Disneyland is known for its casual theme park entertainment and dining, but what about the upscale experiences? When planning a trip to the parks, we don’t always think about fine dining, but for a special occasion, or to cap off a great vacation, Disneyland does offer some exceptional options. Today, let’s take a look at our recent trip to the Grand Californian Hotel’s Napa Rose and see if it was worth the rich price.
To start with, this will not be an experience that is right for everyone. The meal is expensive, but you can modify that slightly by restricting your choices. For example, if you want to experience the restaurant without spending a fortune, you can skip the wine pairing, or share an appetizer instead of ordering one per person. You can also visit the attached lounge to share appetizers or dessert without the expense of a full meal.
If you want to just visit the lounge, you will be able to do so without making a reservation in advance, but there may be a wait. If you want to dine in the dining room – and especially if you want to sit at the Chef’s Counter – you will need to book ahead.
There is no official dress code listed for the restaurant. While shorts are frowned upon, I have dined at the Napa Rose in jeans and a Disney t-shirt – straight from a day in the parks – and it wasn’t an issue. . . though you may feel out of place among the dim lighting and cloth napkins. It’s probably worth swinging by your hotel room to tidy up before dining at the Napa Rose, though you don’t need to bring formal wear with you unless dressing up would make the evening more special for you.
The real star of the establishment is the food. Generally, it’s good and worth the high rating. However, the menu is a la carte, so as I mentioned previously, it can get very pricey. The menu is also seasonal, that favorite dish today might not be available the next time you decide to dine at the Napa Rose. One standard, though, is the Truffled Mac & Cheese, and it’s always been a favorite of mine.
When I visited this spring, four of us were dining together, and we ordered a variety of different foods. One member of the group ordered the $100 Four Course Prix Fixe Menu, while the rest of us ordered á la carte. Our starters included a field greens salad, the seasonal soup, a tomato-cheese tart, and sautéed halibut. The portions were small but sufficient, and the flavors were mostly exquisite. The sautéed halibut – part of the prix fixe menu – was the highlight of the starters.
Our entrees were a lot less varied. American Bison Pot Roast, Filet with Blackberry Zinfandel sauce, and a veal chop. I’m told the red meat dishes were very good, but I enjoyed my selection of the sustainable fish, served with a Meyer lemon sauce.
For dessert, we each ordered something different. There was a peanut crunch bar that came with caramel popcorn ice cream, a selection of fruit sorbets, a tangerine crème brûlée tart, and a blond chocolate crunch covered in a dark chocolate ganache. The popcorn-flavored ice cream was an amusing novelty item, but everything else was delicious.
Overall, we enjoyed our meal and I will certainly be returning to the Napa Rose. This was not my first time dining there; I’ve enjoyed private meals for two, large group meals, and even a dinner at the Chef’s Counter. The Chef’s Counter was a memorable experience, but the website warns that reservations for that option fill up quickly. Your experience will also change based on which of the chefs are on duty on any given day, and how busy the kitchen is. Regardless of those details, though, a meal at the Chef’s Counter will provide a completely different dining experience than one in the main dining room.
Have you had the opportunity to dine at the Napa Rose or one of the other upscale restaurants at a Disney park? Is it something you enjoy, or does it just take time and money that you’d rather spend in the parks?
If you’ve dined at the Napa Rose, please assist us with a rating below.
