My tween has asked for a fancy dinner

[Mermando]

Our oldest (11) has asked if we can do a fancier restaurant on our WDW trip and who am I to say no to that?! He’s a fan of seafood, duck, steaks, and rack of lamb. We also have a 7 year old who will eat similar things but is less reliable in eating just anything on any given night and is squirmier. We’re staying at a Crescent Lake resort.

I’m considering California Grill and Topolino’s Terrace for food and ambience (mostly fireworks) and Yachtsman and Flying Fish for food and convenience to room.

Would any of these be inappropriate with a 7 and 11 year old? Food is still worth it? Any other to consider? Looking only at resort restaurants. We have other priorities for in-park dining. Thanks!

 

[SkyGuy]

I would say all of those, except Yachtsman, are worth it. Prior to shutdown, all would have been worth it for a nice meal, but we have given Yachtsman a few tries after re-open and have been disappointed on all attempts. Flying Fish or Topolino’s would be my top two choices. Topolino’s menu is a bit more limited, imo, but if you can get a reservation that would allow fireworks viewing that ups the specialty factor (as does California Grill). Shula’s is another to consider and is very good.

 

[Marrila]

We had a lovely dinner at Yachtsman's this past June. There was a family with kids at a table nearby, they all seemed to be having a very nice time.
Flying Fish is another good option. I think it's a bit quieter with fewer kids.

 

[Polychrome]

You could also check out the menus for both Jiko and Citrico's. We tried Yachtsman in January and again in JUne of this year and both times I found my steak to be very salty. I actually enjoyed my steak and Mama Melrose's better than Yachtsman on those two trips, but found Jiko to be our new favorite.

 

[Mermando]

I would say all of those, except Yachtsman, are worth it. Prior to shutdown, all would have been worth it for a nice meal, but we have given Yachtsman a few tries after re-open and have been disappointed on all attempts. Flying Fish or Topolino’s would be my top two choices. Topolino’s menu is a bit more limited, imo, but if you can get a reservation that would allow fireworks viewing that ups the specialty factor (as does California Grill). Shula’s is another to consider and is very good.

Shula’s would also be convenient and I’ve heard good things. That’s a shame about your experiences with Yachtsman post-covid.

 

[Mermando]

You could also check out the menus for both Jiko and Citrico's. We tried Yachtsman in January and again in JUne of this year and both times I found my steak to be very salty. I actually enjoyed my steak and Mama Melrose's better than Yachtsman on those two trips, but found Jiko to be our new favorite.

I looooove Jiko and I think my kids would like the food there too. I’m trying to remember if the vibe would be a good fit. Kids aren’t too out of place? Citrico’s would certainly fit the bill and I don’t know why it slipped my mind (although I haven’t personally eaten there).

 

[Marrila]

Shula’s would also be convenient and I’ve heard good things. That’s a shame about your experiences with Yachtsman post-covid.

We eat at Shula's whenever we are in Orlando. It's more expensive, but I've occasionally seen kids there and they seemed welcomed.

Jiko's is also a very good suggestion. Kids are not out of place there at all.

 

[princesscinderella]

Citrico’s is a perfect choice and one of our favorites, if you like seafood Narcoossee’s is also great. We used to love California grill but we don’t love the new prix fixe menu. Toppolinos is also delicious and they have the cutest tiny vegetables with their entrees.

 

[fly girl]

Flying Fish would be a great option. Proximity and a lovely meal.

I wanted to try Amare at Swan Reserve on our last visit, but didn’t get the opportunity. However, the reviews I’ve seen have been glowing. I would definitely look into that restaurant. (YouTube reviews helped solidify it’s a go on our next visit!)

 

[holden]

Shula's is amazing. We had one of the best meals of our lives there in July. Service was impeccable; food was beyond delicious.

 

[carlyannek]

I had an awful experience at Topolinos and the steaks were inedible due to the overuse of salt (is that a theme I'm seeing at Disney lately with steak?) and our server seemingly was auditioning to be in the Elvis movie and made our meal super uncomfortable. Anywho, our go-to signature is Narcoossees for both ambience and food quality, in 20 years never had a bad meal there.

 

[Marthasor]

All very good restaurants. I would pick Topolinos as the food is good and the view is lovely. It would also be an adventure to travel there by Skyliner from your resort. The restaurants you mention close to your hotel are great, especially Flying Fish IMHO, but the view from Topolinos gives it the edge. If you want to travel a little, Narcoosees is excellent and the view of the fireworks is spectacular

 

[2xcited2sleep]

How fun! All great ideas and have seen kids in all. I think my top picks would be Flying Fish, Jiko, or Narcoossee's. FF is beautiful and the food and service are just so good. It just "feels" fancy. They have a fun "trick" at the beginning of the meal where you pour water into a dish to hydrate a towel to clean your hands. Probably not explaining it well but I bet an 11-year-old would think that is pretty fancy. Depending on where you're seated, the open kitchen is cool too. Convenience is also key.

Jiko is just exceptional- great food, servers are extraordinary, and you can really get an education about the food and wine (wild boar? yes, please!). It is a bit of a pain to get to (ride share probably the easiest) but can really make a whole night out of it by also talking with the cast members, visiting the savannas (night vision goggles!), lobby exhibits, there's a nightly story telling at the fire pit, the shop, wood carvers etc. It is a truly unique experience where you really forget that you're in Florida.

Narcoossee's - particularly if timed with fireworks - is also outstanding. Not sure when your trip is but there is currently a lot of construction happening at the Grand Floridian and parking is problematic and lots of construction walls up around the resort. If your trip is soon, I'd probably save this one for another time.

 

[BlovesC]

Flying Fish is our favorite signature restaurant and has both the delicious food and kind of fun atmosphere I think your tween would enjoy! My second choice for an 11 year-old with an awesome advanced palette like your son's would be Jiko, for the variety on the menu and the fantastic ambience of the resort.

 

[marshallabney]

Our oldest (11) has asked if we can do a fancier restaurant on our WDW trip and who am I to say no to that?! He’s a fan of seafood, duck, steaks, and rack of lamb. We also have a 7 year old who will eat similar things but is less reliable in eating just anything on any given night and is squirmier. We’re staying at a Crescent Lake resort.

I’m considering California Grill and Topolino’s Terrace for food and ambience (mostly fireworks) and Yachtsman and Flying Fish for food and convenience to room.

Would any of these be inappropriate with a 7 and 11 year old? Food is still worth it? Any other to consider? Looking only at resort restaurants. We have other priorities for in-park dining. Thanks!

We have eaten at all of these restaurants with our kids, now 12 and 8, but as young as 3. All are just fine with 7 and 11. Caveat being we have been taking them to upscale restaurants since they were little and they behave accordingly. Our girls both have advanced pallets, similar to your kids, and all 4 of the restaurants are pretty accommodating if you request slight modifications to a dish. They enjoyed all 4, especially Topolinos and Flying Fish. Can’t recommend Cali grill anymore with the new pre-fixe menu unless you just really want the fireworks viewing. And if that were a priority for us, we’d choose Topolinos. I hear yachtsman hasn’t been up to par lately, which is disappointing as we usually stay at Boardwalk and it was incredibly convenient and top notch for us and the kids. We ate there every trip, but I think skipping this time. Citricos was just ok for us and usually lots of younger families compared to the other signatures, but am excited to try the new menu. We’re taking our kids to Takumi-Tei next month, which they are super excited to try the multi-course experience.

Whatever you choose will be amazing. My best advice with fine dining and kids is to make sure to not overdo it that day and choose an early-ish reservation. We always do no more than a half day in parks, afternoon swim/rest, and shoot for reservations around 7 or 7:30. If they were still up for it, we’d hang around for fireworks, if not we could bail. We also would try and keep a couple of small “surprises” handy for our youngest to pull out if needed. A two hour experience could be a bit much when she was younger, and a dollar store stuffed toy or workbook or something like that could save the evening. Best of luck!

 

[Skip Coffee for Rope Drop]

Our oldest (11) has asked if we can do a fancier restaurant on our WDW trip and who am I to say no to that?! He’s a fan of seafood, duck, steaks, and rack of lamb. We also have a 7 year old who will eat similar things but is less reliable in eating just anything on any given night and is squirmier. We’re staying at a Crescent Lake resort.

I’m considering California Grill and Topolino’s Terrace for food and ambience (mostly fireworks) and Yachtsman and Flying Fish for food and convenience to room.

Would any of these be inappropriate with a 7 and 11 year old? Food is still worth it? Any other to consider? Looking only at resort restaurants. We have other priorities for in-park dining. Thanks!

If you are staying at Crescent Lake and he is only 11, I would take him first to Ale & Compass if he has not been there yet. It is quite fancy and he may not know the difference between a steak there than the Yachtsman. However, if he is a fan a fine dining and only 11, you can go over menus on the app with him and let him pick. Let him pick one entree from each restaurant and then have him pick the restaurant based on the entrees selected.

All of the places mentioned in your first paragraph will have plenty of fun food available for the 7 year old. You can always get a reservation at the Flying Fish, Yachtsman and these days, even the California Grill but Toppolino's is a challenge so you may want to book that now and then change the reservation if he choses a different place when you get closer to your check in date.

 

[Skip Coffee for Rope Drop]

I would say all of those, except Yachtsman, are worth it. Prior to shutdown, all would have been worth it for a nice meal, but we have given Yachtsman a few tries after re-open and have been disappointed on all attempts. Flying Fish or Topolino’s would be my top two choices. Topolino’s menu is a bit more limited, imo, but if you can get a reservation that would allow fireworks viewing that ups the specialty factor (as does California Grill). Shula’s is another to consider and is very good.

Shula's has the best steak on property.

 

[Wings3496]

All of your options are good (well, Cal Grill a little less so with their new menu) - but I think the best are Flyin Fish and Topolino's.

 

[Mermando]

How fun! All great ideas and have seen kids in all. I think my top picks would be Flying Fish, Jiko, or Narcoossee's. FF is beautiful and the food and service are just so good. It just "feels" fancy. They have a fun "trick" at the beginning of the meal where you pour water into a dish to hydrate a towel to clean your hands. Probably not explaining it well but I bet an 11-year-old would think that is pretty fancy. Depending on where you're seated, the open kitchen is cool too. Convenience is also key.

Jiko is just exceptional- great food, servers are extraordinary, and you can really get an education about the food and wine (wild boar? yes, please!). It is a bit of a pain to get to (ride share probably the easiest) but can really make a whole night out of it by also talking with the cast members, visiting the savannas (night vision goggles!), lobby exhibits, there's a nightly story telling at the fire pit, the shop, wood carvers etc. It is a truly unique experience where you really forget that you're in Florida.

Narcoossee's - particularly if timed with fireworks - is also outstanding. Not sure when your trip is but there is currently a lot of construction happening at the Grand Floridian and parking is problematic and lots of construction walls up around the resort. If your trip is soon, I'd probably save this one for another time.

I feel like AK and AKL don’t get the love they deserve. We almost went for a savannah view room at AKL but it was ultimately too spendy considering what we wanted to do at the parks. I’m having a harder time paring down meals at AK/AKL even over Epcot.

 

[Mermando]

All of your options are good (well, Cal Grill a little less so with their new menu) - but I think the best are Flyin Fish and Topolino's.

Honestly I’m a little relieved to not try for Cal Grill. Just more difficult to get, especially for earlier in our trip.