Everything you Need to Know about Steakhouse 71
The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort closed for good during the summer.
Now, just in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, its replacement has opened to the public.
Here’s what you need to know about Steakhouse 71.
The Basics
You’ll find Steakhouse 71 on the first floor of the Contemporary’s lobby. Diners will walk past the hotel’s check-in desks to reach the location.
You’ll know that you’re in the right area because Disney has added thematic artwork outside the restaurant.
These pictures chronicle memorable moments from the construction of Walt Disney World.
As such, I highly recommend that you take the time to look at them. Of course, MickeyBlog saved you the trouble by posting them here.
Why does Disney display these pictures here? The restaurant’s name pays tribute to the Orlando theme park’s opening in 1971.
Disneyland Hotel once had a similarly named eatery called Steakhouse 55. Interestingly, that place closed for good before Steakhouse 71 opened.
The Restaurant Menu
Still, you’re not visiting Steakhouse 71 for the pictures or the history. You’re there for the food. And you can probably guess what’s on the menu.
Disney has committed to plant-based dining options across its theme park restaurants. Still, Steakhouses are gonna have lots of steaks.
Unexpectedly, the prices here strike me as reasonable bordering on cheap, at least by Disney standards.
I’m skipping ahead a bit, but a 10-ounce New York Strip here costs $34 at dinner.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano serves a vastly inferior charred strip steak for $33. So, the value at Steakhouse 71 appears tremendous.
I should mention that this place serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Most of the breakfast options are standard fare rather than steak intensive.
To wit, the Steakhouse 71 Feast includes two kinds of eggs, two kinds of meats, Mickey Waffles, and other stuff.
This meal costs just $20, which isn’t much more than what you’d pay on the fourth floor at the Contempo Café for the same stuff.
Meanwhile, the Steak and Eggs dish is only a dollar more at $21. And you can actually get Walt’s Prime Rib hash for $17, which is a steal.
Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert
At lunch, the prices go up some but not an unreasonable amount. Several entrees cost less than $20. That’s low pricing for any Table Service eatery.
You’ll also find some fascinating dishes, most notably Vegetable Wellington.
That’s Mushroom Duxelles and fire-roasted artichokes wrapped in a puff pastry. The vegan in your life will happily pay $26 for something this novel.
Still, most people visit a place with Steakhouse in the name for the steak. I’m one of those people, and the dinner menu here makes me salivate.
Options include a 6-ounce Sirloin Steak, 6-ounce Filet Mignon, 8-ounce Tenderloin Medallions, the 10-ounce New York Strip, and 12-ounce roasted prime rib.
These entrees range in cost from $29-$38. I cannot stress enough that Steakhouse 71’s prices are shockingly reasonable.
In truth, they’re in line with the previous menu from The Wave… of American Flavors.
You’ll find much better value here than Yachtsman Steakhouse, where steaks start at $54.
Also, Steakhouse 71 comes with a star finisher, the Insta-worthy Steakhouse 71 Chocolate Cake.
This dessert features 15 (!) layers of chocolate, raspberries, chocolate mousse, and even some whiskey.
Pictures of this cake have gone forever because it looks so decadent. It’ll be the best $11 you ever spend in your life.
Final Thoughts
Frequent guests at the Contemporary held a special place in our hearts for The Wave… of American Flavors.
However, the (lack of) crowds here reflected the fact that it was an underachieving restaurant.
Just in time for its 50th birthday, the Contemporary has injected some new life into the hotel lobby with Steakhouse 71.
This place looks fantastic and should draw larger crowds due to its excellent, affordable menu.
You should prioritize a meal here during your next Disney visit.