Yachtsman Steak House

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Been reading reviews on this place slightly concerned at the mixed (thats an understatement) reports spread across almost all non Disney review sites. There doesnt seem to be many comments on WDWM so has anyone got anything positive to say about the food or service? Or should I expect a disappointed daughter as so many have implied?

 

[wdwmagic]

It's good. One of the better locations in WDW I believe. The proper steaks have survived the hatchet job given to a lot of the other restaurants.

 

[Tiggerish]

I ate at the Yachtsman Steakhouse about six weeks ago, and I had a fantastic experience overall. I found the food to be top-notch, and enjoyed the sunny personality of our server, Li.

We were celebrating our anniversary that evening, and I picked out a prosecco to have with our appetizers--I had the escargot, he had a salad.

For entrees, he had the filet and seemed to enjoy it. I had the NY Strip, because at 12 oz it was one of the smaller portions of meat, and I ordered the shiraz that was the recommended wine with it, and I had to compliment whoever paired them, because it's been a very long time since I had a meal where the food and the wine worked together so tastily. I had a second glass of shiraz, and Li brought out the bottle so I could take a picture of it (I suppose she noticed me taking pics of the food for the "food pic of the day" thread here).

They gave us a complimentary dessert for our anniversary, it was three small squares of sweets, one was chocolaty but with a toffee-ish texture, the other two were sort of wine gums, one savoury and one fruit. The man at the next table made fun of how small the pieces were (they were each about the size of a dice)

OK, maybe we waited a little long for our food. And we started out with a bit of a delay because they ran out of my first choice of bubbly and I had to pick another one; for some that might be a negative, but it didn't bother me that much. Maybe after three glasses of wine, nothing was going to bother me. :lol: With all that wine, it wasn't an inexpensive meal, either, even with the TiW discount.

This was only the second time we ate at the Yachtsman. The last time was nine years ago, we celebrated our 15th anniversary there as well. Both times we were seated at tables for two on the edges of the restaurant so we had a quiet dining experience. In fact, the first time we were there, we were seated outside an alcove where a small wedding party was having their meal; it was set off with a half-wall and was a bit private, or at least not out in the middle of the restaurant. I know that you will be celebrating a wedding during your trip; are you considering the Yachtsman for something like the rehearsal dinner? I'm trying to imagine what might disappoint your daughter, aside from a bad meal for her guests (your guests? :animwink. I've only had good food there, although twice in nine years isn't much of a track record.

If there's any other info I can give you that will help you decide, please do ask.

 

[tigsmom]

It's one of our favorite places to eat! We've never had a bad meal there, steaks are good and the atmosphere is more upscale since it's a Signature dining spot as opposed to Le Cellier. My girls enjoyed getting slightly dressed up to dine here (it's Disney business casual dress code) and also watching them cut the steaks in the big window before we were seated. :lol:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Were committed to going as Its too late to change it was the only genuine option given the limited time Disney will seat parties over 10 and the time of the wedding. I was concerned as one of the party has decided that she no longer eats meat and having gone on line to look at menu reviews was greeted by many recent comments that were pretty critical of the atmosphere in particular.


Still DD isnt one to be messed with, especially on her big day. As long as the bars keeps me lubricated Ill muddle through.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Awwwww...we get to see Sak's teddy-bear side. :animwink:

We have the Yachtsman reserved for our anniversary dinner in September (if nothing happens to throw the trip off entirely...it **is** hurricane season). I'm thinking about calling the resort to see what kind of specialty cakes can be made for us and at what cost. I don't want anything simple like with the cake line. I want something really unique.

 

[wdwmagic]

Were committed to going as Its too late to change it was the only genuine option given the limited time Disney will seat parties over 10 and the time of the wedding. I was concerned as one of the party has decided that she no longer eats meat and having gone on line to look at menu reviews was greeted by many recent comments that were pretty critical of the atmosphere in particular.


Still DD isnt one to be messed with, especially on her big day. As long as the bars keeps me lubricated Ill muddle through.

Yep atmosphere is the only issue I could really see as a problem. It's total luck, but if it's full of kids, it can be more like a counter service than a top restaurant.

 

[Tiggerish]

Hopefully, since you are a large party and they know it's a wedding, they will seat you in one of those alcove things--they do give you a bit of privacy out of the main dining room.

If you look at the picture of the dining room at this link from Disney's website, the one taken at night, you may notice the half-walls along the right-hand side of the photo (there are potted plants sitting on the half-walls). Behind them are the alcoves I'm mentioning.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/yachtsman-steakhouse/

I was seated at one of those tables for two that you can see, it doesn't look like it in the picture, but they are in between each of the alcoves, not in front of them. I would have had to lean waaaay back in my chair in order to invade the privacy of the wedding party dining in there that night. Needless to say, I am too polite to do that. :lol:

In fact, I have a reservation to bring my mother-in-law and her cronies to the Yachtsman on our next trip, so I must be feeling positive about it!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

That sounds good, after all I dont want to put people off their dinner if they get an accidental keek up my kilt. The Ressys been made by the wedding planner so Im hopeful theyll be accommodating.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

This is a favorite of mine. The marinated mushrooms are exellent!

Pam

 

[Tiggerish]

The Ressys been made by the wedding planner so Im hopeful theyll be accommodating.

Didn't you tell them who you are, and the havoc you could wreak by expressing your displeasure on this board?? :ROFLOL:

I'm sure it will be a nice evening for your family. :wave:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Didn't you tell them who you are,

Ive always tried to avoid upsetting people who handle my food.

 

[DMC-12]

It's good. One of the better locations in WDW I believe. The proper steaks have survived the hatchet job given to a lot of the other restaurants.

I agree! :king: My boss was down there just recently for a conference. And he wanted to take some biz partners out for a great steak on property. So he called me and asked me where to go. I told him the Yachtsman. :slurp:

Him and his partners were all pleased w/ my recommendation.

 

[tigsmom]

Just about every restaurant has a vegetarian option and you can speak to the chef as they are very good at adapting dishes to meet all needs.

 

[LowesChevy]

We first started going to the Yachtsman Steakhouse about 4 years ago and it has been wonderful. My parents actually wanted to go twice during our trips! Here is my review from October 2009-the pictures are not there anymore, but the review is pretty detailed.

Yachtsman Steakhouse, October 7th

This happens to be another favorite of ours along with Citricos. We have dined here for the past three years and have always experienced great food and great service. There were some conventions going on, so many people were trying to get in for dinner. I was given a pager and I snagged a seat that peered into the glass walled aging room to watch a chef fabricate some lamb chops. The dining was crowded when we arrived, but nonetheless we were seated with in 5 minutes of our adr time.

Our table was located in a small room off the left side of the main dining room. It is considerably brighter than the rest of the dining area and has partial walls peeking into the kitchen line. There are also only four tables in the area, which cut down on the noise factor. Pam of Orlando came over to greet us and take our drink orders. My parents selected a bottle of wine and I had a tall frosty Coca Cola. She returned and talked to us about the restaurants signature dishes and her favorites from the menu.

Pam came back with the wine along with a basket of onion bread and some crusty sourdough rolls. The butter is topped with infused sea salt and olive oil and balsamic vinegar. There was also some roasted garlic to smear over your bread if you choose.

We ordered our appetizers, but I was disappointed they removed the chilled seafood salad and replaced it with a shrimp cocktail, which I did end up ordering. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and chilled, served with traditional cocktail sauce, lightly dressed watercress and lemon wedges.

DM had the salad with pears, prosciutto, mache, champagne vinaigrette and balsamic drizzle. My father went with yet another cheese selection which included four cheeses and accompaniments-I am making him get his cholesterol checked real soon! They both enjoyed their selections.

I do not normally order a filet mignon because I prefer the taste of a ribeye or fattier cut of meat. However I did not feel like ordering a 20 oz. or 24 oz. steak. I have had the N.Y strip here before and found it not incredibly flavorful or tender. So mother and I selected the filet served with mashed potatoes, wine reduction and the house sautéed spinach and onions. DF went with the N.Y. strip (served with a cheddar potato gratin and peppercorn brandy sauce) even after I warned him about the toughness he may experience. It was a bit tougher than most cuts, but he enjoyed it overall. The filets were very tender and flavorful, much better than tenderloin from the old milk cow Bessie they served her at Artist Point.

My birthday dessert provided by Pam! The YSH always have great desserts, so I always leave a little extra room for some after dinner treats. I selected a take on a caramelized banana Napoleon with white chocolate mousse and chocolate. It was excellent, bananas and chocolate with crispy layers of puff pastry, how does that not sound good. DM tried the creme brulee with berries, which she enjoyed very much.

Overall, we all love the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Great food and very attentive service really make it shine. YSH will definitely be on the adr list for next year.

 

[CoastalX]

We ate at the Yachtsman in 2007 and I had the 24oz Porterhouse and was by far one of the best steaks I have had in a long time! Definatley a great place to eat IMO!

 

[mickeysshoes]

We ate here for the first time in a few visits and we had a great dinner. And our waiter was the best one we had all week! Well a tie with the server at the The Flying Fish. He went above and beyond to make sure my picky DD had what they wanted and would eat! I was kind of disapointed that there was no more lobster on the menu anymore but its was not the end of the world. We will be having dinner here on our first full day very soon.

 

[tjkref418]

I have to echo the sentiment others have expressed. This has consistantly been one of our favorite places at WDW

 

[zurgandfriend]

I'll chime in as well Yahtsman is the second best steakhouse on property. I would rate Shulsa's better.

The service was outstanding everytie we have dined there.

The atmosphere is very nice, Clifornia Grill I think is better however.

 

[Computer Magic]

We have made it a point to eat at Yachtsman Steak House every trip since 2005. That would make 5 trips. We make it the last dinner of our trip to ensure the trip ends on a high note.