[Question] Who has tried Carthay Circle?

[chipndale57]

So I'm a huge foodie- most of my vacations revolve around food, and Disneyland is no exception! Has anyone been to the new restaurant at Carthay Circle? What did you have and how was it? I'll be going in August, so needless to say, it will be quite hot out and some of their dishes look heavier. I've been to Napa Rose, and I'm torn between going to what I know I like, and trying something new for dinner. Thanks for the input!

[tomrules1955]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

I'm eating there this Saturday night, but friends say it blows Club 33 out of the water and rivals Napa Rose, which isnt surprising because Andrew Sutton (of the Napa Rose) designed the menu

[SoCalFan]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

It's amazing! I posted a review in BVS Dining thread.

[DLFreak15]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

It's one of the best dining experiences I have ever had! I went with 2 friends. We didn't care about the cost we just needed to go and eat to our heart's content! We each ordered appetizers (the soup, house biscuits, and firecracker duck wings) entrees (the salad, the pot roast, and the rib-eye) and tea (mad hatter and jasmine) and coffee (carthay house blend) as well as three desserts (peaches in all their glory, simple ice cream, and toasted lemon pound cake.) Everything was incredible. Drinks too! I highly recommend it to anyone! Also, if you do a 2 course meal you get preferred seating for WOC! Just a nice way to end a perfect meal!

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

My friends and I went on the 21st. We split the duck wings and house biscuits, which were both great dishes. The biscuits, which are really donut hole-shaped foods filled with a cheese/jalapeno sauce (not spicy), are served with a great apricot butter.

I ordered the lamb pasta (sorry, I don't remember the exact name) which was great as expected. My friends got the udon noodles, Angus burger, and strawberry lemon chicken salad and everyone had a great meal. The burger is surprisingly well done, apparently, so if you're wary about spending the $22 on it, it's apparently worth the plunge!

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

We ate their on the 15th. I had a much different expierience then the ones above me. I don't want to be debbie downer on this thread though.

I'll give you this... the duck wings are amazing!

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

We ate their on the 15th. I had a much different expierience then the ones above me. I don't want to be debbie downer on this thread though.

I'll give you this... the duck wings are amazing!

Actually...perhaps I was being overly enthusiastic in my last post, but it was not the most amazing dining experience in the world, by far. One of the better options at the resort if you're looking for this kind of meal, sure, but it's not the end of the quick service experiences by far. I'd rank this just above any other restaurant I'd been in at the park, however.

[chipndale57]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

Thanks so much for the input everyone!!

justin- I totally get the difference between the best dining experience ever, and the best at disneyland. It can still be great food that I love to eat when I'm at the park (heck, the fusilli at pizza port is my all time favorite) but doesn't compare when put up against other fine dining restaurants.

tom- it wouldn't surprise me if if blew club 33 out of the water. I went for my birthday three or for years ago- and while it was a great experience, not sure i'd do it again

dl freak- I didn't know they would do preferred viewing! Do you have to ask for the 'two course' meal or is it automatic? and is it a set meal? We did that with the vinyard and didn't enjoy the food at all....

socal- i will read your review!!

archimedes- please feel free to share! I love to hear all sides

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

I honestly can't imagine it lasting too long in its current state. It just seems like they are trying so hard to make it a five star restaurant. I could see getting away with it outside of the parks, but doesn't really fit in to a "theme park day."

Personally... I felt extremely under dressed as soon as I stepped into the dining room. Not a good way to start off. Then they placed the giant wine menu down on the table which was super intimidating. Especially since the first thing I see in he menu is Cristal for $850! I don't see how such a huge expensive wine list really works into the budget of the average guest walking through its doors.

Unless this was built to serve as a public "club 33" and they want it there just for the wealthy and for people on special occasion trips... Then it'll work fine... But I don't know how profitable that is on the business side.

[OswaldTheRabbit]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

We had a great time at the Carthay, which you can see photos and some food reviews from it I posted in the Oswald Odyssey Food Fare thread I made. It is definitely the best Disney dining experience I have had at the DL or WDW Resort. It is one of the better dining experiences I have had as well, but perhaps it was because we were customer #1 during lunch how we were treated and we were part of the first dinner service as well.

@Archimedes I do completely understand the dress part. You do feel a bit out of place walking in with generic tourist dress, but I don't know how well a slightly less casual dress code would really work.

[jsanch2]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

I didnt see much on the menu, do they have any Vegan options? Or Vegetarian that can be easily converted to Vegan?

I believe if you tell Dining you are vegan when you call or email your reservation they will ensure to have an option for you when you dine. This works will all types of dietary restrictions.

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

I feel that the dining experience here is better than that of Blue Bayou, with competitive prices. While it certainly doesn't have the romantic aspect that BB has, it still is an excellent option. I never considered Carthay to be DCA's Club 33, but I can certainly understand feeling under dressed and being a little shocked at the prices (not that I opened up the wine menu). Considering it's so close to so much action on BVS, I'd say that Carthay will be pretty well populated for a while. If the restaurant doesn't, I'm confident at least the lounge will.

[Wreckless Abrandon]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

Yikes! Considering I'm usually in a tanktop and shorts with "slippas", I'll really feel under dressed there! But I can't see them denying me service if I've got the cash to pay!

[chipndale57]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

Good to know. I remember at club 33 I was a little irritated at the dress code. It's a nice place, so it makes sense in that regard. But having to dress nicely at the park in the middle of august wasn't my favorite part. But that's a private club, so certainly a different circumstance.

Carthay did look fancy on the inside from photos, and while I'm sure they are prepared for guests to be in casual wear, perhaps it was a miss in design to go that direction. Perhaps they should have made it a little more casual to make people feel welcome regardless of dress. Good food doesn't need to be served in a stuffy environment. And I enjoy a good wine list as much as the next person- but that's certainly not why I go to Disney.

Hm.... guess I'm still on the fence about going there or Napa Rose. lol.

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Who has tried Carthay Circle?

The prices really aren't that bad. But I don't think the food quality is on par with the price. Three things we had there I feel you could get at any other food service in disney for about half the price.




The intimidating wine list...

I never thought I'd see a menu item that cast more then my annual pass.