Where to eat at DLR?

[rascalmom]

We're going to Disneyland in a few weeks for Spring Break. While we are there, dd will be celebrating her 21st birthday. I need some suggestions for a great birthday dinner for her; we'll likely be having some cousins and friends join us (dh, me, dd21 and dd16).

We want some good food, but it doesn't have to be "fine" dining. We would like it to be a fun & memorable place though.

I've been to WDW many, many times, but it has 17 years since we visited DL. We'll do some offsite meals some evenings, but the birthday will all be spent on property.

So what is good (and fun!)? Blue Bayou, Napa Rose....something else? Do I need reservations or ADR's like at WDW....and what # do I call?

TIA!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Here's the number to call-714-781-DINE (3463) up to 60 days in advance.

I can't really make any recommendations since we haven't done any of the "fun" ones at DLR. We do those at WDW. (we have DLR AP). I've heard good things about all those you mention.
There are also some good choices in DTD.

Just so you know, at DLR they still call them Priority Seatings (PS). If you say ADRs to them, they won't know what you talking about.

 

[pixiewings71]

For a 21st birthday why not take her to Rainforest Cafe so she can have a drink? Or Wine Country Trattatoria comes highly recommended. I've never eaten there myself but the menu looks gooooood! BB is a GREAT choice but no alcohol is served there. For alcohol you have to go to DCA.

 

[Dizneydaz]

For a 21st birthday why not take her to Rainforest Cafe so she can have a drink? Or Wine Country Trattatoria comes highly recommended. I've never eaten there myself but the menu looks gooooood! BB is a GREAT choice but no alcohol is served there. For alcohol you have to go to DCA.

I was going to rec. WCT as well but since OP asked for someplace fun I didn't. But I 2nd it. We really like WTC. The Pizzetta Salad is wonderful!

 

[fairycat]

I think I would go

1.) Napa Rose- it is fine dining, wonderful and so tasty and she can get her "first drink" here

2.) Ariel's Grotto- So Disney, so fun and she can also get that drink here

3.) WTC- I love how relaxed and comfy it is, the food is really good but its not super fancy, but is nice to sit and enjoy the patio, they serve very nice wines as well

4.) BB- its an amazing atmosphere really pretty and fun, but no first drink here, but really cool

5.) Jazz Kitchen- is a really nice place at DTD, that is great for sitting on the patio at night or eating while listening to the band, they have good food and nice drinks too.

Sorry personally I am not a big RFC fan, I thought the food was only OK, it was packed and loud and a better choice for kids. But I know there are a lot of fans on the board.

 

[rascalmom]

We're checking in late the night before her birthday, so we are thinking of doing the "first drink" just after midnight that night.

I hadn't really thought about drinks with dinner ON her birthday....I'm probably just in denial that she is turning 21.

I think she would love Blue Bayou, but we might save that for another day in our trip. WCT sounds just right. I'll talk to her about it tonight & see what she thinks. We've done Rainforest Cafe at WDW & in Dallas, so we'd like to stick to something a little more unique for this.

Are there menus for the DLR restaurants somewhere?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Queenbillabong]

We're checking in late the night before her birthday, so we are thinking of doing the "first drink" just after midnight that night.

I hadn't really thought about drinks with dinner ON her birthday....I'm probably just in denial that she is turning 21.

I think she would love Blue Bayou, but we might save that for another day in our trip. WCT sounds just right. I'll talk to her about it tonight & see what she thinks. We've done Rainforest Cafe at WDW & in Dallas, so we'd like to stick to something a little more unique for this.

Are there menus for the DLR restaurants somewhere?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Check out here for menus. Have fun!!!

 

[Jennifer03]

For my 21st birthday I ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. It was really fun (and the food was great)!

 

[fairycat]

If you are coming in late and want to do a midnight birthday drink and maybe some appetizers after traveling, I would suggest UVA bar. It is in the middle of DTD, it has yummy simple fare and great drinks.

The location is fantastic! You sit under the stars and can relax and just enjoy. It is one of our favorite places to meet friends and have a nice drink at the parks. On late night park days (like spring break), the bar closes at 1-2am.

 

[rascalmom]

If you are coming in late and want to do a midnight birthday drink and maybe some appetizers after traveling, I would suggest UVA bar. It is in the middle of DTD, it has yummy simple fare and great drinks.

The location is fantastic! You sit under the stars and can relax and just enjoy. It is one of our favorite places to meet friends and have a nice drink at the parks. On late night park days (like spring break), the bar closes at 1-2am.

That sounds perfect!

I was looking at the menus for the birthday night. We may want to eat outside of the park, some of our guests may not want to buy park tickets. How is Ralph Brennan's? DD loves the things on their menu.

 

[pixiewings71]

So can you get drinks in Ariel's Grotto or just at the Cove Bar?

 

[fairycat]

That sounds perfect!

I was looking at the menus for the birthday night. We may want to eat outside of the park, some of our guests may not want to buy park tickets. How is Ralph Brennan's? DD loves the things on their menu.

Sorry bad habit, Ralph Brennan's full name is Ralp Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, I tend to just call it the Jazz Kitchen. As I mentioned above I really like it, it is one of my regular haunts at DTD. The food is very good, the service is great and I really enjoy it, if you want a full meal I would totally suggest JK.

So can you get drinks in Ariel's Grotto or just at the Cove Bar?

At least the last time I went (Fall 08), yes you can order drinks from the Cove Bar menu down in Ariel's. I have gotten a drink while waiting and taken it with me to my table, or like I said above ordered from the drink menu (the waiter brought us one). They also offer beer and wine.

 

[rascalmom]

Sorry bad habit, Ralph Brennan's full name is Ralp Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, I tend to just call it the Jazz Kitchen. As I mentioned above I really like it, it is one of my regular haunts at DTD. The food is very good, the service is great and I really enjoy it, if you want a full meal I would totally suggest JK.

OH! lol - I'm not familiar with the names....didn't make the connection. That sounds like the place!

Thanks!

Now - do any of you know if The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach is still good?
It used to be a favorite when we lived there in the 80's, but has been a LONG time.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I just wanted to make sure that you can order a drink after midnight for her. Because in Oregon where I worked you couldn't...something about it had to be that business day and that after midnight didn't technically count. We also tried to get a girlfriend of mine into a club after midnight for her 21st birthday and they wouldn't let her in. So just double check before you go because that could affect your plans. I second or third or fourth WTC!

 

[rascalmom]

Hmmmm - that would throw a kink on the plans. Here, it just has to be after midnight, but I don't know about the laws in CA.

Any experience with this fellow Dis'rs?

I'm going to do some investigating on this. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[merrrydeath]

I'm going in March for my own 21st birthday and I wrote this post asking for dinner selections:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074196
I got some very good suggestions! You should check it out.

 

[fairycat]

I just wanted to make sure that you can order a drink after midnight for her. Because in Oregon where I worked you couldn't...something about it had to be that business day and that after midnight didn't technically count. We also tried to get a girlfriend of mine into a club after midnight for her 21st birthday and they wouldn't let her in. So just double check before you go because that could affect your plans. I second or third or fourth WTC!

My training in serving alcohol in California never mentioned anything like that, it was as long as the date and your birthday equal 21 you are good. I had no issue with my Midnight drink, but that has been a few years Maybe some other servers will speak up, but I would serve her if she came to my event.

 

[rascalmom]

I searched on the internet last night to see if I could find anything prohibiting her purchasing a drink just after midnight on her birthday - it looks like a few states have passed what is called a "power hour" law, but I didn't find anything about it passing in California.

Looks like CA liquor laws vary somewhat by county, so I may just call one of the restaurants there when it gets closer to our trip & ask.

We can always pop some champagne in our room.

 

[pixiewings71]

CA does NOT have a power hour law. Trust me on this one!! lol

 

[rascalmom]

CA does NOT have a power hour law. Trust me on this one!! lol

I trust you.