Epcot veterans - Dinner for two where?

[dixiehack]

We are going to Orlando over Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to a swapout with my brother in law and his wife, we get a child-free dinner at Epcot. What would you recommend?

 

[dooley_womack1]

Definitely get dessert at the French bakery.

 

[bydesign77]

just because I love the food, easily the german sector

 

[StaggerLee]

So many options at Epcot really. I would say it really depends on what you're hungry for at the time.

My wife and I really enjoyed Coral Reef. As you can guess, it's largely seafood. There's a big aquarium as the centerpiece and if you're lucky you can get a seat right next to the glass and watch the fish.

Le Cellier is a fantastic steakhouse. It's Canadian-themed, so you'll be able to get some Canadian Ale to go with your meal.

The other place that gets high marks is Chefs De France. I've never actually eaten there, but everyone I've talked to that's been absolutely loves it.

You can't go wrong with any of those places. Biergarten in Germany is also good, as is Akershus (only problem is they have character dining there, so lots of kids). Never have eaten at San Angel Inn or the place in Morocco.

Oh, and dooley is spot on. You have to get dessert at the French bakery. And then go wash it down with a drink in Mexico. :)

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

My wife and I really enjoyed Coral Reef. As you can guess, it's largely seafood. There's a big aquarium as the centerpiece and if you're lucky you can get a seat right next to the glass and watch the fish.

If you're lucky, you can point out the fish you like and they'll spear it for you.

 

[Boom_70]

Depends if you want ambiance. If so your only real shot is Bistro De Paris. Otherwise you end up having your dinner ruined by some fat loudmouth with his wife in outfit 6 sizes too small and their unruly kids. Other best shot is San Angel in Mexico but ask for table close to river.

If you don't care about the ambiance then the food is pretty good everywhere. I usually have more fun just walking around drinking in the various countries and eating on the run.

 

[StaggerLee]

Depends if you want ambiance. If so your only real shot is Bistro De Paris. Otherwise you end up having your dinner ruined by some fat loudmouth with his wife in outfit 6 sizes too small and their unruly kids. Other best shot is San Angel in Mexico but ask for table close to river.

If you don't care about the ambiance then the food is pretty good everywhere. I usually have more fun just walking around drinking in the various countries and eating on the run.

That was definitely my second suggestion. I didn't know if dixie was looking for something more romantic or not. Drinking around the countries and just kind of nibbling in each is a good way to go back to the hotel drunk and full. :)

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Nowhere that serves either cheese and/or mayonnaise. I got food poisoning there, and still marched the show barely 36 hours later.

 

[hondo]

Funny ... I always thought the food was mediocre at best anywhere at Epcot. Go off-campus to the Grand Floridian, or just to go Kissimmee and find a reliable chain.

 

[dooley_womack1]

From what I remember, and this is more than a decade ago, Epcot food rawked.

 

[albert77]

It's been 16 years since I've been there, so things may have changed, but when we were there last we had the lunch smorgasbord at the Norwegian restaurant and it was outstanding.

 

[ucacm]

From what I remember, and this is more than a decade ago, Epcot food rawked.

I know Epcot is its own beast, but hearing about awesome food at a Disney park is amazing to me. I've never approached anything of even average quality in a theme park.

About 18 or 19 years ago, my family went to Disneyland and ate in a sit-down restaurant inside the park. I don't remember much about it, but I remember the food being stuff like burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, etc. Of course, you pay the standard theme park upcharge for the food. When they brought the food out, my dad, who never complains about stuff being overpriced, was livid. I remember the bill being over $50 for four, and the food was McDonald's quality at best.

 

[StaggerLee]

From what I remember, and this is more than a decade ago, Epcot food rawked.

I know Epcot is its own beast, but hearing about awesome food at a Disney park is amazing to me. I've never approached anything of even average quality in a theme park.

About 18 or 19 years ago, my family went to Disneyland and ate in a sit-down restaurant inside the park. I don't remember much about it, but I remember the food being stuff like burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, etc. Of course, you pay the standard theme park upcharge for the food. When they brought the food out, my dad, who never complains about stuff being overpriced, was livid. I remember the bill being over $50 for four, and the food was McDonald's quality at best.

If you've never been to Walt Disney World and you're judging your theme park dining based on other theme parks, then I can certainly see your point. Problem is, WDW is unlike any other theme park. The counter service meals (quick grab-and-go places) are basically McDonald's quality.

But the table service meals are quite good, especially for "theme park grub." The aforementioned (but not really named) Albert and Victoria's at Grand Floridian is a 5 diamond restaurant with full six-course meal and wine pairing. Obviously that's high end, but the other resort restaurants such as Jiko, Ohana and Boma all rate pretty high. The actual theme park restaurants aren't quite as good as the resort restaurants (IMHO), but certainly rate better on my scale than going to a chain restaurant.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

just because I love the food, easily the german sector

It's been 20 years ago, but my wife and I went there and thoroughly enjoyed the meal, except the part where a fraulein in lederhosen pulled me onto the dance floor for a quick lesson on the polka. My wife was less than thrilled with that ...

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Been a while since I've been there....
but hit the German place. It was really good.
Also, there is a good pub with a real good beer selection.
Therefore, Epcot > Magic Kingdom!

 

[Boom_70]

Been a while since I've been there....
but hit the German place. It was really good.
Also, there is a good pub with a real good beer selection.
Therefore, Epcot > Magic Kingdom!

Probably the Rose Crown Pub in "England" . To me the way to hit Epcot is to drink your way around the 7 Seas Lagoon clockwise - first hitting Mexico and ending up in England at the Pub - get outside table for the Fireworks.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Been a while since I've been there....
but hit the German place. It was really good.
Also, there is a good pub with a real good beer selection.
Therefore, Epcot > Magic Kingdom!

Probably the Rose Crown Pub in "England" . To me the way to hit Epcot is to drink your way around the 7 Seas Lagoon clockwise - first hitting Mexico and ending up in England at the Pub - get outside table for the Fireworks.

Yeah, that was it. Last time I was there - must have been 97 - there was a Beatles tribute group playing across the way from the pub. You could grab a pint, go watch the show, hit the head to get rid of the previous pint and repeat about every hour. I spent my day there. I must have seen the show about 6 times.

 

[cranberry]

Do yourself a favor and get away from the theme parks. If you like sushi/Japanese food, my suggestion is Seito. Take the West Sand Lake Road exit on I-4 then make a left on Turkey Lake Road. It's in a shopping plaza. It made my spring training list this year.

http://www.seitosushi.com/

 

[BTExpress]

Not really a Disney veteran (went for the first time this past weekend).

But wouldn't a holiday weekend (like Memorial Day) be about the worst time to go (WRT crowds, lines, etc.)?

 

[Frylock]

For your purposes, Les Chefs de France would be my advice.
But like some others on this thread, I really like the Biergarten in Germany. I go there every time I visit Epcot. The buffet just might be my all-time favorite.
You do have to sit with others on a long table, so that could be a problem for you if you really want some quieter time together.