First look at The BOATHOUSE menu - opening next week at Disney Springs The Landing

[xdan0920]

Let's get one thing clear here. This place is not a high end restaurant. If it was they wouldn't have boats in the middle of the place. It has an identity issue and may fail because of it. With stk coming it will show people what high end really is there. I don't see this surviving because there are only so many people looking for this.

I don't think it has an identity crisis at all. It's a highly themed restaurant that serves higher end steaks.

As to STK...

My experience with STK in LA & Vegas is that it is very fancy/trendy with a focus on steaks (per the name). It's almost a club/bar like atmosphere geared towards the 20-40 crowd (not that anyone out side that range doesn't enjoy). They are also open until 11pm or later. From what I've seen of The Boathouse, it's a bit more casual, a bit more family friendly. It probably has a wider appeal, in terms of décor. I love STK, but I was surprised to see that it was coming to DTD. I think it's very different than anything else there now, which is probably a good thing. I see it being popular for folks traveling without kids and locals.

Exactly!

STK is even more of an odd steak house then the Boathouse. Only someone who hasn't been to STK and can't do 3 minutes of research would claim STK is a traditional fine dining steak house.

 

[Arty Cordova]

Yes I do hope it fails and they switch to a menu that has Reasonable prices. Why would I want to eat at Earl of Sandwich at WDW when I can eat at one on a I95 rest area. Why can't they build Themed locations that working people can afford. We take more trips to Universal Studios because of the decline at WDW. The only new things built lately are Timeshares and High End restaurants. WDW is not Las Vegas it is a family resort.

I think you should call Al Sharpton and start a protest. Your comments are ridiculous.

 

[wdwmagic]

$12 for a bowl of chowder? Even that is ridiculous. I live in the chowder capital of the world and I've had some darn good bowls in my time, but never one that I paid $12 for.

Look, we all know there are restaurants in any major city with ridiculous prices. Doesn't make it any better for Disney to do it. For me, it's neither here nor there. They ruined DTD years ago as far as I'm concerned. There are more than enough overly priced restaurants to go to. I go to DTD for Rainforest and T-Rex, and for some shopping at World of Disney. When I want a fun night out in Orlando away from the parks, I go to City Walk.

Well your dining choices of T-Rex and Rainforest clearly show you know your food. If you like reheated frozen food - keep going there. If you are looking for something better, break out and try The BOATHOUSE, and yep, you can get an entree there for $20. Not so scary is it?

 

[xdan0920]

But seeing the photos showing Kids Meals served in cardboard Amphicars, it does look like they are both going for families who want a better meal than T-Rex as well as adults who want to share a $115 steak on "date night"

Which is a perfectly acceptable market to go after, especially in the nations number one resort town.

 

[bhg469]

I don't think it has an identity crisis at all. It's a highly themed restaurant that serves higher end steaks.

As to STK...



Exactly!

STK is even more of an odd steak house then the Boathouse. Only someone who hasn't been to STK and can't do 3 minutes of research would claim STK is a traditional fine dining steak house.

Obviously I disagree with you on the theme. I'm not saying you're wrong but I don't see where a nautical theme has to be this....nautical.

Yacht man's steakhouse is nautical correct? But I don't recall a Chris craft hanging out next to my table.

I'll try it on my next visit because I love steak but my opinion that this place appears to be a little confused. Nothing wrong with an opinion based on paces I've been.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Yes I do hope it fails and they switch to a menu that has Reasonable prices. Why would I want to eat at Earl of Sandwich at WDW when I can eat at one on a I95 rest area. Why can't they build Themed locations that working people can afford. We take more trips to Universal Studios because of the decline at WDW. The only new things built lately are Timeshares and High End restaurants. WDW is not Las Vegas it is a family resort.

Im a working people and I'd try this place at least once.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I think this place is going to be a major home run. High quality food in a fun, casual atmosphere. Yeah, the prices are a titch on the high side, but the quality is there to back up the prices.

It is pretty much the perfect table service restaurant for the family vacation Capitol of the planet.

 

[xdan0920]

Obviously I disagree with you on the theme. I'm not saying you're wrong but I don't see where a nautical theme has to be this....nautical.

Yacht man's steakhouse is nautical correct? But I don't recall a Chris craft hanging out next to my table.

I'll try it on my next visit because I love steak but my opinion that this place appears to be a little confused. Nothing wrong with an opinion based on paces I've been.

You may not like the theme, or the execution of the theme, but that doesn't make it any less themed.

Yachtsman is nautically themed, the theme of a Yatch club. Not quite the same.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Obviously I disagree with you on the theme. I'm not saying you're wrong but I don't see where a nautical theme has to be this....nautical.

Yacht man's steakhouse is nautical correct? But I don't recall a Chris craft hanging out next to my table.

I'll try it on my next visit because I love steak but my opinion that this place appears to be a little confused. Nothing wrong with an opinion based on paces I've been.

You do realize the boat is in the bar area? They have multiple dining rooms and a more formal bar area. The bar with the boat would be my choice of dining area for lunch or an early dinner as I have young kids but for an adult evening out/date night I would want one of the formal dining rooms.

 

[bhg469]

You do realize the boat is in the bar area? They have multiple dining rooms and a more formal bar area. The bar with the boat would be my choice of dining area for lunch or an early dinner as I have young kids but for an adult evening out/date night I would want one of the formal dining rooms.

I did not, I only saw the pictures and haven't been there in person. Like I said, I will check it out. I'm not saying I won't go there but my arguement was that this place is not as high end as some people think it might be.

It doesn't take away from the food or the staff, it all looks good.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

The places ive been to and consider high end here aren't chains so my examples would mean nothing to you. If you want to look them up EB Greenes, Buffalo chop house, Western Door. All great places around here.

The vietnamese/Thai place I had lunch in last weekend had linen table cloths, and that was 35 for the two of us.

High end, especially when referring to a steak house, means prime cuts aged in house. Dress code is probably somewhat enforced. Definitely no fake boats hanging out in the dining room. I keep saying this but this looks like a step above joes crab shack friend.

It isn't just a steakhouse. It's a seafood and steak place called Boathouse. So at Disney, that means it's themed after, guess what, a boathouse.

I don't consider any chains to be "high end" either. I don't think price has anything to do with being high end either. So maybe the Boathouse isn't "high end". Why does it have to be? Because it has expensive dishes on the menu? What does that have to do with high end? The also state that they have their own brand of dry aged beef, which their website says is prime level. Again, you are at Disney, so expect a themed restaurant.

Adding: The Ruth's Chris here in San Antonio serve only prime beef aged in house, with linen napkins and cloth tablecloths. They have a dress code that is pretty much enforced, so by your definition, Ruth's Chris would be a high end steakhouse. Sorry, but NOT even close. Heck, it isn't even a 4 AAA diamond rating, so hardly high end.

 

[squidward]

Well your dining choices of T-Rex and Rainforest clearly show you know your food. If you like reheated frozen food - keep going there. If you are looking for something better, break out and try The BOATHOUSE, and yep, you can get an entree there for $20. Not so scary is it?

I know what I'm getting at Rainforest and T-Rex. On vacation, I'm going for the fun atmosphere that I can't get back home. Overly priced fancy restaurants are a dime a dozen.

I've been to some of the best restaurants at Disney. V&A's, California Grille, Artist Point. They were all wonderful. I think you're missing the point that I'm trying to make. I simply don't care for what they've done to DTD. Switching out fun experiences (Pleasure Island) for fancy shops and restaurants to make a few extra bucks.

But thanks for the intended insult.

 

[BuzzKillington]

I think what people are failing to realize is that there are two adult mindsets when it comes to Disney. Those adults who think a trip to Disney is all about the kids and then those who go for their own enjoyment. As a member of the former mindset, I just can't fathom why a vacationing adult with kids would get excited about another signature restaurant that caters mainly to grown-ups.

Call me old fashioned, but Disney is and will always be about kids having fun and sitting in a fancy restaurant with some idiot next to you wearing a wife-beater (who happened to get a big tax refund at our expense) is not their idea of fun. Kids want theming in DD/DS restaurants that they can relate to like T-REX (2008) and Rainforest Café (1996) but as usual Disney ignores who Walt had in mind when he built these parks and they go for the almighty dollar instead. This is the same mentality that led to the drunks taking over WS on the weekends and at F&W.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I think what people are failing to realize is that there are two adult mindsets when it comes to Disney. Those adults who think a trip to Disney is all about the kids and then those who go for their own enjoyment. As a member of the former mindset, I just can't fathom why a vacationing adult with kids would get excited about another signature restaurant that caters mainly to grown-ups.

Call me old fashioned, but Disney is and will always be about kids having fun and sitting in a fancy restaurant with some idiot next to you wearing a wife-beater (who happened to get a big tax refund at our expense) is not their idea of fun. Kids want theming in DD/DS restaurants that they can relate to like T-REX (2008) and Rainforest Café (1996) but as usual Disney ignores who Walt had in mind when he built these parks and they go for the almighty dollar instead. This is the same mentality that led to the drunks taking over WS on the weekends and at F&W.

So when Walt had Club 33 built at DL, he was thinking of the kids?

 

[Hakunamatata]

So when Walt had Club 33 built at DL, he was thinking of the kids?

Leyeth the smacketh downeth.

 

[Otterhead]

Looks terrific. Prices are in line with any moderate-to-high end steakhouse (as in, there's stuff on the menu that's moderate, and stuff that's high-end). I once got a dry-aged sirloin at a Pete Luger's at a Connecticut casino : 12 oz. for $68. A 32 oz. steak for $115, meant for two people, is a great price for a great steak, if the quality's as high as it sounds.

 

[Otterhead]

I know what I'm getting at Rainforest and T-Rex. On vacation, I'm going for the fun atmosphere that I can't get back home. Overly priced fancy restaurants are a dime a dozen.

Rainforest is a chain -- they're all over the country, and have no association with Disney. They serve mall food. But hey, I've been to the ones outside WDW, and they're fun and silly and the salads are decent.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Rainforest is a chain -- they're all over the country, and have no association with Disney. They serve mall food. But hey, I've been to the ones outside WDW, and they're fun and silly and the salads are decent.

We, as a family, have moved past the rainforest and trex novelty. The food quality isn't there and there. The theming of the boathouse is refreshing. The menu offers something for most spending ranges.

 

[BuzzKillington]

So when Walt had Club 33 built at DL, he was thinking of the kids?

There is no shortage of restaurants that cater to adults at DD/DS and you know that. What there is a shortage of is kid-friendly restaurants and there hasn't been one built since T-Rex in 2008. If DD/DS is going to be for the adults, then we want WS back from the drunks and we want our character lines free from grown-ups who want to have a 5 or 10 minute conversation with an imaginary character.

 

[Otterhead]

What there is a shortage of is kid-friendly restaurants

Nah, I disagree. WDW in general goes out of their way to make virtually all of their restaurants "kid-friendly". Are there some more appealing to kids than others? Sure, restaurants with characters or animated film theming or animatronic dinosaurs are going to make kids happier than a nautical steakhouse. But just about any restaurant is going to do a great job of catering to families with kids.