Disney Reviews: Restaurant Edition #11 - Be Our Guest

This one is for my friend Kate over at The Suddenly Kate Show. I've been trying like mad to get us in for our trip this year, to no avail. But I haven't given up yet! Worse comes to worst, we'll wait it out for a lunch spot.

Located in the New Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest is a new sort of breed of Disney restaurant. It is the first (and only) restaurant to serve alcohol in the Magic Kingdom (and I kind of wish they didn't do this although I can't honestly say why it bothers me since I do like alcohol...just seems a bit like drinking in church or something!). It isn't open for breakfast, lunch is a counter service meal, and dinner is a table service. Dinner reservations are probably now the absolute hardest to get anywhere on Disney property (trust me, I know!). People wait in line for up to 3 hours even for lunch! The hype around this place is crazy considering the food is just OK. But, like I've said many a'time...sometimes it's more about the theming than the food and this place is definitely themed!

We were lucky enough to tour the restaurant before it opened on a passholder preview night back in 2012 and, at least as far as we could go into it, it was literally breathtaking! So I knew that I would definitely need to get us in there last year and was able to secure a ressie (although I don't know how I did it). Located in the Beast's Castle:
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The approach is almost as gorgeous as the inside:
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With gargoyles holding up the lights to the entrance:
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And massive lions protecting the front door:
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With a little help from griffins:
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Details are everywhere, but on the way in, it's hard to get too many pictures of them...here is one though:
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There are technically four dining rooms, the Ballroom:
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which might look familiar to those who have seen the movie

The Rose Room which has a life-sized music box of Belle and the Beast dancing:
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as well as "family" portraits, here are a few:
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The Library (which serves as a Beast meet and greet at night and is really only open to catch lunch-time overflow):
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And the West Wing, which is I requested a table at:
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every few minutes the petals "fall" off the rose:
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And the portrait of the Prince:
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turns into the Beast:
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This room is dark and gloomy, but secluded and a lot more quiet than the noisy Ballroom, right up my alley!

Even the napkins on your plate are B&B themed:
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Let's move on to the food:

Mother, my Sister and I had the french onion soup. Not even my love for cheese could save this one. I knew the broth was vegetable and not beef, but everyone always comments on how "beefy" it tastes. Nope, nada, uh-huh. It tasted like vegetable (and really no need to see it three different times, so here is mine).
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My Sister's god-mother had the potato leek...since we weren't talking to her by that point (you never really know someone until you travel with them), I don't know how hers tasted:
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Two of us (including myself) had the Thyme-scented Pork Rack Chop which comes with au gratin mac-n-cheese and green beans:
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Mother had the Chicken Breast Provencal:
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And I think it was Am who had the Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops (but I'm not sure):
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They wheel over a huge dessert tray for you to choose from:
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Of course I went with the Grey Stuff, and it was delicious!
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I don't know what it was everyone else got, but I'll show you the pictures:
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Like I said, the food was just OK...I mentioned the issue with my soup, the pork was a bit tough, the mac-n-cheese flavorless, but the Grey Stuff really was delicious (I wasn't just Disney quoting there). I also think everyone else would agree the dessert was the best part.

On the way out, I had a bit more time for pictures of the entrance area:
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I would still quite happily eat here again, but I would definitely try something different (although I would get the same dessert). None of us drank alcohol...it just didn't feel right. Am had a fruit beverage, but the rest of us just had tea. I would probably do the same next time (if there is a next time, I'm trying really hard Kate, promise!).

Comments

Linda said…
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Linda
Tom Badguy said…
My girlfriend would flip over this.
kate n said…
I do love beauty and the beast but if we cant get it then thats ok, don't stress over it....although i do LOVE it! lmao