[lewisfamilydunn]

Good Morning Disney Central,

I'm planning a birthday trip for myself (late 20's :)) and my husband for the second week of November. We are staying off site -- timeshare & will be spending a relaxing week at the parks and at the pool. I was wondering if any of you all could give me some suggestions for a romantic birthday dinner. We are on a budget -- not a strict one, but a budget none the less. Thanks for your tips!

The Lewis Family

P.S. The theme of our trip is "Things we have never done before at WDW." For example, we have never really experienced the Animal Kingdom -- so we're planning on spending some time there.

[sandanv1]

Yachtsman Steakhouse is nice but pricey.
Jiko has interesting choices (DH hated it, I enjoyed it).
O'hanas is always our choice for something special.

[llama]

For romance you can't beat San Angel Inn in the Mexican pavillion in Epcot. The food is good - not fantastic - but good. Some dishes that you don't normally see. But the atmosphere is amazing! Twilight, lightening flashing through the sky, a smoldering volcano and little boats passing by on the river. The Bistro de Paris is also romantic. It's the small restaurant upstairs in the French pavillion. The Brown Derby at MGM is a little pricey, but very adult oriented.

[DisneyWorldFan]

I would suggest the California Grill, on top of the Contemporary Hotel, overlooking Cinderella's Castle. GREAT food and surroundings. If you time it right, you can even see the fireworks. While I agree the San Angel in EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion is very romantic, if you find chlorine odors (there's a water ride inside the paviliion) unappetizing (is there such a word?), please take that into consideration.

[j9luvsdisney]

I agree with DisneyWorldFan. You can't get much better than the food/view (especially if you are there for the fireworks) than the California Grill. Just beware of two things. It is pricey. For two (appetizer or starter, meals, dessert, wine, tip), you could easily spend $200. Also, the dining area is very open, so it can be on the noisy side (its Disney--there are kids everywhere, of course). I still think it is worth it--show up a little early for your priority seating and request seating by the windows.

[fjs08]

We went to Narcoosee's in the Grand Floridian this summer and had a seat by the window overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, the Contemporary and the Magic Kingdom. Got to see the monorail go buy all evening, as well as the Electric Light pagent on the Lagoon. I was impressed with the view and the food. It's not cheap, but in all honesty, no sitdown dinner at a Disney Resort is going to be.
Should you decide on a place, make sure wdw-dine, the resort and if you can even call the restaurant the day before knows it's a special occasion and you have a request for a table. You may even want to do this a week or so before the dinner to see if you can get a "reservation." I don't know if they even take those things into consideration. We just hit it at the right time, I guess. If it's late enough you should be able to see the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, if they are having them that nite.
Enjoy.
Frank

[DarthTortoise]

My wife's favorite is having dinner at Cinderella's Castle as late as possible, to be able to watch the fireworks from inside the castle.

[llama]

Originally Posted by DarthTortoise

My wife's favorite is having dinner at Cinderella's Castle as late as possible, to be able to watch the fireworks from inside the castle.

Love the new avatar, DarthTortoise!

[ilvminnie]

Rafikiman & I are planning on having our 25th wedding anniversary dinner at California Grill...that's how romantic we think it is!!! But, as was mentioned earlier, it is a bit pricey, but well worth it IMHO. If you're on a bit of a budget though, we love the atmosphere at Mexico's San Angel. It's also very romantic & the food is good, if not California Grill quality. You get what you pay for after all....

[DarthTortoise]

Love the new avatar, DarthTortoise!

Thanks!!! That's my girl, Chloe!

[PrincessJ9]

I think romance is what you make of it!! I vote for Narcoossee's during the fireworks, it is just beautiful. Another idea would be dinner at the AKL at Jiko. Very nice atmosphere. The Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club...very nice too. :)

[EmpressJenny]

I'm going to have to go with Narcoossee's also. It's not mobbed w/kids if you're looking for a romantic dinner, it's at the Floridian, which always gets my vote, and the food is good.

[honeypot]

DH and I just returned from our 7th trip to WDW and we ate at the California Grill for the first time.....a MUST do every trip for now on. Very pricy but amazing food. I have never had better Sushi in my life and I doubt anywhere will beat it. Around 8:00 the servers announce that Wishes is about to start and everyone leaves their tables and goes on the roof. The music from Wishes is pumped into the restaurant and onto the roof.....watching the fireworks from above and seeing the Castle, GF and Poly was one of the most beautiful sights ever.

[fjs08]

Honeypot,

>>California Grill for the first time.....a MUST do every trip for now on. Very pricy but amazing food. I have never had better Sushi in my life and I doubt anywhere will beat it<<

Food at CA is super, but the sushi is WAY overpriced. Try it at Japan in Epcot. You can go into the bar and overlook Epcot and the lake with sushi that will cost a fraction and is just super. If you pay more than $5/roll, $ 6 tops for a basic roll, it's way to much, even for Disney. Kimono's in the Swan has it too, although I've not been there in a while.
Frank

[honeypot]

Frank:
I have had it at Japan but I felt this was better and I thought the prices were reasonable. DH and did a la carte. A roll was 2 for $5 which is average. Don't get me wrong, I love Japan. I have never tried Kimono's....new one for next year.
Thanks for the info.