 | Overall Rating: 3 StarsWhen Pixar Pier first opened this place promised to live up to the legacy of both Ariel's Grotto and the Cove Bar - and does it deliver! The food is playful and tasty, the drinks are imaginative and the atmosphere is trendy but totally Pixar. The hype is real and for a good reason! |
Atmosphere: 4 Stars
The term "lounge" definitely describes this place. The upper floor is largely unchanged from the Cove Bar and features simple tables and chairs with shade, the bar and a view. The lower floor, though, feels like you're walking into a trendy LA restaurant with eclectic artwork on the walls, leather chairs, couches, outdoor fireplaces - you name it, they have it. If you look closer you'll notice that every single piece of art is from Pixar. Mostly they used pencil and concept sketches of scenes and characters and it reminds you how Pixar likes to think of themselves - Disney's hip younger brother (in a good way). Don't get me wrong, everything here is completely family friendly! Kids are even encouraged to join in the creative spirit. Their menus don't feature games but instead blank spaces and are given pencils to draw anything that comes to mind.
Food Quality: 4 Stars
The food is amazing! There's no other way to put it. They take this "gastro-pub" idea and run with it so that everything is simple but in a not-so-simple way. Kids can order PB&J but it's made to look like sushi. They have a regular cheeseburger but everything is homemade. Their only dessert is donuts but the raspberry dipping sauce has Pop Rocks in it. They also serve brunch, one of the few restaurants in the Disneyland Resort to specifically do so, and that has been equally surprising and good.
The drink menu is even more fun and equally delicious. Obviously this is first and foremost a bar. The upper lounge doesn't even serve the entire food menu. That said, there are drinks for everyone from the booze connoisseur to the virgin-everything junkie. Kids are welcome to eat here as well and have many options to choose from if they don't want a simple soda, milk or juice. I highly encourage everyone in your party to order something off the drink menu because it's part of the allure of the Lamplight Lounge. One look at the menu and you'll see this was the primary focus in the restaurant's design.
The drink menu is even more fun and equally delicious. Obviously this is first and foremost a bar. The upper lounge doesn't even serve the entire food menu. That said, there are drinks for everyone from the booze connoisseur to the virgin-everything junkie. Kids are welcome to eat here as well and have many options to choose from if they don't want a simple soda, milk or juice. I highly encourage everyone in your party to order something off the drink menu because it's part of the allure of the Lamplight Lounge. One look at the menu and you'll see this was the primary focus in the restaurant's design.
Value: 3 Stars
I lowered this score because (1) it can be difficult to get a reservation, (2) the food is slightly overpriced, but mostly because for all of that and the hype the internet gives this place (3) the menu is extremely limited. If you don't like the few things on the menu there's not enough variety to ensure you'll be covered. Most people are but I've been before when I had to convince myself to order something even though it didn't scream to me. I mentioned earlier - the main purpose of this place was for the drinks so if you primarily want food you won't be as pleased as if you wanted a cool place to chill, have a few drinks and snack as you go. You won't regret your decision either way, though, and it's a super fun place to try so stop by on your next trip.
