To quote the Thumper Rabbit school of restaurant reviews, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." Re: Epicot - The pub in England has good beers, tasty bar food, good meat pies and fine fish and chips. The location is great for schmoozing with other tourists, and the outdoor seats are excellent for watching the evening light show. The Biergarten in Germany has a value-priced buffet luch with entertainment. Too bad you can't just stop by for beer and music. Dinner is similar to luch, which makes it less of a value for a few bucks more. The bakery in France has great pasteries for breakfast. To break the constant stream of Disney food, I suggest Charley's Steak House in the strip mall next to the Orlando Hyatt. The 32 oz. porterhouse is oak grilled. Splits for two for an extra $4. That brings soup or salad, choice of potato, hot rolls and veggies for two. Full bar and easy parking. Cards and reservations too. Only downside is the lack of a non-smoking section. Hope these help.
Orlando, FL
restaurants in DisneyWorld
Lori -- My husband and I are Disney World "nuts" and last returned from the place late in March. We have eaten all over "the World" and are also New Yorkers so our standards are fairly high. Here are our recommendations: NOT TO BE MISSED: The Clambake at the Walt Disney World Beach Club. An old-fashioned New England clambake, prix fixe and reasonable for what you get. Clams, peel and eat shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob, salads galore and a wonderful dessert bar featuring strawberry shortcake. Fresh and delicious, friendly informal atmosphere and plenty of room. Lobsters are available, but extra. The California Grill at the Contemporary Resort. Disney's glorified version of an upbeat, hip, '90s California restaurant. The views of the lagoon are breathtaking and the kitchen is open, so you can see the hustle and bustle of the chefs creating masterpieces. "Market-driven" fresh cuisine, very creative and high standards. Quite expensive but worth it for a splurge. The San Angel Inn, in the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT. This is on our "don't-miss" list not for the cuisine, which is fairly pedestrian, but because the ambience is simply magic. There is something about sipping your margarita under a smoking volcano, next to a busy Mexican marketplace while watching boats go by on the river ride that is just irresistible. And this whole scene is indoors, so climate-controlled! We also find it very relaxing after a long day marching around at EPCOT. *********************************************************************** ALSO GOOD BUT NOT ON THE A-LIST: The Coral Reef at the Living Seas in EPCOT. Ask to sit near the giant tank; it's worth the wait. You almost feel you are eating under the sea! The seafood is good, and has been steadily improving, but it's still pretty expensive for the quality, we think. Akershus at the Norway Pavilion in EPCOT. A Norwegian buffet; a lot of different tastes. We actually love this place, but you have to have a fairly adventurous palate to eat here. Big on herring, etc. The atmosphere is a little noisy, but nice...lace-curtain Scandinavian. Ariel's at the Beach Club Resort, next to EPCOT (you can walk). This restaurant is next door to the Clambake mentioned above. It features seafood...nice, but overpriced. A good place to go for a truly relaxing evening, it's romantic too. Tony's Town Square Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. Lots of people would disagree with us about this LADY AND THE TRAMP-themed place, but we go there every time. It's the quintessential red-checked-tablecloth Italian, a total cliche and all heart. Yes, the spaghetti is nothing to write home about, but the salad bowl is abbondanza!, the waiters are sweet, and you will have a great time. And Main Street is right outside. ************************************************************************ (FAIRLY) CHEAP EATS The Egg Roll cart outside the Jungle Cruise ride in Adventureland. Citrus Swirl at the Sunshine Tree stand outside the Tiki Birds in Adventureland (trust me on this; there was a whole lip-smacking thread about it on the Disney parks newsgroup recently). Olivia's at the Old Key West resort (if you happen to be there). Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge resort -- all you can eat barbecued everything, good for a hearty lunch and atmosphere fabulous. ************************************************************************ I have to admit, I have never eaten anything at MGM that wasn't disappointing. Lots of people seem to love the Hollywood Brown Derby but my husband and I HATED it. Pulverized lettuce in the Cobb salad, ugh! Anyhow, hope this is some help. Have fun! (Stay cool)
Lori W. wrote: (snip) I'm seeking the net wisdom on >what restaurants are not to be missed. We're staying in DisneyWorld and will >have 3 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches & 3 Dinners to plan for! > >So folks, what do you think? Are the Epcot World Showcase restaurants worth >it? Has anyone eaten in the Castle? Are there restaurants in the hotel >properties which are "must trys"? AND, finally, are the Hoop-do-doo Review >and the Luau worth the money? > >Thanks in advance! >Lori. I was there in '91 or '92. For more current info there are specific newsgroups (which I don't get anymore, thanks to my beloved ISP, hooked!) Also, I STRONGLY recommend "the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"--I think that's what it's called. It has up-to-date unbiased reviews on all the attractions and restaurants, and provides useful strategies for seeing the most in the least amount of time. But I digress. At the time I went, both the sit-down and quick menus at the Mexican pavilion had some of the best food at D-World. The Biergarden at the German pavilion had excellent sauerbraten--go for dinner; the dinner show is great. At the Disney Village was a place called Mickey's Cafe, or something similar. Pretty good. For the most part, though, the food in general, IMHO, was only so-so. Anecdotal information follows: The Castle was (and still is, I've been told) reputedly mediocre and overpriced. If you want to spend $$$, go to Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian. Reputedly excellent. According to my sources, the Hoop-do-do review is very entertaining--if you want to go, make reservations NOW. I've heard the Luau sucks. David Braun [email removed] "Although self-employed, my opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my employer."
David B. wrote: > But I digress. At the time I went, both the sit-down and quick menus at the >Mexican pavilion had some of the best food at D-World. The Biergarden at the >German pavilion had excellent sauerbraten--go for dinner; the dinner show is >great. At the Disney Village was a place called Mickey's Cafe, or something >similar. Pretty good. For the most part, though, the food in general, IMHO, >was only so-so. Mickey's Cafe is closed (just as well as it was AWFUL when we ate there a couple of years ago). It will reopen as the Rainforest Cafe this summer run by someone other than Disney. There is a new Mickey's Cafe at the Contemporary which is supposed to be ok. The best place at WDW at the moment is the California Grill at the Contemporary (at the top where their Broadway stage show used to be). I am told it is a top notch restaurant and would be no matter where it were located. >Anecdotal information follows: >The Castle was (and still is, I've been told) reputedly mediocre and >overpriced. If you want to spend $$$, go to Victoria and Albert's at the >Grand Floridian. Reputedly excellent. According to my sources, the Hoop-do-do >review is very entertaining--if you want to go, make reservations NOW. I've >heard the Luau sucks. I've heard that V&A's isn't all that good. it IS very expensive, $100+ per person, I believe. And the service is supposed to be great although I've heard less than stellar stuff about that of late, too. One of my favorites at WDW is the Portobello Yacht Club at Pleasure Island. I've never had a bad meal there. Also, what used to be the Empress Lilly is now a seafood place that's supposed to be pretty decent. There is also a very nice place at the Wilderness Lodge called Artist's Point. I'd recommend coming over to rec.arts.disney.parks where you will find a large number of postings on WDW dining. Bottom line is there are some pretty decent places to eat at WDW these days. -- Bill [email removed]