PassPorter's Article Tools |
|
|
The Turf Club at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort: A Dining Reviewby Michelle Clark, PassPorter Guest Contributor Last modified 10/18/2007
Cool Tip: Click here to get a FREE PDF version of this article, fully formatted to print and put into your PassPorter Deluxe Binder!
Filed in Articles > Walt Disney World > Dining
Our family was bitten by the Walt Disney World "free dining" bug in 2005, so when the promotion was offered again this year, we planned another trip for the Labor Day holiday. We made our dining reservations in May. A few days before our trip, we made a last-minute decision to leave earlier than we originally planned, which would give us an extra day. That meant we had an extra table service meal to plan! I called Disney Dining to determine our options. Our choice had to be outside of the theme parks since we had no park tickets for that day. Every restaurant we considered was completely booked up. The Disney operator suggested the Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs resort. We reserved a table for dinner for our party of five, my husband and our three teenagers.
I'm by no means a professional food critic, but I love to eat, so I thought I would share a simple review of our experience at the Turf Club.
On the evening of our dinner reservation, we drove the short distance from Port Orleans Riverside to Saratoga Springs Resort. Once inside the resort, we followed the signs to the rear of the resort where the Carriage House is situated. Both eateries in Saratoga Springs, the Artists' Palette and the Turf Club, are located in the Carriage House. From the parking lot we had a good view of the lake and Downtown Disney. We could see guests utilizing the walkway to Downtown Disney's West Side.
We walked up the stairs and inside the Carriage House to check in at the Turf Club. We were 30 minutes early for our reservation, so we relaxed in the lounge area which has pool tables and other gaming sets available. The decor features deep cherry wood tones with hunter green and taupe accents. The Turf Club has both outside and inside seating. We saw only a couple of parties seated on the covered porch. Our table was ready in about 20 minutes after check-in. We were seated at a round table near the restaurant entrance next to windows overlooking the outside seating area.
For appetizers, our son ordered the fried calamari. The calamari was a generous portion that could be easily shared. I chose the crab cakes with mango salsa, which consisted of three small cakes which were very tasty. My husband and daughter both ordered the buffalo chicken strips, to which our server German suggested that they order the buffalo sauce on the side as it was very spicy. This appetizer included three good-sized chicken strips. Our youngest selected the onion rings, which was probably the best value for an appetizer at only $4.99. The onion rings were served in a large basket with three dipping sauces and was more than one person could eat!
Our entree selections were pretty simple. My husband, son, and I all ordered the Grilled Top Sirloin Steak. I chose to add the blue cheese, Portobello mushrooms, and balsamic-port glaze topping while my husband and son decided to top their steaks with crab meat and grain mustard sauce. My steak (ordered medium) was a bit dry, but the other steak eaters at our table (who ordered medium rare) declared theirs to be the best steaks they had ever eaten! The blue cheese topping on my sirloin had a sharp, salty taste and was well complimented by the balsamic-port glaze. The sirloin steak is served with a side order of Turf Club potatoes which are velvety scalloped potatoes that were heavenly! Both of our daughters decided on the Penne Pasta with Shrimp. They were a little disappointed that the pasta was not served with a cream-based sauce like they have eaten at other Disney restaurants.
From the moment our kids first glanced at the dessert menu, all three were anxiously awaiting the chance to sample the Chocolate Lava Cake. When it came time to order dessert, German came to our table and informed us that they had unfortunately run out of the Chocolate Lava Cake. He explained that they had never been out of a dessert before, but there had been a larger crowd than usual at the restaurant that evening. After the let-down, most of our party ordered the individual apple pie with vanilla ice cream and the cheesecake with vanilla sauce and seasonal berries. My son and husband enjoyed the apple pie, but declared it to be a typical apple pie. I am a true cheesecake lover, and the Turf Club did not disappoint! The cheesecake was a very large portion, so large that two people could easily enjoy it. The vanilla sauce was so smooth and added just enough punch to raise this dessert from great to spectacular!
Our server German took very good care of us. He was friendly and accommodating, and even offered to snap a picture of our entire group at our table.
Overall, we were very pleased with the quality of food and the service at the Turf Club Bar and Grill and would eat there again. But, we'll check on the availability of the Chocolate Lava Cake first!
About the Author: Michelle Clark is the mother of three teens who provide her with endless scrapbooking subjects! Michelle and her family are currently planning their 11th trip to Orlando's theme parks. She is also a PassPorter Message Board Guide.
Related Links:
Veggie Dining At Disney - Table Service Locations last updated 12/11/2008 Veggie Dining At Disney - Counter Service Locations last updated 12/04/2008 The Kosher Traveler At Walt Disney World - A Guide last updated 02/05/2009 Dining at Walt Disney World - An Introduction last updated 2/5/2009 Yachtsman Steakhouse From a Vegetarian's Point of View - A Dining Review last updated 5/14/2009
Reader Comments:
Did u have any of the WDW dining ? We r doing the deluxe dining but im thinking i might down size it. ? would u say?? Thanks Delilah delilah smith on January 1, 2008 @ 2:26 pm Sounds like a very enjoyable meal.... mcc0313 on January 1, 2008 @ 5:43 pm View all 2 comments in forum thread
So what do you think? Click here to share your comments, feedback, and experiences on this article and topic!
(Note: You must be a member of our PassPorter Message Board Community to leave comments. Join today for free!)
This article originally appeared in the PassPorter newsletter -- subscribe to our popular newsletter today for free!
Return to PassPorter.com |
Ask a Question on the PassPorter Message Boards
Updated 10/18/2007 - Article #221
Read additional articles from PassPorter.com
|
Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter, PassPorter News, published for nearly 50,000 opt-in subscribers worldwide.
As an added bonus for subscribing, you will receive a 20% discount coupon for the PassPorter Store -- no catch!
We respect your privacy and never sell or rent our subscriber list. Subscribing will not result
in more spam! We guarantee it.
|
Please feel free to link to this page so that other vacationers can find it.
Copyright 1999-2010 by PassPorter Travel Press, an imprint of MediaMarx, Inc.
Publishers of bestselling travel guidebooks and proud recipients of 12 national book awards
~ * ~ Celebrating 11 Years of Making Dreams Come True! ~ * ~
Questions? Concerns? Please e-mail us at feedback@passporter.com or call us at 877-929-3273
We respect your privacy -- please review our Privacy Policy
Read more about PassPorter or advertise with us. | |
PassPorter.com Recommends
RSS General

PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums - Feasting and Snacking: The...
Bring your dining questions, tips, and experiences to this table.
Grand Floridian - 1900 Park Fare Dining with Cinderella by Meggera -- Eatery ...
by Jennifer Marx
11 Mar 2010 at 11:20pm
Here's the latest photo of a Walt Disney World eatery from the PassPorter Photo Archive (http://www.passporter.com/photos):
*Grand Floridian -...
(click title above to view replies)
free dining and discounted room rates?
by DisneyDana
11 Mar 2010 at 10:41pm
I'm sure most people in here know how to get discounted room rates through mousesavers and such, but if you book your room with a discount code, do...
(click title above to view replies)
Another dinner show question.
by dkfajr1
11 Mar 2010 at 8:02pm
Sorry, I searched for the answer, but couldn't find it. Sorry it may be long.
We are going to the world in October. Going to to HDD. There...
(click title above to view replies)
Minimum Nights for DVC Dining Plan?
by zacksmom_1993
11 Mar 2010 at 1:39pm
For our upcoming trip, I just booked airfare that has us arriving late in the evening the day before I thought we'd be there (like arriving at MCO at...
(click title above to view replies)
Tusker House/Nemo seating
by Katara81
11 Mar 2010 at 12:21pm
It appears that we will not be moving our trip up to June (yay!), which means my ADR date is coming up in a little over a week! We have never seen...
(click title above to view replies)
|