Which Signature TS for couple & first time Disney Trip!?

[DisneyMichele]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are going to Disney this fall on the free dining promotion (upgraded quick service to the regular dining plan) for his first trip to Disney World! I would like to do 1 signature meal and am trying to decide on the best place for food quality and atmosphere. I have been doing a lot of research and seem to have narrowed it down to 1) California Grill, 2) Le Cellier, 3) Be our Guest for dinner. I was thinking we could move BOG to breakfast or lunch which leaves the other two options. We are staying for 5 nights at POP Century and my other dinners so far looking at Ohana, Via Napoli, Tusker House for a character meal. Thanks for all your help I love this forum, lots of great disney advice

 

[NYCgrrl]

Your three 2 credit meal choices are: CG, Le Cellier, and BOG dinner as a couple.

In numerical order I'd place them this way:

California Grill, great view, historically well regarded food and nice service.

Le Cellier: From many accounts dark enough for an romantic setting, a thin line between love and hate regarding quality of it's steak/filet mignon, which may or may not be coloured by previous cost vs current. Rarely hear complaints about the cheese soup or pretzel bread.

BOG: unknown quantity since it's new dinner menu begins the end of July. Perhaps a breakfast or lunch makes best sense if your truest interest is seeing the decor. Breakfast and lunch are still 1 credit meals.

Truth in responding: I've been to none of these restaurants yet and base my thoughts on youtube videos, posters' and professional critics' reviews and photos.

 

[brertoad]

Your three 2 credit meal choices are: CG, Le Cellier, and BOG dinner as a couple.

In numerical order I'd place them this way:

California Grill, great view, historically well regarded food and nice service.

Le Cellier: From many accounts dark enough for an romantic setting, a thin line between love and hate regarding quality of it's steak/filet mignon, which may or may not be coloured by previous cost vs current. Rarely hear complaints about the cheese soup or pretzel bread.

BOG: unknown quantity since it's new dinner menu begins the end of July. Perhaps a breakfast or lunch makes best sense if your truest interest is seeing the decor. Breakfast and lunch are still 1 credit meals.

Truth in responding: I've been to none of these restaurants yet and base my thoughts on youtube videos, posters' and professional critics' reviews and photos.

Interesting post.

I have been to all three.

California Grill is okay, it is overpriced. You are paying for the view in my opinion, it is a unique vantage point. (Although a DVC member can get a similar view from Top of the World Lounge or top floor at BLT.)

Le Cellier isn't "dark" inside.
It is somewhat cramped and small, usually they seat you right next to other people even when the whole restaurant is 95% empty, so it can be awkward and annoying. Your "quiet" dinner for two becomes a dinner for 4 when you end up having people right next to you yapping away really loudly.

BOG, the food is decent, I don't see their quality going down regardless of the new menu change. It is just changing pre fixe.

Out of the three, I think BOG is the coolest venue. California Grill has a nice location for fireworks viewing, and a nice view of the lagoon.

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are going to Disney this fall on the free dining promotion (upgraded quick service to the regular dining plan) for his first trip to Disney World! I would like to do 1 signature meal and am trying to decide on the best place for food quality and atmosphere. I have been doing a lot of research and seem to have narrowed it down to 1) California Grill, 2) Le Cellier, 3) Be our Guest for dinner. I was thinking we could move BOG to breakfast or lunch which leaves the other two options. We are staying for 5 nights at POP Century and my other dinners so far looking at Ohana, Via Napoli, Tusker House for a character meal. Thanks for all your help I love this forum, lots of great disney advice

You are asking for best food quality and atmosphere, yet you limited it to California Grill, Le Cellier, or Be Our Guest.
Are you asking for a signature restaurant recommendation between these 3 or out of all the signature restaurants?

 

[Shanti]

I recommend Yachtsman Steakhouse- the food and service are very good. I recommend avoiding Le Cellier- tables are small & very close together, & they actually served me a tough, burned steak (I had requested medium-well).

I have eaten at both locations, of course. I recommend ignoring the advice of anyone who hasn't actually been to the restaurant they're talking about.

 

[sleepydog25]

brertoad implies that there are other, better, choices beyond the three you list, and I wholeheartedly agree. If you're set on one of those three, I'd likely choose CG since it will feel more like an event and is outside of a park. In park restaurants tend to feel less special and more crowded. BOG is unique, but you can do that for lunch. Le Cellier is cramped, period. Doesn't bother some; highly annoys others. Beyond those three, there are several Signatures that many (most?) would rate above those on your list such as Artist Point, Jiko, Il Mulino, Yachtsman, Narcossee's, et. al. If you're not sold on doing one of your listed three, I suggest taking a peek at the menus of all the Signatures and seeing which one appeals to you most. Good luck!

 

[Shellyb84]

Out of the options you listed, I would go with Cali Grill. However my favorite signature is Yachtsman Steakhouse, followed by Jiko.

 

[DisneyMichele]

Thanks! I'm open to other suggestions as well. I do want to stay with restaurants on the dining plan. I think we will probably skip disney springs since we are limited on time and rather spend it in the parks or dining at another Disney Resort.

 

[Kae]

California Grill. But we like Brown Derby with the Fantasmic Pkg. For our 2 TS

Kae

 

[KenHutch]

If your open to other places google and yotibe Jiko. Great atmosphere incredible food and afterwards you can go out and watch the animals.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Of the three, I would do Cali Grill. As in-park restaurants, BOG and Le Cellier lack a "romantic" factor and the food is pretty equal amongst the three, IMHO (though BOG is a bit of an unknown at this point as no one has sampled the new menu). The view from Cali Grill is stunning and you are whisked up in a private elevator which adds a special quality to the evening, I think.

If you would like better food, I would consider Artist Point at WL or Jiko at AKL.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

CG. It' pure Disney.

 

[tannerandcatesmom]

My vote is California Grill, nothing more magical than the fireworks from the balcony! Our second fav 2 credit is Citricos at the GF. Have several others on our list to try though. Have a fabulous trip!

 

[NYCgrrl]

@Shanti "
I recommend Yachtsman Steakhouse- the food and service are very good. I recommend avoiding Le Cellier- tables are small & very close together, & they actually served me a tough, burned steak (I had requested medium-well).

I have eaten at both locations, of course. I recommend ignoring the advice of anyone who hasn't actually been to the restaurant they're talking about."


Point taken though not valid IMO. You can learn a lot about restaurants by reading, observing and weighing poster and pro reviews against your interests and wants. W/o doing that how would any of us have made our first ever choices of ADRs?
We live in a fortunate time where you can actually do a virtual tour of a restaurant (or ride) in action even if you haven't stepped foot inside. Taking advantage of all the information available certainly allows you to form an opinion not of what the food tastes like (which I purposely didn't opine on) but other elements that go into having an enjoyable dining experience. Hope you asked for a new steak and didn't suffer in silence.

 

[Shanti]

[COLOR=rgb(255, 0, 0)]I recommend ignoring the advice of anyone who hasn't actually been to the restaurant they're talking about."[/COLOR]


Point taken though not valid IMO. You can learn a lot about restaurants by reading, observing and weighing poster and pro reviews against your interests and wants. W/o doing that how would any of us have made our first ever choices of ADRs?

Rumors don't always reflect reality. No amount of reading can replace actual experience.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Rumors? I see you also have a different definition of the meaning than commonly or even archaically used than I'm aware of.

Reading and practical knowledge has always served me well and I do not denigrate either.
You apparently have learned different life lessons.

 

[rosetava]

I would choose California Grill for the food and the atmosphere. Jiko has a great atmosphere as well as but my experience with the food has been inconsistent lately.

 

[Bostonbeans99]

Definitely first check out a restaurants menu. You can find it on WDW website or just GOOGLE it.
I can't recommend anything because most restaurants are just okay to me....I can't think of a single thing to stake my name or reputation on LOL
Good Luck! Have a great trip!

 

[OKW Lover]

I have been doing a lot of research and seem to have narrowed it down to 1) California Grill, 2) Le Cellier, 3) Be our Guest

Of these three, CG is by far the better choice. Food and atmosphere are good here and you'll love the view from there. LC is always crowded and they cram the tables so close together that you'll likely be part of your neighbors conversation.

 

[disneyvoice]

Since you are open to other suggestions . . . Jiko! Excellent food and service. Plus you can take time to wander around the resort and see all the animals.

 

[Nancyg56]

brertoad implies that there are other, better, choices beyond the three you list, and I wholeheartedly agree. If you're set on one of those three, I'd likely choose CG since it will feel more like an event and is outside of a park. In park restaurants tend to feel less special and more crowded. BOG is unique, but you can do that for lunch. Le Cellier is cramped, period. Doesn't bother some; highly annoys others. Beyond those three, there are several Signatures that many (most?) would rate above those on your list such as Artist Point, Jiko, Il Mulino, Yachtsman, Narcossee's, et. al. If you're not sold on doing one of your listed three, I suggest taking a peek at the menus of all the Signatures and seeing which one appeals to you most. Good luck!

I agree with Sleepydog 25 and Brertoad. If you are going to stick with your three choices, I would suggest CG. It is classic Disney and offers a splendid view of the fireworks display if you time it right. I like it.

I do not care for Le Cellier. I find it dark and cramped, and I honestly do not consider the food to be that good.

BOG is an interesting conversation becuase no one really knows that the new menu will deliver. I woudl go for lunch and call it a day.

If you want to broaden your list, have you considered Tiffins in DAK? This was my favorite meal on my last trip. The setting is really awesome, it is an homage to the Imagineers and craftsmen who designed and created DAK> and the food and service was impecable. You can prolong your special meal by strolling out to Nomads for a cocktail after dinner. Just an awesome meal and truly a DIsney place.

If you want to head to the Boardwalk area, i also enjoyed Flying Fish. It was another favorite meal, and while there are mixed reviews some folks are not fans of the new menu, I liked it. AND then have a cocktail at ABracadabar. FUn night.