Where to go for Anniversary

[christymarie]

My DH and I will be in Orlando in July for our Anniversary. Apparently he is wanting a huge blowout affair but is leaving the research/planning to me, LOL. So I'm turning to you guys. I have considered the chef's table at V&A but that seems a bit too exclusive for me. We love seafood and steak but are also open to other options except Italian (we have that all the time at home). V&A seems like a great option but I'm wondering if there are other things out there that I'm missing?

Can anyone offer suggestions on what we can do for a special night out?

 

[jennylyn_b]

I would suggest you look into California Grill in the Contemporary. This is a market fresh restaurant which means that its menu changes daily based on what is fresh. I have eaten there 3 times and love it everytime. Also, it is the BEST location to watch the Wishes fireworks show from your table or you can walk out onto their catwalks for viewing. This can be a really romantic setting for your anniversary. There is a "business casual" dress code for this restaurant which also helps set a more adult mood.
Good luck with the plannning

 

[carps09]

A great alternative to V&A would be Citricos. In fact, it's right next to V&A! I think Citricos is one of the fanciest places to dine at WDW, and although I love the California Grill and would certainly eat there again, I wouldn't call it fancy. We ate at Citricos on our honeymoon and felt pampered from the moment we checked in to the moment we left the restaurant. The food was outstanding as well. Definitely tell them you're celebrating your anniversary; we told them it was our honeymoon and we got a cute surprise .

 

[UGAFan0829]

I would have to vote for Cali Grill as well. My DH and I ate there for our anniversary back in '07 and LOVED it!! The view of Wishes just added to our already wonderful evening. The food was delicious and the service was great as well. I don't really care for "stuffy" restaurants, but I thought CG, was a great mix of a little bit romantic, and a little more upscale without being to "uppity". Good luck choosing...I don't think you could go wrong with whatever Disney restaurant you choose!

 

[christymarie]

California Grill has a reservation available for 8:00pm on our anniversary. I'm thinking that will put us at the California Grill for Wishes, right? Do you have a good view of Wishes from the whole restaurant or just by the windows?

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I want to say that our ADR was around that time, and we were able to see Wishes. I'm not sure where you are able to see from though...We had actually requested a window seat when I made the ADR and again at check-in. Initally, they told us that we may have to wait for the window seat, which was fine with us, but we only ended up waiting 5 minutes total.

 

[kmk1180]

NO NO NO on Cal Gril for an aniversary.
While people rave about the food and view it's packed with kids and familes before and during fireworks, thus it's loud and not very romantic.
(if you go well after fireworks you should be ok)

I suggest Jiko.
Great food.
The flatbreads are to die for.
The servers are excellent.
The wine selection is great.
Our server told us they test taste and help pick out vintages, so every server has tried all the wines, thus they are great at reccomending a good one to go with your meal and tastes even if your not an expert on wine.
Generally quiet with few kids.
And nice atmophere.

 

[Golf4food]

NO NO NO on Cal Gril for an aniversary.
While people rave about the food and view it's packed with kids and familes before and during fireworks, thus it's loud and not very romantic.
(if you go well after fireworks you should be ok)

I suggest Jiko.
Great food.
The flatbreads are to die for.
The servers are excellent.
The wine selection is great.
Our server told us they test taste and help pick out vintages, so every server has tried all the wines, thus they are great at reccomending a good one to go with your meal and tastes even if your not an expert on wine.
Generally quiet with few kids.
And nice atmophere.

Ditto, to everything. Cali Grill is one of the most over-rated places on property IMHO. If it were on the first floor of the CR instead of the top it would not be nearly as popular. The view of Wishes is not great unless you are by a window or go outside, where there might be a crowd on the somewhat small outdoor viewing area. The food is good, yes, but no better than any number of other locations on property that are less noisy and more romantic.

Jiko is our favorite signature so far. Best all around meal we've had at WDW hands down.

Still, V&A would be my first choice for an anniversary blowout, followed by Bistro de Paris in Epcot (hiding above Chefs de France).

 

[christymarie]

LOL, I thought that with the dress code that California Grill would have less children? Not that I don't love children as I have two of my own, but we would like a quieter anniversary dinner.

I'm not at all familiar with Jiko. I'll have to do some research. I'm almost starting to tip back towards V&A however.

What is the Victorian room at V&A that I'm hearing about?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Forget California Grill for romance
. . . far too noisy - people don't care and talk very loudly
. . . far too many kids - loud and frequently running around
. . . far too many adults who don't know how to act at finer dining
2) Basically, do not consider anywhere that accepts DDP.
3) For romance, I would recommend
. . . Bistro (Epcot, France, upstairs)
. . . Shula's (Dolphin resort)

 

[mousefan64]

I would say California Grill number 1 then maybe Jiko followed by yatchsman steakhouse or even citricos or narcossies

 

[disneylovin24]

My DH and I will be in Orlando in July for our Anniversary. Apparently he is wanting a huge blowout affair but is leaving the research/planning to me, LOL. So I'm turning to you guys. I have considered the chef's table at V&A but that seems a bit too exclusive for me. We love seafood and steak but are also open to other options except Italian (we have that all the time at home). V&A seems like a great option but I'm wondering if there are other things out there that I'm missing?

Can anyone offer suggestions on what we can do for a special night out?

California Grill has a spectacular view and good food. It is dressy casual and it is a quiet and it is a romantic setting.

The Yachstman Steakhouse is nice too. It is another romantic setting though the view is not like California Grill.

Shula's Steakhouse is another romantic choice. Warning though, it can get pricey here.

 

[PinkPrincess4Ever]

My DH and I really liked Narcoossees surf and turf yummo! Wishes on the beach with a bottle of your favorite drink after dinner so romantic! Have a wonderfull time!

 

[christymarie]

Thank you, everyone, for your help. We've decided to go with Narcoossees for our Anniversary. We liked the idea of only having to take the monorail to the Grand Floridian and that we can see wishes from the beach or perhaps even the restaurant. Since we're land locked here in the midwest the idea of good seafood won the day.

You all were a huge help as I didn't even realize this restaurant was there.

 

[Golf4food]

Thank you, everyone, for your help. We've decided to go with Narcoossees for our Anniversary. We liked the idea of only having to take the monorail to the Grand Floridian and that we can see wishes from the beach or perhaps even the restaurant. Since we're land locked here in the midwest the idea of good seafood won the day.

You all were a huge help as I didn't even realize this restaurant was there.

Forget the monorail - take the boat!!!! Best way to get between the MK and GF by far. Not often crowded, and we've had the whole thing to ourselves before - sitting in the back like it was our private yacht, lol.

 

[christymarie]

Wow, thanks!