Where to eat?

[Sweettears]

I'm planning a short trip to DLR in March and need some suggestions on where to eat. This is only my second visit so I need your input. First night will be solo, second me and DW. We prefer nicer TS restaurants and also enjoy trying different things. Also, I'm not sure when we'll be back so any can't miss places would be appreciated. Not limited to on-site restaurants.

Any takers?

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Resort is SOOO good and Blue Bayou, which is in the POTC ride in the Disneyland Park is GREAT and the atmosphere is so cool. Cafe Orleans in the Disneyland Park is really cool and has good food as well. Wine Country Trattoria in California Adventure is beautiful and has a great menu. In the Downtown Disney District, Tortilla Jo's has great food and Naples has a really cool vibe and atmosphere and delicious food to match. And of course Rainforest Cafe is wonderful! These would be all of my picks. The Uva Bar in Downtown Disney is also great. If you want to try a fun character meal, I would go with Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It's alot of fun!

Happy planning!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Also House of Blues in DTD is good. You can get a certificate at Restaurant.com for about $2 for a $25 one. Makes your meal about 1/2 price if you do it right.

And at nearby Anaheim Garden Walk is Bubba Gumps, PF Changs, and California Pizza Kitchen.

While it's not TS we enjoy eating at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express. Love the Gumbo Ya Ya and beignets.

Nearby is Mimi's Cafe. Good, wholesome fare.

Hope this helps.

 

[momrek06]

Storytellers Cafe! It's at the Grand Californian!

 

[Sweettears]

We're not really fans of the national chains. Looking for something more like FF, CG, Yachtsmans or Narcoossee's at WDW. Anything offsite thats not too far away?

 

[skiingfast]

I think you might want to stick to the recommendations for Napa Rose or Storytellers. Some people like Steakhouse 55 in the DLH, some do not.

Blue Bayou, maybe, honestly I think it is a good place for families as well as adults only. So you might want to try one of the others alone and do BB if you have a 4th opportunity.

I'm basing this on your WDW experience.

Offsite you have to go a ways to not find a chain. Anaheim is really built for tourists.

 

[Sweettears]

I think you might want to stick to the recommendations for Napa Rose or Storytellers. Some people like Steakhouse 55 in the DLH, some do not.

Blue Bayou, maybe, honestly I think it is a good place for families as well as adults only. So you might want to try one of the others alone and do BB if you have a 4th opportunity.

I'm basing this on your WDW experience.

Offsite you have to go a ways to not find a chain. Anaheim is really built for tourists.

Thanks. DDidn't know about the outside area. Anywhere that offers oysters on the half?

 

[DahliaRW]

In the park I LOVE Carnation Cafe, especially for breakfast. The food is fantastic and sometimes Chef Oscar will come out and chat while you eat.

 

[jlmarr]

We're not really fans of the national chains. Looking for something more like FF, CG, Yachtsmans or Narcoossee's at WDW. Anything offsite thats not too far away?

Thanks. DDidn't know about the outside area. Anywhere that offers oysters on the half?

Hmm, oysters on the half shell, but not a national chain and not too far away. Might be an over-constrained problem. If you can relax the chain constraint there's a McCormick & Schmicks nearby, and a Joe's Crab Shack.

 

[hugscot]

Defintely gotta do breakfast at MiMi's. I had the best breakfast of my life there!!! And the their lunch and dinner isn't bad either.

 

[SplashMo]

Mini's is great...

 

[SanFranciscan]

I have not been to Disneyland in the last four years. However, I second the Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. As has already been said here, it is not table service; but it is good enough that we went to it twice during a three-day trip.

We don't spend that much time in restaurants while in Disney theme parks because we want to wander around the park so I am not the best person to take advice from if you really want table service, but I do remember being charmed by a counter-service that had some of the ambiance of a table service restaurant once you are seated. That was at the River Belle Terrace. We went there after we learned that Blue Bayou was closed while we were there in May 2006. I just did a search here and read a review that the River Belle Terrace is pricey for counter service by someone who said that the Carnation Cafe was cheaper and had table service. I learned after we had returned home that Walt Disney used to eat breakfast at the River Belle Terrace, where we had lunch. That may explain why it had such nice ambiance.

 

[ConnieB]

A couple of recommendations off site:

Mortons Not cheap by any means, but the last time I was there (about 2 years ago) it was absolutely phenomenal food....great steaks, seafood of every variety, including oysters, and the wine selection is like a mortgage payment but sooooo good. Very close to Disney....Katella and Harbor.


McCormick & Schmicks A wide variety of oyster choices and really good other stuff too. They're down on Katella near Clementine.

The Catch has oysters for dinner (but I don't think they do for lunch). This is near the Stadium.

Jazz Kitchen Express in DTD had oyster shooters on the menu, but I've not tried them, so can't comment to them.

 

[Sweettears]

Hmm, oysters on the half shell, but not a national chain and not too far away. Might be an over-constrained problem. If you can relax the chain constraint there's a McCormick & Schmicks nearby, and a Joe's Crab Shack.

Not especially hung up on the oysters. We love them and are disappointed that the only place that you can get them at WDW is Fultons.

As far as the chains, I was hoping to experience what is unique to DL. Being from Chicago I can go to the named chains anytime. I've been to McCormicks on many occassions all across the country. Love Morton's as well.

I know DLR is different from WDW when it comes to dining but was looking for advice from the frequent visitors.

 

[skiingfast]

The other place I'd consider is Wine Country Trattoria, or a snack and drink next to it at the Alfresco Lounge. In DCA alchohol is sold and these places are there.

You might want to look over some menus to plan. http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

 

[Snurk71]

As far as the chains, I was hoping to experience what is unique to DL.

Blue Bayou fits this description.

Looking for something more like FF, CG, Yachtsmans or Narcoossee's at WDW. Anything offsite thats not too far away?

Steakhouse 55 at DLH, maybe Storytellers at GCH (might be just a notch under your WDW comparisons, but prety comparable). I think it's generally accepted that Napa Rose would blow any of your WDW comps. It sounds like you definitely want to try Napa Rose.

 

[Sweettears]

How is Catal? The menu looks interesting.