Now dinner...

[Clotho]

Okay, so we have decided on the Boardwalk Inn. Now we are geting our PS's in order. Here are my top choices:

California Grill (timed to see the fireworks)
Hoop Dee Doo Revue

We toyed with the idea of Victoria and Albert's, but are unsure if we want to spend that much money... We are not afraid to spend big money on a great meal. We LOVE good food and wine. But are hesitant...

Also, I hear great things about Ohana. Is it worth it to get a PS there? Anyplace else you think we shouldn't miss?

LAST QUESTION: Without having to go through all the listed menus on AllEars...does anyone know where serves a great cheese platter? Hubby and I are cheese fanatics (gained 15 pounds when we dated thanks to "cheese and movie" nights--just lost those 15 the last 6 months--5 years later!), and would love to have some good cheese and wine selections on our trip. Thanks!

[daisyd0]

Califorinia Grill has wonderful food and an even better view. FYI when you call to make your PS tell the person that you want a seat facing the MK to see the fireworks otherwise they may place you on the other side of the restaurant. However, even if that happens, the restaurant has a viewing deck which you can go out on to watch the show. The lights go down in the restaurant and they pipe in the music from the firework show. It's a great atmosphere.

Other great restaurants:

Artist Point at WL, they have a nice chef menu which you can order with the accompanying wines for each course. I truly enjoy my meals at Artist Point. Also, Citricos at GF. They share the same kitchen as Victoria & Alberts so the food is just as good and you won't have to spend so much. If you are adventurous I also recommend Jiko at AKL. Finally, at the Boardwalk, definitely try the Flying Fish, great fish and right where you're staying.

[Lani]

Let me add Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge to the list of eateries to check out. It's a buffet, but their dishes are unusual, to say the least. I LOVE Boma. As long as you're adventuresome and willing to try something new, it'll be a great experience. The chefs behind the counter will gladly help describe dishes to you, but you can always serve a spoonful of each item to check them out.

If you like something, you can even ask for a recipe.

Boma has a dessert called Zebra Domes. They are TO DIE FOR. Yummmm. They are so good that I broke my Atkins plan during my last visit just so I could go to Boma and have Zebra Domes for dessert. Mmmmmm. :)

[thevolcanogod]

Although I've never been, California Grill is tops on my list for meals on my upcomming honeymoon. Pacific Rim cuisine with a california flaire - they also have an extensive wine list based on several reviews I've read - heavy on west coast wines. I fully expect to spend around $60 per person not including wines, but this is a deal better than the $90-135 per person for V&A. For many, the experience at V&A justifies the cost, but from reading all the reviews it isn't something that I would particularly delight in - as they say, to each his/her own.

In any case, some of the other restaurants that are spoken highly of at the World and area are Yachtman's Steakhouse, Fulton's Crab House, Portobello's at the Yacht Club, La Cellier, Bistro de Paris, Emeril's, the Norwegian place, the Morrocan place, Boma plus many others.

I did notice also that the California Grill offers a cheese plate as a desert item.

Looking at some of the V&A wine pairings listed on allearsnet.com I thought it a bit strange that they would suggest recent-vintage Bordeaux and Burgundy - those wines aren't close to being ready to drink and would take hours of decanting to open up.

[pixiedust]

I always mean to get to V&A, but never want to pack the right clothes! I'm a light packer, and never want to take any dress up items that I'd wear only once, so c'est la vie! There are plenty of nicer places where I can go "come as you are" after a day in the parks.

Boma, definitely for something differnet. Lani beat me to it. California Grill, Jiko, Flying Fish (not only fish, and somewhat California based cuisine), Yachtman's Steak House, Le Cellier, Artist Point, Bistro de Paris, Fulton's Crab House, all good choices.

Norway, so-so, but go to the Norwegian bakery and get a dessert. Morroco for something different, but could be better. Actually the Moroccan counter service place has some decent platters, and you can sit outside and people watch if you want. Jiko at the AK Lodge, accross from Boma, features African inspired dishes and South African wines.

Emeril's is at Universal City Walk, worth a trip IF you can get a res.

[disnut8]

We thought the California Grill was going to be a nice, romantic time but found it to be loud and noisy. They do have a "dress code" - supposedly not cut offs or tank tops. Not really enforced. But the meal was great, the service was excellent. The atmosphere just wasn't what I wanted. Our most romantic meal was at the Yachtsman Steakhouse (a short walk from the Boardwalk). Really more of an adult atmosphere. That's my opinion, only.

For cheese plates - France and United Kingdom at Epcot both have one. France does very nice with wine pairings.

[Iceman]

We are not afraid to spend big money on a great meal. We LOVE good food and wine. But are hesitant...

Why the hesitation? V&A's is the finest restaurant in central Florida, and one of the best in the country. If you are truly epicurians like you say, there's no excuse for skipping it!

[cirquelover]

For cheese platters, you may want to check out the Rose & Crown at Epcot. It is in the the England section. As I recall they had a lovely cheese and fruit platter. The cheese selection was varied and nice and our son loved the grapes!
When we stayed at Animal Kingdom lodge they had a great selection of wines! I know they had a huge selection at Jiko but I believe they had them at Boma too!
If you're a true carnivore you will love O'hana! All the meat you can eat! My boys love it, I enjoyed it too by the way ;)

[danyoung]

You've already listed one of my favorite restaurants in the world - the California Grill. If you're a meat eater, try the beef tenderloin, teriyaki marinated, cuts with a fork - YUMMMM! My other 2 favorites (and I've eaten in almost all of the restaurants on property) are both in Epcot - Le Cellier in the Canada pavilion and the Coral Reef in the Living Seas. Le Cellier is a terrific steak house, very friendly, with wonderful big breadsticks (in multi-grain, sourdough and pretzel flavors!), and a nice wine selection. They have a mushroom stuffed steak that's to die for! And the Coral Reef offers fine seafood in a unique setting. One entire side of the restaurant is made of plexiglass windows looking into the manmade coral reef environment of the Living Seas. You may time things right and get to see a dive group wandering around the tank. Just sitting and enjoying the excellent seafood while watching the dreamy oceanscape is a really nice experience.

I'm sure for every person you ask, you'll get differing recommendations. You just about can't go wrong - every on property restaurant has something to offer. Good luck!

[Clotho]

Dan, your recommendations sound RIGHT up my alley. You could have been writing a review I would give. I love steak, I love seafood, and the idea of sitting in front of a coral reef tank sounds delightful. Thanks for the suggestions!

California Grill is going to be our "special night out"--my official birthday dinner. I can't wait!

and cirquelover, I read that Rose and Crown is going to be closed for refurbishment while I am there. I am bummed because everyone says catching Illuminations from the deck is not to be missed. *sigh*

I prefer French cheeses anyway. I am a triple cream brie girl more than an aged cheddar girl. ;)

[danyoung]

Wrong on Rose & Crown. The bar is being rebuilt, but the restaurant and the patio area should be open, unless there's another shutdown that I don't know about. I know about the bar cuz they shut down right in the middle of my last visit. I was CRUSHED!! I really love hanging out there in the evening, sucking down a martini or 3, and then watching IllumiNations. I had to make do with the wine cart in France - just not the same thing!!!