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Tag Archives: Bistro de Paris
Romantic Dinner Spots – Disney World Edition
Many times Walt Disney World is a vacation destination for families and can tend to revolve around the children, so you often don’t think of it as being a ‘romantic getaway’. One way you can infuse a little romance into your vacation is to hire a babysitter for the kids, and take a night to enjoy a romantic dinner for two!
There are SO MANY amazing romantic restaurants at WDW that I couldn’t possibly talk about them all at once, so here are the top romantic restaurants you’ll find at the WDW Theme Parks:
- Epcot – There are LOTS of amazing places around Epcot where you can enjoy a relaxing intimate meal, personally I think the atmosphere of the Coral Reef with its huge aquarium and delicious seafood menu is a great dinner spot. There are lots of other options in the World Showcase area of Epcot as well – from the French charm of Bistro De Paris, to the dark interior and delicious steaks at Le Cellier, to the traditional Italian menu and extensive wine list at Tutto Italia – there really are a lot of great “date” spots in Epcot.
- Magic Kingdom – to me, this is the hardest place to find a romantic dining spot, as it tends to be a very family friendly park, which means a lot of eateries cater more to families with children than to adults looking for an intimate meal for 2. That being said, I would choose Tony’s Town Square for my romantic Magic Kingdom meal, the delicious Italian dishes and gelato are always a winner in my book – and the atmosphere and décor is inspired by the Italian restaurant where Lady and the Tramp share spaghetti and a kiss, so really, what could be more romantic than that?
- Hollywood Studios – There is something quaint and romantic about the old-time Hollywood feel of Hollywood Studios, and that feeling is carried through in restaurants like the Hollywood Brown Derby – where you can dine on cobb salad and grapefruit cake while you check out the caricatures of Hollywood stars that cover the walls. Or head over to Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano for some sangria and chicken parmesan in an old time-y Italian setting. No matter where you grab dinner while at Hollywood Studios, the best part is always taking a stroll down the streets of Hollywood at dusk – it’s a truly magical way to spend an evening!
- Animal Kingdom – I recently discovered my love for Animal Kingdom, and love all the great attractions they have to offer. When it comes to romantic dinner spots though, they don’t exactly have a lot of options to choose from. My top pick would have to be Yak and Yeti an Asian restaurant serving up flavors from Nepal, China, and India. The décor is definitely different, very exotic and keeping with the Asia area of Animal Kingdom – this is a great place to try something new and take in some new and unusual scenery
My biggest tip – Don’t forget to plan ahead and make those Advance Dining Reservations 180 days before your trip so you can ensure that you will be able to dine at your favorite romantic spot!
Not sure any of these fit your idea of a romantic evening? Well then stay tuned next week here on chip and co for the top romantic restaurant picks at the WDW Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney!
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Signature Restaurants – Are They Worth It? Part 2
Walt Disney World is FULL of amazing restaurants, and a select handful of them are good enough to earn the title of “Signature Restaurant”. These restaurants offer some of the finest food and drink options in the best settings in all of Walt Disney World.
So when it comes to picking where you will be making your Advance Dining Reservations (or ADR’s) for your WDW vacation, one question you will have to ask yourself when it comes to the Signature Restaurants is, Are they worth it? Is it worth the extra money or extra Table Service credit (as Signature Restaurants will set you back 2 table service credits apiece on the Disney Dining Plan)?
Last week I reviewed some of these restaurants in an attempt to answer the question of ‘are they worth it?’ (if you missed those reviews check them out here) and now I want to talk about the rest of the Disney Signature Restaurants in hopes that the information will help you make the right dining decisions for your vacation (because as we all know, food is one of the best parts of any vacation!)
So, here we go:
Yachtsman Steakhouse – Located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, this New England themed restaurant offers a variety of dishes, but it’s main focus is – you guessed it – steak. And they do it well – from the braised beef ravioli, to the boneless Rib-eye, to the deconstructed Beef Wellington, they are all delicious. Some common complaints about the restaurant are that the service can tend to be slow and the food inconsistent, but I have not found those to be true. The setting is great, the Resort is beautiful, and it’s definitely worth the trip to have dinner here
Survey Says: If you like steak, you’ll like Yachtsman Steakhouse
Le Cellier Steakhouse – Head over to the Canada area of Epcot’s World Showcase for lunch or dinner here, where you can feast on Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup (made with beer and bacon!), Filet mignon or king salmon or pan-seared cod, with a trio of chocolate to finish off the meal. An added bonus of this restaurant – they serve dinner AND lunch, and lunch is usually cheaper than dinner, plus lunch will only cost you ONE table service credit per person (whereas dinner will cost 2 credits)
Survey Says: The price for dinner is a little high, so I suggest grabbing lunch here (it’s the same experience, for less money!)
Bistro De Paris – Celebrate a special occasion in style at this intimate restaurant in the France pavillion of Epcot’s World Showcase. They do a Prix Fixe menu where you can select from scallops, beef, or or chicken for your main course with options for dessert and starters as well (you can also choose to have wine pairings included, for an additional fee). It’s the perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner, as it’s a smaller, more upscale restaurant (and there tends to be fewer families and young children dining here), and it’s also a great spot to view the nightly Illuminations show. It’s main drawback? Price – it’s not cheap, and if you aren’t sure if you like French food this might not be the best place for you to dine
Survey Says: It isn’t cheap, but it’s a great place to celebrate!
The Hollywood Brown Derby- Head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a meal at this restaurant that is a replica of the original Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood. Try the signature Brown Derby Cobb Salad, or the Duck Two Ways, and finish off your meal with their famous Grapefruit Cake (and it’s famous for a good reason – because it’s delicious!). They also have some amazing wines and martinis, and do wine pairings as well. The decor is fun, with drawings of Hollywood stars on the walls, and it has a great “old school tinseltown” feel to it
Survey Says: If you’re a movie fan, this is the place for you – you can grab a martini and relax in the elegant setting of the Brown Derby
Fulton’s Crab House - This restaurant’s location in Downtown Disney is unique – it is actually a replica of an old riverboat that is docked right on the waterfront! The location is a huge part of it’s appeal – who wouldn’t want to eat on an old riverboat? The food has appeal too – crab cakes, oysters, and mussels grace the menu, as well as a few non-seafood selections.
Survey Says: Seafood fans will love eating here, and even non seafood fans will love the old riverboat setting
Wolfgang Puck: The Dining Room – Guests who dine here will get to experience the chef’s truly unique Asian/Californian fusion in an upscale setting. Lobster risotto, a selection of sushi, and banana beignets are just some of the items you can expect to find here, as well as prix fixe menus of specially selected items, like the Austrian 2 Course Tour. Enjoy some wine and watch as your food is prepared in the open kitchen
Survey Says: If you are looking for something truly unique and different, this is the place for you
Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, wedding, engagement, promotion, or simply the fact that you are on vacation at Walt Disney World (reason enough to celebrate in my mind!), I urge you to check out some of these Signature Restaurants for great food, drink, and atmosphere – there are so many choices that chances are one will be perfect for you!
Stay tuned right here on Chip and Co for part 3 where I will be discussing the character meals and dinner shows that will set you back 2 Table Service credits (while they aren’t technically “Signature” restaurants, they are unique and therefore more expensive than other restaurants. What makes them special? Check back next week to find out!)
Related articles
- Top 10 Romantic Walt Disney World Restaurants (chipandco.com)
- Signature Restaurants – Are They Worth It? Part 1 (chipandco.com)
Top 10 Romantic Walt Disney World Restaurants
Holding hands over a table in a quiet restaurant while you savor a delicious meal with the one you love…sounds perfect, right? Who wouldn’t want that while on vacation, especially since for a lot of people romance and spending time with your significant other is the main point of going on vacation in the first place!
Walt Disney World isn’t always the first place people think of when it comes to ‘romantic vacation getaways’, and what people don’t realize is they really DO cater to adults and couples as much as they do families, and when it comes to your restaurant options, there are a lot of places where you can enjoy a romantic, relaxing, quiet meal (well, relatively quiet anyway – there will most likely be families, children, and babies almost anywhere you go in WDW, it comes with the territory!)
So here are the Top Ten places to enjoy a romantic meal at Walt Disney World:
1.Hollywood Brown Derby – Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and modeled after the original Hollywood Brown Derby in Los Angeles, it’s classy and classic, with it’s old time-y Hollywood decor and caricatures all over the walls. It’s really like stepping back in time to vintage glamour and old movie charm, and it has great food too! Be sure to try their signature Cobb salad with grapefruit cake for dessert
2.Coral Reef – Head over to the Future World area of Epcot for some amazing seafood, and a gorgeous view of their huge aquarium, its full of beautiful aquatic life and provides a perfect backdrop for your night of romance! All the seats have great views of the fish and other creatures (the seating is tiered to allow for optimum viewing!), but if you can snag a table right next to the action then that’s even better! Try an “appetizer for two”, the lobster ravioli, and the famous Chocolate Wave dessert and you are in for an evening you AND your taste buds will enjoy!
3.Tutto Italia – Grab an outdoor cafe table at this Italian restaurant in the Italy area of the Epcot World Showcase , and do some people watching while you enjoy a leisurely meal. The setting makes you feel like you are really dining in one of Italy’s villages, and the food is authentic Italian too, dishes like fried calamari, lasagna, risotto with lobster and shrimp, plus amazing cannolis and gelato for dessert. They also serve some delicious italian cocktails, as well as some strong but delicious coffee. As far as I am concerned, nothing says ‘amore’ like an amazing Italian dinner!
4.Bistro De Paris – Above Epcot’s other French table service restaurant, Les Chef De France, sits Bistro De Paris, a quiet, intimate place for you and your significant other to experience an amzing 4 course tasting menu (with or without wine pairings), or you can order off of the a la carte menu as well – choose from seared scallops, roasted duck breast, and grilled beef ternderloin, and finish off your meal with a warm raspberry souffle. Another element that adds to the atmosphere here is the decor, which is reminiscent of early 20th century Paris, and what can be more romantic than that?
5.Plaza Restaurant – The < ahref=http://www.chipandco.com/planning/guide-to-disney-world/around-the-disney-world/hollywood-studios/>Magic Kingdom is a magical, amazing place full of rides, restaurants, and attractions. It is my favorite park in all of WDW, and that being said, I must admit – it isn’t exactly the most romantic place in the World. It tends to be crowded, loud, and full of screaming children (and adults!) having temper tantrums. Romance is not totally lost at the Magic Kingdom though, in fact it can be found right on Main Street, at the Plaza Restaurant, where you can grab lunch or dinner from a menu that includes mostly sandwiches and burgers. The food may not be fancy, but it is delicious (especially the Plaza Club sandwich, that’s my personal fave!), and they have some of the best ice cream at Walt Disney World – you and your love can linger over a banana split and simply enjoy each other’s company, I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon at WDW
6.Flying Fish Cafe – This restaurant serves up some amazing sushi and fish dishes, as well as a pretty good New York strip steak. The best thing about this place has to be it’s location, its located at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, which is the most amazing place to take a post dinner stroll at night time – there are performers and lights and games and it is a beautiful setting for a romantic evening for two
7.California Grill – You definitely feel like a VIP as you ride the special elevator up to the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and enter the beautiful California Grill with it’s amazing views of the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella’s Castle. If you are lucky enough to get a window seat and a later dinner reservation, you will get quite the show as the fireworks show appears right in front of you! The California Grill specializes in fresh sushi, brick oven flatbread pizzas, and they have an extensive wine list too
8.Narcoossee’s – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is home to this restaurant serving up an amazing selection of fresh seafood (like a super creamy lobster/corn bisque, crab crusted mahi mahi, and a delicious seared grouper served over stir fry vegetables and rice), along with some unique desserts – my personal fave being the key lime creme brulee! The restaurant sits on the Seven Seas Lagoon, so you’ll want to make your dinner reservations for after dark so you can take full advantage of the breathtaking view of the nightly Wishes fireworks show from the Magic Kingdom.
9.Victoria and Albert’s – This is by far the ‘fanciest’ restaurant at Walt Disney World, and they are an 11 year recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award, and their wine cellar is highly rated and award winning too, so when you dine at this restaurant in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you really are getting the best of the best. The menu is different each night and is a 6 course ‘prix fixe’ menu of contemporary American creations. Amazing dishes like Holland White AsparagusAlaskan King Salmon, Minnesota Elk Tenderloin, Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle have appeared on the menu, and at over $100 a person (plus an additional $60 per person for wine pairings), this is a truly special, once in a lifetime experience, and what better place to celebrate your love with your significant other than at the best restaurant at Walt Disney World?
10.Yachtsman Steakhouse – Head over to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for arguably the best steak on WDW property, or if you aren’t into beef, try their king salmon or free-range chicken. But seriously, the steak is what you want to try when you come to this New England themed steakhouse. Enjoy a delicious and romantic meal in this elegant restaurant, and then share a creme brulee before taking a stroll around the beautiful Yacht Club Resort.
I included a variety of restaurants from around the World on the list, and I included both 1 and 2 Table Service credit meals so you can find something that suits your budget (not sure what a Table Service Credit is? Check out this information on the Disney Dining Plan to learn more)
Parents traveling with children to WDW are not out of luck when it comes to planning a romantic dinner for 2- Childcare/Babysitting services are available at various WDW locations – reservations are required so be sure to plan ahead!
This list may include some of the most romantic spots, and there are plenty of other places to have a romantic meal at WDW (heck even a character meal can be romantic with the right person!). So what are your fave spots to grab a romantic meal while vacationing at Walt Disney World??
Related articles
- Disney’s Magical Express – Helping Make Your WDW Vacation Easier (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
- Top 10 Table Service Meals at the WDW Parks (chipandco.com)
What is a Signature Restaurant?
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort
There are 139 restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. While many offer unique dining experiences featuring Character appearances and/or distinctively themed décor, only a handful are considered Signature Dining experiences.
Signature Dining restaurants provide unparalleled cuisine in upscale, elegant surroundings, sampling only the finest fare Disney chefs can prepare. Each meal includes an entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Children’s menus are available. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, Signature Dining restaurants will require two of your table service credits. If not on Disney Dining, expect to pay $30-$60 per adult entrée. Appetizers and desserts are an additional expense and gratuity is not included.
Walt Disney World Signature Restaurants
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko-The Cooking Place (D)
Disney’s BoardWalk
Flying Fish Cafe (D)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
California Grill (D)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Cítricos (D)
Narcoossee’s (D)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point (D)
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Yachtsman Steakhouse (D)
Epcot®
Le Cellier Steakhouse (D)
Bistro de Paris(D)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
The Hollywood Brown Derby (L,D)
Downtown Disney® Area
Fulton’s Crab House (L,D)
Wolfgang Puck®: The Dining Room (D)
(L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Warm Banana-Chocolate Torte with Vanilla Ice Cream from Citricos
The dress code for Signature restaurants is resort casual. For men that includes dress slacks, jeans, trousers or dress shorts with short- or long-sleeved shirt with a collar or t-shirt. (Jackets are optional.) Ladies should wear jeans, skirt or dress shorts with blouse, sweater or t-shirt, or a dress. No tank tops, swimsuits or swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing of any kind, or t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics are permitted in the dining room.
Reservations for Signature Dining are strongly recommended and can be made 180 days in advance of your visit by calling (407)WDW-DINE. To view a full list of Walt Disney World Resort restaurants, their classifications and how many Disney Dining Plan credits they use, view the 2012 Disney Dining Plan brochure. Disneyland Resort dining options differ from those of Walt Disney World Resort. Only Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 are considered Signature Restaurants at DLR.
Oldies But Goodies…Date Night For Oldies
If you visit Walt Disney World as an Oldies couple, then every night is date night. More often than not though, we as Oldies, travel with an extended family group. One thing you can almost bet on is that your children will ask you to watch their children (your grandchildren of course) while they take a break and have a date night. Let them go and have fun because you understand how tired you were all the time taking care of them when they were kids and things have not changed over time. But – in doing this you have earned a Date Night For Oldies!!!
There are literally thousands of date night options you can choose from so I’ll just outline what I think is perfect for us and let you pick what is perfect for the two of you (yes – just the two of you).
- If you are touring in the morning, break away from the family group when they stop for lunch. You can either then catch a very light snack and head over to the Grand Floridian for a walk around. I can recommend Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge (wonderful experience) for a light lunch or skip the snack and head to the Grand Floridian Cafe for lunch. Either way make sure you have an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) for the one you choose.
- After lunch, head back to your resort hotel for a quick swim and a nap before the big night. Choose one of the more romantic restaurants at Epcot for dinner (again, an ADR is imperative). I might suggest Tutto Italia, the Bistro de Paris, or even the San Angel Inn (authentic Mexican food) as all are very quiet and romantic even when they are at capacity.
- After dinner go on outside to view Illuminations at 9:00. A couple of precautions for Illuminations, make sure you are not downwind because the smoke is unbelievable and do not try to view Illuminations from the area between Future World and the World Showcase because that’s where the crowd will be standing in an attempt to avoid the crowd!! Try the area around the Italy Pavilion where the crowds are generally very light and after the show take a leisurely stroll around the World Showcase while everyone fights to catch the first bus. When you get to the buses, most of the other folks will be gone!! Make sure you pick a viewing spot that does not have an island in the way that may obscure your view.
It’s not just the youngsters who go on dates, we do too! Even if you have been married for 30-40-50 years or more it’s always a delight to spend some alone time with the one you love. Take the opportunity to enjoy each other in an amazingly romantic setting, Walt Disney World. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Ken
Photo By Disney
