Nearly a year ago, Flying Fish reopened after a lengthy refurbishment closure. Disney Food Blog visited on the very first day that it reopened (here’s that review for reference).

While we gave full marks to the beautiful interior and excellent service, and we found some bright spots to celebrate on the revamped menu, we were frankly underwhelmed. The restaurant had abandoned long time cult favorites like their Potato Wrapped Snapper and the Char-crusted Certified Black Angus New York Strip Steak, purportedly in the name of those hot, buzzy themes of sustainability and seasonality. Fine.

But while everything was indeed fine, it was no longer special. It was no longer my favorite spot to get a last minute signature restaurant advance dining reservation and KNOW that it was going to be fabulous.

Well, we’re a year in now. And I was anxious to see what, if anything, had changed. Had they returned those amazing signature dishes to the menu? Was the menu completely different from a year ago, owing to the use of seasonal ingredients and sustainable seafood choices? Were they celebrating local?

Only one way to find out. Time to head in. [Read more…]