Well now that we've booked DVC, DHs birthday will be smack dab in the middle of the trip. We will be at BCV for the first week, his birthday is day 2 of our 2nd reservation at SSR. I could do dinner either before we move to SSR or after. Any recommendations for my DH that enjoys a good steak, but good for just about anything? If we did it while still at BCV we may get a Kids Nite Out babysitter for DS and put the girls in the kids club.
Shannon
Mommy to 3 Princesses and 1 Prince
Miss M(11), J(8) and R(5), and Mr. N(4)
I really think you couldn't go wrong with Yachtsman's. It's right there - if the dinner doesn't last too long, you could finish up with a stroll around the lake with just the two of you, and the food is fantastic.
Cathy
Flying Fish over at Boardwalk is VERY nice but the service may be a little formal for some. My husband would be happier at the Yachtsman.
If you have park hopper tickets or AP's, the Bistro de Paris in Epcot is very close by and loverly. They have plenty of "regular" food if that's a concern. Service is elegant but not stiff.
So I'm reading my bean feed...
"...since I don’t do drugs, I spend the money that I save on good dried beans." David Lebovitz
If you're going without the kids (a great plan imho!!) think about California Grill, the setting is great, I like the food and if you time it right you can see the MK fireworks.
Jenn
Who moved to SoFl to be closer to WDW
Highly recommended, but there is no kids club at the Contemporary. What we did, when we had dinner there, with a total of four kids, was to use the club at the Grand Floridian then take the monorail for dinner. It worked out just fine, and, after dinner we picked up the kids and closed out the MK way after midnight. Kudos to our friend who took the kids on the teacups twice, after that heavy meal.Originally Posted by jengold29
I didn't know you couldn't leave the property if your kids were in a club, I was thinking she could leave them at Sandcastle Club or with an in room sitter and go over the the CG.
Jenn
Who moved to SoFl to be closer to WDW
We'd have to do the in room sitter since DS will be 2. It's cheaper getting a sitter for all of them, than getting him a sitter for the min 4 hours while putting the girls in the kids club for min 2 hours.
Shannon
Mommy to 3 Princesses and 1 Prince
Miss M(11), J(8) and R(5), and Mr. N(4)
You might also consider Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian. The food & service is excellent & timed right you can see the MK fireworks from a window table. The lighting is subdued & quite romantic.
Okay I've narrowed down my choices (in order) and want everyone's input. We will have the kids with us, but would like to try a signature. We will be heading to MK's EMHs after dinner so that's why I deleted Yachtsman. We are doing it ON his birthday so we'll be staying at OKW at that point.
California Grill
Artist Point
Narcoossee's
Shannon
Mommy to 3 Princesses and 1 Prince
Miss M(11), J(8) and R(5), and Mr. N(4)
Because you'll have the kids, I say California Grill.
Hopefully you can time it so you watch fireworks from there, it's pretty special.
IF it was just the two of you, I'd say go based on your food desires, because they're all good (though I'd probably add Citricos in there, too - I REALLY enjoyed my meal there). For steak, I'll let Dan rave about the cut he always gets at California Grill - and I think Artists' point may have a bison or something just for 'something different' but still steak.
Artists point really has no 'view' that the kids would enjoy, IIRC, and Narcoossee's you might be able to see the Electric Boat parade - so that would be my second choice. But I don't know how much steak Narcoossee's has on it's menu. Citricos wouldn't have any view, either, I don't think (I was in the middle of the restaurant, so I don't recall if there was 'view' elsewhere).
AS A NON-PARENT, since it's Dad's birthday, and because you're going to a signature restaurant, you might have the kids dress up 'just a tad' (I LOVE collared shirts and nicer shorts on little boys). It will 'cement' in their brain that this is a special meal and special manners are a good thing, and I know my siblings and I always behaved just a little better if we were in better-than-normal clothes. (And I'm NOT saying that your kids wouldn't behave appropriately otherwise!!!)
Cathy
Cali!
Working hard for that next WDW trip! December 2013
Totally Cali...although I always want to say Dan gets pork. But no, it's the tamarind marinated beef filet (available, if not always on menu, I think?)
Lots more for the kids to see and I think they are better equipped for kids in general. We saw more of them there than any other signature; which I think has to mean less stink eye from childless adults. I would have to think that would make your life that much easier. Plus if you finish early/late, you are allowed to come back for the fireworks viewing. So you can let your kids run around at the beach there or over at the Poly and come back.
California Grill has a bit of a dress code, no?
So I'm reading my bean feed...
"...since I don’t do drugs, I spend the money that I save on good dried beans." David Lebovitz
It's the same as all of the signature restaurants:Dress Code Guidelines:
Men: Khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts, collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.
Ladies: Capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, dress shorts.
Not permitted in dining room: Tank tops, swimwear, hats for gentleman, cut offs, or torn clothing. While T-shirts are now allowed, the policy remains that T-shirts with offensive language or graphics are not acceptable.
Cathy
While I really enjoyed our dinner at Cali Grill, I would warn you that, IMO, it's really not that kid-friendly, even though they do have a kids' menu. Our dinner there was wonderful, but the pace was very leisurely, and our kids, who are well beyond toddler stage, and know how to behave in a nice restaurant, would have gotten bored, sitting there for more than two hours. Our adults-only dinner ran about three hours. Also, while watching the fireworks is a big attraction, the timing may not work out well, trying to coordinate a toddler's energy level, and "stomach clock." When my kids were much younger, we ended up with a dinner after 7PM, and, even though we gave them a substantial snack, at their normal dinner hour, they did not do well at all, and, subsequently, we did not get to enjoy our dinner either. Carefully consider the timing, and make sure the kids are well-rested and not too hungry, and be prepared to walk them around. The one signature dinner that did work out well for us, with kids, was Jiko, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. When my younger daughter got antsy, we had sufficient time for my husband to take her outside to the animal observation area while waiting for our food-it's a short walk from the restaurant. The food was great, too. My older daughter ate two kid's steak meals-the meat anyway. It's not near the MK, though. My choice would actually be Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge, simply because it is easier to walk the kids around to look at stuff, and they would enjoy the boat ride. The meal was faster too. If the food and fireworks were the only consideration, then Cali, for sure, but having done a lot of Disney restaurants with kids 5 and under, I think it's a bit risky, to try to get them to behave for a long meal.
thanks for the input. I'll talk to DH and see what he wants to do. I know he'll do whatever the kids want, but I'd like to have a special birthday meal for him.
Shannon
Mommy to 3 Princesses and 1 Prince
Miss M(11), J(8) and R(5), and Mr. N(4)
I guess I'm famous for my love of the CG, my favorite restaurant anywhere on the planet. It's a triple threat - great food, incredible service, and a view over the MK and the Seven Seas Lagoon that just can't be beat. Yes, my dish of choice is the tamarind bbq marinated beef filet, a smallish cut of beef that you can cut with a fork, incredibly tasty. They also feature one of the finest sushi artists in the world - the spicy sushi appetizer is to die for. Ask for a seat by the glass overlooking the monorails and the boats and the MK. And do try to arrive a couple hours before MK fireworks. They have a beautiful balcony, and they pipe the music right into the balcony speakers.
And as to kids, mom might be right about their tolerance for a longish meal. But then if they get bored you can always send them out to the balcony for some fresh air (and quiet for you!).
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
I believe all the kids are quite young, and would need an adult to accompany them. There is a very big difference in dining out with toddlers and older kids. I found restaurant meals with my kids, when they were younger than 5 or 6 to be quite challenging. When my older daughter was a toddler, I would order her a side dish of potatoes, before we even looked at our menus, so she could eat something right away, then we could break out the crayons or whatever we brought to amuse her. These days, my kids can amuse themselves, and they have the tolerance for a longer meal, and don't need me to take them to the restroom. They also have more appreciation for the food. From middle childhood on, it's a much easier experience.
I completely understand, mom. I saw something a couple years ago in Le Cellier that bothered me at first, but the more I thought about it the more it all made sense. At the table next to me was a young couple and their toddler. The child had a portable dvd player, and was watching some cartoons while the parents enjoyed a quiet dinner. At first I thought what an awful thing - what a disconnect between parents and child at a family dinner. But the child was happy, and the parents were happy, and a bit of technology properly applied turned what could have been a bad situation into a great one.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
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