Yachtsman or Ale/Compass for dinner one night?

[Farro]

Micky (guy in my avatar) loves steak, but he'll have numerous chances for it on this trip! I'm more of a prime rib lady, but I don't crave it. Also, I love appetizers!

Here are my thoughts so far:
Yachtsman obviously has better steak entrees and they have prime rib (yum). They also have french onion soup and crab-cakes - I can make a dinner out of that!

Ale and Compass, though, has an awesome appetizer menu! Those Parker House rolls are calling to me and the hearth pies - chorizo and leek? Sounds delicious...
The entrees, not as excited by, but the chicken and waffles sounds good!

Tell me your thoughts if you've tried both places?

 

[epcotobsessed]

Ale and Compass is good, Yachtsman is excellent. Food and service are far superior at Yachtsman. You will pay more but it's worth every penny. I go to both every trip (at least since A&C opened) but if I could only choose one I'd always choose Yachtsman.

 

[Farro]

Thanks!

It seems like it will be a battle (in my mind) if I want to do a great steak/prime rib dinner or a cheaper dinner, but get fantastic appetizers...still a tough choice, those Parker House rolls!!! yum.... but then again, I do love crab cakes, only at Yachtsman...sigh.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Where are you staying? The Ale & Compass Lounge offers the Parker house rolls too - maybe grab them as a shared snack another day - best of both worlds? I’ve dined at both and enjoy both - think comes down to your menu preference and type of evening you’re looking for (Yachtsman more formal). Or could even hit A&C lounge early, share rolls, take some time to digest and hit Yachtsman!

 

[gillep]

Ale and Compass is good, but Yachtsman is much better and would be my choice. Really can’t go wrong with either though!

 

[Farro]

Where are you staying? The Ale & Compass Lounge offers the Parker house rolls too - maybe grab them as a shared snack another day - best of both worlds? I’ve dined at both and enjoy both - think comes down to your menu preference and type of evening you’re looking for (Yachtsman more formal). Or could even hit A&C lounge early, share rolls, take some time to digest and hit Yachtsman!

Boardwalk and that is a great idea!!! Can go there for an afternoon glass of wine and Parker house rolls!

 

[OneinThree]

We actually ate at both of these this past January -YS for dinner and A&C for breakfast. TBH, there should have been a greater difference between this sig and TS restaurant, but there wasn't. A&C's new decor is a really interesting take on nautical, with a focus a clean, modern look. Our server there was easily as good as our server at YS, and the food quality was also very good. YS? Don't know what the deal is over there but it seems to be falling off for whatever reason, and will be a while before we try again. Posted a review of that dinner and will link below. In the Epcot area, Flying Fish all day long with the dining plan, or head over to the Swan/Dolphin without.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/yachtsman-steakhouse-1-8.3728414/

 

[Farro]

We actually ate at both of these this past January -YS for dinner and A&C for breakfast. TBH, there should have been a greater difference between this sig and TS restaurant, but there wasn't. A&C's new decor is a really interesting take on nautical, with a focus a clean, modern look. Our server there was easily as good as our server at YS, and the food quality was also very good. YS? Don't know what the deal is over there but it seems to be falling off for whatever reason, and will be a while before we try again. Posted a review of that dinner and will link below. In the Epcot area, Flying Fish all day long with the dining plan, or head over to the Swan/Dolphin without.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/yachtsman-steakhouse-1-8.3728414/

Thanks for review! That's so odd, normally I read about people ordering medium steaks and sending back because they come out too rare, not vice-versa! We order rare/medium rare, so usually not an issue. Dying to see these rolls though! (I'm a sucker for bread of any kind)

I'll think on it. We are staying at Boardwalk and may do Flying Fish also.

I looked at Shula's, the price point is higher than Yachtsman? Do you have to pay additional for sides? We have so many steak restaurants here in Chicago that I was leaning toward Yachtsman for atmosphere because nothing will beat what we have at home.

Definitely getting a drink in lounge at A&C and ordering those Parker House rolls! Staying at Boardwalk, so everything is in walking distance.

 

[OneinThree]

Thanks for review! That's so odd, normally I read about people ordering medium steaks and sending back because they come out too rare, not vice-versa! We order rare/medium rare, so usually not an issue. Dying to see these rolls though! (I'm a sucker for bread of any kind)

I'll think on it. We are staying at Boardwalk and may do Flying Fish also.

I looked at Shula's, the price point is higher than Yachtsman? Do you have to pay additional for sides? We have so many steak restaurants here in Chicago that I was leaning toward Yachtsman for atmosphere because nothing will beat what we have at home.

Definitely getting a drink in lounge at A&C and ordering those Parker House rolls! Staying at Boardwalk, so everything is in walking distance.

Yes, Shula's is more expensive and is a la carte. Since you're in the heartland of steakhouses, probably nothing special there for you.

YS and atmosphere: As someone who really appreciates the craftsman style, I don't find YS incredibly appealing. As a native New Englander, I also can't connect the location as pulling off that theme either. Now -it's a nice place, and our servers have always been pleasant. Here's something important to note I think -the ambiance is noticeably different depending on the time. During most of dinner service, it's quite loud and busy. When we've been there for an 8:00 ADR however, it felt like a far more quaint, romantic setting. TBH, I'd totally consider Jiko if you're looking for a themed steakhouse experience during your stay.

 

[FSU Girl]

Yachtsman is so good, I'd go with that one. But I've also never been to Ale/Compass so can't really compare. I've never had a bad meal there and their onion rolls are AMAZING

 

[Pygoplites]

As a fellow Chicagoan, I wouldn't recommend Yachtsman. I don't think it would even make it into the Top 15 if it was in the Windy City. Shula's has a Chicago location, so why not try somewhere else?

Flying Fish and bluezoo are unique and while both are seafood focused, they do a great job with meat. I had one of the best steaks ever at bluezoo. Flying Fish is very good, although the menu is somewhat limited compared to bluezoo. LOVE the appetizers at bluezoo and also crave their lobster Cantonese.

Haven't been to Ale & Compass yet.

 

[Farro]

Yes, Shula's is more expensive and is a la carte. Since you're in the heartland of steakhouses, probably nothing special there for you.

YS and atmosphere: As someone who really appreciates the craftsman style, I don't find YS incredibly appealing. As a native New Englander, I also can't connect the location as pulling off that theme either. Now -it's a nice place, and our servers have always been pleasant. Here's something important to note I think -the ambiance is noticeably different depending on the time. During most of dinner service, it's quite loud and busy. When we've been there for an 8:00 ADR however, it felt like a far more quaint, romantic setting. TBH, I'd totally consider Jiko if you're looking for a themed steakhouse experience during your stay.

We went to Jiko, loved it!

Thoughts on Tiffins?

 

[Farro]

As a fellow Chicagoan, I wouldn't recommend Yachtsman. I don't think it would even make it into the Top 15 if it was in the Windy City. Shula's has a Chicago location, so why not try somewhere else?

Flying Fish and bluezoo are unique and while both are seafood focused, they do a great job with meat. I had one of the best steaks ever at bluezoo. Flying Fish is very good, although the menu is somewhat limited compared to bluezoo. LOVE the appetizers at bluezoo and also crave their lobster Cantonese.

Haven't been to Ale & Compass yet.

We shy away because neither of us are huge seafood eaters. I mean, I like sushi, scallops and shrimp, but not a lot else. At least I haven't tried much else. Maybe I should try this trip.

We aren't married to steak. We usually go to California Grill each trip, but plan to skip this time. Having a hard time coming up with a "splurge" dinner!

 

[gillep]

We went to Jiko, loved it!

Thoughts on Tiffins?

Tiffins is good, but I personally prefer to eat/drink in Nomad lounge.

 

[Farro]

Tiffins is good, but I personally prefer to eat/drink in Nomad lounge.

Yes, we had a great afternoon there on the veranda, drinking wine and eating the bread service!

 

[gillep]

Yes, we had a great afternoon there on the veranda, drinking wine and eating the bread service!

What about Wine Bar George? We visited in January and it was awesome, my new favorite restaurant in Disney Springs, we had some awesome wines and custom flights!

 

[Farro]

What about Wine Bar George? We visited in January and it was awesome, my new favorite restaurant in Disney Springs, we had some awesome wines and custom flights!

I will look at the menu! I want to make sure we aren't at Disney Springs too often, only because we are at Boardwalk, takes time to get to/from. We plan to eat at The Boathouse (want that burger!), Jaleo (unless it gets horrible reviews) and maybe one more. Perhaps Wine Bar George!

I've got a long time, will change my mind about 58 times.

 

[gillep]

I will look at the menu! I want to make sure we aren't at Disney Springs too often, only because we are at Boardwalk, takes time to get to/from. We plan to eat at The Boathouse (want that burger!), Jaleo (unless it gets horrible reviews) and maybe one more. Perhaps Wine Bar George!

I've got a long time, will change my mind about 58 times.

I loved the Gibson's 'Sandwich King' burger at Boathouse, we have been to Jaleo in D.C. a few times so it holds no appeal for us, especially compared to those awesome wine flights at Wine Bar George, but it should be a good addition to DS.

 

[gillep]

I think you are going next year right? By then the new Space themed restaurant in Epcot should be open as well as the restaurant at the Riviera hotel so those may be nice options by then as well!

 

[Farro]

I think you are going next year right? By then the new Space themed restaurant in Epcot should be open as well as the restaurant at the Riviera hotel so those may be nice options by then as well!

I'm not sure what I think about the Space themed restaurant. Is it going to actually have good food or just be more of an attraction restaurant, like Sci-Fi Diner. Who knows!