Review: Dinner with a View at Epcot’s Garden Grill!
Walt Disney World’s Land Pavilion is home to one of our go-to quick service spots in Epcot’s Future World — Sunshine Seasons — but upstairs from Living with the Land is one of my favorite underrated character meals: Garden Grill. It’s here, in a rotating restaurant, that diners meet Disney character friends, dine on some really great grub, and get a bird’s eye view of the attraction below. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Garden Grill
Remember, at Garden Grill, always ask for a booth versus a table. I just think they’re more fun, plus your view of the Livin’ With The Land attraction scenes below is much better with a booth!
Booth Seating Facing The Land Attraction
Table Seating
Garden Grill Characters
Before we get into the food, let’s say hello to some friends. Garden Grill is home to Farmer Mickey who always looks sharp in his overalls and plaid!
Farmer Mickey!
You’ll also meet Chip and Dale. You can tell them apart by their noses. This one’s Chip (because his nose looks like a chocolate chip)! As per usual, the ‘munks can get a little silly here!
Chip!
And Dale has that adorable red nose!
Dale at Garden Grill
If you’re more of a dog person, Pluto keeps things fun with his signature pose!
Pluto!
Garden Grill is also fun in that characters often rotate through more than once, meaning you might catch a certain pup’s signature pose… more than once!
Pluto!
For Disney Parks fans, Garden Grill has the added perk of giving diners a bird’s eye view of Living with the Land! The restaurant is designed to have an upper level and a lower level, and that lower level is best for catching these views. Many of us daydream about living in this quaint farmhouse.
Living with the Land Farmhouse!
And good news! When you dine at Garden Grill, you can see that they’ve left the light on for you in your farmhouse! 
All. about. those. details.
Farmhouse details!
Garden Grill Eats
But okay, characters and theme park attractions are fun and all, but what about the food? Garden Grill dinner is typically pretty good! Our last review was from just over a year ago, and things have been tweaked — but in a good way!
The meal at Garden Grill starts with some warm, tasty dinner Rolls and Butter. These are a great way to begin this foray into comfort food.
Rolls and Butter
Next up, as always, is the Harvest-Inspired Salad. This is renowned as consisting of vegetables grown right downstairs in the Land Pavilion. This time it included black olives, cucumbers, and mixed greens. It’s dressed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Harvest-Inspired Salad
Since our last visit, the platter of meats has become a skillet. This presentation is somehow more appealing, with vibrant colors dispersed throughout. I think it actually LOOKS like more food, too — even though this has always been an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant.
Garden Grill Skillet
The items on the skillet have also improved. The Sliced Turkey was delicious and moist, as was the Slow-Braised Pot Roast (a superior version of the pot roast of past visits in that it now comes with braised potatoes and carrots just like Mom used to make!!). I had mixed feelings to see that Carved Pork with Apple Chutney had replaced Italian Sausage. I thought the sausage was delicious, and while the pork is fine…I’d probably prefer the sausage. Sides on the skillet include buttery Green Beans, tart Cranberry Sauce, seriously delicious Herb and Leek Stuffing, and some honestly great Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes.
Garden Grill Skillet
In addition to alllllll of this, we also received a platter of carbs: Mac and Cheese (with Goldfish — the only place we’ve spotted the famous crackers in the World!), French Fries, and Sweet Potato Fries!
Sides at Garden Grill
That last bit — the Sweet Potato Fries — momentarily replaced the traditional French Fries for a short while last year, to the chagrin of many guests. But now (at least on my visit!) there was a little bit of both!
Fries
The Mac and Cheese is super creamy and satisfying, and if you’ve got a picky eater in tow, this will do!
Mac and Cheese
Dessert hasn’t changed here in a while, and that’s fine with me! Berry Short Cake is a combo of strawberries and blueberries in strawberry sauce (all fresh tasting) ladled atop a split round pound cake. Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream finishes it off.
Berry Short Cake
If you need them, these classic sugar cookies are also available! I think this was the kids’ dessert on our visit. Sadly, it’s not anything as cute and unique as it used to be for the kiddos.
Sugar Cookies!
Garden Grill is still a super fun character meal in a unique location that also happens to have delicious, comforting food. And because it’s a bit more under the radar than Chef Mickey’s or Cinderella’s Royal Table, getting an ADR at Garden Grill tends to be a little easier. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting! It’s easily one of my favorite character meals in Disney World!
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Have you dined at Garden Grill? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
from the disney food blog http://bit.ly/2HC3doJ
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