Mickey'sGirl
08-15-2012, 08:24 PM
Cast:
DH – Brian (CanadianWDWFan) Turning 45 on this trip
DS14 – Harry – Celebrating graduating from Grade 8 (High School already?!?!?)
DS8 ˝ – Euan – Celebrating his Half-Birthday because we can’t go down in January
Me – Jennifer – Just happy to be making the trip with my guys!
Part 2 Can be found here (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=2292185#post2292185)
Part 3 Can be found here (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=2292188#post2292188)
1. Tony’s Town Square – Magic Kingdom
Atmosphere: You can’t beat the cool comfortable beauty of Tony’s. Tables are well spaced, and the Lady and the Tramp artwork is displayed throughout the restaurant. 5/5
Food: The boys shared Calamari to start. It was lightly coated and not greasy, so very nice. Neither cared for the marinara it was served with. For our mains, Harry had Seafood Diavolo - Linguini pasta with Clams, Mussels, Calamari, Shrimp, and fresh fish of the day in a spicy Tomato sauce . He enjoyed this food immensely, especially the Mussels. Brian had Lasagna, which he said was all right (that was my impression of it when I had it a couple of years ago too … just all right). Euan and I both had Spaghetti and Meatballs. I honestly never expect much when I order Spaghetti and Meatballs when we’re out. I make my own sauce and balls o’ meat at home every week, and I am usually disappointed when I order this out. Well, Tony’s has made a believer out of me! The linguine was hot and al dente, and the meatballs were FABULOUS. Honestly, Tony’s really knows how to make a good meatball, all flavourful and moist. This was a great surprise! Euan ordered an ice cream sundae for dessert, Brian had cheesecake, and Harry and I opted for some Cappuccino’s , served with biscotti, which our server remembered to leave off of my saucer due to my noted tree-nut allergy. 4/5
Service: We had been served by our waiter in the past, and remembered him to be efficient and friendly. For this visit, again he was both. The simple act of thinking to NOT include the biscotti demonstrates the quality of his service. We noticed and commented to the Hostess that we saw everyone in the restaurant helping each other out. Servers were picking up dishes at other tables when they passed, or offered refills of drinks. Real quality service. 5/5
We had fabulous service and other than the mediocre lasagna, terrific mains then some good coffee to finish up. This was a terrific first night’s meal at Disney! Overall rating - 4/5
2.Wolfgang Puck’s Café – Downtown Disney
Atmosphere: I love the open kitchen at Wolfgang Puck’s Café, and passing the sushi bar and pastry bar. I think opening your kitchen to your patrons is a great reflection of the quality of your establishment. The restaurant is very open, and the tables are in close proximity to each other, which can lead to volume issues. It was unpleasantly noisy by the time we were finished our meal. 3/5
Food: We are sushi loving folk, so we ordered some sushi to share before dinner. We had some cucumber rolls, California rolls and salmon rolls (so Euan would partake), and then some spicy tuna rolls and house speciality sushi. Fresh and fabulous. We all really enjoyed the sushi, and the quality of the fish used. I almost wish that we had just kept ordering sushi for our dinner, but that was also very good. Harry had the Pepperoni Pizza. The crust was thin and light, and though he would have preferred it without the red peppers, he thought it was really good. In my opinion two non-teenagers could have easily shared this! Brian had the Cavatappi Chicken Alfredo with bacon, peas and parmesan, which was very rich and delicious, and I had the HUGE Spaghetti with Tiger Prawns, tomatoes, capers, basil, chili flakes and anchovies. I have really developed a taste for capers, and with the anchovies and fresh tomatoes, this was a fabulous dish. There were several plump Tiger shrimp and enough basil. I had trouble finishing my meal partially because it is such a large serving, and partially because I REALLY enjoyed the sushi! Euan had cheese pizza and carrots. There were lots of carrots to share, and we brought some of his pizza home with us. He said it was awesome. We were all very full, but since it was Brian’s birthday, our server brought desserts. Brian had key lime cheesecake, the boys had ice-cream and I had a latte. Brian really really enjoyed his cheesecake. 4/5
Service: The service we received at Puck’s was the best I’ve ever received at a casual restaurant. Our server was well acquainted with the menu and could discuss it very easily (his personal likes and dislikes, recommendations based on portion sizes etc.). He visibly had several large party tables to deal with, but he never failed to show up with fresh drinks or to clear a plate. He was spectacular. 5/5
We’ve dined here twice before, and have always enjoyed our meals. I think the service is what distinguishes this restaurant. Overall rating - 4/5
3. Chef Mickey’s - Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Atmosphere: Chef Mickey’s is always hustling and bustling and in the midst of celebrating. It is bright and colourful. We had no wait when checking in at Chef Mickey’s for our youngest son’s Half-Birthday celebration brunch. We had a decent table not too far from the buffet, and far enough from the kitchen. All of the characters spent a good amount of time for pictures and a visit, part I am sure due to his “birthday” button. Goofy was (as always) fabulous, and really took the time to interact with our son. 4/5
Food: The offerings were primarily “breakfast” at 11 am, and we all ate our fill of oatmeal, eggs, sausage, Mickey waffles and fruit. 3/5
Service: The hostess who led us to our table was about 900 years old, and from New York City. I told her that she comes from my other favourite place in the US, and she gave me a great big hug telling me she was so glad to see us there that day. She was lovely. Our server was there when we needed her, and brought coffee and juice as needed, and cleared our plates quickly. Service was exactly what I would expect at a buffet. 3/5
We all enjoyed our food, and Euan loved the interaction with “the Guys”. Although it is just “all right”, we will continue to come here as long as Euan has the desire … though maybe it will be for dinner. Overall rating - 3/5
DH – Brian (CanadianWDWFan) Turning 45 on this trip
DS14 – Harry – Celebrating graduating from Grade 8 (High School already?!?!?)
DS8 ˝ – Euan – Celebrating his Half-Birthday because we can’t go down in January
Me – Jennifer – Just happy to be making the trip with my guys!
Part 2 Can be found here (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=2292185#post2292185)
Part 3 Can be found here (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=2292188#post2292188)
1. Tony’s Town Square – Magic Kingdom
Atmosphere: You can’t beat the cool comfortable beauty of Tony’s. Tables are well spaced, and the Lady and the Tramp artwork is displayed throughout the restaurant. 5/5
Food: The boys shared Calamari to start. It was lightly coated and not greasy, so very nice. Neither cared for the marinara it was served with. For our mains, Harry had Seafood Diavolo - Linguini pasta with Clams, Mussels, Calamari, Shrimp, and fresh fish of the day in a spicy Tomato sauce . He enjoyed this food immensely, especially the Mussels. Brian had Lasagna, which he said was all right (that was my impression of it when I had it a couple of years ago too … just all right). Euan and I both had Spaghetti and Meatballs. I honestly never expect much when I order Spaghetti and Meatballs when we’re out. I make my own sauce and balls o’ meat at home every week, and I am usually disappointed when I order this out. Well, Tony’s has made a believer out of me! The linguine was hot and al dente, and the meatballs were FABULOUS. Honestly, Tony’s really knows how to make a good meatball, all flavourful and moist. This was a great surprise! Euan ordered an ice cream sundae for dessert, Brian had cheesecake, and Harry and I opted for some Cappuccino’s , served with biscotti, which our server remembered to leave off of my saucer due to my noted tree-nut allergy. 4/5
Service: We had been served by our waiter in the past, and remembered him to be efficient and friendly. For this visit, again he was both. The simple act of thinking to NOT include the biscotti demonstrates the quality of his service. We noticed and commented to the Hostess that we saw everyone in the restaurant helping each other out. Servers were picking up dishes at other tables when they passed, or offered refills of drinks. Real quality service. 5/5
We had fabulous service and other than the mediocre lasagna, terrific mains then some good coffee to finish up. This was a terrific first night’s meal at Disney! Overall rating - 4/5
2.Wolfgang Puck’s Café – Downtown Disney
Atmosphere: I love the open kitchen at Wolfgang Puck’s Café, and passing the sushi bar and pastry bar. I think opening your kitchen to your patrons is a great reflection of the quality of your establishment. The restaurant is very open, and the tables are in close proximity to each other, which can lead to volume issues. It was unpleasantly noisy by the time we were finished our meal. 3/5
Food: We are sushi loving folk, so we ordered some sushi to share before dinner. We had some cucumber rolls, California rolls and salmon rolls (so Euan would partake), and then some spicy tuna rolls and house speciality sushi. Fresh and fabulous. We all really enjoyed the sushi, and the quality of the fish used. I almost wish that we had just kept ordering sushi for our dinner, but that was also very good. Harry had the Pepperoni Pizza. The crust was thin and light, and though he would have preferred it without the red peppers, he thought it was really good. In my opinion two non-teenagers could have easily shared this! Brian had the Cavatappi Chicken Alfredo with bacon, peas and parmesan, which was very rich and delicious, and I had the HUGE Spaghetti with Tiger Prawns, tomatoes, capers, basil, chili flakes and anchovies. I have really developed a taste for capers, and with the anchovies and fresh tomatoes, this was a fabulous dish. There were several plump Tiger shrimp and enough basil. I had trouble finishing my meal partially because it is such a large serving, and partially because I REALLY enjoyed the sushi! Euan had cheese pizza and carrots. There were lots of carrots to share, and we brought some of his pizza home with us. He said it was awesome. We were all very full, but since it was Brian’s birthday, our server brought desserts. Brian had key lime cheesecake, the boys had ice-cream and I had a latte. Brian really really enjoyed his cheesecake. 4/5
Service: The service we received at Puck’s was the best I’ve ever received at a casual restaurant. Our server was well acquainted with the menu and could discuss it very easily (his personal likes and dislikes, recommendations based on portion sizes etc.). He visibly had several large party tables to deal with, but he never failed to show up with fresh drinks or to clear a plate. He was spectacular. 5/5
We’ve dined here twice before, and have always enjoyed our meals. I think the service is what distinguishes this restaurant. Overall rating - 4/5
3. Chef Mickey’s - Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Atmosphere: Chef Mickey’s is always hustling and bustling and in the midst of celebrating. It is bright and colourful. We had no wait when checking in at Chef Mickey’s for our youngest son’s Half-Birthday celebration brunch. We had a decent table not too far from the buffet, and far enough from the kitchen. All of the characters spent a good amount of time for pictures and a visit, part I am sure due to his “birthday” button. Goofy was (as always) fabulous, and really took the time to interact with our son. 4/5
Food: The offerings were primarily “breakfast” at 11 am, and we all ate our fill of oatmeal, eggs, sausage, Mickey waffles and fruit. 3/5
Service: The hostess who led us to our table was about 900 years old, and from New York City. I told her that she comes from my other favourite place in the US, and she gave me a great big hug telling me she was so glad to see us there that day. She was lovely. Our server was there when we needed her, and brought coffee and juice as needed, and cleared our plates quickly. Service was exactly what I would expect at a buffet. 3/5
We all enjoyed our food, and Euan loved the interaction with “the Guys”. Although it is just “all right”, we will continue to come here as long as Euan has the desire … though maybe it will be for dinner. Overall rating - 3/5