Steakhouse 71 - Disney Dining Enriched with History

Steakhouse 71 is one of the premier dining destinations at Walt Disney World. Located in the Contemporary Resort, this restaurant is perfect for a break from the Magic Kingdom or even for those who are getting a late start to their day. Getting its name from the year that the Magic Kingdom opened, the history of the resort is in the DNA of this dining experience. The contemporary theming and semi-formal atmosphere breathes a life of upscale dining into your Disney World trip. While the restaurant is child friendly, it would not be at the top of our list  to bring the little ones. There is not a lot of seating that is conducive to children and not as much entertainment for them as you will find at other dining options nearby. Additionally, the chairs themselves are a little on the smaller side, so for guests who prefer a little more space in their chair, I would recommend requesting a booth.

For this visit, we tried the lunch menu at around 1:00 pm. The food matches the high end atmosphere with its delectable taste. Each of the main courses comes with a side. The sandwiches and burgers have the option of Petite Caesar Salade, Parmesan Waffle Fries, or Pasta Salad. We opted to try the fries, and it was a great choice. The crispness of the fries was perfect. They are tossed in parmesan and seasoning that only enhances a basic fry to the next level. 

To start our main courses, we had the Steak Frites which was a 10oz hanger steak dressed with a chimichurri sauce and truffle aioli on the side. The recommendation from the waiter was to have it cooked medium or medium rare with the truffle aioli on the side and after trying his suggestion, we were in agreement. The cooking method gave it a tender chew that was matched by the slightly salty rub. When paired with the aioli and chimichurri it completely alters the flavor profile and balances the salt out. This meal comes paired with the Parmesan Waffle Fries which were outstanding when dipped in the aioli.

Next, we had the Prime Rib Sandwich. It consisted of flaky prime rib with caramelized onions, an herb aioli, provolone cheese, arugula, and a horseradish cream on a soft brioche bun. We recommend getting the cream on the side as it allows you to determine how much you want in each bite. The toasted bun and perfectly cooked prime rib made for a crunchy yet tender bite that is matched by the sweetness of the caramelized onion, the brightness of the herb aioli, and the bite of the arugula. The horseradish is surprisingly lighter than you would normally expect from the condiment.

For our third option we had the signature lunch dish of the restaurant, the Stack Burger. This burger is topped with pork belly, American cheese, lemon aioli, red onion, and house-made pickles: all on a toasted brioche bun. The perfectly cooked smash burgers consisted of a crispy exterior with a juicy tender interior, paired perfectly with the American cheese that balance out the saltiness of the seasoning. The pork belly adds a different texture to the burger that is very appealing in its chew and its flavor. The lemon aioli brings a bright zesty flavor to the burger that is unexpected but makes it stand out from any other burger we’ve ever had. The red onion and house-made pickles are burger staples that are often overlooked but play a significant role in the flavor profile of this amazing American classic.

From here, we moved onto the desserts. We tried the Vanilla Crème Brulee and the 15-layer Chocolate Cake. The cake, which reflects the 15 stories of the Contemporary Resort, is a moist and delectable cake with raspberry and bourbon notes woven throughout. The rich chocolate is cut by the brightness of the berry compote and the smokiness of the bourbon. The dessert is definitely meant for two as the size of the slice they give you is absolutely enormous.  The Crème Brule features a chocolate mousse followed by the signature vanilla crème and flamed sugar topped with fresh berries and fresh whipped cream on top. The smooth chocolate cuts the over the top sweetness of the vanilla crème and balanced out the entire dish while adding flavor notes to the profile that make this dessert one of a kind. The berries and whipped cream add a brightness to the dish that melds well with all of the flavors that you experience.

Overall, the elegance and style of the restaurant and the extremely satisfying menu made for an amazing lunch experience that we will certainly return to. The upscale feel is both relaxing and inviting. Steakhouse 71  is a great option for a midday break from the parks to relax and enjoy some air conditioning and some great food. This location is on our top ten list for lunch options.