There’s lots that’s debatable at Disneyland. When it involves Disney California Adventure, cheap minds can differ concerning the prime attraction (Radiator Springs Racers), most scrumptious dessert (Choco-Smash Candy Bar), or whether or not the Pixar Pier and Pacific Wharf reimaginings are pointless (sure).
Other questions on DCA are extra well-settled. This contains greatest Junkyard Jamboree music (Big Bulldozer), greatest character (Francisco the Cat), and which model of Soarin’ reigns supreme (Over California). To make certain, there might be some who would decide Radiator Rock, Vampire Mater, and Soarin’ Around the World–however they’re shut seconds.
Likewise, there’s sure to be a level of debate about one of the best restaurant at DCA. Some might declare Award Wieners is really transcendent or that Lamplight Lounge’s brunch recreation is unmatched. They’re truly not mistaken, however there will be just one #1. At Disney California Adventure, that’s Carthay Circle Restaurant.
Without query, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure is Disneyland Resort’s prime in-park eating expertise. This evaluation options meals pictures, ideas on worth for cash, and opinions on delicacies high quality. It covers our most up-to-date dinner on the desk service restaurant inside Carthay Circle Theatre at DCA in 2023.
Carthay Circle Restaurant serves a contemporary, seasonal menu with revolutionary and numerous dishes that highlight Southern California flavors and contemporary, regionally sourced elements. The restaurant is helmed by Chef Andrew Sutton, Culinary Director of the award-winning Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Chef Sutton has truly been so successful that he’s been elevated to Culinary Director Signature Restaurants at Disneyland Resort. This implies that not solely are Napa Rose and Carthay Circle Restaurant below his route, however so too are 21 Royal and Club 33, the unique ‘secret society’ hidden inside New Orleans Square at Disneyland. (Okay, it’s not fairly that cool–it’s mainly only a glorified nation membership for prosperous Disney followers and profitable Southern California businesspeople.)
While we’re on the subject, a comparability between Carthay Circle Restaurant and Club 33 looks as if nearly as good of a spot as any to start out. One of my controversial takes is that Carthay Circle Restaurant is the higher love letter to Walt Disney than Club 33, and it’s the place I’d slightly dine.
That’s proper, I might slightly dine at most of the people restaurant on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure that pays tribute to the life and early profession of Walt Disney than I might the luxury and personal eatery above the plebs in New Orleans Square. It’s not hyperbole neither is it an try and be contrarian for the sake of engagement bait. Let me clarify.
First, I truly choose the Art Deco inside of Carthay Circle Restaurant to that of the non-public membership locale. In our New-Look Club 33 Review & Photo Tour, I described that restaurant’s inside design as “Art Nouveau Riche.” Excessive ornamentation for its personal sake, flaunting its personal fanciness and saying, “look at me…I’m expensive design!” From my perspective, Carthay Circle Restaurant is like The Birkin, whereas Club 33 is an ostentatious Louis Vuitton monogram purse.
The stage of element and beautiful craftsmanship are astonishing at Carthay Circle. The finishings are beautiful and the design is cogent and cohesive, imbued with class and subtlety. When contrasting Carthay Circle Restaurant and Club 33, the saying “money shouts, wealth whispers” involves thoughts.
It’s not simply Art Deco design. Carthay Circle Restaurant abounds with tributes to Walt Disney, nods to the Walt Disney Company’s wealthy historical past, and filmmaking. Inside, it appears like an upscale previous Hollywood hang-out–the Beverly Hills Hotel, Chateau Marmont, or Beverly Wilshire all come to thoughts. It’s like what I’d think about all of these locations felt like again after they had been constructed, new and pristine.
As historical past buffs are little question conscious, Carthay Circle occupies the same place in Los Angeles–and Disney–historical past. The unique Carthay Circle Theatre was inbuilt 1926, and was one of many nice film palaces of Hollywood’s golden age. It performed a pivotal position in Walt Disney’s life after his arrival in Los Angeles. His first feature-length movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered there in 1937, and in 1941 groundbreaking stereophonic “Fantasound” was put in for the West Coast premiere of Fantasia.
Sadly, like so many different golden age cinemas, Carthay Circle Theatre not exists. Walt Disney Imagineers have rebuilt it 3 times: as a present store in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, as this restaurant on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure, and as a division retailer on Mickey Ave at Shanghai Disneyland (the final one is extra impressed by Carthay Circle than a trustworthy re-creation.)
The great thing about the inside of Carthay Circle Restaurant at DCA can’t be overstated. Servers are prepared to take visitors on excursions of the restaurant, and we strongly encourage you to benefit from this. Imagineering went all out to make this one thing particular, and Carthay Circle Restaurant is remarkably good.
From deep, wealthy wooden paneling to pictures of Walt Disney on the partitions to a beautiful vaulted ceiling with artwork impressed by Snow White, there’s no query that Carthay Circle Restaurant is a high-quality eating expertise. For severe Disney followers, it’ll really feel like greater than only a restaurant.
The solely it factor it lacks as in comparison with Club 33 is the exclusivity. Part of the explanation that’s a ‘bucket list’ expertise for thus many followers is as a result of gaining entry requires greater than making a eating reservation. I’m betting that my “Carthay Circle is a better love letter to Walt Disney than Club 33” take could be far much less controversial if each had been simple to guide by most of the people.
People need what they will’t have, and people who are among the many privileged few overvalue what separates them from the lots. It appears that’s simply human nature…but it surely doesn’t imply the extra unique factor is superior. (Not to say, our final expertise at Club 33 price over triple the quantity of this dinner at Carthay!)
But I digress. This is a evaluation of Carthay Circle Restaurant and never a comparability to a non-public membership membership. The sensible actuality is that the majority Disney diehards will leap on the probability at eating at Club 33 (and for good purpose–it’s a worthy bucket checklist entry!) and people who don’t have the chance haven’t any use for the professionals & cons of every. It’s Carthay Circle Restaurant by default.
The extra helpful comparability could be Napa Rose v. Carthay Circle Restaurant. Normally, the previous would win as our #1 high-quality eating expertise at Disneyland Resort. However, between our personal firsthand experiences and reader stories, Napa Rose hasn’t been fairly the identical since reopening. We’ll give it one other probability quickly, as Carthay additionally wasn’t firing on all cylinders the primary time we returned. Fortunately, after a pair extra visits–to the outside Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining and the common restaurant–we’re blissful to report that it’s again to regular!
With that go searching and rambling preface out of the way in which, let’s dig into our newest dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant…
We started by ordering the Mediterranean Spiced Lamb Kofta: Tomato Chutney, Tzatziki, and Warm Garlic Naan Bread as an appetizer.
This is a more recent menu merchandise, and it’s one which checks a number of bins: meat, dip, and bread. We haven’t any complaints with this. The kofta was comparatively easy–minced lamb and a adequate quantity of herb. The meat wasn’t significantly gamey and was in any other case well-prepared, juicy and attractive. With that stated, nothing right here actually stood out; it was all good, however nothing wowed or was in any approach memorable. For the value, we anticipated a bit extra. Still dish for sharing and with a pleasant number of elements.
For a further starter, we ordered the Warm Cheddar Parker House Rolls: Calabrian Chili-Pine Nut Romesco Butter.
In a world the place the Carthay Circle Fried Biscuits by no means existed, these home rolls could be fairly good. However, these wonderful breaded balls filled with cheddar, bacon, and a contact of jalapeno had been beforehand a signature menu merchandise that we’d order each single go to, they usually by no means disillusioned.
By distinction, the Warm Cheddar Parker House Rolls are slightly pedestrian. They are top quality and the cheese and pine nut butter pair properly, however that is nonetheless simply bread. It’s the sort of factor that, frankly, we’d anticipate to be served as a regular bread service at a restaurant of this caliber.
Accordingly, we don’t suggest both of these starters. It’s not that these had been dangerous appetizers, they simply didn’t attain the requirements of Carthay Circle Restaurant or their very own worth factors. (With that stated, we don’t not suggest them, both. Our place on each is considered one of indifference or neutrality, primarily.)
For our first entree, we selected the Sautéed Fish of the Day: Thai Red Curry Broth, Buckwheat Soba Noodles, Fresh Herbs.
This is the place Carthay Circle Restaurant actually flexed its muscle groups as restaurant with revolutionary Southern California aptitude. The fusion of coastal and Asian flavors definitely impressed each of us. The tuna was tender and refreshing, with the anticipated meatiness and a wealthy and buttery high quality that was balanced towards the little bit of texture on the surface. A very scrumptious fish with a strong taste that didn’t want any help from the accompaniments.
That was offset masterfully by the thai curry broth and soba noodles. This had a light-weight and delicate coconut taste, which paired properly with the noodles and different accompaniments.
All in all, it made for an attention-grabbing and bold dish, albeit a bit on the small aspect. More, properly, every part, would’ve been good, particularly provided that that is the very same worth ($50) because the rather more substantial pork chop. In equity, you don’t go to Carthay Circle Restaurant for an affordable meal, however the worth proposition did strike me as barely imbalanced right here, particularly as in comparison with the entrees that observe.
The subsequent entree was the Signature Thick Cut Pork Chop: Roasted Pears, Market Cauliflower, Toasted Almonds.
There’s a purpose “Signature” is correct within the identify of this dish. I’m undecided whether or not this was a part of the unique menu at Carthay Circle Restaurant, but it surely’s been round for over 5 years. It is reliably implausible, and the entree you must order if you wish to play it secure and eat a scrumptious and large hunk of meat.
The downside with many pork chops is that they’re dry and one-note. That’s by no means been a difficulty with the Carthay Signature Pork Chop. I’m no skilled pork chop analyst, however I believe that is because of the thicker minimize and exterior char. It locks the flavour inside, holding the middle moist and juicy. It’s a implausible piece of meat, expertly ready.
While pork chops will be implausible, I’ve had too many which are overly dry, one-note hunks of meat. The accompaniments additional improve the general dish and might present added taste, however don’t overwhelm or intrude with the pure taste of the pork chop itself. Highly advisable.
Finally, I ordered the Tamari-Ginger Glazed Pork Shank: Himalayan Red Fried Rice, Spicy Mango Vinaigrette.
This is a latest addition to the menu at Carthay Circle Restaurant, and I used to be tantalized by the concept of two (2) pork entrees and 0 (0) steaks. Naturally, we needed to order the second pork dish for the sake of side-by-side comparability.
As with the Signature Thick Cut Pork Chop, this pork shank was completely implausible. Despite each being pork, it is a basically completely different dish. This is richer and extra indulgent, with meat that was juicy, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone tender.
The Tamari-Ginger Glazed Pork Shank would’ve been completely high-quality by itself, however the ginger glaze plus the spicy mango French dressing had been surprisingly good additions, giving the meat gentle candy, tangy and acidic high quality. It’s virtually unattainable to articulate, but it surely simply labored. Fried rice is all the time good, and that was true right here, too.
When I order a pork shank, it’s normally a matter of pigging out, for lack of a greater time period. These are sometimes meaty monstrosities, the sort of factor Gaston would devour a dozen of for breakfast. And whereas it’s true that I did have a nasty case of the meat sweats after consuming the higher a part of two colossal pork entrees (no regrets), there was rather more to this one. Its taste profile was nuanced and barely sudden–like a riff on a well-recognized favourite that elevated it to high-quality eating caliber. Again, extremely advisable.
Sadly, we didn’t save room for dessert. If you’re questioning why…see above. Despite a lot meals, we (which means me) entered the clear plate membership at Carthay Circle Restaurant. So who wants Club 33 once you’ve acquired that membership?!
Ultimately, our meal at Carthay Circle Restaurant acquired off to an underwhelming begin with the appetizers and, like different eating places round Disneyland Resort, it suffers from a menu that’s nonetheless scaled again as in comparison with pre-closure. Swapping out the appetizers we ordered for the biscuits–or a handful of different choices beforehand served–would’ve made this meal excellent in each regard.
Nevertheless, Carthay Circle Restaurant was nonetheless implausible. We went three for 3 on entrees, with the greatest dishes we’ve had in-park at Disneyland Resort since lunch at Blue Bayou final summer season. (To be clear, this was higher than Blue Bayou, however that was the final time we had a meal in the identical ballpark.)
Carthay Circle Restaurant isn’t just one of the best restaurant in Disney California Adventure, however amongst a trio of actually elite eating places at Disneyland Resort. There are a number of nice issues to eat within the parks and resorts, however only a few that qualify as high-quality eating that might go head-to-head with one of the best of Southern California’s actual world culinary scene.
Carthay Circle Restaurant is on that brief checklist, and it’s the one one which’s open to most of the people and inside a theme park. Whether you’re a Disney diehard who appreciates the historical past of Walt Disney or just an informal visitor searching for an important meal, you can’t go mistaken with Carthay Circle Restaurant. While the menu continues to be missing as in comparison with pre-closure, it’s acquired a lot of its swagger again, and is once more extremely advisable.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of different locations!
Your Thoughts
If you’ve dined at Carthay Circle Restaurant since reopening, what did you consider the meals? What concerning the theme and environment? Do you assume it’s one of the best restaurant at Disney California Adventure? What about in Disneyland Resort as an entire? If not, which eating places do you like? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Hearing your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!