Even though we don’t have a trip planned yet, I won’t let that stop me from thinking about future meals at WDW.
I already have plenty of places in mind for ‘next time’ (or even ‘next next time’), and thanks to Brenda’s and Tracy's encouragement, I've decided to share that list here.
Be Our Guest
This landmark of New Fantasyland is understandably at the top of my list. Not only is the decor supposed to be beautiful, but I also think the French-inspired menu is going to top every other option at Magic Kingdom. For
lunch, the tuna niçoise salad sounds amazing, while
dinner offers interesting choices such as mussels provençal, pan-seared salmon on leek fondue, and ratatouille with quinoa. I like that the dessert menu offers lighter options and smaller portions, but between the cupcakes and cream puffs, it’ll be tough to pick just one!
Whispering Canyon Cafe
This probably seems like an odd choice, but it’s the only restaurant at Wilderness Lodge that I haven’t tried, and I’d like to check it off my ‘list’. WCC has never appealed to me that much, but oddly enough, I actually like the new
dinner menu more than the old one. I like how the skillet now includes fish as an option, and the jalapeño-lime cheesecake sounds quite good to me. One reason why I’m hesitant to come here is the price - $33 is a lot to pay, since that same cash could get me a phenomenal entree at Artist Point or Jiko.
Bistro de Paris Replacement
My first meal at Bistro (even before the
DDP was accepted) was somewhat disappointing. The food was well-prepared but not especially creative or interesting. Furthermore, it was kind of ridiculous to see servers in tuxedos while guests were wearing hats and tank tops. Finally, service was too slow (and not in a good way – it seemed like my server was overworked). The ongoing refurbishment is going to change a lot of this. The restaurant is going to feel less ‘stuffy’, waiters will no longer wear tuxedos, and the menu is also receiving an update. Overall, I can't wait to see how the replacement restaurant compares.
Kona Cafe
I've never been in love with Kona, but its most recent menu changes are definitely impressive to me! Here are some of the dishes I'd like to try:
-Grilled Beef Satay with Bulgogi Sauce (this appetizer is only on the lunch menu - I like how it's influenced by Korean flavors!)
-Pan-seared Duck Breast served with Mung, Adzuki, and Cranberry Beans, with Chorizo Sausage and Spinach in a Tamarind Gastrique
-Steamed Littleneck Clams with Winter Squash, Spinach, and Macadamia Nuts
-Jasmine Tea-infused Cheesecake with Orange-Ginger Balsamic Glaze - A Low-Glycemic Dessert Option (this sounds so interesting!)
The Wave
Currently one of my favorite non-signature restaurants at WDW (as emphasized by this report), The Wave is a place that I could happily return to over and over, thanks to its creative and seasonal menu changes. Some current dishes I'd be interested in ordering are:
-Sustainable Fish Taco with Avocado Gelato and House-made soft Flour Tortillas
-Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Goji Berry-Red Wine Reduction, Three-Potato Hash, and Locally-sourced Butternut Squash Risotto
Le Cellier Lunch
LC is currently one of the most polarizing restaurants in the WDW universe. Some people absolutely love it, from the cheese soup to the maple crème brûlée. Others say “Le Cellier is awful! I think it's sooooo overrated. Anyone who likes it has probably never been to a steakhouse better than Outback”. I find myself in between these two warring factions - I don't love LC, but those extremely negative comments about LC (and about the people who like it) still irritate me. The change to a 'signature' restaurant has pushed more and more people into the latter category.
So what's the point of my little rant? With lunch poised to become a 2-credit meal next year, I'm personally willing to give it a chance. Will the food improve to match the level of the current
dinner menu? I actually really like the current dinner menu - almost every appetizer sounds great to me (besides the caesar salad or cheddar cheese soup), and some of the
desserts also sound great (summer melon and cucumber sorbet with cucumber, micro mint, and sea salt - yum!). What about atmosphere - will tables be spaced further apart to match the atmosphere of resort signatures? Overall, I won't give up on LC until I have a solid reason to give up. It's not my favorite, but I've definitely enjoyed a lot of food there.
In case the menus linked above end up changing, here are pics of the dinner appetizer and dessert menus that I was referring to.
Overall, I can't wait to return to WDW, whenever that is. As you can see, there are always exciting food changes in the works, so whenever we make it back, there will be something new and delicious to enjoy.