Never Eat More Than You Can Lift...But, Kermie, FREE FOOD!!! September 2009 Report [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

catne

08-11-2009, 05:23 PM

FINISHED 10/14/2009

Don't know what the deal was at POFQ, but every time I tried to post, it would claim there was no internet connection. So I'd reconnect, get the welcome to Disney internet mumbo jumbo, and away I'd go. Sign into the Dis, paste my post, click submit & back to the "no connection" business again. The few times I managed to post, took 3-4 tries so I gave up eventually. Just not worth getting aggravated on vacation. Disney internet was fine for surfing, just no-go with posting.

So, anyway, this was our second trip during Free Dining...we really enjoyed it last year...well I did. DH had a bit of a stomach issue 1/2 the week. But still managed to enjoy quite a few meals;). This year, DH & I took Disney up on the offer to celebrate birthdays there...we were at WDW for DH's 53rd birthday on Memorial Weekend, and then we were there celebrating my 53 birthday on Labor Day weekend. Spending the gift card was great fun, but more of a challenge than I thought it would be (unfortunately, the one expensive Item I had picked out was in a store that didn't take the birthday gift card. DOH! But I did manage to spend it all in the end.)

DS (age 29) & his friend joined us for the week of free dining (in their own room, of course.) Well, DS was there all 7 nights, but friend arrived on Sunday evening, for 5 days/nights of free dining. We stayed at POFQ, which DS was interested in since he just spent several days in the reality version of the Big Easy this Spring...and he got hooked on authentic beignets from Cafe du Monde. I told him he'll have to remember this is a very Disney version of New Orleans, quite cleaned up & Mickeyfied...and he'll have to cut the Mouse some slack, this a family oriented place:rotfl: He actually doesn't really care whether it's authentic NOLA...is just thrilled to be going back to see the Mouse (he went to Disney World twice before, at age 13 & 19 on Family trips...well, I guess this is still kind of a family trip, but with alcohol, lol. He inherited his mother's love all drinks exotic...we're going to have some kind of fun:banana: They really got good at "staging" the food after the first couple of days...were really good sports about my insistence on photos of all the food & drink.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Free Dining this year...there were a few changes, especially on the snacks but most things did not change from last year. DS liked POFQ, agreed it was much too clean compared to the real French Quarter. He agreed with me that the real beignets have a lot more powdered sugar, but he still liked the beignets at POFQ. Food & service overall was good. Wait times were minimal, whether we were eating early dinner at 5:00 or later at 7:30. The main place we saw lines was ESPN Club on Saturday (college football Saturday!) Tried a few new places & a few new drinks...lots of fun, even though it was killer hot (90s all week...but we lucked out on weather. Rain never cancelled anything we wanted to see all week.)

Table service ADRs

:thumbsup2Saturday 9/5 Birthday Lunch at San Angel Inn...new to us Review starts on post 47, page 4; desserts on post 53

:sad2:Saturday 9/5 Birthday Dinner at Kouzzina/Boardwalk...new to usReview on post 56, 57, and 58 on page 4.

:thumbsup2Sunday 9/6 The Wave repeat for DH & I, new for DS at the Contemporary
review on post 91, page 7

:thumbsup2:sad2:Monday 9/7 Captain's Grille-new for us at Yacht Club but Son & Friend will be going to Biergarten in Germany/EpcotReview on post 98, page 7

:thumbsup2Tuesday 9/8 Olivia's-new to all of us at OKW Review on post 104, page 7

:thumbsup2:woohoo::thumbsup2Wednesday 9/9 Raglan Road - new to all of us in DTD Review on post 108, page 8

:thumbsup2Thursday 9/10 Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package, repeat for two, new for twoReview on post 113-115, page 8

:thumbsup2Friday 9/11 Boma Breakfast, new to usReview on Post 120, page 8

:thumbsup2Friday 9/11 CRT dinner, repeat for 2 of us, new to 2 Review on Post 121, page 9

Adult Beverages & Coffee Drinks

Saturday 9/5 Adult Beverage, Epcot/Morocco drink cart post 67, page 5

Sunday 9/6 Adult Beverages, The Wave Lounge/Contemporary ResortPost 85, page 6

Tuesday 9/8 Coffee, Writer's Stop/DHSPost 99, page 7

Counter Service

Sunday 9/6 Breakfast at POFQ food court, post 70, page 5

Sunday 9/6 Lunch at Columbia Harbor House, post 79, page 6

Monday 9/7 Breakfast in our room, Pastries from Main Street Bakery Post 92, page 7

Monday 9/7 Lunch at Sunshine Season/Epcot:The Land Post 93, page 7

Tuesday 9/8 Lunch at POFQ-Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Post 100, page 7

Wednesday 9/9 Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express, DTDPost 107, page 8

Thursday 9/10 Lunch at Starring Rolls, DHS Post 112, page 8

Samandmom

08-11-2009, 10:47 PM

Cute title. :cutie:
Tutto Italy and Boma Breakfast will be new to us also. We will be in Disney next week. :banana:
I read your May review with the Grand Floridian Cafe (will be new to us) and see that your DH ordered the shrimp & prosciutto I was hoping to get that but it looks the menu has changed it is now called Shrimp and Penne Pasta - Chicken Feta Sausage, Peas, and Asiago Cream Sauce.

Have a great time and can't wait to hear and see your reviews. :thumbsup2

catne

08-11-2009, 11:56 PM

why thank you...gotta love Miss Piggy. That woman appreciates food :lmao:

Hope you report back on your experience with the Grand Floridian Cafe...I see so very few reviews of it.

Samandmom

08-12-2009, 12:18 AM

Very true you don't see alot of reviews for Grand Floridian Cafe. I am very excited to try it. I am planning on suprising hubby with either the mini wedding cake or mini castle cake for our anniversary.

MickeyNicki

08-12-2009, 09:13 AM

You know I am in for this one! Take it easy until you leave and I hope you heal quickly!

Tink_Or_Belle

08-12-2009, 10:15 AM

catne

08-12-2009, 07:41 PM

You know I am in for this one! Take it easy until you leave and I hope you heal quickly!

I will...we're going no matter what, but just want to be able to get around on my own. If worst comes to worst, I'll rent a scooter cuz we're GOING!

Just crossing my fingers that we have better luck at Raglan Road than you did! We're Irish-American, and love the Celtic music so hoping we get better food...or we'll just have to drink enough it all tastes good:rotfl:

catne

08-12-2009, 07:45 PM

Fun! we will be there the week after you and we are "almost" from Nebraska (we live about an hour away from Nebraska in Iowa but we have to come up to Omaha to do any real shopping) can't wait to read your reviews

Well chances are I've been in or near your town...cuz we've lived all our lives near or in Omaha. And have gone antiquing, etc. up & down western "coast" of Iowa (and of course we drive down I-29 to get to Mizzou on the way to Disney...yeah, we're crazy enough to drive from Nebraska:car:

choirchic

08-12-2009, 08:11 PM

I'm in! :thumbsup2 We'll be there later in September and this is our first FREE Dining adventure!

catne

08-12-2009, 09:38 PM

I'm in! :thumbsup2 We'll be there later in September and this is our first FREE Dining adventure!

Just read your pre-trip report...that anniversary cake is SOOOO pretty (and looks delicious!) We're going to our first-ever MNSSHP...doing some fairly simple t-shirt costumes (but we are staying away from black!)

Hope you enjoy Free Dining as much as we do...don't order any extra cakes this time though, cuz you're going to be having some DEE-LISH! desserts on the dining plan, lol.

We thought it was hilarious at 1900 Park Fare...they brought out a special Mickey cupcake for DH's birthday...when we had just stuffed ourselves at the buffet dessert station. DOH!

disneygirlinnj

08-12-2009, 10:19 PM

I'm in! :) Great restaurants!

MickeyNicki

08-13-2009, 09:03 AM

I will...we're going no matter what, but just want to be able to get around on my own. If worst comes to worst, I'll rent a scooter cuz we're GOING!

Just crossing my fingers that we have better luck at Raglan Road than you did! We're Irish-American, and love the Celtic music so hoping we get better food...or we'll just have to drink enough it all tastes good:rotfl:

I will keep my fingers crossed for you with your RR dinner...maybe I just hit it on a bad night? We loved the music and the dancing though, maybe I can talk DH into trying it again one day

choirchic

08-13-2009, 10:14 AM

Just read your pre-trip report...that anniversary cake is SOOOO pretty (and looks delicious!) We're going to our first-ever MNSSHP...doing some fairly simple t-shirt costumes (but we are staying away from black!)

Hope you enjoy Free Dining as much as we do...don't order any extra cakes this time though, cuz you're going to be having some DEE-LISH! desserts on the dining plan, lol.

We thought it was hilarious at 1900 Park Fare...they brought out a special Mickey cupcake for DH's birthday...when we had just stuffed ourselves at the buffet dessert station. DOH!

Thanks! That cake really was yummy! I can't believe how much food we get on the dining plan! :woohoo: The only place that we may go a little overboard is at the California Grill...we'll see! ( I think I want one of everything on the menu :sick:) lol

catne

08-14-2009, 03:57 PM

so I just looked at the menu over on official Diz site...OMG, you guys...I am SOOOO tempted to call and see what's available on the Sunday we're set to go to The Wave. Don't get me wrong...I loved our meals at The Wave last year and love the location at the Contemporary - very convenient. And we're taking DS, 29, with us...he's already looked at The Wave menu & really looking forward to it.

But Kouzzina, wow there's some tasty sounding stuff on that menu - but now eating there that night would be a hassle, transportation-wise, because we're going to MK that night, not Epcot! So it'd really cut into our park time driving here, there & everywhere that night.

Dang it - I just have to *step away* from the menus. And keep telling myself Kouzzina will be there next time;)

disneygirlinnj

08-14-2009, 04:19 PM

catne

08-14-2009, 04:57 PM

Haha, you sound like me. But I'm crazy enough that I planned eating at Kouzzina even before seeing the menus. We're Greek and kinda have to support our fellow Greeks, ya know? ;) And I love Cat Cora whenever I see her on tv. We planned dinner there during our DHS day since we're not real fans of any food in the park. Then I got the bright idea to actually have breakfast there too so that's going to be our only transportation headache.

Hopefully the reviews tomorrow will start coming in and everyone will love it! :)

Now I'm really jealous - we love Greek food, too - that's what got me on the menu, all the lovely descriptions...and now you're not helping me stay away from changing our reservations by telling me you doubled up on Kouzzina, already, lol. I should have known better than to mention the possibility it to fellow food fanatics:rotfl:

PIRATEGIRL007

08-17-2009, 11:19 PM

catne

08-18-2009, 12:38 PM

I just finished reading your Park Fare review from a previous trip. I see you have scheduled it again, so you think its worth a repeat?

We currenlty have Askerhus breakfast scheduled but we have done it before (long story short we are meeting relatives and they will not change thier time by a few min for us to eat together) so I am thinking maybe trying 1900 Park Fare for dinner. We aren't huge breakfast people anyway. I think i'm gonna pop over to the disney site and see if I can get it booked (again already had it once and dropped it for this family thing, arrghhh).

Yes, we think it's worth a repeat - even for just the entertainment value. We basically were a party of 4 adults (DD & her BFF are 20 & 19 yrs. old) and we all loved the characters there. But really, the only food we thought was bad was the Italian pasta section (just tasted like cheap-o box food: skillet helper crud) and the dinner rolls were ridiculously hard (like could not begin to cut them apart --would have needed an electric knife to split them.) Everything else was good to excellent...we all left full & happy.

I would certainly recommend getting an early dinner seating...could not believe how many people were waiting when we came out at 6:30. At 5:30, there were like 10 waiting. At 6:30, had to be well over a 100...cannot imagine how backed up they are by 7:30.

PrincessTrisha

08-18-2009, 02:11 PM

catne

08-18-2009, 09:30 PM

I really enjoyed your previous reports and am happy to see the start of a new one.

I have only one question........................

:rolleyes1 Can I come? :rolleyes1

Have a great trip and can't wait for the pictures and the reviews.

Would love to have more people...doubt if we could get ressies for more at the table, though:scared1:

I'll be sure to get good pictures...

catne

08-19-2009, 08:48 PM

o.k., I have too much time on my hands right now...just added birthday lunch at San Angel Inn on arrival day. Every time we ride the boat in Mexico, I want to eat there...and all the reviews complain that it doesn't taste like "Mexican" food (as in not Taco Bell or other 'merican versions of Mex or tex-mex) Which is fine by me, lol...that stuff is always too spicy for me. And I figure the lunch prices are way more reasonable since it'll be OOP meal. If nothing else, we can have a loverly liquid lunch there:rotfl:

and, step away from the phone...I have started calling trying to get Kouzzina for dinner one night. So far no luck of course. And I don't really "need" to get Kouzzina...but I wanna go!!! Sure wish Kouzzina was available on the on-line booking system so I don't have to make a kazillion calls. Should just give it up but that Kouzzina menu looks so good. :surfweb:

I better just quit this nonsense, and go work on my Halloween party T-shirts...

disneygirlinnj

08-19-2009, 09:24 PM

haha i keep staring at my ADRs too trying to figure out what I can change and swap around. can't get anything though but I feel like I NEEED to keep playing around with them!

catne

08-19-2009, 09:32 PM

haha i keep staring at my ADRs too trying to figure out what I can change and swap around. can't get anything though but I feel like I NEEED to keep playing around with them!

it's a sickness, I tell ya. I have to quit this silliness, now! It's just that new restaurants are always calling me:surfweb:

catne

08-20-2009, 03:49 PM

I:banana:GOT:banana:KOUZZINA:banana:FOR:banana:MY :banana:BIRTHDAY

can you tell I'm excited? O.K., now I really am done with this ADR silliness. Really. I mean it this time:rotfl:

Saving Tutto Italia for January (see, I already told DH we're going back;) So I can start up on the ADR silliness in mid-September again:surfweb:)

KatMark

08-20-2009, 04:27 PM

catne

08-20-2009, 04:35 PM

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
And I'm sure you won't make a single change before September. ;)

I have joined ADRS Anonymous...will not change another one.

although now I'm looking at Table Service lunch possibilities for Sunday (hey, it's my Birthday WEEKEND, right? And we can always use the left-over counter service to get some excellent sandwiches for the road trip home, right?)

Hello, my name is Cathy and I'm addicted to Disney ADR planning.

(And hey, I could have been "CatMark" on the user name...cuz I'm Cat (short for Cathy) and DH is Mark.:banana:)

KatMark

08-20-2009, 04:38 PM

I have joined ADRS Anonymous...will not change another one.

although now I'm looking at Table Service lunch possibilities for Sunday (hey, it's my Birthday WEEKEND, right? And we can always use the left-over counter service to get some excellent sandwiches for the road trip home, right?)

Hello, my name is Cathy and I'm addicted to Disney ADR planning.

(And hey, I could have been "CatMark" on the user name...cuz I'm Cat (short for Cathy) and DH is Mark.:banana:)

Then there would be 2 great KatMark's (CatMark) with Kathy as their name and Mark as their husband who like to change ADR's all the time (I'm still working on changing my Yak & Yeti).

catne

08-23-2009, 12:56 PM

So, been scheming with my DS about adult beverage possibilities for after-park evening relaxation (hot tubbing, or just lounging around the resort in the late evening.) Of course, we'll be having the occasional (o.k., daily) Disney delightful adult beverages, but talking about late after park-time when we don't want to sit in a bar.

We're going to buy the refillable mugs (DS & his BFF both drink gallons of soda & tea a day...figured we'd save money buying the mugs.) So anyway, found out we can get the caffeine free coke, so obviously that'll be good for vanilla rum & cokes:thumbsup2 But, other possibilities we're thinking of...fountain lemonade & blue raspberry vodka...or getting a chocolate milkshake at the POFQ bakery & mixing it with Dekuyper Buttershots...or vanilla milkshake with buttershots & creme de cacoa...or sprite with Dragonberry rum (strawberry)...now we just have to stop thinking about it, or we'll be packing too many booze bottles (if there is such a thing:rotfl:)

medicgirl911

08-23-2009, 02:16 PM

Girl you are speaking my language! Blue UV and lemonade!!! :lovestruc :banana: Now the choclate shake and buttershots...omg that sounds good! I vote for an after-party in your room!!! :cool1:

catne

08-23-2009, 02:51 PM

Girl you are speaking my language! Blue UV and lemonade!!! :lovestruc :banana: Now the choclate shake and buttershots...omg that sounds good! I vote for an after-party in your room!!! :cool1:

Party :banana::dance3::banana:

Another one we came up with...rootbeer schnapps in a vanilla milkshake...adult rootbeer float:banana:

MickeyNicki

08-23-2009, 07:18 PM

Party :banana::dance3::banana:

Another one we came up with...rootbeer schnapps in a vanilla milkshake...adult rootbeer float:banana:

I feel faint...OMG that sounds insanely fantastic...hi ho, hi ho, its off to the store I go......

catne

08-23-2009, 08:18 PM

I feel faint...OMG that sounds insanely fantastic...hi ho, hi ho, its off to the store I go......

Oh Yeah! But if your stores are like my stores, watch out...you'll be like a kid in a candy store when you hit the DeKuyper shelf. Mine is about a mile long & wayyyy too many yummy sounding flavors (all of which would go very well in a vanilla milkshake, mmmmmmmm:thumbsup2)

That's my big packing debate right now...which flavors to take, which to leave home. Going to be a very fun vacation:dance3:

Oh, another one son mentioned...coconut rum and amaretto in a chocolate shake...almond joy!

catne

08-26-2009, 12:28 PM

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
And I'm sure you won't make a single change before September. ;)

I fell off the wagon last night...you were right, I made another change:rolleyes1

Have been reading some reports of over-booked restaurants & horrendous wait times for people...and looking at our schedule for Friday 9/11...with a 5:30 at 1900 Park Fare if it gets backed up & we have to wait more than a few minutes we will miss some of the MNSSHP. Plus that's our last night of the vacation so we don't want to chance missing park time either.

So I cancelled 1900 Park Fare...and booked CRT for an early dinner at 4:15.
Now, we actually liked the food at dinner when we ate at CRT in 2008...was it $50 a plate food - no. But we figured half the cost was for the privilege of eating in Cinderella's castle...so in that case, was really good food for $25 a plate. How's that for creative accounting/justification:rotfl: Well, I think our guests will be thrilled to eat in the castle, anyway. And even if we have to wait to be seated, with a 4:15 rez we'll be out before 7:00 party start time.

And since we'll be eating early dinner, I made our Boma breakfast for an hour later...figure if we eat breakfast later, then we'll probably just grab some snacks for lunch that day.

What really surprised me is how many choices came up when I went to see if I could book CRT for 9/11 -- that's a MNSSHP day & I'd always read that it was hard to book MK restaurants on party days because people like to get to the park in late afternoon & eat there so they're in the park at the start of the party. Well, I requested 4:30, party of 4 at CRT & the 4:15 slot came up...but The Plaza, Tony's and Grand Floridian Cafe also came up with availability between 4:30 & 5:30. Even Crystal Palace came up for dinner - although it was a 3:35 seating. I was just very surprised. And then Boma breakfast--I tried 1/2 dozen different times between 8:05 and 10:50 for a party of 4 and every one was available. What's up with that...all this availability less than 2 weeks out?

Hope that doesn't mean the on-line system is totally messed up and over-booking restaurants that really have no availability!

O.K., I'm done now. No more dithering with the reservations!

Going back to the adult beverage debate. Have a 6-pack wine carrier to fill with liquor & liqueur bottles...

Just a couple more days & I can start serious packing (already started with the medicine/sunscreen/ponchos bag!)

I am so ready to go (well not really)

choirchic

08-26-2009, 02:45 PM

Party :banana::dance3::banana:

Another one we came up with...rootbeer schnapps in a vanilla milkshake...adult rootbeer float:banana:

Wow! I'm gonna have to try that one... :banana:

catne

08-26-2009, 04:58 PM

Wow! I'm gonna have to try that one... :banana:

It's Yummy! I think I should buy stock in DeKuyper considering how many bottles of the stuff I have in my liquor cabinet:lmao:

Actually, we discovered virtually any flavor liqueur makes a wonderful adult beverage when swirled into a vanilla milkshake:drinking1

Now I seriously just have to figure out which 6 bottles to take...would be a fun off-topic poll, wouldn't it:rotfl:

catne

09-08-2009, 10:16 PM

Quick live update…

Sorry can’t actually do a full live report (have to share the dang wired connection with DH…and he’s working!!! So I guess since that pays the bills have to defer to him on first dibs on computer time. So just a couple of quick comments about parks in general & some dining experiences in specific…

O.K., first it’s hotter than you know where…we were here last year same week, but was cloudy most of the time and highs in mid-to-upper 80s. This year it’s been sunny most of the time since Saturday, and highs in the 90s. And the humidity is up there too. We’re taking the afternoon breaks in the A/C, believe you me. Parks were not near as crowded on the holiday weekend (Epcot on Saturday -- Soarin’ fast passes at 11:00 were for return of 2:40. Still available at 2:00...same with TestTrack. Everything else was walk-on. Sunday & Monday a.m. at Magic Kingdom zero-5 minute walk ons in Fantasyland for first 2 hours - not morning EMH. Crowds were building by early afternoon, though & we skipped evening EMH at MK. Park was empty Monday morning,and Epcot crowds light on Monday afternoon…pretty obvious Labor Day weekend crowd had left. Tuesday a.m. at DHS was very light crowds…walk ons…even TSM was only saying 30 min. at 11:00 (not sure it was really 30,either…people seemed to be walking through most of the snake line at 11:00.)

Onto the food story…crowds at restaurants…well, there must be some, somewhere. But we’re really not seeing them much. Kouzina on Saturday night was only about ½ full when it opened at 5:30...by the time we got out of there around 7:00 p.m. there was maybe 25-30 people waiting to be seated (but something was wrong there, because there was easily enough empty tables to seat that many people…Kouzina has a few service issues to iron out before official grand opening, for sure.) The Wave was full on Sunday night, but didn’t seem to be a lot of people waiting to be seated when we left again, shortly before 7:00. Captain’s Grille last night…about ½ full during 5:30-7:00 range. Biergarten was mostly full but some seating available on Monday night. San Angel Inn on Saturday at noon…no more than ½ full. Counter Service -- lines, but not incredibly crowded…was not difficult to find tables even though we were eating during prime lunch times around noon-1:00. Tuesday at Olivia’s /Old Key West--not even ½ full at 7:00 p.m.

Now, comments about food and changes on the servings, and Dining Plan. Could not get the biscuits & gravy for a snack credit at POFQ this time…even though it’s well under $4.00. Same with bacon as a side. In both cases, was told snacks cannot be “plated” items. Huh? What about cake/pie/cheesecake..not like they scoop the cake into your outstretched hand. Is that not a plate they put it on?

Well, whatever, at least those breakfast items are relatively cheap …but looks to us like they’re kind of cracking down and insisting “snack” is a “snack” or dessert type item ….not anything that might resemble a meal.

We did buy the refillable mugs and are actually finding them very handy and well worth the $$, especially since we’re driving…they go with us in the car in the a.m. By the time we come back at noon, we’re ready for a frosty cold fountain drink. And when we eat lunch at our food court, we use the mug for our soda and take one of the bottles juices or waters as our Dining plan drink. Nice to have the bottled drinks for later to take to the park.

Another bit of bad news…at Sunshine Seasons/Epcot the Asian meal which we just had twice in May 2009 has changed. Used to be choose 2 entrees & 2 sides for the dining plan counter service. Now it’s choose ONE entrée and two sides. They do seem to be giving generous proportions still (plate was full)-really seemed like we ended up with same total amount of entrée so they’re not actually cutting back on serving size… but kind of enjoyed getting two different flavors on the entrée. Also, we ate right around 1:00 on Monday at Sunshine Seasons….park was very uncrowded…and they were already out of strawberry shortcake! I asked if more was coming out soon and was told no, gone for the day! At 1:00 in the afternoon…wasn’t there later to see if that was true or not. There was still plenty of other choices, but was just surprised to see it gone while lunch was still going strong.

Well, that’s all for now…Taking photos, and will do full reviews later!

Samandmom

09-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Thanks for the live report. I really wish our school would go back to starting after Labor Day, since it sounds a great time to visit. :thumbsup2

catne

09-08-2009, 10:38 PM

Thanks for the live report. I really wish our school would go back to starting after Labor Day, since it sounds a great time to visit. :thumbsup2

Well,I think it's the economy as much as anything making these crowds smaller...there just seems to be a lot less people around everywhere. It is very hot, though, so it's a good thing we can get so much done in the mornings and have a nice long afternoon break in the a/c. Loving the air conditioned restaurants, too.

Funny thing...it's so hot I didn't even want a micky ice cream bar!!!

Pooh&OurHunny

09-08-2009, 11:16 PM

Excited for a live report. Joining in!!!popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::
Can't wait to read yummy reviews.

jeminni

09-08-2009, 11:17 PM

Enjoying your reviews. This trip 9/24 to 10/1 will be our first time staying at POFQ. I'm hoping you'll have some reviews of it and of your adult milkshakes. :thumbsup2

MickeyNicki

09-09-2009, 10:02 AM

I am so excited you are there! I really hope I can twist your arm and have you post your Kouzzina review and pics...just added that to our Oct trip and I cannot wait to hear all about it

Have a great time, stay cool!

MA pigletfan

09-09-2009, 10:27 AM

:thumbsup2 Sounds like this will be a good one!! I am getting super excited for our disneymoon portion of our honeymoon next month..and this is going to make me even more excited :)

catne

09-10-2009, 03:39 PM

Unfortunately, the darn Disney internet connections are not so magical for me...takes me two-three tries to get anything to post because it disconnects every 2-3 minutes! So we'll see if this quick reply works!
Excited for a live report. Joining in!!!popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::
Can't wait to read yummy reviews.
would love to a real live report, but not enough magic in the connections!
Enjoying your reviews. This trip 9/24 to 10/1 will be our first time staying at POFQ. I'm hoping you'll have some reviews of it and of your adult milkshakes. :thumbsup2
So far, we've been so full, we've skipped the milkshakes & just used soda fountain coke, cherry coke & sprite for our mixers (using vanilla rum in the cokes & strawberry rum in the sprite. Was delish...especially since it's been so hot.

I am so excited you are there! I really hope I can twist your arm and have you post your Kouzzina review and pics...just added that to our Oct trip and I cannot wait to hear all about it

Have a great time, stay cool!
Can't get a full review for you now, sorry...but have to warn you Kouzzina needs a lot of work. Service issues abound there (it took nearly two hours for us to get through just cocktails, entrees & desserts...no appetizer course even.) Food was delivered at odd intervals...and the three of us did not get our entrees or dessert all delivered together. Two would get our food, third person's food would come 5-15 minutes later. On average, the food was just o.k. Some of it was good, but other dishes were not good at all.

:thumbsup2 Sounds like this will be a good one!! I am getting super excited for our disneymoon portion of our honeymoon next month..and this is going to make me even more excited :)

Congrats! Can't think of a more fun place to have a honeymoon. Make sure you get the bride & groom ears! We're seeing a lot of brides and grooms here this week...and seems like all of them just got married over the holiday weekend, too. They all look like they're having such a good time

catne

09-10-2009, 03:54 PM

trying to see if Disnet will let me post a pic...this is the sangria at San Angel Inn, Mexico/Epcot (notice the hidden mickey made with lime slices on the pitcher...DH spotted that & was sooo proud of himself, lol.) This stuff was very, very, good, especially at lunch on a very hot afternoon. There was about 1/2 a jar of maraschino cherries on the bottom of the pitcher...mmmmm, wine soaked cherries:love:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/500522b8.jpg

MickeyNicki

09-10-2009, 05:11 PM

Thanks for your thoughts on Kouzzina, I just cancelled it for Il Mulino at the Swan instead....never been to that one either but I hear great things about it!

disneygirlinnj

09-10-2009, 08:56 PM

mm the sangria looks great! can't wait for the rest! :)

catne

09-14-2009, 08:11 PM

We arrived and checked into POFQ around 10:15 a.m. DH & I would be in one room, DS & his BFF would be in the other. BFF couldn’t get off the full week, so she was flying in on Sunday evening. DS, DH & I drove down. So, when we went to check in, we were very surprised to learn that both of our rooms were ready…at 10:15 on a holiday weekend. Good clue that the resort, and the parks, were not going to be nearly as busy as last year. As the week went on, we figured out that at least on whole building was empty all week, because they had exterminators spraying it, one floor at a time (and leaving all the doors open on that floor as they went.) Even in our building it was obvious they were not full (we were in building #5, very close to pool, food court & all services.) The food court never seemed to be very busy -- longest line I ever saw ordering or paying was about 5 people.

But anyway, after getting our Mickey magic cards, we headed off to Epcot to commence celebrating. After a quick stop at the Will Call window to get my birthday gift card, we dashed over to The Land to get fast passes for Soarin. And found out it was not necessary to “dash”…at 11:15, our fast passes were for 1:15! We really expected a much later return time than that. Last year, late morning fast passes were for late afternoon return times.

We headed back to Mexico to go to the San Angel Inn for my birthday lunch. Now the funny thing is, DS has been to Epcot on two previous family vacations…we spent a day here when he was about 12, and then we spent another couple days here when he was almost 20. (He’s 29 now) But he tells me he’s never been on the Mexico boat ride! He had seen the marketplace, and even walked past the restaurant…he remembered the “backdrop” of the temple & volcano. But he had never made it on the ride itself. So we resolved that’s what we would do as soon as we were done eating.

Now first off, have to say a word about our experience at San Angel Inn…I have read many negative reviews of this place, and being contrary, that was actually one of the reasons we wanted to try it. One of the most recurring complaints I read is that they don’t serve the typical American/Tex-Mex food like tacos & burritos. Which was fine by me, because I’m not all that fond of Taco Bell & the like. Fast food Tex-Mex is o.k., but it is not what I would go to a sit-down restaurant for. I don’t go to a steakhouse when I want a burger. And I really prefer more subtle seasonings than coat- it-with-chili-powder-and-hot-sauce & call it Mexican. The other negative reviews of San Angel that I’d seen mentioned long waits to be seated, and slow service.

People usually begin negative review of SAI by complaining about how dark it is in there…well, yes, it is dark, but your eyes get used to it after a few minutes. And it was 90 degrees F. outside: very hot/very intense sun midday when we arrived at the SAI…that dim “twilight” glow in there was a wonderful welcome after our quick walk over to Mexico (not to mention how nice and cool it was in the A/C, lol.) What was really more difficult was going back outside, after - then it was too bright & too hot outside!

Well, shoot down one complaint: we were seated very quickly (they were just opening at 11:30...we were seated by 11:35) and while we were there, we never saw more than a couple of people waiting to be seated. And shoot down a 2nd common complaint…our server was excellent, and quick. She checked on us often, refilling our water glasses, clearing dishes as we used them, and everything else as needed. She knew that menu very well, and was able to answer all questions we had about the various dishes.

We were all parched, so we ordered a pitcher of sangria…and wowzers, this was good. Besides the fruit slices on the edge of the glass, there was like ½ a jar of maraschino cherries in the pitcher…the wine was a dry red, but the cherries sweetened it up just the right amount…this really hit the spot. (Hubby pointed out the “hidden mickey” on the pitcher…was really proud of himself for spotting it)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/aa18a88b.jpg

Chips & salsa were also delivered with the sangria. The chips probably came out of a giant bag, but I think the salsa may have been freshly made. At least it didn’t taste like any of national brands I’ve had. Regardless, we were starving so we enjoyed this:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/c4b8558c.jpg

DS chose the Mahi-Mahi a la Veracruzana which is grilled mahi-mahi with olives, peppers, onions, and tomatoes in a white wine sauce over white rice. He thoroughly enjoyed this dish and finished most of it. He would definitely order this dish again.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/63881aa9.jpg

Both DH & I were craving beef so we chose Churrasco Con Chilaquiles which is grilled flank steak on top of layers of fried corn tortilla, green tomatilla sauce, topped with fresh cheese, onions, and sour cream. There was also a scoop of refried black beans on the plate. The steak was cooked rare as requested…seasoning tasted very much like a regular steak-house rub. It was tender and delicious. The tomatilla sauce looks kind of like guacamole, but tastes like a spicy salsa (tomatillas are similar to tomatoes, but green, so they taste like tomatoes, but look like guacamole if that makes any sense.) The beans tasted like regular refried beans, good but nothing different except the color. DH loved that sauce…but it was just a tad bit too spicy for my wimpy tastes. DH ate most of his chilaquiles; I ate about half of mine (after I scraped about ½ the tomatilla sauce off. I like a little zing, but not that much.) We would both order this dish again.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/dea2f6a7.jpg

Dessert coming up...

Samandmom

09-15-2009, 07:42 AM

disneygirlinnj

09-15-2009, 07:51 AM

Hmm..so maybe I will have to give San Angel a try! :) I love authentic Mexican food but I've just been weary after all the reviews. I HATE the whole taco bell mexican. bleh!

catne

09-15-2009, 10:27 AM

Sounds good so far. We are one of those few who really enjoy SAI. :thumbsup2 We have not been in a couple years but there are so many other restaurants try. ;) The only thing is the desserts are not the greatest, can't wait to see your review on them.

should be able to post the dessert reviews this afternoon...can't access the photos on my work computer. Here's a preview hint: we actually did find a dessert there that was good:rolleyes1

catne

09-15-2009, 11:11 AM

Hmm..so maybe I will have to give San Angel a try! :) I love authentic Mexican food but I've just been weary after all the reviews. I HATE the whole taco bell mexican. bleh!

Well, can't vouch that it's "authentic" Mexican, as we've never been to a nice restaurant in Mexico...and I've seen claims both ways as to whether or not SAI actually approaches authentic Mexican food. One statement I've seen a couple of times is that SAI offers the types of dishes that sit-down restaurants in Mexico offer...while the typical chain restaurant in the U.S. is offering the Americanized version of Mexican fast-food (tacos, burritos, etc...food in various types of wraps are everyday sandwich-type food, meant for quick meals.)

Seems like a lot of disappointment over the SAI menu is that they don't offer tacos & the like, but that makes sense to me because it's not a fast-food restaurant.

There are some independent Mexican restaurants owned by immigrants in our area; the food at SAI was much more similar to those places than to the typical taco-chain choices. The food was spicy, but somehow the flavors were more subtle, too -- like you could taste the individual seasonings, veggies, etc. in the dishes instead of just having generic "taco" flavor to everything.

disneygirlinnj

09-15-2009, 11:23 AM

Yup, totally agree with you on SAI. I haven't been to a restaurant in mexico either (:)) but there is a lovely little place by me that is owned by a mexican family. There aren't the typical Americanized Mexican food on the menu there either. No burritos, fast food stuff. The owners always come to our table to chit chat and they have mentioned this. I love it and try to go all the time.

Ok, you've sold me. One of my next trips SAI will be on the agenda! :)

catne

09-15-2009, 02:52 PM

For dessert, DH chose the Flan de Vanilla, described as a vanilla custard in syrup, topped with roasted almonds, and drizzled with Mexican Milk caramel. He liked this dessert…I thought the flan itself was quite bland (I don‘t know how they call this “vanilla“ because I can never taste the vanilla in flan…to me, it‘s just a gross texture of blah. And the “syrup“ on the top of the flan is…tasteless. It‘s like thickened colored water, absolutely no flavor - not even “sweet“. Just décor on the blahness.) However, do have to admit that the Mexican caramel sauce the flan is swimming in really made this dish…that sauce is wonderful. DH might order this dessert again…I would not.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/b0a68f3e.jpg

I chose the Capirotada de Chocolate Blanco which is supposed to be “white chocolate and golden raisin bread pudding” served with Mexican milk caramel. O.K., this was a very average-tasting bread pudding…if there was white chocolate in there I could not taste it. Golden raisins, yes, I could see those. But white chocolate? Had to be a miniscule amount. Again, that wonderful Mexican caramel sauce made this dessert…would not have bothered eating it more than a bite without that sauce. I ate all the parts with sauce, but left at least ½ the bread pudding. I would not order this dessert again. Well, I might order just the caramel sauce. Note they put a birthday candle on my dessert...personally I think this is a much better way to handle birthdays than to bring out the extra birthday cupcake when you're already getting dessert anyway. I appeciated the effort!
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/8a47152e.jpg

DS made the best choice, by far, for dessert…I do not remember what the name of the dessert was (and did not find it listed on either allears or the wdwinfo menus...it was on the actual menu at San Angel, though) This was a white chocolate mousse served in a fried dessert tortilla with fresh strawberries, blueberries & raspberries...and once again, this dessert also had the Mexican caramel sauce drizzled over it. This was a beautiful dessert, and outstanding in flavor. The white chocolate mousse was light, but very rich. The fried tortilla shell made an interesting crust...it was not sweet at all, and since he was pretty full from the meal, DS mostly concentrated on the delish mousse & fresh fruit.We would all three of us order this in a heartbeat:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/28043e50.jpg

So to sum it up…we really, really liked the San Angel Inn…we would easily give it a 9 out of 10. Only failing was the two desserts were not all that...but frankly, if we had all ordered the white chocolate mousse dessert I would have given this lunch a "10". We would go back to San Angel, anytime.

Sorry to say I did not manage to write down the totals on everything - since we were on Free dining, the entrees, non-alcoholic beverages & desserts were covered so they get zeroed out on the final bill - we scribbled the actual totals somewhere, but all I can find now is the part of the bill that just shows the zeroed out amounts. So best I can tell you is that pitcher of sangria was about $28.00, and that would easily have served 4 people (there were 3 of us & we could not finish it.)

LUVMICKEY

09-16-2009, 12:30 PM

catne

09-16-2009, 12:54 PM

Loved your review of the San Angel Inn. We are going there for the first time for dinner on our December trip. It always helps when we read a great review on someplace. Even though we would go anyway to form our own opinion, a good review encourages us even more to go.

Agree 100% with you about forming your own opinion...but I also love seeing pics & hearing about other people's experiences. We were a little surprised at how good the food & service was at SAI...it gets trashed so often in reviews. Guess it's probably a perfect case of different strokes for different folks.:thumbsup2

catne

09-16-2009, 03:39 PM

We arrived at Kouzzina just before the rains started on Saturday evening...following our pattern from May when it poured while we were at dinner! We were seated within a few minutes of check-in...actually in the first seating. Our waitress came & took our drink orders promptly...and unfortunately, that was the end of the prompt service for the night. It was a good 10 minutes before she was back with our drinks...and we were the 2nd table seated so you'd think our drink order would have been near the top of the list. We all asked for ice water along with our adult beverages. DS & I both decided we would try Kouzzina specialty drinks instead of standard fare.

So DS chose the "Greek Island Iced Tea" which contains "Citrus Vodka, Rum, Gin, Metaxa Ouzo, and Sweet-and-Sour topped with a splash of Coca-Cola." Unfortunately, we soon found out he is allergic to ouzo! Luckily we had some antihistamines with us, which made quick work of the hives appearing on his skin. He liked the taste of this drink, though, and would have finished it if he hadn't reacted to it. I didn't try it...DS said the anise taste of the ouzo was pronounced, and I'm just not a fan of licorice at all.

I chose the Kouzzina-rita which is "Organic Blanco Tequila, Agave Nectar, fresh Lime Juice, and a splash of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur." The overwhelming taste of this drink is lime juice...and it was full of lime pulp - as in way too much pulp. Felt like I was getting my daily dose of fiber here (not exactly what I'm looking for in a cocktail.) I could not taste the pomegranate liqueur at all, so I guess there's just enough to give it a pinkish color. This was a good drink if you're craving lime juice, but not so good if you're wanting a pleasant buzz. Don't know how much alcohol was in this, but really could not taste or feel any affects from it. I probably would try something different if we ever returned to Kouzzina.

In an effort to explore the world through beer, naturally DH had to sample one of the Greek beers on offer: he chose the Alfa Lager - Athens A, whic is a light lager with a "mildly hoppy finish." It was beer, and DH liked it. Enough to want two.

In the photo, the Greek Island Iced Tea is the tall glass...my cocktail is the short glass (and of course the beer is DH's)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/ec6e84e5.jpg

catne

09-16-2009, 03:49 PM

For an entree, DH chose the Fisherman’s Stew which is described as "Scallops, seasonal Fish, Shellfish, Fennel, Grilled Bread, and Ouzo Butter" . Although it specifically mentions scallops first on the menu description, there were actually only 2 in the whole bowl. Most of the fish was chunks of bland white fish. Usually, on a dish called a "stew", you'd expect a thicker sauce (more like gravy) and some vegetables. The only veggies in this sauce were a few onion slices & tomato slices (on the top.) The sauce was very thin - more like broth/soup than stew: it was tomato-based although not strongly tomato-flavored, and it was a bit greasy. DH thought this dish was just O.K. and probably would not order it again.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/e90e6631.jpg

I chose the "Wood-grilled Flank Steak with fresh Herb Saltsa and Kouzzina Potatoes." Instead of asking how would I like this cooked, the waitress asked me if "medium is o.k." I replied, "not really, I'm from Nebraska and I really prefer steak rare. Medium is over-done in my book." She said she'd see what they could do...well, she apparently couldn't do much, because the steak was much closer to well-done than it was to rare. And whatever rub they use appears to be about 98% salt. Luckily I was able to scrape most of the salt off with the surface char. The meat itself was tender, just a bit chewy since it was over-cooked. The "herb saltsa" is that green leafy flecks in the olive oil...this actually made a pleasant dipping sauce for the steak. The potatoes were the standout on this plate. Don't know how they did it, but these were baked potatoes with extremely crispy skins - crispy like potato chip crispy. The potatoes were delicious. I probably would not order this steak again unless they manage to figure out how to cook steak to order...the only other place I've ever seen all the steak served medium-well was out of a serve-yourself bin at a budget family buffet: never came across this idea at a fairly expensive menu restaurant before. Curious practice if that's the way they're going to continue.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/fa73d948.jpg

Cinnamon Stewed Chicken with Tomatoes, Herbed Orzo, and Mazithra Cheese 22.99
DS's choice and he said the cinnamon flavor was very different, but it "grew on you". This was a whole lot of chicken-seemed to be 1/2 a chicken in there. He didn't much care for the orzo...kind of mushy pasta...DS thought the dish would have tasted better with a wild rice pilaf instead. He probably would not order this again.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/4afbc4f2.jpg

catne

09-16-2009, 05:12 PM

DH chose the Baklava – which is described on the menu as "Traditional Walnut and Cinnamon Pastry with Pistachio Gelato.... Well, I used to work with a woman straight off the boat from Greece: she always brought baklava to office potluck dinners - sometimes homemade, other times from her mother in law, and occasionally purchased from her neighborhood Greek bakery. And there's always Greek pastries at the local food & culture festivals...so I've had "traditional baklava" many, many times. This was not it. This was wayyyy too much filling. And the overwhelming flavor in all that filling was cinnamon - as in way-too-much -cinnamon...so much, you could not even taste the walnuts, even though there was obviously a whole lot of nuts in there. This was more like a cinnamon burrito than what we would call traditional baklava. Just not good at all...DH says it reminded him of the kind of dessert the average non-cook would come up with -- using way too much of "the good stuff", and thinking that would make it taste way better. Instead, it overwhelmed the delicate phyllo pastry. The pistachio gelato was very good...but it was a very small dollop-maybe 2 tablespoons? DH took no more than three bites of the baklava and gave up on it. He did finish the gelato. Would not order this item again.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/ed4c1f9f.jpg

I had the Chocolate Budino Cake, described as Warm Molten Chocolate with Whipped Sweet Cream. As you can see, the cake was so warm, the "whipped" cream melted...what looks like powdered sugar on top was actually cream. Warm actually was not the correct modifier here..."burning hot" would be apt. I just about scalded myself with steam when I broke this open. When it finally cooled off enough to taste, it was good...but basically just tasted like hot sponge cake with runny pudding in it. Not too special...would not order this again.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/ec9b94d9.jpg

Dear Son managed to once again choose the star dessert. He ordered the Galaktoboureko, which according to the menu is "Semolina Custard in Baked Phyllo Dough and Vanilla-Praline Gelato." This was the Greek version of flan, only with more flavor, and a bit of crust. The stuff on top was like candied citrus peel, actually quite tasty. The praline gelato was delicious, but again was a very small serving...perhaps two tablespoons.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/b3e7ad15.jpg

So, we were not impressed with the food, or the restaurant in general. Bits and pieces of our meals were good, but none of us liked any of it well enough to order it again or recommend it to anyone. And the worst is yet to come...the service was slow as molasses. I realize Kouzzina is still in "test" mode, but my gosh they have a LONG way to go. We were seated promptly and our cocktail order was taken promptly, but that was the end of the timely service. And to top it off, not only was there really long gaps between the service of everything, but the food & desserts were not even delivered to the table at the same time. DS got his entree...was a good 5 minutes later when the other two entrees were served. And the dessert situation was even worse. Dessert was delivered to DS...and about 15 minutes later DH & I got ours. WTH? At one point in the meal, waitress asked us if we wanted refills on our cocktails...we said no, but would like coffee as our dining plan beverage. She said "coming right up". 5 minutes later she delivered 2 empty cups and 2 little pitchers of cream. Ten minutes later we were still waiting for that coffee... had to flag her down again to get it. The entire meal took almost two hours...and that was without an appetizer course! The only redeeming feature of the meal was that we were inside during the torrential downpour on Saturday evening.

To sum it up, though we were really looking forward to this place...have to give it a royal thumbs down. I would give it no more than a 3 on a scale of 10: the food just wasn't that good, and service was just miserably slow and disjointed. I've seen some good reviews of Kouzzina, so maybe we just hit a night with a lot of new people...hope that's the case & they can get their act together soon.

Pooh&OurHunny

09-16-2009, 07:34 PM

catne

09-16-2009, 07:53 PM

thanks for update. I'm so glad I did not schedule to eat in Kouzzina. I was going back and forth and decided maybe next trip...I'm so glad to read your report and now I don't have to second guess my decision

I'd say skip it for now, and wait until there's a bunch of good reviews...then you'd know if they're really ready for customers.

We're just hoping that night was a fluke...geez, it almost had to be!

We really like Greek/Mediterranean food so it will be nice if they get the problems ironed out there.

MickeyNicki

09-16-2009, 08:07 PM

catne

09-16-2009, 08:19 PM

I have to thank you for your Kouzzina review..we were going to eat there but once you said "Change it" I dropped it for Il Mulino...and when I showed DH the pic of the steak he was glad that I cancelled it, he "wasnt feeling it" (:lmao:) and that was the only thing on the menu he would have ordered!

Besides being really salty, and overcooked...it wasn't a very big steak, either. Don't think it would have filled up an average guy...

yakkin' yeti

09-16-2009, 09:48 PM

disneygirlinnj

09-16-2009, 09:50 PM

catne

09-16-2009, 11:16 PM

Thanks so much for your all your great reviews. I came for the Muppets quote and stayed for the Kouzzina review. What a bummer. My mom's family is Greek, and a lot of the dishes listed are our idea of "home cooking," so I was really excited about the restaurant. Not so much anymore. Bad baklava is just a crime against pastry. (And my grandmother would never stand for such tiny portions.) Maybe they can get it turned around soon.

Yeah, that's what we were looking for too. The biggest problem was the service though...if that had been better we probably would have enjoyed the whole experience more. The baklava I just couldn't figure...I think they were aiming at "different" but when you get that far off from the classic taste then you better come up with a new name for it, lol.

catne

09-16-2009, 11:18 PM

Grr...they better get their act together in 15 days when I go!! Cat Cora will supposedly be there tomorrow so she needs to whip that place into shape. :(

The galaktoboureko is luckily my favorite dessert on earth so I'm hoping it stays just as good as when you had it.

I have seen some good reviews of Kouzzina...so they have managed to pull off good service & happy customers at least a few times. Hope they are in good shape by the time you get there! Think they just need some quality control there...

catne

09-18-2009, 04:24 PM

While wandering the World showcase on Saturday, we decided to try a new drink at the Morocco drink cart, but we were all very hot, so decided we'd just split one between us...not sure if we wanted the effects of a lot of alcohol in the system when it was so hot out. We liked our previous experimentation in Morocco (the Sultan's Colada.)
Now sorry if I get this name wrong, but we spotted something with a name like the "Desert Rose daiquiri". Which listed strawberry and orange blossom water as two of it's ingredients. As you can see, color-wise it was definitely a strawberry daiquiri - very, very RED! But that orange blossom water was really flowery. So this was kind of like drinking a strawberry daiquiri through a perfume filter. Interesting taste, not bad, really, but we were all glad we'd just bought one to split...the daiquiri part was very sweet, and then the perfumey taste: well, let's just say probably none of us would order this again. It was about $9.00
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/bcdf04b4.jpg

JerseyJanice

09-18-2009, 08:10 PM

catne

09-18-2009, 08:14 PM

Welcome home, Cat! Loving your reviews as always!

We stopped for a drink at that cart. DH had the Sultan's Colada. I think I had something lime flavored, but I can't remember for the life of me what it was called.

Thanks...did your DH like the Sultan's Colada? We wished we'd ordered that instead, but we were trying to be adventurous this trip & try some new things.

catne

09-18-2009, 08:17 PM

DH just had to have his Biscuits & gravy...he's been dreaming of it since May 2009 (we've dieted all summer to be ready for Free Dining, lol.) In May they let us use a snack credit for this dish (it's priced at $3.49) but this time around, they told DH that even though it was under $4 it was not a snack credit because ...not kidding..."it is plated." WTH? Virtually everything served at the counter service restaurants is "plated" including beignets, which are cooked fresh to order & then put on a plate! As was DS's croissant, and my cinnamon roll. So who knows what "plated" means in Disney-ese? Apparently it is a handy reason to turn down a snack credit. Well, didn't stop DH...under $4.00 for breakfast was o.k. with him. But the other thing DH noticed is that in May 2009, the standard serving was a ladle & then another half ladle of the gravy over the biscuits. This time, every time he got biscuites & gravy, it was exactly one level ladle. He still liked it...except for the day they used extremely stale biscuits that were hard as rocks. That day he said if they're going to use hockey-puck biscuits, they need to go back to the extra-generous gravy serving to soften the biscuits up.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/a260405a.jpg

Croissant & cinnamon roll
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/8c5b4d66.jpg
DS had the croissant...said it was O.K, but would have been better warm & would definitely have preferred real butter instead of the standard food-court margerine spread. I had the cinnamon roll, which was warm & pleasantly gooey. It was very good, but not nearly as good as Main Street Bakery's (not as big either.) Each of these items would have been a snack credit (even though they too were "plated", lol), but we paid cash for them anyway...had Disney Rewards dollars to use up, so they were free to us either way.

JerseyJanice

09-18-2009, 08:39 PM

Thanks...did your DH like the Sultan's Colada? We wished we'd ordered that instead, but we were trying to be adventurous this trip & try some new things.

He liked it, but neither his drink there nor mine were outstanding to us among the drinks we tried on our trip.

We sampled a lot of different drink recipes. My favorite was the mango mojito at Petals. It was a light and refreshing drink, and delightful to have as a wind-down at night. DH really liked the sangria from there. It came in a small bottle and I believe was called "Zambra." They served it over ice and with a fruit garnish.

I'm disappointed to read your Couzzina review. I hope they snap it up. We have a small chain of Greek restaurants around here (called "It's Greek to Me") and their home-cooked Greek food is to-die-for. If WDW could duplicate the same kind of Greek food, it would be awesome. :thumbsup2

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your reviews. :)

Samandmom

09-19-2009, 10:15 AM

My son has never had biscuits and gravy, but I think he would be in heaven if he saw that plate. :lmao: Throw in some sausage and he would be one happy kid. ;)

oybolshoi

09-19-2009, 10:46 AM

GusT

09-19-2009, 11:05 AM

I was really wanting to try kouzzina, but i really want to try Boma and Tutto Italia too..... maybe i will change that one to tutto!

catne

09-19-2009, 02:19 PM

He liked it, but neither his drink there nor mine were outstanding to us among the drinks we tried on our trip.

We sampled a lot of different drink recipes. My favorite was the mango mojito at Petals. It was a light and refreshing drink, and delightful to have as a wind-down at night. DH really liked the sangria from there. It came in a small bottle and I believe was called "Zambra." They served it over ice and with a fruit garnish.

I'm disappointed to read your Couzzina review. I hope they snap it up. We have a small chain of Greek restaurants around here (called "It's Greek to Me") and their home-cooked Greek food is to-die-for. If WDW could duplicate the same kind of Greek food, it would be awesome. :thumbsup2

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your reviews. :)

Love mojitos...have had some fine ones at WDW. And I think you actually get better value for your money with the non-frozen cocktails. Always seems like the non-slushed adult beverages at Disney give a better buzz.

catne

09-19-2009, 02:22 PM

My son has never had biscuits and gravy, but I think he would be in heaven if he saw that plate. :lmao: Throw in some sausage and he would be one happy kid. ;)

There actually is quite a few chunks of sausage in that biscuits & gravy...not like so many places that just pepper a white sauce & call it good. DH did order a side of sausage to add more a couple of times, though...he doesn't believe in too much of a good thing, :laughing:

catne

09-19-2009, 02:30 PM

great start to your reviews! And thanks especially for the Kouzzina review - we have a breakfast reservation there next month but I've been wavering back and forth about whether or not to keep it. Still don't know what we're going to do ... I'm hoping to see some breakfast reviews on the boards before we leave.

Thanks! Hey, one of the first reviews I saw on here was for Kouzzina breakfast...and the reviewer really liked it so that was one of the reasons I decided to switch from Tutto Italia to Kouzzina. And there have been some satisfied customers so I know it is possible to get a good meal & good service there. We just had the bad luck to eat there on a night when everything was "out of step" somehow. By the time you get there, they will have had a couple more weeks to work out the kinks.

catne

09-19-2009, 02:33 PM

I was really wanting to try kouzzina, but i really want to try Boma and Tutto Italia too..... maybe i will change that one to tutto!

Well, I think Kouzzina has promise...and some people have had good times there, so it is possible they'll soon be consistently delivering good food & service.

We didn't like Boma dinner, but loved Boma breakfast. And have heard good things about Tutto Italia (that's actually what I had booked first...then changed to Kouzzina when they opened it earlier than scheduled.)

catne

09-19-2009, 02:37 PM

Sunday was Magic Kingdom day for us, so since we all like fish, we decided to try Columbia Harbor House for lunch. In all the times we've been to the MK, we have never been in there...guess we thought it was a shop or table service restaurant. Thanks to the Dis, though, we'd been educated so we decided to try it. We arrived around 11:30 or so...there was virtually no one in the place, maybe 4 tables had people; several castmembers were standing around talking. There was no one else in line to order. So, we were very surprised at how long it took to get our food. Don't know what the hold-up was - but once we ordered, it was at least 15 minutes before our food was ready. By that time, there were very long lines forming, and the tables were filling up rapidly. I think maybe they had just opened for lunch when we got there & perhaps the fryers were not ready when we ordered. The decor is nice, very nautical. But as usual Disney packs the tables in so tight that once the place fills you can hardly negotiate in or out. It was empty when we first walked in, and packed when we left. Hopefully, when they do the new expansion in Fantasyland & add some additional restaurants they will be able to remove a few tables in each existing restaurant so they're not so crowded.

Anywho, DH went for the Fried Shrimp. This came with french fries and coleslaw. He enjoyed the shrimp and fries, though nothing special about them. He really liked the coleslaw, but was not impressed with the apple dessert (thought it was too doughy, not enough apples.) The apple dessert is served warm.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/4ef3502f.jpg

I chose the legendary tuna sandwich which is served on really good, lightly toasted multi-grain bread. For a hot day, this cold sandwich complete with fresh tomato slices and crispy lettuce was outstanding. Wish it came with coleslaw (I suppose they may have let us sub the salad for the chips, but I was sitting at a window table while DH picked up the food, so didn't have the option of trying.) I also got the apple turnover...which I really liked (I prefer the doughy desserts.) We both thought the apple dessert would have been much better with a scoop of ice cream.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/df4ef3af.jpg

Son chose the classic fried fish, which came with fries and he chose yogurt for dessert...here we are only on day 2 & he's already choosing non-dessert items for dessert. He figured as hot & humid as it was, he'd have an easier time if he avoided the sweets at lunch.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/52683e43-1.jpg

We ate most of the food here, but the guys didn't see anything terribly special about the fried fish choices...just your basic fried fish. The fries were good, but again just plain ol' fries. I really liked the cold tuna sandwich...and I suspect DH would probably have liked Columbia Harbor House more if he'd chosen that cold sandwich instead of the fried shrimp. We'd probably go back, but doubt DH would order the fried food again (unless it was winter time & hot food was more appealing!) Overall, would give CHH about a 7 out of 10. My food, I'd give it a 9, but the guys were just not that impressed with theirs. They ate most of it because they were hungry, but just did not think it was all that tasty. On the dining plan, this meal took us 3 counter service credits. We'd probably try CHH again some time, but we'd go back to Cosmic Ray's first.

allyphoe

09-20-2009, 12:46 AM

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/fa73d948.jpg
The potatoes were the standout on this plate. Don't know how they did it, but these were baked potatoes with extremely crispy skins - crispy like potato chip crispy.

Oooh, I've seen those potatoes done before. Probably on the Food Network, but I didn't think it was Cat Cora making them.

You take little potatoes, like Yukon Golds. Put 'em in a heavy bottomed pot, so that they completely fill the bottom in a single layer. Add a ton of fat (butter, I think, but chicken fat would probably be better), and I think some liquid (chicken stock?). Let the potatoes cook until they're softish, then squish them each individually so they get a little flatter. Whoever it was used a beer bottle or something like that to squish each little potato one at a time. When they're all crunchy and crusty on the bottom, you flip them over (again, one at a time, trying not to break them up) and let them crust on the other side. It's possible that at some point, the pan was covered, or that more fat or liquid was added.

PrincessTrisha

09-20-2009, 09:32 AM

Nancy for Disney

09-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Great reviews. I still plan on giving Kouzinna a shot. I did change my mind on my dessert choice. Your DS's choice looks great.

Your DH needs to try my bisuits and gravy. It is very easy to make. Let me know if you want my recipe. I only make them once a year when my brother comes to visit. I think I take a year of my life every time I make them. :rotfl:

catne

09-20-2009, 12:07 PM

Oooh, I've seen those potatoes done before. Probably on the Food Network, but I didn't think it was Cat Cora making them.

You take little potatoes, like Yukon Golds. Put 'em in a heavy bottomed pot, so that they completely fill the bottom in a single layer. Add a ton of fat (butter, I think, but chicken fat would probably be better), and I think some liquid (chicken stock?). Let the potatoes cook until they're softish, then squish them each individually so they get a little flatter. Whoever it was used a beer bottle or something like that to squish each little potato one at a time. When they're all crunchy and crusty on the bottom, you flip them over (again, one at a time, trying not to break them up) and let them crust on the other side. It's possible that at some point, the pan was covered, or that more fat or liquid was added.

that makes sense, though it kind of sounds like a lot of work, too!
...it did make some super-delicious potatoes!

catne

09-20-2009, 12:11 PM

Really enjoying your reviews again this year.

Too bad about Kouzzina - I just tried Spoodles at the end of June and had a really great meal there and the server had been so excited about Kouzzina.

I hope it's just growing pains and they get their service and menu up to speed quickly.

Think it HAS to be growing pains, because there are some good reviews, so must be possible to hit them on a good night, too.

Great reviews. I still plan on giving Kouzinna a shot. I did change my mind on my dessert choice. Your DS's choice looks great.

Your DH needs to try my bisuits and gravy. It is very easy to make. Let me know if you want my recipe. I only make them once a year when my brother comes to visit. I think I take a year of my life every time I make them. :rotfl:

DS managed to choose the best dessert two meals in a row...we should have just followed his lead (and we're the "Disney" pros!)
Thanks for the offer, but DH only gets biscuits & gravy on vacation...the rest of the year we actually eat Atkins-style meals (low carb) so biscuits & gravy would be a BIG no-no, lol.

catne

09-20-2009, 04:16 PM

We arrived at the Contemporary a little early, so after checking in at The Wave, we took stools at the bar and ordered cocktails. We thought we'd be sitting there for awhile, but as it turned out we barely got a sip before they called us to be seated so we just took our drinks with us to the table. DH chose a plain old rum and coke, so I didn't take a picture of such a mundane beverage. In the pic, DS's is the darker drink - it was actually a very dark red (almost wine-colored.) Mine has the glow-cube, of course:)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/27c8dcbb.jpg

DS chose the Antioxidant Cocktail, which is Finlandia Wild Berries Vodka, Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, Bossa Nova Açaí Juice with Agave, Aloe Juice, Lychee, and Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice for $9.25 He really liked this, but said it tasted just like a pack of smartees (and just as sweet/tart, too.) This drink came with a cute swizzle stick that says "Contemporary" on it...nice little souvenir.

I had one of my favorite Disney cocktails, the Magical Star Cocktail. No Disney vacation is complete until I acquire a new glow-cube for my collection, lol. Ingredients on mine are X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube for $9.75. Now I swear, last trip I had this same drink somewhere else on property where they charged like $12.00 for it...claiming it was the glow-cube which caused the price to be so much higher. Well, maybe I'm mixing it up with some other beverage I had...

Although both of these are listed on the actual Wave dinner menu as if they are Wave specialty drinks I think they are both listed in the standard drinks menu you can get in all the Disney restaurants. By their descriptions, these fit the "theme" of the Wave as organic/healthy fusion...but I still think that is FUNNY because these are alcoholic beverages. I don't usually associate liquor with health foods...great idea, though. Just not sure how many doctors would agree how healthy it would be to be mixing rum, vodka & liqueurs in with your berries, organic mango, lychee, & acai. Was kind of nice to pretend we were actually consuming something healthy, though. Little bit more pixie dust, eh?

mcrabeck

09-20-2009, 05:19 PM

Loving your reviews and pictures! Thanks for sharing!

catne

09-20-2009, 09:06 PM

Loving your reviews and pictures! Thanks for sharing!

well, you're certainly welcome...and this is a way to stretch the vacation out just a little bit...but we've been back a week now & I am MISSING the desserts (back to watching what I eat, dang it.)

disneybound31

09-20-2009, 10:16 PM

Enjoying! Thanks.

PirateRachel

09-21-2009, 10:13 AM

Love your reviews, Cat!!!! btw, my hubby is from Omaha and we visit yearly to see the family, love it out there, but love the seafood in Maryland more!!! :rotfl2:

catne

09-21-2009, 08:06 PM

Love your reviews, Cat!!!! btw, my hubby is from Omaha and we visit yearly to see the family, love it out there, but love the seafood in Maryland more!!! :rotfl2:

Yeah, Nebraska...a great place to visit, lol. Omaha is the "big" city just north of us (DH & I actually grew up in Omaha, but moved to rural/small town when kids were little.)

I love some good seafood...which is really, really hard to get in Nebraska! Well, you can get o.k. seafood, but not the really fresh stuff!

catne

09-21-2009, 08:11 PM

Sunday dinner- The Wave

We were in the first seating at The Wave, right around 5:30 p.m. The hostess took us to the far side of the restaurant, in an area that looks like it could be closed off to make a big private banquet room. At first I didn't care for this placement, but after they seated a family with a screaming baby on the far side, near the entrance, I was glad they put us in the hinterlands. We could hear that baby through the entire meal...cannot imagine how ear-shattering it must have been for the poor folks who had to sit in the immediate vicinity. What are these parents thinking...how could you possibly think it's O.K. to subject an entire restaurant to your screeching baby for over an hour? Oh, well. At least we were far enough away it was just a distant noise...and we could hear each other.

Our waitress came & took our beverage orders...we already had cocktails from the lounge, so we were ordering our Dining Plan beverage, and The Wave is one of the places you can get shakes. So we fell for the Wave milkshakes, again. When will we learn! These things are just way too filling. As you can see, they do these up fancy, with garnishes & syrup swirls...they are wonderful.
DS chose the strawberry shake:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/014-1.jpg
DH & I both picked the chocolate shake
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/015-1.jpg

Bread and butter arrived...I think the bread is pre-made here. Nothing special, just a good multi-grain bread but we were hungry so we welcomed it. The butter pats had some sort of Hawaiian sea salt (this was a brownish-pink color...other restaurants had black Hawaiian sea salt. Whatever the color, it does give the butter a little pizzaz)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/009-1.jpg

For our entrees, since we had fish for lunch, we were all craving some beef. So we all chose the filets. The menu description is "Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Cabernet Reduction, Boniato Mash, Locally Sourced Tomatoes, and Slivered Bermuda Onions." The filet looks small in the picture, but it's about 3" thick...I would guess it in the 10-12 oz. category. We all ordered ours rare, and it was cooked perfectly. The wine sauce (cabernet reduction) is wonderful - very rich. The boniato mash...well, it tastes quite a bit like regular mashed potatoes, just a tiny bit sweet & very buttery tasting. I actually had to look this one up, because I had no idea what "boniato" was. I was surprised to find out that "boniato" is a sweet potato, though. These tasted a lot closer to extra buttery Idaho spuds that to your usual sweet potato (couldn't see these in a sweet potato pie, for example...they had a slight sweetness to them, but not sugary sweet.) The tomatoes were cooked until just done (not mushy) and were just the right amount of tangy to serve with the slightly sweet potato. We all finished our filets, and ate most of the veggies
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/011-1.jpg

None of us were really hungry for dessert...should not have ordered the milkshakes (they get us every time.) While we were thinking about dessert, our waitress surprised me by bringing the "Creamy Indulgence" dessert out with a lit birthday candle for me...so I guess that took care of my choice. (Actually that was the one I would have ordered, anyway...guess she could read my mind.) This trio is the Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis, Coconut Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit Drizzle & Chocolate-Passion Fruit Mousse with Pecan-Olive Brittle. I liked the cheesecake the best. The panna cotta is too much like flan to me, and I'm not a big fan of chocolate mixed with fruit. I just nibbled at the dessert, anyway...too full from the meal to do it justice.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/016-2.jpg
DS declined ordering any dessert...he said he was just too stuffed. DH chose the "Crisp and Crunchy". This dessert is Zucchini-Carrot Cake with Vanilla Panna Cotta, Almond-Pineapple-Raisin “Baklava”, Vanilla-braised Pineapple Spears. The baklava is the stand-out on this dessert, followed closely by the zucchini-carrot cake. The pineapple spears are just meh...they need something else on them...whipped cream or brown sugar. Guess my only complaint about the desserts is that the trios are nice to try out different desserts when you first go to the Wave, but our experience is that no one in our party ever likes all three choices in a trio. Some cases, it's really just one choice, maybe two. So it would be nice if you could order either the trio, or just one regular-sized serving of your favorite.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/018-1.jpg

We didn't eat more than a couple of bites of dessert...we just have to remember next time to NOT get the milkshakes so we can do justice to the whole meal. Or maybe learn to skip the bread! Overall, we like the decor at the Wave - cool & calming (usually...but apparently not to 6 mo. old infants) It would have been perfect if the screaming baby had not stayed for the entire meal. The service was excellent. The food was wonderful. I would give The Wave a 9 out of 10...think they fall down just a little bit on the desserts.

catne

09-23-2009, 04:20 PM

Monday breakfast was pastries from Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom. We picked them up on the way out of the park Sunday afternoon, and put the to-go boxes in over-sized zipper bags to keep them fresh overnight. DH chose his favorite, apple turnover. It did not disappoint...he thought they were just as big as he remembered & full of apple chunks just the way he likes them.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_1780appleturnoverEverythingP-1.jpg

DS & friend chose the chocolate croissants...new favorites for them:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_1780chocchipcroissantfromEveryt.jpg

And of course, I had to pick those ooey-gooey must-be-magic cinnamon rolls. They serve good cinnamon rolls all over WDW, but somehow Main Street Bakery does them best:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/99bea622.jpg

catne

09-23-2009, 04:34 PM

We had a MAJOR disappointment here... As we were walking our guests through the choices at Sunshine Seasons, and all of us trying to decide what would get for lunch...we got to the bakery counter and OMG! No strawberry shortcake! :scared1:Just a big empty space in the case!. We asked the lady working the bakery counter about it and she said it was GONE FOR THE DAY! It was only 12:45 P.M. - still prime lunch time, really. And she's telling us they have already served up the full day's supply? :confused: Wow, I guess the secret is out that the strawberry shortcake is the best dessert there. Well, there were some other good looking desserts...we'd have to make do, lol.

We had a second surprise when we went to order from the Asian station. There are 3 entree choices and 3 sides to choose from. In May, you chose 2 entrees and 2 sides as the dining plan combo. This time, it's choose ONE entree and 2 sides. :sad2: That was kind of a bummer, but at least they do still fill your plate. It's just less variety. DS chose the garlic udon noodles, Thai chicken and Asian veggies. He said the noodles were good, the Thai was not very spicy (tasty enough for fast-food, but not classic Thai flavorings.) He also liked the Asian veggies - crisp and fresh tasting. DS was looking forward to the shortcake (one of his favorite desserts)...but since that was gone, he chose the triple chocolate cake. He enjoyed the cake, but couldn't finish it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/021.jpg

Son's friend chose the Mongolian Ginger Beef,garlic udon noodles and stir fry veggies, with the key lime tart as dessert. She said the beef was not spicy (she likes spicy) but it was good for fast-food. She liked the noodles & veggies...and loved the key lime tart.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/cda6ecc8.jpg

DH picked the black forest Ham sandwich on artisan bread, with a side of potato salad. He loves all apple desserts, so he fell victim to the apple-flan. He really enjoyed the sandwich - plenty of tasty ham on fresh bread. Thought the potato salad was good too, not as good as homemade but good deli quality. The dessert...well, he said, it SOUNDS like it would be a good idea to combine flan and apples. But the actual execution was blech! eewww! Slimy consistency to the flan with some sort of gel-like substance on the top (what WAS that?), sitting on top of a mushy crust (looked like wet, uncooked pie pastry) and the whole thing just overall Nasty! Maybe now I can convince him that flan is just not a good idea, period.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/022.jpg

I also chose the Asian station: but went for the sweet & sour chicken, rice and Asian veggies. Really enjoyed this -- plenty of chicken in the sweet & sour and loved the stir-fry veggies. It is just so nice to get real veggies for a fast-food meal. I picked the butterfinger cheesecake for dessert - this was just as good as I remembered (but not as good as the strawberry shortcake,Whine! Pout!) I finished most of it anyway.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/024.jpg

Overall, we enjoyed our food - these are such great alternatives to the standard notion of "fast food." The "ambiance" of Sunshine Seasons, though...whoa, that's another story entirely. This has got to be the loudest, busiest counter service in WDW. It is crazy how noisy it is in there - and I can't begin to guess how many meals they serve a day. It was packed the whole time we were eating, and there was a steady stream of more people arriving just as fast as people departed. Would have to say the food is worth the less-than-relaxing atmosphere, though: would give the food a solid 8 out of 10. They fall down just a little on food temps - it is not quite as hot as we'd like. Now, they probably are serving it up piping hot - the glass counters are certainly hot & plenty of steam coming off the surfaces...but by the time you get your dessert, beverage, go through the checkouts, get your utensils & then find a table the "hot" food is just barely warm. And it was really disappointing to not have our favorite dessert choice available when it's still fairly early in the day. However, we would definitely go back anyway - just way too nice to have these kinds of choices for fast food meals. All meals were 1 counter service each on the dining plan, though the cash cost would have been in the $15-18 per person range.

Pooh&OurHunny

09-23-2009, 06:57 PM

catne

09-23-2009, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the update on the Wave...we are going to try it for our December trip and can't wait for the dessert (I must not order the milkshake to make it to dessert...thanks for the advice). We loved the Sunshine Season 2 years ago but haven't got a chance to go back since Epcot has so many selection of food. Great reviews.

Thanks...and good luck on passing up the milkshakes at the Wave...as you could see in the picture, they're very good shakes! What really surprised me about the Wave this time around was that it was FULL! Last year when we ate there it had been open for 2 or 3 months, but was barely 1/2 full during prime dinner time. This year it was one of the few restaurants we ate at during Free Dining that really was totally booked...so I guess it's getting a reputation now for being good.

onelilspark

09-24-2009, 09:24 AM

catne

09-24-2009, 11:27 AM

Oooo, I didn't realize you started! I'm so behind the 8 Ball...I think I'm just in denial that we're at the end of September already!!!

What restaurant in their right mind serves steak well-done to someone who asked for it rare? I was surprised you didn't send it back, but when you listed the service problems, not so much. I like mine medium-rare to rare, so I think I would have looked at the waitress like she had two heads if she asked me, "is medium ok?" What a dumb question.

And when we were there on 8/1, we had dinner around 7:30 at Sunshine Seasons. I had Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. Think you had one of those weird days.

Yeah, that was the weirdest question...have never, ever been asked "is medium o.k.?" on a cooked-to-order steak. Which makes me think they're NOT cooked to order. I wonder if they don't just sear a bunch on the grill & then put them in a warming oven...which would make them all come out medium (and eventually very well-done, lol.) I would have sent it back...but with every order & every request taking indeterminate lengths of time...well, at that point we'd been in there for over an hour (with no appetizer course, even,) I figured by the time I got a new steak everyone else would be long done.

Glad to hear the shortcake was available at a later time...maybe I just got a clueless counter person there. It was odd that only the strawberry shortcake was gone...everything else, the shelf was full. Maybe she didn't understand my question?

Just gives me another reason to go back:woohoo:

catne

09-25-2009, 02:15 PM

Captain's Grill, The Yacht Club Resort

We arrived at the Yacht Club a bit early (son & friend had earlier reservation at Biergarten, so we valet parked at Beach Club, and they walked over to Epcot, while we walked down to the Yacht Club. Since we were about 20 minutes early, we checked in at the restaurant podium, but ducked around the corner to the bar there (sorry, don't remember the name!) DH had a beer (nothing fancy) and I had one of my favorites, the pina colava:Yummy - full of raspberry-coconut goodness...can I count this as a fruit serving? Love these drinks, and you can get them virtually any bar in Disney World. I didn't actually remember to take a picture while we were sitting there, but here's one from a previous trip: http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_1803NEWCapeMaycafepinacolava.jpg

Once we were seated, DH & I debated getting the Chefs Choice/Captains Grill experience, which would allow you to choose an appetizer, an entree and a dessert...but since we were both feeling steak (and of course that's not one of the entree choices on the 3-some meal) we decided to skip the Chefs choice. Our waitress brought us ice water, and delivered bread & butter to our table. Didn't get a picture, and honestly don't remember a thing about it. So I guess it just wasn't impressive.

I chose the Grilled NY Strip which comes with Herb Potatoes...which were sliced whole potatoes with very slight seasoning (took a whole lot of salt & pepper to make these tasty.) The NY Strip also came with "seasonal Vegetables"...which was the very unfortunate broccolini you can see under the steak in the picture...when will Disney give up on this travesty of a vegetable! It LOOKS like it should be good, but it tastes like a cross between cooked celery & asparagus...even though it resembles leggy broccoli it doesn't taste like broccoli (why don't they just serve broccoli...that's plenty tasty & a lot of people like it.) This broccolini stuff is a very stringy texture (fiber overload!!!) & yuck, dirty flavor. Oh Well. The menu description says the steak is topped with "Red Onion Jam"...which certainly sounds fancy-schmancy, but, as you can see in the picture, the "jam" is just a mess of sauteed onions on top of the steak. Now the steak was cooked rare, as requested, but sorry to say it was not all that good. Had we paid cash for this meal, I think I might have sent it back...while it was a good-sized portion about 1/2 of the slab was gristle & fat. The edible 1/2 was seasoned well & tasty. Didn't bother sending it back because truth be told, there's no way I could have eaten the whole thing anyway...quite full from my pina colava. And here's a funny thing...the waitress brought out steak knives for us, making a point of telling us "here's your steak knives." They looked sharp -- edge was shiny as if it had been sharpened. But the darn "steak knives" would have been challenged to cut jello, they were that dull. Huh? The butter knife actually cut the steak, but the so-called "steak knife" wouldn't. Can't explain that one...but anyway I'd have to say my meal was just so-so: only 1/2 my steak was edible, yuck green veg & bland taters. Dang!
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/028-1.jpg

DH made the better choice: the Grilled Rib-Eye which was topped with a big ol' slab of herb butter (rare beef, dripping additional fat...DH was in carnivore-heart-attack-on-a-plate heaven!) His rib-eye was cooked perfectly, and came with delicious Garlic mashed potatoes and "seasonal Vegetables" which you would think would be the same "seasonal vegetables" as what I got, right? I mean, it was the same season on his side of the table as it was on mine, lol. But instead of being the grotesque broccolini, his "seasonal vegetables" were fresh, hot & crisp GREEN BEANS! Why does he get a normal, tasty veggie??? His rib eye had just the normal amount of fat and no gristle...and he got yummy taters and a decent green veg. My only consolation was that his steak knife wouldn't cut his steak, either. Bizarre how two similar sounding dishes can end up being soooo different. He loved his meal - meat, veg & tater all very, very good. And funny thing was, $$$-wise, my choice was priced out at $27.99 on the menu and his was actually $2.00 less...so the "cheaper" cut ended up the better meal
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/026.jpg

I had the Double Chocolate cheesecake with berries. Somehow, with that kind of name, I really expected this to be a chocolate dessert. But as you can see, it's mostly NOT chocolate, despite the double promise of the name. Basically the "chocolate" consisted of the smear of chocolate across the plate, the very thin chocolate cookie-crumb crust & I guess you have to count the thin slice "celebrate" wafer on the top - gosh, they could have exaggerated the chocolate-ness even more & called it a TRIPLE chocolate dessert, right. The cheesecake part tasted like plain ol' cheesecake - it was good, but if it had any chocolate in it, I couldn't taste it. The berries were fresh, the cream was whipped...but for a confirmed choc-a-holic this dessert severly underwhelmed. I mean, it was a good cheesecake...but chocolate? DOUBLE Chocolate...no way, Jose! I did eat most of this since 1/2 my dinner had been left on my plate. I liked it OK, but was really disappointed that it was so lacking in true chocolate splendor.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/953429dd-1.jpg

Again, DH made the smarter choice. He picked the Key Lime Tart, described on the menu as being served "with Whipped Cream and a Macaroon." As you can see, they tossed on a few berries as decor, too. The key lime tart had a layer of whipped cream on it, with the Yacht Club chocolate wafer topping that. It was tart/sweet and very rich with the whipped cream layer. He was pretty full from having had a full edible dinner...so he only ate about 1/2 of this. It was delicious...and there was no creative license in the menu description: it really was key lime flavor!
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/1ff0d1c6.jpg

OK, final thoughts on Captain's Grill. Decor is pleasant, vaguely nautical. Although it had the required too-many-tables, it was 1/2 empty, so the noise level was low. Service was excellent. Food...well, we were totally split on this one: DH would give it a 9 for sure...steak, veg & dessert were all very good and his dessert was all that was expected. My dinner...well, no more than a 6 on that steak & veggie combo. And there was nothing wrong with my dessert...except it just didn't live up to it's name of "Double Chocolate." Would we go back...well, yes we would. BUT I would order what DH ordered, lol.

NOTE: DS & friend went to Biergarten in Epcot for dinner. They liked the food, enjoyed the band and had a great time with interesting table-mates. Sorry, no pictures (I had the only working camera.)

catne

09-29-2009, 02:53 PM

Tuesday we started the day with breakfast bars in the car because we were on the way to hit rope-drop at DHS for some serious Toy Story Mania fun (DS & friend are not fans of heights, so ToT is out, and don't do inversion-type roller coasters, so RnR is out too. So we immediately hooked DS & friend on the TSM game...so much so, I'll bet you can guess what they bought on September 15...just 2 days after getting home from vacation? Dashed right out & bought the TSM game for their Wii) Anyway, we had a great morning (twice on TSM, and 2 sets of fastpasses for later in the day, but it was hot & our breakfast was "lite" compared to the usual buttered-bacon/chocolate-sugar-bomb Disney breakfasts, so we stopped at the Writer's Stop in DHS for a cool-air break & some snack. DH & I shared a frozen mocha slushy and split one of those awesome carrot cake cookies. Those cookies are SOOOO tasty & a nice COLD treat on a hot Florida day...especially sitting in the A/C. Very large cookies, though...well, it's a sandwich made with two large cookies & about 3/4 inch cream cheese frosting in the middle. Don't think I could eat a whole one of these even if I was starving...very rich & filling.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/ed90db98.jpg
DS & friend also went for the frozen mocha, but they opted for the fancy version with whipped cream (I didn't even know you could get it with the whipped cream!?!) They split a giant strawberry muffin. Both enjoyed the snack & really liked the shop, too...they both love hot chocolate & there's a great selection of hot chocolate mixes in there.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/61c3814c.jpg

catne

10-01-2009, 03:45 PM

After playing TSM twice -- DH hustled at rope-drop & was one of the first in line at the FP machines - his fast passes were for 9:35! So we did the ride as a walk-on, then waited a couple of minutes & got another set of fast passes. Later we came back and used the first set, and got another set for Tuesday evening. So we rode it twice Tuesday morning, and 2 more sets of fastpasses for when we came back later...score! We watched the Beauty & the Beast show (we're all Broadway fans, so we love the musicals at WDW) Then we headed back to POFQ for lunch & a break from the heat.

For lunch, DS's friend ordered the philly cheese steak sandwich, fries, cheesecake with strawberry topping (I didn't even know you could get the strawberries on there...I thought it was just plain cheesecake always. Doh!) Since we had the refillable mugs, she chose a bottle of O.J. for next day's breakfast. She really enjoyed this lunch. http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/ebda848e.jpg

DS ordered the deli ham sandwich - which had about a lb. of ham on it. It came with the kettle-style potato chips. He also chose bottled O.J. to save for the next day (we really got our money's worth out of the refillable mugs...it was so hot, we all were drinking a full mug every time we walked through the food court...and getting juice & bottled water as our Dining Plan beverage gave us lots of drinks for breakfast in the room or car & for the parks.) DS chose the double chocolate muffin for dessert. He barely finished the sandwich (left some of the bread) and though he liked the chips, he couldn't finish them & have room for some muffin. He ate about 1/2 the muffin...it was good, but just too full to finish. By Tuesday, he was definitely believing my stories of being too full to finish food...I think he was somewhat doubtful of my claim that he'd soon be stuffed on the Disney dining Plan...until he actually experienced the true bounty of Disney food:)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/9774348c.jpg

DH chose the taco salad...now he had been looking forward to this ever since May when DD ordered one and really raved about it. DH like most of this (he had it loaded with everything) but one big difference with his was that the taco meat mixture was greasy this time....when DD had this back in May, she ate all the way down & the bottom of the shell was not soggy at all. DH's was complete grease bomb on the base of the shell (you can see it swimming on the plate.) So the top 1/2 of the salad was great...bottom half, not so great. Which was o.k., because he was getting quite full anyway. He used his refillable mug to get cherry coke off the fountain, so he chose a bottled V-8 as his drink.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/90d794af.jpg

I looked & looked at all the choices. I was absolutely determined to pick something "new"...but just couldn't resist my favorite muffoletto sandwich. Don't know what it is about these...I don't even really LIKE olives all that much, but somehow the combination of meat, cheese and olive dressing on this just works, ya know. Love these...and this one didn't disappoint. I ate most of the sandwich (little bit for DH, of course) and most of my kettle chips, too (I really like those, too.) I also went for the cherry coke in my refillable mug, so took a bottled vitamin water as my drink.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/b5103417.jpg

Fo dessert, DH & I decided to get something "to-go" that would keep well for later, because we knew we wouldn't be hungry for dessert right away. We both picked the large sugar cookie topped with Mickey sprinkles. I popped these into a zip-lock bag back in the room and they stayed soft & chewy for a couple of days (which is how long it took for us to finish them...there really is little point in taking left-overs to the room when you're on the dining plan. There's always another dessert coming, lol...and we're rarely hungry in-between meals at Disney, especially in the heat.)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/865ea9ef.jpg

So, overall, we enjoyed our lunch at POFQ - service was good (prompt, and virtually no lines anywhere except the bakery window...where there's always lines.) Would say 8 out of 10 on the food. The sandwiches were all 9s. The desserts were 8s. DH probably wouldn't order the taco salad again. Or maybe he would (sometimes he LIKES greasy. This is the guy who thinks heaven is biscuits & gravy every morning.) I would definitely order my muffoletto again, although DS's cold deli ham & his friends hot philly cheesesteak also looked pretty tempting. So we'll just have to see...

disneygirlinnj

10-06-2009, 10:11 AM

Mmm...I'm so sad i didn't get to try the cheesesteak sandwhich!! every time we went to eat there I was craving something else. But those looked GOOD! :)

simpsonps121

10-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Excellent report. Great job!!!

catne

10-08-2009, 09:08 PM

Mmm...I'm so sad i didn't get to try the cheesesteak sandwhich!! every time we went to eat there I was craving something else. But those looked GOOD! :)

That's me, too...I keep saying I'll try something else, but keep ordering that muffaletto sandwich. Someday:rolleyes1

Excellent report. Great job!!!

Thanks...I still have more to go, but have just been soooo busy lately with other stuff! Trying to get back at it tonight.:thumbsup2

catne

10-08-2009, 09:24 PM

So after returning to DHS to see Indiana Jones & use up our TSM fastpasses, we headed over to Olivia's at Old Key West for a 7:00 P.M. dinner reservation. The guard at the gate told us to head to the "big white" building with the big portico...which we almost drove past because of course it's not a "big white" building at all...it's a big BLUE building with white trim, lol. Well, they welcomed us home at the check-in podium and seated us 30 seconds later in the restaurant...which was 3/4 empty.

We decided to get appetizers (paying out of pocket, of course). DS & friend split an order of Crab Cakes, described on the menu as coming "with Tossed Greens and Key Lime-Mustard and Papaya-Ginger Sauces" priced at $10.49. They really enjoyed these; liked both sauces but really liked the key-lime mustard sauce (orangey sauce on plate)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/87fdb7e0.jpg

DH & I split a cup of Conch Chowder, which was a basic fish chowder in a tomato-based sauce for $6.99. DH loved it, but I thought it was way too hot/spicy so he ate most of it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/a5058841.jpg

DS chose the " Roasted Chicken Breast with Port Wine Balsamic Glaze, with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Frisée, and Roasted Garlic Nage $17.99" He really enjoyed this chicken...it almost looks burnt in the photo, but that was just the dark wine glaze, was not actually burnt at all. He thought the potatoes were delicious - very buttery flavor to them, but thought the serving was just a tad skimpy on the taters. The Frisee...well not really impressed. Fancy name for that strange frizzy-leafed vegetation on the plate. They seem to favor this greenery at Olivia's since it was on all the entrees. Not-so-nice taste to it (kind of bitter) but I guess it makes a pleasant contrasting color on the plate. So as decor it's good, as food...not so much.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/a0bfc2a3.jpg

DH & I both chose the Mahi Mahi, which is listed on the menu as " Coconut-encrusted Mahi Mahi, Spiced Citrus Glaze, with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Frisée, and Roasted Garlic Nage 21.99." They sure love they're frisee & nage here. Just in case you're thinking "nage,WTH?" - some kind of fancy cooking stuff?...well, it's not, lol. It's basically a garlic broth used to cook fish. Now this "coconut encrusted" fish sounded like the perfect dish to me - I just love coconut-encrustations. And DH has never really met a fish he didn't like. But this dish just didn't do for either DH & I...here's the deal. The coconut crust was outstanding - I loved it. But the mahi mahi is just way too "fishy" tasting for picky me (I know that sounds silly...of course fish will be fishy. But I really prefer shellfish & love the very bland white fishes like talapia, cod, etc.) So I mostly ate the crust on this. DH was exact opposite...he thought the coconut crust was over-the-top-way-too-much, and scraped about 1/2 of it off. But he liked the fish part just fine - fishy is fine by him. So I wouldn't order this again, but he probably would. We both liked the potatoes, but agreed with DS that the potato serving was a bit small. If it had been french fries, would have been 4 or 5 fries...not really a "serving", know what I mean?
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/88302bc6.jpg

DS's friend chose the Key West Salmon Salad which came with "Mixed Greens, Vine-ripened Tomatoes,Applewood Smoked Bacon, and Cucumbers, with Citrus Vinaigrette 19.99" according to the menu. She enjoyed this...thought the dressing was one of the best she's had.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/a485c5c0.jpg

For dessert, DS chose "A Sweet Ending to Your Celebration . . .Chocolate Cake with a Raspberry Sauce. " This is the standard chocolate cake that seems to be on all the menus...his serving was very fresh & moist. He thoroughly enjoyed this, but of course could not finish it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/5fd1922b.jpg

His friend loves Key Lime anything, so she chose the Key Lime Tart , which is served "with Mango and Raspberry Sauce 5.49" Those cute dots on the plate were the sauces, of course. She loved the tart & the raspberry sauce, not overly impressed with the mango sauce.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/7dd8a935.jpg

DH & I both chose the Banana Bread Pudding Sundae. This is served ala mode with Vanilla Bean ice cream and was swimming in Bananas Foster topping, for $5.49. Outstandingly scrumptious dessert...and I actually had room for most of it since I didn't eat much of my fish besides the crust. Would order this again in a flash.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/b356e804.jpg

Everything except the appetizers & the boozy drinks was covered by the Dining Plan, so don't have a total on it. Service was excellent, food was served promptly & cooked properly. Although I didn't care for my fish, I won't hold that against them since I'm the one who doesn't like it all that much:rotfl: So we'd give Olivia's an 8 out of 10. Would have been a bit higher if they'd skipped the "frisee" and increased the potato serving some. Would we go back...sure. Just would order different entrees next time.

Flossbolna

10-09-2009, 05:34 AM

Thanks for the Olivia review, there aren't many around! :goodvibes I think it has an interesting theme and am always thinking I might want to eat there one day...

catne

10-09-2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the Olivia review, there aren't many around! :goodvibes I think it has an interesting theme and am always thinking I might want to eat there one day...

You're welcome...and I know what you mean. When I was looking for "new & interesting" and spotted the menu at Olivia's (with lots of seafood choices) I knew we had to try it. I should have got the shrimp & pasta! Or that salmon salad (which looked stupendous.)

catne

10-11-2009, 05:52 PM

Breakfast was leftover desserts & cereal bars in the room. Then we hit Animal Kingdom right at rope drop and did the highlights, finishing up with Finding Nemo the Musical. We left the park around 11:30 and headed for Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD. Last time we were here (in May) they had something seriously wrong with the A/C - half the indoor seating was roped off while guys on ladders were up in the ceiling, tinkering away. And it was warm in there - they had industrial-sized fans going, but didn't help much. This time the A/C was running full blast, thank heavens, because it was really getting hot outside.

DH & I opted for pasta, which comes with caesar salad. These salads were just OK - they were very fresh & crispy lettuce but both of us thought the dressing was a little "lite" - both in flavor and quantity. Almost like a watered-down version of caesar dressing. By the time you ate about 1/2 the lettuce, the dressing was all gone. We were hungry, so we ate most of the salad anyway.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/fbd49409.jpg

DS's Friend opted for a sandwich. She chose the "Roast Beef and Chedder - thinly sliced Niman Ranch beef, sharp cheddar, mixed baby greens, tomato, Horseradish sauce and Dijon Aioli $11.95" She really liked this...she loves spicy food, and thought the sauce had just the right bite/tang to it. Chips were just OK, though - kind of tasteless, somewhat stale tasting. If they buy these things, they must be using a no-name bargain brand.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/3764b498.jpg

DH & I both chose the "Rigatoni with Chicken Alfredo - fresh artisan rigatoni tossed in Alfredo sauce and sliced all-natural roasted chicken breast, topped with fresh Grana Padano parmesan $14.95" I had this dish in May & liked it enough to choose it again; DH had tried a bite before, so he chose it too. The dish is a bit misleading - it's actually a deep bowl so the serving size on is huge...neither of us could finish it. The garlic bread they serve with it is just so-so. Don't see why they don't do a better bread with this...have all those wonderful artisan breads for sandwiches, but this just tastes like plain wonder bread toasted even though it looks like it's a heartier bread. And though it looks like there's some cheese on top, it's barely even garlic-flavored really. It's OK for sopping up the alfredo sauce, but not really worth eating otherwise. It is a very good chicken alfredo, though.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/10dcecc8.jpg

DS also chose a sandwich, but he wanted the "Chicken Pesto Focaccia - all natural rotisserie chicken, garlic-basil-pesto sauce, red onions, chopped Romaine and Roma tomatoes and Creamy Lemon Pesto $9.95." Son loves chicken in all it's incarnations...this hit the spot. He also didn't care much for the chips...not fresh, & he agreed they were very bland and seemed to be totally unsalted, which is odd for chips. He doesn't even like salty food so when he says something needs salt there's probably none at all on that food.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/85b2da17.jpg

We all had fountain drinks (mostly cokes) and all 4 of us chose the frozen yogurt for dessert...it was so very hot that day - especially coming from Animal Kingdom (WHY does it always feel 10 degrees hotter at AK than anywhere else?) So a cold dessert really appealed. We were told one topping was included in the dessert option on the Dining Plan, so DH & I had the choc/vanilla swirl yogurt with chocolate syrup. DS had strawberries on top of his, and his friend chose sprinkles. Wish I'd taken a picture...when they say "One topping" there, they're using a measuring cup to get that "one topping." Could not believe how much topping went on - had to be two gravy ladles of choc. syrup on ours; same with son's strawberry topping. And Friend's sprinkles...there was like a cup of sprinkles on that dessert (OK, somewhat exaggerated...but you could barely see the surface of the frozen yogurt through the sprinkles.)

Service was good, refills on the beverages arrived without asking, and our waiter was absolutely on-the-spot with our dessert orders when we finished eating. Overall, would give lunch a 8 out of 10...the main dishes were excellent, but the sides they come with were a let-down. We'd return in a flash for those entrees, though (and the entrees & desserts were plenty of food - we couldn't finish them.) On the Dining plan, everything was covered except the tip (and yes, it IS a counter service, but the waiters serve the food, constantly re-fill the drinks & bring out the desserts when you're done eating if you have ordered the frozen yogurt. So we did leave a tip for him:) This is one of the highest price option on the dining plan -- typically runs $20 or more a person here when we eat, so it's a great value if you're wanting to try one of the tastier, more expensive counter service restaurants at Disney.

catne

10-12-2009, 05:32 PM

We arrived a little early; DS & friend were shopping at DTD, so DH & I went in to see about getting an adult beverage. The place was hopping -- only two stools left at the bar, so we snagged 'em. We could have sat outside, but it was still about 90 degrees, so no way! Cool & dark inside...perfect pub decor.

DH chose a beer, of course. Don't remember what kind. But it was dark & cold, it was beer, and it was good. Nuff said about the beer. I chose one of the cold icy mixed concoctions which the menu tells us is "Iced Irish. Ireland's answer to Starbucks with alcohol added of course. Baileys Irish Cream, Butterscotch Schnapps, Jameson, and iced coffee, topped off with delicious fresh cream." Love the names of food & bev at Raglan Road, and the menu descriptions all sound so good, too. This was an outstanding drink, and plenty of booze, too. Here's the Iced Irish & DH's beer.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/2b867e65-1.jpg

Well, after getting our drinks at the bar and sipping for a minute or two, I saw it was past 7:00...DH & I were getting hungry, so I said I'd see if they would seat us & let us order an appetizer - we were expecting DS & friend to show up any minute. They said sure, but then started off to seat us in the back of beyond...the farthest dining room area. Well, I asked her if you could hear the entertainment back there, and she said not really. Now we are all really big fans of Irish music - love the Celtic scene (great-great-grandparents on all sides of the family came from Ireland...it's in our blood!) So I begged & cajoled to get a table in the main dining room so we could hear the band. She went back to the podium & after a fair amount of wrangling, they seated us on the end of the banquette seating just inside towards the right. We could see the band, though our line of sight was obstructed a bit by the tall tables - but we could hear very well. And the begging was well worth it - that Irish family band is outstanding on vocals & instruments (dancing's not bad either.) Well, we put in our appetizer orders, and when it came time to order drinks at the table, the waitress noticed I'd been drinking the Iced Irish, and suggested we'd surely enjoy the Bailey's milkshakes...so three of us did. Hubby had another beer, of course.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/7625ea94.jpg

Here's our view of the band (against the far wall...the guy standing on the left was leaning on the bar. The waiter is serving people sitting at the tall bar tables mentioned above as partially blocking our view.) Wasn't bad...would have loved one of the tables in the middle nearer the stage, but those were pretty well locked-in with people by 7:00 p.m and they lingered over their meals & drinks so they'd still have the good tables when the singing started at 8:00. Can't blame them, but not sure I'd show up more than hour ahead of time to get those tables, unless I was in for a full night of drinking. Well, guess that could happen...http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/a78ac2e5.jpg

Back to the eats! For apps, DH & I just had to try the "Dalkey Duo" which is "Dalkey-battered cocktail sausages, with a Dalkey mustard dipping sauce" We LOVED these things...funny how they serve them (those are full-sized forks they're stuck on, so you get 6 forks to eat them with, lol.) They are not breakfast-type sausages, and not spicy like Italian sausage. Just a batter-fried plain sausage, but with that mustard dip they were really good. Could have made a meal out of them.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/2dab02b4.jpg

DS & Friend went for Smokie City, which is " Oven baked layers of smoked Pollock with mature Wexford cheddar and double cream. Served with crusty bread " What that actually looks like is bread & a bowl of creamy chowder to dip that bread into. This was also delicious...and also could have been a meal.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/eb1f0647.jpg

After thoroughly enjoying these appetizers, it was on to the main courses. DS chose the "Salmon of Knowledge Fresh salmon fillet topped with smoked salmon, baked and served with a****
Maple glaze. It’ll give you brains to burn." The salmon was served atop mashed potatoes (hey, it's Irish - has to have potatoes, right?) This dish was outstanding...he ate every bit.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/fd2709b9.jpg

Friend chose some sort of salad...I can't actually find it on any of the Raglan Road menus I see (none of them mention the raspberries!) But she wasn't feeling all that well - think she'd had some issues with dehydration that day so appetite was not up to usual. Anyway, she wanted something light & this salad did the trick. She liked it, but only finished about 1/2.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/f0e329c7.jpg

DH & I both chose "It’s not Bleedin’ Chowder! That’s what Master Chef said. It is potatoes, mussels, prawns, scallops and fresh seafood infused with white wine and finished with cream. " Oh.My.Gosh! This was the best chowder we have ever, ever, ever had. And we've had some outstanding chowder in our day. This was over-the-top delicious. We both wanted to lick the bowls...that good.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/cf593da3.jpg

Well, we were drawing out the meal...enjoying the entertainment and the ambiance. But time came for dessert...and we valiantly ordered on. And here's where I run into problems doing reviews after the fact - I have brief notes about these dishes but didn't write down the names for all of them figuring I'd spot them on the on-line menus....well, didn't quite work that way. Here's DS's choice. Which he loved, loved, loved. But I have no idea what it was, lol - obviously has some strawberries on it, and swimming in sweet cream. But other than that, who knows what it was:confused3 He also enjoyed a glass of mead with his dessert (he & friend go to Renaissance Fairs and order mead at those, so he was thrilled to find it on the menu at Raglan Road.)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/dac8c9d1.jpg

DH & son's friend both ordered the same dessert...which looked fabulous but again I have no idea what it was. Some sort of crumble-berry tart. It was supposed to come with ice cream ala mode, but they both ordered it without the ice cream because they figured they'd never finish it. Did end up putting most of it in a to-go box. It was also delicious...sorry I don't have the exact name, though!
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/441651ea.jpg

My dessert...I DO know the name of it! "Ger’s Bread & Butter Pudding
Like no other pudding you have ever tried. Believe us. " Oh, I believe....I really, really believe. I love bread pudding, and I have a new all-time favorite bread pudding. This was so good...the cream & caramel sauce just way, way, way tooooo wonderful. They have elevated bread pudding to an art form. Maybe you have to be ultra-Irish to like this stuff. I'm pretty sure Ger's Bread & Butter Pudding will be the dessert in the heaven I go to:woohoo:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/5fd2dc4b.jpg

We spent about 3 hours at Raglan Road...and we over-ate & over-drank, big time. The entrees, desserts & coffee were of course covered by the dining plan. But the extras were a bit much for a "free" meal, lol. Our room charges for the adult beverages, appetizers & tips came to well over $100 (making Raglan Road not-so-free-dining for us.) But it really was worth it, great apps & great drinks: we'd do it again in a heartbeat! In fact, as we were leaving, I told husband we should take DD there for her 21st birthday - she'd love it all. Service was excellent...drinks, apps, meal & dessert was paced very well to allow us to enjoy the entertainment. Adult beverages & all the food was outstanding. Entertainment was superb. Ambiance was wonderful. We'd give Raglan Road an 11 on a scale of 10...yeppers, it was over-the-top good.

Mesa Verde

10-12-2009, 06:04 PM

TigerKat

10-12-2009, 06:58 PM

I do love that chowder at RR, one of the best entrees I've had at WDW!

catne

10-12-2009, 09:49 PM

I'm very late to this dining party, but I am really enjoying your detailed reviews!

Thanks for the info on Raglan Road; we're planing to go there without the kids and now have a better idea what to expect in both food & entertainment.

Oh yeah, leave the kids at home - you'll have a much better time. There were plenty of kids in there, but I don't know why -- especially the little ones were bored out of their gourds. There's really no room for high chairs/strollers, etc. Guess I'm getting old, but what fun is there in taking you little kiddos to a bar, lol.

I do love that chowder at RR, one of the best entrees I've had at WDW!

We've had some great chowder over the years...this ranks right up there with the BEST! And so much sea food in it. Sometimes you get chowder & you're lucky to find anything that came from the ocean in it. Not this stuff-it was chock-full. I want some right now -- we're having crazy-cold weather in Nebraska this week.

catne

10-13-2009, 06:15 PM

Thursday was again extremely hot, and it was going to be a DHS day for us (and evening - we had Fantasmic Dinner package reservations) so we started the day with breakfast bars & left-over desserts (breakfast of champions!) and headed over to DHS for rope drop. We did our usual fast-track to the the TSM fast-passes (thank you DH for having this drill down to a fine science...he actually was first in line at one of the fastpass machines today...return time was 9:25. Yippee! And then we also walked on stand-by -- walking straight through, no slow-down until the stairs then it was maybe 2-3 minutes wait time in the stairs area. Great time was had by all. After a fabulous morning at DHS - doing TSM 3 times in 3 hours AND getting one more set of fastpasses for our evening return time, we finally headed for lunch around 11:45 or so. By then it was pushing 90 degrees, so the shady tables at Starring Rolls were beckoning. Although it was approaching noon, there was a very short line when we went in - maybe 2 small groups ahead of us. After getting our food, we had our choice of tables outside. By the time we left, around 12:30 or so, the line filled the small shop & curled outside - had to be 20-25 people in line and people saving tables outside for their parties, too, so I guess we timed our lunch just right.

DS picked the Black Forest Ham Sandwich - with chips or fresh fruit $9.19
Simply Sea Salt potato chips, coke and tirimisu for dessert. Son was really surprised how much ham was on here...very impressive hunk o'ham here. He loved the tirimisu, but it was definitely too rich to finish.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/9cd08d59.jpg

Friend, DH & I all chose the Turkey Focaccia - with chips $9.19 We also chose cokes. Love these sandwiches...has to be 1/2 pound of shaved turkey on these deli sandwiches. http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/f50e7562.jpgDH & I picked the Sea Salt & Vinegar chips; Friend chose the version with jalopeno (she likes HOT food.) http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/f50e7562.jpg

As you can probably guess by now, Friend loves all things key lime, so she naturally had to pick the Breeze from the Keys...which is kind of like a key-lime pie with a layer of lime jello on top. She liked it...not quite as good as the key lime tart at Sunshine Seasons or the key lime dessert at Olivia's on Tuesday. But plenty of key limey-ness. She ate about 1/2 of this.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/58b870fb.jpg

DH & I both wanted something cold, so both picked the Banana Split dessert, $3.99 ...wonderful, but very rich. These desserts don't look all that large, but looks are deceiving here - these were too much to finish, too.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/f92d3428.jpg

We all enjoyed our lunch at Starring Rolls. Nice to have cold sandwiches on a hot day and though we love the baked goods at Starring Rolls on a super hot day those cold desserts are a real treat. Would give our lunch a solid 10...not a thing wrong with it. We'd return any day - think Starring Rolls is a hidden gem at DHS.

catne

10-13-2009, 06:56 PM

Drinks & rolls
We returned to DHS in time to use our fastpasses for TSM (love that game!) and then headed over to Mama Melrose's for dinner. We checked in about 15 minutes early for our ADR and boy, was that place hopping. The waiting area was PACKED! This was our 3rd time to Mama Melrose in a year and had never been this busy before. Last May we were there on the Fantasmic dinner package for a 5:10 seating and the place was at least 1/2 empty. This time, every table full and busy/noisy. We were kind of surprised to be seated 20 minutes later (so only about 5 minutes after our actual ADR time.) While we waited I saw many people turned away who were looking for walk-up seating. Most of them were astonished to be turned away -- had obviously never happened to them before at Mama Melrose. Guess that's what has changed now with the reduced Fantasmic schedule - the park & the restuarants are packed on Fantasmic nights.

We started with drinks. I chose the Peach Bellini and Son picked a Mama's Margarita. Both were very good - my only objection to the Peach Bellini is that it's kind of a skimpy serving in that tall skinny glass, lol.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2372.jpg
DH chose...Beer. No surprise there - he's had the Italian beer before & liked it, so ordered that (Moretti.) Have to confess I have no idea what the name of Friend's beverage was but believe it contained strawberries, pomengranate & lemonade. Whatever it was, she thought it was very refreshing.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2373.jpg
The bread & dipping oil arrived about the same time as the drinks.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2375.jpg

catne

10-13-2009, 06:59 PM

DH & I chose the Crispy Calamari For Two, which is "topped with Peppers and Onions served with a side of spicy Marinara Sauce 12.99 We've chosen this before at Mama's and it did not disappoint this time either. Crispy/crunchy without a greasy taste. The marinara is a tad spicy for me, but DH loves it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2378.jpg

Now when we came in May, DD chose the "Bruschetta
Marinated Tomatoes served with Crostini 5.99" and it was really, really blah/nothing/what a waste of plate space. So when DS said he was headed for that, I told him about his sister's experience in May - bland bread with virtually no tomato topping, etc. He ordered it anyway - said he had a gut instinct about it. Well, he was right - this was very different from what DD was served. For one thing, it was covered with the marinated tomatoes! DS & friend shared this and her app, and they really enjoyed it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2379.jpg

DS's Friend chose the Mozzarella and Tomatoes, "with Marinated Sweet Onions, Balsamic Drizzle, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and fresh Sweet Basil 7.99" Again, a very delicious choice.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2380.jpg

catne

10-13-2009, 07:02 PM

Son's friend & I both chose my favorite from previous visits, the "Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana over Spaghetti 16.99" This is not quite as good as Olive Garden's, but better than I can make, lol. Breading on the chicken was just a tad too crunchy/dry but apparently they pulled it out of the oven just in time because the chicken meat was still moist & tasty. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, which is the way I prefer it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2385.jpg

DH chose the "Charred Sirloin Steak Italian Roasted Potatoes with Caramelized Sweet Onions, Aged Balsamic Shallot Butter, and Chianti Wine Reduction" ...this also came with asparagus, and was cooked as ordered. It was not the best steak he's had at Disney, but was tasty.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2382.jpg

DS chose the "Penne alla Vodka with Pancetta and Sweet Onion finished with Tomato Basil Sauce, Cream, Vodka, and Pecorino Romano 16.99" He couldn't finish this, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2383.jpg

catne

10-13-2009, 07:06 PM

We were all pretty full when it came time for dessert...for once the service was prompt so there were no long waits between courses. But we all wanted to try the various desserts, so Son and Friend both tried the "Mama’s Tiramisu Layers of Ladyfingers soaked in Coffee and topped with Whipped Mascarpone Cheese." About 3 bites each was all they could manage, but they both liked it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2387.jpg

I chose another old favorite, the "Honey-Hazelnut and Ricotta Cheesecake with a Blood Orange Sauce topped with Whipped Cream." I love, love, love this dessert...think it's my favorite cheesecake on property. Choked down about 1/2 of it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/IMG_2391.jpg

DH chose spumoni ice cream again...didn't get a picture of it this time, so here's a photo from May (in May it arrived at the table melting all over the place...as I said, the service was really slow then. This time it arrived still frozen, no drips.) DH was able to finish most of the dish.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/may2009mamamelrosechocolatespumo-1.jpg

All in all, this was our best Mama Melrose dining experience...we were seated relatively quickly considering the size of the crowd waiting, and then we had prompt, cheerful service and good food. This was the busiest we've ever seen MM - we really thought we'd be there forever since on previous two occasions the place was 1/2 empty and the food & service took forever. This time, everything went bing-bing-bing...not rushed, but timely. We'd give it an 8 out of 10. It's not gourmet Italian food, but it's good, plentiful and left us feeling quite contented. We would definitely return to Mama Melrose, especially on the Fantasmic Dinner package.

SweetMommy

10-13-2009, 07:51 PM

So being an employee of Olive Garden, I'm feeling quite good! lol

Smiling Cheshire Cat

10-13-2009, 08:04 PM

catne

10-13-2009, 08:10 PM

I can't stop laughing about that comment CM made about your DH's biscuits and gravy not being a snack credit anymore because it was plated. Could he have asked for it in a bowl and used a snack credit?:rotfl:

Thanks for the MM F! package review. We will doing this next month and can't wait to try it.

Yeah, "Plated"...that had to be the silliest explanation ever -- would love to talk to the suit that came up with that reason. :sad2:Course, husband offered to just take it in his hands, but that was a no-go:lmao: And typical Disney-dining-snafu: I've read several dining reviews from people staying at POP during the same time frame who were getting biscuits & gravy over there for a snack credit. Apparently "plating" wasn't an issue there.

So being an employee of Olive Garden, I'm feeling quite good! lol

:thumbsup2 Love, love, love Olive Garden's "taste of Italy"...we get that & take 1/2 home so we get 2 meals out of it.Yummy!:love:

catne

10-14-2009, 05:05 PM

Friday September 10, Breakfast at Boma

Friday was going to be a somewhat easy touring day -the only "must do" we still had on our list was to get over to Animal Kingdom and see Festival of the Lion King. We really didn't have big park plans for the day, because we were heading to our first-ever Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party that evening and it was our last night so we planned to stay until the end. Since we had early dinner planned at Cinderella's Royal Table at 4:15, we knew we wouldn't want to be eating lunch in the middle of the day so we decided instead of our usual light breakfast, we would have a big buffet breakfast, then go see the Lion King. Then we'd head back to the resort & pack almost everything since we'd be leaving early the next morning.

We'd been to Chef Mickey's before for breakfast...not really interested in a character meal and though we liked it, we didn't think the breakfast there was "all that"....seemed like so much of what was offered on the buffet line at CM was aimed at kiddos (not surprising:) Well, we have heard so much good stuff about Boma breakfast, that's where we'd go. Have to say this was operating on "blind faith" here because we really, really did NOT like Boma dinner at all. Thought it was either tasteless/bland or yuck! on the spices. So we were trusting fellow Disers' reports that breakfast & dinner do not compare. Here's the interesting thing - this was during Free Dining, yet we decided to do this just two weeks before we got there and when I went on-line to check for times I could have had any time between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. for Boma, table of 4. I thought maybe there was a glitch in the system & they were double-booking or something. But when we arrived shortly after 9:00 a.m., the place was EMPTY. Don't think there was 6 other tables filled in the whole restaurant. The service was wonderful - juice and coffee was instantly refilled, used plates disappeared...we have never had such excellent service at a buffet before. And the food...oh my. Everything you've heard about Boma breakfast buffet being the best on property is true. There are some "interesting" foods...like the green curry gravy with the "biscuits & gravy", but by & large it's all American style breakfast foods. But hot and delicious. The fruit was all fresh and the pastries were good. We all loved the food here. And fun-fun-fun, we were all serenaded by African singers, doing a line dance & singing a very interesting version of Happy Birthday. Besides me, two other tables also had folks celebrating birthdays, so each table got a personalized version in addition to the singing/dance line throughout the restaurant. That was a treat - those women have wonderful harmonies going (and they really looked liked they loved doing that performance - I don't remember the last time I saw adults look like they were having such a good time with their job.)

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/109.jpg
scrambled eggs with salsa, biscuit & curry gravy, breakfast potatoes, bacon, pecan roll, bowl of plain yogurt

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/110.jpg
Breakfast potatoes, bacon, eggs with goat cheese/chives, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, pineapple, sausage, chocolate chip croissant. The breakfast potatoes were spicy - too much for me but everyone else thought they were excellent. The scrambled eggs made with goat cheese & chives were outstanding - moist & fluffy without being soggy. The cheese gave them a creamy taste - not strong cheese flavor. We all liked the chocolate chip croissants here.
The oh-so-delicious coffee (apparently they're using the good stuff here) and also Boma's superb signature juice "West African Frunch (a combination of lemonade, pineapple juice, guava juice, orange juice, and papaya juice)" I think each of us drank at least 3-4 glasses of juice in addition to 2-3 cups of coffee...we would have floated out of there if we weren't bogged down with the wonderful food, lol.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/116coffeeandjuice.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/116.jpg
The pecan roll, strawberries, chocolate croissant,banana bread, couple of muffins - all very fresh . The pecan caramel roll was very good, as was the choc. croissant. The banana bread, though moist & fresh was not all that flavorful. The muffins were good, but nothing special about them.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/119.jpg

Son's Plate o'bacon, taters & maters (can you tell he LOVES bacon, lol.) He loved the bacon & taters, but thought the tomatoes looked way better than they tasted. Not spicy enough.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/120.jpg

Friend's plate...she loves the usual breakfast foods, so had to try a plate of eggs, bacon, pancake, raisin french toast, waffle. She liked it all.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/113cheeseandchivesbaconpancakefreen.jpg

This bowl was watermelon (which was good) and a fruit salad (ack...thought it looked like fruit salad made with whipped cream, fruit cocktail, coconut, etc. but whatever the white stuff was it didn't taste like regular sweetened whipped cream. and seemed to have grapefruit and other sour and/or tasteless fruits in it. Quite the surprise when I took my first bite. Expecting one taste, getting something totally different. Yuck.)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/115watermellonandmixedfruit.jpg

Some more of the excellent coffee, yummy juice, croissant with cream cheese, choc chip croissant, honey dew, cantelope and strawberry (all excellent.)
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/117coffeejuicecroissantchocchipcroi.jpg

We used up the end of our Table Service credits with this meal, but even paying cash I would choose Boma Breakfast. It was 10X better than Chef Mickey's for food - definitely had a lot more appeal for adult palates (though there was certainly plenty of kid-friendly choices, too.) We loved this breakfast - awesome decor, outstanding food and excellent service. Would give Boma breakfast a 10 out of 10...we'd go back any day.

catne

10-14-2009, 05:36 PM

So we arrive at our final meal at Disney...since we were treating our Son & his friend to probably a once-in-a-lifetime kind of Disney trip, we splurged on our last day with dinner at the Castle, followed by the Halloween Party. Have to say this was a wonderful way to end our trip. We had early dinner booked at CRT, since we wanted to be done & ready to PARTY well before 7. We checked in at CRT at 4:00 for a 4:15 ADR . There was only a couple of other people waiting, and we were called to meet Cinderella almost immediately. We were actually upstairs & seated by 4:15. And the place was at least 1/2 empty. I was very surprised - really thought more people would be taking advantage of the the early seatings to be done before the party started...guess not. It was full by the time we left around 5:45 or so.

Anyway, here's a pic of the cute Fall pumpkin coach centerpiece at CRT.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/122CRTFalldecorPumpkingcoach.jpg

Our waiter, Fernando, came and took our drink orders, explained the menu and delivered a basket of dinner rolls:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/121CRTdinnerrolls.jpg

CRT dinner is one of the fixed-price meals that comes with an appetizer, so we all ordered. Son's Friend ordered the Spring roll appetizer. She enjoyed this, but did think it could have been a bit hotter.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/125CRTspringrollapp.jpg

DH, DS and myself all ordered the BLT Salad. This is a very good salad -- if it was just a tad larger it could almost be an entree. There's a lot of real bacon on this - not your crummy fake bac-o's, lol.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/127CRTBLTsaladapp.jpg

DS ordered the salmon, which came with aspargus and rice. Although not the "best" salmon ever, he thought this was tasty. The rice was kind of plain tasting, despite the colorful veggies in it.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/128CRTsalmonasparagusandrice.jpg

DH & I ordered the prime rib, rare...and actually got it that way (so many places can't get you rare prime rib unless it's a very fresh prime rib. Because as the big roast sits under the heat lamps it keeps on cooking & soon the "rare" ain't very rare at all. We must have got pieces off a fresh roast, because as you can see, this is gloriously rare. It was terrific. It came with potatoes, and asparagus. The taters were good, the aspargus, not so much. It was kind of gritty/stringy. That's o.k., we weren't actually eating all the veggies this week, anyway, lol.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/130CRTprimeribpotatoesandaspargus.jpg

DS's Friend chose the lavender chicken, which came with a slice of cheese bread and mashed potatoes. She was intrigued by "lavender" as a flavoring...used to it in floral centerpieces and as a perfumed room freshener, never had it as a food, lol. Whatever the taste, she said the taste was mainly that of the thyme, so she's still not sure what Lavender actually tastes like. The mashed potatoes were good, as was the bread.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/129CRTlavendarchickencheesebreadmas.jpg

For desserts, Friend was quite full, and wanted something lighter, so she chose the fresh berry sorbet, which as you can see is quite a good-sized serving. She enjoyed this - not too sweet and very refreshing.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/131CRTfreshberrysorbet.jpg

DH & I both chose the chocolate buckle - we've had this before. I thought it was cute they put Halloween colored Mickey sprinkles on top...didn't know they changed the sprinkles with the seasons. The buckle did not disappoint - ours were very fresh and straight-out-of-the oven warm. YUMMY!
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/133CRTchocolatebucklepumpkindecoran.jpg

DS chose the creme brulee. He thought the topping was a bit burnt - but otherwise enjoyed the custard and fruit.

When we were about done with our desserts, Fernando brought this out. I noticed there was a flurry of servers delivering these, as well as all the other special desserts like those Cinderella's slippers desserts
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/140CRTbirthdaycakewithlitcandle.jpg

And just after all the special desserts arrived on the tables, the Fairy godmother & mouse maids were out, dancing around as Fairy Godmother sang her Celebration song. This is really kind of sweet, and it's over in less than 10 minutes - about right if you're wanting just a teensy-bit of character entertainment.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj308/caleibman/136CRTfairygodmothermousemaid.jpg

All in all, we had a great time at dinner. We were not rushed through at all (I'm thinking that only happens during the actual character meals there -- since there's no pressure to get through all the tables I don't think there's quite the need to "turn-over" as fast at dinner.) Our server was excellent, and you can't beat the ambiance - it really is wonderfully well decorated in the castle. Not sure that's how real castles looked back in their day, but it looks like every fabulous castle-in-a-movie looks so for a fairy-tale castle it's wonderful. Son & friend just loved seeing the inside of the castle. The picture with Cinderella was fun, as was the little show with the Fairy Godmother. The food is good -- no, it's not outstanding , but we enjoyed our meals. Now at that cost (we paid cash), it's not something we'd do every trip, but as a special treat for someone, we'd surely go back. Would give CRT an 8.5 or so...the food is probably closer to a 7 -good, but not great. However, location boosts the score!

We had a great time at MNSSHP after dinner...we thought it was well worth the money. It felt a bit odd to be going to a Halloween party in early September, but once you're there it's easy to get into the "spirit" of the holiday, especially after dark. The parade & fireworks are wonderful, as are the special lighting & special effects all over the MK. Great fun, even for a party of 4 adults

Now to sum it up...while we enjoyed Free Dining again, not sure we're going to keep using the dining plan every trip from now on. It's great to have most of it paid in advance & all...but we would also like more flexibility, I think. Sometimes it'd be nice to just totally wing it, snacking our way through the day. And sometimes we'd probably just like to order drinks & several appetizers, maybe splitting a dessert. We might try the quick service plan one of these trips...that has a certain amount of appeal, too. But so far, we only have one trip to Disney planned for 2010 - and that is for Free Dining bounceback. We'll just have to see how that goes.:rolleyes1 Got pretty spoiled over the last 2 years...but hubby really wants to try some new places.