Thank you to Fulton’s Crab House for inviting me to dine!
Fulton’s Crab House
Update: Fulton’s Crab House is now Paddlefish. See the updated review here.
Despite having worked at Walt Disney World many moons ago, I’d never eaten at Fulton’s Crab House. The graceful steamboat housing this classic seafood restaurant is permanently moored at Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs), and was once known as the Empress Lily after Walt Disney’s wife.
More changes are in the works as Fulton’s will be closing temporarily between April and November of this year to undergo a renovation. Luckily, I got a chance to visit Fulton’s to try out the food and record the charming nautical atmosphere before any changes are made.
Chef Mark Boor greeted us at the beginning of the meal and offered to prepare a variation of the restaurant’s signature appetizer, the Seafood Tower (our version is pictured at top).
This stunning tower included an assortment of hot and cold seafood specialities, such as these lobster corn dogs. These bites on a stick were large pieces of lobster dipped in a light batter and fried until crisp.
The crab ceviche was delightfully flavored with fresh lime and peppers.
Fulton’s Crab House stone crab claws were served chilled with a side of mustard for dipping.
The raw oysters were fresh from the Gulf of Mexico and served with a tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce.
The ahi tuna cups contained squares of ahi tuna atop a bed of slender vegetable shreds tossed in a sweet and savory sauce.
We also ordered the fried calamari, which came with a fried pepper or two mixed in, plus a wedge of lemon and a sweet hoisin sauce for dipping.
For entrees, I selected the crab cake BLT (one of the restaurants best-selling items), while my husband went with the queen crab.
Since we had sampled so much fine seafood, we decided to share a dessert instead of ordering them individually. There’s no better finish to a marine meal than Key lime pie, and this one was perfectly executed. Bucking the trend of miniature desserts, it was generously sized and well suited for sharing.
I enjoyed our visit to Fulton’s so much that I regret not having visited before. I’m anxious to return after the renovation to enjoy the view and the cuisine once again.
Visiting Walt Disney World? Check out my review of Sanaa!
Summer @ Coffee With Summer
February 11, 2016 at 1:09 pmI love the view out the window! This looks like such a lovely place if you love seafood. The arrangement of each plate looks beautiful.
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:01 pmAnother area of the restaurant has a beautiful view overlooking the lake!
Jessica Harlow
February 11, 2016 at 1:10 pmAs a native Mainer, I have a deep appreciation for good seafood. I can’t decide what I’d like to try the most! From your photos, I’m enamored with the raw oysters and crab ceviche! Our next trip to Disney will include a visit to Fulton’s for a meal!
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:02 pmI wasn’t sure what I would think of the crab ceviche, but it turned out to be one of my favorites. If they served it with a pile of warm tortillas, I’d be in seventh heaven. 🙂
Jennifer
February 11, 2016 at 9:39 pmMy mouth is watering from these photos! I love seafood but couldn’t tell you the last time that I had it. After this I will have to make a visit to Fultons!
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:03 pmIf your mouth is watering, then I’m doing a good job. 🙂
Echo
February 11, 2016 at 10:58 pmI am not a huge seafood fan, but maybe that is because I have never truly had really fresh seafood! All of this looks so delicious and fresh. Plus, that key lime pie would be an amazing finisher!
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:04 pmIt was truly phenomenal stuff. And you are absolutely right about the pie!
Felicita Moncada
February 12, 2016 at 8:53 amThe food looks amazing! Those crab corn dogs? Yum! I prefer hot seafood but the cold crab legs look delicious! I’ll definitely need to visit there one day for some delicious seafood!
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:05 pmI love hot seafood, too, like the calamari, but the chilled crab was just wonderful. Over the top decadent.
Melissa
February 12, 2016 at 12:55 pmWow this place looks like the real deal! I would love to check it out if I am ever in the area. Here in Cedar Rapids, they just don’t have many good places to get a good meal. I especially miss having a good seafood meal since growing up near the ocean. I want to head out to this place for sure!
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:05 pmWe are lucky to live in the Orlando area, which has experienced a real boom in the restaurant scene in the past decade.
[email protected]
February 12, 2016 at 1:09 pmEven though I am not a seafood fan I do love the way the food is prepared. It looks so creative and delicious. And crab corn dogs? Very smart idea.
Katie
February 12, 2016 at 9:06 pmThose corn dogs are a real hit with guests, I think. They’re quite a unique signature item!
Angie
February 14, 2016 at 10:52 pmYum, that looks totally delicious. I like their presentation too, what a lovely way to plate the food. Lucky you for getting to eat there.
Katie
February 16, 2016 at 4:16 pmYes, I loved the presentation too. Made it easy to shoot!