Restaurant Review: Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park

Posted August 15, 2012 by Kelly Lewis

Located at the end of the new Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park is the Carthay Circle Restaurant. WIth it's iconic architecture, a warm and friendly ambience, and a deliciously seasonal menu - this is one Disney dining experience you don't want to miss.

This new Disney Californa Adventure Park landmark is hard to miss, with its ornate Spanish Revival architecture and central tower. The exterior of the building itself is modeled after, but is not an exact replica of, the original Carthay Circle Theatre where Walt Disney first premiered the "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937. Inside, the first-floor foyer décor features photos and artifacts from the premiere, in addition to other Disney Archives.

As you head upstairs to the dining room and terrace, you'll be surrounded by elegant, custom woodwork, artwork and a beautiful center atrium skylight. Photos featuring Walt Disney and his wife, Lillian, in formal attire at movie premieres and celebrations of accomplishments by The Walt Disney Company line the walls, creating a feeling of a premiere "after-party" that you've been invited to.

While the architecture is amazing, and interior evokes the grand elegance of a classic movie premiere, the ambience of the restaurant and lounge is still very warm and extremely family friendly. Even though the restaurant may be "informal," the food is definitely not!

Carthay Circle Restaurant

With a menu created by award-winning Executive Chef Andrew Sutton (executive chef at Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge), you can be sure that the food served at the Carthay Circle Restaurant is absolutely delicious.

Chef Sutton describes the menu as “Southern California cuisine – breezy, light and fresh,” and I'd have to agree.

The menu offers five varieties of sustainable fish, both wild and farmed, in dishes such as sushi-grade yellowtail grilled with jerk spice, topped with a tropical salsa of pineapple, mango, black beans and lime, and Sierra Golden trout roasted with couscous, lemon and oil.

All of the vegetables are hand selected at the Santa Monica market and local farms, ensuring the Carthay Circle Restaurant serves the best of the best local produce.

The restaurant hasn't forgotten it's "roots," and old-fashioned dishes such as “liver and onions” get a modern twist with crispy fried chicken livers, served with a salad with buttermilk dressing, bacon and onions.

For those of you who like to enjoy a nice wine with your meal, the restaurant features a friendly wine program which includes both Old and New World wines, with a focus on California vintages.

One can't forget the kids. After all this is the Disneyland Resort! Kids can choose from fun creations such as sloppy joes with house-made slaw, pasta and mini crispy tacos, or a beef filet or fish for dinner.

Carthay Circle Lounge

Located downstairs, the Carthay Circle Lounge is the place for a quick meal, shared plates and a glass of wine, craft beer or handcrafted seltzer soda.

The Lounge menu is divided into "Bites," "Rolls," "Snacks," "Small Plates" and "Finger Desserts." Tastes range from hot shrimp with a chilled spicy tomato shooter to duck confit sliders with apricot conserve, watercress, crisp onions and Taleggio cheese.

Appetizers are paired with handcrafted classic cocktails, California craft beers and world-class wines. Handcrafted, classic cocktails using the art of mixology, muddled with seasonal fresh fruit are a specialty.

World of Color Viewing

Each guest who orders an appetizer and entrée or an entrée and dessert at the Carthay Circle Restaurant, will receive complimentary, center-stage viewing for the “World of Color” nighttime, water spectacular on Paradise Pier Bay. Lunch guests and guests who have dinner before 7 p.m. will receive tickets to the first “World of Color” show; guess who dine after 7 p.m. will receive tickets to the second show.