Originally Posted By BELLEROSE We're planning a trip to WDW in April and will happen to be there for our 6th year anniversary. We've never been and need some help for any romantice/nice restaurant ideas. Someone suggested Jiko at Animal Kingdom but I wasn't that impressed with the menu. I want something nice but not very "different", I'm not really into trying new/different flavors. But really any and all suggestions will be considered.
Originally Posted By smedley Depends on where your price point is, I would suggest either Victoria and Albert at the GF if you want truely romantic, or if the budget doesn't stretch that far, then the California Grill at the Contemporary, with the reservation made to coincide with the Wishes fireworks at MK so you can watch them from their outside balcony. You will find more children at the California Grill, but watching the fireworks from the balcony is lovely.
Originally Posted By Doobie I recommend Artists Point at Wilderness Lodge. The menu is not that adventurous. It's not usually too crowded so it's nice and quiet (My big complaints about the California Grill is the noise and crowd). The grounds are also very beautiful and romantic to walk around at night after dinner. Doobie.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I'm going to recommend a few places that aren't generally considered romantic. And who knows... maybe they aren't. What do I know about romance? I'm 55. ;-) At any rate: 1) Hollywood Brown Derby at MGM I know... how can a theme park restaurant be considered romantic? Go there during off hours... take a late lunch at 2:30 or 3:00. The place will be mostly empty and there will be very few kids. The elegant interior of the Brown Derby, the piano player providing a little background music and the wonderful service can make for a romantic experience in the middle of a theme park. As an extra plus, if you eat when the lunch menu is in effect you will get out for considerably less than the other places that have been mentioned. The menu is blissfully normal. 2) 'Ohana at the Poly Now the other folks on the board are really laughing at old Trippy. 'OHANA??? Kids in the aisles with hula hoops and coconut races?? People being pulled away from their table and told to balance a pineapple on their head because they asked for ketchup?? Yup, 'Ohana. If you make a late reservation you can avoid most of the kid stuff and enjoy a truly romantic location looking across the Seven Seas Lagoon towards the Magic Kingdom. If you are there during fireworks they will lower the lights and play the audio from the show. As for the menu... there is MEAT and plenty of it. Shrimp too. What could be more normal that that?? 3) Nine Dragons at Epcot Nine Dragons tends to not be really crowded, but make a late reservation anyway. This way you won't be seated right next to other diners and you will minimize the kid factor. The interior of Nine Dragons is probably the most beautiful restaurant on Disney property. The service is very competent and extremely friendly. They know they are not the most popular restaurant at Epcot and make an effort to show how welcome you are. If you take my advice and make a late reservation you will probably be dining during Illuminations. You may see a bit of it from inside the restaurant, but probably not much. But you will HEAR the sounds and music of Illumination while you quietly dine on fine food in the most beautiful restaurant at Epcot. Many items on the menu will be familiar to anyone who has eaten at a typical U.S. Chinese restaurant. There are also more authentic items that you don't see very often if you happen to feel a little adventurous. Well, that is my list. They will probably never make anyone else’s list of romantic restaurants, but I think they really are if you go there at the right time. The menus at all are familiar and the expense (for Disney) is moderate. I truly think you would have an enjoyable time at any of them.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo My choices would be in the following Order - Victoria and Albert's - a very special and adult dining experience. California Grill - my favorite restaurant in all of WDW Le Cellier - fantastic food in a romantic setting Artist Point - beautiful views and great food San Angel Inn - not tex mex, but a lovely restaurant with a volcano in the dark with more traditional dishes. Nine Dragons, for the sames reasons Road Trip has suggested.
Originally Posted By brerroadrunner Yachtmans's Steakhouse at the Yacht Club did an excellent dinner for our 30th-personalized menus and window seating with great fine dining service, quiet and not to many kids running around. Arrive early for a cocktail in the lounge first. Second choice is Le Cellier- good food and service but a litlle noisy.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I'd consider Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian or Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge -- both followed up with an evening stroll on one of the lakeside beaches. If you book at the right time, on the right evening, you can see the MK fireworks at Narcoosee's, too.
Originally Posted By BELLEROSE I looked over a couple of the menus. But there are so many choices. I want to research Artist Point and California Grill a little more since everyone is talking about them. Anybody have any opinions on: Wolfgang Puck's in DTD - their menu looked great. or L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - I love Italian and they're selections also looked wonderful. But I'm not sure on the ambiance?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Wolfgang Puck does have a nice menu, but it feels like eating in a Cafe rather than a good restaurant IMHO. We used to like the Italian, but they have just remodelled and changed management. We had a great time their on our honeymoon, but it was very crowded, we were practically sitting with all the other parties (but that is what most WDW restaurants are like).
Originally Posted By vbdad55 btw-- we had 9:20 ressie's at Cali Grill this last time and except for my two kids ( 13 and 22 - hardly kids any more) - I am not sure there was even one other one in the place - none that I saw for sure ) - for those who have issue with that. I have always brought my kids but I daresay they always behaved at a place like that, and better than some of the adults even when younger. Also I noticed what seemed to be a real uptick in attire for everyone there this time - even over as close in as last year.....a lot of black evening dresses and nice slacks'shirts on the men.
Originally Posted By MPierce My vote goes for Artist Point also. Really good food at a beautiful resort. Catch the boat from MK. Get a table overlooking the waterfall. A short walk on the grounds, and on the beach. Then another boat ride back.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - I love Italian and they're selections also looked wonderful. << Food was mediocre, and the tables are crammed together. It's almost like dining with the other people around you. It will be under new management by September, so it might improve.
Originally Posted By SFH >>Yachtmans's Steakhouse at the Yacht Club<< Nice enough ambience, but my wife and I found it to be ridiculously overpriced - more so than Disney usually is. SFH
Originally Posted By Great Stone Dragon We went to the Callifornia Grill on our Honeymoon and really enjoyed it. We went around sunset and the waiter ordered us champange on the house! We also had dinner at the Mexican pavillion, but that was just so-so. We will be there for our 6th anniversary next week and booked dinners at a few restaurants we've never tried yet. We'll be trying Le Cellier, Citricos at the GF, and the laua at the Poly. I can let you know in a couple weeks if I'd recommend any of those.
Originally Posted By TigerKat We loved Cali Grill on our last trip, so I'd vote for that. We'll be trying JIKO for the first time next trip, maybe that will be a contender!!
Originally Posted By Elderp One thing I would like to mention because of our trip to WDW was that the only place where we didn't find children was Victoria and Alberts. Even Citricos next door to VandA's had children.
Originally Posted By Labuda I've seen children in V&A's twice. Once in July 2000 and once in August 2007.
