Need "special"dining suggestions please-

[jiggerj]

I will be taking my mom and step-father to the world for the first time. This is a very special trip for me (and them too) as it is in honor of my step-fathers 70th birthday. Also special as that I am able to "treat" them to the trip and I am rather proud that I am able to do so. I havent been with my step-dad since I was probably 10. So he has never experienced anything besides MK but while carrying my little brother on his shoulders everywhere! Little brother (now in his 30s) will be joining us as a surprise.
So far I have planned - kind of... :chef:

Flying Fish for our first night (have never been...reviews please! )
Spoodles for breakfast?
LeCellier for dinner?
Chefs de France for dinner?
Maybe Brown Derby for lunch?
Maybe go over to the yacht club?

i just dont know!!!! :headscrat :crazy:

I am also trying to keep in mind that we will be there for the F&W festival so any info that you think might be fun for them would also be appreciated-

We will be at the BWV's and want to stay close as to Step-dads age. Havent really had the opportunity to experience much of Epcots fine dining but looking for ideas!

Step-dad was a cartoonist/animator/artist from many years ago so any info on the imagineers lunch/dinner welcome too-

[jaysue]

I will be taking my mom and step-father to the world for the first time. This is a very special trip for me (and them too) as it is in honor of my step-fathers 70th birthday. Also special as that I am able to "treat" them to the trip and I am rather proud that I am able to do so. I havent been with my step-dad since I was probably 10. So he has never experienced anything besides MK but while carrying my little brother on his shoulders everywhere! Little brother (now in his 30s) will be joining us as a surprise.
So far I have planned - kind of... :chef:

Flying Fish for our first night (have never been...reviews please! )
Spoodles for breakfast?
LeCellier for dinner?
Chefs de France for dinner?
Maybe Brown Derby for lunch?
Maybe go over to the yacht club?

i just dont know!!!! :headscrat :crazy:

I am also trying to keep in mind that we will be there for the F&W festival so any info that you think might be fun for them would also be appreciated-

We will be at the BWV's and want to stay close as to Step-dads age. Havent really had the opportunity to experience much of Epcots fine dining but looking for ideas!

Step-dad was a cartoonist/animator/artist from many years ago so any info on the imagineers lunch/dinner welcome too-


Spoodles is good for breakfast

We prefer Bistro de Paris over Chefs de France for dinner - let me know if you want details

Yacht club dining room is pretty standard - not great, not bad

Consider the clambake at Cape May in the Beach Club Lobby

cheers
jaysue

[jiggerj]

Spoodles is good for breakfast

We prefer Bistro de Paris over Chefs de France for dinner - let me know if you want details

Yacht club dining room is pretty standard - not great, not bad

Consider the clambake at Cape May in the Beach Club Lobby

cheers
jaysue

Thanks jaysue for your quick reply- yes I would love to hear any details between the 2 restaurants. I did a quick search on Debs site at the menu and BISTRO DE PARIS has frog legs....!!!:scary: :scary: :scary: I inherited my frog phobia from my mom who will be with us on the trip...if she sees frog legs on the menu...well...shes a runnin' and I will be close behind!
sounds silly I know but ! :)

Checked Chefs de France menu and not to make myself sound like I am totally dining ignorant I have no idea what half of the menu is! :headscrat:

I have heard they are both great and would love to hear your feedback- Thanks! :)

[jiggerj]

I dont believe this! :) I am trying to plan a super nice "restaurant experience" for my parents. I just spoke with my Mom and she said...."Well...you know where I would really like to go... is the place where they twirl around the napkins...you know the restaurant where you can meet Mickey Mouse!" :faint: LOL!!!!

[cobbler]

I think the Clam Bake too would be nice. Also treat them to a dinner at Chef Mickey's if that will make them happy.

Boma's?? or Jiko??

[jaysue]

I dont believe this! :) I am trying to plan a super nice "restaurant experience" for my parents. I just spoke with my Mom and she said...."Well...you know where I would really like to go... is the place where they twirl around the napkins...you know the restaurant where you can meet Mickey Mouse!" :faint: LOL!!!!

OMG - too funny :birhdaypa

I second Jiko's as a good choice

Stay away from the Bistro if you have a frog's issue (even though I do not recall them being on the menu last time recently this month)

cheers
jaysue

[withdisneyspirit]

Well, you better plan on Chef Mickey's too! Sounds like you have a playful Mom and that's a good thing!!

I loved Flying Fish but I went years ago in '98 for my honeymoon. I have more recent experience with Le Cellier and the soup, pretzel bread and steaks are wonderful!!!

[dianeschlicht]

I'd take them to Chef Mickey's if that's what they want, but I would also do a nice sitdown place. I would say ONE buffet type meal would be enough of that, so instead of Cape May, I would suggest either Artist Point at WL or Jiko at AKL. We love both, and while they are nice places, they aren't so pricey that you can't do them. We find the chefs to be fantastic too!

[dianeschlicht]

Oh, I forot to say we weren't as impressed with Flying Fish the time we were there, but that was a few years ago.

[dvcconvert]

Oh, I forot to say we weren't as impressed with Flying Fish the time we were there, but that was a few years ago.


I think things have improved there. The food quality and staff training have both been top on the focus list there over the past 1 1/2 +/- years. In fact, I was introduced to Bob Iger there while he was having dinner there one evening last November. I wouldn't hesitate to go there if you think you think the family would enjoy the offerings.

I should also mention that I've eaten at the Bistro so many times I can't count them -- and never once have I been attacked by rabid frog legs! ;)
It's a great place! :)

[jaysue]

Thanks jaysue for your quick reply- yes I would love to hear any details between the 2 restaurants. I did a quick search on Debs site at the menu and BISTRO DE PARIS has frog legs....!!!:scary: :scary: :scary: I inherited my frog phobia from my mom who will be with us on the trip...if she sees frog legs on the menu...well...shes a runnin' and I will be close behind!
sounds silly I know but ! :)

Checked Chefs de France menu and not to make myself sound like I am totally dining ignorant I have no idea what half of the menu is! :headscrat:

I have heard they are both great and would love to hear your feedback- Thanks! :)

Bistro de Paris is the most elegant (I have not dined at V&A) restaurant that I know of in WDW - very French with nice decor and a very high quality shorter meal - we recently ate there and had the chef's menu with wine pairings ($100 each :hammer: ) - 20% for DDE :fingerscr - it is a great meal and a place that DW and I go to at least every other trip (Jiko's is only other restaurant that we go to more often) - we noticed some kids there last time - I was surprised since it is not the type of place I would recommend for kids (between prices, menu selection and decor etc.)

Chef de France is downstairs - busier, noiser, a wider menu - my Sister loves it there (we have not eaten there) - I would not worry about asking for menu translation at either restaurant - the staff are more than happy to help and as for Frogs Legs no worries - try the Bistro and ask to be put at one of the corner tables

Cheers
jaysue

:yummy:

[jiggerj]

Great replies guys I certainly appreciate them! :) Think we will add in Flying Fish for sure and I would love for them to experience and visit the resorts so will be considering Bomas as well.

Will definately be doing Chef Mickeys so Mom can have dinner with Mickey and "wing" her napkin around! :)

Very interested in the Bistro still especially since I have DVCconverts word that he was never attacked by any rabid frog legs... LOL ! :) .

Great suggestions and ideas!

[jaysue]

Yeah, the wingy napkin thing was funny - that is the reason why we will not go there

cheers
jaysue

:ROTFL:

[jdvm]

I would certainly put California Grill, Jiko and perhaps Citrico's on the list....plus Olivia's, of course, for lunch!!! There are also some good restaurants outside the bubble; let me know if you'd like some non-Disney suggestions.

[bavaria]

For excellent food and service I like Yachtsman Steakhouse, but it doesn't have the athmosphere of California Grill etc. (and no swingy napkin things either!)

Personally, I like dinner and a stroll to Epcot from YS. CG doesn't guarantee that you will see Wishes, and while I enjoy it there, there have been some mixed reviews over the years.

[TW1]

Lots of great suggestions here.

If they want to re-live some other Disney experience from long ago, would your fun-lovin' Mom like a traditionally Disney-esque experience like Hoop-Dee-Doo?

[Leftcoaster]

I think the Clam Bake too would be nice. Also treat them to a dinner at Chef Mickey's if that will make them happy.

Boma's?? or Jiko??

Jiko is my favorite dining choice at WDW. You can take some tim eto look at the artwork in the lobby as well as view the animals on the savannahs. Each meal I've had here has been top notch.

As for the original list, my top choice would be Le Cellier.

[matysgranma]

Well, if your mom's a twirlin' napkin kind of gal, make sure you make ressies's at hoop-dee-doo. It is so hokey, and yet it gets me every time. If you book the later show, you can use your dde card and get 20% off. really lots of fun!