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Pulpscrypt
07-20-2006, 03:45 PM
Any suggestions for the most romantic restaurants around the Disney area?

Last time out we ate at the Blue Bayou, NApa Rose and Granville's which are on site. Was wondering what other romantic restaurants "those in the know" (read gracious locals) might recommend.

I don't think I want to rent a car, but anything within taxi distance. :)

Thanks again,
Dave

MeelaneMouse
07-20-2006, 03:57 PM
You've already hit the best ones. I like the Jazz Kitchen and Catal. They both have excellent service and extensive menus. You could always ask them for a secluded table.....also - at the Jazz Kitchen, you can ask for the "fireworks table" which gives you a pretty good view of the fireworks show. You may have to be creative with your reservation time in order to get that though.... They both have wonderful desserts!

Opus1guy
07-20-2006, 05:57 PM
Here's my post from a thread on this same subject earlier this year:


Since your question requests recommendations for a "romantic restaurant" and not what makes a romantic meal or evening...I'm going to suggest the following. My old-style criteria for "romantic restaurant" includes a degree of privacy and quiet, a dash of class, a well rounded menu and wine list, great food and good but unobtrusive service that is conducive to conversation between the two of you...and not being constantly redirected to some chatty waiter, chef, or flaming grill. To me, a "romantic restaurant" places the spotlight on the two of you, rather than on the "show of the meal." It has or creates an atmosphere of romance on it's very own! Ahem...Not like any of us need that. ;)

It's generally hard to find an intimate "romantic restaurant" in a Theme Park environment mostly because of the crowds and the family (read: kids) nature of the place. But here's some suggestions in and around Disneyland:

On property:

Granville's Steakhouse (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/hotels/dining/detail?name=GranvillesSteakHouseDiningPage) at the Disneyland Hotel - If getting away from the crowds is a requirement of yours, then Granville's is about the best you'll get on-property. And last I was there (about a year and half ago) this was still one fine and romantic spot for dinner with romance in mind. They are aware of the fact that they aren't the more showy and popular (read crowded and noisy) Napa Rose, and so they try harder to offer something different, IMHO. Great food and service. It's a small and intimate dining room, and Guests and staff tend to talk in hushed tones as a result. And is probably the one restaurant with the lowest kid-quotient at dinnertime. Which makes it the nicest dinner choice as a "romantic restaurant" on property, IMHO.

Now, better still...off property:

Anaheim White House (http://www.anaheimwhitehouse.com/) - An often overlooked (they prefer "hidden treasure") fine dining restaurant right in Anaheim. (Click on the photo of the house to enter the rest of the web site where full details are given) In a beautifully restored 1909 home that opened as an elegant restaurant in 1981, owner Burno Serato runs a fine establishment that highlights Northern Italian cuisine. If it's a special occasion you may even be able to secure a complimentary ride from your Disney area hotel to the restaurant in their wonderful limousine. If some other larger party already has the limo booked at your time, then they also offer comp shuttle service, but that's not near as romantic. ;) Not only a great "romantic restaurant" but it's also nice to get away from Disney sometimes when you've spent an entire day there.

The Cellar (http://www.imenu.com/thecellar/thecellar.htm) - Now here's a hidden gem...literally hidden. It's underneath Vista del Sol just next to Anaheim in Fullerton. Actually built/converted by out-of-work (or moonlighting) Disneyland designers and workers in the the late 60's from the original cellars of the old historic California Hotel, it opened it's doors back in 1969 and was for decades one of the premier dining spots in all of Orange County! It's star may have faded somewhat with all the other competition building around it, but it's still great...especially for romance. Because you dine in intimate settings built as old stone cave-type wine cellars! Incredible wine list with fairly decent prices. And you'll be dining where a lot of Disney Legends called "home" after hours, so there's that connection if you need it. ;) French. Closed Sundays & Mondays.

Mr. Stox (http://www.mrstox.com/about_mrstox.html) - Throwing this in because it's a long time favorite Orange County restaurant which may not have the "quiet" part guaranteed on each and every visit...but it does qualify as "old-school" romantic if you can reserve one of their great booths in the Burgundy Room that are reminiscent of the old time supper clubs. Outstanding food and service. Just down Katella a ways from Disneyland.

I really don't consider many restaurants at the Disney Resort itself as being "romantic restaurants" in and of themselves...even Napa Rose, which by it's very emphasis on the "show" of the food and wine preparation and selection (including a lot of interaction with the staff) and their general noisy-ness...aren't very romantic in and of themselves. Not to say you can't have an incredibly romantic dinner there for other reasons. ;)

Anyway...hope you have a romantic Anniversary no matter where you dine!

That and some other recommondations are from:

What romantic restaurant do you guys recommend? (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=54010)

:)

nightdesigns
07-20-2006, 10:02 PM
You've already hit the best ones. I like the Jazz Kitchen and Catal. They both have excellent service and extensive menus. You could always ask them for a secluded table.....also - at the Jazz Kitchen, you can ask for the "fireworks table" which gives you a pretty good view of the fireworks show. You may have to be creative with your reservation time in order to get that though.... They both have wonderful desserts!

Jazz kitchen and Catal are both off my recommendation list. Jazz kitchen is very crampt, expensive, and the service is not that great. Catal, while more roomy, I thought wasn't worth the price.

Opus1guy
07-20-2006, 10:23 PM
I think the original poster wants mainly recommendations for off-property romantic restaurants, not too far from the Disneyland Resort.

Pulpscrypt
07-22-2006, 08:45 AM
The WHITE HOUSE! That was one of the places we visited on our first trip to DL! It was excellent and I had forgotten the name! And they have possible LIMO service? Neat! Thank you. Most appropriate!

Yes, not really interested in the onsite restaurants (except Club 33, but I don't see THAT happening - LOL). We have tried most. Enjoyed Ralph Brennans (lunch), saw Catal, but heard bad things about service there so we skipped it. Actually enjoyed Hook's and Granville's the best. Granvilles had a great wine list! (Yeah, I tend to plan trips around where I can EAT! Yum!

Will also be making a trip to the Magic Castle (Hollywood), which has some neat Disney ties for those who live out there, including the model for the Haunted Msnsion's Ballroom Scene! Magic is a long time interest of mine and I happen to be a member of both the Society of American Magicians (SAM) and the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). So travel off property is definietly possible!

Thanks again Folks!
Dave T