.
What would I look for in a signature restaurant in WDW?
1. nice surroundings
2. no children's 'finger food' or burgers
3. exceptional food
4. good wine list

When we ate at FF, yes, there were children there, but we ate pretty early, about 6:30 or so. The kids there were pretty much well-behaved, no meltdowns to be seen. I have no issue with kids, but as someone aleady mentioned, if it's a 'signature' restaurant, they shouldn't be providing burgers, mac and cheese, or chicken nuggets. There has already been enough dumbing down of menus at WDW...I would really hate to see it happen to the signature restaurants as well. My incredibly discriminating eater, at 15 now, can eat a steak.....otherwise, she wouldn't be going to a lot of the restaurants we go to. Eat what's offered or stay home is what we tell her.

 

[Captjacksfamily]

What I would like to see at a signature restaurant:

Great food with unique ingredients that showcase the chefs skills
Great presentation.
Knowledgeable wait staff
Diverse wine list, if it is a themed restaurant I would like to see wine from the region (Jiko).
Appropriate guest behavior (Kids or adults).
Seated on time and not rushed once seated.
A nice lounge to have cocktail if desired.

 

[walt's assistant]

With that being said, we ate at Flying Fish last Monday. We both had the most wonderful meal. The restaurant itself was very pleasant.

Allow me to second what goofy4tink said about Flying Fish. We ate there Saturday night, and it was not only one of the top 10 dining experiences DW and I have ever had anywhere, it was the BEST we've ever had at a Disney park.

That's saying something considering that we've been coming to WDW since 1971 and have visited about 40 times since.

So, using Flying Fish as the gold standard, here's what we expect from a signature restaurant dining experience:

1) Exceptional, welcoming, warm atmosphere with an appropriate noise level (I should be able to speak to someone sitting across from me without shouting).
2) Prompt and thoughtful service, from adherence to the ADR through completion of the meal.
3) Robust and varying menu selections that can be called "true gourmet".
4) Robust wine list.
5) Exceptional food preparation and quality.

At the end of the experience, I want to be compelled to leave a 25% gratuity. At Flying Fish, I did just that.

 

[ransom]

I expect an adult atmosphere. Meaning: no screaming or yelling tolerated, whether it's coming from children or adults; nice clothing to be worn -- business casual is fine; everything clean and in its place.

I expect superior service.

I expect to see some standard (high-end) items on the menu, but a few challenging ones as well. Oh, and every Signature restaurant should have its own list of appetizers. They don't all have to have a field greens salad. Do they get that stuff delivered by the truckload or what?

I expect fresh, high-quality ingredients to be used. I don't want them buying from the same megacorps that supply Chilis, Applebee's, and all the rest. A fine piece of beef has excellent flavor and tenderness, and needs no additional flavoring to offer the diner a wonderful experience.

I expect food to be properly cooked. If I ask for a rare piece of meat, that's what I should see on my plate. And no dish should be frozen in the middle. Everything should be made on site from scratch. No prepackaged foods should be used at all.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Good topic, by the way!

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

I guess we have to remember that it is still WDW........

My response to that statement is ...Why?

WDW dining got really good a few years ago, and may be slipping as of late.

What is wrong with expecting a few great dining experiences? I think Napa Rose and V&A are perfect examples.

Why wouldn't Disney want to offer a handful of really great restaurants that don't compromise standards to accomodate every possible patron?

I think the strategy of trying to accomodate everyone (notice I didn't say "dumbing down" Mark!) will eventually lead to the downfall of some restaurants. As I stated in another post, I think this is what is happening to Le Cellier.

 

[MarkinNM]

I think the strategy of trying to accomodate everyone (notice I didn't say "dumbing down" Mark!) will eventually lead to the downfall of some restaurants. As I stated in another post, I think this is what is happening to Le Cellier.

Thank you.............

 

[minnie_michelle]

1. Clean and quiet atmosphere.
2. Children are welcome, but no french fries and chicken fingers on the menu and if a child starts screaming or running or acting up, the waiter or host quickly asks the parent to take their child outside to calm down.
3. Not on the Dining Plan
4. All the food should be made on-site. No pre-made, prepackaged stuff.
5. Each menu should be unique to the restaurant theme from appetizers to wine selections and should not be repeated at other restaurants.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Let me start:

What I expect out of a meal at a sig restaurant is:

a quiet dining room:
an atmosphere befitting the resort; i.e. Artist Point, Yachtsman, V&A;
a varied menu that's a bit edgy;
a great wine list;
patrons dressed appropriately - business casual, with the dress code rigorously enforced;
well-behaved children more than welcome, but no concessions on the menu to accomodate - no chicken fingers, hamburgers, fries;
OOP only; and
outstanding service;

Personally, I'd prefer a restaurant that does not discriminate against someone based on whether or not they prepay for their meal or pay cash oop at that moment.

 

[bangzoom6877]

1. Exceptional food with some unusual choices.
2. Clean restaurant and bathrooms.
3. Beautiful dinner music playing (or a harpist or something of the like).
4. Dress-code strictly enforced, no exceptions. Business casual only or guests are turned away. Sorry, but if this is stated in the brochure I don't see it as a problem. Either dress appropriately, or those who are not willing to do so have many other restaurants to choose from that accept theme park attire, no problem. The 2 restaurants that are considered signature but are in theme parks (CRT and Brown Derby) may be more lenient in this rule (IMO), I could understand that, especially in the hot summer months. But that's it, no other exceptions.
5. Theming should be directly related to its resort (for resort signature restaurants).
6. There should be one "signature" entree offered at each signature restaurant.
7. Guests should be expected to behave appropriately, adults and children alike. Management should be able to say something to parents if their children are screaming and yelling, and ask them to please take their child out of the restaurant to calm him/her down. Adults acting up...well that's just plain rude in my book and I sincerely hope this does not happen at signature restaurants!
8. Food you order should arrive just as your order it. If I want my steak medium rare, I would expect it to arrive done that way.
9. Excellent selection of unique adult beverages, and an extensive wine list.
10. Fancy desserts on the dessert menu.
11. Impeccable service.

I don't agree with some posters here who would like the signature restaurants to omit certain popular children's choices on the menus. I have read many of the menus on the Allears site, and it seems that while they do offer the usual children's staples like a hamburger, they also have steak and fish available for children if they prefer to have something a little more fancy. I don't think that having some typical children's fare on the menus is "dumbing down" the menus or making the restaurant any less special. Some children are very picky about what they eat, yet they are still very well-behaved in fancy restaurants. My children would not order a steak or fish, but they prefer things like macaroni and cheese, hamburgers, chicken fingers, etc., and yet they behave very well at all different types of restaurants. Just because a child does not eat fancy food does not mean they will act out or make the experience any less special for other diners, at their table or at anyone else's table in the restaurant. Their food preferences are not directly related to whether or not they would ruin a meal for other diners at the restaurant based on their behavior. Now, offering chicken fingers on the adult menu, that would be an entirely different issue!

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

Personally, I'd prefer a restaurant that does not discriminate against someone based on whether or not they prepay for their meal or pay cash oop at that moment.

I think "discriminate" is a rather rash term in this instance. There seems to be a consensus forming that DDP has lead to simplification of the menus and a loss of some of the dining experience.

The restaurant is open to anyone willing to respect and adhere to the rules. To not do so, puts us right back where we are right now. There are numerous dining options at WDW; no one is going to go hungry.

 

[Pakey]

As a person who misses the days when the Disney signatures were worth going to, I expect:

1. A thoughtful and unique menu with quality ingredients prepared properly

2. Superior service

3. An atmosphere that lends itself to dinner companions at their own table being able to hear themselves talk to one another. That means having the tables far enough apart that it's not so easy to hear fellow diners' conversations. It also means that unruly guests, whether they be adults or children, are asked to remove themselves if they cannot behave appropriately.

4. An excellent wine selection.

5. A dress code that prohibits the restaurant from obtaining the feel of a TGI Friday's, Applebees, etc.

6. One menu for all diners.

 

[kim_d]

I don't agree with some posters here who would like the signature restaurants to omit certain popular children's choices on the menus. I have read many of the menus on the Allears site, and it seems that while they do offer the usual children's staples like a hamburger, they also have steak and fish available for children if they prefer to have something a little more fancy. I don't think that having some typical children's fare on the menus is "dumbing down" the menus or making the restaurant any less special. Some children are very picky about what they eat, yet they are still very well-behaved in fancy restaurants. My children would not order a steak or fish, but they prefer things like macaroni and cheese, hamburgers, chicken fingers, etc., and yet they behave very well at all different types of restaurants. Just because a child does not eat fancy food does not mean they will act out or make the experience any less special for other diners, at their table or at anyone else's table in the restaurant. Their food preferences are not directly related to whether or not they would ruin a meal for other diners at the restaurant based on their behavior. Now, offering chicken fingers on the adult menu, that would be an entirely different issue!

I agree. Offering chicken fingers and fries on the children's menu doesn't detract from the overall dining experience at a signature resturant. My children are typically well behaved and enjoy sit down dining but usually will pick a "kid item" like chicken fingers or pizza.

We have done deluxe dining on the past 3 trips with no issues eating TS multiple times in a day. We have also done signature dining with them- the Yachtsman and it was fine. They didn't bother anyone, ate well, and really enjoyed the desert painting.

 

[TDC Nala]

At Disney? I'd expect the food to be worth the money and a decent wine list. And that's all I dare expect from Disney.

Some objection to signature children's menus featuring regular "kid food" comes from parents on the DDP who aren't thrilled about spending 2 credits for the kids to eat the same chicken nuggets or mac & cheese they can get at a CS. They'd like to see choices for the kids that they feel are worth 2 credits.

As far as Disney is concerned, there is no "downfall" occurring at Le Cellier. People are falling over themselves to try and get in there.

There are a number of restaurants at Walt Disney World that choose not to participate in the dining plan and I do have to say I have never considered this choice to be "discriminatory."

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

At Disney? I'd expect the food to be worth the money and a decent wine list. And that's all I dare expect from Disney.

I think some of the objection to signature menus featuring regular "kid food" comes from parents on the DDP who aren't thrilled about spending 2 credits for the kids to eat the same chicken nuggets they can get at a CS.

Why wouldn't you want the bar raised?

Why, just because it is Disney, would you expect less?

 

[MickeyNicki]

What I expect out of a meal at a sig restaurant is:

a quiet dining room

a varied menu thats a bit upscale

a great wine list and cocktail list

patrons dressed appropriately - business casual, with the dress code rigorously enforced

well-behaved children more than welcome

outstanding service

For the right experience, I have no problem dropping close to $200 on a good meal.

 

[Colleen27]

What I expect out of a meal at a sig restaurant is:

a quiet dining room:
an atmosphere befitting the resort; i.e. Artist Point, Yachtsman, V&A;
a varied menu that's a bit edgy;
a great wine list;
patrons dressed appropriately - business casual, with the dress code rigorously enforced;
well-behaved children more than welcome, but no concessions on the menu to accomodate - no chicken fingers, hamburgers, fries;
OOP only; and
outstanding service;

Aside from the OOP only, I think you nailed my expectations quite well.

As far as kids' menus go, the selections at the in park and 1 credit resort restaurants have become so dismal that even my one child who likes "kid foods" looks forward to the somewhat better choices at the signature restaurants, though the "better choices" are usually just the option of a salad as an appetizer and a real dessert. And even there, there are some things that just don't belong in a nice restaurant - chicken nuggets at Narcoosees? PB&J at Jiko? Finger food does not belong in a restaurant like that!

Actually, Disney really needs to overhaul their kids' menus property-wide, from the signatures on down. It is great that they offer choices for pickier kids, but can't they balance it out with something for the less picky? I mean, Red Lobster can manage a few seafood choices for kids, but all Flying Fish and Narcoosees can do is the same "baked fish of the day" as every other Disney TS restaurant?

 

[thumpermom]

- Atmosphere 1st and foremost! To have an acceptable atmosphere, it would include appropriately behaved and dressed patrons, low noise level, and interesting surroundings.
- Interesting menu choices
- Varied wine list
- Great service

IMHO, when I dine, while I certainly expect to have good food, it is the whole experience I am more concerned about. I love having a relaxing evening with my DH, drinking wine and enjoying the whole process. That experience is ruined if the surroundings do not measure up.

Since we are talking about a limited number of signature restaurants, I would agree not to include a kids menu. If children are well behaved and sophisticated enough to be able to enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings of a fine dining restaurant, then they should also enjoy the selections offered on the adult menu. If not, then the family can enjoy one of the many other TS restaurants available with selections they would like.

 

[TDC Nala]

Why wouldn't you want the bar raised?

Why, just because it is Disney, would you expect less?

Not that I wouldn't mind the bar raised, but with Disney's current business model, it never will be. In the past few years I have learned to expect less from Disney.

Most everyone here is describing Victoria & Albert's to a tee, so it's not like Disney doesn't already have such a place. Personally, in the current climate at WDW I consider myself lucky that V&A still exists.