The good, the bad and a surprise! Dinig Review

[TheDuckRocks]

It has been a long time since I’ve written a dining review, but with so many changes this trip I thought some of my experiences might worth sharing. We go to WDW at least once and most years 2 or more times a year. We drive down and in the past few years have started to go to restaurants off property. We are semi-retired senior citizens and the youngest in the different groups we travel with are now in college.
Starting with the good…
Maya Grill at the Coronado Springs Resort. As usual we were not disappointed. My sister and I ate here alone as the men (SC fans) were back in the room watching the Rose Bowl. We left them with subs, snacks and drinks. And we got to indulge in queso fundido, Caesar salad and steak fajitas. Got back to the room in time to see the final quarter of the game. Winners all.
The Turf Club Bar and Grille at the Saratoga Springs Resorts. Just my husband and I to a location we had never been to before. The room is very laid back and very quiet. Nice. The service was excellent and we never felt rushed. I had the roasted beet salad and the maple-citrus brined bone-in pork chop. Both were wonderful. We will be going back. A lovely, lovely evening.
Old standbys that have never been less than great. Captain’s Grille at the Yacht Club (Cabernet braised short ribs), Tutto Italia in Epcot (Tortiglioni alla Genovese) and Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom (everything I’ve ever had here). Never, ever has the food that I have had been less than stellar at these locations. The wait service at Y&Y can be rather spotty more often than not but the food makes up for it. Just don’t have FastPasses within a couple of hours after going there though.
More and more I am impressed with some of the quick service options. These are some that stood out this trip.
New to us was Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, D-Luxe Burger and Vivoli Gelateria all in Disney Springs.
Blaze Pizza, as the employees there seem to be calling it, was amazing! Loved the whole concept of getting to have an individual pizza made with everything you want just for you. And then there is my husband who just ordered a pre-designed White Top. Boring! Loved that I could get a spicy tomato pizza sauce on mine. What else did I have on it? Oh, I don’t know…….lots!!! And artichokes and zucchini.
D-Luxe Burger – OMGosh! As I have gotten older and one step closer to the grave, I am reverting to childhood and am eating hamburgers again. A lot. Well, this place hit all the right notes for a perfect burger not the least which is really great meat. I ordered the Barbecue Classic Burger and it was wonderful. The fries were pretty darn good too and I’m not a French fry fan.
Vivoli Gelateria – the day we went here it was hotter than blazes. I ordered the $6 medium size with 3 flavor choices – Passion fruit, pineapple and Florida orange. Perfect. Can’t wait to go back. BTW if you’re on a Disney dining plan you can get the $5 two flavor size for a snack credit.
I have always enjoyed and still was good is Boulangerine Patisserie les Halles in France at Epcot for Jambon Beurre and any dessert in the case. They do need to get rid of that cheesey gift shop and add more sitting though.
We found a food court last March at Saratoga Springs Resort that has a very nice selection of sandwiches. Artist’s Palette has 2 that have become favorites, the Spicy Italian Beef sandwich and the Lobster Club sandwich are both good. Only drawback is how out of the way from most anywhere SSR is.
Now the bad….
Two of the quick service restaurants that we have gone to over and over again through the years have made changes that have put them on our list of “I’m not going there again”.
1. Katsura Grill - Before you even get to the food the way they have added a bunch more tables is crazy. It is so crowded now there is barely room to move. Our 2 most ordered dishes on the menu have been dummied down. The Shrimp Tempura Udon used to have 2 nice sized fresh tempura shrimp, now they have gone to what appears to be a teenie tiny frozen mostly batter shrimp stick. The Teriyaki Chicken & Beef Combo plate now has a very high fat beef instead of the nice lean beef and the hot veggie stir fry is gone replaced with what they are calling “mixed green salad” which translates to a garnish of spring field greens without any kind of salad dressing. Sad.
2. Pepper Market at Coronado Springs Resort – No more being seated by a hostess, no more wait person bringing your beverages, all the food serving area now pushed back in a corner and along one wall, the dessert area greatly reduced, getting served a meal that was not made as described and pictured, a manager who when told about the problem told me to order something else of the same price as she didn’t want to do a refund. Enough. Done.
and now the surprise……..
While we were standing to the side reading the menu at Tangierine Café in Morocco a man came up to us and asked if we were on the dining plan. When we replied that no we were not, he said they were leaving to go home and had 2 extra QS credits and he would like to buy us lunch. I have done this in the past to others but I really did not realize how wonderful that makes you feel to be receiving such a thoughtful gesture. Thank you, nice man. Magical.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Thanks for sharing! It was especially interesting to read about the good QS meals. We're going sans-dining plan for the next trip, so are looking for good options.

[faline]

Thanks for reporting on your dining experiences. It's always helpful to know what others think of the Disney restaurants.

[KarenP]

Loved your detailed review! Only now I am hungry! Disappointed to hear about Pepper Market though. It's one of my favorites for counter service.

[BriarRose0708]

Loved your review, you are making me miss EPCOT!!! Tangerine Cafe is a favorite.