Great Maple - Anaheim — Restaurant in Anaheim

Upon checking in for our reservation the host was warm and welcoming.

As we walked to our table there was a dirty table that was pre-bussed, but it was not busy so I feel like it could have been wiped already since it had been pre-bussed.

We sat at a table right at the edge of the roll up windows which was great.

The overall feel and ambiance is chill with a slight feeling of that up scale modern dining experience.

Our Server was very warm and welcoming as well, although we did not get a menu overview with recommendations. I did ask after the fact and the server had a good basic knowledge of the menu and  was able to give recommendations.

This may be a little thing but the Seasonal Menu that we were given had a few rough edges that my eyes and hands caught. I think for a restaurant who is that up scale modern dining I expected the menus to be in better condition but this was a little thing.

The first item up is the Portobello Mushroom Fries.

I actually am not a huge fan of mushrooms but these were good. I'm not a fan of the breading but it did not feel as heavy as it looked. The pesto aioli was good and the vreading ratio was good. the flavors all together went well together although I may be missing some acidity to lighten the dish. For someone who does not like mushrooms except when on pizza, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the dish.

Omg, the entrees, here we go:

The Ribeye Melt, at first I was worried that I saw more veggies than ribeye but it is definitely in there. The flavors are so harmonious and the ribeye is cooked beautifully. The fries are pretty standard.

My wife got the NY strip and it was cooked perfectly. She ordered it Med-Well. She also got the truffle fries and we both agreed it had just enough of that truffle flavor to not be overpowering and every bite had flavor. The Arugula Salad compliments the butteriness of the steak. The Vinegrette gives a little acidity but it could use just a little bit more will really elevate it. We drizzled some lemon on it and BAM. They even rendered the fat on the steak as well. You can tell that whoever cooked this dish put some great attention to it.

So the Peach Doughnuts were more dense than we were expecting but the taste was great and the crunchy exterior was actually nice. They were not overly sweet but could probably be just a tad on the sweeter end. The fruit medley on top was also not very sweet either. Taste and Flavor was pretty much there but I wouldn't call it a doughnut. They did sit for a few minutes as I waited for my wife to come back from the restroom.

Timing on the dishes was also near perfect. The pacing of the meal was amazing which I expect on a slow lunch service.

Overall I would definitely come back and try the other dishes. I would recommend this place to not only Guests of the park but also just anyone looking for a good meal.

Notes: They are closed between 2pm - 5pm to reset for Dinner Service. They have the same menu All Day, so don't feel pressured to get in...

Update 9/2024 - After a third visit, the food and service continues to be subpar. You cannot be charging these prices and then deliver lukewarm food, stale doughnuts and have us sitting around for fifteen minutes after being seated.

Original Review:

Living in Anaheim and having been to and a fan of both the San Diego and Newport locations, I thought someone was playing a joke on me when it was first announced that Great Maple was coming to essentially my backyard. I've always considered going to the other locations as a nice treat for ourselves since it has always been a great experience. You can imagine my disappointment after not getting the same experience at the new Anaheim location. This location has some kinks to iron out.

We made a reservation via the Disneyland app a few days in advance and checked in when we arrived via the app as well. We received a text to hang out and after ten minutes past our reservation time, we went to the desk to inquire how much longer and were then seated immediately. It seems the staff either hasn't been trained on the Disneyland app check-in process or they simply refuse to acknowledge it. The restaurant was not busy at ~1:45 PM on a Sunday, for reference for the rest of this review.

Service was subpar, we were seated for about ten minutes before anyone came over and we could tell this was going to be an issue so we ordered everything at once. We watched as food came out from the kitchen and continuously was brought to the wrong table, including our own food. When we did receive our order (before our drinks), we noticed the chilaquiles portion was SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than the portion at the other locations. We knew this because we usually split the dish and can barely finish between the two of us. Here in Anaheim, it wasn't even close. I get the Disney tax where everything is going to be more expensive on property, but you cannot shrink the portion too, pick one or the other. Our waiter only came by once or twice to check on things, no drink refills, a lot of what appeared to be managers walking the floor who didn't bother to come over to us at any point unlike the other locations. A really deflating experience, and more expensive than usual to add insult to injury.

I'm sure we'll give this location another shot in the future but these issues need to be worked out. It's really surprising since the other locations operate like well oiled machines.

TLDR - Expensive, small portions and...

Our small party of four had an excellent first experience at Great Maple in the Pixar Place Hotel. The walk-up wait for a Sunday for lunch wasn't too bad—15-20 minutes. Our exceptional and upbeat server was Gigi, who explained the day's specials, gave menu recommendations, and kept us happy during our visit.

We started with drinks and shareables. My family ordered a couple of Maple Bacon Old Fashioned cocktails and a beer, and I got a Cali Carajillo. The old-fashioned was okay; the bourbon used was a "Bacon washed Four Roses Bourbon," according to the website, but not on the menu. If you like coffee cocktails, try the Cali Carajillo. I prefer a carajillo with large cubed ice, but this was still satisfying. If you enjoy tropical vacation cocktails, try the Tropical Merm-ade. It's a refreshing tiki drink in a cool tiki glass.

On to the food. Everyone ordered something different. Overall, everyone enjoyed what they got. We started with the Famous Maple Bacon Donuts, which were impressive when brought to the table. They are very sweet and doughy, with tasty bacon bits and maple bacon glaze. The Thick-Cut Smoked Bacon was also an excellent starter. Who doesn't love bacon?!

The Chef's Market Fish special was a mahi mahi taco, which my bro enjoyed. The salmon entrée and the Steakhouse Burger were just okay. I ordered the Rib Eye Melt. This was a hearty meal; the flavor was delicious overall, the buttered bread was toasty, and the ribeye was tender. My only issue was that it was too salty for me. I could only eat half of the sandwich and took the other half home.

I would come back again to experience friendly, attentive service, chill Disney vibes, and try more menu items. We didn't need reservations, but it doesn't hurt to set one up to guarantee a dining spot, especially for larger parties. There were many tables and bar seating available after our lunch. Indoor and patio seating are available.

Disney Magic Key discounts apply!! Also, don't forget to check out the awesome Pixar decor and art around the hotel lobby. I love the music playing around the...