Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<When anything off the menu of Macroni Grill, Ted's or Cracker Barrel easily surpasses most every dish available in WDW even in the upscale restaurants. Then that doesn't make the food choices available at WDW "World Class".>> Tom, you're way off base here ... I have eaten (and enjoyed) meals at the Macaroni Grill and Cracker Barrel. They are decent chain locations. But to say that their food surpasses what's available at WDW's best isn't reality. Just isn't. I dined at the California Grill again this week and it is most definitely a world class dining experience in terms of foods, how they are prepared, wine list, ambience and service. The food in no way is ordinary chain food. Oh, and the veggies there were quite tasty. The veggie potato chive potstickers at Artist Point may be the best veggie entree I've ever had anywhere. And I didn't get this body by not eating at a very wide range of places from McD's to 5-star locations.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Tom, you're way off base here ... I have eaten (and enjoyed) meals at the Macaroni Grill and Cracker Barrel. They are decent chain locations.>> I can think of a dozen WDW restaurants that easily surpass the quality of those admittedly pretty good chains: Victoria and Albert’s California Grill Flying Fish Spoodles Citricos Hollywood Brown Derby Yachtsman Steakhouse Restaurant Marrakesh Le Cellier Coral Reef Jiko Artist Point Now of those, probably only the first two I listed are "World Class". But every restaurant on the list is VERY good.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I didn't say they weren't good. I just said they were not world class. In my opinion they are grossly overpriced for the quality, selection, choice, freshness of the food you get. As well as less than stellar wait service ( with the exception of a only a few on property restaurants ).
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<WDW resorts like the GF or the Yacht and Beach Club or the AKL are most likely considered "world class" by those that are looking for a nice place to stay IN WDW - you can't disconnect that "superior geographical component" from the equation.>> As I said in an earlier post. The American Express Black Card crowd is still summering at Lake Lombardi in Italy.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I didn't say they weren't good. I just said they were not world class.>> Actually Tom, you did. <<For the most part you can find a larger variety on the menu and better quality food at Cracker Barrel and Macaroni Grill.>> But that's OK. We still love you anyway.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I would encourage anyone intrested in looking at my pictures of the food available at the food available in the cafateria at the Native American Museum in Washinton DC ( part of the Smithsonian Institute ). The food was incredible and in my opinion world class. Now why can't Disney offer some exciting healthy food choices. Some of us enjoy eating "new" exotic foods. Does smoked trout, smoked salmon, smoked squash or buffalo qualify as exotic food?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^ Again I think KT is is the general audience. While I do not want to see 'out of the box' items across WDW, you have to understand that most people that don't like Boma, don't like it because they don;t recognize items on the menu, or they are too exotic for them. Heck there are people who won't eat at the Biergarten because things are 'foreign' to them. I really believe the majority of the WDW crowd would avoid places featuring these items ( as they in some cases do for the places I mentioned above - as well as remember Askerhau getting the princess breakfast - first request - please not the Norweigan menu) - I would not, but I know I am likely not the typical WDW visitor either.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Again I think KT is is the general audience.>> Oh come on guys. Don't you think chicken fingers and fries is getting a bit redundant in "The World". Lets spruce up those menus! So much food out there so little time. <<you have to understand that most people that don't like Boma, don't like it because they don;t recognize items on the menu, or they are too exotic for them.>> Well yes, I guess thats true. My problem is that I can never get a seat to eat at Boma. <<Heck there are people who won't eat at the Biergarten because things are 'foreign' to them.>> My experience is that for many people the smell of the sourkraut is too much for them. <<Again I think KT is is the general audience.>> I have been called a lot of things but "general" hasn't been one of them. Gee thanks Gepeto! <smile>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<My experience is that for many people the smell of the sourkraut is too much for them.>> You're kidding, right? We ate at Biergarten last trip and I don't remember eating or smelling sauerkraut. In fact I just checked at Deb Will's site and it is not even listed as one of the menu items offered. I agree with vbdad about Disney having to match the taste of its audience. Restaurant Marakesh is one of the best (if not THE best) Showcase restaurants. Yet you can walk in at almost any time and be seated immediately. The tastes there are not even all that unusual compared to typical American food. Just the fact that most people have no what that type of food is like keeps them away.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ Very true.. Guests do drive these kind of things. Cheeseburgers in Para.. France.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<You're kidding, right?>> No I'm not kidding. Thats what people told me at least. Perhaps they were talking about the Braised Red Cabbage and confusing it with the smell of saurkrout? You want to keep in mind that the "vinegary" smell as you walk into the Biergarten can be a turn off to some. I happen to love the Biergarten.. its one of my favorite places to eat while at WDW. Not everyone likes the food though. One time I ate there with extended family and all one of my nieces ate was the chicken soup ( and desserts). She said nothing on the menu appealed to her.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <The tastes there are not even all that unusual compared to typical American food. Just the fact that most people have no what that type of food is like keeps them away. < Bingo ......but put up a Marrakesh themed McDonalds there and it would likely do great business...go figure
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Bingo ......but put up a Marrakesh themed McDonalds there and it would likely do great business...go figure<< Great, que the McDonalds in about 8 months. Hopefully Disney will be able to wrangle a table service credit for it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Although quite the rift now between McD and Disney, would likely be a Wendy's
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<No I'm not kidding. Thats what people told me at least. Perhaps they were talking about the Braised Red Cabbage and confusing it with the smell of saurkrout?>> 'Sommerfest', Germany's counter service restaurant serves bratwurst and sauerkraut. Perhaps that is what your friends were talking about. You don't need to go past Sommerfest to get to the Biergarten, but perhaps they didn't know one from the other. The Red Cabbage dish really doesn’t have a distinctive smell to it -- no more than cole slaw.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 There is actual sauerkraut that is with the sausage offerings also....besides the red cabbage -- now to me , growing up with German grandparents, those smells mean 'good food' and home cooking, I am amazed at people who do not want to eat there... Somehow German food considered 'different' yet they wiull shove any greasy burger and fries into their mouths and never question it because it looks familiar. Of course these are the same ones that would never try anything different even on their burger - sliced avocado - heresy !
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I am amazed at people who do not want to eat there...>> We had never eaten there until our last trip. My wife and I both love German food, but had been a little put off by the "communal seating". Now that we've been there... if we were seated with Charles Manson I'd live with it to eat that great food!!
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Although quite the rift now between McD and Disney, would likely be a Wendy's<< good point.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "Restaurant Marakesh is one of the best (if not THE best) Showcase restaurants. Yet you can walk in at almost any time and be seated immediately." I'm so glad to hear this. We are taking a chance in November. I have read so many mixed reviews, but I wondered if it was prejudice. Having travelled North Africa and the Middle East, I'm really looking forward to this meal.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I honestly was not that impressed with Marakesh, and the fact that you can walk in and be seated is indication of it.
