Originally Posted By RoadTrip These are the places where we will have Priority Seating during our January trip: San Angel Inn Raglan Road 'Ohana Le Cellier Liberty Tree Tavern Hollywood Brown Derby Biergarten Nine Dragons I know I've excluded the highly exalted California Grill. What can I say? My wife doesn't like 'fancy food'. There is nothing on the menu she thinks she would like. Other than that; what do you think of the choices?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Good choices. I really enjoyed the Mole Poblano at San Angel in 2000 (though I hear the menu has been walmarted since) 'Ohana is great fun and ok food. Le Cellier is great - one of my fav Disney restaurants anywhere - a real winner LTT - it's ok, nothing too special, but then again the food in the MK is poor compared to the rest of the resort. Not bad. HBD - ;-) Lovely Biergarten - I love this place, it's so much fun. Try the beer or wine flights, and also, though not on the menu, if you like the Metzomix (orange and coke) in Ice Station Cool (or whtever it's called these days), the Biergarten cast are happy to make it for you. Nine Dragons - We love this place, very authentic chinese food by american standards, tastes almost like being in Hong Kong. Sme great choices there. Can't comment on Raglan Road, living in the UK it's of little interest t our family, but I have heard great things!
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ Mmmmm we love Le Cellier too, and we ate at the Nine Dragons (thank you for squeezing us in!) and enjoyed every bite. Be careful, because the Kung Pow (I know that's spelled wrong) chicken is hot. We asked for mild, and still found it hot. I haven't tried any of the others, but if Dave says there good, then they are!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I made the Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier for Christmas!! It's delish!!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<San Angel Inn>> Blech! Any Mexican restaurant that serves bag chips and salsa isn't worthy of my business. Tostitos?!?! You gots to be kidding. Tacky beyond belief. <<Raglan Road>> Two visits. Two excellent meals. Not Disney run. I'd advise a visit! <<'Ohana>> After skipping for two years due to dumbed down offerings, returned this year and the place had gotten better again. Shrimp and sides are back. Pineapple with caramel is there UPON REQUEST OR DEMAND IF YOUR SERVER IS SLOW!) <<Le Cellier>> Still a great choice for a steak dinner. But prices have gone up A LOT in the the past few years. Filet that was recently $25.99 is now $34.99 ... costs haven't driven them ... gouging guests has. <<Liberty Tree Tavern>> Great lunches. ANd soon no characters for dinner. And if you DEMAND apple butter it will come ... oh, same with rolls too! <<Hollywood Brown Derby>> Best thing about TPFKaTD-MGMS. Great choice. <<Biergarten>> Last time I went, dinner was $14.99 a person including beverage before 20% discount. So obviously I can't comment much. <<Nine Dragons>> Restaurant looks great after recent rehab. Dumbed down menu frankly doesn't.
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun EWWWW bagged chips?? Even our local Mexican restaurant makes their own chips and salsa. i'm looking forward to another dinner at 'Ohana in feb and trying the breakfast buffet at Boma
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^ yeah ... they are Tostitos. They aren't served in a bag. But that is what they serve. Just so very ... WalMart. They used to make their own chips and salsa from the 1980s until earlier this decade and they were excellent. I've enjoyed breakfast at Boma 3-4 times now (and I preface this by saying I am not a breakfast eater at all!) ... the food is more all-American though than the dinner offerings are!
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun went ot our local mexican place for lunch today. had delicious homemade chips and salsa. yummmm we have enjoyed dinner at Boma many times so we thought we'd give breakfast a try. CANT WAIT!!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 San Angel Inn Raglan Road ( one of my new faves- 2 visits- very pleased both times 'Ohana ( with the shrimp back on the menu I will go again -- I enjoy the atmosphere here ) Le Cellier ( I have read mixed reviews here but this place never has let medown- lovethe Salmon ) Liberty Tree Tavern ( excellent lunch menu ( I make some of the items at home thanks to info from Deb's site) Hollywood Brown Derby ( also like better for lunch than dinner - always an excellent pasta/shrimp entree ) Biergarten ( food is authentic ( although wish they'd return to Beck's bier ) - always enjoy ourselves here - entertainment a plus ) Nine Dragons ( I used to think this place was underrated - it's not mind blowing Chinese food- but entrees were all good. I have not been since it was refurbed and menu changed) and as far as Cali Grill -- they always have a chicken entree that is not that 'fancy) and does one get more basic than a tamarind filet - with green beensand scalloped potatoes ? I cannot miss this restaurant on any trip)
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m Honestly, I don't think we will be eating at California Grill next time. We have done the dining plan the last two trips, and CG is two meal credits. I could understand that if the entree options were a lot more expensive than one credit places, but they really aren't. The filet at California Grill is $41, the filet at LeCellier is $34.99. They should throw in an appetizer at the two credit restaurants. Now paying cash for the meals? Yes, I would eat at California Grill.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>I really enjoyed the Mole Poblano at San Angel in 2000 (though I hear the menu has been walmarted since)<< Love that quote, Dave. But I'm not sure what it means....
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Now paying cash for the meals? Yes, I would eat at California Grill. < that's why I do the DDE ( now tablesoftheworld ) @ - 20%.....for places like Cali Grill even for an EXCEL spreadsheet planning WDW'r like me- the Dining plan requires far too much planning
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl I agree. The Dining plan would be too much work for me. I usually book a few TS that I really want and just go with the flow for the rest of my meals. I don't like the idea of having to be in a certain park at any given time.
Originally Posted By danyoung You've got a great selection of dining locations there, Trippy. I'm not big on the Biergarten, although many people do seem to enjoy it. I just don't like, as a single park stormer, being plunked down at what amounts to someone else's table. And on my one visit I didn't think the buffet table really had that much that interested me. But that could just be me. I know I probably won't change your mind with this, but the California Grill is by far my favorite restaurant on the planet. Yes, it's pretty fancy. But then, I'm not. No, really. Not fancy at all. I eat from the microwave when at home. But I truly love the CG, for the quality of the food, the friendliness of the service, the wonderful wine list, the un-stuffiness of the atmosphere, and the incredible view. I usually visit in a golf shirt, shorts and tennis shoes, and have never felt underdressed. You can think of it as a fancy restaurant for the rest of us, and it delivers beautifully on all of its promises. Maybe some day you can convince the wife to give it a try - I'm sure it won't be your last!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo True, Cal Grill is not that fancy (not in the same way as Victoria and Albert's or Napa Rose). But it is awesome, my favorite restaurant in Florida and probably in my top 10 (maybe even 5) around the globe. The Beirgarten is a lot of fun though, I speak fluent German and have spent much time in Germany and Austia. So I have an absolute blast when we go.
Originally Posted By danyoung dave, that's a good comparison. I'd never go into Napa Rose or V&A's without the appropriate attire. Now, never having eaten at either one, I can't really compare. But I'd bet that you could stack the dining experience of the CG up to either of those and come out pretty danged close. And in this situation, where "stuffiness" is an issue, I'm betting that the CG would still come out ahead!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmm, California Grill does not offer quite the service finesse or indeed the variety of fine ingredients. But really if we were looking at cars - the Napa Rose and V&A's are like a Rolls Royce and Bently, while CG is a Porsche. All good, but slightly different. CG is posh compared to the Olive Garden, but really is like dining in a restaurant in a 4* hotel - with awesome view, show kitchen and wine list.
Originally Posted By danyoung And me being a common guy, I'd love to get my hands on a Porshe, while I wouldn't know what to do with a Rolls Royce or a Bently.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hence my analogy. I am happy with all three, but the average person would probably feel special and yet more comfortable with the porsche
