Input on Signature/Higher End Restaurants

[TinaMouse]

I know that Cali Grill (current thread) is the top "dawg" in the signature dining experiences. I'm eager to hear your input on other higher-end eateries. Has anyone eaten at the following?

1. Citricos (and specifically, how do you compare it with Narcoosee's?)
2. Yachtsman Steakhouse (Is it worth the 2nd credit vs. a trip to LeCellier?)
3. Brown Derby (worth a 2nd credit at all? I'm iffy on the menu)

Looking ahead (ha-ha-ha!!! you know me) to the next trip a few years away and I want to PLAN and BUDGET for some high-end meals......Cali Grill is a for sure. Wondering if I should add one or more of the above to the plan......

[Drince88]

I had a GREAT time at Citricos. Personally, I liked the vibe of that restaurant more than Narcoossees. They even have the good tea (though in all fairness, Narcoossees might too).

I'm not a huge Le Cellier fan (I enjoy it, but it's not the ruination of a vacation if I don't get in, either). Yachtsmans is MUCH nicer. Nicer decor, tables a little farther apart, there weren't very many kids when we were there, so it was quieter. Le Cellier is like Outback - Yachtsman's is a high-end steak house.

Brown Derby I wasn't that over-the-top about. I think it's odd having a signature inside the resort. It was VERY nice to get out of the unseasonably warm weather one time when I was there, though! (I think I did a walk upeven - it was a mid-October a few years back.)

You don't list Jiko. I think that's my favorite signature (yes, even over Cali Grill, though you can't beat the view from Cali Grill)

For 'off the beaten path' non-signature restaurants, I think both The Wave and Saana are great choices.

[GusMan]

I would love to try the Brown Derby myself. However, I think if I was on the dining plan, I would go out of pocket. Being that my take is that you need to get at least $30 of value out of a TS credit. I am not convinced that it would be worth the extra TS credit.

[TinaMouse]

Cathy, I was at Jiko last trip. I must've hit an off night. My steak was sent back and was inedible. Everyone else had a great meal, so it was just one of those things. I was trying to hit some I haven't been to in a while (Cali) or ever (the others).

Good comment about Outback/great steakhouse. Just have to decide if it is worth doing 2 credits (I'm looking at the DDP for that trip). Since Cali will suck up 2 of them and I wanted to do either Narcoosee's or Citricos (sucking up another 2), wasn't sure if I wanted to do Yachtsman too.

Chris, good point. Might wanto to do an out of pocket for Brown Derby. What I really want to try is the grapefruit cake, which I understand you can get at Starring Rolls.

Thanks for the input, peeps!

[AVP]

I've only been to the Brown Derby once, and really didn't think it was anything terribly special. Based on that lone experience, *I* would not use two TS for it.

AVP

[bennette]

We have done Jiko, Brown Derby, Flying Fish Cafe, Bistro de Paris, and California Grill.

We liked them all to varying degrees.

Brown Derby was our least favorite. We really liked the decor of the restaurant (reminded us of home) but it was huge and noisier than we like. Our waiter treated us like people who had never been to a decent restaurant before, explaining the menu before we asked, telling us what he would recommend to his family, and so forth. I think some people might have found him helpful? I found him condescending and annoying and couldn't wait to leave.

I can get a REALLY good steak at home, so can't imagine spending time at the Yachtsman unless I had run out of things to try.

List for next time is Citrico's and Sanaa.

[momof three]

I’ve eaten at Narcoossee’s, Brown Derby, Yachtsman and Citricos.

Of all of them my favorite was Citricos. I’ve been back three times and have only been to each of the others once so that might be saying something.

I agree Brown Derby was my least favorite of the group and I doubt I would go back. I didn’t find the food or service to be anything that special. If you really want the Grapefruit cake just make an Adr and have dessert one afternoon.

Narcoossee’s was nice but living in FL sea food is not that special of a deal for me. I have many local establishments where I can get a gulf coast view and a great meal for a lot less cash. (Of coarse I can’t get a castle view or fireworks at home.) This is the only reason I haven’t been in a hurry to go back. I really don’t have anything negative to say about my dining experience here.

We had a very good meal and excellent service at Yachtsman but I feel like I can get a good steak house at home just as easily.

Personally, if there is anyway possible in your budget to swing this I would skip all of the above in favor for an adult night out at Victoria and Albert’s. This is by far the best dining experience I have ever had! Were going back in May and I’m counting the days. My hubby did have a fit when he learned he would have to where at jacket and tie at WDW. It was my 40th so he sucked it up and dealt with it. However, as soon as we walked in to V&A his whining stopped. His turn around was so complete that it was him who made the reservations for this second trip back and he is not at all the Disney freak that he married.

*FYI- You can use the tables in wonderland card at Victoria and Albert’s which will have it basically paying for it’s self, if it’s the two of you, at this one meal. Then you would get 20% at your other table service and on those adult beverages. You would have to do at least one AP but it might be worth crunching the numbers to see if between this and a pass holder discount on the room if it’s worth doing.

I know I’m creating a whole new reason for fellow Disney uber goober planner to tinker with the budget more. Sorry, Tina. I just had to put it out there. This is a really special experience. How often do you get a chance to do a five star dining experience?

Mily

[TinaMouse]

No, absolutely. I'm thrilled for the input. This is an upcoming trip, (not this summer's family trip) with a will-be 11 year old, so V&A won't be appropriate. Plus, as much of a foodie as I am, I'm allergic to seafood. So that seems like a waste. I also do not enjoy wine (go figure!). DS#2 (this one) is a HUGE seafood junkie and loves sushi (he's 7 right now...LOL!), so I was leaning toward Narcoosee's.

GREAT idea to make an ADR and just have dessert. I never thought of that! Will they freak if you show up for just desserts (get it? just desserts!! I crack myself up)?

Sounds like all of you think Brown Derby is "eh" or at least not worth the 2nd credit. That one will drop from the list. Thanks!

Bennette, I've been to Flying Fish too. LOVED it, but was looking for a new one for the list. Same for Jiko. I would be interested in Bistro too, I suppose. Is that one on the DDP?

Thanks for all of the comments! YUMMY!

[bennette]

No, Bistro is not on DPP, as least usually not that I know of. But so nice and quiet and intimate. Overlooking the park at night, etc. And lovely food and service. Now that is a signature in a park done right, IMO. I am very sad my husband has never been. He doesn't like "fancy," but I know he would love this place.

But maybe not a kid's first choice? I found the service just right--which is to say no one ever made to feel anything less than first class--but it is not the most casual looking place. Depends on the kid, I would imagine.

[danyoung]

I enjoy a meal at the Brown Derby, but I'm not sure it would be worth the 2 credits on the dining plan. It's a nice, elegant theme park atmosphere (if that makes any sense!). I've almost always had good food there. I love a good steak, and they usually deliver. And I've never had any trouble with the wait staff, either. So in short, while it's not really a "don't miss" kind of place like the Cal. Grill is, it's still a fine choice for dining in the Studios.

[wishiwasthere]

I hate steak. I never order it or eat it.

We went to Yachtsman in August for free dining.

I remember having a porterhouse a few years earlier at someone's house because they only served steaks so I figured that I would have it again.

Not only did we have impeccable service (I actually felt a little awkward at times because the service kept calling me miss after every sentence), but the food was fantastic.

The steak was perfect. The flavoring was perfect. We ordered some extra sides. I tried the Porcini Mushroom Risotto. It was amazing.

Now when I ate at Le Cellier I did not get a steak. At that time they had a pasta dish with shrimp that basically had the cheddar cheese soup dumped on it. Not good. But everyone else loved their steaks.

I think that Yachtsman Steakhouse is a great "dining out" kind of meal. I like to get dressed up for at least one meal and we did so with that restaurant. We used it on an off night so we did not rush through the meal either. I highly recommend it.