The Food Was Not Undelicious: May 25-June 1, 2007!! Completed - Post #794 [Archive] - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

oybolshoi

06-18-2007, 11:06 PM

Sunday, May 27th - It's not Quite Breakfast; It's not Quite Lunch, but It Comes With a Slice of Cantaloupe at the End.

**Disclaimer** I have few pretty pictures to share with you in this installment. Not only were cameras frowned upon for this event, the concert hall was very dim and the few food pictures we tried to take did not turn out well. I will understand completely if you choose to skip this segment and return for a more picture-laden installment, the next of which will include breakfast at Kona Cafe and dinner at Flying Fish.**

House of Blues - Gospel Brunch

Jay and I are big fans of House of Blues - they have great food to go along with great music. To be quite honest, those were the real reasons we decided to attend the brunch in the first place. Not that it matters, but Jay and I are two of the least religious people you'll never meet. He's a self-proclaimed heretic who turned his back on his religious upbringing and I'm a heathen who's never been shown the light. For people who supposedly have no moral compass I think we're refreshingly ethical.

At any rate, we fully recognize the irony of our attending a Gospel Brunch, but just because we're not religious people doesn't mean we can't appreciate the music and spirit of those who are. And we've heard wonderful things about this event in Orlando. For those of you interested in attending some time, you must purchase your tickets from the HoB box office. I actually called and reserved our tickets about three months in advance. And heads up - there are AAA and DVC discounts available so that you can buy tickets for less than the advertised price.

Before leaving the resort to walk over to Downtown Disney, look what we found...

Spongebob Surprise!!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02101.jpg

We really enjoyed our Sunday morning stroll over to the House of Blues, which is located across from DisneyQuest on the DTD West Side. The restaurant offers two seatings for brunch: 10:30AM and 1:00PM. We opted for the first seating because it just doesn't seem like brunch to us if we eat it in the afternoon.

A couple of random pictures of the HoB - These are of the outside of the restaurant where they serve lunch and dinner. The brunch is held in the concert hall, directly adjacent to the restaurant. This HoB is actually a very large establishment - we've seen some that are quite small compared with this one. If you look at the second picture you'll see a grouping of a sculpted scrap metal band - pretty cool, aren't they?

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02106.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02107.jpg

We had to wait about 15 minutes before being allowed entry to the concert hall. In true Disney fashion everyone dutifully formed a line without being asked, but the joke was on us. We all had assigned seating so it didn't matter when we entered the venue - we were guaranteed a table. House of Blues where were you last October and could you please speak with the Epcot F&W event planners??? ;)

For some reason I thought I'd heard that each attendee was allowed one free adult breakfast beverage, but I was wrong. We had to pay $3 apeice for a Bloody Mary and a Mimosa. Well, what else were we supposed to do while we were just standing around waiting for the doors to open?

Jay enjoys a Bloody Mary...and my Mimosa!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02108.jpg

For the first time in my life I tried a Bloody Mary, and...how do I say this? It was vile. To each his own, but I have no interest in drinking a glass of V8 spiked with Tobasco sauce. I'll stick with the Mimosa. Actually what I would have really liked was a nice glass of brandy milk punch - now that's some breakfast drinking good times!

Here are the tickets - look, with our discount we only paid $26.50; not too shabby.

How appropriate - we're going to be seated in the pit! :rotfl2: :rotfl2:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02109.jpg

We weren't just seated in the pit, we were right next to the stage. And we weren't just right next to the stage, we were sitting next to the stairs that led up to the center of the stage. At first we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to see or that it might be too loud, but our table, which we shared with six other people, was a great place to watch the show.

Once we were shown to our table it was time to check out the buffet. I can't remember everything that was available but it was a lot. I lifted the current buffet menu from the HoB Orlando web site just to give you an idea of how plentiful and varied the selections were.

Fresh Pastries
Croissants
Muffins
Cinnamon Buns
Assorted Fresh Fruit
Cooked Chilled Prawns with Cocktail Sauce
Ceasar Salad
Field Greens with Spiced Pecans with blue cheese crumbles and tomato shallot vinaigrette
Broccoli Salad w/Crispy Bacon
Creole Potato and Asparagus Salad
Scrambled Eggs
Roast Potatoes
Cheese Grits
Bacon and Sausage
Biscuits and Country Gravy
Homemade Waffles
Made to Order Omelette Station
BBQ Chicken
Creole Chicken Jambalaya
Cornmeal Crusted Catfish
Delta Red Beans & Rice
Macaroni & Cheese
Turnip Greens
Fresh Baked Corn Muffins
Roast Top Round of Beef
Honey Baked Ham
Apple Cobbler
White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
Key Lime Pie
Pecan Squares
Cheesecake
Chocolate Walnut Brownies

I stuck with the breakfast items for the most part, although I had to suck down some shrimp (I loves me the shrimp!). I'm sure I sound repetitive but the food was excellent - they even had an omlette station set up so that people could have super-duper custom made egg mountains that took up an entire plate. Jason sampled a bit of everything and agreed with me - the food was two-thumbs-up-tasty!

For the first 45 minutes or so there's no show at all - people are given plenty of time to visit the buffet and enjoy their food selections.

We got to see Apostle J.L. Cash and Praise on the day we attended brunch - they were incredible. If I remember correctly all the members of this group are from the same family and they all had absolutely magnificent voices. It was also very moving to see how deeply affected some guests were by the performance. All in all it was a very welcoming and joyful atmosphere and we really had a great time just taking it in.

Near the end of the show they asked people who were celebrating May birthdays to stand up, so with a little help from our tablemates I made Jay vacate his chair. But then they asked people who were celebrating May anniversaries to stand up, too. Guess who got evicted from her chair?

I thought it was just going to be one of those "round of applause" type moments, but instead all of the celebrants were asked to join the group on stage for the last song of the show. If we'd been seated in the back we would have just slunk off into the darkness and no one would have noticed, but when seated next to the stage that is not an option.

And so, the final irony of the morning was that Jay and I ended up on stage with about 30 other guests having a great old time to a religious song that just kept going and going and going. I really wish we had a picture of that.

For anyone who's considered giving this event a try, I highly recommend it at least once. The food was great, the service was friendly, and the music was terrific. The group gave a truly joyful and welcoming performance and I'm glad we had a chance to experience it.

Food footnote for the rest of the day: we ate dinner at Casey's at the MK around 8PM after canceling a reservation for Wolfgang Puck's Dining room. We just weren't hungry and felt like Wolfie's menu was a bit too limited and a tad too pricey. We were quite happy with the hotdogs and cheesefries, of which we took no pictures...again. D'OH! :headache:

Thanks for reading - next up will be breakfast at the Kona and dinner at Flying Fish! :thumbsup2

S.Poppins

06-18-2007, 11:33 PM

oybolshoi

06-18-2007, 11:34 PM

Besides, that's what your loyal readers are for!
http://kitschnzinc.blogspot.com/2005/02/chakalaka.html (complete with recipe!)

Excellent! Thanks so much - Jason will be very pleased. :goodvibes

You've all got it wrong - Chaka Laka is from Walk the Dinosaur.

Boom, boom, chaka laka laka boom - boom, boom, chaka laka boom, boom

I walked the dinosaur, I walked the dinosa-aur

Open the door, get on the floor, everybody walk the dinosaur

:rotfl2:

I could have done without that... :rotfl2: Now I'm flashing back to high school. :eek:

Thanks for putting THAT in my brain! :rotfl:

Ditto!! :lmao:

I am loving this review but I have an awful confession to make......I did it too!! I can't believe it but during our December trip I went in the wrong bathroom at Raglan Road.:lmao: I wasn't as fortunate as you though to realize right away what was going on. I went in the stall and when I came out there was a man standing in the bathroom just staring at me. My first thought was, what is he doing in the ladies room?!? I then noticed the urinals hanging on the wall and very coolly :cool1: walked out the door. I was so embarassed! How could I have done this?:confused3 Now I'm beginning to think that maybe there is some sort of optical illusion set up to trick unsuspecting females into the mens' room at RR. I love this restaurant and have been twice before. Now I absolutely MUST go back and try to figure this out.:rolleyes1

Hmmmm....I'm also beginning to wonder if they're messing with our minds at Raglan Road. Maybe they do it on purpose and there's a betting pool in the kitchen each night.. "How many women walk into the men's room by mistake?"

Winner take all! :lmao:

Thanks for reading and thanks for sharing - I couldn't help but laugh. :hug:

Brenda I'm loving your report once again! I too do the pose but I've never lost a leg LOL.

I lose a leg in a lot of pictures on this trip - I guess I was trying too hard. ;) Thanks for stopping by to take a read. :goodvibes

Why ruin good old vanilla with lavender YUCK! Granted, I can't stand the smell of it.

I love the smell of lavender but I'm with you on the ice cream. :thumbsup2

I could do some dining reviews from last year's trip. I posted all of our pics in the food porn thread (live) but I didn't get around to doing a full report. Mea culpa... My pics were pretty frickin' fantastic, tho, if I do say so myself (And oh! Looks like I do!! ;) ). We're talking the full buffet line at Boma, in order!! :woohoo:

But this time, I promise PROMISE PROMISE that I will be doing a TR (or at least a dining report). :goodvibes

I probably saw some of your pictures without even realizing they were yours - it's tough to keep up with that thread! I'm going to be looking for that TR or food porn from you later this year...already looking forward to it! :thumbsup2

Brenda, the food from Jiko looks soooooooo good. I was supposed to go there a couple trips back but we ended up not making our ADR. I was so mad. Next time I'm there I am going to have to try it. Great pictures, they have me drooling over here. Why is there no drooling smiley? :lmao:

Thank you! You must go back to Jiko - based on what I recall from your dining report I think you'd really enjoy it. And I totally agree about the need for a droolie icon. :thumbsup2

BTW, in case I haven't already said it, I love your HP signature. Those are gorgeous shots of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. :goodvibes

oybolshoi

06-18-2007, 11:42 PM

Alright Brenda, I finally made it over here! You are already on like page 20!!! I am so overwhelmed! I only have 2 more weeks in this class. Maybe then I can play catch up. I think baseball will be over then too. Of course in July I start summer camps for jr. high and youth. Oh well, maybe August.....

Hi Stacy! I'm a little overwhelmed too - I haven't done that many reviews yet but this thread is out of control! :rotfl2:

Don't worry about it - you'll catch up when you can (but don't drink while you read - I've been told that I need to attach a spew-warning for readers).

Your first installment was great and the sundaes looked fabulous! I had a Snappy Turtle today - stress-reliever!!! My DH wrecked my new car today. :sad2: He hydroplaned and hit a sign. He and DD are fine, but my car has a large dent and is driving funny. I think I am destined to drive a car with a dent...

Thanks for reading - I wish I was eating that sundae right now, oh yes I do.

Mmmm...snappy turtle...do you think it's possible to order that without nuts? ;)

I'm so sorry to hear about your car but very relieved that your family is safe and sound. :hug: I hope everything works out OK.

Hey, did you ever decide if you were going to take a Disney Cruise? :goodvibes

lynninpa

06-18-2007, 11:45 PM

You have most definitely peaked my interest in the House of Blues Gospel Brunch! This is the first I have really heard about it. Thanks for the cool review! :cool2:

rentayenta

06-18-2007, 11:50 PM

:thumbsup2 Awesome but mmmmmmmmmm, I lurve me a good spicy Bloody Mary! :drinking1 Guess little drinkie guy looks like he's having a pint of Guinness.

disneyjunebug

06-18-2007, 11:52 PM

I'm sooooo glad you made it to HoB! It is one of my favs and I always try to make it to the Brunch whenever I am near one -- Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, etc. The food is always good and the music is even better!

Looking forward to more! I'll be up lots with little sleep for a few days. DS had his tonsils and adnoids taken out and tubes put in today. He HATES the pain medicine, and I have to squirt almost twice as much into his mouth to get him his needed dose. And I have to do this every 4 hours, so Life will be interesting for a while. I need more food porn!!!

wilma-bride

06-19-2007, 02:25 AM

I think yours is the first positive review I've read of HoB brunch Brenda - usually the complaint is there is not enough time to eat. Doesn't sound like you had that problem :rotfl: Great review - you'll be pleased to know that, despite the lack of pictures, I stayed loyal to your food report - there were pictures of alcohol and that's good for me ;)

jakenjess

06-19-2007, 06:29 AM

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: No need to worry about lack of pictures in that installment! The one of Plankton and the sponge was all I needed! That really struck a funny bone and I started my day off with a (much-needed) tears-streaming-down-the-eyes laugh!:rotfl:

House of Blues sounds excellent. If I don't stop reading trip reports, my to-do list is going to take over my life!

I'm with you on the Bloody Marys. Yuck!! Not a big tomato juice fan. But the mimosa sounds like it would hit the spot!;)

Poohbear67

06-19-2007, 07:21 AM

I just hope my TR is as good as yours has been, I just can't get enough!:lmao: and The House of Blues okay now you want me to go. Keep em coming Brenda PPLLLLEEEAAASSSEE I need me fix.:lmao: :lmao: :cool1:

cntkg1

06-19-2007, 07:34 AM

Brenda, I have to remember to read your updates when I'm not hungry. Right now I could eat half the menu you just posted. (Although yesterday I was ready for some Cabo Hot Dogs).:rotfl2:

Looks like Chuck and I have to venture outside of the Earl of Sandwich and try some new places.

Thanks for yet another update.:yay:

A fat english gent

06-19-2007, 07:50 AM

"Cabo Hot Dogs"

Cabo here do you like my new shoes?,Mum bought me two new pairs yesterday but i hated them so i eat them before she got home....:rolleyes1

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r140/psulauren05/lauren143.jpg

DISNEYDUET

06-19-2007, 08:31 AM

AWWWW! We tried to put snow shoes on our German Shepherd. Yeah...That didn't go over so well!! Our husky loved them though. She was such a girl!

DISNEYDUET

06-19-2007, 08:52 AM

Jay and I are big fans of House of Blues - they have great food to go along with great music. To be quite honest, those were the real reasons we decided to attend the brunch in the first place. Not that it matters, but Jay and I are two of the least religious people you'll never meet. He's a self-proclaimed heretic who turned his back on his religious upbringing and I'm a heathen who's never been shown the light. For people who supposedly have no moral compass I think we're refreshingly ethical.
:sad2: Now I don't know that I can be your friend. You know my father's a minister! Don't worry! I will add you on to our prayer list.:rotfl: ;)
A couple of random pictures of the HoB - These are of the outside of the restaurant where they serve lunch and dinner. The brunch is held in the concert hall, directly adjacent to the restaurant. This HoB is actually a very large establishment - we've seen some that are quite small compared with this one. If you look at the second picture you'll see a grouping of a sculpted scrap metal band - pretty cool, aren't they?

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02106.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02107.jpg
Don't you just love this place! We have been here a few times for concerts. We have seen Blues Traveller(Awsome show!!) Yellowcard, George Clinton, and a couple of others that are slipping my mind right now.
In true Disney fashion everyone dutifully formed a line without being asked
Like Lemmings!

For the first time in my life I tried a Bloody Mary, and...how do I say this? It was vile. To each his own, but I have no interest in drinking a glass of V8 spiked with Tobasco sauce.
And Vodka! Actually a Bloddy Mary made with Absolute pepper is really quite tasty. But I knw with your GI issues that would not be recommened! Talk about burnin' ring of fire! :scared1:

Fresh Pastries
Croissants
Muffins
Cinnamon Buns
Assorted Fresh Fruit
Cooked Chilled Prawns with Cocktail Sauce
Ceasar Salad
Field Greens with Spiced Pecans with blue cheese crumbles and tomato shallot vinaigrette
Broccoli Salad w/Crispy Bacon
Creole Potato and Asparagus Salad
Scrambled Eggs
Roast Potatoes
Cheese Grits
Bacon and Sausage
Biscuits and Country Gravy
Homemade Waffles
Made to Order Omelette Station
BBQ Chicken
Creole Chicken Jambalaya
Cornmeal Crusted Catfish
Delta Red Beans & Rice
Macaroni & Cheese
Turnip Greens
Fresh Baked Corn Muffins
Roast Top Round of Beef
Honey Baked Ham
Apple Cobbler
White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
Key Lime Pie
Pecan Squares
Cheesecake
Chocolate Walnut Brownies
Yum, Yum, Yum!! popcorn::

Near the end of the show they asked people who were celebrating May birthdays to stand up, so with a little help from our tablemates I made Jay vacate his chair. But then they asked people who were celebrating May anniversaries to stand up, too. Guess who got evicted from her chair?

I thought it was just going to be one of those "round of applause" type moments, but instead all of the celebrants were asked to join the group on stage for the last song of the show. If we'd been seated in the back we would have just slunk off into the darkness and no one would have noticed, but when seated next to the stage that is not an option.

And so, the final irony of the morning was that Jay and I ended up on stage with about 30 other guests having a great old time to a religious song that just kept going and going and going. I really wish we had a picture of that.
They saw you coming! You know, people of the cloth have a way of picking heathens out of a crowd. Call it a gift I guess! (Either that or someone tipped them off about the bathroom incident. Or the flashing innocent people for icecream scandal!)

S.Poppins

06-19-2007, 09:29 AM

Hi Stacy! I'm a little overwhelmed too - I haven't done that many reviews yet but this thread is out of control! :rotfl2:

Don't worry about it - you'll catch up when you can (but don't drink while you read - I've been told that I need to attach a spew-warning for readers).

Thanks for reading - I wish I was eating that sundae right now, oh yes I do.

Mmmm...snappy turtle...do you think it's possible to order that without nuts? ;)

I'm so sorry to hear about your car but very relieved that your family is safe and sound. :hug: I hope everything works out OK.

Hey, did you ever decide if you were going to take a Disney Cruise? :goodvibes

My DH gets the Snappy without the roasted pecans - of course it changes it to just a sundae, IMO. I think we have decided to wait on the cruise. Instead we are going back close to Christmas and taking my sister's 2 kids. We are going to stay at a monorail resort - Poly or CR. Cruise maybe in 08 when my DD will be 13. Thanks for always remembering those little details!

whogirl'smom

06-19-2007, 09:45 AM

The Gospel Brunch review was great; I would love to do that on our trip especially since you said they make birthday boys and girls stand up on the stage! DH's bday is during our trip in October (and I'm celebrating my 40th there, even though it's 3 weeks late, so it being in Sept. I wouldn't have to go on stage now would I? :rotfl2: )

Everything sounds just yummy and now you truly have me wondering if we should do a late seating the Sunday we are there...hmmm....can still go to Little Ones EMH....but we've got ADRs at LeCellier that night...do I dare cancel that coveted one? Brenda, you've given me a :headache:!!!!!

TigerKat

06-19-2007, 09:51 AM

I haven't been to the HOB in quite a while, now you've got me thinking about doing it again soon!! Thanks for the alcohol pics!;) Looking forward to FF.:thumbsup2

mlill

06-19-2007, 10:12 AM

Great installment! :thumbsup2

Food footnote for the rest of the day: we ate dinner at Casey's at the MK around 8PM after canceling a reservation for Wolfgang Puck's Dining room. We just weren't hungry and felt like Wolfie's menu was a bit too limited and a tad too pricey. We were quite happy with the hotdogs and cheesefries, of which we took no pictures...again. D'OH! :headache:

Thanks for reading - next up will be breakfast at the Kona and dinner at Flying Fish! :thumbsup2

Et tu, Brute? You cancelled your Wolfgang ressie, too?!? See, we're not the only ones. Someday we'll get there. :sad2:

mcarthur205

06-19-2007, 11:03 AM

That Gospel Brunch sounds so good! Every time we're in DTD DH says we must do this next time, but somehow next time never comes! So much Disney, so little time! Some day we'll get there!

Anyway, we're leaving for Florida in six days :woohoo: I'll have to try to keep reading along while I'm there or I'll never catch up! :rotfl:

PS No food pictures doesn't put me off reading either! :)

CarolAnn.

HPHammer

06-19-2007, 12:56 PM

Nice review, Brenda! We've enjoyed the HoB Gospel Brunch here in Los Angeles...good music indeed, no matter your religious affiliation or lack thereof!

And Cowboy Grimace is fine, thanks for asking. Had a nice Father's Day. Hope your Grimace is doing well, too! :goodvibes

(By the way -- loved the title of your installment. One of our favorite episodes since I come from a long line of bowling dorks!)

BriarRosie

06-19-2007, 01:32 PM

House of Blues - Gospel Brunch

Jay and I are big fans of House of Blues - they have great food to go along with great music. To be quite honest, those were the real reasons we decided to attend the brunch in the first place. Not that it matters, but Jay and I are two of the least religious people you'll never meet. He's a self-proclaimed heretic who turned his back on his religious upbringing and I'm a heathen who's never been shown the light. For people who supposedly have no moral compass I think we're refreshingly ethical.

Ok, I know I'll be smacked, but I have to be cliché here:
"You're preaching to the choir." :lmao:

You're talking to a not very religious Jewish girl who happens to like all the holiday trimmings at WDW. I even did the Candlelight Processional dinner package in 2001 just to say that I did it. ;) I'm sure I would have gone to the Gospel brunch if I was with others who wanted to go, too.

You said it best:

At any rate, we fully recognize the irony of our attending a Gospel Brunch, but just because we're not religious people doesn't mean we can't appreciate the music and spirit of those who are.

Ditto.

Before leaving the resort to walk over to Downtown Disney, look what we found...

Spongebob Surprise!!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02101.jpg

Why am I not surprised? ;)

We had to wait about 15 minutes before being allowed entry to the concert hall. In true Disney fashion everyone dutifully formed a line without being asked, but the joke was on us. We all had assigned seating so it didn't matter when we entered the venue - we were guaranteed a table. House of Blues where were you last October and could you please speak with the Epcot F&W event planners??? ;)

LOL! I don't know if I'm going to any Odyssey events this year, but I always show up early enough not to get shut out of a good table. I agree that assigned seating would probably work best, but it just never occurs to the event planners in any of the food and wine events other than Signature Dinners or the EEE.

I stuck with the breakfast items for the most part, although I had to suck down some shrimp (I loves me the shrimp!). I'm sure I sound repetitive but the food was excellent - they even had an omlette station set up so that people could have super-duper custom made egg mountains that took up an entire plate. Jason sampled a bit of everything and agreed with me - the food was two-thumbs-up-tasty!

LOL! I was thinking about the menu, "Hmm, I like the breakfast items, but oh...shrimp!!" :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: Good choice! :thumbsup2

Food footnote for the rest of the day: we ate dinner at Casey's at the MK around 8PM after canceling a reservation for Wolfgang Puck's Dining room. We just weren't hungry and felt like Wolfie's menu was a bit too limited and a tad too pricey. We were quite happy with the hotdogs and cheesefries, of which we took no pictures...again. D'OH! :headache:

Thanks for reading - next up will be breakfast at the Kona and dinner at Flying Fish! :thumbsup2

You know, don't worry about the canceled ressie. I never make it past the
sushi bar at "Wolfie's". Too much tasty fish for me to pass up on a whim.
One of these years I'll make it to the dining room, too.

And one last thing...

If your verbs are "tense", treat them to a massage at SSR. :laughing:

kikigirl

06-19-2007, 02:16 PM

Brenda, thanks so much again. :) I think we may have to try the House of Blues brunch now too. All this yummy brunch talk is making me hungry...especially that BBQ chicken. Mom made some on Father's Day and now I'm in a BBQ chicken mood.

Breakfast at the Kona...now I have "Copacabana" stuck in my head! :lmao:

WDW Fan

06-19-2007, 02:39 PM

HOB sounds great Brenda! The menu looks delicious. Can't wait to hear about your Flying Fish dinner. We haven't eaten there since the late 1990's I think!

KatInHat

06-19-2007, 03:15 PM

The HOB brunch sounds wonderful. There are so many places that I want to try there is no way to fit it all in one trip.
We have been to the HOB when we lived in NOLA but never to the gospel brunch.
I can't wait to hear all about Kona, although I already know what Jay had ;) .
We have plans to try the ever talked about Tonga Toast in Sept. I just can't wait.

AGPrincess

06-20-2007, 01:25 PM

So I finally read your dining review, and it is mouthwateringly, deliciously wonderful.

My family has never been to Ghiradellis, but I am SO getting them in there if only for that whipped cream. :thumbsup2

And you may call yourself Timid Tastebud Girl, but you sound pretty adventurous to me. I know my brothers would never have touched the cheese plate or the quiche from Chefs, and that chicken flatbred from Jiko would have had them running for the hills. :scared1:

Keep it coming!

DISNEYDUET

06-20-2007, 02:29 PM

Ok, I know I'll be smacked, but I have to be cliché here:
"You're preaching to the choir." :lmao:

You're talking to a not very religious Jewish girl who happens to like all the holiday trimmings at WDW. I even did the Candlelight Processional dinner package in 2001 just to say that I did it. ;) I'm sure I would have gone to the Gospel brunch if I was with others who wanted to go, too.

Lori, I will put you on my prayer list too! ;)

Mousermom

06-20-2007, 03:27 PM

Sunday, May 27th - It's not Quite Breakfast; It's not Quite Lunch, but It Comes With a Slice of Cantaloupe at the End

This is one of my favorite episodes of the Simpsons. When Marge and Jacques are rubbing the bowling lane and he asks Marge if she's hungry...."FOUR ONION RINGS!!!" With that New York accent....Hysterical!!!

Anyway, I have followed your trip reports and dining reviews in the past and I really enjoy your writing style. This is the first time responding to them. Looking forward to reading more.

Mary Beth

oybolshoi

06-20-2007, 08:22 PM

You have most definitely peaked my interest in the House of Blues Gospel Brunch! This is the first I have really heard about it. Thanks for the cool review!

Glad you liked it! We've been trying to get to one of these for the last two years - definitely worth the wait! It doesn't seem like there is much discussion of it here on the DIS, though. I was never really able to find a review before we left.

:thumbsup2 Awesome but mmmmmmmmmm, I lurve me a good spicy Bloody Mary!

You can have my Bloody Mary and I'll take your Mimosa! :thumbsup2

I'm sooooo glad you made it to HoB! It is one of my favs and I always try to make it to the Brunch whenever I am near one -- Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, etc. The food is always good and the music is even better!

We have yet to be disappointed in HoB no matter where we've been. It's nice to have a reliable chain with good music, isn't it?

Looking forward to more! I'll be up lots with little sleep for a few days. DS had his tonsils and adnoids taken out and tubes put in today. He HATES the pain medicine, and I have to squirt almost twice as much into his mouth to get him his needed dose. And I have to do this every 4 hours, so Life will be interesting for a while. I need more food porn!!!

Oh, poor little guy. I hope he feels better soon... you too, since you're going to be taking care of him.

More food porn coming up this evening!! :thumbsup2

I think yours is the first positive review I've read of HoB brunch Brenda - usually the complaint is there is not enough time to eat. Doesn't sound like you had that problem. Great review - you'll be pleased to know that, despite the lack of pictures, I stayed loyal to your food report - there were pictures of alcohol and that's good for me

Hi Joh! Maybe I'm not the best judge of whether there is enough time to eat at the brunch because there were a lot of things that I didn't try, but even knowing that I skipped some items I still went through the buffet twice and Jay went three times -he made it back to the table after his third visit just as the show was starting. Maybe some of those folks arrived later than we did - we were there when the doors opened. Or maybe those people like to eat a lot more (quantity) than we do. :confused3

And thanks for reading despite the lack of pretty pictures - I will make up for it with the next few posts.

:rotfl2: No need to worry about lack of pictures in that installment! The one of Plankton and the sponge was all I needed! That really struck a funny bone and I started my day off with a (much-needed) tears-streaming-down-the-eyes laugh!:rotfl:

Hi Lori! I'm glad you liked the Plankton and "spongebob" picture! It was all Jay's idea - I take no credit for it whatsoever.

House of Blues sounds excellent. If I don't stop reading trip reports, my to-do list is going to take over my life!

I'm with you on the Bloody Marys. Yuck!! Not a big tomato juice fan. But the mimosa sounds like it would hit the spot!

I don't think you can go wrong with HoB, but I wouldn't want to make your food list any longer than it already is going to be come October. ;)

The mimosa was quite good, but it could have been colder.

I just hope my TR is as good as yours has been, I just can't get enough! And The House of Blues okay now you want me to go. Keep em coming Brenda PPLLLLEEEAAASSSEE I need me fix.:lmao:

Of course your reviews will be good!! And yes, I want you to go to HoB because I think you will have a great time and a terrific meal! :thumbsup2

Brenda, I have to remember to read your updates when I'm not hungry. Right now I could eat half the menu you just posted. (Although yesterday I was ready for some Cabo Hot Dogs).:rotfl2:

Looks like Chuck and I have to venture outside of the Earl of Sandwich and try some new places.

Thanks for yet another update.

Hi Nancy! That dog of yours...I think I would have given him away to the first taker. You and Chuck should try Raglan Road and then House of Blues... so much fun!

"Cabo Hot Dogs"

Cabo here do you like my new shoes?,Mum bought me two new pairs yesterday but i hated them so i eat them before she got home....:rolleyes1

:rotfl2: For those of you who don't know Nancy... she ordered some new shoes on-line and had them delivered to her home only to find that her dog totally destroyed the UPS box and both pairs of shoes inside while the package was still on her front porch.

AWWWW! We tried to put snow shoes on our German Shepherd. Yeah...That didn't go over so well!! Our husky loved them though. She was such a girl!

It's a cute picture, isn't it?

:sad2: Now I don't know that I can be your friend. You know my father's a minister! Don't worry! I will add you on to our prayer list.:rotfl: ;)

I was worried about how you were going to take this... ;) Thanks for adding us to the list and for continuing to read!

Don't you just love this place! We have been here a few times for concerts. We have seen Blues Traveller(Awsome show!!) Yellowcard, George Clinton, and a couple of others that are slipping my mind right now.

We do love HoB - sounds like some great concerts you've been able to attend. George Clinton would have been great! Jay and I can't figure out why there isn't a House of Blues in St. Louis - Laclede's Landing downtown would be a great location for HoB.

Like Lemmings!

Jay likes to call them sheeple. :lmao:

And Vodka! Actually a Bloddy Mary made with Absolute pepper is really quite tasty. But I knw with your GI issues that would not be recommened! Talk about burnin' ring of fire!

You pretty much hit the nail on the head there, and with Johnny Cash, no less! :rotfl2:

They saw you coming! You know, people of the cloth have a way of picking heathens out of a crowd. Call it a gift I guess! (Either that or someone tipped them off about the bathroom incident. Or the flashing innocent people for icecream scandal!)

Wow... I had no idea! And speaking of scandals... let's not forget being pantsless at Epcot!! :rotfl2:

My DH gets the Snappy without the roasted pecans - of course it changes it to just a sundae, IMO. I think we have decided to wait on the cruise. Instead we are going back close to Christmas and taking my sister's 2 kids. We are going to stay at a monorail resort - Poly or CR. Cruise maybe in 08 when my DD will be 13. Thanks for always remembering those little details!

Christmas at WDW is a pretty good trade for a cruise! :goodvibes

The Gospel Brunch review was great; I would love to do that on our trip especially since you said they make birthday boys and girls stand up on the stage! DH's bday is during our trip in October (and I'm celebrating my 40th there, even though it's 3 weeks late, so it being in Sept. I wouldn't have to go on stage now would I? :rotfl2:

Thanks for reading - hope things have calmed down professionally for you by now. :hug: Oh, that's sneaky... the hubby has to make a spectacle of himself but you don't. Happy early birthday, by the way!!

Everything sounds just yummy and now you truly have me wondering if we should do a late seating the Sunday we are there...hmmm....can still go to Little Ones EMH....but we've got ADRs at LeCellier that night...do I dare cancel that coveted one? Brenda, you've given me a :headache:!!!!!

Don't cancel Le Cellier... you'll never forgive yourself! If you have a later seating at Le Cellier you could pull it off... I guess it just depends on how much you think you'll eat at the buffet. It was a lot of food.

As for the headache... I prescribe an expresso chiller, available at any WDW pool bar!

I haven't been to the HOB in quite a while, now you've got me thinking about doing it again soon!! Thanks for the alcohol pics!;) Looking forward to FF.

You're due for a visit then, aren't you? ;) Once thing is almost always certain...we take pictures of the booze! And FF was awesome!!!!

Great installment!

Et tu, Brute? You cancelled your Wolfgang ressie, too?!? See, we're not the only ones. Someday we'll get there.

Hey Michelle! Thanks for reading, as always! It just didn't sound good after the brunch and we were ready for some fun in the parks. Yes, some day one of us here on the DIS will finally make it to Wolfie's grand dining room!

oybolshoi

06-20-2007, 08:54 PM

That Gospel Brunch sounds so good! Every time we're in DTD DH says we must do this next time, but somehow next time never comes! So much Disney, so little time! Some day we'll get there!

I know what you mean ... we still have places that we mean to try and the time always gets away from us. Gives us all a good reason to go back!

Anyway, we're leaving for Florida in six days :woohoo: I'll have to try to keep reading along while I'm there or I'll never catch up! :rotfl:

PS No food pictures doesn't put me off reading either! :)

CarolAnn.

Have a lovely trip and happy anniversary!! I can't wait to hear what you think of V&A when you get back.

Nice review, Brenda! We've enjoyed the HoB Gospel Brunch here in Los Angeles...good music indeed, no matter your religious affiliation or lack thereof!

Thanks! I think we'd definitely do it again although it would be nice to try it in another city.

And Cowboy Grimace is fine, thanks for asking. Had a nice Father's Day. Hope your Grimace is doing well, too! :goodvibes

Glad to hear it! Our Grimace is the same as always...grumpy and gambling! :rotfl2:

(By the way -- loved the title of your installment. One of our favorite episodes since I come from a long line of bowling dorks!)

That episode remains one of my favorites even after all these years.

"Mimosa?"

"Please don't call me that; I'm a married woman."

Ok, I know I'll be smacked, but I have to be cliché here: "You're preaching to the choir." :lmao:

:rotfl2: I love bad jokes!

You're talking to a not very religious Jewish girl who happens to like all the holiday trimmings at WDW. I even did the Candlelight Processional dinner package in 2001 just to say that I did it. ;) I'm sure I would have gone to the Gospel brunch if I was with others who wanted to go, too.

Good for you. Someday I'd like to get to WDW at Christmas and check out the CP - it sounds like it's really a geat experience.

BTW - somehow I just knew you wouldn't be bothered by Jay and me "coming out of the closet." :lmao:

LOL! I don't know if I'm going to any Odyssey events this year, but I always show up early enough not to get shut out of a good table. I agree that assigned seating would probably work best, but it just never occurs to the event planners in any of the food and wine events other than Signature Dinners or the EEE.

I don't think we're doing any Odyssey events this year either. We're going to stick with pairings, PFTS, and maybe an EEE if it's the right one.

LOL! I was thinking about the menu, "Hmm, I like the breakfast items, but ...shrimp!!" Good choice! :thumbsup2

Great minds...:thumbsup2

You know, don't worry about the canceled ressie. I never make it past the sushi bar at "Wolfie's". Too much tasty fish for me to pass up on a whim. One of these years I'll make it to the dining room, too.

And one last thing...

If your verbs are "tense", treat them to a massage at SSR. :laughing:

I'm actually glad we canceled it - we had so much fun that night at the Animal Kingdom and at the Magic Kingdom... wall-to-wall people but still fun.

Bwhahahahahahaaha!!! If the verbs are tense then so am I and I get the massage first - I'm going back to Mandara and the verbs can do whatever they want! :rotfl2:

Brenda, thanks so much again. :) I think we may have to try the House of Blues brunch now too. All this yummy brunch talk is making me hungry...especially that BBQ chicken. Mom made some on Father's Day and now I'm in a BBQ chicken mood.

Breakfast at the Kona...now I have "Copacabana" stuck in my head! :lmao:

Hi Kiki! This whole thread is making me hungry - :rotfl2:

At the Kona... the Kona Cafe at the Poly...

Everybody sing!! :lmao:

HOB sounds great Brenda! The menu looks delicious. Can't wait to hear about your Flying Fish dinner. We haven't eaten there since the late 1990's I think!

Thanks for reading! FF was awesome...incredible...fabulous!!

The HOB brunch sounds wonderful. There are so many places that I want to try there is no way to fit it all in one trip.
We have been to the HOB when we lived in NOLA but never to the gospel brunch.

Hey Melissa! You should definitely give the brunch a try some time when you get a chance - very much worth it!

I can't wait to hear all about Kona, although I already know what Jay had ;) . We have plans to try the ever talked about Tonga Toast in Sept. I just can't wait.

Kona should be coming up tonight if all goes according to plan. If you read my October review then you already know what both of us ordered! :rotfl2:
But we had a really nice little something happen here so I wanted to include the review. And we love breakfast at Kona so how could I not share the Tonga-love?!

So I finally read your dining review, and it is mouthwateringly, deliciously wonderful.

My family has never been to Ghiradellis, but I am SO getting them in there if only for that whipped cream. :thumbsup2

Hi there Emma! Thanks for stopping by - glad you're enjoying the reviews! Oh yes...Ghiradelli is a must if you've never been.

And you may call yourself Timid Tastebud Girl, but you sound pretty adventurous to me. I know my brothers would never have touched the cheese plate or the quiche from Chefs, and that chicken flatbred from Jiko would have had them running for the hills. :scared1:

Keep it coming!

I guess it's all relative... compared with my husband I'm a food sissy. But if you compared me with myself from ten years ago you'd say I was a Dining Diva!!! I never used to eat anything other than tuna fish and mac and cheese and look at me now... flatbread...polenta...foie gras! :eek:

Lori, I will put you on my prayer list too! ;)

You're killing me here...;)

Sunday, May 27th - It's not Quite Breakfast; It's not Quite Lunch, but It Comes With a Slice of Cantaloupe at the End

This is one of my favorite episodes of the Simpsons. When Marge and Jacques are rubbing the bowling lane and he asks Marge if she's hungry...."FOUR ONION RINGS!!!" With that New York accent....Hysterical!!!

That is an awesome episode, isn't it? I don't think there's a single frame (ha ha!) that isn't amusing in some way.

How about the bowling ball moon above Marge's house when she and Jacques are sitting in his car outside one evening (I think it's the night he asks her to brunch)... just great stuff!

Anyway, I have followed your trip reports and dining reviews in the past and I really enjoy your writing style. This is the first time responding to them. Looking forward to reading more.

Mary Beth

Well thank you very much for reading everything and for posting to let me know you're here! I'm glad you've enjoyed the TRs and I hope to see you around. :goodvibes

rentayenta

06-20-2007, 08:59 PM

You can have my Bloody Mary and I'll take your Mimosa! :thumbsup2

What kind of good immature drunk would I be if I gave away my Mimosa and didn't mix alcohol? :rotfl2:

oybolshoi

06-20-2007, 09:30 PM

What kind of good immature drunk would I be if I gave away my Mimosa and didn't mix alcohol? :rotfl2:

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: I knew I liked you for a reason!! :lmao:

rentayenta

06-20-2007, 09:34 PM

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: I knew I liked you for a reason!! :lmao:

:rotfl: But we can steal DH's! :lmao: He likes the mother of his children drunk! :rotfl2:

oybolshoi

06-20-2007, 11:35 PM

Monday, May 28th - Tonga Toast, Sausage, and Coffee...At the Kona, We Ate Too Much.

If there is one single WDW restaurant that Jason and I return to with lover-like frequency, it is the Kona Cafe. Waaaaaay back in 1997, a dark time when we stayed off property and never ate anything other than burgers and hotdogs at the parks, Jason and I tried Kona for breakfast on the advice of his brother, who said, "They've got this stuff there called Tonga Toast and it's deadly unhealthy in about 150 different ways, but it tastes really good. You need to go and you need to eat it - all of it. And ask them for the recipe."

Jay tried the Tonga and has been a devoted disciple ever since. It's a clause in our un-documented living marriage contract that every trip to WDW must include a breakfast at the Kona. Failure to book said breakfast can result in forfeiture of spa treatments or cancellation of afternoon tea. :eek:

For some reason I made our ADR for 10AM...I don't smoke but what was I smoking? We don't want to eat breakfast that late...we've got flowers to smell, Plankton to pose, pools to dip in. We decided to get to the Polynesian early and see if they could accomodate us with an earlier seating. Transportation pros that we think we're becoming, we hop a bus for the Magic Kingdom, swim upstream through all the people pouring into the park, and catch the resort monorail over to the Polynesian.

Self Portrait #78: We need coffee
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02127.jpg

I'm a big boy now...
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02125.jpg

Luck was with us on this day - the restaurant was busy but not overly so. We checked in and told the hostess we were hoping to eat earlier than the reservation time - no problem! She gave us a pager and sent us off to explore the second floor gift shop. We couldn't have waited more than five minutes before it was time to be seated. The staff was very friendly and we received many happy anniversaries from them as we were being led to our table, a cozy little two-fer in the far corner near the windows and the coffee stand.

Celebrating something? Wear your button. I can't stress this enough people - wear your button!!! :thumbsup2

First things first we order the fresh fruit cup which we always share. We also ordered some pressed Kona coffee, orange juice for me, and Likoi juice for Jay. Likoi juice is a blend...passion fruit, orange, and guava juices mixed together and served in a glass. Jay loves this stuff but I can sum up my opinion in one word: Bleccccch!

Where are the grapes?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02131.jpg

Seriously, where are the grapes? The fruit all tasted wonderful but I really wanted some big honking grapes in there...I eat the grapes and Jay eats the pineapple and everyone is happy.

I'll just take an IV line for this, OK?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02134.jpg

It's the 100% Kona Coffee French Press Pot!! We tried this for the first time last October and we are hooked!

How hooked? So hooked that we bought a French press for ourselves at Christmas.

Not hooked enough? So hooked that we had to buy another bag of Kona beans on this trip because we'd burned through the ones we bought last fall in about three months.

Still not hooked? Jay eats coffee beans. :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

When it comes to breakfast at the Kona we have to be the most boring guests ever... our order never deviates. I don't even know why we look at the menu; I guess we're just trying to be polite.

Something tells me they don't eat this in the Pacific Islands...
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02135.jpg

There you have it: Tonga Toast. What is it exactly? The menu reads: banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar. It comes with a choice of ham, bacon, or sausage. If there is such a thing, I think this dish qualifies as breakfast nirvana for my husband.

Boring and predictable still taste good to me!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02136.jpg

It's nothing to get excited about...it's not sexy like the Tonga, but it's some of the best French Toast I've ever had on property. And this time I chose bacon instead of sausage... that's slightly daring. ;)

We were stuffed by the time we finished eating, and had asked the waitress for the bill so that we could start making our way over to Epcot. It seemed like she was taking a rather long time to come back to us when she suddenly appeared with this:

It's too cute to eat, but we'll try.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02137.jpg

We were totally surprised. We actually were wearing our anniversary buttons in the hopes that we might catch a little dust at Epcot (didn't happen) but it never dawned on us that one of the restaurants might do something, especially at breakfast! Two cream puffs nestled in whipped cream and covered with Mickey-head candy confetti...a very tasty breakfast dessert and a super-sweet gesture on the part of the Kona staff that gave us warm fuzzies all morning. :goodvibes

I asked Jay to take a close up shot just to show everyone what Mickey-head confetti candy looks like.

Where can I buy these?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02138.jpg

In conclusion I'd just like to say that after ten years of pretty constant trips to WDW, it is our gluttonous opinion that the Kona Cafe still serves one of the best breakfasts on property. It's the one restaurant constant in all of our visits and I would recommend that you give it a try some day if you haven't already!

Thanks for reading - Flying Fish coming soon to a thread near you! :goodvibes

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 12:03 AM

On page 10, just finished Chefs de France. I should be writing a paper - but what the heck... First of all, Jason eats like me. I love "stuff" or as my DH refers to it "all that crap". Every Wednesday night we have a leadership meeting before church. We have an executive chef that goes to our church and cooks for our school - long story as to how he ended up cooking for a school instead of a restaurant, but it is a blessing!! Anyway, tonight he made his special Italian subs. The first thing DH asked was, "Is he putting all that crap on it?" Crap: ie - lettuce, onion, tomato, italian dressing. No, Chef put it on the side. I told Chef I would gladly eat my husband's crap! :rotfl: DH ate a sandwich with meat and cheese only. Yuck! Anyway, I digress.

I had adrs for Chefs in January. But I kept looking at the menu and decided my family would probably be happier at Le Cellier. I am dragging DH to California Grill (he doesn't know). He does not care for exotic food. Example: ate at Western Sizzlin' with his parents last week - loved it. :confused3

Uumm, I think the florist sent you the nice anniversary surprise. I checked out the florist website...My guess is they thought, "Wow, this woman is an awesome customer. We need to treat her well!!!" I think instead of ordering a basket, on the last day of our trip I will make my own basket out of all the cute Disney toiletries, some Goofy candy, left over snacks, all the overpriced blinky toys the kids have talked their overindulging granparents into buying, I may even throw in a balloon...and present it to my kids - and send my DH the bill.

Okay, I am diving back in. After I go find a snack.....

andiepie

06-21-2007, 12:08 AM

It's so unfair... that Tonga Toast looks so good, but I'm allergic to bananas. :headache: :sick: Do you think that they'd replace the banana with pineapple?

And after all that coffee, Tonga toast/French toast, and then a anniversary breakfast dessert... were you bouncing off of the walls from all of that sugar?!

praisehisname

06-21-2007, 12:11 AM

Something tells me they don't eat this in the Pacific Islands...
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02135.jpg

Mmmmm, that looks so good! I don't know HOW I'm going to do it, but I have got to fit a Kona breakfast in somewhere...

Denise

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 12:12 AM

Oh yeah. The duck story was funny. My kids were very worried that DH was going to injure one of the hungry, persistant little guys at Casey's. DH did not know that every time he was not looking DS was throwing food for them....right by DH's feet. It was very funny to watch.

rentayenta

06-21-2007, 12:12 AM

:dance3: I am even more excited to be trying Kona, for brekkie no less, after reading your review! The Mickey candy confetti is too cute! I love that the staff was in such a celebratory mood! If only had they known if they would have served a sundae they would have gotten flashed! :rotfl2:

:thumbsup2 Your report rocks!

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 12:51 AM

Just finished Jiko. Looks amazing. The filet looked great! Another one that I read and thought - nope, no go with boring DH. Although he may like the filet. Maybe I could ask for some chicken strips for his appetizer.

Lavender ice cream :scared1: Sounds like a body wash or candle scent to me. I didn't care for the ginger ice cream in China either. Just give me some chocolate ice cream.

I tried the flourless chocolate cake at Boma. It was not rich and not good. The one at Jiko looks better.

PIMP....:headache:

Is it Pretty Impressed? Do I win a prize? Since joining the Dis I have become an expert at decoding acronyms. Which has improved my personalized license plate deciphering.

Side note to all: Your family will not find it amusing if you insist on using acronyms to describe every location at WDW. "When we are at MK, we will ride SM, BTMR, and then we have ADRS at CRT, which IMHO is not worth 2 TS on the DDP, but ITA that everyone should try it once." They are already putting up with waiting for you to take pics of all their food before they can eat, writing notes on your napkins, making them wear lime green, and giving unsolicited advice to strangers in line when you overhear them discussing meal options. They will draw the line at some point.

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 12:53 AM

You look lovely! Even if you only have one leg! ;) :eek:

That is too funny!!! It does look like Brenda only has one leg! And we thought all that weaving and stumbling was due to the alcohol! :rotfl2:

ncseric

06-21-2007, 12:56 AM

They are already putting up with waiting for you to take pics of all their food before they can eat, writing notes on your napkins, making them wear lime green, and giving unsolicited advice to strangers in line when you overhear them discussing meal options. They will draw the line at some point.

Get a Blackberry or other handheld... then you just look like a geek on vacation checking e-mail. :)

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 01:04 AM

FWIW......I am stumped. What does this one stand for. It is midnight here and I need to go to bed.

Last night, we did not have kids. So DH and I were sitting in our pajamas watching TV when a commercial for Ocean's 13 comes on. Why not? My doctor had just given me a new drug to help with my chronic fatigue problem, so let's go to a movie in the middle of the night! Seemed like a good plan until this morning.

:woohoo: I am all caught up on this report!!!!

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 01:07 AM

I am trying to post enough tonight to make up for all the time I have missed. Would not want to lose my position as President of the Timid Tastebud Girl Fan Club!

passthepixiedust

06-21-2007, 01:21 AM

I have always wanted to go to 'The House of Blues Gospel Brunch' and now more than ever! I wonder how I can trick Keith into doing it? Um... I mean, I think I should get Keith tix cause I know how much HE would love it! (did that sound sincere? think it'll work?)

Wow this thread moves fast!

burly

06-21-2007, 01:57 AM

We love the Kona.:love: we have not done breakfast yet. But it is our first night ritual. Love it.:cheer2: :love: :love:

jakenjess

06-21-2007, 05:54 AM

I LOVE Tonga Toast!:love: We've been to Kona for breakfast a few times and it never disappoints. I've also been reading rave reviews of dinner at Kona, but we've never managed to stray from breakfast there. I agree, that juice doesn't sound appealing to me, but we had a juice blend there many years ago (I think it was our '92 trip) that was to die for, but the next time we went and asked about it they didn't serve it anymore.:sad2: It was a strawberry drink with maybe banana? I don't remember the details, but it was GOOD!:thumbsup2

Karen Mouse

06-21-2007, 07:42 AM

cocowum

06-21-2007, 07:43 AM

OMG Kona looks amazing. (insert rubbing belly smilie here) :love:

Maybe, I need to rethink my ADR's:scratchin

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02125.jpg

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

cntkg1

06-21-2007, 07:51 AM

TigerKat

06-21-2007, 07:51 AM

How sweet of the staff there to surprise you guys! Love the mickey confetti too!:goodvibes

cntkg1

06-21-2007, 07:53 AM

ooooh a fresh one..(Sorry B, I couldn't resist)

wilma-bride

06-21-2007, 08:11 AM

Great update Brenda - that first pic of you and Jay on the monorail is so cute :thumbsup2

We plan to have breakfast at Kona the morning of our cruise, before heading dockwards - I haven't actually made an ADR but I think I might have to now because I couldn't bear the thought that I may miss out on that delicious-looking Tonga Toast :dance3:

The plain old boring french toast looks good too - now I've heard that the tonga toast is pretty filling so I have a master plan. 1 order of TT with side of sausage, 1 order of POB with side of bacon and split 2 ways - can't go wrong :thumbsup2

Ms. Heimlich

06-21-2007, 08:36 AM

LOVED the Kona post... I have ADR's for our next trip and can't WAIT!!!

Thaks for showing the French Toast... Don't let Jason read this but I don't think I could eat Tonga Toast early in the morning. I'm afraid it would send me into a diabetic coma.:)

Question - Where do you get the anniversary buttons? DH and I will be celebrating ours on our trip!!:cool1:

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to the next one.

DisneyMom5

06-21-2007, 08:45 AM

Kona does sound great - and I love that confetti! Did you find out if you can buy it? I still never get why you have savoury stuff and sweet stuff on the same plate though:scared: - We just dont do this in the UK. Keep the sausages away from the banana bread for goodness sake!:scared1:

Its like when I see people putting waffles and syrup next to bacon and eggs:scared: :scared1: :scared:

OK, so it's an acquired taste. Purely American. BUT...you have to try syrup ON the bacon. Or sausage. Or any cured and smoked pork product. *drool*

Don't Europeans every mix salty and sweet? :confused3

Summer-Caitlin

06-21-2007, 09:00 AM

What a great report so far! I can't believe I didn't come across this sooner:confused3 You have visited loads of places that I have ADR's for, so it was wonderul to read your glowing reviews of these places:thumbsup2
We are getting married in Disney and honeymooning for 3 weeks, on the DDP for 14 nights:banana: , so we too are hoping for that little extra pixie dust:pixidust:. We'll wear the buttons and the ears, where are the buttons located again?
I can't wait, not long to go now.

Poohbear67

06-21-2007, 09:15 AM

Okay already I want to change my ADR's for Kona now:lmao: I guess we could give the Poly another chance. We had such a BAD experience here last year that we swore that we would never go to the Poly again but you make a great argument for me.:goodvibes

Jennifer48

06-21-2007, 09:56 AM

My Dan would :love: :love: that Tonga Toast! He loves French Toast and he loves bananas. Match made in gastronomic heaven! :laughing: Now if I can just get down there to WDW :scratchin.......

praisehisname

06-21-2007, 10:33 AM

FWIW......I am stumped. What does this one stand for. It is midnight here and I need to go to bed.

FWIW = For what it's worth

Can someone help me out with TFS? I can't figure that one out!

Denise

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 10:57 AM

FWIW = For what it's worth

Can someone help me out with TFS? I can't figure that one out!

Denise

Thanks Denise! I would not have gotten that one.

TFS...:confused3 "Totally for sure" :rotfl2: I haven't seen this one. What context was it used in?

Guy Incognito

06-21-2007, 11:11 AM

FWIW = For what it's worth

Can someone help me out with TFS? I can't figure that one out!

Denise

hmmm....

Tactical Fighter Squadron?

Three Finger Salute?

Triumvirate (of) Fat Sausages?

Thanks For Sharing?

Toledo French School?

Tom Foolery Speak?

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 11:23 AM

My final answer is D: Thanks for sharing!

Confetti and check please!:banana:

Sorsha

06-21-2007, 11:32 AM

hmmm....

Tactical Fighter Squadron?

Three Finger Salute?

Triumvirate (of) Fat Sausages?

Thanks For Sharing?

Toledo French School?

Tom Foolery Speak?

Oh but I like C!!
Haven't I see that Triumvirate on CNN giving press conferences??
ROTFLMAO!! :lmao: :rotfl: :lmao:

disneyjunebug

06-21-2007, 11:43 AM

Love the installment! I know that you used to be able to get the confetti somewhere in DTD, but my sleep-deprived, blonde-dyed mind can't remember where! I always buy some and bring back to spread the pixie dust between visits! Only the "between visits" used to be 6 weeks. Now it has stretched to 5 YEARS!! Will not stay away that long again!

And thanks for asking about my Jayboy! He is doing better, watching Zaboomafo and even acting like a Lemur sometimes again! He's laying on the sofa, with his 3 bears (Bear, Bubba and Bud) tucked in with him on one side of the blanket, and Mickey, Minnie, Pooh, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and Captain Fethersword tucked in the other end! If I could just get more than three hours sleep at a time....

Also, try some Blue Mountain Coffee from Jamaica! Really tastes good in a press.

CampbellScot

06-21-2007, 12:04 PM

Ummm can I just say YUM!!! Holy Fat Batman!!! That Tonga Toast looks like a very delicious hunk of chunk that I would have to do penance on the treadmill for like...a DAY...for daring to eat it!! I can't WAIT!!! :woohoo:

I have decided on the anniversary basket that you got for YOUR Jay! (I call my Jason "Jay" too!:thumbsup2 ) The CM I spoke with was so nice. She reminded me to get our anniversary buttons when we arrived!! If wearing that button is going to me some cream puffs sprinkled with Mickey Head candy...I'll never take the darn thing off! Free Food ROCKS!!! Especially when sprinkled with Mickey Heads!!

Just so you know, I'm reading through your trip report from the F&W festival...I've recently been introduced to your Grimace...okay seriously, I snotted Diet Coke through my nose when I read about the "good behavior" packets y'all made to give to your mom...I wasn't prepared for that amount of hilarity and took a drink mid read. I will now drink more carefully when reading your Trip Reports!:thumbsup2 Luckily I was prepared and not drinking diet coke when I got to the part about "Jason LIKES IT when I don't wear pants!" :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

killing me dead girl.

LOVING IT!!!popcorn::

irisbud

06-21-2007, 12:27 PM

Wow, just now found this and everything looks great! Can't wait to read your review of the Chef's Table!

whogirl'smom

06-21-2007, 01:00 PM

Very timely installment of the Tonga Toast! Hubby and I just decided last night to add a Kona breakfast OOP to our trip in Oct. b/c I can't stand not trying it and I can't bear to cancel one of our other ADRs in it's place. Like the DDP isn't going to have enough food already! Can you say "waddle, waddle"!:rotfl2:

So, can you tell me what's different about the coffee in a coffee press? We love a good cup of coffee and always spring for a pound of Jamaican Blue Mountain for our anniversary--now I fear I've been brewing blasphemously (now there's a word!) in our auto drip from Gevalia!

cocowum

06-21-2007, 01:23 PM

FWIW = For what it's worth

Can someone help me out with TFS? I can't figure that one out!

Denise

TFS= Thanks for Sharing :thumbsup2 ...I think :scratchin

MissDisney121

06-21-2007, 01:33 PM

Hey brenda,
Great report so far, i can't wait to read more and to read your whole tr. you always do a great job on tr's. keep the great, funny stuff coming.:cool1:

BriarRosie

06-21-2007, 01:41 PM

Monday, May 28th - Tonga Toast, Sausage, and Coffee...At the Kona, We Ate Too Much.

At the Copa....Copacabana....wait. Lemme take my Carmen Miranda fruit
basket off my hair. Whew. Much better.

Jay tried the Tonga and has been a devoted disciple ever since. It's a clause in our un-documented living marriage contract that every trip to WDW must include a breakfast at the Kona. Failure to book said breakfast can result in forfeiture of spa treatments or cancellation of afternoon tea. :eek:

I have trouble finishing it sometimes. Too sweet. If I'm dining with someone,
I make them finish it for me. :) If I'm really hungry, I probably could polish
it off.

First things first we order the fresh fruit cup which we always share. We also ordered some pressed Kona coffee, orange juice for me, and Likoi juice for Jay. Likoi juice is a blend...passion fruit, orange, and guava juices mixed together and served in a glass. Jay loves this stuff but I can sum up my opinoin in one word: Bleccccch!

Lilikoi juice. I like the stuff. :cloud9:

I'll just take an IV line for this, OK?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02134.jpg

WOOT! One of the only places that serves REAL honest to goodness coffee!
:love: the press pot. Boma has that, too. Everything else is just...Nescafe. :crazy2:

It's the 100% Kona Coffee French Press Pot!! We tried this for the first time last October and we are hooked!

How hooked? So hooked that we bought a French press for ourselves at Christmas.

Not hooked enough? So hooked that we had to buy another bag of Kona beans on this trip because we'd burned through the ones we bought last fall in about three months.

Ok....still with you on the "hooked" thing...

Still not hooked? Jay eats coffee beans. :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

Ewwww. At least have the decency to eat them covered in chocolate.
Yuck yuck yuck.

And the Congratulations dessert really rocked! It's not often you get to
chase a cavity-inducing breakfast with dessert. :thumbsup2

As to your edit pondering: I'm also anal when it comes to aesthetics in posts. :rotfl2:

shovan

06-21-2007, 02:10 PM

Monday, May 28th - Tonga Toast, Sausage, and Coffee...At the Kona, We Ate Too Much.

Jay tried the Tonga and has been a devoted disciple ever since. It's a clause in our un-documented living marriage contract that every trip to WDW must include a breakfast at the Kona. Failure to book said breakfast can result in forfeiture of spa treatments or cancellation of afternoon tea. :eek:

We were totally surprised. We actually were wearing our anniversary buttons in the hopes that we might catch a little dust at Epcot (didn't happen) but it never dawned on us that one of the restaurants might do something, especially at breakfast! Two cream puffs nestled in whipped cream and covered with Mickey-head candy confetti...a very tasty breakfast dessert and a super-sweet gesture on the part of the Kona staff that gave us warm fuzzies all morning. :goodvibes

I asked Jay to take a close up shot just to show everyone what Mickey-head confetti candy looks like.

Where can I buy these?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02138.jpg

You are too funny!:lmao: Love the marraige contract!

Well, I didn't think they could improve on Kona but they did! How nice anniversary dessert for breakfast! :cool1:

We will have to get some buttons for our next trip, :eek: 32 years of wedded bliss, :rolleyes1 , well some bliss some not so blissful!:laughing:

jenrose66

06-21-2007, 03:15 PM

Happy Aniversary! I loved your last dining review. I'm sure I'll love this one too. I just wanted to comment before I got started because I never know when my son is going to wake up from his nap and end fun time for mom!

ncseric

06-21-2007, 03:33 PM

You guys cleaned up with that anniversary button. DW and I are going in December and will have to do that too, even though our anniversary isn't until a few weeks later. We're just celebrating it early to avoid the Christmas crowds. Ugh.

cmp1111

06-21-2007, 04:30 PM

I usually don't like sweet foods much, if it's not dessert, but that stuff looks GOOD. :thumbsup2

I keep hearing about the Tonga Toast - looks like we might have to try that "next time" - whenever that may be!

kikigirl

06-21-2007, 06:08 PM

That Tonga Toast looks awesome. I have to try it next time we go. I'm getting the shakes just thinking about its yummy-factor. :hyper:

Since you've been sharing your adventures, I'll share one of mine. We had breakfast at Kona years ago (before it was Kona), and I remember that our waiter tried to force me to drink the orange juice. I had just brushed my teeth and according to my calculations...orange juice+toothpaste=:crazy2:. So, the waiter kept pestering me while the parental units sipped their orange juice, trying to explain that I'm not an "orange juice in the morning" girl. To shut the waiter up, I sipped the darn orange juice, and my equation was correct. LOL

Thanks again. :)

Kiki

WDW Poly Princess

06-21-2007, 06:27 PM

Oohhhhhhh, Tonga Toast! YUM. I haven't had it in a few years now!

(It's actually a little known fact that it tastes even better when eaten on the balcony of your room, after being brought by room service. Tonga Toast without having to get out of bed? YAY!) I've also noticed it's on the Captain Cook's menu now, but I don't see how it could possibly be the same splendedness!

praisehisname

06-21-2007, 07:06 PM

hmmm....

Tactical Fighter Squadron?

Three Finger Salute?

Triumvirate (of) Fat Sausages?

Thanks For Sharing?

Toledo French School?

Tom Foolery Speak?

Thanks for Sharing sounds good to me! I'll see if that works the next time someone uses it...

Denise

rentayenta

06-21-2007, 08:10 PM

popcorn:: Just checking for more food porn!

Cass

06-21-2007, 08:34 PM

The Tonga Toast looks tasty, but I'm not a big banana fan, maybe if they stuff it with chocolate and cream cheese I could get into it. :)

disneyjunebug

06-21-2007, 09:32 PM

The Tonga Toast looks tasty, but I'm not a big banana fan, maybe if they stuff it with chocolate and cream cheese I could get into it. :)

I'm with you! The only way I can eat a banana is with either peanut butter or chocolate (even better, both!) smathered all over it.....

S.Poppins

06-21-2007, 10:57 PM

Where is Brenda today?

rentayenta

06-21-2007, 11:29 PM

Where is Brenda today?

It's quite warm today; maybe she's flashing for popsicles?! :rotfl2:

oybolshoi

06-22-2007, 09:43 AM

Posting from work... our phone line and broadband went out yesterday. Like many of the intellectually challenged in our neighborhood, the people who live behind us decided to put in a fence and drove the corner post right through the underground wires along our easement. And then they enclosed the utility box behind their fence. :eek:

Initially I thought these people were going to do a good job because they called dig-rite and had the utility lines marked before they started working. I guess they thought those orange lines in the grass meant that it was OK to dig there. Oh well, I guess I should be glad they didn't hit a gas line and blow us all to hell. ;)

I can't wait to hear what the phone company says today...

So... I don't know when I'll be able to update. Sorry friends.... I'll try to keep you posted once I know more.

Poohbear67

06-22-2007, 09:50 AM

kikigirl

06-22-2007, 10:53 AM

Brenda, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hate it when that happens. Stupid phone company people!! :furious: My mom actually used to work for the phone company up where I live, so I know how inept they are. I hope things get resolved soon. :goodvibes

Kiki

cmp1111

06-22-2007, 11:05 AM

Oh, ouch! I hope that it resolves easily and quickly. :goodvibes

S.Poppins

06-22-2007, 11:44 AM

Sorry to hear that Brenda. Hope they fix it soon.

zweihund

06-22-2007, 03:31 PM

Brenda, that stinks!
Lionel and I would implode. During the 2004 hurricanes, when we lost power for a week, we drove to his work every day so we could get our online fix. You KNOW you've got it bad when you voluntarily head to work on your day off, right?

Hope it gets resolved soon. Gotta love neighborhood twits. We have some of those too!

oybolshoi

06-22-2007, 05:56 PM

:headache:

We got nothing... the phone company told us they'd be at the house today fixing the problem... still haven't received a call from them here at my work number. I'm on my way home and we've still got zero phone / zero internet.

I'm going to go through internet cold-turkey if this doesn't get resolved soon. :scared1:

Sorry for the delay... really wanted to have FF finished by now and was planning on Chef's Table for this weekend. Oh well... everyone have a good one and I guess I'll check in on Monday.

Wish us luck...maybe we'll just burn down their fence... :rolleyes1

disneyjunebug

06-22-2007, 06:01 PM

S.Poppins

06-22-2007, 07:36 PM

MONDAY!!!! :scared1:

That can't be right! What will we do all weekend? I guess I will go catch up on your other reports.

Or...........

While Brenda is away..............

We could wreak havoc! :idea:

Wouldn't she be so surprised if she came back and we were on page 50! Unfortunately I am out of town at a baseball tournament and will not be able to post much. But everyone else should feel free to post random thoughts here throughout the weekend. As the president of the fan club, I know she would appreciate all the love!

So where to start.........

What restaurant has Brenda inspired you to try on your next trip? Mine would be the House of Blues.

cocowum

06-22-2007, 08:27 PM

KatInHat

06-22-2007, 08:32 PM

Brenda, sorry about the phone/internet. I hope it gets fixed soon. Right now I am without phone myself.. since Monday:scared1: . The phone company came out to connect service to the new house across the street and cut our phone line in the process. I called to report the problem on Monday and still no phone on Friday. :confused3 At least I still have cable and internet. They cut that line last month and it took about 4 days before they had to run another line under the street. I hope you have better luck with the phone company than I have had because I sure was looking forward to another installment soon.

.
.
.
.
... let's see.. restaurants Brenda has inspired me to try....
breakfast at Kona..( ADR's already made for Sept)... and Ragland Road.
Thanks Brenda.

Dis Ohana

06-22-2007, 09:36 PM

I'm so glad I found this thread! I love your reviews and wit. I just booked the HOB today and posted this question over on the restaurant board, maybe you can help me.

I called today to book the Gospel Brunch, we've always wanted to do this but never seem to be in the area on a Sunday. They asked where I wanted to be seated -- I know for sure we don't want to be right up against the stage, I heard that it's very loud right there and DH is sensitive to loud noises. The CM put us on "tier 1" right next to the buffet, she also said that tables up on the balcony were available.
Has anyone been to the brunch and if you have can you give me a little more info on the seating arrangements? I'm starting to think maybe we're better off up on the balcony.

I hope you get your internet and phone up soon, too bad it had to happen right before the weekend! I'm looking forward to your FF review, I have an ADR there too.

betsywdw

06-22-2007, 09:44 PM

Poohbear67

06-22-2007, 09:49 PM

Me thinks we should do something to that nasty phone company for keeping you from us:rolleyes1 . I don't know how I am going to get through my weekend without your TR:mad: I need my fix NOW don't those people know this:mad: .:lmao:

cocowum

06-22-2007, 09:53 PM

While Brenda is away..............

We could wreak havoc! :idea:

Wouldn't she be so surprised if she came back and we were on page 50! Unfortunately I am out of town at a baseball tournament and will not be able to post much. But everyone else should feel free to post random thoughts here throughout the weekend. As the president of the fan club, I know she would appreciate all the love!

My favorite pic from Brendas trippies...

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/DSC01454.jpg

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

BriarRosie

06-22-2007, 10:10 PM

What restaurant has Brenda inspired you to try on your next trip? Mine would be the House of Blues.

Brenda inspired me to try Raglan Road.
But even more importantly, how to flash for popsicles. :rolleyes1

:grouphug: for that inspiration! And :hug: to DisneyDuet for adding Brenda,
Jay and myself to her prayer list. :rotfl2:

Sorry your neighbors were tools, Brenda...

cmp1111

06-22-2007, 10:21 PM

She already got me to try Raglan Road, and now I want to go to Jiko. DH says "we are never staying anywhere but the AKL" so I ought to have a chance! :rotfl2:

disneyjunebug

06-23-2007, 07:28 AM

I want to try Raglan Road, but DH isn't feeling adventurous and since it is his first trip, I am going with ones that I know will be safe. Next trip, more adventure!!!

But I am pulling for a breakfast at Kona. We already have ADRs for dinner.

DisneyJo

06-23-2007, 07:32 AM

I hate banana's but Brenda has got me thinking about trying Tonga Toast, although I do agree with Cass chocolate filling would be delicious :rotfl2:

S.Poppins

06-23-2007, 09:40 AM

I love the picture of Plankton with the candy - classic! I also love the one with Plankton and that naughty towel floozy.

Off to our first ball game! I'll do a food report when I get back.

rentayenta

06-23-2007, 09:47 AM

I hate banana's but Brenda has got me thinking about trying Tonga Toast, although I do agree with Cass chocolate filling would be delicious :rotfl2:

I hate bananas too but I am going to make DH get it so I can have a bite of the outside. :rotfl2:

The following were already on our ADR list but after reading Brenda's reviews, I am more excited about trying them: Kona for breakfast and Ragland Road for dinner. :thumbsup2

kikigirl

06-23-2007, 09:59 AM

Let's see...after reading Brenda's reviews, I really want to try Kona for breakfast and Raglan Road for dinner.

Kiki

praisehisname

06-23-2007, 10:42 AM

Brenda, I'm sorry to hear about your phone/internet loss. A little for you, but mostly for us because we're waiting for another installment! :lmao:

What restaurant has Brenda inspired you to try on your next trip?

Well, there's no way I can fit it in on this next trip, but I really want to try: House of Blues, Raglan Road, and Kona for breakfast. Also, I know DH would love Jiko.

We WILL, however, be squeezing Ghiradelli in... There is ALWAYS room for ice cream!

Denise

DeeDeeDis

06-23-2007, 01:01 PM

]the dregs of society are all congregating at USO / IOA while all the Girl and Boy Scouts are skipping hand-in-hand through DTD, stopping to perform random heimlich maneuvers on those guests who tried to inhale, rather than chew, that Wetzel's Pretzel.[/I]

Holy Smokes Bat Girl your not trying say this isn't so....:rotfl:

WDW Poly Princess

06-23-2007, 03:29 PM

I vote we all stage a protest in front of the offending neighbors' house!

3SweetPrincesses

06-23-2007, 06:20 PM

We just returned yesterday from our first family trip to WDW. Brenda inspired us to eat at Ghiradelli and it was out of this world!! :cloud9: Next time we go we want to try Kona for breakfast and Jiko as well! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!!

LeahJ

06-23-2007, 06:53 PM

Big mistake. Big, big mistake.

I am supposed to be writing a book today. I just stopped by the Dis to check in on things, while germinating ideas for the next book section.

Big mistake.

I found food porn - and excellent writing. And way too much fun!!!

How will I ever motivate myself...

Will flash for motivation. ;)

LOL
crack myself up.

;)

Thanks for the great thread!!

Leah

S.Poppins

06-23-2007, 10:36 PM

Just got back from the my son's baseball tournament. He is playing 7 year old all stars. We won one and lost one today. We will go to church tomorrow and then head back for more games.

The food was undelicious at the ball field. Yucky hamburgers. My 3 snowcones (yes, 3 - it was hot) were good. However, Friday night we ate at one of the casinos. All you can eat crab legs! :banana: Very good. I have only been to the coast a couple of times since Katrina. The casinos are certainly doing well again. The coastline has changed so dramatically. We use to love to drive along the beach and look at the beautiful houses. Everyone of them is gone. Still unbelievable. :sad2:

I would like to try Raglan Road too. The desserts look fabulous.

DisneyMom5

06-23-2007, 10:52 PM

I haven't checked in because I have been helping out at my dd's play (Annie Jr.) The sun'll come out....:rolleyes1
Gonna be singing that in my sleep for weeks....
[My dd13 is Mrs. Greer, the housekeeper. At 5' 3", with a size 8.5 wide foot, the "Annie" train left the station long ago. But she is REALLY enjoying her first experience in "THE THEATRE."]

The restaurant we are trying due to Brenda's awesome descriptions is Rose and Crown. Sticky Toffee Pudding.... *drool*

oybolshoi

06-24-2007, 04:32 PM

HomeSweetDisney

06-24-2007, 05:44 PM

Ohhhhhh Tonga Toast. I really wanted to try that on our last trip but didn't get around to it. Next time, I am making it my mission to eat that stuff. I love anything with bananas in it so that looks heavenly to me :love: \

And aren't you soooo excited yet really depressed about HP 7? I mean, I am super excited because I love the books but I've been reading them since I was 12 so it will be really sad to see it all come to an end. I told everyone that after I am done reading Deathly Hallows I'm going to go into a three day mourning period. Because really, what else will I have to look forward to in life? ;) Other than Tonga Toast of course :rotfl:

Can't wait to read more food report!

disneyjunebug

06-24-2007, 07:40 PM

Woo hooty hoo!! :banana:

We finally got our service back! :thumbsup2 I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind kona comments and other lovely posts while we were "in the dark."

I'm working on Flying Fish right now and it should be ready to go later this evening.

Thanks again - you guys are great!! :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I'm glad you are back into the light again..... don't you just hate those dark days, wandering in the wilderness or no internet, with nothing to do.....

Let the sun shine.... Let the sun shine in, the sun shine in!!

disneyjunebug

06-24-2007, 07:42 PM

MrsB1228

06-24-2007, 08:43 PM

What restaurant has Brenda inspired you to try on your next trip? Mine would be the House of Blues.

For us it's Raglan Road and Kona Cafe. Can't wait to try them both, thanks Brenda! :thumbsup2

oybolshoi

06-24-2007, 10:11 PM

Monday, May 28th - They Soar Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease, Those Tasty Young Fish on the Flying Trapeze..."

The old plan, formulated late last year, was for Jay and me to have dinner at BlueZoo over at the Swolphin. But some recent dicey reviews of the restaurant coupled with konstant kudos for Flying Fish gave me pause...and a few weeks before we left for Florida I canceled BlueZoo and replaced it with a reservation at FF.

I must give a big shout out to Shovan because her wonderful review of Flying Fish, with mouth-watering pictures I might add, helped me make the switch. It also didn't hurt that she mentioned FF offers a Champagne flight. :rotfl2:

Look, both legs...kind of.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02207.jpg

Getting to Flying Fish from Saratoga Springs gave us another chance to test the strength of our combined problem-solving skills after indulging in Espresso Chillers at the pool all afternoon. We decided that we would catch a bus to Epcot and walk through the park, exiting via the International Gateway on our way over to the Boardwalk. If I thought we were on the receiving end of some weird looks on Saturday night all cleaned up for Jiko, it was nothing compared with the giant eyeballs we got while walking through Epcot...was it the tennis-shoes / sundress combination or the missing leg that caught the eye of so many guests? We'll never know...;)

In retrospect it might have made more sense to walk over to Downtown Disney and catch the bus for the Swolphin, Boardwalk, Beach, and Yacht Clubs, but we were concerned about the size of the crowd that might be waiting for that particular bus - we know from experience that it can get big fast - so we opted for the "constant motion" travel method as opposed to hurry up and wait...and wait...and wait. Apart from the health benefits of all the extra walking, the "constant motion" travel method guarantees that I feel much less guilty when I order half the dinner menu, a cheese plate, several drinks, and a plethora of desserts.

And now, without further mumbo-jumbo...

Flying Fish Cafe

This is the outside of the restaurant as seen from the Boardwalk area (picture courtesy of the DISboards because we were too dumb to think to take one ourselves).

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/350/DSC00494.jpg

Our reservation was for 7PM - we expected the place to be packed, but it was only about half-full. We assumed that because it was Memorial Day most people were hanging at the parks eating Dole Whips and Turkey legs. Good for them - less people at Flying Fish means a more relaxed dinner for us...we hope.

Here's an interior shot of the restaurant:

It's like a carnival for fish!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02208.jpg

We were seated near the middle of the restaurant at a cozy little table for two - the bar was almost directly behind me, but I was separated from it by a nice half-wall. The open kitchen was behind us and to my right, so if we wanted to crane our necks and check out the action we could. We had a great view of the entire restaurant from where we were seated and could also see out the front windows to the Boardwalk area, which seemed to be growing more and more crowded with each passing minute.

Our waiter, who was great but whose name escapes me (I'm really bad at remembering names when I only see a person sporadically for a couple of hours), presented us with dinner menus, wine lists, specialty drink menus, and the cheese plate choices of the day. I asked about the champagne flight and much to my disappointment was informed that the restaurant had just recently scrapped that option. Oh, I was sad...I had so been looking forward to a nice fishy dinner paired with three different champagnes. Whatever was I to do?

Order a specialty cocktail and soldier on, that's what you do! I didn't think to take a picture of it, but I ordered the Red Snapper - Stoli Raspberry Vodka, Crown Royal, and Amaretto with a splash of cranberry juice. I chose this drink because it seemed like a mix between a Cosmopolitan and a Manhattan, two of my favorite drinks. This was an excellent selection and it was served in a full-size glass - not a bad deal for $8. I was able to make this drink last through the better part of the meal.

You may profess amazement at my ability to nurse one drink through a two-hour meal, but there was another reason...I must have had the charm-o-meter running full blast that evening (or I flashed some unintentional free-drink cleavage) because right after we placed our drink and appetizer orders our waiter re-appeared with two complimentary glasses of champagne!!

Happy Anniversary!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02213.jpg

I've said it before and I'll say it again: wear your buttons! You just never know what lovely little things may come your way. :thumbsup2

I must confess to one other small disappointment this evening - the Flying Fish menu that I had reviewed before we left home included She-Crab Soup, which is a Charleston, South Carolina specialty that is at its best in the spring, or so I've been told. I have always wanted to try this dish and was planning on ordering it for my appetizer only to find out that all the She-Crab Soup had been eaten in a fit of despair by the same individual who was forced to pull the champagne flight from the drink menu.

If it had been me I would have sucked down all the champagne instead. ;)

Well, when you can't get crabby soup, go with the next best choice, which is the crabby patty!!

Peeky Toe Crab Cake
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02215.jpg

The menu doesn't specify what type of crab is actually used for the crab cake, but I'm here to tell you this thing was almost nothing but crab and it was huge. It was served with Flying Fish Slaw and Ancho Chili Remoulade. I scraped off most of the hot sauce and let Jay eat it and the slaw when he sampled the crab, but as crab cakes go this was really tasty. And do not mistake me for an expert on crab cakes...or any kind of crab for that matter. As far as I know, the only crabs that are indigenous to Missouri are the ones you don't discuss in polite company.

Jay opted for a soup for his appetizer:

Maine Lobster Bisque
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02216.jpg

According to the menu this bisque is served with Blue Crab Salad, Chive Oil, and Petit Croutons. That is the "stuff" you see floating in the soup. I did try this and it was actually pretty good. I am not a lobster person, but I have been known to enjoy a lobster bisque on occasion. This was excellent, and Jay and I were quite pleased with both appetizer selections as we shared back and forth across the table.

I struggled a bit choosing my entree. I was very curious about the snapper, but both Jay and I thought that might be too daring for me. I'm not really a big fan of salmon and none of the other menu options were really jumping out at me. In the end I chose this:

Fines Herbes-crusted Alaskan Halibut
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02217.jpg

It's served with a fricassee of young vegetables, celery and tarragon emulsion. I think I would have liked this better with fewer herbs and less mucus-colored emulsion. The halibut was actually quite good once I was able to uncover it - light and flaky with a mild flavor - I just didn't care for the sauce. But I tried something new and that's a huge step for this cranky crohn!

Jason ordered exactly what I thought he would...

Potato-wrapped Red Snapper
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02218.jpg

This dish is served with a creamy leek fondue and a red wine butter sauce. From a purely selfish perspective I was really happy that Jay ordered this because I'd been wanting to try it ever since I read Shovan's review, but I also knew that it wasn't something I'd probably order myself. And it was very good, but perhaps a bit too fishy for my personal taste. To my mind the most interesting thing about this selection is the way that the snapper is cooked inside of the potato - it's almost as if it's wrapped inside of a perfectly prepared potato pancake. The flavors of the wine sauce and the leeks mesh really well with the snapper and the potato - it's easy to understand why this is the restaurant's signature dish.

And let's talk presentation for just a second, Dr. Suess would be proud. One fish, two fish, red fish, white dish! :lmao:

At this point you wouldn't think we had room for anything else, would you?

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

The night is young my friends, pull up a chair! We had been eyeing the cheese selection since we first read through the menu after being seated. And it's quite common to share a cheese plate prior to indulging in dessert(s). So, for a mere $15 we went ahead and requested the Chef's five cheese selections for the evening, served with raisins on the vine, fig compote, and honey comb. This was also served with a separate plate of tasty bread crisps, which we neglected to photograph.

Cheese, glorious cheese!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02219.jpg

I think I've got these in the right order, but I could be wrong on one or two, so pardon my faulty memory in advance. From left to right with some descriptive assistance from the evening's menu...

Rogue River Blue - This is a naturally rinded cheese and the aging process imparts flavors from the Rogue River Valley (wherever that may be). The result is that the natural molds that form on the cheese lend flavors of wild ripened berries, hazelnuts, and pears. I'll take your word for it, Mr. Chef, because I don't eat blue cheese. Jay got this one all to himself and was very satisfied.

Sofia - This is a hand ladled goat cheese that is produced in Indiana. It is marbled and layered with vegetable ash; the texture is velvety under its rind and as it ripens it supposedly becomes more dense. It has a delicate, slightly sweet flavor. I'm a big fan of goat cheese, believe it or not, and this was excellent! I really liked it paired with the raisins.

Flixer - This is a very rare cheese that is made by only one cheesemaker in Switzerland. The rind of the 6-pound wheel is similar to a Gruyere, but this cheese is made from sheep's milk - it has delicate chestnut and savory flavors that melt into a creamy aftertaste. This was terrific - really good by itself and quite tasty with both the raisins and the fig compote. Jay also liked it with the honey comb, but I don't do honey so I can't really comment.

Fiscalini Farms Bandage Wrapped Cheddar - This is a raw cow's milk cheese produced in Modesto, California. It's made in the traditional way - by stacking the curds; the flavor is described as buttery, savory, and grassy. An interesting note - this is one of the only American produced Cheddar style cheeses to win awards in England. How 'bout that? Again, this was a pretty tasty selection, although I found it a little thick...it seemed like it coated the inside of my mouth and didn't want to go away. I like a cheese that lingers a bit but I don't want it taking up permanent residence in my molars.

Pleasant Ridge Reserve - This is another raw cow's milk cheese, this time produced in Wisconsin. It is "extra" aged 12-18 months and is made from a single herd giving the milk a highly nutritional value. It has a smooth, subtle flavor rich in fruit and hints of olives and herbs with a tangy finish. This cheese is Wisconsin's rival to France's best Beaufort Cheese. I really liked this cheese a lot - great flavor and texture.

This may have been the single-best cheese plate we tried all week. It's certainly the one that made the biggest impression on both of us. We couldn't have been more pleased with the selections and the presentation - we give Flying Fish's cheese plate five Cheez-its out of a possible five.

Anyone hungry for dessert? We decided to show a little restraint and share, or so we thought.

We ordered this:

Cappuccino Panna Cotta with Vanilla Cognac Foam
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02222.jpg

Look...it comes with macaroons! Although it's really just a meringue cookie, I don't care for macaroons... seems like all I can ever taste is the almond paste or almond extract that's used in the baking process. But they're cute little cookies, aren't they?

As for the real dessert... yum-didley-um! Jay and I are big fans of panna cotta and have been known to make it at home. This was a terrific spin on a traditional dessert - still very light but with a nice hint of coffee and the "foam" on top was a great touch. It looked just like the froth you'd expect to see topping a cappuccino, but it was cool rather than warm, with just a hint of vanilla. A very subtle taste combination and great presentation!

And then, our friendly neighborhood waiter showed up with second dessert. My God...people really do think we're hobbits; and I even shaved my feet before dinner to make it less obvious!

Creme Brulee...you will eat it!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02221.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02224.jpg

A very nice family seated at the table next to us offered to take a picture of Jay and me with the restaurant's second anniversary surprise of the night. I wish I looked a little less bleary, but Jason still looks great, doesn't he? He single-handedly saved this picture with his handome good looks, because I look like I'm about to pass out in the dessert. :rotfl2:

There's not a whole lot to say - it's creme brulee and if prepared properly it speaks for itself. It was very good and very light and it was definitely big enough to share. I rarely order creme brulee as a dessert, but this was quite tasty, so if you're a fan of this dish I think you'd be pleased with it as your dessert choice.

And so, in long-winded conclusion I would just like to say this: Flying Fish is awesome! Anniversary kindnesses aside, the service was great - prompt without hovering; and the food was incredible - tasty and inventive. Thank you Shovan for unintentionally steering us toward this restaurant. Hands down this was the best meal of the week, excluding Victoria and Albert's since that would be like comparing apples to oranges. We will definitely be headed back to Flying Fish in October.

As for the anniversary magic that we received, Jay and I aren't sure what we did to deserve it other than wear our buttons, but we were very grateful nonetheless. We were fortunate to be on the receiving end of some very thoughtful gestures on this day and it really did help to make our trip even more memorable. :love:

Thanks for reading - I appreciate it more than you know! :grouphug:

SmallWorld71

06-24-2007, 10:36 PM

Loving your reviews! I loved the whimsical looking decor of Flying Fish.

So, since you are a button expert, I will ask you this question: DS11's birthday is a couple of weeks after we return from our trip. Is it O.K. to get him a button to wear? Do they have any other buttons that might be appropriate for kids to wear? :confused3 I know my other kids would love to wear buttons, but their birthdays are in February.

Keep up the good work!:thumbsup2

S.Poppins

06-24-2007, 11:03 PM

Great review! Worth the wait. Okay, the crabs in Missouri comment made me laugh outloud! I'm sorry but the picture of the snapper looks like something floating in a pool of blood. :scared1: But the description sounds good. I just don't know if I could eat cheeses with descriptions like, "the natural molds that form..." "buttery, savory, and grassy" And what the heck is a vegetable ash? Is this what is left after you cremate the vegetables? You are so much more cultured than me. While I'm asking dumb food questions, what exactly is Panna Cotta?

I have never even considered FF. If you had to pick one, would it be Raglan Road or FF?

So glad you are back online!

BriarRosie

06-24-2007, 11:03 PM

Monday, May 28th - They Soar Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease, Those Tasty Young Fish on the Flying Trapeze..."

Getting to Flying Fish from Saratoga Springs gave us another chance to test the strength of our combined problem-solving skills after indulging in Espresso Chillers at the pool all afternoon. We decided that we would catch a bus to Epcot and walk through the park, exiting via the International Gateway on our way over to the Boardwalk. If I thought we were on the receiving end of some weird looks on Saturday night all cleaned up for Jiko, it was nothing compared with the giant eyeballs we got while walking through Epcot...was it the tennis-shoes / sundress combination or the missing leg that caught the eye of so many guests? We'll never know...;)

I've done the Epcot walk-thru before, in the opposite direction, from the Epcot resorts, just to get on the monorail. ;) So at least you have one reader who doesn't think it's crazy to use Epcot as a means of transportation!

Order a specialty cocktail and soldier on, that's what you do! I didn't think to take a picture of it, but I ordered the Red Snapper - Stoli Raspberry Vodka, Crown Royal, and Amaretto with a splash of cranberry juice. I chose this drink because it seemed like a mix between a Cosmopolitan and a Manhattan, two of my favorite drinks. This was an excellent selection and it was served in a full-size glass - not a bad deal for $8. I was able to make this drink last through the better part of the meal.

You Lush Card will be revoked if you nurse drinks for 2 hours again. ;)

You may profess amazement at my ability to nurse one drink through a two-hour meal, but there was another reason...I must have had the charm-o-meter running full blast that evening (or I flashed some unintentional free-drink cleavage) because right after we placed our drink and appetizer orders our waiter re-appeared with two complimentary glasses of champagne!!

Sheesh, remind me to pack some hoochie shirts in my luggage for October! Maybe it was also the Magic Anniversary Button.

I must confess to one other small disappointment this evening - the Flying Fish menu that I had reviewed before we left home included She-Crab Soup, which is a Charleston, South Carolina specialty that is at its best in the spring, or so I've been told. I have always wanted to try this dish and was planning on ordering it for my appetizer only to find out that all the She-Crab Soup had been eaten in a fit of despair by the same individual who was forced to pull the champagne flight from the drink menu.

It could be worse, Brenda. The last time I went to Flying Fish, the potato-wrapped Red Snapper was NOT on the menu, and I had been looking forward to having it again after my first visit. My meal disappointed me so much I haven't been back since. But I may revisit because it's been back on the menu for a while, now. :)

And your appetizers and entrees looked delish! Except I did notice a trend where they serve food covered in drool from rabid dogs. I never did understand that "foam" thing, and why it's so wonderful. :confused3

And let's talk presentation for just a second, Dr. Suess would be proud. One fish, two fish, red fish, white dish! :lmao:

Oy, stop her before she Seusses again! :eek:

And then, our friendly neighborhood waiter showed up with second dessert. My God...people really do think we're hobbits; and I even shaved my feet before dinner to make it less obvious!

Heheheh. :rotfl2: Magic Anniversary Buttons! When you return in October, you'll be wearing your birthday button, won't you? ;)

50 years Too!

06-24-2007, 11:16 PM

Yeah, Brenda's back!
Rogue River is in my neck of the country, (well, state, at least).
It is in Southern Oregon. My friends from college, who hail from there, call it God's Country. Redneck, but beautiful.

POLY1985

06-25-2007, 12:21 AM

WDW Poly Princess

06-25-2007, 01:19 AM

As far as I know, the only crabs that are indigenous to Missouri are the ones you don't discuss in polite company.

:lmao

I don't think I'd be able to eat something with "peeky-toe" in its name. I picture a big-eyed baby crab with little toes.

I think I would have liked this better with fewer herbs and less mucus-colored emulsion.

I know that emulsions are supposed to be all fancy-pants, but they always look like you offended the waiter, and they spit on the food!

I love the fish-shaped dish! Flying Fish is much more whimsical than I pictured it!

At this point you wouldn't think we had room for anything else, would you?

But... the cheese! Don't forsake the cheese! Do not let me down here!

Cheese, glorious cheese!

WHEW!

I, too avoid any cheese with the phrase "natural molds" in the description.

Flixer - This is a very rare cheese that is made by only one cheesemaker in Switzerland.

Wow, talk about job security! Do I get bonus points for eating food that involves cheese while reading about cheese, by the way?

I'm glad you're back online! The interet always smells a little sweeter after you've been deprived, yes?

cntkg1

06-25-2007, 08:12 AM

It's served with a fricassee of young vegetables, celery and tarragon emulsion. I think I would have liked this better with fewer herbs and less mucus-colored emulsion.

Mucus-colored emulsion?? :lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: Does this match your "snot" somethingorother from a different TR? :rotfl:

zweihund

06-25-2007, 08:24 AM

Glad to see that both your internet and your other leg are back. ;)

DISNEYDUET

06-25-2007, 09:03 AM

Look, both legs...kind of.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02207.jpg
You look lovely! You even match the curtains. ;) I do love the dress and have to know where you got it!
Getting to Flying Fish from Saratoga Springs gave us another chance to test the strength of our combined problem-solving skills after indulging in Espresso Chillers at the pool all afternoon. We decided that we would catch a bus to Epcot and walk through the park, exiting via the International Gateway on our way over to the Boardwalk. If I thought we were on the receiving end of some weird looks on Saturday night all cleaned up for Jiko, it was nothing compared with the giant eyeballs we got while walking through Epcot...was it the tennis-shoes / sundress combination or the missing leg that caught the eye of so many guests? We'll never know...;)
:lmao:
Apart from the health benefits of all the extra walking, the "constant motion" travel method guarantees that I feel much less guilty when I order half the dinner menu, a cheese plate, several drinks, and a plethora of desserts.
popcorn:: :coffee: :cake: :mickeybar :drinking1 =:sick:

Flying Fish Cafe

This is the outside of the restaurant as seen from the Boardwalk area (picture courtesy of the DISboards because we were too dumb to think to take one ourselves).

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/350/DSC00494.jpg
I love this place at night! All the neon fishies!

Here's an interior shot of the restaurant:

It's like a carnival for fish!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02208.jpg
They have such a beautiful dining room. It has a warm glow at night. Very romantic!
We were seated near the middle of the restaurant at a cozy little table for two - the bar was almost directly behind me, but I was separated from it by a nice half-wall. The open kitchen was behind us and to my right, so if we wanted to crane our necks and check out the action we could. We had a great view of the entire restaurant from where we were seated and could also see out the front windows to the Boardwalk area, which seemed to be growing more and more crowded with each passing minute.
Don't you just love to people watch! :3dglasses

Order a specialty cocktail and soldier on, that's what you do! I didn't think to take a picture of it, but I ordered the Red Snapper - Stoli Raspberry Vodka, Crown Royal, and Amaretto with a splash of cranberry juice. I chose this drink because it seemed like a mix between a Cosmopolitan and a Manhattan, two of my favorite drinks. This was an excellent selection and it was served in a full-size glass - not a bad deal for $8. I was able to make this drink last through the better part of the meal.
Happy Anniversary!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02213.jpg
Woo Hoo! And this would be where Brenda turns into Brenda No Pants and flashes her girls for dessert all while balancing on one leg! :hug:
I must confess to one other small disappointment this evening - the Flying Fish menu that I had reviewed before we left home included She-Crab Soup, which is a Charleston, South Carolina specialty that is at its best in the spring, or so I've been told. I have always wanted to try this dish and was planning on ordering it for my appetizer only to find out that all the She-Crab Soup had been eaten in a fit of despair by the same individual who was forced to pull the champagne flight from the drink menu.
DOH! :headache:
Well, when you can't get crabby soup, go with the next best choice, which is the crabby patty!!

Peeky Toe Crab Cake
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02215.jpg

The menu doesn't specify what type of crab is actually used for the crab cake, but I'm here to tell you this thing was almost nothing but crab and it was huge. It was served with Flying Fish Slaw and Ancho Chili Remoulade. I scraped off most of the hot sauce and let Jay eat it and the slaw when he sampled the crab, but as crab cakes go this was really tasty. And do not mistake me for an expert on crab cakes...or any kind of crab for that matter. As far as I know, the only crabs that are indigenous to Missouri are the ones you don't discuss in polite company.
Now that is a crab cake!! Being so close to the Chesapeake Bay we eat a lot of crab! :cloud9:
Jay opted for a soup for his appetizer:

Maine Lobster Bisque
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02216.jpg
Nice Lobsta soup! I could each my weight in lobster. Love the stuff! I spent a summer in Maine and had lobster almost every day. The locals thought I was crazy for eating so much. But then again we have lots of people who come down our way for vacation just to eat crab so I guess it is a trade off.

I struggled a bit choosing my entree. I was very curious about the snapper, but both Jay and I thought that might be too daring for me. I'm not really a big fan of salmon and none of the other menu options were really jumping out at me. In the end I chose this:

Fines Herbes-crusted Alaskan Halibut
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02217.jpg

But I tried something new and that's a huge step for this cranky crohn!
Way to go Brenda!! We are so proud if you!

And let's talk presentation for just a second, Dr. Suess would be proud. One fish, two fish, red fish, white dish! :lmao:
Not gonna even go there. Just not gonna do it.:sad2:

And then, our friendly neighborhood waiter showed up with second dessert. My God...people really do think we're hobbits; and I even shaved my feet before dinner to make it less obvious!
Word spreads fast in the "World" You are up on every noticeboard, in every kitchen at WDW. It reads (and I quote) "Ply said young lady with alcohol, cheese and dessert and no one will be hurt."
I've said it before and I'll say it again: wear your buttons! You just never know what lovely little things may come your way
It's really the alert on the noticeboard-Not the buttons. They just want you to think it is the buttons. :thumbsup2

Glad to hear you had a wonderful Anniversary! :love:

OKWMom

06-25-2007, 09:30 AM

Yum, Yum, Yum. We loved Flying Fish too and your wonderful pictures made my mouth water. We have reservations for FF on the first night of our November vacation because I didn't want to wait.

Wonderful review.

AGPrincess

06-25-2007, 09:37 AM

Maine Lobster Bisque
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02216.jpg

That is a very LARGE plate for that amount of soup! The plating is pretty, though -- all of your dishes from FF looked like they had good presentation... (lol...I feel like one of the judges from the food network...)

The decor at the FF is SOO pretty...it makes me want to go there even though no one in my family likes seafood...Sigh...Maybe they'd let us just order dessert? (and hooray for your free dessert!! :woohoo: )

cmp1111

06-25-2007, 09:44 AM

As far as I know, the only crabs that are indigenous to Missouri are the ones you don't discuss in polite company.

Brenda, the whole review sounded amazing, but this is, of course, what made me laugh the most. :)

I am not a fish person - as you know, in the Midwest, it becomes very hard to get good fresh fish and my first experiences were not good. I'm slowly doing better with it. But, your descriptions make this stuff sound appealing! I do love crab cakes.

But, I LOVE cheese. All of those just made my mouth water. I don't mind "natural mold" - more mold, better cheese! ;)

Thanks again for writing and taking pictures, and taking the time to share all this. :goodvibes

DisneyJo

06-25-2007, 10:14 AM

2 Anniversary freebies you lucky thing, did you waddle home? :rotfl2: Silly question but does FF sell anything other than fish? DH would love it but I only eat Cod :rotfl:

jakenjess

06-25-2007, 10:20 AM

Glad you had such a great experience at FF! I really wish DH and I were seafood people; it really does open up a wealth of options!:sad2:

I'm going to try to get DH to take a trip for our 20th anniversary (just four more years), where we can do the fancy meals and all the "grown-up" stuff, but after our last June trip he said no more, both because of the heat and especially the crowds. :crowded: Way back when the second week of June was great; though it was hot, it wasn't at all crowded. When we took the kids for an end-of-school surprise trip two years ago, it was wall-to-wall people! But if we do, I'll be sure to get those buttons!;)

kikigirl

06-25-2007, 10:23 AM

Glad to see that you're back Brenda! :cool1:

I love seafood, especially crab and lobster...I can't eat shrimp anymore unless it's been in a blender. This place seems awesome. I've never had a creme brulee but it looks yummy. Yay for free stuff!!

Kiki

Poohbear67

06-25-2007, 10:26 AM

Okay Brenda now I am going to have to change all of our ADRS I can't stand it anymore:headache: way to many choices and all those pictures Wow my head is on overload:lmao:

I am so glad you guys had a wonderful anniversary trip espically with all the extra's that was thrown in.:thumbsup2

allyphoe

06-25-2007, 10:42 AM

Peeky Toe Crab Cake
The menu doesn't specify what type of crab is actually used for the crab cake,

Um, that would be the peekytoe crab that's used for the crab cake. ;)
http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blpeekytoe.htm

atisikitabasket

06-25-2007, 11:30 AM

Hey Brenda! I have been cracking up since you started your review and with the missouri crab remark I just realized were you are from. I'm in Jefferson City and actually used to live in O'Fallon and St. Charles area. What a small world it is. I love your reviews. :banana:

shovan

06-25-2007, 11:45 AM

Monday, May 28th - They Soar Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease, Those Tasty Young Fish on the Flying Trapeze..."

I must give a big shout out to Shovan because her wonderful review of Flying Fish, with mouth-watering pictures I might add, helped me make the switch. It also didn't hurt that she mentioned FF offers a Champagne flight. :rotfl2:

I asked about the champagne flight and much to my disappointment was informed that the restaurant had just recently scrapped that option. Oh, I was sad...I had so been looking forward to a nice fishy dinner paired with three different champagnes. Whatever was I to do?

And so, in long-winded conclusion I would just like to say this: Flying Fish is awesome! Anniversary kindnesses aside, the service was great - prompt without hovering; and the food was incredible - tasty and inventive. Thank you Shovan for unintentionally steering us toward this restaurant. Hands down this was the best meal of the week, excluding Victoria and Albert's since that would be like comparing apples to oranges. We will definitely be headed back to Flying Fish in October.

As for the anniversary magic that we received, Jay and I aren't sure what we did to deserve it other than wear our buttons, but we were very grateful nonetheless. We were fortunate to be on the receiving end of some very thoughtful gestures on this day and it really did help to make our trip even more memorable. :love:

Thanks for reading - I appreciate it more than you know! :grouphug:

:cool1: Woohoo!!! I got a SHOUT-OUT!!!! I'm such a dork, but this is exciting!:rotfl: ( Can you tell I'm a virgin to getting a shout-out?):confused3 :lmao:

But my ears must deceive me, WHAT NO CHAMPAGNE FLIGHT?! HORRORS OF HORRORS! What a sad, sad thing.:sad2: Glad they surprised you with some anniversary freebies and you made the best of it with a tasty cocktail!

Did Jay like the snapper? or was it really fishy? The crabcake looks just as good as when we had it. Your desserts look wonderful.

I'm so glad you both enjoyed it & I didn't steer you wrong! :goodvibes

CastleLight

06-25-2007, 12:07 PM

I am just loving this thread.

And V&A Chef's Table is next! Woo Hoo! :cool1: We are dining there on the first night of our disneymoon. :bride: Can't wait to hear all about it! :cloud9: I sure hope you did the wine pairing!! :jumping1:

C.Marie

06-25-2007, 12:10 PM

Yay! You recovered not only your internet but also your missing leg! I couldn't be happier for you. :lmao: Another great review, but we all know to expect nothing but the best from you by now. I, too, am astonished by the two hour drink (I heard rumblings of revoking your lush card). :rotfl2: And that is surely the Superman of cheese plates you had there.
Can't wait for more!

Cass

06-25-2007, 12:24 PM

Hand ladeling your goat is very important for a fine cheese.

TigerKat

06-25-2007, 02:09 PM

I'm so glad my pal Shovan steered you to FF. We loved it as well!

rentayenta

06-25-2007, 02:25 PM

Brenda, love it! Your reports are awesome! :thumbsup2 Now DH and I will have to share a cheese sampler.

A fat english gent

06-25-2007, 04:28 PM

Brenda dear have you told Jason your leaving him for the Fat English bloke yet....Remove or hide the firearm before you tell him

ps...Don't forget his wallet dear....:rolleyes1

CampbellScot

06-25-2007, 07:03 PM

Love it love it!!! So funny!!! Y'all are SUCH a cutepatootie couple!!! Can't wait for more!!!!

popcorn::

mrzrich

06-25-2007, 07:07 PM

Brenda

I have been a fan since your F&W festival trip with Grimace. Keep the reviews coming!

BTW did you consider taking the Bus to MGM and the Friendship boat to the Boardwalk? The boats are usually captained by 90 year old men which kinda makes me giggle. Its a nice diversion though.:thumbsup2

DisneyMom5

06-25-2007, 07:34 PM

Congrats on your budding star! Maybe she'll get that big contract to be the next "Hannah Montana!"

Thanks! Don't encourage her! LOL

She watches that show enough that she probably knows all of Hannah's lines now! :happytv:

We are happy the play is over, and sad that it is over. Returning to "regular" life now....

DisneyMom5

06-25-2007, 07:51 PM

Brenda,

I just discovered your posts last week and have been reading and enjoying them ever since. I started with the food in 2006 then came over to May 2007. I'm about halfway through the 2006 trip report. I really love reading about the Grimace.

Your Rose and Crown incident is very similar to what my DH did in 2000. We had late ADR's for R&C and I was hoping to sit outside and view Illuminations. I mean, that's all anyone on this board talks about - getting a good table at R&C. When we get there my DH says that it's way too hot to sit outside and to request an inside table:sad2: I can't even begin to tell you what I wanted to do to him! We get to the podium and request an inside table, wait about 10 minutes and are led inside, straight through the dining room and out the back to the most perfect viewing table they have. DH now is extremely grumpy and decides he will NOT order the prime rib he was looking forward to and only order a salad because it is too hot to eat something hot. This is a meat and potatoes man who hates salads. Well, the kids and I enjoyed our meal and did get to watch Illuminations but he did put a damper on my spirits. We bought him a Grumpy tshirt the next day.:laughing: To this day I refuse to eat where there is outdoor seating unless the weather is absolutely perfect. When he asks why, I mearly say "the Epcot incident" and he gets very quiet.

Too funny! Sooo something my dh would do. Sigh.

This reminded me: When I called to make ADRs for our upcoming trip, I purposely asked for the earliest dinner seating at Rose and Crown because we are a larger group (10), and we don't like to eat late.
They gave me a 4:30pm seating, then proceeded to warn me that outside seating for Illuminations viewing was subject to weather and availability, and could not be requested or guarenteed.
:eek:
I wanted to say "Good grief woman, do you think I make dinner reservations at 4:30pm in hopes of being able to view the 9 O'CLOCK Illuminations?"
Like we have nothing better to do at Epcot than to spend FOUR AND A HALF hours at Rose and Crown. :lmao:

oybolshoi

06-25-2007, 09:10 PM

Better late than never...I finally have time and the internet connectivity to respond to all of your comments. Can I just say...I love you guys? :goodvibes

On page 10, just finished Chefs de France. I should be writing a paper - but what the heck... First of all, Jason eats like me. I love "stuff" or as my DH refers to it "all that crap". Every Wednesday night we have a leadership meeting before church. We have an executive chef that goes to our church and cooks for our school - long story as to how he ended up cooking for a school instead of a restaurant, but it is a blessing!! Anyway, tonight he made his special Italian subs. The first thing DH asked was, "Is he putting all that crap on it?" Crap: ie - lettuce, onion, tomato, italian dressing. No, Chef put it on the side. I told Chef I would gladly eat my husband's crap! DH ate a sandwich with meat and cheese only. Yuck! Anyway, I digress.

I had adrs for Chefs in January. But I kept looking at the menu and decided my family would probably be happier at Le Cellier. I am dragging DH to California Grill (he doesn't know). He does not care for exotic food. Example: ate at Western Sizzlin' with his parents last week - loved it. :confused3

I'm with your hubby in most instances... I don't like stuff in my food either! I've gotten better over the years, but some habits are hard to outgrow. I wonder if it's a cosmic law of attraction that one spouse must be a picky eater while the other isn't? Keeps things interesting, that's for sure. ;)

As someone who is still pretty picky, I feel pretty sure that your DH can find something at CA Grill to make his tummy happy.

Uumm, I think the florist sent you the nice anniversary surprise. I checked out the florist website...My guess is they thought, "Wow, this woman is an awesome customer. We need to treat her well!!!" I think instead of ordering a basket, on the last day of our trip I will make my own basket out of all the cute Disney toiletries, some Goofy candy, left over snacks, all the overpriced blinky toys the kids have talked their overindulging granparents into buying, I may even throw in a balloon...and present it to my kids - and send my DH the bill.

Okay, I am diving back in. After I go find a snack.....

The florist or the front desk at SSR would be equally good guesses, I think. But if they'd really wanted to treat us well they would have included several pounds of unmarked $100 bills...

I love your basket idea and I'm sure your kids would go ga-ga for it! If you bill your DH be sure to include a spa treatment for yourself...all this hard work you've been putting in for school screams "I need a massage!" :thumbsup2

It's so unfair... that Tonga Toast looks so good, but I'm allergic to bananas. Do you think that they'd replace the banana with pineapple?

And after all that coffee, Tonga toast/French toast, and then a anniversary breakfast dessert... were you bouncing off of the walls from all of that sugar?!

Hey there Andiepie! I really don't know if they could replace the banana in the Tonga Toast with something else, but it couldn't hurt to ask, could it?

And to answer your other question... yes! We had a blast wandering the Flower and Garden Festival with Plankton and giggled ourselves silly posing him all over the place. Pictures will be posted in the Shrubbery once I finally finish up here and then you can see for yourself just how bad the sugar rush was!

Mmmmm, that looks so good! I don't know HOW I'm going to do it, but I have got to fit a Kona breakfast in somewhere...

Denise

Go for it, Denise! And then be sure to come back and let us know what you think of Kona at brekkie-time!

Oh yeah. The duck story was funny. My kids were very worried that DH was going to injure one of the hungry, persistant little guys at Casey's. DH did not know that every time he was not looking DS was throwing food for them....right by DH's feet. It was very funny to watch.

Wait until you see what visited us on the morning of our anniversary...it was just too cute.

I am even more excited to be trying Kona, for brekkie no less, after reading your review! The Mickey candy confetti is too cute! I love that the staff was in such a celebratory mood! If only had they known if they would have served a sundae they would have gotten flashed! :rotfl2:

:thumbsup2 Your report rocks!

Woo hoo - you're eating at the Kona on your trip! Be sure to let me know what you think once you get back. And I'd strongly encourage you to try flashing for dessert and see what happens! :rotfl2:

Just finished Jiko. Looks amazing. The filet looked great! Another one that I read and thought - nope, no go with boring DH. Although he may like the filet. Maybe I could ask for some chicken strips for his appetizer.

Lavender ice cream: sounds like a body wash or candle scent to me. I didn't care for the ginger ice cream in China either. Just give me some chocolate ice cream.

I tried the flourless chocolate cake at Boma. It was not rich and not good. The one at Jiko looks better.

The fillet was good - I bet your hubby would like it a lot. As for the ice cream...still haven't figured out the lavender aspect of it...why ruin a perfectly good calorie-laden dessert with sachet?

PIMP....

Is it Pretty Impressed? Do I win a prize? Since joining the Dis I have become an expert at decoding acronyms. Which has improved my personalized license plate deciphering.

I do believe that PIMP = pee-in-my-pants. :lmao:

Side note to all: Your family will not find it amusing if you insist on using acronyms to describe every location at WDW. "When we are at MK, we will ride SM, BTMR, and then we have ADRS at CRT, which IMHO is not worth 2 TS on the DDP, but ITA that everyone should try it once." They are already putting up with waiting for you to take pics of all their food before they can eat, writing notes on your napkins, making them wear lime green, and giving unsolicited advice to strangers in line when you overhear them discussing meal options. They will draw the line at some point.

bwahahahahahahahaaa!! I wish I'd done that to Grimace last year - it would have driven her crazy!

That is too funny!!! It does look like Brenda only has one leg! And we thought all that weaving and stumbling was due to the alcohol! :rotfl2:

Actually I have terribly poor balance (refer to my second tag for further illustration) and I'm very sensitive about it. ;)

Get a Blackberry or other handheld... then you just look like a geek on vacation checking e-mail.

The company I work for just tried to set me up with a Blackberry and I said "no." I have no desire to be that connected to my job...ever. Besides, I can't speak for anyone else here, but I do a fine job of looking like a geek without any electronic enhancements. :lmao:

FWIW......I am stumped. What does this one stand for. It is midnight here and I need to go to bed.

I'm sure someone has answered this by now, but FWIW = for what it's worth.

Last night, we did not have kids. So DH and I were sitting in our pajamas watching TV when a commercial for Ocean's 13 comes on. Why not? My doctor had just given me a new drug to help with my chronic fatigue problem, so let's go to a movie in the middle of the night! Seemed like a good plan until this morning.

I am all caught up on this report!!!!

Stacey, thanks for taking the time to read through everything - I hope it was worth it! I totally feel for you with the chronic fatigue... no fun at all. :hug:

I am trying to post enough tonight to make up for all the time I have missed. Would not want to lose my position as President of the Timid Tastebud Girl Fan Club!

Awww, thanks! :flower3:

I have always wanted to go to 'The House of Blues Gospel Brunch' and now more than ever! I wonder how I can trick Keith into doing it? Um... I mean, I think I should get Keith tix cause I know how much HE would love it! (did that sound sincere? think it'll work?)

Wow this thread moves fast!

Go for it - the food alone is worth the price of admission; everything else is just icing on the cake.

Fast indeed...the mods are going to have to set up a speed trap if we're not careful!

We love the Kona.:love: we have not done breakfast yet. But it is our first night ritual. Love it.

Isn't that funny? We've never eaten at Kona for anything other than breakfast; sounds like we all need to break out of our rut...right after Jay has his Tonga Toast. :rotfl2:

I LOVE Tonga Toast! We've been to Kona for breakfast a few times and it never disappoints. I've also been reading rave reviews of dinner at Kona, but we've never managed to stray from breakfast there. I agree, that juice doesn't sound appealing to me, but we had a juice blend there many years ago (I think it was our '92 trip) that was to die for, but the next time we went and asked about it they didn't serve it anymore.:sad2: It was a strawberry drink with maybe banana? I don't remember the details, but it was GOOD!

I actually don't like the Tonga Toast - I'm not a big fan of bananas, but Jay loves them and I like to think that sometimes I can be a good wifey. I'd be willing to try that other juice option - it actually sounds more like a smoothie now, don't you think?

Kona does sound great - and I love that confetti! Did you find out if you can buy it? I still never get why you have savoury stuff and sweet stuff on the same plate though:scared: - We just dont do this in the UK. Keep the sausages away from the banana bread for goodness sake!:scared1:

Its like when I see people putting waffles and syrup next to bacon and eggs:scared:

Karen, I've not been able to figure out if I can buy that confetti but I'm sure someone somewhere sells it.

You don't know what you're missing if you haven't dipped your bacon or sausage into some maple syrup! I don't like my plate swimming in it, but I love just a hint of salt and sweet mixed together like that at breakfast. Bacon and syrup is my favorite! Yummy....:thumbsup2

OMG Kona looks amazing. (insert rubbing belly smilie here) :love:

Maybe, I need to rethink my ADR's.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02125.jpg

:rotfl: :rotfl:

I re-think my ADRs all the time, if that makes you feel any better. :rotfl2: And we've never had a bad breakfast at Kona (which of course means that if you change your ADRs based on my recommendation and then come back to the DIS to report how awful it really was I will have no choice but to throw myself in front of an oncoming monorail in October...)

Glad you liked the Plankton shot! Most of this trip's Plankton pics will be in the actual trip report, which has been on hold so that I could finish the food love first.

Thanks for reading!

oybolshoi

06-25-2007, 09:42 PM

Wow...that Tonga Toast sure does look good Brenda. Are ADR's a must for this? Still hemming and hawing over Wishes Cruise, Poly Luau, and now this. Your pick would be?????________________________(money is no object:lmao: :rotfl2:

Hey Nancy! I think that having an ADR at Kona for breakfast is always a good idea, especially on a weekend.

And if money is no object I would have breakfast at the Kona and then take a Wishes cruise that same evening. The Luau just doesn't sound appealing to me. I know a lot of people really like it, but if I'm going to a Luau I'd prefer it to be the real deal in Hawaii. Besides...most of the food options turn my stomach. ;)

How sweet of the staff there to surprise you guys! Love the mickey confetti too!:goodvibes

It was a wonderful surprise - totally unexpected and so fun!

ooooh a fresh one..(Sorry B, I couldn't resist)

I'll let it slide this time. But I've got my eye on you... and that Ellusive One, too. :lmao:

LOVED the Kona post... I have ADR's for our next trip and can't WAIT!!!

Thanks for showing the French Toast... Don't let Jason read this but I don't think I could eat Tonga Toast early in the morning. I'm afraid it would send me into a diabetic coma.:)

Be sure to come back and tell the rest of us about your experience at Kona! I do hope you like it as much as we do.

I don't know how he manages to eat all of that...every time we go there he cleans his plate and sometimes he helps clean mine, too. It must be a man-thing. ;)

Question - Where do you get the anniversary buttons? DH and I will be celebrating ours on our trip!!:cool1:

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to the next one.

Happy early anniversary to you both! Pick up your anniversary buttons at Guest Services at any of the four theme parks or at Downtown Disney. We got ours at Downtown Disney.

OK, so it's an acquired taste. Purely American. BUT...you have to try syrup ON the bacon. Or sausage. Or any cured and smoked pork product. *drool*

Don't Europeans every mix salty and sweet? :confused3

Yeah, what Sarah said! :thumbsup2

What a great report so far! I can't believe I didn't come across this sooner:confused3 You have visited loads of places that I have ADR's for, so it was wonderul to read your glowing reviews of these places:thumbsup2

Thank you very much - I'm glad to have you here! And I hope your dining experiences are just as good, if not better, than ours were. :goodvibes

We are getting married in Disney and honeymooning for 3 weeks, on the DDP for 14 nights:banana: , so we too are hoping for that little extra pixie dust:pixidust:. We'll wear the buttons and the ears, where are the buttons located again? I can't wait, not long to go now.

Congratulations!! It sounds like you have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon planned - be sure to share it all with us when you get back! As for the buttons - just go to Guest Services at any theme park or Downtown Disney and request them. They have more than enough to go around.

Good luck with everything!!

Okay already I want to change my ADR's for Kona now:lmao: I guess we could give the Poly another chance. We had such a BAD experience here last year that we swore that we would never go to the Poly again but you make a great argument for me.

Oh dear...it's so hard to overcome that bad experience, isn't it? You gotta go with your instincts on this one. If you harbor even the slightest doubt then don't do it!!!!!!

Why don't you try something new and then change my mind with your fabulous food reviews coming soon in September? :thumbsup2

My Dan would :love: that Tonga Toast! He loves French Toast and he loves bananas. Match made in gastronomic heaven! Now if I can just get down there to WDW :scratchin.......

Jennifer... you and Dan stayed at the Poly last year and you didn't eat at the Kona? Sounds like you owe him another trip...in October...during F&W time...around 10/15 - 10/25 so we can have some booze and talk Harry Potter. Just sayin...:rolleyes1

FWIW = For what it's worth

Can someone help me out with TFS? I can't figure that one out!

Denise

Someone probably answered this one, too, but I thinkg TFS - thanks for sharing.

Thanks Denise! I would not have gotten that one.

TFS... "Totally for sure" :rotfl2: I haven't seen this one. What context was it used in?

OK, now I'm flashing back to the 1980s...anyone up for a little Valley Girl speak?

He was, like, a total Aqua Velva geek; gag me with a spoon! :rotfl2:

hmmm....

Tactical Fighter Squadron?

Three Finger Salute?

Triumvirate (of) Fat Sausages?

Thanks For Sharing?

Toledo French School?

Tom Foolery Speak?

So many excellent choices there, Mr. Incognito. I'm torn between option C and option F. I think I'm going to use them interchangably (is that a word?)

My final answer is D: Thanks for sharing!

Confetti and check please!

I'll get back to you on the confetti! ;)

Oh but I like C!! Haven't I see that Triumvirate on CNN giving press conferences?? ROTFLMAO!! :lmao:

Bwahahahahaaha!!!! Brilliant!!!

Love the installment! I know that you used to be able to get the confetti somewhere in DTD, but my sleep-deprived, blonde-dyed mind can't remember where! I always buy some and bring back to spread the pixie dust between visits! Only the "between visits" used to be 6 weeks. Now it has stretched to 5 YEARS!! Will not stay away that long again!

Once your DH has sipped from the waters of Lake Buena Vista he will wonder how your family ever survived this long without a trip to WDW. ;)

I will have to check DTD for Mickey confetti this fall. Otherwise I'm sure some on-line retailer must sell it.

And thanks for asking about my Jayboy! He is doing better, watching Zaboomafo and even acting like a Lemur sometimes again! He's laying on the sofa, with his 3 bears (Bear, Bubba and Bud) tucked in with him on one side of the blanket, and Mickey, Minnie, Pooh, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and Captain Fethersword tucked in the other end! If I could just get more than three hours sleep at a time....

Also, try some Blue Mountain Coffee from Jamaica! Really tastes good in a press.

I'm glad to hear DS is doing better; now you just need to feel better, too.

We have grown very fond of our press pot - Kenyan coffee is also quite tasty if you ever decide to give that a try. As for the Blue Mountain - yum! It also makes a mean Tortuga Rum Cake!!

jknepfle

06-25-2007, 09:45 PM

Hey! Glad to see you're back in "bidness"! Lookin forward to the next installment.

We just got back from our trip yesterday, and I've started my Dining review...check my signature if you're interested. Would love some constructive criticism from a DIS celeb if you get a chance:lmao:

praisehisname

06-25-2007, 10:21 PM

Hey Brenda! I was so excited to see you're back "on-line" and that the review for FF was up. Everything looked and sounded really yummy (well, except for the mucousy thing with your fish). DH is a cheese fiend, and he would LOVE that plate you had! And the creme brulee--mmmm, creme brulee is my all-time favorite dessert...

Denise

oybolshoi

06-25-2007, 10:48 PM

Ummm can I just say YUM!!! Holy Fat Batman!!! That Tonga Toast looks like a very delicious hunk of chunk that I would have to do penance on the treadmill for like...a DAY...for daring to eat it!! I can't WAIT!!!

Hope you like it - artery-clogging vacation joy at its finest!!

I have decided on the anniversary basket that you got for YOUR Jay! (I call my Jason "Jay" too!:thumbsup2 ) The CM I spoke with was so nice. She reminded me to get our anniversary buttons when we arrived!! If wearing that button is going to me some cream puffs sprinkled with Mickey Head candy...I'll never take the darn thing off! Free Food ROCKS!!! Especially when sprinkled with Mickey Heads!!

That's great! You will both really enjoy it, I'm sure of it! Are you adding champagne or will you leave it as is with the Rosa Regale?

And repeat after me: Don't forget the button!

Just so you know, I'm reading through your trip report from the F&W festival...I've recently been introduced to your Grimace...okay seriously, I snotted Diet Coke through my nose when I read about the "good behavior" packets y'all made to give to your mom...I wasn't prepared for that amount of hilarity and took a drink mid read. I will now drink more carefully when reading your Trip Reports! Luckily I was prepared and not drinking diet coke when I got to the part about "Jason LIKES IT when I don't wear pants!" :lmao:

killing me dead girl.

LOVING IT!!

I'm seriously thinking of posting spew warnings...especially when Grimace is involved in the story. ;)

Thanks so much for taking the time to read it all - I'm glad you're enjoying it. And never fear - I will finish the Argie-Bargie as soon as I wrap this thread up.

Wow, just now found this and everything looks great! Can't wait to read your review of the Chef's Table!

Thanks so much for reading - glad you're enjoying it so far! The Chef's Table was incredible - I can't wait to share it with everyone.

Very timely installment of the Tonga Toast! Hubby and I just decided last night to add a Kona breakfast OOP to our trip in Oct. b/c I can't stand not trying it and I can't bear to cancel one of our other ADRs in it's place. Like the DDP isn't going to have enough food already! Can you say "waddle, waddle"!:rotfl2:

Cool! You're going to the Kona, too! At this rate everyone on this thread is going to be eating breakfast at the Poly this fall...:rotfl2:

Please let me know what you think when you get back!

So, can you tell me what's different about the coffee in a coffee press? We love a good cup of coffee and always spring for a pound of Jamaican Blue Mountain for our anniversary--now I fear I've been brewing blasphemously (now there's a word!) in our auto drip from Gevalia!

Well, I'm no expert...I've only recently discovered the joys of coffee and I have to be careful because too much caffeine is bad for this old crohn...

From what I understand the pressed pot method captures more of the coffee's flavors and oils because the grounds are in direct contact with the brewing water. In a traditional drip coffee maker a lot of flavor and oils get trapped in the filter.

We don't use the press all the time - it takes longer to brew and if you leave it sit too long in the pot it becomes too strong and very bitter (I think that's why the press pot only yields about 4 cups).

Most of the time we use our normal coffee maker and we like the flavor just fine. But try the pressed pot at Kona this fall and see what you think - I bet you'll notice a difference!

TFS= Thanks for Sharing ...I think :scratchin

I agree with you, and if we're wrong then at least we can be wrong together!

Hey brenda, Great report so far, i can't wait to read more and to read your whole tr. you always do a great job on tr's. keep the great, funny stuff coming.:cool1:

Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to post - happy to know you're having fun hanging with crazy J&B!!

At the Copa....Copacabana....wait. Lemme take my Carmen Miranda fruit basket off my hair. Whew. Much better.

Will you be bringing the hat to the F&W Festival in October? It would make a great photo opportunity!

I have trouble finishing it sometimes. Too sweet. If I'm dining with someone, I make them finish it for me. If I'm really hungry, I probably could polish it off.

Too sweet, too big, and too banana-ey for me, but that's OK since I never order it anyway. Jay always finishes his Tonga - he's a remorseless eating machine. ;)

WOOT! One of the only places that serves REAL honest to goodness coffee! :love: the press pot. Boma has that, too. Everything else is just...Nescafe. :crazy2:

Sometimes I think I could go to Kona just for the coffee...the press pot is divine. :cloud9:

Ewwww. At least have the decency to eat them covered in chocolate. Yuck yuck yuck.

Actually I posted incorrectly; Jay eats chocolate-covered espresso beans, not plain old icky coffee beans that will stain his teeth old-man yellow.

And the Congratulations dessert really rocked! It's not often you get to chase a cavity-inducing breakfast with dessert.

Ain't that the truth? I think it took about three days for us to come down from the Kona sugar high. And then all the other restaurants kept adding their sugary offerings to the mix... no wonder I've been eating sugar right out the C&H bag since we've come home. :rotfl2:

As to your edit pondering: I'm also anal when it comes to aesthetics in posts. :rotfl2:

I love putting those comments in the edit section. And it's true...I'm anal...in an aesthetic sort of way. :lmao:

You are too funny!:lmao: Love the marraige contract! Well, I didn't think they could improve on Kona but they did! How nice anniversary dessert for breakfast!

We will have to get some buttons for our next trip; 32 years of wedded bliss, well some bliss some not so blissful!:laughing:

The contract works well - it expands and contracts all the time depending on what we want and how much money we have to spend. ;)

Congrats on so many years of marriage - that's a great accomplishment! Be sure to nab your buttons and hopefully some magic will come your way on your next visit.

Happy Aniversary! I loved your last dining review. I'm sure I'll love this one too. I just wanted to comment before I got started because I never know when my son is going to wake up from his nap and end fun time for mom!

Thanks so much for the anniversary wishes and for reading - glad to have you here!

You guys cleaned up with that anniversary button. DW and I are going in December and will have to do that too, even though our anniversary isn't until a few weeks later. We're just celebrating it early to avoid the Christmas crowds. Ugh.

Go forth and be buttoned and then come back to tell us all of your button-ey good fortune. And happy anniversary early because I have a really bad memory these days. :rolleyes:

I usually don't like sweet foods much, if it's not dessert, but that stuff looks GOOD.

I keep hearing about the Tonga Toast - looks like we might have to try that "next time" - whenever that may be!

It was yummy! Put the Kona on your list and stop there for breakfast some morning before you and the "boys" head over to the MK on your next visit.

That Tonga Toast looks awesome. I have to try it next time we go. I'm getting the shakes just thinking about its yummy-factor.

Since you've been sharing your adventures, I'll share one of mine. We had breakfast at Kona years ago (before it was Kona), and I remember that our waiter tried to force me to drink the orange juice. I had just brushed my teeth and according to my calculations...orange juice+toothpaste=:crazy2:. So, the waiter kept pestering me while the parental units sipped their orange juice, trying to explain that I'm not an "orange juice in the morning" girl. To shut the waiter up, I sipped the darn orange juice, and my equation was correct. LOL

Thanks again. :)

Kiki

Your calculations are correct - Blech! I can't drink orange juice after brushing my teeth, either! The taste is just awful. The funny thing is that Jay can do it with no problem and uses this as further proof that I am some sort of freak of nature. It's not my fault his taste buds have been burnt to a crisp by all that spicy food. ;)

Oohhhhhhh, Tonga Toast! YUM. I haven't had it in a few years now!

(It's actually a little known fact that it tastes even better when eaten on the balcony of your room, after being brought by room service. Tonga Toast without having to get out of bed? YAY!) I've also noticed it's on the Captain Cook's menu now, but I don't see how it could possibly be the same splendedness!

Aside from platters of cheese, I think you need some Tonga Toast this fall, Crystal. It will definitely improve your health...really.

That would be pretty cool...Tonga Toast delivered to your room...ahhh, bliss! Jason would never want to leave. ;)

Thanks for Sharing sounds good to me! I'll see if that works the next time someone uses it... Denise

You are correct! :goodvibes

popcorn:: Just checking for more food porn!

Please stand by...we are experiencing technical difficulties of the idiotic-neighbor variety...please stand by. :rotfl2:

The Tonga Toast looks tasty, but I'm not a big banana fan, maybe if they stuff it with chocolate and cream cheese I could get into it.

I'm right there with ya, Cass. I actually think that your idea sounds pretty damn fine. A big, deep fried, sugar coated chocolate cream puff... where's the drooling icon when you need it?

oybolshoi

06-25-2007, 11:25 PM

I'm with you! The only way I can eat a banana is with either peanut butter or chocolate (even better, both!) smathered all over it.....

For me it's got to be a slightly green banana or a dessert ending with the word Foster. :rotfl2:

Where is Brenda today?

It's quite warm today; maybe she's flashing for popsicles?! :rotfl2:

If I'm going to flash my "girls" it's going to be for something better than a popsicle! I suppose you could say I was flashing for broadband this weekend...:rotfl2:

No Prob. It seems you need some pixie dust pixiedust: I hope this helps. Those bad bad people.

Thanks! it took longer than we expected but at least we're connected again.

Brenda, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hate it when that happens. Stupid phone company people!! :furious: My mom actually used to work for the phone company up where I live, so I know how inept they are. I hope things get resolved soon. :goodvibes

Kiki

Thanks Kiki! Although this time it wasn't the phone company's fault, even though it did take them longer than we expected. Turns out the dim bulbs who planted the fence knocked out service to half the subdivision - they severed phone and cable lines on two sides of the easement! :eek:

Oh, ouch! I hope that it resolves easily and quickly. :goodvibes

Sorry to hear that Brenda. Hope they fix it soon.

Thanks belatedly for your good wishes! :goodvibes

Brenda, that stinks!
Lionel and I would implode. During the 2004 hurricanes, when we lost power for a week, we drove to his work every day so we could get our online fix. You KNOW you've got it bad when you voluntarily head to work on your day off, right?

Hope it gets resolved soon. Gotta love neighborhood twits. We have some of those too!

Your post just reinforces how much you and Lionel and Jay and I appear to have in common - I think we'd have done the same thing! :rotfl2:

NOOOOOOO!! Then the fire will spread to your house and Plankton might get hurt! oh, and you and Jay too!

Smokey the bear doesn't want you to play with matches.

No fire was necessary, but thanks for your concern. Plankton thanks you, too! :goodvibes

MONDAY!!!! :scared1:

That can't be right! What will we do all weekend? I guess I will go catch up on your other reports.

Or...........

While Brenda is away..............

We could wreak havoc! :idea:

Wouldn't she be so surprised if she came back and we were on page 50! Unfortunately I am out of town at a baseball tournament and will not be able to post much. But everyone else should feel free to post random thoughts here throughout the weekend. As the president of the fan club, I know she would appreciate all the love!

So where to start.........

What restaurant has Brenda inspired you to try on your next trip? Mine would be the House of Blues.

Thanks so much Stacey - that really did give me some warm fuzzies when I was able to sign back on Sunday afternoon. :hug:

Now I can't wait to hear what you and your family think of HoB! Are you planning on trying it on this next trip you've got in the works?

Great idea...hmmm this trip I've added breakfast at Kona because of Brenda. I'm also trying to convince DH to let me bring along a mascot for all our food pics...::lmao: :lmao:

So come on everyboby post away!!!!!:cool1: :cool1:

Awesome! You're going to Kona and you're getting a vacation mascot? I feel so proud! ;)

Brenda, sorry about the phone/internet. I hope it gets fixed soon. Right now I am without phone myself.. since Monday:scared1: . The phone company came out to connect service to the new house across the street and cut our phone line in the process. I called to report the problem on Monday and still no phone on Friday. :confused3 At least I still have cable and internet. They cut that line last month and it took about 4 days before they had to run another line under the street. I hope you have better luck with the phone company than I have had because I sure was looking forward to another installment soon.

.
.
.
.
... let's see.. restaurants Brenda has inspired me to try....
breakfast at Kona..( ADR's already made for Sept)... and Ragland Road.
Thanks Brenda.

Melissa, hope you've got your service back by now. Sounds like your situation is way cruddier than ours so here's hoping you get it resolved soon. :hug:

Kona and Raglan Road? I can't wait to hear what you think as well - I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! :thumbsup2

I'm so glad I found this thread! I love your reviews and wit. I just booked the HOB today and posted this question over on the restaurant board, maybe you can help me.

I called today to book the Gospel Brunch, we've always wanted to do this but never seem to be in the area on a Sunday. They asked where I wanted to be seated -- I know for sure we don't want to be right up against the stage, I heard that it's very loud right there and DH is sensitive to loud noises. The CM put us on "tier 1" right next to the buffet, she also said that tables up on the balcony were available.

Has anyone been to the brunch and if you have can you give me a little more info on the seating arrangements? I'm starting to think maybe we're better off up on the balcony.

I hope you get your internet and phone up soon, too bad it had to happen right before the weekend! I'm looking forward to your FF review, I have an ADR there too.

Thanks for stopping by to read and post - always happy to have more readers joining in the fun!

I don't remember being asked where I wanted to be seated when I called HoB for our tickets...I wonder if that's something new they're doing? If I had my choice I'd pick a table on the tier, but those are more like tables you'd be seated at in a bar - high round table for two with tall chairs. And you will probably have some residual buffet traffic since you'd be seated so close to the food.

The balcony would be cool but I don't know how convenient it would be to the buffet. I also think the tables up there were similar to those on the tier near the buffet.

Definitely avoid the stage area if you want to minimize "over-loud" from the show.

Have a great time and thanks again for reading! :goodvibes

TexasCourt

06-25-2007, 11:44 PM

Thanks for this awesome TR! I am so glad you included the Gospel Brunch....I have been wondering if DF and I should do this on our honeymoon, and after reading your TR, you have convinced me!!!;)

LisaDKG

06-25-2007, 11:46 PM

Do you feel like maybe you have become a slave to your writing genius? I thought to myself, "All these Disers to reply to! How does she do it?" And then I remembered the numerous posts I have read about you sitting down to your computer with an alcoholic beverage and I gain more insight. And I say "genius" because when I sat down tonight with a cup of hot chocolate (it's cold here for some reason) I thought WWBD? and proceeded to add a schlub of Bailey's. And it was pure genius... You never steer your faithful readers wrong. For example, I was completely addelpated with indecision about whether the Fish would be 2TS-worthy for my trip 88 days away. What a relief to find it is! And I am totally considering the Gospel Brunch for my parents to attend during our trip. But that would mean they would miss out on Epcot Morning #1: Future World, and there is no space in my spreadsheet to recoup that loss. WWBD??? (thanks in advance for your witty reply!)

S.Poppins

06-26-2007, 12:29 AM

Wow Brenda! I am very impressed with the way you responded to everyone. It makes us all feel special and important.:love:

Are you writing 3 reports simultaneously? I don't know how you keep it straight!

PIMP - Ooooohhhh:idea: Not sure how I missed that one.

Well, our team won the district championship!!!:cheer2: Very exciting game. Saturday they beat us by like 10 points - it was ugly. Yesterday we beat the same team 6 - 3. Had to play them again today and won 12 - 10! Very close and intense. At one point I realized, "Oh know! I have become that Little League parent that I use to laugh out!" Pacing, chewing my fingernails, and yelling at the ump. I even understand most of what is going on now!!

So in two weeks, we head to the State Tournament. Which is exciting, but I am praying for second place. Because State happens to be my only free weekend for the rest of the summer. Regionals will also be played the same weekend as my step sisters wedding, in which my DS is the ringbearer. Is it bad to hope for second?

So all excited on the way home and........Bam, the car breaks down. We had to leave it on the side of the road. Tomorrow it will join my car (which DH wrecked last week) at the shop. So praying it is not expensive. Oh well, who needs a car. :confused3

Hey we are still District Champs and I finished my class today and will be on a break until August.

Ever watch Hell's Kitchen? Chef stresses me out. Way too much screaming and cussing.

Sorry, that was a long ramble.

So Raglan Road, House of Blues or FF? What is your favorite? Are they all on the DDP?

BriarRosie

06-26-2007, 12:31 AM

Will you be bringing the hat to the F&W Festival in October? It would make a great photo opportunity!

No, I really don't have the fruit basket hat, thanks for asking. It's bad enough that I've put the tea cozy from the Garden View Lounge on my head as a Pope hat. :teeth:

Ain't that the truth? I think it took about three days for us to come down from the Kona sugar high. And then all the other restaurants kept adding their sugary offerings to the mix... no wonder I've been eating sugar right out the C&H bag since we've come home. :rotfl2:

Why am I picturing you acting out a scene out from "Scarface", but with sugar as the "white stuff"? :lmao: You might as well put the sugar in the coffee, than make it an IV drip. Yeah, yeah. I know. Crohn's no likey.

I love putting those comments in the edit section. And it's true...I'm anal...in an aesthetic sort of way. :lmao:

But what does it say about me, as someone who notices your edit..orials? :eek:

You're almost caught up on your replies. I guess we need to be chattier. ;)

A fat english gent

06-26-2007, 04:25 AM

Love it love it!!! So funny!!! Y'all are SUCH a cutie patootie couple!!! Can't wait for more!!!!

popcorn::

Why thanks for saying.....:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

Thanks for this awesome TR! I am so glad you included the Gospel Brunch....I have been wondering if DF and I should do this on our honeymoon, and after reading your TR, you have convinced me!!!;)

If that you in your siggy?, i think i can say on behalf of your DF that food will be the last thing on his mind lady....:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

ps...Room service will make a fortune in tips that week....:rolleyes1

oybolshoi

06-26-2007, 09:51 AM

I just found your dining review and it's great :woohoo: Sorry to hear about the internet probs..geesh! I hope it's back soon!!!! Need more reviews!!!!!

What restaurant has Brenda inspired you to try on your next trip? Kona Cafe and Raglan Road!

Hi there and thanks for posting - glad you're enjoying the reviews so far. Be sure to let me know what you think of both restaurants!

Me thinks we should do something to that nasty phone company for keeping you from us:rolleyes1 . I don't know how I am going to get through my weekend without your TR I need my fix NOW don't those people know this:mad: .:lmao:

Take a deep breath...we're good! But thank you for the indignation on our behalf. :goodvibes

My favorite pic from Brendas trippies...

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/DSC01454.jpg

:rotfl:

That's one of our favorites, too!

Brenda inspired me to try Raglan Road.
But even more importantly, how to flash for popsicles. :grouphug: for that inspiration! And :hug: to DisneyDuet for adding Brenda, Jay and myself to her prayer list. :rotfl2:

Sorry your neighbors were tools, Brenda...

Now I know I've accomplished something if I inspired Lori to try a new restaurant! :thumbsup2

She already got me to try Raglan Road, and now I want to go to Jiko. DH says "we are never staying anywhere but the AKL" so I ought to have a chance!

Excellent! Be sure to get the cheese plate so you can tell us how good it is!

I want to try Raglan Road, but DH isn't feeling adventurous and since it is his first trip, I am going with ones that I know will be safe. Next trip, more adventure!!!

But I am pulling for a breakfast at Kona. We already have ADRs for dinner.

Small steps, June...small steps. Although, between us, I don't think Raglan Road is too adventurous...especially if your hubby is a beer drinker!

I hate banana's but Brenda has got me thinking about trying Tonga Toast, although I do agree with Cass chocolate filling would be delicious :rotfl2:

I'm with Jo and Cass - chocolate filled Tonga Toast minus the bananas, anyone?

I love the picture of Plankton with the candy - classic! I also love the one with Plankton and that naughty towel floozy.

I still think my all-time favorite Plankton picture is with him and the Norwegian Troll, but in their own freakish way all the pictures are good and funny!

Off to our first ball game! I'll do a food report when I get back.

Mmmmm...hotdogs.... tell me about the hotdogs.

I hate bananas too but I am going to make DH get it so I can have a bite of the outside. :rotfl2:

The following were already on our ADR list but after reading Brenda's reviews, I am more excited about trying them: Kona for breakfast and Ragland Road for dinner.

I'm picking up on a theme here: Kona Cafe for breakfast and Raglan Road for dinner...start the day of with sugar and end it with beer! :thumbsup2

Let's see...after reading Brenda's reviews, I really want to try Kona for breakfast and Raglan Road for dinner.

Kiki

Please see above response! ;)

Brenda, I'm sorry to hear about your phone/internet loss. A little for you, but mostly for us because we're waiting for another installment! :lmao:

Well, there's no way I can fit it in on this next trip, but I really want to try: House of Blues, Raglan Road, and Kona for breakfast. Also, I know DH would love Jiko.

We WILL, however, be squeezing Ghiradelli in... There is ALWAYS room for ice cream!

Denise

You've got a pretty good list there for the next trip, Denise! Ahhh, Ghiradelli.. don't forget your coupon!

]the dregs of society are all congregating at USO / IOA while all the Girl and Boy Scouts are skipping hand-in-hand through DTD, stopping to perform random heimlich maneuvers on those guests who tried to inhale, rather than chew, that Wetzel's Pretzel.[/I]

Holy Smokes Bat Girl your not trying say this isn't so....:rotfl:

:rotfl2:

I vote we all stage a protest in front of the offending neighbors' house!

Too bad I couldn't get here sooner to let you know that's exactly what it looked like on Saturday!

We just returned yesterday from our first family trip to WDW. Brenda inspired us to eat at Ghiradelli and it was out of this world!! Next time we go we want to try Kona for breakfast and Jiko as well! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!!

Welcome home! So glad you enjoyed Ghiradelli and thanks for reading.

Big mistake. Big, big mistake.

I am supposed to be writing a book today. I just stopped by the Dis to check in on things, while germinating ideas for the next book section.

Big mistake.

I found food porn - and excellent writing. And way too much fun!!!

How will I ever motivate myself...

Will flash for motivation. ;)

LOL
crack myself up.

Thanks for the great thread!!

Leah

A real writer? Can I have your job? Will flash for position in publishing industry... :rotfl2:

Thanks for reading and for the kind words - and just so you know...the high class food porn is coming up in the next post with the Chef's Table. Yummy!

Just got back from the my son's baseball tournament. He is playing 7 year old all stars. We won one and lost one today. We will go to church tomorrow and then head back for more games.

The food was undelicious at the ball field. Yucky hamburgers. My 3 snowcones (yes, 3 - it was hot) were good. However, Friday night we ate at one of the casinos. All you can eat crab legs! Very good. I have only been to the coast a couple of times since Katrina. The casinos are certainly doing well again. The coastline has changed so dramatically. We use to love to drive along the beach and look at the beautiful houses. Everyone of them is gone. Still unbelievable. :sad2:

I would like to try Raglan Road too. The desserts look fabulous.

Next time try the hotdogs! At least the snowcones made up for the blecchie-burgers. And the crablegs sound good - I love snow crab! So sad to hear about the coastline in MS ... it's been a few years but I remember that drive and it was just lovely with all those homes and the huge trees. Stupid hurricanes.

I haven't checked in because I have been helping out at my dd's play (Annie Jr.) The sun'll come out....Gonna be singing that in my sleep for weeks....
[My dd13 is Mrs. Greer, the housekeeper. At 5' 3", with a size 8.5 wide foot, the "Annie" train left the station long ago. But she is REALLY enjoying her first experience in "THE THEATRE."]

The restaurant we are trying due to Brenda's awesome descriptions is Rose and Crown. Sticky Toffee Pudding.... *drool*

Best of luck to your DD in her theatre debut! I hope you enjoy Rose and Crown... and ask for extra sauce for that sticky toffee pudding because Grimace says it's not served with nearly enough! :lmao:

Ohhhhhh Tonga Toast. I really wanted to try that on our last trip but didn't get around to it. Next time, I am making it my mission to eat that stuff. I love anything with bananas in it so that looks heavenly to me.

Then you should like the Tonga just fine! And be sure to ask for the recipe.

And aren't you soooo excited yet really depressed about HP 7? I mean, I am super excited because I love the books but I've been reading them since I was 12 so it will be really sad to see it all come to an end. I told everyone that after I am done reading Deathly Hallows I'm going to go into a three day mourning period. Because really, what else will I have to look forward to in life? Other than Tonga Toast of course :rotfl:

Can't wait to read more food report!

I'm very excited about this last book because it feels like we've all been waiting forever to find out how this whole thing is going to end. But I agree that it is sad to see it wrapping up. I'm just amazed that in the 21st century the publication of a book is generating such a frenzy - there is hope for the future! Print is not dead after all!

I'm glad you are back into the light again..... don't you just hate those dark days, wandering in the wilderness or no internet, with nothing to do.....

Let the sun shine.... Let the sun shine in, the sun shine in!!

It feels very weird indeed not to have that internet connection...almost like you are "outside" of the rest of the world.

And thanks for the song...now I'm going to have the soundtrack from Hair going through my head for the rest of the day. :lmao:

For us it's Raglan Road and Kona Cafe. Can't wait to try them both, thanks Brenda!

You're welcome and thanks for reading! Be sure to let me know what you think once you've tried them both.

rentayenta

06-26-2007, 10:33 AM

I'm picking up on a theme here: Kona Cafe for breakfast and Raglan Road for dinner...start the day of with sugar and end it with beer! :thumbsup2

Aren't beer, fat, and sugar the three main food groups? :rotfl2:

kikigirl

06-26-2007, 12:36 PM

Your calculations are correct - Blech! I can't drink orange juice after brushing my teeth, either! The taste is just awful. The funny thing is that Jay can do it with no problem and uses this as further proof that I am some sort of freak of nature. It's not my fault his taste buds have been burnt to a crisp by all that spicy food. ;)

OMG Jay sounds like my dad! :rotfl: Dad loves hot and spicy food AND can drink orange juice in the morning after brushing his teeth! It must be a guy thing. ;)

Sugar in the morning and beer in the evening? Well, I'll take the sugar in the morning but perhaps I'll have another form of alcohol in the evening...that Celtic Sangria sounds yummy. :cloud9:

PrincessTiff

06-26-2007, 08:06 PM

Loving the reviews, can't wait for more!

oybolshoi

06-26-2007, 08:32 PM

I'm trying to catch up...honestly!

Loving your reviews! I loved the whimsical looking decor of Flying Fish.

Thanks! I really enjoyed the restaurant's decor, too. Whimsical is the perfect word.

So, since you are a button expert, I will ask you this question: DS11's birthday is a couple of weeks after we return from our trip. Is it O.K. to get him a button to wear? Do they have any other buttons that might be appropriate for kids to wear? :confused3 I know my other kids would love to wear buttons, but their birthdays are in February.

Keep up the good work!:thumbsup2

I see nothing wrong with nabbing a button for your DS since he will be so close to his birthday during your visit. Personally I use the 30-day rule, but everyone is different. Go with what makes you comfortable. I don't know of any buttons that Disney offers aside from 1st visit, birthday, and anniversary. But just check with Guest Services when you stop for the birthday button and they'll let you know for sure.

Thanks again for reading! :goodvibes

Great review! Worth the wait. Okay, the crabs in Missouri comment made me laugh outloud! I'm sorry but the picture of the snapper looks like something floating in a pool of blood. :scared1: But the description sounds good.

Glad you liked the review! The picture of the snapper just doesn't do it justice and I wish the internet had a scratch and sniff feature. :lmao:

I just don't know if I could eat cheeses with descriptions like, "the natural molds that form..." "buttery, savory, and grassy" And what the heck is a vegetable ash? Is this what is left after you cremate the vegetables? You are so much more cultured than me. While I'm asking dumb food questions, what exactly is Panna Cotta?

Don't let the descriptions throw you off - most cheeses are served without the rind so you'd never even know. But it's part of the process...unpleasant to think about perhaps but so tasty in the long-run!

Vegetable ash...I just lifted that right from the menu since it was part of the description! But from what I've been told it's part of the production process. The ash is used to help prevent the curds from drying out - why it's called vegetable ash as opposed to something else is a question for the cheesemaker.

And cultured, us? As soon as Jay and I finish our belching contest we're going to print out your post and frame it! ;)

While I'm asking dumb food questions, what exactly is Panna Cotta?

You are not asking dumb questions! Panna Cotta is an Italian dessert (we first tried it on DCL one night when having dinner at Palo) that basically means cooked cream. It's super easy to make - simmer together milk, cream, and sugar - mix it with unflavored gelatin and then let it cool until it's firm. Serve it cold with fresh fruit; it's surprisingly light and sweet - a great summertime dessert.

I have never even considered FF. If you had to pick one, would it be Raglan Road or FF?

So glad you are back online!

Tough choice... it really depends on the dining experience you'd want. Raglan Road is fun and loud and beery while Flying Fish is a bit more upscale and obviously heavy on the seafood. If you're looking for a place that you can take the whole family that will be a little more laid back I'd go for RR. If you want something a bit more quiet for the adults I'd pick FF.

Hope this helps!

I've done the Epcot walk-thru before, in the opposite direction, from the Epcot resorts, just to get on the monorail. ;) So at least you have one reader who doesn't think it's crazy to use Epcot as a means of transportation!

We've done that before, too; just never when dressed in something other than "theme park attire."

You Lush Card will be revoked if you nurse drinks for 2 hours again. ;)

A girl's gotta pace herself. ;)

It could be worse, Brenda. The last time I went to Flying Fish, the potato-wrapped Red Snapper was NOT on the menu, and I had been looking forward to having it again after my first visit. My meal disappointed me so much I haven't been back since. But I may revisit because it's been back on the menu for a while, now. :)

I totally know what you mean - see upcoming review for Artist Point for further detail. It seems like FF has left that snapper on the menu now for some time - I've been keeping an eye on it and that's one thing that never seems to change. Go on... give it one last college try!

And your appetizers and entrees looked delish! Except I did notice a trend where they serve food covered in drool from rabid dogs. I never did understand that "foam" thing, and why it's so wonderful. :confused3

We were really pleased with this meal but I have to agree with you about the foam... it grosses me out. Not being a big fan of sauces anyway I'd be happier without them for the most part. I guess the foaming sauce crowd and the herb garden ice cream makers have been planning menus of late. :rotfl2:

Heheheh. :rotfl2: Magic Anniversary Buttons! When you return in October, you'll be wearing your birthday button, won't you? ;)

I will probably go for the birthday button in October again; last year I don't think I wore it to any TS restaurants so it might be fun to try that this year and see what happens. I'll try to remember to flash a little too, just in case it helps!

Yeah, Brenda's back!
Rogue River is in my neck of the country, (well, state, at least).
It is in Southern Oregon. My friends from college, who hail from there, call it God's Country. Redneck, but beautiful.

Thanks for the explanation. We had no idea if Rogue River was supposed to be in the United States or another country. I didn't eat their cheese but Jay said it was very enjoyable (and very blue).

Brenda,

I just discovered your posts last week and have been reading and enjoying them ever since. I started with the food in 2006 then came over to May 2007. I'm about halfway through the 2006 trip report. I really love reading about the Grimace.

Hello and thanks for reading! Glad to know you're enjoying everything. I have to say that the popularity of Grimace has been something of a surprise to both Jay and me. We thought about telling her once and then decided against it - she'd never understand. ;)

Your Rose and Crown incident is very similar to what my DH did in 2000. We had late ADR's for R&C and I was hoping to sit outside and view Illuminations. I mean, that's all anyone on this board talks about - getting a good table at R&C. When we get there my DH says that it's way too hot to sit outside and to request an inside table:sad2: I can't even begin to tell you what I wanted to do to him! We get to the podium and request an inside table, wait about 10 minutes and are led inside, straight through the dining room and out the back to the most perfect viewing table they have. DH now is extremely grumpy and decides he will NOT order the prime rib he was looking forward to and only order a salad because it is too hot to eat something hot. This is a meat and potatoes man who hates salads. Well, the kids and I enjoyed our meal and did get to watch Illuminations but he did put a damper on my spirits. We bought him a Grumpy tshirt the next day.:laughing: To this day I refuse to eat where there is outdoor seating unless the weather is absolutely perfect. When he asks why, I mearly say "the Epcot incident" and he gets very quiet.

Oh dear... is there one in every family? :rotfl2: Well, I am glad to hear that you did get to see Illuminations from your table, even if Grumpy was less than enthusiastic.

Jay and I have been joking that when we go back to Rose and Crown this October (just the two of us) we're going to end up seated at a table for two in the kitchen just to restore karmic balance to the WDW random seat generator. :rotfl2:

I don't think I'd be able to eat something with "peeky-toe" in its name. I picture a big-eyed baby crab with little toes.

I really didn't know that peeky toe was a type of crab... I just thought that was the name of the dish. Call me a dummy. :lmao:

I know that emulsions are supposed to be all fancy-pants, but they always look like you offended the waiter, and they spit on the food!

Exactly. I could not have said it better.

I love the fish-shaped dish! Flying Fish is much more whimsical than I pictured it!

It's like Sideshow Bob's Cavalcade of Whimsy... for fish. :lmao:

I'm glad you're back online! The interet always smells a little sweeter after you've been deprived, yes?

It is good to be back in the world wide web, thank you. :hug:

Mucus-colored emulsion?? :lmao: Does this match your "snot" somethingorother from a different TR? :rotfl:

Well it doesn't exactly match the fungus froth that Jason had at V&A last fall, but it comes close. It still looks like the waiter hawked a loogey, doesn't it?

If you can get past the "froth" the fish is really good. :thumbsup2

kindakrazy2

06-26-2007, 09:20 PM

Loving the report Brenda! You are so the type of person I'd love to sit back and have a drink with - although we'd be laughing so much we'd probably get kicked out! :rotfl2:

Thanks for the great food porn! :thumbsup2

oybolshoi

06-26-2007, 10:25 PM

Getting closer to catching up...I think.

Glad to see that both your internet and your other leg are back.

I'm not sure which I missed more. ;)

You look lovely! You even match the curtains. I do love the dress and have to know where you got it!

Thanks! I bought this dress last summer at Ann Taylor - they always have some good sales in August and I love to pick up one or two sundresses for vacation at that time. I'm hoping to do the same this year but so far I haven't been overly impressed with their collection.

I love this place at night! All the neon fishies!

They have such a beautiful dining room. It has a warm glow at night. Very romantic!

We forgot about the neon fishies on the sign... D'OH! Just another reason to go back, I suppose. And we really did like the decor - it was lovely and fun!

Woo Hoo! And this would be where Brenda turns into Brenda No Pants and flashes her girls for dessert all while balancing on one leg! :hug:

If doing that gets me free champagne I'm going to start trying it in local restaurants soon! :rotfl2:

Now that is a crab cake!! Being so close to the Chesapeake Bay we eat a lot of crab!

Nice Lobsta soup! I could each my weight in lobster. Love the stuff! I spent a summer in Maine and had lobster almost every day. The locals thought I was crazy for eating so much. But then again we have lots of people who come down our way for vacation just to eat crab so I guess it is a trade off.

I thought it was terrific - definitely large enough to share. And I guess some day I should send Jason to Maine... he loves lobster (he can have mine).

Word spreads fast in the "World" You are up on every noticeboard, in every kitchen at WDW. It reads (and I quote) "Ply said young lady with alcohol, cheese and dessert and no one will be hurt."

It's really the alert on the noticeboard-Not the buttons. They just want you to think it is the buttons. :thumbsup2

:rotfl2: You're killing me!

Glad to hear you had a wonderful Anniversary! :love:

Thank you. :hug:

Yum, Yum, Yum. We loved Flying Fish too and your wonderful pictures made my mouth water. We have reservations for FF on the first night of our November vacation because I didn't want to wait.

Wonderful review.

Thanks for reading - we thought FF was terrific; really lived up to the hype and we are soooo looking forward to trying it again this fall.

That is a very LARGE plate for that amount of soup! The plating is pretty, though -- all of your dishes from FF looked like they had good presentation... (lol...I feel like one of the judges from the food network...)

I know what you mean! Sometimes I get distracted by the plating... you should see the presentation at Victoria and Albert's - we could do a review just on their tableware.

The decor at the FF is SOO pretty...it makes me want to go there even though no one in my family likes seafood...Sigh...Maybe they'd let us just order dessert? (and hooray for your free dessert!! :woohoo: )

Emma... what kind of food does your family like? Flying Fish has some steak and pork options on their menu...not much but it could be worth a look some day if you're planning on going back.

Free dessert is always good! :thumbsup2

Brenda, the whole review sounded amazing.
I am not a fish person - as you know, in the Midwest, it becomes very hard to get good fresh fish and my first experiences were not good. I'm slowly doing better with it. But, your descriptions make this stuff sound appealing! I do love crab cakes.

I understand - it is so hard when you live in the middle of the country to get really good fresh fish. And once you've gone somewhere and had it prepared really well and then you come home... it's never the same.

That happened to me with scallops a few years ago. I tried them once here at home and thought they were nasty - like chewing on a wad of gristle. Then we had dinner at Commander's Palace one night in New Orleans (10-course Chef's Menu ... I highly recommend it!) and one of the courses was scallops. OMG - they were incredible!

But, I LOVE cheese. All of those just made my mouth water. I don't mind "natural mold" - more mold, better cheese!

Thanks again for writing and taking pictures, and taking the time to share all this.

I thought all the cheeses - other than the blue - were quite good. And Jay said that blue was excellent. On your next trip you just need to hit up a few signature restaurants for some cheese and wine!

Thanks again for taking the time to read - I know my reports tend to...drag out a bit.

2 Anniversary freebies you lucky thing, did you waddle home? :rotfl2: Silly question but does FF sell anything other than fish? DH would love it but I only eat Cod

I do beleive we were looking a little duckish as we exited the restaurant...how does one say no to dessert, especially when it's free?

And Flying Fish does have a few other options on their menu aside from seafood...

There were a couple of different salad options in their appetizer selection and in the entree section they were offering a New York Strip steak and Lamb Chops in addition to all the seafood. But make no mistake...90% of their menu is of a fishy nature.

Glad you had such a great experience at FF! I really wish DH and I were seafood people; it really does open up a wealth of options!

I'm going to try to get DH to take a trip for our 20th anniversary (just four more years), where we can do the fancy meals and all the "grown-up" stuff, but after our last June trip he said no more, both because of the heat and especially the crowds. Way back when the second week of June was great; though it was hot, it wasn't at all crowded. When we took the kids for an end-of-school surprise trip two years ago, it was wall-to-wall people! But if we do, I'll be sure to get those buttons!;)

If you don't like it you don't like it - the great thing about Disney is that they have so many other wonderful places you can try. I think a 20th anniversary trip for you and DH would be wonderful! You've got four years to lay the groundwork, so get planning! And don't forget the buttons! :goodvibes

Glad to see that you're back Brenda!

I love seafood, especially crab and lobster...I can't eat shrimp anymore unless it's been in a blender. This place seems awesome. I've never had a creme brulee but it looks yummy. Yay for free stuff!!

Kiki

Hi Kiki! If you're a seafood fan then you should give FF a try - you'd probably find a lot that you'd enjoy. Oh, too bad about the shrimp... I would cry if I couldn't eat shrimp any longer; it's right up there with crab as one of my favorites.

Okay Brenda now I am going to have to change all of our ADRS I can't stand it anymore:headache: way to many choices and all those pictures Wow my head is on overload.

I am so glad you guys had a wonderful anniversary trip espically with all the extra's that was thrown in.

Maybe you should just wait to change your ADRs until I finish this set of reviews...? I'm just teasin' ya... but it's hard isn't it? At first I thought it was more difficult to plan ADRs when we hadn't tried most of these places and now I think it's hard to choose something new because we want to go back to all the restaurants we liked so much.

Thank goodness we're just planning for the two of us - it's so much more difficult when you have to factor in a lot of other people.

Thanks for reading - I just want to warn you...my California Grill review may give you another headache. ;)

Um, that would be the peekytoe crab that's used for the crab cake. ;)
http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blpeekytoe.htm

Thanks for the information! I tried to tell you guys I wasn't a crab expert! :lmao:

Hey Brenda! I have been cracking up since you started your review and with the missouri crab remark I just realized were you are from. I'm in Jefferson City and actually used to live in O'Fallon and St. Charles area. What a small world it is. I love your reviews.

Awesome - a local reader! Thanks for reading and posting; glad you're enjoying the reviews. :goodvibes

:cool1: I got a SHOUT-OUT!!!! I'm such a dork, but this is exciting!:rotfl: ( Can you tell I'm a virgin to getting a shout-out?)

I try to give credit whenever possible and your FF review was great!

But my ears must deceive me, WHAT NO CHAMPAGNE FLIGHT?! HORRORS OF HORRORS! What a sad, sad thing. Glad they surprised you with some anniversary freebies and you made the best of it with a tasty cocktail!

I'd been talking that champagne flight up all week - even Jay was considering getting one. We have hopes that FF might bring it back during the F&W Festival. And they were very nice about everything else, so I really have no reason to be disappointed.

Did Jay like the snapper? or was it really fishy? The crabcake looks just as good as when we had it. Your desserts look wonderful.

I'm so glad you both enjoyed it & I didn't steer you wrong!

Jay loved the snapper - the way they cook it inside the potato really helps keep the fish moist and flavorful and he thought it was one of the best entrees he had all week. I'm more senstive to flavors than Jay so those things that are often too "fishy" for me are just right for him.

Thanks again Shovan!

I am just loving this thread.

And V&A Chef's Table is next! Woo Hoo! :cool1: We are dining there on the first night of our disneymoon. :bride: Can't wait to hear all about it! :cloud9: I sure hope you did the wine pairing!!

Thanks so much - glad you're enjoying it so far! You will love the Chef's Table, I promise! And how you could even think that Jay and I would go to the CT and not order the wine pairing is beyond me...:eek: Just ask anyone here... we're drinkers!!!

Yay! You recovered not only your internet but also your missing leg! I couldn't be happier for you. :lmao: Another great review, but we all know to expect nothing but the best from you by now. I, too, am astonished by the two hour drink (I heard rumblings of revoking your lush card). And that is surely the Superman of cheese plates you had there. Can't wait for more!

Thanks for reading C. Marie! I hope to make up for the conservative drinking on Monday evening with the multi-glass pours on Tuesday night at the Chef's Table. As for the cheese... is there anything it can't do? ;)

Hand ladeling your goat is very important for a fine cheese.

You have to be very careful with the goats... if not, the cheese curdles and you are forced to walk around saying things like "That really gets my goat," or "Goats-ahoy!" Sometimes they will even make you read Three Billy Goats Gruff over and over again as punishment.

It's just best not to mess with the goats.

HPHammer

06-27-2007, 12:09 AM

Brenda -- to echo many others -- you're too kind and thoughtful to reply to everyone! And how unkind of me -- I'm posting after you're all caught up!

My bad!

However, I just had to say -- one of your fave drinks is the Manhattan?!

Oh yes...I could definitely hang out with you! :thumbsup2

cocowum

06-27-2007, 09:30 AM

Thanks! I bought this dress last summer at Ann Taylor - they always have some good sales in August and I love to pick up one or two sundresses for vacation at that time. I'm hoping to do the same this year but so far I haven't been overly impressed with their collection.

What a great idea Brenda. I love Ann Taylor. I'll make sure to stop by in August, right before our trip. :thumbsup2
Brenda -- to echo many others -- you're too kind and thoughtful to reply to everyone!

Ditto. :goodvibes

oybolshoi

06-27-2007, 03:12 PM

This should catch me up...and then we can talk about the Chef's Table. Unless you'd rather not...

Brenda, love it! Your reports are awesome! Now DH and I will have to share a cheese sampler.

Thank you ma'am - go forth and feast on fromage!

Brenda dear have you told Jason your leaving him for the Fat English bloke yet....Remove or hide the firearm before you tell him

ps...Don't forget his wallet dear....

AFEG...you so funny! And as for Jay's wallet...I've already spent everything he has and most of what he hasn't even earned yet!

Love it love it!!! So funny!!! Y'all are SUCH a cutepatootie couple!!! Can't wait for more!!!!

Thank you so much - I'm glad you're enjoying the reviews!

Brenda

I have been a fan since your F&W festival trip with Grimace. Keep the reviews coming!

BTW did you consider taking the Bus to MGM and the Friendship boat to the Boardwalk? The boats are usually captained by 90 year old men which kinda makes me giggle. Its a nice diversion though.

Thank you! I have to say... it feels a little odd doing a review without Grimace. She brought a whole new element to the table, didn't she?

As for your transportation suggestion, we did consider it but those old farts take so long to get from point A to point B to point C that I was afraid I might internally combust while waiting for a boat. :lmao:

This reminded me: When I called to make ADRs for our upcoming trip, I purposely asked for the earliest dinner seating at Rose and Crown because we are a larger group (10), and we don't like to eat late. They gave me a 4:30pm seating, then proceeded to warn me that outside seating for Illuminations viewing was subject to weather and availability, and could not be requested or guarenteed. I wanted to say "Good grief woman, do you think I make dinner reservations at 4:30pm in hopes of being able to view the 9 O'CLOCK Illuminations?" Like we have nothing better to do at Epcot than to spend FOUR AND A HALF hours at Rose and Crown. :lmao:

Now that's funny... :rotfl2:

Hey! Glad to see you're back in "bidness"! Lookin forward to the next installment.

We just got back from our trip yesterday, and I've started my Dining review...check my signature if you're interested. Would love some constructive criticism from a DIS celeb if you get a chance:lmao:

Hi there! Glad to see you made it back from WDW in one piece. I'm always interested in others' food reviews and by now I'm sure I've already posted on your review thread...I can see into the future... :rotfl2:

DIS-celeb... OKAY, IT'S GETTING THICK IN HERE!!!

Hey Brenda! I was so excited to see you're back "on-line" and that the review for FF was up. Everything looked and sounded really yummy (well, except for the mucousy thing with your fish). DH is a cheese fiend, and he would LOVE that plate you had! And the creme brulee--mmmm, creme brulee is my all-time favorite dessert...

Denise

Hey Denise! It was all great and I think you guys need to give it a try, unless you already have and in that case go back! I did notice something odd though, I went back and looked at the menu for that night and creme brulee wasn't even on the dessert menu. Now how strange is that?

Thanks for this awesome TR! I am so glad you included the Gospel Brunch....I have been wondering if DF and I should do this on our honeymoon, and after reading your TR, you have convinced me!!!;)

Thanks for reading and congrats on the upcoming wedding! If you do end up trying the Gospel brunch please let me know what you think once you get back. I'm always interested to hear everyone's opinions.

Do you feel like maybe you have become a slave to your writing genius? I thought to myself, "All these Disers to reply to! How does she do it?" And then I remembered the numerous posts I have read about you sitting down to your computer with an alcoholic beverage and I gain more insight. And I say "genius" because when I sat down tonight with a cup of hot chocolate (it's cold here for some reason) I thought WWBD? and proceeded to add a schlub of Bailey's. And it was pure genius...

Oh my...why aren't you writing a trip report? Your posts never fail to crack me up...perhaps we can collaborate on something? I think the two of us and a blank page could yield some pretty chuckalicious results...especially if we add some drinkie-poos to the mix. My husband says he'd be more than happy to provide editorial assistance.

Writing genius...oh I wish. Call me a genius when I figure out how to write a cultural phenom. like Harry Potter, until then I'm just another wanna-be writer with dreams that are regularly crushed by the publishing industry (jerks).

Would you be disappointed to know that this food report has been written with little or no alcoholic assistance?

Shocking. I know.

You never steer your faithful readers wrong.
For example, I was completely addelpated with indecision about whether the Fish would be 2TS-worthy for my trip 88 days away. What a relief to find it is! And I am totally considering the Gospel Brunch for my parents to attend during our trip. But that would mean they would miss out on Epcot Morning #1: Future World, and there is no space in my spreadsheet to recoup that loss. WWBD??? (thanks in advance for your witty reply!)

Ooooooh, the pressure. Well, I do think FF is worthy of the 2-TS credits so I hope that helps reinforce the already fabulous decision you've made to eat there.

As for the 'rents... I'd send them to Brunch and give them some time on their own; unless they're like my parents and they don't want to be alone together. In that case, drag them to Future World and force them to ride Mission Space repeatedly until they scream for mercy. I've found that shared suffering at a theme park really engenders a sense of togetherness in people who can't stand each other. :lmao:

No, I really don't have the fruit basket hat, thanks for asking. It's bad enough that I've put the tea cozy from the Garden View Lounge on my head as a Pope hat. :teeth:

D'OH! I forgot about the tea cozy!

Why am I picturing you acting out a scene out from "Scarface", but with sugar as the "white stuff"? :lmao: You might as well put the sugar in the coffee, than make it an IV drip. Yeah, yeah. I know. Crohn's no likey.

What a great visual! :rotfl2:

Aren't beer, fat, and sugar the three main food groups? :rotfl2:

According to Dr. Nick, the three main food groups are the Whipped group, the Congealed group, and the Chocotastic.

OMG Jay sounds like my dad! :rotfl: Dad loves hot and spicy food AND can drink orange juice in the morning after brushing his teeth! It must be a guy thing. ;)

Sugar in the morning and beer in the evening? Well, I'll take the sugar in the morning but perhaps I'll have another form of alcohol in the evening...that Celtic Sangria sounds yummy. :cloud9:

I could go for one of those Sangrias right now... mmmmmm. :thumbsup2

Loving the reviews, can't wait for more!

Thanks!

Loving the report Brenda! You are so the type of person I'd love to sit back and have a drink with - although we'd be laughing so much we'd probably get kicked out! :rotfl2:

Thanks for the great food porn!

Thank you - glad you're enjoying the reviews so far! I love getting kicked out of establishments for hysterical laughter...just ask Jay!

Brenda -- to echo many others -- you're too kind and thoughtful to reply to everyone! And how unkind of me -- I'm posting after you're all caught up!

My bad!

However, I just had to say -- one of your fave drinks is the Manhattan?!

Oh yes...I could definitely hang out with you! :thumbsup2

Well, I really do feel like I need to let everyone know how much I appreciate their comments and it's not like reading my stuff is quick...;)

And don't worry - I wasn't caught up when you posted...I was close but not quite there.

I'm still working on that trip to LA for 2009 - if I get it perhaps we can meet and share some laughs over many Manhattans.

What a great idea Brenda. I love Ann Taylor. I'll make sure to stop by in August, right before our trip.

Be sure to check out their website, too. I find stuff there that isn't being carried in my local Ann Taylor.

oybolshoi

06-27-2007, 03:41 PM

Ooops! My bad... I missed a couple. Color me red! :rotfl2:

I'm so glad my pal Shovan steered you to FF. We loved it as well!

Flying Fish was incredible - we can't wait to get back there in October!

Wow Brenda! I am very impressed with the way you responded to everyone. It makes us all feel special and important.:love:

Are you writing 3 reports simultaneously? I don't know how you keep it straight!

Hi Stacey! I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate their comments and the time they take to read through my voluminous threads. :goodvibes

Well, I have three going at once, but I'm only updating this one right now. Once this one is completed I'll go back and finish the October TR and then go back to the one for this May trip. At least...that's what I think I'm going to do. :lmao:

Well, our team won the district championship!!!:cheer2: Very exciting game. Saturday they beat us by like 10 points - it was ugly. Yesterday we beat the same team 6 - 3. Had to play them again today and won 12 - 10! Very close and intense. At one point I realized, "Oh know! I have become that Little League parent that I use to laugh out!" Pacing, chewing my fingernails, and yelling at the ump. I even understand most of what is going on now!!

So in two weeks, we head to the State Tournament. Which is exciting, but I am praying for second place. Because State happens to be my only free weekend for the rest of the summer. Regionals will also be played the same weekend as my step sisters wedding, in which my DS is the ringbearer. Is it bad to hope for second?

So all excited on the way home and........Bam, the car breaks down. We had to leave it on the side of the road. Tomorrow it will join my car (which DH wrecked last week) at the shop. So praying it is not expensive. Oh well, who needs a car. :confused3

Hey we are still District Champs and I finished my class today and will be on a break until August.

Sorry, that was a long ramble.

Well, congrats on the championship - that's very exciting! So sorry to hear about the continued vehicle woes... :hug: Just try to enjoy that break - you've earned some rest!

So Raglan Road, House of Blues or FF? What is your favorite? Are they all on the DDP?

I think that Raglan Road and Flying Fish are on the dining plan - not sure about House of Blues.

You want me to pick a favorite? :scared1:

I think I'd choose Raglan Road - good menu selection, great bar, fun atmosphere, and free live entertainment.

I do like the other two quite a bit, but if I could only go to one right now it would have to be RR.

burly

06-27-2007, 03:49 PM

Whew!!! take a breath. ok. now on with the show!

zweihund

06-27-2007, 05:26 PM

This should catch me up...and then we can talk about the Chef's Table. Unless you'd rather not...

Bring it on, sister! popcorn::

ufgator

06-27-2007, 06:55 PM

Great reviews and pics!

cdrn1

06-27-2007, 07:06 PM

To the OP: I have been snickering to flat-out laughing-out-loud at your posts all through this thread; if you don't write for a living, you have missed your calling.
Please don't ever get bored with the Dis and stop posting.

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

cntkg1

06-27-2007, 08:25 PM

To the OP: I have been snickering to flat-out laughing-out-loud at your posts all through this thread; if you don't write for a living, you have missed your calling.
:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Told ya'!!!:thumbsup2

jknepfle

06-27-2007, 09:18 PM

Thanks for stopping on my thread, and for the encouragement. Lookin forward to hearing about the chef's table! One of these days, maybe I'll talk my wife into it....one of these days!

oybolshoi

06-27-2007, 10:44 PM

Seeking Input From You...The Hungry, Hungry Reader!

Hey everyone! I know I said I was going to try to start working on the Chef's Table tonight but Jay had to work late and I really need his help to do this review.

And then I started thinking...always a dangerous thing.

There are only a couple of restaurant reviews left and I can continue in chronological order which means the CT would be next on the list, or I can rearrange a little and leave the CT for the end. I'd prefer to do that actually, because otherwise I'm going to end a great set of experiences on a rather sour note. However...I'm aware that some of you are waiting expressly for the CT review and I don't want to annoy you any longer than I already have.

So let me know what you think. Do I just keep going in the order of the days, or do I jump ahead, give the "poor" review and then follow it up with the good stuff to end on a food high? And I won't tease you - the unhappy experience was at Artist Point on our final night at WDW. V&A and CA Grill were excellent!

Thanks in advance for your opinions...

B. :goodvibes

rentayenta

06-27-2007, 11:15 PM

:goodvibes Brenda, I say leave V and A for last, end with a bang! :cheer2:

disneyjunebug

06-27-2007, 11:20 PM

I think you should leave V&A for last. Prolong the agony for us, waiting with mouths, gapping open and drooling, waiting for those tantilizing pictures and eloquent writing that leaves us breathlessly, waiting for more Plankton hanging with the "in" crowd, waiting as you compound the anticipation of how your meal went at the most exclusive restaurant at WDW.

hehehe..... I really need some sleep.....

Either way is fine with me.... A good writer should stick with her instincts!!!

C.Marie

06-27-2007, 11:34 PM

You know my opinion is biased because I've been waiting for the V&A review since before you even left for your trip. :goodvibes But I can hold out a little longer. Also, I can't believe the low point of your trip was Artist Point! We ate there last May on the evening before our departure and couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more so I'm interested to see what happened to you guys. It doesn't matter what restaurant but I must have more reviews to read - keep them coming!

andiepie

06-27-2007, 11:56 PM

I'd say... make it last. Your reports are great, so reading any of them is fine by me. V&A isn't someplace I'm likely to go to any time soon, so I suppose my opinion may be a little biased. :rolleyes1

allyphoe

06-27-2007, 11:58 PM

Jump ahead! Impatient creature that I am, I can't wait for your partner-in-dine. ;)

S.Poppins

06-28-2007, 12:06 AM

I say save the best for last. I can't wait to hear about CA grill.

jusmom

06-28-2007, 12:10 AM

Brenda,
I'm with everyone else...save the best for last.:thumbsup2 Great report...(as always.):)

A fat english gent

06-28-2007, 02:40 AM

This should catch me up...and then we can talk about the Chef's Table. Unless you'd rather not...

AFEG...you so funny! And as for Jay's wallet...I've already spent everything he has and most of what he hasn't even earned yet!

Be sure to check out their website, too. I find stuff there that isn't being carried in my local Ann Taylor.

I HAVE TO BE THE MOST UNLUCKY BLOKE OUT THERE TO FIND 2 WOMEN SUFFERING WITH THE SAME AFFILCTION.... M.E.W.S... "MUSTEMPTYWALLETSYNDROME"......:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

Nancy how about "One legged pant less Brenda does Disney" for a title?...you see then she'd get the Brenda fans,the Disney fans,pant less perv fans and the one legged weirdo fans...all in all it should make for a best seller,move aside JK "our" Brenda is a coming through....:woohoo: :banana: :woohoo:

Brenda love me and Nancy will share $1 for every copy sold,just think Nancy 2 years from now we could have are very own private island if she get's her finger out....:rolleyes1

wilma-bride

06-28-2007, 04:53 AM

Personally Brenda, I don't care what order you post your reviews in - AS LONG AS YOU POST SOME MORE - pretty please :)

WDW Poly Princess

06-28-2007, 05:07 AM

Save the big finish for last- Oh, the drama!

The other question is: Will you finish up the Argle Bargle first, or start in on the Shrubbery while it's still fresh in your brain?

jakenjess

06-28-2007, 05:59 AM

I'll go with the save-the-Chef's-Table-for-last contingent!

whogirl'smom

06-28-2007, 08:24 AM

I vote to save Chef's Table for last!

betsywdw

06-28-2007, 08:42 AM

Another Chef's table for last :thumbsup2

Mic_n_Min

06-28-2007, 08:44 AM

Save the best for last and end on a happy note! :thumbsup2

missmun52

06-28-2007, 09:22 AM

It's the 100% Kona Coffee French Press Pot!! We tried this for the first time last October and we are hooked!

How hooked? So hooked that we bought a French press for ourselves at Christmas.

Not hooked enough? So hooked that we had to buy another bag of Kona beans on this trip because we'd burned through the ones we bought last fall in about three months.

Still not hooked? Jay eats coffee beans. :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

I am playing the catch up game but LOVE your report so far!!

Jennifer48

06-28-2007, 09:28 AM

I'm always a voter for saving the best for last :goodvibes

MA pigletfan

06-28-2007, 09:33 AM

Like Vanessa Williams said in that cheesy early nineties song..." save the best for last..." she also said " sometimes the snow comes down in June, sometimes the sun goes round the moon" in that ditty...but we will ignore those tidbits...;)

kikigirl

06-28-2007, 09:36 AM

ITA with everyone else- save the best for last! :goodvibes

mlill

06-28-2007, 09:42 AM

You know I'm all for prolonging the agony... :rolleyes1 But, you could throw us a bone and post just one pic of your Chef's Table dinner... Make it a good one. :thumbsup2

Sorry about your bad meal at Artist Point. :sad2: We have so many good memories of that place. I hope it was just an off night, and not the new trend...

On with the show! popcorn::
-Michelle

SmallWorld71

06-28-2007, 10:56 AM

Another vote for a big finish with V&A!:woohoo:

Summer-Caitlin

06-28-2007, 11:17 AM

I'm up for saving V & A for last, but I'm interested in all of the reviews to come as I'm dining at them all. I'm disappointed to hear the sour note is with AP, this is our last scheduled meal on Disney property and we are paying OOP for it, so am already having doubts:sad2:
We are eating a V & A on our Wedding night and having the Chef's Menu in the main dining room, I can't wait:banana: We are also eating at California Grill before the Pirate and Princess Party on Aug 21st!

DisneyJo

06-28-2007, 11:33 AM

Best till last :goodvibes

Keep them coming Brenda, when are you starting your TR or have I missed it and it's over 100 pages already :lmao:

HPHammer

06-28-2007, 11:54 AM

I'm still working on that trip to LA for 2009 - if I get it perhaps we can meet and share some laughs over many Manhattans.

You're on! We'll be here...we have a 'family trip' planned for Branson for the 2nd week in August -- Doug is already asking me, 'Are we going to meet your internet friend from O'Fallon?' :rotfl:

Nancy how about "One legged pant less Brenda does Disney" for a title?...

AFEG -- that is wrong (but totally funny) for sooooo many reasons!!!!
:rotfl2:

And, for what it's worth -- I'm all for going with the majority -- V & A should be your finale!

DisneyMom5

06-28-2007, 12:37 PM

Ya know, we really don't care WHAT you write about.

We all want more, YET, we hope you don't end this too soon, because in some sad, scary, codependent way, we like hanging out here, we like laughing with you and at you, and it passes the time until we can go back to WDW ourselves.

If your report ends, we will be left sitting here, in the dark, twiddling our thumbs, whistling, pathetically waiting for something else to entertain us. :rolleyes1

So write about your neighborhood McDonald's if you want, and pretend it's a new 2 TS restaurant at WDW called Chez McD's.

If fact, you could post mindless drivel, as long as you peppered it with drink recipes, Simpsons references, and pictures of Plankton.

Take your time. We'll still be here. popcorn::

whogirl'smom

06-28-2007, 01:04 PM

Brenda, I just had to share with you what I found on cafepress.com today. I was there perusing the wine t-shirts (got to have a cute one for F&W!) and there is a perfect shirt for you!!! It says, "Will flash for drinks *3 drink minimum":rotfl2: :rotfl: :lmao: I just thought that was soooo funny in light of all the flack you get over "flashing"!

D&R love Disney

06-28-2007, 01:13 PM

Save the V&A for last so we can get on with the food porn!

zweihund

06-28-2007, 03:18 PM

I will agree with everyone else. What did they say again?

oybolshoi

06-28-2007, 04:22 PM

Alrighty then!

I will try to update tonight with Artist Pointless...if not tonight then I promise it will be tomorrow night.

Thanks for the feedback! :goodvibes

And for those of you wondering...I'm going to try to work on both trip reports at once... how's that for crazy?

And... I'm looking for some good titles for our October trip after which the TR madness will come to a screeching halt. ;)

See ya later! :grouphug:

CampbellScot

06-28-2007, 05:35 PM

I am massively bummed that Artist Point didn't turn out to be a great experience for y'all!:sad: :sad: :sad: (yes THAT sad...;) ) AP was our favorite meal of the trip...aside from the horridly behaved group of hooligans masquerading as children and their totally clueless and rude parents...we had FAB food...y'all must have been on an off night...or maybe you MISSED the pork chop with the Mac and Cheese...or the mushroom soup...:love: I'm making myself hungry!

I'm getting a little worried as I've heard more and more ick experiences at AP over the last year. What is the DEAL?! They cook salmon...on cedar planks...need I say more?!;) :lmao:

can't wait to hear em all!!!popcorn::

50 years Too!

06-28-2007, 08:24 PM

Oh Oh, do I need to change my anniversary dinner to something else?
We will be at WLV that night and thought we'd eat at AP.
We've ADR'd Jiko and CG for the nights before and after. F&W after that.
Where else should we consider. You know I follow your itineraries like a lemming.:confused3

cocowum

06-28-2007, 09:30 PM

BriarRosie

06-28-2007, 09:45 PM

I am dreading the Artist Point review. I love this place, and I have it
scheduled for October. Maybe the universe will right itself and I will have a
better experience than Brenda. :wizard:

oybolshoi

06-28-2007, 10:40 PM

Thursday, May 31st - You Ruined Our "Perfect" Vacation You Ruiner; You Ruined Everything!

A little background is in order, I think. Originally we were supposed to finish off our week of gastronomic adventures at Rose and Crown, followed by a viewing of Illuminations and then perhaps a quick visit to the Adventurers Club at DTD before returning to the villa to pack it all up for the return flight to Stinktown on Friday morning.

Sometimes you should just leave well enough alone.

But shortly before the trip I started thinking always a dangerous pastime and I decided that we needed to try another new restaurant. Besides, it's more fun to go to Rose and Crown when staying at the Beach Club Villas - then you can just stagger out of the International Gateway and blunder through the gardens until you find your room...but that's a story for another time. ;)

I poked around the review board...I looked at menus...I asked for advice and two things, no wait, three things, yes three... three things changed my mind and led me to replace Rose and Crown with Artist Point.

1) Jay would really enjoy their menu, even though I found it highly unappealing;

2) Consensus (the DIS, Jay's brother and his wife, actual written reviews) held that Artist Point was a fine meal with a charming ambience;

3) The restaurant offers a port flight on their dessert menu.

I gotta be honest... point number three really drove it home for this drinking girl. How was I to know that by the time this dinner rolled around drinking would be the last thing I really wanted to do? :scared1:

Anyway... here we are, looking all cheerful and relaxed before leaving for one final Disney Transportation adventure on our way to dinner.

Where's the airbrush? I've fallen prey to the flabbening...
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02379.jpg

As a reference for those of you who may stay at SSR sometime in the future and wonder how best to get to the Wilderness Lodge from the resort, we caught a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then just missed the bus to the Wilderness Lodge. Eh, so what? It was a nice evening and what better way to help put us in the mood for one last romantic dinner than a boat ride?!

I'm posting this next picture as visual proof that I was enjoying myself; this will be an important part of the story, so remember...Brenda was having fun...Brenda was happy...Brenda did not look like she was going to have an emotional melt-down.

Look at us, we're so cute!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02381.jpg

This review will be a little different in that you're going to hear from both Jay and I individually; I think that's the most even-handed way to work through the evening. So, without further ado...

Artist Point

This is a signature restuarant located in the Wilderness Lodge and I believe certain choice tables have a view of Silver Creek Falls; our table had a great view of the ramp that leads from the lobby out to the pool deck - wow.

The interior of Artist Point - picture once again courtesy of the DIS:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/350/WL%20DSC00060.jpg

Upon checking in at the podium we were seated promptly at a table for two right next to a family of five that included a rather screechie baby. I just checked with Jason to make sure that I am not being unduly harsh about said baby; I tend to be noise-sensitive and I don't want to be unfair, but Jason...who comes from a monstrous-huge family agreed that this baby was annoying. It was the kind of noise that makes you think, "Should that family really have a baby in this kind of restaurant?"

And the parents weren't doing anything to lessen the noise or distract the baby; they just kicked back with their wine and pretended that all was right with the world. Maybe they had earplugs.

There were a lot of kids in the restaurant too, which I always expect at Disney, but I was a little surprised to see so many at AP given their menu. And these were the "running around" kids who, quite frankly, annoy the crap out of me. I'm not looking to turn this into a debate and I'm not ragging on kids in general, but an upscale signature restaurant is not the place for parents to allow their children to wander around disrupting the staff and other guests.

And then there was our waiter, who made me sad by not even noticing our anniversary buttons. Let this be a lesson - wear your button but don't get your hopes up because someone will just come along and crush them as carelessly as a cigarette butt under the heel of his shoe. Don't misunderstand...it wasn't just the button, although I do think I was starting to get a little spoiled by all the attention we'd received elsewhere during the week. I thought the waiter was slow and his service was spotty at best. We ordered a bottle of Pellegrino and not only was it not chilled but he didn't bring us any ice and he didn't give us a chilling bucket to help cool it down. When we finished that bottle he never brought us a second one, even though that was the only beverage I had all night.

He also reeked of cigarette smoke, which really turns my stomach (I'm sensitive to a lot of odors, too... or should I say I'm scents-itive? :rotfl2: ).

And then the thing that really finished it for me was this: There was no Copper River Salmon on the menu.

Jay loves salmon and I was really excited that he would have a chance to try this special salmon that is only available for a few weeks out of each year. The executive chef at Victoria and Albert's talked to us about the Copper River salmon while we were having dinner there on Tuesday and he raved about it's delicate flavor - Artist Point is the only restaurant at WDW where this salmon is available.

Except for this night. The waiter said they'd had it the previous night and expected to have it again by tomorrow night, but for those of you dining this evening, well, you're screwed.

We placed our orders and then it happened...I started crying. Luckily I'm a silent crier, but I was still sitting there at the table with tears streaming down my face with a bewildered husband sitting across from me.

And I couldn't talk because I was too busy crying. Even if I could have spoken I'm not sure he would have been able to follow the rather complicated thought pattern that was just making me more upset.

It went something like this:

This isn't what I pictured at all.
This was supposed to be a quiet, relaxing dinner and instead it's like Romper Room.
That baby is really starting to get on my nerves.
I can't believe they aren't serving that salmon tonight.
I wish we'd just gone to Rose and Crown - it would have been more fun.
You know, getting upset over all this stuff that you can't control isn't making things any better.
Now you're ruining the dinner, Brenda; nice job.

And as I tried to get myself under control that whole list just kept repeating itself over and over again in my head. I don't normally make a habit out of weeping at the dinner table. I think it was a combination of being disappointed, tired, hormonal, and having an infection that my medication wasn't clearing up the way it should have. But let's be honest, I'm also just a big baby. **Or, as Jason likes to say, "You're not big."** :lmao:

And then hope raised its head for a brief moment when the cheese plate we ordered arrived. It was dropped off with no explanation of which cheese was which and there was no handy cheese menu as there had been in the other restaurants.

You call this a cheese plate?
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02382.jpg

I confess to disappointment - by far the worst cheese plate of the trip. Only three cheeses? When we go to the local market they have two just for sampling. Bah!

So what did we get? That middle cheese is the Rogue River Blue... no chance that I'm going to eat that. The one at the bottom is a type of goat cheese but very strong and hard - not appealing. The cheese at the top is some type of cheddar - good but nothing that really jumped out at us. The cheeses were served with riesling-poached raisins, cranberries, and some kind of applesauce goo.

Brenda: I do not recommend the cheese plate at Artist Point.

Jason: Part of the problem is that the signature restaurants seem to be offering a lot of the same cheeses. By the time we dined at AP, we'd already tried at least one of these cheeses elsewhere so it wasn't a surprise. If this had been the only cheese plate we'd tried it probably would have been fine, but we were comparing this to Chefs de France, Flying Fish, and Victoria and Albert's. Artist Point didn't stand a chance.

We also ordered the Crispy Venison Spring Rolls, which are served with hot sweet and sour sauce. This was obviously a stretch for me, but I was willing to give it a try.

Venison Rolls
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02383.jpg

Brenda: Well, I tried it but I didn't like it, no sir! Too gamey and too greasy; look at the picture, you can still see the grease glistening in the lamplight.

Jason: These were pretty good. They were crispy...had a good flavor and were equally good with or without the sauce.

Jason's entree:

Cedar Plank Roasted King Salmon
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02385.jpg

According to the menu this is servied with Haricot Vert, Carmelized Onions, Pork Belly, Butternut Squash and Lemon Grass Glaze. I'll just have to take their word for it because I have no idea what that pile of mush next to the salmon is supposed to be.

Jason: The salmon was good with nice flavor from the plank and it was moist - not dry at all, which is always a concern when using the plank method of cooking. The mush was acceptable. ;)

My entree:

Roasted Chicken Breast
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02384.jpg

The menu claims that this is served with russet potato risotto and snap peas. I agree with the peas but am disputing the claim of risotto. Those are teeny tiny potato cubes, not risotto. I have risotto in my pantry and it's rice, not potato cubes. The chicken wasn't bad - it was moist and did have a nice flavor, but I was very disappointed in the "risotto."

Do you think dessert might cheer me up? It's always worth a try.

Coffee Two Ways
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02386.jpg

There are two desserts here: mochaccino bread pudding and vanilla latte creme brulee.

Brenda: I thought the bread pudding was dry; I'm going to sound like Grimace but it needed more sauce. I'm no gourmet chef but my bread pudding is more moist than this. And that creme brulee is waaaaaaay too dark to be vanilla latte. I wasn't impressed with either dessert - they were OK that's about all I can really say. Maybe they would have been better with four 1-ounce pours of port, but there was no way I was going to drink booze after crying through my dinner.

Jason: That creme brulee was supposed to be vanilla? It tasted more like a mocha creme brulee. I agree with Grimace's daughter that the bread pudding could have used more sauce.

Overall Impressions

Brenda: Obviously an off night for me as well as for AP. In all fairness I bear just as much responsibility for the evening being sucky as the restaurant does, but I really wasn't impressed. The service was lacking, the menu just didn't appeal to me, and the ambience was definitely not there. I'm not going to recommend this restaurant to anyone, but I'm also not going to tell anyone not to try it. Artist Point wasn't bad, but I don't think it lived up to its billing as a signature restaurant.

Jason: Depending on your dining itinerary you could set yourself up for disappointment at Artist Point. Following dinners at Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill and Victoria and Albert's, this restaurant was something of a letdown. Had we eaten here earlier in our trip we might have felt differently. It was good, but for people on the dining plan I don't think AP is worthy of 2 table service credits.

Whew! Am I glad that's over! I'd like to leave you all with a smile, so here's a hint of things to come in The Shrubbery...update coming some time this summer!!

Now this is my kind of festival!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02188.jpg

ncseric

06-28-2007, 10:46 PM

50 years Too!

06-28-2007, 11:53 PM

I'm calling first thing tomorrow to try to change the reservation to Flying Fish.
My husband will B.... about the fact that we aren't even trying the restaurant where we are staying, but too bad.
I tried to get as excited as he was about the menu, but it just sounded too much like all the fancy Northwest lodges (remember Twin Peaks opening credits, I bet you do Brenda) that we've dined in in our long existence together.
I might even decide to sell my WL points and add more BCV. (Not because of AP, just because).
Can you tell I don't feel very much in the anniversary trip mood tonight.
I have my best friend on standby for this trip!
Deb

DisneyJenn18

06-29-2007, 12:36 AM

Hi Brenda! :wave:

I've been lurking, and reading your latest food reviews. sorry you had a bad experience at AP...I thought everything looked halfway decent until I saw your picture of your chicken dish...seemed weak. Sounds to me, that they were trying to get "creative" on the menu writing, and someone said...hey lets call it potato risotto..:lmao:

Looking forward to the next happy installment! :thumbsup2

WDW Poly Princess

06-29-2007, 01:00 AM

Bleh- sorry your night at AP sucked! It reminds me a little of the night we had at the Territory Lounge where our server not only got Katie's drink totally wrong, but then ignored us the whole time we were there. It sounds like the WL food staff is kinda sucky!

BriarRosie

06-29-2007, 01:38 AM

Thursday, May 31st - You Ruined Our "Perfect" Vacation You Ruiner; You Ruined Everything!

Upon checking in at the podium we were seated promptly at a table for two right next to a family of five that included a rather screechie baby. I just checked with Jason to make sure that I am not being unduly harsh about said baby; I tend to be noise-sensitive and I don't want to be unfair, but Jason...who comes from a monstrous-huge family agreed that this baby was annoying. It was the kind of noise that makes you think, "Should that family really have a baby in this kind of restaurant?"

And the parents weren't doing anything to lessen the noise or distract the baby; they just kicked back with their wine and pretended that all was right with the world. Maybe they had earplugs.

Oh, I don't tolerate that. When my niece and nephew were at the fussy age, my brother or SIL would not hesitate to remove the kid from the dining room until the kid calmed down a bit. I guess I think that should be the norm for everyone.

There were a lot of kids in the restaurant too, which I always expect at Disney, but I was a little surprised to see so many at AP given their menu. And these were the "running around" kids who, quite frankly, annoy the crap out of me. I'm not looking to turn this into a debate and I'm not ragging on kids in general, but an upscale signature restaurant is not the place for parents to allow their children to wander around disrupting the staff and other guests.

Oh great, from bad to worse! That's another pet peeve of mine, too! I want to yell at the parents for allowing their children to potentially create a danger to themselves and the other diners by their kids running around. It's always fun until someone gets the contents of a hot meal spilled on them! :rolleyes:

And then there was our waiter, who made me sad by not even noticing our anniversary buttons. Let this be a lesson - wear your button but don't get your hopes up because someone will just come along and crush them as carelessly as a cigarette butt under the heel of his shoe. Don't misunderstand...it wasn't just the button, although I do think I was starting to get a little spoiled by all the attention we'd received elsewhere during the week. I thought the waiter was slow and his service was spotty at best. We ordered a bottle of Pellegrino and not only was it not chilled but he didn't bring us any ice and he didn't give us a chilling bucket to help cool it down. When we finished that bottle he never brought us a second one, even though that was the only beverage I had all night.

He also reeked of cigarette smoke, which really turns my stomach (I'm sensitive to a lot of odors, too... or should I say I'm scents-itive? :rotfl2: ).

And then the thing that really finished it for me was this: There was no Copper River Salmon on the menu.

Jay loves salmon and I was really excited that he would have a chance to try this special salmon that is only available for a few weeks out of each year. The executive chef at Victoria and Albert's talked to us about the Copper River salmon while we were having dinner there on Tuesday and he raved about it's delicate flavor - Artist Point is the only restaurant at WDW where this salmon is available.

Except for this night. The waiter said they'd had it the previous night and expected to have it again by tomorrow night, but for those of you dining this evening, well, you're screwed.

Aww, Brenda. It goes from bad to worse to "I can't take it anymore!" It was so not your night. :hug:

We placed our orders and then it happened...I started crying. Luckily I'm a silent crier, but I was still sitting there at the table with tears streaming down my face with a bewildered husband sitting across from me.

And I couldn't talk because I was too busy crying. Even if I could have spoken I'm not sure he would have been able to follow the rather complicated thought pattern that was just making me more upset.

It went something like this:

This isn't what I pictured at all.
This was supposed to be a quiet, relaxing dinner and instead it's like Romper Room.
That baby is really starting to get on my nerves.
I can't believe they aren't serving that salmon tonight.
I wish we'd just gone to Rose and Crown - it would have been more fun.
You know, getting upset over all this stuff that you can't control isn't making things any better.
Now you're ruining the dinner, Brenda; nice job.

And as I tried to get myself under control that whole list just kept repeating itself over and over again in my head. I don't normally make a habit out of weeping at the dinner table. I think it was a combination of being disappointed, tired, hormonal, and having an infection that my medication wasn't clearing up the way it should have. But let's be honest, I'm also just a big baby. **Or, as Jason likes to say, "You're not big."** :lmao:

Wow. I have something to confess. We were separated at birth. Yes, I know. It's shocking. But it's true. I confess that I am a "stress cryer" when all is said and done. It just gets to be too much...and the dam breaks. :hug: And the hormonal part, I totally think that plays a part! It's embarrassing, and I feel like a big baby, too! And the worst part is during the crying jag, you think, "Why am I crying?" and maybe I hear Tom Hanks telling me "There's no crying in baseball!?" :laughing: But I totally understand why it happened. You had high expectations and had chaos everywhere you turned.

Overall Impressions

Brenda: Obviously an off night for me as well as for AP. In all fairness I bear just as much responsibility for the evening being sucky as the restaurant does, but I really wasn't impressed. The service was lacking, the menu just didn't appeal to me, and the ambience was definitely not there. I'm not going to recommend this restaurant to anyone, but I'm also not going to tell anyone not to try it. Artist Point wasn't bad, but I don't think it lived up to its billing as a signature restaurant.

Jason: Depending on your dining itinerary you could set yourself up for disappointment at Artist Point. Following dinners at Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill and Victoria and Albert's, this restaurant was something of a letdown. Had we eaten here earlier in our trip we might have felt differently. It was good, but for people on the dining plan I don't think AP is worthy of 2 table service credits.

Well, I'm still going, but I'm not getting the salmon! I have my own boring routine: Portabello mushroom soup, Buffalo steak and the berry cobbler. That hasn't disappointed me yet, but maybe if it does, I'll embarrass my mother and sister and family friend with a crying jag. :rolleyes1

Whew! Am I glad that's over! I'd like to leave you all with a smile, so here's a hint of things to come in The Shrubbery...update coming some time this summer!!

Now this is my kind of festival!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l213/oybolshoi/May%202007/DSC02188.jpg

Aww, Plankie found himself a friend! :love:

wilma-bride

06-29-2007, 04:39 AM

What a shame that Aritst Point left such a bitter taste in your mouth. I totally understand about the crying thing - trouble is, once you start it can be awfully hard to stop. The biggest bummer was the fact that this was your last meal - at least you are done now with the horror of regaling the story and can move onwards and upwards to bigger and better things - bring on the rest of the report :thumbsup2

jakenjess

06-29-2007, 06:13 AM

Besides, it's more fun to go to Rose and Crown when staying at the Beach Club Villas - then you can just stagger out of the International Gateway and blunder through the gardens until you find your room...but that's a story for another time. ;)

That's the best thing about staying at the BCV/BWV!;)

Anyway... here we are, looking all cheerful and relaxed before leaving for one final Disney Transportation adventure on our way to dinner.

Once again, love the dress! Where did you get it, pray tell?

Upon checking in at the podium we were seated promptly at a table for two right next to a family of five that included a rather screechie baby. I just checked with Jason to make sure that I am not being unduly harsh about said baby; I tend to be noise-sensitive and I don't want to be unfair, but Jason...who comes from a monstrous-huge family agreed that this baby was annoying. It was the kind of noise that makes you think, "Should that family really have a baby in this kind of restaurant?"

Answer to that question? NO!! I have never understood taking a baby or small children to that kind of restaurant. It's too quiet, it takes too long, and how the heck are the parents supposed to have a good time when their kids are screaming!:scared1:

There were a lot of kids in the restaurant too, which I always expect at Disney, but I was a little surprised to see so many at AP given their menu. And these were the "running around" kids who, quite frankly, annoy the crap out of me. I'm not looking to turn this into a debate and I'm not ragging on kids in general, but an upscale signature restaurant is not the place for parents to allow their children to wander around disrupting the staff and other guests.

Okay, maybe I'm a very mean mom, but I never let my kids out of their seats at a restaurant (ANY restaurant, we're talking Applebee's here;) ) unless it was to leave or go directly to the bathroom and back. Huge parental pet peeve of mine, letting kids run around a restaurant. I picture flying trays of food and drink, elderly people getting run into, children falling and smacking their heads on tile floors . . no, no, no!

And then there was our waiter, who made me sad by not even noticing our anniversary buttons.
Party pooper.:sad2:

He also reeked of cigarette smoke, which really turns my stomach (I'm sensitive to a lot of odors, too... or should I say I'm scents-itive? :rotfl2: ).

Oh, this right here would have sent me over the deep end. The last thing I want to be smelling when I'm trying to enjoy a meal is a waiter reeking of cigarette smoke!:headache:

We placed our orders and then it happened...I started crying. Luckily I'm a silent crier, but I was still sitting there at the table with tears streaming down my face with a bewildered husband sitting across from me.

:hug: :flower3:

I don't think any of your food pictures look particularly appealing, and that's definitely NOT vanilla and NOT risotto! I've talked to DH about trying this place, and he thinks the menu looks a bit too gamey for our tastes, and he's probably right. We have some others we need to try first.

Now I know it was a good idea to save the Chef's Table for last. Always best to end the report on a high note!:thumbsup2

cocowum

06-29-2007, 07:47 AM

Bren, I'm sorry you had such a 'stinky' time at AP.:hug:

AP was never on my radar... way to fancy for me. http://www.newtek.com/forums/images/smilies/brians/aiwebs_017.gif

But I have to say I loved the guest appearance by Jason :teeth:

Jason: That creme brulee was supposed to be vanilla? It tasted more like a mocha creme brulee. I agree with Grimace's daughter that the bread pudding could have used more sauce.

I have to admit that line made me laugh out loud.:lmao: :lmao:

I can't wait for the next installment. :surfweb:

whogirl'smom

06-29-2007, 08:08 AM

I'm so sorry Artist's Point was such a yucky experience! I totally understand about the crying--I've sobbed myself in front of the big hat at MGM b/c I thought I wasn't going to get to see Beauty and the Beast if DH dragged me to LMA!:rotfl: So, I know what a tired, hormonal woman can be reduced to at any time in WDW. You just needed at nice cottage pie and sticky toffee pudding on this night! (I loved Rose and Crown; DH was not too impressed. I don't know why--I thought his steak was good, too! Maybe I just like to eat!)

Looking forward to a happier, more magical dining experience in the next chapter!:)

disgrits

06-29-2007, 08:10 AM

Brenda--I am just getting to read your trippie. I love the pics, especially the ones of y'all right before dinner--beautiful dresses! Y'all look so very nice together. And the food porn, was just wonderful.:goodvibes

Hope you're feeling better and having a great summer.:)

disneyjunebug

06-29-2007, 08:48 AM

But shortly before the trip I started thinking always a dangerous pastime and I decided that we needed to try another new restaurant. Besides, it's more fun to go to Rose and Crown when staying at the Beach Club Villas - then you can just stagger out of the International Gateway and blunder through the gardens until you find your room...but that's a story for another time. ;)[/IMG]

Now, Brenda, I always tell my kids on tests.... go with your first instinct, it is usually the right one!! Please tatoo this somewhere so you can always remember it.

It was the kind of noise that makes you think, "Should that family really have a baby in this kind of restaurant?"

NO!!!!! And I don't mind saying this as I am a mom and a teacher! We are even putting DS in Neverland Club so we can go eat at Le Cellier one evening! (We are taking him to Coral Reef, because the fish will entertain him.)

We ordered a bottle of Pellegrino and not only was it not chilled but he didn't bring us any ice and he didn't give us a chilling bucket to help cool it down. When we finished that bottle he never brought us a second one, even though that was the only beverage I had all night.

He also reeked of cigarette smoke, which really turns my stomach (I'm sensitive to a lot of odors, too... or should I say I'm scents-itive? :rotfl2: ).

And, I'm sorry, but no ice with the Pellegrino or it not being chilled is downright barbaric! The next thing you are going to tell me is that he didn't give you lime slices. Or at least lemon! And as for the smell, I've been really tacky before and left perfume samples and gum with my tip before! (I just happened to have the perfume sample with me!)

The menu claims that this is served with russet potato risotto and snap peas. I agree with the peas but am disputing the claim of risotto. Those are teeny tiny potato cubes, not risotto. I have risotto in my pantry and it's rice, not potato cubes. The chicken wasn't bad - it was moist and did have a nice flavor, but I was very disappointed in the "risotto."

You are correct, that is NOT risotto! I come from a family of cooks, caterers, etc. I know risotto. That is not risotto. It looks like Hash! (gosh, why do I feel like I'm running for vice-president and I'm debating someone?:rolleyes1 )

One more question...

Did you get the Port Flight with Dessert, or did I miss it?

June

Summer-Caitlin

06-29-2007, 08:54 AM

Oh dear, I am now reconsidering Artists Point for our last meal at Disney. I was going to order the Venison Rolls (and I hate Spring Rolls that are greasy) I was also going to have your dessert and it doesn't sound too good either. DF would have been having the chicken, but seeing it on a plate, well, it didn't look very appetising.
I actually think that we will go to California Grill instead, what better way than to end our Disney stay, than seeing Wishes from there:cloud9: Hoping to see a wonderful CG review next;)

DisneyLaura

06-29-2007, 09:22 AM

Brenda,

So sorry about the bad dinner. I will tell you that being a mom of small children we would have not tolerated that behavior from our children. First a baby does not need to be in that type of restuarant I agree. Second, those kids needed to be sitting down (DH would of grabbed them ever so gently and sat them down). We went to a resturant when DS was 2 and our friends with us how also had twins the same age. I was mortified on how they let their children behaved. They were throwing food, silverware. While ours sat in his highchair and colored. The floor was disguising after we left (under their highchairs), we picked up maybe one piece of mac and cheese on the floor from our son. Let me tell you we would have not taken him to an upscale restuarant just because, not that he was bad but things happen and kids get ansy but that was uncalled for. So I just wanted to tell you that not all parents are like that and approve of that kind of behavior. Can't wait until the next review.

DISNEYDUET

06-29-2007, 09:32 AM

Sorry about the dinner! We have always had such a wonderful time there. What time were you dining? We dine around 8:00- 8:30 and always travel during off times of the year (i.e. kids are still in school!) But I do have to say that you experience would turn me off too. And I am the same way about choking, I mean smoking. YUCK!!!

SmallWorld71

06-29-2007, 09:48 AM

I am so glad you didn't save this one for last! I'm sitting here getting angry and it wasn't even my meal! I'm right with you on the kid comments; there are a lot of stupid and ignorant parents out there. :eek: I don't blame you for crying. :sad1: It was either that or start screaming at everyone! :scared1: On a happy note, it's good to know that I don't have to go to a nice restaurant to get risotto. I think I had some of that potato risotto with my eggs benedict at the local breakfast joint recently.;)

TigerKat

06-29-2007, 10:03 AM

Brenda - So sorry you had such an awful evening. I can relate to the hormonal crying too especially with the wild kids added into the mix.:headache:

Loved having Jason's input though and looking forward to the upcoming happier places!!

POLY1985

06-29-2007, 10:50 AM

Brenda,

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I've done the whole crying thing too especially if I'm SO excited and looking forward to something and that something is a letdown.

We have ressie's for AP in August but I'm still going to keep them. We are staying at WL so I know I would be disappointed if I skipped it. We did eat there once before and had a very good meal so I'm going to be optimistic.

As for the kids running around - nothing drives me crazier in a restaurant. I'm a mom with 2 kids and we always took our kids to nice restaurants when they were little. They were NEVER allowed to run around. Many times after we were leaving a restaurant, other diners complemented us on how well behaved our kid were. If my kids did get fussy, either me or DH would take them outside. I would rather disturb my meal than someone else's. Some people are just plain rude and inconsiderate.

Looking forward to V&A and also the Shrubbery!

POLY1985

06-29-2007, 10:52 AM

Brenda -

Quick question - What time were your AP ressies that there were so many kids there? We usually make ours around 7:30. Just curious.

CampbellScot

06-29-2007, 10:58 AM

Oh my goodness! I am in a fight with Artist Point! How could they have been so YUCK to two very nice people just trying to have a good and relaxing meal?!;)

Seriously though, I too am a stress crier...it's awful when it hits b/c it's very hard to stop. I also have a STRONG dislike for the parents of unruly children who feel it appropriate to take them a pricey place like Artist Point and let them run around annoying the crap out of everyone in the place! (you will remember that I made reference to a large group of hooligans masquerading as children who ruined MY Artist Point experience. Their doofy parents just sat back and drank the whole time while their kids threw things, knocked over chairs, screamed, cried and climbed over each other and the TABLE at one point. It was awful and not conducive to appreciating the pricey food you are consuming. I've had more peaceful meals at Chuck E. Cheese! The parents finally said a half hearted "shh" when they noticed that the ENTIRE area around them cleared out due to the noise:rolleyes:)

I think that part of the problem with AP is that it is located at Wilderness Lodge...which is also home to one of the rowdiest eating establishments on property...Whispering Canyon Cafe. The "Signature" status doesn't seem to do much in terms of people distinguishing appropriate behaviors for each place being DIFFERENT. It's frustrating. My Jason and I have an ADR for Artist Point this August. OUR kids (well his kids...my step kids) are going to be tucked away at Cub's Den, where all children should be when their parents are dining at Artist Point! (relax everyone who takes their very well behaved kids to AP...I was kidding...sort of...)

Jay and I left a place last night b/c it was SO crowded, the hostess seated a couple at a better table near the wall just b/c they looked older even though we were there FIRST, called us "kids" and sat us in the middle of the room, practically in the laps of an elderly couple who was arguing about who left the cap off the polident...no joke. I stood it for about 2.5 seconds. I had the same convesation in my head that you had in yours...except I wasn't Brenda, i was me...Then we left. The stress crying happened anyway, but at least in the car this time!:sad:

You rock Brenda! You didn't ruin anything, those loud kids did...the substandard waiter did...the lack of salmon you'd been excited for did...but not you! YOU looked pretty! :goodvibes

so excited to hear about Chef's Table!!!:cool1:

MA pigletfan

06-29-2007, 11:02 AM

:sad2: Brenda that AP review makes me #1 sad for you that your last dinner was such a bust and #2 so happy that Greg and i bailed on our dinner there on our last night! Not that it would have neccesarily been a repeat of your night, but who wants to chance it. And i really was just going there to try the salmon, and most likely i would have been ripped off of the Copper River kind too...."Artist Pointless"..i like that.
Jay, thanks for stepping in and tag teaming the report..that was a fun touch :thumbsup2

irisbud

06-29-2007, 11:11 AM

Brenda, between the misbehaving children, the stinky waiter, the poor service, the not-so-fabulous food, the last big meal of my vacation, and the totally squashed expectations, I would have cried too, even without the sickness and the hormones. At least the rest of your experiences were good!

A fat english gent

06-29-2007, 11:33 AM

That sucks Brenda love,how about putting an age limit on the door,either that or give the little sweet hearts a lethal injection on the way in...:rolleyes1

HPHammer

06-29-2007, 11:38 AM

Merylj

06-29-2007, 12:35 PM

Oh boy - I`m so sorry about your experience at AP. I had the cheese plate and salmon there last sept. they didn`t look like dishes you got!
I too have been known to cry in a restaurant, the insult is after a poor meal you have to pay for it.
Would you consider sending that review to the manager there?

DisneyMom5

06-29-2007, 12:53 PM

So I totally understand why you didn't want to end your review w/AP!

Here's some belated :grouphug: !!!

A couple of weeks ago, we were at dinner and seated next to this couple with a small child -- they were letting her dance and twirl and scream. She even ran into the waiter a couple of times. And the couple just laughed as if she was the cutest thing and kept encouraging her...We were all set to get up and leave when she dumped an entire glass of ice water in the guy's lap. Nice!

The most bizarre thing is that she wasn't even their kid -- turns out, she belonged to someone sitting a few tables away that this couple didn't even know!

All I have to say to that is :scared1:

Brenda - I detest children running around at restaurants and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
And that's saying something, considering the sheer numbers of rugrats at my house.

My kid's never do that.
And although I would like to say it's because I have trained them so well, ahem, it's actually because they are "all about the food baby!!!"

I don't think it has ever occurred to my children to run around in a restaurant.
They don't get to go very often, and when they do, they eat like there's no manana.
I think they would be confused by the concept of going to a restaurant to run around. :confused3

[So, if any of you witness my family at WDW, and my children are acting differently than I have described, please remember they will have been eating at restaurants for 11 days, and may act accordingly.
If you promise to cut me some slack, I promise to try to try to keep them out of the way, and under control. LOL]

We don't usually take our kids to nicer (and for us, that's Red Lobster or Applebee's :rolleyes: ) restaurants for several reasons:

1) We like to be alone sometimes. Call me crazy, but we still enjoy each others company after 18 years together.

2) We don't think the kids appreciate the difference between cheap and expensive restaurants enough...which leads to...

3) It costs to darn much to feed seven children in a restaurant.

Which is why we go to WDW in Aug. or Sept. to get free dining. :banana:

I totally understand the "underwhelmed hormonal emotional outburst" thing.
All I can say is ((((Brenda)))).

And both entrees looked pathetic. I was really amazed at the lack of stuff on the plate.
My mama raised me to have a variety of items at every meal.
It annoys me that these froofy restaurants think they are so special and their food is so divine that you should just be astounded by the simplicity of their one uber amazing item that they have put on a very large plate.

If all the FOBs (friends of Brenda) boycotted AP, they would have a lot more time to go out in their cars and smoke. Hmph.

Really looking forward to the V & A report, and have Jay chime in on that too! popcorn::

punkin413

06-29-2007, 01:36 PM

sorry to hear about your dining experience at AP. never tried it, so i can't compare thoughts or anything. but i have to say your crying episode totally reminded me of myself while waiting on the monorail from epcot to MK, except these were my thoughts....

i can't believe this vacation isn't reaching my unreachable expectations...
i can't believe ray's miserable.....it's all my fault!
i can't believe i didn't get to meet the beast and got belle instead....what a load!
i can't believe we witnessed a child being beaten on nemo.....should i have called disney security or something? was it selfish of us to basically sprint off the ride?
i can't believe i'm standing here getting ready to get on the monorail to the magic kingdom CRYING!!!!!!!! what's wrong with me???

ncseric

06-29-2007, 01:38 PM

It annoys me that these froofy restaurants think they are so special and their food is so divine that you should just be astounded by the simplicity of their one uber amazing item that they have put on a very large plate.

There's definitely a balance to be struck between Whispering Canyon's skillet and the three peas on a 12" square plate. And the phlegm/foam they put on stuff is disgusting.

I'm more a meat-and-potatoes guy, myself, but I do appreciate good food cooked well. More a 30-minute-meals than Top Chef, if you watch the food network at all.

cntkg1

06-29-2007, 01:40 PM

Once again, a perfect update.

So, you need a name for October? Let's see...

How about "Boozin' rather than Cruisin". (Sorry, that one hurt me more than it hurt you).:hug:

OK..how about "Here for the Beer" and the food, and the wine, and the...

Pretty lame huh? Now you know why I don't write TR's.:rotfl:

rentayenta

06-29-2007, 03:33 PM

Brenda, I am so sorry you guys had a bad experience. :sad2:

kikigirl

06-29-2007, 04:18 PM

Brenda, I'm so sorry that Artist Point was bad. The parents and I ate there years ago (I believe ten years which makes me :scared1: because it was so long ago) and it was great. There weren't a lot of kids there ten years ago either...I was the only kid there. :rotfl2: I laugh only because I'm turning 21 tomorrow.

I look forward to reading the rest of your reports. :)

HPHammer

06-29-2007, 04:28 PM

I don't think it has ever occurred to my children to run around in a restaurant.
They don't get to go very often, and when they do, they eat like there's no manana.
I think they would be confused by the concept of going to a restaurant to run around.

DisneyMom5, your kids rock! And, I totally agree with you:

If all the FOBs (friends of Brenda) boycotted AP, they would have a lot more time to go out in their cars and smoke. Hmph.

:rotfl:

zweihund

06-29-2007, 04:54 PM

Brenda,

I'm so sorry you had a bad night at AP! I almost join the ranks of the stress criers......but for me, I just get really quiet and introspective and sigh alot. My inner dialogue tends to be a repeat of one phrase, usually something like "I'm not having fun anymore!" or "I'm really not happy with this!"

Imagine, spending all that cash on something and being disappointed - who wouldn't cry?

And I must say, I have no problem with children being children.....but what I DO have a problem with is bad parenting. To me, letting your child run wild in a fine dining establishment and just ignoring it or thinking it is somehow "cute" is irresponsible parenting. Every single time we go out to Disney, Lionel and I add something new to the list of what we won't do as parents! Of course, we also add things to the list when at the movies (hello! how about leave the 10 month old at home instead of bringing them to see the midnight showing of Spiderman 3! or could you maybe TAKE THEM OUTSIDE instead of letting them wail for 5 minutes solid?) or even at Target ("if you don't stop hitting your sister, you can't have a toy" - uhhhh, didn't he already lose his rights to that by hitting her the first time?). Crazy.

My, that was a tirade, I'm so sorry! To change the subject, I think you should call your October TR "How meeting Zweihund changed my life."

:rolleyes1

What?

shovan

06-29-2007, 05:32 PM

Aawwww Brenda that sucks!!! I also get the crying part, I think sometimes we just try to hard to have fun on vacation! You do the research, the planning, the booking & then get a bum meal, bleaach! I would have cried too!

I'm so glad you didn't end the review with AP!

Anyhoo, we have an adr at AP during our F&W trip. So if a f&w event looks better we may do that. I won't cancel just yet, I think even great restaurants can have an off night. And they just need to start forcing people to control their children!;)

praisehisname

06-29-2007, 08:20 PM

Brenda, I'm so sorry you had a bad experience at AP! :hug: Even though it was your final meal of the trip, I'm glad you didn't save it for the end of the dining report. That would have been a huge bummer! :rotfl:

And...
How about "Boozin' rather than Cruisin". (Sorry, that one hurt me more than it hurt you).:hug:

OK..how about "Here for the Beer" and the food, and the wine, and the...

Those are both very good ideas!!! :rotfl2:

Denise

DisneyMom5

06-29-2007, 09:28 PM

There's definitely a balance to be struck between Whispering Canyon's skillet and the three peas on a 12" square plate. And the phlegm/foam they put on stuff is disgusting.

I'm more a meat-and-potatoes guy, myself, but I do appreciate good food cooked well. More a 30-minute-meals than Top Chef, if you watch the food network at all.

Rachel Ray rocks! And Paula would never serve 3 peas on a 12" plate covered in phlegm. I'm with you, I just want to feel like I am eating something substantial.

DisneyMom5, your kids rock!

Wow, thanks! Imagine how much you'd like them if you actually met them! LOL (Pics in my pre-trip, see siggy ***shameless plug)

They were pretty funny last time when we went to character meals.
"Yeah, yeah Mickey, that's nice, now can you move away so I can eat my waffles?" :lmao:

*sniff* I am so proud!

andiepie

06-30-2007, 01:38 AM

*hugs* So sorry your Artist Point visit was so sucky. :grouphug: I understand your stress weeping, and were completely justified in it. Maybe even a tantrum... I mean hey if the kids are doing it, why can't you?! My first (and only) Disney experience was just that bad. I managed to keep the crying in until I got back to our hotel, but that's a long story for another thread.

As for a title for your October trip, I can only think of "The Lunchbox Has Landed." I only thought of that just now, cause I'm watching The Full Monty.

oybolshoi

06-30-2007, 11:08 AM

Well, it wasn't as bad as it sounded like it was going to be. Screaming/running kids are one of my major pet peeves, probably because of how I was raised. I'd also put in a BLEAH! for the smell of smoke on anyone. It's simply disgusting. The place where I work has banned smoking on the campus, so all the people go to their cars and smoke. It's like a bunch of little chimneys and they all reek when they come back in.

Sorry this place didn't work out for you, but hopefully it didn't ruin the rest of the trip for you.

It definitely could have been worse, I agree. The smoke thing... yucko! And it it definitely didn't ruin the trip - that would have been very bad of me indeed.

I'm calling first thing tomorrow to try to change the reservation to Flying Fish. My husband will B.... about the fact that we aren't even trying the restaurant where we are staying, but too bad.
I tried to get as excited as he was about the menu, but it just sounded too much like all the fancy Northwest lodges (remember Twin Peaks opening credits, I bet you do Brenda) that we've dined in in our long existence together. I might even decide to sell my WL points and add more BCV. (Not because of AP, just because). Can you tell I don't feel very much in the anniversary trip mood tonight. I have my best friend on standby for this trip!
Deb

Oh Deb... don't cancel just because of what I had to say. :guilty: Sooner or later Jay and I were bound to have an off night after having such a great run of experiences over the last 8 months - too bad it had to be AP. By the way, I'm right there with you on the Northwest lodge food and I loved Twin Peaks!

Well, I hope you end up dining at a great restaurant that treats you extra special on your anniversary. And I hope you have a great trip, regardless of who ends up traveling with you. Remember - you'll be at the Food and Wine Festival - yummo!!! :hug:

Hi Brenda! :wave:

I've been lurking, and reading your latest food reviews. sorry you had a bad experience at AP...I thought everything looked halfway decent until I saw your picture of your chicken dish...seemed weak. Sounds to me, that they were trying to get "creative" on the menu writing, and someone said...hey lets call it potato risotto..:lmao:

Looking forward to the next happy installment! :thumbsup2

Hi there and thanks for posting! Yeah, the 'risotto' ... more like hash browns! I think you're probably right about the creative menu thing.

Happier reviews will return with California Grill and the Chef's Table!

Bleh- sorry your night at AP sucked! It reminds me a little of the night we had at the Territory Lounge where our server not only got Katie's drink totally wrong, but then ignored us the whole time we were there. It sounds like the WL food staff is kinda sucky!

Thanks Crystal. I'm glad we tried it but I doubt that I'll ever go back. It will definitely take some time and a heck of a menu revision.

I'd forgotton about your experience at the lounge...maybe you're on to something. :confused3

Oh, I don't tolerate that. When my niece and nephew were at the fussy age, my brother or SIL would not hesitate to remove the kid from the dining room until the kid calmed down a bit. I guess I think that should be the norm for everyone.

I tend to be the same way - Jay's brother and his wife are really good about removing their kids when they start getting out of hand and I usually expect that from everyone. I'm always a little surprised then when parents don't do that. Just seems like common courtesy to me.

Oh great, from bad to worse! That's another pet peeve of mine, too! I want to yell at the parents for allowing their children to potentially create a danger to themselves and the other diners by their kids running around. It's always fun until someone gets the contents of a hot meal spilled on them! :rolleyes:

Couldn't have said it better. It's not only rude behavior but it's dangerous - to the kids, the servers, and the other patrons. What parent in his / her right mind thinks that is cute? :confused3

Aww, Brenda. It goes from bad to worse to "I can't take it anymore!" It was so not your night. :hug:

While I was writing this review I was remembering an earlier post of yours about Flying Fish and the "no red-snapper incident." This one thing by itself might not have put me off AP, but combined with the rest it sure has. I do not see another visit to this establishment any time in the near future.

Wow. I have something to confess. We were separated at birth. Yes, I know. It's shocking. But it's true. I confess that I am a "stress cryer" when all is said and done. It just gets to be too much...and the dam breaks. :hug: And the hormonal part, I totally think that plays a part! It's embarrassing, and I feel like a big baby, too! And the worst part is during the crying jag, you think, "Why am I crying?" and maybe I hear Tom Hanks telling me "There's no crying in baseball!?" :laughing: But I totally understand why it happened. You had high expectations and had chaos everywhere you turned.

It's all true! I totally bawl when I'm under too much stess and it's mortifying and it's so hard to stop once it starts!

I could just picture Tom Hanks popping into the dining room to shout, "There's no crying in Signature Restaurants!" :rotfl2:

Thanks for understanding. :hug:

Well, I'm still going, but I'm not getting the salmon! I have my own boring routine: Portabello mushroom soup, Buffalo steak and the berry cobbler. That hasn't disappointed me yet, but maybe if it does, I'll embarrass my mother and sister and family friend with a crying jag. :rolleyes1

I hope you have a great experience and you can tell me all about it. Don't you think that if you started crying your mom and sister might join in? I tend to be a "sympathy crier" too; if I see someone else getting upset like that I start wellin'... :sad1:

The good news is that I can tell Jay that I'm not the only woman who does this...I'm sure that's going to make him feel much better. ;)

What a shame that Aritst Point left such a bitter taste in your mouth. I totally understand about the crying thing - trouble is, once you start it can be awfully hard to stop. The biggest bummer was the fact that this was your last meal - at least you are done now with the horror of regaling the story and can move onwards and upwards to bigger and better things - bring on the rest of the report :thumbsup2

Thanks, Joh. :hug:

The crying...once I get started like that it's almost impossible to stop - I hate it! I'm glad we can finish the report on a high note now - CA Grill and V&A were excellent! :thumbsup2

oybolshoi

06-30-2007, 12:15 PM

Once again, love the dress! Where did you get it, pray tell?

Thanks! It's another Ann Taylor end-of-season sale dress I found a few years ago. I love dresses like these because they're so versatile and I always try to pick up a few every year - if I can find my size in something I like.

Answer to that question? NO!! I have never understood taking a baby or small children to that kind of restaurant. It's too quiet, it takes too long, and how the heck are the parents supposed to have a good time when their kids are screaming!

I've always wondered the same thing. And doesn't Disney offer baby-sitting services so mom and dad can have a relaxing meal now and then?

Okay, maybe I'm a very mean mom, but I never let my kids out of their seats at a restaurant (ANY restaurant, we're talking Applebee's here;) ) unless it was to leave or go directly to the bathroom and back. Huge parental pet peeve of mine, letting kids run around a restaurant. I picture flying trays of food and drink, elderly people getting run into, children falling and smacking their heads on tile floors . . no, no, no!

Well kudos to you for being a mean mom - at least you're ensuring that your kids, and by extension other people, are safe. :thumbsup2

Oh, this right here would have sent me over the deep end. The last thing I want to be smelling when I'm trying to enjoy a meal is a waiter reeking of cigarette smoke!

The more I think about it the more I wish we'd just left the place and gone over to the MK for one last Casey-dog! :rotfl2:

I don't think any of your food pictures look particularly appealing, and that's definitely NOT vanilla and NOT risotto! I've talked to DH about trying this place, and he thinks the menu looks a bit too gamey for our tastes, and he's probably right. We have some others we need to try first.

Now I know it was a good idea to save the Chef's Table for last. Always best to end the report on a high note!:thumbsup2

In all honesty the menu was too gamey for me, too. I knew that going in, but I was trying to be nice to Jay who usually defers to my restaurant choices due to my rather annoying digestive issues. I am glad we tried it but I doubt we'll be going back.

I'm glad I switched it around too - otherwise we might all start crying at the end and that wouldn't be any fun at all. :hug:

Bren, I'm sorry you had such a 'stinky' time at AP.:hug: AP was never on my radar... way to fancy for me. But I have to say I loved the guest appearance by Jason

Thanks. Jason did a nice job in that last review, didn't he? I think I'm going to have to make him come back for the Chef's Table, since we did have different offerings that night.

I have to admit that line made me laugh out loud.:lmao: :lmao: I can't wait for the next installment.

I almost wet myself when he said that ... Grimace's daughter... :lmao:

Thanks for reading - CA Grill will be coming up next!

I'm so sorry Artist's Point was such a yucky experience! I totally understand about the crying--I've sobbed myself in front of the big hat at MGM b/c I thought I wasn't going to get to see Beauty and the Beast if DH dragged me to LMA!:rotfl: So, I know what a tired, hormonal woman can be reduced to at any time in WDW. You just needed at nice cottage pie and sticky toffee pudding on this night! (I loved Rose and Crown; DH was not too impressed. I don't know why--I thought his steak was good, too! Maybe I just like to eat!)

Looking forward to a happier, more magical dining experience in the next chapter!

Thanks so much - it really does make me feel better to know I'm not the only hormonal woman to go weepy at WDW... I'm still embarrassed about it.

It's true - Rose and Crown and a few Boddingtons and some Guiness beef stew and some warm, sticky dessert followed by fireworks would have been better... what was I thinking?

Happier stuff coming soon, I promise!

BTW, did you get to see Beauty and the Beast???

Brenda--I am just getting to read your trippie. I love the pics, especially the ones of y'all right before dinner--beautiful dresses! Y'all look so very nice together. And the food porn, was just wonderful.:goodvibes

Hope you're feeling better and having a great summer.:)

Paige!! Hey lady - how've you been? Hope that cross-country trip is going well. Thanks for taking the time to check out the newest food porn and thanks for the nice compliment.

Feeling about the same - some days good some days not good. As for summer - bring on Harry Potter 7!!

Keep in touch and be safe! :hug:

Now, Brenda, I always tell my kids on tests.... go with your first instinct, it is usually the right one!! Please tatoo this somewhere so you can always remember it.

That's what I get for trying to be nice. ;)

I think I will have Jay paint this across my rear-end, that way I can moon him and we'll both remember!

NO!!!!! And I don't mind saying this as I am a mom and a teacher! We are even putting DS in Neverland Club so we can go eat at Le Cellier one evening! (We are taking him to Coral Reef, because the fish will entertain him.)

I hope you have a great dinner at Le Cellier - be sure to let us know what you think.

And, I'm sorry, but no ice with the Pellegrino or it not being chilled is downright barbaric! The next thing you are going to tell me is that he didn't give you lime slices. Or at least lemon! And as for the smell, I've been really tacky before and left perfume samples and gum with my tip before! (I just happened to have the perfume sample with me!)

I hate to have to tell you this... but there was no lime or lemon with the water. I actually asked for it once but I guess he forgot when he went out for his smoke break. And oh my...June, you just made spew strawberry seeds on my keyboard! I never would have thought to do that, but how funny!

You are correct, that is NOT risotto! I come from a family of cooks, caterers, etc. I know risotto. That is not risotto. It looks like Hash! (gosh, why do I feel like I'm running for vice-president and I'm debating someone?

Hash! That's exactly what it reminded me of, that, or little hash brown potatos that sometimes come with breakfast. Either way - yucky and just wrong!

One more question...

Did you get the Port Flight with Dessert, or did I miss it?

June

Nope, you didn't miss it. I passed on the port because by the time dessert rolled around I just wanted to leave. And I'd been weepy so much that I really only wanted to drink water at that point. Too bad, really, because port might have made the dessert a little better. ;)

Oh dear, I am now reconsidering Artists Point for our last meal at Disney. I was going to order the Venison Rolls (and I hate Spring Rolls that are greasy) I was also going to have your dessert and it doesn't sound too good either. DF would have been having the chicken, but seeing it on a plate, well, it didn't look very appetising. I actually think that we will go to California Grill instead, what better way than to end our Disney stay, than seeing Wishes from there. Hoping to see a wonderful CG review next;)

I hope you don't change your plans just because of me, but I will say that if I were choosing between the two I'd pick CA Grill over AP every time.

And I promise, you will see a wonderful review of CA Grill - it was terrific!

Brenda,

So sorry about the bad dinner. I will tell you that being a mom of small children we would have not tolerated that behavior from our children. First a baby does not need to be in that type of restuarant I agree. Second, those kids needed to be sitting down (DH would of grabbed them ever so gently and sat them down). We went to a resturant when DS was 2 and our friends with us how also had twins the same age. I was mortified on how they let their children behaved. They were throwing food, silverware. While ours sat in his highchair and colored. The floor was disguising after we left (under their highchairs), we picked up maybe one piece of mac and cheese on the floor from our son. Let me tell you we would have not taken him to an upscale restuarant just because, not that he was bad but things happen and kids get ansy but that was uncalled for. So I just wanted to tell you that not all parents are like that and approve of that kind of behavior. Can't wait until the next review.

Thanks, DisneyLaura. I hope I didn't give the impression that I was lumping all parents together because I surely didn't mean to. I think there are still a lot of moms and dads like you and your DH who try very hard to do the right thing in eating establishments: take good care of their kids while trying to be considerate of others. It just seemed like on this one night all the other parents were having something of a convention at AP. :rotfl2:

Happier reviews to come - thanks for reading!

Sorry about the dinner! We have always had such a wonderful time there. What time were you dining? We dine around 8:00- 8:30 and always travel during off times of the year (i.e. kids are still in school!) But I do have to say that you experience would turn me off too. And I am the same way about choking, I mean smoking. YUCK!!!

Our reservation was at 7:30, so I thought we might miss the early dining crowd. We're so used to being at WDW in October that we forgot about how many kids would be there at the end of May. And I do think there are just a lot more families that stay at Wilderness Lodge and AP is convenient, regardless of the menu, and that's just where they end up sometimes. Oh well, at least we tried it!

I am so glad you didn't save this one for last! I'm sitting here getting angry and it wasn't even my meal! I'm right with you on the kid comments; there are a lot of stupid and ignorant parents out there. I don't blame you for crying. It was either that or start screaming at everyone! :scared1: On a happy note, it's good to know that I don't have to go to a nice restaurant to get risotto. I think I had some of that potato risotto with my eggs benedict at the local breakfast joint recently.

I'm glad I didn't save this for last, either; it would have been a real downer. And your comment about the potato risotto with your eggs benedict... :lmao:

Brenda - So sorry you had such an awful evening. I can relate to the hormonal crying too especially with the wild kids added into the mix.

Loved having Jason's input though and looking forward to the upcoming happier places!!

Thanks Kathy. I'm going to try harder not to cry during meals in October. ;)

And Jay will be coming back for the Chef's Table - I'll let him know you enjoyed his input!

Brenda,

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I've done the whole crying thing too especially if I'm SO excited and looking forward to something and that something is a letdown.

We have ressie's for AP in August but I'm still going to keep them. We are staying at WL so I know I would be disappointed if I skipped it. We did eat there once before and had a very good meal so I'm going to be optimistic.

Thanks for reading and thanks for the kind words - I thought everyone was going to think I was just being a big baby... Middle-aged woman has melt-down at Artist Point - story at 11!

Please come back and tell us about your dinner at AP - I hope it goes really well and that it's at least as good this time around as it was the last time you ate there.

As for the kids running around - nothing drives me crazier in a restaurant. I'm a mom with 2 kids and we always took our kids to nice restaurants when they were little. They were NEVER allowed to run around. Many times after we were leaving a restaurant, other diners complemented us on how well behaved our kid were. If my kids did get fussy, either me or DH would take them outside. I would rather disturb my meal than someone else's. Some people are just plain rude and inconsiderate.

Looking forward to V&A and also the Shrubbery!

Thanks for sharing that - I knew the great parents outnumbered the poorer ones. :hug: And good stuff to come, I promise - this was the only blot during the week.

Brenda - Quick question - What time were your AP ressies that there were so many kids there? We usually make ours around 7:30. Just curious.

Our reservation was at 7:30.

Oh my goodness! I am in a fight with Artist Point! How could they have been so YUCK to two very nice people just trying to have a good and relaxing meal?!

Aww, thanks. :goodvibes

Seriously though, I too am a stress crier...it's awful when it hits b/c it's very hard to stop. I also have a STRONG dislike for the parents of unruly children who feel it appropriate to take them a pricey place like Artist Point and let them run around annoying the crap out of everyone in the place! (you will remember that I made reference to a large group of hooligans masquerading as children who ruined MY Artist Point experience. Their doofy parents just sat back and drank the whole time while their kids threw things, knocked over chairs, screamed, cried and climbed over each other and the TABLE at one point. It was awful and not conducive to appreciating the pricey food you are consuming. I've had more peaceful meals at Chuck E. Cheese! The parents finally said a half hearted "shh" when they noticed that the ENTIRE area around them cleared out due to the noise

Stress crying - it's awful. I was still crying by the time we got back to the villa. At that point I think Jay was probably annoyed with me..."it wasn't that bad. Please stop."

How do you explain to a man that sometimes you just can't stop?

And your experience sounds far worse than ours - I think if I'd been at AP during that kind of dining room fiasco I would have gone nuts.

I think that part of the problem with AP is that it is located at Wilderness Lodge...which is also home to one of the rowdiest eating establishments on property...Whispering Canyon Cafe. The "Signature" status doesn't seem to do much in terms of people distinguishing appropriate behaviors for each place being DIFFERENT. It's frustrating. My Jason and I have an ADR for Artist Point this August. OUR kids (well his kids...my step kids) are going to be tucked away at Cub's Den, where all children should be when their parents are dining at Artist Point! (relax everyone who takes their very well behaved kids to AP...I was kidding...sort of...)

I think you may be right - the rest of the Lodge is so casual that sometimes AP doesn't seem like it belongs there. Maybe if it were located in a different spot that would make a difference, but I doubt it.

Hope you guys have a great meal in August - be sure to come back and let us know how it is!

Jay and I left a place last night b/c it was SO crowded, the hostess seated a couple at a better table near the wall just b/c they looked older even though we were there FIRST, called us "kids" and sat us in the middle of the room, practically in the laps of an elderly couple who was arguing about who left the cap off the polident...no joke. I stood it for about 2.5 seconds. I had the same convesation in my head that you had in yours...except I wasn't Brenda, i was me...Then we left. The stress crying happened anyway, but at least in the car this time!:sad:

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you ended up some place that was better where the ancients weren't discussing denture care. :hug:

You rock Brenda! You didn't ruin anything, those loud kids did...the substandard waiter did...the lack of salmon you'd been excited for did...but not you! YOU looked pretty!

so excited to hear about Chef's Table!!!

Thanks for that - I've been feeling like I ruined the whole evening from the time the first tear started to roll (hence the title to this installment). My Jason is a pretty great guy - we both joke about it now but even on that night he was a sweetie...confused, but sweet.

The Chef's Table was awesome - I hope we can do it justice.

:sad2: Brenda that AP review makes me #1 sad for you that your last dinner was such a bust and #2 so happy that Greg and i bailed on our dinner there on our last night! Not that it would have neccesarily been a repeat of your night, but who wants to chance it. And i really was just going there to try the salmon, and most likely i would have been ripped off of the Copper River kind too...."Artist Pointless"..i like that.
Jay, thanks for stepping in and tag teaming the report..that was a fun touch

Thanks Gina! Hopefully you guys would have had a better experience - I'm sure you could find people who were there the same night that we were who would tell you it was fine. It just wasn't our night.

Glad you liked Jay's input - I think I'm going to bring him back for the Chef's Table.

Brenda, between the misbehaving children, the stinky waiter, the poor service, the not-so-fabulous food, the last big meal of my vacation, and the totally squashed expectations, I would have cried too, even without the sickness and the hormones. At least the rest of your experiences were good!

Thanks - you pretty well summed up the whole experience for me in one sentence! And you're so right - the rest of the week was great so this one evening was just a teeny blip on the radar. Thanks for reading!

oybolshoi

06-30-2007, 01:36 PM

That sucks Brenda love,how about putting an age limit on the door,either that or give the little sweet hearts a lethal injection on the way in...:rolleyes1

Well, it did suck but I can't blame the whole evening on someone's else's kids...there were a lot of other factors too (and one big 37-year old baby).

So I totally understand why you didn't want to end your review w/AP! Here's some belated :grouphug: !!!

Thanks - I definitely think I made the right call by moving AP up. Now we can go back to the fun stuff!

A couple of weeks ago, we were at dinner and seated next to this couple with a small child -- they were letting her dance and twirl and scream. She even ran into the waiter a couple of times. And the couple just laughed as if she was the cutest thing and kept encouraging her...We were all set to get up and leave when she dumped an entire glass of ice water in the guy's lap. Nice!

The most bizarre thing is that she wasn't even their kid -- turns out, she belonged to someone sitting a few tables away that this couple didn't even know!

Weird weird weird. Why do some people think this is acceptable? :confused3

Oh boy - I`m so sorry about your experience at AP. I had the cheese plate and salmon there last sept. they didn`t look like dishes you got!

Thanks - isn't it interesting how things change so quickly? I wonder if the "head" chef was on vacation or maybe the restaurant had recently changed chefs. Or maybe, as so many have said, it just wasn't our night.

I too have been known to cry in a restaurant, the insult is after a poor meal you have to pay for it. Would you consider sending that review to the manager there?

This is for your past restaurant weepies... :hug: And I never thought about passing this along to the manager after-the-fact. We really should have said something before we left... I almost feel like it's too late to really make an impact at this point. But it is a good idea.

All I have to say to that is :scared1:

Brenda - I detest children running around at restaurants and generally making a nuisance of themselves. And that's saying something, considering the sheer numbers of rugrats at my house.

My kid's never do that. And although I would like to say it's because I have trained them so well, ahem, it's actually because they are "all about the food baby!!!"

I don't think it has ever occurred to my children to run around in a restaurant. They don't get to go very often, and when they do, they eat like there's no manana. I think they would be confused by the concept of going to a restaurant to run around.

[So, if any of you witness my family at WDW, and my children are acting differently than I have described, please remember they will have been eating at restaurants for 11 days, and may act accordingly. If you promise to cut me some slack, I promise to try to try to keep them out of the way, and under control. LOL]

We don't usually take our kids to nicer (and for us, that's Red Lobster or Applebee's :rolleyes: ) restaurants for several reasons:

1) We like to be alone sometimes. Call me crazy, but we still enjoy each others company after 18 years together.

2) We don't think the kids appreciate the difference between cheap and expensive restaurants enough...which leads to...

3) It costs to darn much to feed seven children in a restaurant.

Which is why we go to WDW in Aug. or Sept. to get free dining.

I agree with others - you and your family rock! :thumbsup2

I totally understand the "underwhelmed hormonal emotional outburst" thing. All I can say is ((((Brenda)))).

And both entrees looked pathetic. I was really amazed at the lack of stuff on the plate. My mama raised me to have a variety of items at every meal.
It annoys me that these froofy restaurants think they are so special and their food is so divine that you should just be astounded by the simplicity of their one uber amazing item that they have put on a very large plate.

If all the FOBs (friends of Brenda) boycotted AP, they would have a lot more time to go out in their cars and smoke. Hmph.

Really looking forward to the V & A report, and have Jay chime in on that too!

Awww, thanks! :hug: I was not impressed with either entree, I admit it. The food at V&A is good enough that they can get away with the presentation effect, but not AP.

FOB... :rotfl2: I love it! And yes, Jay will be getting his say in the Chef's Table review. All this attention is going to his head. ;)

sorry to hear about your dining experience at AP. never tried it, so i can't compare thoughts or anything. but i have to say your crying episode totally reminded me of myself while waiting on the monorail from epcot to MK, except these were my thoughts....

i can't believe this vacation isn't reaching my unreachable expectations...
i can't believe ray's miserable.....it's all my fault!
i can't believe i didn't get to meet the beast and got belle instead....what a load!
i can't believe we witnessed a child being beaten on nemo.....should i have called disney security or something? was it selfish of us to basically sprint off the ride?
i can't believe i'm standing here getting ready to get on the monorail to the magic kingdom CRYING!!!!!!!! what's wrong with me???

Oh Dawn, I totally understand. :hug: As for the Nemo incident... holy crap! I wouldn't have known what to do there either...do you interfere or walk away - that's a tough tough call. I hope once you got to the MK you felt 100% better.

There's definitely a balance to be struck between Whispering Canyon's skillet and the three peas on a 12" square plate. And the phlegm/foam they put on stuff is disgusting.

Not a fan of foam, or froth, or spit... or whatever they want to call it. Completely unappetizing.

I'm more a meat-and-potatoes guy, myself, but I do appreciate good food cooked well. More a 30-minute-meals than Top Chef, if you watch the food network at all.

Terrific show! :thumbsup2

Once again, a perfect update.

So, you need a name for October? Let's see...

How about "Boozin' rather than Cruisin". (Sorry, that one hurt me more than it hurt you).

OK..how about "Here for the Beer" and the food, and the wine, and the...

Pretty lame huh? Now you know why I don't write TR's.:rotfl:

Thanks for reading Nancy, even if this update was perfectly depressing. ;)

BTW, love the trip report title ideas... I will take them under advisement!

Brenda, I am so sorry you guys had a bad experience.

Thanks - it could have been a lot worse and if I put it in perspective, that one less-than-stellar experience didn't detract from an overall week of terrific dining. Keep reading... California Grill is next and I think you'll be happy with that one!

Brenda, I'm so sorry that Artist Point was bad. The parents and I ate there years ago (I believe ten years which makes me :scared1: because it was so long ago) and it was great. There weren't a lot of kids there ten years ago either...I was the only kid there. :rotfl2: I laugh only because I'm turning 21 tomorrow.

I look forward to reading the rest of your reports. :)

Thanks Kiki! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!! :yay:

Brenda,

I'm so sorry you had a bad night at AP! I almost join the ranks of the stress criers......but for me, I just get really quiet and introspective and sigh alot. My inner dialogue tends to be a repeat of one phrase, usually something like "I'm not having fun anymore!" or "I'm really not happy with this!"

Imagine, spending all that cash on something and being disappointed - who wouldn't cry?

Thanks Erica. I start off getting very quiet and then all that thinking gets the waterworks flowing.

And I must say, I have no problem with children being children.....but what I DO have a problem with is bad parenting. To me, letting your child run wild in a fine dining establishment and just ignoring it or thinking it is somehow "cute" is irresponsible parenting. Every single time we go out to Disney, Lionel and I add something new to the list of what we won't do as parents! Of course, we also add things to the list when at the movies (hello! how about leave the 10 month old at home instead of bringing them to see the midnight showing of Spiderman 3! or could you maybe TAKE THEM OUTSIDE instead of letting them wail for 5 minutes solid?) or even at Target ("if you don't stop hitting your sister, you can't have a toy" - uhhhh, didn't he already lose his rights to that by hitting her the first time?). Crazy.

Very well said - I agree on all points.

My, that was a tirade, I'm so sorry! To change the subject, I think you should call your October TR "How meeting Zweihund changed my life."

:rolleyes1 What?

Oh dear...that's great! :lmao:

Aawwww Brenda that sucks!!! I also get the crying part, I think sometimes we just try to hard to have fun on vacation! You do the research, the planning, the booking & then get a bum meal, bleaach! I would have cried too! I'm so glad you didn't end the review with AP!

Thanks Shovan, and I'm glad I decided not to end with AP, too. Talk about a bummer!

Anyhoo, we have an adr at AP during our F&W trip. So if a f&w event looks better we may do that. I won't cancel just yet, I think even great restaurants can have an off night. And they just need to start forcing people to control their children!

Good for you! I hope you have a great evening because I think you're right - everyone can have an off night and I do think that played into our dining experience. I'll be looking for your review of AP when your back at home!

Brenda, I'm so sorry you had a bad experience at AP! :hug: Even though it was your final meal of the trip, I'm glad you didn't save it for the end of the dining report. That would have been a huge bummer! :rotfl:

Denise

Hi Denise! Thanks - I'm glad we didn't save this for the final review either; then everyone would have felt let down.

*hugs* So sorry your Artist Point visit was so sucky. :grouphug: I understand your stress weeping, and were completely justified in it. Maybe even a tantrum... I mean hey if the kids are doing it, why can't you?! My first (and only) Disney experience was just that bad. I managed to keep the crying in until I got back to our hotel, but that's a long story for another thread.

Thanks Andiepie So sorry to hear that you had a similiar Disney experience...here's a belated :hug: because you deserve one.

As for a title for your October trip, I can only think of "The Lunchbox Has Landed." I only thought of that just now, cause I'm watching The Full Monty.

Hee hee hee.. that may be more appropriate than you know. :lmao: