Cap'n Jacks Restaurant

Cap'n Jacks changed its name from "Cap'n Jacks Oyster Bar" to "Cap'n Jacks Restaurant" in late February, 2000. Other than the name change, the only other change is the menu -- the decor, kitchen staff, and hours remain the same.

We dined at Cap'n Jacks Oyster Bar on Sunday, December 6, 1998... on the spur of the moment without priority seating arrangements! We had a very enjoyable time -- we were out for an evening with some new-found friends and didn't have our restaurant reviewer's caps on (and if we had, it would have been rude of us to wear our caps at the table). As a result, this isn't a comprehensive review, but more of an overview. To be honest, after the beers at Cap'n Jack's and the subsequent Jungle Juices over at the Adventurer's Club it's a wonder we can remember anything at all!

UPDATE: We've heard rumors that Cap'n Jacks may be closed. But we're happy to report that Cap'n Jacks is open as we dined there again on December 10, 1999. The restaurant name is missing from the Downtown Disney guidemap, but the folks at the restaurant assures us they are trying to get their name back on the map! Cap'n Jacks is a good place to get a relaxing meal without a long wait.

The atmosphere is informally nautical. The main room is a low-ceilinged, hexagonal space with picture windows all around. A central food preparation area is surrounded by a bar, and beyond that heavy, dark pine tables and captain's chairs line the windows. The whole place is built over the water on wooden pilings, and Cap'n Jack's Marina is right next store to add a bit more authenticity to the setting. It could be a wharf-front restaurant in just about any coastal town you can name, rather than on landlocked Buena Vista Lagoon. From the tables you have a panoramic view of the lagoon, the Downtown Disney Marketplace and the Townhouse Villas at the Disney Institute. The twinkling evening lights reflect off the water and make evenings quite enchanting.

The new dinner menu is brief, but a bit more adventuresome than the previous menu. Here are the details:

Appetizers:
Crab Cakes served with Cajun-horseradish Sauce and Napa Cabbage Stew - $11.95
Jumbo Shrimp Martini Cocktail served with a Floridian Cocktail Sauce - $9.95
Pork Pot Stickers served with Thai-ginger Soy Sauce and Marinated Field Green Salad - $7.95
Fococcia Tomato Bruschetta with Buffalo Mozzarella  - $6.95

Soups:
New England Clam Chowder - $4.50
Potato-Cheese Soup - $4.50

Salads:
Tossed Salad served with a Papaya Vinaigrette - $3.95
Freshly Tossed Caesar Salad with Parmesan Cheese and home-made Croutons - $6.95 (with grilled Chicken add $3.00; with Shrimp add $4.00)

Sandwiches:
Roast Beef Sandwich with Lettuce, Tomato, and Roasted Red Pepper Mayonnaise served with our Napa Cabbage Stew and Cape Cod Chips - $8.95
Grilled Marinated Portobello Mushroom Sandwich served on Focaccia Bread with Baby Salad Greens, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and a Boursin Cheese Spread - $8.95

Entrees:
(Served with our Herb Focaccia Bread and Cilantro-Garlic Infused Olive Oil)
King Prawns and Sea Scallops served with a Lemon Herb Sauce and Spanish Rice - $26.95
Beef Filet with Forest Mushrooms, baked in a Pastry Crust and served with a Morel Sauce and Seasonal Vegetables - $22.95
Penne Pasta tossed with a Pesto Cream Sauce - $12.95 (with Grilled Chicken add $3.00; with Shrimp add $4.00)
Oven-roasted Breast of Chicken served with a Wild Mushroom Sauce, Red Skin Smashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables - $14.95
Oven-seared Filet of Salmon served on a bed of Spanish Rice with a Lemon Herb Sauce - 421.95

Desserts:
Chocolate Lava Cake - $3.95
Home-made Key Lime Pie - $3.95
White Chocolate Raspberry New York Cheesecake - $4.25

If you're really serious about your fish Fulton's Crab House is a short walk away, but Cap'n Jack's stands ready if you'd like a somewhat more informal meal at somewhat lower prices. Plus, you can often get a table at Cap'n Jack's without a priority seating.

You can check the menus for Fulton's Crab House at Deb Wills' site (http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm).

Review written on 9/23/99