My husband and I dined at Steakhouse 71 two weeks ago. The backstory: I'd sprained my left ankle a few days before; I had a brace and ibuprofen and didn't need a
scooter/wheelchair but I wasn't 100%. The night before we were out late as we went to the opening of
Jollywood Nights and had our worst time ever while on a Disney vacation (we are usually pretty go with the flow and can have fun anywhere, but that event really tried our patience). We got up early that morning for the Keys to the Kingdom tour - absolutely amazing - but that was five hours of walking and my ankle started to protest. We then went to Trader Sam's Terrace at the Poly - it was a three hour wait for the Grotto but we've been to
Disneyland's Trader Sam's many times so we were fine with outdoors - but our server made it clear unless we kept the drink orders consistently coming we weren't very welcome. So we ordered multiple rounds but we also got the message and went back to the Contemporary, where we were staying, as soon we gulped everything down. By the time our stomachs told us it was time for dinner, we were feeling out of sorts and disgruntled with everything Disney. Our friend decided to grab dinner on his own at the Contempo Cafe, but my husband - until recently a vegetarian who added poultry and fish to his diet just before the trip and a picky eater - was craving something, anything green and nicely prepared to eat. Like the side dishes at Steakhouse 71.
There were no ADRs available, but we went downstairs anyway. I thought perhaps the lounge would be able to serve us off the restaurant menu, but that was a no go. However, the hostess at the check-in desk was incredibly wonderful and she found us a table, knowing he just wanted to order side dishes. As soon as our server learned we weren't drinking alcohol (sorry, Trader Sam's got our cocktail dollars) and we weren't ordering steaks - a smallish check, in other words - the service turned icy. Now I'm wondering if it's the same server! Acting as if he didn't want to be there absolutely describes him. Still, the food nailed what we were craving. We got the brioche bread, my husband had his broccolini and asparagus and I had the Vegetable Wellington which was delicious and filling. We tipped lavishly despite the ice and wrote a note on the check, thanking the restaurant for accomodating us, and left a cast compliment for the hostess on the app.
And that night turned our trip around. We had an absolute blast the rest of our vacation (we still had a week left) and that was the last time we grumbled on the trip, whether at Disney or at each other. So Steakhouse 71 has a fond place in my heart now.