What Do You Expect From a Sig Restaurant Dining Experience?

[kim_d]

- 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.

Would the signature resturant charge adult prices and give a child an adult size portion with no children's menu.

I guess I don't get why having a children's menu detracts from another patron's dining experience? My DS (and sometimes my DD) will eat more adult food: food- mahi-mahi, lobster bisque, steak, etc. However, sometimes he just wants chicken fingers. Not sure why that request couldn't be accomodated at a WDW signature resturant.

 

[MariDisney]

I would agree with almost everything everyone has posted so far. We have Narcoossees and Flying Fish booked for our upcoming trip. I hope we will have an excellent experience at both. My daughter, 9, will be with us. Her behavior in nice restaurants is always impeccable. I have actually made her a Disney adult so she can order from the adult menus on the DxDDP because she's not a typical kids food eater. She's been perusing menus as much as we have!! (she will be 10 2 weeks after we come home)

So, here's my question. Why do you not want to see french fries and hamburgers on the children's menu? Obviously you're not going to order that as an adult. My first thought is that children are more likely to be well behaved if they are eating food they enjoy and are used to. So, my DD would not prefer that kind of food, but many children do. I am just wondering what every one's feelings on this are.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

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.

While realizing a lot of this is subjective, let's also agree that this discussion is hypothetical. Take it a step further and assume we are talking about three new restaurants located at YC, AKL, and CR.

You can write the rules anyway you want.

 

[thumpermom]

Would the signature resturant charge adult prices and give a child an adult size portion with no children's menu.

I guess I don't get why having a children's menu detracts from another patron's dining experience? My DS (and sometimes my DD) will eat more adult food: food- mahi-mahi, lobster bisque, steak, etc. However, sometimes he just wants chicken fingers. Not sure why that request couldn't be accomodated at a WDW signature resturant.

Yes, they would. I guess, for me, the main reason is because I would consider this mythical restaurant at WDW an adult restaurant with adult entrees.

If a child can participate within those limitations, well great! I just don’t think it is necessary to make accommodations for them. There are plenty of venues with chicken fingers and pizza.

 

[MarkinNM]

Would the signature resturant charge adult prices and give a child an adult size portion with no children's menu.

I guess I don't get why having a children's menu detracts from another patron's dining experience? My DS (and sometimes my DD) will eat more adult food: food- mahi-mahi, lobster bisque, steak, etc. However, sometimes he just wants chicken fingers. Not sure why that request couldn't be accomodated at a WDW signature resturant.

Ok you go and ask Gordon Ramsey for chicken nuggets……..




Seriously a TRUE signature resturant would not have nuggets, Kraft Mac & cheese, hotdogs or even fries……………..

When I think signature resturant I think a signature MENU. I guess by some of the replies when Disney puts a menu on a resturant it needs the nuggets etc, sad as I guess by being in the resturant business I have opened my kids to a many varied types of ingredients and foods that they look for different foods other then nuggets and fries. Not to say we do not LOVE a good dog or burger but when going to a nice resturant expecting more of a menu in a fine dining establishment then a McDonalds choice type of foods, THAT’S what I expect from a fine dining resturant.

 

[cdtommie]

Lots of wine list comments but don't forget the beer list (no macro swill please) for people like me who find beer far more interesting than wine.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

Would the signature resturant charge adult prices and give a child an adult size portion with no children's menu.

I guess I don't get why having a children's menu detracts from another patron's dining experience? My DS (and sometimes my DD) will eat more adult food: food- mahi-mahi, lobster bisque, steak, etc. However, sometimes he just wants chicken fingers. Not sure why that request couldn't be accomodated at a WDW signature resturant.

Assumming these are new restaurants -

Why do any special accomodations need to be made for children? If they are not interested in the menu, there are numerous other places that are available. Why take them there?

The reason is obvious - You want to eat there. If it's about spending time with the family, which I understand fully, that can be accomplished somewhere else. Furthermore, no one can tell me a young child wouldn't be happier at a character meal.

If a child can dine from the regular menu, one can assume they are mature enough to be expected to behave properly.

I am not trying to antagonize the folks who have posted in favor of kids' menus. I fully believe your kids are well-behaved - as was my son when he was young.

Even so, we didn't take him to Artist Point, the Yachtsman, or Cali Grille because back then, those places were considered more upscale, and more appropriate adults and more mature children.

My point is that I would expect a truly sig restaurant to not compromise on anything.

 

[kim_d]

Ok you go and ask Gordon Ramsey for chicken nuggets……..




Seriously a TRUE signature resturant would not have nuggets, Kraft Mac & cheese, hotdogs or even fries……………..

When I think signature resturant I think a signature MENU. I guess by some of the replies when Disney puts a menu on a resturant it needs the nuggets etc, sad as I guess by being in the resturant business I have opened my kids to a many varied types of ingredients and foods that they look for different foods other then nuggets and fries. Not to say we do not LOVE a good dog or burger but when going to a nice resturant expecting more of a menu in a fine dining establishment then a McDonalds choice type of foods, THAT’S what I expect from a fine dining resturant.

The thing is I am not dining in NYC, London, Rome, etc. I am dining at WDW. I guess I just think that even the signature dining experiences at WDW need to be tempered with the fact that we are at a family (children especially) friendly destination.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

Everybody calm down.

This is turning into a good thread (I hope).

No one is trying to hurt anyone's feelings. It's okay to express an opinion, just be prepared to be countered by someone equally as passionate as you.

 

[MarkinNM]

The thing is I am not dining in NYC, London, Rome, etc. I am dining at WDW. I guess I just think that even the signature dining experiences at WDW need to be tempered with the fact that we are at a family (children especially) friendly destination.

True BUT with SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
many other places to enjoy nuggets and fries and dogs why not have a few grown up more sophisticated foods w/o out kiddy types of foods????

 

[Sandy321]

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.

ITA and will add esp since they are filling the tables!! Example CRT

To me there is a vast difference in quality of service and food at Tony's in the MK and Mama Melrose at DHS - compared to Boatrights or Olivia's - maybe its the less hectic pace? Maybe maybe maybe...

still sad and all I can do is not go back to the places that had such low "bars" (and I've written the letter to guest communications, and I informed managers while on site)

 

[kim_d]

Assumming these are new restaurants -

Why do any special accomodations need to be made for children? If they are not interested in the menu, there are numerous other places that are available. Why take them there?

The reason is obvious - You want to eat there. If it's about spending time with the family, which I understand fully, that can be accomplished somewhere else. Furthermore, no one can tell me a young child wouldn't be happier at a character meal.

If a child can dine from the regular menu, one can assume they are mature enough to be expected to behave properly.

I am not trying to antagonize the folks who have posted in favor of kids' menus. I fully believe your kids are well-behaved - as was my son when he was young.

Even so, we didn't take him to Artist Point, the Yachtsman, or Cali Grille because back then, those places were considered more upscale, and more appropriate adults and more mature children.

My point is that I would expect a truly sig restaurant to not compromise on anything.

While my children like character meals they also request non-character meals as well. My DS has requested Coral Reef numerous times b/c of the the aquarium and lobster bisque soup and my DD wants to eat again at Yatchsmen b/c of the dessert.

My children are 4 and 6yo so they are getting older and the children's menu will be a thing of the past, however I would be disappointed that we as a family couldn't enjoy the nicer dining options due to lack of children's menu when they are young.

We do use the kids clubs and DH and I try new places, but we also enjoy dining as a family as well and want to expose my children to nicer establishments and we have always seen Disney resturants as good place to do so.

No hard feelings...just a different opinion.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

The thing is I am not dining in NYC, London, Rome, etc. I am dining at WDW. I guess I just think that even the signature dining experiences at WDW need to be tempered with the fact that we are at a family (children especially) friendly destination.

kim:

The point here though is that not everything at Disney needs to be about the kids. There's nothing wrong with setting a strict set of high standards that may not allow everyone to play all the time.

There are plenty of dining options at WDW, so no one is going to go hungry. There are also kids' clubs and baby-sitting available.

Remember, this is a very subjective, and somewhat hypothetical thread.

 

[kim_d]

kim:

The point here though is that not everything at Disney needs to be about the kids. There's nothing wrong with setting a strict set of high standards that may not allow everyone to play all the time.

There are plenty of dining options at WDW, so no one is going to go hungry. There are also kids' clubs and baby-sitting available.

Remember, this is a very subjective, and somewhat hypothetical thread.

Wouldn't V&A fit the bill of what most are describing?

My point was only that I don't think that every signature resturant in WDW needs to eliminate a children's menu.

 

[MarkinNM]

Wouldn't V&A fit the bill of what most are describing?

My point was only that I don't think that every signature resturant in WDW needs to eliminate a children's menu.

Why not, 1 resturant of hundreds should not be the only one ....

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

Wouldn't V&A fit the bill of what most are describing?

My point was only that I don't think that every signature resturant in WDW needs to eliminate a children's menu.

That's not what we are talking about here.

Assume three new restaurants similar to V&A located in AKL, YC, and CR. Higher-end dining would still be available to families needing some what of a limited child's menu.

 

[walt's assistant]

kim:

The point here though is that not everything at Disney needs to be about the kids. There's nothing wrong with setting a strict set of high standards that may not allow everyone to play all the time.

Yeah, if you have the kiddos with you then Chef Mickeys might be a better choice. To see mac and cheese and chik nuggets on the menu at a sig restaurant is just misplaced IMO. It isn't that a place like Flying Fish should be more "kid friendly" (kids were there last Saturday and well behaved) it's that it is a different product not targeted at families with young children.

 

[Colleen27]

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.

You know, I never even thought about it from that angle, but now that I have I totally agree. It does seem rather ridiculous to spend 2 TS credits on the same food you could get a child with a CS credit.

My problem with it has always related more to food preferences. Of my 3 kids, only one really likes kids' menu foods, and even she gets tired of it over the course of a week or longer at Disney. I can't imagine that many children are too happy about choosing from the same 3-4 options for so many meals.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

Something to keep in mind for those arguing for kids' menus - you aren't always going to be dining with your kids. They seem to grow up and leave us at some point.

Taking that into consideration, and assuming you and your spouse will still be visiting WDW (shame on you if you aren't! ), would you not want a quiet, upper-scale restaurant to get away to?

 

[walt's assistant]

Taking that into consideration, and assuming you and your spouse will still be visiting WDW (shame on you if you aren't! ), would you not want a quiet, upper-scale restaurant to get away to?

Yes, and that's exactly what we did on our visit to Flying Fish. And, really, the kids (our kids, anyway) wouldn't have truly appreciated a fine dining experience like that.