Originally Posted By DannyDisneyFreak I know there are less resturants at DLR than at WDW but they seen not as exciting as dining options at WDW. Am I correct? Also I read in the unofficial guide to DL that there is only one full service resturant in the DL park, is this true, I thought there was like three from what I have saw online? What are the best options for dining in DL, DCA, DTD and the 3 hotels?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I know there are less resturants at DLR than at WDW but they seen not as exciting as dining options at WDW. Am I correct?>> I think there are a few reasons why there are more "exciting" options at WDW. Fisrt of all, WDW has been developed as a multi-day resort, and it has been necessary to have restaurants that would keep people on property and coming back. DL for most of its history was a one day destination as part of a trip to southern California, so there was neither the space or the need to have a plethora or dining options like WDW. Florida also has more themes to draw on, EPCOT's World Showcase being a major one. <<Also I read in the unofficial guide to DL that there is only one full service resturant in the DL park>> I suppose it depends on who is counting! I say one: Blue Bayou. But it's possible to add Carnation Cafe and Club 33 to the list. <<What are the best options for dining in DL, DCA, DTD and the 3 hotels?>> I'll just mention one: Napa Rose. It is not only the best Disney restaurant at DLR, it is the best Disney restaurant anywhere. World class, IMO.
Originally Posted By danyoung There are 2 sitdown restaurants in DCA in the wine country area that are both excellent, if a bit pricy. I've also had nice meals at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and at the Uva Bar (yes, they have a full menu for the bar!). But nothing beats the Blue Bayou for unique atmosphere. If you like the San Angel Inn in Epcot, you'll LOVE the BB (I just with they'd serve wine with dinner!).
Originally Posted By cstephens Carnation Cafe is definitely a full-service restaurant, when it's open. I wouldn't include Club 33 since it's not accessible to everyone. If they go through with the Cafe Orleans re-do as rumoured, that would be another full service restaurant. /cs
Originally Posted By DannyDisneyFreak <<Napa Rose. It is not only the best Disney restaurant at DLR, it is the best Disney restaurant anywhere. World class, IMO.>> Wow, that great huh? How does it compare to the California Grill in the Contemporary Resort at WDW? The CG is my all time favorite WDW resturant.
Originally Posted By Labuda I'd actually rank Napa Rose a bit above the CG. Especially if you took the CG and put it on ground level like Napa Rose. A LOT of the CG is atmophere. Also, IIRC almost all of the waitpersons at Napa Rose are certified Sommeliers - and I doubt the CG has more than one or two sommeliers.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss IIRC = if I recall correctly Sommeliers = wine steward; and expert in wine
Originally Posted By danyoung I haven't eaten at Napa Rose, so I can't directly compare. I can say that the fact that the waiters are sommeliers is totally overrated for me. As long as they know to bring me the glass that I ordered off the menu, I'm fine. It would be like if every waiter was a certified nutritionist - it's a skill that I don't want or need when ordering. But for those who want to branch out and try new wines, I can see where that would be a cool thing.
Originally Posted By Labuda It's especially cool for those of us who enjoy a good glass of wine on rare occasions but have NO FREAKIN' IDEA what goes with what.
Originally Posted By DannyDisneyFreak Thanks for the definitions Very rare that I order wine, so that wouldn't matter to me either.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Generally, I don't drink alcoholic beverages... I have always found the taste, well, not so good. But after sampling the wine pairings at Napa Rose, I actually enjoyed the wine and how they complimented and heightened the overall experience. For an experienced drinker, a sommelier may not be necessary, but for a novice or occasional drinker such as myself, they are very helpful.
Originally Posted By LindsayC The Napa is very proud (and rightly so) of its many qualified staff. I love not only the expertise they bring when I’m choosing wine but you can see how much they enjoy imparting the knowledge. Lee and I talked extensively with Michael Jordan (Manager) and Andrew Sutton (Head Chef) about the remarkable success of Napa for the next issue of Tales. Mr Jordan really is a character. And keeping up with the current Disney news - they also serve John Lasseters wine, which is really rather good.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Napa Rose is indeed the finest restaurant in the Disney empire, and is actually my favorite restaurant in the world. WDW has quantity with small pockets of quality. If it's sit down and Disneyland - it's totally quality. Napa Rose has a wonderful menu, a show kitchen, a great wine list and wonderful wait staff. A top rate, unforgetable dining experience. My top Disney restaurant list for value and quality: 1. Napa Rose - Disneyland 2. California Grill - Disneyland Paris 3. California Grill - WDW
Originally Posted By danyoung >It's especially cool for those of us who enjoy a good glass of wine on rare occasions but have NO FREAKIN' IDEA what goes with what. < Where that breaks down for me is that I just flat don't like the reds - any of 'em. And I also am not fond of the heavier whites. So when you do the wine pairing thing, you get wines that "go" with whatever dish, but no matter how much they "go", I just don't like some of them. I'm one of those rubes who drinks a chardonnay with a steak, and enjoy it just fine. But I certainly don't mean to speak ill of the trained folks at Napa Rose. I just meant that having an actual sommolier serve me is a skill that just falls on deaf ears for me.
Originally Posted By dlkozy I wish there were a couple more themed restaurants at DL to choose from. Prime time would be fun as well as that Alice in Wonderland themed one they have at Disneyland Tokoyo.
Originally Posted By dlkozy I want an experience that I am not going to get anywhere else. There used to be a restaurant in San Jose where everyone sat in their own covered wagon. It was always nighttime with sparkling stars and crickets chirping, and your very own lantern in your very own covered wagon glowing. The kids loved it! They served great steaks and BBQ beans-I am making myself hungry!
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney They had a really fun interactive place at DCA with very good food, Soap Opera Bistro. They decided after a year to rip it out at a great cost to put a Disney Playhouse show in for toddlers, something they could have put in a temp type building like the Millionaire one.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Soap Opera Bistro theme did not appeal to me at all. I don't watch any and that kind of drama does not float my boat. It seems to me that that theme would appeal to a smaller type of audience rather than an entire family.
