Which TS have good appetizers as meal for light eater?

eeyoresmom

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For those of you who order appetizers as your meal at TS where do you do this? I've been looking through menus and can't find many places that have many appetizers outside of the usual soup, salad, cheese etc. I'm not a huge eater but do love dessert so an appetizer is usually just right.
 
I do this all of the time! Some of my favorites:

Kona Cafe- wings or pork buns
California Grill- mussels or flatbread or sushi
Spice Road Table-any of the small plates
Brown Derby Lounge- sliders or Cobb salad
Boathouse-soup or salad
Mori Moto-dim sum


I'm looking forward to trying Paddlefish and WL outdoor lounge on our upcoming trip!! We also found some of the bar menus at the resorts have more substantial options (I guess to soak up alcohol). You can also ask any QS place for the entree only for a bit less.
 
Since we eat at Via Napoli a lot we don't always get pizza nor do we want to eat all that...so instead I will get the shrimp over cannellini beans or the "Gamberetti e Fagioli" with one of my favorite salads, "Insalato del Contadino"...my dd loves the Arancini and that is sometimes enough...you can check out our photos:
VIA NAPOLI PHOTOS & REVIEW

Another one we like in Disney Springs is Paradiso 37, we get the Mexican Dipping Trio dip which can certainly make a meal (we area almost always full after getting this one LOL!) My dd orders the Chicken Quesidilla a lot and it's more than enough to make a meal. The corn dogs in one of the photos were actually on the kids menu and they serve them as an appetizer. They were very generous with the portion they gave my dd last time we dined there. Check out photos and a review here:
PARADISO 37 PHOTOS & REVIEW

We also like the Lump Crab Cakes & Shrimp at the Wave.

Another option...My dd who is 18 orders from the kid's menu more than she orders from the adult menu, more because she is a "simple" eater and doesn't like the fancier items on the adult menus. I have done this a few times as well. Most restaurants will allow you do that. Some may tell you they have a small upcharge for an adult "portion" which is usually slightly larger than the kid's portion. When she's really hungry she will get 2 kid's meals (LOL) but when she has a moderate appetite 1 usually does the trick.
 

While not a table service restaurant

Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom has some very good, and unique appetizers and desserts in a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere. There are regular tables inside, a bar area, outside lounge groupings and waterside tables for 2.

It is not to be missed personally.

Oh, and the cocktails ...

I seriously tried to schedule a trip before Pandora opens, to revisit Nomad while the AK is still 'quiet' - before the masses discover this hidden gem.
 
Artist's Point has excellent appetizers! An entire party of about eight people just had appetizers during our trip a few years ago (we'd eaten an early lunch at 50s Prime Time that day, with shared meals no less, but we were still not hungry for our 7:30 pm ADR at AP). We really loved the appetizers, just perfect for a light meal. Some of us had the famous AP mushroom soup, others had seafood-based appetizers (shrimp, crab cake, mussels...I forget, but they were good), others had meat-based appetizers (I think there was sausage and pate). Everyone paired their first appetizer with a salad, and it was perfect.

Captain's Grille at YC (temporarily moved to BC) also had a good selection. My sister and I had appetizers for our meal just last year...fried shrimp for me and the crab cake for sis. We shared a salad as well.

If you enjoy Asian offerings, Yak and Yeti has the usual pot stickers, egg rolls, and wonton soup, but it also has wok fried green beans, sushi, seared tuna salad, and 'sharable' apps that are also enough for one (like tuna nachos, lettuce cups with minced chicken, and a dim sum basket).

Others have pointed out California Grill's menu, so I'm just seconding...nice selection of flatbreads, 'artisan' tacos, and sushi. Also a selection of salads (not just standard 'house' and 'caesar'), charcuterie, and usually a seafood and meat app or two.

Finally, Raglan Road is another place where several in our party had two apps in lieu of an entree or app and entree. Scottish Egg (though labeled Irish here), crock of pate with bread, sausages and mustard, scallops, baked haddock dip, small plate of ribs, and a rather large selection of salads (again beyond 'house' and 'caesar').
 
I usually travel solo and like dining at bars/lounges rather than TS, but here are some places where I've had fantastic apps that could probably make a meal for a light eater with dishes I've particularly enjoyed noted:
  • The Wave - Bacon and Eggs
  • Citricos - Arancini / Slow Roasted Pork Belly
  • Nomad Lounge - Sliders / Fish Tacos
  • Bluezoo - Teppan Seared Scallop
  • Kona Cafe - Sticky Buns
And I know you were looking for non-salads, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Wedge Romaine Salad at Crew's Cup Lounge, which I think is the same one thy serve at Captain's Grille. Made many a meal out of this along with a lovely cocktail (always have had particularly great bartenders here).
 
We dont' usually do apps, but when we had the candlelight processional package, it includes appetizer/entrée/dessert--so I made sure to book a place that had plenty of appetizer and dessert choices that my kids might eat. We went with Via Napoli--lots of choices for both appetizer and dessert.
 
My husband and I are more likely to get appetizers than an entree or we split an entree. The places we really like for appetizers are Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, Spice Road Table (and Tangierine Cafe across the street), and Boathouse. Not sure if I am allowed to mention the DFB guides here (I am not affiliated with them, but have found them very helpful). They are really helpful because you get to see what all the food looks like - many of the carts/kiosks in the parks offer appetizer-sized items that are considered a snack. There are some very yummy options that not many people know about because they either eat at a TS or CS place and ignore the kiosks unless they are looking for something sweet.
 
Totally agree with what was previously mentioned about the California Grill. Also, Raglan Road has some great options, including shareable appetizers like ribs, scallops, and sausages.
 
Flying Fish at the Boardwalk has amazing appetizers! Three adults in our group last trip - everyone had soup and we ordered a selection of appetizers and desserts to share. One of the best meals I ever had at Disney.
 
For those of you who order appetizers as your meal at TS where do you do this? I've been looking through menus and can't find many places that have many appetizers outside of the usual soup, salad, cheese etc. I'm not a huge eater but do love dessert so an appetizer is usually just right.
Capa - tapas are all small plates.

Tutto Gusto Wine Bar - also small plates.
 

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