THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF FOOD BLOGS, BUT ONLY ONE CULINARY NO-NO!

At one time, especially in its infancy, Walt Disney World was a fine dining desert. Entrees at most restaurants on property amounted to the same, mundane roast beef, ham, and turkey. That was a long time ago.

Oh, you’ll still find a plethora of burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and fries. But adult visitors who wanted more sophisticated fare made their demands known, and Disney listened. The variety and multitude of high quality options available now is impressive,  capturing rave reviews. We can vouch having been patrons for many years.

A la the annual (except this year) NCAA basketball tournament, the website Disney Food Blog recently polled its readers with new bracket to decide the best of Disney World’s sit-down restaurants. Voting was done via Instagram with 64 restaurants to choose from.

This should have been a hands down no-brainer and by a wide margin. Elegant doesn’t begin to describe.

Dress code strictly enforced.

Victoria & Albert’s has received the renowned AAA Five Diamond Award each year since 2000. AAA rates and approves nearly 32,000 restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Only 0.2 percent of the restaurants are awarded the AAA Five Diamond rating. The ratings represent a combination of overall food, service, décor, and ambiance.In February the AAA wrote:

This experience is the epitome of traditional fine dining. Nestled in the picturesque setting of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the restaurant reflects the elegant style of the Victorian era. Upon obtaining a highly coveted reservation, expect to spend the evening as a pampered guest. Personalized menus reflect the ever changing expectations of the modern palate. International flavors and the finest ingredients are masterfully prepared by Executive Chef Scott Hunnel and his team. Several dining options are available including the Main Dining room featuring live harp performances and the more intimate Queen Victoria room. For something even more special, try the Chef’s Table for a front row seat to watch the culinary masters at work. Wine lovers will appreciate the extensive list, or the expert pairings for each course.

V & A’s has also won highly acclaimed awards from Forbes Travel Guide, Wine Spectator, the James Beard Foundation, Zagat and Gayot.

Disney World certainly has other terrific dining spots. At France in Epcot…

At Disney’s Boardwalk…

At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko…

Oh, and we can’t forget the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort…

All wonderful. But V and A’s is in a class by itself.

You can kind of guess where this is going. So, how did the brackets turn out? Let’s cut to the chase.

Coming in second: Beaches & Cream located at the Beach Club resort. The restaurant is themed as an old-fashioned soda shop.

We love Beaches and Cream. Sorry. Wouldn’t make our Top 10, 15, or maybe even 20.

So what was #1?

HEY!

How’d those crazy kids get in here?!

Just two more happy campers at the Polynesian.

Lilo and Stitch join in a morning family-style breakfast at Ohana’s in the Polynesian Village Resort, an absolutely gorgeous spot at Disney World. Breakfast selections include scrambled eggs, Island-style fried potatoes, Hawaiian pork sausages, Hawaiian-style ham topped with pineapple compote, a variety of fresh fruits and assorted breads.

In the evening servers bring skewers of sweet and sour chicken, oak-grilled shrimp and steak to tables, as well as dumplings, stir-fried vegetables, lo mein noodles and salad.

Ohana’s is great, no question. But again, in a ranking like this, it’s simply unfair to rank it above V and A’s, or some others for that matter.

Reminds me about those old Milwaukee Journal surveys many years ago where readers were asked every year to name their favorite local restaurants.  When Red Lobster seemed to win all the time for Best Seafood the news always sent restaurant critic Dennis Getto into orbit.

How could V & A’s lose out to an ice cream parlor and a tiki buffet place? That’s easy.

At V & A’s there is a 7-course “Tasting Menu” Prix Fixe Menu, $185 per Guest ($250 with wine pairings). Pricing does not include tax and gratuity.  A  10-course “Degustation Menu” is also available for $235 ($340-$385 with wine pairings). Pricing does not include tax and gratuity.

YIKES!

Still, as one blogger noted,  “Victoria & Albert’s is, hands down, the best dining experience at Walt Disney World. It’s well worth the expensive price, and actually is not overpriced when compared to comparable ‘real world’ restaurants…

Here’s the complete 64-restaurnat bracket:

CULINARY NO-NO BONUSES

Independent Restaurants Devastated by Pandemic

ICYMI…Culinary no-no #650