AvonleaCF
10-03-2009, 09:55 PM
Just back from a week using free dining. Here are some brief reviews.
Table Service:
Biergarten: Good food and entertainment. They sat us with a table of all adults, which was nice. Liked the vegetables and pretzel rolls more than the meats, though. The potato dumplings were delish. Waitress was great at refilling drinks and clearing plates. Waited maybe 10 minutes past ADR time.
Grand Floridian Cafe: Fairly standard fare in a nice setting. Had the strip steak, which was cooked nicely; it just wasn't anything special (on par with Outback). Very noisy and crowded and a waiter nearby shattered a glass (oops!). Waitress was very friendly. Glad we went, but probably wouldn't go again.
Cape May Clam Bake Dinner Buffet: They were running about 20 minutes behind ADR times, so the place was packed. Food was good (not outstanding or anything). We liked the carved meat and potatoes best; the seafood was just eh. Oreo bonbons were the highlight. ;) We like buffets though so would go again just cause it's one of the few without characters.
Narcoossee's: Went on a MNSSHP night, so this upscale restaurant was filled with patrons dressed in silly costumes. But nonetheless it was a very nice meal. Food was divine (surf and turf! Can't believe you can get that on the dining plan!). We had a perfect view of the Magic Kingdom. Very nice place. The almond-crusted cheesecake was amazing. Oh a nearby waiter dropped some plates. Another oops.
Rose & Crown: Seated instantly, which was nice! Loved the atmosphere here. Had the steak and fish meal, which was good (liked the steak better than the fish though). It came with lots of sides so was very full by he end. Waitress was lovely. Another waiter dropped a tray of dishes (see a trend here?) but in this case everyone applauded and he bowed saying he can be seen Mon-Fri (LOL; didn't know we'd get a free show, too!). Don't know if we'd go back before trying other Epcot places, but we did enjoy it. The chocolate cake dessert was yummy.
Boma: Our fourth time here and always a hit. Best buffet, hands down.
Planet Hollywood: Only went here cause we had the $15 voucher you get when you book a package, and we had used two TS credits on Narcoossee's. Sat at the bar to avoid the long wait (they serve the full menu here). Stuck with burgers and fries to be safe and they were excellent (or, as good as a burger and fries could be!). The bartender/waiter was really nice (we made sure to tip based on the full amount before the $15 deduction). Since we were at the bar we didn't have the deafening noise of the main dining room. If it weren't for the $15 we probably wouldn't have bothered coming here though.
Counter Service:
Everything Pop: Tuna sandwich and carrot cake. Tuna sandwich was excellent; freshly made with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Bread was hearty and soft. Pre-packaged carrot cake was kinda gross (and I love carrot cake!). Should have gotten the tye-dye cheesecake. ;)
Pecos Bill (twice): We go here strictly cause the topping bar rocks. Cheeseburger, fries, and the (icky pre-packed) carrot cake both times. Burgers were big and juicy and hot; topping bar was well stocked. The place is always packed though, and can be kinda slow.
Columbia Harbour House: Tuna sandwich and chocolate cake (the pre-packaged kind; very good, much better than the carrot cake). Tuna was yummy. Love sitting upstairs overlooking the Haunted Mansion.
Sunshine Seasons: Salami and ham grinder and chocolate cake (real slice...not the packed stuff!). Yummy. No complaints other than how hard it is to chose a dessert. ;p
Cantina de San Angel Inn: Biggest disappointment. They changed the menu and got rid of the combo plate, which we loved. Since we were already over there and starving we settled for the burrito. It was just okay. Filling and perfectly edible, but not what we really wanted. We didn't care for the churro.
Pizzafari: Hot Italian grinder was huge and yummy. Came with chips. Choco cake again for dessert.
Snacks:
Pineapple and Vanilla swirled Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom (best bang for the buck as it costs over $4)
Mickey Mouse bar (can't resist).
A cookie from Goofy's in the Downtown Disney Marketplace (it had chocolate chunks, peanut butter, M&Ms and nuts. Could only finish half one day and ate the rest the next. It stayed fresh and soft and it was soooo good).
Frozen mocha with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle from the Writer's Stop at the Studios. Got this twice it was so good.
Chocolate chip muffins from Everything Pop for breakfast (got them the night before and ate them the next morning...they stayed perfectly fresh).
Table Service:
Biergarten: Good food and entertainment. They sat us with a table of all adults, which was nice. Liked the vegetables and pretzel rolls more than the meats, though. The potato dumplings were delish. Waitress was great at refilling drinks and clearing plates. Waited maybe 10 minutes past ADR time.
Grand Floridian Cafe: Fairly standard fare in a nice setting. Had the strip steak, which was cooked nicely; it just wasn't anything special (on par with Outback). Very noisy and crowded and a waiter nearby shattered a glass (oops!). Waitress was very friendly. Glad we went, but probably wouldn't go again.
Cape May Clam Bake Dinner Buffet: They were running about 20 minutes behind ADR times, so the place was packed. Food was good (not outstanding or anything). We liked the carved meat and potatoes best; the seafood was just eh. Oreo bonbons were the highlight. ;) We like buffets though so would go again just cause it's one of the few without characters.
Narcoossee's: Went on a MNSSHP night, so this upscale restaurant was filled with patrons dressed in silly costumes. But nonetheless it was a very nice meal. Food was divine (surf and turf! Can't believe you can get that on the dining plan!). We had a perfect view of the Magic Kingdom. Very nice place. The almond-crusted cheesecake was amazing. Oh a nearby waiter dropped some plates. Another oops.
Rose & Crown: Seated instantly, which was nice! Loved the atmosphere here. Had the steak and fish meal, which was good (liked the steak better than the fish though). It came with lots of sides so was very full by he end. Waitress was lovely. Another waiter dropped a tray of dishes (see a trend here?) but in this case everyone applauded and he bowed saying he can be seen Mon-Fri (LOL; didn't know we'd get a free show, too!). Don't know if we'd go back before trying other Epcot places, but we did enjoy it. The chocolate cake dessert was yummy.
Boma: Our fourth time here and always a hit. Best buffet, hands down.
Planet Hollywood: Only went here cause we had the $15 voucher you get when you book a package, and we had used two TS credits on Narcoossee's. Sat at the bar to avoid the long wait (they serve the full menu here). Stuck with burgers and fries to be safe and they were excellent (or, as good as a burger and fries could be!). The bartender/waiter was really nice (we made sure to tip based on the full amount before the $15 deduction). Since we were at the bar we didn't have the deafening noise of the main dining room. If it weren't for the $15 we probably wouldn't have bothered coming here though.
Counter Service:
Everything Pop: Tuna sandwich and carrot cake. Tuna sandwich was excellent; freshly made with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Bread was hearty and soft. Pre-packaged carrot cake was kinda gross (and I love carrot cake!). Should have gotten the tye-dye cheesecake. ;)
Pecos Bill (twice): We go here strictly cause the topping bar rocks. Cheeseburger, fries, and the (icky pre-packed) carrot cake both times. Burgers were big and juicy and hot; topping bar was well stocked. The place is always packed though, and can be kinda slow.
Columbia Harbour House: Tuna sandwich and chocolate cake (the pre-packaged kind; very good, much better than the carrot cake). Tuna was yummy. Love sitting upstairs overlooking the Haunted Mansion.
Sunshine Seasons: Salami and ham grinder and chocolate cake (real slice...not the packed stuff!). Yummy. No complaints other than how hard it is to chose a dessert. ;p
Cantina de San Angel Inn: Biggest disappointment. They changed the menu and got rid of the combo plate, which we loved. Since we were already over there and starving we settled for the burrito. It was just okay. Filling and perfectly edible, but not what we really wanted. We didn't care for the churro.
Pizzafari: Hot Italian grinder was huge and yummy. Came with chips. Choco cake again for dessert.
Snacks:
Pineapple and Vanilla swirled Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom (best bang for the buck as it costs over $4)
Mickey Mouse bar (can't resist).
A cookie from Goofy's in the Downtown Disney Marketplace (it had chocolate chunks, peanut butter, M&Ms and nuts. Could only finish half one day and ate the rest the next. It stayed fresh and soft and it was soooo good).
Frozen mocha with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle from the Writer's Stop at the Studios. Got this twice it was so good.
Chocolate chip muffins from Everything Pop for breakfast (got them the night before and ate them the next morning...they stayed perfectly fresh).