2boysmel
05-23-2012, 12:20 PM
Among my Disney going friends, this restaurant is a favorite. The Lego Store was one of the few thing that was a must for my oldest, so we planned a late afternoon around DTD and planned to eat here. My good friend also grew up in Ireland and has remarked how the menu is very authetic.
Transportation: I had heard nightmares and considered taking a cab, but buses weren't a problem. The ride was a little longer than other "far" away places like AK and DHS (we stayed at WL), but we never had to wait more than 10 minutes. It did seem like they had more buses going to DTD around dinner time - in the 5 nights we were at the WL, there was only one night I saw a line for the DTD bus, which I assumed meant they were coming frequently.
Atmosphere: It's definitely a "big pub." There is a huge bar (which I saw families eating at). We sat in a side section near the windows, so it was brighter than the main area. We had a 6 PM reservation and saw some dancing near the end of our meal (just two girls, but my boys were entertained). I know the live music starts a bit later. The tables in our section did seem a bit close together (not unusually close, but closer than I think others are at Disney), so I worried a bit about my kids and their loud voices, but they were fine. It's also easy to pick up a little toy someplace in DTD to keep in the busy, if you're the bribing type (which I am!). Also, it was pouring down rain and they let us park the stroller in the lobby.
Food:
At the start of the meal they bring out some soft, warm, dense brown bread with a little plate of reduced Guinness with sugar. It tastes like honey. I'm usually not impressed by "starter" bread, but this with the interesting condiment was really good. They sell the reduced Guinness in the gift shop (for $6 bottle I think) and it would make a great little gift for someone at home, I wish I had bought some for myself.
We started with hte "Smokie City" - as I mentioned in my trip review, it probably sounds gross. It was smoked cod, chunks of potatoes, piece of tomato, and some kind of herb (i can't remember) in a creamy (like slightly thicked cream, not like fondue) sauce. There were crostini type dried bread on the side. It was SO GOOD. If you like smoked fish, it is really a must try. It's one of those things I would never imagine, but it was a winner. It came in a little iron-type crock and was plenty to share. I did find the recipe online, so I'm hoping to try at home.
The menu is huge and it's hard to choose. Starting with the kids, I love how the kids menu is so varied. My youngest has the mac and cheese - tastes like homemade and is not the same "orange" kind that is served elsewhere at Disney. You have your choice of sides, I chose the mixed veg - green beans, carrots, and big hunks of cabbage. The cabbage was not a hit with my kids! My oldest had the Dalkey Duo - essentially batter cocktail sausages. I think there were 6 good sized sausages on the plate (about 50% bigger than lil smokies) and the batter is more what I think of a beer type batter - not crumbs or cornbready. It was good breading and has a bit of mustard in it, but it wasn't too spicy. The sausages are whiteish and have a different taste than American hot dogs (obviously!), so it might not be the best thing for picky eaters. I thought the sausages were spicier than American sausages, my husband thought they were more bland. Go figure. They also serve this as an adult appetizer - I don't think it's a must have for adults, but it's probably better if you've had lots of beer. Neither one of my kids was hungry, so neither ate much, but I don't think that was any indication of the food. They are also big servings and plenty of food for an older kid, I think!
I had the fish and chips, which were good, but I wish I had chose something more adventurous. I can get good fried fish at home. My husband had the Shepard's Pie. Both were big servings. His had delicious flavor. It comes "formed" - about 5-6 inches around by 2-3 inches tall. The meat is finely ground, with some carrots on other things. It was a big hit. The table next to us had two couples from Orlando and 3 of them had the Shepard's Pie - apparently they come regularly for it. One of their tablemates also had what looked like the beef stew, served in it's own little crock. And someone on the other side of me had the schnitzel with a fried egg on top. All the plates from our section went away clean!
We didn't have dessert, becuase we had treats from Goofy's Candy Company, but I heard raves from the surrounding tables.
And you can't forget beer...I had a Blue Moon, I know it's boring! My husband had one of the beer flights - nothing crazy (Guinnes, Harp, Smithwicks, Kilkenny) as we can and do get those all at home. But they come in darling little mini-pint glasses, slightly smaller than a juice glass. Much more fun than one regular glass.
Overall: Great food, tons of choices, affordable. Great kids menu. Would be fun to sit at the bar and have apps too. I don't think I'd go to DTD just for it, but I might! Meal was $95, including tip. Also, they were taking walk-ins the night we were there (Monday, May, really rainy).
Transportation: I had heard nightmares and considered taking a cab, but buses weren't a problem. The ride was a little longer than other "far" away places like AK and DHS (we stayed at WL), but we never had to wait more than 10 minutes. It did seem like they had more buses going to DTD around dinner time - in the 5 nights we were at the WL, there was only one night I saw a line for the DTD bus, which I assumed meant they were coming frequently.
Atmosphere: It's definitely a "big pub." There is a huge bar (which I saw families eating at). We sat in a side section near the windows, so it was brighter than the main area. We had a 6 PM reservation and saw some dancing near the end of our meal (just two girls, but my boys were entertained). I know the live music starts a bit later. The tables in our section did seem a bit close together (not unusually close, but closer than I think others are at Disney), so I worried a bit about my kids and their loud voices, but they were fine. It's also easy to pick up a little toy someplace in DTD to keep in the busy, if you're the bribing type (which I am!). Also, it was pouring down rain and they let us park the stroller in the lobby.
Food:
At the start of the meal they bring out some soft, warm, dense brown bread with a little plate of reduced Guinness with sugar. It tastes like honey. I'm usually not impressed by "starter" bread, but this with the interesting condiment was really good. They sell the reduced Guinness in the gift shop (for $6 bottle I think) and it would make a great little gift for someone at home, I wish I had bought some for myself.
We started with hte "Smokie City" - as I mentioned in my trip review, it probably sounds gross. It was smoked cod, chunks of potatoes, piece of tomato, and some kind of herb (i can't remember) in a creamy (like slightly thicked cream, not like fondue) sauce. There were crostini type dried bread on the side. It was SO GOOD. If you like smoked fish, it is really a must try. It's one of those things I would never imagine, but it was a winner. It came in a little iron-type crock and was plenty to share. I did find the recipe online, so I'm hoping to try at home.
The menu is huge and it's hard to choose. Starting with the kids, I love how the kids menu is so varied. My youngest has the mac and cheese - tastes like homemade and is not the same "orange" kind that is served elsewhere at Disney. You have your choice of sides, I chose the mixed veg - green beans, carrots, and big hunks of cabbage. The cabbage was not a hit with my kids! My oldest had the Dalkey Duo - essentially batter cocktail sausages. I think there were 6 good sized sausages on the plate (about 50% bigger than lil smokies) and the batter is more what I think of a beer type batter - not crumbs or cornbready. It was good breading and has a bit of mustard in it, but it wasn't too spicy. The sausages are whiteish and have a different taste than American hot dogs (obviously!), so it might not be the best thing for picky eaters. I thought the sausages were spicier than American sausages, my husband thought they were more bland. Go figure. They also serve this as an adult appetizer - I don't think it's a must have for adults, but it's probably better if you've had lots of beer. Neither one of my kids was hungry, so neither ate much, but I don't think that was any indication of the food. They are also big servings and plenty of food for an older kid, I think!
I had the fish and chips, which were good, but I wish I had chose something more adventurous. I can get good fried fish at home. My husband had the Shepard's Pie. Both were big servings. His had delicious flavor. It comes "formed" - about 5-6 inches around by 2-3 inches tall. The meat is finely ground, with some carrots on other things. It was a big hit. The table next to us had two couples from Orlando and 3 of them had the Shepard's Pie - apparently they come regularly for it. One of their tablemates also had what looked like the beef stew, served in it's own little crock. And someone on the other side of me had the schnitzel with a fried egg on top. All the plates from our section went away clean!
We didn't have dessert, becuase we had treats from Goofy's Candy Company, but I heard raves from the surrounding tables.
And you can't forget beer...I had a Blue Moon, I know it's boring! My husband had one of the beer flights - nothing crazy (Guinnes, Harp, Smithwicks, Kilkenny) as we can and do get those all at home. But they come in darling little mini-pint glasses, slightly smaller than a juice glass. Much more fun than one regular glass.
Overall: Great food, tons of choices, affordable. Great kids menu. Would be fun to sit at the bar and have apps too. I don't think I'd go to DTD just for it, but I might! Meal was $95, including tip. Also, they were taking walk-ins the night we were there (Monday, May, really rainy).