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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Central Texas
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    Default We are looking to try something new...

    So...

    I am looking for recommendations for new-to-us table service dining. Here are your guidelines.

    Not in a park, so we are looking at restaurants in Resorts and Downtown Disney.
    Not character dining.
    Not signature dining.
    Not Ohana or Kona or Boma or Boatwrights or Cape May or Grand Floridian Cafe or Beaches n Cream.

    So I guess what I am looking for is your favorite out of the following:

    Captain's Grill
    That new Italian Restaurant on the Boardwalk
    Olivia's
    Turf Club
    Sanaa
    The Wave
    Trails End dinner
    or any of the table service places at Disney Springs...

    So what do you like?
    Carrie

    CBR: 2/21-2/25/17
    POR: 6/4-6/11/16
    POFQ: 11/15-11/19/15
    8/28-9/1/14 -DL-Dumbo 19.3 C2C
    POR: 1/7-1/14/14 -Dopey 48.6
    POR: 6/11-6/17/13
    ASMu: 1/11-1/15/13 -1st Full 26.2
    ASMu: 9/22-9/28/11
    ASMu: 6/7-6/13/11
    Pop: 1/30-2/6/10
    Pop: 2/1-2/7/09
    Pop: 1/08
    ASMu: 05/06
    Off-site: 12/93

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Portland, OR
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    2,422
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    Default

    I'm very partial to Olivia's. Really good food, relaxing atmosphere and great service. I have never had anything less than a good experience. Usually a great one.

    I also really like the Boathouse at Disney Springs, but it's significantly more expensive than Olivia's.

    Steve
    First visit: Disneyland, July 17, 1955 (well, somebody had to be there on opening day!)

    Most Recent Visit:
    Disneyland - June 21-25, 2017
    WDW - Sep 22 - Oct 5, 2019
    Next up: WDW - May 9 - 16, 2020 at Riviera!
    Dec 5 - 16, 2020 at Poly

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  5. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Virginia
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    Default

    Trattoria al Forno at Boardwalk is delicious. I've had Captain's Grille breakfast and it was a very nice experience and I always hear good things about dinner there.
    Proud DVC owner

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  7. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Wentzville, Mo
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cer View Post
    So...

    I am looking for recommendations for new-to-us table service dining. Here are your guidelines.

    Not in a park, so we are looking at restaurants in Resorts and Downtown Disney.
    Not character dining.
    Not signature dining.
    Not Ohana or Kona or Boma or Boatwrights or Cape May or Grand Floridian Cafe or Beaches n Cream.

    So I guess what I am looking for is your favorite out of the following:

    Captain's Grill
    That new Italian Restaurant on the Boardwalk
    Olivia's
    Turf Club
    Sanaa
    The Wave
    Trails End dinner
    or any of the table service places at Disney Springs...

    So what do you like?
    We love the Wave as both my lady friend and I eat there every trip. When my daughter and her family go down the eat there as well.

    We also like Raglan Road at Disney Springs. The entertainment can get a little loud but is good as they are Irish dancers. The food is very good and the favorite dessert is their bread pudding.

    We are going to try the new Italian Rest at the Boardwalk this trip as well as Portobello's at Disney Spring. The menu sounded really good.

    Hope this help...
    Itchy for another trip

    Caribbean Beach 1989, 90, 92
    All St Movies 1999, 04, 05, 11
    All St Sports 2006
    Pop 2007, 08 x2, 09 x2, 10, 12 x2,13,14,15,16,17,18,2021,23
    POR 2010 x2, 11
    Coronado Springs 2019

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  9. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
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    531
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    Default

    We loved our breakfast & lunch at Olivia's. It was very laid back, bright and cheery. Been a few years since we are at the Wave but have never had a problem there. We like the portions and atmosphere of Rainforest Cafe - but it can be loud & have a significant wait.

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  11. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
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    Default

    I second the suggestion for Raglan Road at Disney Springs! It does get pretty loud and can be crowded when it's peak dinner hours but I found that it lends so much to the atmosphere of the Irish pub. I liked my dinner at The Wave a couple years ago, and it's pretty easy to get a reservation there.
    ~Nikki~
    Last Trip: February 2024
    Next Trips: April 2024

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  13. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Martinsburg, WV
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    Default

    Captain's Grill we have enjoyed both dinner and breakfast here on many trips
    That new Italian Restaurant on the Boardwalk - had breakfast here and it was so bad we will never be going back for any meal there
    Olivia's - this is at our home DVC resort and I have yet to find anything there that I like
    Turf Club - haven't tried this one yet
    Sanaa - love, love, love
    The Wave - only eaten here for breakfast, not impressed
    Trails End dinner - have not tried
    or any of the table service places at Disney Springs...some we liked: Ragland Road (we find lunch to be less loud), Wolfgang Puck Café, Paradiso 37, if you have kids with you The Rainforest Café and T-Rex can be fun and one we hated was Portobello
    2 at resorts we enjoy are Maya Grill at Coronado Springs and Boatwright's at Port Orleans Riverside.
    KAY

    DVC MEMBER - OKW & HHI
    First trip to WDW - Dec, 2005
    Last visit to Disneyland - 2014

    First trip to Disneyland - 1955

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  15. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Cumming, GA
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    Default

    We love the Wave, it's isn't very "themed" but I have had some of the best food and service of any of our trips for dinner here (about 4x). I would avoid Trail's End for dinner, we used to love it but on our last trip it was terrible. I mean really terrible, too many people in a tight space, not enough food on the buffet. Literally we were waiting 20 mins at a time for them to bring something out and then a mad rush would happen and we would be waiting again...

    We are trying to new Italian rest at the Boardwalk in Sept
    Janet, aka JanetMegan


    Scrapbooking-There is a fine line between a mental illness and a hobby.

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  17. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    Alpharetta, GA
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    375
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    Default

    Trails End is a buffet and it is one of the best secrets in all of WDW... Very often there is never a crowd whether you do breakfast or dinner the quality of the food is great as well as the selection and if you have never visited Fort Wilderness plan a little extra time before or after as there are a variety of activities you can explore.
    Feb 2020 - FWC
    Jul 2019 - Poly
    2018 - WL - CL
    2017 - FWC
    2016 - WL

    2012 - WL - CL
    2010 - WL
    2009 - WL
    2007 - WL
    2003 - WL
    2001 - FWC
    1974, 77, 83 & 1995 - Off site

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  19. #10
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    Jan 2006
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    Just based on your list there, Sanaa is easily our favorite and the one we'd recommend. Also good are Olivia's and Turf Club. At Disney Springs, our favorites would be Morimoto's and Portobello (loved Morimoto's the one time we were there; Portobello's has been a great spot for us for many years - we go back as often as we can).

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  21. #11
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Wild Wonderful WV
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    Default

    Captain's Grill == not tried it yet
    That new Italian Restaurant on the Boardwalk ??
    Olivia's == Good
    Turf Club == not tried it yet
    Sanaa == gross in all aspects
    The Wave == great breakfast not so much for dinner
    Trails End dinner == AWESOME !! .... even the breakfast is great !!
    or any of the table service places at Disney Springs... Portebello's is GREAT !!

    So what do you like?
    80 1st./04POR/05POR/06POR/07POR/08POR/09POR/10POR/
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    IN GOD WE TRUST !!

    STEELERS, SIX TIME SUPERBOWL CHAMPS

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  23. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
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    Palmerton, PA
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    Default

    We like Sanaa and the Wave. Trail's End is good too for dinner. We are trying the new Italian place in the fall ourselves so I can't help you with that one.

    Have fun picking one!!
    "Is there a 12 step program for this Mouse addiction?"

    Next Trips:

    11/18-11/29 Destination D:Amazing Adventures!! GF for two nights then Caribbean Beach with free dining...

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  25. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
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    Default

    We LOVE Sanaa. Probably one of my favorites. I guess it depends on your taste. We love the gorgeous decor, theming and Asian/African influenced cuisine. Check out the menus of these choices.
    2017 WDW All Star Music/Universal RP
    2016 :(
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    2013 Fall: Wilderness Lodge
    2011-12 :(
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    2009 Pop & AKL
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  27. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Default

    If you're not a picky eater, of those, I would pick Sanaa. Indian/African fusion cuisine, with a view of the savannah around the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The restaurant itself is really cool, and I've never seen it packed.

    Of those others, I've only eaten at the Wave and the Italian Boardwalk restaurant. The Wave was mediocre, and the Italian place was pretty good. But I can get pretty good Italian here at home. I can get good steak, too. So we don't generally go for those places at Disney. But that's us.

    We are looking forward to trying Olivia's, as we plan to stay at OKW next fall.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

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  29. #15
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    Nov 2004
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    Sanaa is one of our absolute favorite places ever, anywhere. The atmosphere is amazing, the service is always top notch, the food is incredible. I wish we lived closer so we could eat here more. Its outstanding. But definitely not for timid palettes.

    The Wave was also really good. I love the atmosphere and the food was very good. I feel like Sanaa and The Wave feel like a destination themselves...very special and unique. We also love Jiko. But Sanaa is just magical!
    1980-2001 CR;CBR 2001 AKL 2002 AKL 2003 AKL 2004 AKL; CB; AKL 2007 WL 2008 AKL 9/09 AKL Jambo 12/10 AKL Kidani 9/11 AKL Kidani 9/12 AKL 12/12 AKL 5/13 AKL 12/13 SS 9/14 BLT 12/14 SS 2/15 Aulani DVC 7/15 CBR 10/15 Yacht Club 12/16 DS 7/17 Aulani 01/19 POR 08/19 Yacht Club

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  31. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
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    I always love reading these types of posts. Such as vast difference of opinions for the very same restaurants. Just goes to show we are all very different people that show a common love of Disney. Suggestions for picking a restaurant for me has been to do my research - look at photos, find the menus and if they appeal to me go ahead and try it.
    KAY

    DVC MEMBER - OKW & HHI
    First trip to WDW - Dec, 2005
    Last visit to Disneyland - 2014

    First trip to Disneyland - 1955

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  33. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheDuckRocks View Post
    I always love reading these types of posts. Such as vast difference of opinions for the very same restaurants. Just goes to show we are all very different people that show a common love of Disney. Suggestions for picking a restaurant for me has been to do my research - look at photos, find the menus and if they appeal to me go ahead and try it.
    I agree with your statement 100%. "Favorite restaurant" is in the eye of the beholder! Just one off experience can lead a strong vote against a place. But you are correct - check the menus, research the restaurant, and then try one and see what your experience is.

    In reality, there are SO many great restaurants around Disney and no terrible places. The "less interesting" places have closed and been replaced!

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  35. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by ThanxForNoticin View Post
    In reality, there are SO many great restaurants around Disney and no terrible places. The "less interesting" places have closed and been replaced!
    I would argue that the ABC Commissary is terrible...
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

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  37. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheDuckRocks View Post
    I always love reading these types of posts. Such as vast difference of opinions for the very same restaurants. Just goes to show we are all very different people that show a common love of Disney. Suggestions for picking a restaurant for me has been to do my research - look at photos, find the menus and if they appeal to me go ahead and try it.
    Definitely! Totally agree. We love spicy, exotic food, so Sanaa is our dream place. But I read an earlier comment saying its the worst! So its totally about your tastes and feel. I love the dark, exotic atmostphere but some people would prefer light and airy. Definitely look at the menus and pics to see if its a good fit. And try it once...if you love it then great. If not, mark it off the list!
    1980-2001 CR;CBR 2001 AKL 2002 AKL 2003 AKL 2004 AKL; CB; AKL 2007 WL 2008 AKL 9/09 AKL Jambo 12/10 AKL Kidani 9/11 AKL Kidani 9/12 AKL 12/12 AKL 5/13 AKL 12/13 SS 9/14 BLT 12/14 SS 2/15 Aulani DVC 7/15 CBR 10/15 Yacht Club 12/16 DS 7/17 Aulani 01/19 POR 08/19 Yacht Club

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  39. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post
    I would argue that the ABC Commissary is terrible...
    Sadly I do agree with you on this one. About every 4 or five years I give it another try, eat the things people rave about and still have found it to be just plain awful IMHO.
    KAY

    DVC MEMBER - OKW & HHI
    First trip to WDW - Dec, 2005
    Last visit to Disneyland - 2014

    First trip to Disneyland - 1955

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