Which restaurant would you choose, and why?

[Lauri]

For our anniversary, without our kids, we are going to go to dinner at one of these restaurants. Which would you choose, and why?

-Flying Fish
-California Grill
-Citricos
-Narcoossee's
-Kona Cafe
-Palio
-Artist Point

I guess we would like something quieter, and with less children. We like all kinds of food. Thanks for your input.

 

[travelitis]

California Grill - great reviews and what a location!

 

[Andy123]

Well... it depends on exactly what you're looking for... if you don't mind loud, then I would go with Flying Fish Cafe (not loud, but bustling), Narcoossee's (can be VERY loud), or California Grill (again, very loud, and can be VERY crowded). None of these are my idea of a nice relaxing anniversary dinner... I would choose Citrico's. Have a drink in Mizner's lounge listening to the orchestra from the Grand Floridian lobby play... then meander to Citrico's and have a nice quiet dinner! Great food, outstanding service, and a great wine list. My second choice would be Artist Point. Again, much quiter, great food, and again, a good Northwest-oriented wine list. Granted, neither of them have the view the California Grill has, but they also don't have the crowds and the sometimes overwhelming crush of people. If you are more interested in a quiet dinner, go for AP or Citrico's. If you want the view, go to CG or Narcoosees.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

California Grille or Flying Fish.

If you do Cal Grill, make sure you call ahead and get priority seating. Make it for a weekday evening. Then, show up 20 minutes early (or more) and request a seat along the window to watch the fireworks over MK. Make the PS time for about 1 hr 30 minutes prior to the fireworks. When you show up and request your special seats, they will tell you it will take an hour or more. I have never waited longer than 30 minutes. It is worth the wait.

Or go to Flying Fish. Best food on the planet IMHO. Again, Make PS times. We went to Flying fish for dinner then walked over to the BC/YC area and got on the boat for the Epcot Illuminations Cruise which we planned to do in advance. Very romantic and the memory of a lifetime.

GL

 

[BCV23]

Citrico's would fit your needs best I think. Andy123 explained the reasons. We've actually run into quite a few children at AP...including our own ... but perhaps that's because we tend to get PSs around 6:00. You can also book a MK fireworks cruise from the GF if you have the time. The MK fireworks cruise is quiter and more romantic than the Illuminations to me but that's such a personal thing. We did enjoy both cruises very much.

 

[eeyore0062]

Personally, I would pick Narcoosees... but because of the archetecture, it is not the quietest of the restaurants you have listed.

Anyway, this is why I would choose Narcoosees:
1) fantastic service
2) terrific presentation of the food
3) delicious appetizers, main courses and desserts
4) good wine list
5) great view of the MK while you eat

 

[catheren]

I would recommend AP, its beautiful, quiet, and the serice/food is outstanding! The other you picked are great but for a special occasion try AP! Happy Anniversary!!!

 

[josierac]

I would pick Palio. We celebrated our anniversary this past August at Palio and it was wonderful. The restaurant is pretty, it has soft lights, there are strolling musicians and there are cozy sitting areas they put couples. The food was fantastic as was the service.

My other choices would be Flying Fish or Citricos.

 

[GEM]

That's hard. Like somebody else said, it depends on what you want.

I'd pick Flying Fish for the out-of-this-world food, although Artist Point would be a close second based on food.

OR

I'd pick Artist Point for the quiet, romantic atmosphere.

OR

I'd pick California Grill for the amazing view.

OR

I'd pick Flying Fish because it has such a great location. You could stroll around the Boardwalk before or after dinner. I love the Boardwalk at night!

That probably didn't help much. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I guess I would have to say that the best blend of both great food AND atmosphere would be at Artist Point. However, if you factor in the atmosphere at the Boardwalk, Flying Fish would be a close second choice.

 

[LKS]

Please scratch Kona Cafe off your list. It is wide open to the lobby of the Polynesian, full of children, and it is one of the few places we ate that I would not recommend for an adult dinner. Plus, we did not particulary like any of our food.

The only other place on your list that we ate was Artist Point and I could recommend that wholeheartedly. The food was awesome and the night we were there it was very quiet and if there were any children, I did not see or hear them. Ours were at Simba's Clubhouse back at the AKL.

For our anniversary, without our kids, we ate at Victoria and Albert's and, of course, I could recommend that even more highly.

 

[barbeml]

Agree about taking Kona Cafe off your list for dinner--while it is great for breakfast, it is open, casual, and full of kids and noise.

I love California Grill. We were there last Thursday night and the noise level was fine, the food and service excellent, and the view and fireworks spectacular.

Happy Anniversary!

 

[sgtdisney]

From your list, I would have to say Artist Point.. The food was excellent, service good, surroundings very nice and it was a quieter restaurant. The couple times I have been to California Grill, while the view was spectacular and the food good (if you like Trendy California Style cooking) the place was loud. Maybe we were too close to the kitchen? The restaurant features an open kitchen, I think Flying Fish does too, and this just lends itself to a louder dining experience. Kona Cafe was nice, but I agree with the other poster, the restaurant is open to the lobby and is basically a fancy, and expensive, coffee shop style setting. Before it's rehab it was the Poly's Coffee shop for all intents and purposes.

I have to agree with the other poster, if you want the quietest, most elegant dining experience you may want to consider Victoria & Alberts.

 

[Pam Lau]

I cast my vote for California Grille (excellent food and great view) and Artist Pointe. We are celebrating our 15th Anniversary at AP this year. However, it falls on Thanksgiving Day this year so we have invited the entire family to join us.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I imagine Kona is an OK restaurant, but not an anniversary place. So I'd scratch that too.
All the others on your list are among the top restaurants at WDW, so you wouldn't go too wrong at any. My choice? Assuming a quiet spot would be preferred, Citricos. Great food, somewhat elegant, and in the GF which is a fine hotel. Also happens to have my favorite WDW entree-Paprika and Honey Glazed Pork tenderloin. And Mrs. U is fond of the wine pairings they have. Of possible interest-they are closed on Mon and Tues.