Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<So a ponderance after reading the last few (dozen) posts...>> Entertaining, ain't it? (I think Leemac let truth of the 'rumor' of the new DVC resort on the site of RC slip on a post on the DL Board, but having a food fight is more entertaining!) <<Has the actual QUALITY of table service restaurants changed or has it been each persons interpretation of what defines quality changed? note quality.>> It depends. Look at Boma ... took prime rib away ... took the Coke-battered pork away ... changed the higher quality crinkle cut fries to the same generic fast food ones (that's for those who eat off the kiddie buffet!) ... decided that after doubling the price since opening in 2001 that they should use paper napkins instead of cloth ... does that sound like lowering quality to you? <<Not variety/price/locations just quality. Your version of mediocre may be my good and someone else's amazing yet we all could be eating the same dish the same restaurant same day. who is then right?>> The Spirit is always right ... except when Em tells him he isn't! <<I think it was said very well posts back about the demographics of diners at table services due in part to DDP but I don't think its soley to blame. At what point to you cater your menu to "public demand" or when do you say "this is what we offer take it or leave it" (Prime example is the Cheeseburger at Chefs de France)>> I think Chefs de France operated just fine for well over two decades without having a hamburger (let alone a $23 one) on the menu. I think if someone has to eat hamburger, mac'n'cheese, plain pizza or chicken fingers for every meal then they are mentally ill and need to grow up (seriously!) and eat more vaired food before they die or hit 400 pounds. Beyond that, if any adult ... hell, any well-bred child ... sans dietary restrictions (and I doubt there are any that state the above items are all one may eat) ... should be able to find multiple items to dine on at ANY WDW dining location. The problem is the DDP caters to people with basic diets, many obese if not the cusp of morbid obesity who would never have dined at the vast majority of WDW fine dining locales ... and now you have them at the Cal Grill ... on the DDP ... and even a basic (but amazing item) like the tamarind-BBQ filet isn't OK with them ... (and I have watched this behavior on MULTIPLE visits to said location with MULTIPLE parties) so you have Mom, Dad and the four kids all get the filet, but order it without the sauce and ask for fries instead of whatever sides (always great!) that are currently being offered. Honestly, they don't belong there. It's just that simple. I don't like sushi, so I don't go to sushi bars unless I can get something else that is already on the menu. I don't try and change a location to fit my tastes. That is what the DDP has done.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Nikki, no one here cares where you eat. Why the heck do you care if others think your dining choices are absurd?>> <<Hey newbie, knock off the attitude. I'm just asking a question in response to Spirit's decrying the "ignorant masses" who don't see the "Walmarting" of dining at WDW.>> I see lots of 'tude ... nice to have you around again, Nikster. Wanna talk 'bout refillable mugs?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<So when I was at Epcot today they had the menu up for the new TS in Mexico... It sounds good but when the entrees START at 21.95 I don't think I'll be going there anytime soon... Looks nice though>> Just had some great Mexican in SoCal ... at a place that goes back to the 1920s ... I'd have to check the menu, but I don't recall one item even being that high. The Mouse has a set of big ones. No doubt! Wanna get a $37 pizza with me?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Hi Dan! You are wise to give me a reminder. While I am not at all combative by nature, I tend to only post when someone has gotten me riled. So that probably results in posts that are too "direct" as you so kindly put it. The post below by Nikki is the one that spurred me to my directness. While it certainly wasn't a big deal, it pushed my button that having an opinion on the dining issue was just being nosey rather than discussing a legitimate issue of concern with the mouse. In retrospect (as is so common on the internet), it was silly to be ruffled. Guess I shall stick to lurking! Sorry Nicki!>> Don't let Dan (or Nikki) or anyone scare ya off ... there was nothing offensive about your post (I have seen some very bad stuff here and elsewhere ... your post wasn't in the same universe). I'd like to hear your take on things ... you're the only person I know who resides in North Dakota (are there others there too?)
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I'm too lazy to go back and copy and paste direct quotes from posts, so you're just going to have to keep up . I rarely eat McDonald's because it's laden with calories and fat. The "meat" and fries are greasy. Now, I'm not saying that I don't give in and grab some of those fries every once in a while (why do they taste so darn good?!?!?), but it's become a couple times a year thing for me. Like I said, Chick-Fil-A is where I go if I want something quick. It's delicious, it's not greasy, the calories are relatively low for something fried (490 calories for the Chick-Fil-A sandwich), and the employees actually act like they value your business. And yes, I did jump on Christi because her post rubbed me the wrong way, mainly because she's new. You don't walk into a stranger's house and start telling people off first thing. You all did the same thing to me as I did to danyoung (very sorry, dan); you misinterpreted a light tone (I said "mayhap" and "beeswax" in the same sentence, for crying out loud - how could you take me so seriously?). It's easy to do when we're reading thoughts and not speaking face to face, so I'm not going to make a proverbial mountain out of a molehill. In the words of Tim Gunn, "Carry on!"
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm too lazy to go back and copy and paste direct quotes from posts, so you're just going to have to keep up .>> I can't. I'm old and tired and don't have a healthy diet! <<I rarely eat McDonald's because it's laden with calories and fat. The "meat" and fries are greasy. Now, I'm not saying that I don't give in and grab some of those fries every once in a while (why do they taste so darn good?!?!?), but it's become a couple times a year thing for me.>> That's probably a wise choice. I probably am more of a once every 2-3 weeks McD's customer (although my coffee yesterday doesn't really count). It isn't great food for a healthy diet, but if you eat enough good stuff and workout regularly, then I don't believe it's going to kill ya no matter what a lot of folks would have you believe. And I really like their grilled chicken ceasar salad! <<Like I said, Chick-Fil-A is where I go if I want something quick. It's delicious, it's not greasy, the calories are relatively low for something fried (490 calories for the Chick-Fil-A sandwich), and the employees actually act like they value your business.>> Agreed on all counts, which is why I dined there tonight. ... But it isn't exactly cheap ... <<And yes, I did jump on Christi because her post rubbed me the wrong way, mainly because she's new. You don't walk into a stranger's house and start telling people off first thing.>> I do ... but we all know what an ill-mannered Spirit I am! <<You all did the same thing to me as I did to danyoung (very sorry, dan); you misinterpreted a light tone (I said "mayhap" and "beeswax" in the same sentence, for crying out loud - how could you take me so seriously?). It's easy to do when we're reading thoughts and not speaking face to face, so I'm not going to make a proverbial mountain out of a molehill.>> I don't understand words like that. I only went to the second grade! <<In the words of Tim Gunn, "Carry on!">> Tim Gunn ... hmm ... he's the dude who always helps Aquaman out ...
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<It isn't great food for a healthy diet, but if you eat enough good stuff and workout regularly, I don't believe it's going to kill ya no matter what a lot of folks would have you believe.>> I totally agree. I don't eat healthy all the time, but when I do I'd rather blow my calories on something reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaallllllyyyyy good, like an excellent roast beef po-boy from Parkway Tavern. It has always floored me that people were so shocked that Morgan Spurlock gained 30 pounds from eating McDonald's three times a day for a month. I mean, DUH!
Originally Posted By -em >>The Spirit is always right ... except when Em tells him he isn't! << Finally trained you right >>decided that after doubling the price since opening in 2001 that they should use paper napkins instead of cloth ... does that sound like lowering quality to you?<< I will give you the cloth napkins bit as that bothers me.. I will say exact food quality aside. I will say that the overall experiance has deteriorated within WDW Dining and I stick most of it on the guests themselves. Why should WDW see Cali Grill/Jiko/Artists Point etc as signature dining when their guests don't? I'm not saying they need to be black tie but an enforced dress code would be appreciated. My dining experience shouldn't be dampened when Joe and Sally show up in jeans and flip flops with their 3 screaming kids at Jiko..
Originally Posted By danyoung >Don't let Dan (or Nikki) or anyone scare ya off ... < Spirit, you gotta know that that certainly wasn't my intention. I only want to make an effort to keep everyone playing nicely in the same sandbox. >...you misinterpreted a light tone...< I know I sure did - it's very easy to have that happen! So sorry to be in the middle of a scuffle that didn't have to happen. Back to happy happy joy joy for one and all!!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 50s Primetime somehow always has seats available. --------- it seems like for whatever reason - thewaits are longer therethan anywhere else even with ressies ( especially if you have a party larger than 4) - and people leave...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ... took the Coke-battered pork away ---- had an amazing pork loin there this time with 3 choices for sauces also a broiled salmon with a dill sauce that was a real hit -- so may want to check back there...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Why should WDW see Cali Grill/Jiko/Artists Point etc as signature dining when their guests don't? I'm not saying they need to be black tie but an enforced dress code would be appreciated. My dining experience shouldn't be dampened when Joe and Sally show up in jeans and flip flops with their 3 screaming kids at Jiko ---- agreed - there are plenty of other choices--in fact we like dressing up ( again like you say not black tie) - to go there for the last meal every tripp--even the kids like that... standards..something this country is increasing killing off
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Why should WDW see Cali Grill/Jiko/Artists Point etc as signature dining when their guests don't? I'm not saying they need to be black tie but an enforced dress code would be appreciated. My dining experience shouldn't be dampened when Joe and Sally show up in jeans and flip flops with their 3 screaming kids at Jiko>> My blood pressure is rising since my party was turned away from Jinko for wearing jeans. I guess the dress code was being enforced the night of my partys resevations. For the record I realize that people are on vacation and they are not likely to bring dressy closthes with them to WDW. I honestly don't care if I'm at a fancy restaurant in WDW and the people next to me are in jeans and flip flops... thats far better then what I have seen people wearing in the parks (ops just remembered the time I wore a leather kilt to WDW and I had that wardrobe malfunction on Test Track). I also understand that WDW caters to familys with children. I just don't care to be spending upwards of $50 a meal to be listening to screaming children. If I'm going to have to listen to screaming children then I would just assume do counter service. On second thought my odds are probably better getting into Jinko in a leather kilt then getting in wearing blue jeans. Oh and WDW is NOT kilt friendly! And the female castmembers are animals!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/home.php?</a>#!/photo.php?pid=95936&id=100000257125625&ref=fbx_album
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Originally Posted By MPierce >> ordered hamburgers @ Liberty Tree - ? Why ? Some very very good lunch entrees there- I wouldn't order burgers anywhere in WDW.. << Hamburgers really are a special treat for me. Something I rarely eat, but love. It was a spur of the moment thing that my wife suggested, because she just didn't have the taste for anything else, and she knew it would make me happy. That's why we had burgers twice on this trip. We actuall cancelled 2 TS meals for them. Roaring Fork use to have really good burgers in my opinion, so I felt comfortable eating them at Epcot. My mistake. >> Chili-- OK a Texan orders chili somewhere else- that would be like me ordering pizza there...it is never going to match your tastes. Also you know it is vegetarian ( Walt's favorite ) -and that just doesn't seem to fit your M.O. << My wife ordered it, once again because she just wasn't hungry, and really isn't much of a meat eater, and really had a Fudge Sunday on her mind at the time. >> France- rude waiter -- that's what I would expect in France-- LOL !! << I knew it was going to be trouble when he came to the table, and started speaking French. I considered answering in Vietnamese, but knew my wife would be embarrased. He was an older gentleman, and probably looked down his nose at most of the guest he had to deal with. >> OK- now here- if you think Long John Silvers grease shacks serve fish and chips..then I am concerned. Yeah, they're cheaper - for good reason..not sure it's even fish - yucko << That was made tongue in cheek. I don't even know where a Long John Silver's is in Houston or if they are even still in business. I wonder if the new Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding they are serving at the Rose and Crown is any good? Has anybody tried their Bakewell Tart? >> Bangers and Mash would have been a great choice.. the scotch eggs back on the menu also very good. << I just happened to be in one of my rare fish moods that night. I have meant to try the scotch egg, as it sounded good. Especially served with a mustard sauce. I just never got around to it. >> btw-- get the fish and chips from Raglan Road next time- you won't be disappointed << I had heard that. Also that they had a superior Sheperds Pie.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> So when I was at Epcot today they had the menu up for the new TS in Mexico... It sounds good but when the entrees START at 21.95 I don't think I'll be going there anytime soon... Looks nice though << I'm just not a fan of beans, and cactus. I heard that the views are stunning from the restaurant though.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>So when I was at Epcot today they had the menu up for the new TS in Mexico... It sounds good but when the entrees START at 21.95 I don't think I'll be going there anytime soon... Looks nice though<<< Thought of making ADRs there for Dec. Nevermind, now.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Menu is very limited, as well. Not many choices. Why not try Via Napoli?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^^ Might. We shall see. Wanna get away from doing Italian each trip, though.
