Turfs Up: Too Much Food for Happy Feet - Sept DxDP Lots of Pics *Update: Post 129*

[Golf4food]

Foreshadowing:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3785550556_7dba648445.jpg

Welcome to your future! Ok, so technically it is OUR future, but ya'll can come along for the ride if you like. :)

We are Golf4food (DH) and Tazicket (DW), two penguin loving, DIS surfing, WDW fanatics making our way back to the world for our 6th trip as a married couple and third trip in the past 12 months. There are three main reasons for this trip:

1)It will be Golf4food's 30th birthday and where better to celebrate than at WDW?
2)Our season passes expire soon and we owe it to ourselves and the entire DIS community to get the most out of them possible.
3)Free dining – upgraded to the Deluxe Dining Plan in honor of the above. We have never done the DxDP before, but have enjoyed the regular DDP a few times and decided to throw caution and waistlines to the wind and spring for the upgrade. Like the travel channel lately, this trip is mostly about food.


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Cast of characters:


Tazicket (DW):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3786115532_7a00787417.jpg

I am 25, love to cook, working to expand our culinary horizons, and my favorite Disney character is Belle. Like another favorite character, Dory, I believe that fish are friends and not food, so you won't find any seafood on my plates. Aside from that I am the more adventurous eater of the two of us.

Tazicket Fun Fact #1: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad made me cry the first (and last) time I rode it... I was 22 years old. :lmao:


Golf4food (DH):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3786139464_b2a1d7ddae.jpg

I am the aforementioned birthday boy, hitting the big Three-Oh during the trip. I am not a cook and my culinary skills are mainly limited to “peel back corner to vent and microwave for five minutes on high or until golden brown”. Having grown up in a family where the main fare was deep South, the main food groups are fried and yellow. I am by far the pickier eater of the two of us but have been branching out a bit more in the six years we've been married, thanks largely to DW's wonderful cooking (she is also to thank for the 35 pounds I gained since the wedding, haha – but in fairness I never got a freshman 15 in college and only weighed 130 at the wedding...). :thumbsup2

Golf4food Fun Fact #1: Will probably take around 2,500 photos during the five day trip while DW impatiently waits wishing I would just get on the ride already. :rolleyes1


ADR Plans:

Since we are upgraded to the Deluxe plan this trip we decided to try a lot of different places we've never been before. Only one of our ADRs are at a restaurant that we have been to before, and that is our first meal on arrival day, but we haven't been in the past year so it's time to return. Other than that we are in brand new territory, guided mainly by the many DISers who went before us, charting the strange waters to make them safe for fellow travelers (I hear there are pirates in WDW, after all).pirate:

Day One:
2nd Breakfast: Sunshine Seasons (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33526037&postcount=6)
Lunch: Biergarten - Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33541654&postcount=9) - Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33542232&postcount=10)
Dinner: Tutto Italia - Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33566220&postcount=26) - Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33566253&postcount=27)

Day Two:
Breakfast: Kona Cafe (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33579495&postcount=33)
Snack: Aloha Isle (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33592160&postcount=42)
Lunch: Grand Floridian Cafe - Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33606384&postcount=50) - Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33606846&postcount=52)
Dinner: Beaches (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33629863&postcount=64) and Cream (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33630101&postcount=65)

Day Three:
Breakfast: Boma - Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33639913&postcount=77) - Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33639920&postcount=78)
Lunch: Sci-Fi Dine-In (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33653557&postcount=87)
Dinner: Jiko - Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33707014&postcount=100) - Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33707031&postcount=101) - Part 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33707866&postcount=106)
Day 3 Snack Parade: Post 115 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33754900&postcount=115)

Day Four:
Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33797291&postcount=117)
Snack: Random Churro Cart (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33841410&postcount=122)
Lunch: The Plaza (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33905182&postcount=125)
Dinner: Columbia Harbor House (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34037817&postcount=129)

Day Five:
Breakfast: All-Stars area McDonalds (just renovated)


Our rating system will have a slight twist: instead of stars we will be using penguins. :) More about that later.

[TigerKat]

Signing on, you've got some great places in your line-up! We're trying the DxDP for the first time in October!!:thumbsup2

[MickeyNicki]

Wow you have my favorite places on your list...I have been trying to talk DH into going to WDW for Labor Day weekend...might just see you there!

[Golf4food]

Four days to go! Woo hoo!

So why the penguin love?

Firstly, penguins are just awesome - who doesn't love penguins? Seriously.

Beyond that, when we first started dating I found a website full of corny/funny pickup lines one day and this was one of them:

Guy: (walks up to girl and says) "Fat penguins."

Girl: "What?"

Guy: "Fat penguins."

Girl: "What are you talking about?"

Guy: "I just wanted to say something that would break the ice." :lmao:

We thought it was funny. So for our first date I bought her a small plush fat penguin. That was a little over nine years ago. Three years later we were married and had penguin cake toppers and all that sort of stuff in the wedding. To date we have around 250 unique penguins or penguin related items. Our house is a regular rookery!

And so in honor of our flightless, hydrophylic friends from the great white south, our rating system shall be Mickey-Hat-Wearing Penguins and Penguin-Colored Eggs instead of stars and half stars:

One "star" = http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

Half "star" = http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg (because a penguin egg is half a penguin? It was the closest we could get - half of a penguin would be horrifying!)

[disneyfav4ever]

Can't wait to hear about the Plaza since I just added that to my next trip.

[Golf4food]

And we're off!

Our day began around 4 a.m. (ok, so Tazicket was awake before that but graciously waited for the alarm to go off before bouncing up and down on the bed yelling, "Disney! Disney! Disney!"). Here's the proof:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3902608572_47c4a683cb.jpg

Fresh ground coffee - whole bean, of course - from The Fresh Market (FM Breakfast Blend - great stuff, try it!) and a couple of blueberry scones from TFM as well (sorry, we forgot to take pictures of those in our sleep deprived, WDW drunkenness).

A two-and-a-half hour drive (listening to Disney music, park music, and ride-throughs converted to mp3s from Youtube videos) later we arrived at ASMusic, checked in and dropped off our bags in the room which was already ready in spite of it being only 8:30 a.m. - and headed to Epcot for rope drop at 9 a.m.

We didn't quite make rope drop, but were there at 9:10 so we missed the first giant rush and in a way it was nice - no lines, no waiting! We speed walked our way to Soarin', hopped right on with no wait, and then headed to Sunshine Seasons for second breakfast (like the good hobbits we are?).

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Here's the choices we were faced with:

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Most everything is available as a snack credit in these bakery cases so we each used our two snack credits for the day.

Tazicket got a bagel and an OJ:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/3901523149_0c17d7e53d_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Good bagel. Not the best ever, but certainly not the worst either. Would be better if it was toasted, but I have never noticed a toaster of any sort on any trip to SS. Please tell me if they do exist so I can use them next time! The OJ was yummy. This is one of my traditional Epcot breakfasts so it is nice to revisit it on our first day. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg Three Penguins


Golf4food got an apple danish and an OJ:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3902297190_76a4081571_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I thought the apple danish was tasty and sweet. More topping would be nice, but there was just enough to provide at least some topping with every bite if you practice proper topping rationing. I do luvs me some danish topping, though, so I would still prefer more. A good danish should be like a good pizza - toppings almost all the way to the edges! The OJ was, well, OJ. How good or bad can it be?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg Three Penguins

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Combined rating of - math majors? Anyone? - three penguins, of course!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg Three Penguins


Cost: $9.97 if OOP, four snack credits for us DxDPers



Up next: lunch in der Fatherland - buffet at Biergarten. Tiki-taki-tiki-taki-oi-oi-oi!

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

I'm in! popcorn::

[oybolshoi]

mmmmm, second breakfast! Who doesn't love second breakfast? :laughing:

Looking forward to more reviews!

[Golf4food]

After wandering around for a few hours (and riding Soarin' a couple more times :teeth: ), we headed over to Germany for a little Oktoberfest in September - but that's ok because the real Oktoberfest in Munchen starts in September, too, so we're gut.

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After a wait under the shade next to Sommerfest we finally saw one of every DISers most favoritest sights:
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This place has some of our favorite theming in all of Disney World:

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And, for good measure, here's some shots of the bounty on the buffet:

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And like the first two Back to the Future movies, this post is:

To be continued...

[Golf4food]

Was haben wir zu essen? (What did we eat?)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpgI started with a bowl of potato leek soup and a pretzel roll:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3902433668_d5eddf5ffe_b.jpg

I luvs me the potato leek soup. Pretzel roll is great, too, but a little salty since we have more or less cut out most salt from our home cooking (and replaced it with a plethora of herbs and such from Penzey's :thumbsup2)

Next I had a plate full of this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3902449908_0558737e0c_b.jpg

Let's see... from top going clockwise we had:
Another pretzel roll
Pork schnitzel: I'm a big schnitzel fan, but I like the chicken schnitzel better. This pork version is still good (and traditional) but I just like the chicken version more. :)
Roasted pork: tasty and juicy
Regular spaetzel: good taste but a little on the dry side
Cheese spaetzel: nice, but I prefer the regular version
German potato salad: always a nice choice, good stuff.

And for dessert (tip: two S's in dessert because it's so good you want seconds!):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/3902454970_5d33d31d99_b.jpg

That would be:
Chocolate Mousse Cake: nice and moist, not too much frosting (I prefer lighter frosting on my cakes, not lathered on like an 8th grader fixing his hair for the homecoming dance...)
Bavarian Cheesecake: so light and creamy, I love this stuff. One day I shall try to eat my weight in it.
Apple Struedel: nicely made, tasty and apple-y

Rating: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

Three penguins - solid and dependable, not spectacular. Eating at a time when you can catch the band is worth an extra penguin just for the entertainment - they're great.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I also started with a bowl of potato leek soup:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3901660409_4e0a6f7936_b.jpg

The soup was really really good. I'd love to find the recipe so that I can make it at home (I've been looking, but have not had success yet). It was creamy and very flavorful.

Here was my plate (sorry it's slightly blurry - I was REALLY hungry and trying to finish the picture part of our meal as quickly as possible :rolleyes1 )

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/3902444550_43ec91d3d0_b.jpg

Starting at the top and moving clockwise around the plate, we have:

Crusty White Roll: this was yummy. Tasted warm and fresh; crusty on the outside and soft in the middle.
Potato Salad: warm, delicious, and great flavor.
Pork Schnitzel: also good; crispy on the outside and warm. I knew something was missing but wasn't quite sure what it was until our server, Katja, brought us a plate of lemon slices. Once I had those, I was totally happy with it. :)
Cheesey Spaetzel: the flavor on this was fine. I made a point of getting some because I missed it last time we were here. I was kind of disappointed, though, because (even though I was the 2nd person to get some) it was just lukewarm.
Pretzel Bread: I was not as fond of the pretzel bread as Golf4Food was. It was way too salty for my taste. Like he said earlier, we've cut back a lot on our sodium intake and this was just too much for me.
Roasted Potatoes: these were just ok - not bad, but not really special either.

On to dessert:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/3902454970_5d33d31d99_b.jpg

Again, moving clockwise from the top:

Chocolate Mousse Cake: good, rich chocolate flavor. My second favorite of the three.
Bavarian Cheesecake: also very yummy. Very good and tied with the chocolate as my second favorite.
Apple Strudel w/ Vanilla Sauce: YUM!! Fresh, warm, and perfect. I tried to get some from the CS outside on our last trip and was very disappointed in it, so I'd really been looking forward to getting the good stuff from the Biergarten. It was just as great as I remembered it being. :yay:

Rating: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

Three penguins - Overall, this was a good meal and I was glad to be back. It wasn't my favorite meal of the trip, but it was good. For what it's worth, I agree that the band is worth an extra penguin. :) They're a lot of fun.
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Final rating: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

A solid three penguins. Worthy of a return trip or scheduling it for the first time without fear. There's a lot more here than sausage and saurkraut! (None of which was on my plate at all, for example!)

Cost: $42.58
Tip: $8.00


Up next? We trek south, over the mighty Alps, braving cold and wind, over-zealous St. Bernard's, Austrian authorities, and throngs of American tourists to arrive in Italia for a wonderful dinner at Tutto Italia - stay tuned!

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[Shenanigoat]

Oh Biergarten, how I love you. You took a lot of pictures in there, did you have to elbow people out of the way to get them?:laughing:

[Golf4food]

Oh Biergarten, how I love you. You took a lot of pictures in there, did you have to elbow people out of the way to get them?:laughing:

Ha. No, we had a 12 noon ADR, which is when they open, so we were one of the first - if not the first - tables to be seated so I ran up to the buffet and snagged a picture of everything (didn't post all of them) before there was really anyone even up there getting food. :thumbsup2

[milmore104]

Biergarten is my DH's FAVORITE place to eat. It's his MUST of every trip. I like it to but I mainly get a plate full of the Schnitzel. I love me some Schnitzel.

[oybolshoi]

I know that we will never eat at Biergarten but the hubby and I do love their Spaten Optimater. :thumbsup2

And may I just say .... Munchen is what we do at Epcot every day! :lmao:

Looking forward to Tutto ... we have a food and wine pairing there next month during the F&W Festival! :goodvibes

[Jeanieblue114]

in!popcorn::

[Ciciwoowoo]

Oh yum!!!:goodvibes

[kupperman]

Can't wait for more! popcorn::

[thejman]

Looking forward to the Tutto Italia review. We will be going there in December.:)

[bluejasmine]

More! More! Will be eatting at Biergarten very soon!

[WETWHISTLE]

Looking forward to more reviews!

[Nancy for Disney]

Great start to the reviews. Keep them coming. :thumbsup2

[mcrabeck]

Enjoying your reviews and pictures! Thanks for sharing!:thumbsup2

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for sharing. Great start and can't wait to read more popcorn::

[DLo]

Great reviews. Love your sense of humor amd writing style. Looking forward to some more giggles and pics.

Going to sc fi for lunch next month for the first time in a while - hope you liked it.

[iluvpluto27]

Enjoying your reviews, looking forward to the next installment.

[Golf4food]

Our ADR at Tutto Italia was for 6:00 p.m. but we were in the area, it was looking like rain, and we were tired so we went ahead in around 5:30 expecting to just sit on a cushy bench and relax for a while, but as soon as we checked in they said they were ready for us and escorted us into the first long skinny room on the left, giving us a table for two right next to the window/door things that open onto the patio area (which wasn't in use due to the ugly looking clouds outside):

The patio right outside our window:
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The ugly clouds overhead:
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And for good measure our view of the inside part of the main dining room:
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We were served by Tiziano from northern Italy, a very nice, very friendly, and very Italian young man who was great. We'd be happy to have him serve us any time. :thumbsup2 (And yet he was only the second best server of our trip! Who was best? Stay tuned!)

Ok, so enough with the preliminaries, I know what you are all asking:

Che cosa mangiamo? (What did we eat?)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I started with something I normally wouldn't order, a zucchini, arugula, parmesan, and balsamic salad:
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And a shot with the arugula pushed a bit to the side so you can see the zucchini and balsamic:
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I thought the balsamic was too overpowering for everything else - maybe I just don't like balsamic much (I don't have it very often). The arugula and parmesan and zucchini were all nice, but the balsamic was too sweet and strong, covering up most everything else. But if you like balsamic don't hesitate to try it yourself!


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I started with the Fresh "Bufala" Mozzarella:
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Fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh tomato wedges, and fresh basil with a drizzle of really nice olive oil. This was so amazingly good. I sang the praises of this appetizer throughout the rest of our trip. :lovestruc The flavor of everything together was so great and light. It was a perfect balance of flavors. Insert five thousand other similar phrases here. :thumbsup2 Golf4Food sampled some and wished he had ordered it, too. I made myself stop after eating half (had to save room for dessert!! It's all about priorities. :rolleyes1 ) and he finished off most of the rest of it and really enjoyed it, too.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg For my entree I had the lasagna:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3907425647_aa66d77260_b.jpg

Call me old-fashioned, but I like lasagna. This lasagna was perfect - it uses bechamel cheese and I loved it. The perfect blend of pasta, cheese, meat, and sauce. Everything shined, nothing overpowered, nothing under-represented. If we had an Italian place that served lasagna like this in our home town I'd eat out for Italian more often. Wonderful.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg For my main course, I had the Cannelloni al Forno (baked pasta wrapped around a mixture of spinach, ricotta, bechamel and parmesan cheese):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3907429213_0d59bc81e8_b.jpg

This was so darn good. My exact notes from this meal read: "Totally, unspeakably, wonderfully amazing! Stuffed with cheese, covered in melted cheese, and sprinkled with cheese, but still nice and light." This is the best pasta dish I've ever had anywhere. The flavors were amazing and clean. I tried to ask Tiziano if I could have the recipe to make at home, but he said it's really complicated. :lmao: Guess we'll just have to go back. :teeth: I also finished only half (still thinking of those darn priorities!), because Tiziano swore that dessert would outshine everything we'd had so far. I thought for sure that he must be crazy until...

To be continued... (ha-ha)

[Golf4food]

Copetta Sotto Bosco (berries, zabaglione cream gelato and chocolate sauce):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3907437483_44ff127057_b.jpg

He was totally right! :eek: This is going to sound so weird, but I thought the custard flavor was kind of similar to egg nog, but the berries and whipped cream were so great with it. It was simply wonderful. And the berries were ginormous!!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3908223284_642bd43d54_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I also had the copetta.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3907435073_7813028676_b.jpg

It was awesome. I love the slight egg nog flavor - like a cross between vanilla and egg nog. The berries were giant and tasty, the whipped cream was yummy, and the chocolate sauce - was chocolate sauce (hard to screw that up!). There are also small sweet crouton-tupe things inside the gelato to add some crunch that were also great. I wanted to eat the whole thing, and probably would have if Tiziano hadn't have brought out...

Some chocolate mousse thingy in a dark chocolate shell with whipped cream and a raspberry sauce:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3908221704_c9d9280ca7_b.jpg

The mousse was wonderful. Perfect texture, tasty shell, rich and creamy without being too strong. I could finish a whole one and be happy. (The bright thing is a burning candle, yours might not be on fire - unless, you know, it is also your birthday...)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg This was so good (like everything else I'd had so far). The chocolate mousse was rich and creamy and went really really well with the raspberry sauce.

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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpgOverall Rating: Solid five penguins.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

I thought the service, food, and atmosphere were outstanding. At the time, this was the best meal we'd had on Disney property. Ever. Tiziano was wonderful and attentive without being smothering. And he even sang to Golf4Food (with a group of other servers) for his birthday. :) I'm adding this to our list of must do's when we're in Epcot (and on the DDP - it was expensive!). Don't get me wrong, I love Le Cellier as much as the next gal, but this was a magnificent meal from start to finish (even considering that I didn't have any meat at all!).



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I also give them five penguins:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

In spite of the appetizer that I didn't enjoy, that was just me. (Tazicket's app was great and I'd happily eat one of those next time!) Both entrees were wonderful and the desserts are something I shall dream about for years to come (and wake up drooling from, no doubt). Tiziano was fabulous as well. All around great experience well deserving of five happy penguins! :thumbsup2

Cost: $117.15 (2 DxDP credits)
Tip: $22.00


Believe it or not - by the end of our trip, we'd been somewhere that somehow managed to outshine Tutto. :eek: Where was it? You'll have to keep reading to find out. ;)



Up next: our intrepid travelers hang ten in search of Big Z, Cody, Lani, and Chicken Joe (and real coffee, of course) as they hitch a whale ride to the Kona Cafe.

[Shenanigoat]

Tutto Italia was my favorite restaurant on my last trip:lovestruc, I'm glad you two had a good time. I love balsamic vinegar, so I might have to check out that salad. I can't wait to hear what the "best" meal you had was.

[MA pigletfan]

i am IN!!! Great start..and i see in your lineup a few places we are hitting next month for a our disneymoon! :) YUM

[John's Mom]

Great reviews and pics! Can't wait to try Tutto in December.:woohoo:

[Krissalee]

I am loving reading your reviews - thanks for sharing them!

[jeminni]

Great reviews. I love Tutto Italia. :goodvibes I cant wait to hear where your favorite restaurant is.

[Golf4food]

On our first full day we started things off with a 7:30 a.m. ADR at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian resort. It looks a little something like this inside:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3907534625_f51a82ae7f_b.jpg

We had two main reasons for wanting to come to Kona:

1) The breakfast gets good reviews and we wanted to try a few things, and

2) They have real coffee! Duh!

So of course we had to start out with a press pot of Kona coffee (allowed as drinks on our DxDP by our server since we both shared it - we also each had a glass of orange juice):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3907583469_83874f7893_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg The press pot coffee was so good! About as strong as I can handle, but rich and full of flavor. Neat to see it made.

The OJ was great. I grew up in an area with a lot of orange groves and this was just like the fresh squeezed we made when I was little with oranges just picked off the trees.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg The press pot coffee was great. Not too strong, but on the stronger side of middle, which is how I like it (or even a little stronger). But it had great flavor.

The OJ was very good, tasted fresh squeezed and not all sugary.


So with our beverages out of the way it is on to the main courses!

What did we eat? (Um... What did we eat? Google translate doesn't have an option for Polynesian!)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I started with the Tonga Toast with Bacon:

Full plate:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2529/3907580757_5c2b894f4d_b.jpg

Close-up of the interior view:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3908375048_a3a7562303_b.jpg

I guess I'm too much of a French toast purist. It was ok, but not what I expected at all. The crust is quite crunchy and the cinnamon sugar is almost overpowering. The combination of textures and flavors just wasn't my thing. I know most people seem to love it, but I'll take regular ole' French toast any day. That said, I tried some of Tazicket's various things and they were all pretty good - especially the regular French toast and the eggs. Next time I'll just get normal French toast. Other items of Tazicket's that I tried: pancakes were very good, eggs were great, potatos just ok, ham was good, bacon a little on the thin side (more pig!) but tasty.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I had the Big Kahuna:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/3908366044_9cfeb07b2f_b.jpg

Macadamia nut butter and pineapple on the side:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/3907589709_7e05e75ee3_b.jpg

(I would also order the butter and pineapple on the side in the future just so I can control the amount in each bite.)

Pancakes: amazing - I would totally order just these!
Macadamia nut butter: warm and fluffy
Scrambled Eggs: delicious! Creamy and rich
French toast: good
Sausage: great
Ham: good
Potatoes: ok, not bad but didn't waste much tummy space on them
Bacon: same as potatoes

Tonga toast: nice and crispy outside but probably wouldn't order just this. A little to rich for me and I tend to go for savory breakfast over sweet. Strawberry sauce was yummy. Glad I tried it.

Our server, Ann, was great. Nice and attentive without being smothering. Friendly and funny.

The atmosphere is great. Nicely decorated, wonderful music, and as there were only four or five other tables of guests the entire time we were there it was pretty quiet and relaxing. Ann even brought me a cupcake and birthday card before we left:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3907594633_0df8f5db7e_b.jpg

How was the cupcake? We have no idea. We took it to go but by the time we got off the monorail at the MK the icing was already melty and smeared on the box top and neither of us wanted to eat it any time soon, and since it would only melt more and we couldn't carry it on a ride, we threw it away... gasp! O, the cupcakemanity! :scared1:

------------------------------------------------------------

Final ratings:

Both us of give Kona a solid four penguins:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

I'm sure that next time with both of us ordering just our favorite item we'll be willing to give Kona a full 5 penguins, or at least 4.5 penguins. :thumbsup2

Even the Tiki breakfast gods were happy:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3907605721_77bd322d1f_b.jpg

Cost: $37.33
Tip: $8.00


Next, after a morning in the MK ride hopping and Dole Whip tasting, we tie on a more refined feed bag at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

[Shenanigoat]

Thanks for the Kona Cafe review. I was looking forward to getting the big kahuna and didn't even think of getting the fancy stuff on the side. Just curious, since I'm eating there same time of the day you did-

How long did it take you to eat, then take the Monorail to MK? You were probably there for RD but were there already alot of other people waiting to get in?

[Golf4food]

Thanks for the Kona Cafe review. I was looking forward to getting the big kahuna and didn't even think of getting the fancy stuff on the side. Just curious, since I'm eating there same time of the day you did-

How long did it take you to eat, then take the Monorail to MK? You were probably there for RD but were there already alot of other people waiting to get in?

We took our time and were not rushing at all, firstly. After we finished eating we walked out to the Poly pool and sat down to write out our notes, then walked back through to the car, then moved it from the Poly lot to the TTC lot (and sat behind a bus that would not turn :headache: despite multiple openings to do so before we could even get out of the Poly lot), then took the monorail to the MK and got there around 9:10, shortly after rope drop. If we had wanted to hurry to be there by RD we probably could easily have done so, it just wasn't a priority at all. We've seen MK RD many times and still got there right afterwards.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

thanks for a great update...can't wait for more

[Shenanigoat]

We took our time and were not rushing at all, firstly. After we finished eating we walked out to the Poly pool and sat down to write out our notes, then walked back through to the car, then moved it from the Poly lot to the TTC lot (and sat behind a bus that would not turn :headache: despite multiple openings to do so before we could even get out of the Poly lot), then took the monorail to the MK and got there around 9:10, shortly after rope drop. If we had wanted to hurry to be there by RD we probably could easily have done so, it just wasn't a priority at all. We've seen MK RD many times and still got there right afterwards.

Thanks. It's good to know that even with taking your time you get there right about opening time.:goodvibes

[MA pigletfan]

mmmmmmmm i am dying to try those pancakes...we are only set to go to Kona for dinner but perhaps we can get lucky with a walk in if we are feeling it! Although, maui is our stop before WDW so maybe we can get some macadamia pancakes there and fill the void ;)
I meant to praise your pictures as well last time, but i was too hungry ;)..they are beautiful..what kind of camera do you use?

[DLo]

We have eaten at Kona for lunch and dinner _ looks like I will have to try breakfast next!!!

[iluvpluto27]

I'm trying Kona breakfast for the first time in two weeks, and it looks really good. Happy to hear you could get the press pot on the dxddp, as my DH is a big coffee lover so that should keep him happy.

[Golf4food]

I meant to praise your pictures as well last time, but i was too hungry ;)..they are beautiful..what kind of camera do you use?

Thanks.

The camera is a Pentax ist*DL - which is old by today's DSLR standards. (Circa 2004/2005 lol)

Lens was a Pentax 35mm f/2.8 smcP-DA Macro Limited Black that I rented from www.cameralensrentals.com (shamelss plug) and I loved it. Great lens for food work and all around shots as well. Might have to buy one someday. :thumbsup2

[Golf4food]

So after our early breakfast at Kona Cafe and before our relatively late lunch ADR at the Grand Floridian Cafe at 1:45 p.m. we needed something to tide us over. After an always enjoyable trip through the Jungle Cruise what better way to fill up and cool off than Aloha Isles:

Well A-loooooooooooo-ha:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3921180155_1cdb275511_b.jpg

Whilst there you can purchase these:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3921971500_4cb7d53005_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg After reading the glories of the Dole Whip float on the DIS for months, I couldn't resist trying one (pineapple soft serve with pineapple juice):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3921192179_64cf9245cd_b.jpg

Sorry that I happen to be in this picture along with the glorious Dole Whip float. But, this happens to be the only picture we have of it. Why, you ask? Well, for the answer, let us turn to my journal entry written mere moments after this picture was taken:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/3921194377_597b5b5f14_b.jpg

"Yummy! Really good on a warm day. However, it seems I have a drinking problem that I was not aware of, as I ended up dumping precious Dole Whip float on myself while posing for that picture." :( (K, if you can read it in the picture, it doesn't say exactly that, but the gist is the same)

Yep, that's right. A waste of perfectly delicious pineapple juice. Please join me in a moment of silence... :sad2: :guilty: :sad1:



What's our lesson for the day, kids? Dole Whip floats are awesome. Just the right amount of tart balanced nicely by the soft serve. And you shouldn't mug for the camera until AFTER you drink enough of the juice that you won't dump it everywhere like a total klutz. If you fail to heed this warning, there will be dire consequences. And everything will smell faintly of pineapple for the rest of the day... :rolleyes1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Meanwhile I opted for a Citrus Swirl:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3921973360_fa2dc07437_b.jpg

A tower of vanilla and orange soft serve that is similar to a dreamcicle but more "natural" tasting - less fake sugar involved. Nice and refreshing.

Also, I did not spill mine. :lmao:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ratings:

Dole Whip Float: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg

3.5 Penguins: Three for the Dole Whip Float and half for the fashion accessory!


Citrus Swirl: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg

3.5 Penguins: Three for the Citrus Swirl and half because I haven't used the egg yet! :yay:

Cost: $7.98? (2 snack credits)

[Shenanigoat]

I've taken a Dolpewhip Float shower before:headache:

[jasminewannabe]

And so in honor of our flightless, hydrophylic friends from the great white south, our rating system shall be Mickey-Hat-Wearing Penguins and Penguin-Colored Eggs instead of stars and half stars:

One "star" = http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

Half "star" = http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg (because a penguin egg is half a penguin? It was the closest we could get - half of a penguin would be horrifying!)

I havent read any of the review yet but I just had to say that I almost peed my pants laughing when I read that "half of a penguin would be horrifying." I dont know what it is but that statment is just hilarious. :rotfl::rotfl2::rotfl:

[jasminewannabe]

love these reviews! they are so informative yet funny! :rotfl2: i enjoy reading your writing style. cant wait to see what topped tuttos!

[Flossbolna]

Great reviews! I was very impressed about your skills in German, but then I saw the reference to Google translate in the Kona Cafe review... :rolleyes1 :goodvibes

[Golf4food]

Great reviews! I was very impressed about your skills in German, but then I saw the reference to Google translate in the Kona Cafe review... :rolleyes1 :goodvibes

Ich verstehe nur ein bisschen Deutsch. :idea:

It is one of my goals to learn to speak German. My ancestors (most of them on one side of my family anyway) came from Germany originally and I would love to visit Germany someday, so I'm going to learn to speak the language at some point so that when I do visit I'm not the typical American tourist who can only ask "Where is the bathroom" and "I would like to eat a ham sandwich." :laughing:

[nicolemomof4cuties]

:thumbsup2 yum!!

[CupidsKiss]

Thank you for the wonderfully detailed reviews. you have already hit on Biergarten & Tutto's which are choices of our next week.
Waiting patiently for more!
popcorn::

[Golf4food]

So after bathing ourselves in fun and sun (and Dole Whip Floats) in the MK all morning we hopped the boat - all to ourselves like a private yacht - to the Grand Floridian for our 1:45 p.m. ADR at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

Entrance sign:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3921985634_691f7b137a_b.jpg

An interior view, or - thar she blows! (Do they get a lot of strong winds that require weather vanes inside this restaurant? There are like five of them! I know it is hurricane season and all, but...)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3921988120_bedb295737_b.jpg

View of the GF courtyard from our window-side table:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3921219837_d0f68fba7f_b.jpg

We have read many good reviews of the GFC (Grand Floridian Cafe for those less hip to the lingo) and couldn't decide which meal we wanted to eat there, so we sent the kicker back to the bench and went for two: lunch today and breakfast on Sunday - but that's for a later post. Verdict of the conversion attempt? It's good! :cheer2:


We both started off with the onion soup. I had thought about a shrimp appetizer dish that is new to the menu but our server, Rob, told me that he would honestly avoid it, that they have tried four or five different shrimp appetizers and none of them had been very good and this new one was no exception (three pan seared shrimp and a few corn cakes, which Rob said were more to take up space on the plate because the three small shrimp just looked ridiculous on a large plate all by themselves!) So I decided to err on the side of caution and stuck to the safe pick.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3921999506_38f3d8f10e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3922007576_29f0673373_b.jpg

It did not disappoint. This onion soup is probably better than Chefs de France and maybe the best onion soup either of us had ever tasted. Even on a hot day when both of us just wanted to get inside and get a cool drink this soup was well worth it. We both kept our cups and worked on them even after our entrees had arrived.

Says Tazicket, "So good! Great rich onion flavor. Fried leeks on top were a nice touch. Really, really great. Favorite onion soup. Ever."

I agree - and not just because I would starve to death if she stopped cooking. ;)

So far everything in our meal was coming up roses:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3921992064_b5bf9e27f5_b.jpg

Awwwwwww... :love:

[jeminni]

Please tell me you ordered the grand floridian burger... I so want to order that when I go in October. :goodvibes

[Golf4food]

Carrying on...

The nice food runner gentleman next brought out our sandwiches.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I had The Grand Sandwich - Open-faced hot Turkey, Ham, Bacon and Tomato, with a rich Boursin Cheese Sauce and Fried Onion Straws

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3922005796_85421abfa5_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3922014858_a1372f9393_b.jpg

What a giant honkin sandwich! Nice Focaccia type bread, yummy tomato, ham, turkey, and bacon, all smothered in the boursin cheese. (Homer Simpson: mmmmm... and open face club sand-wich...) There was a little bit too much boursin for my taste (can be a little overpowering) but after scraping a little of the cheese off it was great. The meats were all very good. Onion straws were nice and tasty and added a nice little crunch on the side to the soft, yummy goodness of the sandwich. I would get it again even if I were to try some other entrees first. Would certainly make the rotation.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Roast Beef Sandwich - Balsamic Onions, Pesto Mayonnaise, Arugula Salad, and Tomatoes served on Focaccia with Marinated Cucumber Salad

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3921226655_f7555dc203_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3921229399_166926951a_b.jpg

Yummy. Nice bread. Some kind of vinagrette over the greens that was nice and tangy. Good and light - perfect on a hot day. The cucumber salad has great flavor. Totally loved them! Want to make them at home. Nice and tangy and lighty oniony.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg For dessert I opted for the lemon cheesecake:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3922016924_316cf9a0c4_b.jpg

I didn't want anything heavy, am not a huge fan of tiramisu, don't touch hazelnuts, and don't like my key lime pie contaminated by chocolate, so this was about my only option besides a few scoops of ice cream. No fear, though, as it was fantastic. It was wonderfully light and creamy with just enough lemon flavor without being tart. The raspberry sauce is a bit strong, but I'm not a big fan anyway so I just avoided it and ate the cheesecake by itself. Would love to have another one. Perfect size after a big lunch, too - no pain or regrets from eating the whole thing. :)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Tiramisu

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3921236359_0687e8326b_b.jpg

Light and airy and creamy. Wonderful flavor (coffee not too strong). Perfect size. Nice and cool. Love, love, love, love. :love:

----------------------------------------------------

Rob, our server, was great. Very friendly and honest with help selecting menu items. Sweet guy.

Ratings:

Both of us give the Grand Floridian Cafe lunch a solid four penguins:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

We will most definitely return. In fact, if you've been paying attention at all you'll know we'll be returning in two days! Ha! :laughing:

Cost: $54.45 (2 DxDP credits)
Tip: $11.00

Next time our intrepid gastronomic adventurers brave the Beach Club to see if they can get into the fabled Beaches and Cream. Will they succeed? No Way Jose? Stay tuned to find out!

[Golf4food]

Please tell me you ordered the grand floridian burger... I so want to order that when I go in October. :goodvibes

Alas, no. We were planning to try to get into Beaches & Cream for dinner (burgers) and were having Sci-Fi Dine-In the next day for lunch (burgers) and didn't want to do three burger meals in a row. Two was enough. :teacher: :lmao:

[LLLBelle]

Joining in. Love your reviews so far. I think we are definitely going to add Tutto to our list for January.

[disneyfav4ever]

I had thought about a shrimp appetizer dish that is new to the menu but our server, Rob, told me that he would honestly avoid it, that they have tried four or five different shrimp appetizers and none of them had been very good and this new one was no exception (three pan seared shrimp and a few corn cakes, which Rob said were more to take up space on the plate because the three small shrimp just looked ridiculous on a large plate all by themselves!) So I decided to err on the side of caution and stuck to the safe pick.I think the shrimp appetizer I had there last fall was really great. It was shrimp in a champagne scampi sauce over lobster bread pudding. So good. It was part of a trio though, and the other two were very lackluster. I wish they had the scampi one just by itself though, so yummy!

[Shenanigoat]

Wow, the GFC (I am hip with the lingo:thumbsup2) looks really pretty. I love that your sandwich pictures take up my whole screen, almost life sized. That little Tiramisu looks super tasty too. I hope I can fit this in someday.

[Flossbolna]

Ich verstehe nur ein bisschen Deutsch. :idea:

It is one of my goals to learn to speak German. My ancestors (most of them on one side of my family anyway) came from Germany originally and I would love to visit Germany someday, so I'm going to learn to speak the language at some point so that when I do visit I'm not the typical American tourist who can only ask "Where is the bathroom" and "I would like to eat a ham sandwich." :laughing:

That's very admirable, that you are planning on learning the language before you travel to Germany! :goodvibes I think being able to understand at least some of the language makes travelling so much easier! And I can assure you that even being able to ask for the bathroom in German will put you far ahead of many foreign tourists (whether American or other). :thumbsup2 I guess the challenge is however to understand the answer in German! :scared1:

I liked the GF Cafe review, I am not a fan of the GF, but the food looks really good! :thumbsup2

[milmore104]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3922007576_29f0673373_b.jpg


Oh my this looks so good. I love me a good bowl of French onion soup. I would kill for a nice warm bowl NOW! As it's a whopping 34 degrees out this morning...

[dsnymomx2]

loving your reviews so far!

[Lexxiefern]

Great reviews!!

[wilderness gal]

:woohoo:WONDERFUL REVIEWS................

*waiting*.......*waiting* :rolleyes1:rolleyes1

this anticipation is killing me .....................:lmao:

for more reviews...............:rotfl2::rotfl2:

I too, haven't ever worn a "dole whip" , but I betcha you were in a sweet but .....sticky situation:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Tazicket]

:woohoo:WONDERFUL REVIEWS................

*waiting*.......*waiting* :rolleyes1:rolleyes1

this anticipation is killing me .....................:lmao:

for more reviews...............:rotfl2::rotfl2:

I too, haven't ever worn a "dole whip" , but I betcha you were in a sweet but .....sticky situation:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
The Dole Whip thing was so sad. :( And I felt like such a flipping dork!! Didn't help that we did that right in front of the order window, too. :headache: Not only did it hit my shirt, but it managed to get my shorts, my leg, and my shoe, too! :lmao:

There shall be at least one more review added today, I promise!! :)

[MyTalula]

That beautiful french onion soup picture, just put GFC on our list for Feb!
All of your pictures are wonderful! :thumbsup2:worship:

[Golf4food]

We intentionally did not make an ADR for this night so that we could take our chances on getting in to Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club. If not we could eat anywhere else we wanted, including possibly Kouzzina (but more likely an Epcot CS place). So after tooling around Epcot for a while that afternoon we headed out the International Gateway, kept left and went under the overpass/bridge thing along the water to avoid climbing up and down the giant hill there on bad knees and tired feet, took a wrong turn and wound up at a quiet pool for the Beach Club with no exit, doubled back, and finally found our way to the large map where a nice CM asked us if we needed help and then told us the easiest way to get the B&C from there. Thanks, Bob! :thumbsup2

We walked up around 5:40 and were taken right inside - there was one table for two available (though there were four chairs - the tables are TINY and would be crazy overcrowded with four people at one of them, though they do it... people just think they have something to complain about at Le Cellier for small, crowded tables!)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3927242625_52f3ae6f20.jpg

Since there are always a lot of B&C questions on the boards here's a number of interior photos so everyone can see what all the hubbub is about:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3927253991_62fac05f4c.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3928040994_797ee88c02.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/3928048826_650457b2cc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3928064392_e8a023bdd3.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3927291183_c5816c3b69.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3928074990_4ec4c3eeef.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3927297159_2b07477a97.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3927269415_46d81dae1c.jpg

So there you go - the interior of Beaches & Cream - all twelve square feet of it! :lmao:

I started things off with a vanilla coke since you can get them here. Nicely mixed, but I am happy with almost any vanilla coke - love 'em! The more vanilla the better! (Tazicket, being the health conscious one, went with unsweet tea, as per her usual.)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3928052660_62977d3084.jpg

We both went with burgers for our entree - Tazicket's with no cheese, mine with:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3928068958_f2f535256e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3928066588_f955259ee3_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3928070576_ee77c4b5be_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg My cheeseburger was good, very fresh and hot, juicy patty with good flavor. The bun was buttery and toasted. Lettuce & tomato were crisp and cold. Fries were hot and fresh and nice. Best burger and fries I've ever had? No, but as good as or better than most burger and fry meals.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg My burger was also good. It had a nice flavor, with fresh tasting tomatoes and lettuce. I thought the patty was a little on the thin side, but still good. The fries were crispy and hot and had a really nice flavor. My burger bun was also buttery and toasted and yummy.

Speaking of buns...I would like to take a moment to share a PSA. This little beauty was right next to our table:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3928038370_53e77a9f0f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3928055422_ca4e3f25d9.jpg

Please be aware of your surroundings when picking super fun songs on the super cool jukebox. Our table was pretty close to it, but there was enough room for a person to go pick a song without crowding us too badly. A kid came over with his Grandpa to pick out a bunch of songs on the jukebox and seemed determined to pretend we weren't there. He was practically sitting on our table - inches from my burger. Meanwhile, I'm leaning further and further away and trying to be polite and just focus on eating my burger and ignoring the strange tuckus that is hovering next to my face. When it was clear the kid did not intend to remove his tuckus from our table any time soon, Golf4food tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to move. (Which he did, although grudgingly.)

I understand that it's a jukebox and both super fun and cool. And it's awesome to be able to pick songs on a real live jukebox - especially for kiddos who have maybe never seen one before. It's just important to be aware of your surroundings and respectful of people sitting right next to it. It's totally not cool to put your tuckus right in the face of an innocent bystander trying to eat her food. Click here for appropriate sound file. (http://www.entertonement.com/clips/yfwpsfwydb--The-More-You-Know-Jingle) (I promise it's not a fart noise! :littleangel: )

-------------------------------------------------

But enough about burgers and buttockses (buttocki? buttockseses?).

We know what you really want to know about.

The one thing one your mind since you saw "Beaches & Cream" first typed out.

You know what I'm talking about. :idea:

Yeah, you do. :rolleyes1

Don't deny it. :littleangel:

We won't tell. :rolleyes:

But for that you'll have to wait... like two minutes while I post part two! ;)

[Golf4food]

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

GIANT HONKIN TUBS FULL OF ICE CREAMY GOODNESS!!!

This is Brian. (Everyone: Hi, Brian!) Brian was our best friend right... about... now...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3928082298_5f47a93b9d_b.jpg

For full effect click here (also not a fart sound :lmao: ) (http://www.entertonement.com/clips/npvjvswvqd--Hallelujah-Chorus-ShortMusic-Big-Bucket-O%27-Random-Fractured-Fairy-Tales-)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I went with the Milky Way Sundae (I asked for no nuts so Brian said they'd add extra Milky Way instead):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/3928080390_9c9feaec20_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3928089862_ed021fca87_b.jpg

"I need a napkin or somethin' cause my mouth is waterin' just thinkin' 'bout it!" Thank you, Donkey.

Nothing small and annoying about these, though. Ginormous! I think the recipe is a pound of ice cream, a pound of caramel, a pound of hot fudge, one can of whipped cream, half a Milky Way candy bar, white and regular chocolate sprinkles... and a cherry. Soooo tasty. Perfect in every way, but way too big for a normal human to healthily consume. But who cares about healthy - you're at Beaches & Cream! Healthy stopped at the door! :yay:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I went with the legendary No Way Jose:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3927304711_1807b0b5e6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3927302807_2161484f37_b.jpg

I am a fiend for chocolate and peanut butter together and this definitely satisfied. Lots of warm peanut butter, hot fudge, chocolate and peanut butter morsels, awesome whipped cream, and the obligatory cherry (which went to Golf4food - I used to hate all cherries, but have recently decided that I do like some varieties. Unfortunately, that does not include the maraschino things they put on sundaes.)

This was so amazingly good! I'm pretty sure that it came with its own Heavenly glow. :worship:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3928088018_f6106ed344_b.jpg

You will notice that I am also in this shot with my wonderfully delicious ice cream. No, I did not wind up wearing this dessert (but, thanks for asking :laughing: ). We took this one to show that these sundaes were nearly as big as my head!! :eek:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We both give Beaches & Cream four penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

Not the greatest burger in the world overall, but the ice cream alone pulls them up at least a full penguin rating. :thumbsup2

Cost: around $40-$45, I forgot to write it down


Be warned, though. Eating so much ice cream can have consequences. Sure, at first you've got that big sugar rush:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3928098726_e6eeafa8a4_b.jpg


But it won't be long until you suffer the inevitable crash:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3928101586_292ba14f8c_b.jpg

Just be sure to collapse on a stretch of not-heavily-travelled sidewalk. ;)


So day two draws to a close and in the morning we head south of the equator (mostly) to enjoy the tastes of Africa.

[annnewjerz]

Wow---that icecream is HUGE. So, you guys were on the Deluxe DDP, which leads me to believe that your sundaes were included in the plan---yes? If so, I may have to do some shifting around with our reservations. We'll be staying at BWV and didn't have any plans to swing by B&C, but after seeing the icecream I'd be missing out on, I think I might have to. :thumbsup2

[Pooh&OurHunny]

WOW, amazing pictures and its making me drool. Thanks for a GREAT update...popcorn::

[Golf4food]

Wow---that icecream is HUGE. So, you guys were on the Deluxe DDP, which leads me to believe that your sundaes were included in the plan---yes? If so, I may have to do some shifting around with our reservations. We'll be staying at BWV and didn't have any plans to swing by B&C, but after seeing the icecream I'd be missing out on, I think I might have to. :thumbsup2

It doesn't matter if you're on the Deluxe plan or not - you can still go to Beaches & Cream (and get a giant honkin sundae for dessert :yay::woohoo::lovestruc ), but it counts as a Table Service credit either way.

ETA: Another thing to keep in mind is there's no ADRs and it's small, so getting in is not a guarantee or there may be a long wait. But, the sundaes are worth it!! Really fun to try at least once.

[annnewjerz]

It doesn't matter if you're on the Deluxe plan or not - you can still go to Beaches & Cream (and get a giant honkin sundae for dessert :yay::woohoo::lovestruc ), but it counts as a Table Service credit either way.

ETA: Another thing to keep in mind is there's no ADRs and it's small, so getting in is not a guarantee or there may be a long wait. But, the sundaes are worth it!! Really fun to try at least once.

Yep, I know that it doesn't matter if you're Deluxe or not, but we will be (and you were too) which is the only reason I mentioned it. I am aware that they don't take ADRs, but I figure that if we are staying at BWV anyway, it'll be easy enough to just pop over to the BC during our downtime during the day to see if they have a wait or not. All I want is a No Way Jose and I'll be set. Mmmmmmmmm. :woohoo:

[Timon]

Wow, everything I look for in a fantastic food report...

Humor :thumbsup2
Detail :thumbsup2
Fabulous photos :thumbsup2


Thanks for sharing :goodvibes


:worship::worship::worship:


When's the next installment??? popcorn::

[gemmybear83]

Great reviews and photos looking forward to reading more!:goodvibes

[DLo]

We had the same two sundaes last year. they were both sooooo good. I can't wait til next month - staying at BC so we will hopefully eating at bc at least once!

[Shenanigoat]

That's interesting, didn't know you could order a burger with "extra buns".

[milmore104]

Oh my those sundaes looks AMAZING!!! I so want to try them. I promised my DD I would order her a kitchen sink though. How would it look it I ordered a Milky Way and the kitchen sink? LOL!!!

[onelilspark]

That's interesting, didn't know you could order a burger with "extra buns".

Cue cymbal crash. :laughing:

I really need to get myself to Beaches & Cream for some ice cream...

[Golf4food]

Oh my those sundaes looks AMAZING!!! I so want to try them. I promised my DD I would order her a kitchen sink though. How would it look it I ordered a Milky Way and the kitchen sink? LOL!!!

I think the word would be "gluttonous". :lmao:

[Golf4food]

Our third day began early and not-bright as we left ASMu while the full moon was still above the Jazz buildings and the sun not yet over the trees on the other side for our 7:30 a.m. ADR at Boma - right when they open.

Obligatory Boma sign shot lest we be excommunicated from the DIS:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3934154690_c6cba5dfd3_b.jpg

Some shots of the interior and food - reviews and ratings in the next post since there are so many pictures to share of the buffet:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3934160906_00f08a26a8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3933373673_b36535c6d5_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3933381157_55aaf8e115_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3934169614_1c306fe3f0_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3934170278_2d650d5b7d_b.jpg


And now for lots of undisturbed food items in plates under heat lamps - yummy!!!

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3933400625_1e5c302056_b.jpg

Grilled ham (I think):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3933403413_1c5d81ed65_b.jpg

Waffles - NOT Mickey shaped. I did not eat any in protest.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3933406197_726f758847_b.jpg

Pancakes - also not Mickey shaped, but that did not offend me as they were not waffles.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3934194126_378111ac50_b.jpg

Potatos. Potatoes? Potaytoes? Dan? Anyone?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/3933414157_ced8a22e3e_b.jpg

Sausages
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3934199402_a7f2c739d4_b.jpg

Bacon. Actually, that much bacon in one place deserves a BACON!!!!!! Woo hoo!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/3933419509_a6aeed4025_b.jpg

Scrambled eggs:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3934204544_c691b285d1_b.jpg

Goat cheese and chive scrambled eggs:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3933424249_1a5a7056a8_b.jpg

Fresh fruit:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3933431473_5fe40f01bd_b.jpg

Fruit and yogurt and fruit salad stuff:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/3933436507_e606ee5361_b.jpg

Bagels (because we were near Bay lake - closer to the ocean they are Seagels?)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3934221930_f8a0581700_b.jpg

Cinnamon buns and chocolate croissants, etc.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2441/3933442181_de64408c56_b.jpg

Breads and such:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/3934230060_c38969f6b3_b.jpg

Muffins:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3934232880_c32cc79329_b.jpg

Curried sausage and biscuits:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3934235644_8cb8b82100_b.jpg

Some sort of red African thing by the grilled meats (Sorry for the blurry, I was shooting from the hip and moving quickly to stay out of people's way)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3934241126_710f99d10f_b.jpg

African Pap, I think (Grits, only African. Probably from southern Africa, haha)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3933461079_e6181c6e5d_b.jpg

Fire grilled tomato:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3934246582_9372d63f5d_b.jpg

Plates and reviews next!

[Golf4food]

On to the foods!

First our waitress brought us the house juice, even though we both asked for orange juice and she also wasn't sure if we could order a press pot on the DxDP as one of our drinks or not (we could) and didn't find out until after she took our room card and check back to run it... she was not the brightest bulb on the Disney dining tree.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3933472149_c534b99081_b.jpg

Neither of us like passion fruit or guava, but the special juice (Jamba juice?) was ok, not as bad as I was afraid it would be. I actually drank most of it. Partly because it took our press pot a while to get to us. (That would also be why we don't have a shot specifically of the press pot of coffee though you can see a sliver of press pot or coffee cup in a few other shots so keep your eyes peeled if you care about that sort of thing!)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Here's my first plate:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3934249810_fda3f08bf1_b.jpg

Moving clockwise from the top:
Chocolate croissant: yummy, but I didn't eat a whole lot of it
Grapes: I never actually got around to eating these. I'm sure they were pretty good, though.
Bacon: Good and crispy. I liked this better than the Kona bacon we'd had the day before.
Potatoes: Really yummy and seasoned well. My favorite potatoes of the trip.
Scrambled eggs: Good, but Kona's were better.
Goat cheese & chive scrambled eggs: These were totally awesome and my 2nd favorite thing I had at this breakfast. Different, but in a good way.
French toast: Yummy.
Scone: Also yummy.

While most of the stuff on this plate was good, it was immediately overshadowed by this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3934257736_fed75b38cd_b.jpg

K, I know it looks really gross, but it was SO FLIPPING GOOD. This is the Curried Sausage and Biscuits. Being a Southern Gal, I love me some biscuits and sausage gravy and this was a super awesome twist on that. It was just a little bit spicy, but had so much flavor and the biscuits were really good, too. My absolute favorite thing from this breakfast. I would totally go back just to get this.

Here's my second plate:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3933476815_9bb7649772_b.jpg

Clockwise from the top:
Pap: K, I know I said I'm a Southern Gal, but I'm one of very few who really just doesn't like grits. At all. But, I wanted to try new things, so I got this (and I didn't know it would be like grits). I just really didn't care for it at all. Grits in any language and all that.
Strawberries: I never made it to these, either. I had really good intentions, though!
Grapes: I'm pretty sure these are actually the grapes from the first plate. I didn't eat them over here, either.
Grilled tomato: This was yummy. It tasted pretty much like you would expect it to.

--------------------------------------

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg And here is my first plate:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3934252676_d37468a342_b.jpg

Starting up top I had the:

Cinnamon raisin French toast and syrup: good and fluffy and tasty, but I still prefer regular F.T.
Bacon: good bacon, nice and crispy, not greasy
Regular eggs: fine, normal scrambled eggs
Goat cheese and chive scrambled eggs: really good, I loved these and would gladly eat them any day
Cinnamon bun: ok, not great. A little on the dry side.
Bluebery muffin: tiny, just ok

Plate number two:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3934262358_4e98d1826c_b.jpg

Starting at the top:

Roasted/grilled/whatevered turkey and ham: both were quite good, thick cut (by hand at the buffet for you, of course), juicy, and tasty. I also got a little of the Boma mustard that was next to them and it was very good on the meats.
Watermelon: not good watermelon, kind of dry, not very sweet
Grilled tomato: good - tasted like a grilled tomato - surprise!
More goat cheese and chive eggs: again, just love these.
Pap: Grits in any language, fluently spoken here.

The Boma press-pot coffee: strong and much "earthier" than the Kona coffee press pot. Even with cream and sugar (I like my coffee heavily polluted) the Boma coffee was quite "up front". Not like an Italian espesso, but in a more earthy way. Earthy. (I just wanted to say earthy again, haha.)


Lastly our waitress - Brenda was her name - brought us out a dessert plate in honor of our Honeymoon. "Honeymoon?", you ask. Yes, I said honeymoon. ("That's what she said.") Why? We have no idea. I was wearing a birthday button and our ADRs clearly listed birthday on all of them. However, when I got my birthday button the CM offered Tazicket a "princess button" as he called it since she didn't have a button. It looks like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3935522948_0423bce4d9_b.jpg

So evidently they also use this button for a Honeymoon celebration button or something. I guess I just felt my birthday was more important than our wedding and that was why I wasn't wearing a honeymoon button? Who knows.

Either way, it got us a plate of these:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3934265024_99de860847_b.jpg

From left to right they were (to the best of our guessing since Brenda didn't tell us what any of them were - she dropped it on the edge of the table and said "And this is for your Honeymoon," and took the check back with her to the back...):

Some sort of dark chocolate truffle thing?:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Very rich and chewy and very good

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Yum! Dark and rich!

A carrot or apple spice cake with a glaze of some sort?:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Good, slight spice, chewy moist cake

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg good; lightly spiced

A pistachio cookie thing?:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Light and crunchy but airy cookie with a creamy filling - this tiny cookie helped me remember that I used to eat pistachios a looooong time ago and for some reason stopped but that I still like them - woo hoo!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg also good; different

A jelly pyramid thingy that was apricot flavored?:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Like a nasty apricot flavored gummy pyramid as you'd expect (in fairness we both hate apricot, lol) I'm sure this would be fine if you like apricot and gummy things. I'm not a huge fan of either, but especially the apricot flavor. Luckily, we ate these in backwards order so the apricot thing was first and the awesome chocolate thing was last.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg really didn't care for this (as Golf4food detailed above)


--------------------------------------


We both give Boma breakfast 3.5 penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg

Some real stars, a few duds, mostly solid. Neither of us are big on buffets but we'll definitely be back at Boma for breakfast again at some point.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/3935570366_03d410ea11.jpg

We brave some really bad science fiction in search of burgers and shakes that are rumored to be out of this world... or at least pretty good. ;)

[DLo]

your pictures are amazing. We love boma for breakfast. trying capemay this trip but would definitely go back to boma.

[Ciciwoowoo]

Oh my goodness...I am totally laughing about the Bay-gels!

:rotfl2:

[dsnygirl2006]

Thanks.

The camera is a Pentax ist*DL - which is old by today's DSLR standards. (Circa 2004/2005 lol)

Lens was a Pentax 35mm f/2.8 smcP-DA Macro Limited Black that I rented from www.camrealensrentals.com (shamelss plug) and I loved it. Great lens for food work and all around shots as well. Might have to buy one someday. :thumbsup2

LOVE LOVE LOVE your pictures, they are amazing!!!! I also was wondering what kind of camera you are using, I tried to click on this link you provided but it says it was invalid, if you wouldn't mind checking it again and posting it, I would appreciate it, again I love your pictures

[onelilspark]

The comments on your pictures made me giggle :)

[shannn]

Lovin' your reviews! :thumbsup2

[Golf4food]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your pictures, they are amazing!!!! I also was wondering what kind of camera you are using, I tried to click on this link you provided but it says it was invalid, if you wouldn't mind checking it again and posting it, I would appreciate it, again I love your pictures
Sorry, dsnygirl2006. I fixed the link. Typed too fast and flipped the e and r in camera. Doh!

[DLo]

looking forward to sci fi review. 3 weeks from today I will be eating lunch there.

[LoraJ]

Enjoying the reviews! Looking forward to the Jiko one. :)

Did you take all those photos without a flash? Mine always come out way too dark when I attempt that.

[Golf4food]

Obligatory shot of the ubiquitous Sci-Fi sign lest we be excommunicated from the DIS:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3935576444_537a344cb1_b.jpg

Before we get started, please obey the speed limit:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3934791039_45a46a74a1.jpg

And please stay seated at all times. Unless you need to go to the bathroom. Or get up to walk around and take pictures. Or to tell the couple in the car in front of you to stop necking - people get pregnant doing that! Besides, how can you do that sort of thing with the great Walt staring down at you?

"He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake..."
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3935586696_529288ebc1_b.jpg


After you wait in the behind-the-scenes-at-a-movie-set-esque waiting area you are escorted into the drive-in themed interior. We were seated along the "fence" at the far left side in the second row, front seats.

One early caveat here: Tazicket thinks is smelled funny inside the restaurant, like old, sour rags. I agree, but it didn't bother me as much.

A shot of the inside:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3935591396_30beea9457_b.jpg


<Stepping upon my soapbox> As anyone who has been to Sci-Fi or has read about Sci-Fi knows, it is pretty darn dark inside, especially on the dashboard tables you eat off of, and while the human eye - miracle that it is - can adjust enough that you can see most of what you are eating, cameras cannot. And so the photos of the food suck. I didn't want to use the flash and disturb everyone around us (I hate using flash unless absolutely necessary) so we tried to be nice and came prepared with a LED keychain light specifically purchased just for Sci-Fi. Alas, it did not provide as much light as hoped and thus was of little use. I finally gave up and used the flash for our desserts because our back seat drivers had finished and left by then and I was tired of getting what I knew would be bad photos without the flash. <Exit soapbox>

We both started with milkshakes for our drinks. They looked like milkshakes, if you turned off most of the lights:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3934838719_a875c20782_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I opted for vanilla (it's the finest of the flavors). It tasted like a vanilla shake (if you turned off most of the lights). Pretty thick and tasty, but not earth shattering or anything (they're ice cream and milk - whaddya want?).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I had a cookies & cream milkshake. It was really thick and rich and everything you could hope for from a milkshake.

We then each had five pounds of onion rings - each - for our appetizers (brought to you by the department of redundancy department):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/3934842119_797d6d1c91_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Very good onion rings (if you turned off most of the lights). Hot and crispy. Not greasy. Onion stayed in place when you bit them as they should - it should be against the law for the onion to slide out of the batter. Each serving of these could easily feed 3 to 800 of your closest friends. It is a bowl FULL of onion rings. Seriously.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Before I go any farther I just want to mention that I really didn't feel like having a burger and onion rings for this meal. We were hot and I wanted something lighter, but after reading lots of reviews I was scared to order anything other than milkshake-onion rings-burger. However, I thought these onion rings were very good, hot and crispy, without being overly greasy. I did enjoy them even though I could only eat a couple.


As you have probably by now guessed we both had a burger for our entree (Side note: entree and burger don't seem to go together, especially somewhere like Sci-Fi. Entree is too high brow. It's a slice of cow between buns. Honestly...):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3934846551_5f5d12dd71_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I ordered mine with cheese and bacon but no onions (why do I eat onion rings but am not a fan of normal onions most of the time? I don't know, just a quirk I guess). My burger was thick and juicy (twice as thick as the Beaches & Cream burgers), covered in a good amount of bacon, and quite tasty (if you turned off most of the lights). I enjoyed it more than the B&C burger, for sure. Very good fries, some of the best I've had on WDW property.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg While this was heavier than what I wanted it was very, very good. The burger was nice and thick and had great flavor as did all of the toppings. I thought this one was actually better than the Beaches & Cream burger. The fries were great. I wish I had been able to eat more of it.

Finally on desserts we differed.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I went with the hot fudge sundae:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3934848259_7b3a69f9d4_b.jpg

It was a good hot fudge sundae. Not amazing, but certainly adequate for a hot fudge sundae (if you turned out most of the lights). It did not disappoint.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I had the chocolate peanut butter cake:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/3934850219_83b088a213_b.jpg

K, I know I said earlier that I wasn't feeling all that great but keep in mind I am truly a chocolate and peanut butter fiend. This was soooooo flipping good! The chocolate and warm peanut butter went together so well. Perfect blend of sweet and salty. I'm pretty sure I ate the whole thing. :rolleyes1


Our server was Sharon and she was very good - friendly and good service.

-----------------------------------------------


We both give them two and a half penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg Everything was good, but not amazing, and since it took 45-60 minutes (we made it through an entire movie loop and some change) and is expensive for what you get I wouldn't be able to justify going back unless on the dining plan. Not $50 better than faster counter-service.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg The funny smell took away some points, but the peanut butter chocolate cake gave them a lot back. I agree that it is not really worth the price you'd pay OOP. I wouldn't mind going back at some point but it would have to be on the DxDP again so i wouldn't feel like I was wasting a table service credit. That said I'm still glad we went (even if it did smell funny!).

Cost: $76.22
Tip: $12.70

(Seriously, we can go to Le Cellier for $80!!!!)


Coming next, everyone is attacked by a Giant Gila Monster*:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3939791526_1cf3252af8.jpg


Just kidding. We went to Jiko.



*No Giant Gila Monsters were harmed in the making of this post.




.

[TigerKat]

We love the Sci-Fi burgers!:thumbsup2 Enjoying your reviews!

[Golf4food]

Did you take all those photos without a flash? Mine always come out way too dark when I attempt that.

I always try to take photos without flash first and only use flash as a last resort. It helps if you have a dSLR and a good lens (though my dSLR is old now and not nearly as good as most current models). I'd have to check the EXIF data but I'm pretty sure I set almost all of the food photos to 1600 ISO and opened the apeture as wide as possible to get the fastest shutter speed possible while using the ambient lighting. I then had to tweak them in iPhoto before uploading them for the review. It's a little more work than using flash (though flash can still require work), but I prefer it. I'd rather underexpose a little and fix them in iPhoto afterwards than to possibly wash them out or wind up with lots of glare or flashback by using flash. Natural light is always best, however, which is why the photos from Tutto and the Grand Floridian Cafe are the best of all of them - we were next to windows. :thumbsup2

[Shenanigoat]

I look forward to the Attack of the Great Jiko Monster.:lmao:

[PrincessTrisha]

I'm really enjoying your reviews.

I agree that the burgers at Sci Fi are better than the burgers and beaches and cream - patties are thicker and way better toppings.

Umm, one question about Boma. Those eggs (not the goat cheese and chive ones but just the regular scrambled eggs) look kind of "wet". Like there is still some egg gooeyness left to them. Is that true or is it just the picture? I don't enjoy egg gooeyness at all.

[Golf4food]

I'm really enjoying your reviews.

I agree that the burgers at Sci Fi are better than the burgers and beaches and cream - patties are thicker and way better toppings.

Umm, one question about Boma. Those eggs (not the goat cheese and chive ones but just the regular scrambled eggs) look kind of "wet". Like there is still some egg gooeyness left to them. Is that true or is it just the picture? I don't enjoy egg gooeyness at all.

I found all of the scrambled eggs on the trip to be on the gooey/wetter side, not dry and crubmly. We kind of like them that way, though. Not runny, but definitely... moist? :confused3

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the SciFi review. We are planning to eat there on our next trip - without DDP. But we intend to just get a burger, no appetizer or dessert, for lunch. Would you think it's worth for just experiencing the atmosphere once??

[Tazicket]

Thanks for the SciFi review. We are planning to eat there on our next trip - without DDP. But we intend to just get a burger, no appetizer or dessert, for lunch. Would you think it's worth for just experiencing the atmosphere once??
I totally think it's worth it to go once for the atmosphere. :) It did look really cool inside and the film clips were hilarious! The burgers themselves were very good, and if you're not planning on getting an app or dessert, the price wouldn't be too horribly awful. I am glad that we were able to experience it - I'd been wanting to go for a while (this ADR was actually at my request :) )

[NuttyDisneyMom]

Your reviews are great! Keep em cominpopcorn:: I really liked that you took pics of the dining area in Sci Fi!!! We're eating there for the 1st time on our next trip, mostly for the kids and because DS thinks he is the final say on burgers:rotfl2: He never met a burger he didn't like:thumbsup2

Again...keep it up and thanks!:wizard:

[Golf4food]

I promise we'll do our Jiko update tomorrow - we've had too much going on the past couple of nights to do an update justice! :)

[onelilspark]

I'm quirky too...I love onion rings...hate every other type of onion...unless of course it's in soup, with a crouton and some nice melted cheese on top, that's cool too.

[LLLBelle]

Nice review of Sci-Fi, we're trying it for lunch on our trip in Jan.

[maiziezoe]

I am so enjoying your reviews!! I love the way you both review what you ate and the pictures are amazing!!

:worship:

[Golf4food]

First, I'll get a slew of interior restaurant photos out of the way and come back with food and reviews in the second post (DIS only allows 25 photos per post so I'd run out of room!):

Entrance sign next to the elevators:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3942662259_5877379882_b.jpg

View from outside looking through the large side windows:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3942628889_ff3337bd06_b.jpg

The bar/lounge area - beautiful wall with wine rack trees:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/3942658657_63b879ae59_b.jpg

Interior:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3942666379_170f6925b2_b.jpg

Interior 2:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2441/3942671217_88dba92308_b.jpg

Prep area for the flatbreads and such:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3942546313_771c98b418_b.jpg

The cooking place brick oven:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3942541935_c013aa0a0b_b.jpg

Place setting:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3942529709_c4217c2442_b.jpg

Photo our waiter took of us:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3942537519_c43155bb15_b.jpg

Up next: dispensing with pleasantries we get to the vittles.

[Golf4food]

Part Deux

After a day at DHS, where we never spend a full day most of the time unless we plan to stay for Fantasmic, we headed back to the room around 3:00 to rest and clean up for our only signature meal of the trip at Jiko. So back to the AKL we went for the second time that day (after our breakfast at Boma that morning). Our ADR was for 5:40 p.m. and we arrived around 5:30, waited very briefly to check-in, were given a buzzer and took a seat at one of the tables in the lounge area and glanced over a menu. After only a minute or two we were taken back to our table near the back of the restaurant on the main level, in a table for two with a bench back on one side a chair on the other with a column on our far side (a few feet away) - it made for a nice buffer.

After getting settled and taking a couple of photos our server came over. Ron, whose name tag I believe said he was from Packistan, introduced himself, told us a little about the restaurant, talked to us a bit, and attempted to take our picture but the camera kept having trouble focusing in the dim lighting and it just would not release the shutter, but Ron, ever patient, kept with it and eventually we got the photo. Ron was great throughout it all, though.

Since it was our first visit Ron spent at least five minutes walking us through the menu, describing multiple dishes - the ingredients, preparation, flavors, etc. - and made a few recommendations of his favorites and the most popular items. Even though we both had read every online menu ahead of time and gone through many a review it was great hearing him describe everything and I think both of us nearly changed our pre-made minds on what to order!

After taking our drink orders he returned with the bread basket - a honey based bread and a caraway seed bread - and tandoori butter (and our drinks, of course):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3942535175_d614548c21_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I only tried a small bite of the caraway bread but did enjoy the honey bread quite a bit. It is a thick bread, heavy but the taste and texture are light and softy and chewy. The smell of honey is much stronger than the flavor of honey. Very nice, I've never had anything quite like it before.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg House breads - So good! The caraway seed bread was yummy and really great with the tandoori butter. The honey bread was also very good - it had a really deep, rich honey scent with a light taste. Completely delicious!


After some time to enjoy our breads Ron brought out our appetizers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I went with the oft touted BBQ Chicken Flatbread:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3942550381_1bb7e2854c_b.jpg

The BBQ Chicken flatbread is tasty and different - I've certainly never paired BBQ chicken with jicama and green apples before. (Not your typical Southern BBQ joint menu item!) The flatbread itself was very nice - chewy, slightly crunchy on the edges and outside. Chicken and BBQ were great. I'm not a huge fan of the jicama, but that's probably just my general dislike of most green veggies shining through. Mild white cheese. A wonderful flavor combination in your mouth - earthy, sweet, a little spice, rich... a great way to wake up your taste buds before the main course. It lived up to the hype, IMHO.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg Meanwhile I went with the Taste of Africa:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3943335982_88eb06c011_b.jpg

Taste of Africa - all three breads were good. I don't remember what each one was (sorry!), but if I were to rank them from most to least favorite, it would be seeded, then not seeded, then the cracker like bread. All three of the dips were likewise good. The olive hummus was yummy, but a little too olive-y for my taste (I'm not overly fond of olives). The spinach and lentil dip was really great - a nice blend of herbs and lemon. The tikka masala was my favorite of the three dips. The flavor was nice and citrus-y to begin with and then gradually got spicier as time went by. Ron actually teased me about ordering this when we already had the house breads, but I had read on the DIS that the Taste of Africa was really nice and I wanted to try it. It was good, but he was right - I'll probably go with a flat bread next time.



Main course:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I nearly went with a halibut dish but stuck with the plan and ordered the fillet minion and mac 'n cheese. Since I like mine medium-well they butterfly the fillet to cook each piece up to temperature:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/3943331522_177882ca5d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3942563213_7172450a53_b.jpg

It was cooked a perfect medium-well. Tender and juicy, not overly seasoned so the beef's own flavor could shine through. The red wine sauce was fantastic. The mac 'n cheese is wonderfully creamy and quite mild (not a strong m&c like Stouffer's, for instance). Great flavors all around. Awesome.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg For my main course I also had the Oak Grilled Filet (cooked to a perfect medium rare) with the Mac and Cheese:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3942566815_32ca9866f8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3942570357_f4fe41bbc7_b.jpg

This was truly perfection on a plate! The flavors meshed perfectly and were really nice and rich. The steak was brilliantly cooked (a wonder considering how thick the cut was!), and was just delicious with the Mac & Cheese and the red wine sauce. I would absolutely get this again next time we go to Jiko (because there will TOTALLY be a next time!). My favorite steak ever on Disney property. Ron supported my decision to go with this as my entree. ;)


Now, our original plan for the entire trip while on the DxDP was that, since there was going to be so much food, to only try to eat half of everything we ordered (portion sizes are generally far too big to be considered healthy anyway). However, we both loved our fillets so much I think we both about licked the plate clean!




Part 3 Coming Up Next!

[DLo]

waiting!

[LoraJ]

I always try to take photos without flash first and only use flash as a last resort. It helps if you have a dSLR and a good lens (though my dSLR is old now and not nearly as good as most current models). I'd have to check the EXIF data but I'm pretty sure I set almost all of the food photos to 1600 ISO and opened the apeture as wide as possible to get the fastest shutter speed possible while using the ambient lighting. I then had to tweak them in iPhoto before uploading them for the review. It's a little more work than using flash (though flash can still require work), but I prefer it. I'd rather underexpose a little and fix them in iPhoto afterwards than to possibly wash them out or wind up with lots of glare or flashback by using flash. Natural light is always best, however, which is why the photos from Tutto and the Grand Floridian Cafe are the best of all of them - we were next to windows. :thumbsup2


Thanks for the tips!
I have a P&S but will try setting it on 1600. That way I will not embarrass my DH so much. :) DH will be bringing his Nikon D80, maybe I will try it out.
Really loving your photos.

Standing by for Jiko...

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Great pictures so far, can't wait for more. . . .:surfweb:

[Nancy for Disney]

Amazing food porn. Thanks so much for sharing. Can't wait for the rest. :thumbsup2

[Golf4food]

Part Three:


But the meal wasn't finished, of course - no sir-ee we still had dessert (duh!).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg At first I was not sure what to order for dessert, but Ron walked us through all of the options and based on his descriptions I decided to venture out of my usual comfort zone and try the Lemon Curd with Sour Cream Ice Cream:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3942587595_16dd000877_b.jpg

I had never tried one of these before. Ron said they prepare it in the traditional French method using egg whites. You have the creamy lemon curd - not too sour at all, very nice and smooth - and a lot of blueberries and pomegranate fruits and a scoop of sour cream ice cream (surprisingly good!). The combination of flavors was wonderful. A delightful and light dessert after a large meal.

But Ron evidently thought I needed more, so since it was my birthday and all he soon came out with:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3943371822_9da6b664c7_b.jpg

A pistachio creme brulee! If you recall from our Boma review I had only rediscovered that very morning that I like pistachio, so this was quite fortuitous. This was quite mild, light, creamy, with a perfect crust. The bottom is a layer of chocolate, making for a nice pairing. I also tried Tazicket's dessert and of the three desserts on the table, the pistachio creamy broolee was my favorite (though the other two were quite good!). I am excited to have a new, old flavor back open to me and look forward to enjoying more pistachio things in the future (in fact, we already made pistachio parfaits just last week!).

Having two desserts did make for awkward eating, however:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3942608237_bb703d9d38_b.jpg

A closeup of the pistachio creme brulee plate - Shangilia means "Celebrate" in Swahili. (Although it could mean "lick me", I'm not certain... it was chocolate powder, and I confess to devouring the birds and part of the sunset... though I did restrain myself from licking the whole thing off!):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3942612583_9b7f0b2025_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg For dessert, I ordered the Tanzanian Chocolate Cheesecake with Lavender Ice Cream.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3943375854_0e5ae4e22d_b.jpg

This was Heaven for any chocolate addict like myself. It was served with raspberries, which were excellent and cut nicely through the sweetness of the chocolate. I was not as wild about the lavender ice cream. It wasn't bad, just different from anything I'd ever had before. It was ok when eaten together with the rest of the dessert, but I don't think I would order just lavender ice cream by itself from anywhere. Ron also agreed with my decision on dessert. :)

----------------------------------------------------------

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I really loved Ron. He was the best server we have ever had at any restaurant ever and he took what was already a good experience and made it absolutely fantastic. He was friendly and helpful, never let our drinks get empty, and was an absolute joy to be around. I totally wished that we could take him with us to the rest of our meals during our trip (I told his manager that, too!!). We will be specifically requesting him next time we're at Jiko (and will cross all of our fingers and toes that he's still there and available). In fact, when we're at a restaurant now and getting really cruddy service, I just look at Golf4food and say, "I miss Ron!!"

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I couldn't agree more. Ron was by far the best all around server I've ever had anywhere, anytime, not just WDW. With even an average server the meal would have been amazing, but Ron added to the mix just made it magnaflorious. And so, like Hermoine Granger, we also love Ron. Haha.

We both had no doubt that our Jiko experience was well deserving of five very happy penguins, but that still didn't seem to do it justice... so we're going to turn our noses to the rulebook (they're more guidelines, really) and give Jiko six very happy penguins!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg


And so it was decided that Jiko really stands for the Freaking Awesome place. If we had drawn the meal up on paper it could not have been any more fabulous. Disney magic all around. Truly worth every DDP credit or dollar spent.

Cost: $125.23
Tip: $30.00



Next update: We couldn't leave the AKL without picking up some Zebra Domes to try later, could we? Of course not, that would be distinctly un-DISreotic, and we don't like to let Sam Eagle - or you guys - down. :thumbsup2



.

[LLLBelle]

Fabulous review! We have Jiko on our list and I can't wait to go. Reading your review makes me even more excited.

[yyx99]

sounds like the place to eat

[jakenjess]

Jiko looks and sounds fantastic! Thanks for the great review!:goodvibes

[oybolshoi]

Great Jiko review - we haven't been there in about two years but are planning to revisit them next month. I totally agree with your wife about the lavender ice cream - weird taste combination. I personally don't like it - love the scent of lavender but I don't want to eat it. :laughing:

Sounds like you had a great meal - thanks for sharing it with us!

[LoraJ]

loved your Jiko review!!

I am looking forward to eating that filet next week. :thumbsup2

[TigerKat]

Great pic of the two of you! Awesome JIKO review, haven't been in a couple of years but heading back next month!!!:thumbsup2

[milmore104]

Loving that Jiko review. I can't wait to try it. It will be our first signature restaurant!

[mickeyfan1973]

Golf4food said:
A closeup of the pistachio creme brulee plate - Shangilia means "Celebrate" in Swahili. (Although it could mean "lick me", I'm not certain... it was chocolate powder, and I confess to devouring the birds and part of the sunset... though I did restrain myself from licking the whole thing off!):


I gotta stop reading these at work....I don't know how many times during your reviews, a loud roar of laughter emitted from my workstation. :lmao:
I'm dying here!!

These are great!! Can't wait to read the rest. It's too bad your vacation wasn't longer. I could read these all day!

[Golf4food]

Sorry for not making a post for a few days - Worky-work! Busy bee! (I hate bees...)

Around mid-morning on our DHS day we made a quick detour to the Writer's Stop next to Sci-Fi on our way to Muppets so that we could get a couple of snacks that we've heard sell out rather quickly in the day - we weren't hungry and would be eating Sci-Fi in an hour but we didn't want to miss out! Here's a shot of the two cases of goodies:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3934018399_fde9ee8660_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3934015323_862a914bc3_b.jpg

So we got the snacks... but didn't eat them until after we got home... two days later... doh! (Tazicket quoteth: "I had to carry these frigging snacks around all frigging day! Did we eat them at any time while we were on Disney property after I played pack-mule at DHS all day? No!")


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I opted for a triple-chocolate brownie: milk, dark, and white chocolate chunks (not chips! :banana: ):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3935371396_62f8dd0971_b.jpg

In spite of having been out for two days this was still an amazing brownie. I heart brownies, especially if they have white chocolate in them. It was only slightly dry even after two days so I can only imagine how much yummier it would be fresh, and it was dadgum yummy after two days. Thick, giant chunks of chocolate, good batter flavor. An all-around fantabulous brownie that I will gladly eat on all future trips to DHS (which will help make the day more tolerable for me as DHS is my second least favorite park - AK being last - and there is a wide gap between DHS and the MK and Epcot at 1 and 2... but I digress.)

I give the brownie four penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I opted for the carrot cake cookie after seeing rave reviews about it on the DIS.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3935368872_30de523db1_b.jpg

I was a little bit disappointed with it (but it may have just been the two day delay). I am normally a huge fan of carrot cake but this wasn't quite what I was expecting. It was ok, but I was very jealous of the chocoloate-chocolate-chocolate brownie.

Two penguins for the carrot cake cookie: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg


============================

Later that nigth after our fabulous dinner at Jiko we wandered around back past the pool to the Mara and grabbed a box of Zebra Domes to take back to the room with us:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3942653373_0594f3f456_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I thought the zebra domes were ok - not amazing. Not a strong coffee or liqueur flavor at all. They were pretty mild. I think I disliked the texture too much to like them overall. I woulnd't get them just on my own, but might eat one or two if we buy a package of them again.

Only two penguins for me. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I thought these were really good. They were a creamy and sweet and really yummy. I did not find them to have an overly stong coffee or alcoholy taste. I would totally get these again.

Four penguins for me: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

Glad to know that next time I get these I won't have to share them... :rolleyes1




Next up: the most bittersweet time of any WDW trip - no, not the dark chocolate samples at Ghiradelli in DTD, the last day! :sad1: Atleast there is breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe to get us started on the right foot - or does it? Oooooooo. Inquiring minds (probably read something more intelligent than this) want to know!



.

[ShannonMB]

Thanks for spending all the time on taking these fantastic pics (really, really amazing) and giving such funny and thoughtful reviews!!!! This dining review is some serious entertainment!!! I'm enjoying and can't wait to read more!!

BTW, every food pic I've ever seen from the GF Cafe looks fricking awesome. I MUST dine there.

[Golf4food]

It's like Deja Vu or something - the feeling like we've eaten here before.

I know this place:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3968902946_ae51f17d6e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/3968136829_b731bb404f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3968912744_80ff0fa94d_b.jpg


Our ADRs were for 7:25 a.m., pretty much right when they open. Not at all crowded, though a large group of Puerto Rican business persons and their families who were evidently part of a convention did show up later on in the meal. Without them there would have been only a few other diners. The GFC might not be the nicest looking place on WDW property, but it has to be high on the list. With one entire side being open windows looking out into the courtyard the natural light and views are just fantastic.

For us the meal had to begin with a cup of real joe - our quest to spend an entire trip to WDW without drinking one single drop of that Nescrape couldn't end now so close to the finish line!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3968908530_14217b1365_b.jpg

The coffee was ok, but certainly not the best in the world. Tazicket is pretty picky with her coffee and found it good enough to drink, and she won't drink any coffee that is even remotely less than at least good. But after back to back mornings with press pots of Kona and African coffees plain old brewed joe just couldn't quite measure up. Better than Nescrape? All the way! (A little coffee poem for you.) (We also got orange juice that was fresh and quite good but I somehow did not get a picture.)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg The main reason I wanted to eat at the GFC for breakfast was because they offer Eggs Benedict, which I love and rarely get to enjoy - we don't go out for breakfast a ton and when we do there's no place near us that offers EB on the menu that isn't all funked up with lobster or some junk like - I don't want cockroach-of-the-sea on my breakfast plate!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3968917808_010322fa0f_b.jpg

There is nothing traitorous about these Benedicts - Benedictines? Benedictii? Benedictsesus? Nicely toasted english muffins with slightly crispy edges. Lean smoked ham. Properly cooked egg - not yet broken. Thick and savory hollandaise sauce. Potatos were good and not overly seasoned. A very rich and savory breakast and quite filling. If you like Eggs Benedict these will not disappoint.

I give them a solid four penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg


My only regret, if it can be called such, is that I took a bite of Tazicket's choice...




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I had the maple vanilla French toast with a side of sausage:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3968916102_4e05104238_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/3968144889_55e4630d00_b.jpg

This French toast was really great. This was not only my favorite French toast of the trip, it is also my favorite French toast ever. Just the right amount of sweet and went very well with the truly excellent sausage. I would totally get this again next time we are here for breakfast (and there will definitely be a next time!).

I give the French toast five penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg


Our server was Robert, who was attentive and funny in talking with us about various things.

Cost: $32.34
Tip: $7.00


I think the next trip we will definitely be back at the GFC for breakfast and probably try them for dinner as well so we can get the trifecta (and more French toast!). If you have not ventured over to this hidden gem you owe it to yourself to do so at least once. Take the boat from (or to) the MK ramp for a fun mode of transportation. Just don't tell too many other people about it or else it will cease to be a hidden gem! It will be our little secret. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... :ssst:



Next up: Allllllll day in the MK, and by all day I do mean it: rope drop at 9, EMH ran until 1 a.m. Happy birthday to me. :bday:

[pixiedust1125]

Loving all of the reviews and omg that french toast is making me drool :o)

[Pooh&OurHunny]

great updates. We love eating at GFC, food is always good and fresh.

[shannn]

I made a lunch ADR at GFC for my December trip just because of y'all!

[MyTalula]

I made a lunch ADR at GFC for my December trip just because of y'all!

:lmao: I'm going to be making a GFC ressie for our upcoming February stay because of this thread too! YUMMMY

[Golf4food]

We had a relatively late lunch ADR on this, our last day in Disney World (sniffle). So, we opted for a late morning snack of churros. These are one of those "must have" snacks for us, and we hadn't managed to snag any yet, so we sought to satisfy our craving with these:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3968433149_d6d25c64cc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg It was ok, but not as good as some churros we've had in the past. And not nearly as good as the churros at Tijuana Flats (shameless plug), which are to churros what Jiko is to Disney Dining.

I give them 2.5 penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg






http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I agree with Golf4food. These were ok, but not great. I remember really enjoying the churros we had on our last trip to Disney, and these just did not live up to my memories. They were kind of bland and needed more sugar. I also agree on the Tijuana Flats churros. :teeth: However, in fairness, those churros are fresh and hot and have honey drizzled on them, too. Kind of hard for snack cart churros to live up to.

Maybe we just got spoiled on churros in between trips. I think we'll have to have them again next time we're at Disney just to make sure. :littleangel: You know...purely for research...for our DIS friends... :rolleyes1

I give these churros two penguins: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg




Up next, lunch at the Plaza. Was it everything we hoped it would be, or a total disaster?? Stay tuned to find out!






.

[LoraJ]

So we had Ron at Jiko as well. He was great! :thumbsup2

[gellybean]

:rotfl2: @ "Lick it!"



Great reviews... stayed up way too late reading the whole thing from start to finish.

We loved, loved, loved Jiko and Tutto Italia on our last trip. Based on your review, I'm definitely going to have to try the Cannelloni al Forno on our next trip!

Jiko... was our favorite meal of the trip hands down. I got the Filet which was fabulous but hubby's Short Ribs blew the filet out of the water, if a beef filet can be blown out of the water.... :rolleyes:

I will be ordering those babies next time! So good!

[Golf4food]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3969243122_607beb545c.jpg

Our ADR was for 1:15, but we were good DISer's and showed up at about 1:00 (we were also really hungry!). We checked in at the host stand, got the magical little buzzer thing, and proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. Finally, after about an hour of waiting (so, it's now just before 2:00!), our names were called and there was much rejoicing in the land. :yay:

We were led into the Plaza and seated at a 5 top table. We were a little confused by this, since there were several other open tables that were smaller and there were still only 2 of us, but we were way too starving by this point to ask many questions.

It took quite a while, but our waitress finally appeared and took our orders. She brought our drinks out to us and then disappeared for a really long time. We were concerned (and still really hungry) and about 5 minutes from hiring a Sherpa to track her down (which would have been hard, since we were miles from the Animal Kingdom), when she finally brought out our food:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I ordered the Cheesesteak with no mushrooms, onions, or peppers - pretty much just meat and cheese:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3968497525_0f560686a4_b.jpg

The meat was dry, but had a decent enough flavor. The sandwich needed at least twice as much cheese. This one was more like a Che-steak. The roll was good, though - tasty, soft, and warm. It was the best part of the entree. The fries were ok, too.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I also ordered the Cheesesteak. I'm less veggie-phobic than Golf4food, so I only had them hold the mushrooms (no fungus for me!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3969275882_17a15a56cd_b.jpg

I also thought the meat was way too dry. The roll was soft and the sandwich was hot, but I was still disappointed overall. The fries were crispy, but were already kind of cold when they hit the table. I was way too starving to send anything back, though - it took long enough to get it the first time.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg For dessert, I ordered the Original Banana Split:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3968504237_f0017217b6_b.jpg

Banana, strawberry, pineapple, vanilla bean, cocoa bean - this is more a serving of fruits & veggies than dessert! Good, large, and tasty. They lose points for not getting off all of the banana stringies, which is a no-no on my banana boat.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I ordered the Brownie Sundae:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3969282214_63992f1440_b.jpg

This consisted of a HUGE brownie, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry (which, of course, went immediately to Golf4food). The brownie was rich and chewy and quite good. The ice cream also tasted good. The whipped cream was really runny and melty (if you look back at the picture, you can see how flat it fell - the cherry sunk all the way down through the whipped cream). For the record, the brownie was not warm at all, so it was not to blame for the whipped cream melting. The whole dish tasted good, though.



We finished with the huge desserts (we both stuck to eating about 1/2, but were still pretty full) and gave the waitress our card to pay and she disappeared again for another long while. (Really - there's never a good Sherpa around when you need one!) We were beyond ready to leave when she finally came back out with our card and a cupcake and announced to the entire room that it was Golf4food's birthday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3968510069_2d6d9d0d3d_b.jpg

We both thought the cupcake itself was just ok, but the gesture was nice.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I give the Plaza 2 Penguins:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I give the Plaza 1.5 Penguins:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3785356766_94aa4bf8f0_o.jpg

I think I was more disappointed in this meal than Golf4food was. This was our last TS meal, it was his actual birthday, and we had read lots of reviews of how great this place is - so, I wanted it to be really special for him. When our actual experience proved to be pretty lacking, it really bummed me out. I think this place suffered from what we've dubbed "Flame Tree Syndrome." On our last trip, we went to Flame Tree because of all the wonders we had read about it here, and our experience just did not live up to the hype at all. So, we were that much more disappointed than we would have been because of the high expectations.

Earlier, in our Jiko review, I mentioned that I now use "I miss Ron" as a code to DH that I think we're getting cruddy service - that new tradition started here, as an FYI. The meal was about 30 minutes longer than it otherwise would have been, since we were sadly lacking in the Sherpa department.

Neither one of us considered tracking down a manager - it wasn't a totally horrid experience - we didn't find bugs in our sandwiches or anything. It was just a let down after the other great meals we'd had and our own (admittedly too high) expectations. We'll probably try the Plaza again. We just won't be using a TS credit, and we have several other places we want to try first.






Up next... After our somewhat scary lunch, we opt for dinner near a Haunted Mansion. Will it be more frightening? Could it be? :scared1: You'll have to stay tuned, because we don't want to inform you prematurely...







.

[Jeanieblue114]

Your plaza experience was similar to our GF Cafe and Kona experiences.

I really wanted to like the GF Cafe because we used to go there a lot when I was a kid. It was dirty (a child threw chewed on melon and later ice next to our table and it stayed there for the entire TWO HOURS of dinner, 2 of our breadplates had food residue on them, the marshmallow for my fondue had a big hair on it, I asked for a doggie bag for our leftover rolls instead of throwing them out and they were packed in a USED disney gift shop bag loosely), hectic, loud, and very dissapointing.
I will never go there at dinner time again. I hope you have a better experience when you try dinner.

At kona, it was our ACTUAL anniversary. We just got a waitress that told us it was her anniversary the day before...that was it.
We waited 50 min. past our ADR and the dining time was a total of 45 min. It was so rushed it was something like out of a comedy movie where they rip the plate away as you have the fork in your mouth.
The food was cold and had obviously been under a heat lamp because she took our order, walked in one door and came out the other door with the food. There was a manager standing next to us with an electronic clipboard timing everything it seemed...irritating that she was hovering. But she was the manager so who do you complain to?
The DELICIOUS bread was taken off our table while my Dad still had his hand on it. The bill came after 2 bites of dessert.

If you want good service and actual FRESH food...I recommend Captain's Grille at the Yacht club (server Ryan) and the Wave (server Tim...AMAZING SERVER!)

[onelilspark]

Never, ever get a cheesesteak outside of Philly.

[Golf4food]

Never, ever get a cheesesteak outside of Philly.

Then we'd never get a cheesesteak. :) I've only been in Philly once for a 45 minute layover on a flight back from Pittsburg and at the time, even though I walked around the entire airport looking for one, there were NO CHEESESTEAKS to eat in the entire place! I had to eat a slice of pizza! Ben Franklin was rolling over in his grave, I hope! (The airport was under construction at the time - late 90s, maybe 97 or 98?) Still, you'd think Philly would have at least one place to get a Philly in their airport...

[Golf4food]

Or is it Harbour? U or no U? The sign sayeth the U stands.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3969547618_0a8421ae12_b.jpg

Of course, the sign also implies you can enjoy a tall mug of something you can't buy inside the MK... so what does the sign know?

This sign knows what you can order and how much those things cost:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3968782285_814da98036_b.jpg


Even though Tazicket doesn't like stairs because of her bum knee (no, not a bum bum, the bum is fine, the knee is bad) she lets us sit upstairs at CHH because of the views of the park around the restaurant. I try to get us a view of the Haunted Mansion since it is Tazicket's favorite as compensation for her stair climbing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3969555759_4d3975a6b8_b.jpg


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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3873213908_0ee290e0ed_o.jpg I had been looking forward to having one of these sandwiches for a year, since last September, because on our last trip in December they closed early for MVMCP and we got there five minutes too late (and had to eat at PVH). Needless to say I'd been looking forward to this sandwich for our entire trip.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/3969544241_3a2f02d11b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/3970320706_17069184fc_b.jpg

It did not disappoint. The humus was great, the broccoli slaw was equally great, and the tomatoes complimented everything. If I was to go extremely nit-picky the bread could have been warm or freshly toasted. But it was good. My chocolate dessert thingy was yummy, too. But as we have already established I am an extreme chocoholic.

I would give this meal a solid 4 penguins.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg

CHH is my favorite counter service in the MK. Next time I might even try their tuna salad sandwich (I know... I know... I don't eat seafood, but sometimes I will eat canned tuna, which DH can't figure out).

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/3862372998_da523d4a8f_o.jpg I went into CHH expecting to get my usual fish basket or maybe a fish & chicken basket but, lo, did the sign sayeth fried shrimp, and thus shrimps were fried and yea were fried shrimps comsumethed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3969551437_e10be32407_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3969553803_e04d180eba_b.jpg

It is about fried freaking time that WDW got some fried shrimp on property. For years my great WDW dining lament has been the lack of fried seafood (cheap fish & chips barely count). I knew it was risky ordering fried shrimp a) so far inland, and b) at WDW, but I hadn't had shrimp in a while so I decided to take a chance. Thankfully, they were pretty good. :thumbsup2 Not the best shrimp ever, but decent, and mostly shrimp, not mostly batter like you often get at some places, especially "fast food" type locations. There were ten large shrimp (not butterflied) in crunchy batter, a pile of fries, and cole slaw (I don't eat cole slaw, but it appeared to be of they "dryer" variety as opposed to the "runny, soupy" variety).

The chocolate cake thing reminds me of a Betty Crocker Warm Delights bowl (of which we are fans for a quick and cheap cake fix) but with fudgy topping. Quite rich. Too rich for me to eat a whole one, in fact.

I also give CHH four happy penguins. And why wouldn't the penguin be happy - it is seafood!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3785444367_330791abf3_o.jpg



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So thus ended our final actual meal on the DxDP, though we still had a few snack credits to get rid of...

But first we needed to ride POTC, which had been periodically closed most of the day, and so we did... for an hour. Over and over? No, just the once. The pumps died right after the redhead scene and so we wound up sitting there for 45 minutes before they got things moving again.

It was awesome. pirate:


More still to come - we ain't done yet. :)

[ShannonMB]

So fantastic. Your pics are out of this world. I almost reached over to grab one of those shrimp off the screen! Love, love, love it!

[es45]

Just stumbled on your report while doing a search. Love it!:thumbsup2

[kxs401]

Just found your report and read through the whole thing. I wanted to let you know how much I loved it -- very funny and your photos are absolutely fabulous.

[disneyfan551]

Great reviews!!

[cherjp]

really great reviews, you two are hilarious!!! :rotfl:

[Golf4food]

Thanks y'all. :) Glad we could entertain.

We've got just over a month until our next trip and we'll start a pre-trip report soon - maybe next week - and be sure to get lots more pictures (with a fancy new camera upgrade, woo hoo) for our next review. :)

[GaRain]

Love this!!
Your food pictures are awesome - almost makes me wanna eat some of it - which is strange since I am such a picky eater! :lmao:

Also - LOVE LOVE LOVE PENGUINS! Once asked Bert and Mary to step out so I could have my picture with just the penguins!:flower3:

[darthtatty]

Thanks for your reviews, ive really enjoyed reading them.xx :goodvibes

[LuvEeyore]

Love the reviews

[Pumbaa_]

Closing the report since it is complete

looking forward to your next review!