Originally Posted By dshyates I know that this should probably go into a different section like Disney Dining or such, but those threads get so little traffic, so I am putting it here. The number of times I hear how much people loathe chain restaurants and are looking for top notch local fair that I thought I would share this great article. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenny-block/ten-foodie-surprises-in-o_b_3176006.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...006.html</a> Ravenous Pig, Cask and Larder, and 4 Rivers Smokehouse are fantastic. 4 Rivers Smokehouse is by far the best Barbecue I have ever had. It is a concept by Chef Johnny Rivers. He got his start as a prep chef in 1970 at WDW. 1n 1988 he became the Disney's first Corporate Executive Chef. He opened 23 hotel and entertainment complexes, 147 restaurants, and 5 Disney Theme Parks including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Tokyo Disney, and EuroDisney. He later moved to Darden Restaurants where he developed Smokey Bones and Bahama Breeze. Here is his Bio. <a href="http://www.riversglobal.com/pages/about.html" target="_blank">http://www.riversglobal.com/pa...out.html</a> That said I would love, love, LOVE if they were to include a 4 Rivers Smokehouse in the new Disney Springs plan.
Originally Posted By dshyates OK apparently there are 2 John/Johnny Rivers doing barbecue in Orlando and the one of Disney fame is NOT the one behind 4 Rivers Smokehouse. Never the less 4 Rivers Smokehouse ROCKS. Just thought I would throw that out there before someone else calls me an idiot.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt The HP also recently posted an article that named crime ridden Oakland, California as America's most exciting city. Therefore, I would take anything they say regarding cities and their contributions to culture and tourism with a huge grain of salt. Seriously.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hopefully this will give Dan Young reason to leave WDW for a couple of hours the next time he comes does to Orlando.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've never traveled anywhere specifically to eat at a fancy restaurant (though I do enjoy eating at new and exciting places on vacation, whereever I happen to be), but I have read a lot of reports that Orlando does have some great restaurants, despite its reputation for bland chains as far as the eye can see. If I'm not mistaken, even WDW's own Victoria & Albert's has consistently won awards for years, and is one of the top rated restaurants in the southeast As for Oakland, there is a certain 'excitement' to visiting a dangerous place. Maybe that's what the article meant?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "As for Oakland, there is a certain 'excitement' to visiting a dangerous place. Maybe that's what the article meant?" LOL, maybe. The HP story has been a running joke with a group of my friends all weekend.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 "The HP also recently posted an article that named crime ridden Oakland, California as America's most exciting city." Hey, it would be a cheap vacation idea for adrenaline junkies...instead of paying a ton of money to jump out of a plane, or go scuba diving, or mountain climbing, just go hang out in Oakland by yourself after dark
Originally Posted By hopemax The Winter Garden 4 Rivers is about a mile from my parents' house. It's one of the reasons why I don't eat so many meals on Disney property anymore. Disney is too much work, too expensive, and there are fantastic options elsewhere.
Originally Posted By TP2000 hopemax, when it comes to dining that is the case at all Disney resort destinations. Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong. I won't even try and mention Disneyland Resort Paris versus dining in the actual city of Paris. At its very-very best, fine dining on Disney property just barely matches fine dining that you could expect off property in the same city. That's assuming you hit the Disney restaurant on a good night for the kitchen, avoid the frumpy hostess in straining polyester who is struggling to keep things together at the entry lobby, and then get the best waiter in the joint. And, also assuming you can get out of the place without some smarmy CM ruining the night by saying "And have a MAGICAL stay!". Puke. Disney just doesn't do fine dining to the 110% level that niche industry demands. They only get to the 90% level and then coast on fireworks fumes and fake pixie dust to cover their... shortcomings.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>At its very-very best, fine dining on Disney property just barely matches fine dining that you could expect off property in the same city.<< I've never dined at either, but from what I've heard Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian and the Napa Rose at the Grand Californian are supposed to be the best restaurants around. Victoria & Albert's consistently wins awards and is rated among the top restaurants in the southeast. It sounds kind of funny from a little restaurant at a Disney hotel, but from all accounts it really is *that* good. I think that the Napa Rose is a little more relaxed (must be that California thing), but given the other competition in Anaheim (Bubba-Gump, Cheesecake Factory...) it probably still wins; if you consider it as a part of the soCal region (like what is being done with DL Paris), I'm sure you can find better.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn This is all you need: <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/1DhZr" target="_blank">http://goo.gl/maps/1DhZr</a>
Originally Posted By sjhym333 It is the dumbing down of food at Disney. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the dining plan. But the dream of fine dining at the hotels and at places like World Showcase is long gone. Disney has taken the same route with food as they have with merchandise.
