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MK resort area fine or nice-ish dining

Best alternative to Artist Point

  • California Grill

    Votes: 17 41.5%

  • The Wave

    Votes: 2 4.9%

  • Citricos

    Votes: 6 14.6%

  • Narcoossee's

    Votes: 15 36.6%

  • 'Ohana

    Votes: 1 2.4%
  • Total voters
    41
Schneewittchen

Schneewittchen

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hi everyone, I'm an OCD WDW planner, so humour me.

I'm planning to book my stay at Fort Wilderness in April 2017 tomorrow, I know I won't be making restaurant ADR's for another month, but I want to discuss because I want to try something different. We tend to do a lot of character or fun meals. But we always have at least one fine (or fairly nice) dining experience per trip.

DH and I love, love, love Artist Point. All the Northwest feels - Oregon and Washington are my number 2 and 3 after WDW. Just wonderful food, lovely atmosphere, great service. But I feel like I've been their 100's of times. It's time for something different.

DH says all WDW restaurants are wonderful and we can go wherever I choose. But I know he really likes a tasty, tender steak with potatoes and a glass of red wine. I enjoy devouring tentacles and Ariel's other oceanic buddies, and cows too. At Artist Point, DH usually gets the filet mignon and I usually get the scallops. The kids will eat mac n cheese or peanut butter or whatever other garbage is on the kids menu.

I want to avoid the buses, so I need to find a fine-ish dining experience that is accessible by boat/monorail from Fort Wilderness. That leaves Contemporary, Poly and Grand Floridian.

So, where should I go? Here's a poll. But I want a lively discussion too. Convince me that your favorite beefy/seafoody restaurant in the MK resort area is the best to meet my needs.
 
DisneyFans4Life

DisneyFans4Life

Well-Known Member
My vote was for California Grill. From your list I've been to CG and 'Ohana and would choose California Grill for the more "fancy" type of meal that you're looking for. They have a great wine selection and the filet I got there was delicious. Plus if you time it right, you can view Wishes from the rooftop.
 
Curvelo

Curvelo

New Member
I can only talk about California Grill, but I have to say that it was a very pleasant experience for DW and for myself. We both got beef: she had the filet and I had the Wagyu beef (had a little talk to the server about getting it medium instead of medium rare and it was excellent), but the scallops and the halibut were close contenders.

For the kids, DS12 already orders from the adult menu, so he had the filet of beef, while DD5 and DS5 both loved the wild salmon with wild rice. We also ordered the cheese board to share and it was a big hit with the kids, too. Next time we will probably order more than one.

Last, but not least, if you book around 8pm you will get to see the fireworks from the observation deck right after dinner.
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
Schneewittchen said:
Yes, I'm sure it's wonderful. And they won't welcome my 4 and 6 year old beasties... So, we'll consider it in six years.
Click to expand...
Cali Grill would be best for what you are looking for. Umm, I would never take a 10 and 12 year old to V&A's. At $185 each, it just wouldn't be worth it. We have eaten there many times, and love it, but only just for the 2 of us - and our kids are in their 20's. If they want to go, they can foot the bill themselves!
 
Schneewittchen

Schneewittchen

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
LuvtheGoof said:
Cali Grill would be best for what you are looking for. Umm, I would never take a 10 and 12 year old to V&A's. At $185 each, it just wouldn't be worth it. We have eaten there many times, and love it, but only just for the 2 of us - and our kids are in their 20's. If they want to go, they can foot the bill themselves!
Click to expand...
Oh dear. We could dump the little angels off at Lilo's Playhouse for some adult fun.....
 
danyoung56

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
I've eaten at most of the nicer places in WDW. And while Narcoosee's puts on a great plate of seafood in a beautiful room with an amazing view, you just can't beat the California Grill. Their beef filet is just incredible - cut with a fork, melt in your mouth tasty. The wine list is extensive, and they also have a full bar. Try to time your rez about 90 minutes before MK fireworks, and then take a drink out on the 15th floor balcony and enjoy the view and the sounds (they have speakers out there and they pipe in the soundtrack of the show). The waitstaff are used to people going out for the show, so they'll hold dessert or whatever you want while you go outside. It really makes for an incredible evening!
 
M

Minnie Mum

Well-Known Member
I know a lot of people seem to rave about CG, but I'm not one of them. It's noisy and crowded, and I think the food quality has declined since the last refurb. Obviously the chance to see Wishes is the major draw. Any signature that can't properly prepare a steak has no business being in the business. Having said that, if you're going to bring the kids along, it's probably a good choice. If they're at all noisy, nobody will notice over the general din.

Citricos is our favorite of the monorail signatures (if you're excluding V&As). Its quieter, with impeccable service, and we've never been disappointed with the menu. In fact we booked out the Chef's Domain for DDs wedding dinner. It was fabulous. Our second choice would be Narcoossees.
 
M

Mickey5150

Well-Known Member
California grill is a great restaurant but if you are looking for a change from Artist Point I would go elsewhere. Being that they are both Pacific Coast restaurants they have a similar taste. Now before anyone starts to argue I'm not saying that they are the same restaurant but that they are influenced by similar ideals and geography. I've been to all of them except for The Wave and if I had to choose I would go with Narcoossee's. I love seafood and have had their scallops and loved them. The restaurant is out on the water so if you get a table by the window you have a great view of Seven Seas Lagoon and can see the fireworks. Also, I checked the menu and they do offer a filet. Honestly, between Citricos, Narcoossee's and California Grill you really can't make a wrong choice.
 
DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
I'd choose California Grill. Gorgeous view, awesome atmosphere, and delicious food. Their filet is the best thing I've ever tasted. I think I cut through it with only my fork. It came with a creamy tomato risotto. Their goat cheese polenta is to die for as well.
 
Schneewittchen

Schneewittchen

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the feedback everyone. It looks like I should show DH the menus for California Grill and Narcoossee's and let him pick between the two.
 
bunnyman

bunnyman

Well-Known Member
Near the MK I've only eaten in Artist Point and California Grill in the signature dining category, and I love them both. California Grill is especially nice given the location and views, and I'm partial to sushi so this is a good option for me. Artist point is usually not that crowded, so getting a table should not be a problem there.
 
danyoung56

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
I forgot to mention the sushi! They used to have a lady that was said to be one of the top sushi artists on the planet. She's gone now, but the sushi chefs there now were trained by her. They have a plate called the Spicy Kazan Roll that includes crab, shrimp, scallops, tuna and fireball sauce, and is just incredibly tasty!
 
DisAl

DisAl

Well-Known Member
Of those on your list we have only been to Narcoossee's and California Grill. Both EXCELLENT food and service, but we thought the best meal we had of five signature restaurants we visited was at Narcoossee's. California grill was second.
 

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