MOJoe
05-01-2008, 03:56 PM
This April, i saved a little money and stayed at All Star Music, so my family, me, my wife, and 2 sons 14 & 9, could eat at some of WDW's top places. To be fair, dining in The World is part of the fun for us (well, mostly me and the wife).....and probably you too. So without further formalities, i offer my dining reviews, in order, from least favorite to the best.
#5 Coral Reef Repeat Visit
Atmosphere - One of the most unique settings in the World, but aren't all those crying kids supposed to be mesmerized by the fish?
Drinks - Blue Glowtini, Deep Blue Martini
Appetizers - Sea and Land, Lobster Soup
Entrees - Kid's Mac n Cheese, NY Strip, Mahi, and Salmon.
Desert - Chocolate Wave
The Bill - $149
Thoughts - The appetizers were smallish, and lacked flavor. My son's steak was dry, also with little flavor. My wife's Mahi was good, as was my Salmon. But the Salmon recipie was not the same as last time, and not nearly as good. The food generally wasn't cooked to perfection, or seasoned well enough. On the other hand, The Chocolate Wave was one of the best deserts anywhere.
The Verdict - One of the best Salmon dishes i have ever had was here. So the Coral Reef was a big let down this time. We love the setting, but may decide to keep the fish here as friends - not food.
#4 Rose & Crown First Visit
Atmosphere - Sitting outside exposes you to the elements, but inside is similar to Columbia Harbor. If the weather cooperates, it can be very romantic on the patio.
Drinks - Boddingtons, Welsh Dragon
Appetizers - Fruit & Cheese
Entrees - Kids Bangers & Mash, Roast Chicken, Surf and Turf, Roast Lamb
Dessert - Chocolate Cake
The Bill - $109
Thoughts - With Bangers & Mash on the menu you don't expect fine dining here, but i was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. Especially my Lamb with mint.
The Verdict - No complaints, and since you get a view of Illuminations with your meal, this is be a place we will return to.
#3 The Flying Fish Cafe First Visit
Atmosphere - A lively place, yet feels very upscale, with a clientel to match. No crying kids here.
Drinks - Blue Glowtini, Cold Stream Pinot
Appetizers - Caesar Salad, Crab Cakes
Entrees - Mickey Pasta, Kid's Grilled Chicken, and 2 Wrapped Snapper
No Desert
The Bill - $133
Thoughts - Somehow i expected more here. The food presentation looked great, and everything was very good, but nothing was truly outstanding. The appetizers were incomplete on their own and needed each other.
The Verdict - The wonderful food presentation and the atmosphere indicates that my opinion may be off, so we will most likely give this place another try.
#2 The Hollywood Brown Derby Repeat Visit
Atmosphere - Maybe a little unfair, since we were seated in the semi-private Bamboo Room. This was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable meals we have ever had in the World. Our server, Andrea, pampered us silly.
Drinks - Derby Delight, #10 Martini
Appetizer - Cobb Salad
Entrees - Kid's Beef n Mac, Pork Chop, 2 NY Strips
Desert - Soft Chocolate Cake
The Bill - $150
Thoughts - You could make a meal from just the Cobb Salad, but you better not. Everything was cooked to perfection. The Steaks were flavorful and my Pork with Polenta was incredible. We all cleaned our plates. With 2 young pickey eaters, that says it all.
The Verdict - This meal puts the Brown Derby firmly at #2. A definite repeat visit is in order. And if we can be seated in the Bamboo Room with Andrea as our server, all the better.
#1 California Grill First Visit
For those who have been to this fabulous restaurant, it should come as no surprise that it is my #1 pick. For those who have never tried it, here are my thoughts
Atmosphere - Overlooking Cinderella's Castle, there are few places in the real world that rival the view. This is upscale, fine dining at it's best, with a very refined feel. I wished that i was staying at this resort, so i could hang out at the bar every night.
Drinks - Byron Pinot
Appetizers - Cheese Flatbread, Toasted Ravioli, Rainbow Roll Sushi
Entrees - Kid's Mac n Cheese, Kid's Steak, Oak Fired Filet, Pork Tenderloin
Desert - Valrhona Cake
The Bill - $199
Thoughts - Our Server, Bill, suggested a Pinot, and let me taste my selection as well. His choice was the obvious winner. The appetizers were very good. This was not the best sushi i have ever had, but it was close. My wife was overwhelmed with her Pork, and my Steak melted in my mouth. It was perhaps the best Filet i have had at any restaurant.
The Verdict - Having an incredible meal in one of the most unique settings in America is nothing to take lightly. The California Grill lived up to my expectations, and as long as i can keep coming back to Walt Disney World, i will keep coming back here.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this, and i hope it helps you keep, or even make new ADR's. Of course this is all just my opinion, from a point in time. So be your own judge. I hope in coming years, to try a few other great places, so keep posting your own opinions. Cause the only thing better than eating great food, is reading about eating great food!
Happy Trips All
Joe from MO
#5 Coral Reef Repeat Visit
Atmosphere - One of the most unique settings in the World, but aren't all those crying kids supposed to be mesmerized by the fish?
Drinks - Blue Glowtini, Deep Blue Martini
Appetizers - Sea and Land, Lobster Soup
Entrees - Kid's Mac n Cheese, NY Strip, Mahi, and Salmon.
Desert - Chocolate Wave
The Bill - $149
Thoughts - The appetizers were smallish, and lacked flavor. My son's steak was dry, also with little flavor. My wife's Mahi was good, as was my Salmon. But the Salmon recipie was not the same as last time, and not nearly as good. The food generally wasn't cooked to perfection, or seasoned well enough. On the other hand, The Chocolate Wave was one of the best deserts anywhere.
The Verdict - One of the best Salmon dishes i have ever had was here. So the Coral Reef was a big let down this time. We love the setting, but may decide to keep the fish here as friends - not food.
#4 Rose & Crown First Visit
Atmosphere - Sitting outside exposes you to the elements, but inside is similar to Columbia Harbor. If the weather cooperates, it can be very romantic on the patio.
Drinks - Boddingtons, Welsh Dragon
Appetizers - Fruit & Cheese
Entrees - Kids Bangers & Mash, Roast Chicken, Surf and Turf, Roast Lamb
Dessert - Chocolate Cake
The Bill - $109
Thoughts - With Bangers & Mash on the menu you don't expect fine dining here, but i was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. Especially my Lamb with mint.
The Verdict - No complaints, and since you get a view of Illuminations with your meal, this is be a place we will return to.
#3 The Flying Fish Cafe First Visit
Atmosphere - A lively place, yet feels very upscale, with a clientel to match. No crying kids here.
Drinks - Blue Glowtini, Cold Stream Pinot
Appetizers - Caesar Salad, Crab Cakes
Entrees - Mickey Pasta, Kid's Grilled Chicken, and 2 Wrapped Snapper
No Desert
The Bill - $133
Thoughts - Somehow i expected more here. The food presentation looked great, and everything was very good, but nothing was truly outstanding. The appetizers were incomplete on their own and needed each other.
The Verdict - The wonderful food presentation and the atmosphere indicates that my opinion may be off, so we will most likely give this place another try.
#2 The Hollywood Brown Derby Repeat Visit
Atmosphere - Maybe a little unfair, since we were seated in the semi-private Bamboo Room. This was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable meals we have ever had in the World. Our server, Andrea, pampered us silly.
Drinks - Derby Delight, #10 Martini
Appetizer - Cobb Salad
Entrees - Kid's Beef n Mac, Pork Chop, 2 NY Strips
Desert - Soft Chocolate Cake
The Bill - $150
Thoughts - You could make a meal from just the Cobb Salad, but you better not. Everything was cooked to perfection. The Steaks were flavorful and my Pork with Polenta was incredible. We all cleaned our plates. With 2 young pickey eaters, that says it all.
The Verdict - This meal puts the Brown Derby firmly at #2. A definite repeat visit is in order. And if we can be seated in the Bamboo Room with Andrea as our server, all the better.
#1 California Grill First Visit
For those who have been to this fabulous restaurant, it should come as no surprise that it is my #1 pick. For those who have never tried it, here are my thoughts
Atmosphere - Overlooking Cinderella's Castle, there are few places in the real world that rival the view. This is upscale, fine dining at it's best, with a very refined feel. I wished that i was staying at this resort, so i could hang out at the bar every night.
Drinks - Byron Pinot
Appetizers - Cheese Flatbread, Toasted Ravioli, Rainbow Roll Sushi
Entrees - Kid's Mac n Cheese, Kid's Steak, Oak Fired Filet, Pork Tenderloin
Desert - Valrhona Cake
The Bill - $199
Thoughts - Our Server, Bill, suggested a Pinot, and let me taste my selection as well. His choice was the obvious winner. The appetizers were very good. This was not the best sushi i have ever had, but it was close. My wife was overwhelmed with her Pork, and my Steak melted in my mouth. It was perhaps the best Filet i have had at any restaurant.
The Verdict - Having an incredible meal in one of the most unique settings in America is nothing to take lightly. The California Grill lived up to my expectations, and as long as i can keep coming back to Walt Disney World, i will keep coming back here.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this, and i hope it helps you keep, or even make new ADR's. Of course this is all just my opinion, from a point in time. So be your own judge. I hope in coming years, to try a few other great places, so keep posting your own opinions. Cause the only thing better than eating great food, is reading about eating great food!
Happy Trips All
Joe from MO