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REVIEW: We’re Putting Disney World’s Newest Restaurant to the Test


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When it comes to dining at Disney World, you’ve got a TON of options. Want something quick and easy? You’ve got it. Something middle of the road and comforting? Yep, that too. And if you’re looking for something upscale and luxurious, you can find that as well.

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Welcome to Disney World

Now a new restaurant is about to hit Disney World, so we stopped by Bourbon Steak in Orange County, LA, to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is this the future of Disney World? We’re breaking it down here!

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We’re stopping by The Bourbon Steak because it is soon to be one of Disney World’s newest restaurants! This spot is owned by renowned Chef Michael Mina and will soon find its home at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort. To make way for this new spot, Shula’s Steakhouse is closing, so we’ve decided to put it to the test before it even gets to Orlando.

Atmosphere

The Bourbon Steak we stopped by is located inside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Dana Point, CA. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a hostess, and as they walked us to our table, we passed through huge glass cases of wine and spirits!

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The wine!

We were given a beautiful table front and center to a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, and even got to watch a beautiful sunset! The entire restaurant was sophisticated thanks to its simple and classic design.

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The bar!

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

To start us off, we did a full scan of the menu! There were sections for Shellfish Platters, Petrossian Mina Reserve Caviar, as well as appetizers and salads.

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The menu!

We also noted several options from the Wood-Fire Grill, signature entrees, and accompaniments. With so many options, it was hard to pick (but luckily we did!) And now, onto the main event — the food!

Eats

First up, we started with an amuse-bouche of their famous Duck Fat Fries Trio!  The trio consisted of 3 different seasoned fries, fried in duck fat and served with a dipping sauce that complemented each type of fries. There were Pastrami Fries with Ketchup, which had almost a tart vinegar taste and weren’t overly tart. The Pastrami spiced fries had a perfect amount of salt and seasonings that paired well with the ketchup. Second was the Garlic Herb Fries with a  Black Truffle Aioli. They were creamy with the perfect amount of tart and garlic. Paired with the garlic herb seasoning, this combo went so well together.

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The fries!

Finally, we had the Dill Fries with Onion Crema. These were our favorites as they were tart, rich, and thick. It honestly tasted like a high-end tartar sauce! The dill seasoning complemented the tartness from the crema. Shortly after the fries, we were each given a Truffle-Infused Brioche Roll with truffle butter and sea salt on top.

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The roll!

This might be one of the best dinner rolls we’ve ever had! It was steaming hot with the perfect amount of truffle butter inside. The outer crust had a nice bite, and the inside was fluffy and soft.

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The inside!

 

For our first appetizer, we grabbed the Michael’s Ahi Tuna Tartare for $34. This is made with pear, pine nut, garlic, mint, and habanero sesame oil.

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The Tuna Tartare

This guy did not disappoint! It was tossed together at our table side, which allowed the waiter to go into detail about what was in the dish. The quality of the fish was amazing, and it melted in our mouths. It was a great balance of sweet and spicy. The bread was also toasted to perfection, making this one of the highlights of our meal. Next, we moved on to our entrées and sides. 

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A glance at everything!

We grabbed the 8-oz Filet for $78. The filet was accompanied by a roasted tomato, and the steak itself was cooked to a perfect medium rare with a warm pink center.

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The filet!

To add to our steak, we grabbed the Trio of Sauces for $12. You can get them individually for $5 each. Of the options, we tried the Creamy Horseradish, Red Wine Jus, and the Au Poivre. Out of the 3, the Red Wine Jus was our favorite! It was thick and hearty, and had such an incredible red wine taste that complemented the filet beautifully.

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The sauce trio!

The Creamy Horseradish was a little too bland for our tastes. The Au Poivre was a peppercorn sauce, which was very tasty and had a great pepper aftertaste! Overall, the filet could stand alone, without the sauces, as it was seasoned very well and super juicy, but they were a fun addition.

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The cut of the steak!

For our sides, we tried the Black Truffle Mac & Cheese for $21! This dish lacked that strong truffle flavor, making it a bit of a disappointment.

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The truffle mac!

It was creamy, and the noodles were cooked well, slightly past al dente, making the noodles nice and soft.

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A scoop of the macaroni

Our second side was the Crispy Brussels Sprouts with a Soy Lime Caramel for $17! This dish was the star of the show!

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The Brussels!

The Brussels sprouts were roasted perfectly. They had a great crunch and were soft on the inside. The sauce smothered the vegetables, and we need a bottle of it sent to our homes ASAP!

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A bit of everything!

For a little something sweet, we’ve got three options! First was the OC Candy Bar for $19! This was probably our favorite of the three desserts.

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The Candy Bar!

It was decorated beautifully with 24k Gold. Inside was a peanut butter crunch, and outside was the most decadent Valrhona Chocolate Brownie. It tasted like an elevated Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup! Next, we tried the Wam Spiced Beignets for $18.

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The warm beignets

These featured Macallan 12, which was poured over a butterscotch custard. The waitress shared with us that during their cooking process, the Macallan alcohol content is not cooked out, and it remains its full proof, so this is definitely not a treat for kids. They were soft, fluffy, and a wonderful addition to the meal. Finally, we tried the Basque Cheesecake for $17. 

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The cheesecake!

The cheesecake was unlike anything we have ever tried before! The baking process allows for the outer layer of the cheesecake to be crystallized. Which gave a nice crack, almost reminiscent of a crème brûlée.  The roasted strawberries were perfectly sweet and not too soggy.

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The three desserts!

They were the perfect end to a truly wonderful meal, but let’s talk drinks!

Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Smoked Old Fashioned for $64.  This is made with your choice of Angles Envy Mina Private Barrel Bourbon or Whistlepig 10-year Single Barrel Rye.

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The old-fashioned!

It’s mixed with sugar, Orinoco Bitters, and an orange peel used to generously spritz into the glass and placed into the glass as a garnish. The bartender even stamps their logo of Bessy the Cow into the ice block, giving that little extra charm. It was made tableside. The drink was smoky until the final sip ,which we loved. 

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A glance at the bourbons.

We also tried the Espresso Martini. It had a beautiful fragrance, and the espresso was incredible!! Disney follows us everywhere, so of course, we were convinced we were served this incredible martini with a hidden Mickey from the espresso beans!

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Our Espresso Martini!

It was the perfect balance of alcohol and espresso.

Nosh or Not

Once it opens, this Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

  • You want a more adult meal
  • You’re willing to spend the money for quality
  • and you want to try a new spot once it opens!

You should skip this spot if…

  • You are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere
  • You aren’t a big fan of steak
  • or you don’t want to go out of your way to dine at a resort.

Overall

Overall, this is the epitome of “you get what you pay for”! While the meal was pricy, the experience and quality of the food justified the price in our opinion. We can’t wait to see how this spot turns out once it opens in Disney World later in 2025 at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort.

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The full spread!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

The Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2025

Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!

The post REVIEW: We’re Putting Disney World’s Newest Restaurant to the Test first appeared on the disney food blog.

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