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Tokyo Dining
(photos below)
Newly opened in early October 2007, the
restaurants upstairs in the Mitsukoshi Department Store in the
Japan pavilion have been completely remodeled and redesigned.
Where there were once three venues--Teppanyaki Dining Rooms,
Tempura Kiku, and the Matsu No Ma Lounge, now there are two--Teppan
Edo and Tokyo Dining. The decor has been upgraded to reflect
the more austere contemporary Japanese styling, with its
understated elegance and very open feel.
On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Aronda and
friends dined at Tokyo Dining shortly after it opened for
dinner at 3:30 P.M. Neither of the two restaurants allows
reservations at this time--just walk up the huge stairway
leading up from the plaza and you'll be welcomed into the
building, and (for now, at least) you'll be shown to your
table shortly (we expect this restaurant to "catch
on" very quickly, so we're not sure that the reservation
policy will remain as it is right now).
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, a cast
member, with a polite bow, will open the door for you, and
you'll be able to discuss your dining preferences and view
menus to decide which restaurant is right for you. Once you've
reached your decision, you're shown to the check in podium for
the restaurant of your choice. Aronda and her friends decided
on Tokyo Dining, which is located toward the end of the
building facing World Showcase Lagoon. With the separate
lounge removed, the large windows overlooking Epcot allow
plenty of natural light to enter--and the view is fantastic,
even if your table is situated closer to the opposite end of
the dining room.
The menu is a bit complicated (at least it was
for Aronda's party, as they're not very familiar with Japanese
cuisine), but you receive plenty of very courteous help from
all staffers, especially your server, who is obviously very
concerned that you enjoy yourself! Speaking of courtesy--the
diners are treated with the highest degree of courtesy and
kindness here! Your server keeps a close eye on you all the
time, making sure you're pleased with the food, that you have
everything you need, and that you're just generally having a
great time. The service is rendered with very formal Japanese
etiquette, but all the while very open and friendly. You'll
also notice that each server makes her "entrance"
from the center of the ever-changing mural at the middle of
the back wall.
The food here is terrific! There's plenty of
sushi offerings, including a sweet potato, gourd and sesame
seed sushi item which proved to be exquisite. One of Aronda's
friends ordered the deep-fried chicken breast. It came with
two very large, but very thin, boneless breasts, served with a
dipping sauce which resembled (and tasted like) barbeque
sauce. Served with the fried chicken was a bowl of rice, some
wasabi-flavored mashed potatoes, and a garnish of some steamed
vegetables (the okra was a very nice--and unexpected--touch!).
Another party ordered a tempura dish consisting of chicken,
shrimp and veggies, served with a tempura dipping sauce--all
very delicious indeed. The portions here are very
generous--you're not likely to leave hungry! The food
presentation is very elegant, and the taste is very fresh.
Surprisingly, there looks to be something on the menu for just
about every taste. We have the menus and will post them under
the links below as soon as possible.
The pricing is actually very affordable
here--the menu looks to be maybe two or three "dollar
signs," but the food quality itself feels more like at
least four! The Disney Dining Experience card is not accepted
here, but there was (at the time of Aronda's visit) a 10%
Annual Pass discount in effect. Be sure to ask your server
about available discounts for such things as Disney Dining
Experience, Annual Pass, Disney Vacation Club, etc. so as to
take advantage of any savings to which you may be entitled. If
you discover any new discounts not mentioned here, please contact
Aronda with this info so that we may update our
information!
The imposing entrance to the restaurants on the upper level
above Mitsukoshi Department Store
Entering the restaurant
Behind the vertical rail screens to the left is more seating
with a view to the sushi preparation area.
The view of World Showcase Lagoon is impressive even from
farther back inside the restaurant!
A large screen displays the
changing seasons as diners eat. Servers step to the middle of
the
screen along the wall before coming into the dining room when
serving food--a very nice effect!
Fried chicken breast entree
A tempura meal consisting
of chicken, shrimp and vegetables, along with white rice and
seaweed.
Sweet potato, gourd and
sesame seed sushi served with ginger and wasabi.
Lunch Menu (Coming soon!)
Dinner Menu (Updated
Wednesday, October 10, 2007)
Kid's Menu (see Dinner Menu above)
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