Dining Suggestion?

[Fla_Purls]

My husband and I will be going up to MK for a couple days in May for the Expedition Everest Challenge. This visit will be our last stay at MK for some time, as we will be welcoming our first child to our family later this year.

In the past, we've eaten at many signature and non-signature restaurants on property, and have fallen into a bit of a pattern when it comes to booking ADR's. We've been countless times to Ohana, Whispering Canyon, Narcoosee's, Le Cellier, Yachtsman, California Grill, Rose and Crown, among others. This time around, I'd like to try something different that we haven't been to before. For now, we have an ADR for dinner on our first night at Boatwright's Dining Hall. We really only chose it because we're staying at Port Orleans. I haven't really noticed anyone mention Boatwright's before (in a good or bad way), and I'm thinking that we might do better to choose another place. I'd like to do something different, but I think we might need some guidance.

So, with that said...did we make a good/bad choice? Can we do better? (I'm sure the answer is yes ) Thanks in advance!!

 

[real mad hatter]

Pors.

Well were big fans of Riverside,and the question about Boatwrights,well I think it has improved lots since our first visit in 2008.The only restaurant that I didn't see on your list was Jikos at AKL. It was superb.:wave:

 

[Fla_Purls]

Thanks!! I've heard a lot of great things about Jiko but to date the only reason we've never been there is my husband. He won't admit it but i think he's a bit scared of the menu. I'm glad to hear that Boatwright's isn't a bad choice, but I'm going to keep working at the idea of eating at Jiko. I'm positive they'd have SOMETHING he would enjoy.

 

[harveyt0206]

We ate at Boatwrights in 2011 and I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know if you have ever tried the Wave, but we really enjoyed our meal there. Have a great trip and congratulations on the eminent arrival of your little one.

 

[real mad hatter]

Ain't no Ghosts at Jikos.

Thanks!! I've heard a lot of great things about Jiko but to date the only reason we've never been there is my husband. He won't admit it but i think he's a bit scared of the menu. I'm glad to hear that Boatwright's isn't a bad choice, but I'm going to keep working at the idea of eating at Jiko. I'm positive they'd have SOMETHING he would enjoy.

When you say DH is scared of the menu,do you mean he doesn't like spicy food? If that is the case the only spicy dish that I can see on their new menu is "piri piri " which is a hot sauce from Portugal which I presume they use to marinate the meat.We had the fillet with mac & cheese with a red wine reduction tho it seems to be replaced with fillet & sweet corn risotto but that also sounds awesome.For starters the trio African breads & dips were a great way to try different tastes.They also boast great vegetarian dishes.Trust me,he will enjoy the atmosphere and the culinary delights.:slurp:

 

[jikobean]

Boatwright's is not a bad choice, especially for convenience staying at Port Orleans.

However, Jiko's is wonderful! The filet mignon with Mac n' cheese is amazing! Best I've ever had. Request to sit at The Cooking Place where the apps and flatbreads are prepared. The cooks can help guide your husbands selections so he's not intimidated by the menu. My parents really enjoyed their meals when we brought them, and they are by no means adventuresome eaters (Mexican is too crazy for them!).

 

[minnielaw]

I would suggest trying some of the Epcot restaurants like Via Napoli, Tutto Italia or the french restaurants--Bistro de Paris or Les Chefs de France. We also like Rose & Crown.

Other great resort restaurants include Sanaa at AKL Kidani Village, Kona at the Polynesian, and Kouzzina at Boardwalk.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

All I can say is that I went for a 10 day trip and we ate...alot. And we tried Flying Fish for dinner for the first time, and I don't think I can ever go to Disney and not make that one of my stops. Everything was amazing. We went as a couple too and if you are going with kids I am not sure how kid-friendly it would be nor did I even check out if there were offerings for the little guys, but the food was out of this world.

 

[Annielkd]

Port Orleans

I loved Boatwrights. My family enjoyed it very much. I can also suggest you eat at the food court for breakfast. They have an absolutely fabulous omlette. (You get to pick what goes in it) They also have great waffles. I personally think that Port Orleans has the best food around. (Other than the awesome salad bar at Beachclub resort). Have fun!

 

[Annielkd]

I would suggest trying some of the Epcot restaurants like Via Napoli, Tutto Italia or the french restaurants--Bistro de Paris or Les Chefs de France. We also like Rose & Crown.

Other great resort restaurants include Sanaa at AKL Kidani Village, Kona at the Polynesian, and Kouzzina at Boardwalk.

Rose and Crown makes wonderful fish and chips... Loved it there too!

 

[guitargurl27]

One of my favorite places to eat in MK table service is Liberty Tree Tavern. For lunch it's a la carte but at dinner it's a family style buffet. The service is always amazing but it is a little pricey.

Dinner buffet is 34.99 per adult and 17.99 for under 9yo:

Includes:
Declaration Salad
Patriot's Platter (a mix of turkey breast, carved beef, sliced pork, mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing, and mac and cheese.)
Dessert (johnny Appleseed cake)
Soft drink

It's delicious and worth the money since it's all you can eat.
ADR are recommended but on occasion I've showed up last minute and gotten a table.

 

[Fla_Purls]

Wow thanks everyone for the recommendations - I was able to talk DH into giving Jiko a shot for our first night. I think he'll love it. We're going back to Rose and Crown for lunch the following day, interested in what their new menu has to offer :slurp:

 

[The Incredible Schmulk]

Boatwright's is a hidden gem, as far as I'm concerned. We stay at French Quarter a great deal, but the last and only time we had ventured over to Riverside for dining, it was for breakfast, and Boatwright's hasn't served breakfast in years. It had been that long.

In any case, we got stranded for a couple extra days in WDW because of some winter weather canceling our flight, and since we got put up in Riverside for our bonus days, we decided to give Boatwright's a go again. Man, had we been missing out. On that trip, we ate at three different signatures, including our favorite, Jiko, and I think Boatwright's might have been the best meal we had on the entire trip.

I normally avoid pork chops when I dine out, because when you cook in bulk, it's hard to ensure a moist piece of pig always comes out of your kitchen, but that chop was fantastic. My SO got the filet and mac and cheese (that's right, the elusive Jiko filet and mac and cheese can be found on the regular menu there), and she also thoroughly enjoyed it.

We aren't three course kind of people. We normally split an appetizer or dessert, rarely both, and get our own entrees. On some occasions, we might just eschew an entree for several appetizers. The menu here was so appealing, though, that we actually went for the whole three course ordeal, and took our desserts to go.

Anyway, there's my too-long capsule review of our trip. I suppose I could have gotten a bit more in-depth, but suffice it to say, especially since you're staying in the resort, you should definitely check the restaurant out.

Also, consider stopping into Sanaa on the same day you guys check out Jiko. We like to have dinner at one and appetizers or desserts at the other restaurant's bar. Sanaa has a particularly great bar, with excellent bartenders.

 

[The MadHatter]

jiko

 

[WDW_Princess24]

Not sure if you have ever tried Sanaa but it is delish! I was skeptical at first as I am a picky pain in the butt, but, decided to check it out and was not disappointed.

Happy eats!

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

All I can say is that I went for a 10 day trip and we ate...alot. And we tried Flying Fish for dinner for the first time, and I don't think I can ever go to Disney and not make that one of my stops. Everything was amazing. We went as a couple too and if you are going with kids I am not sure how kid-friendly it would be nor did I even check out if there were offerings for the little guys, but the food was out of this world.

I have to second the motion for Flying Fish. One of our most memorable WDW dinners. :slurp: Can't really weigh in on Boatwright's. Only had breakfast there.