PamNC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 4,597
Been back a whole month and haven't even written my restaurant reviews. Tis the season to be busy. We had some good experiences, and one really really bad experience. We went for a short, 4 night trip to kick off the Holiday season, 11/23-11/27. Stayed at the Dolphin. (loved it by the way). Here are the restaurant reviews. I'll rate on a scale of 1-5. 5 being the best.
Fresh: Absolutely delicious breakfast. The food truly lived up to the name. Excellent service. Fresh squeezed OJ and Starbucks coffee. I would give it a 4. The buffet-style thing bothers me, I'm not a buffet person. It makes for a less relaxing meal. We ordered a la carte.
Blue Zoo: A BIG WINNER! I give it a 5+. Excellent service and food. We were greeted immediately upon sitting down and our every need was attended to almost to the point where they could read our minds. It was cold out that evening and they brought us warm towels. The food, ohmygosh! We split a salad..I can't remember much about it except it had lots of arugala and I loved it. My DH had clam flatbread and oysters. I had the filet and it was soooo good. You would think it was a steakhouse. We also ordered a side of Shake n Bake Fries. Unsurpassed delectable meal and experience.
Kona Cafe: Had our usual first morning breakfast here. It's a tradition. Excellent food - tonga toast was delicious as usual. The service was lacking however. Very slow, I think we sat there for 5 or 10 minutes before being greeted. The host was a total ditz - he zoned out as we walked in and kind of just stared into space. I would give the food a 4.5 and the service a 2. Oh, we wanted to buy a bag of the delicious kona coffee and we were told we could come back anytime to purchase it. Well, I didn't want to carry it around the park so we went back later that day only to be told they were "too busy" to sell me coffee. All I can tell you is, WE GOT OUR COFFEE. I wasn't standing for that.
Thanksgiving Dinner @ the Dolphin Ballroom: The food was fabulous. Excellent even. Except the desserts - not very good...pretty much dried up. the service was fine, nothing special. The ham was so good, as was the dressing and the green beans were out of this world. Oh, and the pumpkin bisque....fantastic! We didn't really like the atmosphere. We thought they would have at least decorated a bit more and attempted to make the ballroom a little less "ballroomy." I would give the food a 4 and the service and atmosphere a 2.
Garden Grille: We wanted to try the new menu. I'm glad we did - it was very very good. The potatoes were so good, I almost overdosed. The catfish and steak were very very good. Great character interaction. The desserts were very good but I was looking forward to the fondue that I had heard so much about. Apparently they don't have it anymore. Service was excellent. I will give the whole experience a 4.
Pinnochio Village Haus: I wouldn't normally do a review on a counter service, but this was very good. We had never tried it. We had the antipasto salad and I have to say it was EXCELLENT! As counter service goes, I'd give it a 5.
Boatwrights: We discovered the Boatwrights breakfast during our last trip in July. We liked it so much that we decided to return. The sweet potato pancakes are enough to warrant the trip. The food was once again, excellent. However, we didn't enjoy the experience. It started with the security guard at the gate. He looked like a total gang member, all blinged out and he was blaring rap music. Not in keeping with the theme of POR I might add. It's "southern theme" not South LA. Then, Mildred happened. Yes, Mildred the host. We walked up and about 3 CM's including Mildred behind the podium were talking amongst themselves. No hello, nobody even looked up at us. So I cheerfully said "good morning." Ms. Mildred looked at me like I was absolutely bothering her and her friends and gave me the most smart-#$& look as I asked for a table for two...actually we had PS ressies. My husband called her on it and she said "perhaps you are too fast." Needless to say these two CM's put a damper on our meal. Our server was great. I would give the food a 4 and the overall service and feel of POR a big fat 0. Except I have to separate that out and give our server a 5.
Cabana Bar & Grille: This place is right beside the main pool at the Dolphin. It was a beautiful day, our last day, Saturday. The weather was gorgeous so we decided to eat outside. Let me tell you, the burger at this place puts Beaches & Cream to total shame. My husband got a grouper sandwich and loved it. Keeping in mind that this is basically a grille/burger joint, I give it a 5 for food and service. I mean it was DELICIOUS. Best burger on property. Oh, and they serve Starbucks coffee. No Nescafe.
Kimonos: We had some delightful sushi one evening for dinner. Went too early for karaoke. Anyway, the sushi and edamame were very, very good. I had a very good, yet very strong champagne cocktail. The presentation was excellent. I would give it a 5 for food and service.
Citricos: HORRIFIC experience. We had been to Citricos once before, several years ago. We didn't like it...food was not up to snuff...long story. Anyway, we heard so many good things about it and we really wanted to like it. Love the atmosphere - so we decided to give it one more try. NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN.
It's a long long story that I have to tell about Citricos. So grab your coffee and settle in. We didn't have PS - however that wasn't a problem. We were seated anyway. Howver, just like Boatwrights, upon arriving to the podium there were several CM's chatting away about personal stuff and ignoring us. To avoid the attitude that I got at Boatwrights, we opted to stand there and wait and not say anything nice like "Hello there" or "good evening." They finally acknowledged our presence and seated us rather quickly. I'd say within 5 minutes. It started out okay, not great. Took the waiter quite a while to greet us. But, no biggie. I wasn't worried YET.
Okay...it's hard for me to explain this experience but in short we felt like we were the most unimportant guests at the restaurant. Started with this: The table next to us apparently knew the chef. He was there with them talking to them. He talked and talked and talked and he was basically crowding me into my seat. He was kneeling down beside one of the guests and basically in my way. It was quite disturbing. He left for a brief moment and then brought their food to them personally. You could tell my the conversation that they were old friends. The lady of the table ordered the filet - and the presentation was so beautiful. The filet was cut and placed on the side of the potatoes and I saw it and decided I had to have it. So I ordered it. My DH ordered some type of seafood dish, I can't remember what it was. Anyway, my filet comes out and it looks nothing like what the table next to me had. it wasn't cut up at all, in fact it was an ugly presentation. The filet plopped on top of the potatoes with the wine sauce all over it ruining the potatoes. So, I thought, the lady next to me must have ordered something else, like lamb, and I just thought it was filet. Of course the chef was still there blabbing away (rather loudly) to his friend and had his big rump in my way so I simply said "excuse me" to him. After acting irritated that I interrupted, he came over and I said "what did she order?" He said, "the filet." I said, "so did I and it looks nothing like hers." He said, "Oh, hers was a special presentation." Oh. I see. So, my first feeling of being "unspecial." I have to tell you the filet wasn't that good. It was okay, but my potatoes were RUINED with the sauce. My husband LOVED his dish, he said it was excellent. So, no complaints there.
Next problem. A family came in, parents and 3 kids. Once they sat down, our waiter totally forgot that we existed. We asked for a dessert menu and he brought it out about 5 or 10 minutes later and then proceeded to spend about 30 minutes talking to that family and talking to the kids about everything but the meal. Okay, I don't begrudge him taking extra time with them, but c'mon. We waited another 15 minutes to order our dessert and only ordered it by flagging him down. It took 20 minutes for it to come out and another 15 - 20 minutes for us to get our check. I had to search the restaurant for the server to get it. Then, it took forever for it to come back. It was UNBELIEVABLE. All of the tables around us got excellent service, doting even, and we were made to feel like second class guests. No, third class. I shake and shudder with anger as I write this.
I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN - AND I have to say this experience was so bad that it put a damper on the rest of my evening. We thought about complaining to someone, but honestly, I was too mad. I would have blown up to the point of being escorted out of the Grand Floridian in handcuffs.
That's the good, the bad and the ugly. In conclusion I must say that the food offerings at the Swan and Dolphin establishments were superior to Disney owned restaurants. We're going to try Shulas next time!!!!
BEWARE OF CITRICOS.
PamNC
Fresh: Absolutely delicious breakfast. The food truly lived up to the name. Excellent service. Fresh squeezed OJ and Starbucks coffee. I would give it a 4. The buffet-style thing bothers me, I'm not a buffet person. It makes for a less relaxing meal. We ordered a la carte.
Blue Zoo: A BIG WINNER! I give it a 5+. Excellent service and food. We were greeted immediately upon sitting down and our every need was attended to almost to the point where they could read our minds. It was cold out that evening and they brought us warm towels. The food, ohmygosh! We split a salad..I can't remember much about it except it had lots of arugala and I loved it. My DH had clam flatbread and oysters. I had the filet and it was soooo good. You would think it was a steakhouse. We also ordered a side of Shake n Bake Fries. Unsurpassed delectable meal and experience.
Kona Cafe: Had our usual first morning breakfast here. It's a tradition. Excellent food - tonga toast was delicious as usual. The service was lacking however. Very slow, I think we sat there for 5 or 10 minutes before being greeted. The host was a total ditz - he zoned out as we walked in and kind of just stared into space. I would give the food a 4.5 and the service a 2. Oh, we wanted to buy a bag of the delicious kona coffee and we were told we could come back anytime to purchase it. Well, I didn't want to carry it around the park so we went back later that day only to be told they were "too busy" to sell me coffee. All I can tell you is, WE GOT OUR COFFEE. I wasn't standing for that.
Thanksgiving Dinner @ the Dolphin Ballroom: The food was fabulous. Excellent even. Except the desserts - not very good...pretty much dried up. the service was fine, nothing special. The ham was so good, as was the dressing and the green beans were out of this world. Oh, and the pumpkin bisque....fantastic! We didn't really like the atmosphere. We thought they would have at least decorated a bit more and attempted to make the ballroom a little less "ballroomy." I would give the food a 4 and the service and atmosphere a 2.
Garden Grille: We wanted to try the new menu. I'm glad we did - it was very very good. The potatoes were so good, I almost overdosed. The catfish and steak were very very good. Great character interaction. The desserts were very good but I was looking forward to the fondue that I had heard so much about. Apparently they don't have it anymore. Service was excellent. I will give the whole experience a 4.
Pinnochio Village Haus: I wouldn't normally do a review on a counter service, but this was very good. We had never tried it. We had the antipasto salad and I have to say it was EXCELLENT! As counter service goes, I'd give it a 5.
Boatwrights: We discovered the Boatwrights breakfast during our last trip in July. We liked it so much that we decided to return. The sweet potato pancakes are enough to warrant the trip. The food was once again, excellent. However, we didn't enjoy the experience. It started with the security guard at the gate. He looked like a total gang member, all blinged out and he was blaring rap music. Not in keeping with the theme of POR I might add. It's "southern theme" not South LA. Then, Mildred happened. Yes, Mildred the host. We walked up and about 3 CM's including Mildred behind the podium were talking amongst themselves. No hello, nobody even looked up at us. So I cheerfully said "good morning." Ms. Mildred looked at me like I was absolutely bothering her and her friends and gave me the most smart-#$& look as I asked for a table for two...actually we had PS ressies. My husband called her on it and she said "perhaps you are too fast." Needless to say these two CM's put a damper on our meal. Our server was great. I would give the food a 4 and the overall service and feel of POR a big fat 0. Except I have to separate that out and give our server a 5.
Cabana Bar & Grille: This place is right beside the main pool at the Dolphin. It was a beautiful day, our last day, Saturday. The weather was gorgeous so we decided to eat outside. Let me tell you, the burger at this place puts Beaches & Cream to total shame. My husband got a grouper sandwich and loved it. Keeping in mind that this is basically a grille/burger joint, I give it a 5 for food and service. I mean it was DELICIOUS. Best burger on property. Oh, and they serve Starbucks coffee. No Nescafe.
Kimonos: We had some delightful sushi one evening for dinner. Went too early for karaoke. Anyway, the sushi and edamame were very, very good. I had a very good, yet very strong champagne cocktail. The presentation was excellent. I would give it a 5 for food and service.
Citricos: HORRIFIC experience. We had been to Citricos once before, several years ago. We didn't like it...food was not up to snuff...long story. Anyway, we heard so many good things about it and we really wanted to like it. Love the atmosphere - so we decided to give it one more try. NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN.
It's a long long story that I have to tell about Citricos. So grab your coffee and settle in. We didn't have PS - however that wasn't a problem. We were seated anyway. Howver, just like Boatwrights, upon arriving to the podium there were several CM's chatting away about personal stuff and ignoring us. To avoid the attitude that I got at Boatwrights, we opted to stand there and wait and not say anything nice like "Hello there" or "good evening." They finally acknowledged our presence and seated us rather quickly. I'd say within 5 minutes. It started out okay, not great. Took the waiter quite a while to greet us. But, no biggie. I wasn't worried YET.
Okay...it's hard for me to explain this experience but in short we felt like we were the most unimportant guests at the restaurant. Started with this: The table next to us apparently knew the chef. He was there with them talking to them. He talked and talked and talked and he was basically crowding me into my seat. He was kneeling down beside one of the guests and basically in my way. It was quite disturbing. He left for a brief moment and then brought their food to them personally. You could tell my the conversation that they were old friends. The lady of the table ordered the filet - and the presentation was so beautiful. The filet was cut and placed on the side of the potatoes and I saw it and decided I had to have it. So I ordered it. My DH ordered some type of seafood dish, I can't remember what it was. Anyway, my filet comes out and it looks nothing like what the table next to me had. it wasn't cut up at all, in fact it was an ugly presentation. The filet plopped on top of the potatoes with the wine sauce all over it ruining the potatoes. So, I thought, the lady next to me must have ordered something else, like lamb, and I just thought it was filet. Of course the chef was still there blabbing away (rather loudly) to his friend and had his big rump in my way so I simply said "excuse me" to him. After acting irritated that I interrupted, he came over and I said "what did she order?" He said, "the filet." I said, "so did I and it looks nothing like hers." He said, "Oh, hers was a special presentation." Oh. I see. So, my first feeling of being "unspecial." I have to tell you the filet wasn't that good. It was okay, but my potatoes were RUINED with the sauce. My husband LOVED his dish, he said it was excellent. So, no complaints there.
Next problem. A family came in, parents and 3 kids. Once they sat down, our waiter totally forgot that we existed. We asked for a dessert menu and he brought it out about 5 or 10 minutes later and then proceeded to spend about 30 minutes talking to that family and talking to the kids about everything but the meal. Okay, I don't begrudge him taking extra time with them, but c'mon. We waited another 15 minutes to order our dessert and only ordered it by flagging him down. It took 20 minutes for it to come out and another 15 - 20 minutes for us to get our check. I had to search the restaurant for the server to get it. Then, it took forever for it to come back. It was UNBELIEVABLE. All of the tables around us got excellent service, doting even, and we were made to feel like second class guests. No, third class. I shake and shudder with anger as I write this.
I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN - AND I have to say this experience was so bad that it put a damper on the rest of my evening. We thought about complaining to someone, but honestly, I was too mad. I would have blown up to the point of being escorted out of the Grand Floridian in handcuffs.
That's the good, the bad and the ugly. In conclusion I must say that the food offerings at the Swan and Dolphin establishments were superior to Disney owned restaurants. We're going to try Shulas next time!!!!
BEWARE OF CITRICOS.
PamNC
I don't know... I just would have wanted to say something...
