Review of Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World, Florida

Wolfgang Puck Café is located on the West Side of Downtown Disney. There are actually three Puck restaurants together here so be sure you're entering the right one. (Wolfgang Puck Grand Café dining room, Wolfgang Puck Café, and Wolfgang Puck Express) We chose the Café because it is considered a Table Service on the Disney Dining Plan. We were on Disney's new Deluxe Dining Plan and were looking forward to trying this restaurant. We had heard so many bad things about this restaurant, (crowded, noisy, and overpriced) but wanted to give it a fair try. We had been once in 2000 and only ordered sushi, it was at night and I must say it was crowded. However, this time when we dined we found exactly the opposite. Our reservations were for 1:30 pm on a Thursday afternoon and the place was practically empty.

When the waitress came out she asked if we were on the dining plan. She also checked our card to make sure we were really on the deluxe plan. (You can also purchase a basic dining plan but appetizers are not included.) She then asked if we had any food allergies. I told her that I was allergic to macadamia nuts. I was placing my order for their fried Calamari when she said she needed to check with the Chef and that she would be right back. In no time at all, the Chef was in front of me explaining that the calamari is fried in the same oil that the Macadamia Nut Crusted Breast of Chicken is fried in. He recommended that I try something else to be on the safe side. I enjoyed talking to one of the Chefs and was very grateful for his advice. This was our first meal since arriving, and I would have hated to spend our whole vacation in the hospital!

I ended up ordering the artichoke dip with Parmesan flatbread ($12) and hubby ordered the Asian style vegetable spring rolls ($10). While waiting on the appetizers to arrive we snacked on some fresh baked bread and dipped it into olive oil. Our six year old and us filled up on the bread rather quickly so we didn't eat all of our appetizers, knowing that if we did, we would not have room for our entrees.

Sushi did not count as an appetizer on the dining plan but could count as an entrée. I was worried that it would not be enough to eat since I order several items when we go to our favorite sushi bar. I did end up ordering the Daily Sushi Special ($15) as my entrée and it contained spicy tuna inside the roll topped with salmon and more tuna. When the sushi arrived, it had six large pieces. It was very good and filling. I actually ended up leaving one piece behind on my plate. My husband ordered the Chicken Caesar Salad, which was had a huge pile of lettuce, and our daughter ordered the tic-tac-toe pizza. My husband and I both commented on how good our daughter's pizza looked when it came out. It was a huge piece of pizza for a six year old. We wanted to try it but alas, we were to full.

We ordered our dessert to go, knowing that we couldn't eat another bite at the table. I ordered the Key Lime Pie and hubby ordered the cheesecake. Our daughter skipped dessert and got something instead at Goofy's Candy Company.

If you're on the deluxe dining plan, this is an excellent use of a table service credit for lunch. We normally would not have ordered so much food, especially dessert. The staff here was very friendly, attentive, and accommodating. The food was fresh and served at all the right temperatures. We will definitely return here the next time were at Downtown Disney.