Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse (Round 2)

The first and last time Raymond and I ate at Yachtsman was in February of 2015.  It was a great experience and we are always up for a good steak.  When we were discussing dining plans for November, Yachtsman came up and we decided it was time for a return visit.  To be perfectly honest, the food was better this time and the service was better last time.  Even so, I still recommend you give Yachtsman a try if you get the chance.  Let me tell you why.

Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse

For us, there are three go-to steak places near Epcot.  One of them, actually in Epcot, is Le Cellier (Canada Pavilion).  While wildly popular with many Disney guests, this old favorite has kind of fallen out of favor with us for one simple reason – we can easily walk from Epcot to places we like much better.  Places with better food for the price and where the tables aren’t so close together we feel packed in like sardines with no privacy.  Le Cellier is considered a Signature Dining location and takes two Table Service credits on Disney Dining Plans.  (For comparison purposes, the filet is $54 and includes Mushroom Risotto, Asparagus-Tomato Relish, and Truffle-Butter Sauce.)

For an absolutely outstanding dining experience and one of the best steaks anywhere, Shula’s Steak House at the Dolphin offers a fine-dining experience we absolutely love.  The menu is a meat-lover’s dream and the steaks are perfectly prepared to order.  Where the in-park atmosphere at Le Cellier is very casual, the much more formal setting of Shula’s makes us want to get dressed up a bit to eat there.  It’s also relatively expensive and does not accept Disney Dining Plans.  (Currently, the 12 ounce filet is priced at $55 and side dishes are a la carte/additional cost.)

Not too casual, not too fancy, Yachtsman is just right!  The atmosphere is one I’d describe as neutral and even with a pretty good number of guests, the dining room doesn’t feel overcrowded.  One thing we loved is that on both visits, the hostess was the same wonderfully kind lady from Louisiana.  She loves her job and it shows!  The menu is not currently available online at Disney’s website, but this one seems to be up to date.  Notice the prices?  My 6-ounce filet and Raymond’s Elk Tenderloin were each less than $50 and they both came with sides!  On the Disney Dining Plan, Yachtsman, like Le Cellier takes two Table Service credits.

Disney Dining at Yachtsman SteakhouseI mentioned the service not being as good on our recent visit and I should stress that it had nothing to do with our server.  He was professional, knowledgeable, and, best of all, didn’t hover (we hate that).  We ordered lobster bisque to start and the filet and elk tenderloin as our entrées.  Disney Dining at Yachtsman SteakhouseThe bread service is especially good here; served with butter, olive oil, and roasted garlic – YUM!  Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse We also ordered some butternut squash risotto…which we did not receive until we were finished eating.  Our server took it off our bill and brought it out to us to taste anyway.  He sincerely felt terrible and was extremely apologetic, but we were overly full anyway and didn’t miss it at all. Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse The only reason we ordered the risotto in the first place is that I make it at home and we wanted to compare flavors.  For dessert we enjoyed the Seasonal Sorbet Trio and some coffee.  Our meal was great!Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse

Signature dining at a decent value in a great location – Yachtsman Steakhouse is an excellent choice!

What’s your go-to Disney restaurant for a good steak?

(Note: all three restaurants mentioned accept Tables in Wonderland if you have or are considering that option.)

Disney World Dining – I Love Appetizers!

Given the choice between appetizer and dessert, I’m choosing the appetizer every time.  That may be hard to imagine for those of you will a sweet tooth, but I’m all about the starter!  Be it soup, salad, cheese plate, or something more exotic, the way I kick off a Disney table service dinner makes all the difference to my meal enjoyment.

Disney World Dining – I Love Appetizers!

It doesn’t much matter where we go.  My eyes are drawn to the top of the menu and the appetizer section.  I tend to avoid heavy-sounding, fried items and favor more unusual choices.  I want to kick off a good meal while not completely ruining my appetite.  Sometimes Raymond and I order and appetizer or salad (or both) to share.  In cooler months, I’m a sucker for a soup or bisque.  The perfect appetizer takes the edge off my hunger while leaving me wanting more (and I’ll have room for my entrée!).

Here are some of my favorites…

The Wave (Disney’s Contemporary Resort) – Seasonal Soup.  When I last had the soup, it was a heavenly sausage, gnocchi, and spinach concoction with a cheese crust on top.  I reproduced it at home and have enjoyed it many times since.  My friend Gaylin recently told me about another Wave appetizer called “Bacon and Eggs” (“Maple-lacquered Pork Belly with Perfect Egg and Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Grits“) and now it’s on the top of my must-try list.  I hope it stays on the menu long enough for me to get there!

Shula’s Steak House (Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort) – Sure, everyone goes to Shula’s for the beef, but before I slice into that perfectly cooked filet, I’m opting for the “Barbequed Shrimp Stuffed with Basil” (“Stuffed with Basil, wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon tossed in a Tangy BBQ Sauce“).  Disney World Dining - I Love AppetizersIt’s the perfect combination of flavors and the sauce is fantastic.  Share it with a friend so you have room for that steak.  Check out the full menu here.

Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge) – Everything’s been delicious, but the soup is my favorite.  It’s currently “Curried Butternut Squash Bisque” with Duck Confit and Quince Marmalade and I know it’s 500-degress outside right now, but you should run try it before the menu changes.  It’s SO good!!!  And the presentation is fancy too.

So much to eat, so little time…

Kona Café (Polynesian Village Resort) – There are a couple of things we really like to kick off dinner at Kona.  The Sticky Wings and the Pot Stickers.  Both are tasty options, good for sharing, and not too filling.  If you love sushi, the menu offers a nice variety.  We generally enjoy sushi as a meal versus appetizer and I’m guessing that’s why we rarely order it at Kona.

Sanaa (Kidani Village) – The famous Indian-Style Bread Service!  It’s several different flavors of naan bread served with a variety of dipping sauces that range from savory to sweet to spicy.  Fresh, exotic, and delicious.  Disney World Dining - I Love Appetizers!I can totally see why lots of folks make a reservation just to enjoy the bread service as a snack or light meal all by itself.

Il Mulino (Walt Disney World Swan Resort) – My favorite restaurant for pre-runDisney event carbs!  Starters on the menu come in a huge variety from cheeses and meats to salads, clams and heavier fare.  The most delicious item to me is the Arancini, which is “Italian Rice Balls over Spicy Marinara Sauce”.  I never order it for myself because it’s a lot for an appetizer.  Those delicious servings of rice are fried and very filling.  However, if someone at my table is kind enough to share a bite or two with me, whoa momma!  Deeeelish!

Raglan Road (Disney Springs) – Considered by many to be overrated, Raglan Road has been the source of many a delicious family meal for us throughout the years.  Their menu has a ton of appetizer options.  I’ve tried several appetizers including the dicey-sounding Crock o’ Pate (cold chicken liver spread), which wasn’t bad, actually.  The best thing (to me) by far is the “Rack of Heaven” – “Slow roasted Guinness glazed full rack of baby back ribs.” (Plenty to share.)      THOSE babies are fantastic.  Even if I’m just in Raglan Road for a drink at the amazing bar, I’ll order those ribs.  They make me happy.

Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) – Don’t laugh, but there’s one simple salad on Boma’s extensive buffet that stays on my mind long after I’ve eaten there.  It’s the Watermelon Rind Salad.  Sounds potentially boring and awful, doesn’t it?  It’s bright, sweet and tangy, and absolutely perfect to start off a meal full of unusual flavors.  Fear not if you or anyone in your travel party is a picky eater, Boma has plenty of dishes to satisfy everyone.

Are YOU an appetizer or a dessert fan?  Both?  Neither?  What’s your favorite part of Disney dining?  What’s your favorite dish?