Oh gosh, definitely not eating at those places frequently hahaa.If you enjoy Per Se, Eleven Madison Park or even Le Bernadin (my favorite places in NYC) and eat there frequently, I think you'll likely need to seriously temper your expectations.
PERSONALLY - I would keep the V&A's reservation and would dump Jiko in favor of Jaleo or the new Takumi-Tei offering at Epcot. Jiko used to be a favorite of mine, but after a third consecutive bad meal back in May it's off my list for a while. I'd rather eat at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom or Sana'a at AKL and then just have wine in the Jiko Lounge
Tiffins changed since the first time we went there, I would pick Jiko. But Nomad's lounge (located by Tiffins) on the other hand is a great place to have a drink or two and a appetizer. Sometimes that is our lunch.Oh gosh, definitely not eating at those places frequently hahaa.
I'm a little torn on Jiko now...a lot of people saying it's super good but plenty of others like you who said that they've been serving bad meals and would not go back again. Is it a general consensus that Tiffins is better than Jiko?
The food at CRT is pretty dreadful (think catered food at work conference event), but the castle experience is very fun. If it is more about meeting the princesses and not as critical to be in Cinderella's castle, I would consider a change to Akershus. The Norwegian food is always quite tasty, and the appetizer buffet has a lot of really delicious seafood, cheese, charcuterie, and interesting salad options.
Another lover of New Haven pies w/ (Foxon Park's birch beer on the side please) and my family also likes VN's Margherita pie. One of the traveling kiddos got a 4 cheese pizza from VN once but it had too much topping for me. The rest of them like the Sicilian style slices at Pizza Ponte but I've never tried it.I’m unfamiliar with Blaze, but my family found Via Napoli to be fine.
I compared the foods at MK not WDW to Great Adventure's, in part because whatever ethnic cuisines both parks sell are watered down versions as far as seasonings and quality of ingredients. I can certainly understand that given the overall price point but not the amounts of salt and sugar frequently used.
Much to pick and choose from at other parks but have not had the same success at Magic Kingdom. I do like the Dole Whip there though so I wont starve. I don't consider "Jiko's" a misspelling just being possessive.
Bingo...your exposure to true ethnic cuisines in your area will affect how you view Disney World...like I have a cornucopia of spectacular true Asian county cuisine near me (except for true mainland China - although we do have Uyghur)...so for example, to me, Sanaa is average Indian at best...but if you are in an area with a dearth of options for true Indian cuisine, you might think Sanaa is awesome...
It was how I felt about Philly cheesesteaks growing up...I never knew that no one could replicate this item, til I tried self-described ones in NYC, Washington DC, TX, OH, and VA...where they are all terrible (don't get me started on who the hell puts globs of mayo on it)...so, I know not to expect a good Philly cheesesteak anywhere but within 30 miles of Philly or from someone born and raised there in a restaurant elsewhere...doesn't mean I still don't order it sometimes b/c a lousy one is still better than no one...but it's setting the expectation that it will not measure up, so I'm not perpetually disappointed...
So glad you responded as I've a sideways question for you- what is your opinion of the Polite Pig? Haven't eaten there and I don't like the food at Flame Tree even though they give really large portions. TIA!Just go in with your eyes open and maybe research a bit. I am from Kansas City and read all the time here about how good the barbeques is. Its a lot of things but barbeque its not. On the other hand I eat at as many seafoods restaurants as I can love. Love them but a Marine I served with is from Massachusetts and he says I would not know good seafood if it swam up and smacked me in the face but he loves Polite Pig. Go with stuff outside your comfort zone and enjoy.
BOG lunch. Although I've set the expectations lower for BOG (since people have said the food there is average). Mostly wondering about Jikos and Victorias & Albert. I kept mentioning all the awards that Victorias & Alberts have received hahaha. But my friends have been to multiple Michelin star restaurants (as have I- for special occasions only) and since Victorias & Alberts isn't Michelin rated, I'm not sure how to compare. Especially since V&A is extremely pricey too- more so than some of the Michelin restaurants I've been to
Aside from the ADRs, the other days we're probably just going to stop in random restaurants and see if we can do walk ins (don't want a super strict schedule at Disney), so was wondering if TS food is generally average to above average? I know based on this forum, some are amazing while others are huge misses, but would the majority be considered average/above average for someone from NYC?
Mostly wondering about Jikos and Victorias & Albert. I kept mentioning all the awards that Victorias & Alberts have received hahaha. But my friends have been to multiple Michelin star restaurants (as have I- for special occasions only) and since Victorias & Alberts isn't Michelin rated, I'm not sure how to compare.
Agreed absolutely. Been on the hunt for regional cuisine for some time whether found in small towns or big cities. Just not some mega chain restaurant's version.Food at WDW has to be mass produced to feed the masses so in most cases but not all, quality can suffer. It’s kind of about finding your guilty pleasures. The signature dining isn’t up to snuff for the most part. For me it’s churros, the Poutine at Disney Springs, the cold sesame noodles from Morimoto, the waffles from sleepy hollow, the Mac and cheese from Homecomin. Let yourself have some fun with it.
Also I know NYC is possible the greatest restaurant city in this country, but in 2019 please know excellent food can be found everywhere. I’ve been to NYC a bunch of times, Chicago a few times every year, LA every year but I’ve also been to smaller towns in Indiana and Arizona and Virginia to name a few and good food is not owned by NYC
I live in CT and we frequent NYC often. The type of food you find in NY is just so much better than most places. While there are restaurants I like in DW, there are few that compare to NY.I'm super excited to go to all the restaurants in Disney (first timer!) as I hear how much people love them. But I realized recently that being from NYC, am I bound to be underwhelmed by the food? I know the phrase "NYC people are food snobs", which I never took seriously but realized it was kind of true on my last trip. Went to a couple of restaurant that were at least 4 stars on yelp- but to me and my friends it was so average that there's no way it could've been above 3 stars in NYC.
My friends are coming with me on this Disney trip (also from NYC), and I'm so hyped up about everything related to the trip. I talk about all the cool things there are (since I researched/planned everything), but I'm worried I may be overselling them on the food and they'd end up being disappointed.
FYI I've booked ADRs at Jikos, Victorias and Albert, and BOG.
Edit: forgot to add I have an ADR at Cinderella's Royal Castle too, but that is more for atmosphere than food