Where should I take mom for a SPECIAL dinner

[sdrinon]

My mom has graciously offered to pay for our entire trip to Disney for the Food and Wine Festival this fall. We're staying at the Grand Floridian and she is INSISTING on picking up all costs for the entire trip!:eek:

I have had a tough year and she has been an amazing source of strength for me, so I'd like to take her out for a wonderful dinner. She is a big foodie so I am looking for a top-notch restaurant on Disney property. I'm willing to spend about $200-$250 on the meal...so let me know where you think I should take her. I want it to be a special experience for her...so any tips you may have would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! :)

[Tygger7]

Since you're staying at GF, Victoria & Alberts would be a great choice. We're trying California Grill this year (awesome reviews) and would love to try Artist Point sometime. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Signature restaurants, but these 3 seem to get the most accolades.

[Maleficent's Dad]

What a nice thing your mom is doing - and good for you taking her out!

She is a big foodie so I am looking for a top-notch restaurant on Disney property. I'm willing to spend about $200-$250 on the meal...so let me know where you think I should take her. I want it to be a special experience for her...so any tips you may have would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! :)
If indeed, she is a foodie, the best on property is V&A's. Although, I'm not sure you'll get away with a bill for your price range (yes, it is that expensive!). When you add in tip, drinks, add-ons... you could be looking at $400-500 for the meal. (The coffee at the end of the meal is top-notch, so even if you don't drink the stuff, be sure to order it!)

Other very good bets would be Flying Fish, Cali Grill, Artist Pointe, Narcoosee's.
I'm sure there are many others - if Jym (Natazu) comes along, he's got the best handle on food at WDW!

[caryrae]

My wife and I went to the California Grill and we loved it. That was several years ago and I still remember it. If you choose CG try to make a ressie for during the parade and fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. During the show they dim the lights and pipe in music from the show and the view of the fireworks is cool. We were lucky enough to get a nice table right by the window facing the show. They also have a walkway outside the reasturant which is a cool view from up that high. The food is very very good.

It was a very Magical night for us.

[thumperbug]

I think they closed California Grill but if not, try that. I also recommend Narcoosees

[Donald's Girl]

My vote would definitely go for Narcoosee's! Although it's not high up like California Grill, you can go outside and watch fireworks from there. The food is fabulous and when we went there for my birthday last year found it really was special atmosphere too!
V&A's is a place that I've always considered but dress code has kept us away from there. If you fly down, the thought of my husband having to take a suit jacket just for one dinner is just not worth it. If you are driving, and luggage you take isn't such an issue, based on all I've heard I would definitely do V&A's.
But for price range you're discussing, Narcoosee's would work for sure!
(If you do go there, make sure someone gets the Surf & Turf. Some of the best lobster I've ever tasted!)

[Tink<3Mickey<3Cinderella]

My husband and I did Cali Grill for our honeymoon in September (it is in fact NOT closed) and we loved it, it is a lot of food, good food, cool atmosphere, and watching the fireworks was very fun!

Also another place we did on our honeymoon that had very good food was Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and it was very quiet in there, nice wine slection if you are a big wine person, good food and a nice place to look around afterwards with your mom if you are looking to send some nice time with her. Also our table looked out on this little steam which was nice during dinner.

Both bills were comperable about $150 but we were on the Dining Plan so they both took up two table service meals being that they are signature dining.

I would recommend both.

[KAT1811]

I would recommend the California Grill. For the whole package I do not think anywhere else on site compares.

I'll paint the picture I have in mind. Walk out of your resort, hop onto the monerail in your diner finery, a quick ride and you are pulling into the Contemporary. A quick elevator ride to the check in desk and await your escort to the California Grill. (For me there is something so exciting about going where the general public cannot. You need an ADR to visit CG unless you are dining at the bar). Arrive at the CG a little early, have a martini in the lounge while you take in the breathtaking view. A slow walk over to your table (which hopefully will be by the window at a time that coincides with the fireworks at the MK). Enjoy a fabulous meal, take a glass of wine (or champagne) out onto the observation deck as you watch Wishes then back to your table for dessert.

If it were me I would choose a restaurant based on the location and ambiance as much as the food. I personally would not spring for V&A, no food is worth that (in my opinion) and I am a foodie too. To me expense does not necessitate excellence, some of the best meals I have had, with some of the best chefs in the country, have not come close to $500. (We were at a local restaurant last week to the tune of $500 and DH and I agreed that no food is worth that much.) Again just my opinion. Plus no view.

[sdrinon]

Thank you all SO much for the fantastic suggestions...I'm going to look into California Grill (loved your description KAT1811!) and Narcoosees. While I would love to take her to V&A (she would love the Chef's Table experience) I just can't afford it!:( Maybe when I hit the lottery I'll take her back for that someday! ;)

[sdrinon]

Oh...BTW...I'm also going to treat her to Afternoon Tea at the GF. She'll love that too! :)

[SBETigg]

Oh...BTW...I'm also going to treat her to Afternoon Tea at the GF. She'll love that too! :)

Yes, that will be fun! And California Grill is a great choice, amazing views and great food. You can't go wrong. Narcoosee's, Citricos, and Flying Fish are also excellent choices.

[#1donaldfan]

I just wanted to say how great that it is she's doing that for you!! Do you think she'd like to temporarily adopt me and my fam (5). We don't make much of a mess and we're pretty quiet, at times.

Actually, your getting a lot of good suggestions, so I'll just say, HAVE FUN !! :mickey:

[garymacd]

I have to agree with Frank. V & A is the best, but expect to pay for it.

I think you could easily do Cali Grill in your price range and still have a wonderful time.

Both of these restaurants have incredible food and wonderful atmosphere. You need to dress for V & A. the food at V &A is almost old-world, traditional fare but with a lot of added twists that you wouldn't find at a regular steak house, such as buffalo, elk and quail (incredibly tasty). Expect old-world manners and serving and atmosphere. Also, listen to the harpist. He played some of our favourite music from some of our favourite movies. I believe that children are not allowed there anymore, though. Personally, at ten years old, I wouldn't have eaten anything on that menu. We loved it, but we can't afford to eat there all the time. We will return there for our 30th anniversary.

The dress code and atmosphere is a little more relaxed at Cali Grill and you get that woderful view of the fire works (with the music and voice-over) from their rooftop. Their food is a little more nouveau cuisine (don't worry: no chilled monkey brains) with a sushi sampler on the appetizer menu and more, dare I say, California-lifestyle-inspired menu items. We liked it so much last year, we are going back again this year.

We had a great meal at the Brown Derby, too. It had a very relaxed atmosphere and dress code, but we were able to stay within your budget (but that did include the Cointreau Flyte).

Whichever you decide on, have a great time. You are very lucky to have a woman in your life like her. Treasure her.

[sdrinon]

Thanks to all the additional comments...sounds like CA Grill is the place! ;)

I'm extremely aware of how lucky I am to have such an AMAZING mom. She really is a treasure in my life and my best friend. This is the first vacation she and I will be taking with just the two of us and I can't even tell you how excited I am. I don't make a ton of money but I really want to make this special for her. Thanks to all of your tips and advice I know exactly where to take her. She'll LOVE it!:cloud9:

[LudwigVonDrake]

Try and get your reservation so you can watch the fireworks during your meal! :fworks:

[AHOTE]

You can't go wrong with the California Grill. Have a great time and who knows maybe we'll run into each other @ food &:wine:
We usually do The Grill but this year we hope to eat at Narcoosee's due in part to this list and the reviews we have read.

[Natazu]

Thanks for that nice introduction Frank. There'll be something nice in your check this week.

Jym's Top-7 Best Places to take Mom in the $200 Range Especially after she Sprung for the Trip:
7. Jiko
6. Il Mulino
5. Wolfgang Puck Cafe - Upstairs Dining Room
4. Narcoossee's
3. Citrico's
2. Flying Fish Cafe
1. California Grill

[murphy1]

I love Artist Point at WL, it's wonderful. Also V & A is somewhere I have always wanted to go and will get to one of these days, since that's in your price, I would go there. V & A is also one of the top restaurants in Florida, as well and I have friends who give it high marks in the area.

[sdrinon]

Jym's Top-7 Best Places to take Mom in the $200 Range Especially after she Sprung for the Trip:
7. Jiko
Funny you should mention Jiko. Mom and I went there last time we were at Disney and she LOVED it!

[Jasper]

I'm willing to spend about $200-$250 on the meal...


you could be looking at $400-500 for the meal.

First of all let me agree that this is wonderful of your mother to do this! Secondly, for all of you who are quoting prices - how many people are you including in your prices? For example is V&A 400-500 per couple, per person, or what?

[wire0monkey]

California Grill, with a reservation during the fireworks, so you can watch the fireworks over the castle. It really doesn't get any more awesome than that.