Yachtsmen's or Shula's?

[Mackey Mouse]

I hate disagreeing with one of my fave posters, Mr. D., but I feel I would be remiss if I did not say my husband and I had one of our worst meals at Yachtsman......maybe it was an off night, but service was not good, table was dirty when we sat down....we spoke to the hostess who shrugged her shoulders when we said the table was dirty, then the meal was seriously lacking. Steak was not good. We did tell another server, not ours, but he was missing lots, and then she got a manager and he apologized to us. Spoke to the hostess and would work with her on retraining....wanted to comp dessert but by that time, we wanted out of there.. This was maybe two trips ago and even maybe longer than that and we have not gone back.. Now maybe things have changed for the better there since Mr. D does like it and I trust his judgment.

I do like Shula's, it is great steak, expensive, dark ambiance and maybe not kid friendly...I do not remember children there when we ate there but it was later in the evening.

 

[Mister Disney]

Mackey Mouse, many things have changed in the past couple of years at the Yachtsman.

Mark Hovenaars transfered in as Area Manager in mid to late 2006 and has been working with Chefs Gregg and Al to raise up the dining experience at Yachtsman ever since.

In the past 3 years, the K-Man and I have eaten there 6 times since 2005.

Our first experience in 2005 was similar to what you describe in terms of the service arena. I would disagree though that the food was delicious and well prepared.

Having said that, we probably would never have tried Yachtsman again after that experience if it were not for Mark transfering in as Area Manager.

Our next experience shortly after Mark took over, was a "pop in" / "crashing", for just dessert and cheese. Mark was not on the evening that popped in. This experience was on the same lines as our experience in 2005. Frazzled staff, dirty tables, etc.

Since then (4 more times), each and every time we've dined there has gotten better and better, culminating with the fabulous dinner we experienced a few weeks ago.

This past trip, we noticed a distinct difference in the staff and in the level of professionalism offered by the wait staff.

Restaurants do continue to change as Management changes, and the YSH has certainly benefited from Mark Hovenaars taking over as Area Manager.

Mackey Mouse....I'd suggest giving them another try.

 

[mickeymom629]

I'm reading this thread and wondering what to do for our Father's Day dinner in June. My kids are 14, 16 and 18 and love steak. We have the DDE, so I'd love to be able to get the discount at the YSH. But I'd rather pay for a definite great meal than get a discount for a so-so one.

I had read that Shula's offered AAA discounts but, when I called yesterday, they said they don't offer any.

The menu at Shula's looks a little better to me than YSH, with a little more variety. I like steak, but I typically pick a fish dish.

What to do, what to do?

 

[LoraJ]

Hmmm...
This is going to be hard to decide. Sounds like Shula's is better, but we had a bad experience at another one so not sure DH will want to go. Our waitress neglected us most of the night while she flirted with the bartender. I doubt that would happen at the WDW one though. I'll show him both menus and see which one he prefers.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Mackey Mouse, many things have changed in the past couple of years at the Yachtsman.

Is one of those changes that they (YSH) are now serving USDA Prime beef? Because they weren't before and to compare Prime, as is served at Ruths' Chris and Morton's, to a lesser cut is just not right, IMO.

 

[Tink901]

I would have to agree with Mister Disney. The Yachtsman has gone thru some Management and Staff changes all for the better.

Chefs Gregg and Al and Area Manager Mark won't settle for their staff being fair - they hold their staff very accountable. They work very hard to set a higher standard since they are signature dining and strive for consistancy.

I had a bad experience a few years ago but I have had 8 birthday dinners over the last 2 years and they have been consistently great food and service.

If you have a issue with your server or meal you should ask to speak with a Manager or a Chef - they won't know there is something wrong or something to be fixed if a guest doesn't communicate with them.

YSH is now serving Australian Premium Brand which is equivalent to USDA prime beef.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

YSH is now serving Australian Premium Brand which is equivalent to USDA prime beef.

Is this the Greg Norman Premium Waygu? If so, I will happily stand corrected. But if this is the case what other WDW are serving this? FF? CG? JIKO?

Unless procurement procedures have changed WDW Chefs have very little leeway when making purchases. If this has changed I will be thrilled.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I hate disagreeing with one of my fave posters, Mr. D., but I feel I would be remiss if I did not say my husband and I had one of our worst meals at Yachtsman......maybe it was an off night, but service was not good, table was dirty when we sat down....we spoke to the hostess who shrugged her shoulders when we said the table was dirty, then the meal was seriously lacking. Steak was not good. We did tell another server, not ours, but he was missing lots, and then she got a manager and he apologized to us. Spoke to the hostess and would work with her on retraining....wanted to comp dessert but by that time, we wanted out of there.. This was maybe two trips ago and even maybe longer than that and we have not gone back.. Now maybe things have changed for the better there since Mr. D does like it and I trust his judgment.

I do like Shula's, it is great steak, expensive, dark ambiance and maybe not kid friendly...I do not remember children there when we ate there but it was later in the evening.

MM, this was our experience last week. We had looked forward to this meal for months...but the chateaubrian was dismal. It was really, really bad. It was not seasoned AT ALL and the steak was mushy and tasteless. The mushrooms were nasty and I just got up and left. I'm not one to contain my disappointment, but my father gets embarrassed when anyone complains, so I left my full meal on my plate and left to explore the YC. I'll never, ever go back.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

OP, the S/D used to provide complimentary child care for those dining in their upscale restaurants. I think they even feed them, but I'm not sure. If that's something that you're interested in, you may want to check into it.

 

[Mister Disney]

MM, this was our experience last week. We had looked forward to this meal for months...but the chateaubrian was dismal. It was really, really bad. It was not seasoned AT ALL and the steak was mushy and tasteless. The mushrooms were nasty and I just got up and left. I'm not one to contain my disappointment, but my father gets embarrassed when anyone complains, so I left my full meal on my plate and left to explore the YC. I'll never, ever go back.

If you are unwilling or unable to address the issues of either a poorly prepared meal or poor service in person at the time when something happens then you don't give the place of business the opportunity to make the situation right.

 

[Frankiesmom]

Wow, this has grown! Great! I really think we'll give YSH a chance; but does anyone know for definite if they accept the DDE card? Thanks for the great responses!

 

[Mister Disney]

Wow, this has grown! Great! I really think we'll give YSH a chance; but does anyone know for definite if they accept the DDE card? Thanks for the great responses!

YSH DEFINITELY takes the DDE card.

I do not know about SHula's

 

[Frankiesmom]

Thanks Mister Disney!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Shula's does not.

 

[tiggersmom2]

If you are unwilling or unable to address the issues of either a poorly prepared meal or poor service in person at the time when something happens then you don't give the place of business the opportunity to make the situation right.

I'm pretty sure I explained why I did NOT complain. If we had been there without my father, I would have said something. That is neither here nor there because I won't be going back, glad you like the place so much.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Not sure when new management took over or what they've accomplished but in regard to management 'making things right' if properly informed, anyone considering YSH might want to do a SEARCH for "bug in food" and you'll see a thread that isn't quite a year old (so it's probably still relevent). Some interesting and not very...uh, appitizing comments...