{"id":4984,"date":"2013-08-29T14:22:08","date_gmt":"2013-08-29T18:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themagicforless.com\/tmflblog\/?p=4984"},"modified":"2022-10-21T13:18:05","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T17:18:05","slug":"review-cathay-circle-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themagicforless.com\/tmflblog\/review-cathay-circle-restaurant\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: The Cathay Circle Restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019d love to say that I am an expert foodie or a great food reviewer but I can\u2019t make that claim.\u00a0 I do know though when I put something in my mouth and my taste buds say \u201cthank you!\u201d\u00a0 That\u2019s exactly what happened at the Carthay Circle Restaurant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We hadn’t been to Disneyland<\/a> or California Adventure<\/a> as a family since 2004 so we knew that there were many new things for us to experience.\u00a0 My daughter was excited to eat at the Cathay Circle Restaurant after a school project included the original Cathay Circle Theater where \u201cSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs\u201d was released and she had used the theater itself as part of her display.\u00a0 We decided to make it part of a post 8th<\/sup> grade graduation celebration and the World of Color<\/a> dinner package so that we could finish off our first night in California with this amazing show.<\/p>\n

The inside of the restaurant is beautiful from the lobby up the stairs to the dining room.\u00a0 Rich looking woods, crystal and lots of old Hollywood photos give it a look of elegance.\u00a0 Our table was out on the terrace and we had such beautiful weather that it was really nice to be able to eat outdoors.<\/p>\n

Because we were dining with the World of Color package, we did have a fixed menu but we were advised by our server, Jennifer, that we could add any additional items from the main menu that we\u2019d like.\u00a0 We added the biscuits stuffed with white cheddar, bacon and jalapeno with apricot honey butter which are a specialty of the restaurant.\u00a0 They were delicious on their own without the apricot honey butter so we ate some with and some without.<\/p>\n

To make it fun (and to try more items on the menu), we ordered different entrees.\u00a0 An appetizer was included with our package so we were able to try the seasonal soup as well as the Cathay Circle Salad which had Jicama, Cucumber, Cilantro and Orange White Balsamic Vinaigrette.\u00a0 It was delicious although Cilantro can be a strong taste.\u00a0 I couldn’t wait to try our main entrees.<\/p>\n

We ordered the Sauteed Short Rib Ravioli, the Prime Rib and Salmon.\u00a0 The final entree was a Risotto dish.\u00a0 Each dish came to the table beautifully plated and everything smelled delicious.\u00a0 As discreetly as possible, we all tried one another\u2019s dishes and everyone knows not to touch their food until I’ve taken a photo!\u00a0 You\u2019ll see our choices in the gallery after the blog.\u00a0 The Prime Rib was cooked perfectly as was the Risotto.\u00a0 My daughter who ordered the ravioli really enjoyed them but found them too rich for her and so she and I swapped our dishes.\u00a0 The sauces that went with each dish was the kind of sauce that you wanted to keep eating \u2013 you know them.\u00a0 If no one is looking, you might just wipe the plate with your finger!\u00a0 The main entrees did not include any sides and we do like our vegetables so we ordered a dish of roasted broccoli with brown butter.\u00a0 I could have eaten an entire meal of just that side dish.\u00a0 It was amazing!\u00a0 I\u2019m still trying to figure out how to make it at home.<\/p>\n

Normally, we don\u2019t order dessert but we had bypassed lunch that day knowing that our dinner would include dessert this evening and we wanted to enjoy everything that was offered.\u00a0 We were given a choice between a lemon pound cake with blueberries dessert and a chocolate layer cake option.\u00a0 It was a split decision with two of us ordering the lemon and two of us ordering the chocolate and all of us declaring them delicious.\u00a0 The lemon pound cake was very light while the chocolate was a much more rich and sweet dessert.\u00a0 You\u2019d have to decide for yourself which you like better!<\/p>\n

We were offered the option of French press coffee which I did take in decaffeinated and my girls asked for and received hot chocolate with their desserts.\u00a0 Our server Jennifer, prepared the coffee for me which was great because I had never used a French press before and wasn’t quite sure what to do.<\/p>\n

While we finished dessert and all throughout the meal, we were able to hear the sounds of the park below.\u00a0 The cable car came by, the people on the street were laughing and having fun and we even were able to hear Five & Dime, the jazz band, come around twice during the meal so it was almost like having a dinner show.\u00a0 We wouldn’t have had that experience inside so we did like the terrace option for that reason.<\/p>\n

At the end of the meal, we were given our Fast Pass tickets for seating at the World of Color show and we even had the option of choosing the earlier or the later show.\u00a0 It was a big splurge for us since we are often very budget conscience but we all felt like the dinner was an amazing way to start our trip and celebrate our daughter\u2019s completion of elementary school.\u00a0 Enjoy the pictures from the restaurant and add your comments if you\u2019d enjoyed the Cathay Circle Restaurant too!<\/p>\n

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