Pick Me a Disney Springs Restaurant

[js]

Gee, I hate to share our opinion . Dear Wife & I had high hopes for Quality Restaurants at DS .

We have not found ONE worth going to, vs the WDW SIGs, and the really GREAT Restaurants in the Swan-Dolphin Area.

"Fulton's" was one of our favorites, pre-downgrade. Portabello was pretty good - pre-downgrade. Several of the "new restaurants" were SUPPOSED to be very good.... we don't think they are anything but watered down "Large Names". We HOPE this changes.... but meanwhile? We don't go to those lovely buildings, without good food .

So - I would personally suggest BUS, to Swan-Dolphin area. Best Steak (Shula's), best seafood (Shula's for lobster, Flying Fish for scale fish), Best Italian (Il Mulino).

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

I agree! I dont understand why some go to Yachtsman when Shulas is not too far and in walking distance. We live Shulas too.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

There are so many new places to try. We are locals and so we venture to Disney Springs for date night often.

Boat House is our Favorite - really good food and service. We eaten here several times, and it has always been on point, from start to finish. If its nice and cool sit outside... really enjoyable. This is a relax pace type of meal service.

Morimoto's - this is another go to if we can get a ressie... Food and Service are on point, and we have never had a bad meal. The ribs are so dang good.. We normally share a couple of appetizers. We like to eat upstairs for the 2 of us, its a bit quieter. Not sure on the kids options here. You might want to check and see if its something your kids will enjoy.

RainForest, T-REX, both really fun and relaxed atmosphere, We have always had great service and food, and its super kid friendly. They are Landry's proprieties, so if your a Landry's member you can get points, or if your visiting during your birthday ( card holder) I think that there is a 25 dollar birthday gift. If you not you might want to look into becoming a member.

Planet Hollywood - This spot does not get much love, but again its a nice and relaxed atmosphere and kid friendly. We have had a couple of meals here, and all the food and service was on point.

Polite Pig - While we haven't tried here yet, some friends raved about it, and it smells so good when you walk by.

The Earl of Sandwich is a great stop for a quick serve meal, The Thanksgiving sandwich is my favorite.

The dine in movies are a fun time, and I was surprised that the food is really pretty good. Plus its really fun for the kids. big kids too...

Bongos - just say NO... terrible food and service

House of Blues - Bar food, just middle of the road. If they have a good entertainment outside and the weather is really nice and cool, have a drink and listen a while.

Do spend so time walking around, there is alot of entertainment at different spots, and its all very enjoyable...

Thank you for such a detailed reply. I'm leaning toward Boathouse. It looks like a really nice environment.

We took our 2 DS to The Edison for dinner in May and it was one of our favorites during our trip. The boys loved the food and atmosphere.

I had not heard anything about it - it looks cool. My DH and I are both engineers so it looks like the atmosphere would appeal to us too.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I really enjoy some of the newer restaurants at Disney Springs.

Morimoto's, my son wanted to try Peking Duck and it really was as good as the presentation. The ribs were delicious as well. And it's a beautiful place. Frontera Cucina, We've been twice, we like it because it's not your typical Mexican. Service was a bit slow but it's new and super busy, and we like to take our time so it's not an issue for us. Wine Bar George, great small plates, limited family style entrees but great quality. The charcuterie/cheese boards are made with top notch items, the best cheeses and cured meats. And the Skirt Steak platter, well, it's how we like to eat.

The new restaurants are all $$$, but as long as they deliver then you can justify the cost. These are all what I would consider more adult venues, especially the later it gets, though children are welcome.

and then there's Raglan, an old family favorite, never disappoints.

 

[Farro]

Morimoto's was excellent. Food, cocktails, atmosphere (beautiful at night) all wonderful. Our best dinner last trip!

 

[Nvrgrowup]

Boathouse is a must do every trip for us. I particular don't care for food that comes from the sea, unlike ds and dh but none of us have ever been disappointed!

 

[B-Ride]

Morimoto Asia was wonderful. We also liked Homecomin' but we are okay with comfort food now and then.

 

[Huff]

We're looking at going to Maria and Enzo's for Italian. Reviews look good. Any thoughts?

Homecomin' menu doesn't appeal to us. Not my style of good food but then, I'm from the SW, very different tastes!
Morimoto's looks great but we're on the DDP and it's a signature.

 

[NYCgrrl]

You can make your own brunch at Morimoto Asia utilizing a late morning ADR on the weekend or when ever you want it.
Just order a few dishes you like and share with glee. The waitstaff will give you small bowls so you can dish out the Singapore Laksa noodles if that's what you want (we did), the Peking duck shared nicely for the 4 of us as did the ribs. We opted for some sort of veggie dish as our 4th dish but there are several types of dumplings and bao to fill the gap.

Now I just have to duplicate a similar meal when there are only 2 of us.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We're looking at going to Maria and Enzo's for Italian. Reviews look good. Any thoughts?

Homecomin' menu doesn't appeal to us. Not my style of good food but then, I'm from the SW, very different tastes!
Morimoto's looks great but we're on the DDP and it's a signature.

Lunch is currently one credit; dinner is 2 credits at least on the DxDP. I've no idea how many credits late dinner takes.

 

[unrequited23]

Based solely on your kids ages, I would go for T-Rex or Rainforest Café if you do not have one near home. I know they are chains, but for us the nearest one is over 3 hrs away in another state.

 

[jimim]

Agree! DD#2 and I went a few weeks after they opened and due to service being so lacking and the prices so high we only ordered apps and a drink, whereas we had planned to order dinner. It was SO pricey and very mediocre IMHO. We trotted down to Morimoto after our apps and ate upstairs at the sushi bar! Mmm.

My family and I LOVE, Frontera Cocina! Rick Bayless is a well known chef and the food is excellent. BUT, one needs to know this is NOT Tex-Mex! It is authentic Mexican. They even hand make their own corn tortillas and they are sooooo good! Love, love their guacamole, their margaritas and have enjoyed every entree we've tried there, and we've tried a bunch.

So thier tacos are the traditional meat with just raw onion and cilantro with a lime wedge? We have some great Mexican restaurants around where I live. I’ll have to check this place out.

 

[jimim]

Morimoto is my favorite place downtown right now.

Boathouse is good. Going back in a few weeks.

Homecoming is good. Solid dinner. Great drinks. The donuts r really good!

For dessert the new pastry place is very good. I know others like sprinkles. My wife’s cupcakes put theirs to shame but most of her baking puts most places I have been at to shame.

 

[KateMW]

We live in New York and can get much better Tex Mex/Mexican.

Wow, how bad is it if you think there is better Tex Mex in New York? I've NEVER found decent Tex Mex or Mexican anywhere in NY! LOL

 

[southerngirl528]

So thier tacos are the traditional meat with just raw onion and cilantro with a lime wedge? We have some great Mexican restaurants around where I live. I’ll have to check this place out.

They hand make their corn tortillas and they use the same ones to fry up for their tortilla chips. Mmmm! They have a smoked tomato salsa that's yummy. For tacos they have pork carnitas, carne aside, grilled chicken w/green hatch chiles. DH loves their mole. Here's a link to their menu for you:

http://www.fronteracocina.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FC_MainMenu-1025_Digital.pdf

 

[Farro]

So thier tacos are the traditional meat with just raw onion and cilantro with a lime wedge? We have some great Mexican restaurants around where I live. I’ll have to check this place out.

Rick Bayless is an expert in Mexican cuisine. He has studied and traveled and lived this cuisine. He is a legend here in Chicago. His restaurants are top notch. I can't speak to the one in Disney Springs, but if his name is associated with it, it will be good.

Don't come find me if I'm wrong...

 

[NYCgrrl]

Rick Bayless is an expert in Mexican cuisine. He has studied and traveled and lived this cuisine. He is a legend here in Chicago. His restaurants are top notch. I can't speak to the one in Disney Springs, but if his name is associated with it, it will be good.

Don't come find me if I'm wrong...

Yes he is which is what makes Frontera Cocina that much more disappointing. I suspect/hope/pray that the DS eatery is a licencing deal as it's run by the same company that operates at least one of the venues at Mexico Pavillion. I had high hopes when we visited last December and it was the only place we sat down for a meal, didn't finish eating AND ditched the leftovers in the trash.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We had several appetizers and drinks, it was $$&& but everything we had we really enjoyed, however they need to work on the service part, not enough servers and it kitchen staff to keep up with demand. I do want to try dinner, I love mole and I’m looking forward to it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We had several appetizers and drinks, it was $$&& but everything we had we really enjoyed, however they need to work on the service part, not enough servers and it kitchen staff to keep up with demand. I do want to try dinner, I love mole and I’m looking forward to it.

We went there for dinner on a dining plan and did actually like the appetizers (guac, salsa, and the chicken tortilla soup; all phenomenal) and the man had some sort of alcoholic drink he enjoyed (prolly a margarita). It was when the entrees were served that disappointment ensued. Steak asado w/ a garlic shrimp enhancement, mushroom torta, and chicken tacos was what we ordered. The beans were not in the least bit mushy which is a good sign and yet oddly enough tasteless. It was as if no seasonings were used. The steak was chewier than expected for the type of cut (think it was a skirt steak) and the shrimp over cooked to the point of rubber and not much in the way of garlic. I did love the carmelised plantinos, guac and salsa but 2 bites of the steak (one from the edge and another from the center) and I was finished w/ the meat. Whoever was working the kitchen that night must of had a salt aversion since it seemed none was used in the torta. Anywho the chicken tacos should have been a slam dunk. Normally, DGD likes anything that clucks but despite having the queso fresco removed from the platter (she's weird and doesn't like most cheeses) she was listlessly eating and finally asked if we could take it with us. Oh but then she ordered dessert. So I asked her what was up w/ her dinner and she admitted she didn't like it. Since the waiter had already taken the entrees to bag them up we took it with us and the rest of that sorry story is known. We all ordered ice cream or sorbet for a sweet ending so I can't say anything about the baked goods.

Maybe we'll go back for lunch and graze through some appetizers since that portion of the meal worked for us.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We went there for dinner on a dining plan and did actually like the appetizers (guac, salsa, and the chicken tortilla soup; all phenomenal) and the man had some sort of alcoholic drink he enjoyed (prolly a margarita). It was when the entrees were served that disappointment ensued. Steak asado w/ a garlic shrimp enhancement, mushroom torta, and chicken tacos was what we ordered. The beans were not in the least bit mushy which is a good sign and yet oddly enough tasteless. It was as if no seasonings were used. The steak was chewier than expected for the type of cut (think it was a skirt steak) and the shrimp over cooked to the point of rubber and not much in the way of garlic. I did love the carmelised plantinos, guac and salsa but 2 bites of the steak (one from the edge and another from the center) and I was finished w/ the meat. Whoever was working the kitchen that night must of had a salt aversion since it seemed none was used in the torta. Anywho the chicken tacos should have been a slam dunk. Normally, DGD likes anything that clucks but despite having the queso fresco removed from the platter (she's weird and doesn't like most cheeses) she was listlessly eating and finally asked if we could take it with us. Oh but then she ordered dessert. So I asked her what was up w/ her dinner and she admitted she didn't like it. Since the waiter had already taken the entrees to bag them up we took it with us and the rest of that sorry story is known. We all ordered ice cream or sorbet for a sweet ending so I can't say anything about the baked goods.

Maybe we'll go back for lunch and graze through some appetizers since that portion of the meal worked for us.

Well, isn’t that disappointing to hear... I’ll give them a bit, maybe they’ll work out the kinks. Wine Bar George’s skirt steak is tender and flavorful in comparison, so we will stick with it instead.

 

[Farro]

Maybe you had a bad night, maybe the chef there stinks, who knows!

But normally his food is amazing, and it's definitely traditional Mexican, not Tex-Mex (which I love also).