In my a recent blog contribution, Celebrating At Walt Disney World, I may have mentioned I’ll be celebrating my birthday on property for the first time ever next year.
My wife has been asking me everyday for the last three weeks where I would like to have dinner on my birthday. Each time she asks I have the same response: I don’t know. Well, I think my answer is starting to wear thin on her. She’s afraid we won’t get an ADR at the restaurant I choose because it’s taking me so long to decide. I keep telling her we can always eat at Tony’s Town Square. For those who don’t realize it, I’m being sarcastic, and for the person who likes Tony’s Town Square, I am truly sorry if I offended you!
The reason I am having trouble making a decision is because my birthday falls on the day we return from Lou Mongello’s WDW Radio Show Dream Cruise. What I really would like to do is eat at Boma. It’s one of my favorite restaurants, but this presents a dilemma. We haven’t eaten there on our last few trips to Disney World because our kids don’t like the food there. On this visit to Disney World, the kids won’t be with us, yay! I mean, unfortunately. So, it’s the perfect opportunity to dine at Boma except for one small thing: Boma is a buffet. Coming back from an all-you-can-eat cruise and then going to a Disney World buffet, even for me, is not a very smart idea.
Now the question becomes where should I have dinner on my birthday? I’ve heard Mike Rahlmann (host of the Be Our Guest Podcast) rave about Kona Café calling it his favorite restaurant on property. As much as I would like to have dinner the Kona Café, I really, really want to have breakfast there so I can order the Tonga Toast. Besides, I know my kids would love having dinner at Kona Café, so I’d rather save that dining experience for them on our next family trip.
So the question remains, where should I have dinner on my birthday? Since I’m having trouble deciding, I thought I’d ask all of you for a little help. Okay, maybe I need more than a little help. Here are some things you should know about me before you submit your suggestions. I’m very laid back, and I don’t like stuffy atmospheres. I like fish, but I don’t eat shrimp (long story). Speaking of fish, we ate at the Flying Fish on our last Disney World vacation. It was the best meal I’ve ever had on property, but I’d rather try a different restaurant on this trip. I never have wine with a meal, and I rarely ever drink. Somehow, I think my Deck 7 buddies on the cruise, namely Lori, may try and change that. Also, I’m no fan of nouvelle cuisine. As far as vegetables go. the list of ones I’ll eat is shorter than the ones I won’t. I like spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, corn, yams, rice, beans, green peas, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, french fries, and potato chips. If you haven’t noticed I’m more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy, and, although I love a good steak, I prefer chicken and turkey. I do love all-you-can-eat restaurants, but I’m coming off a cruise so, NO BUFFETS!
For my birthday I would prefer to eat outside the parks. I’ve been to a number of restaurants on property, some multiple times. Here is a partial list of ones I’ve never been to: Artist’s Palette, California Grill, Citricos, Fulton’s Crab House, Jiko, Kouzzina, Narcoossee’s, Shula’s Steak House, and Yachtsman Steakhouse
I’ve given you some of my likes and dislikes, now I want to hear from you! Where in the World should I dine on my birthday? Keep in mind it doesn’t have to be a place I’ve never eaten. I’m looking for the restaurant you think will give me the best dining experience.
Now it’s up to you to pick the place for my birthday dinner!
Contributed by: Stuart S. (NDD #47). Stuart is our resident Disney geek and creator of Disney Geek Dad.
Stuart is the DDL resident Geek Dad and claims New York as his birthplace. Currently, though, he resides in New Jersey and is a husband and father of two as well as a huge Disney World, Springsteen, Yankee, and NY Ranger fan. He wakes up and goes to sleep thinking about Disney World. He listens to Disney podcasts to and from work and at night before sleep. He drives his family nuts talking about Disney and is always planning their next Disney World trip. In addition, he is known to always volunteer to help extended family and friends plan their next trip. Stuart’s personal blog is disneygeekdad.blogspot.com. He can also be found on twitter by following @disneygeekdad.
Stuart,
As I was reading through your post the 1st place that came into mind was California Grill, with it only being you & just your wife I think it will a great balance of what you are looking for, my 2nd choice is Jiko and 3rd would be a toss up of the steak houses.
I would choose California Grill, Jiko or Kouzzina. In that order. That being said, I’ve never been to CG or Jiko…but I’ve heard great things about both (with 2 little kids, we spend most meals @ character meals LOL). But my DH and I ate at Kouzzina in January and it was great!!!
I would choose California Grill, Jiko or Kouzzina. In that order. That being said, I’ve never been to CG or Jiko…but I’ve heard great things about both (with 2 little kids, we spend most meals @ character meals LOL). But my DH and I ate at Kouzzina in January and it was great!!!
I would choose California Grill, Jiko or Kouzzina. In that order. That being said, I’ve never been to CG or Jiko…but I’ve heard great things about both (with 2 little kids, we spend most meals @ character meals LOL). But my DH and I ate at Kouzzina in January and it was great!!!
I ate at Kouzzina for my birthday last year and LOVED it. If you like Greek food, it’s delicious – but they also offered dishes for my non-adventurous friends dining with us. They didn’t give us a free cupcake like the 50’s Prime Time did, but it was still delicious!
I ate at Kouzzina for my birthday last year and LOVED it. If you like Greek food, it’s delicious – but they also offered dishes for my non-adventurous friends dining with us. They didn’t give us a free cupcake like the 50’s Prime Time did, but it was still delicious!
I ate at Kouzzina for my birthday last year and LOVED it. If you like Greek food, it’s delicious – but they also offered dishes for my non-adventurous friends dining with us. They didn’t give us a free cupcake like the 50’s Prime Time did, but it was still delicious!
Let’s try this again! Same post – same person – logged in correctly! NDM #341 and proud of it!
I go for California Grill every opportunity I get! It’s not too stuffy, they have lots of yummy food (meat for you!), and if you want to change side dishes, they are alway accommodating. I’ve never had a bad experience.
I live for citricos. Up scale but so laid back. Because there’s not a great view the restaurant is rarely crowded. The food was amazing both times I went (2x one trip yeah I’m crazy like that). Cali grill is also really nice but all types of crowded thanks to the view.
Our best meal last year by far was Kouzzina. In past years, it was Hollywood Brown Derby and California Grill. My wife is still raving about Artist Pointe as well.
If you want similar flavors to Boma, why not try Jiko? I must also put in a vote for Artist Point though. It was simply amazing! For a slightly smaller budget, Kouzzina would be a third choice. It was one of our favorites on our last trip.
Go eat at BOMA!!!
They have a WONDERFUL kids menu!!!!
And the chef’s can always make something to order if you don’t find something they like (which won’t be needed!)
Yachtsman’s steakhouse looks delicious. Jiko IS great.