Narcoosee's or The Hollywood Brown Derby?

[Marc Gil]

EDIT: My whole dining situation has been altered. Please proceed to post #9 for updated info, or just feel free to read along.

I already made reservations to dine at The Hollywood Brown Derby on June 8th for my birthday, but the more I read the reviews on Trip Advisor, the more I'm tempted to cancel. So, now I'm depending on my WDWMagic family to help me make my decision.

A week ago, I had the pleasure of dining at Citricos at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Overall, this was the best dining experience I've ever had at any Disney restaurant. The food and service was impeccable.

While I would like to try a new experience, I would also love to revisit this new favorite. The Hollywood Brown Derby has always been a consideration.

Ever since I watched that I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and the gang dine there (and pied William Holden), I was always tempted to try it out. I also wanted to spend my special day at the Studios to view Fantasmic, which would've been the icing on the cake!

So, I ask you, my WDWMagic family to help me make a decision. HBD or Citricos based on Food Quality, Service, Location, Atmosphere, and Overall Experience. Thanks guys! I hope you could help!

 

[harryk]

Have dined at BD several times and found that where you are seated makes a great difference as to the atmosphere you experience. The meals have always been more than excellent. Citricos would be my choice but since you want to have the fireworks/water experience at Fantasmic - the BD would be the better choice .

 

[Csmith041177]

Have only dined at Citricos, but it is one of my absolute favorites. I always struggle with trying new restaurants vs sticking with my favorites. We are trying Brown Derby for the first time our next trip...just because I have to try that Cobb Salad!

 

[Mr Morrow]

Brown Derby

 

[Marc Gil]

Have dined at BD several times and found that where you are seated makes a great difference as to the atmosphere you experience. The meals have always been more than excellent. Citricos would be my choice but since you want to have the fireworks/water experience at Fantasmic - the BD would be the better choice .

We regularly dine at BOTH. I would recommend Citrico's over the BD. We were surprised to see that the BD stopped serving real desserts - they just have some silly "mini platter" now. This isn't killer - but I start to worry when I see a SIG start to fray around the edges....

Have only dined at Citricos, but it is one of my absolute favorites. I always struggle with trying new restaurants vs sticking with my favorites. We are trying Brown Derby for the first time our next trip...just because I have to try that Cobb Salad!

Brown Derby

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for posting on this thread! I went with my gut and with most of your advice and decided to make reservations to dine at Citricos again...

Unfortunately, they did not availability for 10 on June 8th, so I requested a reservation for the 9th. I'm still waiting for a call back from them. In the meantime, I still have my Brown Derby reservations intact.

If worse comes to worse, I'll probably just end up going to The Brown Derby!

I'm dying to try that Cobb Salad!

Again thank you all!

 

[MrDee]

I have tried both, and of the two, I also liked Citricos better. However, you won't know which one YOU like better until you've done both. My vote is for the new experience. Failing that, book both.

 

[Marc Gil]

I have tried both, and of the two, I also liked Citricos better. However, you won't know which one YOU like better until you've done both. My vote is for the new experience. Failing that, book both.

OK - gotta give you some new information....

We just got back from WDW - dined at Citrico's last night (May 5 2014). We still love the place - but Citrico's has removed their Filet (effective May 5 2014), and replaced it with a "Rib Eye Filet" (it's NOT a Filet). As much as it pains us, I have to reverse my advice - go with the Brown Derby. We've seen the vanishing Filet before - it's generally a sign of DDP cost cutting. I'm crushed by their choice - but Citrico's MAY have started the DDP Death Spiral .

By the way - that "Rib Eye Filet" was nothing to sing about . Pending a correction of choices by Citrico's, the three way tie for first place among the SIGS has been decided (for us)....

1) California Grill
2) Shula's
3) Citrico's

Hmmm.. I've only dined at Citricos once, and that was two weeks ago. I don't remember seeing a filet on the menu. Trust me, if it was on the menu I would have ordered it. Instead, I had the Goat Cheese Stuffed Veal Chop, which was fabulous! I also nibbled off everyone else's meal.

Overall, everything was great!

I mentioned above in an earlier post that they didn't have any availability for Citricos on the day I was originally planning to dine there (June 8th), so they put me on a waiting list for "large party reservations" to try and squeeze us in for June 9th.... Anyway, after 3 days of waiting, they finally called me back and informed me that they had no availability for a party of 10 on June 8th or June 9th. They apologized for the inconvenience, and informed us that the nearby seafood restaurant Narcoossee's had availability on both dates.

Now after researching Narcoosees, I was delighted to see overwhelmingly positive reviews, and the wonderful menu!

So now that Citricos is completely out of the question, I present to you a dining new question:

Narcoosee's or HBD based on Food Quality, Atmosphere, etc. etc.

I currently have reservations for both (just in case..); HBD at 6:35 PM on June 8th and Narcoosee's at 9:00 also on June 8th.

 

[aladdin2007]

OK - gotta give you some new information....

We just got back from WDW - dined at Citrico's last night (May 5 2014). We still love the place - but Citrico's has removed their Filet (effective May 5 2014), and replaced it with a "Rib Eye Filet" (it's NOT a Filet). As much as it pains us, I have to reverse my advice - go with the Brown Derby. We've seen the vanishing Filet before - it's generally a sign of DDP cost cutting. I'm crushed by their choice - but Citrico's MAY have started the DDP Death Spiral .

By the way - that "Rib Eye Filet" was nothing to sing about . Pending a correction of choices by Citrico's, the three way tie for first place among the SIGS has been decided (for us)....

1) California Grill
2) Shula's
3) Citrico's

Im curious because I have yet to dine at Citricos or Narcoosees, even though it seems like I have been everywhere else, but whats the main differences between these two? Is one more fancy than the other? Is one more stuffy etc? Or which has the better atmosphere? Which one should I maybe try first? Thanks...thinking of one for a birthday dinner.

 

[MrDee]

Ok...for me, Narcoosee's is the better experience. I love cheesecake. I have always loved cheesecake. But somehow, all cheesecake has managed to not completely fulfill its potential. In short, I have always wanted cheesecake to be better than it ever actually has been. I have this issue with other facets of my life as well, but for now we will just talk about cheesecake.

Narcoosee's fulfilled that aching promise. I have NEVER had better cheesecake than Narcoosee's cheesecake...almond encrusted cheesecake, that is. Just don't even try to eat that Mickey ears piece of candy that comes with it. You will break your *@$?@* teeth. Fact!

Plus, I like their food. BUT....I think you should still give the Brown Derby a shot. Your tastes and expectations might be completely different than mine. But Man!!! That cheesecake.........

 

[Marc Gil]

Ok...for me, Narcoosee's is the better experience. I love cheesecake. I have always loved cheesecake. But somehow, all cheesecake has managed to not completely fulfill its potential. In short, I have always wanted cheesecake to be better than it ever actually has been. I have this issue with other facets of my life as well, but for now we will just talk about cheesecake.

Narcoosee's fulfilled that aching promise. I have NEVER had better cheesecake than Narcoosee's cheesecake...almond encrusted cheesecake, that is. Just don't even try to eat that Mickey ears piece of candy that comes with it. You will break your *@$?@* teeth. Fact!

Plus, I like their food. BUT....I think you should still give the Brown Derby a shot. Your tastes and expectations might be completely different than mine. But Man!!! That cheesecake.........

I know what you mean... But dang! That does sounds yummy! It's so hard to decide! They both seem to offer fantastic food!

Tough decisions...

I'll keep the cheesecake in mind though.

 

[Marc Gil]

Im curious because I have yet to dine at Citricos or Narcoosees, even though it seems like I have been everywhere else, but whats the main differences between these two? Is one more fancy than the other? Is one more stuffy etc? Or which has the better atmosphere? Which one should I maybe try first? Thanks...thinking of one for a birthday dinner.

Narcoosee's is strictly seafood, while Citricos has more variety. Citricos's menu is inspired by Mediterranean and Southern European Cuisine.

As far as atmosphere goes, Citricos seems more upscale, while Narcoosee's seems a TINGE more casual. Both are pricey however.

That's all I could tell you based on my limited knowledge.

 

[shipley731]

I've eaten at both Narcoosee's & Citrico's. I prefer Narcoosee's over Citrico's based on their current menus. I also like the atmosphere in Narcoosee's a little better especially if you can get seated by the windows. Another bonus is if you will be there when the MK fireworks go off, you can go on the deck of the restaurant and watch the fireworks with the music piped in.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Narcoosee's with out question. We love it here. Always have had good food and service and depending on what time your ADR's are for you can see and hear the MK fireworks. And a early Happy Birthday to you.

 

[Marc Gil]

Narcoosee's with out question. We love it here. Always have had good food and service and depending on what time your ADR's are for you can see and hear the MK fireworks. And a early Happy Birthday to you.

Thank you so much!

My reservations are at 9:00.

Chances are, I'll probably see them from where I'm sitting

 

[mickeysshoes]

Thank you so much!

My reservations are at 9:00.

Chances are, I'll probably see them from where I'm sitting

Perfect time. They have a nice deck you can walk outside and watch if you want. At that time of night the restaurant is winding down and lots of folks get up from dinner to watch from outside. Perfect ending of a birthday day in the WDW.

 

[senor_jorge]

HBD and Narcoosee's are two of our favorites. If I had to choose one it would probably be based on our plans for that day and convenience.

Narcoosee's has also had exceptional service when we've been there. The view from a window seat at night is fantastic. The food has been very good to fantastic. The only negative is that each time I've had the surf 'n turf (either the ribeye or filet) the lobster has just been a bit off. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as it could have been. I usually order the cheese board as my appetizer and there have been some fantastic selections! My wife loves tea and they've had some really nice options for her. Dessert is always great, see cheesecake above.

HBD is good enough that we usually eat there twice during a 7-10 day stay. The second visit is for lunch on the day we fly home. After a week+ of gluttony I need a Cobb salad and La Fin du Monde to taper off and return to the real world. We love the atmosphere, and I think they have the most comfortable seating anywhere on property which is a major plus some days. Service has always been excellent. The pork chop, filet, and salmon have never disappointed. Pork produced in the US has become so lean that it can be difficult to find a restaurant that can serve it moist. I've never had that problem there. The filet has always arrived cooked as ordered (med-rare), with great flavor, and tender. All three dishes come with some of my favorite sides anywhere on property.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Thank you so much!

My reservations are at 9:00.

Chances are, I'll probably see them from where I'm sitting

Oh...and also watch for the water parade thing...oh the brain is now working right now. What is it called???? Anyway as it starts it will float right past.

 

[Marc Gil]

HBD and Narcoosee's are two of our favorites. If I had to choose one it would probably be based on our plans for that day and convenience.

Narcoosee's has also had exceptional service when we've been there. The view from a window seat at night is fantastic. The food has been very good to fantastic. The only negative is that each time I've had the surf 'n turf (either the ribeye or filet) the lobster has just been a bit off. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as it could have been. I usually order the cheese board as my appetizer and there have been some fantastic selections! My wife loves tea and they've had some really nice options for her. Dessert is always great, see cheesecake above.

HBD is good enough that we usually eat there twice during a 7-10 day stay. The second visit is for lunch on the day we fly home. After a week+ of gluttony I need a Cobb salad and La Fin du Monde to taper off and return to the real world. We love the atmosphere, and I think they have the most comfortable seating anywhere on property which is a major plus some days. Service has always been excellent. The pork chop, filet, and salmon have never disappointed. Pork produced in the US has become so lean that it can be difficult to find a restaurant that can serve it moist. I've never had that problem there. The filet has always arrived cooked as ordered (med-rare), with great flavor, and tender. All three dishes come with some of my favorite sides anywhere on property.

Hmmm... You just gave me an idea.. I forgot to mention that I was planning to spend the day at DHS for Star Wars Weekends. If I were to go to Citricos , I was probably going to have a light lunch, then head back to the house to shower change at around 3:00 to 4:00

Now I totally forgot that HBD had lunch! Of course I won't be having the filet or the lamb, which I was originally intending to have, but I can share the Entree Cobb with another appetizer, and that would be perfect!

But I still wanted to try out Dinner at the Brown Derby...

Oh...and also watch for the water parade thing...oh the brain is now working right now. What is it called???? Anyway as it starts it will float right past.

The Electrical Water Pageant!

 

[danpam1024]

Ok...for me, Narcoosee's is the better experience. I love cheesecake. I have always loved cheesecake. But somehow, all cheesecake has managed to not completely fulfill its potential. In short, I have always wanted cheesecake to be better than it ever actually has been. I have this issue with other facets of my life as well, but for now we will just talk about cheesecake.

Narcoosee's fulfilled that aching promise. I have NEVER had better cheesecake than Narcoosee's cheesecake...almond encrusted cheesecake, that is. Just don't even try to eat that Mickey ears piece of candy that comes with it. You will break your *@$?@* teeth. Fact!

Plus, I like their food. BUT....I think you should still give the Brown Derby a shot. Your tastes and expectations might be completely different than mine. But Man!!! That cheesecake.........

Seriously!!!! I FREAKING LOVE THAT CHEESECAKE!!!!! Sometimes the fools in my family think I'm actually going to share MINE! I will stab you with my fork!!!! Hahaha- obviously I choose Narcoossee's. It's one of my favs as well. Maybe try BD for a light lunch and make late dinner ressies HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

[Marc Gil]

Seriously!!!! I FREAKING LOVE THAT CHEESECAKE!!!!! Sometimes the fools in my family think I'm actually going to share MINE! I will stab you with my fork!!!! Hahaha- obviously I choose Narcoossee's. It's one of my favs as well. Maybe try BD for a light lunch and make late dinner ressies HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Okay now I have to try this cheesecake! Thank you so much!