Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Splichal sounds like a wonderful chef, but the menu Doobie photographed doesn't at all reflect the kind of creativity I would expect to see from him.... I mean, penne caprese? Lasagna? Where's the fettuccine lobster bolognese?>> Frankly, you have to realize two things here: 1.) this is basically a temporary location ... when the new place opens in late 2008 I would imagine that would be more representative of what to expect; 2.) This is WDW where the average guest thinks chicken on pizza is exotic and has no clue what a risotto is. In other words, you've largely got a burgers (plain, of course) and chicken fingers crowd and Disney is afraid that by being bold it will chase folks off to the Ale House, Olive Garden, Denny's and Lone Star ... and they aren't off base in that. <<But beyond that...to heck with celebrity chefs, is somewhat the way I feel.>> I would disagree. When EPCOT Center opened in 1982, it did so by having celebrity chefs on board back before the term even existed. I can (and do) fault Disney for many things, but bringing in top name chefs isn't one of them.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<(and this will shock you, but they don't have a refillable mug program at these events!!!)>> You mean to say you aren't using an "Emmy's '88" mug when you grab a champagne at the snack bar during commercial breaks!?!?!
Originally Posted By magnet To #41 Well, I may just be a chicken finger chompin', burger lovin', Hershey's chocolate eatin' unsophisticate, but I'd rather eat Chef Boyardee with that crowd than the finest food with a bunch of rich snobs. You're saying that Disney guests aren't capable of appreciating what the top chefs create, but that we still have to pay him top dollar for giving us something more pedestrian? Unbelievable...!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Even the $59 price for the "family dinner" isn't really that outrageous for a 3-course prix-fixe meal at a high-end restaurant< With the menu listed - I disagree. I can get veal of seafood dishes at a place like Sardi's for less money - than this is a problem. And as I said , I eat at Vic and Al's, also Cali grill and Blue Zoo -- but the menu options warrant the price -- this is Olive's garden's menu right now. Show me a 'special' dining experience for $59 and I have no problem with that - I just am not seeing that here. I can get flatbread or sushi, the best filet on the planet ( IMHO ) - and a marvelous desert at Cali grill - complete with a 14 story view of the MK - and a wine list to die for - so a little less than $59.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <And, again, people here are focusing on the prix-fixe menus and not the other offerings. If you compare the a la carte prices and offerings with Alfredo's they are very, very similar. No one is forcing anyone to do the $59 'deal.' < That portion of the menu I would be willing to look into - I would gladly pay a few dollars more per entry if the foo dis an upgrade from Alfredo's -- that I never found to be outstanding except I will admit I thought the Alfredo was tasty ( even though I am not nromally an alfredo eater )
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<Two of the other parks actually have mid-range, table-service Italian restaurants (Tony's and Mama Melrose). >> Very lousy ones in my experiences, though< I might not use the term lousy -- but mediocre does fit when it comes to Italian fare
Originally Posted By JeffG >> "this is Olive's garden's menu right now." << I have a hunch that you've never been to a Patina Group restaurant before. I'd be absolutely shocked if the food at Tutto Italia isn't vastly superior to anything you could get at Olive Garden, both in quality and presentation. Even if the names and menu descriptions are similar, the efforts of a high-end chef can make a vast difference. In fact, one of Patina's strong points has been their ability to take fairly mainstream entrees and elevate them substantially. To give a direct example, I eat pretty regularly at Catal (one of the Patina restaurants at Downtown Disney in Anaheim) and some of the absolute best meals that I have had there have been when I have ordered the pork chop... -Jeff
Originally Posted By MPierce If they served a excellent veal parmasan I might be tempted by their extremely high prices, but I probably still wouldn't eat there. While Houston is certainly not the food Mecca of the U.S.A. like New York, and Chicago they have much better restuarants than any I've eaten at in WDW. While I have not yet been reduced to the poverty level type of life style, I refuse to pay over inflated prices for what I consider to be mediocre food. Now TI may have great food, but I really feel WDW is taking advantage of people with some of these prices. Yes I understand high prices for fantastic food, and atmosphere, however I don't think bland food in a crowded noisey eatery is what I want to be paying these prices for. I will never be invited to be a guest judge on Iron Chef America, but I do know what taste good to me, and what I'm willing to pay for it. Bring on the Big Mac's, and Jack Tacos, and eliminate the DDP for everyone's good.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You mean to say you aren't using an "Emmy's '88" mug when you grab a champagne at the snack bar during commercial breaks!?!?! >> Since all the drinks are free, what would be the point? The Laurent-Perrier Champagne wouldn't do well in plastic anyway!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Well, I may just be a chicken finger chompin', burger lovin', Hershey's chocolate eatin' unsophisticate, but I'd rather eat Chef Boyardee with that crowd than the finest food with a bunch of rich snobs.>> Well, alrighty ... <<You're saying that Disney guests aren't capable of appreciating what the top chefs create, but that we still have to pay him top dollar for giving us something more pedestrian? Unbelievable...!>> I'm saying exactly what I wrote above. But, yes, mant WDW guests are simple diners and I've witnessed it ... from years ago when they had eleborate fixing bars at fast food locations and you'd see more people eating plain burgers to having people want to know why they don't have burgers on the menu at venues such as California Grill and Artist Point to watching adults pay $26 to eat off the kids buffet (chicken fingers, fries) at Boma ... etc ... And no one forces anyone to eat anywhere at WDW. You can eat chicken fingers and burgers and plain pizza to your heart's content at vastly overdone price-points or (if you can stand leaving the magic) drive 5 minutes off-property (less time than it takes to get to many on property locations) and have McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, Wendy's, Subway, Pizza Hut etc ... No one is forcing anyone to dine here or anywhere else.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I have a hunch that you've never been to a Patina Group restaurant before< You'd be wrong - I've not eaten at one on the West Coast - that is true, but have dined at Naples 45 for lunch ( had pizza though ) and at the Grand Tier Restaurant in Lincoln Center where the Prix Fixe menu was less than 50 dollars and included soft shell crab the time I was there, and if I remember correctly there was also a glass fo wine included. ( This was an expense account item so I remember it was less than $50 ) I have No issue with Patina group - but the menu here looks uninspired at this point. As others have mentioned the prices seem to dictate a higher end choice of veal / sea bass or the like -- I agree the food quality will not be on order with Olive Garden -- a Chef Doy Ardee restaurant would surpass that as far as Italian is concerned. But I expect more -- and maybe just have to wait when the 'real' Patina group restaurant opens. I just think now it shows the rush job to not have a sit down clsoed with the dining package. I have high hopes for them - and it they can deliver on a high end dining experience in EPCOT - I am all for it -- but high end means quality / creative menu options and a step up dining experience -- I will take step back until the final product is delivered
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <having people want to know why they don't have burgers on the menu at venues such as California Grill and Artist Point to watching adults pay $26 to eat off the kids buffet (chicken fingers, fries) at Boma ... etc ... < Boma has to be the pinnacle for this -- some are freaked before they ever go up to the buffet - ( I know because some of them have dined with us) - the amazing thing is somehow they expect giraffe of something like that -- instead of a nice beef roast or salmon with slightly different seasonings
Originally Posted By smeeeko ^ I *heart* Boma.. they have something for everyone. I can't imagine paying that much just to eat chicken fingers that you can order anywhere at the parks.. I was hoping the new Patina restaurant would be better than the former restaurant in the Italy pavillion. I have no comparison to what was there before as I had heard so many bad things abotu the place.. OTH the Patina Group at DLR is usually pretty good.. I love the pumpkin ravioli they serve at Restaurant Napoli as well eating at Catale is fantastic! (Tortilla Joe's is good too but not my favorite). I was thinking with Patina taking over that I'd be willing to try eating at the Italy Pavillion just once. hmmm.. (don't care for Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill though.. too bland! and the service stinks)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I *heart* Boma.. they have something for everyone. I can't imagine paying that much just to eat chicken fingers that you can order anywhere at the parks.. >> I guess the Spirit may be an elitist after all, not that there is a thing wrong with it ... but on my last visit to Boma I sat and watched a 30-ish man literally eat nothing more than chicken fingers, french fries and cookies ... for $26 ... all I could think to myself was 'grow a pair and grow up ... you aren't 11 and most kids I know have wider palates than that anyway' ... Boma is a feast for the sense and the stomach and they have plenty of stuff that, while not what you may be used to at home, certainly isn't giraffe testicles or raw squid with pineapple sauce or warthog cooked in a lovely reduction with fingerling taters, but is great nonetheless. Their soups are amazing. And as VBDAD says above, they do have things like prime rib and salmon usually, even if they're seasoned with African herbs and spices ...
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^^I don't understand why anyone would go to Boma if you're notgoing to be adventurous and give something new a try. If you want "regular" food, you can go to just about any other Disney buffet.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^^I don't understand why anyone would go to Boma if you're notgoing to be adventurous and give something new a try. If you want "regular" food, you can go to just about any other Disney buffet.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I guess I'm feeling cranky tonight, but do people go to places like Boma and order food that they could get at Pinochio's just because they have the DDP and want to be able to say they went to Boma's? If 10 people go to a fish restaurant and 9 order fish, and the other doesn't like fish, it's good that the one can order a steak. But if 10 people go to a fish restaurant, and all 10 order PB&J........
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan I seem to recall having ostritch at Boma, or was that simply my imagination? And there was this curry pork dish that was quite delicious too.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I made a reservation for this coming week. It looks VERY pricey, I was by there yesterday. Someone who works there (waitress) looked at me funny too, must have been the shorts I was wearing. It felt sort of stuffy to me, not like a theme park casual type restaurant. But I'm going to try it! Denise
Originally Posted By nbodyhome As far as Boma - perhaps that man was dragged to Boma by his wife. Not everyone wants to expand their pallet, and he may have just been joining family members who didn't want to go. In the past, I have had chicken fingers there (not this time, I have expanded what I eat much more). The prime rib tasted like shoes. Yuck. I don't mind spices, but it was really smooth with a weird consistency. Not my thing. I did get 4 recipes of items I did like emailed to me. Denise
