Rope-dropped today, with every blogger and lifestyler in Orlando, and plenty of tourists who just wandered up besides. Line for table quickly grew t0 1.5 hours, with 40 minute waits for dessert, they ran out of chocolate ice cream just 2 hours into open.
That said ... very high on this place. The drink menu is the highlight. Loved Florida Brewing's Too Chocolate Stout--surprisingly light for a stout, smooth with a definite chocolate flavor. Also had a chocolate old fashioned--took some getting used to but I'm a fan, sampled the chocolate mule and the very old fashioned and liked those as well. This menu is basically what Disney was going for with Abracadabar. Unique modern twists on old standards. The freshly grated white chocolate used as a garnish is amazing.
Food menu is clearly inspired by Cheesecake Factory--it's even presented as a book. I found the quality of the entrees on a par with one of the higher end chains--Bonefish probably the best example (or CF, natch). Not on a Boathouse fine dining level, but better than Applebees/Chilis/Tipsy McStagger's. For the price--most everything $16ish or less, before AP discount--that's a bargain.
@ReelJustice will be happy to know probably half the entrees/apps incorporate chocolate in some way. For example, the wings are basted in a reduced chocolate stout/coffee glaze. BTW, you get like 9 for your order, not 3.
Dessert portions are not as outrageous as the initial wave of pics suggested. The milkshakes are about the size you'd get at Steak & Shake, once you strip away the garnishes. Similarly, friend and I each had a sundae--it's not a Kitchen Sink, probably not even a No Way Jose. It's a 2-scoop sundae with a ton of whipped cream, other garnishes (all of which were high quality). Ice cream was good, not best ever--peanut butter better than vanilla. But presentation was over-the-top, made it feel like you were getting more than just ice cream. Whoever described this as the "Instagram restaurant" nailed it.
Atmosphere was very well done, little details everywhere. The walk-around characters were fun, tho Penelope seemed to do more rounds than the robot. Service was impeccable, other than the kitchen delays which I can forgive the first day.
I see this quickly becoming the go-to celebration spot for birthdays, etc. in southwest Orlando. Fun and on the affordable side of fancy.
BTW, I think this has been asked, based on labels in the gift shop, chocolate is from Schakolad, a well known and well respected chocolate company based out of Kissimmee.