Tink Tested: Columbia Harbour House Lunch

Location: Liberty Square in The Magic Kingdom
Meals Served: L, D

Type of Cuisine: American fare with nods to New England

Dining Plan: Yes
Full Menu: Columbia Harbor House Lunch
Atmosphere: Colonial New England meeting house

Fun Stuff: If the Cast notices you wearing a birthday pin when you approach the counter to pick up your food, they will bust out a loud, boisterous birthday song. Every. Time. They. See. A. Birthday. Pin. 

Stand out dishes: Lobster Roll, Battered Fish Plate, Grilled Salmon, Seasonal Cobbler
Best Use of Dining Plan Point: Lobster Roll or Grilled Salmon ($12.49) + Seasonal Cobbler or Chocolate Cake ($4.29) + Iced Coffee ($4.69) = $21.47

Experience: K and I chose Columbia Harbour House mostly because we happened to be standing near it when K demanded lunch the other day, when we were playing in The Kingdom. I know many people who LOVE Columbia Harbour House, but I hadn't eaten there in ages. Almost every time that the fam and I get quick service lunch in The Magic Kingdom, we go to Pecos Bill's. You can't go wrong with burgers really and The Hubs isn't a big seafood fan, but since he wasn't with us, I thought I'd give Columbia Harbour House a try.      
     Located right across from The Haunted Mansion, this location is more tucked away than some of the bigger counter service places like Cosmic Ray's and Pecos Bill's. Themed to look like a colonial meeting house, there are cool replicas of artifacts all over, and it really does feel like you're in colonial times. When you first enter, it may seem like seating is pretty limited, but there are several different rooms to choose from, AND a whole second floor of seating, which meany Guests don't even know is there, so it's usually pretty easy to get a table up there. 
     The menu is heavy on seafood, but there are salads and chicken tenders available for the non-fish eaters in the group. Healthy options are easy to find too, with the Grilled Salmon being a favorite dish of many. They do have an allergy menu on hand, and we found plenty of options for K, including chicken fingers, which is what he chose. I went with the Grilled Salmon. We did run into some trouble, the way I always do when I'm alone with K, since I had to carry the food tray and navigate pushing the stroller to look for a seat. Once we grabbed a table, I realized that all of the condiments, silverware, straws and napkins were at stations, which happened to be nowhere near our table. Luckily a gentleman who was cleaning around the restaurant saw that my struggle was real, and he grabbed straws and napkins for me, while I wrangled K into his highchair. 
     The food was actually great! The salmon was flavorful and not overly spiced or salted. The couscous was light and had bits of chopped onion and red pepper in it. I was given a massive portion of broccoli. K's egg-free chicken fingers were all white meat and tasted great. In fact, he ate two whole chicken fingers, which he almost never does. His portion of fries and grapes that accompanied his chicken were plenty big. In fact, K and I could have easily shared a meal. It felt like such a waste but I just could not finish my couscous and broccoli, and K had tons of fries left over. So, if you have a big appetite, this is the place for you! You'll get plenty of fresh, tasty food. 

     I really enjoyed my meal here and am so glad I tried it again. I think next time I'd try the Battered Fish, because that looked great! I will probably never try the Lobster Roll though, because us New Englanders know that you can't top an actual Boston lobster roll, so why be disappointed? 

Tink's Tots Try It Out: According to K (2 yo boy)  K, did you like Columbia Harbour House for lunch?   Yes, Mamma. I eat da chickin fingis, then I ride da Teacups.   Yes, I know you rode the Teacups for the very first time, huh?   Yeah, I love 'em.   And did you love the chicken fingers too?   Um..... yeah. We go ride Teacups now?   No, not now, Buddy. We are back at home now.   I ride Teacups tamarra?   Yeah, I don't know about riding the Teacups tomorrow. We will see.   Ooooookkkkkkk, Mamma. (He says with a sly grin that says, "I know you can't resist this face.")

Will we be back: I am sure that the next time I am in The Magic Kingdom with my mom and we need to grab lunch, we will come here. She likes seafood a lot, and it's nice to have an option that is different from burgers and fries.