Travel FanboyCarthay Circle is one of Disneyland’s fine dining options and, while getting mixed reviews on booking sites and Disney forums, the Fanwife and I found it to be one of our favorite Disney dining experiences to date.
Sitting in the California Adventure Park, the restaurant and lounge offers a comfortable atmosphere, complete with rich wood tones to set off a classic steakhouse feel. The main dining room is a beautiful space, beset with grand chandeliers and black and white photos of Walt’s famous pals.
As for our experience, the service was slower than we are accustomed to, but don’t mistake that as a negative. Disney servers are incredibly efficient, which can significantly reduce the value of fine dining experiences in the park. We were able to fully enjoy our meal and a couple to cocktails while taking in the elegant atmosphere. The only price impediment on the menu was the wine selection, so we stuck with handmade crafts from the bar.
Katie had the grilled hanger steak, which was cooked to perfection, accompanied by a baked potato and brussels sprouts. After having some red meat the night before at Blue Bayou, I opted for something lighter. I ordered the delicious sweet potato gnocchi. Both plates were straightforward, yet savory. High-end restaurants at Disney aren’t experimenting with unique flavors, but they do simple really well.
Make no mistake, the meal won’t be cheap, but if you’re concerned about overpaying for ambiance, don’t let that deter you from trying Carthay Circle. You’ll be whisked away to Hollywood’s golden age while enjoying food as luscious as the decor.
Fanwife’s one sentence review:
Good food, cool vibe, overpriced wine.
Add comment