The Yak and Yeti Restaurant

Ask anyone who loves great food and most of them will agree- Disney World is a Mecca for culinary delights. No other place on earth offers as much variety or quality in one location, and even the mediocre meals are better than those found in many cities. With the Yak and Yeti, one of Disney's newest restaurants, the tradition of fantastic dining in a unique atmosphere continues.

The Yak and Yeti, which is actually owned by Landry's restaurants, opened in the Animal Kingdom Park in late 2007, citing Pan-Asian cuisine as their specialty. What exactly does that mean? Well, instead of the usual sushi or lo mein dishes from Japan or China that most people are familiar with, the menu here includes items from more southern Asian countries. While many menu items will sound familiar (wontons, beef and broccoli, or sweet and sour chicken), there are some that will be completely new (lettuce cups, pho, dim sum basket, or a number of glazes and sauces.) Don't let the names fool you! The dishes themselves are not quite as foreign as they sound, and as in any great restaurant, trying something new usually yields great results!

As you enter the Yak and Yeti, it's as if you've stepped straight into an ancient temple or tomb, the art is that authentic. Culture surrounds you. There is no lack of beautiful artworks, portraying a multitude of traditional characters and rituals of Southeast Asian culture and history. If for some reason the Yak and Yeti failed as a restaurant, it could still function as a museum. Both the upstairs and downstairs seating areas are decked out with paintings, tapestries and sculptures. As usual, Disney designers have provided a perfect atmosphere and setting for the meal that is soon to follow.

And, yes, the meal, the real reason for this visit. Well, after the breathtaking entrance, the meal was certainly not a disappointment. I ordered the pho, a lemon broth with rice noodles and poached shrimp. As is usually the case, the portions were huge! My bowl was filled to the brim with broth, and wasn't cheap on the shrimp either. It was served with a plate of bean sprouts, shredded carrots, and a couple of wonderful sauces, all to add at my leisure. Not only was it delicious, but I really couldn't even finish all of it. My fiancé had the sweet and sour chicken, which was no less fantastic. Again, it was a huge piece of chicken, served with garlic, bell peppers, pineapple, and a number of other garnishes. The chicken was some of the most tender I've ever had the pleasure of eating, and the sweet and sour glaze had something that made it just a little more unique than most restaurants. There wasn't anything more we could have desired. As an added bonus, we were right beside a window and got to watch the entire Jammin' Jungle Parade go by, without fighting the crowds. If you plan a meal during a parade time, ask if there's a chance of getting a window seat. As if the rest of the experience isn't great enough, that provides the icing on the cake!

The Yak and Yeti restaurant was amazing from start to finish. The menu was broad enough to entice adventurous eaters, yet still included tame selections for picky eaters, or children. (The descriptions of the items next to the scary sounding names are generally pretty familiar.) Once again, Disney has provided its guests with an A+ eatery on every level imaginable. Come to Asia and see what it has to offer!