New trip, new dining experiences

[DisneyDebNJ]

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! I am gearing up for our trip this October... made all ADRs, and added several new experiences for our family... they are as followed...
Beaches and Cream
Whispering Canyon Cafe (breakfast)
California Grill
Via Napoli
Nine Dragons

I have all of our usuals booked (Chef Mickey's for breakfast, Ohana, Kona Cafe breakfast, etc...etc...)
Also, we rebooked La Hacienda again this year... husband is looking for a new experience in Epcot (Chef de France, Monsieur Paul, Garden Grill, Coral Reef???) Your help and reviews are much appreciated!

 

[belledream]

I haven't been to Monsieur Paul, but I tried Chefs de France for the first time last year and it was very good! Big portions contrary to the stereotype and delicious desserts. I also a huge fan of Coral Reef, more so for the atmosphere than the food, but by all means it's still tasty. Going there this year too As for Garden Grill, it's mainly about meeting the characters rather than the food, so I would pick Chefs of Coral Reef over it unless that is of interest to you!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The only one in that list I haven't tried is Monsieur Paul. I'd like to try it, but the hubby doesn't share my love of French food, I have a hard time going for anything traditionally French and not having foie on the menu, and I've seen enough mixed reviews to make me leery. i.e. I don't want to spend signature prices on a bad meal.

As for the other 3, Coral Reef is the only one we wouldn't repeat. The atmosphere was cool, but the food was a real letdown. On to more positive things...I give the food at Les Chefs the edge over Garden Grill, but Garden Grill is the best character dinner we've done. Your beloved Pluto will also be there We requested the lower level (had to wait a smidge longer), but had a lot of fun looking into the various scenes in Living with the Land. While not gourmet cuisine, we did enjoy the food there. The fish was probably our fave of the adult portion.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

The only one in that list I haven't tried is Monsieur Paul. I'd like to try it, but the hubby doesn't share my love of French food, I have a hard time going for anything traditionally French and not having foie on the menu, and I've seen enough mixed reviews to make me leery. i.e. I don't want to spend signature prices on a bad meal.

As for the other 3, Coral Reef is the only one we wouldn't repeat. The atmosphere was cool, but the food was a real letdown. On to more positive things...I give the food at Les Chefs the edge over Garden Grill, but Garden Grill is the best character dinner we've done. Your beloved Pluto will also be there We requested the lower level (had to wait a smidge longer), but had a lot of fun looking into the various scenes in Living with the Land. While not gourmet cuisine, we did enjoy the food there. The fish was probably our fave of the adult portion.

See, Sandy, your thoughts mirror mine. Ron isn't a fan of *french food* to begin with. I'm thinking it's best for him to stick with La Hacienda, he enjoyed it? didn't love it, hence me wanting to try something new. Bad enough he's *****ng about booking a resort in the middle of a construction zone. (UGH) I'm just trying to keep it above board, any way I can LOL

 

[Daxiegirl]

Can't wait to hear your reviews of the ones you've picked. The only one of those on our list for September is Cali Grill.
I keep reading awesome reviews of so many restaurants that I'm already making a list of places to check out if we ever return. (This said by a woman who has never been to Disney but knows enough now from everyone here to realize I'm being naive if I think we will never want to return! )

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Can't wait to hear your reviews of the ones you've picked. The only one of those on our list for September is Cali Grill.
I keep reading awesome reviews of so many restaurants that I'm already making a list of places to check out if we ever return. (This said by a woman who has never been to Disney but knows enough now from everyone here to realize I'm being naive if I think we will never want to return! )

Reviews are awesome, but havng said that, we all have our individual tastes Try it all, come away with your own reviews, there are SO many places to explore and try out. I am sure you will have a wonderful time!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Via Napoli is good, I would suggest sharing food here. We got a pizza and a pasta dish (candele I think) and that way we got to try the great pizza and pasta too. We are going again in June and this time just getting the pizza.

In June we are also trying new restaurants, California Grill and Beaches and Cream. They both look great especially the No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream.

 

[Redsky89]

Coral Reef is pretty neat. Only ate in there once but it was cool sitting next to the colossal fish tank and eating. I remember the food being pretty good to. Also the restaurant in Japan I'm a fan of. Not the modern sushi side but the other side where they cook in front of ya. Via Napoli has the BEST pizza I've ever had in my life.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

See, Sandy, your thoughts mirror mine. Ron isn't a fan of *french food* to begin with. I'm thinking it's best for him to stick with La Hacienda, he enjoyed it? didn't love it, hence me wanting to try something new. Bad enough he's *****ng about booking a resort in the middle of a construction zone. (UGH) I'm just trying to keep it above board, any way I can LOL

I mean, I really want to try this truffle soup...


...but considering how hard I have to twist his arm to go to WDW, I don't want to push my luck with French. Even if it is American-French fusion cuisine.

I see why you'd want to try something other than La Hacienda. We've had a number of meals like that...good, but not WOW. In those cases, I usually like to move on to new things. And I'm guessing you're looking to keep it in Epcot or the Epcot area?

 

[MerMom1981]

While I haven't tried the other options, I have nothing but good things to say about Chefs de France. My whole family loved everything about it. My husband is a far from adventurous eater, and even HE found something he enjoyed.

We also loved when Chef Remy came out. My son tried to feed him a French fry. It was so adorable! It was our favorite character interaction... and we did Ohana & Chef Mickey that same trip

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I mean, I really want to try this truffle soup...


...but considering how hard I have to twist his arm to go to WDW, I don't want to push my luck with French. Even if it is American-French fusion cuisine.

I see why you'd want to try something other than La Hacienda. We've had a number of meals like that...good, but not WOW. In those cases, I usually like to move on to new things. And I'm guessing you're looking to keep it in Epcot or the Epcot area?

exactly.. IF we can... boys won't do Morocco, and I'm lucky I got Ron for one night at Via Napoli and Nine Dragons. The night I had La Hacienda planned was our night before our last, I guess I could do any ressie, but I am running out of options. I even considered the Luau, but in the past, we weren't fond of it

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

While I haven't tried the other options, I have nothing but good things to say about Chefs de France. My whole family loved everything about it. My husband is a far from adventurous eater, and even HE found something he enjoyed.

We also loved when Chef Remy came out. My son tried to feed him a French fry. It was so adorable! It was our favorite character interaction... and we did Ohana & Chef Mickey that same trip

I always wanted to dine here.. I was met with resistance LOL. My son and husband are huge fans of beef, husband loves seafood, I love cheese. something for all.. so I thought LOL But the menu looks diverse, Id rather do a relaxing restaurant than one where I had to make sure we were all dressed accordingly. (park fare, no tshirts, shorts, etc etc)

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Via Napoli is good, I would suggest sharing food here. We got a pizza and a pasta dish (candele I think) and that way we got to try the great pizza and pasta too. We are going again in June and this time just getting the pizza.

In June we are also trying new restaurants, California Grill and Beaches and Cream. They both look great especially the No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream.

Via Napoli is just me and hubby (son is jetting off to Tappan Edo) and our standards are so high, pizza wise (actually Im not a huge fan of pizza, but my husband considers it a food group LOL) I have heard so many fabulous things, I really feel we should definately give it a go

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Coral Reef is pretty neat. Only ate in there once but it was cool sitting next to the colossal fish tank and eating. I remember the food being pretty good to. Also the restaurant in Japan I'm a fan of. Not the modern sushi side but the other side where they cook in front of ya. Via Napoli has the BEST pizza I've ever had in my life.

my son does Teppan Edo a few times each visit! We really like it too, but I am trying my best to make a disney lover out of my husband LOL (he likes it well enough, just have to keep things new... ugh...)

 

[HouCuseChickie]

exactly.. IF we can... boys won't do Morocco, and I'm lucky I got Ron for one night at Via Napoli and Nine Dragons. The night I had La Hacienda planned was our night before our last, I guess I could do any ressie, but I am running out of options. I even considered the Luau, but in the past, we weren't fond of it

Gosh, I haven't eaten in Morocco since the 80s. I've heard it's much improved, but it's hard to erase bad memories. The reviews on the Luau have also kept me away. I know it's not super convenient, but have you thought about heading out to AKL-KV to eat at Sanaa?

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Gosh, I haven't eaten in Morocco since the 80s. I've heard it's much improved, but it's hard to erase bad memories. The reviews on the Luau have also kept me away. I know it's not super convenient, but have you thought about heading out to AKL-KV to eat at Sanaa?

I thought about Sanaa and even Jiko, boys aren't adventurous eaters (and here Ron ate rattlesnake and bear in the service LOL) Yet... they love Boma for breakfast ....

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I thought about Sanaa and even Jiko, boys aren't adventurous eaters (and here Ron ate rattlesnake and bear in the service LOL) Yet... they love Boma for breakfast ....

I know the filet at Jiko is pretty popular and should appeal to people who don't want to veer too far from their comfort zone. Swapping out the listed side for the macaroni should make it a fairly good yet more generic dish for him. As for Sanaa...one of my good friends is an insanely picky eater, but she still raves about her experience there. Of course, they did have to swap out her entrée with something more generic, but whatever they did wind up eventually giving her was supposedly great.

 

[horizons82]

I always rave about Sanaa and Jiko any chance I get...the food is incredible but still 'approachable' to those who are not too adventurous. Add in being able to enjoy the beautiful lodge and hotel grounds and to see the animals out in the hotel's savanna and it makes for a wonderful experience.

I think Sanaa might have the best food of any non-signature restaurant IMHO.

I'd also say Jiko's menu would probably appeal to the non-adventurous eater though more so than Sanaa.

 

[horizons82]

Not to hijack the thread, but since Monsieur Paul was mentioned, what is the overall feeling of the place? I've heard a lot of extremes on both good and bad ends. It's a restaurant that I am REALLY wanting to try, and I'd love to know from those who have experienced it what it is like compared to other Signature restaurants.

On paper, Monsieur Paul should be the top of the top and I hear mixed things, but haven't seen a lot of first-hand experiences about it either.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Not to hijack the thread, but since Monsieur Paul was mentioned, what is the overall feeling of the place? I've heard a lot of extremes on both good and bad ends. It's a restaurant that I am REALLY wanting to try, and I'd love to know from those who have experienced it what it is like compared to other Signature restaurants.

On paper, Monsieur Paul should be the top of the top and I hear mixed things, but haven't seen a lot of first-hand experiences about it either.

I feel the same way, some rave, some are under whelmed... just not sure